"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"The Queen"

The late night had rolled into the wee morning hours of the next day. Dennis & Jay were still at it playing their chess game. Devon & George were still watching them both like a hawk ready to pounce if Jay's calm disposition ever took a turn. Nat & Summer were still stuck in Nat's bedroom.

Nat: I'm getting kinda hungry. Are they almost done out there?

Summer had fallen asleep on Nat's bed. Nat was sitting on the floor half awake & half asleep.

Summer: No idea... it's oddly quiet though.
Nat: Take a peek.

Summer got up & tiptoed over to the door. She tried leaning her ear against the door to catch any sound from outside. She heard nothing. She turned to Nat & shrugged her shoulders.

Nat: Open the door...

Summer cracked the door open, but all she could see was an angled view. She couldn't see much except for George who was sitting at the counter watching the living room area. No one was talking.

Summer: Text your boo to bring us coffee & food.
Nat: What?
Summer: He's the only one I can see through the crack in the door.
Nat: Oh fine. What else did you see?
Summer: That's it. It seems that everyone else is in the living room doing God knows what. Again... Text your boo & ask him.

Nat did text George. He was giving them the play by play of what happened last night & what Dennis & Jay were doing that moment. George also agreed to was make Nat & Summer breakfast.

Nat: He's making us breakfast.
Summer: Thank God...

The chess game was down to the wire. Only a few pieces were left on the board. It was Jay's turn, but he was struggling to make a move. He had but a few pieces left, but it was hard to decide where to move. All options he though of would be an immediate loss. Jay could feel the sweat drip from his brow. He looked over at Dennis who remained calm. Dennis wasn't smug at all, but he did look confident.

After thinking for what seemed like forever, Jay moved his king piece. Dennis took his last & final move & went for Jay's queen which was left unguarded.

Jay: How'd you do that?

Devon came closer to inspect the board. It was clear that Dennis had won & that Jay had lost.

Jay: That was a safe spot for the king.
Dennis: It was. But you're forgetting the value of the queen. You see Jay, the king is nothing without his queen.

And with that, Summer exited the room & flew into Dennis's arms. Jay was frozen in defeat. He had no energy to speak & no motivation to move. He looked up at Summer & Dennis & knew that it was over. The game was over & so was his relationship with her.

Jay stood up from his seat. Devon. Stood up & was ready to hold Jay back.

Jay: No, we're good. Good game, Dennis.

Jay was about to walk outside & Dennis held his hand out to shake Jay's hand, but Jay just kept walking. Devon followed Jay outside.

Devon: Hey man, you ok?
Jay: Everything you said in there. It's all true. I did this. I took Summer for granted. I just don't know where to go from here.
Devon: Whatever it's worth. You still got me, bro.
Jay: I know. Thank you.

Devon stayed at the top of the steps while Jay slowly walked down. Summer ran outside of the apartment looking for Jay. She met Devon & Devon pointed to Jay as he was already at the bottom of the steps.

Summer: Jay! Wait!

Jay turned around.

Jay: What are you doing out here, Summer? I get it. Dennis is the one you're supposed to be with. And I screwed up. Big time.

Jay broke down in tears from the long night, from the defeat & from the realization of his mistakes. He fell to Summer's feet & was holding on to her legs. She patted & rubbed his back as he cried & repeatedly said,"I'm sorry". She looked up at the balcony area of Nat's apartment. Dennis & her friends were watching. Summer removed the engagement ring from her finger & held Jay's hands helping guide him to stand back up. Jay wiped his face & took a deep breathe.

Jay: I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for the broken promises. And I'm sorry for hurting you.
Summer: It's going to take time to forget, but I do forgive you.
Jay: Really? You forgive me?
Summer: I forgive you, but I'm doing this for me. I don't want to hold on to the anger & be held captive as a prisoner of bitterness.

Summer paused as she started to cry as well.

Summer: It's been 7 years, Jay. We've both changed so much over the past 7 years. We're no longer the two people who stood before each other in your dad's library on that rainy night. I know we've helped each other in so many ways, but I think that time has come to an end.

Summer held Jay's hand palm up & placed the engagement ring in his hand.

Summer: I can't take back those 7 years. But I can't promise you this. I will no longer be giving you anymore of my time. Good bye, Jay.

She closed his hand & turned to walk away.