[At School…]

(Manny, Abby, and Emma are sitting on the front stone wall of Degrassi, watching kids walk up the steps and into the building.)

Manny: Do you guys realize that every single one of these people are younger than us?

Emma: Seniors.

Abby: Feels nice on the tongue, doesn’t it?

Manny: Grade 12’s. Finally. We rule Degrassi.

Abby: Do you even realize what that means? I could just – just walk up to that Grade 9 over there and order him to do – well, anything!

Manny: Even better? No more Paige!

Abby: We still have Ash, though.

(Ash walks by with Jimmy. The three girls make faces.)

Manny: You can’t have everything, I guess.

Emma: Hopefully this year will be better than last. And the year before that. And the year before that. And –

Manny: Of course it will!

(Manny looks to her friends. They stare at her, waiting for a response.)

Manny: This is the first year since – ever! that we are all starting the year with (begins counting things off on her fingers) boyfriends, good reputations, and no topless videos. Besides, we don’t hate each other. We hardly ever all like each other at the same time.

(Emma nods.)

Emma: Pretty amazing.

Abby: Who says we all have boyfriends?

Manny: Um, durr. I’ve got Craig – Em has Peter –

Emma: And you have Sean.

(Abby stares at her blankly, Manny rolls her eyes.)

Manny: You know? That cute guy in a wifebeater that’s been following you around all summer?

Abby: Oh. Sean.

Emma: What’s going on between you two?

(Abby shakes her head.)

Abby: It’s – it’s nothing.

(They see Sean jump out of his car. He sees Abby, grins, and begins walking over towards them.)

Manny: Let’s hope so.

[CUT TO: JT and Toby walking towards the school.]

JT: Another year. Another quest for a girl –

(Liberty walks by. JT smiles and waves; she just glares at him.)

JT: - who will never talk to me again.

Toby: At least you have a girl to quest after! I’m stuck beginning my year alone. For like the fifth time in a row.

(JT ignores Toby and runs up to Liberty.)

JT: Liberty! Hey – hey – Libs! Come on! Won’t you even talk to me?

Liberty: No!

(Liberty walks away briskly. JT falls back into step with Toby.)

JT: One day, she will forgive me.

Toby: I’m sure.

(JT nods decisively. He spots Emma, Manny, Abby, and Sean across the lawn and runs over to them. Toby follows, slowly, looking depressed. He stops once he reaches the front of Degrassi. Staring gloomily up at it, he sighs.)

Toby: Another year alone. Great.

[CUT TO: Ashley and Jimmy, walking into the foyer.]

(Jimmy stops and sighs at the all-too-familiar sights of kids bustling around him.)

Jimmy: Yo, dude – why are we still here?

(Ash laughs and begins pushing him.)

Ash: I have no idea.

Jimmy: I should be in college right now. I should be in a dorm room. Challenging my mind. Majoring in art.

Ash: But instead?

Jimmy: I’m here. At Degrassi.

(JT runs after Liberty, calling her name desperatley.)

Jimmy: Stuck looking at JT’s ugly-ass face for another year.

(Ash laughs good naturedly.)

Ash: It won’t be too bad. Degrassi’s an awesome school.

Jimmy: After six years, it gets pretty old.

(They begin walking down the hall when Spinner runs up to Jimmy and hugs him.)

Spinner: Jimmy! Hey!

(Jimmy grins and hugs Spin back.)

Jimmy: Yo! What’s up?

Spinner: Nothing much. Sucks to be back here, doesn’t it?

Jimmy: You have no idea.

Ash: Where’s Darcy, Spin?

Jimmy: Yeah – you said she came back from Bible Camp a week ago.

(Spinner shrugs.)

Spinner: I tried calling, but she never called back. I’m gonna talk to her soon.

Jimmy: No need to worry, man. They preach forgiveness at Bible Camp, don’t they?

Spinner: (shrugs) We can only hope.

(The three continue down the hall. Spinner spots a goth-y looking girl with a pierced lip, dyed black emo hair, thick make-up, and black clothes talking to a preppy, cute guy with shaggy hair and a polo. Spinner points to the girl and laughs.)

Spinner: Hey – hey – look, Ash! It’s you in Grade 9! The Queen of Doom has returned!

(Ash rolls her eyes as Spinner and Jimmy crack grins.)

Ash: I’m sure she’s very nice.

[CUT TO: Degrassi’s newest students, Bailey and Russ McGee, talking at their lockers.]

Bailey: Don’t even try to talk to me. Just because we’re going to the same school doesn’t mean I have to interact with you.

Russ: Our social worker said –

Bailey: If you know me at all – not that you do – you’d know that I don’t give a fuck what Betsy or Bessy or whatever the hell her name is says.
(Bailey slams her locker shut and storms off. Russ, frustrated, shouts after her.)

Russ: Beth! Her name is Beth!

[CUT TO: Danny and Derek at their lockers.]

(Abby, Emma, Manny, and Sean walk by them. Derek stares longingly as they turn a corner. Danny rolls his eyes and slams his locker shut.)

Danny: Dude, you need to get a life!

(Derek is jerked out of his thoughts and looks to Danny, confused.)

Derek: Wha – what?

Danny: She has a boyfriend.

(Derek sighs.)

Derek: I know.

Danny: You’ve got to stop stalking her.

Derek: I know.

Danny: She’s never going to be into you!

Derek: I know.

(They begin to walk down the hall.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Mr. Simpson is standing at the front of his Grade 12 Media Immersion class, grinning.)

Mr. Simpson: Your last year, guys. Can you believe it?

(He begins to pass out class syllabuses.)

Mr. Simpson: I have had most of you guys for five years. Five! I’ve watched you grow up. Mature. Become absolutely amazing young men and women. I must say, I’m proud –

Manny: We love you, too, Mr. Simpson!

(The class laughs.)

Mr. Simpson: Well, I shouldn’t get too mushy, should I? Save that for the yearbooks. Anyway, this year we’ll be delving even deeper into the world of Media Immersion. We’ll be covering everything from pixels to hard drives.

(As Mr. Simpson continues talking, Sean plops down on the chair next to Abby. He grins at her.)

Sean: Hey.

(Abby glances at him quickly and then turns back to her paper.)

Abby: Hey, Sean.

Sean: Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to come over today after school. We could order some food and watch a movie or something –

Abby: Sorry, Sean, I’m working.

(Sean looks disapointed and Abby, relieved.)

Sean: Maybe I’ll drop by at the Dot later, then.

Abby: You know, you don’t have to –

Sean: No, I want to. You’ve been working there so much. I hardly ever see you anymore.

(Sean grins and squeezes Abby’s hand. Abby forces a smile back.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Mrs. Kwan is pulling the same welcome-back routine in her English class later that day. Toby is sitting, head on his desk, looking depressed. Mrs. Kwan walks by him, dropping a book on his desk and shooting him a pitiful look.)

Mrs. Kwan: You don’t look too happy, Toby.

(Toby sits up.)

Toby: I’m fine, Mrs. Kwan.

Mrs. Kwan: I hope so. I’m looking forward to another year of that impeccable thought process of yours!

Toby: (dejectedly) Me too, Mrs. Kwan.

(Mrs. Kwan walks away as JT leans over Toby’s shoulder.)

JT: (high mocking voice) I’m looking forward to another year of that impeccable thought process of yours!

Toby: Shut up.

JT: It’s only the first day and you’re already her favorite again. You could at least give someone else a chance this year.

Toby: You’re just jealous.

JT: That you’re a nerd? I don’t think so.

(JT leans back into his seat as Toby sighs and puts his head back on his desk. Mrs. Kwan goes to her desk and skims her gradebook. Spotting two unfamiliar names, she looks up.)

Mrs. Kwan: Looks like we have some new students in class this year! Bailey and Russell McGee – how about you stand up and introduce yourselves?

(Russ stands up, smiling nervously at the class. Mrs. Kwan smiles at hims and motions him to the front of the room.)

Mrs. Kwan: You must be Russell.

Russ: Call me Russ.

Mrs. Kwan: Okay, Russ. But where’s your sister?

(Looking pissed off, Bailey stands up. JT makes a face and leans into Toby’s shoulder again.)

JT: Wow. She looks scary.

(Toby rolls his eyes as Bailey drags herself to the front of the room with Russ.)

Mrs. Kwan: So – Bailey, Russ – how about you tell us something about yourselves? Where are you from? What are your interests?

(Bailey stares incredously at Mrs. Kwan. Still smiling, Russ steps forward.)

Russ: Um, hey, guys. I’m Russ McGee. I’m 17. I play lacrosse and my favorite subject in school is science. That’s, uh, about it.

(There’s a pause. Bailey doesn’t say anything.)

Mrs. Kwan: Bailey, what about you?

(Bailey rolls her eyes.)

Bailey: I’m Bailey. I don’t like people. Music is my life. I’m a blood-sucking vampire.

(The entire class gapes at Bailey, including Mrs. Kwan. Russ shuts his eyes, embarrassed. Mrs. Kwan attempts to re-gain her composure.)

Mrs. Kwan: Oh – um – well, then – that’s all very nice, but – we should get started with class! This year, you’ll be reading, um, Hamlet –

(She begins writing on the board. Bailey and Russ head back to their seats. Russ catches up with Bailey, angry.)

Russ: Did you really have to say that?

Bailey: Fuck off.

(Bailey and Russ sit down. JT whispers over Toby’s shoulder again.)

JT: You could always date her, Tobs. I’m sure she’d take you. 

Toby: Thanks,  JT.

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(The bell is ringing to signal the end of Kwan’s class. Toby begins to gather his books. He turns to JT behind him.)

Toby: JT, I was thinking, maybe we could go out for –

(JT has already left the room. Toby mutter angrily to himself as he packs his bag.)

Toby: Chasing after Liberty, no doubt.

(He picks up his bag and goes to leave, but crashes into Bailey in front of the door. Their stuff flies everywhere as they both bend down to pick it up.)

Bailey: (angrily to self) Good job, dumbass.

(Bailey grabs her things and flies out of the room.)

Toby: And what a nice girl she is.

(Toby grabs something off the ground. It’s a notebook. The cover is covered in doodles – knives, pentagrams, vampires, and the like – and the words Cum Tenebris, Lux Veritatis written in the middle. Toby walks into the hallway, holding the notebook away from him, as if it’s contaminated. He searches for Bailey, but she’s gone.)

Toby: Cum Tennie Bris Lux Veritats? What?

(Shaking his head, Toby begins to walk down the hall.)

[End of Scene]

[At The Dot…]

(Manny is sitting at the counter, slurping a milkshake. Spinner is waiting tables as Abby works the counter.)

Manny: God. It’s so weird think that we have to actually go to school tomorrow.

Abby: Kind of depressing.

(Spinner walks by.)

Spinner: I hate school.

(He walks into the kitchen. Manny leans forward, studying Abby. Abby takes notice.)

Abby: What? Do I have something in my teeth?

Manny: What’s up with you and Sean?

Abby: Nothing.

Manny: You’re acting really weird around him.

Abby: Am not.

(Abby turns and starts to orginize things under the counter in an attempt to avoid Manny.)

Manny: You still love him… Right?

(Abby sighs and stands up.)

Abby: Of course I love him. He’s Sean.

Manny: Then why all the weirdness?

(Abby turns to face Manny.)

Abby: My sister still keeps her Zoloft locked away in her room. I still have a scar on my head from when I passed out. I still have his fucking letter in my drawer.

(Manny looks confused, so Abby keeps going.)

Abby: I can’t seem to be happy with him. Not after everything that happened after the shooting. I’m trying to forget… But I can’t.

Manny: Sweetie – I thought you were over that?

Abby: (shrugs) I thought so too.

Manny: What are you going to do?

Abby: Stick it out? Maybe I’ll stop hating him a little if I stay with him.

(Abby smiles sadly. Manny grabs her hand.)

Manny: He really loves you.

Abby: I know.

Manny: And he’s still really sorry for how he left.

Abby: I know.

(Pause.)

Abby: But I also know if I can’t get over him leaving for Wasaga, I can’t be with him. No matter how much I love him.

(The girls see Sean walking into the Dot. They share small smiles.)

[End of Scene]

[At The Dot…]

(Derek and Danny are sitting in the back of The Dot. Derek is staring over at the counter where Manny, Abby, Sean, and Spin are. Danny is staring at his friend incredously.)

Danny: Dude. How pathetic can you get?

(Derek sighs and picks up his menu.)

Derek: Very pathetic.

Danny: This has been going on for months, man! All summer! Either find a way to snag her or just get over it. Because, what you’re doing? Isn’t exactly reeling her in.

Derek: Don’t you think I know that?

Danny: Then go on! Talk to her! You’ve got to woo her, dude!

(Abby picks up her order pad and begins walking towards the two boys to take their order.)

Danny: Look! She’s coming!

(Derek panics.)

Derek: What do I do? Do I – should I –

Danny: Just act cool, okay? Don’t embarress yourself!

(Abby walks up to their table.)

Abby: Hey Danny! Derek!

(Derek stares at Abby, unable to speak. Danny attempts to cover for him.)

Danny: Hey, Abby – how’s it going?

Abby: (shrugs) Okay. Work, as always. At least I’m getting rich, right?

Danny: That’s always good.

(Danny hits Derek under the table. Derek doesn’t speak.)

Danny: Derek has a job!

(Awkward pause.)

Danny: A – uh – very manly job.

Abby: Really? What do you do?

(Derek doesn’t talk. Danny rolls his eyes as he tries to help Derek again.)

Danny: Go on, dude – tell her!

Derek: Um, I – uh – coach basketball. For little kids.

Abby: Oh, that’s really cool! How old are they?

Derek: Oh – uh – from like nine to eleven.

Abby: That’s awesome.

(There’s an awkward pause.)

Abby: So what do you guys want?

Danny: I’ll have a cheeseburger. Medium rare.

Derek: And I’ll have… Uh… Maybe…

Danny: He’ll take the same.

(Abby nods, smiles, and leaves. Danny slaps Derek in the head.)

Danny: Dude!

Derek: What?

Danny: Are you stupid?

Derek: I was playing it cool!

Danny: No, dude. I was playing it cool. You were acting like Forrest Gump.

Derek: Was not!

Danny: You’ve got to act cool, man. If you keep stuttering like that in front of her, she’ll never get into you. You’ve got to bring your A-game. Give her a reason to dump that Cameron thug.

(Danny grabs his bag and stands up, ready to leave.)

Danny: Make me proud, okay?

(Derek nods. As Danny leaves, he sighs and slumps into his seat.)

[End of Scene]

[At Toby’s House…]

(Toby is sitting at his desk, working on homework. Bailey’s notebook is on a shelf next to him. Ash walks in.)

Ash: Mom wanted me to tell you dinner’s in ten. Be ready, ‘kay?

Toby: Yep.

(Ash walks into Toby’s room and sits down on his bed.)

Ash: What are you doing?

Toby: Homework. What else?

Ash: Teachers are really cracking down this year, eh?

Toby: They crack down every year.

Ash: Good point.

(Ash spots the notebook and reaches over to grab it.)

Ash: What’s this – you going emo on me, Tobs?

Toby: It’s this girl Bailey’s. She forgot it. I’m giving it back to her tomorrow.

Ash: Have you read it yet?

Toby: No. As if I care about a freak girl like her.

Ash: Hey! I was this girl, three years ago.

Toby: Did I like you three years ago?

Ash: You’re being awfully judgemental for the best friend of a school shooter.

Toby: Shut up.

(There’s a pause as Ash sets the notebook down and looks at Toby with concern.)

Ash: Are you okay, Tobs?

Toby: Yeah, I guess.

Ash: You just seem sort of down lately.

Toby: What are you talking about?

Ash: You hardly hung out with JT or Emma or your friends all summer – just stayed locked up in your room. And whatever happened to Kendra? I liked Kendra.

Toby: (flatly) Kendra dumped me for some Japenese computer genius.

Ash: What about Emma? Or Manny? Even Abby?

Toby: All taken. Besides, they wouldn’t want me anyway.

Ash: What are you talking about?

Toby: I’m not the type of guys girls choose. They like assholes.

Ash: What?

Toby: Emma chose Peter, even though he filmed Manny with her top off. Abby chose Sean, even though he ditched her for over a year. Manny chose Craig, even though he cheated on her and got her pregnant.

Ash: They just love those guys, Toby.

Toby: And they don’t love me. I’m too – too – too availible. Too nerdy.

Ash: You’re not nerdy!

(Toby stares at Ashley incredously.)

Toby: I can program a computer. I like anime.  I’m nerdy, Ash. Get a clue.

Ash: But –

Toby: And girls don’t like nerdy. I’ve come to accept that. I will die alone with my computer and my ten cats.

Ash: Are you kidding? You’ll find a girl! Someone who loves your nerdiness.

(Toby snorts.)

Toby: Sure.

Ash: I’m being serious! There’s someone out there for everyone.

Toby: Except me.

Ash: Especially you!

(Toby rolls his eyes as Ash looks sadly at him.)

Ash: Seriously, Tobs. But you’re not going to find a girl until you learn to love yourself.

Toby: Okay. I’ll get right on that.

(Toby turns back towards his desk. Ash picks up the notebook again.)

Ash: Why don’t you try befriending Notebook Girl?

Toby: Bailey?

Ash: She looks like she could use some friends.

Toby: So you want me to be her knight in shining denim, don’t you?

Ash: Sure. That’d be really cool of you.

Toby: Befriend the new school weirdo. Exactly what my reputation needs. (snorts) Knowing my luck, she’d show up at school with a gun.

Ash: Toby!

Toby: Hey, a little humor never killed anyone.

(Ash stands up, dropping the notebook in front of Toby.)

Ash: Do whatever you want, Tobs. I’m just saying, this girl’s probably nicer than you know.

Toby: Whatever, Ash. I’ll be down in time for dinner.

(Ash shrugs and leaves.)

[End of Scene]

[At The Dot…]

(The place is nearly empty – except for Derek, who is still sitting in the corner. Abby and Spinner are cleaning up. They don’t realize they have one remaining customer.)

Abby: Can you believe Heather Sinclair actually said that to Kwan?

Spinner: “I speak good enough English already.” (laughs)

Abby: Poor Heather really is dumb as a doornail, isn’t she?

(They laugh. Derek watches them.)

Abby: Are you almost done? I have like three years of chemistry homework to do when I get home.

Spinner: I just have to lock the cash register – okay, yeah, I’m done.

Abby: Let’s get out of here.

(They pick up there stuff to leave, when Spinner stops. Sheepishly, he turns to Abby.)

Spinner: Oh, um, Abby – I can’t exactly give you a ride home tonight.

Abby: Why not?

Spinner: I’m going to Kendra’s hockey game. It’s up in Fergus and started – (checks watch) – a half hour ago.

Abby: Thanks for telling me! What am I supposed to do, walk?

Spinner: I’m sorry, okay? Brain fart – you know. You can call Charlie or something, right?

Abby: Charlie’s at university, remember? But I think my mom can come.

(Abby takes out a cell phone and begins dialing. Derek takes a deep breath and stands up, walking towards Abby.)

Derek: I can give you a ride home, if you want.

(Abby and Spin turn towards Derek, shocked. They hadn’t known he was there.)

Abby: Oh – Derek – it’s just you –

Spinner: What are you still doing here, man?

Derek: I, uh, was just finishing up some homework. But do you need a ride, Abby? My car’s out back, if you want –

(Abby smiles, relieved.)

Abby: Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.

(Derek grins.)

Derek: No problem!

[End of Scene]

[At Abby’s House…]

(Derek and Abby pull up to Abby’s house and they sit in his car for a moment, awkwardly. Abby smiles and begins to climb out.)

Abby: Thanks so much for the ride, I owe you forever –

(Derek eagerly jumps out of the car.)

Derek: Here, let me walk you to your door –

Abby: Oh, you don’t have to –

Derek: No, really, it’s fine!

(Abby shrugs and heads up her walkway. Derek follows. They reach her front door.)

Abby: Thanks, Derek. See you in school tomorrow?

Derek: Um, yeah. See you.

(Abby begins to walk inside, but Derek gets a burst of confidence and stops her.)

Derek: Abby?

Abby: Yeah?

Derek: I just – I – I wanted to –

(Derek kisses Abby. Abby kisses him back, for just a second, before pulling away in shock. Derek realizes what he’s just done and is completely horrified.)

Derek: Wait – oh God – I’m sorry – I didn’t mean –

Abby: No – um – it’s fine – I guess – I – um – well then – bye!

(Abby runs into her house, slamming the door shut. Once inside, she leans up against the door and sinks to the floor, still stunned. On her porch, Derek sighs and begins muttering angrily to himself as he walks back to his car. Abby’s phone begins to ring – Sean. Abby bites her lip and looks down at her Caller ID screen, guilty.)

((freezes))