Kayla is sitting alone eating her lunch. She notices Tari chatting to Byron at a distance. Byron gives Tari a hug goodbye. Tari comes to sit next to Kayla.

TARI: Hey! Where did you go on Friday? I’ve been messaging you all weekend. You disappeared without a word. I just asked Byron what happened and he said he didn’t see you once.

KAYLA: He said that? God, he’s such a creep. Why are you even talking to him? Are you seriously flirting with him after you put me up to humiliating myself at that party?

TARI: Wait, what the hell? I’m seriously confused right now. What happened on Friday?

KAYLA: It doesn’t matter. It’s not like you even really care anyways. You’re too busy trying to become Miss Popular. If you’re that desperate for attention then maybe you and Byron are right for each other. Go talk with him some more – you’re a better flirt than me anyway.

TARI: I wasn’t flirting with Byron, I was just asking him where you were. After you left, I spent the whole night looking for you! You’ve been so secretive and distant lately. I feel like you’re pushing me away.

KAYLA: Whatever, Tari. I don’t need this right now.

Kayla walks away towards the sports field. She cries again. At this point, Danielle bumps into her while trying to retrieve a touch rugby ball. She drops it again when she sees Kayla.

DANIELLE: Woah woah woah, are you okay? Are you hurt?

KAYLA: I just can’t do this anymore. It feels like I’m falling apart from the inside. My relationships are collapsing underneath me and I’m completely alone. There’s nobody who can save me from this hell.

DANIELLE: Just breathe, Kayla. You’re not alone. Is there somebody you trust enough to talk about this with?

KAYLA: Normally, I would tell Tari. She’s my best friend, but I’m terrified she won’t understand. I’m ashamed and scared that she might judge me. It’s better not to burden her with my mess.

DANIELLE: I hear you. Shame and guilt are how we stop ourselves from confronting ourselves and our problems.  But if she’s really your best friend, she won’t judge you. Be honest with her.

KAYLA: And if it goes wrong?

DANIELLE: Well then, I’ll be here for you. It’s the least I could do in exchange for all of your impeccable jokes.

Kayla laughs through her tears and Dale gives her a comforting hug.

DANIELLE: Trust me, I know how much secrecy can weigh a person down. I’ve spent years denying my own truth, and I can tell you that it hurts you more than it heals you. Tari can’t really be there for you if you won’t even tell her what’s wrong. She deserves to know, and you deserve to have a chance to express what you’re really feeling.

Danielle hands Kayla a tissue. Kayla calms down and rests her head on Danielle’s shoulder.

KAYLA: You always seem to be there right when I need you. Maybe after all of this drama clears up we could hang out. Then you can get to know me when I’m not in a state of absolute distress.

Danielle blushes and laughs nervously.

DANIELLE: Sure, I’d love that. But first, I think someone wants to talk to you.

Tari walks towards them. Danielle pats Kayla on the back and returns to touch rugby. Tari sits down.

TARI: Please Kayla, I just want to understand. I’m worried about you. We have to protect each other, remember? Please just let me be there for you.

KAYLA: I didn’t mean what I said earlier, Tari. I’m sorry. I’ve been bottling up my feelings instead of dealing with them, and now I’ve taken them out on you when all you’ve tried to do is help me. But it’s time to confess. Remember in December, that horrible guy stood me up after we slept together for the first time?

TARI: Of course.

KAYLA: Well, I didn’t know how to tell you, but the night we slept together, I let him convince me not to use a condom. I thought I could trust him. My mistake though, because I found out that I’m HIV positive. I’ve been living in a constant state of shame, struggling with the reality of being permanently medicated, and also with the prospect of being alone forever. I was terrified of being cast out by you and everyone else, so I hid it. But this Friday, Byron tried to do exactly the same thing to me. I let it slip that I was HIV positive and now I’m afraid the whole school will know. Anyway, it’s over now. I just want to be free from the secrets and the shame.

TARI: You’ve been dealing with all of this by yourself? Kayla, from the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry. You shouldn’t have been alone in this. None of this is your fault. You deserve better than how those two guys treated you. No woman should be blamed or shamed for something like this. I’m here for you and I want to protect you.

KAYLA: Thanks for listening. But unfortunately, I think the damage is done. You can’t protect me from the stigma that people, especially kids, have against people struggling with HIV/Aids.

TARI: Maybe not, but I can do my best to educate them.

KAYLA: What do you mean?

TARI: You don’t have to live in shame, Kayla. I think it’s about time that the students in this school get a chance to talk truthfully about sex education.

Tell us: do you think teens need better sex education?