INT. JAMES' LIVING ROOM – NEXT EVENING

Alexis is sitting awkwardly on the couch facing Heather.

HEATHER

I've heard a lot about you.

ALEXIS

Oh. Good things, I hope.

HEATHER

Only ever the best.

ALEXIS

That's nice. But probably not true. On his side, I mean.

HEATHER

Rose-tinted glasses and all that, eh?

ALEXIS

(chuckling)

I suppose.

HEATHER

Look, I hope I haven't been giving you a hard time.

ALEXIS

What about?

HEATHER

All these things going around. I heard enough about it from James to feel really bad. He's been taking it hard. I don't doubt that you have been too.

ALEXIS

I only wish that James had just told me straight, you know. Like just…

James comes in.

JAMES

Hey babe. You're early.

HEATHER

She just couldn't wait to see you again.

JAMES

(Seeing Alexis blush)

Don't mind her. She's just being the pain that she normally is.

HEATHER

What? So I'm a pain now?

James shrugs.

JAMES

What did I come in here for? Oh yes. Dinner's ready. Shall we?

DINING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

The four of them are having dinner over the round dining table.

JAMES' MOM

I'm glad you could make it, Alexis. I've been trying to persuade James to bring you home for ages. I think he's just a little too shy.

JAMES

Mom!

ALEXIS

I'm really glad that you invited me over.

JAMES' MOM

So are you two in the same classes?

ALEXIS

Yes ma'am.

HEATHER

So you met in class?

ALEXIS

Not quite. Our classes are quite big. We actually met through a mutual friend, Cedric.

HEATHER

Oh, that guy who was here the other day?

JAMES

Uh, yeah. That's him

HEATHER

I see.

JAMES' MOM

Well, if you kids are done, why don't you just go out to the living room continue your chatter?

ALEXIS

Oh no, we'll help you clean up.

JAMES' MOM

It's not necessary, dear. Go ahead.

ALEXIS

But ma'am…

JAMES' MOM

I insist. Go on.

Alexis glances at James. He shrugs and leads her out. Heather stays behind. They sit across each other on the couches in the living room.

JAMES

So, what do you think of my sister?

ALEXIS

She's really nice. I'm sorry I got jealous.

JAMES

It was my fault I should have been clearer about everything.

ALEXIS

You did what you could.

Heather comes in and sits down beside Alexis.

HEATHER

So, let's talk about what a pain my brother is.

JAMES

I am not a pain. I am nice to you, okay?

ALEXIS

He's a guy. He can't help but be a pain.

HEATHER

Exactly. Do tell – what does he do that really bugs the life out of you?

ALEXIS

Hmm… that's easy. He just can't make commitments. You make a date with him, and the next day he calls up and says 'I forgot! I can't make it… I already made a doctors appointment…' Or I need to finish my assignment now because I'm have a club meeting later or something like that.

JAMES

I don't do that unless it's a really good reason! Come on… give me some leeway, okay? Besides it's not nice to gossip about me.

HEATHER

We're not gossiping about you. Gossiping is when you talk about someone behind their back

ALEXIS

Precisely. And we're not talking about you behind your back. We're talking about you in front of your face.

HEATHER

So listen hard and mend your ways. Anything else that bugs you?

ALEXIS

You probably know this, but he is really very forgetful. He's left about a dozen books in my house, and more than a dozen socks. He forgets his doctor's appointment and I frankly sometimes really feel like his personal secretary.

HEATHER

So true. I have to remind him and call him at least half a dozen times a day just to remind him to pick up a library book for me. Okay… okay… So what about the good stuff? What made you fall in love with him?

ALEXIS

(She turns to glance at James, who is fidgeting)

Well, he's really thoughtful and sweet. I guess we just kind of clicked really well. We read a lot of the same things, even though we don't always agree on our opinions of them. We listen to a lot of the same music. There are things that I think I can just say to him without feeling awkward.

HEATHER

Aww… look at him – he's turned red in the face! No James, don't hide your face…

ALEXIS

True isn't it, Mez? I've missed our long philosophical discussions.

JAMES

I've missed them too.

HEATHER

Kids, you guys are sweet. But I'm getting tired. Have a nice night Alexis. I hope I'll see you around more often.

ALEXIS

Good night, Heather.

Heather heads up the stairs. James comes to sit beside Alexis on the couch.

JAMES

I know I haven't been spending time with you. I've been busy taking Heather in and out of the hospital for her check-ups and treatment.

ALEXIS

What's wrong with her? You did mention she was ill.

JAMES

She has leukaemia. But if I remember what the doctor said recently, she's coming into a relapse. So that's supposed to be good, I think.

ALEXIS

You take care of her well. I can wait.

JAMES

But I don't want to make you feel as if I'm ignoring you.

ALEXIS

It's alright James.

JAMES

I love you, you know?

ALEXIS

Do I?