WE'RE NOT KIDS ANYMORE: A REALLY SHITTY LOVE STORY BY JORDAN RIETTO

WE'RE NOT KIDS ANYMORE: A REALLY SHITTY LOVE STORY (ACT 2 SCENE 2)

ACT 2 SCENE 2

*Shanti floats about her day with tunnel vision. Her classes, teachers and friends all blur together as time passes. She does not speak unless spoken to. All she can think about is her mother and fantasizes about running away from home. The school day ends at 2:50 PM and Shanti, among a sea of other students, flood to their lockers and head outside. As Shanti flows through the halls past her peers, she begins to put her headphones in, but is stopped by a clear series of chord notes that have been struck on a grand piano. The sound isn't loud, but it cuts through the background noise of the bustling students like a hot knife. To the right of Shanti is another hall, with fewer students walking in and out of it. Another chord is struck, this time loud enough to confirm that it is coming from the other hall. Shanti shifts her walk to the right and trails two girls as they walk towards the classroom where the sounds are coming from. They walk in, but Shanti stops outside of the door as she spots a dark skinned boy with sharp features and a nose piercing on a large, black piano cursing to himself.*

Joshua (under his breath)

Fuck.

*The two girls lean across either sides of the piano and ask Joshua questions to which he gives one word answers, his focus sharpened upon the keys as he strikes another chord with one note sounding out of place.*

Joshua (louder)

SHIT.

Girl #1

Baby, don't stress yourself too much. Take a break and come with us to the pool, it just opened.

Girl #2 (whining)

Nooooo, wait! Sing us that song you played the other day.

Girl #1 (agreeing enthusiastically)

Oh my god, yes! Wait, I'm gonna record it.

*Shanti looks at her watch.*

Shanti (in her head)

It's only 3:05, I have some time.

*Joshua sighs, grumbles to himself, then shifts his hands into position to play something. He looks up at Girl #1.*

Joshua

You ready?

*Girl #1 shakes her head. Shanti, still peeking from the side of the door, breathes anxiously with anticipation.*

Joshua

'Ight.

*Joshua strikes a soft series of low chords that run through Shanti's body like a chill.*

Joshua (singing)

"Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand

But I still need love 'cause I'm just a man..."

*Joshua continues to play and sing to Sam Smith's "Stay With Me". Shanti's eyes widen as his voice rises out of the class and echoes through the hallway.*

Shanti (in her head)

His voice is so...warm.

*The two girls silently shriek to themselves as Joshua continues to sing and rift with his voice. Shanti zones out of the moment until a figure appears beside her entering the doorway, blowing her cover.*

Dorian (first moving past Shanti, then calling to Joshua)

Excuse me. 'Aye Josh, you ready to bounce?

*Shanti shakes as she's brought back to reality. Joshua stops playing and the two girls whine at Dorian for interrupting his singing. After Dorian apologizes, everyone's eyes shift to Shanti as she is now fully exposed at the center of the threshold. She swallows her fear to disrupt an uncomfortable silence.*

Shari (lying)

I'm sorry, I was looking for...uh..

*She stops, reaching for something to say until she glances at Joshua first, then Dorian, then Joshua again.*

Shanti

Oh wow, you guys are twins.

*Girl #2 sucks her teeth, Girl #1 rolls her eyes. Dorian and Joshua glance at each other.*

Dorian

Yeah..but Josh, you ready to-

Joshua

Yeah, let's bounce. You call Flash already?

Dorian

Yeah, he in the parking lot now.

Joshua

Bet.

*Dorian walks past Shanti back out of the door. Joshua rises from his seat and walks past Shanti with the two girls clamoring and giggling as they follow behind him. Joshua stops right after passing through the door and turns back to Shanti.*

Joshua

Um, what's your name again?

*Shanti blushes.*

Shanti

Sha-

Joshua

Shanti. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Shanti (in her head)

Wait, am I blushing?! Now?! I didn't even know I could do that!

Joshua (continuing)

You know you could've come in instead of just camping at the door.

*Shanti smiles nervously.*

Shanti (in her head)

HOLY SHIT HE SAW ME. Fucking SAY SOMETHING.

Joshua (smirking as he walks away)

Well, I'll catch you later then.

*Joshua walks past Shanti into the hallway out of her sight. She looks at her watch.*

Shanti (in her head)

How is it already 3:30?! I missed all of the busses!

*Shanti takes a deep breathe and exhales slowly.*

Shanti (in her head)

He smells like incense....HOW THE HELL AM I GONNA GET HOME?!