We Didn't Know How Good it Used to Be

Scene 1: Addington High Back Hallway

Heather Blakely

There is intention behind most things.

"Heather."

I assumed that if I stayed here after the first bell...I might run into you.

And.

I sifted through my uncertainty and found that I am almost certain I won't be able to handle this.

"Yes?" I answered.

"I've been looking for you."

"Have you? Why?"

"Just wanted to say good morning to you, butterfly," he simpered.

Then again, what could be so hard about this?

"Good morning," I smiled back, too consumed by the entirety of him,

"How was that thing with your mom?"

"It was fun, actually. I stayed with Trevor the whole time."

"Mm," he grumbled, his eyes falling to my legs and his fingers going with them.

I stopped his hand from pulling up the hem. "I think trying to lift my skirt goes against your rules."

"You're probably right," Leo smirked.

I smiled in return for his...until I thought about how this is only a reminder that I am restricted even when you don't have a girlfriend. God, I can't believe you had a girlfriend...

"I should get to class."

"Okay," he stepped back. "Are you mad at me?"

"No. Did you want to say anything else?"

"No."

I pressed my lips together to hide the disappointment before waving goodbye. "See you."

"Yeah."

Don't turn around. Don't turn around. Don't...

Leo hadn't moved an inch when I turned. He knew I'd look back, and it made him chuckle when I proved him right.

Yes, you have me. Again.

He walked over and hooked his hand behind my neck granting me my sin. I am so easy.

He smiled while kissing me and pressed me harder against the lockers. His hands stayed above the waist, creeping up my body but staying below my bra. I can't let him know how much I'm enjoying this. Leo is so collected and I am fighting the urge to bite his lip.

"I like this," he mumbled, hardly pulling away. "I'm glad we're doing this."

"Are you?" I said lowly, feeling windswept.

"Whenever I'm tempted to kiss you—I can just do it now."

"You were tempted before?"

He nodded and his lips ghosted over my neck. "Weren't you?"

I nodded, eagerly. "Tell me when."

"For one, that entire day we spent hanging out after school because of that food drive thing or whatever."

I pretend I have to think about what he was referring to. "Interesting."

"I felt so guilty. But I wanted you bad."

A smirk came across my face. "Continue."

"You do that on purpose, don't you?"

"Do what?"

"Make me want you."

I smiled and kissed him harder.

The bell rang and I looked off in worry. "We have to go."

"I'll walk you to class."

"Sounds like a boyfriend privilege "

"Shut up."

"Should I keep my distance?"

"Everyone knows we're on speaking terms by now."

"Oh, right, you're that guy I talk to."

"Yeah, you're that girl I know."

"The one who taunts you until you want her, right?"

"It doesn't take much," he admitted. "You know Third Eye Blind?"

"I've heard of them."

"That album really helped me through us breaking up. And it came full circle seeing you again when things got better. I kept hearing this one song every time I looked at you."

"What is it called?"

"Listen to it and guess."

"You won't just tell me?"

"Mm-mm," he smiled, smugly.

"Fine, I think more along the lines of Sixpence None the Richer anyway when it comes to you."

"Oh, yeah? Which song?"

"Guess," I teased.

I am pinned to the lockers again, and he is pinned to me—lips locking in secrecy, and discreetly speaking with tongue.

You like me.

"This is fucking great," he said, muffling his words with my mouth.

"Stop talking," I whispered, trading a smile for more kisses.

He chuckled and lifted me up. My legs wrapped around his waist, and his touch traveled lower than his rules permit, but it always has. I questioned whether or not we could ever pick up from where we left off...it didn't seem realistic, but damn this feels like you never left the room that day.

I know you tried to move on, but I hope it made you feel as lonely as I did.

My fingers gently play in his hair, and Leo takes a breath to giggle. I could never forget how much you always loved when I did this—the amount of moments we've had with you just laying on me while I scratched your scalp and combed through all of this blond.

He puts me down and lays his head on my shoulder. Oh, it's such a bad idea to get this close to you...

My arms lock him in, and his body relaxes against me. He gives me a soft kiss on my neck and nuzzles even further, pulling me onto him so he could hold me too.

Think of what we'll do to each other now.

Laughter echoed through a nearby hallway, and Leo quickly broke away from me.

"We should...get going, you know?"

I nodded and let him lead the way—hiding the fact that I think it's cute he even knows what class I have.

We walked side by side with a platonic space between us. I stole glances at him, and he gave me smiles whenever he noticed.

"Hey, Leo?"

"Yeah?"

I clasp my hands behind my back, nervously. "Are you busy later?"

He sucked air between his teeth. "I am. I've got work until 8."

"Never mind, then."

Leo nodded and we kept walking. More silence and fewer glances...no smiles. It would have felt like I was walking alone if I could ever ignore when he is near me.

We make it to the door of my class, and I have no idea what to do next. Your rules, so your move. I turn to him and he shrugs.

"You can swing by, I don't care."

Well.

"Me neither, goodbye."

Scene 2: 74th Street

Ethan Carey

"Thank you for coming home right away," my mother meets me at the door like a grim reaper waiting to lead me to death.

"You said that it was important," I answered. "Is he okay?"

"Yes, this isn't about your father."

I sighed in relief. "What is it then?"

"Follow me."

"As probably stated by H.H. Holmes before every woman in England went missing."

Though, I'm sure the discovery of torture rooms was better than finding my father and biological mother sitting at the dining table together.

"Anna?"

"It's good to see you again, Ethan. How are you?" She smiled, widely.

"Confused," I responded as she hugged me. "Ambushed."

"We and Anna have been speaking about what you may benefit from the most," my mother said.

My eyes roll painfully hard. "I am dying to hear this."

"We wondered if it would be a good idea to have Anna move closer to us so that you could possibly stay with her for a while since you're having such a difficult time here."

"You want to buy her a house just so you can get rid of me?"

"This would still be your permanent residence, and we will still be your parents, but-"

"But. That negates everything you say before it."

"But, a change in environment may ease the hostility we have been feeling as of late."

"You are causing the hostility. You didn't even let me see him in the hospital. You have been punishing me for the club ever since the police showed up. If I knew it would be this antagonizing, I'd have turned myself in."

"Hey, sweetie, nothing's happened yet. I didn't want to agree to anything until you said it was okay," Anna spoke as if it would calm me.

"Don't call me sweetie, alright? I don't need to be patronized."

"Adjust your tone," my father intervened like it would suddenly make him the man of the house.

"This was too soon. I understand why he's acting like this. I never-"

"You were jumping for joy on the inside the second I told you I found her, weren't you? The first child is defective, if we give him back, perhaps we can get a new one that is finally perfect, yes?"

"Ethan, that is ridiculous. We thought you would be happy about this."

"I'm sure you're thrilled, aren't you, Anna?" I asked her. "I was stupid enough to get a little too curious and now you've hit the jackpot."

"Yes. I'm thrilled. I hit the jackpot as soon as you came knocking on my door after 18 years," she admitted. "So, the last thing I want you to think is that I'm after money."

"Go ahead. Move her into Manhattan, buy them a new house, the other one is a shithole."

Scene 3: Sant Ambroeus

Audrey Michaels

Maisilyn sat at the table in silence.

"Is it done?"

"Hello to you too," she replied.

"Come on," I huffed, impatiently.

"Tell me why you couldn't do this yourself?"

"I could, but why would I when I can get someone else to do it for me?"

Maisilyn sighed and slid a paper in front of me. "How's this?"

Easy Alison the airhead heiress.

Alison only learns things the hard way. Exposing her as the mastermind behind the anti-man-whore advertisements is a must, giving her a taste of her own medicine is simply punishment. She can and will deny it, but I wonder what her rebuttal will be when the headmistress asks why she is the only girl insulted and plastered across the walls of the school.

"Great, but forget the yearbook picture. I've got something better." I hand her a picture face down.

Taken by Ethan, given to Jace, confiscated by Heather, and irresponsibly left on the floor of the restroom while Alison was having a panic attack.

"This is illegal," she gasped after taking a quick, horrified glance at it. "And cruel, even by your means."

"Then copy it from collarbone up, I only need her to recognize the picture."

"Why do you have this?" Maisilyn asked with judgment.

"Get real. It's not what you think. It's leverage, I figured it would come in handy considering the path she was obviously going down."

"The time has come, I guess," she replied as if we are the villains in this story and she's beginning to feel guilty for it. "What a shame, I enjoyed the dismantling of the school's patriarchy."

"I did too, but she has gone too far. There has to be accountability," I argued. "And, anyway, she threatened to tell Natalia about...you."

"Natalia knows me."

"You know exactly what I am referring to."

"What gives you the impression that she won't break the news after seeing this?"

"Because like I said, she'll recognize the picture." And with a headline like 'revenge of the bimbo,' she'll know I'm the one who has it. "Any more questions?"

"When this is over, what then?"

"We will arrange a time for-"

"Me to collect on your indecent proposal?" Maisilyn smirked.

"It was yours."

"Uh-uh, you made the phone call."

"Whatever. Talk to me when it's finished." I get up from the table.

"Talk to me when you have manners."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "My apologies, it's been said that I never have enough respect for the help."

Scene 4: Jordan's House

Leo Rylin

"Smoke?" Matt suggested.

"Weed?" I asked for clarification.

"Yeah."

The lower inhibitions thing is very true. I'm way more compelled to do what I want despite how it'll affect me when I'm sober. That's why I skipped that slumber party with Elle and Co. And that's why I'll definitely end up calling Heather if I keep abusing substances.

"Where were you this morning?" Danny asked me.

"Shit, I don't know. Outside, I think."

"Behind the school?"

"Mm," I nodded.  "Needed a cigarette."

"Finally bought a new pack or still think bumming off of people is gonna get you to quit?"

"It will."

"Your lungs are fucked from weed too," Jordan spoke.

"Yeah, but I don't do this every day. It's not a habit like Marlboros."

"Or Newports."

"Pills," Danny threw his hat into the ring.

"Girls," Matt added.

"Girls," I agreed. Though his vice is pot for sure.

"I'm heading out. Tired as fuck."

I am too, but if I stop having fun after work because of exhaustion, capitalism wins.

"See you tomorrow," I said through a fog of marijuana.

"Need a ride?"

"Uh...no." If I head there with you then I can't sneak off to see her.

Danny kneels down to speak to me privately. "You weren't behind the school this morning. I was."

"Must've missed me." I shrugged, avoiding eye contact.

"Must have." He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Catch you later."

I'd tell him what I'm doing...just to at least get it off my chest, but he's friends with her now and it feels weird knowing that we could both be talking to him about each other. I'll tell him eventually...when I know it won't fuck everything up.

"I'm gonna get a beer," I told the rest of the guys and handed my joint to Matt so he'd have two. His tolerance is insane.

Mine got higher over the summer. Elle and I were at every function—I should've realized we weren't working out when we were hardly ever alone together.

"It's all warm," Ned complained as he loaded beer into the fridge. "Everyone just fucking leaves them out."

"Fuck it." I shrugged, taking one anyway.

"There will be cold beer at your party. I'll make sure of it."

"I'm not having a party," I groaned.

"Fuck you, yes you are," he scoffed. "You're going to get a cake that says 'Happy birthday, you ungrateful fuck," Ned explained as he walked off with his middle finger up.

I don't want to make a big deal about my birthday because it feels douchey to do that. Other people can care about theirs but it doesn't seem right if I go out of my way to bring attention to my birthday. It's just me.

"Hey," I said curiously to a girl passing by.

"Hey." She stopped, bottle in hand. "Shot?"

"Thanks," I accepted, letting her fill the disposable cups. "You're Heather's friend, aren't you?"

"Heather who?"

"Blakely."

She looks at me suspiciously. "I know her, yes. I'm Sheena, and you are?"

"Leo."

Sheena gasps in realization. "Halloween."

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

"I went to Chester last year."

"So you're a scholarship kid too?"

"No, my mother is in politics and Mayor Michaels is a thieving, lying prick who stole all of our money. It took a while but we are doing just fine now. I started at Addington this year."

"Where were you before?"

"Sarafine Francis. Have you heard of it?"

"Think so."

"After word got out about my family being broke, they kind of made me a social pariah."

I shook my head and sighed. "Centrals."

"You party with them—us?" She looked to me for clarification. "I'm unlabeled."

"I party with Heather."

"Is she here?"

"No. I came alone. I know everyone."

I took notice of the way the space between us got smaller. "You don't know me."

"Yeah, well you're new."

"New to you."

"That's the problem."

"Fix it."

I chuckled and opened up a warm beer. "You're forward."

"Scared?"

"A little."

"Why?" She teased. "Oh, I remember. Spoken for, right?"

"Uh..." I shook my head and took a swig of my beer. "No."

"You had to think about it?"

"No...no, it's just," I shook my head again.

"Complicated?"

"Not really."

"Forget it," she sighed.

I smirked. "Turn off?"

"Kinda."

"That's a first."

"Excuse me?" Sheena argued.

"Girls love complicated and unavailable and fucking numb dudes who act like they don't give a shit until their girl is about to dump them."

"You suck," she said with shocked laughter.

"I didn't say I was like that. I'm just-"

"Unavailable?"

"Complicated. But, I can't be numb, I tried."

She rolled her eyes. "You suck."

"How come?"

"What, you were cheated on once so now you like to make girls cry and pretend you're oh so damaged and misunderstood?"

"No, so fuck off."

"No excuse? Sad is just your personality?"

"I'm not sad. I-" I huffed," alright, I had this girl that I was really into. Like heavy shit. I wanted to marry her, have a couple kids, buy a house, the whole mile."

"And?"

"She broke up with me and now I know all the words to Far Behind by Candlebox." Sheena laughed. "I got with someone else right after and I'll never get off of her shitlist, so that tells you how good of an idea that was."

"That's not too complicated."

"Yeah, only now I'm more or less hooking up with the first girl again, but no strings."

"Hooking up with someone you were really into...with no strings?"

"Kissing someone I was really into. No strings."

"Why?"

I shrugged. "I like kissing her."

"Just so you know, I was interested in getting to second base with you before you started talking."

"Sorry."

"Me too," Sheena said. "The first girl is Heather, isn't she?"

I nodded, guiltily. "Wasn't sure if you knew."

"I may have heard something. You two were quite the scandal, apparently."

"Because rich people are fucking weird and make a big deal out of nothing."

"I am well aware."

"Sorry your school turned on you."

"Sorry Heather dropped you," she sneaked. "Even if you are together again,"

"It's not like that. We're just...attracted to each other. We don't have to fall in love to enjoy each other's company."

She rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Exclusively."

"No."

I saw the wave of surprise hit her. "Wow...you're right. Girls love guys like you."