Author: liz

The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Callouts: A Scene.

liz
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Mollie is shown in her room with music blasting, dancing along to the music and getting lost in it. Her head tilted high, eyes closed, and her arms extended. A knock is heard on the bedroom door, and then shows an older woman, Lydia, that resembles Mollie.

Lydia: Mollie, I told you three times to come downstairs and help me set up for dinner tonight! Your sister and her family are coming over.

Mollie: Mom, I’m trying to practice!

Lydia: I don’t care, I told you already that this was happening tonight. You can practice at practice tomorrow afternoon.

Mollie rolls her eyes and turns of her music and walks past her mother. An older man, Alex is seen walking up the stairs in which Mollie walks passed was well. Lydia is seem walking to the railing of the stairs.

Alex: Is she okay?

Lydia: She’s 14, moody, and a teenager; what do you think?

Downstairs in the kitchen, Mollie washes the dishes, clearly annoyed that she’s doing the chore. Alex checks in on Mollie.

Alex: Hey, kid; everything okay?

Mollie: I’m fine.

Alex: You seem a little tense. If you need to talk–

Mollie sighs and stops what she’s doing.

Mollie: I said I’m fine! Can everyone stop bothering me and let me just do what I have to fucking do!

Alex: *stern* Language, Mollie.

Mollie: Whatever, you’re not my dad.

Alex doesn’t say anything, he just walks away. Mollie continues to do the dishes.

When Mollie is finished, she goes upstairs back into her room. She falls into her pillow and browses on her phone. She can hear the doorbell and knows that Jennifer is here with her family. She hops out of bed and looks down at the railing to see Lydia and Jennifer greeting each other as well as the rest of the family. Lydia looks up at the railing and tells Mollie to come downstairs.

Lydia: Mollie, come down to say hi.

Mollie: Hey guys. Milo! Come upstairs!

Milo looks up and slowly walks to the flight of stairs. Mollie turns back to head towards her room.

Jennifer: *to Lydia* Kids will be kids.

In Mollie’s room, she sits down on her bed as Milo sits on her desk chair across from her. Milo doesn’t say anything, he just looks at Mollie.

Mollie: So, I was thinking for this audition that you can help me with some instrument stuff, like make an original cover of a song and I’ll sing it, y’know?

Milo doesn’t say anything. Mollie gets up from the bed and goes towards her desk to pull out a notebook and a pen. She walks back to her bed and sits on it.

Mollie: So I’ll definitely do something belty, like high notes and sentimental and shit to win over the committee – and like, with your guitar playing in the back and then BAM! the sick drum solo will come in!

Milo is in thought; in daydream. Mollie snaps her fingers in front of Milo.

Mollie: Hello? Earth to Milo? I’m talking to you!

Milo: Yeah it’s fine.

Mollie: … okay then. SO yeah, I was thinking that I can write the lyrics and we can make an original together and possibly showcase it for senior week? That would be so awesome and so dope!

Milo: *disinterested* Mhm.

Mollie looks up and puts the notebook and pen on the bed; clearly frustrated.

Mollie: What is wrong with you today?

Milo: Nothing.

Mollie: *annoyed* It’s clearly something, Mi. What’s got you moping around?

Milo: *defensive* Just drop it, alright?

Mollie: Well then stop acting like a little bitch and let’s talk about this audition!

Milo finally looks up at Mollie.

Milo: You only care about yourself, huh?

Mollie: What?

Milo: I heard what you did in the lunchroom the other day. That wasn’t cool, Mol.

Mollie: I have absolutely no idea what the fuck you’re talking about.

Milo: Maybe because you consider it a victory to your damn ego!

Mollie: Where the hell is this coming from?!

Milo gets up from his seat, frustrated at Mollie.

Milo: Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe the reason you and Laurie hate each other so much is because you guys are exactly alike?

Mollie: How dare you! I am nothing like that bitch!

Milo: You did the same exact thing she did to you! What are you even talking about, Mol?!

Mollie: Who cares? Laurie got what she deserved.

Milo: Yeah, and now someone else that isn’t Laurie got the fall for it!

Mollie: Why do you even care?

Milo takes a moment to think of what he should say.

Milo: I don’t–

Mollie: When why are you so bothered?

Milo doesn’t say anything, Mollie rolls her eyes.

Mollie: Whatever. If you don’t wanna help me, then just leave.

Milo: Just know that you’re no better than Laurie. All you care about is getting revenge on others in exchange for your ego boost.

Milo leaves Mollie’s room.

Mollie: *yells* Whatever! I don’t need you as my best friend, you need me!

Mollie starts to break down crying in her bed, completely upset over the argument.

Milo walks down the stairs aggressively. He passes by the adults in the kitchen.

Milo Sr: Hey, bud; everything okay?

Milo: *short-tempered* Just leave me the hell alone!

Jennifer: *assertive* Hey! Don’t talk to your father that way.

Milo: *yells* Stop trying to act like my mom, because you’re not! I don’t have to listen to you!

Milo Sr: *angry* Milo!

Milo walks out the front door and slams it behind him. Milo Sr gets up from where he was sitting and tries follow him. Jennifer sits where she is, a little sad at what happened.

Overexposed: A Self-Love Project.

Overexposed: 1 Week Later.

liz

Pretty crazy to see how much life has changed within one week, huh?

Hello, Letter Readers! Here I am, finally we’ll enough to sit down and type this bad boy out without feeling any waves of discomfort or pain now that, well…

Hi, my name is Liz, and I’m officially one week post-op!

Man, I never thought I would say that! I’ve mentioned this time and time again, but I was in the Bariatrics Program for 18 months. Normally, the program runs for 6 months but due to COVID, a lot of things (like this) were delayed. After months and months of testing, I signed consent and paid my fee in May, got my surgery date in June, and bam! We are now a week in since I had surgery.

For those who may be wondering, I had gastric bypass surgery. Unlike the sleeve, this type of surgery is when they take a smaller portion of your stomach and make it your “new stomach” and reroute the small intestine directly to that new stomach. In simpler terms, the food doesn’t go into the stomach press, but straight into the intestines.

When I was considering surgery back in January 2020, I was given both options and ultimately went to for the bypass, mainly because I needed some discipline in my new lifestyle. I know myself well enough that if there was some room for error (i.e still being able to obtain sugary things) then I was most likely not going to keep the weight off. With the bypass, if I have anything with added sugars, I can get severely ill. I needed that scare tactic to keep me away from any of the sweet things!

But yeah! Here’s how surgery day went:

I had to be at the hospital by 12:30pm but my actual surgery wasn’t scheduled until 3pm. My family and I got to the hospital and registered, and it wasn’t long until they called me up to the 4th floor (the ambulatory surgery area) to prep myself for surgery. They did the usual; stick me in a room with a gown and all that to put on, a pee cup to take a pregnancy test (which I couldn’t even pee since my nerves were all over the place) and put all the necessary stuff on me before heading to the operating room.

The thing that I hate about procedures like this is that they have you wait FOREVER before they actually call you into the OR. I had to have been sitting in that damn preparation room for 2 hours before I was called to surgery. But nevertheless, a nurse got me, told me it was time, and placed a blanket around me and we walked to the operating room.

Like LITERALLY walked to the operating room like I was entering someone’s party.

Anyway, I walked into the operating room and it looks like what it is; an operating room. The room was bright, there were tons of nurses and doctors getting prepped, and I was directed to lay down on the operating table. Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” was playing while everyone was prepping and I couldn’t help but laugh. For something as small as that, it really did help me calm my nerves a little bit.

So, they strap me down onto the table and hook up cables and all of that onto me, and then someone (I couldn’t see who) was reading and reciting these things that the surgeon and nurses had to answer and state back which was a little nerve-wrecking. The anesthesiologist put the anesthesia on and I was out like a light.

I wake up in the recovery room with a nurse sitting on a chair and typing some things on a computer. Her name was Jannett and honestly she was the best nurse I’ve ever had to date; she was so sweet and she had a good sense of humor! I must’ve been still so goofy on the anesthesia because I was cracking jokes with her and she was laughing while taking care of me. I was only fed some ice chips for the night, but I was encouraged to walk around and use the bathroom and all that jazz. For the most part, I was doing well, until it was time to sleep.

It was hard to sleep just because I was still in the recovery room area and the nurses were attending to those who were newly coming into the recovery room, fresh out of the operation room. Also, I was experiencing some unbearable pain and needed a painkiller to at least help me sleep. It did for a little while, but it definitely was a night of struggles.

I was able to go home the following afternoon because I was making a lot of progress in my recovery. I was able to sit and lay down on my own (even hook myself back up to the machines which blew one of the nurses away when watching me from afar) I was able to walk around and use the bathroom on my own, and my pain was mainly minimal at that point. I was discharged and I came home, took a shower, and tried to relax for most of the night. I did, and the pain was not as bad, but again it was another night of barely sleeping and tons of pain.

As the week progressed, I’ve gotten better. I’ve been taking my medication (a lot of it) as well as my shots to prevent blood clots. My pain has been more on the minor side (with some days being a little worse than others) but for the most part, I am just trying to learn how my body now works. I gotta learn when my body is hungry and when it’s full. I gotta learn how to eat slower and drink slower now that my stomach needs to keep it down in a different way (that’s honestly the hardest part for me is to eat and drink slowly). I need to learn what foods I can handle and what I can’t, how to take my medication without completely forgetting it or dreading it. I have to learn how to move and adjust and make these changes into habits so that I can move past recovery in a smooth and safe matter.

This is just the first week. I am off for another week before I return to my life back at my job, being a human being and doing human responsibilities outside of the house. I hope to come back here for a week two update feeling ready to conquer the world and live the rest of my damn life.

I can’t wait to noticeably see changes in my body, and I mean more than just the weight loss. I wanna be able to walk for long periods of time and feel like I’m not out of breath for once in my life! I can’t wait to be able to push myself to do the things I couldn’t do before having this surgery. It’s a long journey ahead, but man I’m excited to see how it goes.

The "Something" Series

Something Unforgivable: A Scene.

liz
Sunset Park, Brooklyn: Home Prices, Restaurants, Tour

Grace walks in the streets of Brooklyn; an area she doesn’t come often to visit. She never really had to come into Brooklyn unless it was to see Emerson, but he lived closer to the city than the part of Brooklyn she’s currently in. She’s looking down at her phone to see where her destination is located at. She stops in front of a brownstone and looks up at it. The address matches to the one on her phone. She walks up the steps and rings the doorbell. Shortly after, an older woman answers the door.

Grace: Aunt Jennifer?

Jennifer smiles at Grace.

Jennifer: The resemblance is insane. Come on in, sweetheart.

Grace enters Jennifer’s house as Jennifer closes the door behind them.

A file of manila folders are placed on top of the dining room table. Grace stares at the pile, now more nervous than she was before. Jennifer sits down across from Grace and starts organizing the folders.

Jennifer: I’m so glad that someone within the family wants to take over the business! I can’t see myself just giving it away to some stranger. This is just as much as my baby then my actual babies!

Grace: *laughs* I can only imagine.

Jennifer starts looking for documents in the folders as Grace looks on.

Grace: So, Aunt Jennifer–

Jennifer: Please, call me Pepper or Pep. “Jennifer” is way too formal for family.

Grace smiles. She’s still baffled that she’s considered family after being gone for almost most of her life from her mom’s side of the family.

Grace: –Pep, what got you in the business in the first place? Why didn’t you pursue, like, a professional career?

Jennifer: It wasn’t in the plan. I reunited with your uncle, Uncle Milo, after a year or two, and life just had different plans for us.

Grace: So, you changed your career for the sake of your children?

Jennifer: *nods* I did. It wasn’t just me anymore. It was my husband, and my children. I wanted to still do what I wanted to do but do it in a way where I could still come home to my family at the end of the day.

Grace ponders in the thought.

Grace: I don’t know if my mom told you, but I also have a kid. A daughter.

Jennifer: Of course I know that, Mollie never shuts up about that baby.

That makes Grace smiles, but not for long.

Grace: My previous career made me lose my family, in a sense. I don’t live with my daughter because of it, and… I don’t know, something tells me running this business for you will allow me to see her more. Be at peace some more.

Jennifer pours some iced tea in Grace’s glass for her.

Jennifer: You know what you value more in life now, and that’s completely okay that it happened later than what it expected you to.

Jennifer’s face suddenly changes.

Jennifer: You have the drive of your mother.

Grace: So I’ve been told. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing…

Jennifer: A little bit of both. She was passionate at her craft and extremely talented, and she was driven to be the best of the best in it. She also really loved your father, from what I remember. The decision was not easy for her, but we will never fully know her reasoning for the decision she made.

Grace: Did she talk about me when she left?

Jennifer: She didn’t talk to any of us for almost a decade. I think she wore that shame on her shoulders all that time, lived her life in isolation before she left competitive dancing.

Grace widens her eyes; she definitely didn’t know that information about her mom.

Jennifer: I’m glad you guys are in each other’s lives now.

Grace smiles and takes a sip of her iced tea. She places it down and clears her throat.

Grace: She’s definitely… different than I expected.

Jennifer: What do you mean?

Grace: She makes me regret the decision of quitting the firm to pursue this business every second she gets when we’re in the studio.

Jennifer laughs and shakes her head.

Jennifer: She’s just extremely harsh to people in this field. She knows you’ll be amazing and she just wants the best for you.

Grace: It doesn’t feel that way…

Jennifer’s attention is fully on grace and the direction this conversation is going in.

Jennifer: Is everything okay with you two?

Grace: *brushes it off* Yeah, it’s nothing to be worried about.

Jennifer takes a drink from her cup and stares down Grace.

Jennifer: Mmm, you lie just like your mother too.

Grace sighs at the comment.

Grace: Can you please stop saying that?

Jennifer: But it’s true though. Man, your mom couldn’t lie to us if her life depended on it–

Grace: *upset* I am not my mom! I am better than her! I didn’t leave my daughter behind for my career! My daughter is still in my life; she knows me, she still sees me, she calls me mama, I still do everything that I need to do and still be there for Willow! So I’m not my mother; please stop saying that.

Jennifer is at a loss for words. She carefully chooses her next words.

Jennifer: Grace?

Grace looks up at Jennifer.

Jennifer: You’re allowed to feel how you feel, but don’t let your emotions push you away from your mother. She means well, and she’s definitely got the same person she was when she was your age.

Grace doesn’t say anything; she just sits there in thought.

Grace: I know.

Jennifer: And I get it. My father wasn’t in my life for the majority of my childhood. He came back when I was a teenager and then left a couple of years after that. I don’t have the greatest relationship with him because he chose not to have a relationship with me. Your mom does. She’s trying to make up for lost time.

Grace: But–

Jennifer: Grace.

Grace gives up. She knows that Jennifer is right about the situation. Jennifer leans forward a bit to directly talk to Grace.

Jennifer: You would want your daughter to see you trying to be in her life. Mollie does to.

Grace sits there silently before she sees her phone vibrate. She smiles at the phone before placing it down. Jennifer notices it.

Jennifer: Who has you smiling all stupid?

Grace laughs, and Jennifer follows. The tension that was once there is now gone.

Grace: Just… a really good person.

Later that night…

Grace comes home and drops her bag near the front door. She quickly runs to the bathroom to use it and when she finishes, she goes to the sink to wash her hands. When she turns off the water, she hears voices coming in from the other room. She slowly walks to the door of the bathroom to listen to the voices in the other room. She smiles when she realizes it’s Jamie.

Grace walks out of the bathroom and slowly walks towards Willow’s room. The door to her room is cracked open, in which Grace looks in through there. Jamie sits on the floor faceing the crib as Willow lays down with her favorite seal plushie.

Jamie: *sings* And don’t don’t don’t, don’t doubt you; I believe in you. Just go, go, go, carry on…

Willow’s eyes begin to shut, and Jamie’s singing softens to nothing when he realizes she’s asleep. He quietly gets up from the floor to exit the room. Grace panics and tries to get away from the door as quietly and quick as possible. It doesn’t work. She stubs her toe on the corner of the wall, causing noise. Grace limps to the sofa to check on her banged toe.

Jamie comes out of the room and looks at Grace. His eyebrows cock up and wonders why she is limping.

Jamie: Jagiya? Are you okay?

Grace: *plays it off* Yeah! We’re perfect over here!

Jamie: *nods head* Ahh… and your toes? Are they okay?

Grace doesn’t say anything. she looks down at her toes, embarrassed. Jamie comes over and lifts her off from the sofa. Grace is shocked.

Grace: Jamie!

Jamie: What? i’m just doing my job.

Grace: The job of literally giving me heart attacks?

Jamie: No, I put one baby to sleep, now it’s time to put the other one down too.

Grace blushes and holds onto Jamie. He carries her into the bedroom and places her on the bed. He goes on top of her and kisses her gently on the lips. She looks up at him and faintly smiles. Her eyes are a bit teary.

Jamie: Grace?

Grace blinks and a tear runs down her face.

Grace: It… was a rough day… thank you for helping me with Willow.

Jamie kisses Grace’s forehead and then looks back down at her.

Jamie: Anything for you and little bean.

Jamie adjusts himself to lay next to Grace. He puts his arms around her as she lays her head on his chest. Jamie strokes the hair on top of Grace’s head until they both fall asleep, still in the clothes they wore for the day.

Misc., The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Follower: A Scene.

liz
Battlestations | Best gaming setup, Video game rooms, Gaming setup

Milo sits at his desk playing with the phone in his hands. He looks down at it, nervous to open up the screen and see if Sophie messaged him. Every couple of minutes, he taps the screen to check; she never messages him.

He tosses the phone on the bed and holds his head in his hands. He keeps seeing the image of Sophie in the hallway, looking sad and hurt as ever. He feels horrible for turning his back on her, especially learning what Mollie did to her in the lunchroom.

He looks up and gets out of his desk chair and falls on his bed. He looks up at the ceiling until his eyes feel heavy and he drifts off to sleep.

…

The rain is pouring down the streets of Brooklyn. Two teenagers are running down the block, trying to take cover from the rain. They both run up the steps of a house.

Milo: Are you okay?

Sophie: *laughs* I’m alright, too bad we didn’t make it to a dry spot on time though!

Milo smiles and takes out his keys from his pockets. Sophie watches him.

Sophie: What are you doing?

Milo: Going inside?

Sophie looks anxiously as he turns the key into the front door. Milo notices.

Milo: You’ll be fine, Scout. Let’s go in to dry up.

Sophie doesn’t say anything, she follows Milo behind him as he enters the house. The teenagers kick off their shoes in the hallway. Milo walks up the stairs leading to the house. Sophie follows behind him.

Once they both reach the top of the stairs, Milo opens the door and holds it open for SOphie to walk in. She looks around as he closes the door behind her.

Sophie: This is a cute place.

Somebody walks out of the bathroom; a tall red-headed woman, Jennifer. She looks up at the teenagers and gets startled Sophie hides behind Milo.

Jennifer: Gosh, you scared me! Why are you guys all wet?

Milo: It started raining when we were hanging out.

Milo puts his head behind his back to grab Sophie’s. He slowly gets Sophie to stand next to him. He lets her hand go.

Milo: This is my friend, Sophie. *to Sophie* This is Jennifer.

Jennifer: It’s nice to meet you, Sophie. I might have some clothes you can barrow while I dry your clothes up.

Sophie smiles and nods her head.

Sophie: Thank you so much, Mrs. Kamalani.

Jennifer: Please, call me Pep.

Jennifer walks back to a bedroom while the teenagers stand in the walkway. Milo looks at Sophie.

Milo: She likes you.

Sophie: Huh?

Milo: Pep likes you if she’s allowing you to call her my her nickname.

Sophie: Why do you call your mum by her first name?

Jennifer walks out of the bedroom with clothes in her hand.

Jennifer: There you go, sweetheart. The bathroom is to your right. *to Milo* Remember to grab the clothes and put them in the dryer.

Jennifer walks into the kitchen to get the dryer ready. Milo walks into his room to get changed, and Sophie walks into the bathroom to do the same.

…

A little while later, the door of Milo’s room opens. Milo and Sophie walk into it as they overhear Jennifer yelling to keep the door open. Milo rolls his eyes as Sophie laughs.

Sophie: Mums can be overprotective, huh?

Milo: Uhm, yeah.

Milo walks to his desk to turn on his computer. Sophie sits on the edge of the bed, watching.

Sophie: Are you a gamer?

Milo: Nah, this is all for music. I record myself playing at times and see if I can become better. I gotta prepare for the Waverly audition.

Sophie: That’s exciting.

Milo: I guess.

Milo gets lost in his music while Sophie listens on. She’s amazed at how much Milo knows about the equipment and the different sounds to make everything come together. After awhile, he stops to take a break.

Milo: This is just a little bit of the things I work on.

Sophie: You’re so utterly talented, it amazes me. Who taught you all of this?

Milo: My dad. When I was a baby, he had his own recording studio in his apartment. Him and his band used to record demos when they were teenagers.

Sophie: Have you ever listened to it?

Milo: *shakes head* I haven’t. I feel like that’s something I have to do later, find my own sound, y’know?

Sophie: Well, what is your sound?

Milo looks at Sophie and ponders on the question.

Milo: I guess I still have to find out.

Sophie crosses her legs on Milo’s bed. She looks comfortable in his presence.

Sophie: Your mom is really nice.

Milo: Thanks…

Sophie: Her red hair is so bright! I wish i was able to dye my hair, but my mum would kill me.

Milo: Are you not allowed?

Sophie: *shakes head* In Korean culture, the longer and natural your hair is, the more beautiful and feminine you are. I mean, I call bullshit on that.

Milo: *smiles* You sound so tiny when you curse.

Sophie: *laughs* Whatever! If I could, I would be a leader instead of a follower, like you are!

Milo: I am no leader, Scout.

Sophie: Sure you are! You don’t try to fit yourself in what everyone wants you to be, you’re loyal to the friends that matter to you the most, and you are a style not all boys in our grade would ever have. That’s being a leader, Milo.

The conversation dies down and silence fills the room. Milo doesn’t look at Sophie when he begins talking again.

Milo: Jennifer isn’t my mom.

Sophie: What?

Milo: She’s not my mom. I never got to know my actual mom. She died when I was a baby.

Sophie doesn’t say anything, she sits there and waits for Milo to continue.

Milo: Sometimes… I feel like I don’t belong. That I don’t fit in. School doesn’t make it any easier. Everyone wants to fit in and then there’s me, not even fitting into my own family.

Sophie: Is you little brother…?

Milo: Mom and dad. They’re a family, and then there’s me…

Sophie: *stern* Hey.

Milo looks at Sophie.

Sophie: Family isn’t always blood, you know. Family is what you make it to be; those who love you no matter what you do in life, support you no matter how concerned they could be for you, and always welcome you with open arms. Jennifer is your mom, Milo.

Milo doesn’t say anything, he sits there and takes in what Sophie said. Moments later, Jennifer walks in with some folded laundry.

Jennifer: Alright, everything is cleaned and dried up for you guys.

Sophie: Thank you, Mrs– uhm, Pep.

Jennifer: Of course, sweetheart. Do you live far from here? Milo and I can drive you home since it’s getting late.

The two girls talk as Milo looks on, relieved that Jennifer takes a liking in Sophie and vise versa.

…

Milo’s phone lights up in his dark room. The vibration on his face wakes him up. He sees a notification from someone and instantly wakes up when he realizes who it’s from.

leesophie: Who would've thought you were the best friend to a mean girl, follower.

Milo unlocks his phone to write back a response when he sees Sophie has blocked him. Milo sighs in frustration.

Overexposed: A Self-Love Project.

Overexposed: Tomorrow.

liz

Last month, I went to my consultation appointment and got introduced to the program and how everything is going to go for the next couple of months while being under this program. Like I mentioned in a post a couple of months ago, I am taking the bariatrics route of weight-loss. I’ve decided to make a huge lifestyle change this new year, and while I have the opportunity and chance to do this, I’m going to do it for my health; present and future. So, this month was my official first month of the program. 

– February 2020 Highlights & Favorites!

Maybe it’s the fact that it’s becoming more real as the days pass. I will be saying goodbye to this body in a couple of months, watching her change and look different than it ever has before. I mean, it’s technically still my body. It’s still my skin. Are we really saying goodbye to my body? Maybe just the way it is in its current state, but it’s still me. I still come with the way I am and the things that I like and don’t like and at the end of the day, nothing is changing besides the way my body is built. But still, it feels like I am saying goodbye to the Liz in the photos that are on my social media platforms, my Polaroid pictures, and the pictures that live inside my camera roll on my phone.

– Overexposed: Saying Goodbye to this Body.

Have you ever been depressed or sad because of you reflecting back on the time spent and the people who were once around during that time and now being in this moment about to close that chapter of your life?

Hi, my name is Liz, and I have surgery in 24 hours.

I’m nervous; no doubt about that. I know it’s normal to be nervous, but is it normal to have this wave of depression because, well, this chapter of your life is about to end?

I started this process in January 2020. I was 4 months into working at the bookstore, I had just turned 26, and I wasn’t even a kpop collector yet! I was still very much in this process of discovering myself and finding my identity outside of the relationship I had previously for most of my young adulthood. The people who’ve been here since the beginning; my coworkers, my friends in the community, other friends who I was once closed to are not all here with me to see me write this entry and finally say that I’m getting my surgery. It’s a weird feeling to say the least.

A part of me is mourning this life I had leading up to this point.

I guess I’m sad because it’s masked in nerves and anxiety that is normal, but I think it’s more than just that. It’s the fact that life has changed so much these last couple of months; I decided to let some of my past go and work things out with my ex in order to have a healthy friendship moving forward, many of my coworkers that I had left the job, I’m in the process of possibly transitioning to a new job, I don’t have a best friend anymore, and well, of course this surgery.

It’s just a lot to process in this short time.

Nevertheless, I am looking forward to the surgery. I’m so ready to feel good and to be able to do all the things that I’ve wanted to do but couldn’t because of my weight. I’ve been taking care of my mental health for the past 3 years and have made progress into that. It was about time I made some progress for my physical health and this was the best (and last) route to do that.

So here I am, nervous as hell, hungry as hell but also just… trying to make this day as smooth as possible. I know this transition is going to be a hard one, and I hope that I’m able to recover quickly and get my life back on track quickly, but nevertheless it’s happening and, well, it’s here.

The "Something" Series

Out of Whack or Something: A Scene.

liz
13,606 BEST Apartment Building Hallway IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock

Max stands at the door with Willow in his arms. Jamie stands there, somewhat frozen, not knowing what he should do in this moment. Willow wiggles in Max’s arms to let her down, and when he does, she runs over to Jamie and hugs his legs.Jamie looks down and immediately gets anxious. He looks up at Max and tries to cut the tension between them.

Jamie: You’re welcomed to wait, I–

Jamie looks down again at Willow, who’s still hugging his legs.

Jamie: Hey, little bean, let’s go inside.

She looks up and wobbles into the apartment before the men do. Jamie widens the door to let Max walk in. Max doesn’t say anything or look at Jamie when he walks in. Jamie takes a deep breath and closes the door behind him.

Jamie: May I offer you something to drink? Water? Coffee?

Max: Where’s Grace?

Jamie pauses for a moment.

Jamie: She was running an errand with her mother.

Max: *sigh* Very much like her to be late for things.

Jamie doesn’t like the comment. He walks over to the fridge and grabs a bottle of water. Max attends to his daughter, who is walking around the apartment without a care in the world.

Max: Did she tell you when she will be back?

Jamie: Uhm, not that I know of, no.

Max sighs and looks at his watch for the time. Jamie takes note of the gesture.

Jamie: I’m more than willing to watch Willow until Grace comes back.

Max: *annoyed* Not to come off as rude, but just because Grace trusts you with our daughter, it doesn’t mean do. I don’t know you to leave her in your hands.

Jamie respects the response, but his annoyed that Max believes Grace isn’t capable of making decisions on her own. Jamie doesn’t say anything, he just drinks from his water bottle.

Max: Grace should have at least told me you were back in town.

Jamie: *off-guard* She didn’t know I was coming back.

Max: You live here with her?

Jamie doesn’t say anything, but the no response speaks loud to Max. He shakes his head and disbelief. Jamie really doesn’t like this guy.

Max: Pardon my curiosity, but–

Jamie: I don’t mind you staying here to wait for Grace before you leave your daughter for the weekend, but please keep your opinions and comments to yourself.

Max cocks her eyebrows up, shocked of the response Jamie had.

Max: Forgive me for trying to make small talk with my ex-fiancee’s boy-toy while I wait for her.

Jamie visibly is annoyed that Max, but is instantly back to reality when Willow comes running out of her room with her dog plushie. She hands it to Jamie.

Jamie: Thank you, little bean! He’s such a pretty dog!

Willow claps her hands and smiles at Jamie. She runs back into her room where the rest of her toys are. Max follows the encounter. He walks into the room where is daughter is, leaving Jamie out in the common area.

Shortly after, the front door is opened and Grace walks in. Jamie looks visibly horrified.

Grace: Hey, Jamie! *holds something behind her back* I stopped by a certain place and got you a little something…

Jamie walks up to Grace.

Grace: Gracie…

Grace reveals the item behind her back: it’s an eyeglasses case with a new pair of glasses. Jamie looks down, and doesn’t say anything until Grace does.

Grace: I know they’re nothing like your old glasses, but I wanted to gift you a new pair so you don’t always have to put in those annoying contacts in. Plus, my Jamie always looked better with a pair of glasses on.

Jamie smiles at the gesture. He takes the eyeglasses case from Grace. Suddenly, the door to Willow’s room is open. Jamie turns around and Grace looks at the door. Max is standing there.

Grace: Max?

Max: Did you forget this weekend was yours to have Willow?

Grace squeezes her eyes shut.

Grace: Fuck, I meant to remember that, I’m so sorry, I–

Max: I have to drop off my folks at the airport in two hours, I nearly don’t have the time to wait around while you decide to show back up.

Grace: Look, i was with my mom, alright? I said I was sorry, now you can go.

Max: Gladly.

Max goes to Willow’s room to kiss her goodbye. He leaves the room and looks at Grace and Jamie standing in the common area.

Max: Can I talk to you in private, Grace?

Jamie: *chimes in* If you’re going outside to scold Grace some more like she’s a child, by all means, you can do it in front of me.

Max: Is that a threat, mate?

Grace: Hey, that’s enough! *to Jamie* I’ll be fine.

Jamie looks at Grace and then at Max. Grace walks to the front door with Max.

Outside in the hallway, Max looks at Grace; visibly angry.

Max: Are your priorities all out of whack or something?

Grace: *appalled* Excuse me?

Max: I told you countless times that I was going to drop Willow off to you for the weekend as I got my folks ready to leave for the UK. Instead, I find that wanker answering your door while you’re not home.

Grace: You could’ve just let Jamie take care of her for the time being.

Max: *loud* I don’t know that man, Grace! Why should trust a complete stranger with my daughter if I don’t bloody know who he is?!

Grace: He’s my goddamn boyfriend, Max! Deal with it! He’s been around Willow this entire time! She loves him!

The hallway goes silent.

Max: I’m sorry, you said he’s your boyfriend?

Grace: I did.

Max: Does he know that?

Grace looks confused. Max sighs and drops the topic.

Max: I don’t mind if he’s around Willow, Grace. She looks like she really likes him and that’s completely fine. What I don’t like is leaving her alone with just him; as her mother you shouldn’t just leave our child unattended with another person.

Grace: I know what I’m doing.

Max: i’m not saying you don’t know what you’re doing. At this point, I don’t care about what you’re doing, but if I feel like it’s harming my child, I’m going to say something.

Grace: *yells* For fuck’s sake, Max, she’s my daughter as well! So stop acting like I’m not!

Max is taken back by Grace’s yelling.

Max: I have to go.

Max turns the other direction and walks towards the elevator. Grace goes back into the apartment in an anxious manner.

She enters and closes the door behind her to see Jamie and Willow sitting on the floor, playing with her toys.

Jamie: *points at toy* What color is this?

Willow: Boo!

Jamie: Maja, it’s blue! Puleun.

Grace watches the two interact and it makes her smile. She notices Jamie has his new glasses on. He looks up at Grace, and picks up Willow to bring to her.

Jamie: Momma’s home. Hi, eomma!

Grace laughs and takes Willow in her arms. She looks at Jamie.

Grace: Thanks for sticking up for me, by the way. You didn’t have to.

Jamie: I’ll always be by your side.

Grace smiles and walks to the bathroom to wash up Willow. Jamie stands there, watching the two girls go about their night.

Misc., The Teenage Tell-Tale.

The Teenage Betrayal: A Scene.

liz
22,482 School Hallway Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock

The halls are busy with teenagers on this particular day; people chat in between classes and walk in their groups throughout the halls. Sophie opens her locker to take out her books when she suddenly gets nudged. She turns around quickly to see a careless teenage girl chatting with a guy. The guy looks at Sophie apologetically, Sophie proceeds to go on with her day.

In the present day, Sophie opens her locker to put her books inside. The halls are busy with students passing by, like any other day.

Before she’s able to put the rest of her books away, she gets nudged and her textbooks fall to the ground. She looks behind her and sees Mollie look back and head to her locker. Sophie doesn’t say anything, she just kneels down to pick up her textbooks from the floor. She sees a guy’s sneaker in front of her. She looks up.

Simon: Hey, Sophie.

Sophie gets up from the floor with her textbooks and puts them in her locker.

Sophie: What do you want, Simon?

Simon: Ouch, is that the way to talk to your best friend now?

Sophie rolls her eyes in frustration and locks her locker, she Looks at Simon, and pauses before she speaks.

Sophie: You’re not my best friend.

Simon: *holds heart* Ouch, just keep punching me in the heart.

Sophie walks away from Simon, and Simon follows.

Simon: What has you so annoyed today?

Sophie: Nothing, Simon. I just have to get to class on time.

Simon: I know when something isn’t right, Soph. You know you can always talk to me.

Sophie stops and turns around towards Simon.

Sophie: No, I can’t. You lost that privilege when you decided to date Laurie.

Simon: Soph–

Sophie: Bye, Simon.

Sophie walks into the classroom of her class. Mollie is behind one of the pillars, who is now looking in her phone.

Sophie sits in her usual desk with her friends. She takes out her notebook and looks up to see Milo walk in with Mollie. She smiles at Milo, but he doesn’t smile back. Sophie feels a little hurt by the response. While her friends chat around her, Sophie takes out her phone.

leesophie: Are you mad at me?

She waits for a reply, but never gets one. She puts her phone in her bag, now frustrated. The teacher quiets the class and begins teaching.

…

The bell rings and the lunch period begins. Sophie sits down at her usual table with her friends. She takes out her lunch from her backpack. Laurie and Simon come into the lunchroom, holding hands, walking towards their group’s table.

Laurie: *to Simon* I can’t believe you called this our song!

She takes out the earbud from her ear and kisses Simon on the cheek. It makes Sophie uncomfortable.

Simon: It’s just as beautiful as you, baby.

Sophie rolls her eyes and downs her water. The couple sit at the table with Sophie and a couple of their other friends. Theo comes and greets the table, and does his special handshake with Simon.

Laurie: Do you guys always gotta do that?

Theo: Don’t be jealous you and your friends don’t have a secret handshake.

Laurie: Oh bite me, Theo.

Theo: I don’t think your boyfriend would like that.

Simon punches Theo in the arm, Theo holds the area. Simon sits back down next to Laurie. Theo spots Sophie.

Theo: *playfully* Hey, Sophie.

Sophie: Bye, Theo.

Theo: Hey, what’s with the attitude?

He sits next to Simon across from Sophie.

Sophie: Because you’re a jerk.

Theo: Where’d you get that from?

Sophie puts down her water bottle, which makes a loud noise on the table.

Sophie: You didn’t have to do what you did at the Halloween party.

Laurie: *interrupts* It was so funny though! Plus, Mollie knew what she was getting herself into.

Sophie: *to Laurie* It wasn’t nice though. She didn’t do anything to you guys for you to do that to her.

Laurie: *annoyed* Are you actually standing up for that loser, Sophie?

Sophie: I’m standing up for what’s right, and Theo was wrong for doing what he did.

Laurie: Why don’t you go be friends with her and her loser best friend?

Sophie visibly is upset, and Simon catches it.

Simon: Hey, maybe it was alittle too harsh to do.

Laurie looks at Simon confused. Sophie is just as confused as Simon’s actions.

Laurie: Don’t act like you weren’t laughing when we caught her with him.

Simon: Still, I think Sophie’s right about this one, babe.

Laurie: *to Sophie* Now I look like the mean girl because of you!

Simon: Babe, she didn’t do anything; please relax.

Sophie smiles at Simon sticking up for her. Before the bickering can continue, a girl is seen standing on a lunch table. Sophie turns around and notice it’s Mollie.

Mollie: *yells* Attention, Beverly Junior High! I hope everyone had a lovely time at the Halloween party this past weekend!

Sophie doesn’t understand what Mollie is doing. She looks around to see if she sees Milo, but she doesn’t.

Mollie: I know you all saw the pathetic excuse that was a prank on me at the party, but it’s so sad that while they were so into doing this prank on me…

Everyone’s phone vibrates and in comes a message. Sophie widens her eyes in shock; Laurie is visibly upset.

Mollie: Beverly Junior High’s favorite couple, isn’t so perfect after all! Simon Hempstead ischeating on Laurie with her own best friend, Sophie!

Sophie is in total shock. This picture was taken not too long ago. She looks at Laurie.

Sophie: Laurie, this isn’t–

Laurie: You’re nothing but a slut, Sophie! I knew you still liked Simon all this time!

Sophie: Laurie–

Laurie: *yells* Get out of my face!

Sophie grabs her things and runs out of the lunch room. Mollie gets down from the table, feeling successful with her plan.

Sophie runs down the hall to her locker. All she wants is to grab her things and go home. She suddenly hears a voice.

Mollie: Too bad you got caught up in all of this.

Sophie slams her locker shut and looks at Mollie.

Sophie: I didn’t do anything to you! I don’t care if you don’t like Laurie, but why in the bloody hell get me involved?!

Mollie nonchalantly shrugs her shoulders.

Mollie: I don’t know, it was easy.

Sophie: You know you’re not any better than Laurie. You are just as much of a mean girl as she is.

Mollie: Whatever.

Milo walks down the hall towards the two girls. Sophie, with tears in her eyes, looks at Milo. Milo looks at Sophie, then back at Mollie.

Milo: What’s going on?

Mollie: Nothing, just showing a minion that she’s just as much of a target as her bitch leader.

Mollie turns around and walks the other direction. Milo stands there, looking at Sophie. Sophie now has tears running down her face.

Mollie: C’mon, Mi, we gotta get to class.

Milo sadly turns around and leaves Sophie standing there. She begins to quietly cry near her locker. Milo keep walking with Mollie, feeling sad and hurt.

Overexposed: A Self-Love Project.

Overexposed: 1 Week.

liz

Breathe, Liz. You got this.

Today is Monday, July 5th. My last day of work is tomorrow. I’m seeing a friend later in the week as my last hoorah for a while. I have to make last minute adjustments to my diet and get in touch with a couple of doctors and then, bam.

Hi, my name is Liz, and I have surgery in a week.

Even to this day, it hasn’t fully hit me that it’s coming and that this surgery is a lifetime change. It’s crazy to think that this time next month, I’ll still be in the recovering phase of the surgery and possibly a couple of pounds would already be lost. It’s kinda crazy to think about; it still feels incredibly surreal and something that’s not going to happen, but it is!

I wonder if body dysmorphia will become an issue when I start to drastically lose weight. I mean, I ask that because I’ve always been on the bigger side; I’ve never been a healthy weight or “skinny” in my life. I don’t know how different I will feel being something I never was.

I tend to already have a hint of imposter syndrome every now and then; I feel like I don’t deserve the good things that come my way or that I’m just a fraud and this life-changing surgery isn’t going to make those thoughts go away. It’s frustrating that other people’s perspective of this weight-loss surgery is that I’m going to get this “new body”, like I am able to dispose of my old body and get this new one that everyone will like and think is great and beautiful.

My body is still my body; it is just changing.

I think before anything else, I am reminding myself that no matter what, I’M going to be the same person I was going into surgery and coming out of surgery. I am going to still have my personality, my interests, morals and values, and everything else that meant a lot to me. At the end of the day, my body is still staying with me; she is just changing to become more healthier after feeling like she’s older than my actual age. Of course, this is easier said than done; I know there are nights to come when I miss my old lifestyle; I’m going to miss being able to eat whatever everyone else is eating and drinking at social settings. I’m going to miss not having restrictions and just drinking and eating the things that make me happy. I know there are going to be nights that I’m depressed or sad or stressed; it is inevitable during this transition.

Even more so, there will be times I don’t feel like myself because I don’t look like the person I am used to seeing.

For me, it’s important to keep the things I cherish and love close to my heart to help me transition into this new phase of my life. I’ve been writing penpal letters, decorating envelopes and letters, selling my extra photocards, writing for my blog, and listening to my favorite music on my playlists to remind myself that I still enjoy the things that make me the happiest and that they make me, me.

For now, I will be counting down the days until the surgery day approaches. I will be living my last week as normal as possible, doing what I gotta do, and just go into this surgery as smooth as possible and just to recovering!

At least I’ll have all the time in the world to catch up on Victon videos and write for the series’ on here! ;D

The "Something" Series

Something Out of Your League: A Scene.

liz
8 Tips for Designing a Conference Room That'll Wow Clients - Business 2 Community

The door opens and Jamie walks in with his briefcase. He brushes his hair back and walks down the firm hallway. People turn their heads to see him, they’re shocked to see him back in the firm after taking a week leave after the incident. Jamie doesn’t look at anyone or stop to talk to anyone, he just continues to walk to his office.

He opens the door to his office and closes it behind him. He sits back down at his desk, opens the case file in front of him, and begins to start his day. Shortly after he’s starting, a knock is heard on the door.

Jamie: Come in.

The door opens and Ari walks in.

Ari: Hey Jamie, welcome back.

Jamie: *doesn’t look up* Thank you, Ms. Johnson…

Ari walks towards Jamie and places her hand on top of his paperwork. He looks up at her.

Ari: Sorry for getting you that week’s leave. Grace’s my girl, she told me to put the leave in.

Jamie smiles at the thought.

Jamie: It’s okay. Thank you for being a good friend to Grace.

Ari: Of course. *nods her head towards Jamie* You look like you’ve been doing better.

Jamie: Yeah, I’m happy that they’re healing.

Ari nods he head in silence. Jamie goes back to his work as Ari stands there. He looks back up, noticing her not leaving.

Jamie: Is there something you need from me, Ms. Johnson?

Ari: *annoyed* Ari. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry that you had to find out about Grace from me. I thought she had already spoke to you about her plans of leaving the firm.

Jamie: It’s okay, everything is fine.

Ari nods and proceeds to walk out of Jamie’s office before he speaks up again.

Jamie: Did she really give up her position before offering me the job?

Ari turns around to face Jamie again.

Jamie: I would hate to be the one that took her job from her.

Ari: *shakes her head* She hasn’t been back in the office since her last case wrapped up in April.

Jamie sits with the new information. His train of thought is broken by Ari’s voice.

Ari: She really cares about you, man. I hope you know that.

Jamie: I do.

Ari: Do you, though?

Jamie looks up at Ari.

Ari: Grace has been through a lot of shit. She’s not this way for everyone that comes into her life. She’s different with you. Typically, she’s something out of your league.

Jamie blinks in confusion. He nervously rubs the back of his neck. Ari smirks slyly.

Ari: Good thing you seem like a guy that really fucking cares about our girl.

Jamie: I do.

…..

On the other side of the city, Grace is shown dancing to a song in a rehearsal studio. Her mom, Mollie, stands in the corner with her hands on her hips, counting in beat. The song ends and Grace takes a moment to breathe. She grabs her water and starts drinking from it.

Mollie: Your technique has really improved since the last time we went over this number.

Grace: Thanks, I’m trying.

Mollie: Just in time for the business to open too. Are you ready for that?

Grace: Getting there. I have a meeting with Aunt Jennifer to turn over the paperwork in a couple of days.

Mollie: *smiles* I remember when I first started dancing at her academy as a kid. Every Monday and Thursday I spent my afternoons in that studio.

Grace: Did she ever offer you the company when you were younger?

Mollie: Tons of times. Pep wanted the company to either be run by me or the twins; have you ever met them? Reagan and Dylan?

Grace: *sullen* I don’t really remember meeting most of your family’s side…

Silence fills the room.

Grace: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean–

Mollie: It’s fine. It’s the truth.

Grace: Mom, I didn’t–

Mollie: So, the showcase will be the weekend before the business reopens. I know you and Max aren’t on the greatest terms, but perhaps you should invite him. Willow deserves to be there for her mother’s big opening.

Grace drops the conversation and proceeds to talk more business stuff with Mollie.

….

Back at the law firm, a meeting is held with a couple of lawyers and attorneys about the trial that’s coming up. Jamie is seen taking notes in the conference room.

Attorney Carson: Mr. Kim–

Jamie looks up from his notebook.

Attorney Carson: I’m glad to see you back here with us working this case. Did you get to talk to the precinct about Mendez on your little vacation?

Jamie: *straightforward* No, I was beaten up by Mendez’s followers while I was there. On my own.

Attorney Carson: So we still don’t have details about the night according to police?

No one says anything. Jamie is literally dumbfounded at the people in the room.

Attorney Carson: Well now that you’re back, can you make sure you make it there in one piece and with our information, please? Meeting adjourned.

Everyone gets up from their seats. Jamie gathers his things until Attorney Carson calls for him.

Attorney Carson: Mr. Kim?

Jamie turns around and faces the attorney.

Jamie: What can I help you with?

Attorney Carson: I don’t know what they taught you in the firm you were previously at, but we do things a little different here. I’m sorry for what happened to you, but it shouldn’t stop you entirely from working a case.

Jamie: Sir, with all things considered, I went there alone and faced the consequences for being there in the first place. I was at the hospital for nearly the entire day. I was not okay to come into work the next morning. I needed the time off and as an employee, I have the right to do so.

Attorney Carson crosses his arms.

Attorney Carson: Jamie–

Jamie: *corrects* Mr. Kim, sir.

Attorney Carson: Mr. Kim, I am simply showing you how things work around here.

Jamie: I appreciate it, but I’ve been a prosecutor for nearly four years now. I know what I’m doing.

Attorney Carson: *angry* Things are different here than they were in China–

Jamie: *annoyed; corrects* South Korea, Sir, and justice is justice no matter what language it’s translated in.

Attorney Carson: I don’t like your tone, Mr. Kim.

Jamie: And I don’t like you telling me how to do my job, Sir; a job that I very much know how to do.

Attorney Carson: I can easily take you off this case.

Jamie: Just days away from the trial? That wouldn’t be professional of the Carter Law Firm, now would it?

Attorney Carson is at a loss for words.

Jamie: I will be scheduling a meeting with the detectives in my office later this week. I will have the information we need by the end of it.

Jamie gathers his things and leaves the conference room.

…..

The front door of an apartment is open. Jamie walks in and places his briefcase next to the front door.

Jamie: Gracie?

There’s no response. Jamie assumes Grace is still out. He takes a wine glass out of the cabinet and opens a bottle of wine and pours it. He takes his glass and sits at the round table. He looks around the apartment and thinks to himself; when did this become home for him? He brushes his hair back and sips on his wine until he hears the door knocking. He walks to it and answers it.

It’s Max with Willow in his arms.

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.