Perfect Kiss: Alpha

so i was getting ready to go to bed, when all of a sudden, the muse stirred my heart and mind. i felt like i would burst if i didn't put it down on "paper". so here it is:

the perfect kiss (alpha)

Tim and Joy are boyfriend and girlfriend they’re both seniors in high school. They’ve been dating for about 4 months now. Tim used to cut himself but has since promised Joy that he would stop because it makes her uncomfortable. The other day, Tim was at the mall with some buddies and saw Joy with another guy. Jealous, Tim begins to cut himself again and begins distancing himself from Joy. Joy figures something is wrong because Tim is acting differently and approaches him. She finds out that he began cutting himself again. Joy can no longer handle the emotional rollercoaster that Tim puts her through. Even though she was at the mall with Joy’s friend’s boyfriend looking for a present for Joy’s friend, she can no longer take it and ends the relationship.

Tim is sitting in his room, listening to Linkin Park’s Numb. As Tim begins cutting himself again, he sings along to the chorus. Presently, there’s a knock at the door.

TIM
... and every second I waste is more than I can take / I've / become so numb / I can't feel you there / become so tired / so much more aware ...

a knock at the door. Tim turns the music down.

TIM
Who is it?

JOY
It’s me, Joy.

TIM
Alright... hold on.

Tim puts the razor down. He quickly throws a flannel on to try and cover his new wounds. He walks to the door and opens it.

TIM
Hey, Honey, this is a surprise.

Joy walks into Tim’s room and sits down. Tim closes the door and sits to the left of Joy a few feet away.

TIM
What’s up?

JOY
I’ve missed you. I tried calling, but no one picked up.

TIM
Yea. I’ve been busy.

JOY
Is anything wrong?

TIM
No. Why?

JOY
Well, I don’t know. You’ve just been acting kind of strange lately.

TIM
What do you mean?

JOY
Like, in school, it seems like you’re avoiding me. Did I do something wrong?

TIM
No, of course not. Look, I’ve just been dealing with some stuff lately. That’s all. You don’t need to worry your pretty little head about me.

JOY
That’s the thing. I am worried. I can’t shake this feeling... I don’t know... like the world is falling to pieces all around me.

Joy gets up to sit next to Tim. As she begins to sit, Tim gets up and starts walking around.

JOY
See? That’s what I’m talking about. It’s like you won’t let me get close to you. Come on, Baby, you can tell me.

TIM
It’s nothing. Things have just been tough lately with schoolwork... and James isn’t talking to me and... yea. Things are just tough right now.

JOY
Oh. I guess I can see that. It’s just that... it’s been so long since I last talked with you. And whenever I talk to you on the phone... it just feels like there’s this wall between us. I don’t know what happened but you seem different. I mean... I know it must be hard and stuff because you have hard classes and you have a lot of work. But you’d always make time for me and whatever. And... I’m just... I’m just... afraid.

Joy looks down at her hands as she plays with her sleeves. As she does so, she notices the razor blade that Tim, in his haste, forgot to put away. Tim is looking away, fingering something on a shelf.

TIM
You don’t have to be afraid. Nothing’s going to happen.

JOY
What’s this?

TIM
What’s what?

JOY
This! Tim, have you been cutting yourself again?

TIM
Wha... what are you talking about? Of course not!

JOY
Lemme see your arm.

Joy stands up and walks to Tim, getting in his face.

TIM
No!

Joy reaches for Tim’s cut arm. As he moves it away, she manages to grab his sleeve and pulls it up revealing multiple cuts along his arm. When she sees the fresh blood, she moves away, turns and sits back down.

JOY
Oh my god.

TIM
Look, it’s not what you think.

JOY
Then what is it?

TIM
It’s...

JOY
You promised me that you stopped!

TIM
I did! I did for you, but then...

JOY
Then what, huh?

TIM
You don’t understand!

Joy stands up.

JOY
Then tell me! Explain to me why you need this! Aren’t I good enough?

TIM
Oh, what’s that supposed to mean?

JOY
I don’t know. I’m just the dumb girl that doesn’t understand!

TIM
I need this... it reminds me that I’m alive.

JOY
Why? Why! Can’t you see that it tears me up inside?!

TIM
Like you don’t think I hurt? You don’t think I feel this pain? You think my life is all perfect like yours?

JOY
What?! Perfect? What are you talking about? Did you lose too much blood or something?

TIM
Oh, don’t act like you don’t know. That present you got me? I know how much that cost. You know that I don’t have that kind of money to return the sentiment. And how you’re so popular all the guys are fawning over you. I see the way they look at you. You’re the captain of the volleyball team. You’re NHS. You have a brand new car. And, and you got into all the schools you wanted. Don’t tell me your life isn’t perfect.

JOY
Oh, oh. Don’t you even start!

TIM
Oh, you want me to go on? That’s just the beginning.

JOY
How can you think my life is perfect?

TIM
How can’t I?

JOY
You really think my life is perfect.

TIM
Yes.

JOY
Don’t you think if I was so perfect I’d be able to have any guy I wanted? Huh? If that were true, then why am I with you?

TIM
I don’t know. Maybe ‘cause you’re so perfect you need a bit of "imperfection" in your life.

JOY
Oh get real. I’m with you because I care about you. I’m with you because I love you. You look past all those things, at least I thought you did. You didn’t care about my social position. You didn’t care about the stuff I had or how much money I had. You liked me for me. For who I was. When I’m around you, I could be myself.

TIM
Regardless...

JOY
Oh my god. I can’t. I can’t do this anymore.

TIM
Do what?

JOY
This! This! Baby you. I’m not your stupid mother. I’m you’re girlfriend. I don’t need this emotional rollercoaster that this relationship has been for the past four months. Every other week is something new. And when I found out that you cut yourself, do you know how much that hurt me? I would spend nights crying because I didn’t know if someday I would lose you. And I did everything I could to try and be there for you. I’d sneak out of the house to come just spend a few hours with you. Even when my parents disapproved of you, I still stood up for you. And you know what? I’ve had enough.

Joy gets up and walks to the door to leave.

TIM
Joy, wait.

JOY
What?

TIM
Look... I’m sorry. It’s just that... you’re so good to me. And... and I’m just so lucky to have you. But sometimes I feel like I’m just a stepping stone to your next relationship... like some better looking guy, wearing a nice blue shirt, short blonde hair, dark framed glasses with more money will take you to the mall and buy you everything you ever wanted.

JOY
What?

TIM
Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know. I saw you with that guy. Don’t think I don’t know.

JOY
Wait a minute. This is... this is about... a guy?!

TIM
I saw you at the mall with him. And you definitely looked happier with him than with me.

JOY
Oh my god! (laughs) that was Jen’s boyfriend!

TIM
What?

JOY
Jen... my best friend? Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks and Matt didn’t know what to get her. So I was just helping him pick something out. Oh my god, I can’t believe how childish you are. Instead of coming up to me and talking to me about, you hole yourself up in your room and cut yourself instead. I sure hope you’re happy with your razor.

Joy walks over to Tim and kisses him on the cheek.

JOY
Goodbye, Tim.

Joy then walks to the door and walks out. Tim sits there staring at the door in confusion and then in shock as he realizes the foolish mistake he just made, his face drops in to his hands.