Winthrop Prep -- 2.04 -- Twist of Fate

Fate’s a funny thing. One second you’re happy, the next you’re miserable. One second you’re wrapped in the embrace of the love of your life, the next they’re gone and you feel like they’ve taken a piece of your soul with them. One second you’re drowning, everything goes dark and there’s no sound, the next you open your eyes to find three months gone and you’re still drowning, there’s still no light and the silence is deafening.

Bianca settled in at a corner table of the roadhouse out on Route 57. It was where Ted told her to meet him, but it wasn’t far enough away from that man at the motel. She could feel Layla under her skin, scratching away, and prayed she had the strength to keep her under there.

The waitress came over to refill Bianca’s coffee.

Big Sally: Can I get you some real food, doll?

Bianca: No, thanks. I don’t think I have the stomach for food right now. But, thank you.

Big Sally: Alright. Well, if you change your mind, just give me a holler. Place is usually a ghost town mornings.

Bianca took out her phone and dialed in a number she’d been avoiding. What if he didn’t want to talk to her? What if he hated her? She almost didn’t have the nerve to press send, but she did it anyway and, when he answered, sounding all groggy, like she just woke him up, she prayed he wouldn’t hang up.

Franklin: Hello? 

Bianca: Hey.

Franklin: Bianca?

Bianca: Yeah, it’s me. I – look, I understand if you don’t want to talk to me –

Franklin: You’re okay?

Was he crying? Bianca’s heart swelled in her chest.

Bianca: I don’t know, to tell you the truth. Everything’s all screwed up in my head. I woke up in a fleabag motel next to some guy I didn’t recognize, only to realize it’s not October anymore and I have no idea where I’ve been the past three months.

Franklin: I’m so sorry. Does Ted know where you are?

Bianca: Yeah, he’s on his way to get me. I called him as soon as I woke up. Actually, that’s why I called you. Cell service between here and Sunset Valley isn’t all that great and I kept dropping him. I was hoping maybe you could talk to me until he gets here, distract me from thinking too much?

Franklin: Anything you need.

Bianca: Why don’t you hate me?

Franklin: I could never hate you. I know about the cabins, and I don’t hold that against you. You were in an impossible situation and under immense pressure. I could never blame you. I blame Alison. She’s the one who put us there. Bianca, I love you. You’re my best friend.

Bianca: I love you, too. So, tell me everything. How are things at Winthrop Prep?

That was the first question Beth asked Rachel when she came to visit her that morning.

Rachel: Your school is fine. No one’s been maimed today, but it’s only seven.

Beth: Did you get the files I asked for?

Rachel: Yes. And, I went home and got you some clothes, too, Your Highness.

Beth: Including the yellow robe?

Rachel: Yes. Now, are you going to tell me what’s wrong with you?

Beth: Have you spoken with Ted?

Rachel: Not since Bianca called. He’s on his way to Bridgeport.

Beth: I’m so glad she’s okay.

Rachel: We all are. Now, tell me what’s going on with you.

Beth: Did you remember the slippers?

Rachel: Yes.

Beth: What about my toothbrush?

Rachel: Beth –

Beth: I have cancer.

Rachel: What?

Beth: I have cancer. I – I haven’t said it out loud since I got the diagnosis.

Rachel: Oh my God.

Beth started to speak again, but suddenly her voice caught. A huge lump grew in the middle of her throat and would not budge. She held onto the tears stinging the surface of her eyes, not wanting to let them go, not wanting Rachel of all people to see. They came anyway.

Rachel: Ugh. Fine. I’ll hug you, but if you tell anybody about this, I swear I’ll kill you.

Beth: Think the leukemia’s going to beat you to it.

Rachel: Don’t talk like that. You’re going to be okay.

Beth: I’m scared.

Rachel: I know.

Bianca went to the window and looked out to see if there was any sign of Ted yet. She saw nothing but lonely highway.

Bianca: So, someone burned down Dalton Hall, someone committed suicide and someone put a small explosive in Rebecca’s room and now she’s blind?

Franklin: Oh, and I’m out of the closet now.

Bianca: That’s wonderful. How did your family take it?

Franklin: Dad isn’t speaking to me except to forbid me from dating in public, lest the press find out after his excellent job of burying my arrest last semester, and my mother has doubled her daily Prozac from one bottle to two.

Bianca: I’m sorry.

Franklin: Don’t be. I’m happier this way.

Bianca: So, are there any boys in the picture?

Franklin: No. I’ve been way too focused on finding you to have any happy smoochies time.

Bianca: I can’t wait to see you.

Franklin: I can’t wait to – Bianca?

Bianca didn’t answer. The phone beeped twice, then fell silent.

Franklin: Hello? Bianca? Are you there?

He kept trying to get her back as he left his room and climbed the stairs to the attic. 

The attic was still bare. Sam had been doing some painting work up there lately, so Franklin thought he would go to him and share the news.

Sam: Hey, man. What’s up?

Franklin: Bianca called!

Sam: How is she? Is she okay?

Franklin: She sounds good. Ted’s on his way to go get her.

Sam: Thank goodness.

They embraced.

Franklin: Dude, your birthday? Expect shirts in any boxes marked ‘From Franklin.’

Bianca groaned. Layla, apparently, had been unaware that even throwaway cell phones needed to spend some time on their charging base. An overcast was moving in. She hoped Ted made it before the storm did.

She started to head back to her table but stopped when the door opened and she saw the man from the motel coming into the roadhouse. She hurried to the bathroom, but wasn’t quick enough.

Lucas: Layla?

Bianca: Leave me alone!

Bianca ran inside and slammed the door behind her. 

Bianca scrubbed her hands, struggling to keep Layla at bay. But, she was awake and desperate now. It was no use. When Bianca looked up, she saw her.

Layla: Let me out.

Bianca: No!

Layla: I want to be with Lucas! You’re ruining everything.

Bianca: I’m stronger than you are.

Layla: No, you’re not. You’re the same little mouse you were when you were a kid. You need me to protect you now just like you always did.

Bianca: Stop it.

Layla: Waaaah, Layla! Big, mean Alison took my Jasper away! Make the pain go away!

Bianca: I said stop!

Layla: Face it, Binx. There’s nothing in this world for you. Ted’s got Beth and the kids they’re going to adopt, your mom is … well, your mom … Sam’s over you and they’re still scraping little bits of your boyfriend off the boathouse. Close your eyes.

Bianca: No!

Layla: Fine. Then, I’m just going to have to remind you how much it must’ve

hurt Jasper when that bomb went off. I wonder what went first? Arms? Legs? Fingers? I bet the last thought in his mind was how much he regretted being with you because if he’d been the same cad he was before, he wouldn’t have been in that position.

Bianca: Please! Stop! I’m begging you!

Layla: He loved you and now he’s dead because of it. You’re the only one to blame for that.

Bianca struggled, but it was no use. Layla knew which buttons to push, and soon the darkness swallowed her again.

Layla: There. Much better.

She ran out into Lucas’ arms.

Lucas: Is everything okay?

Layla: I’m sorry I snapped at you, I just – it’s not important. Will you go somewhere with me?

Lucas: Where?

Layla: Anywhere that’s far, far away from here.

Lucas: You want to run away?

Layla: I have to. But, I want you to come with me. Please?

Lucas: I’ll go wherever you go.

Layla: Okay. We have to leave. Now.

Rebecca was in her room at the hospital, dealing with her parents. She knew they meant well, but they were, as always, trying to dictate her life.

Jen: Rebecca, we’ve spoken to a mobility specialist. She’s going to come out and rearrange the house for you so you can maneuver around –

Rebecca: What part of I’m not going back home with you don’t you get? I’m not leaving Winthrop Prep.

Weston: Sweetheart, we know how important your studies are, but –

Rebecca: That’s what he wants. Brian wants me gone. I’m not giving him that. And, I’m not giving up my academic standing here or my relationship with Noel. Brian’s taken my sight. I won’t let him take anything else.

Jen: Sweetheart, we know you want to be here, but it just isn’t practical.

Weston: Listen to your mother. Come home with us.

Rebecca: No. Dr. Griffin said the blindness might not be permanent, that the damage to my eyes could heal and that I could even be a candidate for surgery once the swelling goes down. If I go home now, it’s like saying I’m giving up and I refuse to do that. I’m going to stay here, I’m going to prove Brian was behind everything that happened with Jane and the explosion in my room and I’m going to get my sight back.

When her parents left, Rebecca wept. She put on a good show for them, but in private, she feared Brian would never pay and she would never see Noel's adorkable face again. 

Beth came back from the shower to find Dr. Griffin waiting on her in her room.

Beth: Uh-oh. Official doctor clothes must mean official doctor business.

Dr. Griffin: Have you made a decision yet?

Beth: Yes. I’ll start chemo treatment. Tonight.

Dr. Griffin: Good. Will there be someone here with you?

Beth: Rachel’s coming.

Dr. Griffin: Your fiance’s ex-wife?

Beth: Better than doing this alone. Besides, she’s not so bad, underneath it all. At least, when she’s not trying to destroy my relationship with Ted.

Ted was having a really crummy day. First, he got home to find the kitchen almost burned down and his convertible stolen, and a message from Rachel saying Beth was in the hospital. Then, he made it to the roadhouse, but when he got there, the place was empty. He saw no sign of Bianca anywhere and his heart sank.

Ted: Excuse me, was there a young woman here? About my height, very pretty, dark hair, green eyes … headband?

Big Sally: Yeah, she was in here a while ago. Left with a real cute boy.

Ted: What did he look like? Dark hair? Blue eyes?

Big Sally: No. Strawberry blond hair, didn’t see his eyes.

Ted: Damn. Do you know where they were headed?

Big Sally: Girl said something about leaving town.

Ted was devastated. He’d been so close to finding Bianca and, now, she was gone again. Where was she?

Layla: Will you stop messing with the radio and help me pack? We don’t have much time!

Lucas: Sorry. Check this out. This guy’s on every station.

Layla: Who?

 

DJ Jamz: Apparently, this guy’s called every radio station in the state. Whoever Binx is, she’s one lucky lady to have a guy who loves her this much. We’ve been playing his message at the top of the hour every hour, just like every other station. Here it is again.

Lucas turned up the radio and Layla felt sick when she heard the voice crackling over the speakers.

Jasper: Binx, baby, I know you’re out there somewhere. I don’t know where you are or if you’re ever going to hear this. But, I’m not gone. I know you think I am, but I’m here and I’m looking for you. When I was lost, you got through to me with the radio, remember? You sent me that song with a message that you were thinking of me? Well, I’m sending it back to you with a message of my own. I love you, Bianca, and I’m not going to stop until you’re in my arms again.

And, then, “Apologize” cued up.

Layla didn’t have a chance to fight. It was over now. Bianca heard his voice, heard him say he loved her, and just like that, Layla was in the darkness and Bianca was in control again. She took off running, not stopping when Lucas called out to her, asking where she was going.

Bianca planned to run back to the roadhouse, maybe she could meet Ted there, if she wasn’t too late. But, fate – as it was wont to do – intervened. Bianca stopped running, suddenly overcome with dizziness and regretting not eating when she had the chance.

She wasn’t looking where she was going. Bianca didn’t see the car until it was too late, and the driver was too busy checking his cell phone for messages to see her. 

And, the last thing she saw when the convertible ran her over was Jasper’s horrified face behind the windshield.