Charli prides herself on being an awesome big sister. As she nervously stands on the steps of her high school debating on whether or not she is going to enter she wonders if this is a fear that she should face. Some people are excited about their high school reunions and some people find themselves wondering if they really want to revisit some of the most difficult memories not only of their childhood but of their lives. As Charli stands in the middle of the gymnasium looking around the room once again wondering why she's there something catches her eye and she looks up, a banner. A simple banner with a list of names and a date that she will never forget. Charli has a twin brother Charles that she always committed herself to taking care of. But on this specific day their senior year of high school when a group of teenagers brought chaos into their simple lives, Charli, Charles and all of the students, teachers and administrators within their high school were forever changed. As she stands in the middle of the gymnasium at her reunion, she cannot help but to remember the last time she stood in that same exact place, feeling the wind in her hair as people ran past her, looking at the blood on her shirt, and wondering where her little brother was. With everything that was happening in front of her, there was never a moment when her focus wasn't on the responsibility she had to take care of her brother. Sometimes we forget there are situations that have been normalized in this country that no child or adult should ever have to fear or experience. A story of survival. A story of a simple list of people who exhibited unconditional love on the worst day of their existence.
Reunion of Fears
(Scene opens with Charli, a young woman in her early twenties stands looking up at the entrance of her high school. She debates on going in, decides to leave and begins to exit but stops, turns. Aside)
It's just a stupid group building. I can’t believe it makes me feel like this. (to audience) Am I the only person who absolutely detest the idea of a high school reunion? Let's be honest, most of us want to forget high school, some of us are able to forget high school and some of us no matter how hard we try (pointing) still live in our family home literally steps away from our high school. There's something about being back in this place that feels like you're walking down the halls of your worst memories, at least for me. Memories that sometimes come back to you late at night that one might even categorize as nightmares. (beat) I would categorize as nightmares. Teenagers are mean. (laughs) I mean really really mean. I'm not saying I had a terrible time while I was in high school, I'm just saying there were definitely some moments I wish I could forget. But I did have some awesome teachers. I had those teachers that still to this day check on me and one in particular that made high school special. (deep breath) I guess I'll go in; how bad could it really be? My mom told me to see my fears in the distance and run towards them. My immediate response was, what the hell does that mean? (laughs, looks back at the building) It wasn’t the first time I had run towards my fears, but I guess one more time won’t hurt.