Scene:
In a one-bedroom apartment, looking in on a simply furnished living room and bedroom. Lighting is fading, like an early evening sun. Techno music is playing in the background.

Characters:
ROSE
JACOB

JACOB: [mid-story, smiling and really into the story] Then he said he didn’t tell her that. Even I heard about it! Oh, it was great!
ROSE: [laughing] Are you serious? I remember you telling me about that the day he said it. I can’t believe he's trying to play dumb! He is so- [ROSE’s cell phone rings, interrupting the conversation]
ROSE: [looks at phone] Hold on, Jake. I’m gonna answer it. [presses a button to answer. ROSE laughs at certain parts in the conversation. Each time, we see JAKE starting to look more and more suspicious] Hey, what’s going on? Are you serious? She really said that? Oh, my God, that’s so funny! And then what? Wow, that must have been awesome! Wait, what? Who? Oh, okay - yeah - talk to you later - bye!
[ROSE turns around, abruptly stopping]
JACOB: Who was that?
ROSE: That was my friend, Ethan.
JACOB: [talking quietly, as if talking to self] Wow, so now you enjoy flirting with other guys in from of me, eh?
ROSE: Jake -
JACOB: [interrupts, building volume a bit] Why would you do this to me, Rose?
ROSE: Jacob -
JACOB: [back to quiet, sad voice] No, no. It’s okay. This Ethan dude is probably better, anyway.
ROSE: [losing patience] Jake, just listen -
JACOB: [talking as a mother would to a child who doesn’t understand] Rose, I promise, it’s fine. I’ll be fine. Just tell me now, before I fall in too deep.
ROSE: [gets angry] You are so infuriating! I can’t believe I ever tried to live with you! Every time I get off the phone, you question me about who I was talking to! Why don’t you trust me?
JACOB: Because you are too good to be true, Rose. I don’t deserve you. How could I trust you, knowing you deserve way better than me?
ROSE: You’re right! You can’t! Which is why I’m leaving!
JACOB: No! Please don’t. I’m sorry, I wasn’t supposed to sound like that. It’s not you, it’s me. Rose, please say you’re kidding.
ROSE: I’m serious, Jacob. I can’t live with your insecurity. I just - [shrieks in frustration]
[ROSE stomps off to the bedroom, closes door][walks over to bed, sits for a moment, then walks over to dresser, grabs a notebook and pen, begins writing furiously. Stops, pulls at hair, rips page out of notebook, crumples it up and throws it away. Throws notebook and pen aside.][Rose goes over to a corner to grab a guitar case, sits down on bed, takes out guitar, strum a couple times, make a tune, singing a couple words hesitantly] ROSE: Cold as ice and more bitter than a December. Winter night; that's how I treated you. And I know that I, I sometimes tend to lose my temper and I cross the line. Yeah, that's the truth. I know it gets hard sometimes, but I could never, leave your side, no matter what I say. [At some time, while ROSE is sitting on bed playing guitar, JACOB is writing something in a notebook. He tears the page out, walks over to the door, slides the paper under the door.][When ROSE finishes the song, sets down the guitar, walks over to the door, picks the note up, and walks back over to the bed. She reads the note, smiles/laughs, then puts the note in her back pocket.] [She gets up walks over the door, waits a beat before opening, opens, and then walks out to find JACOB on the couch, head in hands.]

[JACOB raises head halfway through song to listen] ROSE: [Singing acapella] Cause if I wanted to go I would have gone by now, but I really need you near me to keep my mind off the edge. If I wanted to leave I would have left by now, but you're the only one that knows me better than I know myself.

[JACOB stands, walks over slowly to ROSE, stands for a minute, then grabs ROSE and bear hugs her]

ROSE: I’m sorry, Jake.

JACOB: I’m sorry, too, Rose. We just gotta learn how to communicate better, tell each other our feelings.

ROSE: [giggling] You mean like cheesy pickup lines? [ROSE pushes away from JAKE, pulls note out of back pocket, and reads out loud] “I lost my teddy bear, can I sleep with you?” [Looks back up at JAKE] Well, if you’re that much of a scaredy-cat, I suppose you can. [Hugs JAKE again]

JACOB: I love you Rose.

ROSE: Well, that’s not a first, everyone loves me. But I love you, too, Jake.

[JAKE’s arm is around ROSE’s shoulders, and ROSE’s arm is around JAKE’s waist as they both walk out of the bedroom.]

- END OF SCENE -