Scene 1.2

(Lights up. In order, Gavin and Madison, Ryan and Natalie, and Sean and Cady and Riley, enter from behind girls' rooms. All come to a stop at the table center.)

Gavin: (Kisses Madison.) See you tomorrow, Madison.

Madison: Love you. (Turns to leave.)

Natalie: (As Madison turns.) I'm gonna hit the sack. Talk to ya later, Ryan. (Joins Madison.)

Riley: Why is everyone going to bed already?

Cady: They just mean that they're going to their rooms. We're supposed to be in our dorms by eight on school nights, anyway.

Riley: It's six-thirty…

Sean: (Jokingly.) Don't question our ways!

Ryan: Sean!

Madison: (Simultaneously with Ryan.) Cady! (As both turn.) Are you coming?

Cady: I'll follow you guys in a minute.

Sean: (To Gavin and Ryan.) Same.

(Madison and Ryan shrug. Girls exit behind girls' rooms, boys behind boys' rooms.)

Cady: Well…I hope you like it here at Marcus Holt, Riley. We're a bunch of crazies, but…we have fun. You're always welcome to hang out with us. Since you have Natalie in your room, I guess she can make sure you're ready for breakfast with us in the morning. If…you still wanna go with us…

Riley: Of course! You bunch are hilarious…if not infested with some real crazies… (At Cady's hurt expression.) I'm glad you're the one who showed me to my room today. I like your group. You and Sean especially.

Sean: My charisma never fails to reel them in! I'm glad she's the one who showed you to your room, too. Can't wait to see you tomorrow in class. Bye, girls! (Begins to leave.)

Riley: I guess I'll head back now, too. Cadence?

Cady: Go ahead. I've got something I need to do.

Sean: (Pauses and turns his head just enough to watch Riley and Cady.)

Riley: Okay. Good-night, then. (Ruffles Cady's hair as she exits behind girls' rooms.)

Cady: (Watches her walk off.) Good-night, Riley.

Sean: Does this something you need to do involve me, Cady?

Cady: Yes it does, Sean. Sit. (Takes seat across from him at table center.)

Sean: What can I do ya for?

Cady: (Laughing.) I'm afraid there's no way you could afford it. But really, it's about Ryan.

Sean: (Suspiciously.) What did he do?

(All lights down except spots on table center and boys' room.)

Ryan: So would Cady tell you anything?

Gavin: I told you that it was a stupid idea, Ryan. I didn't ask.

Ryan: Maybe she would tell Madison…

Gavin: You really need a girlfriend, man.

Cady: He asked me why I don't date.

Sean: Oh, God…

Cady: Why would he do that?

Ryan: What the hell do I need a girlfriend for?

Gavin: Well for one, to take up some of your free time. For two, to teach you how to act around girls.

Ryan: I get along with Natalie just fine!

Gavin: Natalie doesn't count. She's half-guy.

Sean: Ryan and I were giving Gavin a hard time about Madison. Then he tried to get on us about not having girlfriends. We said we don't need girlfriends. Then I told Ryan he's just too chicken to ask Natalie out. And then Gavin asked about you and me.

Cady: And how did you answer?

Ryan: She's as much a girl as Madison!

Gavin: I just meant that she's a gaming nerd. Like all of us. Except Madison.

Ryan: What are you trying to say? That Madison is a better girlfriend than Natalie could be?

Gavin: Ryan, chill out! I'm not saying anything except that you're a moron for thinking that you could ever get whatever Cady's reasoning for not dating may be out of a girl by direct questioning!

Ryan: How indirect would it have to be?

Gavin: (Groans.)

(Spot on boys' room out.)

Sean: That you don't date.

Cady: And then that was it?

Sean: (Hesitates.) No.

Cady: What else did you say?

Sean: Ryan was trying to turn my "chicken" comment back on me, and Gavin asked why you don't date. So I told them both to go to hell and left.

Cady: Why didn't you just make something up?

Sean: Because Ryan was starting to piss me off.

Cady: He does that.

Sean: Look, Cady, I'm sorry. They're not going to find out.

Cady: But what if they do? Especially now…

Sean: What's so different about now?

Cady: Just…you know…nothing.

Sean: Is Cady considering dating?

Cady: That would imply that I have someone to date.

Sean: I can think of a couple people who might fit into that category. Not the least of which is—

Riley: (Enters from behind girls' rooms.) Cadence, are you still out here? Madison got worried and asked me to come look for you.

Sean: (Checks watch.) No wonder. I guess I'd better be getting to my room, then. Bye, Riley! Cady! For good this time. (Casts Cady a meaningful glance, a grin, and a wink before exiting behind boys' rooms.)

Cady: (Stiffens. An expression of terror spreads across her face.)

Riley: (Approaches table.) It's only been ten minutes… (Motions to chair.) May I?

Cady: (Looks up.) Sure.

Riley: (Sits.) So I'm confused. You told me this afternoon that you're Cadence, but I haven't heard a single one of your friends call you anything but Cady. What do you go by?

Cady: I actually prefer Cadence.

Riley: How did all this "Cady" business start, then?

Cady: Sean and Madison. Mostly Sean. Because I'm "too little to have such a big name". I used to go by Cady willingly until they started picking on me for being short.

Riley: They only pick on you because you're cute.

Cady: (Stiffens.) What?

Riley: (Not really noticing Cady's reaction.) Surely your boyfriend's told you that.

Cady: What boyfriend?

Riley: Aren't you and Sean…?

Cady: No. (Once it sinks in.) No!

Riley: (After an awkward silence.) I guess we should head back before Madison thinks you died?

Cady: Madison can think what she likes. (Mumbled.) And the more anxiety it causes her, the better…

Riley: What?

Cady: Huh?

Riley: What was that last part?

Cady: What last part?

Riley: Never mind…should we go?

Cady: If you want.

Riley: Well, I would love to stay out here, but…this conversation's going nowhere. So I guess let's go?

Cady: (Stands.) Okay.

(Cady and Riley exit. Spot focuses on Sean as he emerges from behind the boys' rooms.)

Sean: I can think of a couple people who might fit into that category. Not the least of which is… (Mouths "me" before exiting.)

(Lights down.)

I just realized that I finished this scene like two weeks ago...T_T. Anyway, it wasn't as fun to write as the first one. Review at will. Please and thank you, have a nice day.