The First Time - Episode 1
by Rebecca Phelps
Okay, Alicia, I’m here.
Why did you want to meet in this hotel room?
Don’t you remember?
Remember what?
Is there going to be a party here?
No.
Well then, why am I here?
Jack, seriously?
I’m talking about seventh grade.
What about it?
When we were in Bryan Schmerson’s basement…
We promised each other that…
You know…
I’m going to need more details.
We promised that we wouldn’t go to college as…
Bulls fans?
As virgins.
Oh. THAT promise.
I didn’t think you remembered that.
Well, I do.
Wait, is THAT why we’re here?
Of course. What did you think?
Not that!
Well, I came prepared.
You brought five boxes of condoms?
I didn’t know what size.
I’m gonna die of embarrassment now.
Why?
You don’t want to keep our promise?
It’s not that, it’s just that…
You DO want to?
No, god, Alicia, we can’t have sex.
Why not?
Because we’re best friends!
Exactly. That’s why it’s so perfect!
Plus, our families are having brunch tomorrow.
What’s that got to do with it?
I can’t have sex with you and then eat waffles with your mom!
It’s not like I was going to tell them!
Alicia, this is a terrible idea.
Why don’t you say the real reason you don’t want to do this?
And what reason is that?
It’s because you’re in love with Charlene Fry.
That’s ridiculous.
You took her to prom, didn’t you?
Because I felt sorry for her…
Because her voice is so weird.
It’s called an Australian accent!
You know, like Nicole Kidman has?
Oh wow. Is that why she keeps calling me “mate?”
If it’s not about her, then why don’t you want to do this?
I told you why.
Besides, what’s wrong with being a…
You know…
A virgin?
Will you stop saying that word?
Look, I don’t want to do it for the first time with some rando.
We’re going to different colleges.
In three months, it might be too late.
Okay, I have to admit something.
It’s about Charlene Fry.
I already know.
What do you know?
That she’s sleeping with David Preston.
Wait, what?
Oh my god, Jack, everybody knows!
Well, I didn’t.
Then what were you going to tell me?
Alicia, Charlene and I…
On prom night…
Oh. Oh, I see.
What are you doing?
I’m going home.
Alicia, wait.
Why?
Well, you left all your condoms.
Keep them, Jack! Use them on Charlene Fry!
Will you stop crying, please?
I’m not crying.
Very much.
I’m crying a little.
And anyway, just so you know…
Charlene and I didn’t even kiss after prom.
Oh.
Jack, why didn’t you ask ME to prom?
Alicia, I didn’t think you liked me…
Like that.
I don’t like you!
Great, because I don’t like you either!
Obviously!
Don’t hit me with the condom boxes.
I had nothing else to throw.
Can we talk about this?
You know what, it’s fine.
I have another offer anyway.
Oh, really? Who?
Jonas Silverstein.
You wouldn’t!
Why not?
I don’t know, maybe because he’s my mortal enemy?
You’re being dramatic.
He TP’d my house five Halloweens in a row.
You can’t prove that was him.
He posted online that I had herpes.
As an April Fool’s joke.
Just go, Jack, please.
You’ve made your feelings clear.
I’m not gonna leave you like this, Alicia.
Why not? You’ll be leaving town soon anyway.
Oh, wait a minute.
I get it now.
What do you mean?
This isn’t about Charlene Fry at all.
You’re mad that I’m not going to Ohio State like you are.
Okay, you’re right about that.
I just don’t understand.
We’d been planning it forever.
We were going to go to the same college…
And stay best friends.
Nothing was going to change.
Everything changes eventually.
But California, Jack?
It might as well be the moon.
I’ll still be your best friend.
I don’t want you to be my best friend, dummy!
Don’t you get it?
You don’t mean that.
I do.
So what now? Do you want me to leave?
Yes.
No.
I don’t know.
Okay, I’ll go then.
Wait!
Will you sit with me first?
Well, push the condoms over.
Oh, sorry. Here you go.
Do you really not want to be best friends anymore?
The truth is, Jack…
The truth is I never wanted to be just friends.
I think I’ve been waiting since seventh grade…
For you to realize that.
That’s funny.
Why?
Because I was in love with you then.
Shut up.
I’m serious.
You never told me.
I’m telling you now.
Well, it’s too late now!
It’s NOT too late.
I’m not leaving for another month.
But I do like being your best friend.
It means that you always turn to me first.
Like when the invitation to your 14th birthday party had the wrong date on it…
And you were in your room crying…
And you called me and we went to the trampoline park.
That was the best birthday ever!
I still have the sticky socks.
Me too.
Hey, are you thinking what I’m thinking?
That we go get those sticky socks?
Yeah! And jump until we’re dizzy!
Yeah! And then get ice cream after that.
Let’s do it!
And…Alicia?
What?
Just because I’m your best friend…
Doesn’t mean I can’t be more.
So in case it comes up…
The yellow box is the right one.
Good to know.
App