GB   If you're not here to drop off something,

GB   I’d rather you just leave.

He takes a step further in.

ML   unfortunately ive got nothing to offer but my sweet sweet presence.

GB   Okay.

GB   So, what do you want, then?

GB   I'm afraid I won't make for pleasant company right now.

ML   what was i interrupting exactly? meditation?

GB   Just... a break.

He reaches for the light switch, but you hold out your hands.

GB   No, please don't.

ML   do your eyes hurt or something?

GB   Keep it dim.

GB   At least right now.

ML   ...

He redirects his hand towards the door, swinging it most of the way closed behind him.

GB   Thank you.

He whistles in that usual carefree way.

ML   you know dinners started right?

GB   D-Dinner?

ML   dinner. the one that comes after lunch.

ML   weve had more than a couple of them at this point.

ML   sooo inconsiderate of you to neglect our regular schedule.

You blink, dazed. All you can do is shake your head.

GB   Is that why... you...?

ML   wow! when you put it like that im practically a saint!

ML   but dont get it confused.

ML   anyone couldve seen that something was off.

ML   anyone who has their head screwed on at least.

ML   really. i expected better of you pua.

ML   i didnt think this of all things would rattle you.

You frown at him and turn away.

GB   I’m not hungry.

GB   Go back and finish your meal.

ML   jokes on you! i didnt even start.

GB   Then, start!

GB   I don’t need to deal with you, on top of…

You bite your tongue as your voice trails off. Mililani merely raises an eyebrow.

ML   on top of what?

GB   Nothing.

There's a prickling feeling creeping up on your arms.

ML   i think its something.

GB   It's nothing! Stop it.

ML   now thats just pathetic.

ML   dont expect to get away with that. its insulting.

GB   Mili...

ML   and can you at least try to hide the scratching?

ML   its like youre not even trying.

GB   ...

You're much too fatigued to entertain a back-and-forth, much less a one-sided struggle getting him to leave. So, you exhale, place your hands on your arms, and look up.

GB   It was just a nightmare.

GB   Nothing more.

His face is impassive. Neutral. He isn’t even looking at you - he’s playing with his nails.

ML   mmm.

ML   so howd it go this time?

ML   some kind of mass burial maybe? a crucifixion?

ML   ooh or was it elimination-themed?

ML   make sure to write it down so the producers dont take it. ;)

GB   No. That wasn’t it.

ML   something better?

GB   It was awful.

GB   It was you.

His hand stills.

ML   me? making my big debut?

ML   now pua. if im in your dreams you must be sooo-

GB   You keep acting on your own.

GB   The more you push, the more you'll pay for it.

Your hands grip your skirt. You wish you could grab his shoulders with the same intensity.

GB   If something happened to you, I don’t know what I'd...

GB   I wouldn't... I couldn't just...

ML   ...hm.

Then, he laughs.

ML   what is wrong with you?

He's giving you the most incredulous look.

ML   you should be worried about yourself.

ML   its people like you who come out of the show worse for wear.

GB   You mean, people who care?

ML   yes! see? youre getting it.

ML   you come in and think youre better.

ML   you think you can overcome the show. the rules.

ML   and win with all you want intact.

ML   but im ready for this.

ML   so do your best to survive and make it far on your own mmmkay?

ML   im not worth any of your corny heartfelt tear-jerking -

GB   Don't say that!

It's louder than you thought - angrier, too.

GB   I don't care if it just makes me look pathetic, or weak, or... whatever!

GB   Because everything will just get worse.

GB   And I don't want you to be another consequence of all this.

GB   This is what really scares me. More than anything.

GB   So, you should...

GB   Take some responsibility for it.

ML   im responsible?

GB   You're not making anything better by -

ML   ive already told you how everythings going to go.

ML   you cant blame me when ive been more than generous in showing you the tr-

GB   The truth? Is that what you were going to say?

GB   You know what else is true, Mili?

GB   I didn't ask you to come here.

GB   You could've spent your dinner with everyone else, assessing them, strategizing...

GB   Everything that'll help you in the competition.

GB   But you're here.

GB   God, Mili. Why are you still here?!

ML   ...

ML   thats easy.

He didn't close your door entirely, because it's been slowly swinging wide open. With the light of the hallway behind him, there's a shadow crossing his features.

ML   because every time i take my eyes off of you and you go off somewhere...

ML   something might happen to you.

ML   something reeeally horrible.

All you can see are the barest whites of his eyes and his wide, unsettling grin.

ML   and i wouldnt miss it for the world.

You stay your breath, willing all the weeds to return within.

GB   Is that the truth?

GB   You'll always be right around the corner.

GB   No matter what I do, I'll never get rid of you.

GB   ...

GB   If you meant that, then...

GB   Okay.

A weary smile graces upon your lips.

GB   Thank you.

You don’t hear anything for a beat - then, he groans.

ML   good gods.

ML   you really know how to say exactly the wrong thing.

ML   and you look way too happy to have processed what i said.

ML   another lesson lost! thats on me for trying.

GB   No, I heard you.

You stand up. It takes a few steps to accustom yourself to walking - you were kneeling on the floor for a while - but soon you pass him and approach the door. You look back and see him watching you from the same spot.

GB   Including how you haven't eaten.

GB   So, let's have dinner. There should be enough left for us.

ML   ...

ML   geez.

ML   youre always making things so difficult.

ML   who could run a good show with you around?

As he walks out beside you, he adapts his usual casual posture. But the smile he's wearing is tight, tired. It's wrinkling his eyes, like he can hardly keep it up.

As your steps meet the ground in tandem, he mutters something to himself under his breath. Something that seems to have slipped out.

ML   (...kuu lei…)

ML   (what am i going to do with you...?)