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Sweat.
Blood.
Pain.
That’s all Riff knows.
His heart is pounding.
This is exactly what he wanted.
There are many universes out there all with someone who looks just like you. They may lead a completely different life, or one almost the same. A single choice makes all the difference….
The rush.
The adrenaline.
To look Bernardo right in the eye.
To prove that no matter what happens the Jets will always be on top.
That they would always matter.
Even as their world crumbled around them.
He hadn’t expected Tony to be there.
Though he had hoped.
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff grows up respectable. Where his parents are alive and love him. Where he meets a girl, and marries young. Where the pressure of impending fatherhood becomes too much. Where he goes to a secret place, reminiscent of the old speakeasies. He drinks and meets a man with soulful brown eyes and a wicked smile. They spend one night together before parting ways. This is not that universe….
Riff’s happy to see Tony.
He’s terrified to see Tony.
Bernardo wants him dead.
Riff has to stop this.
There’s a universe somewhere where he attends a secret ball and marvels at the outfits. Where Riff has been abandoned by his family and has had to build his own. Where his face is painted for the first time by a handsome stranger with the longest lashes. When he walks the runway he feels real freedom for the first time. This is not that universe…
Talk, talk.
Of course Tony wants to talk.
That’s all he seems to do lately.
Bernardo won’t listen.
Tony doesn’t understand him.
Riff does.
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Where he was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison. Where he was terrified of being discovered. This is not that universe…
Riff had always understood Bernardo.
They understood each other.
Bernardo ignited something in him.
Something he had spent years trying to squash.
A thing he was desperate to hide from the boys.
From Tony…
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff was brave. Where he cornered Bernardo and pressed his whole body against the other man’s. Where their lives were filled with secret kisses and evenings spent hidden in the others embrace. This is not that universe…
Riff was sick of them circling.
He knows Tony needs to strike first.
Riff tries a joke.
Tony doesn’t listen.
“Hey! Can’t you shut up for a single goddamn second?”
“What’re you afraid of, your parole officer?”
He regrets the words as soon as they leave his mouth.
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff was dragged to a foreign state by his dad. Where for two years he was forced to learn Spanish or be quiet. Where he met a boy who made his stomach curl in excitement, who’s touch sent electricity up his arm. For three years Riff was happy. This is not that universe…
“A convict.”
Bernardo is angry.
He is a boxer.
He hits hard and with precision.
Riff knows from experience.
Tony seems to crumble.
“I love her, Bernardo.”
There’s a universe somewhere where Tony discovers Riff’s secret. Where they argue and fight. Where Tony storms out to never return. Where Riff’s heart is shattered in a way he never thought possible. Where weeks later there is a knock on the door and an apology. Where they will always be brothers, even if Tony doesn’t understand Riff. This is not that universe…
They fight.
Tony.
Bernardo.
There’s blood.
Tony finally gets the upper hand.
He just turns and walks away.
The Jets are screaming at him.
But Riff understands.
He remembers another moment.
Tony came far too close to death.
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff gets up early to ride the bus North. Where he will visit his best friend for the first time. Where he presses his hand on the glass and sobs down the phone. Where he says goodbye for the last time. This is not that universe…
Bernardo stalks after Tony.
The look in his eye is mean.
Skidding metal forces Bernardo to pull out his blade.
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff decides to let go of the Jets when Tony leaves. Where he forms a friendship with Anita. Where they find an apartment together. Where they both fall in love with the same man. This is not that universe…
Baby John throws Riff a switchblade.
Riff needs to protect what’s his.
Needs to protect his family.
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff meets a man named Bernado and feels an instant connection. Where they both love to dance. Where they dare to dance together. This is not that universe…
Sweat.
Blood.
Pain.
Fear.
This is all Riff knows.
His heart is pounding.
This is exactly what he wanted.
But he never wanted to die.
There’s a universe somewhere where Riff is clinging to an assemblance of reality. Where his best friend is gone, and has been replaced by a stranger. Where his world is slowly crumbling around him. Where he leads a gang, and longs for someone who will be forever out of reach. Where he fights to hold onto whatever he can and in the end loses everything. This is that universe…