Bittersweet Candy Bowl

35. Under Pressure, original chapter posted 3/17/07

Page 10 of 10

Transcript

*The sun blazes in the sky.*
Abbey: .. Wow..

*Tess and Abbey walk side-by-side. Tess looks ashamed.*
Tess: We made his life pretty miserable.. I know exactly what he must think of me.
*Abbey scratches his head.*
Abbey: Fff.. that’s rough..

*Tess forces a laugh.*
Tess: Thinking about it that way makes it a little easier, every time it happens. After all, you can’t say I don’t deserve it..
*Abbey abruptly stops walking.*

*Abbey looks disturbed.*
Tess: Now Roger’s out of the picture, everyone’s deciding to take their anger out on me. I just have to do my best to make sure it doesn’t get physical..

*Abbey spins around.*
Abbey: Are you KIDDING ME?! No, you DON’T deserve it!
*Tess flinches and looks at Abbey, shocked.*

*Abbey shouts, defiantly.*
Abbey: Nobody deserves to have that horrified, helpless look in their eyes.. Ever.

Tess: I.. I’m sorry..
Abbey: No, you shouldn’t be sorry!
*Tess’ eyes are huge.*
Tess (thinking): Wow..

*Abbey turns away from Tess, looking upset and lost in thought. Tess looks at him uncertainly.*
Tess: ..?

*Tess hesitates.*
Tess: Uh.. Abbey.. I was.. wondering..
*Abbey looks up.*
Abbey: Yes?

*Tess leans in towards Abbey. She looks a little nervous.*
Tess: Why were you in the Junior hallway anyway? It’s a little out of the way for you guys, isn’t it?

*Abbey is surprised by the question.*
Abbey: …
Tess: It just seemed kinda weird for you to just appear like that..

*Abbey looks away, wrinkling his nose.*
Abbey: I.. was.. looking for someone. Didn’t find him, unfortunately.

*Abbey looks down.*
Abbey: I should go home..
Tess: ..?

*Abbey begins to walk away from Tess.*
Abbey: Tessa.. Tell everybody else what you told me..
Tess: …

*Tess’ face fills the panel. She looks downcast.*
Tess: But.. it’s hard. I can’t just..
Abbey: You can. Start off slow. You’re not the same person you were. We’ll understand.
Abbey: .. Him, too.

*Tess glances over her shoulder at Abbey, who is walking away.*
Tess: Abbey..

*Tess pulls out her phone and gives one last glance backward.*
Tess: If only you’d let us know whatever you’re hiding..

[A wide shot of a tree is shown as Tess makes a call.]
Tess: Hello? Paulo..? Yeah, I didn’t forget.. Hey.. you got a few minutes..?
END