(Aaron looks up at Emma, while Emma stares back at Aaron).
Aaron
Compared to you. NOTHING. Ok, she meant nothing, you’re the one I care about, you’re the one I want, you’re the one I love. You, not her, you.
Emma
Well, if you love me so much, then why did you go off with her? What was so good about her that was worth ruining our relationship?
Aaron
I didn’t know there was a relationship after that huge fight, I thought our relationship was dead.
(Emma slowly calms down and sits on the couch. The tone of their voices falls and quietens).
Aaron
I wouldn’t have cheated or done anything stupid, if I was for sure, that we wasn’t broken up. (Pause). After that huge argument I thought that was it for us, I thought we were down and out. I didn’t know what to do, I was confused. I then phoned you up to try to patch things up. I then heard James in the background and I thought there was something going on
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between you and James. You see, that’s why I hung up, that’s why I went all crazy. It’s because I thought you and James were having sex.
Emma
Alright. Let’s say I had sex with James. Would you have forgiven me?
(Aaron stares at Emma while thinking of something to say).
Aaron
Yes, I would.
(Emma gets off the couch approaching Aaron).
Emma
You would be ok if James had kissed me and made love to me. (Pause). You would be ok if our hot, sweaty bodies clashed together and……
Aaron
OK! (Pause). Ok yer I would……… I would have been heart broken, but I would still want to be with you cos, you know it’s you. I wanna be with you for the rest of my life. Life without you isn’t worth living. i need you Emma. I love you.
Twenty long, quiet minutes pass by.
(They’re both sitting down on the couch. Aaron is staring at Emma. Emma is staring at the floor.)
Aaron
What? So, now you’re not even looking at me. (Pause).
(Emma is still staring at the floor. The pace starts to pick up again).
Aaron
Look, Emma I’m sorry ok, I’m sorry. I thought I lost you, I didn’t know what to do, come on, come on, how crazy must I be to cheat, ok that ain’t me. (Dead silence. Aaron stands up and starts to talk louder and faster). You know what? I’m not the one who wanted to run away and hide when things got rough, I wasn’t the one who began that argument; I was the one who was trying to hold our relationship together. After that fight, I did whatever I could to make things sparkle again in our relationship. After trying as hard as I could I went weak and helpless, and ended up sleeping with that woman, but that wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t start that argument and made our relationship complicated. (Pause). You were the one who started this mess.
Emma
This isn’t about who started what Aaron. Towards the end of our break up, you didn’t seem to be yourself; I thought something was wrong with me. I needed to see someone to talk to so, I spoke with James. That’s the reason why I spent so much time with him; I wasn’t having an affair with him. I love you. I wanted to see if what we had was worth carrying on with, then you just made that conversation a bigger deal than it was. Then to top it off, I heard you slept with another woman. (Pause). Our relationship has sunk and I didn’t think it will ever be able to float back up again.
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Aaron
Look Emma. I know sleeping with that woman wasn’t the answer, but before that, you just kicked me out of your life for something that wasn’t even my fault. (Pause). I’m sorry for sleeping with her and I wish I could take it back but I can’t. I just don’t wanna lose something this special, that we have when we’re together.
(Emma starts to cry).
Aaron
Emma I love you so so so much. (Aaron starts to kiss her neck and slowly rises up towards her lips. Emma gets off the couch to stand up).
Emma
NO AARON. YOU CAN’T JUST KISS ME AND EXPECT EVERYTHING TO GO AWAY, IT DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY, OK? IT JUST DOESN’T!
Aaron
Ok, ok.
Emma
I think you should leave.
Aaron
What? (Aaron stands up).
Emma
I really think you should leave.
Aaron
Ok, ok. Remember the time? When you said that nothing or no one could end our love that we have for one another.
Emma
What did I know? (In a gentle tone of voice).
(Aaron puts his hands on Emma’s shoulders).
Aaron
Look, there has to be a way to get round this. I don’t wanna lose you, not now. Not after the time we’ve had together. I can’t imagine life without you. (Aaron kneels down and hugs her legs). (Pause).
Emma
I used to think of you as someone who would never, ever hurt me. You were what kept me going after my mum died. You were the one who kept me going when I needed a shoulder to cry on. I used to think the world of you. I thought as long as I’ am with you, nothing can then go wrong. Boy was I wrong. Now it’s like every time I see you, I picture her and I remember what you did. Things have just changed. (Pause). Although I have gotten stronger and the wound has heeled, there remains a permanent reminder. A scar, which will never go away. I guess what I’m trying to say is. (Pause). Its over.
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(Aaron stands up, slowly turns around and starts to walk towards the door. He gets to the door and opens it, then takes one last look at Emma and leaves.)
