Love You Times Two

Amias: “Zoe Adams. I can’t help but associate her with the best part of my life. Maybe it’s pathetic of me, but… can you blame me?”

Flashbacks are shown accordingly.

Amias: “Sixth grade… I saw her for the first time. She was stunning. I was new to the area, and she was surrounded by friends. But I knew I had to get to know her. It wasn’t just that she was pretty– she had this intriguing look to her, something that told me deep down I had to learn more.”

Panels show that Amias looks at Zoe during class, P.E., in the halls, etc.

Amias: “It’s hard to take that first step. I didn’t even end up talking to her first– the end of the year was coming, and she was having this big birthday party. Her twelfth. She invited everyone in our homeroom, and yet, I still felt special receiving it. I wanted to thank her for inviting me, but I couldn’t even get myself to utter a single word.”

“I didn’t do much at that party… I ended up just talking to my friends. But a milestone was made. I said ‘hello’ to her, and thanked her for inviting me. I even said ‘goodbye’ when I left!”

“My foot was in the door. We became good friends over the course of seventh grade. She went to sit at my lunch table at first, and I joined her at hers… I definitely got an earful from my friends after that...”

“When her birthday came around again, I did something extremely selfish. I asked if she wanted to go out. I guess I could have saved it for a different day, but… to my surprise… she was willing to humor me. It was a yes!”

“There are only so many things you can do as a 13-year-old. I did every chore: cleaned the house up and down, mowed lawns, ran to the store and was given permission to keep the change– anything I could to save up whatever I could.”

“In eighth grade, we walked together through the halls, holding hands. I felt like I was on top of the world, that I had everything I could ever want. But, nothing lasts forever… my dad found a work opportunity that was ‘life-changing’. I couldn’t agree more. We’d be moving across the country. Away from my life, away from my school… away from Zoe. I still remember the last time I saw her… my house was already cleared out of everything important, and we were walking through the park.”

Amias and Zoe walk through the park. The sun is setting, and the two are holding hands.

Zoe: “The timing really is unfortunate…”

She squeezes his hand.

Zoe: “…you can’t ask your parents to wait one more day? I know it’s only been two so far, but… it’d be weird to spend a birthday without you.”

Amias: “My parents are set on the day. We’re driving there with what we have, and they want to make it to the new place on the first of the month… it’s like getting their full rent’s worth.”

Zoe is quiet.

Amias: “Look…”

The two sit on a bench, overlooking the vibrant setting. He swallows, trying not to let his emotions get the better of him.

Amias: “Putting a stop to this is the last thing I’d ever want to do. Can’t I give you my phone number, even now?”

Zoe shakes her head.

Zoe: “My parents don’t even like the idea of this, even if they don’t consider a middle school relationship as a real one. They’ve limited my phone to only be able to call 911, or them, or my home tutor.”

Amias: “I can write it down, or… I don’t know.”

Zoe looks at Amias.

Zoe: “Do you think we’ll ever see each other again?”

Amias faces Zoe, a determined look in his eyes.

Amias: “Of course we will. And when we do, we’ll pick up right where we left off.”

Zoe’s eyes shine, holding back tears. She sticks out her pinkie.

Zoe: “Promise?”

Amias smiles gently.

Amias: “I promise.”

Their faces move close together, but they both blush and look away, opting for a hug.

Zoe: “I love you.”

Amias: “I love you too.”

Chapter 1

Amias is walking through the halls with a group of friends.

Friend 1: “Whoa, man. For real? Nice!”

One of his friends high-fives another.

Friend 1: “Always knew you had it in you.”

Friend 2: “It was crazy, too. I really did want to watch that movie, but before I knew it, we were– well, I don’t need to repeat myself.”

Friend 3: “I guess we all got lucky this summer, then!”

Friend 1: “Getting kissed doesn’t exactly count, but… whatever makes you happy, man.”

The focus shifts to Amias, laughing lightly at his friends’ bickering.

Friend 3 (offscreen): “It doesn’t not count! At least I didn’t get my first kiss at 16, like you!”

Friend 1: “I was fifteen. It wasn’t even my birthday yet.”

Friend 3: “Same thing!”

Friend 2: “What about you, Amias? When did you have your first kiss?”

Amias: “First… kiss? Uh, I haven’t exactly–”

Friend 1: “Amias is still hung up on his ex from middle school. What was her name… started with an S, I think?”

Amias: “Zoe. Z.”

Friend 2: “Surely you’re not that hung up, right? I mean, come on. You can’t just wait forever. You don’t even know if you will see her again.”

Amias smiles.

Amias: “Yes I do. We promised.”

An image of a pinkie promise flashes in Amias’ mind.

Friend 3: “Listen, Amias. I’m the last guy that wants to say this to you, but… if this girl really was as beautiful as you say she is, she probably found someone else by now. It has been, like, four years.”

Amias: “Three. She’d stick to her promise. I know that much about her.”

Friend 3: “Well, the promise was that you’d see each other again. Not that she wouldn’t, like, date anyone else in the interim.”

Friend 2 punches Friend 3 in the shoulder.

Friend 3: “Hey!”

Friend 2: “Come on, don’t be like that. I kinda admire Amias in a way. I mean, I wouldn’t personally do what he’s doing, but… it’s nice. I think it is, anyway.”

Friend 1: “We’re not trying to make you feel bad, man. We just want you to be realistic. This girl still lives, where… Utah?”

Amias is still smiling.

Amias: “Yeah. I get it, you’re fine.”

The bell rings.

Friend 2: “That’s the homeroom warning bell. My homeroom’s in the other building. I’ll catch you boys later, alright?”

Friend 1 and 3: “Later.”

Friend 2 runs off.

Friend 1: “I better get going, too. I promised myself I’d really buckle up and try this year, you know?”

Amias looks down the hallway. He sees a girl look at some doors, and then at her schedule, before walking down a little and checking her schedule again. His lips part. An image of his middle school sweetheart flashes in his mind, and then he pays attention to this similar-looking girl in the present moment; before a hand comes down on his shoulder. Friend 1 is staring Amias in the eyes. Amias uncomfortably darts his eyes around.

Friend 1: “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

Amias: “Sorry. I thought I saw…”

He looks down the hall again, but the girl is gone.

Friend 1: “Amias. What lunch period do you have?”

Amias’ eyes scan the hall for the girl, but as more and more students enter their respective homerooms, he’s unable to find her.

Friend 3: “Forget it. Once this guy spaces out, there’s no saving him.”

The bell rings.

Friend 1: “Damn it! Hey, I’ll catch you guys later, alright?”

Friend 3: “For sure, for sure. Come on, Amias. We’ve got homeroom.”

Amias shakes himself back into reality.

Amias: “R-right.”

The two friends make their way to their shared homeroom.

Teacher: “Darren Carter.”

A student raises his hand.

Student: “Present.”

Student (offscreen): “This dude said ‘present’.”

The homeroom door opens. Amias and his friend enter.

Teacher: “You’re late.”

Amias: “Sorry… we had a bit of trouble finding the room.”

Teacher: “Mr. Zachary, you’ve been a student at this school since your freshman year. I find that hard to believe. But, it’s the first day, so I guess I’ll let it slide.”

Amias: “S-sorry. Thank you.”

Amias makes his way to the very back of the class, an open seat by the window. Amias’ friend takes the seat next to him.

Teacher (offscreen): “Allan Godfrey.”

Student: “Here.”

Friend 3 (quietly): “This is pretty nice. We got Ms. Reuben. My brother told me that as long as you’re good and off her radar, you can basically do whatever you want in her homeroom.”

Amias: “Hm. That’s good. Would she even allow phone use?”

Friend 3: “I don’t see why not. I imagine she’ll go over ‘ground rules’ when attendance is done.”

Amias looks at the front of the class. He can’t see their face, but a girl with long, dark hair is sitting in front.

Friend 3: “Hm? Where are you looking?”

Amias: “If I tell you, you might really think I’m crazy…”

Friend 3: “I’m already convinced you’re a lost cause. Why? What is it?”

Ms. Reuben: “Boys.”

Amias and Friend 3: “Sorry.”

>>

Ms. Reuben: “Amias Zachary.”

Amias raises his hand.

Amias: “Here.”

He looks at the girl sitting in the front, but she stays facing forward, having no reaction at all.

Amias (quietly): Of course, what would the odds even be of her being here…”

He starts drawing on a piece of loose leaf paper.

Ms. Reuben: “Now, some of you had me for homeroom last year, but most of you are new. My name is Ms. Reuben, and–”

The girl in the front of the class raises her hand.

Ms. Reuben: “Yes?”

Girl: “I’m sorry to interrupt, but you never called my name.”

Ms. Reuben clicks her pen.

Ms. Reuben: “I’ll just write you in. What’s your name?”

Girl: “Zoe Adams.”

Amias perks up. His friend is on his phone.

Friend 3: “Hey, Amias, did you hear? Her name is Zoe. You know, like your–”

He looks at Amias. His eyes are wide open, and his mouth is slightly ajar. It doesn’t take an expert to know that he’s in complete and utter disbelief.

Friend 3: “No. Dude. Surely– like, what? Same last name?”

Amias doesn’t move, nor respond in any way. A memory pops into his mind.

Zoe: “Do you think we’ll ever see each other again?”

Amias faces Zoe, a determined look in his eyes.

Amias: “Of course we will. And when we do, we’ll pick up right where we left off.”

Zoe’s eyes shine, holding back tears. She sticks out her pinkie.

Zoe: “Promise?”

Amias smiles gently.

Amias: “I promise.”

Ms. Reuben: “Zoe. Alright. In any case, these things usually update within the first week. Just remind me in the future if your name isn’t on any attendance sheets.”

Zoe: “Will do. Thank you.”

Friend 3: “Are you sure that’s her? Like, fully sure?”

Amias, his expression unchanging, nods slowly.

Friend 3: “Well, like… what are you even gonna say?”

Amias: “I… don’t know.”

Friend 3: “Well, you can’t just say nothing! And you’re positive this is her?”

Amias: “She’s taller now, and her voice has changed a little. But her name is exact. The way she speaks, and carries herself… there’s no doubt in my mind. That’s Zoe. My Zoe. It has to be.”

>>

The bell rings, and everyone starts making their way out. 

Friend 3: “Well, I’ll let you do your thing, man. Good luck. Wish you the best.”

He makes his way out of the classroom. Amias is trembling.

Amias (thinking): Calm down. Of course I’d have nerves like crazy at a time like this… but whatever it is… I just need to do it!

Zoe finishes packing up, and makes for the door.

Amias: “Zoe?”

Zoe stands outside the classroom, right by the doorway. Amias stands inside, also near the doorway.

Zoe: “Hm?”

Amias: “You’re… really here… I’m sorry. I just… I thought about this time for so long, but I guess I never thought about what I’d say, or…”

Zoe looks at him blankly.

Amias: “I’m sorry. I’m rambling. It’s.. good to see you again!”

Zoe: “Amias…”

Amias: “Y-yes?”

Zoe: “Do I… know you from somewhere?”

Amias’ eyes look lifeless. He freezes in place.