INT. ELEANOR’S BEDROOM. EVENING.
Eleanor smiles at the camera.
ELEANOR
So apparently I freaked out so much I never actually posted this. Which is unfortunate, because this is…good. It’s actually good. I think it’s good. I think it’s–I’m not going to keep talking about it. You decide.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEANOR’S BEDROOM. AFTERNOON.
Eleanor sits in front of the camera, looking excited.
ELEANOR
He’s going to be here soon. And by “he”, I mean the only guy who ever shows up here. And by that I mean Akihiko. Who is fucking adorable.
Beat.
ELEANOR
Sorry. Language. Shouldn’t use that language.
But anyway, he’s going to come over soon, which means I’m going to get to see him soon. Which is exciting.
There is a knock at the door. She jumps up and turns to face the door.
ELEANOR
Yeah?
RELIA
(O.S.)
You’re a fucking bitch, and Mother isn’t going to let you get away with this.
Eleanor flinches, deflating a bit.
ELEANOR
I’m not–I’m not trying to get away with anything.
RELIA
(O.S.)
Whatever. There’s laundry to fold.
ELEANOR
I have something do.
There is a thump outside the door.
RELIA
I even stuck it all in the basket because apparently you’re too good to do that now. Fold it. Now. Or I’ll tell Mother you’re talking to yourself again.
Beat.
ELEANOR
Okay. I’ll be right out.
RELIA
Good.
Footsteps head away. She goes over to the door, opens it, and brings in the laundry basket. She closes the door and heads back to her seat to start folding laundry.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEANOR’S BEDROOM. LATER.
Eleanor is folding laundry. There is a knock at the door.
ELEANOR
(Shouting)
I’m almost done.
Beat.
AKIHIKO
I can come back later if you want.
ELEANOR
No, wait.
She puts the laundry down and jumps up, heading over to the door. She pulls the door open to look at him.
ELEANOR
Hi. Sorry. I didn’t mean to–I thought you were someone else.
AKIHIKO
Are you working on something? I really can come back later if you want.
ELEANOR
No, no, come in.
She steps back to let him in.
ELEANOR
Now that I’m not keeping you in the doorway. Sorry.
AKIHIKO
You can stop apologizing.
They walk into the room. She looks at the laundry and cringes.
ELEANOR
Sorry. I–I’ll move it. Sorry. Just give me a sec.
He looks over at her and smiles.
AKIHIKO
Stop apologizing. Really. It’s all fine.
She tries to hurry over to deal with the laundry, but he stops her by tangling his fingers with hers. She turns to look at him.
ELEANOR
Is something up?
AKIHIKO
I just want you to calm down. Breathe.
She sucks in a deep breath, then lets it out.
ELEANOR
I’m breathing.
He smiles indulgently.
AKIHIKO
I know you are. It’ll be good if you keep doing it. Though what’s with the laundry?
ELEANOR
I’m folding it.
AKIHIKO
Ah. Mind if I kiss you?
ELEANOR
Go for it.
He leans down and kisses her once, briefly.
ELEANOR
I’m not going to break.
AKIHIKO
I would like you to keep breathing, so sometimes I’m going to kiss you like you might break.
He reaches out and touches her cheek. She only flinches slightly. He smiles down at her. She smiles back up at him.
Beat. She looks away, clearing her throat.
ELEANOR
So. Anyway. You sounded pretty serious when you said you wanted to come over.
AKIHIKO
Oh. Yeah.
He steps away from her.
AKIHIKO
You want to sit?
ELEANOR
Why?
AKIHIKO
We don’t have to sit.
ELEANOR
Sorry, I didn’t mean to–um, did you have something you wanted to tell me?
AKIHIKO
Yeah.
He walks over with her to the chairs, where she picks up the folded laundry and moves it out of the way. They sit. He looks suddenly serious.
AKIHIKO
So…I have something to ask.
ELEANOR
Yeah?
AKIHIKO
I know it hasn’t been long, but…
He moves his chair so he can kneel down next to her. He pulls out a ring box and opens it, offering the ring to her.
AKIHIKO
I love you. Will you marry me?
Beat. She blinks at him.
ELEANOR
Fuck.
He stares up at her.
AKIHIKO
Was that a fuck yes or a fuck no?
She scrubs her face with her hand.
ELEANOR
Oh, fuck, I don’t know. I don’t–I’m not a good choice.
He looks away.
AKIHIKO
Is this supposed to be an “it’s-not-you-it’s-me”? Because it’s not making me feel any better, if that’s the point.
Eleanor looks miserable.
ELEANOR
Look, Akihiko, I’m a fucking mess. I don’t want you to end up married to me only to realize in six months or a year that you don’t want to be stuck with me.
He gets back up on his chair, putting the ring down.
AKIHIKO
Because your family abuses you?
Eleanor flinches, looking down.
AKIHIKO
Kuso. Gomen. That was insensitive. But I’m not going to hurt you.
ELEANOR
I don’t think you are. I just–I’m sorry.
AKIHIKO
If you said yes, we wouldn’t need to get married immediately. It could be in a couple of years–however long you want. But I love you, Eleanor, and I don’t want you to keep having to live with people who are hurting you.
ELEANOR
And what about when you change your mind? It’s not like I would be able to come back here.
AKIHIKO
Here’s a deal–I pay for you to go to college. If we break up, you can pay me back as you’re able. If we get married, well, then, what’s mine is yours. I have more than enough money for it. Believe me.
She stares at him.
ELEANOR
I need to–I need to think about it.
He nods.
AKIHIKO
I understand. Can you just do one thing for me?
ELEANOR
Yeah.
AKIHIKO
Wear the ring.
ELEANOR
Akihiko–
AKIHIKO
Please just wear the ring. At least until you make a decision. And if you decide not to, you can give it back.
ELEANOR
Yeah. Sure. Okay.
He takes out the ring and slides it onto her finger. She leans over and kisses him.