Tape 1, Side B
tw: drug mentions/use, mentions of suicide
Lizzy: Welcome back. I see you’ve decided to keep listening. Are you drowning in anticipation? Is this your tape? Will you finally become a player in this game? Well, keep listening. And one more thing, I’m still dead.
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Kieran is eating breakfast with his family.
Zai: Kieran, sweetie, make sure you run by the Bakers’ pharmacy later. I had your prescription refilled.
Kieran: What prescriptions?
Zai: Your antidepressants.
Kieran: What? Why? Y’know what it doesn’t even matter. I’ll get them.
Zai: We’re just worried about you honey. Especially with the news about your friend.
Kieran: I didn’t even know her that well! Whatever, I’m going to school.
Kieran rushedly grabs his backpack and heads out the door.
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Lizzy: When finding friends, humans are drawn to those like them. People who share similar tastes, maybe even make up for the things the other person lacks. I found that with you, at least I thought I did.
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Flashback
Lizzy is sitting in the guidance office and bouncing her leg. A girl is sitting next to her who is playing a game on her phone.
Lizzy: Is that BitLife?
Delia: Yeah it’s super dumb I know, it’s just so addicting.
Lizzy: Dumb? Are you insane? That game is a masterpiece.
Delia: I know right? I got the achievement for getting decapitated by a gorilla. How sick is that?
Lizzy: Dude no way, how? I’ve been trying for months!
Delia: I just tried to pet it. Didn’t think it’d kill me.
Lizzy and Delia laugh. Ms. Sarah enters the office.
Ms. Sarah: I see you two have met. Ms. Christina suggested I introduce you two since you both are new to the school this year. She thought having a familiar face for the both of you would be nice.
Delia: Cool. (she checks her watch) Well, looks like class is about to start. Gotta blast.
Lizzy and Delia walk together down the hall.
Delia: I gotta admit, Ms. Christina is good.
Lizzy: I’m Lizzy by the way.
Delia: I’m Delia. We should hang out later. Do you know where Marnie’s is?
Lizzy: The coffee shop? Yeah, I’ve passed it a few times.
Delia: Nice. Here is my number, (she grabs Lizzy's phone and puts her number in it) let’s meet up there after school.
Delia runs off down the hallway. Lizzy smiles and walks into class.
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Lizzy: You had me fooled, Delia. I thought that I had truly made a new friend that I could get along with.
—————-
Kieran is standing at his locker and putting his books in his backpack.
Delia: Have you seen Alex?
Kieran: One, why would I know where Alex is? And two, don’t you think your cheerleader friends would know more about her than I do?
Delia: Okay, asshole, I asked a question. And no, they don’t.
Kieran: I really don’t know where your new girlfriend is, Delia. Why don’t you go ask the guidance counselor? Maybe she knows something.
Delia: Can you come with me?
Kieran: I’m gonna regret asking this, but why?
Delia: Because I don’t wanna be alone, obviously. Did you bump your head... (she notices the bandage) Oh. Guess that answers that.
Kieran shakes his head but follows Delia to Ms. Sarah’s office.
Ms. Sarah: Hey kids. What can I help you with?
Delia: I just wanted to know if you’ve heard anything from Alex? She hasn’t been at school for a few days and I was wondering if you could tell me why?
Ms. Sarah: Unfortunately, Delia, I’m not allowed to release any information about students to other students.
Delia: But I’m her girlfriend!
Ms. Sarah: No loopholes, kiddo.
Delia angrily stomps out of the guidance office. Kieran awkwardly waves bye to Ms. Sarah and follows her.
Kieran: Now what? Where is she?
Delia: Oh I think I have a good idea.
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Lizzy: It was so nice to finally have someone to talk to that “got” me, y’know?
—————
Kieran is sitting at the picnic table by himself after school and fumbling with the tape player in his hands. He begins to listen to the second tape.
Delia walks up to him.
Delia: I need you to go somewhere with me.
Kieran: No thanks. Don’t know you that well.
Delia: Oh my god. I’m not gonna fucking murder you.
Kieran: You might, though.
Delia notices the tape player in Kieran’s hand and is visibly shocked.
Delia: W-what are you listening to?
Kieran: Just some...tapes…
Kieran realizes something. The tapes all mentioned different people. Different reasons. If Delia was reacting like this, was she one of them?
Kieran: Do you know about these? Are you fucking on one of them?!
Delia: Just...come with me. I’ll explain.
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Lizzy: I did everything with you for weeks. Shopping, eating, movies, you even watched an anime with me! I thought we were gonna be best friends for a long time. I really did.
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Flashback
Lizzy and Kieran are working at the comic book store.
Kieran: Watch anything good lately?
Lizzy: Hmm...depends on what your interpretation of good is. I saw this hentai that -
Kieran: I think I’m good without hearing the rest of that sentence. You are way too open about that stuff.
Lizzy: It’s art. What’s wrong with discussing art?
Lizzy glances at her phone.
Kieran: Expecting something?
Lizzy: No. I’m just bored is all.
Kieran: After this, do you maybe wanna go and -
Delia enters the store.
Delia: Hey Lizzy! There’s a sale going on right now at FYE. Let’s go!
Lizzy looks at Kieran and smiles and shrugs.
Lizzy: Cover for me?
Kieran: Sure.
Lizzy: Thank you! I owe you big time!
Lizzy jumps over the counter and runs out of the store with Delia.
—————
Lizzy: I thought nothing could get in between us. Turns out something could, and did.
—————
Kieran is riding with Delia.
Kieran: You need to slow down.
Delia: Shut up and just sit in the passenger seat.
Kieran: God help me.
Delia whips the car into the driveway of a fancy house. She hurriedly puts the car in park and jumps out. Kieran follows her, albeit very slowly.
Delia: Open the fuck up! I know you’re in there!
Delia continues to pound on the door. It opens.
Brash: What the fuck are you doing?
Delia: Where is she, asshole? I don’t even have time for you, move it.
Delia pushes past Brash and into the house. Kieran rolls his eyes and follows.
Delia: I knew it.
Alex is on the couch, high out of her mind playing Mario Kart. When she notices Delia, she smiles and laughs.
Alex: Delia! You’re here! (she stands up to kiss her)
Delia: (Delia pushes her back) Are you fucking kidding me? Why haven’t you been at school? Why are you getting high?
Alex: School boring. Weed relaxing.
Delia: Kieran knows about the tapes, you fucking idiot. He finally got them.
Alex: What? Tapes? Ooohhh, those tapes…
Delia: Fuck this, you’re too high for this conversation. You better meet with me later, sober. You got me?
Alex: Yes, my dear.
Delia shakes her head and walks out the room. Grabbing Kieran, she shoves her way past Brash.
Delia: You stop giving her weed right now, got it?
Brash: Whatever you say, sweetheart.
Delia drags Kieran back to the car.
Delia: I need you to hear this.
Kieran: Hear what?
Delia: There's two sides to everything. Don’t believe everything you hear on those tapes.
Kieran looks confused at Delia, and then looks in the rear view mirror. Lizzy is staring at him with a hurt expression on her face.
————-
Lizzy: Relationships ruin a lot of things, you know. Friendships included.
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Flashback
Lizzy walks into Marnie’s and sees Delia. She waves and hurries over.
Lizzy: Where’s Tori?
Delia: Still on her mission to eat every cake pop they have here. There’s like 50 different flavors. There’s no way she’ll get through them all.
Tori walks up to them, an orange flavored cake pop in hand.
Tori: This does not taste right in the slightest bit.
Lizzy: Why’d you get it then?
Tori: Because dear friend, I set out on a mission, and I must complete it.
Delia: Lizzy, we uh...have something to tell you.
Delia and Tori nervously glance at each other.
Lizzy: You’re dating?
Tori: You...knew?
Lizzy: Listen buddy, I've consumed over a month’s worth of romance anime. Don’t underestimate my ability to point out a relationship when I see one.
Tori: That's…impressive, actually.
Lizzy: Oh this is so great! I’m so happy for you guys!
————-
Lizzy: I really was happy for you two. I could see how happy you made each other. Even if it didn’t last.
—————
Delia is pacing her room when she hears a knock on the window. She opens it.
Alex: What do you mean Kieran has the tapes?
Delia: I mean I saw him walking around all confused and depressed, more than usual. He had a tape recorder in his hand.
Alex: Fuck. Fuck! You don’t think he’ll do anything crazy right?
Delia: I don’t know. He might. I’m afraid he’ll go to the police with them. But I wanna believe he’s not that stupid.
Alex: Was he close with her?
Delia: They worked at the comic store together. I didn’t really see them together at school much.
Alex: Shit. What’re we gonna do?
Delia: There's nothing we can do. (she pauses) Were the tapes true, Alex?
Alex: What?! No!
Delia: Stop lying to me. If they were fake, why the fuck are you pushing everyone away from you besides Brash? Why are you getting high out of your mind every day?
Alex: It’s...complicated. Listen, I don’t wanna fight, okay? I’m leaving.
Alex gives Delia a quick kiss before running off into the night. She is heading right back to Brash’s house.
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Lizzy: I guess all high school relationships are doomed to fail at some point. Young love is so awkward and fast, you blink and it’s over with.
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Flashback
Lizzy is walking past a classroom when she hears crying. She peers in and sees Delia.
Lizzy: Hey, what's wrong?
Delia: Me and Tori broke up.
Lizzy: What? Why?
Delia: Reasons I don’t wanna get into. This sucks.
Lizzy: It’ll all be okay. We are the Marnie’s Squad after all!
Delia: I don’t think there will be a Marnie’s after this. Lizzy, I think I just need to be alone right now.
Lizzy: I understand. Just text me if you need anything.
Lizzy gives her a comforting pat on the back and continues down the hallway. She hears something slam against the door of the storage room. She opens the door.
Lizzy: Tori? What’re you doing?
Tori: The fuck does it look like?
Lizzy: That stuff is hazardous. Don’t break it.
Tori: Who gives a shit?
Lizzy: I see you’re handling this well.
Tori: I guess Delia told you. Course she did.
Lizzy: Stop pulling the tough guy act with me. I can see the dark circles around your eyes y’know. Did you sleep last night?
Tori: No.
Lizzy: Well I have a free period right now. You can sleep in here and I'll keep watch to make sure no one is coming. My lap has been rated 9.7/10 for sleeping, I’ll have you know.
Tori: (laughs) Okay, I'll believe you. Don’t let me sleep longer than this period, I have a test in the next one.
Tori falls asleep on Lizzy’s lap. Lizzy starts playing on her phone. She doesn’t realize Delia had been watching through the window the whole time.
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Lizzy: If you had bothered to ask me, you would’ve known that there was nothing there. You just wanted to assume there was a reason to justify the jealousy.
————-
Katie sees Kieran sitting by himself at the picnic table, listening to the tapes.
Kieran: Great.
Katie: Don't be so excited to see me. Have you gotten to the second tape yet?
Kieran: Not that it’s any of your business, but no.
Katie: It’s been like, almost a week. What’re you waiting for?
Kieran: Who are you? Father Time?
Katie: No, and quit the snarky attitude.
Kieran: Nah. It’s my whole personality.
Katie: Kieran, why won’t you just listen to all of them?
Kieran: It’s...hard. I was closer with her than I let on, and it’s really hard to hear her after what happened.
Katie: I get that.
Kieran: I don’t do feelings, okay. I’m going home. See you tomorrow, god forbid.
Kieran grabs his backpack and bike. With a final look at Katie, he heads home.
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Lizzy: I never thought you’d let a relationship get in the way of our friendship, Delia. I thought it was deeper than that. I was wrong.
—————
Flashback
Lizzy walks into Marnie’s and sees Tori. She runs over to sit with her.
Lizzy: Feeling better?
Tori: Yeah. I tried the green tea cake pop today. Still subpar.
Suddenly, the door flies open and Delia stomps in and over to their table.
Lizzy: Delia? What’s up?
Delia: Just shut up. You know.
She throws down a piece of paper on the table.
Delia: A hot or not list for boobs? Really Tori? And you rated hers better than me? You rated me the worst, at that!
Lizzy: What's going on?
Delia: Don’t play fucking stupid. You were just waiting to get with Tori, weren’t you?
Tori: Delia, calm down.
Lizzy: I’m straight? What?
Delia: Just fucking shut up! Have fun with her. I’m sure you will. That’s what fucking sluts do after all.
Lizzy slaps Delia across the face.
Lizzy: Fuck you, Delia.
Lizzy grabs her bag and runs out the door in tears. Delia looks at Tori in disgust and walks out the door in the other direction.
—————
Lizzy: You hit me right where it hurt, Delia. Nothing I put into that slap could’ve compared to how you hurt me. At that point, I knew the friendship was over, no matter what I said, or if you apologized. You were a piece of what broke the Marnie’s Squad.
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At the Bakers’ house, Michelle is sorting through her daughter’s things. She is crying when she suddenly pulls something out from Lizzy’s bag. It’s the hot or not list.
Michelle: Nick! Nick, come here!
Nick: What is it, honey?
Michelle: Look at this! This could be evidence for the lawsuit.
Nick: How?
Michelle: Rating her best boobs? That’s sexual harassment isn’t it?
Nick: I don’t know if that will help at all.
Michelle: God, you’re so fucking pessimistic. I’m trying to help our case here.
Nick: With a piece of paper with her name on it? Most girls would consider best boobs a compliment! Michelle, what the fuck? Have you gone insane?
Michelle: Fuck you, Nick. Our fucking daughter is six feet in the goddamn ground and I wanna know why she did it! Why she decided that killing herself was her only fucking option. If you aren’t gonna help me then get the hell out.
Nick shakes his head and slams the door behind him. Michelle wipes a tear from her eye and dials a number.
Michelle: Hey, I know you offered some help. I think I’m gonna need it.
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Lizzy: Maybe our friendship was meant to break.
————
Kieran had stopped outside the Bakers’ house. He found himself taking that way home a lot recently. He sees a familiar car pull up. Katie jumps out and knocks on the Bakers’ door. Lizzy’s mom answers and welcomes her into the house with a smile. Kieran looks at them, confused.
Kieran: What the hell?
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Lizzy: If Alex was the beginning, you were certainly a part of the rising action, Delia. A roller coaster up, until the inevitable drop. My first “best” friend. The first person I had ever put my hands on that I actually liked at first. The question remains. How will you, the person listening, contribute to this story? Will you be a simple pawn, or something deeper than that? Well, you better stay tuned and find out.
END OF CHAPTER 2