1. NEW 212-050
By: Rachel Parker
Characters: Marissa & Tiffany
“Grow Up”
“Some of us have to grow up sometimes And so, if I have to I’m gonna leave you behind.” The lyrics to
Paramore’s “Grow Up” blared through the speakers from Marissa’s iPod as she is packing. And at this
time in her life these lyrics, they couldn’t ring more true. Marissa has just graduated college a couple of
weeks ago with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and has a position as a writer for GOTHAM
Magazine in New York.
Now for any aspiring journalist this is a dream come true, but for Marissa coming all the way from
Atlanta, GA this is the epitome of a “big fish in a small pond.” Marissa has lived in Georgia ever since
she was a child and with all her family and friends here, it is all she has ever known and despite this
great opportunity she still feels terrified. As Marissa began to think and try to reassure herself that with
so many ways to still keep in touch (Skype, phone calls, emails) she begins to feel a little better that
she will never not be in contact with her family and…friends. Friends or more so friend, in Marissa’s
case. Her friend she is referring to is Tiffany and they have known each other since freshman year in
high school, since that initial meeting in the dreaded Spanish class that with each other they managed

2. to make it through. Even if they didn’t know much Spanish now, they left being able to call the other
friend.
From that moment they were inseparable and this continued on into college as roommates and was on
the path to being the same arrangement after college as the girls would have their own apartment
together….until Marissa got the phone call about her position with Gotham Magazine. She was excited
naturally, but felt a sadness begin to creep over her as she thought about leaving behind her friend…
her best friend.
Things were fine between the girls at first, the normal congratulatory remarks, but it seemed that
everything began to slowly fall apart. Marissa would arrive a little late when she is going to hang out
with Tiffany to eventually having to cancel plans altogether. Marissa was discussing her plans for New
York (finding a place, familiarizing herself with the office, even updating her wardrobe) with Tiffany,
but stopped abruptly when she noticed Tiffany was ignoring her.
“Tiffany, are you listening?” asked Marissa. “I have heard, ALL of this already. I know what you need to
do and have done, there shouldn’t be anything else you have to tell me. I know,” replied Tiffany. “Well,
excuse me for wanting to share my excitement with a friend,” “More like gloating,” responded Tiffany.

3. These words hurt Marissa and with emotions beginning to run high words are said and needless to say,
this night doesn’t end with their usual hug goodbye. Marissa has thought about this night over and
over, but they haven’t spoken since that night two weeks ago and with Marissa leaving for New York in a
few hours, she doesn’t want to leave without some type of closure. “Marissa, time to go,” yells Marissa’s
mom. “Alright, I’m coming,” replies Marissa.
Through the ride to the airport and even waiting for her flight, Marissa constantly calls Tiffany but only
receives her voicemail. Marissa waits by mindlessly flipping through a magazine until her flight is
called, “Flight 0182, now boarding to New York.”
Marissa stands and says her tearful goodbyes and gives longer, tighter than usual hugs. “Call as soon
you get settled,” sniffles Marissa’s mom, “Be safe, pumpkin. No talking to strange men,” says Marissa
dad. Marissa laughed and muttered a teary “I will” (with a quick I won’t for her father) with one last
hug to her parents.
As she is walking towards the gate she tries one more time to get in contact with Tiffany, it rings once,
twice, three times, “Hi, you’ve reached Tiffany,” Marissa hangs up and walks to the gate to board the
plane.
2 ½ Hours Later…

4. Marissa has landed and after a lengthy (and tearful) talk with her parents she is semi settled into her
apartment. She won’t begin work for the next three days and has decided for a little sightseeing of her
neighborhood tomorrow. As she tucks herself into bed, Marissa grabs her phone to set her alarm for
tomorrow, she notices one missed call…..from Tiffany.