"Running Up That Hill"

Rand is hiding in a closet at her best friend’s house. She’s been waiting all day. Rand wanted to surprise her for her birthday.

Rand: Where is Malicka? This is insane and I’m done with my Sudoku book now. (repositioning herself and breathing into a mantra) “It doesn’t hurt me.” This doesn’t hurt. I can do this. Her parents know I’m here. Why haven’t they come back? “Do you want to feel how it feels?” Asked no one ever. I would not have opted for this if I had known I would have been here for 10 hours. This is just maniacal. I mean I’m the one sitting in a closet, but “do you want to know?” Know what? “Know that it doesn’t hurt me” to try to do something fun for my friend. My knees are killing me though. 

The joke isn’t even funny anymore. “Do you want to hear about the deal that I’m making?” 

Sure. I mean I’m already talking to myself, “it’s you and me.” Myself and I.  “And if I only could” leave now. I don’t know why I can’t. I’ve been here so long that they probably come back right now. as I’m trying to escape. That would totally happen to me. 

Okay, so “I’d make a deal with God” to let me just go home right now without getting in trouble or caught. I can make her a cake instead. This is too stressful, why did Sal get to go with her to dinner? “I’d get Him to swap our places.” I thought I was her best friend. This is just straight shameful now. 

Rand gets up and sneaks out the back door. She fiddles to close the door and locks it. 

Time to “[run] up that road” so no one sees me. Then I can “[run] up that hill” to my mom’s flat. This is going to be miserable. What was I thinking sitting in the same position all day. Better start “running up [to] that building.” 

Rand starts to jog toward her place. A family jumps out from behind the dumpster. 

Family: SURPRISE!

Rand falls to the ground in surprise. She’s freaking out and trying to catch her breath and calm down.

Rand: How long have you been there?

Malicka: Like two hours. My parents told me you were waiting to scare me. So I decided to do the same. I figured you couldn’t stay in there forever. I win. 

Rand: What the hell? This wasn’t a competition. 

Malicka shrugs. 

Rand: Happy Birthday.

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