FADE IN:

Disclaimers: None whatsoever. These characters are mine. MINE! Mwuhahahaha! Any resemblance or similarities to other existing characters is purely coincidental.*cough*

Violence, Sexual Content, and Language: About the same as you’d see on your average teen drama. Maybe slightly more.

Why the script format? You’ve always used the regular story format before: Because it’s easier for me that way. A script is basically just dialogue and action which is very easy to write if you know your characters well, and it doesn’t contain a whole lot of the narrative description that you’ll find in novels, which can take FOR…Eh…VER to write. I basically do it for you guys, because this way I write much faster.

Long Beach? But… ugh: Why Long Beach? Because I live there. I don’t live anywhere else. Write what you know.

Why make up Dean High School? Why not use Harvey Milk?: See previous answer.

Wh-: Shut up and stop talking.

Fine. Where should I send my hate mail, you big meanie?: Well, feedback is always much appreciated. You can send it to lightanddark7@yahoo.com. However, hate mail is not wanted, and there is a difference between criticism and hate mail. If you want to tell me that my characterization sucks, please do so. If you want to tell me I’m going to burn in hell cause I’m writing about gay kids, please get a life. Seriously. If love offends you, too bad. No cookies for you.

Oooh, cookies: Yeah, that does sound good. Peace out.

Rebel High

Season 1

Episode 1: “The Pilot”

FADE IN:

INT. AIRPLANE - MORNING

CASEY FARRELL sits in the window seat of her flight. Her father CONOR sits next to her. The engines get louder and the plane speeds up on the runway. The plane lifts off the ground and Casey shoots out her hand in a death grip on the armrest between them. After the plane levels off, she lets go.

CONOR

Are you ok?

CASEY

I'm fine.

CASEY(VO)

I remember the day my dad told me we

were moving. I threw the biggest

tantrum. I'm rather ashamed of it

actually. I haven't done that since I was

was three.

CUT TO:

EXT. JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT - AFTERNOON

Casey and her father carry their bags and walk through the sliding glass doors of the arrivals terminal at John Wayne.

CASEY(VO)

But no matter how much I ranted,

raved, argued, and threatened life-

long silence, he didn't change his

mind. So we packed up and moved from

my beloved, wild and crazy New Orleans

to Long Beach, California.

Casey feels it really is a world away from home.

CUT TO:

INT. FARRELL HOUSE - AFTERNOON

The door to their house opens and Casey and Conor step inside and pause in the entryway. Casey looks around approvingly.

CASEY

Nice.

CONOR

Let me show you around the place. I

know the bedroom you'll probably want.

It's got a nice view.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Conor pushes open the door to Casey's room.

CASEY

Isn't this like, the master bedroom?

CONOR

Yeah, but I figured since you're home

more than I am, you should have it.

Casey looks around the huge room.

CASEY(VO)

I knew what it was. It was an ass-

kissing slash peace-offering disguised

as rationality.

Casey walks around the room.

CASEY(VO)

You see, my dad works. A lot. All the

time. So he's never really home. So to

make up for his parental fallacy, he

buys me things, gives me things, and

basically lets me do whatever the hell

I want.

CONOR

Well, do you like it?

CASEY

Yeah.

She wanders towards the balcony.

CONOR

I have to make some phone calls. Give

a yell if you need me, okay?

CASEY

Okay.

Conor leaves to his own room.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM - MINUTES LATER

Casey starts unpacking a few clothes and pictures and places them on the dresser and night-stand and glances in the other boxes stacked in her room. While walking from the bed to the dresser, the breeze from the balcony catches her attention. She abandons unpacking and goes out onto her balcony.

CUT TO:

EXT. CASEY'S BALCONY – SUNSET

She takes in the scenery. The cars whizzing down the street in front of her house. The park across the street perched on a cliff that leads to the sand. The joggers, the roller-bladers, the people playing frisbee with their dogs. The palm trees. The downtown skyline. The Queen Mary. Off in the distance, Catalina can be seen in the warm sunset.

CASEY(VO)

But once I really thought about the

whole thing, it wasn't so bad. Sure,

he took me away from my hometown, my

friends, my family, but it had a great

view.

She leans over her balcony slightly as a pretty girl walks down the boardwalk.

CASEY(VO)

And for once, I could be myself freely

without fearing for my life. Granted

New Orleans is a damn liberal town,

but some things about the South never

change. And well, they just didn't

have a gay high school.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM - NIGHT

Conor knocks and pokes his head into her room.

CONOR

You doin' alright?

CUT TO:

EXT. CASEY'S BALCONY - CONTINUOUS

CASEY

Yeah, I'm fine.

Conor joins her. Casey closes her book.

CONOR

When did you want to start school?

CASEY

As soon as possible.

CONOR

You don't have to, you know. I start

work tomorrow, but you can lounge

about at home for a few more days

after that.

Casey picks up her book and plays with the edges.

CASEY

I'd rather start now and get the first

day over with.

CONOR

OK.

CASEY

Yeah.

Conor sits and looks at her, not sure if she'll open up anymore.

CONOR

All right.

Conor stands and kisses her on the head. He starts to leave.

CASEY

Hey, does this school have a name?

CONOR

I believe it's James Dean High School.

CASEY

Rebel Without A Cause.

CONOR

Right.

CASEY

How's the theatre there?

CONOR

(chuckles)

Does it matter?

CASEY

No.

He leaves. She watches him go, then returns to her book. Concentration broken, she gives up on her book and goes back into her room and switches on the TV.

CASEY

Rebel High. Bet they've got good

theatre.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM - MORNING

Casey zips up her backpack. Conor walks in and leans up against the doorframe.

CONOR

Have fun at school.

CASEY

Aren't you going to take me?

CONOR

Nope. You're going to take yourself.

CASEY

How? I don't have a car.

She lifts up her hand just in time to catch the keys he tosses at her. She looks at the keys in her hand, then looks back at him.

CONOR

I went and bought you one. That's why

I was gone yesterday.

CASEY

I'm 15. I don't have a license.

CONOR

I've seen you drive. You're not gonna

hit anything.

CASEY

What if I get a ticket?

CONOR

Then I'll pay the damn thing. Are you

gonna take the car or not?

She studies him for a moment, tossing the keys up in her hand.

CASEY

(shrugs)

Alright.

She walks out the door.

CONOR

It's in the driveway. The red one.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Casey jingles the keys.

CASEY(VO)

If he was stupid enough to give me a

car, then by God, I was gonna take it.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S DRIVEWAY - CONTINUOUS

Casey looks over the red BMW convertible. She lets out a low whistle.

CASEY

Thank you, guilt complex.

She gets in.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

She tosses her back pack in the backseat.

CASEY

Wait, where the hell am I going?

She spots the GPS button on the dash.

CASEY

Hello, OnStar.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S CAR - A MOMENT LATER

Casey pulls up to the school and parks.

CASEY(VO)

So there it was. James Dean High

School. The first all-gay high school

in America. The one saving grace of

this move that kept me from running

away back to Louisiana.

She opens her door and gets out of the car. She walks up to the front entrance of the school.

CASEY(VO)

So it's my first day. As the new kid.

And there's no way I'm like every

other new kid in history who's all shy

and timid and crap. Nope, I'm gonna

steam-roll right in there and charm

everyone and be the coolest new kid in

history.

Casey reaches the door and takes a deep breath before opening it.

CASEY(VO)

Let's hope I don't screw shit up.

CUT TO:

INT. ATTENDANCE OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

Casey goes up to the front desk.

CASEY

I'm, uh, Casey Farrell. I start

classes today.

STUDENT

Ok, I'll go pull up your schedule for

you.

The student assistant leaves and Casey looks around the office. She spots a cute looking guy and as he walks out of the office, obviously checking out another guy next to him.

CASEY

(smiles to herself)

We're not in Louisiana anymore, Toto.

The student comes back and hands Casey her schedule and a planner.

STUDENT

2nd period is gonna start pretty soon.

It's an even day, so once it ends,

you'll have a 15 minute break, and

then you'll go to 4th, then lunch,

then 6th and so on. If you need any

help finding your classes there's a

map in your planner, right here.

She flips it open to the correct page.

STUDENT

Ok?

CASEY

Um, OK.

STUDENT

Make sure you have each of your

teachers sign this schedule, today and

tomorrow. The teacher from your last

class tomorrow will keep it and turn

it in here.

CASEY

I will. Thanks.

She walks out.

CUT TO:

INT. MARINE BIOLOGY - MINUTES LATER

A couple of students play with the teacher's radio and "Spin" by Lifehouse comes on as Casey walks into her marine biology classroom. She looks around the classroom a moment before heading to the front. JAMIE DEVLIN, watches her as she walks across the classroom. Casey goes up to the teacher, THOMAS CAMPBELL, at the front desk.

CASEY

Hi, how are you?

CAMPBELL

New student?

CASEY

Yeah, I am.

She hands him her schedule, which he promptly signs and hands back. Then he writes her name onto the role sheet.

CAMPBELL

Casey Farrell.

Mr. Campbell finishes writing.

CAMPBELL

Ok. We've got an empty seat right

there at that table. Jamie there will

be your lab partner.

Casey gives him a small smile and heads over to her seat. Everyone is still chattering away and listening to the radio while Mr. Campbell disappears into the office.

CUT TO:

INT. BIO DESK - CONTINUOUS

Casey spots the empty seat next to Jamie. Jamie's a timid but beautiful blonde girl, who's sitting alone in her seat, flipping through her notebook, while her classmates talk amongst themselves. Casey approaches her.

CASEY

Are you Jamie?

Jamie looks up and gives her a small smile.

JAMIE

Yeah.

Casey sits down.

CASEY

I'm Casey.

She holds out her hand, and Jamie shakes it.

CASEY

I'm pleased to meet you.

JAMIE

I'm pleased to meet you too.

Casey puts her back pack down next to her chair, then leans toward Jamie a little.

CASEY

So what's the scoop?

JAMIE

Wh.. What do you mean?

CASEY

This class. Is it fun, or am I gonna

want to run away screaming, never to

return?

Jamie laughs.

JAMIE

Um...

CASEY

C'mon.

JAMIE

Well, it's not like it's really hard.

And Mr. Campbell's a pretty cool

teacher, pretty funny, although

sometimes he just has to talk about

boring stuff.

CASEY

It's inevitable, huh?

JAMIE

Yeah.

CASEY

I was afraid of that. Well, promise to

keep me from getting too bored?

Jamie looks at her for a moment.

JAMIE

Okay.

CASEY

(grins)

Okay.

Casey pulls a binder from her backpack. Jamie watches her, chewing the end of her pencil for a moment.

JAMIE

So where are you from?

CASEY

New Orleans. My dad got a new job out

here.

JAMIE

What does he do?

CASEY

He's a sports lawyer.

Their conversation gets cut off as Mr.Campbell walks back into the classroom.

CUT TO:

INT. MARINE BIOLOGY - CONTINUOUS

CAMPBELL

(teasingly)

Alright, alright. Everyone sit down,

turn off that radio or turn it down

and shut the hell up. Today we're

gonna go over plate tectonics, cause

you've got a test Friday! Yay!

A collective groan goes through the classroom. Mr. Campbell starts to draw a picture of a rift on the board.

CAMPBELL

Ok, open up to chapter 2, page 32.

Everyone take a look at the diagram at

the bottom there. I've tried to draw

it up here, but you know me and my

artistic limits.

STUDENT 3

Give it up already!

Mr. Campbell tosses a crumpled paper at the student. Casey, clearly without a book, glances at Jamie and gives her a small smile. Wordlessly, Jamie scoots her chair a little closer to Casey's and moves the book towards her. After a moment's hesitation. Casey leans a little closer in order to see the page.

CASEY

Thanks.

Jamie surreptitiously checks her out, then turns her attention to the lesson.

CUT TO:

INT. MARINE BIOLOGY - AN HOUR LATER

Casey and Jamie pack up their stuff as Mr. Campbell clears the board.

CAMPBELL

Study, my minions!

The bell rings.

CASEY

Well, I think you gave a pretty

accurate description of what this

class is like.

JAMIE

I'm glad I could be of help.

CASEY

Wanna help me some more?

JAMIE

Um, sure.

CASEY

Where's this class?

Casey hands her schedule to Jamie and points.

JAMIE

Oh, well this is over in the um,

bungalows. You're gonna walk towards

the football stadium behind us and

follow the stream of students that

walk past it.

CASEY

The stream of students.

JAMIE

Yeah. People going to math, people

getting out of math. You can't miss

them.

CASEY

You know, I think those are the

easiest directions I've ever heard.

And I just used OnStar this morning.

Jamie laughs.

CASEY

Thanks.

JAMIE

You're welcome.

CASEY

See you Friday.

Casey watches her leave, then packs up the rest of her stuff, before heading off to her next class.

CUT TO:

INT. GEOMETRY - MINUTES LATER

Casey's geometry class has desks on both sides of the classroom, facing each other, with an aisle in the middle. Casey retrieves her schedule from the teacher at his desk, then sits in a empty seat on the left side of the classroom. On the other side, MIA HAZELWOOD spots her and gives her a little smile which Casey returns.

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S DESK – CONTINUOUS

The student sitting next to Mia, CHRISTOPHER, leans over and whispers.

CHRISTOPHER

New girl.

MIA

Check her out.

CHRISTOPHER

What evil little thoughts are running

through your head?

MIA

Stop it. They're not evil.

He continues to grin at her.

MIA

They're just... naughty.

CHRISTOPHER

Same thing.

MIA

Shut up.

Mia smacks him on the arm with her spiral notebook.

CHRISTOPHER

Ow!

MIA

Sissy.

He rubs his arm.

CHRISTOPHER

(mumbles)

Muff diver.

Mia barks out a laugh unexpectedly earning her a cleared throat from the teacher, even though class hasn't started yet. A few seconds later, the bell rings, and the teacher begins droning on. Casey sighs and tries to pay attention.

CUT TO:

INT. GEOMETRY - A HOUR LATER

The bell rings again and Casey grabs her backpack and bolts from the class, relieved to be free from a subject she hates so much. Mia grabs her backpack and glances around the hallway, looking for Casey, but she is nowhere to be found. Chris follows her at a much slower pace.

CHRISTOPHER

Where'd she go?

MIA

(pouts)

I don't know.

CHRISTOPHER

Better luck next time.

He pats her shoulder. She smacks it away. He pinches her. She pokes him. This continues as they walk down the hall.

CUT TO:

EXT. SCHOOL QUAD - CONTINUOUS

Casey stands near a locker, looking at a piece of paper in her hand. Christopher and Mia keep poking and prodding at each other, not paying attention to where they're going, when Chris gives Mia a little shove. Mia loses her balance and she bumps into Casey, sending her face first into the lockers.

CASEY

Jesus!

MIA

Oh my god!

Casey grabs her head.

CASEY

Ow.

MIA

Oh my god! I'm so sorry.

Christopher bails.

CHRISTOPHER

Later, Mia.

MIA

(calling after him)

You little shit!

Casey continues to hold her head and starts shaking it to get the cobwebs out.

CASEY

Ow.

MIA

Let me see.

Mia pulls Casey's hands away from her head and Casey stops shaking her head.

MIA

Are you okay?

Casey just blinks at her, a little floored at how beautiful Mia is.

CASEY

(softly)

Ow.

Mia smiles.

MIA

I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying

attention to where I was going.

CASEY

No, um.. it's alright. I wasn't paying

attention to... where you were going.

MIA

(laughs)

It was my fault. Let me make it up to

you. I'll buy you lunch.

CASEY

Uh, okay. I'm Casey.

MIA

Mia.

They shake hands.

MIA

C'mon.

CUT TO:

EXT. SCHOOL QUAD – CONTINUOUS

Mia leads Casey through the crowds that slightly part for them. Every few seconds or so, someone says hello to Mia or waves or smiles at her.

CASEY

Do you really know all these people?

MIA

Not really.

Casey looks around at the crowds they pass.

MIA

Nice accent.

CASEY

Thanks.

MIA

New Orleans?

CASEY

Yeah. Been there?

MIA

Mardi Gras is a gift from God.

CASEY

Hell yes, it is.

MIA

My friends and I went out there and

stayed at Tori's cousin's house. It

was amazing. Good food, good drink,

hot girls, huge house.

CASEY

Mmm. I miss it.

MIA

A lot?

CASEY

Not so much anymore.

They share a smile.

CUT TO:

EXT. QUAD HANGOUT - CONTINUOUS

They reach a corner of the quad where a group of students sit or stand and mingle.

MIA

Let me introduce you to the rounds.

This is Andrew, he's captain of the

football team.

CASEY

Hey.

ANDREW

Hey.

MIA

This is Leah and Caleb. They're pep

rally co-chairs.

They nod at Casey, who smiles back. Mia leads her to a tall, blonde girl.

MIA

This is Meagan.

CASEY

Hi.

She shakes Meagan's hand.

MIA

She's head cheerleader.

MEAGAN

And little Mia here is my second in

command.

She pats Mia's head. Mia smacks it away.

MIA

Stop it. I know I'm short.

Casey laughs.

MIA

What?

CASEY

You're a cheerleader?

MIA

Yeah.

(narrows her eyes)

Am I not peppy enough for you?

Casey's grin grows even wider.

CASEY

Where are your pom poms?

MIA

Well, that's for me to know and you to

find out.

She gives Casey a saucy wink, then reaches out and grabs her hand and tugs her towards more people.

MIA

C'mon.

They walk up to Christopher.

MIA

You don't need to know this loser.

CHRISTOPHER

Hey!

She tugs Casey along, leaving Christopher to whine indignantly to himself.

MIA

This is...

CUT TO:

INT. FRENCH - TWO HOURS LATER

Casey walks out with the rest of her French class as the bell rings.

NOEL

A bientôt!

CUT TO:

EXT. MESSAGE BOARD - CONTINUOUS

Casey passes a message board with a flyer for Romeo and Juliet auditions. She scrawls down the info on the back of her hand.

CUT TO:

INT. ENGLISH – AFTERNOON

Mia's already sitting in her desk when Casey walks in. They smile at each other, as Casey hands her schedule to KAREN CHESLER.

KAREN

Just pick any seat you want. We've got

an open-seating policy.

Casey walks over and sits at the empty desk next Mia.

MIA

Long time, no see.

CASEY

No kidding.

Mrs. Chesler comes over and hands Casey an English book and a few papers.

KAREN

We have a few homework assignments

coming up from this book. And this is

the semester syllabus and home-reading

list.

CASEY

Oh, ok.

KAREN

You're lucky you came in so early in

the year. You haven't missed much. If

you need any help you can always come

to me, and I'm sure Mia here will also

help you. She's been elected our class

secretary.

CASEY

Impressive.

The bells rings as Mrs. Chesler walks to the front of the class to quiet everyone down.

KAREN

Today, we're gonna go through some

Daphne DuMaurier. Open up to page 157

in your green books.

Mia and Casey open their books. As they do so, Mia spots the writing on Casey's hand about the auditions. Surreptitiously, she picks up her pen and writes down the info in her open notebook.

CUT TO:

INT. ENGLISH - A HOUR LATER

Everyone is already ready to go and are waiting for the bell to ring. Mrs. Chesler erases what's on the board in the front.

KAREN

Don't forget to finish those vocab

flash cards. I'll be checking them

first thing on Wednesday.

Mia and Casey sit and talk.

CASEY

So he's your best friend.

MIA

Yeah, when he's not being a little

shit.

The bell rings and they file out of the class.

CUT TO:

EXT. ENGLISH - CONTINUOUS

MIA

I hope he's not gonna leave right now,

just to spite me for what I did at

lunch.

CASEY

Why?

MIA

He's my ride home.

CASEY

Oh.

Casey sticks her hand in her pocket.

CASEY

Well, uh, I could give you a ride

home, if you want.

She pulls out her car keys. Mia smiles at her.

MIA

Okay.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S CAR - A MOMENT LATER

They pull up to Mia's large house in the middle of the Belmont Shore district.

CASEY

Nice.

MIA

Yeah.

(pause)

Listen. I know that this weekend

you're probably gonna be real busy

catching up with school and stuff, but

it is for that exact reason why I must

insist that you come to my party

Friday night.

CASEY

You insist, you say.

MIA

Absolutely. In fact, I demand it.

Casey laughs.

MIA

You need to blow off steam. I'm not

going to let you hold it in until you

explode.

CASEY

That'd be messy.

MIA

You bet.

CASEY

Well, we can't have that now, can we?

Besides, I never miss a good party.

MIA

Great. Be here around 8, that's when

the people start to show up in droves.

CASEY

Alright.

Mia opens the door and gets out. She closes the door, then leans down to talk through the open window.

MIA

If you come a little early, I'll give

you the grand tour.

She stands and starts to walk away.

MIA

Great car, by the way.

Casey watches her go then starts up the car.

CASEY(VO)

I've met the most incredible girl...

and I've made friends with the most

popular one. Not bad for your first

day.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Casey walks in the house.

CASEY

Hello?

The house is silent.

CASEY

Ah. The sound of my childhood.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM - A MOMENT LATER

Casey tosses her backpack onto the floor. She hops up onto the bed and grabs the phone. She dials and listens.

CASEY

Hey.

SHANNON

(on phone)

Hey. How was your first day?

CASEY

It was great. I'm completely swamped

in homework and make-up work already,

but I've met some people and it's

cool.

SHANNON

Any cute prospects?

CASEY

Um, yeah.

SHANNON

Damn you. It makes sense that you get

to move away and leave me stranded

without a best friend and you're over

there, living it up with cute boys.

CASEY

Uh, yeah.

(pause)

Sucks to be you.

SHANNON

That's it, I'm moving right now.

CASEY

You planning on telling Aunt Liz?

SHANNON

Hell, no. Like my mom would even

notice.

CASEY

True. But my dad would, and he'd tell

her, and she'd tell the other cousins,

and then the whole Farrell family will

be in an uproar, and mass chaos and

destruction would break out,

civilization will fall, and the sun

will collapse into itself forming a

massive, sucking black hole simply

because you're picky with guys.

SHANNON

Crush a girl's dreams, why don't you?

Casey laughs.

CUT TO:

EXT. DEVLIN DRIVEWAY – AFTERNOON

Jamie sits on the steps and watches her older brother CLARK as he shoots some hoops. She takes a drink of her water.

CLARK

What's up with you?

JAMIE

What are you talking about?

CLARK

I don't know. You're all smiley. More

so than usual.

JAMIE

I don't know.

Clark stops shooting and looks at her.

JAMIE

Okay, I met this girl.

He resumes playing.

CLARK

So, what's she like?

JAMIE

Well, she's really nice, and funny,

and beautiful and outgoing. Like, you

know how I'm totally shy and

everything.

CLARK

Except with me.

JAMIE

Right. Well... I don't know. I just

didn't feel shy with her. She's easy

to talk to. Charming.

CLARK

She sounds cool. What's her name?

JAMIE

Casey.

Clark drops the ball and laughs.

CLARK

You're not talking about Casey

Farrell, are you?

JAMIE

(incredulously)

What, you know her?

CLARK

She's only the second most popular

girl in school.

JAMIE

Jesus Christ! It's like her first day

here.

CLARK

I know. But she had lunch with Mia

Hazelwood today and all the rest of

the preppy lemmings. And the new kid

always has that air of mystery around

them. The fact that she hung with Mia

just exacerbates the intrigue.

Everyone's talking about her.

JAMIE

They are?

CLARK

Jeez, James. Stop burying your nose in

all those books. Yes, they are.

JAMIE

Oh.

CLARK

Plus, she's all rich and crap. That's

like 0 to prom queen in 15 seconds at

any high school in the country.

JAMIE

How do you know that?

CLARK

'Cause she gave Mia a ride after-

school in her fancy BMW.

Jamie sighs.

CLARK

You alright?

He goes over to sit next to her.

JAMIE

Mia Hazelwood. Of course. She seems

like she'd be Casey's type. Hell,

she's like everyone's freaking type. I

could never compete with her.

CLARK

Don't say that.

JAMIE

It's true. And I can't believe I even

thought Casey could like someone like

me.

CLARK

What, do you think she does?

JAMIE

I don't know.

CLARK

(sighs)

Where did you meet her?

JAMIE

Marine bio today.

CLARK

Did she smile at you a lot?

JAMIE

Yeah, but she smiles a lot at

everyone.

CLARK

Right. Charming. New approach. Did she

ask you for your number?

JAMIE

Hardly. She asked me for directions to

her next class.

CLARK

She likes you.

JAMIE

(rolls her eyes)

Right. How do you know?

CLARK

She either likes you or is a total

airhead. Is she an airhead?

JAMIE

No, not at all.

CLARK

There you go.

Jamie just stares at him.

CLARK

(sighs)

They give all new students a map of

the campus. So then why would she be

asking you for directions unless she

just wanted to have an excuse to talk

to you?

JAMIE

Good point.

Jamie fiddles with her water bottle.

CLARK

Jamie...

JAMIE

Yeah?

CLARK

Go for it. I'll even help you and give

you advice to snare Miss Right.

JAMIE

(smiles)

And I'll help you find Mr. Right.

CLARK

(snorts)

Big help you'll be.

JAMIE

Hey!

She shoves him with her shoulder. The door opens and their little sister, ALICE, comes out and jumps on top of them.

ALICE

I want to play.

JAMIE

We're not playing anything, runt.

She grabs Alice and holds her down while Clark tickles her.

CUT TO:

INT. PLAYHOUSE - MORNING

Casey walks in to theatre class. She goes over to Ms. Perry and hands her her schedule. Some of the other students in the class start to chatter. A couple wave at her. Casey comes over to sit by Clark.

CLARK

Hi, Casey right?

CASEY

Um, yeah.

CLARK

I'm Clark. Have you done theatre

before?

CASEY

Nope. Not at all.

CLARK

How come you picked it then?

CASEY

Well, I've always been interested in

it. And, well, my cousin Shannon told

me 'You're always taking whatever

opportunity you have to make a fool of

yourself. So why not do it on stage?'

CLARK

(laughs)

Makes sense.

PERRY

Alright guys, we're gonna be reading

Romeo and Juliet today. Whatever we

don't finish in class, I expect you to

finish outside of class, especially if

you're going to be auditioning next

week.

CASEY

(to Clark)

The whole thing?

CLARK

Yep.

CASEY

Oh Spongebob, whyyyyyyyyy?

Clark snickers.

CLARK

I like Squidward.

CASEY

It's all about Plankton, baby.

A stack of books gets passed around. Casey takes one and passes it on to Clark. She flips through the pages.

CLARK

Listen, a bunch of us usually eat

lunch together after class. Why don't

you join us?

CASEY

Eh, I kinda promised myself to someone

else today.

CLARK

That's cool.

CASEY

Next time?

CLARK

Sure.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLAYHOUSE - AN HOUR LATER

Casey and Clark exit the Playhouse.

CASEY

So then where do you guys usually eat?

CLARK

Just around here, by the vending

machines.

CASEY

Good strategy.

Casey looks over the quad where Mia and the rest of her gang hang out.

CASEY

Gotta go.

CLARK

Well, if you change your mind, or want

to wander over...

CASEY

Yeah. I'll see you.

She leaves.

CUT TO:

EXT. QUAD HANGOUT - CONTINUOUS

Mia throws a Cheeto at her as she approaches.

CASEY

Hey! What did I do?

MIA

I hate Cheetos.

Casey reaches in the bag and tosses one back at her.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLAYHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Clark sits down with a group of his friends. Jamie rounds the corner and sits on the bench next to him.

JAMIE

Hey.

She opens up her bottle of Iced Tea and takes a drink.

CLARK

Hey. Your Princess Charming is in my

class.

Jamie chokes a little. He reaches over without looking to pat her back.

JAMIE

I swear you always wait until I'm

drinking something to drop news on me

or make a joke. I could have died.

CLARK

I do that to you like every day. You

haven't died yet.

JAMIE

Key word, yet.

Clark laughs.

JAMIE

So?

CLARK

So what?

JAMIE

CLARK.

CLARK

Well, she's nice. Pretty much

everything you told me about her was

true.

JAMIE

Did you talk to her?

CLARK

Well, yeah.

JAMIE

What did she say?

Jamie makes the mistake of taking another drink.

CLARK

She said she wants to jump your bones.

She spits a bit of tea on his arm.

CLARK

Ew.

JAMIE

It's your fault.

CLARK

Well, I'm stopping now.

JAMIE

She did not say that.

CLARK

We didn't really talk about you.

Mostly about class and stuff.

JAMIE

So you like her?

CLARK

Yeah. Anyone who's not too cool to

quote Spongebob Squarepants is alright

with me.

JAMIE

So you said nothing about me?

CLARK

Well, I mean I didn't think, 'Hey my

sister told me all about you' would

have been very wise. I did however try

to machinate a chance meeting. I asked

her to eat lunch with our group.

JAMIE

She said no?

CLARK

She's uh...

He looks over to where Casey is. Jamie follows his line of sight and watches as Casey snatches the bag of Cheetos from Mia's hand and starts eating them.

JAMIE

Oh Spongebob, whyyyyyyyyy?

Clark bursts out into hysterical laughter.

JAMIE

What?

CLARK

God, nothing.

CUT TO:

EXT. GYM - AFTERNOON

Mia spots Casey walking towards the gate.

MIA

Casey!

Casey stops and waits for her.

CASEY

Hey.

MIA

Hey! Are you unscheduled this period?

I am. Let's go hang out. A bunch of us

are going to Jamba Juice.

CASEY

No, I'm unscheduled this morning. I've

got P.E. right now.

MIA

But.. you're like walking in the wrong

direction.

CASEY

I'm on the rowing team. P.E. is at the

yacht club.

MIA

Oh.

Mia pushes a lock of hair behind her ear.

MIA

Well, next time when you're free...

CASEY

Yeah. Have fun at Jamba Juice.

MIA

Ok.

CASEY

I'll see you in class tomorrow.

MIA

And you're still up for the party,

right?

CASEY

Definitely.

MIA

Okay.

Mia meets up with her friends while Casey heads to her car. Jamie comes through the gate and sees her drive off.

CUT TO:

INT. JAMIE'S HOUSE - EVENING

Jamie and Clark lounge on the couch and flip through channels on the TV.

JAMIE

So by the time I got there, she had

already left.

CLARK

Well, you've got class with her.

You'll see her tomorrow.

JAMIE

Yeah, you're right. Oh, ew, I have

that test tomorrow.

Jamie's dad, TYLER, walks in.

TYLER

No you don't.

JAMIE

What?

TYLER

You've got that doctor's appointment

tomorrow morning.

JAMIE

WHAT?

TYLER

I told you last week.

Jamie makes a frustrated noise and slaps her hand on the couch before heading to her room.

TYLER

What was that?

CLARK

There's a cute girl, in her class.

TYLER

What cute girl?

CLARK

This girl Casey.

TYLER

Do you know her?

CLARK

Sure. She's alright.

TYLER

Hmph.

CUT TO:

INT. JAMIE'S HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Tyler knocks on the door.

TYLER

Honey?

JAMIE

Yeah?

TYLER

I'd change your appointment, but if we

lose that spot, we might have to wait

a month.

She opens her door.

JAMIE

No, it's okay.

TYLER

Is it?

JAMIE

Yeah. I'm just a little frustrated.

And I don't like missing tests.

TYLER

Well, I'll call your teacher and set-

up a make-up test time.

JAMIE

No, you don't have to. I'll do it.

TYLER

You sure?

JAMIE

Yeah.

He ruffles her hair.

TYLER

You hungry?

JAMIE

A little.

TYLER

Dinner will be done soon. I'll send

Alice in to get you.

JAMIE

She closes her door.

CUT TO:

INT. BIO DESK - MORNING

Casey sits in her seat, waiting for Jamie. The bell rings and everyone settles down, Jamie still absent. Casey sighs and opens her notebook.

CUT TO:

EXT. ENGLISH – AFTERNOON

Casey and Mia walk out of English.

MIA

God, if I read any more, my head is

going to explode.

CASEY

Mm. I know what you mean.

MIA

I can't wait until the end of the year

so I can flush out everything I've

learned so my head is nice and empty

again.

CASEY

You don't have an empty head.

MIA

See me at summer, sweet cheeks.

CASEY

(laughs)

I'm afraid of what I'll find when I

do.

MIA

You should be. I give Chris

nightmares.

CASEY

Do you need a ride?

MIA

Um, no. Chris and I are going to go

pick up some beer and stuff, and then

get my place ready.

CASEY

Alright. I'll see you later tonight

then.

CUT TO:

EXT. MIA'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Casey pulls up to Mia's house. People are walking in and music can be heard from inside the house.

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS

Mia spots her almost immediately.

MIA

Hey!

Mia hugs her.

CASEY

Hey. You weren't kidding when you said

people would be here in droves.

MIA

(shrugs)

Such is the life of someone as

beautiful and popular as I am.

She flicks some hair over her shoulder.

MIA

You want something to drink?

CASEY

Sure.

MIA

Come on, there are some other people I

want you to meet.

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Casey scans the crowd as they walk towards the kitchen. Caleb is at the counter, mixing drinks and blending margaritas.

CALEB

Hey, Casey.

CASEY

What's up?

He holds up the pitcher of margaritas.

CASEY

Sure.

CALEB

I heard you're on women's crew.

Casey look at Mia.

MIA

I told him.

CALEB

I'm on the men's crew.

CASEY

Nice. I met coach McKenzie at practice

yesterday. He seems harsh. Glad I

don't have him.

CALEB

Yeah, he is. But it works. We're

undefeated.

CASEY

And now with me, the women will be

undefeated as well.

CALEB

Are you on varsity?

CASEY

Yeah.

CALEB

What year are you?

CASEY

Sophomore.

CALEB

You seemed older. Well, I'll see you

at the Men's-Women's race.

CASEY

Oh, yeah, they told me about that.

Look forward to beating you guys.

She toasts him with her drink.

CALEB

You wish.

Mia starts to tug her out of the room.

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

MIA

Jocks.

CASEY

Hey.

She pinches Mia.

MIA

That tickles.

Casey wiggles her fingers menacingly.

MIA

Please, no.

CASEY

Alright, wise guy, what's your P.E.

then?

MIA

Dance. And cheer. My sport is to

support you lunks at games and

matches.

CASEY

Do you actually come to crew matches?

MIA

Yeah. Not officially though. Like, you

won't see us in uniform. But we like

to go anyway. But only when you're

local. We don't travel with you guys.

CASEY

So you'll be there next week?

MIA

Yeah. C'mon.

As usual, Mia grabs Casey's hand and tugs her off.

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S LIVING ROOM - AN HOUR LATER

Casey leans against the wall and watches as Mia dances wildly in the middle of a pack of her friends. Christopher walks up to her.

CHRISTOPHER

Hey.

CASEY

Hey.

CHRISTOPHER

Taking a break from Mia?

CASEY

No, I...

CHRISTOPHER

It's alright. I know. She can be a

little much sometimes.

CASEY

She's certainly got, um, energy.

CHRISTOPHER

Yeah, Hurricane Mia. Bulldozing her

way through life.

CASEY

Yeah.

CHRISTOPHER

Listen, I hope you're not mad about

the other day.

CASEY

What are you talking about?

CHRISTOPHER

That day when you got slammed into the

lockers. It wouldn't have happened if

I wasn't roughhousing with Mia.

CASEY

No, no, it's cool. I've forgotten

about it.

MIA

Hey!

She comes over to them.

MIA

Come dance with me.

Casey resists her pull.

CASEY

I don't dance.

MIA

C'mon, everybody dances.

CASEY

Not me.

Casey digs in her heels a little. Mia stops trying to pull her and puts her hands on her hips.

MIA

Casey.

CASEY

Yes?

MIA

Do not make me stamp my foot. My

mother stamped her foot and I refuse

to go there.

CASEY

No, you go on. Have fun.

MIA

No, no. Would you rather just hang and

talk?

CASEY

Mia, seriously, go dance, it's alright.

MIA

Are you suggesting that I'm the kind

of terrible hostess that will just

take off and abandon the newest guest

to fend for herself?

CASEY

(smirks)

Not at all. I think you're a wonderful

hostess.

MIA

Then let me do my hostessing.

CASEY

Is that even a word?

MIA

Let's go.

CUT TO:

EXT. MIA'S BALCONY – CONTINUOUS

Casey follows Mia out onto the balcony.

CASEY

Wow. It was hot in there.

Mia fans herself.

MIA

You're telling me.

They smile at each other for a moment.

MIA

Do you like theatre?

CASEY

Yeah, I do.

MIA

Well, there's these auditions for

Romeo and Juliet...

CASEY

Oh, yeah.

MIA

And I want to audition.

CASEY

Juliet?

MIA

Yeah.

CASEY

Me too.

MIA

And, um, I could use some help with

like lines and stuff. Like someone to

rehearse with me so I can memorize

things.

CASEY

Do you want me to help you?

MIA

Yeah.

CASEY

I can do that.

MIA

(smiles)

Cool. How about Tuesday, after we have

English?

CASEY

Yeah, that works.

MIA

Okay. Thank you.

CASEY

Anytime.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLAYHOUSE – MORNING

Casey and Clark come out of class.

CASEY

I've gotta go find Mia. I'll see you

on Wednesday.

CLARK

Alright, later.

Casey starts to walk off when she spots Jamie heading towards her. She jogs to catch up.

CASEY

Hey.

JAMIE

Oh, hey.

CASEY

I missed you on Friday.

JAMIE

Yeah, I um, had a doctor's

appointment.

CASEY

Ugh. I hate doctors. Did you get a

shot or something? Last time I went,

my doctor came at me with a hypodermic

needle the size of New Jersey.

Jamie makes a face.

CASEY

Yeah. He said, ‘It’s just a little shot’.

I was like, ‘A little shot the size of a

harpoon. Stay away. Stay far, far

away.’

JAMIE

(laughs)

I'm sorry for your traumatic

experience.

CASEY

(pouts)

Hey, don't mock my experience; it was

rather traumatic. I'll carry the

psychological scars for life.

Clark spots them.

CLARK

(calls out)

Hey, Jamie!

Jamie waves.

CASEY

Do you know him?

JAMIE

He's my brother.

CASEY

Oh, I didn't know that.

JAMIE

Yeah, I always eat lunch over here

with him and his friends.

Andrew sees Casey from where he sits with Mia and Meagan.

ANDREW

Case!

They both look over.

JAMIE

We should go.

She starts to walk, but Casey stops her.

CASEY

Wait. I was wondering.. if maybe you'd

wanna do something later after-school?

JAMIE

Oh, yeah!

CASEY

Yeah?

Jamie smiles and nods.

JAMIE

Oh, crap!

CASEY

What's wrong?

JAMIE

I have a make-up test after-school.

Since I missed Friday, you know.

CASEY

Oh.

JAMIE

(chews lip)

Tomorrow?

CASEY

I've got a.. thing tomorrow.

JAMIE

Wednesday?

ANDREW

CASEY!!

She shoots him a look.

CASEY

Listen, why don't you give me your

number and we'll work this all out

later?

JAMIE

Okay.

Casey hands her a pen, and Jamie writes her number on Casey's hand.

CASEY

I'll call you.

She gives Jamie a smile before heading off to join Andrew. Jamie heads over to Clark.

JAMIE

Is she looking?

CLARK

No.

JAMIE

(pumps her fist)

Yes!

CLARK

What happened?

JAMIE

She asked for my number.

CLARK

Alright, baby sister got play.

JAMIE

Ugh. Don't call me that.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM – NIGHT

Casey lays on her bed, staring at the cordless phone in her hand. Finally, she looks at her hand and dials the number.

CUT TO:

INT. JAMIE'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

The phone on the side table rings quietly as Jamie, Clark, Alice, and Tyler sit at the table eating dinner.

JAMIE

Dad.

TYLER

You know the rule.

Clark looks at Jamie. They let the machine pick it up. She plays with her food.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Casey hears the answering machine. She hangs up.

CASEY

Crap.

CUT TO:

INT. MARINE BIOLOGY – MORNING

Casey walks in, a little late.

CAMPBELL

Hurry up, Farrell. We've got a

riveting, exciting movie on plankton

to watch!

Casey sits next to Jamie.

CASEY

You can't do that to me, I went to

college!

CAMPBELL

And your love for Spongebob

Squarepants alone won't get you a good

grade in this class. But five points

for quoting my favorite character.

He cues up the tape and starts it.

CAMPBELL

Can you get the lights?

A student near the door turns off the lights. As the movie starts up, Casey leans over to Jamie.

CASEY

(whispers)

Jamie.

JAMIE

(whispers)

Yeah.

CAMPBELL

I can hear you. No talking.

Casey sits back upright and focuses on the movie.

CUT TO:

INT. MARINE BIOLOGY - AN HOUR LATER

The movie ends and the lights come back on.

CAMPBELL

Ok, we've only got about 10 minutes

til the bell. That's not enough time

to talk about the next section, so we

will table it until Thursday. You can

pack up, and plot against me amongst

yourselves.

Casey puts her stuff away.

CASEY

Hey, I called you last night. Didn't

you hear me? I was like, calling you.

JAMIE

Yeah, I'm sorry. We were eating

dinner. My dad has this rule that we

don't answer the phone during dinner.

CASEY

Really? That's kinda weird.

JAMIE

I don't think so. Isn't that what you

and your family does?

CASEY

No. My dad would always answer the

phone, in case it was his work. If he

was even there for dinner at all.

Jamie chews the end of her pencil.

JAMIE

What about your mom?

CASEY

She died when I was a baby.

JAMIE

I'm sorry.

CASEY

Nah, it's... I never knew her.

She shrugs and Jamie looks down at her desk.

JAMIE

I did.

CASEY

What happened?

JAMIE

She got hit by a drunk driver when I

was 11.

CASEY

I'm sorry.

JAMIE

Thanks.

They look at each other for a moment.

CASEY

(clears her throat)

So, um, did you still want to do

something?

JAMIE

Oh, yeah. Today's out, right?

CASEY

Yeah, and I'm stuck doing something

tomorrow.

JAMIE

Me too.

CASEY

I've got a crew match on Thursday.

JAMIE

You're on crew?

CASEY

Yeah, varsity. Do you want to, um,

come see us?

JAMIE

Yeah. I'll see if my dad will drive

me.

CASEY

Well, if he takes you there and drops

you off, I could drive you back home.

Maybe we could even go out and grab

something to eat afterwards.

JAMIE

Ok.

CASEY

Do you know where it is?

JAMIE

No.

CASEY

Here.

Casey writes down the address on a piece of scratch paper. The bell rings and Casey hands it to her.

JAMIE

I'll see you then.

CASEY

See you.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLAYHOUSE - AFTERNOON

Casey and Mia put their backpacks on a bench outside the playhouse.

CASEY

So which scene did you want to do?

MIA

The balcony scene is always best.

Mia flips through her copy, then tosses it on the bench.

CASEY

You don't need your script?

MIA

I hope not. I've been going over it

again and again. I think I've got it.

CASEY

Ok.

To simulate the effect of a balcony, Mia climbs up and stands on the bench, Casey still on the ground below her.

MIA

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou

Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy

name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but

sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a

Capulet.

CASEY

Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at

this?

MIA

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, though not a

Montague. What's Montague? It is

neither hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor

face, nor any other part belonging to

a man. O, be some other name! What's

in a name? That which we call a rose

by any other name would smell as

sweet; so Romeo would, were he not

Romeo call'd, retain that dear

perfection which he owes without that

title. Romeo, doff thy name, and for

that name which is no part of thee

take all myself.

CASEY

(plainly reading)

I take thee at thy word: Call me but

love...

MIA

No, no, no.

CASEY

What?

MIA

I need you to like, act it out.

Reading won't work for me.

Casey runs a hand through her hair.

CASEY

Alright.

She puts her book down next to Mia's.

MIA

You can use it, if you want.

CASEY

No, I've got it fairly memorized.

Ms. Perry comes out of the playhouse. She leans up against the doorframe and watches them.

MIA

Okay, um.. Romeo, doff thy name, and

for that name which is no part of

thee, take all myself.

CASEY

I take thee at thy word: Call me but

love, and I'll be new baptized;

Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

Mia takes a step back on the bench.

MIA

What man art thou that thus bescreen'd

in night so stumblest on my counsel?

CASEY

By a name I know not how to tell thee

who I am: My name, dear saint, is

hateful to myself, because it is an

enemy to thee.

Casey climbs up onto the bench.

CASEY

Had I it written, I would tear the

word.

MIA

My ears have not yet drunk a hundred

words of that tongue's utterance, yet

I know the sound: Art thou not Romeo

and a Montague?

CASEY

(smiles)

Neither, fair saint, if either thee

dislike.

MIA

How camest thou hither, tell me, and

wherefore? The orchard walls are high

and hard to climb, and the place

death, considering who thou art, if

any of my kinsmen find thee here.

CASEY

With love's light wings did I o'er-

perch these walls; for stony limits

cannot hold love out, and what love

can do that dares love attempt;

therefore thy kinsman are no let to

me.

MIA

If they do see thee, they will murder

thee.

CASEY

Alack, there lies more peril in thine

eye than twenty of their swords: look

thou but sweet, and I am proof against

their enmity.

MIA

I would not for the world they saw

thee here.

CASEY

I have night's cloak to hide me from

their sight; and but thou love me, let

them find me here.

Casey takes Mia's hands and presses them against her chest.

CASEY

My life were better ended by their

hate, than death prorogued, wanting of

thy love.

They gaze at each other for a long moment, lines forgotten. Casey starts to lean closer towards Mia, when Ms. Perry starts clapping. Startled, Casey drops Mia's hands and takes a step back.

PERRY

Very well done.

MIA

Th-thank you.

PERRY

You'll be at the audition tomorrow,

right?

They're both unsure of which of them she's talking to, but Mia nods.

MIA

Uh, yeah.

PERRY

Good.

She goes back into the Playhouse.

CASEY

(clears throat)

Well, I uh, guess that means she liked

you.

MIA

Yeah.

CASEY

Oh! I gotta go! I gotta go home.

MIA

Home?

CASEY

Yeah, I uh, I got- my dad, he's home

and I promised I'd be early.

MIA

Oh, ok.

CASEY

Yeah. That was good though. Right? I

don't think you need any more

rehearsal.

MIA

Alright.

CASEY

Ok, see you tomorrow.

Casey grabs her stuff and leaves. Mia sits down on the bench and puts her head in her hands.

MIA

Damn it.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Casey walks in and shuffles through the mail.

CASEY

(absently)

Dad?

She tosses the mail down on the coffee table.

CASEY

Figures.

She stands in the middle of the large room, looking a little lost.

CASEY

Crap.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Casey tosses her backpack on the floor and picks up her phone before flinging herself diagonally across the bed and dialing.

CASEY

Please be home, please be home, please

be home...

CLARK

(on phone)

Hello?

Casey freezes for a moment, before clearing her throat.

CASEY

Hey, Clark. Is Jamie home?

CLARK

Oh, Casey, hey. Yeah, let me find her.

CUT TO:

INT. JAMIE'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Clark walks through the house looking for Jamie.

CLARK

So are you ready for the audition

tomorrow?

CASEY

I think so. I mean, I uh, did some

rehearsing today, so I feel pretty

good about it.

CLARK

I'm nervous already.

CASEY

Don't be. I'm sure you'll do great.

CUT TO:

INT. JAMIE'S KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Clark opens the back door to find Jamie sitting against their orange tree, reading.

CLARK

Thanks. Here's Jamie.

Jamie looks up at the sound of the door opening. Clark wiggles the phone in his hand and mouths 'Casey' and tosses it to her. She barely catches it, then sets her book aside and puts it up to her ear. He winks and goes back inside.

JAMIE

Hello?

CASEY

(on phone)

Hey.

JAMIE

Hey.

A second passes.

CASEY

So what are you up to?

JAMIE

Nothing much, really. What about you?

CASEY

Me neither. That thing I had to do got

canceled so... um, you want to hang

out?

Jamie looks at her closed book and smiles.

JAMIE

Yeah. Let's hang out.

CUT TO:

INT. RUBY'S RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON

Casey takes a sip of her shake.

CASEY

You're right. That is that best shake

I have ever tasted.

Jamie dips her spoon in her own shake and takes a bite.

JAMIE

(grins)

Told you.

Their food arrives. Casey frowns at Jamie's shrimp.

CASEY

That reminds me, we have a quiz in

Marine Bio on Thursday, don't we?

JAMIE

(laughs)

Yeah. Did you study?

CASEY

I don't study.

JAMIE

What, like at all?

CASEY

Nope. I'm firmly against studying.

Studying means work. Work means

effort. Effort means stress. Stress

means no fun. Nope. Studying is not

for me.

JAMIE

How do you do that?

CASEY

(grins)

Not studying? It's pretty easy.

JAMIE

(shakes a french fry at her)

I mean getting away with not flunking

out.

CASEY

Well, I do pay a reasonable amount of

attention in class. I retain a

surprisingly large amount of

information from that.

JAMIE

You don't freak out before tests?

CASEY

No. I've always done pretty decent

with this method. If it ain't broke,

don't fix it.

JAMIE

I couldn't do that. I have to be

absolutely sure I know my stuff before

I walk in the classroom.

CASEY

Is Clark like that?

JAMIE

(laughs)

God, no. He's like you. It's like he's

allergic to anything academic. You say

'homework' and he practically breaks

out in hives. My little sister too.

CASEY

Wait, I know this one. Alice, right?

JAMIE

(smiles)

Right. You don't have siblings?

CASEY

No. Although I'm pretty close with my

cousin Shannon.

JAMIE

Was it hard to move away?

CASEY

Yeah. At first. I mean, she's the only

family I really have, and it's hard to

know that if I ever need her, or if

she ever needs me, all we have is a

phone, or the internet.

JAMIE

Mmm.

CASEY

But now, it's... I don't know. I don't

feel so alone here anymore.

They share a smile.

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Mia makes a phone call.

MIA

Pick up, damn you.

CHRISTOPHER

(on phone)

Hello?

MIA

Oh my god.

CHRISTOPHER

What?

MIA

She nearly kissed me!

CHRISTOPHER

What?

MIA

You heard me!

CHRISTOPHER

Wait, what do you mean 'nearly'? What

happened?

MIA

Freaking Ms. Perry had to interrupt,

and then Casey bolted. She made up

some excuse about her dad wanting her

home early or something like that and

hauled ass outta there!

CHRISTOPHER

I'm sorry.

MIA

(pouts)

Chris...

CHRISTOPHER

Maybe she's never kissed anyone

before. She coulda been nervous.

MIA

I guess.

CHRISTOPHER

You're pouting, aren't you?

MIA

(pouts more)

No.

CHRISTOPHER

I can see you in my head.

MIA

Shut up. Ugh! I don't know what to do.

This has never happened to me before!

CHRISTOPHER

Relax. Don't like, put pressure on

her. Let her come to you.

MIA

Alright, I suppose. Although I'm not

sure if I can wait too long for her. I

really, really like her. Usually

whoever I like is way more into me

than I'm into them, you know?

CHRISTOPHER

(laughs)

Yeah.

MIA

I'm not sure I like this change in

position.

CHRISTOPHER

It was bound to happen sooner or

later.

MIA

(sighs)

I know.

The sound of the front door opening catches Mia's attention.

MIA

I gotta go. Thanks for letting me

complain in your ear.

CHRISTOPHER

Anytime. Later.

MIA

Bye.

She hangs up and heads out of her room.

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S STAIRWAY - CONTINUOUS

Mia walks out of the room and leans upon the railing that over looks the living room of the house.

MIA

Dad?

NICK HAZELWOOD walks towards the stairs.

NICK

Hey, honey. I'm just here to pick up

some clothes. I've got to run out to

Chicago.

MIA

When will you be back?

NICK

I'm not sure. Next week, probably.

He walks into his room to get stuff ready. Mia walks into her room and slams the door behind her.

CUT TO:

INT. CASEY'S CAR – CONTINUOUS

Casey pulls up to Jamie's house, and shuts down the engine. They sit in silence for a moment.

JAMIE

I-

CASEY

(simultaneously)

I-

Jamie gives Casey a wrinkle-nosed grin.

CASEY.

Go first.

JAMIE

No, you.

CASEY.

(laughs)

Jamie.

JAMIE

I had a lot of fun today.

CASEY.

Yeah, me too. We should hang out again

this week.

JAMIE

Well are we still on for Thursday?

CASEY.

Actually, I didn't remember about it

earlier, but I might not be able to

hang out after the match. Especially

if we win. We might hang out as a

team.

JAMIE

Oh.

CASEY.

Um, do you want to come with us?

JAMIE

Oh, no. That's for you and your team.

I don't think it'd be a good idea.

Casey sighs.

JAMIE

I'm free Friday.

CASEY

Yeah?

JAMIE

Yeah.

CASEY

Do you want to go see a movie?

JAMIE

Sure. Do you have a particular one in

mind?

CASEY

Not really. I could pick you up at

7:30 or so, and we could just pick

something when we get there.

JAMIE

Okay.

CASEY

So, I'll see you then.

JAMIE

Yeah.

Jamie hesitates for a moment, then leans in and gives Casey a quick kiss on the cheek.

JAMIE

Bye.

She climbs out of the car before Casey can respond. For a moment, Casey merely watches her walk in the house, then breaks into a wide grin.

CUT TO:

INT. PLAYHOUSE - AFTERNOON

Mia finishes up her audition.

PERRY

Very good, Mia. Thank you. The casting

notices will be up on Friday. Swing by

and check the board.

MIA

Ok, thanks. Um, did Casey already

audition?

Ms. Perry looks down at her clipboard. Clark, waiting in line, pipes up.

CLARK

Yeah, she did it last period.

MIA

But..

CLARK

She was unscheduled today cause

there's no rowing practice. They've

got a match tomorrow.

Mia heads over to grab her backpack.

MIA

Oh, yeah. Thanks, Cameron.

CLARK

It's Clark.

MIA

Sorry.

She breezes out the door. Clark shakes his head as he approaches the audition stage.

CUT TO:

EXT. LONG BEACH MARINA YACHT CLUB - AFTERNOON

Casey blows out a nervous breath as she sits and waits in the 8-person shell with her teammates. The 3 other competing teams do the same. The judge supervises the crews as they align for the start. Once all crews are level, the Starter polls the crews by

calling their name. Then the Starter raises a red flag.

STARTER

Attention!

After a clear pause, the starter drops the red flag quickly to one side.

STARTER

Go!

They surge into motion at the coxswain's rhythm. As they near the finish, the people in the bleachers begin to cheer wildly, as they pull forward, lengthening their lead over the other teams. They speed past the finish and Casey and her teammates whoop and shout, slapping each other on the shoulders.

CUT TO:

EXT. LONG BEACH MARINA YACHT CLUB BLEACHERS - A MOMENT LATER

Casey exits the club, freshly showered and walks through the crowd, eyes searching. Finally, she spots Jamie and Clark and starts to head toward them before Mia and Meagan intercept her.

MIA

Casey!

Mia hugs her.

MIA

That was awesome. Did you hear all us

cheerleaders yelling our fool heads

off?

CASEY

I did. How's your throat?

MIA

Awful, but it was fun. Are you coming

with us?

MEAGAN

The guys team wants to throw you guys

a party.

MIA

Yeah, at my house.

Casey glances at Jamie and Clark.

CASEY

Um, yeah. I'll be there in a moment.

Casey continues on.

CASEY

Hey!

Jamie gives her a hug.

JAMIE

Wow. Congratulations.

CASEY

Thanks.

After long moment, they release each other and smile, until Clark butts in and pulls Casey into hug of his own.

CLARK

Congrats, Case.

Caleb comes up and pulls her into a rough hug once Clark releases her.

CALEB

I thought you were just talking shit,

Farrell. You proved me wrong. Nice

work!

CASEY

Thanks.

He slings an arm around her shoulder and swings them around to face Jamie and Clark.

CALEB

Isn't she the greatest?

He pinches her cheek and she gives him an elbow in the gut.

CALEB

Let's hit the road, Case. We've got

some celebrating to do!

Casey can only smile helplessly at Jamie as Caleb hauls her away. She gives them a wave.

CASEY

I'll call you!

CUT TO:

INT. MIA'S BALCONY – NIGHT

Casey leans against the railing, taking in a deep breath. Mia comes out to join her.

MIA

There you are. I haven't seen you all

night.

CASEY

Oh, hey.

Mia leans against the railing as well, allowing silence for a few moments, before she gets impatient and sighs.

MIA

What's going on?

CASEY

What do you mean?

MIA

You've been avoiding me.

CASEY

No, I haven't.

MIA

Casey, we're friends, right?

CASEY

Yeah.

MIA

Granted, we've only been friends for a

little over a week, but I'd hate to

lose your friendship over something

so...

CASEY

What?

MIA

We just got caught up in a stupid

play. It doesn't mean anything, and I

didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

CASEY

No, no. That's not..

(shakes her head)

That's not what's bothering me.

MIA

Well, what else is on your mind?

CASEY

It was our first match of the season.

He was supposed to be there.

Mia gives her a knowing look. Casey remains silent, until Mia wraps an arm around her waist and rests her head on Casey's shoulder.

MIA

(wryly)

Been there, done that.

CASEY

Does it bother you?

MIA

Not so much anymore. I've been going

through it for 14 years. I've learned

to stop hoping that my father will

keep his promises to me. They always

have been, and they always will be

empty.

CASEY

Do you think it's dumb that I still

hope?

MIA

Not at all. That just means you're not

a jaded, wretched cynic like me.

CASEY

Maybe I'd be better off that way. Then

it won't hurt when he does crap like

this anymore.

MIA

Don't do that. Don't lose hope.

CASEY

Like you didn't lose hope?

MIA

(shrugs)

Well, I should know, right?

CASEY

Yeah, I suppose.

Casey chews her lip for a moment.

CASEY

Do you think that maybe the reason why

we're...

MIA

(cuts her off)

That's the dumbest thing I've ever

heard, Casey.

Casey smiles despite the rude interruption.

CASEY

You didn't even let me finish.

MIA

I know you were going to ask if the

reason why we're gay is because we've

got insensitive, absentee fathers.

CASEY

Actually, I was going to ask if the

reason why we're outgoing is because

of our insensitive, absentee fathers.

MIA

Oh, sorry.

CASEY

It's alright.

MIA

It just seemed like that was what you

were going to say, and people have

asked me before. I can't stand that.

CASEY

So?

MIA

Totally. I've known since I was little

that I was gonna have to be wild, and

loud and everything in order to get

attention, cause nothing else ever

worked.

Casey nods.

CASEY

Well, if you're ever a little

attention-starved and you need someone

who understands...

MIA

Thank you.

CASEY

Anytime.

Mia studies her profile for a moment.

MIA

(suddenly)

Have you ever been in love?

CASEY

What?

MIA

It's just, I can't imagine that you

went long without people falling head

over heels for you.

CASEY

Oh.

(chuckles)

I haven't been in love, and as for

people falling for me...

(shrugs)

I don't really know.

MIA

Well, whoever snares you is gonna be

one hell of a lucky girl.

CASEY

You think so?

MIA

I know so.

They stare at each other for a moment.

CASEY

(smiles)

I have to go.

Mia blinks a little, things suddenly turning away from where she expected them to go.

MIA

Why?

CASEY

I've gotta go home and call someone.

MIA

Um, okay.

Casey gives her a quick hug.

CASEY

I'll see you tomorrow.

Casey leaves.

MIA

Damn you, Farrell. Why aren't you

falling for me like the way I'm

starting to fall for you?

CUT TO:

INT. JAMIE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Jamie sits at her desk and writes in her notebook when the phone rings. Glancing at her clock, she picks it up.

JAMIE

Hello?

CASEY

Hey there.

JAMIE

Hey, I can't talk. It's past the phone

curfew.

CASEY

Oh, damn.

JAMIE

Why don't you just meet me after

school tomorrow?

CASEY

Alright. I'll wait for you at the

Playhouse.

JAMIE

Ok.

CASEY

Night.

JAMIE

Night.

CUT TO:

EXT. FRONT OF SCHOOL - MORNING

Casey parks her car and grabs her bag, before getting out and bolting into the school.

CUT TO:

EXT. SCHOOL QUAD - CONTINUOUS

She walks quickly through the quad on the way to the Playhouse.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLAYHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

As she turns the corner, she runs into Clark. They look at each other for a moment, then both break out into a sprint, heading for the small crowd at the bulletin board on the door of the Playhouse. He beats her there, but can't push his way to the front. Casey gets there a second later, and people start to move out of the way for her. She walks up and scans the list. After a few moments, she heads back out of the crowd to the waiting Clark. She just stares at him, nonplussed.

CLARK

Well?

CASEY

Uh, you got Romeo.

Clark hollers and grabs her in a hug and spins her around.

CLARK

Hell yes! Are you Juliet?

CASEY

No, I'm Romeo.

CLARK

Huh?

CASEY

There's two separate plays. One's got

a cast of all guys, and the other's

got a cast of all girls.

CLARK

Oh, shit! Really? That's awesome.

Who's your Juliet?

CASEY

Your sister.

CLARK

What?

CASEY

Yeah.

CLARK

Whoa.

FADE OUT.

Stay tuned for the next episode – “The Roles We Play”