Brandon sat with his classmates in a practice room in the drama building. They had been working on a second, and hopefully last, draft of their group project for Acting 1. Brandon had found it hard to follow along, but as this was his vulnerable moment they were re-creating, he had to be engaged in what they were doing to make sure it was as accurate and trauma-induced as possible.
"How does this look, Brandon?" Claudia pointed to her laptop. As he read through it all, he remembered the memory like it was yesterday. Family week had been happening on Total Drama Arts, and his aunt approached him with the news. His mother had been found dead after being struck by a car. His vision went black. He couldn't breathe. All he wanted to do was break something, which he did. He was in such a deep depression that he almost lost the game.
"Yeah. Yeah, that looks pretty accurate."
"You don't think it's too much that we're reenacting the car accident scene, too?" Liam asked. "I mean we gotta fill those ten minutes somehow."
"I think it's good, and we still have time to figure things out as well," Morgan replied.
Brandon pretended like doing this didn't hurt him as much, but it was becoming hard. His mom had died over two years ago, why were these feelings resurfacing all over again? Did he really get over his mom? What would she think if he told her he's failing almost every class?
"Oh jeez, look at the time," Claudia said as she closed out her laptop. "Our study hall space is ending. When should we meet again?"
"I have some free time after our next class," Morgan said.
"Me, too," Liam replied.
"Same here," Brandon said.
"We can get some blocking done," Claudia said. Everyone began to pick up their book bags as everyone stepped out into the drama building, and went their separate ways.
Brandon stood still in his spot just for a moment. Why was he doing this scene again? Was it peer pressure if everyone had asked multiple times if he'd be okay with it? Fear of saying no? Both? Who knows.
He started to head out and looked down at his phone to see if there were any missed calls or texts – none, as usual. He composed a text while walking to the blackbox before performance major open mic night.
Brandon
Hey baby, just getting out of rehearsal for a group project. Can't wait to see you perform tonight, you're going to kill it!
Brandon, Zakk, Sami, and Neveah were together in a hall where the open mic night would be happening. There was a grand piano out on the blackbox stage, and a few microphones. This was one of the most anticipated nights of the year for vocal performance majors, and everyone came out to see them.
"It's been awhile since we've gone to a school event," Brandon noted. He looked over to Zakk. "Hey, how come you're not performing tonight? You are a vocal major after all."
"Yeah, I don't think my style of music would be considered 'appropriate'," Zakk said with air-quotes. "So, you know, fuck 'em, I ain't changing for no one."
"True that," Brandon said as he fist-bumped Zakk. He looked over to Neveah and reached his arm around her back. "I'm so excited to hear you sing. It's been so long since I have."
"I can't wait to show you what I've been working on," she exclaimed. The four of them looked around for some empty seats Zakk and Brandon could sit in once the girls were gone, and as they were about to sit down, he could hear someone calling out for Neveah. Brandon, Sami, and Zakk followed her over to the voice.
"Riley, hey!" Neveah said as she hugged him. "These are my friends, you know Sami, my roommate and best friend."
"Good to see you again," Sami said. Brandon didn't know the two had met.
"You, too," Sami told him. "Sorry my side of the dorm was so messy last time."
"Don't worry about it, you should see my place," he said as he laughed. Neveah continued with the introductions.
"This is Sami's boyfriend Zakk." Riley gave him a fist-bump.
"'Sup," Riley said to Zakk.
"And this is my boyfriend, Brandon," Neveah stated. "Brandon, this is Riley." The two shook hands civilly.
"I know who you are!" Riley exclaimed. "Well, besides the stories Neveah tells, I watched you on Total Drama Arts!"
"Really?" Brandon asked.
"Of course," Riley said. "But anyway, thanks for letting me borrow Neveah for the past few weeks. Class has been crazy and she's been a big help."
He was beginning to feel uncomfortable with his language. 'Borrow' Neveah? As if he knew where Neveah was at all times lately, or if Neveah were his property?
"She's one of the hardest working people I know," Brandon told him. "I wish I had more of her motivation, maybe I'd be getting through the semester better than I am now."
"The first semester at Juilliard is always tough. But you got runner-up in a reality singing competition, how hard could Juilliard be?"
"Right, right," Brandon said nervously. They stopped talking as they listened to an announcement over the intercom.
"Five minutes to curtain, five minutes."
"It was nice meeting you all," Riley said as he turned to Neveah. "We better go."
"I better go, too," Sami said as he looked over to Zakk. She embraced him and held him a kiss.
"Rock it on stage, babydoll," Zakk said to her. "Love ya."
"Love you!" she said as she tapped his nose. Neveah gave a smile as she gave Brandon a quick peck on the lips.
"You're going to do great!" Brandon told her.
"Thanks! I can't wait for you to see!" The two girls waved goodbye as they walked backstage with Riley, then Brandon and Zakk sat down.
"You think Riley's trying to steal your girl?" Zakk joked. Zakk gave him a second to react to his joke, but realized Brandon didn't find it funny. "Aw, come on man, I'm just messing with ya'."
"I didn't know Riley was a boy. Did you know Riley was a boy?" Brandon asked frantically.
"Dude, I didn't even know who Riley is."
"He's the guy Neveah's been spending all that time with when she leaves her phone in her dorm," Brandon told him.
"Oh, for Christ- she's only got eyes for you, man, you know that. She's crazy about you."
The two turned their attention to the stage as the first performance began. They sat calmly through the acts until Riley got up on the stage. He seemed to be well-liked by many of the students, as people were cheering his name.
"All right, all right, quiet down," he chuckled before singing.
"Let me catch my breath
This is really hard
If I starts to look like I'm sweating
Well, that's cause I am
I'm not good with words
But that's nothing new
Still I have to try to explain what I want to do
With you
With you-!
Run away with me
Let me be your ride out of town
Let me be the place that you hide
We can make our lives on the go
Run away with me
Texas in the summer is cool
We'll be on the road like Jack Kerouac
Looking back
Getting ready
Let's go-!
Anywhere-!
Get the car packed and throw me the key
Run away with me
I know this is fast
What else can I do
Call me crazy but I'm much crazier for you
I have these plans
I have all these plans
For a house that we'll build on the bay when we run away
Let me be your ride out of town
Let me be the place that you hide
We can make our lives on go
Run away with me
Alabama heat sign me up
We'll be on the road like some country song
Won't be long
We'll be ready
Let's go-!
Anywhere-!
Get the car packed and through me the key
Run away with me
I'm not trying to be someone's wife here
I'm not trying to tie you down
I'm just saying there might be a life here
A new one as soon as we run-!
Run away with me
Mississippi mud watch me slide
We'll be on the road like Jack Kerouac
Looking back
Almost ready now
Let me be your ride out of town
Let me be the place that you hide
California dreams here we come
Romeo is calling for Juliet
Ready set
Now you're ready
Let's go-!
Anywhere-!
Say the word and I'm already there
Run away with me"
Riley smiled as he finished his last note, and the crowd applauded for him as he was joined on stage by Neveah for the next song.
"For this next song I'll be performing with freshman Neveah Ramirez. Double-major in music composition and music education, and second runner-up of season 1 of Total Drama Arts!" The audience applauded and cheered for her, and Neveah's face went beat red. "That deserves some sort of recognition, huh?"
She got herself set up at the microphone stand next to him, and the two looked at each other as the backing track started.
Neveah (as Anna): Hans is not a stranger.
Riley (as Kristoff): Okay. So what's his last name?
Neveah: Of the Southern Isles.
Riley: Foot size?
Neveah: Foot size doesn't matter.
Riley: But knowing a man before you marry him, eh, kinda does.
Neveah: You've got opinions
On my life and my relations
But let me tell you what
Riley: Okay, enlighten me.
Neveah: Love is the one thing
That has zero complications
And I can trust my gut
Riley: Okay, you frighten me.
Neveah: Some people know their hearts
The minute true love starts
Riley: Some people read a lot of books
Neveah: I like books!
Some people simply know
When true love says "Hello"
Riley: Some folks are taken in by
Curly locks and princely looks!
Neveah: He does have princely looks. We agree on that one.
Riley: Right. By the way, what color eyes does he have?
All I'm saying is
When you go to climb a mountain
You don't just jump to the top
Neveah: If it's true love, you can!
Riley: There's scaling and scramblin'
And too many steps for countin'
And the work doesn't stop
Neveah: Maybe for you.
Riley: Love's not an easy climb
You have to take your time
Neveah: We get a whole life, that's the plan.
Riley: That's not a plan!
Love's not a thing you get
It's work and tears and sweat
Neveah: So says a sweaty, smelly mountain man
Both: Oh, what do you know about love?
What do you know about love?
What do you know about love?
What do you know about love?
Neveah: Have you even kissed a girl?
Riley: Pssh!
Neveah: I mean, a human girl?
Riley: Oh.
Both: What do you know about anything, anything?
Riley: Anyone with half a brain
Would have worn some winter gear
Neveah: Anyone with half a life
Would have one friend who's not a deer!
Riley: I do!
Any fool who jumps head long
Is gonna bang their head
Neveah: Any fool who doesn't jump right now
Is probably gonna end up dead
Riley: Whoa!
Neveah: Like I said.
Are you okay there?
Riley: I've been better.
Neveah: You should have listened to me. I've got good instincts. I know danger when I see it...just like I know love when I see it.
Riley: Thank you!
Neveah: Huh. That's not quite how I thought we'd end up.
Riley: You gotta think things through in life, and in love.
Neveah: Touché.
Riley: Here. Grab on and brace yourself. Ready? Here we go.
Neveah: I'd like to point out
That we've come a good long way here
And that you're, wow... really strong
Riley: I lift a lot of ice.
You saved my life just now
I guess I gotta say here
My first impression was wrong
Neveah: And see? You're nice!
Riley: That jump was really brave
Neveah: Your catch was quite a save
Riley: You've got some guts
Neveah: You've got some... brains
Riley: Thanks.
Both: With miles and miles to go
I guess it's nice to know
That I can trust you...
Though the question still remains
What do you know about love?
Riley: Just be careful.
Both: What do you know about love?
Neveah: Have a little faith.
Both:
At least we know one thing:
This trip should be interesting
What do you know about love?
What do you know about love?"
Neveah and Riley were staring into one another's eyes, for the song, but Brandon couldn't bear to watch. He tried to focus on the wall behind them. He missed singing with Neveah. That could have been him up there with her if he were a vocal major.
They both smiled and looked forward as the audience clapped for them, and Brandon stood up as he cheered for her. Neveah gave him a smile and a wink as she noticed him standing, and Riley went offstage as Sami came onstage with her.
"This is my best friend Sami," Neveah said into the microphone.
"Musical theater major. Also a freshman. Excited to be here!"
"Kick ass, babe!" Zakk yelled out, not caring about some of the looks he got. Sami couldn't help but giggle before and Neveah smiled towards her before they prepared for their song.
Sami: "When you were first born, not an hour old, I told Marmee…"
Neveah: "Beth is mine!"
Sami: "Everyone has someone special in the world, and I have you; my sweet Beth. Give me a task to do."
Neveah: "Let's pretend we're riding on a kite. Let's imagine we're flying through the air!"
Sami: "We'll ascend until we're out of sight. Light as paper, we'll soar!"
Neveah: "Let's be wild, up high above the sand, feel the wind, the world at our command.
Let's enjoy the view, and never land."
Sami: "Floating far from the shore."
Neveah: "Some things are meant to be, the clouds moving fast and free."
Sami: "The sun on a silver sea."
Both: "A sky that's bright and blue."
Neveah: "And some things will never end."
Sami: "The thrill of our magic ride."
Neveah: "The love that I feel inside for you."
Sami: "We'll climb high beyond the break of day."
Neveah: "Sleep on stardust, and dine on bits of moon"
Sami: "You and I will find the Milky Way.
We'll be mad, and explore.
We'll recline aloft upon the breeze.
Dart about, sail on with windy ease.
Pass the days doing only as we please, that's what living is for."
Neveah: "We'll be mad, and explore. We'll recline a loft upon the breeze.
Dart about sail on with ease.
Pass the days doing only as we please, that's what living is for.
Some things are meant to be, the tide turning endlessly,
the way it takes hold of me, no matter what I do,
and some things will never die, the promise of who you are,
the memories when I am far from you.
All my life, I've lived for loving you; let me go now."
The two girls smiled as they held hands and took a bow together, Zakk and Brandon again standing up to clap and cheer the loudest.
The event ended two hours later. The guys were waiting around for the girls to come back, and they spotted them out of the corner of their eyes. Sami ran up to Zakk for a hug, and Neveah did the same to Brandon.
"Babydoll, you were awesome up there," Zakk said to her as they kissed.
"I wish you would have gotten up there and done something," she told him.
"I told you, no one wants to hear my type of songs."
"I do." Sami giggled.
"Even if I sang 'Hammer Smashed Face'?" Zakk deadpanned that Sami had to admit he was right, but still kissed his nose.
"Baby, you were amazing up there," Brandon told Neveah as Sami and Zakk had their moment.
"You really think so?" she asked.
"I know so."
"Too bad this was for vocal majors. I'm sure we could have put something together." Brandon smiled, as he had thought the same earlier.
As the four faced one another, Riley and a few other upperclassmen came up to the group. Neveah smiled as she gave a hug to Riley.
"Great job out there. Both of you!" Riley told them with a smile.
"You did a great job, too!" Neveah said, smiling back.
"Oh, I wanted to introduce you to Neveah's boyfriend," Riley said to the two boys behind him. "This is—"
"Brandon, we know who he is." One chuckled as he shook his hand. "I'm Ethan, and this is my friend Aaron. I saw you on TV, and I've seen you around."
"They're my roommates," Riley told him. "We met in our freshman year and we've been friends ever since."
"Three years later and I still don't know how to respond when someone tells me that." The guys chuckled at his joke.
"Just wanted to tell you how awesome your girlfriend is. The other day she was over and—"
"Wait, you've been over to Riley's?" he asked Neveah.
"Oh, busted," Aaron joked as he and Ethan laughed to themselves.
"We were just rehearsing," Neveah said to him. All this time when she's away he thought she knew exactly where she'd be, somewhere in the music department on campus. Now he wonders how many times she's just off rehearsing at his apartment while her phone was left at her dorm.
"Yeah, chill," Riley said as he patted Brandon on the shoulder. "You know I'd never go after your girl."
"We just wanted to tell you how awesome she is," Ethan said. "You both are really talented."
"Thanks." She smiled at the two boys.
"Well, we gotta run. But it was good seeing you again."
"You, too." She said to them as she gave them a friendly hug, Riley included.
"Good job out there." Riley told her. "See you in class."
"See you." The three boys walked away, leaving a speechless Brandon.
"I'm sorry. I should have told you I've been to Riley's apartment," Neveah said. "Sometimes it's just easier than waiting for a practice room to be available." Brandon gritted through his unnecessary jealousy.
"It's all right, I trust you," Brandon told her.
Sami noted the tension between the two and tapped them on the shoulder.
"It's the weekend," Sami mentioned. "Why don't we all go over to one of our dorms and hang out? Maybe watch a movie?"
Brandon looked to Neveah. "No weekend classes, right?"
"No, thank goodness," she said. "A movie sounds great. But I'm not sitting through another movie Zakk picks out."
"The fuck is wrong with my movies?" Zakk joked.
"They're too gory," Neveah responded as they began to walk out. Brandon put his arm around Neveah as they continued the conversation.
"Well you guys are no fun," Zakk said as he chuckled. "And not every one of them is too gory."
The friends walked all the way to Zakk and Brandon's dorm, then began to get comfortable as they scrolled through the different Netflix options on Sami's laptop.
"You guys need a TV," Neveah complained. "Or a bigger screen."
"It's not like we have a TV in our dorm," Sami brought up. "Though my parents did say they'd send one for Christmas."
"When we move into an apartment next year we'll get a TV," Brandon told her.
"Perfect."
Brandon couldn't help but think how perfect this moment was. This was exactly what he needed, to be with his friends and beautiful girlfriend, even if the four of them were on the floor watching a movie on a tiny MacBook Air. As they decided on a movie, Brandon smiled whole-heartedly for once, hoping this moment would last.
The girls had outbid the boys and picked The Last Five Years. Brandon, wide awake, looked towards everyone. Neveah was asleep in his arms, and Zakk and Sami were asleep in each other's arms, too. He had just stirred awake and could catch the ending of the movie.
One of two main characters, Jamie, sits at a desk singing while signing some divorce papers. He sings of his failed marriage, and how it couldn't work out no matter how anyone tried.
I called Elise to help me pack my bags
I went downtown and closed the bank account
It's not about another shrink
It's not about another compromise
I'm not the only one who's hurting here
I don't know what the hell is left to do
You never saw how far the crack had opened
You never knew I had run out of rope and
I could never rescue you
All you ever wanted
But I could never rescue you
No matter how I tried
All I could do was love you hard
And let you go
No matter how I tried
All I could do was love you
God, I loved you so
Cathy, his now ex-wife, waits at the door while the sun sets behind them. Being in the past, which was presented as her current reality, she had no idea what trails and turmoils their relationship would withstand through the next five years. Brandon watches as Jamie sings to a version of Cathy in the beginning of their relationship.
Watching the scene go from the the future to the past back and forth made him feel uneasy. He hoped to God this wouldn't be him and Neveah someday signing divorce papers because they could never make things work. He feels like he's Jamie five years later looking at Cathy from five years ago, and he hopes to God this isn't his future with Neveah and things get better.
So we could fight
Or we could wait
Or I could go…
Cathy has no idea of what's about to come. He felt envious of her. He wished he could be so naive to think that their future was bright, which it really wasn't right now, not in his mind. If their relationship kept declining the way it was, they, too, would crumble.
Goodbye until tomorrow!
Goodbye until I crawl to your door
And I will be waiting
I will be waiting
Jamie came back on the screen, and they sang simultaneously. He's packed up and ready to move on from the last five years of his life. Cathy had just had an incredible first date with Jamie.
You never noticed how the wind had changed
(Goodbye until tomorrow!)
I didn't see a way we both could win
(Goodbye until I'm done thanking God
For I have been waiting
I have been waiting for you)
I have been waiting!
Goodbye, Cathy
I have been waiting for you
Goodbye
I will keep waiting -
I will be waiting for you
Just close the gate
I'll stand and wait
Jamie...
Goodbye
As the movie faded to black, he looked down at his phone and noticed the time. It was only 11:30. He wondered if he could still make that party. He looks through his phone texts to see the phone number of someone he didn't recognize, and realizes as he reads it that it's one of the boys he had been speaking to.
Ethan
400 E 57th St is the address if you still wanna come. I'm sure we'll be partying all night.
He wanted to be somewhere right now instead of his crowded dorm room and got up to go, making sure to not wake anyone in the process. They had all fallen asleep so quickly that he was luckily still in his outfit from earlier. He smoothed out his pants and grabbed his jacket, then quietly headed out the door, ready for what he would meet with on the other side.