LUCA
This is fine. I like him. That's normal. People like people. Totally normal.
He stares at the ceiling.
LUCA
Why did he draw me laughing? Why did he draw me multiple times? Why do I care?
He rolls over and checks the time.
LUCA
It's 3:17. Great.
In the morning.
JULIAN
Luca? You alive?
Luca buries his face in his pillow.
LUCA
Go away.
JULIAN
We have planed the day out though.
Luca freezes.
LUCA
Oh no.
JULIAN
What?
LUCA
The ice cream.
JULIAN
…Yeah?
Luca slowly sits up.
LUCA
We share a spoon.
JULIAN
We always share a spoon.
LUCA
I know!
He flops back onto his pillow.
LUCA
Why do we share a spoon? Who even thought that was normal? Oh right. Me. I did.
JULIAN
Luca, it's not that serious.
LUCA
It is serious!
He sits up again.
LUCA
We sit too close.
JULIAN
We always sit too close.
LUCA
Exactly! Before it was just us being us. Before I knew I liked him. Now everything feels different.
JULIAN
Then just… don't sit close.
Luca stares at him like he just committed a crime.
LUCA
I can't not sit close.
JULIAN
Why?
Luca opens his mouth. Closes it.
LUCA
Because that's weird. Because I want to. Because if I move away he'll notice. Because if I don't move away I might actually combust.
Then Julian keeps pushing, Luca panics, and blurts out:
LUCA
ummmmmmmm that we haven't started the kissing booth.
So Julian says:
JULIAN
Fine. I'll get the ice cream. You get the show on.
Julian walks to the kitchen. Luca heads tonthe living room and grads the remote and sits down.
LUCA
Kk that was a close one
Julian comes over with coffee flavored ice cream and one spoon. He sits down beside Luca. To close to Luca. Luca already has the kissing booth 1 on. The movie starts then they start eating the ice cream.
LUCA
Give me a bit!
JULIAN
Ok
He feeds Luca a bit of ice cream. Luca blushes like an idiot.
LUCA
Why am I blushing?? He dose this all the time. Because befor is was just js being us. We're stupid. Im stupid.
Julian pulls the spoon out of Lucas mouth and notices Luca blushing.
JULIAN
Come down tamto.
10 minutes later. Some ice cream fell out of Lucas mouth Julian catches it with the spoon and eats It. Luca truns in to a tomato.
LUCA
Oh no no no! He's eating it! I— I can't handle this!
Luca turns as red as a tomato. Julian leans back casually, like nothing happened.
JULIAN
There. Saved. You're welcome.
LUCA
Saved?? More like dead.*
JULIAN
You've been wired today. Why?
LUCA
Why does he have to ask that now?! Uh… I… I don't know…
Julian leans closer, eyes playful.
JULIAN
Not know? You're vibrating.
LUCA
Vibrating?? I'm not vibrating!! Wait… am I vibrating?? Oh god, I'm literally sweating and shaking and—
Luca knocks the spoon. Ice cream slides off, half hits the floor. He yelps.
LUCA
Noooooo! My ice cream!
Julian chuckles.
JULIAN
Careful, tomato boy.
LUCA
I'm not a tomato… Wait… I totally am… Why is he laughing?? Oh no oh no oh no…
He flails, trying to get the spoon befor Julian. Ends up smearing some on his cheek.
Julian leans over casually and grads the spoon.
JULIAN
There. Saved.
LUCA
Saved?? I'm a mess! He's sitting so close! My heart! My life! Someone get me a fire extinguisher!
Julian takes another bite of ice cream, slowly, deliberately, watching Luca fidget.
JULIAN
You're adorable.
LUCA
He said adorable. I… I can't breathe. I'm literally dying. Tomato. Ice cream.Chaos. Everything.
Luca accidentally elbows Julian. Ice cream drops a little on Julian's hand.
JULIAN
grinning See? You can't help it.
LUCA
I… I'm doomed… I'm literally doomed…
Then a kissing scene comes on.
Julian smirks.
JULIAN
Ohhhhh there kissing in this??
LUCA
You knew that. Why is he grinning like that. Oh my god he's so handsome!! I cant do this!!!!
JULIAN
Should we.
LUCA
Should we what?????
Julian looks at the TV then back at Luca.
JULIAN
That
LUCA
KISS!?!?NO NO NOOOOOOO I CANT HANDLE THIS!!!!!
JULIAN
Come down tamto boy its a joke.
LUCA
oh* noooo. Wait yesssss. Uggggg I dont know. I've decided im officially dead.*
Julian is still leaning way too close. Still smirking.
JULIAN
You're overthinking.
LUCA
I am not overthinking. *I am absolutely overthinking.*
On the TV, the couple starts kissing again. Julian glances at the screen. Then at Luca.
JULIAN
Relax. It was a joke—
The front door swings open.
ETHAN
WHY IS IT SO QUIET IN—
He stops mid-stride.
Riley walks in behind him.
RILEY
…Oh.
Theo steps in.
THEO
What did we— oh.
Mia enters last, holding drinks.
MIA
Guys I brought—
She pauses.
Takes in the scene calmly.
TV: intense kissing.
Couch: one spoon.
Julian leaning close.
Luca red beyond reason.
Silence.
THEO
What is happening here?
LUCA
*ABORT ABORT MISSION!*
JULIAN
Where watching a movie.
RILEY
With one spoon?
THEO
Why is Luca a tomato?
MIA
Sitting that close?
Mia whispers.
JULIAN
Yes. Cuz i said should we recreate the scene in the movie and yes.
Theo squints at Julian
THEO
What scene?
Julian looks at the TV where the couple is still kissing.
JULIAN
That one.
Luca trune even more red.
LUCA
* Why Why WHYYYYYYYY*
MIA
With how
JULIAN
Luca the man in front of me Buh.
LUCA
*I am going to die*
JULIAN
3..2...1
Julian doesn't even move.Luca falls backwards and puts his head on Julian's lap with his hands over his face.
LUCA
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
RILEY
What's rong with him.
Ethan leans forward dramatically
ETHAN
Is he broken?
THEO
No, he does this.
ETHAN
He does this?
THEO
Yeah.
ETHAN
Why?
Theo gestures at Julian
THEO
That.
Luca muffled into Julian's lap.
LUCA
I can hear you!
RILEY
Then stop being weird.
LUCA
I am not weird!
He sits up suddenly — then immediately regrets it because everyone is staring at him. His face gose red
JULIAN
3.....2.....1
Luca flops back down on to Julian's lap.
ETHAN
Oh my god it works.
THEO
See.
RILEY
…Pathetic.
Mia watches for a second, then tilts her head slightly.
MIA
Does he need water?
Luca muffles into Julian's lap.
LUCA
I do not need water!
ETHAN
I got the water
He runs to the kitchen and gets a cup of water. Julian is just eating ice cream clearly enjoying the chaos. Ethan runs over with the water.
ETHAN
Here you
He trips and spills the water on Luca and Julian.
THEO
Seriously?
RILEY
Who put his on water duty?
Luca turns so he's facing Julian, the back of his head resting on Julian's lap. Julian's face gose red. Lucas face is wet, he flustered, water drops running down his face. Luca runs a hand through his hair.
JULIAN
*No. No. Stop. Too cute. I can't handle this.*
His face flames red before he even realizes it.
THEO
Look whos the tamto now.
JULIAN
I.....I.....
He's staring at Luca.
RILEY
Mia
MIA
Ya
RILEY
I think we need ice instead of the towels.
MIA
What??
RILEY
Cuz apparently Luca is to "hot" for Julian to handle.
THEO
Nice one.
He gose to high five her.
ETHAN
Ohhhhhhh brunnnnnnnnnnnn.
LUCA
I am not hot!!
The room gose silent.
Luvpca sits up.
LUCA
Wait no I mean no.
THEO
You said it not us.
ETHAN
I support you bro.
JULIAN
That's not true.
RILEY
Well done imbecile.
MIA
Guys *did Julian just call Luca hot?*
ETHAN
JULIAN!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
JULIAN
What. Oh shit.
LUCA
What??
RILEY
clever.
THEO
So clever.
LUCA
What??
They all look at Luca like he's stupid.
LUCA
WHAT!
MIA
He just....
Julian gives her a death stare.
ETHAN
He just called you hot!!
LUCA
HE WHAT!! *AHHHHHHHHHHHHH*
JULIAN
Im leaving.
RILEY
Your in your living room.
LUCA
Actually im leaving!
He runs to his room close the door shoves his face in to a pillow and screams.
LUCA
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
ETHAN
I will go check on him.
Julian's already at the door to Lucas room.
RILEY
Looks like he beat you. You broke him.
THEO
you gave him hope.
JULIAN
Hope?
THEO
Ya
JULIAN
That what?
THEO
That you like him.
JULIAN
Huh?
THEO
Its obvious he likes you.
RILEY
Painfully obvious.
THEO
And you just told him he's hot.
ETHAN
Very loudly.
THEO
So now he thinks you might like him too.
Silence. Julian processes that.
JULIAN
…He doesn't like me.
THEO
Yes and you like him to its obvious. You two are the only ones how can't see it.
Ethan blinks.
ETHAN
…I'm gonna go check.
He opens the door and steps inside.
ETHAN
You wanna go to the water par—
He stops. Luca is face-down on his bed, bright red, hair a complete mess. His journal is wide open.
Page after page—
*I like him.*
*I like him.*
*I like him.*
*I like him.*
LUCA
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH—
He cuts himself off, dragging a hand through his hair.
LUCA
WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT?!
He sits up—then flops back down.
LUCA
I WAS WET—MY HAIR—WHY WAS MY HAIR LIKE THAT—
He screams into the pillow.
LUCA
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Ethan just stands there.
ETHAN
…Okay.
Luca bolts upright again.
LUCA
AND I SAID I WASN'T HOT—WHY WOULD I SAY THAT—
He freezes.
Slowly turns his head. Sees the journal.
LUCA
… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
He lunges for it.
LUCA
WHY IS THERE SO MANY—WHY DID I WRITE IT THIS MANY TIMES—
ETHAN
You really committed.
LUCA
THIS IS NOT THE TIME—
Ethan gestures to the door.
ETHAN
…He's outside.
Everything stops.
Luca freezes mid-page.
LUCA
… He's what.
ETHAN
Outside.
LUCA
AHHHHHHH. GET OUT.
ETHAN
Yep.
Ethan immediately turns and walks out. He closes the door behind him. Everyone looks at him.
ETHAN
…
RILEY
Well?
ETHAN
He's not coming out.
THEO
Why.
ETHAN
He's in love.
Silence.
RILEY
That'll do it.
THEO
With Julian.
ETHAN
Very much with Julian.
All eyes slowly turn to Julian. Julian blinks.
JULIAN
…No.
RILEY
Yes.
THEO
Yes.
MIA
…Yeah.
From inside—
LUCA
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
RILEY
Go.
THEO
Now.
MIA
…Please go talk to him
ETHAN
Before he combusts.
Julian hesitates— then grabs the handle.
LUCA
DON'T COME IN—
Julian opens the door anyway.
JULIAN
Too late.
Door shuts.