Micah sits at a bus stop in Brooklyn, scrolling through this phone and occasionally looks around as if he was looking for something or someone. When he puts his guard down for a slight moment, someone taps his shoulder. He immediately looks up; it’s Kalia.
Kalia is Micah’s girlfriend of 2 years. They began dating during his senior year of high-school; she was in her sophomore year of college. Her father is a very famous Swedish actor, and she is current;y trying to follow in her family’s footsteps.
She smiles back down at Micah. He gets up from his seat and hugs Kalia, followed by gently kissing her on the forehead.
Micah: Hey babe, you got here without any issue?
Kalia: Yeah, there wasn’t any paparazzi hanging out near my apartment this morning; I heard that Kaylee Spencer is in town.
Micah: *nods* They’re giving you a break today.
Kalia: Thank God.
Micah laughs at Kalia’s response. The bus approaches the stop, and the couple aboard it.
Micah: You know I could’ve just called us a cab from your place.
Kalia: Absolutely not. You know how crazy it could get when a Uber driver sees “Kalia Holder” stepping into their car. At least on public transportation, no one cares about anyone on here.
Micah doesn’t say anything, he just takes a seat next to Kalia.
Kalia: So… the change of plans tonight, huh?
Micah: Oh, yeah. Tanner and Dani invited us to their place for a game night. You know, kind of like a double date.
Kalia: I was looking forward for it being just the two if us considering we don’t get to see each other as often during the weekend.
Micah: Well, with school and your auditions, you know how difficult it could get for us to make time, but this is going to be fun!
Kalia: I’m still very convinced that your friends do not like me.
Micah: *defensive* Hey, that’s not true! They wouldn’t have invited you along if they didn’t.
Kalia rolls her eyes as Micah teases her.
Micah: I’ll make it up to you; I promise.
The bus makes a stop and on comes a girl Micah recognizes. The girl has a messy hair bun tied to the top of her head, and is wearing small, tight clothing with heels. She walks into the bus and takes a seat towards the back. Micah is taken back by the contrast of this one particular person. Kalia takes notice of Micah staring.
Kalia: If I start dressy that slutty, would you keep your eyes on me?
Micah turns her head around towards Kalia.
Micah: She goes to my college. Ahe definitely never looks like that though.
Kalia: *concerned* You know her?
Micah: She just works at the bookstore, I don’t really know her.
Kalia drops the topic and looks on her phone. Micah attempts to look away, but can’t help it. Is that how Rosie looks like outside of her work clothes?
The couple walk out of the bus and towards an apartment building, the college dorm apartment building. They walk in the front door and head towards the elevator. They reached the floor they need to be on, and walk towards the apartment tey were heading to. After a few knocks on the door, Tanner opens the door.
Tanner: Hey! The gang’s all here!
Tanner invites Micah and Kalia into the apartment; the boys greet each other with their special handshake, and Kalia greets Tanner by simply saying hello.
Micah: You guys ready to get your asses beat on game night?
Tanner: Man, you know Dani and I will slaughter you both in Spades!
Micah: Speaking of Dani; where is she?
Tanner: Bathroom, putting her face on.
Dani: *from the bathroom* Whose side are you on?!
Micah: Oof, it’s the doghouse for you, Tan-Man.
Dani comes out the bathroom and greets the couple.
Dani: Hey! We’re actually surprised both of you came this time!
Micah gives his best friend the side-eye. Dani doesn’t say anything else, she just starts prepping the table.
Tanner: Alright, house rules are being played; no cheating, no whining that you’re losing, no fightin Micah and Dani…
Both Micah and Dani: Whatever.
Tanner: But most importantly, let’s have fun!
The couples sit at the table and Tanner begins to shuffle the cards.
…
In the middle of game night, the couples agree to take a slight break from the games to just eat and chill.
Dani: *to Kalia* So Kalia, how’s the whole auditioning thing going for you?
Kalia: It’s going. I have a few auditions tomorrow morning that I have to get ready for.
Dani: So you’re not going to stay for the rest of the game?
Kalia: I… I truly can’t.
Micah looks visibly confused.
Micah: Wait, you have to go? Why didn’t you tell me?
Kalia doesn’t say anything; Micah gets up from the table and goes to speak to Kalia in private.
Micah: When were you gonna tell me you had to leave early? I would’ve set something up, I–
Kalia: I don’t want you to have to worry about your friends. It’s okay, Micah.
Micah: Are you going to be fine going home by yourself? You need me to call you a cab?
Kalia: *laughs* Micah, I’ll be okay. I have a cab coming already.
Kalia kisses Micah on the cheek and gets her things.
Kalia: I’ll text you when I get home, babe. Have a fun night.
Micah doesn’t say anything, he just watches Kalia leave the apartment. Micah turns back towards his friends.
Dani: Where’s the actress?
Micah: *annoyed* Dani, don’t start with me.
Dani: She barely played any hands tonight! What was the point of her coming anyway?
Micah doesn’t answer, he just sits on the sofa and chugs down a beer.
Tanner: Dani.
Dani backs off and goes to clean the table. Tanner takes a seat next to Micah in the living room area.
Tanner: You good, bro?
Micah: Yeah, I’ll be fine… it wouldn’t be the first time, you know?
Tanner nods and agrees. Micah takes another beer and cracks it open; he takes in a deep breath.
Micah: I just wish she could’ve stayed a bit longer. Like, it’s only 8 o’clock. I could’ve took her home and made sur she got home safely and shit.
Tanner: Yeah, but she didn’t want that. You just gotta let her do what she wants to do.
Micah: But then she goes on these tangents on how we never spend alone time with each other anymore and that our schedules are just always conflicting and–
Micah sighs and shakes his head.
Tanner: I know, man…
Dani comes out from the kitchen area and looking at the two guys sitting on the sofa.
Dani: You chugging beers over Kalia? Man, you’re whipped.
Micah simply has no energy to fight with Dani. Dani notices, and backs off from Micah. He sits next to Tanner, holding a much more serious aura.
Dani: Look Micah, you know we care about you a lot, and we are hella tired seeing you get disappointed by Kalia every time you let her get you this way. You guys really haven’t felt like a couple in awhile.
Micah: We’re fine, Dani.
Dani: You’re drinking.
Micah: *annoyed* And? Who are you, the goddamn cops?
Dani: Don’t get mad at me just because I hit a nerve in telling you the truth!
The two friends begin to argue, and Tanner is yet the person having to break it up. Micah stops fighting and grabs his things to leave.
Micah: Yo, I don’t need to take this shit. I don’t tell you how to run your relationship; so don’t try to tell me what to do with mine.
Micah walks out the front door and slams it behind him.
Letters From Liz. 