When The Lights Go Down

Talk Me Off The Ledge

Nick’s Inner Monologue

To say that the car ride from the hotel to the studio was uncomfortable was the understatement of the year. I don’t think I’ve ever actually wanted to physically hurt my dad until this very moment in time. Sure I’ve been ticked off with him for grounding me or something but I am seriously having to use every fiber in my being to not grab something heavy and heave it toward his head. Dad has NEVER acted like that…he has NEVER laid a hand on any of us in anger. I'd like to lay some hands on him in anger right about now…asshole.

(Joe) Did B make it back?

(Dad) yes, she is back

(Joe) How did you find her? Where was she?

(Dad) Apparently she stayed the night at Miley’s house, Nick found her and brought her back this morning.

(Nick) *seething* yea…Maybe I shouldn’t have

(Dad) what was that?

(Nick) You heard me

(Dad) Yes, I did hear you, you might want to watch your attitude

(Nick) What if I don’t? You plan to manhandle me too? *clenching teeth*

*Joe and Kevin look at Nick confused*

(Kevin) Did we miss something?

*Car pulls up to the studio*

(Dad) everyone out…

*boys start to hop out*

(Dad) Nicholas…wait a minute, we need to talk

(Nick) I don’t have anything to say to you right now….at least not anything you would want to hear 

(Dad) I realize you are upset with me over the thing with B but...

(Nick) the THING with B? Let's just call it what it was, abuse

(Dad) *taken aback* I-I was entirely too angry, I should have just waited till tonight after I cooled down to say anything to her, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling it abuse

(Nick) You grabbed her so hard she cried out in pain and I had to physically pull you away from her…its close enough. *gets out of the car and walks into the studio without another word to Dad*

***

(Bailey text) 😥 !!

(Sam text) whats wrong?

(Bailey text) r u n class? I need someone to talk me off the ledge

(Sam text) yes…hold on

*3 minutes later B’s phone rings*

(Bailey) hey! I thought you were in class?

(Sam) I was, I told Mrs. Potter I felt ill so she excused me…what’s wrong.

(Bailey) *sniffles* I got ticked off at my Dad last night and kind of ran out of the hotel

(Sam) oh really? What about? Wait, are you crying?

(Bailey) Dad basically said that I was quarantined until I was better and I couldn’t see Nick, that he couldn’t chance them getting sick because of the movie…I wigged out and ran off and spent the night at Miley’s house

(Sam) Miley…as in Hannah Montana? That Miley?

(Bailey) little disturbed that you know that being a guy, but yes…that Miley, we are friends,she used to date Nick.

(Sam) I have a younger sister...she loves Hannah Montana 

(Bailey) OHHH yea that’s right…ok not so disturbing anymore. So anyway,Nick figured out where I was and made me come back. I walk in and my mom is in my room and she is crying and she slapped me across the face.

(Sam) ouch, my mom has done that to me a couple times

(Bailey) yea well, my mom has only ever slapped Joe, and it was one time, because he threw her an F bomb, it’s not really her style and it hurt like hell.

(Sam) I’m sorry babe, wait, so no one knew where you were? Not even Nick? And you were gone all night?? *voice slightly stern*

(Bailey) pretty much

(Sam) Bailey! 

(Bailey) Hey now, you are not allowed to give me a lecture, us being together automatically requires you to be on my side

(Sam) wait, so we are together?

*B hears a smirk in his tone*

(Bailey) *sighs* well, yea…I mean I thought that was implied seeing as how you almost killed someone defending my honor and all

(Sam)  hrmmm, should have tried to kill Jake a long time ago