Scene 1: Addington High Library

Leo Rylin

"Don't you have a test?" I ask as she takes a seat at a table.

"I was going to fail anyway."

"He's not going to let you retake it. I had him last year, he's strict."

Elle sighed. "I didn't want to take it."

"If you get below a C for the semester, your mom is gonna throw away all your shit."

They have some intense screaming matches that I get to pretend I didn't witness over the phone or in her room after she slams the door shut.

"She won't. We'll fight and she'll give up."

"Yeah, and you'll be sneaking out getting me in trouble with her because you're at my place."

"Whatever," she smirks. "You love it."

"Like I have a choice."

Elle inched closer to me, and I glimpse past her for just a second before I felt her lips.

I noticed Heather when we walked in but ignored it. Besides, she seemed okay then, but now...she is laying with her head on the table. I can't tell if she's tired or upset-

Elle pulls away enough to speak. "We're going to Claudia's on Friday night and staying over, okay?"

"Huh?"

She kisses me again, softening the blow of annoying news. "Empty house and she wants to take advantage of it. It'll be fun."

"Who else is gonna be there?"

"Just some people." I make a face in response and she rolls her eyes. "You won't be the only guy. She wouldn't let me bring you if you were."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

"Then what?"

"I don't like not knowing everyone."

She put her hand on my leg. "You know me."

I chuckled and let her keep it there. "I guess."

My brain is malfunctioning or something. Whenever I tell myself not to look at her, I immediately look right at her.

What has her like this?

Why isn't anyone checking on-

Alison and I locked eyes when she blocked my view...and she knew it wasn't her I was looking at. She turned and saw Heather and then glanced back at me.

And I made sure my eyes were back to where they're supposed to be.

"What time do we have to be there?" I asked Elle.

"By 8 if you want any food to be left."

"Free meal? This is sounding better and better."

"I can't wait," she cooed. "A whole night."

"In sleeping bags."

"One sleeping bag."

I don't do the sleepover thing anymore. I think that makes the relationship move too quickly. I've learned my lesson about getting that attached that fast.

Alison is talking to her closely like she's afraid of being loud enough to hear. Heather is resting with her head in her hand and a sad expression on her face.

It's none of my business.

"Skipping in the library is kinda boring." I nodded toward the door. "Let's go get something to eat and come back later."

"Okay but before second period. I wanna be there."

"Nerd."

"Shut up." Elle nudged me. "I have friends in that class."

"I know, that's why you're always in detention for talking," I teased.

"That only happened twice," she defended, laughing because she knows I'm right.

I made it my mission to stay focused on her, but her attention broke from me. I'm guessing it's because Alison is walking near us...Elle rightfully hates her too for being a part of the attack.

Alison dropped a pen in between our table and where she's standing but made no effort to pick it up.

She looked down at it and then intently stared at me until I grudgingly got out of my seat for it.

What sort of fucking power play is this?

I handed Alison the pen.

"Thank you...and she has a headache."

Scene 2: Chester High

Zach Teeling

Everyone cheers and high fives when the tv cart is rolled into the classroom even though we know we're gonna be shown something lame. The fact that it's a movie at school means it's practically a premier no matter what.

Besides, I get invested anyway. Even in this documentary about sea creatures and how people eat sea urchins and what you're actually supposed to do after a jellyfish stings you.

I'm sure glad I've never been stung by anything because people are getting peed on for nothing.

"Psst," I hear from the desk beside me and then a folded note is slid in front of me.

"Karlie and Brandon total sex in Sarah's bathroom. Ew!"

Karlie? Clemmons?

I look at her from across the room and see that she's already staring back at me...and all the other people not-so-subtly staring and giggling.

"Pass it," the girl who gave it to me whispered, but I scowled at her and someone else snatched it out of my hand, loudly laughing after reading it.

That was the last straw. Karlie got out of her seat and ran out of the classroom. The teacher briefly glanced at her...and decided to do nothing.

I raised my hand. "Can I get the bathroom pass?"

"Here." Mr. Norris motioned toward where it was on his desk.

I wanted to hurry and catch her, but when I entered the hall—Karlie was winning a gold medal in speed walking.

"Karlie!" I yelled out for her but she kept going and went into the girls' restroom. "Karlie," I said, out of breath when I got to the door. "It's Zach...if you didn't know." I knocked and waited for a response. "Karlie?" Her hand reaches out and grabs my shirt, pulling me in with the force of a million men— or a teenage girl who's a lot stronger than me. "I can't be in here," I look around frantically for other girls with supernatural strength. But it's only Karlie in here, and she's crying. "...Are you okay?"

"No! What did the note say?"

My eyes shifted to the side. "...I forget."

"Zach."

"Something about Brandon...and a bathroom or I don't know." I shook my head.

"Ugh."

"It's not true...right?"

"I went to Sarah's party on Saturday, and Brandon and I were standing near each other because it was so crowded, then we started talking and then I don't know what happened, he just kissed me."

"Brandon...Sarah's boyfriend."

"Not anymore. Maria saw and told Ashlynn who told Bree and she told Sarah, so she made this big scene dumping him and calling me a two-faced bitch. Now everyone thinks I broke them up."

"They think a little more than that," I mumbled.

"I know. Two girls called me Karlie Chlamydia when I walked in this morning."

Clemmons...Chlamydia...kinda clever.

I scoffed. "That's not clever at all."

"I never had sex with him. I never had sex with anyone."

"What's Brandon saying about this?"

"He said I didn't give him an STD, but probably because he didn't want people to think he had one."

"If he's lying about getting with you, I'll..." have my friends "fight him."

"Apparently I was a mistake and he wants Sarah back, but she doesn't want him now that I 'ruined' him."

"He's not hot enough to create this much chaos," I said, more to myself, but it made Karlie laugh through the tears.

"I don't know what to do."

"Neither do I...but I'll get Matt to ask out Sarah or something if it'll make her shut up about Brandon."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Yeah, she won't care what did or didn't happen if she has a new boyfriend to show off."

She sighed. "Poor Matt."

"He can handle it." I lift my wrist to see what time my watch has. "I need to get this pass back to Mr. Norris before we switch classes."

"Okay."

"We can go back together."

Karlie shook her head. "I'm going to stay in here a while."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'll see you later."

I nodded reluctantly, turning to reach for the door until I realized it was being pushed open at the same time.

Uh oh...

"Wow, Karlie, again?" Sarah snidely remarked while her friends giggled and gossiped behind her.

"Oh, no-" I tried to explain but they didn't give me a chance, and to make matters worse, the classes were letting out.

"Next time bring a pillow," Sarah announced, "wouldn't wanna get uncomfortable with all that time you spend bent over the sink."

Scene 3: U.S. Government

Heather Blakely

"Do you think Audrey is pulling away from me?" Natalia asked.

I'm in no mood for conversation but she's doing the research for our research paper and the least I can do is entertain her.

"Nothing I've noticed. She speaks of you in almost every conversation."

I'm so tired that my eyes are hurting as punishment for keeping them open.

"That's beautiful." She wanted to smile, but something stopped her. "Why is she with Trevor so often?"

"He's her best friend."

"Weren't you supposed to be?" She said, and I laughed as a reply.

She sounds like Alison did when she was interested in Trevor.

There must be something I'm missing with that duo, because as far as I'm concerned...Audrey and Trevor together would be like Saturn merging with Jupiter and rolling over the rest of the solar system.

"Is Heather Blakely in attendance?"

I pick my head up to see what unfamiliar voice is asking.

"Yes," my teacher looked at me and then the girl.

"She is needed in the main office. Her father is calling."

What...

"Ms. Blakely," he excused me.

My parents never call me at school.

Worriedly, I make my way to the door hoping the girl may be able to tell me what this is regarding. Yet, once the door is closed behind us, she goes in the opposite direction of the office.

"Heather," I hear before I can begin questioning.

Leo is standing across the hall.

"Hi. I have to-"

"No, I got you out."

"Oh," I sigh in relief. "Why?"

He opens his hand. "Aspirin."

How did you know?

...How sweet.

"Thank you..."

"Here." Leo takes out a water bottle and opens the cap, watching to make sure I took both pills before closing it again. "Are you coming down with something?"

I shake my head. "I couldn't sleep. It's just a deprivation headache."

"Did you eat?"

"No."

Leo reached into his pocket for money. "Let's go to the vending machine."

I stop him by grabbing his arm. "I'm not hungry."

"You have to eat."

"I'm okay."

He puts the back of his hand against my forehead. "I think you're warm."

"I'm not. Your hand is cold." I smile at him. The concern in heartwarming..."Thank you, you didn't have to do this."

He shakes his head. "It's nothing. I just— I knew Jordan would have meds."

"I'm glad. I don't know what I would've done in my next few classes, I haven't been able to focus."

"I can take you home."

"That won't be necessary. I should be getting back, actually..."

Leo nodded. "Finish your water."

"I will."

"And eat lunch."

"I will."

"Okay," he said, backing away. "Feel better."

I smile again. "You're so bossy."

Scene 4: The Plaza Hotel

Ethan Carey

"Why are you asking?" Trevor said, exasperated.

"There's something wrong with my birth certificate," I persisted.

"Well, Chris is an investigator, not the government."

"Speaking of government," Audrey interrupted, "The first year I even consider not running for student body president, Maisilyn throws her hat in the ring, that troll."

"Maisilyn Brody?"

"You know her?"

"In the athlete to athlete sense."

"She's a satanist."

"Wonderful," I said, sarcastically. "Back to me now."

"No, not back to you. I was here first."

"Ladies, there's enough of me to go around, but it is first come first served." Trevor smirked. "Audrey comes first."

I sighed in frustration. "If this girl is such a threat to you—get her kicked out of school."

Trevor side-eyed me. "That's a bit dramatic..."

"She can do it. Another account of fraud. Nothing she isn't used to...or good at."

Audrey nodded, looking off in thought. "It has come to that..."

"Now, onto more important things Can you get me in contact with your private investigator or not?"

"Why mine?" Trevor asked.

"You trust him, don't you? His loyalty doesn't have a price tag?"

"It definitely does, but he'd at least give me the opportunity to price match."

"Great."

"What's this for?"

"I look like my parents, right? You see the resemblance?"

"I guess."

"Audrey?" I asked her.

"No, not really," she replied without having to look at me again.

"Could there be a reason why?" I said to Trevor. "Are they not my parents?"

"...What exactly did you see on your birth certificate?"

"For one, the names of strangers."

His expression became uneasy. "Omniscience should only be given to God and me. You may want to stay in the dark for this one, buddy." He patted my shoulder.

"Secret family? Aren't you full of surprises," Audrey taunted. "I figured you'd be the creator of one rather than the product but..."

"You don't think I should find the couple listed?"

"What, are you looking for replacements so you can get rid of your current parents?" Trevor questioned.

"If they aren't my parents, doesn't that mean they can get rid of me?"

"They could do that even if they were."

Audrey laughed, mockingly. "Clearly or else you wouldn't be needing an investigator."

Scene 5: Bedell Wellness and Rehabilitation Center

Danny Cole

"I'm Danny— Daniel, but no one really calls me that."

"Hi, Danny," the group responded.

"Uh...I'm not an addict, I just wanted to get ahead of it. I was taking pills I didn't need anymore, and you know...it was bad, so I'm here."

"Why are you not an addict?" Some washed-up failed rockstar looking guy asked.

"Because I've been around addicts, and that's not me."

"Is that what you tell yourself when you're craving and looking for a fix?"

"People crave shit all the time. Wanting something doesn't mean you're addicted to it."

"Yeah, but those people don't get the shakes and start puking their guts out because they're craving."

This group therapy idea is for morons. This motherfucker isn't certified.

I take a glance behind me and see Heather waiting in a chair outside of the room.

I don't need this bullshit, so I get up to meet her.

"It's over."

She peers past me to where people are still in their little campfire cry session but doesn't complain about me walking out.

"Is he coming over here?" Heather asked, and I huff when I see she's referring to knockoff Tommy Lee.

"I can't get rid of this creep."

"Hey, I didn't mean to get you riled up back there."

I scoffed. "You couldn't."

"A word of advice: you can't get anywhere until you admit where you are. I've been in your place. 'I'm not an addict, I'm fine', and then I'm passed out with a needle in my arm."

"I don't shoot up."

"Yeah, see what you're willing to do when you can't afford the good stuff anymore." He takes a pen off of the table that has the waiting-room magazines and starts writing on a piece he rips off. "Look, I don't do the sponsor thing, I don't want the responsibility, but I've talked enough people off the ledge." My eyes narrow when he hands me the torn paper with his number, and I crumple it right in his face. "Suit yourself." He shrugged and headed back to the addict share circle.

"You are so rude," Heather reprimanded.

"Dude's a creep, giving me his number like a weirdo."

"It was not like that."

"Yeah, right. Every guy who gives you his number is a weirdo, Heather."

She rolled her eyes. "Good to know."

"Can I leave now or will an alarm go off?"

"The nurse suggested a vitamin drip...it's optional but you should do it."

"Why? I can just buy some Flinstones."

"Infusions are faster and more effective. Your body could be depleted from all the drugs you did-"

I scowled and sucked my teeth. "Fuck you." She stepped back, confused and offended. "You're standing in a goddamn rehab, Heather. What the hell do you think we're here for?"

"I didn't mean it to sound judgmental."

"Yes, you did. You wouldn't even say 'rehab' at first like it's a bad word, and now you think I've done every drug in the fucking alphabet," I said, harshly. "And what if I did? Deal with it."

"I wasn't insinuating-"

"I know you're only doing this to put it on your college application or some shit, but these are people's lives. They're trying to fix them and don't need your over-pampered ass clutching your fucking pearls because of what they did or what they took. Not everyone's you, Heather." I brush past her to leave by myself. "I'm buying some fucking Flinstones."