#nateblocks

Nate, Joey, and Gabrielle are at a party. It's not as loud as usual ones, and a little classier, too. Joey has convinced Gabrielle to go with them. Nate is leaning against the wall, looking bored. Joey is sitting in a chair with Gabrielle in his lap. They are by a long table that has beers on the opposite end. However, there are two lone beers on the end near where they are sitting. Suddenly, Joey's phone rings.

Joey: Hello? Chris? Hey! Where are you guys? (he rolls his eyes) Give the phone to Ashleigh. Yes, very specific directions. What? (the party is too loud for him to have a good phone conversation. He looks at Gabrielle) Hey, I'm gonna go outside for a minute. (She nods, he gets up, kisses her forehead, and leaves) 

Nate gets up and grabs one of the two beers. He drains it. He is about to pick up the other one when he realizes that Gabrielle has taken it. He watches her drain her beer, too. As she lifts her arm, Nate notices her cuts. He walks back over to his wall and watches her. His eyes follow hers across the room. She is gazing at Eric Worthington III. There is something in her expression that Nate doesn't like. He keeps watching. When Gabrielle puts the empty beer can down, he speaks.

Nate: (looking at her) Joey really loves you.

Gabrielle: (She glances at Nate) I really love him, too.

Nate: (casually) I hope you do.

Gabrielle: (looking at him again, offended) What is that supposed to mean? 

Nate: (shrugs, and goes to the other end of the table and grabs three beers. He hands one to Gabrielle and keeps two for himself.) You tell me.

Gabrielle: (standing up) I would never hurt Joey. He loves me.

Nate: No? (He drinks one of the beers in one gulp, before getting right in her face. He looks to see if Joey is coming back before he begins) I see right through you.

Gabrielle: (looking at Eric, remembering when he said the same thing to her, murmurs) Do you?

Nate: (keeps looking at her) Yeah. I do. I know where your eyes have been going all night. (Gabrielle's eyes snap back to Nate. He smiles, but there is no humor in his eyes) Yeah. Just co-stars, right? You know, Gabrielle, I've been in plays, too. You think I can't tell the difference? 

Gabrielle: (bites her lip) You're wrong.

Nate: I hope I'm wrong. But I really don't think I am. And (getting closer aggressively) you know what I'm not wrong about? (he lowers his voice) I know what you do to yourself.

Gabrielle: (her left hand automatically covers her right wrist protectively. She realizes this is a mistake, but tries to remain calm) I don't know what you're talking about.

Nate: Oh, you do. (a little less cold) And I get it. Really, I do. You think you can have my life and not think about it once or twice? To try any possible way to get rid of the pain? (he lifts his arm and shows her a long, thin, jagged scar across his left wrist. Gabrielle looks at the scar and her eyes are wide with fear and longing) I think about it. I'll try anything once. (he laughs bitterly) But this isn't about me. This is about you and my best friend. My caring, loyal, completely oblivious best friend. He doesn't know how to deal with that kind of pain. And i don't know what you're playing at, Gabrielle, but you need help.

Gabrielle: (laughs coldly) Oh yeah, you're the one who should be telling people they need help. (She stares him down) 

Nate: (shrugs) Maybe not. Maybe I have no right. But I see what I see. And I know what I know. And I know you are going to (voice lowers threateningly) break his heart.

Gabrielle: (defiantly) I would never. 

Chris is in the living room. Nate is in the bedroom, resting. There's a knock on the door. He gets up and answers it. It's Bill.

Chris: (surprised) Hi.

Bill: Chris, hey. (he looks around) Can I come in?

Chris: Oh, yeah, sure. Come in. (He stands aside and let's Bill in. Bill looks around the apartment. Chris follows him) You can sit down, if you want. (He gestures at the couch.) 

Bill: (sitting down) Alright, thank you. 

Chris: (stands awkwardly in the kitchen area) So..

Bill: (abruptly) I always wanted to see you as my son. (The talking makes Nate wake up. He gets up and goes over to the door, his hand on the knob. Chris is silent. Bill gets up and starts pacing, and continues talking.) I always meant to. But...you already had a father. Not a very good one (he says it knowingly), I'm sure you'd agree. But still. He was your father. Your blood. And...I didn't know how to deal with that. (Nate takes his hand off the door knob but continues listening) We were practically strangers until after your mom and I were married. I know it was hard on you. Especially after your father's death. And now...with your mother gone...(Bill gets teary-eyed) I'm sorry. Grief-stricken or not, you did not deserve to be kicked out of the house. After you left...I did a lot of thinking. Angelina misses you so much. And I have to. (he stops right in front of Chris) And...I just needed you to know...that I do see you as my son. (he grows quiet.)

Chris is still silent. 

Chris: (quietly) Thank you.

Bill: (nervous) I'd like for you to come back home.

Nate is silent, wondering what Chris's answer will be.

Chris: Bill...that means a lot to me. More than I can say. And I miss you, and Angelina and Pancake. And I'll come visit a lot, I promise. But...it's just...(He looks at the bedroom door)I have a new family now. They need me. I have to take care of them. (Nate's face is stunned) 

Bill: (nodding) Chris, if this is what you want, I'll stand by your decision. As long as you visit sometime soon. And I want you to know...I'm proud of you. And I know your mother would be too.

Chris: (trying to stay cool) Thank you, Bill.

Bill: (claps him on the shoulder) Can I count on you for Sunday dinner? You can bring your girl.

Chris nods. Bill nods in farewell and walks across the room and out the door. Nate pauses for a moment, but then opens the door and walks into the living room.Chris is leaning against the sink, and he has tears in his eyes. A few have tracked down his cheeks. He hastily wipes them away when he sees Nate.

Chris: How much did you hear?

Nate: (apologetically) Pretty much all of it.

Chris: (nods and wipes his eyes. He takes a deep breath and looks at Nate) I'm only going to say this once, so you better listen. (Nate looks at him steadily.) We're not friends. We may never be friends again. Too much has happened. But... (He walks over and looks Nate right in the eye) You are the only brother I've ever known. 

Nate just looks at him. After a moment, he reaches out and embraces Chris like a brother. He is expressionless, as if he can't process what he is feeling. Chris sheds some tears, but he tries his best not cry. He clings to Nate and they hug for a long time.

Chris and Nate are sitting on the couch, watching TV. They look bored. 

Chris: Are you going job hunting today?

Nate: Oh yeah, after this one. (he gestures at the TV)

Chris: Alright. (his phone rings) Oh shit. (he picks up) Hello? Yeah. (he sighs) Yeah, I can. No, I'll be right there. Okay. (he hangs up and gets off the couch) 

Nate: Who was that?

Chris: Work. I have to go in for a couple of hours. 

Nate: (still watching TV) Yeah, see, that's why I don't want a job.

Chris: (getting ready to leave) Yeah, well, I think you might owe me some money. For letting your ass stay here.

Nate: (sighs) Oh yeah. That.

Chris: (sarcastically) Yeah, that.

Nate: (grumpily) I used to have money.

Chris: (about to leave) Ahh, yes. Your successful career as a drug dealer. Shame you had to quit that one.

Nate: (shrugging) Just as well. Nowadays I'd just do it all myself.

Chris: Yeah, let's try and avoid that. (he looks at the time) Missi will probably be back before I am. (he's by the door. He looks up at Nate, who is still reclining and watching TV.) After this one, yeah?

Nate: (not looking at him) Yeah, I promise.

Chris rolls his eyes and leaves.

Minutes pass. The show ends. Nate gets up and stretches. He yawns. He goes over to the fridge and is just opening it when there is a knock at the door. Nate, still holding the fridge open, looks curiously at the door. He walks over and opens it. It's Ashleigh. She looks surprised to see him.

Ashleigh: Oh. Um. Hi.

Nate: Hi. (he opens the door wider and let's her in) 

Ashleigh: (looking around) Chris isn't here?

Nate: (shaking his head) No, he got called into work.

Ashleigh: Oh. Okay. (she stands there awkwardly. You can tell she is having an internal struggle) I...um...what's up?

Nate: (shrugging) Just watching TV. And now I'm hungry. (walks back towards the fridge) You want anything?

Ashleigh: um, no thanks. I should be leaving. (She starts toward the door.)

Nate: (comes after her) Ashleigh.

Ashleigh: (turns around defiantly) What?

Nate: Is this how it's going to be.

Ashleigh: (avoiding his gaze) I think this is how it has to be.

Nate: Why didn't you tell him the truth?

Ashleigh: I'm not talking about this. (she turns away but Nate grabs her hand and pulls her back. She yanks her hand away from his but stands still) 

Nate: (louder) Why did you lie?

Ashleigh: (insistently) I told him what happened.

Nate: Yeah? (he takes a step closer, she takes a step back.) Seems like you told him what you want him to THINK happened.

They stare at each other.

Nate: (taking a breath) Did you or did you not kiss me back?

Ashleigh: (looks him dead in the eyes. She says it as if trying to convince him as well as herself.) I didn't.

Nate: (he smirks) Okay. (his face gets dead serious. He's an inch from her face. She looks up at him, and it looks like maybe she wants to kiss him. He stares her down, before saying bitingly) Whatever you say.

He walks past her, out the door, without glancing back. It slams. Ashleigh stand alone in the apartment, breathing hard.

Ashleigh walks into Nate's house. His mom is watching TV, sitting on the couch, and smoking out of a bong. Ashleigh tries to walk by her as quickly as possible, but she can't be avoided.

Daphne Ryan: Just you?

Ashleigh: Um, yeah.

Daphne: Go in there and show him a good time. (she laughs loudly) He's been a douche lately. 

Ashleigh: (she looks disgusted) Right.

She makes her way through the mess that is the Ryan house, and knocks on Nate's door before entering. On the bed is Nate. He is doing a line of coke, and there is an open bottle of whiskey next to him. There is a lit blunt on his bedside table.

Ashleigh: (starts toward him immediately) Nate...

Nate: (finishes the line of coke before looking up at her. He smiles) Ashleigh!

Ashleigh: (she looks scared) What are you doing?

Nate: Knitting. (he laughs at his own joke) What does it look like I'm doing, silly? (his words are slurred; he starts to cut another line)

Ashleigh: (she tries to find a place on the bed that's clean. She fails. She gingerly sits on the edge of the bed) Nate, how much have you done?

Nate: (shrugging) A bit. (he smiles) want some?

Ashleigh: (freaked out) No, thanks. (she picks up the whiskey) You drink all of this too?

Nate: Yeah. (he does the next line, and then looks at her) I'm a bit fucked up.

Ashleigh: No kidding. (She puts the whiskey on the floor.) Nate, what made you do all this?

Nate: (he looks confused) What do you mean? 

Ashleigh: This is too much.

Nate: This is what I always do.

Ashleigh: Well, it stops now. (she tries to take the cocaine away)

Nate: No! Why? (getting upset) I like it.

Ashleigh: Nate, this is insane.

Nate: (he laughs to himself) Insane...that's me, isn't it?

Ashleigh: Nate, no. What you're doing to yourself is insane.

Nate: (throwing his arms up, saying it loudly) I'm insane! (quieter) I'm insane. (to Ashleigh) I'm insane.

Ashleigh: (taking his hand) No. You're not.

Nate: (looks at her, squeezing her hand) I did a lot.

Ashleigh: I know you did.

Nate: (getting teary) Why? Why? (he reaches for the whiskey)

Ashleigh: No! (she takes his other hand) Nate, this has to stop.

Nate: (looks at her again) I can't. (he starts shaking his head) I can't, I can't.

Ashleigh: (trying to calm him down) Yes, you can. I promise you can.

Nate: (looking at her like he's noticed her for the first time) You quit drugs with me. In high school. You did that for me.

Ashleigh: (nodding) Yeah, I did. I'll do it again.

Nate: You...care about me.

Ashleigh: Of course I do.

Nate: (pointing at the door) Mom doesn't! (laughs) Dad doesn't! Daddy...he's gone. (laughs again) And he took me with him, you know?(he bites his lip.) Amy's gone! (he laughs) I loved her...She's gone. Poof! (laughs and looks like he's about to cry) Gabrielle's gone. I knew it too. Ashleigh, I knew it. (he points to himself to emphasize this) Everybody leaves. Nobody stays. The girls, my girls, they leave. (he's talking to himself at this point) And then I'm alone again. (looks at Ashleigh, pleading for an answer) Why am I alone?

Ashleigh: (she's tearing up) You're not alone, Nate.

Nate: (looks at her in wonder) No. You're always there for me.

Ashleigh: And Chris and Joey are too.

Nate: (shakes his head. He squeezes her hands before letting go with one and using it to tuck her hair behind her ear. Ashleigh looks at him, wondering what happens next) It's...it's not the same. You're the only one who...who quit with me...you're the only one who...who...(he bites his lip again) I've never had a girl...friend before.

Ashleigh looks at him, heartbroken.

Their heads are very close together. Nate's hand that is in her hair moves to stroke her face. Impulsively, he leans in and kisses her. She kisses back for a few second before wrenching herself away and jumping up. She looks petrified. 

Ashleigh: (shaking her head, tears in her eyes) Nate...

Nate looks up at her, tears in his eyes too.

Ashleigh runs away, knocking the whiskey over in her hurry.

The door slams and Nate is on the bed, alone. His face shows that he has realized what he's just done.

Nate and Dean Gomez are sitting on the couch, doing a drug deal. Nate still has bruises on his face. He also has a black eye. Suddenly, Chris comes through the door. Nate stops talking abruptly and immediately looks very afraid and small. His hands are balled up in fists. They're shaking. Dean is trying to act like nothing is wrong, but he, too, has grown quiet. Chris is quiet for a long moment. Suddenly, finally, he speaks.

Chris: (deadly calm) Dean, I think it's time for you to leave.

He is calm and polite, but firm. Dean does not have to think twice about obeying. 

He starts to get up, glancing at Nate, who nods. Dean nods back. "I'll talk to you later." He tells Nate quietly.

He crosses the room, saying an inaudible goodbye to Chris, who does not so much at glance at Dean. His eyes are on Nate. 

The door closes behind Dean. Chris is still standing. Nate is sitting, and he looks like a small, scared little boy. Chris crosses the room and Nate flinches. Chris sits down next to him, and holds out his hand. He's not looking at him, but at his feet. Nate swallows hard and opens up a tightly balled fist; there is a bag of coke inside. Nate's hand shakes as he hands it over.

Chris doesn't look at Nate, still preferring to look at the floor, but he also doesn't lower his hand. He waits patiently. Nate is openly shaking now. He breathes in and out slowly, before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out two more bags. After giving them to Chris, he curls up in a little ball. Chris puts the cocaine in his left pocket, the one away from Nate. They sit in silence. Suddenly, Chris reaches into his other pocket and pulls out an unopened box of cigarettes and a lighter. He places them on the couch between them.