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[audio logo]
[serene music]
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: It's a miracle that I'm
standing before you today.
But what I'm about to share with you isn't about me.
It's about Annie--
Annie Timmons, who is the kindest,
most forgiving soul I've ever known.
She loves to read, mostly because she
doesn't have any friends.
Many of you don't pay much attention to her
or see her for who she really is.
You've only seen her disabilities.
She's been knocked down, bullied,
and has had her heart broken more
than her fair share of times, and some of us
here today are to blame, including me.
Hi, girls.
Hi, Annie.
No, don't talk to her.
Why not?
I already told you, she's a cripple.
Ew, that's gross.
YOUNG CLAIRE: Yeah, it is.
We can't be seen with her.
It's bad for our reputation.
Let's go.
My mom's waiting.
[VOICE BREAKING] Please don't leave me behind.
You're my ride home.
YOUNG GIRL: We really should give her a ride.
Not our problem.
Now, hurry.
[LAUGHING] Don't let her catch up.
Hey, girls.
Hey, Mom.
Did you guys have fun?
Yep, a blast.
Read lots of books.
Now, let's go.
We have a play at June's house.
Uh, what about Annie?
She said her mom's coming to pick her up.
CLAIRE'S MOM: Oh, yeah?
You sure?
YOUNG CLAIRE: Yes, I'm sure.
[giggles]
OK, buckle up.
Let's go.
[car engine starts]
Please don't leave me behind.
Come on, wait for me.
[melancholy music]
YOUNG BOY: Well, well, look what we have here.
Hi, Stew.
Hi, Jacob.
Do not come any closer.
You have cooties.
No, I don't.
Those aren't even real.
Yes, they are.
You'll just smell like an old, wet dog.
You should go home and take a shower.
It's disgusting.
[LAUGHING JEERINGLY] Yeah, it is.
YOUNG BOY: Come on, let's get out of here.
Move out of the way!
We don't want to get infected!
[gentle music]
Hi.
What's wrong with your legs?
Arthur, that's not a very polite thing to say.
I am so sorry.
It's OK.
People stare at me all the time but never say anything.
I'd rather they just ask.
Well, you are sweet.
Thank you.
I actually have something called cerebral palsy,
so my legs don't work very well.
But other than that, I'm pretty normal.
That's good to know.
Thank you so much for sharing.
You're welcome.
Have a good day.
ARTHUR'S MOM: You as well.
Bye, Arthur.
Bye.
[CHUCKLING] Hey.
There's my girl.
Hey, Daddy.
What, no hug?
Bring it in.
That's more like it.
[chuckles]
What's this?
A flower for me?
[gasps]
Sure, if you want it.
Oh, I do.
I want to give it to your mom.
Just don't tell her that I didn't pick it.
OK, Daddy.
Hey, you OK?
Yeah, I'm OK.
You just getting back from the library?
Yeah, I got a backpack full of new books to read.
Oh, that's great.
You know, I love that you love to read so much.
[both chuckle]
I have lots of friends that I made at my books,
but they're not real.
Did you meet anybody new at the library today?
No, there were lots of kids there,
but they didn't really want to talk to me.
I'm sorry, sweetheart.
That's their loss.
You can talk to me anytime you want.
Thanks, Daddy.
I didn't see anybody drop you off.
How did you get home?
[sighs] Well, Claire's mom was supposed to give me a ride,
but I think they kind of forgot about me.
They forgot about you?
And you walked all the way home all by yourself?
Yeah.
That's over 2 miles.
It's OK.
I'm strong.
Yes, you are--
stronger than any kid your age and most adults that I know.
You're my hero.
[giggles] Thanks, Daddy.
Cheer up, kiddo.
You're going to make some new friends soon.
I can feel it.
I hope so, Daddy.
I know you do, kiddo.
Hey, how about we get inside?
I bet your mom has dinner ready, and I am starved!
[laughter]
Yeah.
All right, come on.
[melancholy music]
I cannot believe you walked all the way home by yourself.
ANNIE: And thank you for our family,
and thank you for our dog, Kai, and thank you
for this wonderful meal my mom made me.
And please help me find a friend--
someone who will be nice to me.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
BOTH: Amen.
Thank you, Annie.
You always say such nice prayers.
Aww, and thank you for the flower, honey.
[knowing laughter]
What?
What's so funny?
Nothing.
I'm just excited to be home with my girls.
OK.
So how was the library?
Um--
Ah, Claire and her mom left her behind.
She walked home.
What?
You walked home?
[sighs] Yeah, but it's OK.
I think it was just an accident.
I-- I had fun.
I checked out five new books, mostly fantasy stuff
about princesses and dragons.
Well, that is great, honey.
I really love your imagination.
[breathes deeply]
Oh, hey, there is a new girl that
has just moved into the neighborhood,
and she is your age, Annie.
Mm!
That's good.
Yeah.
Her name is Jordan.
And I talked to her mom today, and they are going to go
to church with us on Sunday.
OK.
So her parents and her, they are invited to Claire's birthday
party tomorrow afternoon, and I was thinking
you two could be friends, huh?
I'm sure she'd love someone to talk to.
[sighs] I don't really want to go, Mom.
Why?
I think she'd really love someone to talk to.
What's going on?
'Cause all they do at those parties is
do fun games that I can't do.
Besides that, all the other kids ignore me.
Hmm.
Well, what about Claire?
Claire's your friend.
She likes you.
No, she doesn't.
She just pretends to at church, and then
at school or everywhere else I see her,
she's always really mean to me.
Really?
I am so sorry.
I did not know that.
[CRYING] It's OK.
I forgive her.
May I be excused?
I'm not very hungry.
Sure, sweetheart.
Give your leftovers to Kai.
ANNIE: OK.
[melancholy music]
I have a phone call to make.
Yeah.
How could she not check?
How could she not know that she didn't have a ride?
I don't know.
Maybe she thought we were picking her up?
Well, that is not OK.
She should check.
She should check!
Yeah, I agree.
[wistful music]
I'm glad you're my friend.
[knocking on door]
Come in.
[door opens]
I just wanted to come say good night.
Daddy?
TOD: Hmm?
Why did God make me like this?
Oh, honey.
You're perfect.
God doesn't make mistakes.
I mean, my body--
why did he make my body like this?
I don't know.
But I do know that there is a reason for everything.
You know, sometimes, God takes our toughest challenges in life
and turns lemons into lemonade.
I wonder why people can't really see me.
They only see my crutches.
The right ones can see you and the incredible person
that you are.
Others are going to come along and become your truest friends--
the ones that really matter in life.
I hope so.
Do you know what I think?
What?
I think that you should go to that party tomorrow.
[breathes deeply] What if no one talks to me like always?
Hmm, well, you can always come talk to me and Mom.
[sighs] OK, I'll go.
That's my girl.
I'm going to go to bed.
ANNIE: OK.
You should get some sleep, too.
OK.
Love you.
Good night.
TOD: Say your prayers.
I will.
[serene music]
Hey.
So how'd it go?
TOD: OK, I guess.
She agreed to go to the party tomorrow.
Well, that's great.
Yeah.
[sighs] Our little girl is so brave.
[chuckles] Yeah, she is.
We're really lucky to have her.
[chuckles] Yeah, we are.
Yeah.
Do you remember all those years of trying to have a baby?
Mm-hmm.
[chuckles] She was worth the wait.
Yeah, she was.
I just want her to be happy, you know, not so lonely.
Well, she is happy.
Yeah?
Yeah, and I think the loneliness will go away.
I really do.
I hope you're right.
So do I.
[sighs] I pray every day that she'll find a new friend soon.
Me, too.
You know I love you, right?
Yeah.
I love you, too.
[pop music]
[chatter]
Oh, hi.
Welcome.
This is for Claire.
Oh, sweet.
It's heavy. Go ahead.
Enjoy. Have fun.
Nice to see you again.
Nice to see you, too.
Oh!
If it isn't the Simmons family.
Timmons.
Oh, yeah, right.
So glad you guys could be here.
Welcome.
I'm so sorry we're late.
No, it's fine.
We just started dinner.
Dave is making his famous barbecue brisket.
Of course, we've got hamburgers and hot dogs for the kiddos,
of course.
Help yourselves.
Sounds good. Thank you.
Yeah, of course.
This is for Claire.
Oh.
Well.
[awkward laugh] You know, all the kids are over there playing.
They just started hitting the piñata.
Why don't you go and join them?
Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I-- I didn't realize that you couldn't with your, um--
I'm sorry, with what?
Oh, I just mean, uh, with her crutches and all.
Oh, she's perfectly capable of hitting a piñata, Angela.
Mm-hmm.
Great.
Well, you guys have a good time.
Mi casa, su casa.
But not-- OK.
Smile.
I am smiling.
[chuckles] Uh-huh.
You want to go play with the little kids?
I'm going to go talk to Mrs. Sanders instead.
OK.
We'll be over here.
ANNIE: OK.
Should we go with her?
Nah, give her a few minutes.
She needs to try this on her own.
OK.
Just hurts my little heart to watch, you know?
Yeah, mine, too.
We're not always going to be there to save her, though.
Ah, Pastor Newsome.
Go say hi.
YOUNG BOY: Look at her miss.
Oh, brother.
Look who showed up.
Don't talk to her unless my mom is around.
I don't want to get in trouble.
She says we need to look good in front of everybody.
Why can't we talk to her?
Duh, isn't it obvious?
Not really.
She's not one of us.
She's embarrassing.
You don't want to be seen with her, trust me.
[rock music]
Give me that.
It's my turn.
TOD: Pastor.
Tod. Melanie.
Hi.
Hello.
Hey, where's that adorable daughter of yours?
Oh, she's over talking to Mrs. Sanders.
Oh.
[chuckles] How's she doing, anyway?
Uh, I mean, to be honest, it's been
a pretty rough summer on her.
Yeah, the kids in the neighborhood
and at church, they're just mean sometimes, you know?
Yeah.
We're actually not that happy about it.
Well, I think I'd probably feel the same way
if I was in your shoes.
Annie's an angel.
We can't tolerate this kind of stuff.
Maybe I should incorporate a little come-to-Jesus moment
in my sermon on Sunday.
Oh.
Uh, no.
I don't really think that's necessary.
I mean, we don't want to call anybody out or anything.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, some people, especially kids,
need to be told that there--
there's something about the Christ-like love and humility
that they need to see.
Well, we trust you.
Yeah.
Yeah?
I'll think about it.
[CHUCKLING] OK.
You want to get something to eat?
Uh, no, we're not really hungry.
Fine.
You want to sit for a while?
- Sure. - Yeah.
Thank you.
Come.
MRS. SANDERS: Hello, cutie pie.
Hi, Mrs. Sanders.
How are you doing, huh?
Good.
I've missed you.
I missed you, too.
Are you having a good time?
No.
What?
Seriously?
Yeah, I'm not having fun at all.
Well, how come you don't go over
there and take a whack at that piñata with those other kids?
Because most of the kids are mean.
They are?
Mm-hmm.
Hm.
That doesn't make me very happy.
Maybe there's something we can do about it.
What do you think?
Let's not.
Let's think about it for a few minutes, and then we'll decide.
Here's a burger, and here's some chicken.
World-class, same with the sauce.
My own recipe.
Looks really good.
That took me years to perfect.
Family secret.
And I've had offers to buy it for a ton of money,
but I won't budge.
I can see why.
It looks delicious.
So where are you guys from?
We just moved here from Idaho.
And that's our daughter, Jordan, over there.
Oh, yeah, she's talking to my daughter, Claire.
Now, she's the best dancer and cheerleader in her age
bracket in the state, bar none.
Wow, I'm impressed.
They start them young.
It just comes natural to her.
Anyway, what do you do?
Lawn care.
I'm trying to pick up more clients,
since I'm new to the area.
I'll let you mow my lawn.
We'll talk numbers later.
I'm in real estate--
killing it, even in this economy.
This house is just temporary.
Bought it to flip it.
Got my eyes set on a nice piece of property in Cove Hills,
where we're going to build.
It's where a lot of the professional athletes live.
Good for you.
It sounds like your dream home.
Yeah, for now.
Hey, you two should, uh, just go find a chair and go mingle.
Enjoy.
[children laughing]
YOUNG BOY 1: Swing again.
Swing again.
MRS. SANDERS: Excuse us.
We're coming through.
Move over, kids.
It is Annie's turn.
All of you kids have had enough.
YOUNG BOY 2: Let's go, Stew.
MRS. SANDERS: Stew, Stew.
Thank you very much, dear.
Thank you, thank you.
But, Mrs--
OK, get up here, sweetheart.
OK, get your balance.
Can you do it?
Come on, you can do it.
Give it a good one.
[piñata rattles]
That's OK.
Try again.
YOUNG BOY 1: Whoa--
whoa.
[children laughing]
MRS. SANDERS: Excuse me.
[children continue laughing]
Stop your laughing.
Stop your laughing right now.
[dwindling laughter]
Do you think this is funny?
KIDS: Yeah, it's really funny.
[VOICE BREAKING] I'm ashamed of you.
Every single one of you.
Yeah, you guys are cruel and mean, especially you, Claire.
I don't think I can ever be friends with someone like you!
[huffs] Hi.
[CRYING] Hi.
YOUNG JORDAN: Can I sit by you?
You want to sit by me?
Sure, if you want to.
I'm Jordan.
Hi, I'm Annie.
Those kids are so mean.
Yeah, they are.
But I forgive them.
Really?
Yeah.
Well, then you're a better person
than me 'cause I don't want to be friends with any of them.
[serene music]
Me neither.
I like nice people, not mean people,
and you seem really nice.
I just moved here.
Maybe we could be friends?
I'd like that.
What kind of things do you like to do?
I like to read books.
No way.
Me, too.
What books do you like to read?
Mostly fantasy stuff about princesses and dragons.
I like mysteries.
Fun.
[gentle music]
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: Some people were just born to be friends.
That's the way it was with Annie and I
from the very first moment we met.
This is our story--
the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows,
but most importantly, the great joy and blessings that
come with having a best friend.
[SOFTLY] Annie, over here.
Annie.
Daddy, can we sit over there?
Sure.
[hushed chatter]
Nice to see you again.
You, too.
Tod.
Nice to officially meet you.
I wanted to say thank you again for sticking
up for Annie yesterday.
The honor was all mine.
PASTOR NEWSOME: Good afternoon.
For those of you who don't know, I'm Pastor Newsome,
and I'd like to welcome everyone,
especially our newcomers, to our Sunday services.
Each one of you is important not only to me and our little flock
but, more importantly, to our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ, who knows and loves each and every one
of you, flaws and all.
And make no mistake about it.
We're all flawed, and we desperately need His help.
Don't we all look nice today?
But He does not look upon our outward appearance.
He looks upon the heart.
Yes, He does.
He-- I'm-- I'm going to take a little sidetrack from
my prepared sermon because there's something
that's been tugging at my heart, and I think it needs to be said.
As I said, we're--
we're all sinners, and we need to repent.
But there are times in our lives when we need to be
called out for repentance.
Any bigotry or wrongfully judging of another
is a flat-out sin.
I want you to look around this room.
[serene music]
Are there any neighbors that you have
not loved or wrongfully judged?
Wrongfully judging, that is a violation
of one of our Commandments.
Thou shalt not bear false witness.
And that includes no backstabbing,
gossiping, being unkind, picking on, making fun of, or bullying--
and lying in any manner, shape, or form.
It just simply comes down to this, brothers and sisters.
It's the golden rule.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Be kind.
Be caring.
Be accepting.
We are a light on a shining hill and need
to be a Christ-like example for all to see.
And if you are not, or you have not been, you need to do better.
We all need to do better.
And with that, I'll get back to my prepared sermon.
In Hebrews 4:12, it reads, "For the word
of God is living and active, sharper
than any double-edged sword."
We live in a world built on sand.
Society is rapidly changing, and the truth is getting lost
in a storm of competing voices.
Now, more than ever, we need to anchor
ourselves in the eternal word of God in our conflicted culture.
CHURCHGOER: Thank you, Pastor.
It was a very powerful sermon.
No, thank you.
Your words are greatly appreciated.
We'll be back.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
We needed this more than you know.
Thank you.
Thank you, Pastor Newsome.
Thank you.
Your words meant so much to us.
Thank you.
Well, they needed to be said.
And how are you feeling today, Annie?
Good.
This is my new friend, Jordan.
Best friend.
Right, best friend.
Well, I couldn't be happier for the both of you.
[chuckles]
Let's go play Jordan.
Oh.
Jill and Tommy, it's so good to see you again.
I'm glad you made it.
So are we.
Thanks for inviting us.
No, thank you.
You are a breath of fresh air.
And I think Jordan is an answer to many of our prayers
on behalf of Annie.
We'll see you next week.
Looking forward to it.
You take care.
[both laughing]
She is the answer to our prayers.
We are so fortunate.
No, we're the lucky ones.
We've never met anybody quite like Annie.
I think she's one of the sweetest people I've ever met.
TOMMY: Yeah, and I'm sure the apple
doesn't fall far from the tree.
MELANIE: Well, thank you.
[chuckles]
Hey, if you guys are hungry, I make
a mean pot roast on Sundays.
We'd love to have you over for dinner.
We'll be there.
Great.
Why don't you come over around 3 o'clock?
Can we bring anything?
No, we've got it covered, right?
Yeah.
Thank you. [chuckles]
MELANIE: We'll see you soon.
Bye, Jordan.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: That was the best summer of my life.
Looking back, everything was so simple, so pure.
[gentle music]
Annie and I did everything together.
Let's dig in.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: My parents even got to be great friends,
which was just fine with us.
It meant we got to spend more time together.
We read books.
We played on the swings.
We went to church every Sunday, and our families
got closer and closer.
One of our favorite things to do was
walk to the store all by ourselves
and load up on junk food.
Mrs. Sanders was always there when we needed her.
She kind of took us under her wing.
We had tea parties--
lots of tea parties with cucumber sandwiches.
She made us feel important.
We got to know most of the people in the neighborhood.
[exasperated sigh] What?
Nothing.
That's what I thought.
Now, keep walking.
No one cares what you have to say.
Go around us.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I stood up for Annie
when the other kids tried to make fun of her or bully her.
You know who you are, and to be honest,
it felt really good giving some of you
a taste of your own medicine.
[LAUGHING]--push herself.
[LAUGHING] Like it's a baby pushing
the other baby on a swing.
What did you say?
You're going to make fun of a girl?
[LAUGHING MOCKINGLY] A girl?
She's not a girl.
More like a thing.
That's not funny.
Now, get out of here before I go over there
and do something about it.
Definitely.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I think it's safe to say
that we became the best friends anybody ever had.
Every year, it just got better, and before we knew it,
we were in our senior year in high school together.
[both laughing, chattering]
[chatter]
All right, everybody, listen up.
Quiet.
You will have 45 minutes exactly to complete your exam.
And remember, this score counts for 30% of your final grade,
so I hope you studied over the weekend.
Now, I need to step outside for just a few minutes
to get some supplies.
Eyes on your own papers.
And, Annie, if anybody gets out of line,
would you be sure and tell me?
OK, pencils up.
Turn your papers over.
And you may begin.
Teacher's pet.
Mind your own business, Claire.
Yeah, how about I do whatever I want?
Come on, Annie, what's the big deal?
Let us see your answers.
Yeah, get them over, pronto.
No.
You heard Mrs. Dean.
There's no cheating.
It's more like we're temporarily
borrowing your knowledge.
We'll make sure to study later.
And it's not cheating at all.
That's a good one.
No, it's not.
That-- that might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.
Come on, brainiac.
We don't get good grades, we're off the team.
And we might not even graduate.
It's not my problem.
You should've studied.
Look, I'm not going to ask you again.
Let us see your answers, you freaking gimp.
Wow, Stew, you actually just called her a gimp?
Yeah. I mean, look at her.
She's one step away from riding the short bus.
That's enough.
Don't push me, Stew.
I mean it.
Come on, man, just leave her alone.
How about you shut up and look at your paper
before I slap the taste out of your mouth?
All right.
What are you going to do about it?
Or I'll come over there and smash your face in.
[MOCKINGLY] Oh, no. You and what, Annie?
No, no Annie.
Just me.
I'm laughing in your face right now because you're a joke.
Besides, I never hit a girl.
No, but you'd break her heart and make fun of her
like you always have, Stew.
Words hurt.
It's OK, Jordan.
Just ignore him.
I'm used to it.
No, I'm not going to let him get away with this,
and neither should you.
Yeah, she's right.
Why don't you stick up for yourself, Annie?
Because you're both a complete waste of time.
You're not even worth the breath it would take for me
to tell you about yourselves.
You treat people like garbage.
No, only you.
Nobody likes you in this school except for Jordan.
It's not true.
You have got to be kidding me.
Let her speak for herself.
Like I said before, Claire, mind your own business.
Nobody's talking to you.
I don't know what you see in her, anyway.
You have no life.
All you ever do is hang out with that loser.
Seriously, Claire?
This is getting old.
She's harmless.
Shut up, Tawny.
No one asked.
[somber music]
She's dragging you down, you know?
You have so much potential, but you can't even see it.
She's not a loser.
Say it again and see what happens.
ANNIE: [CRYING] No.
No, maybe she's right.
Maybe all of you have been right about me all along.
I am dragging you down.
Annie, that's not true.
Don't listen to them.
MRS. DEAN: Wow, I am impressed.
Thanks for holding down the fort, Annie.
You just got a few minutes left, so use them wisely.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: Everything was so great.
We stood by each other's sides, no matter what.
But then things started to change,
and mostly because of me.
JORDAN: Sorry, Annie.
[WHISPERING] It's OK.
JORDAN: It's not true.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I wish I could
go back and stop everything that happened, but I can't.
I can only learn from my mistakes
and remind everyone what a terrible thing
I did to someone I love.
[chatter]
STUDENT 1: Hey, there. STUDENT 2: Keep walking.
Get me? Keep walking.
[tense music]
Hey.
What was that all about back there?
I don't know what you're talking about.
All that nonsense about you dragging me down.
Sometimes, I think I am.
Like-- like, you're afraid you're going to leave
me behind or something.
I would never leave you behind.
You never know.
I just-- I don't want to ever stop you from doing the things
that you want to do.
Like what?
I don't know, lots of things.
I know cheerleading is something that you've always wanted to do.
Maybe if it wasn't a bunch of stuck-up snobs like Claire
who always make the team.
Doesn't matter.
You'd be good.
You really should try out.
I-- I got to get to class.
See you later?
Yeah.
[pensive music]
CLAIRE: All right, see you guys later.
Bye. - See you guys later.
She's right, you know?
You should totally try out.
I'm serious.
I think you'd be good.
[brooding music]
Plus, we could always use another pretty girl
that's coordinated.
Just think about it, OK?
How was school?
It was OK.
Yeah?
I just can't believe you're a senior this year.
Time is flying.
Mm-hmm.
You and Jordan have any fun plans this weekend?
No.
Can I be excused?
Well, yeah, but you've barely eaten anything, honey.
I'm not-- not very hungry.
Hm.
Got a bunch of homework today?
Something like that, yeah.
Hm.
Yeah.
I'll just be in my room.
[melancholy music]
What is going on?
I wish I knew.
Maybe you should go talk to her.
OK.
[crying]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Hey.
Mind if I sit down?
You want to talk about it?
Not really.
You wouldn't understand.
[melancholy music]
I know that look.
But I haven't seen it since you were a little girl.
I think I'm losing Jordan.
What do you mean you're losing Jordan?
I knew you wouldn't understand.
It's just-- it's just something I feel.
OK, well, help me understand.
Why do you feel like you're losing Jordan?
Because I'm holding her back.
Holding her back from what?
Doing what she's always been wanting to do for a long time
now, like being on the cheerleading
team, making new friends.
[CRYING] I'll never be a cheerleader, Dad.
I think you can do anything you want to do.
And you are so much more than that.
You are the best friend and the best daughter
anyone could ever ask for.
Everything's going to be all right.
I can feel it.
OK?
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: As it turns out, many of you
know I did try out for the cheerleading squad after all.
And even though it was hard for Annie,
thinking she might lose her only friend
to a world she was not included in, she supported me 100%.
[cheers, applause]
That was so good!
Yo, the routine's so good.
[squeals] [laughs]
[crowd chattering]
CHEERLEADER: Congrats.
JORDAN: Thank you!
[squeals]
You're so good.
Thank you.
So did you.
Jordan.
Hey, welcome to the team.
Oh, thank you.
I'm really excited to be here.
You'd make a good fit.
[serene music]
[both giggling]
Stay there.
Oh. Hi.
[excited giggle]
Congratulations!
You made it.
[GIGGLING] Thanks.
I was really nervous.
No, you looked great out there.
I'm really happy for you, Jordan.
[nervous sigh] Are you sure?
Of course, I'm sure.
You worked so hard, and you're finally doing some of the things
you've always wanted to do.
Well, I couldn't have done it without your support.
I don't know how much of a support I've been.
I've-- I've pretty much just been on the sidelines,
like I always am.
You've always been there for me.
I love you for that.
I really do.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Everything's fine.
I'm just-- I'm really happy for you.
[giggles] Thanks, Annie.
You're good.
[giggles]
Hey, you coming?
Yeah. Where are we going?
To grab frozen yogurt.
It's a tradition with all the new cheerleaders.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah, do you want to come?
Um.
Uh, it-- it's actually kind of a private celebration.
I'm so sorry.
[brooding music]
It's OK.
I have a lot of stuff to do today, anyway.
Are you sure? 'Cause if you want to go do something,
I'll go with you.
No, I'm positive.
Go.
Have a good time.
OK. You're the best.
I'll call you later? - Yeah.
OK. Bye.
[giggles] - Bye.
JORDAN: Ooh, frozen yogurt.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I hope you all
understand that this is not the way I wanted things to happen.
I didn't mean for Annie to feel left out and alone.
I really didn't.
But finding some popularity and having people pay attention
to me was really intoxicating.
Truth is, at the end of the day, it's all just a mirage.
Annie was my only true friend all along.
JORDAN: I don't even get nervous anymore.
I feel like I'm so nervous for it.
CLAIRE: You'll get used to it, I promise.
It gets so much--
One thing we should always remember--
that when we're feeling loneliness, and we're all alone,
and you feel like everyone has deserted you,
you need to remember, in 1 Peter 5:7,
"Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you,"
and Psalm 147:3--
[serene music]
[knocking on door] Annie.
[tense music]
[chatter]
Oh, hold on just a second.
Um, wait, where are you going?
We have practice.
Just want to say hi to Annie really quick.
Seriously?
Yeah.
She's still my friend, Claire.
Whatever.
She's such a downer.
No one wants to be friends with her, anyway.
Show a little compassion for once, jeez.
I'll be right back.
Hey, Annie.
You're not going to talk to me?
I've tried talking to you, Jordan.
That's not true.
It is true.
You completely ignore me in school
and at church all the time.
You never return any of my phone calls
or answer my text messages.
I'm sorry, I've just been really, really busy lately.
I know.
You're hanging out with Claire all the time.
You don't have time for us little people anymore.
Don't say that.
You've become just like all of them, and you
promised me you wouldn't.
Well, what do you want me to do, Annie?
Spend all my time hanging out with you
and do absolutely nothing with my life?
ANNIE: No, that's not what I want.
I think you do.
You're not happy unless everyone else is
just as miserable as you are.
This is your fault, not mine.
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Yeah, you are, actually.
I don't need this kind of negativity in my life, so--
I said I'm sorry.
[somber music]
You're right, she's a total downer.
CLAIRE: I told you.
STUDENT: Watch out.
You might catch a virus.
Right, she still has cooties.
STUDENT: [laughs] Join the circus, you freak.
Do you need WD-40 for those crutches?
[cackles]
[crying]
You think we'll be going late again tonight?
Probably, like, 20, 30 minutes.
[laughs]
Like usual.
All right, ladies, ready to begin?
You should be warmed up by now.
Let's get started.
CHEERLEADER: So all the team clap.
All then stomp wants to go left.
They're going to be right back to the front.
You look great.
[ominous music]
When you step forward-- - Hey.
CHEERLEADER:--raise your arms.
What are you doing?
Isn't that Jordan's phone?
Oh, yeah, I left mine at home, so she said I could
just use hers to text my mom.
OK, well, let's get going. Come on.
We've started.
We got to be perfecting our routine.
CHEERLEADER: Forward and seat drop, bring it back.
Let's go again.
Here we go.
Clap, stomp, left, forward, bend, up.
[sobbing]
[wistful music]
TOD: Hey, hon, how was school?
[groans] Did you have a good day?
It's fine, Dad.
You OK?
I'm fine, OK?
All right.
Let me help you.
ANNIE: I got it.
Grab my hand.
I got it, Dad.
All right.
[clears throat]
Hey, you sure you're OK?
I don't want to talk about it, OK?
It's not going to change anything.
Haven't seen you and Jordan hanging out much lately.
Is that it?
Yeah, of course, that's it.
Stupid question.
I'm sorry, honey.
It's not your fault, OK?
None of my problems are yours or Mom's
fault. God made me like this.
Like what?
ANNIE: A person that nobody wants to be friends with.
I know what I need to do.
TOD: What is that supposed to mean?
Annie, you're scaring me right now.
Just take me home, please.
TOD: I love you, sweetheart, with all of my heart.
You matter to me--
and to mom, to God, and to so many others.
Never forget that.
This, too, shall pass.
You hear me?
Just take me home.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: People can be so cruel.
I just wish that Annie could have seen
her true value despite what she thought Claire
or myself thought of her.
But we're conditioned to base our self-worth on what
others think of us, even if they're
not worthy of such adoration.
I can't imagine how utterly devastated and hopeless Annie
felt that day.
We truly are our brother's keeper,
or in this case, our sister's keeper,
but we failed miserably, especially me.
[energetic music]
Break.
CHEERLEADER 1: Ready.
Ow! CHEERLEADER 2: Oh.
CHEERLEADER 3: Jordan, are you OK?
CHEERLEADER 4: What happened? COACH: What happened?
[heaving] COACH: Are you OK?
Let's make room.
[groans]
Are you all right?
[whimpers]
Can you get up?
All right, we're going take you over to the side.
- OK. - All right, ladies, make room.
Make room.
Thank you.
Continue the routine, all right?
I've got this under control.
OK?
Mm-hmm.
Adjust your pace.
It'll be OK.
All right, here we are.
OK.
Have a seat.
Ow.
[winces in pain]
OK, all right, let me take a look, OK?
Oh.
It's tender?
Yeah.
Maybe shin splints, but I want that looked at, OK?
JORDAN: Mm-hmm.
You take the rest of the afternoon off.
I'm going to go grab you some ice, OK?
JORDAN: Thanks.
Jordan, there's one more thing I wanted to ask you.
Sure.
What's up?
Did you, um-- did you tell Claire she could borrow
your phone to text her mom?
No.
Why?
I don't know yet.
I'll let you know when I figure it out, OK?
Be right back.
[foreboding music]
MELANIE: Oh, hey, honey.
Hey, Mom.
How was school?
It was fine.
[door closes]
[puffs out breath]
What happened?
I don't know, Mel.
Something's going on with her.
Yeah, I have noticed that things
have been different lately.
Yeah.
It worries me.
Think I might go talk to Pastor Newsome,
get some counsel.
Yeah, he's been through this before.
OK.
I don't know, see if you can get her to talk.
I'll be home before dinner.
OK.
I love you.
Love you, too.
[brooding music]
[crying]
[knock on door]
MELANIE: Annie?
You OK, honey?
I'm fine, Mom.
I just want to be alone for a while.
I'm making your favorite for dinner.
We're having Hawaiian food and hot fudge sundaes.
Does that sound good?
ANNIE: That sounds great, Mom.
I'll be out in a little bit. [sniffles]
OK.
I love you.
Love you too, Mom.
[pained weeping]
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: It makes me sick to think about all the hate
we spew from texts, cyberbullying,
or even directly to people's faces.
Annie didn't deserve any of this,
yet she felt worthless and alone that the world would
be better off without her.
[pill bottle rattles]
If she only knew how loved and important she really was,
this terrible tragedy could have been avoided.
[foreboding sting]
So what makes you think she would
even consider harming herself?
I don't know.
She just hasn't been acting herself lately,
and it was something she said.
It was a sadness and finality in her voice
I've never heard before.
[SIGHING] Well, I take the potential threat of any suicide
very seriously.
[brooding music]
That's why I'm here.
We don't know what to do.
She won't talk to us.
Annie always talks to us.
I've noticed she doesn't talk to Jordan anymore,
and Jordan has buddied up with Claire.
Do you think that has anything to do with it?
It could be a big part of it.
Jordan is the on--
only real friend Annie's ever had.
I don't know.
Oh, yeah.
I-- as a pastor, uh, I shouldn't say-- say it.
I shouldn't even think it.
But, uh, I've never trusted Claire.
Something's going on.
I agree.
Something isn't right.
Would you mind if I came over and talk to her?
[chuckles incredulously] I was hoping you'd say that.
That's what I'm here for.
Thank you.
[sniffles]
Hey, honey.
MELANIE: Hey. - How's everything going?
- Oh, good. - I brought over the pastor.
Pastor. Thank you for coming.
Tod and I have been talking, and Tod thinks it might be
a good idea if I talk to Annie?
That, that would be wonderful.
She's actually still in the bathroom.
She said she would come out for dinner.
I have not heard from her, so I am going to go check on her.
Please join us for dinner, Pastor.
I will-- I'll be--
Great, great.
OK.
[knocking on door] Annie?
Dinner's ready.
Annie.
Annie, answer me.
[BANGING ON DOOR, RATTLING DOORKNOB] Annie!
Annie, open the door.
Tod!
[eerie music, clock ticking]
[RATTLING DOORKNOB, BANGING ON DOOR] Annie,
open the door, honey.
MELANIE: Annie.
Annie, open the door right now!
MELANIE: Annie!
[sinister music]
Annie!
Oh, god.
Annie!
[tense music]
OK, come on, guys, this way, quick.
TOD: We'll be right behind you.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I can't imagine having to find
your daughter like that.
[siren blaring]
I'm so sorry.
I'm so very sorry.
[sobbing] Please be OK.
Please.
Mommy's right here, baby.
Please be OK.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: Human beings can only
take so much before they break.
Mom's right here, baby.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: We all would have felt hopeless
and alone had we walked in Annie's shoes.
Please don't leave, OK?
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I take full responsibility
for my part in what happened to Annie that day.
All right?
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: That text was
simply too much for her tender heart to take.
It'll be all right.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: It sent her over the edge into a dark abyss.
Words matter.
Mom's right here.
[somber music]
Look, she was breathing.
That-- that's a good sign.
[STAMMERING] That's a very good sign.
[crying] I don't know if she's going to be OK.
And I need to know that she's going to be OK.
Is she going to be OK?
She has to be OK.
Is she going to be OK with God?
Well?
Is she going to be OK?
Your daughter is in stable condition.
She's going to be fine.
[all sigh in relief]
God is good.
[sobs]
Amen.
DOCTOR: We treated her with Narcan, which
blocked the effects of the drugs on her brain
and also restored her breathing.
We also used activated charcoal to prevent further absorption
of these drugs into her system.
We did identify a significant amount of hydrocodone
in her system.
Any idea why she would have had access to that drug?
Yeah, I had a work injury a few months back
and didn't throw away the bottle when I was done.
Well, she's fortunate you found her when you did.
We'd like to keep her here for a few more days for testing
and psychological evaluation.
You're welcome to go back and see her.
She's recovering.
She's a bit groggy, but she's awake.
Thank you, Doctor.
OK.
I'm just going to be right here if you need me.
PA SYSTEM: Dr. Bruce, telephone, please.
Right here.
This way.
[SOFTLY] Hi.
TOD: [SOFTLY] Hi, sweetie.
[CRYING] I'm sorry.
Baby, no, it's OK.
It's OK.
We are going to get through this together,
and we love you so much, OK?
You gave us a real scare there, kiddo.
The only thing that matters is that you are here with us
now, OK?
You can do this.
That's right.
Is there anything we can do for you?
[melancholy music]
I just want to go home.
Uh, the doctors want to keep you here for a few days,
you know, just to be safe.
OK.
Um, did you bring my leg braces and crutches
so I can get around, and--
and my phone?
Um, no, I think we left those at the house.
Uh, but I can ask Pastor Newsome to swing by and grab them.
I need somebody to go feed Kai, anyway.
You should get some rest.
I'm kind of hungry.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
[chuckles]
Let me go see what they've got.
Any requests?
French fries and ketchup?
You got it.
We really do love you, Annie.
You are everything to us.
OK.
Thank you.
I'll be right back.
OK.
Oh, baby.
I love you.
[clears throat]
How's she doing?
[sighs] Considering everything she's been through?
I think she's doing OK.
Is there anything I can do for you and the family?
I was hoping you could swing by my house and feed Kai for me.
PASTOR NEWSOME: Not a problem.
His food's in a plastic bin in the kitchen.
Just give him two scoops and top off his water.
You got it.
Oh, and, uh, if you don't mind grabbing
Annie's leg braces, crutches, and if you
happen to see her cell phone.
The key's on the porch, under the planter.
Be back in a jiffy.
Thank you, Pastor Newsome.
Your support means so much.
Anything you need, anytime, I'll be there.
I mean that.
JORDAN: I don't know, Claire.
I think I was really harsh on her.
She doesn't deserve that.
She's been my best friend since I was eight,
and I don't want that to change just because I'm
on the cheerleading team.
No, I get it, but just because she's a cripple
doesn't give her the right to act like a total jerk.
[scoffs] I mean, she's been purposely holding
you back all these years.
It's pretty selfish, if you ask me.
She's never been selfish, Claire.
And don't call her a cripple.
That's a really mean thing to say.
No need to get all defensive.
I'm just saying, she needs to know her place.
Her place?
What, like she's an animal or something?
[scoffs] I never said that.
You're putting words in my mouth.
Look, I got to go.
Coach is calling.
Whatever.
Just call me back when you're not acting all high and mighty,
all right?
Whatever.
Hey, Coach.
Hey, Jordan.
I was just calling to check up on you.
How's your leg?
I think it's getting worse.
I'm, uh, wrapping it now.
Well, that's concerning.
I'm hoping it's not a fracture.
I've made you an appointment with a really
good orthopedic surgeon first thing tomorrow morning.
I'll text you the address.
OK, uh, yeah, I'll let my parents know.
Let me know how it goes.
I will.
Thanks, Coach.
Bye now.
[melancholy music]
[crying]
[LAUGHING] Yeah, you're ready, aren't you, huh?
I don't blame you.
It's been a while since you've eaten.
[sinister sting]
That's my little girl.
We treated her good.
[STAMMERING] I know.
I'm sorry, Tod.
I never thought in a million years
Jordan would ever do anything like this.
It wasn't like I tried to read it.
I'd-- I would never snoop at anyone's phone.
I just picked it up, and it popped up.
It was like I was meant to see it.
Nah.
I'm glad you did.
If you want, I'll go talk to Jordan and her parents tonight.
Better you than me.
I don't-- I don't want to see her again.
Well, like I said, I'll go see them tonight,
and let me know if there's anything else I can do.
I will.
OK.
Thank you, Pastor.
How are those fries?
ANNIE: They're good.
[chuckles]
PA SYSTEM: Dr. Bruce, telephone, please.
Dr. Bruce, telephone, please.
Hey, Dad.
Hey.
Here you go.
Thanks.
MELANIE: What's wrong?
Nothing.
I'm fine.
You don't look fine.
[sighs] I, uh--
I saw the message on your phone, Annie.
You were looking through my phone?
No, Pastor Newsome said, when he picked up the phone,
the screen came on, and I'm glad he saw it.
What message?
Does somebody wanna clue me in here?
Show her.
[brooding music]
I am really sorry you had to go through this all on your own.
I wish that we knew.
Like I said, none of this is yours or Mom's fault.
I have to figure this out on my own.
You are not alone.
No.
But I'm the one that has to forgive Jordan.
And myself, somehow.
I tried to take my own life, Dad.
That's a terrible sin.
God loves you, Annie.
He loves you and is always willing to forgive.
You just have to ask.
[serene music]
I'm going to go talk to your mother.
You are still my hero.
Be right back.
Please.
Please forgive me.
I am so angry right now.
So am I, Mel.
But somehow, we both need to learn how to forgive.
[melancholy music]
PASTOR NEWSOME: This isn't like you, Jordan.
Bullying is very serious and can't be taken lightly.
I know.
But I didn't send that text message, I promise.
PASTOR NEWSOME: I want to believe you.
I really do.
But that text message was sent from your phone.
I saw it with my own eyes.
There's a lot at stake here.
You could not only lose your scholarship,
but you could be charged with a crime.
And telling someone that the world would
be better off without them?
It doesn't get any crueler than that.
[CRYING] I could never send that message to anyone,
especially Annie.
But no matter what, I'm a part of it.
Even if I didn't send that text, I still feel responsible,
and I'm so sorry.
PASTOR NEWSOME: Well, I'm glad you're
willing to take responsibility.
But what you need to realize is that text deeply
wounded another human being--
someone who's been your very best friend
for a very long time, who's been loyal to you, and good to you.
Friends like that are hard to find.
[brooding music]
Annie's in the hospital.
She is?
PASTOR NEWSOME: Yes.
She-- she tried to take her own life.
Oh, no.
Poor Annie, I'm so sorry.
PASTOR NEWSOME: She's-- she's going to be OK, but--
but we need to get to the bottom of this and set things right.
How?
I'll do anything.
Well, for starters, you could apologize
to Annie and her family.
JILL: Of course.
It's the right thing to do.
Yeah.
I think it's the bare minimum.
I really didn't send that text.
From what you've told me, and for what it's worth,
I believe you're telling the truth.
Well, I better get going.
We're glad you came.
Let us know if there's anything we can do.
I will, but right now, I'm going
to do a little investigating and see
if I can find out how that text got sent from Jordan's phone.
I think I might know.
You do?
My cheerleading coach, Mrs. Ellis,
asked me a strange question earlier today at practice.
PASTOR NEWSOME: What'd she say?
She asked if I let Claire use my phone to text her mom.
Well, I'm going to look into that.
Oh, one more thing, Jordan.
You're a really good person.
And bullying of any kind is unacceptable.
And the next time you see anyone engaging
in that kind of despicable behavior, you stand up to them.
You be the kind of leader we know you are.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, yeah.
Uh-huh, yeah.
Sock?
Yep.
Toothpaste, toothbrush, socks.
I think I got everything.
What's wrong?
[sighs] I'm just worried this is going to happen again.
TOD [ON PHONE]: It's not going to happen again.
It's not.
We're going to get her the help that she needs.
You'll never believe who's here.
TOD [ON PHONE]: What?
Jordan.
TOD [ON PHONE]: Why is she there?
I don't know.
TOD [ON PHONE]: OK, uh, take a deep breath.
Stay close to Annie.
I'll be there soon.
OK.
I'll call you back.
TOD [ON PHONE]: I'm on my way.
Hi, Mrs. Timmons.
I don't even know why you're here, Jordan.
I've made a terrible mistake.
I'll go.
You didn't answer my question.
Why are you here?
PA SYSTEM: Dr. Blair, Dr. Blair.
Dr. Jay Hamilton, Dr. Jay Hamilton.
I'm here because I need to apologize for what I've done.
Did you even realize the magnitude of what you've done?
I was cruel to someone who's been good to me.
[CRYING] Cruel?
Cruel only scratches the surface.
Annie almost died because of you.
I'm sorry.
You're damn right, you're sorry.
You're a sorry excuse for a friend.
[CRYING] I am.
I-- I really am.
You don't understand.
No, I don't.
I don't understand how you could do that
to another human being, especially
someone who is so good to you!
We opened our home and our hearts to you, Jordan.
Please forgive me.
[scoffs] You're going to have to ask
Annie for forgiveness before I will
even give you the time of day.
I feel sick even looking at you right now.
Do you understand that?
Do you understand what that's like?
[breathes deeply] You go do what you have to do.
But when I get back here, I do not want to see you here.
PA SYSTEM: Dr. Bruce, telephone, please.
Dr. Bruce, telephone, please.
[draws in a shaky breath]
Hey.
Why are you here?
I'm here because I'm really sorry for everything
that happened.
The only reason you're sorry is
because you probably got in trouble,
and your parents made you come.
No.
No, I'm here because I want to be.
I don't care what happens to me.
Whatever it is, I deserve it for turning my back on you.
You're a cruel person, Jordan.
You were my best friend.
I trusted you with my life.
I've always treated you kind.
You have.
I've never had a friend like you, Annie.
You don't deserve a friend like me.
[VOICE BREAKING] No, I don't.
What happened, anyway?
Why'd you turn against me?
Do I embarrass you?
Am I ugly?
What?
I-- I don't know what happened.
I got selfish and prideful.
And I have no excuse.
I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am.
What I did was so wrong on every level.
I'll make it up to you, even if it takes me a million years.
I already forgave you.
[mellow music]
You did?
Yeah.
I can't hold that kind of hate in my heart.
I don't know if I can ever be friends with you again,
but I forgive you.
That's more than I deserve.
And for what it's worth, I didn't
send you that text message.
Then who did?
I have my suspicions.
Uh, but I--
I don't want to say anything until I know for sure.
Either way, I was wrong.
And I pray that we can be best friends again someday.
You are so important to me, Annie.
Jordan.
What's wrong with your leg?
Oh, um, I'm not sure yet.
I think I injured at cheerleading.
I go to the doctors right after this.
Thank you for stopping by.
That took a lot of courage.
Just give me some time.
Maybe things will be different someday.
Hopefully sooner than later.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I wonder why we don't apologize more often.
It's so healing for everyone involved.
Or at least it starts the healing process.
Maybe it's that we don't even recognize
that our words and actions caused another person pain.
I think that's what hell is--
realizing that what we said or did brought sorrow to another.
How long have you had this lump on your leg?
Um, I noticed it for a few weeks.
Um, it's been hurting for a few months, though.
Hm.
I thought it was getting worse because of cheerleading.
What is it?
Well, I'm not entirely sure.
It could be any number of things.
But that could be a tumor.
A tumor?
Is it cancer?
Oh, no, no, I didn't say that.
And I don't want either one of you to panic, OK?
If it is a tumor, uh, it's probably benign,
which is most likely the case.
What does that mean?
That would mean noncancerous.
But you know what, I'd like to be sure.
So let's run some blood work, and
if that gives us any cause for alarm,
then I'll arrange for a biopsy.
And I'd like to do that blood work today, all right?
I'll be right back.
[somber music]
[crying]
It's OK.
You've been through a lot today.
Just let it go.
[sobbing]
COACH: There's no reason to deny it.
I personally saw you do it.
It was you who sent that text to Annie from Jordan's phone.
We have proof.
The school cameras, they caught everything.
OK, but I didn't mean for it to go that far.
It doesn't matter!
If you are charged, it could be a felony.
That could change the course of your entire life.
[CRYING] I'm sorry.
Not only did you send the message, but you lied about it.
And then you were perfectly willing to let
Jordan take the blame.
You've been bullying Annie since you were little girls.
Why, Claire?
I don't know.
She's just so-- she's so different.
PASTOR NEWSOME: Oh, wow.
Wow.
Because she's different?
That's what makes each one of us special in God's eyes.
What a horrible excuse.
I said I'm sorry.
What else do you want me to do?
You need to ask Annie and God for forgiveness, not me.
I'll pray for you, Claire.
I hope you find some peace in your heart.
I really do.
Think I'm done here.
Thank you for your time.
What happens now?
Well, I'm going to call your parents and then the police.
Am I off the team?
Yeah.
She admitted it?
Right there in front of me, and your coach is a witness.
She's in a lot of trouble, to say the least.
I feel so bad for Jordan now.
I do, too.
I was so mean to her earlier.
Oh, honey, you didn't know.
I'm sure she understands.
What matters most is the truth is out there in the open now.
And I heard you two had a good talk.
Yeah, she stopped by and apologized, and I forgave her.
Even before you knew the truth?
Yeah, I--
I guess so.
[laughs] You truly are an amazing person, Annie.
We could all learn from you.
Christ-like love and forgiveness at its finest.
TOD: So proud of you.
I don't see what the big deal is.
This is what teens do.
Yeah, she didn't mean to cause any harm.
The big deal is Annie tried to take her own life.
The text your daughter sent, that was the straw
that broke the camel's back.
This kind of bullying behavior has gone on for years.
I have seen how Claire treats her.
[laughs derisively] Who are you to be placing judgment?
You're a cheerleading coach.
Let me handle this.
I'm not going to stand here and let you blame my daughter.
That girl's always had problems.
No one likes her.
Sir, you need to calm down.
No, I'm not going to calm down.
This is my daughter we're talking about.
I don't feel comfortable with you in here anymore.
Well, that's just too damn bad.
You're the one who asked me to come
down here in the first place.
Last warning.
Lower your voice.
I'm calm.
We'll do a thorough investigation on this.
If Annie and her parents want to press charges,
you'll hear from the courts.
And you'll lose.
I'll countersue you and this entire school
district for harassment.
You do what you have to do.
But, Dad, I did it.
I did--
I got this.
[scoffs] Wow, I have no words.
I don't have to deal with this kind of disrespect.
This conversation is over.
You can all go home now.
Let's go.
Damn right, it's over.
Let's go.
This isn't over.
I'll talk to Annie and her family
and see what they want to do.
Let me know if you need anything else.
I will. Thank you.
I should have believed you.
I'm really sorry, Jordan.
JORDAN [ON PHONE]: You didn't do anything wrong.
This is my fault I'm just glad it's over.
I learned my lesson.
I won't be cheerleading anymore.
But why?
It's what you love.
Not really.
It's not important to me.
You're important to me, Annie.
I really want to still be friends.
ANNIE [ON PHONE]: Best friends?
Best friends, yeah.
I'll be home in a few days.
Maybe you can come over for dinner?
Yeah, I would like that.
Talk soon?
Yeah, talk soon.
Bye, Annie.
Bye, Jordan.
[wistful music]
So proud of you.
I'm scared.
I know.
But just remember what the doctor said.
There's no need to worry.
It's probably nothing.
We'll get more information from the biopsy tomorrow.
That sounded like it went well.
Yeah, I got my best friend back.
[bubbly chuckle] - See?
I told you, everything's going to be OK.
[chuckles]
What kind of cancer?
Acute myeloid leukemia.
It's a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
Our daughter has leukemia?
I'm afraid so.
And in Jordan's case, the tumor is pretty far advanced.
Is it fatal?
It can be.
Listen, I'm going to be very honest with all of you.
This particular type of leukemia, it's extremely rare.
It has a survival rate of 24%.
So time is of the essence.
We need to make decisions.
And after consulting with my colleagues,
our professional opinion is that we take
a very aggressive approach.
What does that mean exactly?
It means Jordan's going to need a bone marrow transplant.
It also means we need to find a donor.
And from that donor, we'll take healthy red blood cells.
We'll put them in your bloodstream.
And from there, they'll begin to grow.
They'll make new red blood cells, new white blood
cells, and new platelets.
But before we can do any of that, Jordan,
you're going to need to undergo chemotherapy,
which will prepare your body to receive
the bone marrow transplant.
JILL: Can one of us be a donor?
DOCTOR: That's a very good question.
Um, very often, a brother or a sister or a parent
can be a suitable match.
TOMMY: I'll do it.
JILL: So will I.
DOCTOR: OK.
And hopefully, one of you is a match.
But being a family member doesn't mean that's necessarily
the case, as donors and patients are matched
by HLA and not by blood type.
When can we start?
No, we can actually do it right now.
A simple cheek swab will let us know if you're a suitable match.
I'll go set that up.
Thank you.
[crying]
No, I-- I don't want to press charges.
Are you sure?
What if she does this again to somebody else?
I don't know.
Dad, it's just-- I feel like that
will only make things worse.
For you or for Claire?
Her.
I'll be fine.
I need to forgive her and move on.
I don't think that she knows how to be nice to people, maybe.
Maybe this will help her change.
I've got to say, Annie, I've never
met someone quite like you.
I just want everyone to be happy.
Well, I'll make a note of this and be on my way.
You folks have a good day.
You as well.
Thank you.
Neither one of us are a match?
I'm sorry.
I really am.
But actually, it's not that uncommon.
There are other ways of finding a donor.
I can put Jordan on a donor list,
and I can do that right away.
But honestly, the fastest way is for you to reach out
to family and to friends, to anybody who you think
might be willing to be a donor.
I'll be back in a few minutes.
[phone vibrating]
Hey, Annie.
Hey, I just--
I wanted to say hi and let you know that I'm
coming home a day early.
That's great.
I'm so happy for you.
Are you OK?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm fine.
How's your leg?
What did the doctor say?
I'm, uh, still waiting to find out more details.
OK.
Well, let me know if I can do anything to help.
I will.
Thanks, Annie.
ANNIE [ON PHONE]: Of course.
I'll see you soon?
Yeah, see you soon.
Bye.
[agonized sobs]
All right, I got everything all packed up.
You girls ready to go?
What's wrong?
I don't know.
I-- I just called Jordan to let her
know that I'm coming home a day early, but something seemed off.
I wouldn't worry too much about it.
She was probably just preoccupied.
I'm sure she's really excited you're coming home.
Yeah.
Should we get going?
Let's hit the road.
All right, let's go home.
PASTOR NEWSOME: Annie, we're so glad that you're back with us.
We love you with all our hearts.
You truly are irreplaceable.
But now we face another mountain to climb.
And it requires a great faith.
Most of you are not aware of this yet,
but Tommy and Jill Monroe have given me
permission to share with you some very somber news concerning
their daughter, Jordan.
She has been diagnosed with leukemia, a life-threatening
cancer that requires her to get a bone
marrow transplant very soon.
And unfortunately, neither Jill nor Tommy are a match,
and they've asked me to ask if you
would consider being a donor, if anyone is willing to do that.
[melancholy music]
We might be their only hope.
So please, if you-- if you feel like this is something that you
would consider doing, get with me after church,
and I'll give you some more information.
And we'll also be holding a fundraiser very soon
in order to help cover the hardship
and the cost of the operation.
And please, pray for more miracles.
May God bless you all.
Are you sure about this?
Positive.
She would do it for me.
I know she would.
Well, I-- I'm deeply moved by your willingness to help.
And since no one else has come forward,
hopefully, you're a match.
And you're OK with this?
We feel like it's up to her.
I am curious about any side effects
that we might need to be aware of.
Well, you would need to ask her doctor about that,
but I've written down some information for you.
Please don't let her know.
I'd like to be the one to tell her if I'm a match.
You got it.
I'll just swab the inside of your cheek,
and we'll have the results in a few hours.
Ah, we were just wondering about the risk or side
effects of being a donor.
Well, there's always some risk, but only 2.4%
of people who donate bone marrow have any kind
of a serious complication.
More commonly, there's headaches, bone
or muscles tenderness, but sort of like having
a cold or the flu.
But that's usually a few days before we take collection,
and then it goes away after we're done.
That's good to know.
You really sure you want to go through with this?
Yes, Dad.
I know I'll be OK.
All right, just open for me.
And that is it.
We're all done.
You're a very brave girl, Annie.
Fingers crossed.
I'm sorry I didn't call.
Um, I don't want to be a burden after everything
that you've been through.
You're never a burden.
But I understand why you didn't call.
We really appreciate you coming over to visit.
I can't imagine how hard this has been on all of you,
especially you, Jordan.
I-- I want to apologize for how I treated you.
I am so sorry.
You don't need to apologize, really.
Uh, Jordan, there's something Annie
wanted to come over and tell you.
Sure, what is it, Annie?
Well, um, I'm a match.
[serene music]
What do you mean?
I'm a 50% match, which is more than enough.
I want to be your donor for your bone marrow transplant.
[CRYING] Even after everything I did to you,
you would still do that for me?
All that matters now is that you know how much I love you.
[uplifting music]
You're my best friend.
You always will be.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: Annie's willingness
to be a donor changed my life.
I wouldn't be here today without her.
And so the process began.
For the next few weeks, I had to go through chemotherapy, or what
is called conditioning, to kill any diseased cells
and malfunctioning bone marrow.
I got pretty sick.
A lot of my hair fell out.
I lost weight.
[horrified gasp]
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: And of course I
was off the cheerleading team.
But none of that really mattered because I
had the chance to live.
[both laughing]
And my best friend was back.
Just four more.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I realized more than ever
before how important God, family, and real friends
truly are.
Being popular means absolutely nothing in the end.
If I had died, I couldn't have taken that with me.
We can only take the love in our hearts.
PASTOR NEWSOME:--as she undergoes this procedure.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: I'm just sad that I
had to hurt someone really important to me
and almost die for me to fully realize that.
PASTOR NEWSOME: In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.
ALL: Amen.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: Annie was way more brave than me.
She always has been.
I was really scared.
But when I came to, I was surrounded with all the people
who I know and love the most.
Hey, she's waking up.
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: And I hope that's what heaven feels like.
The next few months in the hospital
were a time of healing and praying that the bone
marrow transplant would work.
Annie was there with me every step of the way.
She never left my side. ANNIE:--everything I know.
I'm sure you'd ace it. - OK.
Let me--
JORDAN [VOICEOVER]: She even helped me with my homework
and testing so that I could keep my grades
up and graduate on time.
Thankfully, the transplant was a success,
and I was finally able to go home.
I can never pay God, Annie, or this community
back for what you've all done for me and my family.
The fundraisers helped us more than you know.
I'll forever be grateful and in your debt.
WOMAN: Which car is yours again?
MAN 1: Yeah, right there.
Just make sure they do a good job, OK?
MAN 2: Take care.
KID: Hey, for real!
Wow.
I think many of us, myself included,
don't really understand or pay much attention to miracles.
We write them off as coincidence or sometimes just ignore them.
But the truth is, there are miracles all around us.
The people in our lives are miracles.
[VOICE BREAKING] Annie is a miracle to me.
A precious gift, as she has been for many of us--
all of us, for that matter.
Some of us just didn't see it.
Thank you, Annie.
I love you so much.
Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for forgiving me.
And thank you for always being by my side.
We can all learn something very important
from your shining example.
And as we go out into the world, on our own unique paths,
I certainly hope and pray that we do.
So to the class of 2024, here we come!
[cheers, applause]
[giggles]
[graduates roaring]
[country music] You've gotta start somewhere, somewhere,
somewhere, somewhere, somewhere, somewhere, somewhere, somewhere
Having courage doesn't mean that you're not afraid
You can be scared, but have the strength to do it anyway
Will you succeed?
Will you make a mistake?
Oh, the first step is always the hardest to take
You've gotta start somewhere
Start over, start late, start scared
You've gotta start somewhere
Be strong, stand up to your fears
If you want to make your mark, reach for the stars,
then guess what?
You've just gotta start
All you've got to do is start
You've been living, but you really haven't felt alive
All those worries and what-ifs spinning in your mind
Sometimes, you just need a moment to let it all go
Every second is like another second chance, you know,
oh-oh-ohhh
You've gotta start somewhere
Start over, start late, start scared
You've gotta start somewhere
Be strong, stand up to your fears
If you want to make your mark, reach for the stars,
then guess what?
You've just gotta start
All you've gotta do is start
Bow your head and close your eyes
Just step up to the plate
It's never too late
You gotta start somewhere
Start over, start late, start scared
You've gotta start somewhere
Be strong, stand up to your fears
And if you want to make your mark, reach for the stars,
then guess what?
You've just gotta start
All you've gotta do is start
[CARSON MCKINNON - "FOUND A FRIEND"]
[SINGING] It's been a long time since it's been here, and
My frowning face has disappeared
Because
I found a friend today
No more tears rolling off my pillow like a cliff
All this time, it's taken to search and sift
But I struck gold
I found a friend today
[guitar solo playing]
I'll wake tomorrow with a smile on my face, and
All sense of sorrow now has been displaced
My thanks to you
'Cause you're my friend to stay
[music fades]