I'm Fiona, obviously. I like fashion. Boys. Music. Friends. Alcohol.I'm extremely sarcastic, so if you get offended easily, I suggest you either not talk to me or don't even bother following me. Of course I go to Degrassi CS, unfortunately, I have to spend another horrid year there. I really could careless of your opinion, mainly because its yours. However, hopefully you haven't gotten much about me from this, I'd rather you figure it out for yourself.
“Well with both our film knowledge and your fashion ability, having you do the costumes is probably the ideal choice.” Eli smiled to her, they would surely take time out to plan for the character costume, and Degrassi’s Drama committee already had a few things he knew were usable from the top of his head. He also knew he had many available sketchbooks at his house that Fiona could use. Eli offered them to her, unsure of whether or not she had any of her own. Then again, Fiona had just mentioned she loved to design things, so she must have some sketchbooks, either way, Eli had some sitting around in his room to offer. He smiled as they continued to talk about weirdness. “Well if you think about it, do you know what normal is?” He paused for a quick second, like adding suspense and making his audience of one think for a moment. “Normal is a setting on a washing machine, no one wants to be a washing machine.” Quick little sayings like that were always popping into Eli’s head, its something that helped him with writing.
Eli studied Fiona’s face as she gave thought to what her characters problem should be. He really hoped that she wouldn’t use alcoholism as her characters problem, he didn’t want anything to possibly trigger her old drinking habits. If he could, he would keep anything to do with drinking out of the play. Perhaps Eli was just being over protective, but he was this way because he cared for Fiona, she was the closest person to him and he wanted to keep her in the good place she was currently in. Fiona came to an idea for her characters issue, a health and mental issue, anorexia or bulimia. He ran the idea over in his mind, quickly thinking about all the different possibilities of the health issue. It fit into the play perfectly along with everything else. “I love it!” Eli mused, smiling to Fiona. “You have that experience of dealing with people who have it, so I can use your advice on how to help you with my character.” He smiled, remembering a few times she spoke about people she knew from her previous schools. Her advice on how to deal with people when they have those illnesses would ideally help Eli with his character, as they already concluded that Fiona’s character would be like his saviour.
“Imogen helped me with the play and my life, yes, but Fiona, you were the biggest aspect in my overall recovery, my mental recovery.” He paused and smiled. “I want these two characters to have our relationship, its something I’m proud of.” He smiled again, his friendships and over all relationships with other people were the things he was most proud about, it was the first time in his life he truly felt he had people to rely on, especially now that he was past most his problems. He laughed lightly when she carried on his joke about the sugar sandwiches. He smiled and waited for her return.
“Half an hour to wait for sushi is completely fine with me. Gives us half an hour for ideas, then another half an hour or more of a break to eat.” Eli nodded, creation was best when you took your time, and dealt with it when you were in a positive mood and not stressed. Eli came to realize that stress was what held back his creation, it was a relief for him to know that. Ironically, it was stressful to keep his stress level down. He managed, but some days were more difficult, and those were the days he set down the pen and did something else to free his mind for awhile. He had a system, and so far it hadn’t failed him.
“How many major storyline characters are with thinking? And I mean major as in the ones with the problems.” Eli clasped his hands together and entwined his fingers together. His two index fingers extended and tapping together lightly as he thought. “We have a lot of ideas, enough to supply a whole classroom of characters, but that would be to much. How many are you thinking?” He looked over at Fiona, still sitting on the arm of the couch.
Fiona smiled wide, her ideas for the character’s outfits already coming into her mind. Fashion design was one of her most favourite things to do; it was a passion of hers. When she was in New York, she designed uniforms for her old schools; though they were brilliant, the principal didn’t think so. But she didn’t care; she hated that place anyways. ‘But of course, I’m Fiona Coyne, budding fashion designer,’ she said bluntly with a smug look on her face. She loved being able to joke around with Eli like she did, it was nice to have someone around who didn’t take her so seriously all the time. Fiona laughed at his comment about being a washing machine, though she had to agree; who in their right mind would want to be a washing machine? It didn’t make sense for someone who was born to stand out.. to be just normal. That’s why there are people on the Earth; diversity. ‘Like I always say, Eli. Diversity is a good thing. And the weirdness, is the best quality you could have,’ she chuckled and let a smirk form along her lips.
The alcoholism idea popped into her head a few times, but like she told herself; nothing that could cause a relapse. That would be the last thing she needed, or wanted. No one would want to be around a drunk; she knows this from experience. Nor did she want to go back to rehab a third time. Anorexia and bulimia was starting to become a bigger trend for teenage girls more these days because people are unhappy with their body. It was a dramatic way to lose weight, whereas just eating healthy and exercising would help the most; not starving yourself. Any kind of self harm was becoming bigger amongst teenagers and young adults because most of the population is just depressed. Or they want attention. Most of the time its the attention. ‘Really? I didn’t think it would be that good. But I mean, I’m glad you like it,’ she shrugged. Fiona smiled at how his character would be the help her’s needed in the play. It was like reverse in the play whereas his character helps her’s; but in reality, she helped Eli.
She was happy to hear that Eli thought of her like that; she’d never helped anyone in such way. Maybe she should become a therapist. That was her second job choice if the fashion didn’t work out. Hey, might as well have a second resort because the first option doesn’t always work out. ‘Well, I’m glad I could help. And I agree fully. If these character’s have our friendship, the play will go through the roof. It will be loved, case closed,’ she giggled. Their friendship was probably the best thing that happened to Fiona, it was something irreplaceable. She knew that for sure.
When Fiona came back to the couch, she gave Eli a nice, tight hug. She didn’t know why, she just did. ‘Sounds good to me,’ she told him as she pulled back, smiling. ‘Sorry, I just wanted a hug,’ she added with a small chuckle, though she knew he didn’t mind. It was a good thing they were both pretty relaxed in the scenario, considering last time he was pretty unstable and erratic without his medication. However, she made sure he took it since she didn’t want him flipping out on her again. Not like he did at the play. But Fiona was over it; she wasn’t one to hold grudges for very long. Depending on who the person was, actually. ‘Honestly? I think we should only have four to six. Like unless you want twenty main characters, as well as minor ones. That’s a lot of people to fit on one tiny ass stage,’ she said with a smaller shrug. She didn’t want to overwhelm anyone on stage or the audience with a lot of problems and whatnot. ‘Like, and back to the Breakfast Club, where it was just the five completely different kids and all, and a villain. I mean, we have to have archetypes, right?’
He thought about it for a moment, “I think most of them should change, for the better at least, or at least come to some realization, a few static ones perhaps… I think its something we should go over when we have a better idea for all the characters and their story lines.” Eli was glad Fiona was positively receptive of his idea. “I would absolutely love it if you played the character based off you, I don’t think anyone could do a better job.” A genuine smile finished the sentence, and the characters problem would be left up to Fiona, whether she wanted it to be involving alcohol or not was up to her, Eli didn’t want to suggest it encase it triggered the old habits. He knew Fiona was strong, and had gotten much better at resisting the temptations of alcohol, but he still wanted to anything that he could to help her and keep her from a relapse. After all, to Eli, Fiona’s his closest friend, they understood one another.He laughed lightly to her response about her ass being cold. “Come on, lets go sit in the living room or something then.” Eli got up, took her and and pulled her up as well, “and being weird is the best, you have more fun. Can’t deny that one Miss Coyne.” He smiled to her and walked to the living room area. “Your characters problem is up to you,” he paused and smiled, “its your character, I want you to have the choice.” Eli nodded afterward, understand what Fiona was getting at. “Yeah, I agree… Some of them should have a slightly more basic and relatable problems, and some, like the ones we’ve already discussed, will have more… insane problems.”
Eli smiled his crooked smile to Fiona, listening to her idea. “I like it… no copying at all, I think it works perfectly.” He listened to her more, and continued his input. “Imogen helped me a lot, but Fiona, you were the biggest help, that’s why these two characters will be perfect. They’ll be like you and me, maybe there will be others who can relate to our friendship and our problems.” He shrugged and smiled. Fiona headed off to order the sushi. “Next time, we eat sugar sandwiches.” Eli suggested, jokingly, referencing the lunch scene in Breakfast Club. He looked at Fiona as she spoke on the phone, ordering the sushi. He picked up his notebook, writing down all the ideas they already came up with, personality traits, character problems, relationships, and anything else they thought off. Eli jotted down some possible character names, as well as problems that still needed a character to be attached too. Also making sure to add in plenty of space for Fiona to add details in.
Fiona was definitely enjoying her time with Eli tonight, making up characters and all was actually pretty fun. Considering she didn’t help him like this the last time they made up a play. ‘Well, I mean, you always need a few static ones or so,’ she said with a small smile. Ideas just flew threw both of their minds, which made the time and all pass by faster. Her cheeks turned a bright pink colour as he told her about no one else being able to play the character better than her. ‘Well, I mean.. I am Fiona Coyne, I can do anything I set my mind to,’ she said, referring to her acting. It was always a dream of hers to actually act in a play or a movie; possibly Broadway. But fashion was definitely her calling. ‘Hey, I can design the costumes too! I love designing stuff,’ she exclaimed with a smile whilst she thought about it.
She got up along with him and followed Eli over to the couch, sitting herself down next to him. ‘Oh yes, I agree. I’m quite weird, if I do say so myself. But, you’re weirder,’ she joked with a smirk. Fiona thought about it for a while, thinking of what her character’s problem should be. She didn’t want something too basic or used a lot, nor did she want something way out there. ‘Hm. I don’t want to do alcoholism. Considering the circumstances. But I was thinking about a major anorexic or bulimic deal, you know what I’m saying?’ she asked with a small shrug. A few of her friends from New York were anorexic and such, since they were, well, from New York. And everyone was insecure about themselves. Not Fiona though. She was confident and well known. There wasn’t any reason for her to do something so harmful to herself.
‘Awesome. But please, Imogen was the one who helped you so much to actually get the play going, you know?’ she said, Imogen being on of her best friends as well. Though Eli had to be her favourite. He helped her through relationships and not relapsing on drinking; which is why she loved him so much. ‘That’s a good idea. Our awesome friendship,’ she said with a hint of sarcasm, smirking as she spoke. It was crazy how much their friendship bloomed through the year. They both had Adam to thank for that. ‘Sugar sandwiches? Hm, I’ll think about that,’ she chuckled at his reference to the Breakfast Club. Fiona had finished ordering the sushi after speaking to the restaurant for about six minutes or so. ‘Alright. It should be in in about a half hour. Sound good?’ she said, walking back over to the couch; sitting down on the arm of the chair.
Eli nodded, “I think she should be in a foster home, most definitely. We could give the abusive family or abusive relationship to another character.” He loved the ideas Fiona was supplying to the story, he had no doubt that the play would be amazing. “Do you think you would grace the stage with your presence as a character?” Eli asked her with a smile. They continued discussing character qualities. Sexuality, mental illness, anything that came to mind was suggested. Both of their ideas flowed together effortlessly, Eli found it comforting and relaxing that he was able to share ideas with Fiona, and that she wouldn’t judge. She understood his creativity, maybe she even understood his mind. He hoped that Fiona understood his mind, it seemed to him that she did, especially as Fiona was one of the biggest helps during the hardship.
Eli noticed her shiver, he raised an eyebrow and looked at her. “Cold?” He questioned, “we can get up off the floor if you’d like.” Eli paused and smiles, “and weird is my specialty.” He laughed lightly and jokingly winked at her. He continued to listen to her suggestions on a basic storyline. “A lot of people have those problems, those characters would be relateable to the audience, we could add on to their problems as well, and they’ll be mixed in with the other characters too,” He paused, “would you mind if I based a character on you?” Eli paused again, then continued, “you’ve been a big help to me, and I want to create a character in this story who is a lot like you, she’ll have her problem of course, but I also want her to be like the savior to someone else.” He smiled, this just being a small part to his thanks to her. “Sushi sounds great.”
‘Awesome, and yeah maybe that could work for someone else. Are we going to have a static character? Or all they all going to change somehow in the end?’ she asked, curious of how he wanted to get through the story. Fiona smiled wide and blushed a bit as he asked her to be a character, of course she nodded. ‘I’d love to be, as long as I don’t have a storyline where I have to do something really drastic..’ she said with a slight chuckle. ‘Or as long as I can play this character you want to base off me,’ she added, smiling in the process. The two were a good team, not just in writing and directing plays, but in general. They were great friends to each other; she really couldn’t ask for a better friend than Eli. She thought he was really the only one who got her, like knew how she worked and always knew when something was wrong and vice a versa.
‘Well, my ass is, but that’s about it,’ she said and chuckled, being as calm as she always was. ‘You are weird, can’t deny that. And I don’t mind sitting on the floor. Just as long as someone doesn’t step on me, but we’re the only ones here. So I have nothing to worry about,’ she told him and smiled. For a playwright, Eli always had a way of making her blush, even if it was indirectly. ‘What kind of problem would the character based off me have? And basic is always good, I mean, not everyone has these kinds of things going on in their life; so not all of them would be that relateable to the audience. You see where I’m getting at?’ she asked, narrowing her eyebrows a bit. Fiona thought it would be a good time where she would tell him having another character be based off him would be pretty cool too. The story was already a real life problem, why not have real life based characters as well? ‘She could be a saviour to one of the characters, yeah. And I know the perfect character for her to save. I want to base a character off you. I know it sounds like copying your idea for me, but still. I mean, like kind of how Imogen saved you last year. My character could be a mix of me and her?’ she suggested with a shrug, ideas just popping into her head randomly. Just like the sushi. ‘I’ll go order some, then,’ she told him, picking herself up off the ground and heading over to the phone.
