Between You & Me - By Marisa Calin Page 0,18
be said. Then you step up and she whispers something to you. There’s still a faint smile on your lips as you take your place onstage.
MIA
So, fill in the story for yourselves. Think about your objective, and watch how a second person’s objective can act as an obstacle. When you’re ready.
As I go behind the curtain I can hear you setting the stage. Then, after a minute of picturing myself in the homeroom hallway, I walk purposefully into the room and meet your eyes. Sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, you look up at me briefly, not long enough to give the impression you’re happy to see me, and then turn back to your book!
ME
Hi. Sorry to come at you all out of the blue like this, but can we talk?
You glance up at me, and then settle your eyes back on the page in front of you.
YOU
I’d love to but I’ll catch up with you later.
I pause. This is too familiar. Using reality against me! Not fair. I’d walk right back offstage if I could. I grit my teeth.
ME
It’ll only take a minute, I promise …
I slide a chair over to the desk and you push away from it. Surprisingly hurtful. Remembering my purpose, I press on.
ME
Can you listen to me for a second?
YOU
We’ll talk, I promise, but I can’t right now.
ME
Even for a second? Please, just listen.
I see your eyes flare with something all too real.
YOU
You’re asking me to listen?
I can see your retaliation pressing to escape, and then:
You are so caught up in your own little world that you have no idea what’s going on with the rest of us. Suddenly you want to talk to me, and I’m supposed to jump at the chance? Well, sorry, I can’t be ready just because you are. I have my own things to deal with but what would you know!
The words ring painfully true; humiliation fills my chest. The line between this exercise and life is way too blurred. I stare at you. Faltering, I find anger much easier to experience, and hear my defensive words cut through the silence.
ME
Well, then I can’t imagine why you would want to be friends with me in the first place!
My voice cracks, making me sound less resilient than I’d hoped. I swallow, and look at the floor.
Mia’s voice pulls me from the moment. Not far enough.
MIA
Excellent. Very dynamic! Great commitment.
I look at her and for a second see her as puppet master, finding ways to humiliate me. But she has swept on and is cheerfully calling out the next pair. I shake my head free of stupid thoughts as we return to our seats. This is a side of you I’ve never seen before. You’re finding courage onstage to speak your mind. You glance at me once but not again until the end of class.
EMPTY THEATER. AFTER CLASS.
Everyone else has left. Without exchanging a word we have both stayed behind, a silent agreement that only years of friendship can achieve. As the door swings shut behind the last person, we’re quiet for a minute.
YOU
What’s going on, Phy?
I realize now that there isn’t much I can say without sounding stupid. I’m looking at my shoes so I don’t see you getting something from your bag.
YOU
Here, I’ve been meaning to give you this. I’ve been carrying it around since we were at the bookstore on the first day of school.
With a sinking heart, I see the filmmaking book I noticed you buy.
You seemed to like the class, so I thought you might like this. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give it to you …
You set it down on the seat in front of me, shoulder your bag, and start walking up the aisle toward the door. Anger would be easier to take from you than this. I pick up the book and run after you.
ME
Wait. I do like it. I love it. I know I don’t deserve it, but it’s perfect. Thank you.
There are still the lines of a frown etched in your forehead. I haven’t said the right thing yet.
ME
You’re right. I’ve been really caught up in everything. I’m sorry.
We lock eyes. When you shift your gaze, I move to be in your eye line again. After a moment, I see the beginning of a smile in your eyes that hasn’t even started toward your mouth but I know you.
ME
We’ll be okay, right?
You turn to me as we head out of the theater. A familiar feeling