Friday, Cleave Hills High School
Eric picks a random table in the cafeteria and sits by himself, subconsciously tuning out the noise and rowdiness around him and enjoying his own company. He's snacking on a sandwich while chatting with his sister on a social app called CC (Cool Chat). Right now, her profile displays 'online'.
ELENA ^ [dont 4get boy we gotta tell dad about Peggy 2nite] - 11:35am
ME ^ [Aiit] - 11:36am
ELENA ^ [dads a detective he shld be able 2 do sumtn] - 11:36am
ME ^ [yh sure] - 11:37am
ELENA ^ [we gotta find d murderer!] - 11:37am
ME ^ [I hear u now can I eat in peace?] - 11:37am
ELENA ^ [😂😂 u ain't havin peace till we find her murderer] - 11:38am
ME ^ [Elena!] - 11:38am
ELENA ^ [😂😂😂 kidding! See u @ home dork] - 11:38am
ME ^ [yh bye] - 11:39am
He goes offline and keeps his phone beside his tray on the table to focus on his food.
ERIC: Siblings are such a pain in the ass.
"I wish I could say 'I can relate' but I'm the only child". A girl occupies an empty spot right next to him, placing her tray beside his.
ERIC: Hey! We meet again. (He flashes a welcoming smile)
"Eric, yeah?" She politely reaches for a handshake.
ERIC: Yeah... Hope you're good, Gwen.
GWEN: Aww, you also remember my name. I'm good, thanks for asking.
ERIC: You're welcome.
GWEN: Are you a freshman?
ERIC: Yeah. You?
GWEN: Yup. I resumed three days ago.
ERIC: Oh, welcome to Cleave Hills, I could show you around the school if you want.
GWEN: That would be nice.
ERIC: You must have missed a whole lot though, we've gone quite far in the semester's syllabus.
GWEN: I'm catching up. Thanks for yesterday. I still dunno how you opened my locker though.
ERIC: There she goes again (he chuckles). How was the algebra test?
GWEN: I totally succeeded.
ERIC: Yaayyy!
GWEN: Succeeded in flanking it.
ERIC: No yaay. (His smile fades)
GWEN: Scored 9/20.
ERIC: I'm so sorry. Do you need a hand with algebra? Or any subject at all? I'm always available to put you through, just come to me.
GWEN: First, you offer to be my tour guide and now my tutor?
ERIC: I uhm... I was only trying to...
GWEN: Thanks. (She smiles). You're the nicest person I've met since I got here.
ERIC: I'll take that as a compliment. (He smiles back). Do you mind if I... you know...
GWEN: What?
ERIC: Actually, never mind.
She smiles at him, takes out a sticky note and pen from her school bag, scribbles something down and then hands it to him.
GWEN: Call me.
ERIC: Wow, are you serious? Thank you. I will, definitely.
GWEN: Are you on CoolChat?
They exchange social media handles and IDs and go on talking till recess is over.
After recess, Evans High.
Bonnie, Laura, Carl and Octavio converge in their homeroom.
BONNIE: I don't get it, Tyler was suspended for ransacking the principal's office. And now because of that, my dad has grounded him.
CARL: Sucks to be him right now.
LAURA: Tyler can be all sorts of irresponsible but he sure knows his limits. Turning the principal's office upside down? That's bullshit. What would be his reason for doing so?
OCTAVIO: Exactly, crimes are either committed based on impulse, or must have a motive whatsoever, be it personal vendetta or coercion. Principal Gaisford is wrong for this, you don't punish someone without probable cause.
CARL: Did you just get called to bar?
OCTAVIO: Nope, but I know my rights.
CARL: Who else is thinking what I'm thinking?
OCTAVIO: I am.
BONNIE: What are you two thinking?
OCTAVIO & CARL: Matilda!
LAURA: You think she's got something to do with Tyler's suspension?
CARL: I'm certain. She's got something to do with all the shitty things that have been happening lately.
OCTAVIO: We need to watch her carefully, that girl is up to no good.
CARL: Of course. We should ensure...
"Carl McRallen! My office, now!" Mrs Meyer, French teacher for the freshman and sophomore grade.
Two periods after recess, at the lockers.
PRUDENCIA: Girl, I'm 101% sure that you had a hand in Tyler's suspension. I remember you threatened him on Tuesday.
Matilda flashes a smile
PRUDENCIA: I knew it! So how did you go about it?
MATILDA: Easy peasy! On Wednesday, I sent Bob to steal Tyler's ID card after school. So he came to school at night, broke into principal Gaisford's office and did exactly as I instructed.
PRUDENCIA: And what were your instructions?
MATILDA: Damage!
PRUDENCIA: Oh my...
MATILDA: I also specifically instructed him to drop the ID card on the floor as evidence to incriminate Tyler.
PRUDENCIA: Evil bitch. (They share a laugh, leaving the lockers together)
A girl smiles from afar after they had left the lockers, stopping her recording and keeping her phone in her bag.