Lights! Camera - ; Tyrus

Scene 2

TJ

"Good hustle today boys! The Eagles don't stand a chance against you guys!" I high five the boys on their way out, sometimes reaching up higher to tease them.

"We're gonna crush them!" Peter exclaims happily and others nod. They start heading out of the school's basketball court, pushing and shoving, talking about their victory. It's funny to think that I used to do exactly that, before life hit me that is.

"You.. did great today, Alex-x." I watch as one of the smaller boys, Henry, compliments his team mate Alex, from the basketball cage slyly. Alex is still sitting on the gyms benches and hides his face in his towel. Clearly embarrassed.

I smile knowingly as the boys talk softly. These moments, these moments I live for.

I didn't really know that my life career was going to be coaching fourteen year old boys basketball team. Or that isn't really my job, its more or so a side gig while I try to find my next show or movie to act in.

Come to think of it, I really didn't know I would be acting either. But what can I say? It makes me feel alive.

"Hey so do you want to come over to my place? If-If that's okay with you? You can say no, you're popular and stuff and probably have plans or something. It was just an offer. If you want." Henry stutters his way through. Alex lets out a half nervous half joyful laugh, which Henry mistakes as mocking before Al takes him by the shoulder and says, "I would... love to, really love to." With his face bright red.

"Great! And uh may-maybe we could even grab after school muffins?" Henry tries to play off the fact that Alex's hand is on his shoulder.

Alex drops it, but suddenly grabs his hand. "I would love that too, Muffin."

I'm hit with deja vu as they leave the building. I hesitate on the cages lock and it shines at me expectantly, waiting to do its purpose. But I keep thinking about when I called someone Muffin...

I huff, lock the cage and walk out of the gym.

🎬

I twist my keys into the door and jiggle it. This door, I'm pretty sure, it at least fifty years old. So it's behavior is not surprisingly annoying. After a sudden push it falls open (not off its hinges thankfully) and I walk into the dark apartment.

Me and Amber bought this when we first moved out here a few years back. After that long in New York I would expect this old room to grow on me, feel like home. So far, it hasn't.

But its cheap and maintainable with our side jobs (Amber is looking for dancing gigs around Broadway, but teaching it for now to seven year olds). So it's home enough for me.

Suddenly the light flicks on and Amber appears from the darkness, wearing a party hat on her head and a kazoo in her mouth. I jump back instinctively, tripping and falling backwards into the couch.

"Amber!" I exclaim, then realize what I look like right now and start laughing.

Amber comes around laughing as well, her hair is shorter then what it was in high school, and ombreyed pink at the ends, the party hat is doing no favors there. "Well its not my fault you get jump scared easily!" Though it comes out in more of a mumble due to her kazoo.

I reach out and pull it out from her mouth. "Yes it is. You know my weaknesses to well."

Amber smiles and walks over to the kitchen (or more of a small space with a fridge, oven and sink) I roll onto the floor and start to stand up as she calls out, "No it's not! Not my fault you have weaknesses and not this perfect little TJ Kippen everyone thinks you are."

"Hey! not everyone thinks I'm perfect." I come up behind her and watch as she tries to pull out a chocolate cake.

"Uh huh, is that what you tell yourself to calm your ego?" As I'm about to reply she puts a finger to my lips, "shhhh, no more arguments, let me sing you happy birthday."

As she does I stand there awkwardly (although how else are you going to stand when people sing you happy birthday) (someone please tell me) and think about what this used to be back at home. That suddenly turns into a hole of memories, all coming back to me as I fall down it.

High school it was just down to a few from the old middle school crew, it was mostly Buffy, Marty and I. And when they weren't making out we were playing basketball together or some other stupid challenge. Me and Marty barely won those.

I really don't like to think about what happened in middle school. That it could be my fault I was sitting by myself under the bleachers at lunch with no friends (at that point Reed had been expelled and the other guys barely talked to me. They had girlfriends too). I don't like to think that it was my fault,

But lets face it. Its always my fault. Classic TJ.

And I really don't like to think about Cyrus Goodman. Although at this point its kind of inevitable. 

After our... fight, we never spoke to each other again. You get those couples who come around after a few months of space, or at least the ones that still talk to each other, even if its in aggression. But Cyrus and I... I haven't seen him for years.

It's not like I didn't date anyone after him. He did help me feel secure in my sexuality, and I didn't "turn gay" after we flirted or kissed, I always was, just didn't know about it. Cyrus helped with that.

He always wanted to help. And it was cute or amazing how hard he tried, but sometimes, sometimes...

"I don't know what I want! Okay? You can't just therapist your way out of problems!"

Sometimes I just felt like I was being pitied, or pressured. Him helping, well I saw it as both.

Amber shoves a book sized box in my hands that wakes me from my trance. It's terribly wrapped, but I smile at the gesture. "Aw Amber! You didn't have to get me anything!" I say as I go to hug her. She pushes me off but I'm stronger.

"Yeah, yeah, just open it Thel." She huffs and pulls away from my bear hug.

Inside there is actually a book, an biography of basketball players stories, along with some pens (I always lose those) and a ring which I know much have cost more than triple these things combined.

I'm actually getting teary eyed. In front of my sister, on my birthday.

"Thank you, for real Ambs, I really appreciate it." I say softly and she smiles.

"Actually one more thing!" And she disappears to get my laptop. When she returns I've taken a piece of chocolate cake with my hand and scooped it into my mouth.

"Well thats gross. Anyway, look! I've found you your next acting gig!" She hands the laptop over to me, before putting on the counter when seeing my cake stained hands.

Its a website with an ad promo. The title reads "The big Idea", I scroll to the bottom to see the synopsis. It sounds.. yeah it sounds amazing. Nothing could stop me from wanting to march in there and get the role. Even if its been a year since I've acted in anything, even if there might be people better than me. I have to try.

I scroll back up to the top to see the crew cast and my fingers stop. Out loud I whisper, "written and directed by Cyrus Goodman."

Nothing would make me hesitate, except that.

A/N finally after like a week I got another chapter out to you guys! So sorry about that, I've been busy these holidays. Anyway, have a merry Christmas Sunflowers, or Happy Hanukkah or any celebration you have!