This Story of Ours

Act 1 The story begins with college-aged main characters Jack and relatively recent girlfriend Molly preparing to share dinner with best friend couple Danny and Marissa. Although things have been progressing nicely, it’s clear that Jack and Molly still look to Danny and Marissa for advice since those two are the long-term relationship that feels rock solid. The following morning their annoying friend Ben talks about a party he plans on throwing soon. This acts as a midway catalyst that the friend group plans for. Danny and Marissa share a relaxing afternoon and wonder about whether Jack and Molly are for real or not. Good signs come when a date at an animal shelter goes well between Jack and Molly and a whole bunch of puppies. Time passes, Jack and Molly’s relationship progress, and they share a lunch with Jack’s parents where he receives parental advice on the advent of adulthood fast approaching. Act 2 Emphasis is placed on what happens at Ben’s party. Jack and Molly arrive, and although there’s no sign of Danny or Marissa, they settle in for what’s supposed to be a night of escapist fun. After listening to some drunk people for a bit, Jack heads to the backyard to check out what’s going on there while Molly mingles with her new friend Britney. After a quick encounter with drunk Ben, Danny finally shows up, distraught. He explains to Jack that he and Marissa had a big fight, and they didn’t necessarily break things off, but they certainly need a break from each other. This hits Jack particularly hard considering his recent progress with Molly, and in the suddenness, he doesn’t do a great job of comforting his best friend. Danny leaves, Jack rejoins Molly, and despite everyone around him having a wonderful time, Jack realizes that things will be different—he numbs to the party around him. Later that night Molly is able to take Jack’s mind off Danny and Marissa momentarily, but it’s clearly still fresh on his mind. A month passes and Jack is navigating still communicating with both Danny and Marissa; however, neither are talking to each other yet. And a new side of Molly has come forth—a clinging, loving, almost dominating personality has taken over what used to be a soft exterior. Both Danny and Marissa on separate occasions warn Jack that he might not be in a healthy relationship, but since he feels he understands his situation better than anyone else, Jack brushes their comments off. Even if they still sit with him in the back of his mind. Act 3 Molly tells Jack about a big sorority event called the End of Year Bash. She’s putting all her energy towards this and expects Jack on his best behavior. Then, Danny hangs out with Jack and feels that he finally has his headspace right to reach out to Marissa, but he wants Jack’s support. The perfect day to meet up is the same day as the Bash. Determined to please his girlfriend, Jack wishes his best friend luck but explains that he has to go to this event with Molly. Danny doesn’t take this well, and the two part on sour terms. The evening before the Bash, Jack wanders around with his thoughts. His relationship has been a big positive, but even he feels the underlying crack that his friends have desperately tried pointing out to him. Danny in particular has been put on the back burner to ensure everything was being done to please Molly. Jack still plans on going through with the Bash, but he’s not as confident in his place anymore. The following day Molly is still busy setting everything up, so they won’t meet back up until it’s time to leave for the event. Danny comes around, and after some awkward explaining and apologizing, the two best friends find their footing and wish each other well on their big nights. As they arrive at the Bash, Jack’s uneasiness reaches its peak. His wanting to please Molly hasn’t been natural, and he feels that the one place he really needs to be at that time is supporting his best friend Danny. This enrages Molly who fully reveals her selfish motives—she truly doesn’t care about Jack’s friends. What matters to her is her appearance in front of the rest of her sorority, and she’ll be damned if Jack is thinking of trying anything to jeopardize this situation. This action confirms to Jack that his heart is now set in the right place, and he leaves Molly behind, a smile on his face. When Jack finally arrives to where Danny and Marissa are, they’ve already made up; they hurt each other, but there’s nobody else in the world they’d rather be with and will work every day to show that to each other. Jack doesn’t know this yet, so they tease him and let him go on a spiel about his love for his friends and wanting to be there for them when they need his support. Just because it’s his life doesn’t mean it always has to be about him—he might be his own main character, but he can still take a back seat when others’ needs are more important. Danny and Marissa embrace Jack, and the three walk off. One month later Danny, Marissa, Jack, Ben, and his new girlfriend Liz all share a nice lunch together. Jack is the only single person at the table, but he’s enjoying his life right now and won’t try so hard to force a relationship. The right person is out there for him, and he’ll know it when it happens. The five continue to talk and have a good time without a care in the world.