For Tonight, I Will Lie

Scene 1: Video Bin

Matt Jensen

I hate saying sorry. I don't think I'm wrong all that often, so I guess I'm not used to having to say I am.

And I know saying sorry means a lot...I can forgive someone on the spot because they cared enough to say it.

I know I'm wrong...and I feel bad. I've always felt bad even though I saw her first, you just kissed her first, and I had to back off...

Leo looks over at me as soon as I walk through the door. He doesn't speak, so I head over to the shelves.

The prices here are jacked up, and I don't live close enough to make an account. He knows that...but he's not gonna talk first.

"Anything good come in?" I asked.

"No."

"Oh...okay." I put my hands in my pockets and back away from the movies.

"But my employee discount is 20% so you can get whatever you want."

"...thanks," I said, relieved that he's not at my throat. Leo nodded.  "We just got the new Deftones. You like them right?"

"Think so."

"Well, I got it for you...just in case. Employee discount." I shrugged. "Plus, Elle said she wasn't going to let you buy it and force her to listen."

He rolled his eyes. "She likes them."

"Yeah," I laughed to myself, "she doesn't like that someone else found them first."

Leo smirked and shook his head. "Tell her they're garbage and she'll join the fan club."

We laughed together and it almost felt like the hatchet was buried and I could leave everything unsaid.

But I'm not that kind of guy, and I don't want to be...pride aside.

"I'm sorry for all of this crap. I didn't mean to start liking her. I wouldn't do that to you on purpose, man."

"I know. I just wish you would've said something."

"I felt like shit for crushing on your girl."

"She doesn't know."

"I figured that out when she didn't punch me in the face..."

"Telling her wouldn't have fixed anything. You'd still like her, and she'd feel awkward at work."

"I don't want to make her uncomfortable—you neither. She's yours and I can deal with that."

"Then what was up with you telling her about that Heather thing?" He asked, frustratedly.

"I swear it was an accident. I was kinda ranting because she said something that made me feel bad, but she wasn't supposed to hear...and I was only on your ass about saying Heather's name that day because you made it easy. Elle's off-limits. You don't have to worry about anything else. I mean, I don't even get to see her the way you do, so I know you like her more."

"Yeah, she's a great girl. That's why I was pissed about everything else and not because you like her. Anyone would."

I nodded. "She makes the most sales since everyone wants help from her. She's smiling and talking nice and you want to be around her all the time." Leo pressed his lips together and I nudged him from across the counter. "That's what you do. Get the girl everybody else wants."

"I guess so."

"I don't want to take her from you. I wouldn't even try."

"I know."

"We good?"

"We're cool. I missed you, man." He put his hand out for me to grab hold of, signifying forgiveness.

"You should let me get you food or something. What are you doing after this?" He raises his eyebrows to respond without actually having to tell me that he's going to be banging the girl I don't even get to hold hands with. "Oh...right."

"Yeah. But we can hang out tomorrow."

Scene 2: Madison Street

Zach Teeling

"Hey!" I said, happily, seeing Peyton coming down the stairs.

"Miss me?"

"No, I was just about to call the police and report you for breaking and entering."

"Don't bother. I'm gone."

"Already?"

She sighed. "I don't want to be here when mom comes home. She's going to ask me about my new job."

"And?"

"I don't have one."

"Ooh-"

"Don't tell her."

I crossed my arms. "Or what?"

"I'll tell her you're letting girls over when she's not home."

"No, I'm not."

"Your friend is, so you'll get in trouble anyway," she teased.

I let out an annoyed breath. "Karlie's here."

She nodded. "Crying on the couch." I rolled my eyes and took a seat on the steps. "You don't care?"

"I don't like being around them when they're together." It's the worst form of third wheeling.

"Why?" She asked, genuinely curious. "Or do you want to wait for Leo and his friends to give you stupid advice?"

"I guess I'll take yours," I replied, begrudgingly so she wouldn't think too much of herself. "I dated...Karlie for a while." Not entirely untrue—we dated for about half an hour. "Now she's with Evan and it makes me want to throw up all the time."

"You still like her."

"No."

"Yes."

"We broke up a bunch of times. It doesn't work, it never works."

"Who cares about how much you break up? You keep getting back together for a reason."

"We're dumb...but good at being friends," and then wires get crossed because he's cute and our faces get close together sometimes.

"Did you tell her that dating your friend makes you sit outside your own house?"

"Kind of...but I didn't say why."

"Why not?"

"I chose someone else the last time we were...dating. It's his turn now—her turn."

Peyton's eyes squint. "...His turn."

"I meant-"

"You know that guy who works at the mall that you hung around?"

"...Aaron."

"Yeah, him. We never really spoke before, but since you, he's been like...dodging me whenever we pass each other."

"He's...shy."

"I asked Jackie what his deal was and she said 'maybe he's not running from you, he just doesn't care about you because he's not into girls.'"

"So?" I replied, calm, stoic...not at all like I'm about to run for my life.

"So, my guess is you two were a thing and aren't anymore...or you hate gay people."

"...gay people are the worst."

"Okay." She waved. "Bye, Zach."

"Bye..."

That went well.

I sighed and reluctantly looked upstairs at my front door. Is nothing sacred?

My head hung low, but I carried myself with the promise of chocolate chip cookies and after-school cartoons in bed if I can just make it through that door.

Evan glanced at me from the couch when I walked in.

"What happened?" I asked because I can't ignore it—can I?

"Some girls roughed her up. There's more rumors going around but it's getting out of hand."

"Rumors?"

"Dumb stuff people are saying and writing." Writing..."Now every girl in school is acting like she's out to steal their boyfriends."

"Sorry, Karlie."

"It's not your fault." Eh.

"Who's talking?"

"Other than the girls in her grade?" Her grade. I bet you feel so cool being an upperclassman, and she feels even cooler dating one. Everyone loves when their boyfriend is older. "Some guys are going around saying they've hooked up with her, but I'll handle that."

"I'll help..."

"You don't have to-"

"Yeah, I do. She's my friend."

Karlie cried louder and got up to throw herself around me. "I thought you didn't like me anymore."

Who's supposed to stop me from being a bad person? It can't be me—I'm not good at it.

"Don't be crazy." I patted her back in discomfort. "I've always kinda owed you one."

Scene 3: Elle's Apartment

Leo Rylin

"The witch is gone," Elle said with a happy sigh.

"How long until she gets back?"

"Half an hour."

I watched as she started undoing the buttons of her shirt. "You wanna risk it?"

"Yeah," Elle replied, her bra fully exposed.

"Alright, come on." I motioned her over and she got on top of me without hesitation.

"You do look very handsome in your uniform," she smiled, putting her arms around my neck.

I chuckled, quietly. "Doing the best I can."

"You don't have to try much."

"Thank you."

Elle nodded and pushed her chest against mine when she kissed me. It's cute—I realized early on that it's her way of letting me know she's turned on by trying to turn me on.

Heather used to grab at me—shirts, jackets, whatever she could ball her fists in and pull me closer with like she was frustrated I wasn't fucking her already. I always thought it was so hot knowing how badly she wanted-

"I love you," Elle whispered between kisses.

And I

...Feel my heart beating more than I feel you on top of me.

I've only been with one other girl long enough to hear those words, and I was worried she didn't mean it at first.

Now, I'm worried that you do.

For Christ's sake, Matt fucking describes you like he died and went to heaven when he met you, and I...I can't do that. You're a "great girl." Why is that all I can say when I think about you?

"Hey...stop..." I turn my head so that she can't kiss me anymore.

"What's the matter?"

I run my hands down my face and sigh. "Fuck."

"Look, you don't have to say it-"

"It's not about that," I said quickly. "I mean...not exactly."

"Then, what? Stop acting weird."

I shake my head. "We have to stop."

"She's not coming back anytime soon."

"No, we need to call it quits. Us, you know?"

"Fuck off." She lightly pushes me like I'm making a messed-up joke.

"I'm serious." I moved her off of me and stood up from the bed.

"Shut up."

"I wasn't ready when I got with you, Elle. I know that's not fair to you, and if I could go back, I'd spare you this because I know it hurts..." but I'm hoping not as much as it did for me.

"What are you saying right now?" She asked, though I could tell by her tone that she was about to cry because she knows exactly what I'm saying

"I'm not going to...feel the way you do...because I wasn't ready for something this serious. And I'm really fucking sorry," I speak as sincerely as possible. "I wish I realized it sooner, before...you know."

"You're breaking up with me because I said 'I love you?'"

"No—don't think that. It's not like that."

"So, you're not?"

"...I am, but it's more complicated, I swear. I don't want you to have that in your head and be afraid to say it to someone else."

"Oh," she scoffed, "You don't want to mess me up for the next piece of shit guy who wants to dump me when it's too serious and 'complicated?' Fuck you."

"Elle-"

"Get out!" She pointed to the door.

"I care about you a lot, and you deserve a good boyfriend. You were right, I'm not around enough for you and I don't put you first, and you don't treat me like that, so I've got to stop wasting your time. I've been thinking about it but I wasn't sure until I realized you were all in and I'm not."

"Get out, Leo!" Elle screamed, the tears finally hitting her face. "Go!"

"I'm sorry."

"Go!"

Scene 4: The Helmsley Hotel

Heather Blakely

"I'll buy you dinner next time," I said.

"If you have any more dates planned, tell me now, so I'll be sure I'm in the city," Adrian replied, getting into my bed as if it were his own.

"Are you leaving soon?"

"You may not see me until I fly to California for you."

"Ugh." I groaned before laying next to him.

"I can come back if you need me for anything else, I just need to know ahead of time."

"Thank you."

"You don't have to," he said, quietly, smirking as he inched close enough to me for our lips to touch.

I want to be wanted. I love that he kisses me whenever we see each other, and that he will drop things to spend time with me. I didn't even realize how rejected I felt before with all that happened with...

I feel Adrian's hands travel down my body and I pull back a bit.

"I'm sorry," he muttered and brought his hands up again.

"It's okay..." I replied, following in his footsteps and deciding my hands should find a place on him, as well

His breath hitched when my palm grazed over the front of his pants. He looked into my eyes, questioning if it was intentional.

"Okay." He nodded and held my face. I feel the soft fabric on my fingers and the fervent, lustful kisses being placed from my lips to my neck. His moans vibrate against my skin as I pet the growing print in his pants.

It's easier to touch him than it is to have him touch me. It has always been that way, I suppose...with the exception of one person. It is somehow less personal...a little less intimate if their hands are not on me. Leo was different but everything was with him. The trust was immediate...which is probably why it felt so awful when he broke it.

Adrian tenses. Hardens. Moans.

And my stomach...flutters. Butterflies.

He put his hand over mine to keep it firmly in place as he moved against it. His head went back as he let out a breath. He's very attractive—I see it, I feel it. And I lean into whatever this is between us the more we're around each other.

He's not as vocal. Breaths, impassioned sighs, and a few quiet groans. I'm not bothered by it, but it's a noticeable change from the unapologetic noise that used to be made if we didn't have to be quiet—moaning, swearing, and Leo saying the most obscene, salacious, filthy things to me that I enthusiastically responded to as if my face wasn't heating up at his words.

"Heather..." Adrian panted, hiding his face as he placed his head on my shoulder, and I looked down to see he was grinding into my palm desperately trying to finish himself off.

I squeeze my hand a bit and he makes the loudest sound I've heard from him so far. A low groan followed by heavy breathing and humming into my neck.

His body jerked, and every surge got a resounding breath from him. I watched his chest heave and kept rubbing even when the dampness began to soak through his pants.

Next time I'll allow him to return the favor...

He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers to stop me from moving anymore. I smiled amusedly at him as he opened his eyes again. "Hi."

Adrian chuckled and let out a deep breath. "I can't believe I let you do that. I have to go home in these."