Ethan
Do you want to go to Homecoming with me?
Casey sits up in bed and stares at her phone.
She hasn’t spoken to Ethan in 3 years.
Not since their freshman year class trip.
The trip where he made her life a living hell.
Casey
I think you’ve texted the wrong number.
Ethan
This is still Casey Mills, isn’t it?
Ethan
We used to be such good friends.
Casey
Do you call all your friends “Bunny?”
Casey
Or just the ones you want to make fun of?
“Bunny” was the charming nickname he’d given her during that freshman class trip.
Because her ears stuck out like one, he said.
At first it was kind of cute.
But then he went and called her it in front of other people.
Now, the whole school calls her "Bunny."
It’s even the tagline under her yearbook photo.
Ethan
I said I was sorry for that!
Ethan
Don’t you believe me?
Casey
It’d be easier to believe if you weren’t so…you.
Ethan
What does that mean?
Casey groans and rolls out of bed, ignoring her phone.
As she gets dressed, she peeks into the mirror.
She looks nothing like the preppy, athletic girls who Ethan hangs out with now.
Because she’s not like them.
She’s geeky, awkward, shy.
Reluctantly, she returns to her phone.
Ethan
Seriously…what does that mean?
Casey
Everyone likes you.
Casey
You’re probably the most popular guy in school.
Casey
Meanwhile, everyone looks at me and sees a joke.
Casey
Have you seen the yearbook?
Ethan
Maybe people would get sick of that dumb joke if they knew anything else about you.
Ethan
But since you never go to any school functions, or dances, or parties…
Casey
I went to Homecoming once.
Ethan
Nothing since then.
Casey
What, have you been keeping track of everything I do?
Casey
Not go to boring school dances, that’s what.
Ethan
Is that a 'no' on Homecoming?
In her mind, she pictures the Ethan she used to be friends with.
The way he laughed at all her jokes.
…Until he turned her into one.
Casey
Why are you even asking me to go to the dance?
Casey
Don’t you have 300 other girls begging to go with you?
Despite herself, Casey laughs.
Ethan
But I want to go with you.
She stares at the screen, her heart beating faster.
She’s seen Ethan in school, of course.
He tries to say 'hi' to her sometimes…
Those conversations always end with her brushing him off.
Though not before she notices he still has that dimple.
And the same steady green eyes she used to love getting lost in.
She’s thought about him over the years.
Wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
But popular Ethan would never want to kiss her.
A sinking suspicion hits, making her stomach twist.
Casey
Why are you texting me?
Casey
We’ve barely talked in years.
Casey
Did you lose a bet to ask out the nerdy girl or something?
She feels like she’s been punched in the gut.
There’s no way Ethan, of all people, would possibly want to go to a dance with her.
He’s just making another joke at her expense.
Casey
I’m not your punchline anymore.
She’ll block his number later.
Right now, she needs to get to school.
Casey barely makes it to school in time for homeroom.
She’s way more anxious than usual.
All she can think about is Ethan’s stupid prank.
The jokes he must be telling his friends.
She slams her locker shut…
Only to find Ethan himself behind it.
Ethan
Please, let me explain.
Casey
What, did your friends dare you to ask out the most unpopular girl in school?
Ethan
It wasn’t like that.
Casey
I’m late for homeroom.
Ethan chases her, but she ignores him…
And slams the classroom door in his face.
Casey stops short outside her homeroom.
Other kids file around them.
Someone whispers “Bunny.”
He winces as a couple other kids laugh quietly.
Eventually, they’re the only two left in the hallway.
Casey
Are you going to follow me around all day?
Ethan
If that’s what it takes.
Ethan
Just let me explain, Casey.
Casey
Haven’t you done enough damage?
Casey
You hear them make fun of me.
Ethan
They’re just doing that because they’re jealous.
Casey bursts into laughter.
Ethan
You’re smart, and gorgeous, and funny.
Ethan
And you’re totally unique.
She stares at him, her eyebrows rising.
She could get lost in those distracting green eyes of his.
But instead, she shakes her head.
Ethan
Maybe they’re jealous because of me, then.
Ethan
You did say there were 300 other girls begging to go to the dance with me.
He’s so close now she can feel his breath on her cheeks.
Ethan
But I want to go with you.
He smells like pine, mint, and something else.
Like the air before a storm.
Casey
I thought you said you lost a bet.
His touch sends a frizz of electricity through her body.
Ethan
The loser had to ask out whichever girl they’ve secretly been crushing on.
She laughs again, softer now.
Casey
But that’s ridiculous.
Casey
I’ve hardly even talked to you since freshman year.
Ethan
Not for lack of my trying.
She thinks back to all the times she blew him off.
All his apologies she rejected.
Casey
You called me a bunny!
Ethan
I didn’t mean for other people to hear.
Ethan
That was supposed to be my special nickname for you.
He smiles again, and there’s that dimple she always loved.
Ethan
I’ve always loved bunnies.
He curls a finger under her chin…
When his lips meet hers, it’s everything she imagined it would be.
Fireworks and electricity, and something else.
Like the air right after a thunderstorm passes…
When there’s only clear skies ahead.
