2015 Back and Better than EVER!

2015 - THE Year

      2015 was always a far-away idea, a year I never thought would actually arrive.  The year I would graduate High School, the summer I would "Grow UP", the Fall I would start College.  CHANGE! 

     Well today is the first day of 2015 and I am just living in the moment.  It can really be scary looking into the future.  Right now my life seems to be a lot of unknowns. I have no idea where I will be this time next year, or even two months from now.  But I guess that's the beauty of life isn't it? Not Knowing.  So I've decided to live in the moment and just enjoy the ride.  I'm going to continue to joy in the small things, and continue to pursue my interests.  

    I really like to write.  This year I want to continue my blog (which sadly I neglected for 6 months), continue to journal daily and then also try to creatively write.  I really like the way words can express what you're thinking and feeling. I want my ideas to be heard, and read, and thought about.  

   Recently for my Government class, I was assigned to write a letter to the editor of the Richmond Times Dispatch on an issue I cared about. To be honest, I approached the assignment as any senior close to winter break would, "Okay let's just get this over with as painless as possible."  So sitting at the computer in my Dad's kitchen I tried to come up with an easy topic.  Something I could fudge just to turn it in.  I admit that's not the most "model student" thing to do. But hey,  I have never claimed to be a model student.  Well, I think my dad caught on to what I was doing, he could tell that my writing wasn't as good as it could have been because I just didn't care about what I was saying.  So my Dad told me to pick another topic and try again.  Finally I found something I cared somewhat about and I got to writing.  The more I wrote and edited, the more I felt better about what I was saying.  

    So I turned my completed assignment in and submitted an electronic copy to the editor of the Richmond Times Dispatch and completely forgot about it.  Done. I was done, and now I was steps closer to winter break.  

  Then, about 4 days later, I got a call from my best friend asking me if I had written any articles that would appear in the paper.  I was confused at first, and then I was completely shocked.  Apparently her Grandfather was reading the paper and came across my article printed in the Editorial section.  I couldn't believe it.  MY article was published!?! I felt this weird feeling that I usually only feel when I take a bow after a performance. I was so happy and I felt so special.  What I had to say mattered and was chosen to be printed.  Even though break had started, I emailed my Government teacher to tell him the good news, and he was so happy for me! 

   When I was doing something I didn't care about it, just to rush through it, I wasn't being me.  And when I wasn't being me, the results I was looking for, just weren't there.  I learned that when I do things I really care about, I'm so much more capable of greatness.  I want to challenge myself to put my whole me into everything I do, even if I don't care about it as much as I should.  

  I challenge you to do the same, YOU are capable of greatness everyday! 

MAKE 2015 the BEST it can possibly be! 

YOU CAN DO IT!

    

Journaling

     Tonight I realized that I have been seriously slacking on my blog.  I haven't done an entry in almost two months.  I tried to reflect on why I haven't been writing, but then it occurred to me that when I started keeping a personal journal I stopped writing posts on my blog.  So I want to just explain my personal process of keeping a journal. I try to keep in mind that this is a work in progress and that I am going to continue to grow, and get better at it. 

      So here is my story.

        At the start of the summer I found myself doing a lot of traveling back and forth from my home state of Virginia, to my family state of New York, specifically Manhattan (the best place on earth… at least in my opinion).  While on the many amtrak rides, I occupied my time by reading the novel, Go Ask Alice.  For those of you who do not know this famous work, it is the real personal journal of a teenage girl who spirals down the dangerous path of drug addiction.  It was published in the 1970's and sparked a lot of important dialogue.  My school is doing the stage version next year for our spring play, to use as an anti-drug awareness piece in hopes of re-sparking that dialogue.  So to prepare for next year, I read the book.  I fell in love with the idea of keeping a journal, not just for day-to-day accounts, but for feelings, and thoughts and ideas.  So when I arrived in the city I walked down the street to the Strand Bookstore and purchased my very own moleskin journal.  That night I only wrote four pages, but I felt like I could write forever.  

    All summer I have been diligently writing in my journal each and every night, although sometimes I skip a night here and there if I have nothing interesting to say.  I have really found that what I like to use my journal for three purposes.  

1) Power of thinking.  I really believe in the power of creation.  We have the ability to create our futures for ourselves just by believing and envisioning.  By simply writing what I want to get out of my life, and goals I want to accomplish, I am attracting those things from the universe.  I specifically ask for things that I want to receive in my life.  Going into my senior year of high school I always get asked by adults "What do you want to do?" and sometimes that can be a very difficult and stressful question.  I have found comfort in writing ideas of "life plans" I have for myself, or where I see myself going.  I find my journal to be very therapeutic for me to map out what I want from the world to make me happy.

2)  Rants.  We all find ranting to our friends to be therapeutic.  But sometimes in reality as much as our friends love us, they don't want to constantly hear about our insecurities, problems and agitations. In fact I've learned that ranting to someone, even if you trust them, can be a dangerous path to go down.  It can make you seem ungrateful, and whiny.  So writing your rants down in a journal is a great way to get it out without running the risk of being judged.  You can complain about whatever or whoever you want, and you never run the risk of hurting anyones feelings.

3) Nostalgia.  Partly why I love my journal is because I know I will read it someday in the far future and remember my 17 year old self.  Parts will make me laugh, and parts will make me cry.  But I want to remember all of it.  And I can't wait to look back at it and know I came a long way in life.  Maybe someday it will make a difference for others.  I think that's a huge reason of why I wanted to start the summer going into my senior year.  A lot changes.  Seniors go through a period of changes and feelings, and I want to preserve this time and all that happens in it.  Also how cool would it be to read 30 years from now and know what I was doing on a day to day basis and who I was hanging out with.  

      Journaling is a great way to have a personal conversation with yourself. When you are writing there is no such thing as "wrong".  You can't do a journal "wrong".  There is only right.  Who you are, and what you choose to share is unique to you.  You don't have to pretend to be something you aren't and you can really be honest with yourself.  No one has to read it but you.  

   I encourage all of you to keep a journal.

It is a great way to unlock your heart.  You may discover

things you never knew were inside of you. 

Summer Creativity

Summer = Creativity. 

       Now that school is coming to a close and work is also ending, I am ready to spend my summer fueling my Artistry.  I have challenged myself to try and do at least one creative thing each day over the summer.  This can be, singing, watercolor painting, making jewelry, messing around on photoshop, writing a blogpost, taking photos, or filming YouTube videos; anything that really sparks my creative spirit.  

       Why am I so eager to discover more of the artist inside of me?  Well I recently read an amazing memoir written by an author I happen to know personally. Upon reading his memoir I feel very inspired to shape myself into a well-rounded artist.  Performing has always been a passion of mine (obviously), but until I had read this book, I didn't really know what being a true "artist" meant. Now I am eager to try all art forms and discover what I really love, and get inspired by.  Now, with social media and Instagram, many teens (especially girls) try to be as "artsy" as they can.  It's like a giant competition on who can be the most "artsy fartsy".  Well this book taught me that art can really be anything, and that being an artist is very personalized.  In art there is no right and wrong. Sometimes the best art is what we don't even share, but what we keep to ourselves, and do for ourselves, not just to show off on social media. I really encourage you to read "The Bohemian Love Diaries" written by the super cool Slash Coleman, it really gave me a great perspective and changed my life.  Here is the link: The Bohemian Love Diaries on Amazon .  Seriously, GO BUY THIS BOOK!  It is laugh-out-loud funny, and just filled with heart and soul.  Slash is an amazing story teller and I have had the honor of seeing him do live readings more than once.  

     So hopefully (if you keep up with me) you will be seeing a giant spurt of new content! New YouTube videos on my channel, new art on my blog and my tumblr, and new blog entries!   

        Can't wait to make this summer memorable! 

Poster created by yours truly <3

  

Vintage Hair and Make-up

    The Great Gatsby Prom Theme Hair and Make-up

         
         I have always been into recreating vintage hairstyles and make-up that I see in old photographs.  This year my high school's prom theme is Great Gatsby, so how much more perfect can it get?

        Just for fun I thought I would show you my dress and also  how I have been experimenting with my hair and make-up for prom! 


Hair:
1) Ever since I have chopped off my long locks, vintage styles have become so much easier for me! I curl my hair with an iron and then pin the curls to my head with pin curl hair clips.  

2) Then after I spray my hair full of pin curls I let them set and cool off for about 10-15 minutes. 

(There is a great YouTube tutorial on how to do this! Check it out! She's amazing. cherrydollface pin curl tutorial)

3) Take out the curls and style it to frame my face like so…

4) Then I pin up one side and spray the heck out of my hair with hairspray!  (careful it doesn't look crunchy or crispy though.)

Make-up:

 In the 1920's it was all about the dramatic eyes and lips!

1) I took my urban decay naked 3 pallet and used the dark browns to create a smokey eye look. 

2) Then I used my Maybelline The Falsies mascara and generously applied to my lashes. 

3) Then I used my FAV foundation, Cover Girl's TruBlend. I applied this with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.  I find this product really blends well into my skin but gives me the coverage I need. 

4) I set the foundation with the best pressed matte powder.  Rimmel's Stay Matte finishing powder.  It's seriously the best. 

5) Then I went in with my new concealer/highlighter I found at Ulta recently.  Its maybelline's Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer.  It makes me look so awake and radiant when applied under my eyes in a "V" shape as well as going down my nose and a little in the center of my forehead.  I love this product.  Go back in and set it with your powder. 

 6)  Then I applied my fav blush at the moment.  NYX's blush in Mauve. It's a nice subtle pink color but isn't too much. 

 NOW TO MY FAV PART - LIPS

7) I used a berry lip liner from Ulta and lined my lips. 

8) Over-top of the lip liner I used my new obsession.  NYX soft matte lip cream in the color Copenhagen. It's a deep wine/berry color which I think compliments not only the time period of the dark lip, but also my black and tan prom dress.  

This color not only looks amazing on, but it's super long lasting and feels light weight.  It doesn't bog your lips down in cream.  It feels matte and dries on matte without being drying to the lip.  I love this product and I'm going to buy more in different colors. 

Don't be afraid to be different for Prom!

It's all about feeling confident in your own skin. 

Wally Malone - Firefighter

             People posses the power to attract others to them.  
I find what draws me to people the most is passion.  Whenever I see a truly passionate person I cannot help but be drawn in to them, even if I don't really know or care what they are passionate about.  It's really easy to spot these people because those who are outwardly passionate want to share their passion with others. 

            Today, (while visiting my grandparents for the week in NYC) my brother organized a mini trip for me, Noah, my brother and my older cousin Derrick, to go to the New York City Firefighter Museum.  At first I was just willing to go to please my brother who often struggles to find things in the city to do that's fun for him. Upon getting inside the museum for a fee of five dollars, we were met with beautiful 
antique fire equipment.  It was really great to see all the old strategies people used to combat fire.  Technology and science have really come a long way, especially for fire tactics.  
   
            Finally we traveled into the sensitive 911 room.  911 always provokes sadness and grief yet a distance feeling of hope, and national pride.  For what was a devastating event, there was such a heroic sense of being an American.  As I was paying my respects to the wall of photos of those firefighters who lost their lives, I was approached by an old man wearing a white firefighter polo, his name stitched in navy blue.  It read Wally.  Instantly a deep feeling of love and appreciation swept over me, for reasons unknown.  I was instantly drawn in to his big New York personality.  Wally, an 80 year old retired firefighter volunteers at the museum.  His purpose?  Simply to do what he does best - talk.  
           As Wally handed me a pamphlet he instantly felt like my new best friend.  Wally explained to me with his expressive voice that he had been a NYC firefighter for over 34 years, retiring in 1994.  As he focused my attention to the horrific photos of 911, he pointed to his own truck, unit 214.  Puzzled by this I questioned him about his years in service.  He came to tell me that even though he had been retired for some time, when 911 hit he rushed to his old unit, suited up, and fought the flames that every American turned to watch.  "Once a firefighter, always a firefighter"stated the charming Wally Malone. 
   
        This afternoon Wally told me almost his entire life story.  At 80 years old he's proud of everything that he's accomplished in his life-time.  All he wishes to do is share that with the people around him.  Boy is he a talker and a story teller.  We immediately hit it off.  Suddenly we had drawn in a huddle of a crowd.  I wasn't the only one wanting to hear his amazing tales.  After fighting in Vietnam, Wally decided to become a firefighter in New York City.  In the course of his 34 years he saw amazing changes.  He told me that he had been a member of "the nut house", the nickname given to those crazy enough to serve in the most dangerous fire house around.  In the course of one night shift he was called out 48 times.  Apparently in the 70's and 80's (when more people smoked), there would be so many small fires lit by cigarettes.  Also I learned that when the economy goes down, arsine goes up.  He told me they once caught a man who set his store on fire to make money off of his insurance.  Wally now lives in Long Island with his wife of 60 years.  Even in retirement he's continued to work out every day and stay in amazing shape.  I would never have guessed he was 80.  

         What drew me in the most was simply his passion and his willingness to share it with others.  This is what the world is about.  People having passions.  But what good is that passion if you aren't eager to share it with those you meet along the way? 

          I think we all need to be a little more like Wally.  Stop and talk to people.  Don't be afraid to share your interests and your passions.  And also… I think we all need to stop and listen.  What if I had never stopped to hear what the old man had to say?  I never would have gotten the same affect from the museum by just reading plaques and looking at photographs.  We just need to stop and listen.  Because I stopped and listened I was able to gain an experience that may just be the highlight of my trip. 

         I was really touched by meeting this inspiration.

 

          

Headshots

WOW! It has been way too long

since a blogpost! 

I might as well fill you in on what has been happening in my life the past month.

1) Robin Hood with Theatre on the James ended this past weekend.  We had a great run and the show was so hilarious.  Everyone who came to see it seemed to really enjoy themselves! 

2) This past Saturday (closing night of Robin Hood) was Noah's 19th Birthday! We spent the whole day together and performed on stage together for the last time.  Bittersweet.

3)  On Friday Spring Break begins and I am so pumped.  My mom, brother, Noah and I are all going to New York to stay with my grandparents who live in the city.  Noah and I are going to celebrate his birthday while we are there by seeing the Broadway show "If/Then".  I got us tickets for his birthday! I cannot wait to see Idina KILL it! 

4) This past Monday I went to my friend Caroline's house to take new and updated head shots since I chopped off all my hair.  We got some great shots! I'm very pleased! :)

Abusive Relationships PSA

     We are doing a very eye-opening project in theatre class right now that has really made me stop and think.  We are in small groups and our mission is to spread awareness about an issue we believe teens face in today's society.  Some of those include, Body image, Suicidal feelings, Anxiety, Teen pregnancy, Substance abuse and finally my group's, Abusive Relationships.  

   This project has sparked amazing dialogue in my class.  I've learned so much about my peers and friends.  We have created a safe environment in which we can discuss these issues maturely.  Our goal with these projects is to not only bring awareness to these topics but to "show not tell."  What we mean by that is it's one thing to have someone tell you a statistic, but it's another to watch a character experience a situation in front of your eyes.  We not only wish to share this important information, but we want to make it believable and real to our audience.  

   My group is focusing on high school abusive relationships.  I know what you're thinking, "Abuse as in hitting someone?".  Well not exactly.  We realized that most of the time society looks at domestic violence as men abusing women.  But there are men who are being abused by women both emotionally and sometimes physically.  We wanted to focus on a relationship between two high schoolers where the girl is emotionally abusive.  

  In High School its not uncommon to walk through the halls and see young love.  Love is great, but sometimes it can get out of hand for young people.  Often times I see boys get completely controlled by their girlfriends.  Guys jokingly call it being "whipped" but it can quickly turn more serious than that.  My group focused on a boy who is having his life manipulated and controlled by his girlfriend.  He believes he loves her but he's realizing he is unhappy with the way she's treating him. 

   Boys - Your girlfriends should not be telling you what you can and cannot do. They don't have the right to tell you who you can and can't hang out with.  If she starts telling you she doesn't want you spending time with other people without her, don't just walk away… RUN!  She is NOT for you! Teen love should be about sharing experiences together, and being in love - but also giving each other a healthy amount of space.  

Here is out script and I hope that this can have the power to help someone or provide as inspiration.

Peace and blessings,
Holly 

Tyler - Wait what? Why?

Ashley - Because I'm your girlfriend and I said so.  

Tyler - Why does that even bother you?

Ashley - God you're so stupid! Why are you even asking me why it bothers me? Isn't it obvious?

Tyler - Okay sorry.

(Lilly enters.  Notices Tyler and Ashley and approaches, very friendly.)

Lilly - Hey guys! What's up?

Tyler - Hey! Nothing much you?

Ashley - We were just leaving.

Lilly - Okay bye.

(Lilly waves goodbye and exits. Tyler looks back at Lilly and smiles as she leaves.  Ashley snaps to get his attention.)

Ashley - Thats exactly what I'm talking about.

Tyler - Huh?

Ashley - I saw the way you were looking at her! And you wonder why it bothers me that you hang out with her when I'm not around.

(Ashley checks the time on her phone and notices she's running late)

Ashley - Okay.  I gotta go to cheer practice now.  *Ashley kisses his cheek and cheerfully says..*

Text me later?

Tyler - yea… sure.  Have fun.

(Project the text message between Tyler and Lilly about going to lunch.  New setting: Booth at a restaurant.  Lilly is already there waiting. Tyler sits down.)

Lilly - Hey look who it is? I haven't seen you in ages.  Where have you been?

Tyler- Oh you know.. around…

Lilly - So I was driving on my way here and I heard the FUNNIEST song.  It's called #selfie.  It's honestly the most ridiculous song.  Have you heard it?

Tyler - *laughs* yeah Ashley sings it all the time… its so annoying.  

Lilly -  *laughs* Why?

Tyler - Believe me… if you heard her you'd know why.

Lilly - (laughs) Well since I haven't seen you in FOREVER we might as well take a picture for my Instagram.

Tyler - Funny face?

Lilly - Funny face.  Duh. Always.

(Lilly and Tyler take a goofy selfie and Lilly posts it on Instagram.  Suddenly there are screams coming from offstage.)

Ashley - (from offstage) OH! MY! GOD!

(Lilly and Tyler freeze in a tableau.)

Ashley - (Now onstage is looking at her phone and seeing the picture of Lilly and Tyler on Instagram.) Really?  Lilly is such a HOE!  She needs to back off!  Tyler is MINE, not hers!  I'm not going to let anyone steal Tyler from me.  I remember what it feels like having someone taken stolen from me.  I won't let that happen to me again.  I won't be the victim.  I trust Tyler, I really do, but I don't trust her.  He and Lilly used to spend a lot of time together, and now that time with him belongs to me.  Tyler chose me, not her.  So now I should be the one who spends the most time with him.  That's the way it works right?

(Ashley turns and exits.  Tyler and Lilly unfreeze.)

Lilly - Oh guess what? I can't believe I haven't told you yet!

Tyler - What?!

Lilly - I GOT THE LEAD IN THE MUSICAL!

Tyler - Really?!?! That's awesome!

Lilly - yeah! I found out last week but I haven't been seeing you as much lately.

Tyler- Wow… You've known for a whole week?  

Lilly - yeah… I've tried to find you, plenty of times, but it seems I can never get a hold of yah' these days.

Tyler - (feeling guilty now.  The smile vanishing from his face.) I know.

Lilly - What's wrong?

Tyler - Well there was a reason I asked you to meet me here for lunch...

Lilly - Yeah? Everything okay?

(Lilly freezes and Tyler stands up and moves to center.)

Tyler - I cannot believe I am actually going through with this.  She's my best friend, she's going to be crushed when I tell her.  Is this even worth breaking up the best friendship I've ever had?  No it is,  I love Ashley…. at least I think I do.  No, I do.  And this is what she wants.  Ugh but Lilly though… she's been there for me since middle school.  How can I turn my back on her now?  How am I supposed to tell my best friend that we can't hang out anymore?  I hope she understands it's not my choice to do this.  Deep breaths.  I have to do this.  (Tyler starts walking back to his seat in the booth) I have to do this.  I have to do this.  I have to do this.  (reaches the table and sits)  Here goes nothing.

(Lilly unfreezes and is still staring at tyler.)

Tyler - Ashley doesn't want me hanging out with you anymore! (Tyler lays his head on the table.  There’s an awkward pause.)

Lilly- (chuckles a little in disbelief.) what?  That's funny haha what is it really?

Tyler - No really…. She says that its the only way that our relationship can survive at this point. I can't hang out with any girls…

Lilly - Even me?

Tyler - especially you…

Lilly - ESPECIALLY Me?  Why am I different from any of your other friends?

Tyler - Ashley is convinced there is something going on between us.

Lilly - What?!? (Reacts like thats the most absurd thing that anyone has ever said!) US?!?! No…… Have you told her its not like that?

Tyler - Yeah just about a thousand times.  But she still doesn't believe me.

Lilly - Well that's crazy. We have been best friends since middle school.  Ever since I moved down the street from you we've been inseparable.  Doesn't she think that if there was something between us it would have happened by now?

Tyler -  Exactly! That's what I tell her all the time.  She just ends up getting upset and I don't feel like fighting with her. So I usually drop it.

Lilly - Well she obviously has major trust issues Tyler.  Have you realized you don't have to listen to everything she says?

Tyler - But I want to make her happy.

Lilly - Well it sounds like she's not making you happy… Sorry to tell you Tyler - but you don't look like yourself and you're certainly not acting like yourself.  

Tyler - Oh come on.. I’m still the same old Tyler.

Lilly -- No you're not… The old Tyler would have been the first to know I got the lead in the musical, the old tyler would have come to the surprise party we threw for Kim to cheer her up when her Hamster died - (Tyler cuts her off.)

Tyler - I apologized for that already,  Ashley needed me to help her study for Chemistry.

Lilly - It doesn't always have to be about Ashley.  You are allowed to say no to her.  You are allowed to put your own happiness before hers.  We are only in high school, you two aren't married to each other.

Tyler - Well yeah I know but… (trails off..)

Lilly – This is what I don’t understand… why doesn’t Tyler see how miserable he really is? If he could only see what I see… Tyler and I have been like brother and sister since middle school, and I always knew there would be a time where he would have a romantic relationship… but I didn’t think he would let it run his life. Suddenly this guy who once had a balance in his life is now being controlled by a girl, he believes is his first love. But this isn’t real love, Ashley’s controlling, she hasn’t even made an effort to get to know any of his friends. Suddenly he started spending all his time with her, neglecting the people who have been there for him throughout his life. I have to tell him, maybe I can make him see what I see.

(Lilly goes back to the table suddenly Tyler unfreezes)

Lilly- Okay I have to be honest, I think that Ashley is a bit controlling… Okay not a bit more like a lot.

Tyler- What do you mean?

Lilly- Oh come on don’t you think it’s a little odd that she doesn’t want you hanging out with girls who are just friends? And I’ve noticed you don’t hang out with Eric or Drew anymore either.

Tyler- Oh come on I still hang out with the guys.

Lilly- Really you do? Tell me, when was the last time you hung out with them?

Tyler- You know that time we went to that place… (Tyler pauses and thinks, then remembers when the last time was.) It was at your birthday party!

Lilly - Tyler that was two months ago…

Tyler - Wow. It has been two months?

Lilly - Yes… We miss you. (pauses)  Can you tell me something… and be honest… you can always be honest with me. Does Ashley make you happy?

Tyler - Of course (tyler answers immediately.)

Lilly - Ty…

Tyler - No… To be honest it started out great but now it’s a lot different from what I thought it be like.

Lilly - What do you mean?

Tyler - Well…. in the beginning it felt great to be needed by her.  But suddenly she became my whole world.  She makes me feel guilty doing anything without her.  I’m not even supposed to watch movies without her.  She thinks she has this remote that she can pause my life when shes not there. Its like she expects me to wait for her while she does other things, like cheering, but I’m not allowed a life of my own.  It sucks.

Lilly -  Tyler I know this sounds weird, because we don’t hear about it a lot, but men can be abused by women.  Sometimes it’s not physical but emotional.  We often just label domestic violence as women being battered and bruised by the men.  But my mom recently told me that more than 40% of the abuse comes from the women.  I didn’t believe her at first but then I thought about it and it started to make sense.

Tyler - Ashley doesn’t hit me if that’s what you’re trying to say.

Lilly - Abuse doesn’t have to be physical.  By telling you what you can and can’t do, and making you feel guilty for having a life, and having friends she’s abusing you emotionally.  

(At this point Ashley storms in the restaurant and marches up to the table where Lilly and Tyler are sitting. She is livid.)

Ashley - What are you doing here Tyler?

Tyler - Woah Ashley calm down!

Ashley - Do NOT tell me to calm down! What’s going on here?!

Tyler - I’m having lunch with my friend.  

Ashley - I told you that I don’t want you around other girls! Why would you do that?! Wow Tyler.  

Tyler - You were at cheer practice what do you expect me to do?  Wait in my car outside the gym for two hours?

Ashley - That would have been better than cheating on me!

Tyler - Oh my god! I am NOT cheating on you!  You’re crazy!

Ashley - Oh so I’m crazy?

Tyler - YES! ALRIGHT!?! (Tyler explodes.) I am out to lunch with my friend! I am sick of you trying to control me! I can do what I want.  I’ve tried to make you happy but you’re just impossible to please! I’m done with this! If I want to go out to lunch without you I can! It’s a free country!

Ashley - Well I guess we’re done then.  If that’s how you feel.

Tyler - I guess so.  

(Ashley runs offstage in tears/anger. Tyler sits back down and puts his head in his hands.)

Lilly - I am so sorry.  

Tyler - It’s fine.  I guess I just snapped. You opened my eyes to reality.  I was trying to deny it, but you made me see it for myself.

(Lilly pats his back trying to comfort him.)

Tyler - I hope I don’t regret this tomorrow…

Lilly - Hey you’re better without her.  Really.  You can do much better.  You will find someone who likes hanging with you and your friends, someone who lets you make your own choices. Someone who appreciates you and understands all aspects of your life.  Someone who loves you but gives you your space.  

Tyler - Well I can tell you one thing… I am NOT going to miss texting her 24/7. (Tyler kinda laughs.)

Lilly - Betcha feel a whole lot more free now don’t you?

Tyler - You have no idea.

(Lights out.)

THE END