The next morning, Kova gets ready for rehearsal.He tries to focus on anything except yesterday. The water slides. Mason laughing. Mason catching him. Kova shakes his head.
KOVA
Nope. Not thinking about that.
He grabs his things and heads out. The studio is already busy when Kova arrives. The familiar sound of music fills the building. Kova walks inside, looking around. Then he sees him. Mason. Mason looks over and smiles slightly.
MASON
Hey, Nathan.
Kova freezes for a second.
KOVA
Hey.
Before he can say anything else, another voice cuts in.
DANIEL
Good. You're here.
Kova looks over.
Of course Daniel is here.
DANIEL
We have rehearsal to do.
Kova sighs.
KOVA
Right.
He walks toward the stage, trying to act normal.
KOVA
What song?
DANIEL
Water fall.
KOVA
Or do you mind if I sing a song i made? It's new.
DANIEL
Sure. Shot.
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵I don't want to fade when the lights go out I just wanna be someone I just wanna be someone🎵🎵🎵
Kova starts with Mason waching him as usual.
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵Fade and disappear without a trace I just wanna be someone Don't we all?🎵🎵🎵
Kovas voice fills the studio and for once he isn't acting like Kova hes just Nathan.
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵I just wanna be somebody in this world Wanna be somebody in this world Never had a place that felt like home I just wanna be somebody in this world🎵🎵🎵
Masons eyes dont leave Kova for a second.
DANIEL
*I got to give him credit this is pretty good. But where is this going?*
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵And if the moon starts fading and the sky goes cold Then the stars start falling I really need someone to call my own🎵🎵🎵
Kova glances at Mason the looks away pretending he didn't notice Masons stare.
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵I wanna mean something to someone oh Someone who knows my name not the fame Someone who sees the past and isn't afraid Someone who stays Someone who stays🎵🎵🎵
MASON
*Is this about someone?*
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵I'll make the sun bright for you I'll make the stars circle the room And if the night starts falling I wanna be the one you're calling Cause I believe in you🎵🎵🎵
MASON
*Is this about me?*
DANIEL
*This idiot. Stop writing songs about your bodyguard.*
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵Through every kingdom, every fall Through every moment, through it all I don't need the world to know my name I just wanna matter to you🎵🎵🎵
MASON
*He means every word.*
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵I just wanna be somebody in this world Wanna be somebody in this world Never had a place that felt like home I just wanna be somebody in this world🎵🎵🎵
Kova is singing with his heart and you can tell.
KOVA
🎵🎵🎵And if the moon starts fading and the sky goes cold Then the stars start falling I really need someone to call my ownI wanna mean something to someone oh Someone who knows my name not the fame Someone who sees the past and isn't afraid Someone who stays Someone who stays 🎵🎵🎵
Kova finishes the last note. The studio falls silent. Mason keeps staring at him.
MASON
One question. Was that about someone?
Kova freezes.
DANIEL
Yes.
Kova looks at Daniel, horrified.
DANIEL
It was about you.
Kova turns bright red.
KOVA
Daniel!
Mason looks at Kova.
MASON
...It was?
Kova can't look at him.
KOVA
You know Daniel says stuff all the time.
Mason looks at him for a second.
MASON
That's not an answer.
Kova looks away, face still red.
KOVA
I know.
Daniel folds his arms, clearly enjoying this.
DANIEL
It was about Mason.
KOVA
Daniel!
Mason just stares at Kova.
MASON
Was it?
Kova opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.
KOVA
Mason your spossed to be on my side not against me!
Mason smiles slightly.
MASON
I didn't say anything.
KOVA
You were thinking it!
MASON
Maybe.
Kova turns red.
Mason smiles slightly.
MASON
I didn't say anything.
KOVA
You were thinking it!
MASON
Maybe.
Kova turns red.
DANIEL
Definitely about Mason.
KOVA
DANIEL!
DANIEL
What? It's the truth. You guys know this is temporary.
KOVA
Ya.....I know *temporary...*
Mason notices Kovas mood drop instantly.
KOVA
I'm taking 20.
Kova walks to the door to leave.
DANIEL
Don't you dare.
Kova ignores him and walks out. Mason some how gets to the door without anyone realizing. Then....
DANIEL
Mason dont you dare.
MASON
It's my job.
And woth that Mason walks out. He finds Kova sitting on the bench at the park and sits beside him. For a few seconds, neither says anything.
MASON
You okay?
KOVA
Yeah.
Mason looks at him.
MASON
You're lying.
Kova sighs.
KOVA
I just hate that word.
MASON
Temporary?
Kova nods.
MASON
Nathan....
Kova yose red.
KOVA
What?
Mason looks at him for a moment.
MASON
Why does the word bother you so much?
Kova looks down at his hands.
KOVA
It means you'll leave.
Mason goes quiet.
For the first time, he doesn't have an immediate answer.
MASON
Nathan...
Kova looks down.
KOVA
I don't want you to.
DANIEL
Well he will.
Kova looks up.
Daniel has just walked over to the bench.
KOVA
Daniel?!
Mason immediately reaches for Kova's hand, his expression becoming protective.
MASON
You really had to come here?
DANIEL
I'm just telling the truth. Bodyguards change.
Kova looks down.
Without thinking, Kova holds Mason's hand tighter.
KOVA
I know…
Mason looks at him.
MASON
You don't have to worry about that right now.
Kova looks at Mason, then leans against him slightly.
KOVA
*He feeks so safe. I don't want him to leave but why? Do....do u like him?*
DANIEL
Kova. How many times have i told you not to fall for your bodyguard?
MASON
Daniel that's enough.
DANIEL
Whatever come on we need to get back to the studio.
MASON
You go ahead we will catch up.
Daniel starts walking away.
MASON
Nathan.
Kova has shrunk into a ball.
MASON
Nathan.
Kova looks at Mason with tears in his eyes.
MASON
Nathan.....
Mason can't help it. He raps his arms around Kova. Kova raps his arms around Mason and cries.
MASON
Nathan I'm here. I'm here.
Kova holds onto Mason, tears slipping down his face.
KOVA
*I want him to stay. I like him.*
Mason looks down at Kova but doesn't let go.
MASON
We're not going back today.
Kova looks up at him.
KOVA
What?
Mason takes out his phone.
MASON
I'm texting Daniel.
Mason types a message.
MASON:
We're taking the rest of the day off. We'll be back tomorrow.
A few seconds later, Daniel replies.
DANIEL:
Fine.
Mason puts his phone away.
MASON
There.
Kova leans against Mason again. Mason keeps his arms around him as Kova continues to cry quietly. Neither of them says anything. They just sit there together on the bench. Kova closes his eyes.
KOVA
*I like him.*
And for the first time, Kova lets himself admit it.