Happy Messy Scary Love by Leah Konen

Author:Leah Konen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2019-06-10T16:00:00+00:00

The Bad Decision Handbook: Part Three

I wake up feeling high, even though I have no idea what that would feel like, though Chrissy has told me some stories. High on good vibes. High on what happened (or almost happened) with Jake. High on the prospect of a whole Saturday spent writing.

My parents and I go to brunch at our favorite spot, ordering the usual—eggs Benedict for me, pulled pork sandwich for my mom, and the farmer’s scramble for my dad. When we’re back home, I open up my laptop and The Bad Decision Handbook.

Over the last two weeks I’ve amassed a fairly impressive fifty pages. It’s not going to be a long movie, probably only an hour and a half, which means I don’t have much more than forty pages left. If I set my mind to it, I might be able to finish at least a shitty first draft this weekend.

Most importantly, I’ve got the fodder, stories, settings, feelings acquired from being here. I’ve already decided that my Tennyson-inspired character is going to accidentally say something brilliant that helps kick off the climax. And that my Steinway-style gal will call him an idiot before agreeing it’s likely the best idea. As much as I wanted to avoid the romance clichés, I can’t help it, I definitely think I’m going to have Onyx and Jimmy kiss at the end of the second act, right before the evil director launches his most vicious and terrifying attack.

I write fairly solidly from one p.m. to four, when my phone buzzes and I get my first message from Elm. I take a break, shocked to realize I’ve added another eight pages.

ElmStreetNightmare84: Hey, so I re-watched Sophia last night, it was great!

And only a few minutes after, a text from Jake:

Last night was fun! Hanging with my aunt at her shoot this weekend, but we should finish the movie at some point, maybe this week?

Then another, from Elm again.

ElmStreetNightmare84: Well I partially re-watched it, at least, but still great. How are you?

I push my laptop aside and shake my head. This already feels so messy.

I answer Jake first.

For sure. Maybe Monday?

Then I open the Reddit app and start to message back.

CarriesRevenge01: I know, isn’t it the best? P.S. Working on my screenpl

I stop myself. It’s too disingenuous after last night, pretending to be two different people. Keeping up the Carrie façade—it’s got to stop. I know it’s time to fade her out. Letter by letter, I delete the message. Then I close the app and go back to my messages. I watch as the dots appear, and Jake texts back.

It’s a plan.

A smile breaks across my face. I set my phone down and grab my laptop again.

My mom pokes her head in. “Dad’s going to grill tonight. Probably eat around seven. You’re here, right? No late-night plans with new friends?”

I feel myself go red, but she only smiles. “I’m just teasing, Olivia. You look . . .happy.”

“I’ll be here,” I say quickly, and when I don’t add anything else, she turns on her heel, pulling the door shut behind her.

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