Hailey, on the verge of ninth grade, is at her first high school event that turns into a harsh awakening when her efforts to look more grown up result in a flurry of newfound attention from leering adults and seemingly harmless teenage boys. Still ambivalent about being the object of desire, she participates in a game of spin-the-bottle, only to be led into a bathroom with a cute desirable senior boy who doesn’t care about the rules of consent. Traumatized by the night, confused by her emotions, and unable to breakaway from peer pressure, Hailey is coerced into going along with the group, leaving her hollowed out and meek.

Playing in FRESH PERSPECTIVES SHORTS