The following day.
Recess, Evans High School.
Tyler is talking with his sister and her friend in front of their homeroom just by the hallway when Carl and Octavio join in their conversation. Tyler tells Octavio about Matilda's plans and what she had asked him to do.
TYLER: Would you believe she wanted me to steal your phone?
OCTAVIO: For real? Why?
CARL: Perhaps, she wanted to send some problematic texts to Bonnie's phone just to create negative buzz between she and Anderson.
OCTAVIO: That's mischievous.
LAURA: Why'd a girl go to such extent just to get a guy who doesn't even care about her anymore? That's some whore move.
BONNIE: Easy, girl... easy. At least now we know what she's up to.
OCTAVIO: Carl, you knew about this?
CARL: Not entirely but...
OCTAVIO: Damn it, man. You've been noticing stuff and you couldn't even say a word to me or anyone?
CARL: I couldn't figure out what was going on. I didn't wanna fill your heads with things I wasn't sure of. Sorry, guys.
OCTAVIO: But you should have.
BONNIE: It's okay...
"YOU BASTARD!!!"
A big guy from nowhere jumps Tyler, pushing him against the wall and taking swings at him.
TYLER: Arrghh! What the hell, man? Why are you hitting me?... Arrgh! (He tries to dodge the fast approaching fists but he's too slow)
Carl, Octavio, Bonnie and Laura surround them, trying to pull him away from Tyler, there's already a crowd of students watching the fight and spectating.
"Huh? Isn't that Anderson?"
"Never seen him so mad"
"What's his beef with the freshman?"
"Yeah, hit him hard, fuck him up!"
"Let go of the kid, you jerk!"
Different students throwing comments as the crowd increases, Carl dashes out to get help.
BONNIE: Anderson! I said stop! Let go of him! (Still struggling with the rest to pull him away)
ANDERSON: Why should I? This imbecile is the one who set up those photos. (He rams his knuckles into Tyler's face) He wants to ruin us, Bonnie!
Sending more punches, he goes on yelling aggressively as perspiration begins to mask his face.
TYLER: I can explain, man. I never knew you were her boyfriend, I had no idea you two were dating, I swear...
Anderson shuts him up with a hard fist to his mouth, bruising his lips.
ANDERSON: Gimme one reason why I shouldn't smash his head, Bonnie? (Pressing Tyler's head against the wall) Just one reason!
BONNIE: Stop!!
ANDERSON: Why?!!!
BONNIE: Because he's my brother!
She greets Anderson's face harshly with her palm as she manages to push him away from Tyler who's currently bleeding.
"Because he's my brother!"
"Because he's my brother!"
"Because he's my brother!"
These words travel deep into the depths of Anderson's eardrums as they echo loudly in his head.
ANDERSON: He's your what? (His lips quiver a little as he asks, looking surprised, confused and embarrassed)
Bonnie doesn't reply him. She, Laura and Octavio try to help Tyler up, who's on the floor in pain.
CARL: There he is. (Pointing to Anderson as he returns with two teachers, Mr Gibb and Mr Brock)
MR BROCK: What in God's name is going on here? (Examining the scene and chasing the crowd of students frolicking around)
CARL: We were just here hanging out when all of a sudden, he showed up from nowhere and attacked our friend.
MR GIBB: Hey, is that true?
Mr Gibb repeats his question but Anderson remains mute.
MR GIBB: What? Cat got your tongue? So you decided to flex your muscles on a freshman, you couldn't pick on someone your own size, huh?
MR BROCK: Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the bosom of fools... how many times have I told you this?
ANDERSON: You... uhm...
MR BROCK: I'm disappointed in you, kid.
ANDERSON: I didn't... it wasn't...
MR BROCK: Such a terrible sin. (He pauses briefly) Mr Gibb, feel free to do the honors. (Walking away and shaking his head)
MR GIBB: I know what to do to bullies like you. Come with me right away!
MR BROCK: I'll escort the boy to the clinic, he's badly hurt.
Mr Gibb drags Anderson with him while Mr Brock, Bonnie and Laura go with Tyler to the clinic. Some boys from the crowd help to carry Tyler. After the beat down he just received, it's expected that he'd be too indisposed to move his feet.
BONNIE: Sorry, does it hurt so bad? I know that's a dumb question, I'm sorry. (On their way to the clinic, looking at Tyler's swollen mouth)
TYLER: I ggwuess he vvvound out that I vvwas invo-volved in vis issue that's vvwhy he attacked me... I'm... (coughs) ...I'm sorry, sis. He vvwas only doing it for you.
BONNIE: Don't talk much, save your strength, Anderson's the one who should be sorry. He acted so immaturely, like some thug or savage beast. I dunno what came over him.
LAURA: Why do I have the feeling that you won't be talking to Anderson for a while after what just happened?
BONNIE: I don't ever wanna see his face!
LAURA: Don't say that, bitch...
MR BROCK: It's a sin to use that word!
LAURA: My bad...
MR BROCK: And I'm glad Bonnie doesn't wanna have anything to do with him anymore.
The students share a look then turn to him, surprised.
MR BROCK: Hey, I'm not in support of breakups even though all what you teenagers care about is premarital sex and all sorts of sinful acts in the disguise of relationships. It's just that their relationship never sat right with me because of the age and grade difference between them.
LAURA: Anderson isn't eighteen yet which means it's legal since they're both still minors under the law. Wait, a sec... how did you even know that they were dating?
MR BROCK: I know stuff about my students.
LAURA: Yeah... too much stuff. (Pulling Bonnie away) I'm sorry, I just wanted to get away from the saint, old man's too nosy. So... as I was saying, about Anderson...
BONNIE: I already made myself clear, Anderson and I are done.
LAURA: Bitch, come on...
BONNIE: Laura, please!!
Back at their homeroom, some students are still hanging around, talking about what just happened.
OCTAVIO: Man, why did you call Mr Gibb and the saint? Now Anderson is in the principal's office and you know what that means, he's in big shit because of you.
CARL: Because of me? What the fuck, dude? Are you delusional? Our classmate was being jumped right under our noses. I'm the class rep for Christ sake, what should I have done? If I did nothing and the student admin found out about this, I'd be queried. If Anderson is in trouble, it's because he deserves it! I did what was right. Anderson acted wrong, man. Let's call a spade a spade, I don't even know why you're defending him.
OCTAVIO: I'm not defending him, I just feel he might be struggling within himself. I don't think he acts this way normally.
CARL: He's the same dude whom your crush Bonnie friend zoned you for and you're still feeling sorry for him even after what he did?
OCTAVIO: You didn't have to remind me.
CARL: You're supposed to be happy.
OCTAVIO: Why?
CARL: The dude beat up her twin brother right in front of her which means she's obviously gonna hate him right now, so maybe... just maybe you might stand a chance with your crush once again.
OCTAVIO: I can't shove my feelings down her throat... besides, I'm okay just being friends with her.
CARL: Suit yourself, man. I'm outta here. (He walks away, pissed, leaving Octavio)