Eric gets off the school bus, walking down the street to his house. He spots David in front of his house, getting off from a taxi. He calls out his name and hurries to meet up with him. They greet and enter the house together.
Five minutes later, the two boys are still standing absentmindedly at the door after coming in, engrossed in their discussion.
ERIC: And that's how he got kicked outta class, Mr Dering was so mad.
DAVID: Hahaha, that's some hilarious stuff, what the hell was he thinking?
ERIC: He thought he could get away with it.
DAVID: Dude is so dumb. (He bursts out laughing again for about ten seconds) ...You had a pretty good time in school today. I miss the fun of freshman year... I miss attending school....
"For real?"
ERIC & DAVID: Whoa! (Both startled)
ERIC: Did you hear something?
DAVID: Dude, it's your dad. (He chuckles) Hi Ethan. (He waves, leaving the main door, going to sit on the couch in the living room)
Ethan is at the other end of the living room with Sheen on the couch.
ETHAN: Hey, David.
ERIC: Dad, you been here the whole time? (Sheen jumps off the couch, hovering around him, tail wagging)
ETHAN: Sheen and I been here watching sport stuff on ESPN till you two interrupted, blabbing about how some kid tried to pull a prank on your math teacher. (The two boys burst out laughing again, Sheen gives them a funny look)
ERIC: Sorry, dad. Dunno why I'm still laughing. It's just so...
ETHAN: Yeah, I get it. It's so funny... Ha-ha-ha. (He yawns)
ERIC: Killjoy.
ETHAN: I heard that.
ERIC: You were supposed to.
ETHAN: Where's Elvis and why didn't he come home with you two?
ERIC: Football practice, big game next Friday.
ETHAN: Oh yeah, he mentioned it. So David... you said something about you missing high school, wanna talk about it?
DAVID: Not much to talk about though. I just miss school fun. I miss having friends. Uhm actually, I didn't have any friend. I just miss being around lotta folks of my age. I miss classes, tests, pop quizzes, exams, practicals... and finally, as messed up as it may be, I miss Rohan. Hahaha. (He laughs weirdly)
ERIC: Who's Rohan?
ETHAN: Your best friend?
DAVID: Best friend? (His laughter continues, hysterically. Eric and Ethan share a confusing look)
ETHAN: What? The thought of him is so amusing? Or is he such a funny guy?
DAVID: Nah, I'm laughing because you asked if he was my best friend. Rohan was a dude who derived joy in bruising my face.
ERIC: A bully.
DAVID: Yeah. (He pauses briefly as he reminisces his ordeal) I dunno what grade he was though but throughout my freshman year, he was always on my neck. I tried my best to dodge him because whenever and wherever he spotted me in school, there was a guaranteed punch coming through. It was like he had this special hatred for me. I took a different hallway to class most times even if it was a longer route... all just to avoid him. Some days, I'd deliberately get to school very late so I could peacefully walk through the main hallway. I'd rather get punished for late coming than get my breakfast from Rohan's fists.
ETHAN: Couldn't you report this kid?
DAVID: I tried it once and he was served detention, it felt good though, not until the following day. I got jumped by he and his friends. I found a note in my locker after that. "Snitches get stitches"
ERIC: Okay, enough talk about this Rohan. Listening to your stories alone, I already hate this guy.
ETHAN: He's a coward and he's... I don't wanna say damaged. Most bullies come from broken or unhappy homes, but that's no excuse. Anyway, tell us more about you, and all the other things you miss about school.
DAVID: Well, I miss class activities. I miss assignments, doing five pages, ten pages, meeting up with ridiculous deadlines... it's fun.
ERIC: Assignments... fun? Hold on a sec... last time you mentioned fun, all I heard was "classes, tests, pop quizzes, exams and practicals". You're a nerd.
ETHAN: Pot calling the kettle black.
ERIC: What? I'm not a nerd, I'm just smart.
ETHAN: And I'm not a cop, I'm just a detective.
ERIC: Don't do that, dad.
DAVID: Whatever! Guilty as charged. (He chuckles)
ETHAN: I like you, own your truth, rather than live in denial.
ERIC: I heard that.
ETHAN: You were supposed to. (They share a laugh)
ERIC: You don't seem like a nerd though. Where's your glasses?
DAVID: Dude, I don't wear glasses.
ETHAN: Why did you stop attending your school?
DAVID: Ever since my parents died in that car accident, it broke my lil sis and she stopped going to school. I tried my best to convince her not to give up on school but it ended up happening the other way around. She convinced me and I also gave up on school. My uncle was willing to pay for our tuition but we felt we were better off staying home... you can call us stupid. She also had no friends, we were both losers, especially me. At least she didn't have a bully like I did. And there was also a kid in her elementary school who had a crush on her. I'm the biggest loser.
ETHAN: Shut up, boy. Wanna try that again?
ERIC: Yeah, shut up, David. You're just a mind reading nerd who's got a little problem with socializing. That doesn't make you a loser, it just makes you human. (He pauses) What's the name of your school?
DAVID: Brautigan High.
ERIC: You kidding me? The school that beat us in the football game last semester? Y'all cheated! And because of that, we didn't make it to the tournament finals.
DAVID: Don't say "y'all", that ain't my school anymore.
ETHAN: You should come to Cleave Hills High.
ERIC: You're truly my dad! I was just thinking the same thing. (He goes over to where Ethan is seated and hi-fives him) Come on, David. Join our school.
DAVID: Wh-what? No way.
ETHAN: Do you have a problem with the school?
DAVID: No, not at all.
ERIC: So what's stopping you?
DAVID: I... I dunno... (He looks at Eric) would I have friends?
ERIC: The question is... would you be able to keep up with so much friends, my friend? (He smiles) See what I did there?
DAVID: Hmm... sounds tempting... but...
ERIC: No buts!
DAVID: I still gotta try to contact my uncle, you know? Who else is gonna pay for my tuition?
ETHAN: I will.
DAVID & ERIC: Really?
ETHAN: Well, just for a session though... then your uncle can take it from there. How does that sound?
DAVID: I... (He smiles, mouth hung open, searching for words) ...I dunno what to say.
ETHAN: Say yes, and first thing tomorrow morning, I'll take you to the admissions office in CHHS to have everything processed. So what do you say, David?
DAVID: Yes!
ERIC: Yes! (He hugs David excitedly, Sheen hovers around them)
21st January, Thursday. CHHS. A period after recess.
GWEN: Come on, Eric! We're gonna be late for P.E.
ERIC: You go, don't wanna keep you waiting. I still need to change into my sport gear. I'll meet you there.
GWEN: It's okay... I'll wait.
Shortly...
Maxx and Gustavo finish a duel race. Gustavo wins with a distance of 2 meters in 9.92 seconds, they're both panting.
MISS MILLER: That was fantastic! Gustavo's speed never ceases to amaze me. And Maxx, great run also! And now the next pair, for the girls. Angie and... Gwen!
GWEN: What? Me?
MISS MILLER: Yes, you. Got another Gwen here?
ERIC: Go show them how it's done.
GWEN: How what is done? (She brings her voice down to a whisper) I suck at running.
ERIC: When was the last time you participated in a race?
GWEN: Uhm... year 2000 and never.
ERIC: So how can you suck at something you've never even tried?
GWEN: Well, for the fact that I've never tried it, I'm not gonna be as good as someone who does it often.
ERIC: And what makes you think Angie runs often?
GWEN: I dunno! She looks fit.
ERIC: So do you.
GWEN: What if I lose?
ERIC: Who cares?
GWEN: I care!
ERIC: It's just a game. Look at Maxx, he lost the race but he even looks more excited than Gustavo. Most times it's not about losing. You either win or you learn how to do it better next time.
MISS MILLER: Gwendolyn! We ain't got all day!
GWEN: Err... coming!
ERIC: Don't stress over it, okay? See it as cheerleading. Free your muscles, free your mind and focus. Win or lose, I'm always proud of you. Now like I said... go show them how it's done!
GWEN: Alright! (She smiles, spirit lifted, jogging to the starting line where Angie is waiting)
MISS MILLER: On your marks, get set... girls, shall we? (She blows her whistle and the two pairs of feet start scissorsing)
"Whoa! Angie kicks off with the speed of light!"
"Babe's fast!"
"Watch out for Gwen! She's directly on your tail!"
"More acceleration, Angie!"
ELVIS: Shut up, y'all! Gwen has this in the bag! (He glances at Eric and they share an approving nod, Eric smiles)
ERIC: You can do this, Gwen!
"Okay! Gwen just caught up with Angie, is she gonna win this duel?"
"Go Gwen! Go Gwen!"
ELVIS: Your girlfriend's quite fast. (He goes over to meet Eric where he's standing)
ERIC: Surprisingly. I don't even know if we're dating... or maybe we are but it's not official.
MISS MILLER: Aaaand it's a draw! Whew! That was intense! You both finished in 14.05 seconds.
End of P.E. period, everyone's strolling out of the race track.
GWEN: Thanks for sparking me up back there, that was really helpful. I'm sorry I didn't win.
ERIC: But you didn't lose either. Instead you overcame your fear and I'm proud of... (He's interrupted by her lips brushing against his)
ELVIS: Now it's official. (He smirks, passing by and patting Eric on the back)
GWEN: What's official?
ERIC: Err... you and I?
GWEN: Yes. Yes it is. Wait, for the record, you feel the same way right? (She pulls a way for a second)
ERIC: Hell yeah!
GWEN: Great! (She chuckles, kissing him again) I love you, Eric.