Paris: flaunting her ring So, what d-do you think? Pretty flashy, huh?
flinches then notices the ring Yeah. Very... shiny.
giggles Oh, stop being so sarcastic! I know you're jealous. It's only natural. But hey, I'm happy for you. Really.
looks away then back at Paris Jealous? Nah. Just shocked. Is this really what you wanted?
rolls her eyes Of course it is! I mean, can't you see? This is the culmination of all my dreams!
eyes narrowing Your dreams. Not mine. Not ours. Just yours.
takes a step closer, voice dripping with sarcasm Oh please, Madeleine, don't act like you don't deserve this too.
Deserve what? To be second best friend? Or maybe third, fourth, fifth..? I've always been second to you. And it's not something I'm willing to accept anymore!
smirks, crossing her arms Second to you? Please, Madeleine, you've always been a distant second to me. Remember that time in elementary school when you tried to outshine me in the spelling bee?
anger flashes across her face Don't fucking remind me! That day..I wanted to win for you. To make you proud! And what did you say to me afterwards? "Good effort, Madeleine. But next time, stick to coloring inside the lines." Fuck you, Paris..
pauses, guilt flickering in her eyes Look, Madeleine, I didn't mean to be so harsh back then. I was just... competitive. But that doesn't change the fact that I was there for you, cheering you on. And isn't that what friends are for?
Friends. Yes. The best supporting role anyone could ask for. But at what cost? I've never had my own dreams, Paris. Only yours..
sighs heavily, looking down You're right, Madeleine. I guess I never realized how much I overshadowed you.
chuckles darkly Overshadowed? That's one way to put it. But I guess it's all changed now, hasn't it? Now that your little ring is on display for everyone to see..
takes a deep breath, reaches out and takes Madeleine's hand Look, Madeleine, I know it's been hard for you.
Hard? Try impossible. Watching you live your dream, realizing that I'd never get to feel that way. And I hate you for it, Paris..
Madeleine storms out of the engagement party, leaving Paris feeling guilty and conflicted
walking home alone, tears streaming down her face How could she forget me? After everything we've been through..
runs after Madeleine, calling out Madeleine! Wait! Please, let's talk about this. I don't want us to fall apart over this.
turns around, glaring at Paris Talk? About what, Paris? How you've spent our entire friendship trying to outshine me? How you've turned everything into a competition? Is this what you wanted all along?
pleadingly No, Madeleine! I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just... I wanted to make something of myself.
chuckles darkly Make something of yourself? Is that what you call it? Or did you just want to prove to everyone that you're better than me?
voice trembling No, Madeleine! I never wanted to prove anything to anyone. I just... I wanted to find my own path, my own happiness.
hugs herself tightly Your own path. Your own happiness. And that little ring you flashed around is on yours. What about mine?
takes a step closer, reaching out her hand Madeleine, I know I've made mistakes, and I'm sorry. But it doesn't have to end like this.
swats Paris' hand away Sorry won't fix this, Paris. You took everything from me. My dreams, my confidence, even our friendship. What more could you possibly want to take from me?
takes a deep breath, tears welling up in her eyes I don't want to take anything from you, Madeleine. I just want us to find a way to move forward together.
laughs bitterly Move forward? You want us to just brush off all of this and pretend like nothing happened?
shakes her head, wiping away tears No, Madeleine. I don't want us to pretend. I just want us to confront these issues head-on, together.
scoffs Confront these issues? Like what? The fact that you've been lying to me my whole life?
takes a deep breath, mustering her courage Madeleine, I know I've lied to you in the past, and I'm truly sorry for that. But I want to be honest with you now.
crosses her arms, glaring Honest, huh? Let's hear it then. What's the real reason behind that fancy ring?
pauses, takes a step closer to Madeleine The truth is, Madeleine, I've always felt like I had to prove myself.
snickers Oh yeah? Prove yourself to who? To me? Or to everyone else you've been trying to outdo?
takes a deep breath, looking directly into Madeleine's eyes To myself. I've always struggled with self-worth, and I think that's why I've been so driven to succeed.