A period before recess, Cleave Hills High. It's freshman math class and Gwen is standing in front of the board.
GWEN: Finding the difference, the cube root of 27 equals 3 and the cube root of 512 equals 8. Therefore, 3 minus 8 equals -5 and that's our answer. (She turns to face the whole class after solving, handing the chalk back to the teacher and dusting her fingers with a napkin by the lower edge of the board)
"Correct! Being her first time coming out to attempt a question, I think Gwendolyn deserves an applause" The math teacher smiles.
ERIC: Nice one, Gwen.
GWEN: All thanks to you, Eric. (Returning to her seat behind his). You taught me this, remember? (She shares a smile with him as the applaud fades out)
"This brings us to the end of last semester's revision. This semester, we're starting off with Polygons. Y'all should read ahead for tomorrow. Good day, class". Mr Dering leaves.
ERIC: How was the holiday? (He turns around, facing Gwen)
GWEN: It was cool. (Closing her textbook and notebook, unzipping her school bag)
ERIC: I know it was cool, obviously. Winter... snow... you know.
GWEN: (She chuckles) I meant it was okay. Had fun.
ERIC: Wanna tell me about it?
GWEN: No.
ERIC: Alright, that's okay.
GWEN: I mean... not now. (Getting up, adjusting her hair)
ERIC: Okay. (He pauses, watching her) Going somewhere?
GWEN: The gym. The squad was notified to meet up there during recess.
ERIC: To discuss cheerleading tryout, I guess. (He stands up for no reason, looking into her eyes)
GWEN: You're right... (she looks at him) ...I gotta go.
ERIC: Okay.
GWEN: Talk later, alright? (Playing with the front pockets of his hoodie)
ERIC: Okay. (He smiles as she leaves)
ELVIS: You two getting along again? (Coming from his back bench sitting position, tapping Eric on the shoulder)
ERIC: I guess.
ELVIS: You still like her, huh?
ERIC: I guess. You?
ELVIS: You met her first, I only came into the picture.
GUSTAVO: And it's my fault. (Joining the conversation)
ERIC: Come on, guys.
ELVIS: If you really like her, fight for her, let nothing or no one get in the way this time.
ERIC: Thanks.
GUSTAVO: Okay, let's not stretch this too long. My stomach has no interest in this conversation. (Rubbing his hand around his belly)
MAXX: I'm also hungry. (Joining them) To the cafeteria, shall we? It's the first day of the semester, lunch is on me.
ERIC: I hope no one takes your generosity for granted some day.
Maxx chuckles as the four of them slowly swagger out of the classroom, talking and laughing.
01:59pm, The Holmes's place.
Vivian is standing by the porch, taking off the 'Merry Xmas' decoration that has been hanging on the front door since the third week of December.
"Vivian"
VIVIAN: Lisa? (Turning around) What are you doing here?
LISA: Paying you a visit. Is that wrong?
VIVIAN: Nope, not at all. I just thought you'd be...
LISA: In jail? That's what you want, right?
VIVIAN: What are you talking about? It's just... you know, since the murder case of...
LISA: Shh. You seem tensed. (Going closer to Vivian)
VIVIAN: Tensed? I'm just surprised to see you here.
LISA: The look on your face doesn't say surprise... looks more like guilt. Because you know what you DID! (Her tone goes higher)
VIVIAN: What did I do? (Taking a step backwards as Lisa keeps coming closer)
LISA: Why did you tell the sheriff about my tattoo? Must you say everything you see? When did minding your business and keeping your mouth shut become such a difficult task?
VIVIAN: Lisa, the sheriff only asked me if I had any information which could help in the investigation and then I...
LISA: ...Decided to open your filthy mouth, you bitch! (Slapping her)
VIVIAN: Li-Lisa? (She holds her cheek, caught unaware by the slap)
LISA: How dare you! (Slapping her again). How dare you!! (Trying to strangle her)
"TWICKKK!!!"
Someone smacks her head from behind with a golf stick and she passes out.
BRADY: Good riddance. (He mutters, hugging his wife)
VIVIAN: Thank you, love. You came just at the nick of time. She wanted to kill me. All because I told the sheriff about her weird tattoo.
BRADY: It's alright, Veev. I saw what happened. I just dropped by from the construction site to pick a few things in the garage. Didn't even know you were home till I started hearing voices. Saw what was going on so I grabbed the nearest thing that came in handy as a weapon. (He wipes off the little blood on the left side of her forehead). This witch had the nerves to come at you, I'll take care of her!
VIVIAN: What do you mean by 'take care'? Please don't do something stupid, okay? Let it go, please.
BRADY: Tell that to Demi Lovato. As long as I'm concerned, she's gonna pay for...
VIVIAN: Please, Brady. Please. (She looks him in the eyes momentarily). Please.
BRADY: Fuck! (He exhales) Alright, whatever you say. (He clenches his jaw angrily then looks at her slightly scratched forehead again). Need some ice on that?
VIVIAN: Nope. Your kisses would be better.
BRADY: (He chuckles) Come here!
Tuesday, Evans High. The sophomore lounge.
BONNIE: Bitch! I've finally beaten your high score. Take a look... see? Now who's the queen of Piano Tiles?
LAURA: That's impossible. (Grabbing the phone) I bet it's because I haven't played for some days. Enjoy your queenship while it lasts.
BONNIE: Envy causes damage to your health, sweetheart.
LAURA: Oh, puh-lease! You know I can easily beat the score again in just a few minutes. I'm only... hey you got a WhatsApp message. (Looking at the screen and trying to read the message from the notification bar before Bonnie grabs the phone from her)
BONNIE: Who could this be?
LAURA: What does the message say? (Taking a peep)
BONNIE & LAURA: "What's up, Bonnie? Been a minute". (They chorus together)
LAURA: Well, reply them. Lemme go bully Tyler and rob him of some candy. Back in a moment. (She gets up from the sofa where she and Bonnie are seated)
+39 *** **** [What's up, Bonnie? Been a minute] - 11:10am
ME ^ [who's dis plz] - 11:11am
+39 *** **** [Guess] - 11:11am
ME ^ [dis is a foreign number, no idea] - 11:12am
+39 *** **** [it's Carl] - 11:12am
ME ^ [carl McRallen?] - 11:12am
+39 *** **** [u knw another Carl? Haha how u doing?] - 11:13am
ME ^ [whoa! Good 2 hear from u carl how's Italy?] - 11:13am
+39 *** **** [cool been 3 yrs since I was here last, not much have changed but there's a new restaurant opposite our home] - 11:14am
ME ^ [dats gr8] - 11:15am
+39 *** **** [dats where I'm at right now sampling their latest cuisine] - 11:15am
ME ^ [awesome!] - 11:16am
ME ^ [wait right now? Ain't u like supposed 2 b in sch?] - 11:17am
+39 *** **** [nope, my sch semester resumes 2moro] - 11:17am
ME ^ [oh, we resumed yesterday] - 11:17am
+39 *** **** [I know, I still keep track of the academic calendar of my previous alma matter. Weird, I know haha] - 11:18am
ME ^ [it's not!] - 11:19am
ME ^ [so what's d name of ur sch?] - 11:19am
+39 *** **** [Paulo-Milliano High] - 11:19am
ME ^ [nice! U havin a good time over there?] - 11:20am
+39 *** **** [The school's alright... I mean, it's just been recently renovated so everywhere's clean, the teachers are alright... but there's no place like Evans] - 11:21am
ME ^ [give it some more time and u'll completely settle in] - 11:22am
+39 *** **** [u right. Hey can we video chat? If u don't mind] - 11:22am
ME ^ [I don't mind. Gimme a second so I'll save ur contact] - 11:23am
[Video call from Carl] - 11:24am
BONNIE: Hey boyyy! (She picks up the call and flashes him a smile)
CARL: Bonnie Holmes... ever gracious.
BONNIE: Thank you! (The smile lingers) What's with the spectacles?
CARL: Oh, it's temporary. I've got an eye condition, I can't even pronounce it. But my aunt's helping with the treatment. She recommended the glasses herself. Yeah, she's an optometrist.
BONNIE: Okay, glad it's temporary because you look better with two eyes than four.
CARL: I know! (They share a laugh) How's Tyler? And Laura? They still together? I don't have Tyler's number but I've tried to call Laura several times, can't seem to get through to her, she okay? (He sips his drink)
BONNIE: Tyler's good, same old, you know the drill.
CARL: Playing basketball, flirting with lots of girls and feeling like he's Zac Efron, struggling not to fail math class and forcing you to put up with him at home. What did I miss?
BONNIE: Absolutely nothing! (They share a chuckle) Laura's good too. She changed her number because she misplaced her phone a few days after thanksgiving and decided not to bother getting back.
CARL: Oh, okay. Glad she's alright. I thought you two always hang out together, but I don't see her.
BONNIE: Oh, we were together a moment ago. She just left, but I'm sure she'll be back soon.
CARL: Cool. Send me her new number... if it's okay with her, of course.
BONNIE: Come on... I'll send it to you right after this call. She's not gonna have a problem with it... oh, speak of the devil. (She glances at Laura who just returned to their seat)
LAURA: Here's some candy. (She dumps two chocolate bars on Bonnie's thighs) Who you talking to?
BONNIE: It's...
LAURA: ...Carl?! (She grabs the phone from Bonnie) Heyy! What you eating?
CARL: I'm doing great, Laura. It's been a while I heard from you too, thanks for asking. (He flashes a smile)
LAURA: Don't be like that, Carl. (She chuckles) You know I miss your corny ass. By the way, I changed my number.
CARL: Yeah, Bonnie's been filling me in. Sorry, guys. Gotta go off, something I need to take care of. I'd call back at closing hours. And Laura, this is red sauce shrimp pasta and the drink is cinnamon and lemon iced tea.
LAURA: Damn, boy. You're living my dream.
CARL: Haha, catch y'all later. Bye! (The video call ends)
LAURA: That was sudden.
BONNIE: Yeah. We'll just wait till he calls back. Hmm... Godiva, Twix... how the hell did you manage to swipe these from Tyler? He doesn't share his chocolates.
LAURA: I'm his girlfriend.
BONNIE: Okay, Captain obvious. (Rolling her eyes)
LAURA: Actually, I threatened to report him to his coach for not following the strict diet which the team was given. He had no choice but to give up the chocolates.
BONNIE: And the award for the queen of blackmail goes to... Laura Martin!
LAURA: Drumroll, please. And queen of Piano Tiles too.
BONNIE: Oh, sweetheart... that is past glory.