At the school library Krystal is sitting at table studying and Mr. Hatcher walks over to her.
Mr. Hatcher: Well hello Brainiac. (He chuckles softly) Why are you here?
Krystal: Stop trying to be funny it's not working. I know you of all people know the answer to both those questions.
Mr. Hatcher: Yes, I know the correct answer I guess what I mean to say is why do you feel the need to still study? I'm sure you've got this you are my star pupil. You even make me the student sometimes in my own class. Why must you overwork and overstress yourself all the time?
Krystal: You wouldn't understand. Nobody does.
Mr. Hatcher: Ouch, That hurts. How can you say I wouldn't understand if you have never once explained it to me? Furthermore how can you compare me to people who are most likely well below my IQ?
Krystal: You're right I'm so sorry. It's just that I don't like opening up to people they always take advantage of my openness and hurts me. So, it's not that I'm comparing you to anyone or anything like that I just feel the need to protect myself. Now if you'd excuse me I have a test to study for.
Mr. Hatcher: Ok Ms. Krystal but I would like the opportunity to get to know you outside of my classroom here is my card. Feel free to call me whenever you are ready to let me show you that the pain you are holding onto is better out than in.
Krystal: Yea ok. Got it. Are we done here?
Mr. Hatcher: Yes. Ma'am see you in class.
Back in Mr. Hatcher's Class.
Mr. Hatcher: So, Are you guys ready for your big one hundred question quiz? Well, for starters I have good news and bad news. Bad news there is no one hundred question quiz. That was just a tactic to get you to study hard in the fear that this test would be worth thirty percent of your final grade. Good news is there is no one hundred question quiz. Instead I have concocted an assignment to help us all get to know each other better.
Krystal: (Angrily) so, there's no test? All the stress for nothing?
Mr. Hatcher: I wouldn't say it was all for nothing. The whole point of taking tests is to see whether or not you studied the material. And I trust that had I given this test today my entire class would have passed with exception of Kevin in the back who's always sleeping. Yo, Kev, wake up kid, better yet just get out. Go home and sleep. Bye Felicia.
The whole class laughs hysterically, Kevin wakes up after one of his classmates nudges him to wake up. Gets up and walks out of the class.
Mr. Hatcher: So, this is how I want today's assignment to go. I will assign you each a partner. With your partner I want you to try to get to know them as best you can within an hour. You are free to ask whatever you want. However your partner is going to tell you three lies and it is up to you to figure out which ones are fact and which are fiction. In addition to the questions that you are coming up with I have a few of my own. Biggest fear, their best day, their most spontaneous moment, their talent, and the one thing they absolutely can't do.
Montage plays of the students doing the assignment, and also shows Mr. Hatcher admiring Krystal.
Mr. Hatcher: Okay class you have only ten minutes before class is dismissed you have all your evidence. Remember the absence of evidence is still evidence when you know what to look for. Dismiss nothing analyze everything. Body language, facial expression, twitches any of the known tattle tale signs of a lie. Next class the pairs will present and see how good of human lie detectors you are.
Krystal: Mr. Hatcher can I speak to you after class?
Mr. Hatcher: Of course Krystal I'm always available for my star student.
After class in Mr. Hatcher's Office.
Krystal: (Pacing back and forth) So, Obviously I'm very angry. I see your logic of threatening us with a non-existent exam. But, what's with this dig into your life assignment? What if I decide not to do it?
Mr. Hatcher: Then you will have to do rigorous makeup work to cover the zero and we all know that zeros are double so that essentially means you will fail. I know you don't want that, what's so bad about your life that you don't want people to know?
Krystal: (Begins to cry) you just don't get it.
Mr. Hatcher: I want to be there for you Krystal just let me. I see your pain and honestly all I want to do is understand it so I can learn how to end it.
Krystal: Why do you care so much?
Mr. Hatcher: Because, (touches her face looks into her eyes) when I see you I see a love untouched a love so pure waiting on the right moment to burst out. I also see the pain that blocks it. The walls this heart hides behind. I see someone who is smart, determined and breathtakingly beautiful.
Krystal: Sorry, I just can't. I'll find a way to make up the assignment. (She moves his hands from her face and storms out of his office)
Mr. Hatcher: Krystal! Krystal!
Krystal is in the school bathroom, looking herself in the mirror.
Krystal: Wipe your face.
Never let them see you sweat.
Crying is for babies.
I don't believe I broke in front of him like that.
Why does he care so damn much?
Don't let him in he will hurt you just like the rest.
Just then someone walks out of the bathroom stall and startles Krystal.
Woman: (Pretty and curvy) I'm sorry for listening. However I couldn't help but overhear your turmoil. Sounds to me that all your problems could be solved if you just let this man in. I mean think about it. You're hurting anyways right. And what if. Really what if, this man is true to his word.
Krystal: Easier said than done. I've never opened up to anyone about my past and what makes me who I am.
Woman: Names Dai. What's yours?
Krystal: My name is Krystal. Nice to meet you.
Dai: I've never opened up about my past hurt either. But I just started watching these self-help videos and sometimes you don't tell your story because you want to. You tell it because you need to. Or maybe you tell it because someone else needs you to.
So, I know you don't want to tell your story but baby girl you need to tell it in order to start the process to let that pain go. At least you have someone who is interested in taking the journey with you. Krystal: You may be right. No, you are right. What do I have to lose? What's the name of that self-help video?
Dai: It's called let me help you, help you. By Arlene John. She is a world renowned writer. She writes everything; music, movies, books you name it and this woman can write it.
Krystal: I've got to check her out. But, first let me call Mr. Hatcher. Thank you so much Dai. You've helped me out more than you know.
Dai: Here's my number call me anytime.
Krystal: I will.
Back at Krystal's place. Krystal is looking herself in the mirror again.
Krystal: Girl just call him. What are you waiting for? Stop being a little crybaby. Like Dai said you have nothing to lose. Yea just dial the number and hit talk. It's not that hard. So easy a two year old can do it. Here you are a borderline genius and you can't do something as simple as dialing a number on your phone and pressing the green button. Okay. I'm gonna do it I'm gonna call.
Krystal starts dialing the number and before she could hit talk there was a knock at the door.