James: 'Ey Sunshine. Are you okay? I just got your text.
Amber: I'm fine. I guess I was just overreacting. I'm sorry to have woken you up.
James: S'okay. I was still awake. Are you sure you're alright? I wish we weren't so fuc--so freakin' far apart. You shouldn't be on your own when you're feelin' bad.
Amber: What would you do? Sing me a lullaby?
James: Maybe. You don't know. When I--when I was a kid, my mom had a spray bottle full of water and she'd spray the monsters under the bed for me. I'll come spray your monsters.
Amber: [laughs] There are no monsters, James. Just my imagination, I suppose. Everybody but Cora has texted me back, and she's probably just asleep. I shouldn't have bothered you guys.
James: I mean it. I'll fight your monsters for you. I would. No matter what. You know that, right?
Amber: James, are you okay? You sound... strange. Are you sure nothing's wrong?
James: I'm good. Just tired, I guess. But I'm not worried about me.
Amber: Well, get some sleep, silly. I'll see you in a few days.
James: Alright, but call me if you need me. Even if it's just your imagination. Promise?
Amber: I promise. Good night, James. Thank you for calling me.
Jonah: Thanks for agreeing to meet me, even though you're clearly in agony. Should I take you to the hospital?
Amber: I just... I don't know what to do about James.
Jonah: How did it go last night?
Amber: It was hard. I felt so useless. But I figured I could at least make sure he knew he wasn't alone, so I just hung around while he played guitar. It was a little awkward. All of the songs he played were so sad.
Jonah: Er... I think that's just the kind of music he likes, actually. "Sad man with guitar" stuff.
Jonah: But he's lucky to have you.
Amber: Oh, come on, I know you're--
Jonah: No, I'm serious. I wouldn't wish that kind of life on my worst enemy, and James definitely isn't my worst enemy. I guess he's not even my enemy, really... I just worried I'd lose you to the popular jock, and it'd be like I was in high school all over again. That's on me, not him.
Amber: You couldn't have had this epiphany a week ago?
Jonah: Fair enough. But when I got back home, and it really sunk in that you'd ended things, I just... I realized what a douchebag I was being. I realized that I was the problem, which meant that only I could fix it.
Amber: Can you? I'm not going to stop being friends with James, or anyone else for that matter, just because you have trust issues.
Jonah: You shouldn't. That's dumb. Look, I know it's hard to believe, but I'm not normally like this. I hate all that macho alpha male bullshit. I don't want to "own" you.
Amber: Then what changed?
Jonah: When I was in high school, I dated the same girl, Lori, for three years. I thought we were gonna be together forever, you know? But then senior year, Lori slept with the captain of the football team. And this dude wasn't like James. He was a total asshole. He bullied me all the time when we were in elementary and middle school, until puberty hit and I beat his ass. But he still found a way to get back at me.
Jonah: And ever since... Well, it just felt like it was going to happen all over again with you and James, and I went crazy.
Amber: Jonah, I--
Jonah: I know that doesn't excuse anything, but I still wanted to explain, so at least maybe you won't hate me. I really, really like you, Amber. Hopefully I can prove to you that we should give this another chance. With fifty percent less dumbassery.
Amber: I have missed you, but... you really hurt me, between the possessiveness and the lying. I want to believe you when you say you'll do better. I don't hate you. Just... I think I need a little more time.
🎵Tell me what you're feeling
I can take the pain 🎵
Amber: I'm back.
James: Of course you are. I'm okay, Sunshine. Really. You don't need to worry about me.
Amber: James, what would you do if I walked in here with a black eye?
James: I'd fucking kill somebody.
Amber: Exactly.
James: It's not the same.
Amber: Yes, it is.
Amber: I think I understand why you didn't tell me, but I want you to know--you could have. You can still.
James: When should I have told you? The first day of class? 'Hey, I'm James. I like guitars, Eddie Vedder, long walks on the beach, and oh yeah, my asshole dad started drinking after he lost his job a few years ago and now I'm busting my ass playing football so I can go pro, get rich, and get my mom away from him. Now let's write a paper!' No way, you'd have run away screaming.
Amber: I wouldn't have.
James: No, you wouldn't have. But it's just... it's really not a big deal, okay? He got a new job this summer and things have been getting better.
Amber: Your eye says otherwise. Did he put that scar on your cheek too?
James: Yeah, but it was a long time ago. Things really are better now.
Amber: Well... I don't want to push you, but I have to say a few things. One, you can always talk to me. About anything. Always. Two, if you say the word, I will figure out how to get to Twinbrook and I will crazy murder him. Three, you can always come and stay with me and Ingrid in San Myshuno. Your mother, too. No questions asked.
Amber: Four, when you move in with us, you have to bring your guitar. I can't believe this is the first time I've heard you play it. Or sing, for that matter. You're actually quite good.
James: Yup.
Amber: [laughs] And modest.
James: You should hear my Lady Gaga.
James: [singing] Tell me what your heart wants, such a simple thing. My heart is like paper. Yours is like a flame.
AMBER: Are you okay I know it sounds crazy but I woke up with this bad feeling all of a sudden and wanted to check on everybody. I hope this doesn't wake you up!
JACK: I'm fine! Are you? I have an aunt who has dreams like that sometimes and she's usually right. But that's a whole other story. Hopefully it's nothing this time! Call me if you need me. Seriously. I'm already up trying to finish this stupid anthropology paper.
AMBER: Are you okay I know it sounds crazy but I woke up with this bad feeling all of a sudden and wanted to check on everybody. I hope this doesn't wake you up!
JONAH: I was already up. Can't sleep, but I'm fine. Are you okay?
AMBER: I think so. Just weirded out.
JONAH: It's probably nothing. You don't normally have visions, do you?
AMBER: No, but...
JONAH: Can I do anything to help? Want me to call people or something?
AMBER: I've texted everyone. Thank you, though.
JONAH: No prob. Can we talk? When we're back, I mean. I fucked up.
AMBER: Maybe. I guess. Okay.
AMBER: Are you okay I know it sounds crazy but I woke up with this bad feeling all of a sudden and wanted to check on everybody. I hope this doesn't wake you up!
HUCK: OMG AMBERRRRRRRR I MISS YOU SO MUCCCHH COME PARTY WITH ME I'M IN SAN MY, COME SEE MME! mE. I'M AT PULP DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS??????
AMBER: That's very kind of you, but I don't think I can make it tonight. Be safe!
Amber: No, he said it was a 'dumb mistake' and got pretty defensive about it.
Jonah: Shit.
Amber: What?
Jonah: That means it wasn't an accident. If he'd really just been goofing off with his buddies or something, he's admit it. This is bad.
Amber: Wh--what do you think happened? I feel like I'm missing something.
Jonah: It was probably his dad. The guy sounds like a real douche. I mean, you know James and I aren't exactly having heart-to-hearts, but I overhear stuff. This probably isn't the first time it's happened, either. That would explain why he's always fucking apologizing.
Amber: How do you know all this stuff?
Jonah: My mom's a social worker. I've picked up a few things.
Amber: We have to do something! We should--we can't kill his dad, right?
Jonah: [laughs] Easy, Lizzie Borden. I wish we could beat the shit out of him, but that wouldn't actually help anything. There's not much we can do, honestly. It's complicated.
Amber: No, it's stupid. I'm gonna go talk to James.
James: [singing] Been so long since I've seen your face, or felt a part of this human race. Been livin' out of this here suitcase for way too long... A man needs something he can hold onto. A nine pound hammer or a woman like you, either one of them things will do....
Amber: James? Are you okay?
James: Oh, I didn't hear you come in, sorry. Uh, yeah, I'm fine. How are you?
Amber: What the hell happened to your face, James Kelevra? Who hit you?
James: [deep sigh] I told you, I'm fine. It's not as bad as it looks.
Amber: Well that's good, because it looks awful. How did this happen?
James: I told you, it's nothing, okay? Just a dumb mistake.
Amber: James, I--
Jame: I know you mean well, Amber, but right now I'm tired and grumpy. Can we catch up tomorrow after I've gotten some rest? It was a real long drive back here.
