(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) There are moments in our lives that seem to define us,... moments we keep going back to. My life before him was so simple and decided. And now after him, there's just... after. (DOG BARKING) (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES) Captions edited by Ai-Media ai-media.tv Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2021. Tessa! OK, what are we forgetting? - Hairdryer. - Nope. - Flashlight. - Mom, it's college. It's not a survival course. Towels. Battery charger. Phone charger. I can always drive anything up if you forget it. - OK, we should get going. We have a long drive ahead. - OK. Let's do a last-minute room check. - Oh, wait, Mom! - Thank you. (POP MUSIC) # Yeah. # Get me to the sunshine. # I wanna see the water with my own eyes. You know I like that. Yeah, I like that. # Get a taste of the good life. # Go a little wild on the inside and never look back. # You know I like that. # I wanna feel, feel something good, # feel something good... # (STUDENTS BUSTLING) - We're on the right floor. - B-22. - B-22. - Um... - B-22! - 22. There it is. - (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) - (ROCK MUSIC PLAYING) Hey. - Hi. Um... - (ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING) - Steph? - In the flesh. I'm Tessa. Hey, it's my new roomie. This is Tristan. - Hey. - Hi. I'm Tessa. Come in. We're not gonna bite. Oh, sorry. Uh, so this is my mom, and this is Noah. - Hello. - Hi. Full disclosure. I was pretty bummed to be paired with a freshman. Then I thought, hello, bright side ` I'm gonna be your spirit guide. We can get you into all the best places even without a fake. No problem. Mom? (ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING) - I like your sweater. - Thanks. I got it from the Gap. (GIRLS GIGGLES) Cute. We're going straight down to the housing office right now and requesting a room change. - What are you talking about? - That room reeked of weed, and you will not... - Can you please not make a scene? - I'm not. But we have worked too hard for this. OK. And I don't want you to be distracted by anyone. Mom, this is me that we're talking about. Can you please just trust me? It'll be fine ` I promise. I promise. The house is gonna be so empty without you. I know. I'll miss you. Oh, God, I am so proud of you. Thanks, Mom. OK. I love you, my baby. OK. I'm going. See you later. Bye. I got it. This is the part I've been dreading. - Me too. - Oh, I was actually talking about the ride home with your mom. Mmm. Mmm! OK. (POP MUSIC) # I wanna feel, feel something good, # feel something good, # feel, feel something good, # feel something good... # How much did I freak your mom out? Um... She thinks I'm gonna be a bad influence? She's just very protective. It's always only been the two of us. - No, no, thanks. - See? Seems like she has nothing to worry about. Your brother's cute. Oh, you mean Noah? No, he's my boyfriend. - Shit, sorry. - No, it's OK. He's a senior in high school. - (CELL PHONE CHIMES) - It's Tristan. I was supposed to meet her. What's with all the old books? Who brings books to college? - Me, I guess. - The bookish vibe. I like that. - All right, I'm out. - OK. Bye. # Ooh, warm sun on my face. I wanna feel it in my veins. # Like, ooh, that I can't shake. # Something that I can't explain. # I wanna feel, feel something good, # feel something good, # feel, feel something good, feel something good, # feel, feel something good, # feel something good... # - Hi. - Hey. - Econ 101? - Yeah. (DOORKNOB RATTLES AND THUDS) - It's locked, yeah. - (LAUGHS) - I already... I tried it. - Right. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING) Couple of early birds, huh? Have fun in there. - Oh. - Sorry. - After you. - After you. - No, no, honestly, I insist. - No, I insist. - No, honestly. - No, my mother raised me to... OK. - Are you in first year too? - Yeah. Are you an Econ major? - That's the plan. You? - I'm an English major. - (STUDENTS BUSTLING) - I'm Landon, by the way. - Tessa, hi. - Hi, nice to meet you. Good morning. I'm Professor Alexander, and welcome to Econ 101. This might be the most important class you take here, so I expect everyone here to closely pay attention and benefit from the 25-year career I had on Wall Street. Now, let's get started. (SOFT MUSIC) (BAG THUDS) (SIGHS) Um... Uh, excuse me? Uh, I think that you're in the wrong room. - (ENGLISH ACCENT) I'm in the right room. - How did you even get in here? OK. Can you please go out into the hall so I can get dressed? Don't flatter yourself. I'm not looking. (DOOR OPENS, CLOSES) You took your time. There they are. Hey, Tessa. Hi, uh, can you please ask your boyfriend to leave so I can get dressed? Uh, not my boyfriend. What did you say to her? Nothing. I've been minding my own business. OK, well, whoever he is. - You're going out with us tonight. - Yeah, I don't know. I'm trying to picture this one at a party. Just not seeing it. - You're not gonna stay in here forever, right? - Nope. (DOOR OPENS) The Great Gatsby. It's a good book. I hate to spoil it,... but it was all a dream. Actually,... it was all a lie. but it really warms up by the time it gets over here. VOICEOVER: Hey, New Zealand, it's Aus here. This is hard to admit but you're pretty good at coming first. I mean, you did conquer the world's biggest mountain, so we reckon you can handle the world's biggest reef. And the sun may hit you guys first, but it really warms up by the time it gets over here. And if that's not enough, you adrenaline junkies showed us the bungee jump but how about this to get your blood pumping? Or this? Or this? Or this? Ahhh! Or even just this. So, New Zealand, isn't it time you added another first to your list? (POP MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY) (DOOR OPENS) (PEOPLE LAUGHING, INDISTINCT CHATTERING) Hello. Can I get, um, a cappuccino with almond milk and cinnamon on top? Sure thing. I'll have a regular black coffee, please. - And for you? - Can I have an Americano please? - No problem. - Thanks. Ooh, such a player! Thank you. - You're picking us up, right, Zed? - When am I picking you guys up? - I don't know. 8? (SOFT PIANO MUSIC) (DOOR CLOSES) - Guess what? - Shh! We're gonna go to a party tonight. I don't know. You're going. Don't you wanna have fun? - Shh! - You shh! Yeah, of course I do. - Then grab your shit. - Steph. OK, OK. Let's get ready to party. (ROCK MUSIC) # I put my shoes on first, # walk down the street in reverse. # I paint a face on the clouds, kickin' it outta bounds... # What do you think? - What? - It's... It's pretty. Maybe it's just... a little too formal. You said be myself. You know what? I love it. I love it. (RAP MUSIC PLAYING LOUDLY) OK, it's gonna get crazy. - Hey! - Hey. What's up? - (CROWD) Chug, chug, chug, chug...! - Ooh, chug, chug, chug. - (PEOPLE CHEERING) - Oop! - There's my baby. - (PEOPLE CHATTERING) Hey, I'm not done. - Hi, Tessa. - Hi. I need things to be way less in focus. (HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING) Do that again, do that again. - Do it again? I'm dying over here. - Just do it! I wanna get it on the camera. Sick, bro! (LAUGHS) (HIP-HOP MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING) Hey, guys! This is my new roommate, Tessa. This is everybody. - Ooh! - (LAUGHTER) - Nice to meet you. My name's Zed. You've met Hardin. That's Molly. - Hey. - You wanna sit down? Cute dress. (LAUGHS) Oh, yeah, and that's Jace, the Townie. - What's up? - What's your major, Tessa? Um, I'm thinking business or maybe economics. - Very cool. - (LAUGHS) You want a drink? - I don't really drink. - Come on, we're all drinking. - Just have a drink. - Who doesn't drink? - Just a shot. - Do it, come on. - Just a small one. Oh, my God, Steph, where'd you find this girl? No one's talking to you. - Oh! Yes! - Whoo! (LAUGHTER) Cheers to that! - You OK? - (GIRLS CHATTER INDISTINCTLY) OK, so, um, guys, truth or dare? - What? - Truth or dare? - No, no! - Come on. - Isn't this a kid's game? - Not the way we play. Hey, Tessa, truth or dare? - Truth. - Craziest place you've had sex. Um,... pass. Why? It's an easy one. Wait. Are you a virgin? (LAUGHS) - I'll do dare. - Dare, hmm. I dare you to make out with Hardin. - She won't do it. - This never ends well. Do you wanna do this? You having fun, Molly? I'm done playing this game. Ooh, sucks to suck! Oh! - I like this girl. - Hardin Scott got his first rejection! Denied, bro. - (HIP-HOP MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING INSIDE, CALL RINGING) - Hey. - Hey. - I thought we were gonna FaceTime. - Yeah, sorry. Where are you right now? It's really loud. Um, I'm with Steph and her friends, but they're all just, like,... I don't know. - So you're at a party. Have you been drinking? - I just had one drink. OK, so you go to college, and now you drink. That's really great, Tessa. - Noah, can you not be so, like...? - So, like, what? I'm not the one who's out partying right now. - Just forget it. - Tessa, I want... - (PHONE BEEPS) - (HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING) - Oh! My bad. - What are you doing? - Hmm? Nothing. Are you looking for something? Are you drunk? I don't drink,... just like you don't. "He's more myself than I am. "Whatever our souls are made of, "his and mine are the same." It's Bronte, Teresa. I know it's Bronte. And my name is Tessa. What were you doing in my room, Tessa? Your room? Yes. (SOFT MUSIC) Are we still playing? Cos I think you owe me a dare. (STAMMERS) Wait. I can't. I need to go. (HIP-HOP MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING) (BOYS JOKING AND CHATTERING) (SOFT MUSIC) (SIGHS) (PHONE BUZZES) (SIGHS) - Hi. - Hey. I'm glad I'm not the only freshman in this class. - Yeah, I'm psyched I got in. - Yeah. All right, folks, let's get started. Jane Austen's masterpiece. Who in here has already read Pride and Prejudice? And what did you think of it on the first read? Let's hear from our newcomer, Mr Scott. Pride and Prejudice? Elizabeth Bennet needs to chill. - (SNICKERING) - She gave Darcy a way worse time than he deserved. Are you saying that Darcy was not in love with Elizabeth? Love is just a transaction. We're all hardwired to desire. We present the correct set of desirable traits, and boom. We can turn it on, and we can turn it off. Yes, Ms Young? Tessa? I think that it was the most revolutionary feminist novel that I've ever read, that a woman of that era would have the strength - to reject Darcy when he treated her poorly. - That's a load. - (TITTERING) - It was Darcy's very attitude that attracted Elizabeth to him. Darcy's attitude was rude and mocking. I think he was lucky to be with a woman with as much integrity as Elizabeth. The only reason he even asked her to marry him was cos she wouldn't stop throwing herself... Throwing herself at him? He was pursuing her. She's clearly not satisfied with her life and is looking for excitement wherever she can get it. Well, I think that it's obviously all in his head that she had any feelings for him at all. - (STUDENTS MURMUR) - Well, there you have it. That's the power of a good book. That was exciting. - No, it was annoying. - I enjoyed it. Look, whatever you're thinking, don't. Nothing happened between us. OK? I have a boyfriend. Us? I thought we were talking about Pride and Prejudice. (SIGHS) - Hey, do you wanna go get some coffee? - How can someone be so arrogant? "Oh, Elizabeth Bennet needs to chill." Like, who even says that? That's just Hardin being Hardin. - You know him? - Yeah, we're, uh... we're practically related. My mom is dating Chancellor Scott. Chancellor Scott is Hardin's dad, and Hardin and I, we tolerate each other, but barely. - His father's the chancellor? - Yeah. Listen, Tessa, he's just trying to get a reaction. (SCOFFS) Well, he's not gonna get one from me. Hmm. - (BLUES ROCK MUSIC) - (BUZZING) Argh. - It actually does hurt. - (CHUCKLES) You should get one. My mom would literally kill me. You need to get this. I bet you'd love that one. - Yeah, dice. - I feel like my mom has everything planned out for me. Like, I think she's been planning my wedding to Noah since we were 5. Wait. Is Noah the only dude you've ever gone out with? That's sad. Ooh, ow! - Watch it. - Yeah, you guys really aren't selling me on this. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING) - Shh! You look so good tonight. - Thank you. - Shh! - (GIGGLES) Can I get a small coffee, please? - Here you go. - Yeah, thanks. - Hi. - Hi. I can't stay away from you. What? Well, we're gonna see each other. I'm friends with Steph, and you're roommates. Tessa, let's just start over, just reset, and we can be... What? Friends? Why not? I wanna show you something. So show me, then. It's a... It's a place. I think that it's better if we keep our distance. (GIGGLES) I'll see you around. (GENTLE POP ROCK MUSIC) # I just caught the wave. I just caught the wave. # And it's all right. # I know we pushed it all to the limit. # I know I won't give you up for a minute. # If it's all right, # if it's all right. # Maybe we just got lost in the madness, # but we let go and forgive everything # and make it all right. # And it's all right. # Oh-oh, oh-oh. # Your hands, # your hands feel cold. # Your heart, # is your heart still holding on? It's down this way. Come on. # Cos I just caught the wave. # I just caught the wave # in your eyes. # I just caught the wave. # I just found a way. # And it's all right. # I just caught the wave. # I just found a way. # And it's all right... # Welcome to my favourite place. It's beautiful. - How about a swim? - Hmm? What are...? What are you doing? I'm going swimming. (SCOFFS) Hardin. Hardin. Come in. You can wear my T-shirt. It feels amazing. A little privacy, please? OK. What? I like it better on you. (GIGGLES) (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) (LAUGHS) Can I ask you something? Do I even have a choice? Who do you love the most in the world? Easy. Myself. Of course you do. What's your boyfriend's name? It's Noah. Noah. Does he go here? He's in high school. High school? And what does a high school kid do to deserve you? He is nice to me. Nice? Isn't that just another word for boring? (SIGHS) Not always. Can I show you something? Hold your breath. The silence. It's peaceful. You think that's weird? No. Not at all. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES) I thought that you just wanted to be friends. I don't think we can ever be just friends. (TENDER PIANO MUSIC) (GASPS) Have you never been touched before? (STAMMERS) Why'd you stop? We've got time. So, why do you call them chips? - Why do you call them fries? - Cos they're fried. They're not French. - You've got plenty there! - (LAUGHS) Hey, I ordered mine without ketchup. Oh, right, I'll be right back. - Thank you. - No ketchup? It's very un-American. I'm full of surprises. So,... what's your story, then? My story? Yeah. Like, your family, how you ended up here? Pass. I just don't think asking a bunch of arbitrary questions about someone's past is really gonna tell you who they are. I can find out who you are by sitting here and spending time with you. What? What? - What are you doing? - I'm just waiting for you to reveal your true self to me by just sitting here and spending time with you. - (CHUCKLES) - Here you go. - Thank you. - OK, fair enough. One question. Um,... why do you have all those romance novels if you don't believe in love? - Who says I don't believe in love? - You did, in Soto's class. True. (CHUCKLES) Maybe don't believe everything I say, then. Oh, hey, guys. Hey, Tessa. Guys, let's just hang out for a minute. So,... what have you two been up to? - We were just, um... - We're just getting some food. Oh, how's the boyfriend, Tess? We're leaving. - Perfect. I need a ride. - It's not a good time. You can ask Zed for a ride. Dude, we literally just got here. - Excuse me. - You're excused. All right. Tessa? Really? Yes. I won't be long. I'll be at the bar. See you around. What's up, bro? So, fill us in. - What was that? - What was what? Were you, like, embarrassed that they saw us together? No. You know, I am gonna tell Noah about us ` I just... Us? What do you mean us? If you want to dump Mr High School, then go ahead, but don't do it on my account. What? Look, it was fun, but I don't date. Are you actually kidding me? (EMO POP SONG) # I like you the way you are # when we're driving in your car. # And you're talking to me one on one. # But you become somebody else round everyone else, # watching your back like you can't relax. # You're trying to be cool, you look like a fool to me. # Tell me why'd you have to go and make things so complicated? # I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else, # gets me frustrated. # Life's like this ` you, # you fall, and you crawl, and you break, # and you take what you get, and you turn it into # honesty, you promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it. # No, no, no, no, no, no. # No, no, no. # (BIRDS CHIRPING OUTSIDE) You're here. (SIGHS) - What are you dreaming about? - (GASPS) Surprise! What...? What are you...? What are you doing here? How are you? Thank you. Are you OK? Yeah. No, yeah, yeah, of course. - OK. Yeah. - Thank you. So what are we gonna do? (HIP-HOP MUSIC) - Hey, there's Tess. - Hey! - What's up, Tessa? - Hey. - Hi. - Hi. - I think we met at the dorm. - So he does exist! - Nice to meet you. - What's up, man? Zed. How's it going? - Good. How you doing? (HIP-HOP MUSIC CONTINUES) Cool. A campfire. - Tessa. - Thanks. The cops will probably be here soon, so... Oh, should we get out of here? (ALL CHATTER INDISTINCTLY) Hey, Tessa. Didn't expect to see you here. So, how about we play a game of Suck and Blow? Suck and Blow, I'm down. OK, I got it. - Yes! - Aw. - Guess you know what that means. - Oh, no, no, I'm... Whoa, dude, dude, dude. Dude, don't go there, all right? Chill out, man. It's just a game. - Hey, she doesn't have to. - Relax, dude. (HIP-HOP MUSIC BUILDS) - Whoa! Hey! - Whoa! - Hey! (BOTH GRUNTING) Hey! Hey, hey! Get off! - You're gonna regret this. - Dude, what are you doing, man? - Hardin? Hardin! - Hardin? (SOCCER BROADCAST PLAYING) (SIGHS) ANNOUNCER (OVER TV): And the referee - gives a yellow card! - (BOOING) This crowd is not happy at all. (PHONE BUZZES) (DOOR SHUTS) Hey. Thanks for coming. - What happened? - Well, it started about his father, and then... your name sort of came up. He won't talk to me, so... I figured maybe he would talk to you. Where is he? What are you doing here? I was worried about you. Shouldn't you be with your - perfect little boyfriend, Teresa? - Don't bring Noah into this. I thought you didn't drink. I don't. I didn't. What does it matter? You made a real mess in there. I was celebrating. Didn't you hear? Dear old Dad is getting married. You should see the dump my poor mum lives in back in London. Don't you feel like you've had enough? Don't. I can get it. Ow! Damn it. Come with me. I'm sorry for how I treated you. Um, if... if you don't date, if that's how you feel... I don't think that is how I feel any more. I'm a mess. I think that we're both a mess. (TENDER MUSIC) You don't ever have to cover up, not for me. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (BIRDS CHIRPING OUTSIDE) Hey. You OK? - Yeah. - Where were you? - I texted you. You didn't answer me. - I'm sorry. My phone died. - I'm sorry. - Where were you? - A friend needed my help. But in the middle of the night? Noah, I can explain. Can we...? Please, can we just... can we just go inside and talk? - I... - Noah. I don't believe this. No, Noah. Noah, wait! Noah, I'm... I'm confused. I've wanted to talk to you about it for a while. I am so, so sorry. (CAR ENGINE STARTING) Noah. Tessa. Go home, Hardin. (DOOR OPENS) Noah and I just broke up. I feel like I just lost my best friend. Come over here. Come on. # I won't tell you I'm lonely, # cos it may be selfish. # I won't ask you to hold me, # cos that won't mend what's hopeless. # I can't float in an ocean # that's already been drained. # I won't cry at your feet now; # I know my tears would fall in vain. # There's not a thing I could say # and a song I could sing # for your mind to change. # Nothing can fill up the space. # I won't ask you to stay, # But let me ask you one thing... # I didn't expect to see you. When my dad left,... I was 10. He left us with nothing. And my mom, she just... sort of fell apart. I had to take care of her alone, but Noah was there for me, you know? I hate myself for what I did to him. Tessa, it's not your fault. Yeah, it is. Noah's my best friend. But you,... you're so much more. Library is closing. Library is getting ready to close. Library is closing! - Follow me. - Hmm? - Come on. - What are...? - Down here. - Shh. - (DOOR CLOSES) (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING) (FOOTSTEPS RECEDING) (DOOR CLOSES) READS: You could draw me to fire, you could draw me to water, you could draw me to the gallows, you could draw me to any death, you could draw me to anything I have most avoided. This and the confusion of my thoughts, so that I am fit for nothing, is what I mean by your being the ruin of me. Why'd you stop? We should go. (ROCK MUSIC) Hey! What are you doing here? - Stop! - (BOTH LAUGH) # I don't want the time to fade away. # I just wanna be someone. # I just wanna be someone. # The sun starts setting and the sky goes cold. # And if the clouds get heavy and start to fall, # I really need somebody to call my own. # I want to be somebody to someone, # someone to you, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh. # Someone to you, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh. # Someone to you, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, # someone to you, someone to you. # I don't even need to change the world, # change, change the world. # I'll make the moon shine just for your view. # I'll make the starlight circle the room. # And if you feel like night is falling... # And perhaps the most mesmerising of all is the binary star phenomenon. Two stars find their way across vast stretches of space and time to find another wandering body and become attached for eternity in each others' orbit, each star pushing the other to explode in supernova,... becoming either the nucleus of a planetary nebula or just as often resulting in a death spiral. What are you doing, Tessa? Learning about the stars? The stars assist in each others' destruction. Do you have any idea... how beautiful you are right now? What are you always writing in there? None of your business. (SIGHS) - Show me. - No. - Come on! - Not a chance! I just want to see what's... (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) - (DOOR OPENS) - Tessa, hon? I've called all the... Tessa? Mom? - What are you doing here? - What the hell is going on? - Nothing. - Who's he? - He the guy Noah told me about? - (STAMMERS) So this is how you spend your time instead of going to class? - (TESSA) No! - I think I should go. - You think? - Can we talk about this outside please? Please! You, go! Come with me. You have got to be kidding me. I knew as soon as I saw that roommate - that something like this would happen. - Are you serious right now? And after all this work, and you are gonna throw it away for some boy? What are you talking about? I'm not. You're going to break up with this boy, and you are gonna focus on your schoolwork. Do you even know what it has been like trying to be perfect for you, having you mould my life into the way that you wanted it to be? I did it for your own good. I am so, so sorry, Mom, that your life didn't work out the way that you wanted it to. I really am. But this is my life, and you have to let me live it. Is that really what you want? Yes. If I leave now,... you're cut off. He's gonna break your heart. She's cutting you off because of Hardin. I'm just a little worried is all. Why? Hardin is... Hardin is complicated. Yeah, I know, but he's different around me. Just be careful. You OK? Yeah. Where have you been? Jump in and I'll show you. - You ready? - Yes. - Are you sure? - Yes! Whose place is this? A friend of my father's, a professor. Where are they? She's in Italy, all year. I'm meant to be watering the plants. Ooh, she paints. It's really nice. Imagine if it were our place. Sure. It can be. What, you mean, like,... live together? When you told me your mom was gonna cut you off, I had to do something. We can stay here for the rest of the year. Just you and me. You did this for me? (UPBEAT FOLK ROCK MUSIC) # I don't wanna see you smile. # I want you in the morning, # before you go performin'. # You know you're beautiful... - Here. - Mm-hm. # ...but that ain't half the gold treasure # in your soul that you got, cos I want it all. # With your fingers in my mouth, the fantasy of us. # So please don't let me fall. # So please don't let me fall. Whoa! # And I think we'd survive in the wild. # We would eat plants and roots # and dream about electric fans. # Baby, do you think about the past? # Do you wonder if every stupid little thing # has led us to this? # You know you're beautiful, # but that ain't half the gold treasure # in your soul that you got, cos I want it all. # With your fingers in my mouth, I fail to see your faults, # so please don't let me fall, # so please don't let me fall... - Look at that one. It looks a bit like you. - (LAUGHS) This is crazy. # That ain't half the gold treasure # in your soul that you got, cos I want it all. # With your fingers in my mouth, I fail to see your faults, # so please don't let me fall, # so please don't let me fall. # I still can't believe it. Hmm? Believe what? That you're mine. Not this again. I don't deserve you. Nothing could ever change the way that I feel about you. I cannot believe you've talked me into this. It's a wedding reception. It's not a jail sentence. - (DREAMY FOLK ROCK MUSIC PLAYING) - Hey! - Hey, you guys made it. - Yeah. - Oh, you look beautiful, Tessa. - Oh, thank you. Hey, you clean up well, man. This is so fancy. Yeah, yeah, it's beautiful. So we're brothers. Yep. You must be really happy for your mom and Ken. Yeah, yeah, I am. I'll see you two in there. This looks so good. Look who's here. It's good to see you. - You too. - And you must be... Tessa. - Tessa. - Tessa, I'm Karen. - Hi. - I'm Landon's mom. - It's so nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you. - Congratulations. - Thank you. (SIGHS) It means a lot to me that you could be here. Congratulations. Thanks for coming. I'm happy you decided to join us, son. Landon tells us you're in Professor Soto's seminar. - Yeah. - So you're an English major? I would love to, but I think if I wanna be employed, maybe business or econ. If you're interested in the business side of literature, my friend owns a publishing company. - You mean Vance? - Yes. - Well, I can call Vance for her. Of course, I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you. Ken, Dana's arrived. I think we should go say hi. Enjoy. - Nice meeting you. - Yeah, you too. Let's just have fun. I can't. Why not? You made me promise to be on my best behaviour. (DREAMY FOLK ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES) (GLASS DINGING) Thank you all for coming. Tonight we celebrate great good fortune, and her name is Karen,... the love of my life, and frankly she saved my life. I'm suddenly blessed by a new bride, a new life and not one, but two brilliant sons, Hardin and Landon. I remember an earlier time, when my greatest pleasure was to listen to Hardin, who loved to recite passages from novels, all by memory, and he would perform them, leaving me with tears... He's not the man I grew up with. - ...or laughter. - My father was a drunk and nothing more. At least he's trying,... which is more than my father ever did. People change. Clearly, but that still doesn't change what happened. What happened? One night, when I was 8,... my dad was at the pub, drunk as usual. He messed with the wrong guys. They came to our house for payback. He wasn't there. They found my mum instead. I tried... I tried to fight them off, but I couldn't. Thank you, my friends and family... And that's my dad. - ...and university faculty,... - The beloved Chancellor Scott. - ...let's have fun! I don't suppose you recall any of those passages. Not the way you remember it. I would love to have a dance with your brilliant son. # Is there a secret? # Is there a code? # Can we make it better? # Cos I'm losing hope. # Tell me how to be in this world. # Tell me how to breathe in and feel no hurt. # Tell me how, cos I believe in something. # I believe in us. # After the wreckage, # after the dust, # I still hear the howling, # I still feel the rush. # Over the riots, # above all the noise # and through all the worry, # I still hear your voice. # So tell me how to be in this world, # tell me how to breathe in and feel no hurt. # Tell me how, cos I believe in something. # I believe in us. # Tell me when the light goes out, # that even in the dark we will find a way out. # Tell me now, cos I believe in something. # I believe in us. I want you now. # Used to be kids living just for kicks, # in cinema seats learning how to kiss, # running through streets that were painted gold. # We never believed we'd grow up like this. # So tell me how to be in this world. # Tell me how to breathe in and feel no hurt. # Tell me how, cos I believe in something. Are you sure? Yeah. (GASPS) Do you want me to stop? No, just go slow. # I believe in us. # Tell me when the light goes out, # that even in the dark, we will find a way out. # Tell me now, cos I believe in something. # I believe in us. # I believe in something. # I believe in us. # - Car. - It was "cat". Do another one. Uh... That one is... - I have no idea! - I'm really good at this, yeah. OK, just do one more, I promise, I'll get it. Um... (TENDER MUSIC) Hmm. I don't know. What was it? (STUDENTS BUSTLING AND CHATTERING) Can always stay up late and work on that. - I'll just see you. - I'll text you. (DOOR OPENS) - Hey. - Hey. How's it going? I haven't seen you since, like, the bonfire. Yeah, I've been busy, I guess. How's it going with you and your boyfriend? Uh, we're not together any more. Ouch. Bye-bye, high school. Yeah, it was pretty painful. - Yeah, I can tell. You moved on pretty quickly. How's Hardin? - What do you mean? He told me you guys have been hanging out. Yeah, we have. Cool. Really? Yeah, I mean, Hardin does what Hardin does. (DOOR CREAKS) (PHONE BUZZES) What's wrong? What's all this about? What didn't you tell me? Nothing. I don't know what she's talking about. You don't know what she's talking about? - I mean, I don't know. - What didn't you tell me? - Nothing! I need to go. What, now? Hardin, answer me! Where are you going? - Out. - What's going on? Do you trust me? - Of course I do ` I just... - Then what's the problem? (SOFT MUSIC) # As far as I can tell, it's kind of crazy # that you even care at all. # Convincing everybody you can save me, # but you're the one who made me fall. # So what if I'm not, # so what if I'm not everything you wanted me to be? # So what if I am, # so what if I am more than you can see? # When you treat me like that, when you treat me like that, # it's pushing me harder, it's pushing me harder. # When you're breaking my back, when you're breaking my back, - # I only get stronger. -(PHONE BUZZES) # I only get stronger. # I should have walked away about a year ago, # when you said I couldn't make it out alive. # When you treat me like that, when you treat me like that, # I only get stronger, I only get stronger. # When you treat me like that. # (THUNDER RUMBLING) What are you doing in Hardin's car? What, I can't borrow his car? Jace, just tell me where he is! Maybe he's at Blind Bob's. (BLUESY ROCK MUSIC PLAYING) (BOTH CHATTER INDISTINCTLY) Oh, my gosh, hey. What's the matter? - Are you OK? - Yeah. You want some fries, are you hungry? I haven't seen you since you moved out. Um,... I've been living with Hardin off-campus. Wait, you two are living together? - Yeah. - Wow, Tessa. I didn't know you two were that serious. - Yeah, we are. - How long has this been going on for? - Look who I found! - Oh, hey, Jace. Hey, Hardin. - What's up? What's up, Tessa? - I got you. - Tessa? Hi, Hardin. Tessa was just telling us the latest. Tessa's been filling us in on all the details. Moving in together? And you guys are so adorable. Is there anything you wanna tell Tessa? Yeah, like what's been going on between you and her? Nothing's going on with me and her. - Well, I don't believe you. - What have you said?! Tessa, I swear... - I saw the texts she sent you. - What? They didn't mean anything. I didn't even reply to them. - They meant nothing. - You're kidding me. - Tessa, nothing's going on. - Don't you think this thing has gone a little too far? - What thing, Hardin? Something's going on, but it's not what you think. Molly, shut up. Tessa,... let's get out of here, and I'll explain. I'll explain everything, I promise. Remember truth or dare? What? Molly, don't. Molly! I'm done playing this game. - Oh! - I like this girl. - Looks like Hardin Scott just got his first rejection. - (LAUGHTER) - You lot don't think I can make it happen? - Make what happen, Hardin? Here's a dare ` make her fall in love with me, and then I'll just... turn it off. It was all a game. Tessa? Tessa. Tessa, please, you have to believe me. Tessa, that was before everything, before I got to know you. Is that true? And all of you knew? Tessa? (INTENSE MUSIC) (RAIN PATTERING) - Tessa, wait. Tessa! - So what exactly did you tell them, then? Nothing. None of it was real. I actually thought... I thought that... You're just a liar. That was all before. - Before what? - Before... You snapped your fingers and you turned it off. You said nothing could change the way you felt about me. Then I guess we're both liars. # If you would have just let me in, # who knows what could have been? # They tell me to forget, but I don't want to. # Your face is all I seem to # see. # How can I blackout you? # Don't wanna hear my friends say, # "Girl, you're better off anyway." # Cos I know that's not true. # I want you. # # I wanted you to be the one who stayed. # How can I blackout you? # How can I blackout you? # It's always been you. # (DOORBELL RINGS) Hi, Mom. What happened? I don't really wanna talk about it. I just... I came here to say that I'm sorry. I'm... I'm sorry too. I love you. So how come you're back? I just needed to come home. I'm so sorry, Noah. I never meant to hurt you. Yeah, I know. I guess I... I just never saw any of this coming. Yeah, but... that's, like, the point, right? Like, we change, and we discover who we are. I think that's OK. Yeah? - Yeah. (CHUCKLES) - (LAUGHS) (INDIE POP MUSIC) # Well, you're not what I was looking for. # But your arms were open at my door. # And you taught me what a life is for, # to see that ordinary isn't. # Light me up again. # Light me up again. # And I wanna keep us all alive. # And I want to see you with my eyes. # Light me up again. # Light me up again. # We are, we are, we are tonight. # We are, we are, we are forever. # We are, we are, we are tonight. # We are, we are, we are forever. # And you don't hold back, so I won't hold back. # And you don't look back, so I won't look back. # Light me up again. # Light me up again. # And you don't hold back, so I won't hold back. # And you don't look back, so I won't look back. # Light me up again. # We are, we are, we are forever. # We are, we are, we are tonight. # On a parting note, I was deeply impressed by all of your papers attacking our themes for this semester. Congratulations on all of your good work. Great job. Miss Young? This is what Hardin turned in. I think it was actually written more for you than it was for me. Thank you. (TENDER PIANO MUSIC) (SIGHS) What is that? Oh, a secret spot. And a good place to think. 'I've read hundreds of novels in my life, 'most of them claiming that love was the centre of the universe, 'that it could heal any damage inside of us, 'that it was what we need to survive. 'From Darcy to Heathcliff, I thought they were fools, 'that love was something fictional, 'only found in worn pages of a book. 'But that has all changed since I met my Elizabeth Bennet. 'I never thought I would find myself 'completely and utterly consumed by another until her. 'She took my hand and led me out of the darkness 'and showed me that whatever our souls are made of, 'hers and mine are the same. 'I'm sorry. Please forgive me. 'You once asked who I loved most in this world. 'It's you.' (BITTER LOVE BY PIA MIA) # I need somebody to pull me away from this bitter love. # The taste on my lips every time that we kiss, # I can't get enough. # Heaven knows that I've tried, # but I never can seem to give you up. # Guess I'm out of my mind. # So go ahead # and pour me another one. Got me singing, # 'Oh, oh, oh, oh.' # I wanna run, # but, baby, I drink you up. # Cos I need it, want it. # Can't get enough # of this bitter love. I'm paralysed. # You gave me the sweetest high. # Cos I need it, want it. # Can't get enough of this bitter love. # You got me wasted, # and, boy, I've been chasing you every night. # Roses and wine and your body on mine got me feelin' right. # Got that magic in you. # And you've been possessing my peace of mind. # I don't know what to do. # I can't get away even when I try. # Got me singing, # 'Oh, oh, oh, oh.'