That night, Nicolaj and Tiffany are curled up on the sofa, cuddled under Tiffany's blanket.
Nicolaj: If you ever wanted to get married, what kind of ring would you want?
Tiffany: Like, an engagement ring?
Nicolaj: Yeah.
Tiffany: The guy I end up marrying wouldn't have to get me one. I don't really like to wear rings. They feel weird on my finger.
Nicolaj: Do you wear any kind of jewelry?
Tiffany: I like necklaces. I like the beaded kind. I especially like the colorful beads.
Nicolaj: That's pretty cool.
Tiffany: I have a different taste in jewelry.
Nicolaj: Do you like beaded bracelets?
Tiffany: Yes.
Nicolaj: Do you like earrings?
Tiffany: No. I had my ears pierced once, and I kept taking the earrings out. I didn't like it.
Nicolaj: So, you just like bracelets and necklaces?
Tiffany: Yeah. I'm weird.
Nicolaj: Aww, it's okay.
Tiffany: You're being sweet again. Totally awesome.
Nicolaj: I love being sweet to my whoopy-boo-woo.
Tiffany: (Laughs loudly) Whoopy-boo-woo?! Oh, my gosh! I never thought I would be anyone's whoopy-boo-woo! (Laughs again) That's a funny nickname!
Nicolaj: (Giggles) Do you like it?
Tiffany: I love it, Sweater Man.
Nicolaj: (Chuckles and kisses her)
Teresa is behind the sofa, listening to the two.
Teresa: (Makes barfing sounds)
Tiffany: (Shocked) What the hell?!
Nicolaj: (Turns around) Teresa, are you listening?!
Teresa: (Still pretending to barf) Yeah! You guys are makin' me sick!
Tiffany: Then, get out of here! Jeez, this is none of your freakin' business.
Ojo walks into the living room from the kitchen.
Ojo: Teresa, leave them alone.
Teresa: But, I like making fun of Tiffany.
Ojo: Then, I like throwing food at you. Now, get lost.
Teresa: Fine! Damn, you guys are no fun.
Tiffany: Neither are you, Little Miss Thinks-She-Rules-the-World.
Teresa leaves in a rage.
Ojo: I'm so sorry, you guys.
Nicolaj: (Sympathetically) Has she really been treating Tiffany like this for twelve years?
Ojo: Yeah. Sometimes, Tiffany comes to me and Madison, crying, because she's fed up with the abuse.
Nicolaj: (Sweetly to Tiffany) Awww, my poor, little whoopy-boo-woo. (Holds her) You should tell Teresa she's hurting you.
Tiffany: She wouldn't care. She doesn't care about anyone's feelings. All she ever thinks about is herself. (Sighs) Sometimes, I keep asking myself what I ever did to her to deserve to be treated like this.
Ojo: (Joins the two on the couch and hugs Tiffany) Oh, Honey, you didn't do anything. She treats a lot of people like that. I've tried talking to her, but she never listens. Maybe she should see just how badly she's hurting you. That might wake her up.
Tiffany: (Scoffs) She won't care. She loves it when I'm miserable.
Ojo: Aww, I know, Honey, but one of these days, she'll come to her senses and realize what she's put people through.
Tiffany: I hope.
Ojo: Me, too, Sweetie. You know, people are always talking about ignoring a bully when they hurt your feelings, but really, how can you ignore your feelings?
Tiffany: I know.
Ojo: I think pretending you're not hurting is probably the worst thing you can do to yourself. You act strong and put on a brave face, but your real feelings are locked up inside, trying to get out. (To Nicolaj) Back when she was in high school, she got picked on all the time, because she can't see. People thought she was stupid and useless.
Tiffany: Some people thought I was a bleep.
Ojo: You weren't a bleep. You were frustrated and fed up, and you just wanted the crap to stop. We tend to explode when we're angry and fed up. Then, people look at us like we're evil. It's stupid. People should understand that just because someone's angry, it doesn't mean they're a bad person. We all get pissed off at times. It's normal.
Tiffany: I hate being looked at as if I'm the one who screws things up. That's what it was like in high school.
Nicolaj: (Hugs Tiffany) That's what it was like for me, too. Sometimes, I wanted to commit suicide.
Tiffany: I'm too scared of death to even try.
Ojo: (To Nicolaj) But now, you realize that suicide isn't the answer, right?
Nicolaj: Yeah.
Ojo: Tiffany knew it wasn't the answer. That's why she came to her real friends.
Nicolaj: Well, for me, it was hard to tell who my real friends were. I was betrayed so many times.
Ojo: After a while, you didn't know who you could trust?
Nicolaj: Yeah.
Ojo: But, you know you can trust us... except for Teresa.
Nicolaj: I know that now.
Ojo: Oh, Nico, Sweetie, we love you very much. I can promise you that none of us will ever turn our backs on you. You're a part of our family.
Nicolaj: Awww, I love you guys so much.
Ojo: We love you, too, Sweetie.
Tiffany: You're the best, Nico.
Nicolaj: Aww. (Hugs Tiffany)
Ojo: Aww, that's so cute. Hey, how about I make you guys a snack? You hungry?
Tiffany: I'm starving. Thanks.
Nicolaj: Me, too.
Ojo: Okay, I'll make you some popcorn.
Ojo leaves the living room to make the popcorn.
Nicolaj: (Kisses Tiffany's cheek) I hope Teresa starts treating you better.
Tiffany: Thanks.
Nicolaj: Anything for my whoopy-boo-woo.
Tiffany: (Laughs)
Nicolaj: Baby, I love you, and I hate seeing you hurting like this. Teresa shouldn't treat you like that. I don't want anyone hurting my sweetie.
Tiffany: I love you, Nicolaj.
Nicolaj: (Holds Tiffany) Awww, I love you, too, my little whoopy-boo-woo.