Fourth Floor

Apartment #410

[Sniffles.]

"Yeah, I know, Vanessa."

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

"I know, Vanessa. It's just really hard for me, okay? I'm sorry for calling you up when I know you're busy but you're the only one I have now, so forgive me."

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

"I just can't believe he felt that way! After everything we'd been through, he just looked me straight in the eye and said 'I'm sorry, but, I've just lost interest in you'."

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

"I know! And the thing is, I can't even be angry with him because he was so nice about the whole thing and apologized a million times and told me he still cared for me, just not that way anymore, and besides, I had done this exact same thing to Derek last year so maybe karma's just paying me a visit and maybe...maybe...maybe I deserve this pain."

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

"Okay. If you say so."

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

"Fine, I'll say it out loud." [Sigh.] "I most definitely do not deserve this pain." [Small smile.] "Happy now?"

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

"You're a good friend, you know."

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

[Knocks.]

"Hold on, Vanessa. Someone's at the door."

[Voice on the other end of the phone.]

"Yes, I will wipe my face before answering. God, stop being such a Mom."

[Sound of the door opening.]

"Hello?"

"Umm...uh...I..."

"Yes?"

"INoticedYouCryingOnTheStairsThisMorningAndWasWonderingIfEverythingWasAlright."

"What?"

"Umm...don't cry?"

"..."

"Wow, whoa. I'm sorry. I'm such a nosy...I mean...I'd love to get to know...I mean I would umm...umm...argh!"

"...Why don't you step inside?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. Sure. Thanks. Nice place."

"You haven't seen past me yet. Step in, at least, before attempting to flatter me with false praises."

"Uh..."

[A well-hidden chuckle.]

"Vanessa, I'm gonna have to call you back."

[Voice on the other end of the- ]

"So...you live here?"

"Yeah, across the hall. 409."

"Ah. Well, I'm Sheila."

"I know."

"What?"

"Uh, I mean, hi, Sheila. I'm Cody."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nicer to meet you."

"What?"

"What?"

"..."

"..."

"So, Cody. Tell me about yourself. I have a feeling we're going to be spending a lot of time with each other."