The music is playing loudly in a small apartment in Brooklyn. People are dancing and drinking; it seems as if everyone is having a good time. On one side of the apartment, Grace and Jamie sit on the sofa; Jamie’s arm is around Grace as Grace is leaning against his chest.
Jamie: Are you feeling okay?
Grace: *nods* Yeah. It honestly had to be something that I ate.
Jamie: Maybe. Just let me know if you’re feeling sick, we can always go home early.
Grace smiles as Cami and Emerson come over towards the couple.
Cami: Yo! We’re glad you came!
Grace: Of course, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Emerson: *to Jamie* Do you guys celebrate New Year’s like this?
Grace: *annoyed* Em.
Jamie: *laughs* Uhm, sort of. We eat tons of food and celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Emerson: Lunar New Year at your place!
Jamie: It’s a date.
The couples continue to socialize and mingle with the rest of the party. Everything is going as planned and everyone seems to be joining their night as it progresses. Grace is seen sitting down for most of the night, which Jamie takes note of. Nevertheless, he stays by her side for most of the night.
Cami occasionally comes over with drinks for the couple. Jamie has had the first few, but began to feel tipsy. Grace declined all of the drinks.
Grace: Are you okay now, Jamie?
Jamie: Jagiya, I’m fine. I just… can’t keep drinking yours on top of mine. Are you sure you don’t want a drink?
Grace: I’m sure. *sigh* Honestly, I’m not just feeling great. My stomach as been bothering me all night and I just feel like I’m not someone anyone wants to be around right now.
Jamie: That’s not true, jagiya.
Grace: It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m not dancing, drinking, or dancing whille drinking. I’m a total buzzkill.
Jamie: *laughs* It doesn’t matter. As long as I’m ringing in the new year with you.
Jamie kisses the top of Grace’s forehead and puts his arm around her, she leans her head on his chest.
A couple of minutes later, Jamie gets a phone call. He looks at the number on his screen and sits up. Grace looks forward at Jamie.
Grace: Everything okay?
Jamie: Yeah, I just– give me a minute.
Jamie gets up from the couch and walks over to the front door. Grace sits on the sofa, examining the room. The aroma of alcohol is making Grace feel even worse. She begins to panic, and gets up from the sofa and walks in the other direction, away from everyone.
Jamie walks out the front door and picks up the phone.
Jamie: Hello?
Caller: Hi, Mr. Kim, we’re calling you about the extension request of your visa… unfortunately we weren’t able to approve the request. Your expiration date of January 21st still remains.
Jamie listens on the phone; disappointment and sadness immediately is written on his face. He hangs up the phone, and slowly goes back into the apartment. Everyone is still enjoying their night together, like the world keeps going despite his just completely crumbling.
Emerson walks over to Jamie and grabs his attention.
Emerson: Hey, the ball is gonna drop in a minute!
Jamie looks around the apartment, looking for Grace.
Jamie: Have you seen Grace?
Emerson: Grace?
Jamie: Yeah, she’s not where she was–
Cami finds Emerson and grabs him when people gather in the living room in front of the TV, counting the seconds down to midnight.
Jamie: *shouts* Grace?!
Someone is heard puking in the toilet. The person lifts their face up from the bowl and pushes their red hair back away from their face. Grace leans back on the tub and looks up towards the ceiling.
Grace: *whispers* Please, please, please…
She hears the people in the other room beginning to count down: 10!
Grace takes out her phone and notices missed messages from Jamie, asking her where she went. She doesn’t answer.
9! 8! 7!
Grace’s head is back in the toilet bowl; she flushes it and slumps down towards the floor.
6! 5! 4!
A knock is heard from the door, followed by a voice.
Jamie: Grace? Grace, are you in there?
Grace looks up at the door.
Grace: Jamie?
The bathroom door opens and Jamie sees Grace on the door. He rushes into the bathroom to attend to Grace.
Jamie: Aigoo, Grace–
3! 2! 1! Happy New Year!
Grace pukes in the toilet again. She comes back up and wipes off blood from her mouth. Jamie is concerned for Grace.
Jamie: Jagiya, you’re bleeding.
Grace looks at her hand and begins to panic.
Grace: Fuck–
Jamie: You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be okay…
Jamie gets up and lifts Grace off from the floor. He pushes the door open; Jamie and Grace sneak out of the apartment without anyone noticing them.
Letters From Liz. 