Two Paths

Hannah: Turn around. Hannah turns Sarah around, unzips her backpack, and takes out 2 rolls of toilet paper. She hands one to Sarah. Sarah reluctantly takes it.

Sarah: You sure about this?

Hannah: Ugh, I knew you’d get cold feet.

Sarah: Yeah, well, you don’t still have to go to school here. I do.

Hannah: Always the good girl. Must be exhausting. It’s just some toilet paper. Big deal. Annoyed by that, Sarah throws the first piece of toilet paper in the room. Hannah laughs.

Hannah: There you go.

Sarah: What did Mr. Parker do anyway? He’s always been so nice to me.

Hannah: He’s a prick. And when he walks in on Monday morning, he’ll know it. I’m so done with this place. In a week, I’ll be outta here. Leave this school and this whole dumb city behind. Never look back.

Sarah: Were we all really that bad? Hannah gives Sarah a little shove and smile.

Hannah: You were okay. Hannah throws more toilet paper as they walk.

Sarah: Hannah?

Hannah: Yeah?

Sarah: Where will you go?

(hides her sadness)

Hannah: I dunno.

(hesitant)

Sarah: And you’re sure you don’t want to -

Hannah: If you mention college - Did Mom tell you to talk to me?

Sarah: Why do you hate the idea so much?

Hannah: Why are you set on it? Just cause it’s what society says is right? It’s not right for everyone, Sis.

Sarah: But then what will you do?

Hannah: Live! See the world, travel, do fun things... You think you have it figured out? You do nothing but work. Study, study, study. And why? So you can get into a good college?

Sarah: Well yeah.

Hannah: For mom, not for you. And then what? While you’re wasting your life studying, you’re missing your chance to live! And that’s not me. I don’t want to be afraid to throw some toilet paper around every once in a while. Sarah stops walking, hurt.

(beat)

Sarah: I like my life. I study because I actually enjoy it. I like the feeling I get when I get a good grade. The feeling of working hard and accomplishing something. And that’s for me, not for mom. And I was the first one to throw the toilet paper by the way.

(laughs)

Hannah: That is true. We’re just... different, Sarah. And that’s okay. Sarah nods. They look at each other sincerely.

Sarah: I’m gonna miss you.

(beat)

Hannah: Gonna miss you too. Don’t worry about me, okay? I’ll be fine.