Scene One: On an airplane

Zoom in on a brunette, late 20s, woman in a deep red business suit, shaking her leg, watching out of the window.

GWEN (V.O.): On my way to my 10-year reunion. My, how time flies. I got everything I’ve wanted since then.

Camera view widens, showing a man, open blue button up shirt, top two buttons, with black slacks, patting GWEN’s hand. GWEN looks and smiles.

GWEN (V.O.): Yeah, got married for one thing. His name is Derrick Potter; he’s going to be 32 soon and we’ve been married for six years. We’ve dated on and off since I turned 18 but he waited until I was done with college at NYU.

Flashback to DERRICK proposing to GWEN at college graduation

GWEN (V.O.): I never thought he would do it. No kids yet. This is an issue we argue about constantly.

Flashback to GWEN and DERRICK in a living room, fighting.

GWEN (shouting): It’s my body, okay? If I don’t want a head coming out of it, I don’t have to!

DERRICK (shouting): One day, you’ll have to!

GWEN (shouting): Says who?

DERRICK (smirking and calm): Says me as soon as I catch you.

DERRICK chases GWEN into a room down the hallway and we hear a door shut.

GWEN: But we always make up.

Back to plane

GWEN (V.O): Sometimes I think about the guy way before him, my first love, my high school sweetie…

Camera view going over guy. At name, shows face.

GWEN (V.O.): Trent Smith.

Camera shows TRENT’s face, smiling. He’s brunette, brown eyes, half-smirk, about 5’9” or 5’10”.

GWEN (V.O.): He and I had something really special going. He was sweet…

Shows GWEN and TRENT. TRENT kisses GWEN’s hand.

GWEN (V.O.): …funny…

Shows TRENT at a table with GWEN, laughing.

GWEN (V.O.): …and completely in love with me.

Shows TRENT with his arms around GWEN’s waist. GWEN’s arms are around TRENT’s neck and they kiss passionately.

GWEN (V.O.): We were very close.

Shows TRENT and GWEN making out fiercely.

GWEN (V.O.): I was such a bitch to that boy. He was just too close so…

Shows GWEN making out with a lanky, blonde guys, average-looking, about 5’8”, in a hallway

GWEN (V.O.): I cheated on him…

Split-screen two ways, making out with a blonde guy near a door

GWEN (V.O.): …again…

Split-screen three ways, making out with LANKY GUY on a couch.

GWEN (V.O.): …and again…

Split-screen four ways, making out with a brunette, chiseled guy against a pole.

GWEN (V.O.): …and again.

Screen pops up in the middle of GWEN with LANKY GUY making out in an alley.

GWEN (V.O.): I told him and he forgave me somehow…

Shows TRENT hugging GWEN

GWEN (V.O.): …after he got the anger out.

Shows TRENT yelling and punching walls, one or twice cringing in pain.

GWEN (V.O.): For some reason, after that, things started getting heavy…

Camera shows TRENT push GWEN up against a wall. Only shows from the neck up. TRENT is kissing GWEN’s neck, going down and unbuttoning her shirt. GWEN pulls TRENT back up to her lips.

Cut to: airplane

GWEN (aloud): Damn, that was fun!

DERRICK: What are you talking about?

GWEN (stuttering): Um, just…thinking about us.

DERRICK: About last night?

GWEN (uncomfortably): Yeah, sweetie. About last night. (V.O.) Anyway…

Flashback of TRENT and GWEN crying and hugging.

GWEN (V.O.): We broke up. We didn’t want to but it was getting to the point when we couldn’t turn back.

Split-screen of GWEN and TRENT on separate phone.

GWEN (V.O.): We’d always stay in touch…for a little while.

Shows GWEN with a blonde girl, 5’7”, her arm hold GWEN while GWEN cries.

GWEN (V.O.): My best friend, Madison. Well, one of the few. She was always there for me, especially thorough everything with Trent.

Shows GWEN crying.

GWEN: I love him so much! He’s my life. God, I hate him. I wish he was here. No, I wish he would die.

MADISON: Calm down, Gwennie.

GWEN (V.O.): Let’s just say I was very emotional.

Shows a younger GWEN at a booth in Denny‘s, alone. She looks up and sees a younger DERRICK, dark hair in a ponytail, goatee. Oversize shirt.

GWEN (V.O.): Then I met Derrick. I was totally love-struck.

GWEN smiles at DERRICK

GWEN (nervously): Hi, my name’s Gwen.

DERRICK: Derrick.

GWEN smiles and holds out her hand shake. DERRICK takes her hand and kisses it.

DERRICK: I feel like I’ve met you.

GWEN: Only just now.

DERRICK (chuckles): Well, it’s a good thing I did. I thought Heaven was up farther.

GWEN blushes

GWEN (V.O.): He was so slick. He knew he had me the minute I learned his name.

Cut to GWEN and DERRICK; DERRICK is sitting behind GWEN (who is also sitting). DERRICK’s arms are around GWEN. GWEN is giggling and smiling as DERRICK kisses and flirts with her.

GWEN (V.O.): For a long time, that’s how it was. We saw each other most of the week and we weren’t even officially together! I asked him to be mine and he was.

Cut to GWEN in her apartment, on her couch, in front of the television. She has a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. We don’t see the television but we hear a woman on the television shouting, “Don’t go! I love you!”

GWEN (V.O.): We broke up after a few months. One day, no one called, I didn’t see him or anyone else. Until I was drinking on my nineteenth birthday…

Cut to GWEN in her apartment, stumbling. She has a bottle of Zinfandel and is giggling. GUY, about 23, a few inches taller than GWEN, stands up from the couch and picks her up in his arms. She laughs and jumps out of his arms.

GWEN (slurring): I don’t know why I bothered. I mean, I guess I loved him. But he lied. Guy, you’re a guy, right? (Giggles) Of course, you’re a guy. You’re Guy. (Sighs loudly, leaning on GUY’s shoulder) I love ya, Guy! Now tell me. Why do men lie? Hmm, can you tell me that?

GUY: Cutie, I think you’ve had enough to drink.

GWEN (slightly upset): Tell me! You and Derrick are best friends. You’re the only one I can trust. He’s mean.

She slumps down on the couch and GUY sits next to her. He puts his arms around her shoulders.

GUY: You know he still loves you, right? He hasn’t stopped. He always talks about you.

GWEN (frustrated): Then why hasn’t he called for so long? Why can’t he just tell me himself?

DERRICK (O.C): I couldn’t…

GWEN and GUY look up. GUY smiles. Camera shows DERRICK at the doorway.

DERRICK: I got scared.

Shows GUY. He pats GWEN’s thigh.

GUY: I’m gonna crash in the extra bedroom. (Kisses GWEN’s forehead) Be good.

GUY leaves into extra bedroom. GWEN looks expectantly at DERRICK.

GWEN: Well?

DERRICK: I know you have some questions for me.

GWEN: You’re damn right!

DERRICK sits down beside GWEN. He looks at her.

GWEN: Why did you do that? Just stopped calling and coming over? Is there someone else? Is it just not me?

DERRICK: Yeah, a past someone else. I got confused.

GWEN: “Confused?” What, did you turn gay or something? (Giggles) “Guy” and “gay” sound alike. (Giggles again) Guy is gay!

GUY (pokes head out of door): Hey!

GWEN: Sorry! (Look at DERRICK) Now answer.

DERRICK: I ran into my ex-girlfriend, Diana. I felt something for her. I couldn’t tell you.

GWEN (matter-of-factly): …because you’re a coward.

DERRICK (chuckles): Yes, I’m a coward. And sorry.

GWEN: Good, you should be!

DERRICK: I am.

They hug and DERRICK kisses her cheek.

GWEN (V.O.): So we made up…

Shows exterior shot of NYU.

GWEN (V.O.): …I went to college…

Shows shot of GWEN and DERRICK at an altar, getting married.

GWEN (V.O.): …and we got married.

Shows back on plane. DERRICK is asleep on GWEN’s shoulder.

GWEN (V.O.): But I never told him that I am still in love with Trent. And, in a few days, I’ll see him for the first time in ten years.

Scene Two: Hotel exterior of Summerfield Suites. Shows interior of one-bedroom suite. Suitcases are being set near the bedroom. GWEN’s phone rings. She answers it.

GWEN (on phone): Gwen Cagis. (Pause) Hey, Madison! How are you? (Pause) Um, almost there. Why did you call? (Pause) Lunch? Sure! (Pause) I always know what restaurant you mean. (Pause) Yeah, I know; no Derrick. Fair enough. No husbands. (Pause) Who’ll be there? (Long pause) The five of us? Better warn the wait staff. (Pause) (Laughs) Okay, I’ll see you then. (Short pause) Love you too. Bye.

GWEN closes phone.

DERRICK: Who was that?

GWEN: It was Madison. I’m going to lunch with her and some of my old friends today.

DERRICK: When?

GWEN: Whenever she gets here.

DERRICK: Then we better make it fast.

GWEN gives DERRICK a suspicious look. DERRICK picks her up and carries her into the bedroom, leaving the door open. He puts her down and they start to kiss on the bed. There’s a knock on the door. GWEN smiles apologetically and slides off the end of the bed. As she’s walking toward the door, the person knocks again. She opens the door. It’s MADISON.

GWEN (enthusiastically): Hey!

MADISON (hugging GWEN): Hey, sweetie! I missed you!

GWEN: I missed you, too, Kit Kat!

They stop hugging. MADISON looks at GWEN with a look that can only be described as “Are you kidding me?”

GWEN (smiling): Sorry.

MADISON (peeking head in): Hi, Derrick.

DERRICK (unenthusiastically): Hi, Madison.

GWEN gives MADISON a signal to wait there. GWEN walks quickly over to DERRICK, who is still on the bed.

GWEN: Baby, I’ve got to go. It’s, um, (checks watch) one right now. I’ll probably be back around three or four. I love you.

DERRICK: I love you.

They kiss.

GWEN: I’ll be back later, sweetie.

DERRICK: I’ll miss you.

GWEN: You always do.

GWEN goes back to the door. MADISON is just inside the doorway. GWEN grabs her purse and slides it on her right shoulder.

GWEN (shouting): Bye, sweetie!

MADISON grabs GWEN’s left arm and drags her out the door, shutting the door on the way out. Back in DERRICK and GWEN‘s suite. DERRICK sits down on the bed beside the hotel phone. He picks it up, dials, then holds it up to his ear.

DERRICK: Yes, my name is Derrick Potter. I want to make reservations at for 7:00pm tonight. Can you give me a booth?

Scene 3: Hallway. GWEN and MADISON are walking down the hallway toward and elevator.

MADISON: How long have you been married?

GWEN: Six years.

MADISON: Hmm…

GWEN: What?

MADISON: There’s something about him. I don’t know. I just don’t trust him.

GWEN: You don’t have to. You aren’t married to him.

MADISON: I know. I’m married happily.

GWEN (defensively): What’s that supposed to mean?

MADISON: I spoke to Trent.

GWEN (excitedly): Really? What about?

They get to the elevator and MADISON pushes the down button.

MADISON (accusingly): See, that’s what I mean. We talk about Derrick and you get defensive or you really don’t care. When we talk about (in a passionate tone) Mr. Trent Smith, you freak out and can’t focus and you have to know what happened.

GWEN: That’s not true.

MADISON: You know it is.

The elevator door opens and they walk inside.

GWEN: Maybe.

The elevator door shuts.

Scene Four: Shot of Exterior of Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria, then interior, at a table. Camera angle is center of table of five women. It rotates to show them.

MADISON: So, Gwennie, when are you going to ditch Derrick?

GWEN: I’m not going to “ditch” him.

Camera to BOBBI. Brunette. Short hair. Big eyes. Digitized typing, pause on BOBBI, types “Bobbi Wyatt.”

GWEN (V.O.): She’s rather quiet. She’s very much of a one-track mind kind of girl. She tends to focus mostly on the guys she dates. Then again, she’d dated this guy for almost 3 years and they got married last year. She looked so beautiful in that wedding dress. Since then, he’s just about the best thing in her life.

BOBBI: My husband and I are doing just great.

ALL: We know, Bobbi!

Camera to KELLY, 5’2”, hair in a spiky bun, thigh- length halter tube dress over tight jeans. Stiletto boots. Digitized typing, pause on KELLY, types “Kelly Mavel.”

GWEN (V.O.): Another best friend of mine, Kelly. She and I kept in touch for a while. Whenever Derrick and I fight, I stay at her house. She’s unmarried. She divorced a few years ago and none of us really know why. They were married only a year.

KELLY: What happened here? This is the first time in ten years we’re all together. Why are we talking about this? Let’s get something straight - we’re not here to talk about those obvious mistakes (eyes GWEN) or less. The husbands aren’t here and look at him (points out the attractive bartender and she waves at him). I’m pretty, right?

GWEN: Of course, sweetie. You’re gorgeous.

KELLY struts over to the bartender, attractive man, dark hair, white shirt with the top two buttons open. No audible conversation but soon, they laugh.

BOBBI: She’s a lot more confident nowadays. How’d that happen?

Camera to LIZ. Brunette. Bob-style hair. 30- ish. Glasses. All black clothing. Digitized typing, paused on LIZ, types “Liz Peters.”

GWEN (V.O.) She’s been the one with all the advice from me. She’s the sarcastic one of my friends. There is never a time without a laugh because she hates to see any of us down. So, she keeps us up.

LIZ: Maybe she realized the guy she was married to can follow his head so she can follow hers. Really, he doesn’t seem worth her time.

GWEN: She married him for a reason, didn’t she?

LIZ: Not that we know it.

A cell phone rings to the tune of “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts. GWEN picks up her purse and flips open her phone.

GWEN (on phone): Gwen Cagis. (Pause, then cautiously) Who is this? (Pause, then happily) Oh, hey, how are you? (Aside, to group) Y’all, I’ll be right back.

BOBBI: Who is it?

GWEN (covering phone): It’s Trent Smith! I have to take this call. (Into phone) Sorry about that.

GWEN walks outside. She can be seen through the glass window.

LIZ: My God, they’re not even together. Madison, Bobbi, have you guys heard from them?

BOBBI shakes her head side to side. MADISON looks down.

BOBBI (suspiciously): Madison?

MADISON (shyly): Maybe I’ve talked to him.

LIZ: Honey, what did he say?

MADISON: Umm…

LIZ (firmly): Madison.

MADISON: He might’ve asked when she’d be in town and when she’d be away from Derrick.

BOBBI: Madison!

MADISON: And maybe, just maybe, he mentioned some things about loving her still and getting Derrick out of the picture.

LIZ (excitedly): Oh, thank God. Did he say how?

GWEN enters.

GWEN (on phone): Okay, dinner it is. I’ll see you then. (Closes phone. Then, to group) Well, Trent and I are going out to eat tonight.

The girls exchange knowing looks.

MADISON: But, Gwen, he --

GWEN (interrupting): I know he’s my ex but he was always a really great friend. And I haven’t seen him in six years.

LIZ: No, Gwen, --

GWEN (interrupting, again): Oh, yeah! I have plans for dinner with Derrick tonight. Well, he’ll understand, right?

Camera pans to KELLY, returning from the bar with a tray of 5 martini’s and strawberry margaritas.

KELLY: Look what I got, compliments of Bartender Adam. (Looks over her shoulder and smiles. Camera pans to Adam; he smiles and waves.) We’re going to go out tonight. He said he’d pick me up at our hotel.

GWEN: Honey, that’s great!

KELLY (casually, taking a sip of her martini): And I told him I had a wonderful friend named Gwen who could accompany me with her husband to dinner.

GWEN: What?!

KELLY: Well, we agreed that we’d be more comfortable and - -

GWEN (interrupting): We can’t. Ask Fiona. She’s in town with Mom and Dad this month. She’s got vacation time from work right now.

KELLY: Where does she work now?

GWEN: Actually, she’s been working at Arista Records for about a year now. She loves it. But she’s single again. Evan or Devin or someone like that. Both of you can bring someone. Set her up. She loves that.

KELLY: What aren’t you telling me?

BOBBI, MADISON, LIZ: Trent!

KELLY: What? What does Trent have to do with anything?

LIZ: Gwen feels like recapturing her youth tonight so she’s having dinner with him.

MADISON: She’s ditching us…again.

BOBBI: And for Trent, again.

KELLY: Oh, really? Well, fine, go ahead and have your fun with Mr. Smith tonight. (Takes out her cell phone and calls FIONA. On phone) Hey, Fi, it’s Kelly. Listen, the bartender down at the restaurant at lunch today. We’re going out tonight and, if you’re game, I’ll get him to bring a friend. Call me back later. Bye. (Shuts phone)

A beat.

LIZ: Okay, are we going to order.

BOBBI: Haven’t we?

LIZ: Unless you can live purely off martini’s and margaritas, we need food. (Drinks the rest of her martini and takes the olive from her glass) But while we’re ordering (eats the olive), let’s get some more drinks.

A waiter comes to the table.

WAITER: Hello, ladies, what can I get you?

BOBBI, LIZ, KELLY, GWEN, and MADISON are all talking at once, pointing at the menus. They all stop at the same time.

ALL: Did you get that down?

The waiter looks at his notepad with a look of surprise.

WAITER: Um, yeah.

The waiter smiles and walks back to the kitchen.

LIZ: Oh, he’s my favorite.

Scene Five: DERRICK and GWEN‘s suite. DERRICK is laying on the bed, watching television. Door opens and shuts. DERRICK turns off the television and sits up.

DERRICK (shouting): Hey honey!

GWEN enters the bedroom

GWEN: Hey, sweetheart!

GWEN walks over to the bed and kisses DERRICK on the lips. DERRICK pulls her onto the bed and he kisses her neck.

GWEN (squealing): Baby! What on earth are you doing?

DERRICK: I missed you!

GWEN: This bad?

DERRICK: Well, yeah!

DERRICK continues to nibble and kiss her neck with a hand on her hip. GWEN pushes him back.

GWEN: Were you watching porn again?

DERRICK (guilt-like): No…

GWEN (firmly): Derrick?

DERRICK: Well, we haven’t had sex for almost a month now. How the hell else am I supposed to keep sane?

GWEN: First of all, it was two nights ago. Secondly, if you wanted sanity (straddles DERRICK), you shouldn’t have married me.

GWEN and DERRICK begin to make out. The camera zooms out the window. Cut to later. GWEN and DERRICK are curled together, watching television, half-clothed. The clock reads 5:30pm. GWEN gets up. She is in a bra and underwear set.

DERRICK: Honey, where are you going?

GWEN: To take a shower. I got a call from…an old friend today and we agreed to have dinner together tonight.

DERRICK: But I made reservations tonight. Can you friend just join us?

GWEN: Baby, I’m so sorry but I can’t not go. Can we go another time?

DERRICK: Okay, sweetie. I love you. Don’t drink too much.

GWEN: I’m not going barhopping, baby.

GWEN exits to the bathroom. DERRICK waits to hear the water start. He picks up the phone dials.

DERRICK (on phone): Hey baby. How are you? (Pause) Listen, meet me in the lobby of our hotel. We’re going out tonight. (Pause) Oh, Gwen is going out to eat with some friend. (Pause) Yeah, wear the red one.

Scene Six: Guytano‘s. The camera cuts to a table where GWEN and TRENT are sitting.

TRENT: I’m really happy you decided to come.

GWEN: I’m surprised you even called me. How long has it been since the last time we spoke?

TRENT: I think about when you got married. Maybe before. You just decided you were better off.

GWEN: I wish I could get those years back. I miss being your friend. (Softly giggles) Remember how awkward we were when we finally got together.

TRENT: Of course, I do. (Mocking himself, shaking his head back and forth) “So, will you go out with me?” I was such a dork back then.

GWEN: You still are.

TRENT: So are you. I thought you’d say no for sure.

GWEN: Well, I didn’t.

TRENT: That made me so happy.

GWEN and TRENT’s eyes lock. A beat. They both shake their heads to break the daze.

GWEN: Well, let’s order.

TRENT: You must not be used to the fine dining, right? Last thing I remember, Italian restaurants don’t sell cheeseburgers with ketchup and mayonnaise.

GWEN (jokingly): Ha ha, very funny.

TRENT: I thought so.

GWEN: What else do you remember?

Cut to later. GWEN and TRENT laughing at the table, music playing over their voices. The music fades out as the voices fade in.

TRENT: Do you still have those tapes?

GWEN: Do I --? Of course, I do. No one does those impressions better.

TRENT (mocking the tapes excitedly): “By a round of applause, how do you feel? By a round of applause, how ya feelin’?

GWEN laughs and half-heartedly applauds.

GWEN: I can’t believe you remember that.

TRENT: I remember more.

GWEN: Like what?

TRENT: The tapes. Our friends. Us.

GWEN: Us?

TRENT: Never mind; let’s enjoy dinner.

GWEN lifts her glass of champagne.

GWEN (toasting): To old memories.

TRENT (warmly): To old memories.

They clink their glasses together and each takes a sip. TRENT spins a fork in his spaghetti. GWEN picks up her fork, looks up at TRENT, as if thinking to herself. She shakes her head and begins to eat her pasta. Cut to later. Empty plates. The waiter brings the check to the table.

GWEN: (to the waiter) Thank you. (To TRENT) Here, I’ll get the check.

GWEN reaches for the check and TRENT snatches it away.

TRENT: Just what do you think you’re doing?

GWEN (sarcastically): I’m sinking the Titanic. What does it look like I’m doing?

TRENT: Thanks for your offer, really, but I’m going to sink this ship. My treat. Though a lot of it was your drinks.

GWEN (jokingly): Shut up! You had just as many as I did.

TRENT: At least you’re legal now.

GWEN: Damn right! (Mocking) “Now what did we learn, Gwen?” “Alcohol is bad.” You cared, at least. No one else did. I was so afraid that would be the end of us.

TRENT: I wouldn’t be sitting at this table with you if it was. I’ll be right back.

TRENT takes the check and goes to pay. GWEN takes out her cell phone and a split screen slides over to show KELLY laughing at a club. Strobe lights in yellow, red, and blue. KELLY’s phone rings and she answers.

KELLY: (to ADAM) Hold on. (On phone) Hello?

GWEN: Hey, Kelly! How’s the date going?

KELLY: Great. Fiona’s having a great time with Adam’s friend, Jimmy. They’re on the dance floor. Adam and I are having some drinks.

GWEN: Well, listen. Trent just went to pay the check and, before I forget, we need to go for shopping therapy tomorrow. Call Madison for me. Eastland Mall and such at…11:00am.

KELLY: It went that badly?

GWEN: No, it went that well and it can only get better.

KELLY: Why is that a bad thing?

GWEN: That’s what you’ll find out on the shopping trip. But, hey, I gotta go. Love you.

KELLY: Love you, too.

GWEN: See you tomorrow.

As GWEN shuts her phone, screen goes back to normal. TRENT enters.

TRENT: Gwennie, are you ready to go?

GWEN (looks at watch and looks back up): It’s only 7:30.

TRENT: I’m not dropping you back at the hotel yet.

GWEN: Where are we going?

TRENT: Don’t you trust me?

GWEN: You know I do.

TRENT: Then just come with me.

Scene Seven: A football stadium at Vance High School. GWEN and TRENT are walking across the field. TRENT smiles at GWEN.

TRENT: Do you remember this?

GWEN: It’s the football field. What about it?

TRENT: This is the last time we really saw each other. Remember? You gave me a hug and we cried. You told me that you’d met some guy and you really loved him. You said you were going to be with him forever. That really hurt.

GWEN: I’m sorry.

TRENT: Do you remember, before then, the one Fourth of July we had? I told you I felt sparks flying between us when you were so intent at looking at the fireworks.

GWEN (smiling): Yes, I remember that.

TRENT (warmly): I miss that. (pulls GWEN close)

GWEN: I don’t think we should talk about this. (Moves away, then runs out of the stadium)

Scene Eight: (Aeropostale in Eastland Mall) MADISON, GWEN, and KELLY are walking in a clothing store, talking as they browse.

GWEN: And then I said, “I don’t think we should talk about this” and I left.

MADISON: Did you tell Derrick about any of this?

GWEN: Are you kidding? For all he knows, nothing happened.

KELLY: It didn’t, did it?

GWEN: Not physically. But something’s just the same as before. That scares me. I thought it was over back then.

MADISON: As long as I’ve known you, you’ve never been as happy as you are with him.

KELLY: I agree. He’s a great guy for you.

GWEN: But I married a great guy.

MADISON: That doesn’t mean you married the right one, sweetie.

KELLY: Don’t get us wrong; we love Derrick as much as the next guy but how can you do this to him?

GWEN: I’m not doing anything to him.

MADISON: Maybe that’s the problem.

MADISON, KELLY, and GWEN laugh.

GWEN: Seriously, I feel something for Trent but maybe I just miss what never was.

MADISON: Maybe you miss what you know is still there.

GWEN: Okay, so what if I miss him? So what if I love him? Who are you two to say anything is wrong with that? (Sighs) Never mind, I know y’all are just looking out for me.

MADISON: Sweetie, we never said it was wrong to miss him.

KELLY: We never mentioned loving him either.

GWEN (uncomfortably): Oh.

A beat.

GWEN: I’ll be right back. I’m going to EZ Records.

Cut to GWEN walking down mall hallway. TRENT sneaks up behind her and pokes her in the sides.

TRENT (poking GWEN): Boo!

GWEN turns around.

GWEN (happily): Hey! (Hugs TRENT)

TRENT: Hey there!

GWEN: Trent, I feel really bad about ditching you last night. How about dinner tonight to make up for it? On me.

TRENT: Now, you know that’s never worked, right? On the only and only date we had, I figured out a way to have the money, no matter what. But I guess you can try to steal the check first.

GWEN: So how’s 7:00?

TRENT: What does your little husband this of all these rendezvous’?

GWEN: Let’s just say, what he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.

Cut to (outdoor café). GWEN and DERRICK are eating lunch.

GWEN: I’m going out to dinner tonight.

DERRICK (sighing): Okay. Will you have your cell on?

GWEN: Probably not.

DERRICK: Why not? Who are you eating with?

GWEN: Um, my sister. She and I made plans tonight. She has to show me what she’s…done with her hair.

DERRICK: You have to go out to eat for that?

GWEN: You don’t really know as much as you think you know about women, do you?

DERRICK: Apparently. Well, have fun. (Checks watch) We should get back to the hotel.

They stand up and grab their shopping bags and leave.

Scene Nine: Guytano‘s. Booth. TRENT and GWEN are eating salads as they talk. TRENT puts down his fork and looks at GWEN. GWEN looks up.

GWEN: What?

TRENT: Sorry about last night.

GWEN: What of it?

TRENT: It seemed like I made you uncomfortable.

GWEN (looking down): A little.

TRENT: Can I ask why?

GWEN (looking up): It doesn’t mean I’ll answer.

TRENT picks up his fork.

GWEN: I’m sorry for leaving you last night.

TRENT: That makes two of us.

A beat.

TRENT (breaking moment): Okay, this is supposed to be fun, isn’t it? Why are we at (restaurant) just being completely miserable? (Looks around) Will you dance with me?

GWEN (surprised): What?

TRENT stands and walks around to GWEN’s side and holds out his hand.

TRENT: Dance with me. For old times’ sake.

GWEN (smiling): Okay.

Cut to TRENT and GWEN dancing to a fast-paced song. It ends. They clap. A slow song begins. GWEN begins to leave. TRENT takes her hand.

TRENT: Please?

GWEN turns back around. She puts her arms behind TRENT’s neck. TRENT’s hands are on her lower back. He takes one hand and slides GWEN’s hand into his, pulling her closer. They are cheek-to-cheek.

TRENT: Do you ever miss me?

GWEN: I’m married.

TRENT: That’s not what I asked. Do you ever miss me?

GWEN: (firmly) No. (Sighs heavily) Yes. Do you ever miss me?

TRENT: All the time. Why are you with Derrick?

GWEN: I love him. He loves me. He’s --

TRENT (interrupting): Is he in love with you? Are you in love with him?

GWEN: I said we love each other.

TRENT (chuckling): That’s not what I asked. Are the two of you in love?

GWEN: I’m not sure anymore.

TRENT: There isn’t “anymore.” There’s “you always are” or “you never were.”

GWEN: I think it’s closer than the “never were.”

TRENT: Then what’s the point?

GWEN: He’s one of the only people I know that is still in love with me. Or at least pretends to be.

TRENT: I’m still in love with you.

GWEN looks up and pulls away.

GWEN: What?

TRENT: I’m still in love with you.

GWEN: But we haven’t been together since high school.

TRENT: And in two days, we’re going to be there again.

GWEN: I have to go.

GWEN grabs her purse and runs out the door. TRENT chases after her. She tries to flag down a taxi. One passes by.

TRENT (shouting): Gwen!

TRENT catches up.

GWEN: What did you think would happen? That I’d stay?

TRENT: No, but I thought you’d quit running away.

GWEN: Is that what you think I’m doing? (tries to flag another taxi and fails.)

TRENT: Yes, it is.

GWEN: Why the hell would I run?

TRENT: Because you’re afraid. You’re afraid to really feel something. You’re afraid, if you let yourself really be in love, it’ll all be gone.

GWEN (shouting): It will be all gone! Don’t you see that?

TRENT: Why do you think that?

GWEN tries to flag another taxi and one stops.

GWEN: You left, didn’t you?

Both are quiet. GWEN turns to get in the cab.

TRENT: Gwen…

GWEN turns around.

GWEN: Look, Trent, let’s not do this.

GWEN opens the car door and gets in. The door closes. The taxi drives off. TRENT sits down on the curb. He buried his head in his hands then runs them through his hair. A waiter comes out.

WAITER: You still need to pay.

TRENT: I still need to do a lot of things.

Fade out.

Scene Ten: The next morning in DERRICK and GWEN‘s suite. GWEN is sleeping in the hotel bed with DERRICK’s arms around her. When she wakes, he eyes open like she was awake the whole time. She slides out of bed slowly and as quietly as possible. She puts on a red, silk robe and walks to the bathroom. She comes back out, wiping the mascara off her cheeks. She slumps down in a plush chair beside the mini-bar. She takes out a mini bottle of vodka. She drinks it all. She looks out the window and sighs. She looks down, then at the empty mini-bottle. The camera stays on the chair as she gets up and walks away. The camera pans to the TV, off, with a note that says “I’ll be back later. There’s some things I need to take care of. I love you. Meet me tonight at (restaurant) at 7:00pm. We have reservations. I love you. Gwennie.”

Scene Eleven: GWEN is walking down Tryon Street looking for something. She looks across the street to TRENT’s hotel, Embassy Suites. She looks both ways and jogs over. She walks in the door and looks behind her.

Scene Twelve: Inside the lobby of Embassy Suites. GWEN looks around and sees an elevator. She goes and presses the number 4. When she gets to the fourth floor, the door opens and TRENT is standing there. She looks as him, walks out, and hugs him tightly.

GWEN (while hugging): Can we please talk?

TRENT: Of course, Gwennie.

GWEN lets go and TRENT leads to his suite. TRENT walks to the door and stops.

GWEN: What’s the matter?

TRENT looks at GWEN. He shakes his head.

TRENT: It’s nothing.

They enter.

TRENT: Where do you want to sit?

GWEN: Um, can we sit on the couch?

TRENT: Okay.

They sit on the couch. Both are quiet for about 10 seconds.

TRENT (playfully): Well, that was a great conversation.

GWEN laughs nervously.

GWEN: Okay, I have to tell you the truth. And I have to admit something. You’re right. About everything. About why I run away. About --

TRENT (interrupting): No, it was wrong of me to say that. I’m sorry.

GWEN: Don’t be sorry. You were right. I run away from you because I’m afraid of the reality. I am afraid to love and lose you again. It almost killed me before. I could barely look at you, knowing you were loving and touching and wanting another girl after me. I wanted to be the best thing you ever had. I never wanted to love someone else but somehow I did.

TRENT: Do you have to say that?

GWEN: It’s important that it’s said. He seemed to be everything you were to me. He was sweet, funny, and seems to be in love with me.

TRENT: Gwen --

GWEN: Let me finish. Here’s the thing. He may be in love with me and he is my husband but he doesn’t mean near as much as you do. Trent, you are the one I think of when I have a bad dream and need to be brave to go back to sleep or I can’t get to sleep in the first place to have wonderful dreams. You’re the guy I think of when people ask me to talk about anything. You’re the guy who always will call me beautiful even when it’s the end of the day and I’m wiping off my makeup and my mascara is all over my cheeks. You’re the only guy I have never doubted the love from. You are the guy I should be with. But I have to do something first.

TRENT: Okay.

GWEN: Do you remember at graduation?

TRENT: Of course I remember. We were standing in the field after the ceremony.

GWEN: We were overly excited.

TRENT: I kissed you.

GWEN: It was right after Derrick and I had broken up.

TRENT: You didn’t kiss back.

GWEN: Can I kiss you back now?

TRENT moves closer. He takes one of GWEN’s hands and kisses it. He puts his fingertips of his other hand on the bottom of her chin.

TRENT: You better.

They kiss for about 1 minute. Slowly, TRENT moves back.

GWEN: I’ve been waiting ten years to do that.

TRENT (smiling): For that kiss?

GWEN nods.

TRENT: I can do better.

GWEN (teasingly): Oh really?

TRENT puts his hand behind her neck and pulls her close and they kiss. He starts to kiss her ears.

GWEN: Not the ears. Come on. (Looks at her watch and stands up quickley)

TRENT: What’s the matter?

GWEN: Do you want this as much as I do?

TRENT: And more.

GWEN: Do you love me?

TRENT: What kind of question is that? Of course, I love you.

GWEN: Don’t be like that. Don’t act like I’m stupid not to know. Are you in love with me?

TRENT: More than anything.

GWEN: Then I can’t be with you.

TRENT: That doesn’t make sense.

GWEN: You’re wrong. It makes perfect sense. I can’t have me be the most important thing in your life. I can’t let you love me like that.

TRENT: But Gwen, I thought you wanted this.

GWEN: Not like this.

TRENT: Is it Derrick?

GWEN: Part of it.

TRENT: Don’t do this to yourself.

GWEN: Do what?

TRENT: Derrick isn’t who you think he is. He’s going to hurt you. He’ll lie and pretend to love you.

GWEN: Shut up.

TRENT: Be with me. I’ll never do that to you. He’s an asshole, Gwen. He’s going to hurt you.

GWEN: No more than you could.

GWEN leaves

Scene Thirteen: Interior of GWEN and DERRICK’s suite. Shows GWEN walking in and turning around to shut the door. Her cheeks are stained with mascara. She has a tissue in her hand and she sniffles once in a while. The bedroom door is closed. Rock music is playing. Camera is following GWEN.

GWEN: Derrick, are you in here? (Checks her watch) (To herself) It’s only 3:30.

DERRICK (O.C.): Gwennie, is that you?

GWEN: Yeah, baby, where are you?

Rustling in the bedroom

DERRICK(O.C.): Um, in the bedroom. I was just getting a nap. GWEN enters the bedroom. DERRICK is making the bed.

DERRICK: Babe, what’s the matter? Why are you back so early?

GWEN: I just had a run-in with my past. It caught up with me.

DERRICK (pulls GWEN to sit on the bed and hugs her): Oh, baby, do you want to talk about it?

GWEN: No, I mean, I would rather just deal with it my own way.

DERRICK: You’re right; you have to deal with it, not me.

GWEN: Thanks for that. I’ll let you know. It’s good to know you’re there for me.

DERRICK: You should sleep on it. We can go to dinner later. You should sleep on it.

GWEN: I can’t sleep.

DERRICK: Well, what’s the one thing that can make you do that?

GWEN: Do what?

DERRICK: Sleep. What’s the one thing that can make you sleep?

Flashback of TRENT and GWEN kissing in TRENT‘s hotel room. GWEN sits up.

GWEN (standing up): I have to go.

DERRICK: Wait, what’s the matter?

GWEN: You just made me realize something. Derrick, you’ve always been there for me. You know that, right?

DERRICK: Yeah, baby.

GWEN: When we get back to New York, I want a divorce. Please, it’s not you. Actually, that’s the problem. It’s not you. I’m in love with someone else and I feel bad for this because I know you care about me.

DIANA emerges from the bathroom, towel wrapped around her waist, drying her hair with a towel, looking away while initially talking. GWEN and DERRICK look at her.

DIANA: Hey, sugar, are we gonna eat early tonight with Gwen wanting to eat and…(sees GWEN and DERRICK looking at her) all that. (Nervously) Hey, Gwen.

GWEN (turning to Derrick): Who the hell is she?

DIANA: I’m Diana.

GWEN: Wait a God-damn second! (To DERRICK) This is Diana? As in your ex-girlfriend, Diana?

DIANA: Well, I wouldn’t say “ex.”

GWEN: Okay. Diana, let me talk to my husband. That would be great.

DERRICK: Baby --

GWEN: No, don’t you dare “baby” me, baby! (Scoffs) And I thought you would be hurt. That’s why nothing happened between me and Trent.

DERRICK: Trent? Oh, you get on my ass for me screwing around with my ex-girlfriend but when Trent gets in the picture, it’s totally different for you.

GWEN: It is totally different.

DERRICK: No, it’s really not.

GWEN: Why do you say that?

DERRICK: Because I love you.

DIANA (warmly): What about me, baby?

DERRICK: Diana, you know I care a lot about you.

GWEN scoffs.

DERRICK: But I love Gwen.

DIANA: What, and you didn’t before?

GWEN: Yeah, Derrick. You didn’t before?

DERRICK: It’s not like that.

GWEN: Which one of us are you talking to exactly?

DERRICK (pitifully): Whoever would be happier with me?

GWEN and DIANA both punch his arms.

DIANA (picking up her clothes): Try this on for size, if you have any: I’m going to get dressed and I am out of here. (Pulling ring off finger) And here’s your dumb ring. (Throws it at him)

DERRICK bends over to pick it up but GWEN picks it up before he can.

GWEN: What the hell is this?

DERRICK: It’s not what it looks like.

GWEN: It looks like an engagement ring.

DERRICK: Okay, maybe it is what it looks like.

GWEN: I want you gone.

DIANA (now clothed): I’m out of here.

GWEN & DERRICK: Bye!

GWEN: I want you out of here before the reunion. I want you gone by checkout tomorrow morning.

DERRICK (moving towards GWEN, arms open, warmly): But, baby…

GWEN (pushing him away): When are you going to learn? “Baby” is not my name. Gwen is. And soon I will be Miss Gwen Cagis. And you can go back to your bimbo girlfriend.

DERRICK: But I love you.

GWEN: So I’ve heard. Get out. I want you gone by checkout. I’ll be back home in two days. Then, we’ll file for divorce.

GWEN turns and walks out the bedroom door and the suite door slams on her way out.