text: There's a storm outside. Most people have come back from work or school and have been forced into their homes by the heavy wind and rain. Once all doors and windows have been closed, the storm becomes nothing more than a quiet, but constant reminder that the outside is off limits, similar to how TV static tells you that you can't watch TV, the static-esque sound of rain hitting rooves and windows tells you that you can't go outside. For some, staying inside during a storm is lonely and boring, for others, it's relaxing, but for the people in this house, the faint sound of wind and rain will prove strangely therapeutic. In this house is a couple, a man and a woman in their mid twenties that have been dating for around a year. Both of them are thin and around the same height and both are very young looking, oftentimes being mistaken for teenagers instead of adults. The boy is called Liam and the girl is called Faye. As he's done many times before, Liam has come over to stay at Faye's house. Faye and Liam are sitting on the sofa watching television when Fay suddenly grabs Liam by his shoulders and lies him down, resting his head on her lap. He doesn't put up a fight, but is visibly confused. After around a minute of silence, he speaks. Liam: Is there a reason we're doing this? Faye: What's wrong? Plenty of couples do this. Liam: Yeah, but - whatever. Faye smiles while gently stroking Liam's hair. Faye: C'mon, let's talk. Liam: About what? Faye: About your feelings. Liam: Gross. Faye: Come on, I can tell you've been feeling down lately. I don't want you hiding things from me. Liam: So, this is what this is? A therapy session? Faye: Yep, pretty much. Liam: Well, I'm fine. I don't need therapy. Faye: Then why aren't you stopping me? Liam: ... Liam turns to his side, facing away from Faye but still resting his head on her lap. He starts to appear more relaxed. Faye: It's nice, isn't it? You should do this for me sometime. Liam (smiling): Yeah. I should. Liam: You know, you don't have to be my 'therapist'. Faye: Why not? I'm your girlfriend, aren't I? Liam: Yeah, you're my girlfriend, not my nurse. Faye: And what kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't do a bit of nursing for my boyfriend? Liam: That sounded weird. Faye (laughing): Yeah. The two fall silent for a moment. Faye: You still haven't started talking yet. Liam: I told you, I'm fine. Faye: Then why are you so afraid of telling me how you feel? Liam: ... Liam: You really want me to talk to you about my feelings? Faye: Yes. Liam: And you want me to be honest? Faye: Yes. After a short pause, Liam lets out a sigh and begins speaking. He continues to face away from Faye. Liam: I don't know. I guess I've just been feeling like I don't deserve this. Faye: Don't deserve what? Liam: This. You. Being in a relationship with an amazing girl like you. Faye: You're amazing too, you know. Liam: No I'm not. Name one thing I'm good at. Faye: You're good at your job. Liam: I hate my job. Faye: Then why don't you quit? Liam: Because - (quietly) because it's the only thing I'm good at. Faye (laughing): See? You're good at stuff, too. Liam: But being a decent chef doesn't make me an amazing person. It's the only thing I'm good at. Faye: No it isn't. Liam: Really? What else am I good at, then? Faye: You're good at talking... Liam: Talking. Faye: You're good at sex... Liam: ... Faye: You're good at being my boyfriend. Liam: Stop being cheesy. Faye: I'm telling the truth! Liam: You're being cheesy. Faye (smiling): And what's so bad about that? Faye: Besides, you don't need to be good at stuff to be special to me. The conversation falls silent for a few seconds. Liam: It's just - there's loads of men out there that have what I have and more, and I'm sure most of them would be interested in you. Faye: And there's loads of girls out there that have what I have and more who would be interested in you, what's stopping one of them from taking you away from me? Liam: ... Liam: Because you're... Faye: Amazing? Faye: I'm amazing to you, Liam, and you're amazing to me. That's why we're together. Liam: I know that, but... Liam: Look, I never said these feelings were rational. Faye: Then why pay attention to them? Liam: I can't just ignore them. Anyway, what would you know, you're a- Faye: A girl? Liam: That's not what I meant. Faye: You're not wrong. No one ever tells me to 'woman up' when I'm vulnerable. Faye: I don't know what it's like being raised to hide my feelings, but I do know there's no harm in opening up, whether you're a man or a woman. Faye collects her thoughts before speaking again. Faye: I know you don't like it when I talk about my exes, but do you know why you stayed and they didn't? Liam: Why? Faye: Because of this. Liam: This? Faye: This. Trusting yourself to be vulnerable around me, and letting me be vulnerable around you. Sharing such an intimate part of yourself with me that no one else can offer. Faye: Jobs, skills, looks, money, they're all superficial. You're my boyfriend, and that's all you need to be special to me. Liam turns to face Faye again. Liam: Even if someone better comes along? Faye: You're my boyfriend. No one's better. Liam (smiling): You're being cheesy again. Faye (smiling): I know. Liam turns to face away from Faye again, this time, with a smile on his face. Faye continues to stroke his hair. Liam: I love you, Faye. Faye: I love you too.