111 – Truth Be Told

It's the last day of classes; doesn't that just sound amazing?

Wally and Nicole are in their final class of the semester (Public Relations 202 with Dr. Moderick). Before their final exam, 'Moddie' asked each student to present individual videos explaining what they learned during their sophomore year in the communication program.

With some 10 minutes left, Dr. Moderick knows there is one student's video remaining to be seen. "And now, last but certainly not least, Mr. West will close the show for us. Come on, Wally."

A confident Wally walks to the front and puts his DVD in the player. Wally tells his teacher and the class, "Prepare to be dazzled and enthralled." They all watch on the big flat-screen TV.

The video shows a close-up of Wally standing on a grass field. He stares deeply into the camera as the scene is done in gray-scale. A female voice narrates:

"Wally, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was; I want to find out what your feelings are and did you learn anything."

-THE END-

The clip was all of 30 seconds. The class laughs and applauds him, some razzing him. Nicole simply shakes her head.

Dr. Moderick puts it bluntly. "The video was supposed to be at least three minutes. By the way, that was the bloody Tiger Woods commercial!"

Wally explains himself as only he can. "Umm…technically, yes. However, I used it as inspiration to show an abstract viewpoint."

"Which is…?"

"Well, I said everything without saying anything. Since being in the communication program, albeit for only one semester, I'm allowed to think outside the box; all of you know I love to do that. I made it this way to have some fun, depict a famous image, and to let the image speak for itself."

Dr. Moderick thinks about the explanation. "Well Mr. West, that indeed was something. I did enjoy your creativity."

"Nice!"

"You still get a C for it, but I enjoyed your creativity."

"Damn!"

Dr. Moderick lets him know, "You still have a good chance to get that 'A' if you do well on the final. Hopefully, you won't try to plagiarize someone's test as you did that commercial." The class laughs as he heads back to his seat. "By the way, who was the girl who did the voiceover for you?"

"Oh, that was my friend Raven."

"Well, tell Raven her lovely voice and her wonderful delivery prevented you from getting a 'D'."

"Yes, sir." Wally sits down, looks at Nicole and shrugs his shoulders. Nicole smiles back, sticks her tongue at him and shakes her head.

Dr. Moderick has some parting words. "Well, my duckies, another school year has come and gone. Before you erased me from your memories for three months, don't forget to study up for the final exam we have next week." The class groans as he says, "I love you too. Now go on; enjoy the outside world and be happy the school year is almost over. You guys will do fine. Till we meet again next week." The class gets up and heads outside to the Quad.

Raven is waiting outside on the Quad for Wally and Nicole. Wally comes up to the side to her, to her surprise, and yells, "Smile! We're out of here in a few weeks."

She jumps up a bit and turns to him. "You dummy. Come here." Raven gives him a playful slap to the head, then they hug each other. "I hate it when you do that to me. So how did it go? Please tell me you passed."

"Well, uhh…"

"Just barely; he got a C. What's up, baby?", says Nicole who's behind them. The girls hug each other.

"Hey, Nikki. Wally, what happened?"

Wally answers, "He didn't quite follow my line of thinking with the Tiger Woods commercial. I would've failed if it wasn't for because of you. He liked your 'delivery and your lovely voice'…but not in that way, of course. At least I hope not in that way. Thanks again, Raven."

Raven is pleasantly surprised. "Really? That's nice to hear. I'm just glad I could help."

Nicole jokes, "See Wally, aren't you glad you didn't have your ex-girl help you like you suggested?" Wally and Raven look at each other and awkwardly laugh.

Tons of things start floating inside Wally's head. Should he tell Nicole the truth? Finally, he comes to a decision. "Nicole, I think I need to tell you something."

"You do?"

"You DO?" Raven also wonders what he's gonna say. She's actually more worried about WHAT he's about to say.

Wally says, "Yeah, you wanna know about my…?"

Raven interjects. "…About your shoe collection? Yes, we know you love Air Jordans."

Wally replies, "Don't worry; I got this, Raven."

"Got what?", Nicole wonders.

Wally finally musters the strength to let the truth go. "Okay. Nicole, you know the ex-girlfriend that I've always mentioned and joked about? Well…that person…was Raven."

Nicole looks back-and-forth at Wally & Raven with a look of curiosity and shock. Then she just breaks out laughing. "That was great! You almost had me there, dude. I needed that laugh."

Raven tells her, "Umm…Nicole, he's actually telling the truth. We went out in high school. I'm the girl." Then it all finally soaks in.

Nicole's tone gradually changes. "Oh. Wow, the two of you? Hold on, so why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

Wally answers, "I don't know. I guess I didn't want to make things awkward."

Raven adds, "We wanted to tell you at the right time. Though, I'm not sure if this was the right time, Wally!"

After some awkward silence, Nicole tells, "It's cool. No worries; it's all good. Yeah, so…Wally, I'll see you tomorrow for rehearsal. Raven, I'll catch you later." Nicole heads back to her dorm room.

Wally and Raven noticed Nicole's less-than-cheery mood while leaving. Raven punches him in the shoulder. "Wally, are you stupid? Why would you tell her about us today of all days? Your last show is in a few days and finals are coming up. She's under enough stress as is. Now she probably doesn't trust either of us. Good job, dummy!" Raven walks off in a huff.

Wally didn't know what to say to Raven face-to-face. He did know what to say when she was gone, though. "You're mad at me! She's mad at me! For once, I try to be the good guy and now I'm getting scolded for it. Well, to hell with that! To hell, I say!"

People stop and look at the spectacle Wally has created. While Wally lets off some steam, Logan arrives late to the party. He slowly approaches his friend, looks around and asks, "Dude, who are you talking to?"

"Not now, Logan." Wally storms off with Logan wondering what the hell just happened.