Scene 4-5 (if you want the previous three scenes, check out the previous posts)

Scene: Jase sitting in a chair at school doing a word search

Jase
There’s one word, (pause) there’s another.
(Enter Sophie)

Sophie
And here’s one more.

Jase
Hey I didn’t see you there.

Sophie
Well here I am.

Jase
I like when you help me with these. You’re always so good at them.

Sophie
It’s because I read so many books. You should try to read more. It might help.
(Walks across the room towards desk.)

Jase
I have tried. I can’t focus long enough. Where are you going?

Sophie
I’m just setting some things down on the table. Don’t worry I’m right here.

Jase
I was thinking about doing something with my hair.

Sophie
Like what?

Jase
Well maybe go blonde.

Sophie
Huh?

Jase
Well you like Alexander Skarsgard and his hair is blond. I thought maybe I should dye my hair blond…or grow it long. Do you think I would look better?

Sophie
No! Please don’t do that. I think you look fine as you are. Much better with brown hair.

Jase
Yeah I thought so too. Hey, look what I have.

Sophie
Oooh what’s this?

Jase
Well go ahead, look through it.
(Sophie pages through book.)

Sophie
Is this what I think it is?
(Jase takes book back.)

Jase
Yup. My parents got me a brand new mixer for my birthday.

Sophie
That’s awesome!

Jase
They didn’t quite get the reaction they were expecting though.

Sophie
Why is that?

Jase
I opened it and all I could think of was how much I wanted to show you what I got, and how excited you would be. Actually that might have been the first thing I said. I can’t wait until Sophie sees this. Not thank you, but Sophie needs to see this.

Sophie
I feel special.

Jase
Sophie, how old are you?

Sophie
What made you bring that up?

Jase
Oh it just crossed my mind talking about birthdays and presents. You don’t want to say?

Sophie
Not really.

Jase
I mean I know you are younger, but by how much?

Sophie
I’m three years younger than you.
(Clearly embarrassed)

Jase
That’s it.

Sophie
You thought more?

Jase
No, I wasn’t really sure. So you are the same age as Tucker?

Sophie
Yes.

Jase
So that’s why you liked him.
(An aha! moment.)
You thought you should like someone your own age. You don’t have to do that.

Sophie
I know.

Jase
Everyone says you still like Tucker.

Sophie
Are you kidding me? You know it’s not true, right?

Jase
Are you sure. Is it really not true?

Sophie
You know better. Why would I lie to you?
(Jase lays his head on Sophie’s arm and she pulls away.)
Jase no! Didn’t we talk about this already?

Jase
I broke up with Tessa.
(Rests his head back on her.)

Sophie
Although this is nice. I have to get going to band practice. I’m so glad the teacher actually lets me leave. It’s pretty understanding of her.

Jase
Hey how is the whole band thing going? You never tell me anything about it.

Sophie
It’s going pretty good. Apparently the band is going to play at school liturgies. We’ll start at middle school liturgies, and if we are good enough we’ll eventually play at our liturgies
Jase
Who is even in this band?

Sophie
Well it’s me, Tucker, and…

Jase
What? Tucker is in the band. Isn’t that convenient.

Sophie
But I don’t like him! Didn’t we just go over this a few seconds ago?

Jase
Oh no you just leave class frequently to spend time with him.

Sophie
It’s band practice. He’s not the only person in the band.

Jase
But he is in the band. You leave to be with Tucker. You leave me to be with him.

Sophie
Don’t even say that! You know that’s not true!

Jase
I just, I can’t stand to be in the same room as you. I can’t look at you.
(Exits)

Sophie
Fantastic!

(Sings – “Scattering Weaknesses”)

Your weaknesses crumble me.
I’m breaking apart.
Pieces of me are scattering on the floor.
Having to stay strong is too much.
I can’t care if you can’t trust.
There’s no more to give, and nothing is ever enough

Love to you is placing blame.
Making others the reason for your unending pain.
I’m already drawn into this mess.
I have no defenses.

If I could just get through.
Tear down the walls you have conveniently built.
I can’t create what is not there.
I won’t take the fall.
I can’t care if you can’t trust.
There’s no more to give and nothing is ever enough.

(Jase enters as the song ends.)
Are you going to be ok? I don’t like seeing you so upset.

Jase
I just needed something to drink. The juice machines were on, so that made me happy.
(Sophie still looks quite freaked out by what just occurred.)

Sophie
Well I guess it will be a while before I see you again after this week. Summer break never seems much like a break. There’s always something going on.

Jase
Aren’t you going to be in the workout program again this summer? The one with the football team?

Sophie
And…

Jase
And the one cheerleader.
(Laughs)

Sophie
Yes, I am.

Jase
Tucker and I will both be there.

Sophie
Oh, great. (Sarcastic)

Scene: Sophie and Tucker waiting during summer

Tucker
I’m going to bench press now. Can you spot me?

Sophie
I don’t think I’m strong enough. If you were to drop anything, I don’t think I could catch it.

Tucker
Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.
(Starts to bench press and then Jase enters.)

Jase
Shit!
(Tucker sits up and looks at Jase.)

Tucker
That is no way to speak in Sophie’s presence.

Jase
Seriously, shut up. We have bigger problems. The car won’t start.

Sophie
What do you think is wrong?

Jase
Not sure, I mean we just had stuff fixed on it last week. Nothing should be wrong already.

Sophie
It’s ok we can wait.

Jase
That’s not the thing though. I have a dentist’s appointment in…
(Looks at watch)
five minutes. Great!

Sophie
Don’t worry we’ll get things figured out.

Jase
Yeah I sure hope so. In the mean time I need to change. I can’t be wearing this
sweaty shirt there. I feel they probably wouldn’t appreciate it.
(Takes off shirt to switch to other shirt. Tucker takes off shirt as well.)
What the hell are you doing? (To Tucker.)

Tucker
It’s hot out, I wanted to take off my shirt.

Jase
Right, show off. I needed to change, you didn’t. Put a shirt on!

Tucker
No! You can’t make me.

Jase
Oh great now we’re dealing with a three year old. I’m going to go see what I can do with the car.
(Exits)

Tucker
So… do you want to play some basketball? I mean that is if you are up for the
challenge.

Sophie
Are you kidding me I could totally take you!
(Sophie starts dribbling basketball. Tucker is playing defense. Tucker eventually falls backward)
I’m so sorry! Are you ok?

Tucker
I think I’ll be fine.
(Sophie goes to help Tucker off of the ground. Jase enters. Sophie and Tucker have a “moment” and do not let go of each other’s hand until Sophie notices Jase and drops Tucker’s hand.)

Sophie
He fell I was just helping him.

Jase
The car is fixed.