Variables and Theories

Brian VO* Sitting through science class…it's like life can be compared to the steps in a science project. You have your theories and hypotheses about how things work or how things will happen. You have your variables…that are always changing and making these new unforeseen outcomes…making things interesting…I suppose. But, for any project to work…I mean, for any of it to actually be like believable…you need a constant, the thing that never changes, always stays the same and is reliable, or something. I guess, that's how I see myself…as this constant…this boring, unchanging constant watching all the variables prove my theories wrong.

Theory#1 When two people kiss, that means they usually, like, are interested in one another. I am so naïve!

"Krakow…you are so naïve!" Sharon declared while the class split into lab partners, designating herself Krakow's partner without asking. "You have this false sense of love, like it should all be romantic and perfect. You're like an inexperienced child."

"Cherski…I am…like, inexperienced. That is the basis for all my problems. I am completely inexperienced!" Brian shouted, fully aware of his own shortcomings. Hearing a small amount of laughter from other members of the class, Brian realized he was speaking too loudly. "With like, people in general." He continued, speaking softer.

"I know." Sharon agreed.

"Oh…you know. Well, I am glad it's so obvious."

"All I'm saying Brian, is that there is a vast difference between love and lust. Kissing and…you know whatever else is lust. It takes a lot more for it to be called love. I should know. Though Kyle and I were…well, you know having sex all the time…"

"Uh…I don't need to be told this." Brian stated nervously.

"Grow up Krakow! All I'm saying is that I thought I loved him because I liked doing those things with him, but after awhile it wasn't enough. It just wasn't. It takes a lot more for relationships to work."

"What else does it take?"

"I don't know. You have to be friends too or something like that."

"So…right." Brian nodded as if he completely knew that. "But, what if like, you want both, like you need both?"

"Both?"

"You know…both love and lust."

"It's like, there has to be this delicate balance."

"That tells me nothing."

Sharon just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry...you're just inexperienced."

Brian VO* The variables of my constant life were starting to upset my delicate balance. In other words…they were driving me crazy. (After class Brian watches Angela and Rayanne walk together down the hall.)

Theory#2 Regular friends and girlfriends can't possibly become the same thing. I mean, I'm already friends with Angela. We don't hang out a lot, but like, I go over to her house a lot and we do talk. Isn't it really hard to cross that line into something more?

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"It's just that I can't really talk to Rickie because he is…you know really busy and I feel bad because I always bother him with this sorta stuff. And, really…he is good friends with like, Brian now too. I can't talk to Sharon. That is just absurd…you know…I think. I can't talk to Jordan about it. I just can't. I guess, normally I would end up discussing it with Brian somehow, but this time I can't because it's about him. I just need to talk to someone." Angela tried to explain.

"So, what you're saying is that you're desperate and you turned to me?" Rayanne blurted honestly.

"No…I mean…I'm not desperate. I know you have a lot going on too with the play so I would understand. I'm not like, using you just to have someone to talk to…god!" Angela declared.

"No?" she raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

"Forget it! This is like so totally pointless." Angela began to walk away.

"Angelica…wait!" Rayanne pulled her back, "No…what is it? I want you to tell me."

Angela sighed, "It's just that…that…"

"That you kissed Krakow because you learned he wrote you that letter thing, right?"

"What?"

"Rickie told me."

"He did?"

"He only did it because he is was you know concerned. You guys make me sick sometimes. He did it because he was, like thinking of you. Something that everyone has completely stopped doing for me."

"Are you turning this into…something about you?"

"No! I just don't understand how you have gotten back together with Catalano and you still have a hard time even looking at me. I mean…what we're doing right now is just a last resort for you."

"No it isn't!"

"You already admitted it!"

"I knew it! I knew I couldn't talk to you about this." Angela stated.

"Well, isn't it true? Everyone hates me! And, Catalano is just like, let off the hook because he's like…uh…Catalano. He can lean or whatever!"

Angela walked off and this time Rayanne let her leave. She was already halfway down the hall.

"Krakow huh? Isn't he just, like this constant bore?" Rayanne yelled after her.

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Brian VO* The biggest, most ridiculous constant of my life…at this moment…was that I was still tutoring Jordan Catalano.

"Oh…a C+…I mean…that's like good." Brian shrugged awkwardly, holding Jordan's test is in hands. "I mean…you passed…and that's what matters, really. I mean, I wouldn't want a C but that's like a completely different thing. I mean…you know what I mean."

"Yea…a C+!" Jordan smiled, extremely pleased with himself, ignoring Brian's nervous babblings. "That means like, this tutoring stuff is working…right?"

"Yea…apparently…yes."

"Thanks, Brian."

"What?" Brian asked, shocked.

"Just…thanks, thanks for helping me."

"Uh…no, don't thank me."

"No…I really, like, owe you. I got this C and you wrote that letter for me that Angela really liked…you're like…no one would do stuff like that unless…unless…"

Brian VO* Unless they were in love with Angela?

"Unless they were your tutor!" Brian quickly added.

"I was going to say…friend." Jordan said softly, shrugging.

Brian VO* This was definitely blowing my theories all to hell.