Outside Looking In

Written by: Juana


Story summary: Felicity starts to date again…a fact that doesn’t sit well with  Ben. Noel is put in a tough situation with one of his residents…a situation that may alter his life dramatically.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. They belong to the brilliant writers and creators of the hit WB show.


INT: LUNCHROOM-DAY

BEN, FELICITY, NOEL, ELENA AND LYN ARE SITTING DOWN EATING. JULIE COMES RUNNING UP TO THE TABLE ALL EXCITED.

JULIE: Felicity! I’m glad you’re here.

FELICITY: (slightly laughing)  Ok…thanks. I’m glad you’re here too.

JULIE: No…you don’t understand…Kyle is meeting me here.

FELICITY: (confused) Kyle?

JULIE: Remember I asked you if you would meet him? You said you would… (worried ) have you changed your mind?

FELICITY: Um…(to Julie) Can I talk to you for a minute…(points to a corner) over there?

JULIE: Sure. (kisses Lyn) Hey.

LYN: Hey yourself beautiful.

FELICITY: (getting impatient) Um…Now!

JULIE: Yeah…sorry. (to Lyn) I’ll be right back.

JULIE AND FELICITY WALK OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LUNCHROOM.

FELICITY: What are you trying to do?

JULIE: I don’t understand.

FELICITY: I don’t want to meet Kyle.

JULIE: But…I thought…well you said…

FELICITY: I know what I said. Honest Julie…I thought you were just doing it for Ben’s benefit that day. Otherwise…well I would have told you no.

JULIE: Why?

FELICITY: What do you mean why? Isn’t it obvious? I still want to be with Ben.

JULIE: So you’re just going to remain *dateless?* Felicity…Ben’s dating someone else…you have to accept that.

FELICITY: And  how am I suppose to do that? Huh? You tell me…what’s the answer?

JULIE: By moving on…just like he did. Kyle is a fabulous guy…and I know you two would get along.

FELICITY: I can’t Julie…obsession with Ben aside…it would be unfair to Kyle for me to pretend to want to date him.

JULIE: Just give him a chance…that’s all I’m asking. (sees Kyle come in) Oh there he is now…please Felicity…just talk to him.

FELICITY LOOKS OVER AT KYLE AS JULIE MOTIONS FOR HIM TO COME OVER. KYLE HAS DARK , ALMOST BLACK HAIR , GORGEOUS BLUE EYES AND A WINNING SMILE.  FELICITY IS BEING RELUCTANTLY DRAWN IN.

CUT TO BEN AND LYN AT THE LUNCH TABLE. THEY BOTH WATCH KYLE APPROACHING FELICITY AND JULIE.

BEN: (jealousy starting to show) Who’s that?

LYN: Down boy…check the jealousy.

BEN: I’m not jealous…just curious. I am allowed to be curious…aren’t I?

LYN: Sure…you’re allowed to be jealous too.

BEN: Fine…I’m jealous…happy now?

LYN: Vindicated man...way vindicated.

BEN: (not happy) So is that the guy that Julie wanted Felicity to meet?

LYN: Yep.

BEN: He seems kind of…

ELENA: (interrupting) Perfect?

BEN: Not exactly what I was thinking.

ELENA: (to Ben)  So what were you thinking?

BEN: Yeah…never mind.

BEN LOOKS OVER AT FELICITY AND JULIE WHO ARE LAUGHING WITH KYLE AT SOMETHING HE SAID. BEN’S JEALOUSY IS BEGINNING TO SHOW.

BEN: (cont. ) I think I’m just gonna go.

NOEL: Don’t you want to meet the competition?

BEN: (adamant) He’s not *my* competition…Felicity is free to date whoever she wants.

NOEL: And you’re perfectly fine with that?

BEN: (trying to sound positive)  Yes.

NOEL: Then you’ll have no problem with sticking around to meet the new guy.

BEN: I know what you’re doing. It’s not gonna work.

NOEL: What am I doing?

BEN: You’re trying to get me to admit that I’m bothered…but you’re wrong…I’m fine.

JULIE, FELICITY AND KYLE HEAD OVER AND SIT DOWN AT THE LUNCH TABLE. 

JULIE: Hey everyone…this is Kyle. 

KYLE: Hi.

JULIE: Kyle this is Noel and Elena, my boyfriend Lyn and my good friend Ben.

KYLE: (looking at Ben) Nice to meet you.

BEN: Yeah…you too. (getting really uncomfortable, but trying to stick it out)

KYLE: (turning to Felicity) I can’t really stick around right now…but I’ll pick you up at seven?

FELICITY: (slightly giddy) Sure.

KYLE: (getting up from table) Great. Ok…well I should get going. It was nice meeting you all.

KYLE WALKS AWAY FROM THE TABLE. BEN IS STARING AT FELICITY AND SHE NOTICES.

FELICITY: (to Ben) What?

BEN: Nothing.

FELICITY: That’s not your nothing look.

BEN: Well it’s just…you just met him and you’re already going to go out with him?

ELENA: Yeah…that’s the way *dating* works Ben.

BEN: (gives Elena an evil glare) Yeah…forget it…I should probably be going too.

BEN GETS UP FROM TABLE AND WALKS AWAY. FELICITY, JULIE, LYN, NOEL AND ELENA REMAIN AT THE TABLE.

NOEL: Well I think that went well.

FELICITY LOOKS AT NOEL CONFUSED.

INT. FOLEY HALL-DAY

ELENA AND FELICITY ARE WALKING TOWARDS HER ROOM.

ELENA: So the first stage is in motion…you have a date and Ben knows it.

FELICITY: Yeah…I don’t know about that…plan of yours. I think…well I think I’m just going to enjoy myself…you know…give this thing with Kyle a chance.

ELENA: What for? I mean it’s so obvious that Ben is still *not* over you…all he needs is just a little *reminder* of what he’s missing.

FELICITY: It just seems so deceitful…for all involved. I mean Kyle seems like a really nice guy and he’s actually pretty funny…

ELENA: Are you even listening to anything I say…Yes…maybe Kyle is this super cute sweetheart of a guy, but he’s got one major flaw…he’s not Ben.

FELICITY: But maybe that’s good.

AS FELICITY AND ELENA APPROACH HER DOOR THEY SEE BEN KNOCKING ON IT. ELENA MOTIONS GOODBYE TO FELICITY AND WALKS OFF….FELICITY WALKS UP BEHIND HIM.

FELICITY: Hi.

BEN: (turning around) Hey…I was hoping you were home.

FELICITY: What are you doing here?

BEN: Um…I’m not sure. I just had this…urge…to talk to you.

FELICITY: Did you want to come in?

BEN: If it’s okay…yeah.

FELICITY: Sure. (opens door)

BEN WALKS IN AND SITS DOWN ON THE BED. FELICITY IS STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM.

FELICITY: (cont. ) So what’s up?

BEN: I uh…I need some advice.

FELICITY: Okay…what about?

BEN: Well you seem to be able to move into this *friends* mode pretty easy…I was wondering…how?

FELICITY: How I can be just your friend?

BEN: Yeah.

FELICITY: And you think this is *easy* for me?

BEN: It seems to be.

FELICITY: ( a little upset) First of all…this is anything but easy…secondly I do it because it’s all I have left.

BEN: I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to upset you…I just…well I thought I was doing okay…until…well…it’s totally wrong of me to say this, but I don’t want you to go out with Kyle.

FELICITY: (shocked) What?

BEN: I’m not saying you can’t…I’m just saying I wish you wouldn’t…I can’t explain it…I know it’s not my place.

FELICITY: You know what?…you’re right.

BEN: (surprised) I am?

FELICITY: (raising her voice) Yeah…it’s not your place…not anymore. I cannot believe you…you’ve got some nerve coming in here telling me *not* to date a perfectly decent guy…just so you won’t have to deal with it…well sorry Ben, but this is what single people do…we date!

BEN: Okay…I can see you’re upset…that was not my intention. I thought…I wasn’t trying to dictate who you date…I was trying to be honest with you…this is obviously *my* mistake…thinking you could handle a little honesty.

FELICITY: (insulted) And what’s that suppose to mean?

BEN: Nothing…it means nothing…I don’t to fight with you…I was out of line and I’m sorry. (a beat) I should probably just go.

FELICITY: No…wait…I’m just a little on edge lately…I appreciate the honesty…I do. So I’m going to be honest with you…I am still going to go out with him…give it a chance to see if it will work.

BEN: Yeah…I didn’t come here expecting to change your mind…I just wanted you to know how I felt.

FELICITY: I don’t understand why this *just friends* thing has to be so…difficult.

BEN: I don’t know…maybe we’re doing it wrong.

FELICITY: (laughs) Yeah…maybe.

BEN: (remembers something) Oh hey…I forgot to tell you…I got a call from Steve Riley the other day him and Christy are getting married...in like six weeks.

FELICITY: Yeah…actually I already know…Christy called and asked me to be her Maid of Honor.

BEN: Really?… Um…did she tell you who Steve asked to be his Best Man?

FELICITY: No…I just assumed it would probably be one of his brothers.

BEN: Yeah…you would think that, but it’s not.

FELICITY: It’s not?

BEN: Um…no…it’s me.

FELICITY: You?

BEN: Yeah…

FELICITY: (VO) Dear Sally…talk about your irony…Because of Christy and Steve…six weeks from now me and Ben would be walking down the aisle together…not exactly liked I dreamed of but…this was bound to be one of those awkward moments…I could just tell.

INT. NOEL’S ROOM-NIGHT

NOEL AND ELENA ARE STUDYING IN HIS ROOM. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. NOEL GOES TO ANSWER IT. ONE OF HIS FEMALE RESIDENTS IS STANDING THERE.

NOEL: Yes…can I help you?

PEGGY: (frantic) I sure hope so.

NOEL: Okay…calm down…what’s the problem?

PEGGY: It’s my roommate…Sheri…I think…well she’s always talking about it…but I actually think this time…I think she might do it…I’m scared.

NOEL: Um…okay…let’s try this one sentence at a time…your roommate Sheri talks about what all the time?

PEGGY: Oh…killing herself…I’ve never taken her serious before but…she’s pretty upset this time.

NOEL: (concerned) Your roommate has been talking about suicide?

PEGGY: Yes…pretty much since day one…so it’s hard to believe her…most of the time…but something is different this time…she’s really depressed…could you please help me?

NOEL: Sure…yeah just give me a minute. (closes door and walks over to Elena) I’ve got to go…sounds pretty serious.

ELENA: Have you ever done this before Noel?

NOEL: Done what?

ELENA: Talked to a suicidal person…maybe you should call a counselor.

NOEL: Maybe…I’ll just talk to her first…see if I can smooth things over, and I’ll recommend a counselor to her.

ELENA: Be careful…this is serious stuff.

NOEL: You don’t need to worry. Are you going to stay here while I’m gone?

ELENA: Do you mind?

NOEL: Not at all…and hey if you feel like finishing up my homework too…go with the feeling.

ELENA: Not in this lifetime…now…go.

INT. FOLEY DORM-NIGHT

FELICITY IS GETTING READY FOR HER DATE WITH KYLE. THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR SHE GOES OVER AND ANSWERS IT…IT IS NOT KYLE…IT’S BEN.

FELICITY: (surprised) Hey…what are you doing here?

BEN: (slightly envious) You look great.

FELICITY: (blushing) Thanks…so what’s up?

BEN: I know you’re about to go out…so I’ll make it quick…I wanted to talk to you about…

KYLE COMES WALKING UP TO DOOR.

KYLE: Hi…sorry to interrupt.

BEN: No…that’s okay. ( to Felicity) I’ll just talk to you later…(trying to be sincere) Have a good time.

FELICITY: Okay…thanks.

BEN WALKS OVER TO ELEVATOR. AT ELEVATOR HE TURNS AROUND AND WATCHES AS FELICITY AND KYLE ARE TALKING…SUDDENLY SHE LAUGHS AND BEN GETS THIS SAD LOOK ON HIS FACE.

INT. FOLEY DORM-NOEL’S FLOOR-NIGHT

NOEL AND PEGGY ARE WALKING OVER TO PEGGY’S ROOM.

NOEL: Do you know what it is that’s upset her?

PEGGY: Yeah…Her boyfriend…well ex-boyfriend actually…told her he was interested in someone else.

NOEL: Okay…heartbreak…I can work with that.

NOEL AND PEGGY ARRIVE IN FRONT OF PEGGY’S ROOM.

NOEL: I should probably do this by myself…so just take me inside…introduce me…and then disappear…Okay?

PEGGY: Okay.

PEGGY AND NOEL WALK  INTO HER ROOM. THERE IS MAUDLIN MUSIC PLAYING ON THE STERO AND SHERI IS LAYING IN BED WITH THE PILLOW OVER HER HEAD. SHERI GOES OVER AND PULLS THE PILLOW OFF OF HER HEAD. SHERI SITS UP SLOWLY EYES STILL CLOSED.

SHERI: Give me back the pillow please…the light hurts my eyes.

PEGGY: What light…it’s like a tomb in here. I live here too you know.

SHERI: (reluctantly opens eyes and sees Noel) Who’s this (uninterested)

PEGGY: This is Noel…he’s our RA. I brought him to talk to you.

SHERI: To me? Why?

PEGGY: You know why…because you live in darkness…you talk daily about killing yourself…you’re driving me crazy…so please just…talk to him. 

PEGGY WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. LEAVING NOEL AND SHERI ALONE AND AWKWARD. SHERI FINALLY BREAKS THE SILENCE.

SHERI: I don’t want to talk to you.

NOEL: Okay…that’s fair…but I do want to talk to you.

SHERI: I won’t listen.

NOEL: Fine…so anyway…here’s the deal…if you talk about killing yourself…I have to take that seriously…wether you really want to or not.

SHERI: I do…I don’t have *anything* to live for.

NOEL: Okay…why is that…because some guy broke your heart?

SHERI: Who told you that? Did Peggy tell you that?

NOEL: She mentioned something.

SHERI: Well for your information he wasn’t just some guy…he was *the* guy…my soulmate. We dated all through junior high and high school and he broke up with me because he was going away to college. So I followed him here…to try and talk some sense into him.

NOEL: I take it that didn’t work.

SHERI: No…it’ didn’t…but things were still cool…I still believed we could work this out…until yesterday.

NOEL: What happened yesterday? If you don’t mind me asking.

SHERI: He told me he loves someone else.

NOEL: So he’s been dating the whole time you’ve been here.

SHERI: No…*she* doesn’t even know he’s alive…she’s his RA. But I know him and he’s persistent…he always gets what he wants…which leaves me out of  the picture…he no longer wants me…so I no longer want to live.

NOEL: Have you told him this?

SHERI: He thinks I’m bluffing.

NOEL: Are you?

SHERI: No…not this time.

NOEL: Not this time? How many times have there been?

SHERI: I’ll admit I’ve cried wolf a couple of times…it always brought  him back before…but this is different…I know he’s not coming back…so I’ve made a decision.

NOEL: Just in case you were wondering…Death is pretty permanent. It’s not a decision you can take back. Once it’s done…it’s done. You seem like a pretty intelligent person…so you must realize this.

SHERI: I do…but I also realize the pain I’m in now…Without Marc…it’s permanent too. I can’t live with it…so the solution is *don’t* live with it.

NOEL: There are other solutions…I’m sure.

SHERI: Have you ever had your life ripped apart? Can you even fathom how I feel?

NOEL: Plenty of times. I had a long term girlfriend and we ended it just last year…it sucked…but we both realized that sometimes…people just grow apart.  Life changes and we have to adjust.

SHERI: Do you still love her?

NOEL: Yes…of course. I always will. You can’t share that much of your life with someone and not be permanently affected by it. But I just wanted her to be happy…and I wasn’t making her happy anymore.

SHERI: Is she dating someone else now?

NOEL: No.

SHERI: Are you?

NOEL: Um…yes.

SHERI: So what makes you think she’s happy then? Maybe you’re the one who’s happy…maybe she feels like me.

NOEL: Uh…no…no she’s fine.

SHERI: How do you know? When was the last time you *really* talked to her?

NOEL: Okay…this is about you…(can’t help wondering about Hannah) Not me…and my past relationship. I’m here to help you.

SHERI: How?…you can’t relate to what I’m going through…you moved on with your life. 

NOEL: That’s what I’m trying to help you do.

SHERI: Fine…I’ll take your talk into consideration…that’s all I can give you right now.

NOEL: I want you to talk to a counselor (takes card out of shirt pocket) Here this is a twenty-four hour line…so please give it a call.

SHERI: Okay…If I need to…I will.

NOEL: I want to believe that you understand there are *other* options…do you?

SHERI: (half smile) I do. (she gets up off the bed and opens the window shade) I know there’s no sun right now…but I’ll leave it up…during the day…okay.

NOEL TAKES THIS AS A GOOD SIGN.

NOEL: Great…good. (writes his number on back of card) This is my number…if you want to talk some more…just give me a call. Okay?

SHERI: Okay. (takes card back)

INT: FOLEY HALL-NIGHT

FELICITY AND KYLE ARE COMING BACK FROM THEIR DATE.

FELICITY: (putting key in the door) I had a great time…thanks. (opens door and turns around)

FELICITY CAN TELL THAT KYLE IS ABOUT TO KISS HER. SHE HESITATES AT FIRST BUT THEN LETS HIM.

FELICITY: Okay…thanks…for everything. I should probably go inside now.

KYLE: Okay…I’ll talk to you soon?

FELICITY: Yeah…sure…you have my number.

FELICITY AND KYLE HUG ONE LAST TIME AND SHE GOES INTO HER ROOM AND CLOSES THE DOOR. KYLE GOES OVER AND ENTERS THE ELEVATOR, AS SOON AS THE DOORS CLOSE  BEN STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS IN THE MAIN ROOM. HE STARTS TOWARDS FELICITY’S DOOR BUT THEN CHANGES HIS MIND AND WALKS OVER TO THE ELEVATOR. LOOKING VERY UPSET.

SALLY: (VO) Dear Felicity…things can’t always go the way we plan or hope for them to. I think getting out there again…not such a bad idea. It will be interesting to see how Palo Alto affects the friendship you and Ben have started to rebuild…going home…it always makes the horrible situations in our life…seem not quite so harsh. Maybe back home…well maybe there Ben will be able to let go of some of the feelings of betrayal and pain. After all Palo Alto was the beginning of you and Ben…maybe it can be the rebirth too. I’m sure right now it’s very hard for both you and Ben to be on the outside of each other’s lives…and looking in…watching someone else in *your* place…holding on to the person who is holding on to your heart.


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