Scene 9

Lights up on EZRA (with his crutches) and HAZEL walking through the halls at school, surrounded by STUDENTS. They walk past LEXIE and KAYLA, who look up from their phones and start laughing.

KAYLA What happened to you, Ezra? Broke your ankle? taunts, pulling lipstick out of her purse and applying it to her already pink lips. Yeah, I heard about your little incident.

HAZEL Just keep walking… mumbles, grabbing EZRA’s hand, but he stops, turning back to the LEXIE and KAYLA.

EZRA You were Robin’s friends, weren’t you? And you abandoned them, didn’t you?

LEXIE Come here, Kayla- I’m sorry, who?

KAYLA Lexie, I think she’s talking about Catherine-

EZRA Robin. It’s Robin, got it?

LEXIE Yeah, we were. Why do you care, you stupid, sinning homosexual? She pokes him in the chest.

EZRA Because… you heard what happened, didn’t you? Didn’t you?! EZRA sweeps her arm away.

LEXIE Yeah, we did. And you think we care? She’s going to hell too, just like you two. You know that, right?

EZRA Oh, stop it. You heard what happened, and you’re still doing this? They’re in the hospital because of you two! How could you- KAYLA shoves him, and he trips, falling to the ground.

HAZEL Ezra! rushes to his side. After helping him up, she faces the two girls. Alright, that’s it. I’ve gone far too long without saying anything. But you know what? I am sick and tired of your homophobia and transphobia and plain old bullying people! This has gone on far too long, and I’ve had enough of it!

EZRA Hazel, don’t-

HAZEL It’s fine, Ezra. Now, you two- stop laughing! What the hell?! This is a serious matter, and I will not have you-

ROBIN What’s going on here? ROBIN makes their way on-stage, standing in between the two groups of students. They wear oversized men’s clothes, including the same shirt that FATHER was wearing in the previous scene.

EZRA Robin! You’re okay! And-

ROBIN Yeah, I got out over the weekend. Um, what exactly is happening?

HAZEL Your old ‘friends’ thought they would pick on us again, I might say, and I’ve just had enough. I can’t take this anymore. So I’m done. Kayla, whatever the hell you think makes you cool, it doesn’t. Alright? And Lexie? Using religion for hatred? Seriously? I mean, what do you think that Jesus originally taught?! Hatred? No, he taught love and acceptance of all!

LEXIE But the Bible says-

HAZEL Yeah, it says a lot of things. You think it’s a sin to eat bacon? To wear clothing of two different fabrics? All of that? Yeah, I’ve read Leviticus too. I’m Catholic, too, okay? But you can’t just-

ROBIN Guys, really, this doesn’t need to turn into a fight. Let’s just go… stares in fear at their old friends

EZRA I agree. Hazel, come on.

HAZEL hesitates O-okay. Fine. But this isn’t over! The three start walking away, and KAYLA and LEXIE burst out laughing, shouting after them.

KAYLA Sluts!

HAZEL Leave us alone!

LEXIE You’re all going to hell! Laughing some more, she and Kayla walk off stage in the opposite direction of HAZEL, EZRA, and ROBIN.

ROBIN walks in between the two of them, nervous So… I know we don’t exactly know each other very well, but I’m really sorry for them. They’ve never exactly been good people, I realize now, but they’ve gotten so much worse ever since I… you know.

HAZEL Hey, it’s okay. We can take a lot more than a couple bullies.

ROBIN I know. Still… I feel bad, you know?

EZRA Besides, even though we’re not super close, we’re not complete strangers either. We used to know each other when we were kids, remember?

ROBIN Yeah… but you were super shy back then. Remember?

EZRA Yeah, good times. You were always, like, the one person who was nice to me. I’ll admit, I’ve always wanted to hang out with you, but it always seemed like you were a part of a different group than me. Namely, you had one, and I didn’t.

ROBIN Really? I’m honored. Well, I don’t really have a group anymore, I guess…

HAZEL Hey, you can join us! We’re just a bunch of losers, I know, but if you’re interested, and you and Ez already know each other…

ROBIN Really? You’d let me join you?

HAZEL Yeah, of course! You seem like a cool person!

ROBIN Thanks. In that case, I’d love to join you guys.

EZRA holding his hand out to them. Hey, uh, I was wondering… Would you… I mean, like, want to… uh… go to… the winter formal with me? You can totally say no. I mean, um, we don’t know each other super well, and you-

ROBIN Sure!

EZRA Really? brightens up immediately

ROBIN Yeah! I’d love to. I mean, um, you saved my life, and you’re really nice, and-

EZRA Cool! There is an awkward silence for a while as ROBIN looks away, pondering what just happened with KAYLA and LEXIE. EZRA eventually notices this and touches their shoulder, making them jump.

EZRA Sorry. Um, are you okay? You look pretty down.

ROBIN shakes their head to clear their thoughts Sorry. I just… It’s just… Sorry. You know, seeing my old friends and then… Well, it was…

EZRA Painful? Yeah, I understand. It’s probably pretty-

ROBIN And you’ve both been bearing this burden for so, so long, and… And you never said anything. You just let them bully you. And I just… stood by. Watching. How could I do that?

HAZEL Hey, it’s okay! We can take it!

ROBIN But you should never have had to!

EZRA It’s in the past now, Robin. It doesn’t matter anymore. We forgive you.

HAZEL Yeah. Besides, we should probably be heading to the GSA meeting about now, you know.

ROBIN GSA? What’s that?

HAZEL Well, it’s this magical, far-off land where the gays-

EZRA Hazel, shut up. It’s a club for people like us. People who are queer. We basically just get together and chill. It’s really nice because it’s, well, a place where we can be ourselves without having to worry about being made fun of. Everyone there is super nice too.

ROBIN That exists? That sounds awesome!

EZRA I know! Want to go there with us?

ROBIN Sure!

HAZEL Let’s go!

Lights follow them to the other side of the stage, where STUDENTS are gathered, all hanging out together, chatting and laughing and having a good time.

HAZEL Welcome to the GSA! proudly throws her arms out in a magnificent display. Mia! Hey, how you doing? flirtatiously

MIA Well, well, well. If it isn’t Hazel! I’m good! How have you been?

ROBIN frowns. What do we do?

HAZEL We sit! plops down right next to MIA, with whom she starts flirting with very obviously.

EZRA smiles Want to sit together?

ROBIN And do what?

EZRA Whatever we want to, within reason, of course.

ROBIN Alright. They sit down together near HAZEL and MIA, ROBIN helping EZRA to the ground and holding his crutches.

EZRA So, what’s up?

ROBIN Well, not much. I mean, I just got out of the hospital, so I’m probably pretty behind in homework, but it’ll be fine. Most of my classes are electives anyways. What’s up with you?

EZRA Honestly, not a ton. I’m just really glad you’re okay. I was seriously worried about you, you know.

ROBIN I know. I’m sorry for putting you in that position.

EZRA Don’t worry about it. The important thing is that you’re okay. And also that I’m almost done with these crutches. both laugh

ROBIN Really? You have only had them for a couple weeks, I thought?

EZRA Yeah, I guess it wasn’t as bad as they thought it was. The fracture was pretty minor, so I should be alright. Don’t worry about me.

ROBIN As long as we’re stuck in this high school, I’ll worry. I can promise you that.

EZRA You’re not wrong.

They sit in silence for a while as HAZEL and MIA talk, staring at each other with faint smiles.

HAZEL ...and then I was like, ‘Stand down, foul beast!’ And I went hyaa! and hyaa! gestures dramatically And the spider was dead!

MIA laughs Oh, Hazel! I’m sure it didn’t quite happen like that. What, did Ezra have to kill it for you again? Isn’t that what usually happens?

HAZEL No, but Ezra was at my side the entire time, cheering me on- notices the two Ezra?

Suddenly, HAZEL whistles loudy, making them both look away from each other, embarrassed, turning red.

HAZEL Look at the two lovebirds! STUDENTS laugh

MIA Awww! So cute! What’s the other one’s name again?

HAZEL It’s Robin! They’re pretty cool Beat. Like me.

MIA Of course.

EZRA Want to go somewhere else?

HAZEL proceeds to sing: Ezra and Robin, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

ROBIN listens for a while, then decides, Yes.

HAZEL Ooh, finding somewhere more private, huh?

MIA Gee, I wonder what that’s for?

HAZEL Me too, Mia! Why, I’d almost think-

EZRA Oh, shut up, Hazel! groans, making everyone laugh, then grabs ROBIN’s hand Come on, Robin. Let’s get out of here.

ROBIN nods. Yup. Good idea. They help him up and they start walking out of the door when they’re interrupted by LEXIE and KAYLA, who strut towards them. Lights go down on HAZEL and the STUDENTS.

LEXIE Look who it is! God’s own little mistakes.

KAYLA I see you’re both getting all cozy, now, aren’t you? laughing

EZRA What the hell do you want now? growls, standing defensively in front of ROBIN

KAYLA Ooh! Your boyfriend is standing up for you, Cathy! Oh, wait. That’s not a real boy. That’s a girl in boy’s clothing who is obviously mentally ill and thinks that she’s a-

ROBIN Oh, shut up! shouts, pushing past EZRA and getting up in their faces Look. Mental illness is not something to joke about. It’s real, and it’s scary, and it’s-

LEXIE I know, I know. You’re one of them too, aren’t you? pretending to be sad for them

KAYLA Poor girl- boy? What even are you again? An ‘it?’ Look at it! Getting angry!

ROBIN lips quivering, speaks in a whisper Please. Stop.

LEXIE Aww! It’s sad now! fake-crying

ROBIN Leave me alone! pushes through them and runs off

KAYLA Ugh, it’s gonna go cry now, isn’t it? groans, rolling her eyes

EZRA holds his arm out to stop ROBIN, but it’s too late. He turns back to the two girls, angry. He opens his mouth to say something, but then closes it and goes after ROBIN as fast as he can.

LEXIE Run, Forrest! Run! laughs after him. They both pull out their phones and start texting.

KAYLA So. The winter formal is just three weeks away, and I think that those little pieces of shit deserve a special surprise, don’t you think?

LEXIE looks up from her phone with a smile. Oh, you are bad. This is too much fun! Too easy! What have you been thinking about, hon?

LEXIE Oh, I’ve got a few ideas. staring at the audience and then walking off stage, still texting. LEXIE follows her, doing the same thing.

Lights go down as they walk off stage.

END SCENE 9