Finding the Words

Scene 1: Addington High Main Hall

Tony Milligan

My jacket is grabbed and I am pulled into a corner.

"Alison," I said in surprise, "what are you doing? I have to see the headmistress-"

"I know. I heard her call you."

"You heard her? You were in there?"

She frowned. "Yes."

"What's going on?"

"Lisa told!" Alison huffed. "I didn't know she was in the restroom and Brooke and Evie brought up...the stuff we've been doing."

"Did you deny it?"

She nodded, sadly. "I'll be expelled."

"Why don't you give up Evie and Brooke?"

"Because it was all my idea."

"They didn't plan anything?"

"No, I came up with the No-kiss-list, and I got the hot-or-not idea from Heather. They're accomplices but I'll still be in the most trouble."

If they were her friends they'd go down with her and lessen the punishment for all of them—but they're not. They would band together against Alison if given the chance.

"I have to go in, but don't worry, I would never say anything that can be used against you."

"Don't get yourself in trouble for me." She sighed, running her hand down my arm. I smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Tony, I'm serious. I don't want you to get hurt again."

"I won't," I assured her. "Get to class, okay? I'll talk to you after."

Alison nodded and reluctantly left me. I waited until she was out of view before I walked over to Headmistress Sanderson's office. Ali would listen outside of the door if she could—she hates not knowing everything.

I knocked and waited for a response.

"You may enter," she said. And when I did, I regretted it immediately. "Have a seat, please."

"Thank you." I kept my head low to avoid her cold glare.

"I've been made aware of a situation and you have been named as a victim and potential coconspirator."

"I don't know what you could be referring to."

"A student has come forward with information regarding the slander that has been plastered and passed through the halls of Addington these past months. I am sure you are aware of how seriously we take bullying considering your history with its consequences."

"Yes, but I have nothing to do with it this time."

"What is your relationship with Alison Sinclair?"

My teeth gritted. "Alison is innocent. Whoever reported her must be mistaken."

"The best thing you can do for her is be honest."

"I think you're looking in the wrong direction. Alison hasn't been in trouble recently. You should be questioning people who are known for bullying. Mean girls...like Audrey Michaels...Heather Blakely. Everyone talks, many students here say that they're behind it."

She clasped her hands together, and I suddenly feel as though I'm before an organized crime leader. "Based on what evidence?"

"The things that were written. Some of it was personal—like there was a vendetta against ex-boyfriends. Alison being with me would have no reason to participate in that sort of behavior. The chart, especially had Heather written all over it."

"Well, I was not under the impression Miss Sinclair acted alone. You are excused, Anthony."

"I-"

"Excused."

Scene 2: Homeroom - Physics

Leo Rylin

Heather walks into the room...I subconsciously smile when she looks at me, but she smiled too. It's what friends do.

I wouldn't date her again—it ran its course, I guess. But I like seeing her and being around her and talking to her and laughing and hugging and all that stuff. We've got a bond.

She sits at her table and glances at the empty spot next to her where Lisa usually is. There's about 5 minutes until class starts and it looks like everyone planning to show up is already here. Heather turns toward me and notices that Tony is missing too.

Yeah, come over, butterfly.

"Can I sit here?" She asked.

"Why not? Our partners stood us up."

"It might have something to do with the slumber party. They could be trying to avoid one another."

"There was a slumber party?"

"It was a goodbye party for me. We played a game that made Lisa admit to liking Tony. Alison was there and it was this whole thing that ended up being quite awkward."

"They didn't know?" I scoffed. "It was obvious."

"I couldn't tell."

"Guys can tell."

"You didn't know that I liked you."

"I wasn't sure because if you did, it meant you were insane."

"So I'm insane?

"Yeah, but I told you that already," I smirked at how she pretended to be shocked. "They're going to laugh when they realize they did all of that and you're staying."

"Who said that?"

"Me. You can sell your place. I don't care," I shrugged, "you'll just live with me."

She laughed. "Us as housemates?"

"If Zach can live with his ex, so can I."

Heather's face showed morbid curiosity. "And how is that working out for Zach?"

"...that's not relevant."

"Which ex is it?"

"The one he cheated on his boyfriend with."

She gasped, "No."

"Yeah, I don't know what he's doing because he still likes him but is about to date someone else. I already told him not to get into a relationship with anyone if he's not over-" I stop talking and think about what I'm saying...

"Hm?" Heather asked, her hand under her chin while she gazed amusedly at me.

"I sound like a hypocrite, huh?"

She smiled. "Mhm."

"I thought I was over you."

"Aren't you?"

"What word did you use?" I teased. "Almost?"

Heather nodded. "Almost."

I raised a skeptical eyebrow and then carefully raised her skirt up her thigh. "Looks like you're obsessed with me."

My initials didn't rub off even a little bit.

"Don't make me return the favor," she threatened, but I just chuckled, laying my arm across the table as a canvas. Heather grabbed her pen and then looked at me. "Mine will still last longer."

"Go over the letters a few times then." And she does—with each letter of her name.

"Does it tickle?"

"Kinda," I replied, admiring her attention to detail. I guess it's good we broke up when we did because if she asked I wouldn't have hesitated to get her name tattooed on me wherever she wanted it and whatever size too. "Oh, sure, add hearts. That'll sell it."

"It's only fair."

"My work shirt is short-sleeved."

"All the girls are going to think you have a girlfriend."

"I work on the upper east side, butterfly. The girls aren't looking to date the guy at the register."

"So you've been trying," she asked, indifference and complete concern mixed in her voice.

I shook my head. "I already dated the rich girl."

"Did I ruin them for you?"

"I thought you ruined everything for me. Relationships, love, all that sick shit."

"Sick?"

"Messed up," I clarified, and I could tell from her face that she didn't agree with me. "Does that make you mad?"

"No," she answered. "You're bluffing."

"I'm not."

"You loved being in love. You're good at it too. Any opportunity you had to be sappy and sentimental, you took it."

"Because you liked it."

"Because you wanted to."

"Because I wanted you to want me."

"I loved you."

"I love you," I said—past tense not coming naturally to me. "Loved you."

Her eyes shifted to her name dramatically running down my arm. "Obviously."

I chuckled and pulled my sleeve down. "Shut up."

"10 more minutes," Mr. Vogel announced from his desk.

I scrunched my eyebrows before whispering: "What are we supposed to be doing?"

"I don't know," Heather said under her breath before suppressing laughter.

The kid in front of us turned around and scowled at me. "You would have heard him if you were listening instead of flirting."

"Fuck off."

Heather laughed and put her hand on my shoulder. "Stop."

Am I flirting?

I give Heather a brief look but tear my eyes away in embarrassment..."Sorry if I was-"

"You don't have to apologize. I already know you're a major flirt."

"What? No, I'm not."

"Ask any of your friends."

"You guys think that?"

"Why are you surprised? It's because of how you look."

"How do I look?"

"Come on, you've seen yourself. You only want me to say it so you can tease me."

"Tease you about what?"

Heather rolled her eyes. "You are very attractive. You like to flirt because people flirt back."

I smirked...I was going to hold it in but I couldn't.

"Are you flirting with me, Heather?"

She shook her head at the arrogance. "In your dreams."

"Right, tell me how attractive I am again," I leaned over to her. "What'd you say? Very? Like, a lot?" She playfully pushed me back, "You think I'm really hot?" I grabbed her chair and turned it toward me so we're face to face, "You can't take your eyes off me, huh?"

"Miss Blakely," the teacher called.

I saw the fear come over her at the assumption that we've just been caught doing—whatever it is we're doing.

"Yes, Mr. Vogel?"

"The Headmistress needs you in her office, please."

Heather and I locked eyes for a moment and I could see her nerves were on edge. I'd go with her if I could ...

"Can I get the bathroom pass?" I asked quickly.

"Nice try. Back to work, Leonardo."

Dammit.

Heather leaves the room, nervous and without me, but Tony comes in right as the door opens.

...I smell a rat.

And from the way he's keeping his head down...I'd bet it's him.

"Do you know what's going on?"

He shrugged and avoided facing me. "Something about the girls. Ask Lisa."

Scene 3: Addington High Library

Audrey Michaels

"This is a sad book."

Natalia nodded, "Full of misogyny and entertainment."

"And a disgusting amount of Australian terminology."

"From the 70s at that."

"At that."

"Shall I keep reading?"

"Yes," I replied.

She laid with her head on my chest as I stroked her hair soothingly.

Natalia read this book as an impressionable preteen hoping it would guide her through her relationship with her boyfriend. However, it made her break up with him and now it's one of her favorite books, no matter how awful it is.

She continued the chapter detailing how the girls are not allowed to eat in front of boys or participate in activities and how they have to find the balance between prude and whore in order to keep boyfriends.

When I was their age, I was making promises to myself to never let a boy make me cry over them before I knew how hard it was to keep that promise. And even so, I would sob until my eyes ran dry before I ever let a boy make me fetch him snacks while I starved.

"Why don't Sue and Deborah date each other?" I asked after Natalia read another paragraph about them being bored to death on the hot beach as their boyfriends surfed for hours.

"In my mind, they do once they graduate from high school and realize the reason they didn't enjoy sex with boys and spent all of their time wishing they could talk to their boyfriends the way they talked to each other is that they like girls."

"Platonic female relationship, they say."

"They always say that. If you're a sexual truant with a boyfriend, imagine what they must call you for having a girlfriend."

"Isn't this a movie, as well?"

"Yes." She smiled up at me. "Would you like to watch it?"

"A film consisting of girls whose only hobbies are laying around on the beach in bikinis? How many times have you watched it?"

"None."

"Oh, that's believable. You love this book."

"Exactly, the film can ruin it, but it would be better with you."

"Flattery won't work."

"Yes, it will." She rolled over so that we were face to face and I can be swayed by the allure of her being. "You can't help it, you love to be called pretty." She kissed me.  "And nice, and intelligent, and good."

She couldn't be more correct.

For too long did I feel underappreciated

And now I'm relishing in over-appreciation.

"Natalia?" I gently put my hand on her cheek.

"Yes?" She put her hand over mine.

"Do you ever think of other girls?"

"Why would I need to? I have you."

Scene 4: Headmistress Sanderson's Office

Heather Blakely

"See you tomorrow morning, Heather." She handed me the letter to give to my parents.

"Yes, headmistress."

I let out a deep breath as I'm walking out of the door. This is just what I need. My parents already seem to think I'm mental.

"Hey," Leo said. I can't tell if he just walked up or if he was waiting for me. "Everything okay?"

I frowned. "No."

"Why'd she want you?"

"Someone made a case for why I must be in on the things that have been happening with the general mockery of the male student body, and now I have to face interrogation and they're calling my parents."

"But you're not in on it."

"I know," I whined.

"So tell them that."

"I don't have an alibi for why I wasn't in class when the smear pages went out."

"Where were you?"

"Well, I was told there was going to be a pop quiz in math, and I didn't want to take it. I was hiding in the restroom because if you're 15 minutes late to class, we have to make up the quiz some other day."

"Okay, good. Alibi," he spoke confidently.

"No. The pop quiz was a rumor. We had a substitute. It sounds like a lie if no one is vouching for me."

"I wouldn't think you're lying...but I wouldn't take you off the suspect list."

"See."

"Who else do they think might've done it?"

"I don't know," I sighed, "Alison? Audrey and Natalia. And Evie, possibly. There was a list of student files on her desk, but that could be for anything."

"...But most of them are your friends. Yeah, that doesn't look great for you."

"I'm aware."

"Offer up something bad but not worse."

I tilted my head. "What?"

"I can be your alibi."

"You'll say you heard about the quiz?"

"No, they're not going to believe I cared about a quiz."

"Okay?"

"You're not going to like this...but it will definitely work."

I nodded eagerly. "Say it."

"Tell them we were parked across the street, and I was...pretty into you."

"Leo," I said in a harsh whisper.

"Off school grounds means you can't be punished for anything other than skipping. And they won't question it because you're admitting to doing something bad with a bad guy."

"You're a bad guy?"

"They think so, and your parents are really going to think so."

"My parents." My eyes widened and I shook my head. "I can't."

Leo shrugged. "You can come up with something else but it has to sound like something you'd do."

"And what you suggested sounds like something I'd do?"

"They'll blame me for you acting out of character. It's not too far off from where we did have sex."

I gasped and put my fingers over his lips. "Hush." He chuckled behind them as I gratefully looked around to see no one heard. "Ugh. This is going to be so hard for me."

"Want me to do it?" He offered. "I can go to the headmistress and ask to talk to her."

"She will want to hear it from both of us...individually."

"Maybe I can go first and see if she'll question you with your parents outside of the room so they won't kill me."

"It's a legal matter now. My parents have to be there."

"Shit, does that mean my mom has to hear too?"

I nodded, reluctantly. "You can back out. I won't be mad."

"No, it's okay. I got you."

Scene 5: Visconti

Ethan Carey

"Sarah Bailey?" I said as she passed me by.

She tried to find familiarity in me. "Trevor's friend?"

"Yes, nice to see you," I put my hand out, "I'm offended."

"I remember faces. You have to earn your name."

"And I haven't?"

"Trevor didn't have you over as much."

"Because I was his only competition."

She simpered. "What happened?"

"We want different things," I replied, my eyes roaming over the woman that she is.

A smirk met me when my gaze returned to her face. "I don't remember you being this cute."

"I remember you. We all had crushes on you and Trevor hated it."

"Is that so?"

"We would tease him about becoming his future brother-in-law."

"Are you proposing?"

"Are you saying yes?"

"I'm not that easy."

"I've heard differently,"

"Oh," she lifted her eyebrows. "We're going there?"

I laughed. "Kidding."

"I can tell you some things about yourself, Ethan Carey."

"So you have heard of me."

"More about your father and his illegal sex club." Sarah crossed her arms.

"Can I let you in on a secret?" I leaned in closer. "It was my illegal sex club."

"Now that makes more sense."

"It got a bit out of hand."

"How so?"

"You're interested?"

"I didn't get to see it."

"How long will you be here?"

"Haven't decided. It isn't a good idea for me to be in one place too long."

"Sounds like you have some stories to tell."

She laughed and nodded. "You have no idea."

"Dinner, then?"

"Trevor will throw a fit."

"Then it's best to do this now while he's occupied. We have a lot to talk about."

Her eyes narrowed, but her lips pulled into a smile that confirmed I reeled her in. "How old are you, again?"

"Don't worry, I'm completely legal."