Kids at school call me “Jittery Justin.”
It’s safe to say I’m not the most confident and courageous guy.
And right now, as I sweat through my suit outside Gwen’s house…
I am absolutely terrified.
So I practice my lines again.
Justin
"Mr. Reynolds, it’s a pleasure to meet you."
Justin
"My name’s Justin. Gwen’s told me so much about you…"
But what if he asks what Gwen HAS told me about him?
Because the truth is, it hasn’t been much.
I know his name is Frank, and he’s a single dad.
And that he’s not happy his daughter is going to homecoming with a boy he’s never met.
I want to tell him it’s not my fault.
That despite being crazy about Gwen since middle school…
It took me until senior homecoming to ask her out.
And realistically, she probably only said yes out of pity.
But I obviously can’t say any of that…
So I breathe deeply and walk toward the house.
After ringing the doorbell, I hear heavy, lumbering steps from inside the house.
As I straighten my boutonniere, the front door opens, revealing…
A man who is *much* bigger than I’d expected.
Frank
Well, look who we have here.
Without thinking, I step into the house and extend my hand.
Justin
Mr. Reynolds, it’s a pleasure to meet you.
Justin
My name’s Justin. Gwen’s told me so much—
Frank
I’m afraid Gwen’s not here.
Justin
But…I was supposed to pick her up and take her to homecoming.
Justin
We just talked about it an hour ago.
Frank
Yes, but that was before she had an emergency.
Justin
An emergency? Is she okay?
Frank
She’s totally fine.
Frank
But a friend of hers was having some kind of a problem.
Frank
Gwen had to hurry out to help her.
Frank
She must have forgotten to text you.
THUD. I hear something from beneath the floor.
It sounds like it’s coming from the basement.
Frank
Don’t mind him. That’s just our golden retriever, Buckley.
Justin
Isn’t Gwen allergic to dogs?
Frank
She is. That’s why Buckley’s in the basement.
Frank
He’s my sister’s dog.
Frank
I figured since Gwen’s going to be out of the house all weekend for homecoming…
Frank
It’d be no problem to watch him for a few days.
Hmmm. Gwen had said she had to be home by 11 that night.
And that she wasn’t allowed to go to any parties or anything.
Maybe she got her dad to change his mind.
Frank
So…you should really just go to the school and wait for Gwen there.
Frank
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.
Justin
Do you know which of her friends picked her up?
Justin
I saw that her car’s still in the driveway.
Frank
Gwen has so many friends that it’s hard to keep track.
Frank
This one was blonde. I didn’t get her name.
This time rustling noises come from the basement.
Frank
It sounds like Buckley’s hungry.
Frank
Now if you’ll excuse me…
I take the hint and turn to leave.
But then I notice something on the table by the door…
Then under the table, tucked partially behind a curtain, I see…
Large black gloves and a crowbar.
I pivot on my heel to face Frank.
Justin
I hate to be a bother, but could I use your bathroom before I leave?
After a moment, he forces a smile.
Frank
Of course. It’s right down the hall.
I walk slowly down the hall, my heart beating out of my chest.
As I duck into the bathroom, I catch something out of the corner of my eye…
The back door of the kitchen has been pried open.
I slip into the bathroom and shut the door.
I search through Gwen’s social media on my phone.
I browse her photos, scrolling past pictures from school and soccer games and dances before landing on…
A picture of her at her cousin’s wedding.
In the picture, she stands beside her dad…
And the man in the picture looks *nothing* like the man I’ve been talking to.
Frank
Is everything okay in there?
Justin
Yes! Sorry, I’ll be right out.
I flush the toilet, turn on the faucet, then text my friend Doug.
Justin
Call the cops and send them to Gwen’s house NOW. Don’t text me back or this guy might get suspicious.
Then I open the door to find myself face-to-face with Frank.
Justin
I should probably get going now.
Frank
Yeah, I think that would be best.
As Frank ushers me toward the front door, I frantically go over my options.
I could leave, move to safety, and let the cops do their job.
But what if this imposter has already hurt Gwen and her dad?
What if they need my help now?
Can I risk waiting for the police to show up when the girl of my dreams could be in danger?
I’m 2 steps from the front door.
Frank is breathing down my neck.
My boutonniere drops to the floor.
I bend down to pick it up, but instead reach under the table…
I bolt to my feet, swinging the crowbar with all my might.
I clip the imposter on the temple, sending him to the floor in a heap.
I sprint through the hallway and down into the basement.
As I stumble down the stairs, I see Gwen, along with a man who I assume is her real dad.
They’re tied up in the corner.
Their hands, feet, and mouths are bound.
I crouch down next to Gwen and pull off her gag just in time for her to scream—
I spin around to see Frank on the staircase, blood running down his shirt.
Frank
If you forget what you saw here and just walk away…
Frank
I’ll let you leave alive.
But I’ve already decided.
I block Gwen and her dad from the imposter.
I swing the crowbar back and forth in hopes of keeping him at a distance.
Frank
Come on, kid. You know how this ends.
Frank pulls out a pistol.
My throat clenches up, but I still refuse to move.
Frank
Fine. It’s your funeral.
I lock eyes with Gwen, and we share a look of hopelessness.
But it isn’t from the imposter’s gun going off…
It’s the basement door being kicked in by 3 police officers.
Each draws a pistol and points it at the imposter.
He drops the gun, then falls to his knees.
The imposter is taken away in a squad car.
Turns out the police have been looking for this guy.
Gwen, her father, and I all have to go to the station and make statements.
Talking to the police takes most of the evening.
So Gwen and I never make it to homecoming.
A police car takes us back to her house.
I say goodnight to Gwen and her father, and start walking toward my car.
But Frank — the real Frank — stops me.
Frank
I don’t know how to thank you.
He is overcome with emotion.
He puts his hand on my shoulder.
Then he manages to speak.
Frank
My daughter means everything to me.
Frank
And now I know she’s in good hands with you.
He walks toward the house, leaving me alone with Gwen.
The two of us embrace for a long time.
The she releases herself from my arms, and looks into my eyes.
Gwen
I’m sorry you didn’t get to go to homecoming.
Gwen
How can I make it up to you?
Justin
Hmmm. Do you have any plans on Thursday?
Gwen
Yes, as a matter of fact I do.
She gives me a kiss on the lips.
Gwen
I have a date with you.
