𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍 / alex standall ✓

𝟎𝟕. ⁀➷ HOT OR NOT

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍
07 / HOT OR NOT
↳ season one, episode three: tape 2, side a
act one / the tapes

"You've heard of the butterfly effect, right? That if a butterfly flaps its wings at just the right time, it can cause a hurricane thousands of miles away. It's chaos theory. But see, chaos theory isn't exactly about chaos. It's about how a tiny change in a big system can affect everything.

Chaos theory. Sounds dramatic, but it's not. Ask a mathematician. Or better yet, ask someone who's been in a hurricane.

Alex Standall. You caused the hurricane. It's your turn. Little did I know you would F my L forever. Little did I know you would be my hurricane."

Nessa walked through the courtyard with Zach, taking a spot toward the front of the stairs to watch her boyfriend play in the jazz band this morning. Why they were playing, she had no idea, but it was her duty to support him whenever and wherever. So, there she stood, watching him pull his instrument out of the case and warm up.

She had listened to his tape last night, but she hadn't told him yet. It was driving her crazy, not being able to talk to anyone about it. She gazed at her boyfriend, who was clearly having a spirited conversation with Troy, the leader of the jazz band. She watched as Alex argued a little with him, and then as he took his guitar off and slammed it down, walking away.

"Shit." she muttered as she followed Alex through the courtyard. She sped up her pace, extending her short legs as she eventually reached Alex, who was standing with his back toward the courtyard, his head in his hands.

"What just happened?" Nessa asked as she stepped in front of Alex, forcing him to face her.

"Troy's a dick, that's what happened." Alex replied vaguely.

"Maybe you think I'm being silly. I'm some stupid girl who gets all worked up over a little thing. But, little things matter. For instance, you never told me when you started dating Jessica, but I remember just how it ended. With your list."

Alex continued pacing around, his anxiety still spiked, even in the presence of his girlfriend. Nessa tried to calm him down, placing a hand on his shoulder or wrapping her arms around him, but nothing was working. He was clearly worked up.

"Is 'Gloomy Sunday' really a song?" Clay Jensen asked Alex as he walked up to the couple.

"Yeah." he said. "Google 'Hungarian Suicide Song'."

"I'll take your word for it." Clay said as he sat down, and Alex and Nessa took a seat as well. Clay shuffled with his bag, pulling something out of it that Nessa couldn't quite see.

"Alex, can we talk about this?" he motioned to whatever was in his hand, and Nessa slowly turned away. Whatever it was, it was between them, and Nessa didn't want to push Alex right now.

"No." Alex replied, nodding toward Nessa who was sitting next to him.

"Hey, Alex!" a girl in the jazz band called out. "Take the A-train – with your solo."