Sarah: This is going to be worse than last time, he’s going to break my whole face, not just my nose. I can’t…I can’t do this…(runs off crying.)
Gabbie: Well it’s not so bad. I wonder what Tara got…hey, she never gave my top back, I was going to wear that tomorrow! (walks out of the room)
Tara: Let’s see, maybe she’s depressed because we teased her every day about…basically everything. Isn’t that our fault?
Gabbie: Of course not. We just told her the truth, and if she doesn’t like it it’s tough luck. We were just messing around. Someone was going to tell her anyway.
Tara: God, you can never face up to the truth, can you?
Gabbie: I thought you were going to back me up on this. You used to be my best friend, remember? Guess some people change pretty quickly.
Tara: You know what, maybe I was your best friend, but you were never mine. You never listened to anything I said, maybe I would be your best friend if you were actually there for me sometimes? You know, that thing that friends do?
(both freeze)
Gabbie: Hey Tara! (Hugs her) How are you?
Tara: Great to see you Gabbie. What did you do about your report? Mine was…
Gabbie: - Well unfortunately my mum saw the envelope before me, so I had to tell her the same day. She was a bit mad, but I don’t see how shouting will help. I told her those teachers weren’t teaching me properly, but she never listened. Now she says it’s my fault. My fault! Can you believe this? As if I was the one standing there in front of the class, saying these stupid theories in the most boring voice I can possibly find.
Tara: What exactly did you get?
Gabbie: Well, let’s just say I didn’t fail P.E.
Tara: And the rest?
Gabbie: You can guess. Oh and I had to throw out that new lipstick.
Tara: Gabbie…what happened? You were so confident about it.
Gabbie: I know, but after two days I realised that colour just didn’t suit me.
Tara: I’m talking about your grades.
Gabbie: Oh. Well that’s not my fault. That Chemistry teacher, she’s just so boring.
Tara: Yeah I know, I never actually got those notes about atomic structure…
Gabbie: Can we cut the boring school talk? I don’t actually want to become a historian, or a biologist, or a…Geographist. They’re so useless. All the teachers think they know everything and try to hint to me that I need to improve my grades. As if I was dumb or something!
Tara: As they say, there was once a blonde who tried to climb over a glass wall.
Gabbie: Mhmm?
Tara: She wanted to see what was on the other side! (They both laugh)
Gabbie: There is such a stereotype of blondes. As if we’d actually be stupid enough to try and climb over a wall wearing a skirt!
Tara: (looks at Gabbie strangely) Anyway…
Gabbie: Oh, there’s the bell, see ya after English.
Tara: Yeah. See ya.
Gabbie: Well sometimes I had to make a real effort to talk. It just doesn’t work when the conversation’s one sided.
Tara: You don’t think of anyone else but yourself do you?
Gabbie: Tara, sit down. People might think that I’m talking to you. I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression.
Tara: GRR.
Sarah comes out of the principles office.
Tara: Sarah…
Sarah: Hi.
Gabbie: Well, what did you say?
Sarah: They didn’t really…
Gabbie: Come on, just tell us.
Sarah: I don’t…
Gabbie: Did you tell them that we did anything?
Sarah: Well I…
Gabbie: Did you say this was our fault?
Sarah: No, I…
Gabbie: I bet you went and whinged all about us.
Sarah: I…
Gabbie: That’s right, tell them all about how we forced you to take those pills.
Tara: Gabbie! What is wrong with you? (To Sarah) Are you feeling alright?
Sarah: I think I’m ok now.
Gabbie: Of course she’s alright! She’s got everyone on her side, everyone is sympathising with poor widdle Sarah. I bet you have everyone wrapped around your little finger, right? Because I know you only did this for attention. Admit it!
Tara: Gabbie how can you…
Sarah: Shuttup, both of you! Ok. You’re right, Gabbie. I do just want attention, and I need to listen to some other peoples advice for a change, because I think I’m fed up of listening to you. You can never be satisfied with what I do! All I ever wanted was to be like you, just for one day. I dreamt of being what you are. I even failed my exams because I was trying too hard to be you. (All Freeze)
Sarah: They won’t mind, I’ll just go talk to them. No..oh, they’re so pretty and…just so cool. I wish I could have friends like that. Nobody likes stupid Sarah.
Gabbie: Yeah, I read in sugar, this season short hair is so in.
Sarah: (touches her hair) How does she know how to do that? She just does everything right the first time, she doesn’t even think about it. It’s like being cool is a natural talent. That I don’t have. (looks at Gabbie’s clothes, then her own and sighs)
Gabbie: The truth is, Sarah dear, that no matter what you do, you can’t be me.
Sarah: Well you know what? I don’t want to be you anymore. You’re the reason I almost gave my life up, and it was a stupid reason. I was completely deluded because while I was trying to be you, I stopped being me, and in the end I had nothing to show for it anyway! I failed my exams and I’m still not popular. I’m sick of all this, you, this school, everyone. But this time I’m not going to be so dumb and try to end my life, I’m just going to go make a new life away from you.
Gabbie: Have a nice time.
Tara: (Calls after her) Sarah…Gabbie, are you just going to let her go? Don’t you want to apologise?
Gabbie: Her whining stories actually got to you? You’re even weaker than you look.
Tara: Right, I am gonna…
Principal: Gabrielle and Tara, please come into the office.
