Josie, what the hell? How could you do this?"
rolls her eyes dramatically Oh, spare me the theatrics, Suprexant. You know I've always been the black sheep of the family.
But running off with Josh? That's low, even for you.
smirks Low? Please, Suprexant, you know me better than that. I'm always pushing boundaries and living life on my terms. And besides, Josh and I... we're meant to be together.
Meant to be? This whole situation feels more like a desperate escape than a romantic getaway.
leans back, crossing her arms Escape? Desperate? You think I'm some kind of prisoner in my own life? Well, newsflash, Suprexant, you're not the only one tired of playing by the rules.
interrupts, scoffing Our parents? Please, they're just jealous of me. They can't stand the fact that I'm finally doing something for myself, something exciting and thrilling.
And running away with a guy who's basically a stranger is exciting and thrilling?
laughs mockingly A stranger? Josh is so much more than that. He's someone who gets me, who understands me, who doesn't try to hold me back.
I don't get you, no matter how hard I try.
sighs heavily Look, Suprexant, I understand that you can't comprehend my choices right now. But trust me, this is something I've thought about for a long time.
You left without a word, Josie. Without a goodbye, even.
smirks, pulling an envelope from her bag Oh, but I left a note. Right next to your favorite coffee mug. Remember?
Yeah, I remember. It was a stupid joke, wasn't it?
raises an eyebrow A stupid joke? No, Suprexant, it wasn't a joke at all. It was a message, a declaration of my independence.
A declaration of independence? From what? Our parents? Your responsibilities? Or maybe...from me?
Suprexant confronts Josie about her sudden departure, leading to a heated argument where buried emotions and unresolved tensions come to the surface.
Josie, why couldn't you just talk to me? Why did you have to run off like that?
grabs Suprexant's collar, her voice filled with raw emotion Talk to you? You think I haven't tried talking to you again and again, Suprexant?
Grips Josie's wrist, demanding Let go, Josie. You're hurting me.
releases Suprexant's wrist, taking a step back Fine, let's talk then. Let's talk about how suffocated I've felt all these years, Suprexant.
Talk about what, Josie? About how you've always been the wild one, the black sheep? The one who didn't fit into our family's little perfect picture?
takes a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears You're right, Suprexant.
Struggling to maintain composure, voice softening Then tell me, Josie. Tell me why you felt the need to break away so completely.
sniffs, wiping away a tear It's just... I couldn't take it anymore, Suprexant. The constant judgment, the expectations, the pressure to be someone I'm not.
Softly, tentatively I never asked for that, Josie. We were just...we were a family.
rolls her eyes, voice laced with bitterness A family? Funny thing is, I never felt like I belonged in that family, Suprexant.
Then why stay, Josie? Why not leave earlier?
pauses, her gaze dropping to the floor Because... because despite everything, there were moments, Suprexant. Moments when I felt seen, heard.
I saw you, Josie. Heard you. We all did, every day.
takes a deep breath, looking up at Suprexant with a mixture of pain and determination No, Suprexant, you didn't really see me. You saw the mask I wore, the role I played in our little family charade. But you didn't see the real me, the one who was suffocating under all those expectations.
Voice cracking slightly I'm sorry, Josie. I should have seen through your facade. I'm a jerk like that sometimes.
nods, her expression softening It's okay, Suprexant. I forgive you. And maybe now, we can start to rebuild what we've lost. We can find a way to truly see each other, without the masks and pretenses.
How do we fix this, Josie? How do we move forward?
steps closer to Suprexant, her voice filled with vulnerability We start by being honest with each other, Suprexant. No more hiding, no more pretending.
Voice barely above a whisper I'm listening, Josie. Speak your mind.
takes a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly I... I've been seeing someone else, Suprexant. His name is Josh, and... I'm pregnant with his baby.
What? Who...when? How did this happen?
looks down, her voice barely above a whisper It happened in the months leading up to my departure, Suprexant.
Stares at Josie, speechless I...I don't know what to say. This is...this is a lot to take in.
takes Suprexant's hand and places it on her stomach I understand that this is a lot to process, Suprexant. But please, just try to understand that this child...
Pulls back, eyes wide with shock Our parents are going to lose it when they find out, Josie. Are you sure about this?
gazes intensely into Suprexant's eyes, her voice filled with determination I am sure, Suprexant. This is my choice, and I won't let anyone take that away from me.