Month: June 2021

The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Meltdown: A Scene.

liz
41 Amazing Small Apartment Living Room - HOMISHOME

The from door of the apartment opens and Milo Sr. and Jennifer walk in. Mollie walks straight to the couch and buries her face in the pillows. Milo Sr. looks at Jennifer and walks out of the living room, giving space to the sisters. Jennifer sits in the lounge chair next to the sofa, looking at Mollie.

Jennifer: Wanna talk?

Mollie: No.

Jennifer: Well we’re going to have to talk about it sooner or later. You don’t want to have this conversation with Mom or Dad first.

Mollie doesn’t respond. Jennifer sighs.

Jennifer: Mol, why would you go to that party without letting Dad know?

Mollie doesn’t answer.

Jennifer: You gotta give me something here.

Mollie turns around and her eyes are puffy and red. Her face is stained with tears.

Mollie: Because I wanted to go and I wasn’t invited.

Jennifer: Why would you go if you weren’t invited?

Mollie doesn’t say anything.

Jennifer: Mol?

Mollie: *yells* Because I was stupid enough to think that the boy I liked liked me back and he fucking invited me to go with him! That’s why!

Jennifer looks at the bedroom that her youngest son, Micah, is sleeping in. She turns back around towards Mollie to try to calm her down.

Jennifer: What happened at the party?

Mollie: *louder* I don’t wanna talk about it, Pep! Theo is just an asshole and Laurie is a cunt and I hate her stupid minions and I hope they go rot in hell!

Jennifer: Mollie.

Mollie heaves on the sofa and cries.

…

In his bedroom, Milo hears Mollie and Jennifer’s conversation from the living room. His phone vibrates; he gets a message from Sophie.

leesophie: Is she okay?
milolani: Her sister is talking to her right now. 
milolani: What happened?

Moments later, a mass text message is sent, including to Milo. Milo opens up the attachment and it’s a video of Mollie and Theo kissing at the party, followed by catching them and laughing at Mollie. Mollie looks absolutely mortified. Milo is shocked at what he saw.

Milo Sr. knocks on Milo’s door and enters. Milo takes the video off of his screen.

Milo Sr: Hey bud, are you okay?

Milo: Mol’s gonna hate me.

Milo Sr: Hey, you did the right thing. No one knew where she was tonight… did she tell you she was going to this party?

Milo shakes his head.

Milo: No. A friend told me she was there.

Milo Sr takes in this newfound information.

Milo Sr: Did your friend tell you what happened?

Milo: No.

Milo’s phone begins to ring constantly and it catches Milo Sr’s attention.

Milo Sr: What’s wrong with your phone?

Milo: *nervously* It-it’s nothing.

Milo tries to laugh it off until his father puts his hand out.

Milo Sr: Phone. Now.

Milo sighs and hands over his phone.

Milo: Please don’t show Mollie and Pep! Mol will kill me!

Milo Sr watches the video and his face drops. He shuts his eyes and hands Milo his phone.

Milo Sr: You did the right thing telling us about Mollie, bud. Don’t kick yourself for doing that. You were only looking out for your friend and that’s what a good friend does.

Milo still feels bad and not convinced. Milo Sr leaves Milo’s room and heads towards the living room. Mollie is crying even harder now; Jennifer is looking at Mollie’s phone, angry.

Jennifer: This is not even right, those kids should be ashamed of themselves *to Milo Sr* did you–?

Milo Sr sadly nods his head. Jennifer goes from angry to concerned and looks back at Mollie, crying on the sofa.

Milo comes out of his room and peeks into the living room. Mollie sees him and gets extremely angry.

Mollie: You fucking snitch!

Milo: *defensive* I didn’t even know you were actually gonna go to that stupid party with Theo!

Mollie: You still told them that I went, dumbass!

Jennifer: That’s enough! *to Milo* You, back in your room! *to Mollie* We gotta tell dad that you’re with me.

Mollie doesn’t say anything; she just sits on the sofa. Milo turns around and walks back into his room.

While Milo Sr walks in the same direction as his son, Jennifer sits back down with Mollie.

Jennifer: It’s wrong what those kids did to you. No one should ever have to go through that.

Mollie stays silent.

Jennifer: And that boy? Not worth it. Just because someone looks good on the outside, doesn’t mean they’re good on the inside.

Mollie: I thought he liked me. He made me feel special.

Jennifer: I know, sweetie.

Mollie begins to cry in Jennifer’s shoulder. She holds Mollie as she comforts her.

Mollie: My first kiss was suppose to be special, and he ruined it! Laurie ruined it! They all ruined a moment that was suppose to be memorable!

Mollie heaves in Jennifer’s body. Jennifer gently rocks her sister to comfort her in a vulnerable state like this.

…

Milo sits at his desk and messages Sophie.

milolani: You should've just let Mollie be. 
leesophie: What?
milolani: She's an ungrateful person and should've dealt with her own shit on her own.

Milo throws his phone on the bed, upset that his best friend is mad at him for helping her out in a situation where she was left alone. He hides under his covers, and begins to cry.

Overexposed: A Self-Love Project.

Overexposed: 2 Weeks.

liz

At the start of 2021, I was still getting tests done in preparation for bariatric surgery. I still remember having to take a Lyft one Wednesday night to Sheepshead Bay and stay overnight at a sleep center in order to take a sleep study. I remember back in September, I was put in a hospital gown and pushed on a gurney to have an endoscopy done. I remember taking test after test, month after month, having delays and waiting for everyone’s clearances to be put through.

Hi, my name is Liz and I have surgery in two weeks.

I was talking to my mentor last night about my surgery since I found out the date I was having it, and she brought up the point that if I decided I wanted to write about the surgery process and experience, she would be interested in knowing and reading about it. I thought to myself, “that’s not actually a bad idea!” So here I am, documenting the life of an adult who is getting ready for surgery in less than a month.

I found out my surgery date earlier this month, and that’s when I knew it was time to get serious. It began to feel real; to know that it was only a month and a half away from happening made things feel intense, and I had to start getting my body ready for the surgery.

I got my diet plan from my nutritionist and was told to start it a month before surgery. I had a little more time to prepare myself for it, but when it was time to finally get serious and start it, it was definitely difficult. I was hungry, stressed, and cranky for the first couple of days. Getting a list of things you had to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next two weeks was something I was not used to. I cooked my own meals most days, I brought lunch to work instead of getting what everyone else was getting, and the portions were a lot smaller than what I was used to. It took some time to get used to it, and after awhile I did!

But now, I’m about 2 weeks before my surgery, and the next phase of my diet begins: protein shakes. I’ve been preparing myself for that two week diet; it’s definitely not easy, to say the least. I don’t know how I’ll get through the two week period if not having solid meals during my day, but just like anything else you do consistently, it will get easier as time passes.

I can’t say that I’m not nervous for surgery. It’s such a major change that I didn’t really see until it came time to prepare for surgery. The process to even get to this point was long overdue; it felt like I was never going to get to this point in the program, to be honest. I thought something was going to hold or delay the process even more than it was already, and all of the work I did to get to this point would’ve been for nothing.

But I’m here. Things are happening. Things are changing. Life is going to be different for the next couple of months. Surgery is in two weeks.

The "Something" Series

Something About Our Past: A Scene.

liz
Free photo: City morning - Blue, High, Winter - Free Download - Jooinn

The sun is rising in the city; it’s coming through the curtains through Grace’s apartment. The two adults are sitting on the round table, sipping their cups of coffee. Nothing is said, they just share the silence together for a moment. Jamie’s phone vibrates on the table. He picks it up to view the notification and puts it down. He sighs in a frustrated manner; Grace takes a look at Jamie as she sips her coffee. Jamie looks at Grace.

Jamie: Ari texted me and told me not to come in today.

Grace raises her eyebrows in question. Jamie notices the reaction.

Jamie: Ya, she was the one that got my number from you.

Grace dismisses it. She lifts her mug and continues to sip her coffee.

Jamie: Did you tell her about what happened last night?

Grace: That you got your ass beaten up and look as fucked as you currently do? Absolutely. She was with me last night when I was losing my shit.

Jamie: *stern* Did you tell her to call me out of work today?

Grace: No… I told her to tell you that you can work from home so you can recover.

Jamie smiles at the thought. He looks down at his mug and takes a sip from it. He winces in pain from the cut on his lip. Grace immediately tends to him with a damp cloth.

Grace: Are you okay? *examines the cut* Jamie, it’s bleeding, the coffee is fucking hot.

She dabs the cut as Jamie sits there quietly. He tries not to smile, but he can’t help himself.

Grace: What?

Jamie: Super-Mom is here.

Grace rolls her eyes and rinses the cloth to continue caring for the cut.

Grace: Shut up, I’m just–

Jamie: Taking care of an issue that wasn’t your fault?

Grace backs away and doesn’t say anything.

Jamie: It’s not your fault that what happened, happened. It was mine.

Grace doesn’t respond. She just rinses out the cloth and proceeds to go back to the table to finish up her coffee. Jamie watches her as she scrolls through her phone, drinking her coffee.

Jamie: Why do you blame yourself for things out of your control?

Grace: *looks up* What?

Jamie: Why are you always blaming yourself for things that weren’t your fault?

Grace sits back in her seat, confused at what’s happening.

Grace: What makes you think that?

Jamie: You blame yourself for what happened last night. You put other people’s decisions on your shoulders and you shouldn’t have to. You’re in control of your own decisions, not anyone else’s.

Grace: You make it sound so easy. You make it seem like I want other’s decisions on my shoulders. It just happens to be on mine because I’m the common denominator.

Jamie: You did not put a gun to those people’s head and tell them what to do, Grace.

Grace is beginning to get agitated at the conversation.

Grace: In the situations that I know are my fault–

Jamie: They aren’t–

Grace: *louder* That I know are my fault…

Jamie doesn’t say anything.

Grace: I take personally.

Jamie: What happened last night is not your fault.

Grace starts to fidget in her chair, annoyed at the conversation at hand. Jamie is not letting her get the last word.

Grace: I can’t just unlearn these habits, Jamie. I always think it’s my fault that something went wrong or if something is going bad. Like, it seems like the people closest to me always end up hurt or fucked up and it somewhat comes back to me.

Jamie: Well those people need to take responsibility for their own actions and stop putting their bad decisions on you.

Grace: What if you know you’re the reason your parents divorced in the first place? What if you were finally told that your mom had to make a decision between her career or her family and she ultimately chose her career? What if you carry that shit your entire life and try so hard to prevent it from happening to you but you end up just fucking up someone else’s life up and your own kid?

Jamie slams his hand on the table; Grace stops talking.

Jamie: You are not a bad person for knowing what you need in certain points of your life. You can make selfish decisions, but you are not a bad person for making them. You are not a bad mom, Grace.

Grace doesn’t say anything back. She just continues to drink her coffee and scroll through her phone. Jamie doesn’t say anything back; he simply continues the morning on a silent note.

Grace: You left your wallet open on the nightstand last night. I thought I was reaching for my glasses.

Jamie continues to drink his coffee.

Grace: You look… interesting with dark hair.

Jamie chokes on his coffee.

Jamie: What?

Grace: *playful* What, was that photo taken like 10 years ago?

Jamie looks at Grace as she giggles to herself.

Jamie: It was about 5 years ago.

Grace: *teasingly* Aww! Such an innocent baby! Jaeminininini!

Jamie’s eyes widen in Grace’s direction. Grace’s laugh trails off when she notices that Jamie isn’t laughing back.

Grace: I-I’m sorry, Jamie, I–

Jamie: If you’re going to say my Korean name, at least learn how to say it. Jae Min. Jaemin.

Grace: *repeats* Jae Min.

Jamie: Ah, majayo. That is correct.

Grace smiles and leans forward in her seat.

Grace: Is there a reason why you call me Gracie instead of Grace, or is that just the cute nickname you gave me?

Jamie: *laughs* Grace in Korean is not Grace in English. In Korean, “Grace” is Eunhye. Gracie is Gracie.

Grace: So…?

Jamie: I would rather call you by your name instead of Eunhye.

Grace: Perhaps that’s my secret identity: Kim Eun Hye.

Jamie: *teasingly* You now have my last name?

Grace embarrassingly shakes her head. Jamie smirks.

Jamie: Don’t be embarrassed. It has a cute ring to it. Kim Eunhye.

Grace smiles to herself and clears her voice. She ultimately changes the subject.

Grace: So is Jamie just your preferred name, or…?

Jamie: *tilts his head* Preferred?

Grace: Like, it’s not your real name, just a name you like?

Jamie: … it’s my English name.

Grace: They give you one of those?

Jamie: *dumbfound* Grace… I chose my English name. I use it when I’m in America or in any English speaking places where they won’t get my name wrong.

Grace: And it’s just as valid as a real name?

Jamie: Quite frankly, yes.

Grace takes in the information to herself until she hears Jamie talking again.

Jamie: My mother told me that if I wanted to ever travel outside of Korea, I should have an English name. I didn’t think of it at first, but I decided once I got into law that it would be better to have an English name; clients won’t judge you with a name like “Jamie”.

Grace: Are you the only one with an English name?

Jamie: One of my sisters also decided she wanted one as well. Her Korean name is Minji, but really liked the name Julia. We call her Lia for short.

Grace: And your other sister?

Jamie: She’s quite traditional so she kept her name; Mina.

Grace looks genuinely interested in the conversation.

Grace: So if I go to Korea, I’ll be able to pick out a Korean name?

Jamie: You already did, Eunhye.

Grace rolls her eyes and gets up from the table and takes both her and Jamie’s mugs off the table and places them in the kitchen sink. Jamie wasn’t finished with his coffee.

Jamie: *laughs* I wasn’t finished with that, Eunhye!

Grace: You were taking long to finish the sip you had left, Jaemin.

Jamie gets up from the table and walks behind Grace. He hugs her from behind and attempts to lift her up away from the sink. He forgets he’s pretty bruised and winces in pain when he tries to carry up.

Grace: Fuck! I’m so sorry, Jamie! I didn’t–

Jamie shushes Grace as he holds his ribcage.

Jamie: That was completely my fault and should’ve known better.

Grace looks at Jamie and grabs his hand.

Grace: Morning couch chilling time?

Jamie: *smiles* Lead the way, jagiya.

The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Halloween Party: A Scene.

liz
Halloween Party Ideas | BizBash

It’s the night of Laurie’s Halloween party, and teens gather around the venue with their invitation to head on inside. It’s extra, over the top, and luxurious; three things that most of Laurie’s parties are known for. Teens in costumes are walking around, chatting and socializing. Two teens come into the party, a guy dressed up as The Joker; the girl dressed up as a zombie school girl.

Theo looks at Mollie, who also looks at him.

Theo: You look so cute in your costume.

Mollie: Thanks! It was the only thing I could really think of last minute.

Theo: Well, you look great.

He winks at her, which makes Mollie blush.

Across the room is Sophie, who is dressed up as Jasmine from ‘Aladdin’. She sits with her group of friends while the others chat it up and socialize with the other people in the group. Laurie, who is dressed as a luxurious princess, looks at Sophie sitting by herself.

Laurie: Hey Sophie!

Sophie looks up in Laurie’s direction.

Laurie: Come on! We’re all talking pictures together!

Sophie gets up from her seat and lines up with the rest of her friends. The photographer in front of them sets up the camera and prompts them to say ‘Halloween!’ at the count of three. Before the group counts to three, Laurie notices an unwanted guest at her party.

Laurie:*annoyed* Mollie?!

Sophie looks ahead and sees Mollie at the party with Theo. Sophie is confused as in why she’s at the party with him. She doesn’t like the feeling it gives her.

Before she can walk back to where she was sitting, someone grabs her by the arm. It’s Simon, who is dressed up as a prince.

Simon: Sophie!

The gesture catches Sophie off-guard. She jumps in place in fear.

Simon: Hey, it’s just me!

Sophie: What do you want, Simon?

Simon: I just wanted to stop by, say hi and tell you that you look really good in your costume.

Sophie: *annoyed* You should be telling your girlfriend that.

Simon: I mean, she’s cute, but you’re even cuter.

Sophie is visibly disgusted.

Sophie: What happened to you? What happened to the friend that was actually kind and respectful?

Simon: Did I not just compliment you and be nice to you?

Sophie: I think it would be best if you left me alone, Simon. Have a good rest of the night.

Sophie walks away from Simon. She sits back down at her seat, surrounded by Laurie’s group of friends.

Laurie walks up to Theo and Mollie.

Laurie: I believe this was an invite-only party.

Theo: There’s nothing about not bringing a plus one to your party.

Laurie huffs and walks away from the two. Mollie smiles in victory as her and Theo laugh at the outcome.

…

The night progresses and everything is going well. Theo sits next to Mollie at one of the table and pulls her chair close to him. Mollie smiles.

Theo: You’re enjoying the party?

Mollie: It’s pretty cool.

Theo: Well, I’m having a great time here with you.

Mollie cheeses. She’s not one to swoon over a guy’s compliments like this, but she really likes Theo. Theo gets up from his seat and takes Mollie’s hand. He walks across the venue with her, passing the table of Laurie’s friends and Sophie. Sophie looks up to see the two of them walking towards a dark, secluded area. She doesn’t like the feeling she has, and takes out her phone.

leesophie: Mollie’s at the party with Theo.

…

In the secluded area, Theo looks at Mollie and smiles. Mollie is confused.

Mollie: What are we doing back here?

Theo: There was too much noise out there, I just wanted to hang out with you and talk.

Mollie nods and sits down in the bench behind the curtain. Theo joins her.

Theo: I’ve been wanting to tell you something, but I’ve been too scared to say anything.

Mollie: What is it?

Theo: I’m really glad that you came with me to the party. To be honest, I really wanted to talk to you in school, but I always thought you didn’t want to talk to me.

Mollie: Are you kidding me? *laughs* I always wanted you to come and talk to me! You’re Theodore Walker, the captain of the baseball team!

Theo laughs and gets closer to Mollie. She notices and starts to get a little uncomfortable.

Theo: The truth is, I like you Mollie. I think you’re the prettiest girl in the class.

Mollie is taken back. She blushes as her response.

Mollie: I… really like you too.

Theo gets even closer to Mollie and begins to go in to kiss her. She doesn’t move, but she’s nervous. He slowly goes in and kisses Mollie on the lips. Mollie closes her eyes and kisses him back until a curtain is swung open and flashes of lights appear. They break up the kiss.

Laurie: Look everyone! It’s Beverly Junior High’s slut! She even came dressed as herself!

Mollie looks mortified. She looks at Theo who’s also laughing and giving high-fives to the boys.

Theo: There you go guys, it’s not as hard as you think getting Mollie Castro after all!

Mollie is embarrassed and at the verge of tears.

Mollie: Go fuck yourself, Theo!

Theo: Not unless I get you to do that first!

The guys laugh as Mollie runs out of the secluded area. Sophie watches Mollie run out of the venue. She follows her.

Sophie: Mollie! Mollie wait!

Mollie: *turns around* Don’t you guys think you did enough? You’re all the fucking same; just plain, mean girls that thinks everyone wants to be like them and be your friend! Go back to Laurie and her other minions and share the same brain cell because all of you are fucking stupid and dumb!

Mollie runs out as Sophie stands there.

Mollie exits the venue and sees a familiar car waiting outside. It’s Milo Sr. and her eldest sister, Jennifer.

The "Something" Series

“Were You Not Going to Say Something?” : A Scene.

liz
nighttime balcony | Gambar bergerak, Pemandangan khayalan, Fotografi urban

Grace just stands at the doorway, looking into the living room area. Jamie sits there and doesn’t look at Grace. She drops her things at the door and closes it. As Jamie gets up from the sofa, Grace runs to him in relief.

Grace: Jamie! Oh my god, thank god you’re home and safe I–

Jamie doesn’t hug Grace back. She looks up at him and gasps. Jamie’s face is bruised and cut up, and his hair is tassled in different directions. Grace steps back in shock.

Grace: Are you hurt?! What happened?!

Jamie doesn’t answer; he walks past Grace and goes into the cabinet for a wine glass.

Grace: Jamie? *walks up to him* Jamie–

Jamie: *annoyed* I’m fine.

Grace: *defensive* Clearly you’re not. Your face is busted up and you called me asking for help! What the fuck happened to you tonight?!

Jamie finally turns around to face Grace.

Jamie: Why should I tell you anything?

Grace: *confused* Where the hell is this coming from?

Jamie: I don’t want to talk about it…

As Jamie walks away, Grace grabs a hold of his arm to turn him around. He looks at her intently; same goes for Grace.

Grace: I looked all over the city for you. I came from Yonkers to come all the way back into the city in hopes to find you and see if you were okay. I nearly cried myself sick at Ari’s because I felt like it was my fault that something happened to you. Now that you’re here, clearly hurt, you’re not going to talk about what happened?

Jamie: I went to Harlem to learn more about the defendant.

Grace: Without any backup?

Jamie: No.

Grace finally lets Jamie’s arm go, visibly annoyed and freaked out about the situation at hand.

Grace: Are you out of your mind, Jamie?! You are working a criminal case dealing with one of the top gang leaders in the city, and you’re just going to show up on his turf to learn more about him? What the fuck were you thinking, Jamie?

Jamie: Look, I was following an order!

Grace: Then you say no and try to do in the safest way possible! You’re a rookie at the firm, they are going to put all those tasks on you because you don’t know any better, especially since this is your first case with them.

Jamie takes a moment to gather everything that’s happening. He visibly looks confused, and folds his arms across his chest.

Jamie: How do you know about the case? We never discussed about it.

Grace’s face instantly turns pale, she’s somewhat speechless.

Grace: The case was going around right before I went on vacation…

Jamie turns his head towards the direction near the closet door. Grace follows his gaze and notices a box near the closet door.

Grace: What’s in the box?

Jamie doesn’t say anything. He simply walks over to it and takes the cover of it off. He takes one thing out of the box. He holds up a name tag: “Grace Ashmore, Lawyer”. Grace widens her eyes in disbelief.

Grace: Wh-what’s that doing here?

Jamie: *annoyed; tosses the name tag back in the box* jinjja…

Grace doesn’t say anything.

Jamie: Were you not going to say something?

Grace: What?

Jamie: I had to find out from Ari that you left the firm?

Grace eye’s widen and stays silent. She honestly doesn’t know what to say.

Grace: I was going to tell you.

Jamie: When, Grace? When?! When were you finally going to tell me that you left the firm? Did it ever occur to you to tell me when I asked you countless of times when were you coming back to work?

Grace: *defensive* I wasn’t ready.

Jamie huffs and walks towards the room. Grace runs after him.

She swings open the door.

Grace: Jamie–

Jamie: I trusted you. I would’ve supported your decision and stood by your side, but instead you kept this from me–

Grace: You kept the case from me and nearly got yourself killed!

Jamie: So we both messed up. I kept it from you because it was work related and it’s been taking up so much of my time. Why did you keep this from me? When did you decide you didn’t want to be in the firm anymore?

Grace visibly feels uncomfortable as she’s in question.

Grace: Before you came back.

Jamie: So the position–

Grace: It was mine.

Jamie shakes his head in disbelief.

Jamie: I wouldn’t have took the job if I knew it was yours…

Grace: That’s why I didn’t tell you! How was I going to bring up the fact that the position that was opened was mine and that I left the firm?

Jamie: The exact way you just said it, Grace!

Grace tries to exit out of the room while Jamie gets a hold of her. She flails her arm in protest and accidentally hits Jamie in the face. He winces in pain and Grace immediately regrets it.

Grace: Fuck! Jamie, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to I–

Grace immediately starts to cry. The words start to just come out without her realizing it.

Grace: It’s my fault that this happened to you, it’s my fault that you’re on this case and that you got hurt tonight; I should’ve been there, I should’ve helped you, I should’ve been there sooner but I wasn’t and I’m a complete failure I–

Grace heaves everything out once again as Jamie holds her.

Jamie: Jagiya~

Grace: I’m so sorry…

Jamie: Ya…

Grace doesn’t listen, she continues to cry her frustrations out in Jamie’s lap. He just sits there, holding her in his arms.

……

The bathroom light turns on; Jamie walks straight to the mirror and looks at himself. He touches his blonde hair that has leftover blood from earlier that night. He closes his eyes.

He recalls walking into the hospital, beaten up and covered in blood, asking her assistance. The nurse behind the front desk grabbed him by his arms as his knees began to buckle and get weak. He doesn’t remember much after that.

He opens his eyes; tiredness wears on his face. He just wants to sleep, but he knows he has to go into work tomorrow morning. He knows this case is already too deep for him to back out of it, and he can’t let his client down. She deserves justice. She is someone’s daughter. Sister. Mother. That could’ve easily been one of his own sisters back in Korea. That could’ve easily been Grace. That could’ve been Willow when she got older. He winces at the pain as he cleans up his wounds.

Grace wakes up on Jamie’s side of the bed. At first, she’s confused until she looks at the clock on the nightstand; it is 3 o’clock in the morning. She looks to the empty side of her bed; Jamie isn’t there. Grace reaches at the nightstand to grab her glasses, but instead grabs a card on top of a leather wallet. She squints as she reads the card: “Kim Jae Hyung”. Grace looks at the picture of Jamie on his ID card.

Grace looks startled when she hears a man’s low voice.

Jamie: Gracie?

The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Black Sheep: A Scene.

liz
▷ 1001+ ideas for Cozy Teenage Girl Bedroom Ideas For Small Rooms

Mollie walks into a pink, girly bedroom. She drops her stuff at the foot of the bed and sits on it. She looks around, disgusted at how obnoxiously pink and girly the room is. Sh sighs and tales out her phone; she sees all of the people at her school getting ready for Laurie’s Halloween party. She tosses her phone on the bed, annoyed that she’s here instead of with everyone else.

A woman knocks on the door and enters the bedroom. She’s tall and has short black hair. She smiles at Mollie.

Gina: Hey, Mollie. Dinner should be ready in 15 minutes.

Mollie doesn’t say anything, she just picks her fingernails and ignores Gina. Gina leaves the room, and closes the door behind her. Mollie sits up and looks at the closed door in disgust. She gets up from the bed and looks at the shelf across from her. She sees a picture of her and her father from when she was a kid. Mollie takes the picture frame and faces in downward on the shelf.

…

It’s now dinnertime at the Castro household. The family sits at the kitchen table; Gina, Mollie, her father Justin, and her half-sibling, Selena.Mollie sits at the dinner table silent as she eats her food. Gina and Justin are talking before they stop and continue eating.

Gina: So how’s school going, Mollie?

Mollie doesn’t answer, she continues to play around with the food on her dinner plate. Justin notices it.

Justin: Mollie.

Mollie: Huh?

Justin: Gina asked you a question.

Mollie: Sorry, I didn’t hear.

Gina smiles and repeats her question.

Gina: How’s school going?

Mollie: Fine, I guess.

Mollie continues to eat her dinner, Justin feels slightly embarrassed by his daughter’s behavior. A squeal from Selena in her highchair is heard, and Justin tends to her. Mollie looks visibly annoyed.

Gina: *to Mollie* Have you’ve been practicing for the high-school audition?

Mollie doesn’t respond; she is too busy looking at her father tend to Selena.

Gina: Mollie?

Mollie: *annoyed* What?

Justin: *stern* Hey.

He looks at Mollie. Mollie continues to play with the food on her plate.

Justin: Gina just asked you a simple question.

Mollie: I don’t feel like talking.

Justin: That’s not an excuse to be rude to Gina.

Mollie puts her fork on her plate and gathers her dishes.

Mollie: I’m done with dinner. Thanks.

She gets up from her seat and takes her dishes to the kitchen. Gina looks sad.

Justin: You know how teenagers can be.

Gina: I know. I just wish there was more that I can do for her.

Justin wraps his arm around Gina, who smiles to the gesture.

…

Back in Mollie’s room she takes out her phone to scroll through various social media platforms. She soon after gets a message notification.

Theo: hey castro 😉

Mollie smiles at the message and responds back to the message.

Mollie: what's up, walker?
Theo: just chilling in my room. hbu?
Mollie: same, @ my dad's house for the weekend.
Theo: that blows.
Mollie: tell me about it.

A knock is heard on Mollie’s bedroom. Her father walks in.

Justin: Can we talk?

Mollie: About what?

Justin sits on the bed and Mollie locks her phone screen.

Justin: About you and Gina.

Mollie: What about us?

Justin: She feels bad when you push her away when you’re over. I know you’re my daughter, but–

Mollie: But Gina is your wife and Selena is your daughter. Got it.

Justin: Lena’s your half-sister.

Mollie: So what?

Justin: *upset* Mollie.

Mollie doesn’t say anything back.

Justin: I’m just asking for you to be nice to Gina. She wants to make your weekends here as comfortable as possible, and it’s not fair to her that–

Mollie gets angry at her father for only considering Gina’s feelings instead of hers.

Mollie: It’s unfair to her? How is it unfair to her?

Justin: You’re tuning her out, Mollie. You’re making her feel like she doesn’t belong here.

Mollie: *angry* Well she deserves it!

Justin: Mollie Sue Castro!

Mollie huffs in her bed.

Justin: You are in her house, and she is treating you with nothing but respect, and I expect you to do the same for her.

Mollie phone buzzes. She knows it’s Theo texting her back. Justin gets up from the bed and walks towards the bedroom door.

Justin: You can’t stay in your room all weekend; come out and socialize with the rest of the family very once in awhile.

The door shuts behind him and Mollie takes out her phone to read the message notification.

Theo: u should come to laurie's party tomorrow
Mollie: I'm not invited to her dumb party.
Theo: be my +1? there's nothin that says you can't

Mollie ponders the thought.

Mollie: see you then.
The "Something" Series

Have to Do Something: A Monologue.

liz
Mid Hudson Midnight Photograph by Christopher Haughian

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I bounced my leg in the cab ride over the bridge, looking out to the dark water. I had my phone in my hand, hoping my screen will light up with Jamie’s name. Every now and then, I would try to ring him again, hoping he’ll answer and tell me he’s at home. Nothing. I leaned my head back in the seat, closed my eyes and finally let the tears fall down on my face. I hate that I wasn’t closer when I got his call. I hate that I didn’t pick up sooner. He called for help. God knows why he needs help, but I’m scared to find out what the actual fuck happened.

Please Jamie, please be okay.

The traffic was heavy and I was growing impatient. 106th street, 105th street. I couldn’t stand sitting in this car anymore now that I was back in the city. I don’t even remember hopping out of the car, I just did, and started running down the blocks. People turned their heads when I would run by, I mean I can only assume why were but I can’t clearly say; I don’t remember seeing anything in front of me while I ran. By the time I got to 96th street, I hopped on the nearest train to head downtown.

I feel absolutely dreadful knowing that something happened to Jamie. What the fuck am I suppose to do if it’s worse than expected? He doesn’t know how to navigate the streets of the city; for fuck’s sake, he’s only been here for 2 and a half months. What the fuck was I thinking to let him go about his day without checking in on him? Ask him if he’s doing okay? Tell him that I hope he was having a good day at work.

I don’t remember when it was finally my stop, but I raced out of the train station and into the streets of Manhattan. I just have to make it home, he’s probably home; his phone died but he’s home and charging it but he’s home and everything is going to be completely fine.

I opened the door of my apartment building and headed straight to the elevator. I pressed the button what felt like 100 times until it finally reached the lobby. Once it got to my floor, I power-walked passed a family heading the elevator as I went in the direction of my apartment. Pulled my keys out of my bag and put them into the door and turned, I opened the door slowly.

I wish I came home to him. I wish I saw him sitting on the sofa reading a book or working on a case file as he looked up and smiled in my direction, like he has for the last couple of months. I wish I was able to hug him, feel him in my arms, smell his cotton-scent cologne and felt his lips kiss the top of my head.

I didn’t get any of that that day.

“Jamie?” I called out to the apartment. Nothing seemed like it was moved or touched since this morning. I walked to all the rooms in the apartment; he wasn’t anywhere in there. I began to panic, where the fuck would he be? I waited for what possibly felt like hours for him to hopefully come back home. He never did.

I don’t remember when or how I got there, but I began to bang on Ari’s front door of her apartment. Quickly after, she opened it; she looked extremely confused.

“Grace?” Ari answered. I felt the knot forming in my throat; I wanted to cry. I wanted to know where Jamie was. I wanted to hold him, kiss him, let him know that I…

Ari must’ve known how panicked I was, because she instantly looked at me with worry written across her face. She immediately looked into her apartment and gestured me to come in. I walked straight into the apartment.

“Are you alright?” The sound of Ari’s voice brought me back to reality, and I quickly turned around, taking in a deep breath. I needed to gather my thoughts.

“Have you heard from Jamie?” I asked. Ari looked confused.

“No? I last spoke to him at the job, but that’s it.” Ari recalled. I began to hyperventilate. I feel my chest closing in, I couldn’t breathe, and Ari immediately knew something was not right.

“Grace,” Ari started. “What happened?”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The words came out faster than I can regulate them.

“It’s Jamie, he’s–” I literally couldn’t get the words out.

“Grace, breathe.” I mimicked Ari’s deep breath technique to calm down. When I was able to get my breathing in control, I continued the thought I was having.

“Jamie called me. I couldn’t hear much, but he wasn’t okay. He said he needed help and I couldn’t get to him on time because I was out of the city visiting Max’s family and now I can’t get a hold of him and I don’t know where he is!” I gasped for air trying to get the story out.

“Is he back at your apartment?” Ari asked.

“I checked. Nothing. I just–” I took a deep breath and felt the tears forming in my eyes. “What if something happened to him, Ari? What if he got himself in some deep shit and now nowhere knows where he is? He’s my fucking responsibility and God Forbid if he’s hurt someone in the city, what am I going to tell his family if something horrible happened?!”

“Grace,” Ari calmly said. “Jamie is a grown ass man. He’s able to take care of himself.”

“He’s only been here for 2 and a half months! He doesn’t know just how fucked up being in the city can be, especially for someone that doesn’t know anything about the city in general! It’s my fault if anything bad happened to him, It’s my fault that I didn’t let him know the bad parts of the city or that there’s just certain things that he can’t do! What the fuck if he’s dead, Ari?” I pleaded.

“Stop it.” Ari sternly said. She was annoyed not at the situation, but the fact that I kept blaming Jamie’s disappearance on myself. “You can’t hold his hand throughout his time here. He chose to come live here. Anything he does doesn’t fall on you.”

I wanted to believe her. I wanted to believe that Jamie is okay and anything that he does is on him, not on me. But I can’t help but still put that blame on myself. He came back here for me. He came back to the states because he wanted to see me again and I can’t help but feel like whatever is happening to him is my responsibility. Fuck Jamie, where are you?

I immediately start crying out of desperation. “Ari… please…” I pleaded. I don’t remember the last time I heaved when I cried. I felt like my heart was breaking. I felt absolutely helpless. I felt like I was incapable of doing anything right. I felt like no matter what, the people closest to me always end up getting hurt. I was scared for Jamie. All I wanted was to see Jamie and hold him and fall asleep next to him.

For fuck’s sake, I love him.

The next thing I knew, Ari was holding me in her arms, trying to calm me down. She was rubbing small circles on my back as I cried in her lap I felt like I couldn’t stop. Eventually I did, because I don’t rmember when I finally passed out on Ari’s couch. She shook me awake, trying to get my attention.

“Grace, bb?” Ari gently said. I looked up at her with groggy eyes. “Do you want to see if he made it home?” I sat up slowly and nodded my head. She grabbed my hand to help me up. I gathered my stuff and waked out of the apartment with Ari and her boyfriend, Dean.

We got back to my apartment building in about 15 minutes. Dean pulled up in front of the building, and Ari got out of the car with me before I headed inside. She called out for me as I was about to open the front door of the building.

“Grace,” Ari called me. I turned around as she walked up to me. She didn’t say anything at first; it was like she was trying to gather her words as efficiently as possible. That’s how Ari was; she was a tough bitch and she gave out some of the toughest love I got from a friend, but when she knows I need some reassurance. she’s still able to hold me up and help me when I simply can’t do anything. This was one of those times.

The other time was when Max and I first broke up. I remember banging on her door, heartbroken and crying. It took me days to get out of her apartment, but she understood that I needed the extra time to get my thoughts together. Now that I come to think of it, Ari got me through some of the toughest times in my life. Maybe that’s why she’s so good to get me through the bad times, like today.

“You know Jamie loves you, right?” I wasn’t expecting her to say that. She knew that was well, because I didn’t say anything back to her. Ari faintly smiled at me. “He wouldn’t disappear because of you, and he’s probably okay. Don’t blame this shit on yourself.” Ari hugs me before looking back at me.

“Text me if anything, babes.” I nodded my head and began to open the front door once more.

I turned the key into the front door of my apartment, hoping to finally catch my breath after going hours of not doing so. I turn the doorknob and slowly open it. I open my eyes ad see the inside of my apartment.

Jamie’s here.

The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Party Invitation: A Scene.

liz
Education Officials Balk At Scott's Latest Plan For School Savings In Vermont | Vermont Public Radio

The bell rings and in come the students from the hallway to start their day. The students are chatty, sitting in their circle of friends. Among those students coming into the classroom are Milo and Mollie. Mollie looks around the classroom to find an empty area where her and her best friend can sit and hang out. Once she does, she walks towards the empty desks. Milo follows behind her.

Mollie: I’m so not looking forward to today, like what monster gives their class a test on a Friday? That’s just cruel.

Milo looks towards the door when the group of popular kids comes into the classroom. He spots Sophie trailing behind the group.

Mollie: Milo?

Milo continues to look at the group. Sophie spots him and faintly smiles. He does the same back.

Mollie: *louder* Hello? Earth to Milo?

Milo spins his head around towards Mollie, finally hearing that she was calling for him.

Milo: Huh?

Mollie rolls her eyes at Milo.

Mollie: You’re not even listening to me.

Milo: Sorry, I was just… thinking.

Mollie: When are you not?

The classroom continues to be chatty until Laurie gets up from her seat and faces the class.

Laurie: Good Morning, Class 830! Now as you may all know, it’s Halloween season and like every year, I will be having a costume party! It’s invite only, so if you get one; congrats, you’re invited to the best Halloween party of Beverly Junior High!

Laurie begins to walk around the classroom to hand out invitations. Everyone in her friend group, including Sophie, gets an invitation to the party. A couple of other kids get invites as well and before the teacher comes in, she is out of invitations. Both Milo and Mollie don’t have invitations.

Laurie: Remember that there’s a costume contest so everyone wear your best costume!

As Laurie goes back to her seat, the teacher attempts to quiet down the class to start off the day. Mollie is visibly annoyed.

At recess, Milo is in a music practice room tuning his guitar while Mollie sits on the ground tossing a toy ball in her hands.

Mollie: I don’t get it, why does everyone wanna go to Laurie’s dumb Halloween party in the first place? Like, it’s Laurie for fuck’s sake.

Milo: Because she’s popular, Mol. Getting an invite from Laurie is like getting an invitation from the President.

Mollie: Well it’s fucking stupid. She always does this shit to prove her point on her popularity but like, people are just using her.

Milo: Let them use her then if that’s what she wants.

Mollie looks at Milo, who is concentrated on tuning his guitar.

Mollie: You’re doing guitar or drums for the audition?

Milo: *focused* Guitar.

Mollie: Dude *sits up* You should totally do drums instead. Like yeah, guitar’s all cool and shit, but you know how many people are probably going to audition with guitar?

Milo takes in Mollie’s words for consideration. Mollie takes out a piece of gum to chew on.

Suddenly, the practice room door opens, and Sophie pauses and realizes Milo isn’t alone in the room. She quickly closes the door. Mollie looks at the door, and then back at Milo, who is now nervous and worried.

Mollie: Was that one of Laurie’s minions?

Milo doesn’t know how to respond to Mollie.

Mollie: *annoyed* Milo?

Milo: *finally answers* She probably got confused in the rooms… you know how dumb those girls are.

Mollie laughs; Milo hates the fact that he said that about Sophie. He packs his things up and gets ready to leave. Mollie notices.

Mollie: Dude, where’re you going?

Milo doesn’t answer; he just leaves the music room.

…

Milo sits in the tree-house with drumsticks, mindlessly practicing on a rubber drum rim. A couple of moments later, he hears rocks being thrown up at the tree-house. He looks out of the window to see Sophie standing there. She makes her way up the ladder towards the tree-house.

Milo: What brings you over, Scout?

Sophie: I was meaning to talk to you today during recess, but it seems like you and Mollie were hanging out.

Milo: Yeah, sometimes she’ll come with me to hang.

Sophie nods her head.

Milo: So, whatcha wanted to ask me?

Sophie: Oh! Right; did you get an invite to Laurie’s party?

Milo: *laughs* Really?

Sophie: What?

Milo: I never get invited to anything Laurie does. She sorta hates me and Mollie.

Sophie frowns and Milo takes note of it quickly.

Milo: …why?

Sophie: It’s… nothing. It just would’ve been cool to see you there, you know?

Milo doesn’t say anything. He watches Sophie take out a notebook from her backpack.

Sophie: So, for Monday’s Math test…

Milo takes out his notebook from his bag and begins to study with Sophie. He admires her concentration on her notebook and the way she talks when she is explaining mathematical problems. He follows her directions step-by-step to solving the math equations.

Milo: How did… How did you get so good at Math?

Sophie: Pardon me?

Milo: Like… how did you get so good in Math like you’re probably one of the only people in the class that gets it.

Sophie: *laughs* I study. Also, my mum is a mathematics professor.

Milo: *shocked* Really?

Sophie: *nods her head* She was teaching in Oxford back in the UK but picked up a job at Columbia University.

Milo: That’s… amazing.

Sophie: I guess. It was always easy for me to pick up math. It’s just a whole thing of numbers that need solving in steps.

Milo: No, no, no. it’s not as easy as you’re making it.

Sophie: *laughs* It’s not?

Milo: It’s not! I mean why in the world do we need to know y=mx+b? Like when am I going to use that in life?

Sophie laughs. Milo smiles at her.

Sophie: Okay, maybe you’re right.

Milo: Milo Kamalani always speaks the facts!

Sophie smiles and turns the page of her textbook. Milo does the same and Sophie continues to study with Milo in the tree-house.

The "Something" Series

Something is Not What it Seems: A Monologue.

liz
Modern day Harlem at Night | Lighting design, Modern, Harlem

Sometimes, I wonder if I should’ve listened to Mina when she first told me that something’s aren’t what they seem to be.

“Jaemin,” Mina said over dinner one night a little over a year ago. “Are you sure you want to go to the States for this case?”

“I don’t really have any other chose, Noona.” Mina would raise her eyebrows when she didn’t agree with me on something. I would look at Lia, mimicking the expression as well. Sisters, man.

“We just worry about you, Jaemin-dongsaeng.” Lia chimed in. I smiled at my older sisters to reassure them that I would be alright.

“It’s only for a couple of months,” I started. “Besides, I think it would be good for me to explore a bit. It’s New York City.”

“Is that the fancy place in America?” Lia asked.

“It’s like Seoul, but just in America. A lot of lights, busy streets…”

“And people who are dangerous.” Mina added. I rolled my eyes at the comment.

“It’s a company case, Mina. I’m not going to be the only Korean walking the streets of New York City.” I stated.

“I’m just saying, Jaemin. Some things are not what they seem.” Mina said.

I sat at my case going through the case files over and over again. I held my head in my hands in exhaustion; nothing in this case is coming together the way the team wants it to and it just makes me worry that this might be the case I don’t win. The first case in the states, and I can’t solve it for the life of me.

I lean back in my chair and take in the office. Little by little, I’ve been making it more of my own. I have pictures of my life in Korea: Mina-noona, Lia-noona, Eomma. and then I have pictures of my life here in the States: Grace and little bean. I smile to myself, suddenly feeling a sense of guilt for not being around as much as I would like to. It makes me wonder if Grace feels like this when she’s active on a case; wants to be with the people she loves but she literally can’t because a case eats her up alive.

My eyes quickly scanned the person at the door. It’s Ari, Grace’s closest friend. She knocks and opens the door.

“Hey there,” Ari greeted. I smiled and greeted her back with a wave of my hand. She checks her watch for the time and looks back up.

“You’re not about to do overtime and stay here all night, man,” Ari stated. “You people gotta learn how to turn it off when it’s time to go.”

I smiled and cocked my eyebrows up. “Does Grace get this same message on her days on a case?”

“Pretty much, but they are way meaner.” Ari confidently smiled.

“May I help you with anything, Ms. Johnson?” Ari laughs; I’m assuming because of the name change.

“I’m just here to tell you that you’re off and you can get the hell out of here and go home to your woman.” Ari said in a sassy manner.

I don’t know if she noticed just how red my face got when she spoke about Grace like that. It was hard to explain what Grace and I were; nowadays we’re just so busy and just tend to meet up at night on the sofa to be in each other’s company. More like friends than anything else.

“Also,” Ari continued and nodded her head in a direction across the room. “Do you mind taking that with you when you leave? It’s Grace’s stuff from her office; I figured since you two live under the same roof, you can bring her her shit she left behind.”

I looked at the box on the floor across from me. At first, I was confused. Why would she just leave her things here? Why are they even in a box? I looked back at Ari, who’s expression quickly changes as soon as she sees mine.

“What’s going on with Grace?” I sternly said. Ari takes in a deep breath and looks more annoyed than worried.

“Now I’m the bad guy for telling you something that she should’ve told you ages ago.” Ari defensively says.

I’m in complete shock. So many different things are running through my head. When did she leave the firm? Why did she leave in the first place? How is she going to support herself and Willow? Why would she leave the one thing she loved doing the most? Why wouldn’t she just tell me?

I don’t remember when the pieces started to be put together. All I remember is taking Grace’s box of things and walked to my car at the end of the work day. I remember looking at the box in the back seat. I remember seeing the case file that I tossed into the passenger’s seat. I remember looking into it and finally driving uptown towards Harlem.

Harlem doesn’t look like the rest of the city. I know that The Bronx is just a couple of train stops up North, and this isn’t the safest neighborhood to be in, but a case was a case and I just needed a distraction from everything circulating in my head.

I remember getting out of my car and walking towards some sort of building. I remember being so caught up in the details that I didn’t realize someone had stopped me on the street. I looked up to see this guy, who was asking me for the time. Stupid me went to look at my watch and all I felt was something hit my face extremely hard.

Everything else is a blur. I saw multiple feet on the pavement. I felt the ringing in my ears when I hit the ground. I saw blood and then felt my stomach being kicked in by a boot. I gasped for air, trying so hard to regain some normal breathing.

Mom hugged me when I was leaving her house the night before I was set to leave Korea to go back to America. She looked at me with sad eyes, but she smiled every time I would catch her looking sad.

“Eomma,” I gently began. “Will you be okay when I’m away?” My mother nodded her head, hoping she could believe herself in the process of convincing me she will be.

“Of course I will be okay. No matter where you go, you’ll always find your way back home.” She smiled as she said that and a part of me regrets feeling like this will be the last time I’ll be in Korea in a long time. I hope she understands that home for me is in another country, and I have to go after that home.

She hugs me and I could sense her not wanting to let go. She looks up at me, happy that I’m going after what I want despite how life-changing it could be. She takes a deep breath and shoos me out of the house playfully.

You’re going to be late for your flight; I’ll talk to you when you land.” I smiled back at her and left her house that night.

Everything was a blur after a while. My watch was not on my wrist, and my bag was tossed all over the sidewalk. My glasses were split in half. I couldn’t see much. I just remember taking my phone out of my pocket; it was also pretty cracked and damaged. I called Grace and there wasn’t an answer. I don’t remember how many times I called her, and every time I tired to get through, I couldn’t remember what was going on around me. I faintly heard her voice.

I don’t remember what I told her. I don’t remember even hanging up the phone. It was just darkness.

“Jamie,” I heard her voice and smelled her freshly-washed shampoo. I opened my eyes and saw her looking down at me. She tassled my hair. “We gotta get up.”

I smiled and held her close to me. “It’s too cold to get out of bed today.” I said. Grace placed her hand on my chest and looked me in the eyes.

“I know, but who else is going to run this city?” Grace jokingly said. She got up from the bed and stood on it with her hands on her hips in a superhero stance.

“We got to serve justice in this city!” She said out loud. I quickly get up and grab her by her legs and bring her down to bed, she laughs as I tickle her.

“Okay, okay , okay! You win! We’re back in bed.” Grace said in defeat. I smiled at her and stared. If anything, she won.

If anything, I lost.

The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Walk of Shame: A Scene.

liz
New sidewalk opened to pedestrians, cyclists in Pittsford | WHAM

Milo looks at the piece of paper in his hands, wandering in a area that he really isn’t familiar with. It’s a couple of blocks away from the school, but it isn’t headed in the direction he would normally walk home.

He looks ahead of him and sees a girl sitting on a bench. He immediately knows who it is.

Milo: Hey, Scout.

Sophie: Hi, Milo. *worried* Are you okay?

Sophie pulls Milo towards the bench to sit down. She examines the bruises on his face. Milo freezes.

Sophie: Milo?

Milo: *snaps back* Huh?

Sophie: I asked how you were feeling.

Milo: Oh, uhm… I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt as much as it did before.

Sophie takes in a deep breath. She lets it out apologetically.

Sophie: I’m so sorry that Simon did that to you.

Milo: *turns head* You went and told a security guard?

Sophie freezes up. She’s taken back by the random question.

Sophie: I–

Milo: You didn’t have to.

Sophie: He wouldn’t have stopped if I didn’t!

Milo: Me and Mollie got sent to the principal’s office. Our parents had to come pick us up.

Sophie: *sad* Well I’m sorry for caring about you.

Sophie gathers her things to leave the bench, but Milo grabs her hand. She turns around and looks at Milo.

Milo: I’m sorry. Thank you for looking out for me.

Milo gets up from the bench and stands next to Sophie.

Milo: Let’s take the long way home.

…

Walking through a woodsy park, Milo and Sophie walk side-by-side and continue to have a conversation.

Milo: Do you know Simon through Laurie?

Sophie: Quite the opposite really. I’ve known Simon since the beginning of the year. We were friends, actually.

Milo: *shocked* You and Simon? Friends?

Sophie: He wasn’t always this big, mad person. He was actually really kind and sweet.

Milo: Did you like him?

Sophie doesn’t look up at Milo. She looks towards the ground.

Sophie: Yeah. We sort of dated a little bit.

Milo is visibly shocked. He can’t imagine Sophie being with a guy like Simon.

Milo: How did you two even meet? Like, I can’t imagine you two even being friends.

Sophie: *sighs* Simon’s dad… is my dad’s boss.

Milo raises an eyebrow.

Sophie: I would hang out with him whenever my dad would do some business stuff. We just got close and… I don’t know. We just clicked.

Milo doesn’t like hearing that Simon and Sophie used to be close. He simply cant fandom the fact that Sophie would be friends with someone like Simon, but then again he’s not surprised since she’s friends with someone like Laurie.

Sophie: I was actually the one that introduced Laurie to Simon. They seemed really cool with each other and it was nice to have him a part of the friend group…

Sophie looks visibly annoyed for a moment, then sullen the next.

Sophie: Then began to date shortly after.

Milo: Wasn’t he with you?

Sophie rolls her eyes. Milo gets the hint.

Milo: And you’re still friends with Laurie?

Sophie: Why wouldn’t I be?

Milo looks at Sophie; concerned. He simply doesn’t understand why Sophie would still be friends with Laurie after she literally took Simon away from her.

Sophie: It doesn’t matter anyway. Simon changed and we aren’t really close anymore. He spends his time with his girlfriend and that’s that.

Milo: I mean, friends or not, Laurie shouldn’t have started dating Simon in the first place. Doesn’t that go against girl code or something?

The comment makes Sophie smile.

Sophie: And what do you know about girl code?

Milo: Hey! I know enough to know that one shall not date your friend’s ex!

Sophie shakes her head and looks away. The atmosphere gets tense again.

Sophie: It’s whatever. Simon is just this bully nowadays that I don’t consider my friend anymore. I just tolerate him because hes Laurie’s boyfriend.

Milo: You shouldn’t have to though.

Sophie: *annoyed* Just drop it, Milo.

Milo doesn’t say anything else. They both quietly walk alongside the park.

Sophie: So, I heard that auditions for Waverly are coming up! Are you excited?

Milo looks at Sophie and smiles.

Milo: I’m just waiting for it to be over, in all honesty.

Sophie: Do you not wanna go there anymore?

Milo: It’s not that, it’s just the fact that everyone in my life has been on my case about this audition. I just want it to happen so that I can just stop hearing about it.

Sophie: *insecure* I’m sorry for bringing it up, I- I figured that’s why you’re always in the music rooms during lunch; to practice for your audition.

Milo is shocked that Sophie knows that much of him and what he does on his off-time away from classes. Does she watch him go into one of the rooms to practice during their lunch period?

Milo: It’s okay. I don’t mind you asking.

Sophie smiles at Milo and then looks ahead toward the road. Milo looks at Sophie just a bit longer to take in her beauty; take in Sophie Lee in this very moment.