The next day
At school
Adele and Demi in Music class
Adele: Hey did you get added to that group chat by Joe?
Demi: N-no? He tried to m-message me though b-but I ignored h-him.
Adele: He actually seemed like he was sorry in the message he sent.
Demi: R-really?
Adele: Yeah, I'll show you.
Adele gets her phone out and shows Demi the message
Demi takes the phone and reads the message
Demi: Huh. It does s-sound like he m-meant it.
Adele: Yeah, I think he does. Maybe he finally realised how shitty he's been acting.
Demi: Either t-that or Ethan t-told him to say s-something.
Adele: I don't think so, he was in the chat as well.
Demi: Oh.
Adele: He probably tried to message you individually cause it was more about you than us.
Demi: Y-yeah. I'm n-not ready to t-talk to him about it y-yet though I d-don't think, I d-don't know, it's j-just a lot.
Adele: Yeah that's fair enough.
Later, at lunch...
Adele and Demi at a table
Kayla comes rushing down the hallway towards them and sits at the table
Kayla: Did you guys get that message from Joe!?
Adele: Yeah I did.
Demi: I d-didn't b-but I've s-seen it.
Kayla: Pah yeah it was 'an apology.' I bet he copied and pasted it from somewhere or something stupid.
Demi: I thought Ethan s-said to h-him about it to b-be honest.
Kayla: Oh my god I didn't even think of that! (Laughs) He probably told him what to write and everything. Man it's funny.
Adele: Speaking of.
Joe walks over to the group
Joe: Hey guys. Did you get my text?
Adele: Yeah we did Joe, thanks for saying sorry.
Kayla: Yeah thanks.
Joe: And Dem, did you, err, see my message?
Demi: Shit, n-no s-sorry, I was b-busy.
Joe: Could I talk to you then? Alone?
Demi: I g-guess.
Demi and Joe move away from Adele and Kayla
Joe: I just wanna say I'm sorry, again. And I was wondering would you be up for coming round mine later?
Demi: Joe!?
Joe: What?
Joe realises what he said
Joe: Oh no no, not in that way. (Laughs lightly) I mean come round so we can talk and I can explain last night, properly.
Demi stayed silent
Joe: Please Dem. At least let me explain.
Demi: Ok...b-but I c-can't s-stay long.
Joe: That's fine, I just need to say what I need to and then you can leave and we don't have to speak again, if you want that.
Demi: I'll s-see y-you later.
Joe: Bye Dem.
Joe walks away, Demi goes back to her friends
Adele: What was that about?
Demi: I'm g-going r-round his later to hear h-him out about y-yesterday.
Kayla: Oh shit.
Demi: It'll be f-fine, I h-hope.
Adele: If it isn't then message me and I'll come over.
Demi: Ok.
All laugh lightly
After school...
Demi arrived at Joe's
Joe: Thanks for coming.
Demi: N-no problem.
Joe: Do you want a drink or anything?
Demi: I'm f-fine, thanks.
Joe: Feel free to take a seat.
Demi: Joe, I'm in a w-wheelchair.
Joe: Shit yeah sorry. Sorry. Do you want me to help you onto the sofa or are you okay there?
Demi: I g-guess you could.
Demi holds onto Joe as he helps her onto the sofa
Joe: Is that okay?
Demi: Y-yeah, thanks.
Joe goes into the kitchen, comes back with water, then sits down on the sofa near to where Demi is seated
Joe: I just wanna start of by saying sorry again for well, everything.
Demi: Joe, I said it w-was okay.
Joe: No but especially for the dance. I lied to you and it fucked everything up and I hate that.
Demi: W-why d-did you lie?
Joe: I...I don't know. I guess I didn't want you to know I was smoking still cause I know you don't like smokers.
Demi: Joe I've known for m-months, we were together when you s-started.
Joe: I thought you knew!
Demi: Yeah I d-did.
Joe: I really don't know why I lied. And I left you! Fucks sake. I should've at least helped you sit down before I left. Or just not left. If I had only done that then you wouldn't be hurt even more.
Demi: No one c-could've known though Joe. B-but yeah you shouldn't have left me, especially cause I could b-barely stand.
Joe: I know, I know. And it was straight after we'd kissed, oh god! I wasn't even thinking.
"8 o'clock alarm" by John Michael Howell starts playing in the background...
Joe sighs
Joe: I got nervous. I act out when I'm nervous. I started smoking to get rid of that, and it made me feel shit, which was worse. But then me feeling like shit meant I treated you and the others like shit. And it all went wrong.
Demi: We would've t-tried to help Joe. W-why d-didn't you s-say anything?
Joe: It wouldn't have worked, I would've pushed you away even more.
Demi: I know y-you act out b-but just d-didn't expect you to that much. Especially w-when y-you and Kayla w-were arguing last night, that w-wasn't y-you.
Joe: I know, and I felt bad immediately after. I was mad at myself more than anything but then took it out on you guys. I just wish you didn't find out like that.
Demi: Y-yeah so do I... Why w-was Kira out there with y-you at the d-dance anyway?
Joe: I messaged her to come. I got scared when you and I kissed and panicked so I went back to Kira and I kissed her, which might have been my biggest mistake yet.
Demi: D-did the others know?
Joe: Ethan saw us. And he probably told Adele, but I don't know.
Demi looking upset but keeping it together
Joe: I was so dumb to kiss her because now you're hurting, and I hate that drunk decision has fucked everything up. But Demi-
Demi: (Interrupts Joe) Y-you were drunk?
Joe: I...yeah, yeah Dem. Again I used it to cope but it only works for so long.
Demi: Have y-you d-drank today?
Joe: No, but that was the last time I had anything.
Demi: W-what about s-smoking?
Joe: I...smoked earlier. I've cut down a lot though. I know it's bad but I'm trying Dem I really am.
Both silent for a minute
Joe: I know I'm a wreck but I'm getting better. I really am.
Demi: I b-believe you.
Joe: You do?
Demi: Yeah, I can tell you're trying. Y-you seem d-different, m-more relaxed.
Joe smiles
Joe: I'm trying so hard to change. Being with Kira made me realise that I don't want to be that person anymore. And that she isn't the right person for me. I don't want to be with someone like that, and especially cause she's friends with Jesse and Lacey who bully everyone, including you for gods sake.
Demi: Y-yeah they s-suck.
Joe: They do.
They both laugh
Joe: I realised I was becoming mean like them and I hate that, so I broke it off with Kira.
Demi: Y-you b-broke up? But y-you said last n-night she w-was your girlfriend?
Joe: I lied. I broke it off a couple days ago cause she became so toxic it was awful oh my god.
Demi laughs
Demi: She w-was already t-toxic.
Joe: She really was. Why did I date her!?
Demi: I d-don't know. You d-date weird people.
Joe: That means you too.
Demi: Oi!
Both laugh again
Demi: So is that r-really the w-whole reason y-you broke up or d-did something else h-happen?
Joe: I realised I was happier before without her. (Laughs) And also that she wasn't the girl I wanted to be with.
Joe laughs nervously
Joe: I wanted her to be you Dem... I want to be with you.
Demi: W-what? Really?
Joe: Yeah I never really got over you after we broke up.
Demi: But you d-dated Kira?
Joe: Dating and a relationship are very different things, especially with someone like Kira.
Demi: T-true.
Joe grasps Demi's hands, she holds his
Joe: Look, I know I don't deserve you but I swear the guy you first fell in love with is still in here, he just needs help being brought out. Just give me a chance please Dem, even if we don't date. I'd do anything just to have you in my life again.
Demi: C-can I c-confess something as w-well?
Joe: Yeah, of course, go ahead.
Demi: I s-started g-gaining f-feelings for you again as well. (Laughs)
Joe: When was this!?
Demi: A c-couple weeks before the dance maybe. J-just after me and Beau b-broke up. I didn't even t-tell Adele.
Joe: I didn't expect that to be honest. I didn't think you'd be willing to trust me again.
Demi: I never d-didn't not t-trust you? Yeah we've had arguments and one of us g-got hit by a car (gestures to self, then laughs lightly) but we're still ourselves. I still w-wanted to be with y-you after all that.
Joe: I want to be with you as well Dem.
Demi pulls Joe closer and they kiss