As You Were

Scene 1: Addington High

Heather Blakely

"Tell me you're joining the event committee this year," Lisa pleaded.

"And step on Audrey's toes? I could never."

"Ugh," she leaned against the lockers. "I only ask because my film class has been putting together a movie and it would be amazing to have a senior field trip to a local movie theater and see it there."

"You love a camera, don't you?" I say, teasingly. And while we're laughing, I can't help but unfortunately notice the Leo and Elle brigade park themselves across the hall.

Everywhere I look, it's one of them. You'd think we were the only students attending this school.

If I pretend they don't exist, maybe I'll end up with tunnel vision.

"Would you be interested in going? I could start a petition."

"I'd sign it for sure, but you should simply suggest the trip to her. The committee is always looking for new ideas to counter the senior slump."

"Do other people propose ideas? I'm not sure I'd win against competition."

"I think there's a suggestion box that gets emptied into the shredder every month."

"So, I suppose it will be me going in the shredder this time."

"Don't say that." I playfully roll my eyes. "Pitch your idea to Audrey and tell her you'd love her help since she's so great and blah blah blah. Her ego is what will get you a green light."

She sighed. "I'm nervous."

"That's how she'd prefer it, but if-" By mistake, I glanced over, if only for a moment.

My eyes found his eyes on her. I'm used to it now, it isn't anything I haven't seen before.

And I know I've seen that before...

You do like her...

"If what?" Lisa questioned.

"I-" she waits for me to continue, and I try to regain my composure. "I'm sorry...I lost my train of thought."

"Can you put in a good word?" Lisa asked, and it was as if she was whispering because...I can't believe you actually like her. "Heather?"

"Hm?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes." I press my lips into a smile.

"You just disappeared..."

"I don't feel too well today...what were you saying?"

"Could you help me— with swaying Audrey?"

"I would, but I'd be the reason she rejected you...I set a small fire to that bridge recently."

"Why?"

Because I've been doing that a lot lately.

"I'm not sure."

Scene 2: Chester High (Locker Room)

Zach Teeling

The locker room smells like soap. It hardly ever does, I think people just rinse off if they sweat in gym. Plus, the soap smell doesn't stay too long after a shower— there's too much sweat and B.O. to overpower it.

"Oh...Hi..." I can feel my heart beating in my mouth. "I didn't think anyone would be in here."

"Is your class coming in?" Evan asked, standing with a towel wrapped around his waist and water dripping from his hair and all the way down. The locker room smells like you.

"No— I left something in one of the lockers," I responded after a moment of trying to figure out if I was dreaming again.

"Oh."

"You shower here before classes?"

"I felt like it, so what?" He said, defensively.

"Nothing..." Evan turned around and zipped up his book bag, I caught a glimpse of what looked like a toothbrush and deodorant before it closed. He grabbed his duffel from under the bench and opened it to take out clothes. "Do you sleep here or something?"

"No, I don't sleep in the school. Do you think I'm crazy?"

"I was joking...just thought it was weird that your bags are full of all of that stuff. Where do you keep your books?"

"Mind your business, Zach," he snapped.

"...Fine." I went and unlocked my locker to find the world history textbook I needed for last night's homework.

"Can you get out?" Evan asked, his tone softer. "I need to get dressed."

"Yeah."

"I overslept, that's all. That's why I'm here."

"Okay." He's lying. He wouldn't have explained himself if that were true.

"And don't tell anyone."

"I won't."

"Thanks," he nodded, grateful and guilty.

"No problem."

Scene 3: Headmistress Sanderson's Office

Audrey Michaels

I knock on the door. "Headmistress?"

"Come in, Ms. Michaels."

"I haven't received the pre-notes for the upcoming school board meeting."

"Oh, Audrey...another student put in a request before you, and well, she is doing it now."

"What? No one ever asks to be on the board but me."

"I guess it has become more enticing being able to vote on changes in your school," she spoke with a smile as if that would make this okay.

"Do I know her?"

"Possibly, Maisilyn Brody, she is a senior, as well."

"It isn't ringing a bell," I said...with the same lying smile.

"She's on the field hockey team," she adds. "One of the highest scorers, actually. They won a championship last-"

"Thank you, headmistress." I close her door to shut her up.

Why can't these ridiculous athletes stick to the only thing they're good at? Always attempting to venture off to be completely mediocre at something else.

I cut across the school fuming. I didn't even like visiting the gym or the field when I was interested romantically in those who enjoyed running around and playing catch.

The girl's field hockey team is just making their way outside when I see 'Brody' on the back of a Jersey.

"Hi, Maisilyn, is it?" I call out to her.

"Yes." She said and came close enough to chat.

"I hear you requested to take the student position at the school board meeting."

"That's right."

"Way to be proactive," I put my hands together and smile. "But, you see, I always do it. I know what they're looking for, I have the experience."

"Great, so you won't mind if I give it a try...since you know so much already. No need to waste your time."

"Don't you have enough on your plate? With your stick and your sweat."

"I can handle it." She started to back away. "I hope you find something else, Audrey."

"Have we met?"

"Don't you make a point of getting people to know who you are? Audrey Michaels, popular, pretty, gets whatever she wants."

I nodded. "Then you know it will be me at that meeting."

"I don't think so...but I'm sure you'll still get prom queen...but only because I don't want it."

Scene 4: Addington High

Danny Cole

"What's wrong with her?" Leo said, staring at Heather.

"Who cares?"

"She's looked upset all day, I haven't seen her smile once."

"Why are you keeping tabs?"

"I'm not. We go to the same school. We've got a class together. I see her."

Bullshit excuse. "She's having a rough day, so what? Shit happens."

"Yeah." He backed down— for a split second."You don't think it could be about the detention thing?"

I sighed and finally faced him instead of avoiding the conversation. "The detention you said she got to leave from?"

"Well, she could be mad she had to go in the first place. And Elle kinda started it...Jordan was right, you know? Elle would fight her."

"Want me to go ask so you can shut up?" I said in annoyance.

He glanced over at her like the answer was over there. "Okay but don't tell her I told you to."

"Alright." I nodded.

"Don't."

"I'm not."

"Just make sure this isn't because of yesterday. I don't want trouble."

"I got it," I waved him off and started walking over to her before I could get any more notes. She didn't even notice I was standing there.

"You okay?" I asked and her attention came with a confused look on her face.

"Fine."

"What's your problem?"

"I don't have one," she said, offended.

I stare closely at her eyes. "You been crying?"

"No."

"Are you high?"

"Cloud 9, in fact."

"He's just going to come ask you himself if I don't give him an answer so— unless you want to talk to him."

"Leo sent you?" Heather asked, just about as annoyed as I am.

"Did you forget who he is?" Fucking diplomat, I told her.

"Tell him to leave me alone."

"You doing this because you don't like me?"

Heather scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."

"It's stupid holding a grudge because some shit you thought would happen, didn't happen. Leo was fine and you're overdramatic," I argued.

"That was not the point."

"It was, and we needed him with us, so he showed up. One less person and I could've gotten shot in the head instead of the shoulder."

"You were shot? With a gun?" She narrowed her eyes. "And you're trying to convince me that I was being dramatic?"

"It was me, not him," I glared right back at her. "And you dumped him after he spent all that time trying to make you happy."

"As if he deserves a round of applause for planning a date and then leaving it."

"Not just then. Every fucking day he was with you he had to try hard to be 'good enough' for you like you're something special." I crossed my arms. "He doesn't have to try with her and that pisses you off, huh? That his life is easier without you in it."

"Then, just hold your breath, I'll be moving soon enough and you won't have to worry about me being in his life," Heather angrily closed her locker. "And he looks at her the way he used to look at me, so maybe he's just easy."

Scene 5: Lickster Records

Matt Jensen

"Yo," I smiled and waved.

"Hey, Matthew," Elle laughed.

"Do you guys need help around here?"

"You want a job?"

"Yeah, is that cool?"

"I don't see why not." She shrugged. "I'll talk to my boss."

"Thanks." I look at the long necklace draped over her dress. "I like your beads."

She grabs them and smiles. "It's a rosary."

"Witchy."

"I was watching The Craft last night, so," she replied, happy she achieved the look she was going for.

"Can you do the tarot thing?"

"I wish, but I never tried to learn and I don't even have the cards."

"My mom knows how. I can get her to show me and then I'll show you."

"Really? Thanks."

"And my aunt is into all the crystals and stuff and makes necklaces if you want some."

She furrowed her eyebrows and smirked. "Your family sounds awesome."

"Yeah," I agreed. "If my parents had 3 daughters instead of sons, the awesomeness would've kept going."

Elle gave me a playful frown, but the bell rang as someone walked in and I never got to hear what she was going to say. "That's my boss. I'll ask about the job." She left from behind the counter but turned to me before going after him. "If your brothers suck, at least your parents have you."

"Yeah?" I said...to myself since she was already gone. "You think I'm awesome?"