4

Scene XXIX: Monday afternoon. Elementary School

Megan is packing up her backpack to head home. Behind her, Neal stands wanting to talk to her. He knows in his heart of hearts that the best thing would be to apologize to her for his behavior, and hope that they can mend their friendship. It has been very tense between the two of them since that incident a month ago. Although he had no idea of Megan's life-changing experience, he still did not expect Megan to react in the way she did. He hesitates for a couple of moments, but summons up the courage to confront her.

Neal: Hey, Megan.

Megan whips around to see Neal standing in front of her.

Megan: What do you want?

Neal: Well, I….. I mean….. I'm sorry about what happened.

Megan: You're sorry? A month has passed, and all you can say is that you're sorry? Why should I even pay attention to you?

Neal: I know what I did was wrong. You are the last person I should have approached that way. I don't know what I was thinking.

Megan: Oh, I know what you were thinking… I know that you and DRAKE had a little pow-wow session. I can't believe you! I thought you were my friend!

Neal: Megan, please. I still want to be your friend. I thought I was doing the right thing. But I guess I wasn't. Listen. Drake talked to me again.

Megan: Oh, great! What infinite wisdom did he bestow on you this time? How to convince a girl that you're charming, despite her rejection?

Neal: No, it was nothing like that. He told me that what I did was wrong. Making friends with girls isn't about turning on the charm at all. It's about developing a friendship over time. Finding common interests.

Megan: Wow, Drake said that to you? I don't believe it. I don't believe you.

Neal: Well, it's true. I'm still sorry for what I said. I really want to be your friend.

Megan: Forget it, Neal. Never in a million years. If you were the last guy on earth, I'd choose to be a lesbian. That's how much I like you right now.

Megan slings her backpack over her shoulder in a huff and heads out the door. How dare he try to smooth things over with her! Like I'm ever gonna fall for that shit again. There's no way Drake told him that stuff. She knows her brother better than anyone. There's no room for redemption in Mr. Drake Parker.

Outside the school, Drake is waiting in his car for Megan. She sees him, enters the car and slams the door closed. She stares ahead coldly. Drake is sitting there knowing that she's upset.

Megan: Gas is on the right, ya boob!

Drake: Wow, what got into you?

Megan: Nothing. I've got oboe practice. Do you mind?

Drake puts the car into gear and begins driving off. He wants to find out what's gotten Megan so angry, but he decides to let it go. The tension between Megan and Josh and him has been just short of unbearable for a while now. The last thing he needs is another blow up.

Drake pulls up to the oboe teacher's house. Megan grabs her oboe out of her backpack and leaves the car.

Megan: Take my backpack home. If I find it messed with, you'll find yourself in a shallow grave, got it?

Drake: What the hell? I haven't said anything to you all this time, and you're such a bitch! I'll take your backpack home, but you can walk home, you got it?

Megan: Whatever. Later, boob.

Drake watches as she makes her way up the walkway to the front door. Normally he would have just sped off as soon as she closed the car door, but this time he lingered. Why did he care so much about her feelings? He tried to put his finger on the moment things changed in the house, but it was all such a blur. Megan rang the doorbell, and the door opened just seconds later. As she entered the house, she looked over her left shoulder. Drake was still there. He gave a modest wave as she saw him. She returned it with the same gusto.

Somebody's growing up.