Scene 12

Lights go up on the other side of the stage, where a door leads to center stage, where EZRA, ROBIN, HAZEL, and MIA (GSA STUDENT) stand together. Inside, STUDENTS, including LEXIE and KAYLA, each with a handsome male date, dance and talk and text, hanging out like normal teenagers at a dance. On the other side of the door is a teacher, boredly reading a book. HAZEL and MIA are extremely close to each other and act very touchy toward each other. On the other hand, EZRA and ROBIN both look around, standing five feet apart.

MIA Oh my god! I am so excited! Ahh! I can’t even contain my excitement!

HAZEL Me too, babe! they proceed to freak out together

EZRA to ROBIN Um, want to… uh… hold hands, maybe? blushes

ROBIN Um, sure. They awkwardly try and figure out how their hands go together, and in the end give up, laughing.

HAZEL visibly looks them both up and down Nerds. She turns back to MIA and gives her a kiss on the nose. EZRA and ROBIN exchange a nervous glance, ignoring the two, and turn together toward the door once more.

EZRA Shall we?

ROBIN nods We shall.

Together, with HAZEL and MIA behind them, they open the door and enter the dance extremely awkwardly. Eventually, they start to dance together, slowly getting more and more comfortable with each other. The four don’t see it, but KAYLA and LEXIE exchange a mean, hungry look and nod towards the door, showing their boyfriends, who give maniacal grins to each other. They start muttering amongst themselves but put a hand up, gesturing to wait. One of them pulls out a small knife, visible only to the audience and the bullies. Suddenly, STUDENTS all form a clear barrier between the STUDENTS and the TEACHER, who has by now fallen asleep in their chair, snoring softly. HAZEL and MIA are on one side of the stage, dancing very passionately, completely oblivious to everything else on the stage.

HAZEL So… how do you like the dance?

MIA I’m hungry and I have to pee.

HAZEL Yeah, let’s go get some snacks!

They chase each other off-stage playfully. As all of this is happening, EZRA and ROBIN are standing together while holding hands, smiling at each other, still quite awkward with each other.

EZRA How are you?

ROBIN I’m excellent right now, actually.

EZRA Good!

Beat.

ROBIN You know… I’ve been thinking a lot lately…

EZRA Oh?

ROBIN Like, about what you’ve told me. About not letting people control my life and the way that I act and react to, well, everything and how things get better. I’ve decided that I want to be in charge of my life instead of letting my life and all those people control me. I want to live my life for once, to truly live it in every aspect. And that’s why I need to tell you something that I’ve realized during my time as your friend, and it can’t wait ’till later at all. Can I tell you? Promise not to laugh or anything?

EZRA Of course. I promise.

ROBIN Okay. Um. Here goes. I… I’ve realized that I, uh, I-

KAYLA Well, well, well! with a cruel smile, stepping between the two. As they were talking, the rest of the STUDENTS, besides HAZEL and MIA, who are still very distracted with each other, file around them, forming a tight-knit semi-circle that blocks anyone else’s view except the audience from seeing the scene. Inside the semi-circle are EZRA and ROBIN, KAYLA, LEXIE, and their boyfriends. KAYLA pulls out some lipstick and starts re-applying it while LEXIE talks, who holds a cross necklace around her neck.

LEXIE God, I can’t believe you two freaks. You’re such a disgrace. I can’t even tell you how much I hate you. You don’t deserve to be here at all. You-

EZRA I don’t care. steps protectively in front of ROBIN Please leave us alone.

KAYLA Oh, please. Your very existence makes me want to puke. She motions to the boyfriends, who shove EZRA out of the way and into the group of students, who hold him as he struggles unsuccessfully.

LEXIE Perfect!

ROBIN What do you want from us? ROBIN runs to EZRA’s side, but one of the boyfriends holds them back while the other one grabs the front of EZRA’s shirt and punches him in the face. KAYLA and LEXIE laugh joyfully as EZRA cries out in pain and surprise. Stop! EZRA gets punched again, this time in the stomach. ROBIN struggles against the boyfriend with no luck. Finally, they stomp on STUDENT’s foot, making them lose their grip on ROBIN, who glares daggers at them until they back away, uncertain. Leave us alone!

LEXIE Um, babe, what are you doing? concerned yet angry Get the you-know-what! The STUDENT pulls out the knife again, and turns back to EZRA, grinning. ROBIN tries to grab it from him, but the rest of the STUDENTS stop them from reaching him. He is about to run the knife through EZRA when ROBIN interrupts.

ROBIN Stop! Everyone freezes, turning to look at them, including EZRA, who looks terrified for his friend. How dare you?! How dare any of you assume that you’re somehow better than us just because we’re different! Yeah, I know why you all hate us, and why you listen to Kayla and Lexie instead of being your own individual, beautiful people. It’s because you’re scared. It’s okay. You can be scared. Kayla and Lexie, however, are just bullies. That’s who they are. They’re bullies because deep down, they’re scared, too. And being scared is okay! It’s just not okay when they use it to justify cruelty to others. But no matter what they choose to do, who they choose to become, that should never stop you from being an individual human being. As someone who used to be friends with them, I know the way that they treat their ‘friends.’ It’s not good, to put it lightly. One thing that I’ve discovered since coming out is that everyone has a choice in who they become. As an old friend put it once, it’s simple. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. And that’s not something I can just tell you to do. It’s up to each and every one of you to change. I know it’s hard, but I believe that you can do it. They take a deep breath and turn to KAYLA and LEXIE, who have become embarrassed and are looking away. Kayla, Lexie, I’m sorry that this is the way things have to be. I truly wish you the best in your life. I hope that you will one day learn about who you are and the proper way to treat a person who is different from you. But for now, I’ll just wait for that day. I-

KAYLA Okay, shut up. We get it.

LEXIE Yeah. You think you’re better than us, but-

KAYLA Let’s just leave, Lexie. This dance is stupid anyways.

LEXIE I totally agree. I’m out of here.

KAYLA ’Bye, losers. They drag the boyfriends with them as they exit through the door, past the sleeping teacher, who has still not woken up or noticed anything that has happened on stage.

As all of this is happening, the STUDENTS start to disperse, going back to dancing, to think about everything that just happened. A few STUDENTS ad lib apologies to EZRA and ROBIN as they leave to dance. Soon, the scene is back to how it was in the beginning, with EZRA and ROBIN on center stage together; HAZEL and MIA off to the side, still oblivious to everything that has happened; and the rest of the students besides KAYLA, LEXIE, and their boyfriends dancing near EZRA and ROBIN. EZRA and ROBIN make sure that they’re both alright and finally just smile and hug each other. Then, as a slow song comes on, they start to dance again. MIA and HAZEL re-enter and start slow-dancing but keep an eye on EZRA and ROBIN.

ROBIN Well. I tried my best, but I honestly doubt that anyone’s going to change.

EZRA That’s okay. You did what you could. Thank you, by the way. I could have died there. We’re definitely reporting that later.

ROBIN No problem. I had to do something. I just wish I could have done more, you know? Like I said, no one’s going to change.

EZRA It’s okay. There’s not much more you could have done. Besides, you planted a seed. Whether it grows or not is their choice.

ROBIN Yeah, I guess you’re right. Awkward beat.

EZRA So… before all of… that… happened, you were trying to tell me something? Remember? What was it?

ROBIN turns red Oh, yeah. Um, it’s silly. I shouldn’t-

EZRA No, it’s okay. You can tell me.

ROBIN Okay. Um, I’ve realized that I, uh, I might have a very small, minor crush on you.

EZRA smiles I-

ROBIN Don’t laugh!

EZRA How small of a crush?

ROBIN Well, it’s not very small, actually. Um, actually, it’s pretty big. I kinda really, really like you.

EZRA Well, in that case, I have something to confess, too.

ROBIN Oh?

EZRA Yeah.

ROBIN Okay, go for it.

EZRA Okay. I, um, I kinda really, really like you, too. both smile and blush really hard. Beat. Hey, I have a question for you.

ROBIN Oh? Tell me.

EZRA Only if you promise not to laugh.

ROBIN Okay, I promise.

EZRA Can I… um… kiss you?

ROBIN gives a big smile Yes.

EZRA smiles bigger Really?!

ROBIN Yes!

EZRA Awesome. Um, how…? gestures vaguely

ROBIN I don’t know…

EZRA frowns, contemplating, when ROBIN kisses him briefly on the lips. Surprised, they both put their hands to their lips, eyes wide. Then, EZRA takes their face in his hands, and they start kissing for real this time. Finally, as they kiss, HAZEL and MIA notice everything around them. Pointing excitedly, HAZEL sprints to EZRA and ROBIN, who ignore her.

HAZEL Ooooh! Looky here! At last, EZRA and ROBIN separate, blushing and smiling at each other That was adorable, by the way. I totally ship it.

MIA Awwww!

HAZEL That was hella cute, by the way.

MIA I totally agree.

EZRA a little embarrassed Hey, uh, want to go play Dungeons and Dragons at my house, anyone?

HAZEL Ooh! Ooh! Me! I do! Want to come? to MIA, who nods enthusiastically

MIA Hell yeah!

EZRA Robin? offers his hand to them

ROBIN Sure! Sounds like a lot of fun! takes his hand

HAZEL Yeah! Let’s go! As they head out, the entire scene suddenly freezes, except for ROBIN who walks to the edge of the stage, pulling out a letter and pencil and addressing the audience as they pretend to write the letter.

ROBIN Dear Universe, Do you know what it feels like to love yourself? I may still struggle, and I may still fall, but I can get back up. I know that I can. I am strong. I can be brave and scared at the same time. I am beautiful. I can do this. And you know what? You can, too. You are strong and beautiful and brave and scared and a wonderful, amazing individual human being. And remember, if you’re ever struggling, there are people out there that care about you so, so much. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, and you just feel like you can’t hang on, not even for yourself, hang on for me. And Dan. And Ezra. And Hazel. And everyone else out in the world who loves you that you may never know about. Now, at this point, it’s up to you. There’s not much more that I can do. So please, Universe, go out into the world, and never forget what you’ve learned from me and my story. Goodbye for now, Robin.

They put their head down, and the lights go down as well.

END SCENE 12

CURTAIN CALL