Alex is standing over me.
I sit up slowly and take in my surroundings.
Danny
You passed out in the bathroom.
Danny
So I carried you out…
Danny
A girl named Maya directed us upstairs.
Danny
I was freaking out…
Danny
But she said you’re probably just dehydrated.
Danny
She went to get you some water.
I passed out in front of Alex’s brother—
In the middle of the greatest revenge plot of all time—
And now I’m lying in dirty lacrosse player sheets.
Can this night get any worse?
But it’s not as bad as before.
Still, I flop back down on the bed…
Mentally and physically exhausted.
The mattress dips beside me…
He looks as if he’s drowning in guilt.
And frankly, I’m too exhausted to summon my anger.
Kylie
Although clearly Alex thinks I am.
He runs a hand over his face.
Danny
Yeah, well, you’re not alone.
Danny
Apparently, he thinks I’m stupid too.
Danny
But I should have known better.
Kylie
So what was your guys’ big plan, exactly?
Kylie
You pretend to be Alex—
Kylie
—So he doesn’t have to deal any of this, of course—
Kylie
And then embarrass me in front of everyone?
Kylie
Publicly humiliate me with another girl…
Kylie
So it would get back to me…
Kylie
And I’d have no choice but to break up with Alex myself?
Danny’s forearms are resting on his knees.
Danny
I didn’t know anything about it.
Danny
Not until I saw you tonight.
Kylie
That’s a little hard to believe.
He turns to me, his eyes earnest.
Danny
I swear it’s the truth.
Danny
He told me this girl Layla was interested in me…
Danny
Said she wanted to meet me at a Stoplight party.
Danny
One the lacrosse players were throwing.
Danny
He gave me this t-shirt and everything.
I eye the stupid shirt disdainfully.
Danny
I didn’t even question it.
Danny
I thought it was going to be a fun night out with my brother.
Danny
God, maybe I am pretty stupid after all.
He shakes his head as if disgusted with himself.
I ignore the way my heart thumps with sympathy at his words.
Kylie
This still doesn’t make sense though.
Kylie
Why would you pretend to be him in the bathroom?
Kylie
Even after I said something to you?
Kylie
Wouldn’t you have put it together by then?
Danny
I’m ESPECIALLY sorry about that.
Danny
And the only explanation I really have…
Danny
Is that old habits die hard.
Danny
I’ve always gone to bat for Alex in the past.
Danny
He’s my older brother.
I curl my lip in disgust.
Kylie
What is he, older by like 2 minutes?
Danny’s face is the picture of defeat.
Danny
I know it’s a stupid excuse.
Danny
And I don’t expect you to understand.
Danny
It’s just…Alex is the outgoing one.
Danny
He’s the Alpha. I’m the Beta.
Danny
I guess I’ve just always taken his lead.
More of the fight leaves me at his words.
Even though we’ve only been dating for a little bit…
I know how persuasive Alex can be.
He’s the “Alpha” in our relationship, too.
I blow out a tired breath.
Kylie
No…I can understand that actually.
Kylie
Alex can be charming…
Kylie
I’ve noticed that in the past month.
Kylie
He makes it hard to say no to him.
Danny and I stare at each other for a moment…
That intense energy passes between us again.
And I know we both feel it…
Because we look away at the same time.
I rub a hand over my forehead again.
Danny clucks his tongue and looks around the room.
Then he walks over to a mini-fridge in the corner.
Danny
There’s an unopened water bottle.
I don’t want to take anything from him…
But I do need the hydration.
Danny
Look, what I said in the bathroom is true.
Danny
Alex is too immature for a relationship.
Danny
And he was too immature to end things properly…
Danny
Because he was afraid of your reaction.
Danny
You deserve better than him, Kylie.
Danny
You’re completely out of his league.
I obviously don’t care about his compliments.
Danny
No, no, I don’t just mean your looks.
Danny
You said it before — most people don’t say no to Alex.
Danny
None of his girlfriends have.
Danny
He’s told me about that.
Danny
And I think you’ve made him a better person because you do.
Danny
He’s just too stupid to realize it.
Danny
No, come on. Isn’t it true you pushed him to study for his midterms?
Danny
Because I’ve never seen him crack a book open in his life.
Kylie
I had to promise to bake him cupcakes though.
Danny
Those were YOUR cupcakes he had in the fridge?
Danny
They were delicious.
Danny
And when I came over tonight…
Danny
I couldn’t believe how clean his room was!
Kylie
You should have seen it 2 days ago.
Kylie
That place was vile.
Kylie
I told him if he didn’t clean it I wasn’t stepping foot in there.
Danny
Well, it definitely worked.
Danny
And trust me, I know how bad it can get.
Danny
We shared a room growing up…
Danny
A lot of the time, I was left cleaning up his mess.
His words hover in the air…
I take in Danny’s profile…
Feeling like I understand him better.
He suddenly shakes his head as if baffled.
Danny
He’s a world class idiot.
Danny
Letting a girl like you go.
Danny
But, that’s my brother.
Danny
I don’t know if he’ll ever grow up.
His voice is laced with conviction.
His eyes flashing with a hint of anger.
Danny
But this is the last time I ever let him rope me into something.
Danny
I learned my lesson.
Because I’m thinking the same thing about Alex.
It’s time I end this relationship.
I’m overloaded with emotions…
And feeling completely unsettled.
But Danny suddenly looks at me so deeply…
It doesn’t have to mess with my sense of self.
Danny
You seem like an amazing girl, Kylie.
Danny
You should find someone who appreciates it.
He looks away, suddenly shy.
Danny
If I had a girl like you…
Danny
I’d treat you right.
His words shouldn’t warm me…
I’m lightheaded again, but for different reasons.
I can’t help but stare back at Danny.
Getting lost in his eyes.
Eyes that are like Alex’s…
And we’re gazing into each other’s eyes like this…
When Alex bursts into the room.
