You Feel Like Home (Script) [F4A]

[F4A] You Feel Like Home [Friends to Lovers] (almost) [Bad Timing] [Unfortunate Romance] [L-Bombs] [Emotional] [Handholding] [Bittersweet] [Midnight beach hangout] [Light SFX]

During your best friend's farewell party, you find them sitting alone on the beach, far away from the rest of the crowd. Determined to make the most of the time you have left, you try to hype them up about their impending trip, but that doesn't go as planned, leading to a much more emotional talk.

[square brackets] for tone/actions, SFX where noted (optional)
*asterisks* for emphasis
double spaces for longer pauses

/slashes/ used for explanations of sounds or actions or any contextual events
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[SFX: nighttime ambience, waves crashing, can maybe have some really distant crowd noise]

[SFX: approaching footsteps in sand]

Hey you~

[chuckle] Hi. Mind if I sit?

Oh, I'm good. Coming down from a bit of a buzz, so...yeah, good? Right? I dunno. [chuckle]

Speaking of, do you want a drink? I brought your favourite~

Sure it *is* just a beer, but it's the one you always have! And hey, if you don't want it...

[giggle] You're welcome~

What about you, though? Are you ok?

Well, this party is for you, yet you're all the way out here on your own. What's up?

You *say* nothing, but I don't think you'd be sitting all by your lonesome if that was the case.

No one's actually wondering where you are, we can all see you from back there. But we miss you. [melodramatic] So I was the unfortunate sacrifice chosen to make the arduous journey to come and get you.

Yep, a veritable Oregon Trail. It was tough dragging myself through all this sand to come see you. [coy] So maybe...share that drink with me?

[giggle] Awesome.

I'm joking, by the way. I came out to see you because I wanted to.

[playful sarcasm] [gasp] Oh my god, you're right! Now I *have* seen you! So can I walk you back to everyone?

I'm obviously not going to force you. If you want to stay here for a while that's completely fine.

Then can I stay with you?

Thanks.

I don't really need to talk or anything like that. We can just sit~

[content] I'm...enjoying your company before I lose it.

I'm used to the idea...I think.

You've had this planned for a while now, so...[sigh] I'm pretty sure I can deal.

And you? How are you feeling?


You know you're not fooling anyone, right? Since I'm here, you might as well tell me what's on your mind.

Yeah yeah yeah. Don't even try to deny it. You know that never works.

Mhm. Too honest for your own good. [chuckle]

[teasing] I can read you a bit too easily, sweetheart.

Might want to do something about that, hm? I don't want some new folks taking advantage of your innocent little soul~

Oh, hush. I bet you'll miss all my teasing.

So...what's the matter? Nerves?

Yeah, about leaving. What else?

That's understandable. Why wouldn't you be, y'know? You're moving away from like...everything you know.


[softer] Are you scared?

I mean, *I'd* be. I don't like thinking about being all alone.

Ugh, no, I'm not saying- I'm not trying to freak you out. I'm sure you'll meet plenty of people really quickly.

Sure you will! Just show them how great you are and you'll have to fend off the masses with a stick.

Trust me~

But if you replace me, hoo boy, then I might come running.

[chuckle] I'm only messing with you. [sigh] [soft] You're going a bit too far away for me to do that.

[changing the subject] Um, but anyways, you can do this! I know you can! This is a big step for you, but isn't it a step in the right direction?

Exactly! So you go get 'em! No uncertainty! No tears!

We've all got your back so...you do what you need to.

Of course I mean it! I, um, yeah! Go get 'em tiger! You got this!

[shaky, faltering a bit] And I- I got this too! I'll be cheering- [quick deep breath] I'll be cheering you on back home!

Yeah! It's not like we'll lose contact or anything, either. We're all just a phone call away.

Or you could message or whatever...but calling is nicer, isn't it? [softer] I think so.

Why are you asking me if *I'm* ok? I'm trying to help you out here!

[shaky] No, I need to psych you up so I don't- I'm trying to- [shuddering sigh] [tearful] I didn't...I didn't want you to see me get like this.

Not- not *here*. Or now.

This was supposed to be your farewell party. I was supposed to be happy for you. Everyone is so proud of you for doing this...but then...there's me.

Selfishly- [sigh] falling apart because you're leaving.

No, how is it *not* selfish? I know you have to leave. But I can't- I can't help myself.

Even if you say that, I-...it- it doesn't matter if it's normal. That won't stop me from feeling so awful about it.

I want to send you off with a smile, I really do. And trust me, I would if I could. With you, though...

I've never...been this close to someone and then have them leave on me like this. Which is...that's not your fault, obviously. [scoff] [slightly bitter] What kind of person would I be to say that.


You leaving...scares me. We've always been together, and now...we won't.

Sure, we can keep in touch over the phone and stuff, but that's different. You'll be so far away from me.

Do you see what I mean? I'm so fucking-...[sigh] All I'm thinking about is myself. I wanted to cheer you up and now I'm saying all *this*.

Thanks for being so understanding.

[sad chuckle] Yeah. It's hard, you know?


Listen, I know I came here with a loose plan to bring you back to the party, but would you mind if we just stay like this for a while?

Thanks. I don't want to lose any more time with you.

I'm going to miss you too. [awkward] If that wasn't already incredibly obvious. [chuckle]


Could I maybe also...hold your hand?

Honestly, all I want to do right now is hug you tight and never let go, but I'm not going to let people see that.

The last thing they need is me bringing down the mood. So...can you give me your hand?

[contented sigh] It's warm.

[chuckle] It's nice. Reminds me that...you're still here. That you're still home...with me.

[coy] And you know...this isn't the first time we've done this.

Yeah, us holding hands.

[playful] That's because I've always done it *in secret*!

[embarrassed] Nononono, not in like some psycho stalker girl way. God no. Um, just- ok so it *sounds* all creepy stalker-y when I say this, but like...I would always make sure to keep my hand right next to yours when we sat together.

I'm pretty sure you felt me do it.

And if you fell asleep while we were watching a movie or something, I would...put my hand in yours. Like this.

I *know*~ Secret handholding, so scandalous~

[embarrassed] I, um...I really liked it.

Being with you like this is always comforting for me. Whenever we're together...I feel like I'm exactly where I need to be.

I don't know how to explain it exactly. It's a feeling I get. I think the best way to say it is...you feel like home.

Mhm. You...feel like home. And I love feeling that way.

I love that you *make me* feel that way.

[clear throat] I, um...yeah. Nerves, my feelings, alcohol...it makes it easy to get all teary-eyed and sentimental. [soft chuckle]

[soft] I really do mean all of it, though.


[ragged deep breath] Which is why...I hate that you're leaving. I hate that it feels like I'm losing you.

You don't need to do anything about it. It's not like you *could*, really. As much as I want you to stay, I'd never ask that of you.

No, don't say that. You know you need to do this.

It *does* suck, huh? Knowing that...someone you love is slipping right through your fingers.


[emotional] No, I...I can't say it. No matter what, I can't...I don't want to do that to you. It will only make it hurt more when you leave.


[shaky] What? Why would you-?

[choking up] I told you I couldn't say it. I didn't *want* to say it. But now you-

[shuddering sigh] [softly] Please don't say it again. I can't- I-

[emotional] I love you too. So much.


I could have said everything else, but *not* that. I didn't want to say those words.

It almost felt like a line I shouldn't cross.

Saying it would make it all...*real*. And how could I do that, when I know I can't have you?

Maybe...maybe there'll be something for us in the future. I'd love that. Right now, though...we can't do this. Not with you leaving. It wouldn't be fair to either of us.

[sigh] I know. I hate thinking about it too. So let's just...not, ok?

Let's sit here until...until we can't.

[shaky, emotional] And please don't let go of my hand. I need to know that you're still here.

[sad chuckle] [tearful] Yeah. [sniffle] Just like home.


[leave some time for ambient SFX to fade out]