Kristin Rehnberg

Scene One

It is late fall, evidenced by the hoodies and sweats. School has let out for the day. There is a blank, concrete wall with a cork posting board next to a door. The door is towards the left of the stage. Set in a long hallway in the performing arts area of the school. Randomly different colored tiles run throughout on the floor in a vain attempt to brighten the hallway. The occasional backpack is thrown about on the floor, mostly propped against the wall. The lights are that stark, industrial white. There is a group of kids of a random assortment (high-school age) crowding around the corkboard. There are shouts and squeals of glee mingled with murmurs of disappointment. A group of three departs the throng, conversing a short distance away. The group consists of one boy and two girls: Dan, Lauren and Jesse. Dan is a tall boy, easily clearing 6 foot, of a medium to tan complexion, dark hair and dark, bright eyes. Usually clad in jeans, a t-shirt and hoodie with some game paraphernalia (Zelda, Super Mario Bros., Halo). Tends to gravitate to Lauren but is natural with either of the two. Lauren is a thin girl, about 5’6” or so, she has vivid green eyes with light brown hair and blonde highlights. She is usually wearing an “indie” style shirt (undefined swirls and such), jeans and bright orange Adidas shoes. She subconsciously leans towards Dan. Jesse is rambunctious; frizzy, dark hair and eyes that border on black. Tan skin, has the appearance that she could be related to Dan, having been told they look like brother and sister for the majority of their lives. She’s on the shorter side, but quirky. Speaks with her hands and has a tendency to flail when over excited. Mostly wears assorted band t-shirts, whether they be an actual band, marching band of some production she’s currently crazy about. Almost always in blue jeans and sneakers or flats, usually black. Sometimes she keeps a book shoved in the pocket of her oversized hoodie, her jean pockets constantly full of random stuff. Her black, plastic rim glasses are always slipping down her nose. She occasionally uses her black pen to draw on her left arm, currently adorned with fading, entwining vines. The girls encompass the majority of the conversation. The group around the board grows and diminishes as people come and go.

Jesse: What do you think of Kayla getting a lead? Rachel is gonna be ticked.

Lauren: Yeah. Quieter But at least Carly didn’t make it.

Jesse: I know. At least we dodged that bullet.

Both look to Dan to make a comment.

Dan: Pretends to shoot them with an imaginary gun Bang! Chuckles

Jesse: So do you think Evan’s seen it yet?

Lauren: He said he’d be down sometime this afternoon.

Dan: Makes a gagging noise, nudges Lauren and nods off stage right. Lauren glances up and averts her eyes back to Jesse to stop her from looking. Idle conversation ensues, generic: “ How was that test?” “ What are you doing this weekend?” Etc.

Evan and Carly enter stage right; Evan has his arm around Carly. Evan is of medium to tall height, very fair skinned with an unruly mass of brown hair. Has a jerky walk. Carly is ‘vertically challenged’, sandy, shoulder length hair. Leans against Evan with her arm around his waist. Both walk up to the small group.

Evan: Throws his free arm around Jesse. She leans her head on his shoulder lightly. The list up yet? Jesse nods in the direction of the board. Ooh! Walks over to the board, pulling Carly along by the hand. He slides his way through the diminishing group to the front of the board. They both scan the list. Carly seems disappointed and Evan puts his arm around her shoulder again and leads them out from amongst the group. They stand on the opposite side of the posting board as that of the other three. Carly is seen to be sniffling and wiping her eyes. Evan is doing his best to comfort her. Phrases like “It’s okay.” and “you’re too good for them” are heard littered with terms of endearment such as “Darling” and “Sweetheart”.

Lauren: Ew…Gross.

Jesse: I just try to ignore it at this point.

Lauren: But it’s so…nasty. How could anyone be like that in public?

Dan: Good question.

Lauren: Shutters and makes a gag noise. I think I’m gonna go. If I stay any longer, I might be sick. Britt’s probably ticked off at having to wait for me, anyway. I’ll see you guys tomorrow?

Jesse: Yeah, and don’t forget about the musical meeting after school.

Lauren: Uh-huh. Later! Hugs Dan and then hugs Jesse, who kisses her on the cheek. She then goes down the hallway at a half-jog.

Evan and Carly walk over to Dan and Jesse.

Evan: What time is that meeting till?

Jesse: Why? Arches an eyebrow. I didn’t think you were doing musical.

Evan: I’m running the audio board. Carly’s thinking of helping backstage. Either way, I’ve got to be at that meeting.

Jesse: Oh. Well, he said it would be till 5, or so. Much fun.

Evan: Ok, well that’s all I needed to know. We’re going to head out. We have… homework to do.

Carly: I’m skipping youth group tonight. Tell Angie, k?

Jesse: Will do. Gives a mock salute with two fingers.

Carly hugs Jesse, who puts an arm around her in response. Carly grabs Evan’s hand and tugs him offstage right. Once Evan and Carly are out of sight Dan and Jesse move closer together, both leaning against the wall. The slide down the wall. Dan has one leg out and the other propped up. Jesse has her legs curled up closer to herself, head leading fully on Dan’s shoulder. She sighs deeply.

Jesse: This is going to suck. Hardcore.

Dan: Kisses Jesse on the forehead. Nah. It’ll be fine.

Jesse: How? Evan and Carly are going to be all over each other, as usual, during practices. I can’t stand them together. Love them both dearly, on their own, but put them together and I want to projectile vomit. Slumps against Dan. Dan puts his arm around her. Stage lights dim and go out.

Scene Two

The musical is well under way. They are around the midway point of rehearsals. It is the same hallway, the same blinding lights and the same tiled floor. The door is on the right side of the stage now, the scene taking place farther down the hallway. There are 2 large double-doors towards the left side of the stage, leading to the school auditorium stage. Down past the doors, there is a corner just visible by a few feet, but enough to be seen by the entire audience. When the doors are opened, the side curtains shield the majority of the auditorium stage. Lights can be seen, but are shielded by the curtains as well. The doors are inset into the wall, forming small corners going into them. Evan and Carly can be seen cuddling and kissing, Evan leaning against the wall with Carly leaning on him. Yells can be heard from inside the doors. A man of moderate height bursts through the doors. The director, Mr. Fry. He is in his 30’s, fit, but not overly so. Brown hair. He is still wearing the khakis and blue shirt and tie he wore today for his classes. His normally jovial disposition has been replaced by an obvious frustration. A group of kids have followed him to see if someone is going to get in trouble, or at least yelled at.

Mr. Fry: Evan?! He stalks out and sees Evan and Carly in their current position What are you doing! The lights are on the fritz, I’ve been calling for you for 10 minutes and now I find you out here with your girlfriend? I’ve already talked with you about this. This type of behavior is not allowed. Now either the both of you can learn to control yourselves and be in your correct places or I can find other people who can perform your duties correctly. Now, are you coming or not?

Evan: Sorry, sir. I’m coming. Evan follows Mr. Fry back onto the stage. Carly is left in the hallway pouting and looking disgruntled, only to stomp off stage left. The majority of the group has left except for Lauren and Jesse who are attempting to not fall over laughing. Jesse is flailing her arms rapidly.

Lauren: Oh my god, I never thought Fry would freak out like that.

Jesse: That was so great! That was a total OMG moment if there ever has been. I can’t believe Dan missed that. Wheezes. Takes a few deep breaths. You wanna tell Sicky, or should I?

Lauren: I will. He’s gonna laugh so hard.

Jesse: Calming down. During this talk, they both sit down against the wall, Lauren leaning slightly against Jesse. Seriously… I’ve been waiting to see that happen for so long. It almost seems surreal now that it’s happened. Excitedly, giggling. Did you see Evan’s face? He looked so freakin’ shocked. Absently tracing the dark lines of the flames she’s drawn on her left hand and fingers. Sighs. I don’t know why either of them was so caught off guard. We’ve all seen this coming for how long now? It was only going to be so long before they got caught. Look at Eli and Nicki! How often do teachers stop in the hall by us in the morning to tell them to stop grinding against each other? It’s vile and disgusting.

Some time during this conversation, Carly is seen coming around the corner, sees Lauren and Jesse, hears what they’re saying and goes back around the corner. She stands against the wall, just around the corner, listening to them talk.

Lauren: I know. And I still can’t believe she got in my face the other day in practice. She had no right to say that. How hypocritical is that anyway? She doesn’t even know what’s going on in my life at all. We haven’t actually talked in, like, two years, but she still thinks she has the right to freak out on me like that.

Jesse: And what Evan said to Nicki was uncalled for. There was no need to shove that in her face. I mean, does anyone really like either of them anymore? ‘Cause I’m getting pretty sick of Carly during lunch. She’s always getting on my case now. It’s kinda funny cause she acts like she can stop me from saying certain things. Just because she thinks it’s offensive doesn’t mean that I have to stop it. She can go by her morals, if she has any left, and I can go by mine.

Lauren: I just ignore her in class now. She’s so useless. She tries to talk to me, say hi, like that’s supposed to make up for the fact that she’s screwed me over more times than I can count. And I forgave her every time. Well, not anymore.

Jesse: I just really hope they break up. I never thought they’d last this long.

Carly rounds the corner and stalks over to the two. They attempt to act as if nothing were going on. They make chitchat innocently.

Carly: So that’s it? That’s the way you two really feel? What the heck? How dare you, you two faced, low lives.

Jesse: Rising to stand face to face with Carly. We’re the low lives? What about you? You act so much ‘Holier than thou’, after you cheated on Garret. And then you date the guy you cheated on your boyfriend with. You’re just a little slut hiding behind a Bible. All you ever do is lie and manipulate. How dare you! Pokes her in the chest with her index finger. You used your friends like we were nothing! And then you wonder why we get quiet when you come around. My god, you are so insipid.

Carly: I am not a hypocrite! I hate hypocrites and you know that. Maybe you wouldn’t feel threatened by me if you weren’t all too busy acting like emo-kids. If you’re going to mope about how much life sucks, why don’t you just kill yourself? Make the world a better place.

Jesse: High and mighty words coming from the girl who went to a shrink for, what was it? I can’t seem to remember. Oh wait, it was for cutting yourself. You have the audacity to call me emo when you’re the one who still writes bad poetry about how much your life bites.

At this time, they are both yelling at each other. Kids are starting to gather from off stage on both sides and from the auditorium stage. Lauren is standing behind Jesse, shocked by the turn of events. Carly, in a fit of rage, launches herself at Jesse. They both scramble. Lauren joins in, trying to pull Carly off of Jesse. Jesse is trying to push Carly off of her. The surrounding kids egg them on. Evan peeks his head out from behind the doors to see what the commotion is about. Upon seeing what is going on, he jumps in, pushes Lauren out of the way, gets a solid grip around Carly’s waist and pulls her off of Jesse. The director walks out as Evan is holding Carly back.

Mr. Fry: What in Sam hill is going on here?! Looks back and forth between the pairs, Lauren and Jesse on one side and Carly and Evan on the other.

Jesse: It’s nothing. Wipes her lip, which is bleeding slightly as a result of Carly’s nails.

Mr. Fry: Really. Looks at Carly. And you?

Carly: It’s… nothing.

Mr. Fry: Looks at them warily. Then if you all are done out here, I’d like to continue practice. And if I hear about anything else happening… Gives them all a stern look and turns and goes back through the doors. The group of kids disperses back through the doors or off stage, some grumbling about the lack of an actual “chick fight.” Jesse pulls the hair tie out of what used to be a ponytail, fixing her hair the way it was, casually, as if nothing had happened. She nudges Lauren and turns to go.

Carly: Taunting So, why didn’t you fight back instead of taking like a wimp? You realize you can’t beat me?

Jesse: Without turning around. You’re just not worth getting suspended. Lights go out as Lauren and Jesse walk away.

Scene Three

It is approximately 2 or 3 weeks before the musical performances. The entire cast is having a meeting in the band room, a large white room with music stands stacked around. Chairs are spread in a disheveled manner, fanned out, facing the musical director, who is sitting on a raised chair. The upper shelves of the room are covered with trophies. The walls have a string of plaques on them. Everyone is milling around, slowly finding seats. Dan, Lauren and Jesse head towards the one end of the seating arrangement, only to see Evan and Carly sitting in that area. They make surprised eye contact and quickly look in different directions, except for Carly and Jesse who hold eye contact, each glaring the other down. Jesse clenches her fists. Her left arm is now covered in flames, drawn in vibrant, bold, blacks and reds. The group of three moves to the other side of the area, sitting in the back row. Dan sits on the left with Lauren in the middle and Jesse on the right. Dan has his arm around Lauren and she scoots her chair slightly closer to his. Jesse smiles lightly at this. They talk quietly before the meeting starts. A couple other cast members notice the events that just transpired. Cast member 1 points between the two groups as they turn to Cast member 2.

Cast member 1: Hey, what just happened? I thought that Jesse and them were friends with Evan and Carly.

Cast member 2: Well they were but not anymore. Weren’t you there for their big fight? It was crazy. Carly jumped on Jesse. People were freaking out. Mr. Fry almost had a fit. They were kicking and screaming at each other. Lauren almost got a concussion from Evan throwing her into the wall to get her off of Carly. He sent her flying. Head first into the concrete wall.

Cast member 1: Are you serious? Completely incredulous. They used to be so close?

Cast member 2: I just can’t believe you aren’t noticing until now. Anyway, sometimes that’s just how it goes. High school bites. Shrugs.

Cast member 1: Looks at the other. Let’s just make sure that doesn’t happen to us.

Mr. Fry begins the meeting and everyone hushes. The lights dim to blackness.

The play rather hangs in the end. It is meant to be open ended, almost. High school relationships can either end positively or negatively. It has come full circle, the situation now being recognized by an anonymous group of friends. Whether the cycle with continue with them, is unknown. It is also unknown whether the original group will make amends some day.