Iris rushes over to Jessica, placing her hands on her friend’s face.

Iris: Hey, hey, hey, hey… Jessica. It’s okay.

Jessica: No, it’s not!

Iris: Shhh…

Iris only knows to bring her friend in close as Jessica’s emotions begin to pour out.

Jessica: I can’t do shit about this rage. Nothing!

Iris forgets about her own embarrassment and runs her left hand down Jessica’s long black hair. She can hear the gritting of Jessica’s teeth as she talks.

Jessica: Nothing. It’s no wonder Felicity was ready to leave. No wonder you haven’t wanted to talk… Goddammit.

Iris continues to hold on to her.

Iris: When was the last time you slept?

Jessica: …

Iris: Ate? Showered?

Jessica: Not hungry. I was busy. I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have outed you like that. In front of Felicity and everybody.

Iris sighs as she remembers a conversation from not so long ago.

Iris: She already knew.

Her mind instantly thinks back to the girls’ night out at Santa Monica, still fresh in her mind. Just her and Felicity. No one else. Admitting the feelings she once had, but having it undone by Jessica who had been more forthcoming about her own feelings. The smile on Felicity’s face as she told her while they walked along the pier. The feeling of regret she felt upon returning home, feeling that things could have turned out different. The further pain of realizing she had hoped for a future that could negatively affect other friends in the process just to be with her.

Iris: …It was about two weeks ago. That Saturday where she and I just hung out like old times.

Iris pulls away from Jessica who looks on as she talks.

Iris: And I just told her. I said I didn’t have those feelings now and that Oliver’s a good man and I still love being her friend.

Jessica: You should have beaten me to the punch. Coulda saved us all a lot of trouble. Might save me from feeling like an asshole right now.

Iris: Jessica, we can’t change what’s already been done. All we can do is move forward. I just hated being reminded last week, but it’s okay.

At this point, Iris is ready to change the subject.