Innocent Bystanders? (Finished)

SCENE 1

(Outside, teenagers are playing soccer for gym. Four teenagers sit on assorted bleachers off to the side. Three girls,Gabby, Kimberly, and Jamie, on the bottom bleacher and a boy, Jaxson, on the very top. Jaxson is writing in his notebook with his left hand. Kimberly looks at Jaxson curiously at some point while the other two continue gossiping.)

Kimberly: Hey Jax? What are you writing?

Jaxson: (doesn't look up) Nothing.

Jamie: (stops talking and looks up at Jaxson) Well, you have to be doing something! You've been writing almost all period.

Gabby: Who cares? He's probably doing his homework.

Jamie: Are you?

Kimberly: Yeah, are you?

Jaxson: (still not looking up) Nope.

Kimberly: Are you writing a story?

Jaxson: Nope.

Kimberly: A love letter to the girl of your dreams?

Jaxson: (looks up,annoyed.) No.

Gabby: Just leave him alone, who cares what he's doing?

Jamie: Shut up Gab! He's always writing, (looks at Jaxson) we just want to know what..

Jaxson: (gives a look of defeat) Just..things..that I see..notes and stuff..okay?

Gabby: Like, notes..notes..like for history?

Jaxson: (irritated) No, notes like notes of the things I see around me.

Jamie: Oh! Like three women sitting in front of you sort of notes?

Jaxson: (smiles sarcastically) You got it..

Gabby: That's dumb.

Jamie: Yeah, what's the point?

Jaxson: (insulted) If you think it's so dumb, why don't you go away?

Kimberly: (ignoring the two other girls) I didn't know you write with your left hand.

Jaxson: Yep.

Kimberly: Don't you pitch with your right hand?

Jaxson: (annoyed) I'm ambidextrous.(The three girls look confused) It means I'm able to use both hands equally well.

Jamie: (giggling) What else can you use both your hands for..(Gabby and Jamie both giggle)

Jaxson: Not sexual favors for guys I don't know, whenever they ask, if that's what you're insinuating.

Gabby: Eww! You jerk!

Kimberly: What?

Jamie: He just said we were easy!

Kimberly: (giggles) Well I am easy..

(Jamie and Gabby pull her away and sit on the other set of bleachers viciously muttering to each other. Jaxson starts to laugh at them and begins writing again. Then he looks up at the soccer field where groups of people are doing soccer drills. One group, in-particular, the "jock" group are laughing and goofing off. At some point, Chris Jenkins, the group "leader," the star quarterback, and the replacement pitcher on the baseball team, takes the soccer ball and throws it at Zach Kimberlin, who was awkwardly standing there, not doing anything. When the soccer ball hits him, Zach winces and falls over. Everyone on the field makes an uproar of laughter and the gym teacher points at Chris and nonchalantly says "stop that." There is more laughter after that and Zach gets up, keeping his head down. Chris walks over to Zach to pick up the soccer ball, still laughing, and pats Zach hard on the back. Zach cringes and cowers away. Then the gym teacher blows the whistle for everyone to go inside.)

Scene 2

(Lunch time, Jaxson walks to a bench with a girl(Autumn) and a boy(Tim) already sitting there. He sits down.)

Jaxson: Hey.

Tim: Hey, what's up?

Jaxson: Nothing. (begins writing) I'm just working on an article for the newspaper.

Autumn: The newspaper? I thought you didn't want to write in it.

Jaxson: I changed my mind.

Autumn: Can I read it?

Jaxson: Only if it gets put in the paper.

Tim: Why wouldn't it be put in the paper?

Jaxson: It will. (Zach passes their table) Zach?

Zach: (turns around anxiously.) Hey, man..uh..

Jaxson: (cutting him off) Is the option still open for me to write an article for the paper?

Zach: (smiles) Yeah! Of course man, I told you the offer is always open. Do you have it on you?

Jaxson: It's not finished. Can I bring it to you after school?

Zach: Yeah, I'll be in the editing room after school, so yeah, just drop it off.

(exit Zach)

(Autumn grabs the loose sleeve paper from Jaxson.)

Jaxson: Give that back!

Autumn: (begins scanning the paper and laughs) Oh my..you cannot put this in the paper.

Jaxson: (grabs it back, insulted) Why not?

Autumn: Uhm..let me think..because the principal will never approve of it!

Tim: Why? What, does it have a bunch of curses or something?

Jaxson: No, no..it's not bad..it's the truth, isn't it?

Autumn: Yeah! But you can't get away with putting that!

Jaxson: (smiles) That's why it's perfect that Zach is the editor..

(blackout)

SCENE 3

(Jaxson walks into the editing room where Zach is sitting at a desk and his best friend Danny Bartlett is reading some of the already made paper.)

Zach: (brightly) Oh, yeah! You finished?

Jaxson: Yeah, look, you can't let the principal read it though.

Zach: Why not? (takes the paper from Jaxson and begins scanning) Shit man..I can't put this in here!

Jaxson: (again, insulted) Why not? It's not that bad..

Zach: Not that bad..? "If Christopher Jenkins spent more time actually training for football then picking on people, maybe we'd win more games.." I cannot print that!

Danny: (laughing) Man! You put that? Let me read it!

Jaxson: Look, I know it's not well written, but I know it makes a good point. It's bashing everything that this school ignores. I saw what they were doing today to you during gym. If the school isn't going to wake up then maybe this article could wake up some parents.

Danny: Zach, we need to put this in the paper..it'll make a fool out Chris and the school system.

Zach: We could get kicked off the paper for this!

Danny: So? This is gold!

Zach: Chris will kick our asses!

Jaxson: Chris can't kick anyone's ass.

Danny: Come on, Zach!

Zach: Jax, I swear! If he comes after me..I'll..I'll..

Jaxson: Print my name in bold letters so he knows it was me and if he does come after you..then I'll deal with it..

Zach: (Hesitant) Well..

Jaxson: Zach, no one here does anything about Chris and his friends bullying you..I'm just the bystander pointing this out..you aren't doing anything besides putting it in the paper..you could even say I came in and did it myself when you weren't around..I'll take all the blame.

Zach: You swear?

Jaxson: I swear!

Zach: Alright..I'll put it in..

(blackout)

SCENE 4

(The halls are buzzing with students all around their lockers, chatting nonchalantly. Some have the school paper in their hands and they're laughing and joking whiles reading it. Jaxson is standing in the midst of the crowd with Autumn and Tim. The principal, Mr. Rafter, a man in his late 40's comes out of his office to retrieve Jaxson. He is brought in by the principal and Zach is already sitting in the main office, now summoned to come in by Mr. Rafter.)

Mr. Rafter: (clearing his voice) Boys, I did not approve this letter for the paper. Can either of you tell me how it got in here?

(Zach is slouched in the chair and he looks at Jaxson nervously)

Jaxson: (Confidently) I put it in there.

Mr. Rafter: Jaxson, do you realize what commotion you've caused because you illegally put this in here?

Jaxson: Illegally? Isn't this the student's newspaper?

Mr. Rafter: Yes, but it must be approved by me..

Jaxson: Yeah, and you would have never approved of it! So not only would you be too blind to see what certain people go through but you'd also be too bold to tell me I am wrong on this. Do you even know what goes on in this school?

Mr. Rafter: (insulted) Of course I do!

Jaxson: You're a liar! You're a terrible liar, Mr. Rafter. Or worse-a careless bastard!

Mr. Rafter: (almost with a look of defeat) Zach, can you excuse us?

(Zach nods his head and leaves. The principal huffs and looks at Jaxson.)

Mr. Rafter: Jaxson, you're a star athlete, very good grades, very involved in curriculum's. I've never had a problem with you, what's the problem? Is there something going on at home that's making you upset?

Jaxson: (very irritated look on his face) No, no sir. I'm having no problems at home, I'm having problems here. Not with myself, but with the way my friends have been treated by other people, by the superior athletes, and every one turns to look the other way! Zach is one of the nicest kids I know and all Chris Jenkins sees is prey. It's ridiculous and I can't let it go anymore like every one else.

Mr. Rafter: Jax, I just don't understand why you couldn't have come to me with this, why the paper.

Jaxson: Well, I don't know..I guess I just figured you wouldn't listen to me.

Mr. Rafter: (Has a sympathetic, yet defeated look) Alright Jax, look, I'm going to be pulling my hair out for the next few days because of this article, but I cannot punish you for this because you're right.

Jaxson: (surprised) Alright, well, thanks?

Mr. Rafter: Your welcome.

(exit Jaxson)

(Jaxson begins walking down the hallway when two kids walk up behind him and latch onto his arms and drag him into the bathroom. They lock the bathroom door behind them where Chris Jenkins is standing. They let go of Jaxson's arms)

Chris: (his face is beat red and very cross) What the fuck is this shit, Jax?

(He goes to punch Jaxson but as he punches, Jaxson moves away. After about a minute of Chris attempting to hit Jaxson and Jaxson laughing and hopping around, Chris grabs Jaxson's right hand and twists it behind his back and Jaxson stops hopping around and cries out. Chris smiles.)

Chris: Hurts, doesn't it?

(At first, Jaxson was messing with Chris, having fun making him look like more of an ass then he already did, but now you can see he's really pissed off. He turns around in the direction of facing Chris and punches him three times in the face. Chris's cheek is red and his lip is bloody. Jaxson gives Chris and his friends a dirty look and unlocks the bathroom door and walks out.)

SCENE 5

(The bell sounds throughout the school and students flood into the hallways. Jaxson walks over to his locker and Autumn comes up behind him)

Autumn: (seductively)Hey you.

Jaxson: Hey.

Autumn: So, how much trouble did you get in for the paper thing? Did little Zach shit his pants?

Jaxson: (laughs) Uhh..no, Zach didn't shit his pants and believe it or not..I didn't get in any trouble.

Autumn: (excitedly) No way! Really?

Jaxson: Yeah! I mean, I was praised by Rafter for opening up his eyes or some bullshit like that.

Autumn: Oh man! That is so great. (She thinks for a second and then gets a mischievous look on her face and smiles) So..I saw Chris today in Physics..he got beat up by someone..

Jaxson: (smiling) Yeah? That's weird..

Autumn: (studying his face intently) Yeah, because I saw him this morning and he didn't have a cut lip or a bump on his cheek.

Jaxson: Wow, really..really strange.

Autumn: I knew it! I knew it!

Jaxson: (looks around) Quiet..shut up..!

Autumn: (Laughs) I knew you kicked the shit out of him! I knew it!

Jaxson: Alright, alright! (after a moment of thinking, they enter the lunchroom) How did you know?

Autumn: Well, this morning Chris was walking around saying he was going to kick your ass and I figured that when he came into class with the welt on his lip, the red cheek and the look of death on his face that you had already met eye to eye.

Jaxson: (laughs and sits down) Well, he gets what he deserves, huh?

Autumn: Oh, hell yeah!

(Enter Tim)

Tim: Hey guys. (Gives Autumn a kiss on the lips. Jaxson puts his head down and starts writing with his left hand. Tim looks at him curiously) Jax?

Jaxson: (still not looking up) Yeah?

Tim: (sits down and starts eating. Autumn is picking at his food) How come you're writing with your left hand?

Jaxson: Oh, well, it was baseball accident at the batting cages with those stupid fucking balls coming full blast at you, but then when Chris and me fought..he fucked it up a little more when he was loosing the fight and needed to stop me..

Tim: (Shocked) You fought Chris?

Jaxson: Technically no..he threw a few punches at me, forgetting I'm ten times faster then him and he couldn't catch me. You see, when I hurt my wrist at the cages, he was there so he knew and all, so he like grabbed my arm and twisted it because he didn't like that I'm a better athlete..it really pissed me off so I punched him like three or four times and walked away.

Autumn: (takes Jaxson's arm and begins looking at his bruised wrist) Wow, shit. He did a number on you. At least what you did was more visible and people can laugh at the jackass..

Jaxson: (taking his arm back and bending his wrist back and forth) Yeah, and what he did was just make something sprained, a little worse, not very strong.

Tim: What if he comes after you with like..friends or something?

Jaxson: You mean like..jumping me? He wouldn't do that..and if he does..who cares, everyone will know that he had to have his friends help him. Chris Jenkins is so far off the top of the food chain right now that anything he can't do, like beat me up, will be another reason to laugh at him.

Tim: People weren't laughing as much as you think, Jax.

Autumn: (Hits Tim) Yes there were! You should have seen my physics class! Chris walked in and everyone was dead silent and when the teacher asked what happened to him, he said something muffled and people started cracking up!

Tim: Jax, you need to watch yourself then, by now, he's probably out for blood..

Jaxson: I really not afraid.

Autumn: (squeezes Tim's arm) Tim is right though..

Jaxson: I know he is, but I just don't care.

Autumn: Wow, how brave of you..

Jaxson: I've dealt with the worst, it really doesn't matter if someone weaker then me wants to jump me.

(blackout)

Scene 6

(Jaxson is at his desk, looking over his notes and writing in another notebook. A woman around the age of thirty-five enters the room. It is his step-mom, Katie)

Katie: Hey sweetie, are you hungry?

Jaxson: Nah, not really.

Katie: (Looks over his shoulder) You're writing with your left hand? What's wrong with your right hand?

Jaxson: (almost annoyed) You're the second person who asked me that. Nothing is wrong, Kate.

Katie: (goes to lift up the sleeve covering Jaxson's bruised wrist. He pulls away) Jaxson, let me see, if nothing is wrong. (He looks defeated and shows her. She gasps) What the hell happened? (The look on her face gets darker and very upset) He said he wouldn't do this to you anymore! He promised!

Jaxson: Kate! Calm down! Dad didn't do this, it was those stupid batting cages.

Katie: I don't believe you! Why do you continue to lie for him?

Jaxson: I'm not lying! I'm not good at bat! You know that Kate! It fucked up my already screwed up arm. You know baseball is like the worst sport with that stuff.

Katie: (Calmer tone) You need to get X-rays on that wrist. I'll take you tomorrow.

Jaxson: (a tint of fear in his voice) Can't I just wrap it? It'll be fine..I won't put stress on it or anything..

Katie: (suspicious) Why don't you want to go to the doctors? Will the X-rays tell us something you don't want me to know?

Jaxson: NO! DAD DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! STOP ACTING LIKE HE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING AGAIN BECAUSE HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO ME IN YEARS!

Katie: (surprised by his outburst) Watch your mouth! Who do you think you're talking to, huh? I don't trust that man, Jax, I don't! Now, I'm taking you to that X-ray and if I find a single mark that hints that he did a fucking thing to you, oh I swear..

Jaxson: You swear you'll leave? Go! We don't need you around!

Katie: (hurt) Jaxson, I know you don't mean that.

Jaxson: Yes! Katie, I do! All you ever do is accuse my father of being such a terrible person. If you really feel that way, why do you stay?

Katie: I stay for you, you ungrateful little shit! (exit Katie)

(Jaxson has a stern look on his face, like what he said was completely justified. He begins writing again and after almost twenty minutes, he hears the front door slam and a car start and leave)

(blackout)

Act II

Scene 1

(A girl is standing at her locker, struggling to hold her books and open her locker. She has a wrap around her right hand. Jaxson sees her struggling in the empty hallway and comes over to help)

Jaxson: (to girl) Hey, let me take those for you.

Girl: (she looks very stressed, but pleased) Oh! Thank you so much! Sorry, I'm a mess right now..I can't open my locker with my left hand because I'm a righty and everything I do is like to the right side even th..ugh..I'm sorry..(she begins blushing as Jaxson starts smiling) I'm Reign.

Jaxson: Hello Reign. You seem very much like a damsel in distress..(smiles brighter) Can I be your knight and shining armor?

Reign: (smiles) I could really use one..so..my knight..what is your name.

Jaxson: Oh! Hah, and I thought I was playing my cards right..(both laugh, more nervous laughter then real laughter) I'm, I'm a Jax..

Reign: Well, very nice to meet you, Jax.

(Both are smiling ear to ear)

Jaxson: So, right..your locker..here, let me open it. What's your combo?

Reign: 6-9-18. Thanks so much for this Jax, this is such a help. (looks at his arm) Oh wow, what happened to you?

Jaxson: (looks down as his right hand that is terribly bruised) Oh..it's nothing, just stupid batting cages accident.

Reign: Ouch..sounds painful!

Jaxson: (opens the locker) Yeah, it was. What about you? What happened?

Reign: (starts to laugh) Oh man, it's a dumb story.

Jaxson: I don't judge..go ahead.

Reign: (they start walking together through the halls) Well, I was playing dodge-ball at my church and some kid thought he'd be cool and chuck the ball at me as hard as he could. When he threw it, it hit my hand so hard that all my fingers went back and I felt like a tear in my hand..I tore ligaments in my hand..it hurt so badly!

Jaxson: Oh my god! You can tear ligaments in your hand?

Reign: Yeah, I said the same thing!

Jaxson: That sucks, I'm sorry.

Reign: It's cool. I caught the ball too, that's my favorite part about the story. (she laughs; after a moment of silence) So..why aren't you in class?

Jaxson: My dad is taking me to the doctors to get my wrist checked out..he's freaking out about it not being healed right and all that bull so I'm supposed to be at the office right now.

Reign: Oh! I'm sorry to hold you back!

Jaxson: No! No, not at all. But I should go, and you should get settled in this great ole' school of ours. (She smiles and nods) So..do you think I could get your number? Maybe we could go out sometime?

Reign: (her face lights up) Yeah! I'd love that actually. (She pulls out a pen and hands it to him) I'll just say it out loud..I can't write for like three months. 767-993-8843..alright?

Jaxson: (Copying down number) Wow, three months! I'm going to have to teach you how to write with your left!

Reign: (smiling) sounds like a date.

(Blackout)

Scene 2

(Jax and his dad, Jack, are in a doctors office staring at each other. Jack looks very stern and Jax looks helpless)

Jack: Are you going to tell me what happened?

Jaxson: Nothing happened!

Jack: Someone had to have done this! It doesn't just happen to look like someone broke your wrist, Jax! What are you hiding from me?

Jaxson: Nothing! No one did this to me, okay?

Jack: (sympathetically) Was in Kate? Is that why she walked out? Did she do this to you?

Jaxson: (frustrated) No!

Jack: (more stern) Look Jax, you need to cut this shit! Tell me and the doctors who broke your wrist right now, or they're going to think it's me! Jax, you don't want me to go to jail for this, do you? (He is whining as he says this)

Jaxson: (debating on his words) It..it was self inflicted..I mean..like not on purpose but I kept playing with my wrist, moving it around and pulling on it and shit..

Jack: (very annoyed) Don't you lie to me!

Jaxson: (very defensive) I'm not lying! It's true..but I swear, I didn't hurt myself on purpose, it just sort of happened. I was afraid to say anything because if you thought I hurt myself or something, you'd send me to the looney bin like mom..

Jack: (he looks very angry) Don't say that! Don't ever say that (grabs his arms) I didn't send her away to the 'looney bin.' She needed help and I got it for her, alright?

Jaxson: (pulls away) I wonder if they have cameras in these rooms..

(Enter doctor)

Doctor: How is everything?

Jack: He told me it was self inflicted..

Jaxson: It wasn't on purpose! I just..kept messing with my hand..it was irritating at night..you know..when you aren't in your right mind?

Doctor: Mhm..well..we're going to have to report that you physically hurting yourself Jaxson, we might have to send you to a psychologist to be evaluated..

Jack: We..I already send him to one.

Doctor: Well, we need for him to be evaluated from your doctor and reported back. Now that that issue is over, Jax, we need to take care of that arm..

(The two men walk out of the office and to the car. There is silence for most of the way)

Jack: Self inflicted, aye (he ruffles Jaxson's hair playfully)

Jaxson: Not really, it just seems that way.

Jack: Yeah, well you're going to need to see that shrink of yours one day this week.

Jaxson: Yeah, yeah..

(They both look ahead and smile)

(blackout)

Scene 3

(Reign walks into a crowded classroom, still looking quite flustered. She looks at the teacher, Mr. Dean, apologetically)

Reign: I'm sorry..I'm really trying my best..this school..is just so..big..

Mr. Dean: (He is young, ruggedly handsome, kind eyes) Don't worry about it, just sit down anywhere..

(Reign takes a seat next to Chris Jenkins. He smiles and she returns the smile)

Chris: (whispers) I'm Chris..

Reign: (Whispers back) I'm Reign..

Chris: What happened to your hand?

Reign: (smiles) Dodge-ball accident..

(They both laugh and the teacher eyes them)

Mr. Dean: Reign?

Reign: Yes, sir?

Teacher: Have you read the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight yet?

Reign: (timidly) Yes sir.

Mr. Dean: (very calm) Well, Chris is but yet to read the cover of this story, can you please not encourage his behavior. (He eyes Chris who is slouched in his chair. Zach and Danny, who are in the back laugh at the teachers remark)

Reign: (whispers) Sorry..

Chris: (he smiles much more then before) It's fine, I do what I want here..

Mr. Dean: Chris? Do I need to send you out?

Chris: What? I'm not doing anything!

Mr. Dean: Precisely..I assigned pages to be read..stop bothering Reign, alright?

(Chris turns red and begins looking at the book. Reign looks very sympathetic. 35 minutes pass and Reign raises her hand to leave early)

Mr. Dean: Ah yes, of course..uhm..do you need someone to carry your things?

Chris: (looks up) I'll do it..

Mr. Dean: (frowning) Did you finish reading..(Chris nods) It's your grade Chris..

(The two walk out)

Reign: Why is he so mean to you? You said you read..

Chris: I have a reputation of not doing real work..he knows I just looked at the book, but whatever..he can be on my case all he wants, it won't change anything..

Reign: And why is that?

Chris: I run this school..you know, it's useful being a friend of mine..

Reign: Really?

(The principal walks towards them. Chris looks down, turning red again)

Mr. Rafter: Chris? What are you doing out of class?

Chris: Helping Reign..(she lifts up her hand)

Mr. Rafter: (very authoritative) Don't forget to come to my office after school, Mr. Jenkins..

Chris: (Color drained from his face from embarrassment) Yes, sir.

(exit Mr. Rafter)

Reign: Detention?

Chris: Yeah..(his face is red again)

Reign: What did you do?

Chris: Nothing..not a damn thing and I have detention..!

Reign: Wow..so you run this school? (she smiles)

Chris: (laughs) Yeah, I guess that was a lie..I used to though..like two days ago..(changing subject) Listen..there is going to be this party on Saturday..would you like to come?

Reign: This Saturday? (He nods) I'm sorry..I have a date..

Chris: Damn! Well, maybe you and your date can join us..

Reign: Maybe..

Chris: (jokingly) Can I ask who I lost to?

Reign: You didn't loose to anyone..I'm going out with Jaxson Davis on Saturday..I'm not sure I'm even into him..

(blackout)

Scene four

(Reign is walking throughout the lunchroom as the Principal's voice is sounding)

Mr. Rafter: When you see another kid being bothered, or bullied, take a stand. Do the right thing, and come to an adult. We have a new rule students. It's called zero tolerance for bullying!

(you hear a click and Reign looks at people laughing and joking around. She gets on the lunch line. In front of her, she sees a boy, dressed in all black. He is smirking and poking the kid in front of him)

Boy: Hey you short little shit! Hey..don't ignore me fagot! Hey..buddy..why ya so tiny? (he nudges one of his friends who has cut Reign) This kid is such a fag! Look at him! He is a little fagot..he's a F-A-G-E-T FAGET!

(Reign looks around at the people, who seem like they haven't even noticed. Her jaw is dropped as she watches this kid bothering another, but she doesn't say anything, nor does anyone else. She purchases her lunch and walks over to Jaxson's table, where Autumn and Tim are also)

Jaxson: (smiling) Hey! This is Autumn(she waves) and Tim.

Tim: Hi..

Jaxson: Guys, this is Reign (she sits)

Reign: (she blushes) Hi

Autumn: (curiously) So, are you guys..like official..? (Tim nudges her. Both Jaxson and Reign look very embarrassed) What? I'm curious..you guys look it..

Reign: (with a hint of confidence in her voice) Well..we're going out on Saturday, so we'll see..(she smiles at Jaxson. Chris walks past their table and winks at Reign. Autumn looks at Reign who's eyes follow Chris as he walks away)

Tim: So, Reign..where are you from?

Reign: Jersey City actually..

Autumn: Better that then Camden, aye?

Reign: (Laughs awkwardly) Jersey City isn't that bad..it doesn't have a high crime rate or anything..(she moves her elbow and spills her drink on her) Shit!

Jaxson: (Gets up, out of his seat) I'll get you some napkins..

Reign: No, no..it's fine..I have it (she walks away)

Autumn: She's cute..

Jaxson: You're practically interrogating her..

Autumn: I just need to know that she's clean..she seems to have an eye for Chris..you better watch out..

Jaxson: That's a laugh..(Tim huffs and rolls his eyes. Jaxson sees this) What the hell is your problem Tim?

Tim: YOU! You're my fucking problem, Jax! (He gathers his things, awkwardly dropping his pen and walks away. Autumn's jaw is dropped. She looks at Jaxson, then picks up her things and runs after Tim. Reign returns with a huge stain on her crotch)

Reign: Where did Tim and Autumn go?

Jaxson: (doesn't look up) Away..

Reign: What's wrong?

Jaxson: Nothing..

Reign: No..something is wrong, what is it? Did I do something?

Jaxson: (Now looking at her) No! You didn't do anything..it's just..do you remember when I told you on the phone, that Tim was acting really weird? (she nods her head) He just said, without telling me why, that he has a problem with me. God, he's acting like such a girl! (he looks at Reign) No offense..

Reign: (laughs) None taken! (she takes his hands) Look, why don't you just go talk to him? (he shrugs his shoulders) Come on, he's your best friend..right?

Jaxson: Yeah..

Reign: Then talk to him..what's a best friend if you can't talk? Now, go!

Jaxson: (smiling) Are we still going out on Saturday..

Reign: We better be (she kisses him on the cheek)

(exit Jaxson)

(Reign looks around the lunchroom and her eyes come over to Chris who is looking at her. He walks over)

Chris: Is this seat taken?

Reign: No (he sits)

Chris: So you and Jax seem cozy..is it official?

Reign: You are the second person to ask that..but alas..no..

Chris: (looks confused, but changes the subject) So..anyway..the party isn't tomorrow anymore, it's tonight! You free?

Reign: Uh, no..no plans..

Chris: So..you want to come?

Reign: Uh..sure..

(Blackout)

Scene five

(Jaxson enters the library, where Autumn and Tim are. Tim gives Jaxson a dirty look)

Jaxson: Autumn, do you think Tim and me can talk?

Autumn: Yeah, of course..(looks at Tim, who has his head down) Bye baby. (she lifts his head and kisses his lips)

(exit Autumn)

Jaxson: (sits down) What's going on, man?

Tim: (silence for a moment) I'm sorry I flipped out..

Jaxson: Tim, it's not alright. I mean, I accept your apology, but what the fuck is wrong? You're always so quiet and out of nowhere you flip out on me..

Tim: You don't get it, do you?

Jaxson: (confused) Get what?

Tim: You always do such stupid shit, that could cause you your fucking life one day, Jax! You say you don't give a shit and I have to sit here watching you destroy your life!

Jaxson: What are you talking about? You're acting like I'm doing drugs or something!

Tim: You might as well be! What if one day, Chris and his friends come after you? What if they kill you? It's happened Jax, and it can happen to you! You act like since you've already been beaten by someone, that you're immortal. All Chris had to do was twist your wrist, and it's fucking broken! I can't be friends with you anymore because you don't give a shit about your life and I can't watch after you anymore!

Jaxson: Watch after me? I never asked you to watch after me! You're my friend, Tim. Not my father..

Tim: I'm not trying to be! But someone has to be there when you do something stupid! I guess that'll be Reign for now on, because I'm fucking done.

(Blackout)

Scene 6

(Back to the lunchroom. Reign and Chris are talking and Autumn enters. She smiles and walks toward them)

Chris: So, the party starts at like 8..I'll pick you up

(Enter Autumn)

Autumn: With your cute little Jaguar?

Chris: (looks a little pissed off) Hi, Autumn.

Reign: Hey, is everything okay with those two?

Chris: Who?

Autumn: No one. Chris, can you excuse us?

Chris: (looks at Reign, then back to Autumn) Yeah, sure..bye Reign..

(Exit Chris)

Autumn: What? You playing two guys in the two days you've been here?

Reign: No! I like Jax, not Chris..he's just a cool guy..

Autumn: Yeah, Chris is a 'cool guy' according to his friends, but not to Jax. They hate each other, Reign..

Reign: So, what are you saying, I can't be friends with Chris if I want to go out with Jax?

Autumn: Yes! That is exactly what I'm saying!

Reign: Well, that's really dumb..I shouldn't have to choose..if either of them make me, then it's not worth it..

Autumn: You look like a smart girl, but I guess looks can be deceiving..

(blackout)

ACT III

Scene 1

(Zach, Danny, and Jaxson are sitting in Zach's living-room. Loud music is playing in the distance)

Jaxson: Is this what you always have to deal with?

Zach: What? The music? (Jaxson nods) Oh yeah, like every Saturday..(in his own thought) I don't know why it's today though..

Danny: (looking out the window) Man, we should be at that party.

Jaxson: Nah, they're really lame..

Zach: You get invited to these things?

Jaxson: All the time..I don't drink..so I don't go..

Zach: They drink over there?

Danny: Of course they drink! We should put poison in the bottles..

Jaxson: That's..kind of crazy..

Danny: Well they deserve it!

Jaxson: To die?!

Danny: To be taught a lesson..

Zach: What I think Dan means is..we should call the cops..or something..(looks at Danny) wanna' have the honors? (hands him the phone. Jax looks at the both of them who are laughing at their prank)

Jaxson: I need to get home. I feel sort of sick..

Zach: Oh..alright man..see ya tomorrow, maybe?

Jaxson: Maybe..

(Blackout)

Scene 2

(Chris and Reign are at the party, walking towards the drinks)

Chris: (over the music) What'll it be?!

Reign: Nothing! I don't drink!

Chris: (Looks disappointed and leads her out the front door) You could have told me, you know..we didn't need to come here..

Reign: (Smiling) It's fine..

Chris: You want to go to the diner down the street?

Reign: I'd love to..

(They get into his car and drive to the diner. They sit down and the waitress takes their order)

Chris: So you really don't drink?

Reign: No, I really don't.

(Silence)

So..I hear you and Jax don't like each other? Why not?

Chris: (starts fidgeting) Well, he's a jerk-off, first of all..

Reign: No, he isn't!

Chris: You don't know him like I do, Reign. He's a pompous jackass but I've never had a problem with him until a few days ago.

Reign: What happened?

Chris: Sometimes, I make fun of this kid Zach, because he's also a jerk, and Jax wrote this article in the paper about how all I do is push people around and no one does anything about it..now I have every teacher up my ass about it and Jax thinks he's all cool.

Reign: So..you bully people and now you're upset because you aren't allowed to..

Chris: No! Not that! I'm wrong but so is Jax! He's just as bad as I am. He believes that he is completely justified in everything he does, I don't..I realize that I'm not a good person, and I have really bad anger problems..but he thinks he's God's gift to man..

Reign: I'm so confused..you feel guilty about picking on people and so it's okay, but Jax also picks on people and thinks its fine?

Chris: No, Jax doesn't pick on anyone, he just pulled me out of the crowd to bash when there are tons of people who pick on Zach and don't get in trouble..

Reign: You're not making any sense Chris. Either way, it isn't okay for anyone to be picking on another person, but you're making it seem justified in some way because you feel bad..

Chris: I know! Look, I do feel bad that how I treat people, but it isn't because I like to, I told you already that I have anger issues..I see Zach and people like him, act like they are so much better then me because they're smarter and I get so angry and I try to bring them down a notch. (Reign looks horrified) Look, no one really knows me. No one really cares to. To my friends..I'm big, bad quarterback and to everyone else I'm a stupid asshole. Everyone is so quick to judge who I am. I came here freshman year, made varsity football and automatically I was a jerk. When I was in English and the teacher asked me who Shakespeare was, I said I didn't know and Zach and his friend started cracking up. I heard them say shit like "what a dumb-ass" and it hurt. The teacher asked Zach if he could help me and Zach acted like I was some sort of chore and treated me like I was seven. I'm not quick or smart and I get very threatened by people. My whole life, I've been treated like I don't know anything, so I show people the things I do know..like how to play football..and still I'm criticized..I'm a stupid jock..no one stops and thinks how hard I've worked at football..like how hard Zach works at getting good grades..Jaxson was my friend and he turned his back on me like I was nothing and wrote that we could have won the championships if I didn't waste so much time on beating people up..maybe Jax did a good thing for his other friends, but what about me? He could have talked to me about it, he didn't have to criticize something that I love more then anything..

Reign: I never actually thought about it that way..

Chris: Yeah, because everyone sees me as this heartless jerk, but I'm a fucking person too!

Reign: Maybe I can talk to him..I mean you're not a bad guy, and maybe I could bring Jax down a notch by telling him off..

Chris: Talking won't do anything, he'll just turn his back on you.

Reign: Well, he can't keep thinking about you the way he does! Maybe he'll listen to me..

Chris: Or maybe he could learn the hard way..

Reign: What do you mean?

Chris: Well, he's really into you, I can tell. So maybe to take him out of his dream cloud, you can stay with him for awhile and then hook up with me and make him feel like crap.

Reign: Excuse me?

Chris: It'll work!

Reign: So let me get this straight, you want me to mess with Jax for awhile so that he falls in love with me or whatever, and then make out with you and have him find out about it..so he can feel like crap that he trusted me for awhile..

Chris: You're twisting my words again!

Reign: How the hell am I twisting your words? This doesn't make any sense! You fed me this bullshit about how you're so misunderstood and you just want to use me to get revenge on Jax!

Chris: and you should too! You think I'm wrong, but hang out with him for awhile and you'll see! You'll see how he is!

(Reign gets out of the seat and leaves. She pulls out her cell phone outside)

Jaxson: Hello?

Reign: Hey Jax, I'm at Dani's Diner..do you know where that is?

Jaxson: Yeah, why, what's up?

Reign: Do you think you could pick me up?

Jaxson: Of course. I'll be there soon..

(The phone clicks and Reign hangs up. Chris comes out)

Chris: Reign, I'm sorry. Can you at least think about it?

Reign: I already have. Jax is on his way to get me.

(blackout)

(Jaxson pulls up at the diner and Reign walks over to his car and enters)

Jaxson: Hey, you alright?

Reign: Yeah, I'm fine.

Jaxson: (looks at her as he's driving) You look sort of upset..are you sure?

Reign: (thinks for a moment) You know, actually, I'm not fine..I'm a little upset about what I've found out about you..

Jaxson: What are you talking about?

Reign: Chris! I'm talking about about Chris!

Jaxson: (confused/angry) What about him?

Reign: Why are you such an asshole to him?

Jaxson: Because he's such an asshole to everyone else!

Reign: That doesn't justify it!

Jaxson: (defiantly) Yeah, it does!

Reign: No, it makes it worse! It makes you just like him!

(Jaxson pulls over)

Oh, what? Are you kicking me out of your car?

Jaxson: No..I want to talk to you about this.

Reign: Alright, lets talk.

Jaxson: I barely know you Reign..I don't understand how you can make assumptions about me so quickly..

Reign: That's what Chris said, too! Everyone is so damn quick to judge a person by what they do or what they say, and he's the victim to everyone's assumptions!

Jaxson: Victim?! Are you kidding? How badly does he have you fooled?

Reign: He doesn't have me fooled at all! I have my own mind, you know!

Jaxson: Why are you taking his side? I don't understand..

Reign: Look, Chris isn't the nicest person, I will agree with you on that but did you ever stop and think that maybe he's the way he is because that's how people have made him? Maybe he was really nice at some point, but somewhere along the lines, someone broke him and as a defense mechanism..he fought back..harder..and these people, who made him feel like he was just a dumb football player, didn't like him playing too hard..and gave him the title of bully..

Jaxson: So you're saying that Chris throwing a soccer ball at someone, who is just standing there, not doing anything to anyone, is fine, because Chris is hurt by Zach's opinion of him..and Zach deserves what he gets?

Reign: Yes! It's people like Zach, who have made Chris the way he is!

Jaxson: Really?

Reign: Yes! Freshman year, when Chris just moved here, Zach called him stupid and treated Chris like trash..can't you say that it's Chris getting revenge?

Jaxson: Yeah, you can..but that sounds so juvenile!

Reign: Now you're getting it! All of this is so juvenile Jax! All of this! (she opens the car door)

Jaxson: Where are you going?

Reign: Away from here..(she begins walking)

Jaxson: At least let me drive you home..

Reign: No, thanks..

(He drives away and Reign walks back to the diner. Chris is still sitting at that table)

Reign: I thought you'd be gone by now.

Chris: What are you doing back here?

Reign: I'll do it..

Chris: What?

Reign: You heard me, I said I'll do it..I'll help you get Jaxson back..

(Blackout)

Scene 4

(Jaxson is laying on his bed when his cell phone starts ringing. The I.D says Reign)

Jaxson: Hello?

Reign: Hi

Jaxson: ..uh..what's up?

Reign: I want to talk to you..

Jaxson: I thought we already talked..

Reign: Fine..if you feel that way..

Jaxson: No, I'm sorry. I feel terrible about all of this..

Reign: Yeah, me too..I mean..we both have our opinions..I just think we should get past it and move on..

Jaxson: Yeah, me too..

Reign: Really?

Jaxson: Yeah! Alright..so maybe it isn't the best thing in the world that we had our first fight..already..but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we're really opinionated..and..you have a beautiful spirit..I mean to see something in someone who on the surface is a dumb-ass, is a pretty great thing..

Reign: Aww, thanks.

Jaxson: So..do you want to give this another shot?

Reign: I'd like that!

Jaxson: What are you doing tonight?

Reign: Going on a date with you, of course..

Jaxson: Great..see you at seven?

Reign: Yep, bye Jax.

Jaxson: Bye.

(he hangs up)

Reign: He bought it..

(Chris is in the corner of her room)

Chris: No way! What a dumb-ass! He must really like you!

Reign: (her voice trails off) Yeah..me must..

(blackout)

Scene 5

(Jaxson and Reign are sitting at a table, both dressed very formal)

Jaxson: You look nice tonight..

Reign: (smiles) Aww, thank you. So do you.

Jaxson: I'm really glad you decided to call me, I was feeling real shitty about the whole situation. What made you change your mind?

Reign: Well, I mean, I said it myself..this whole mess is so juvenile but when I decided to get myself in the middle, I only made it worse by getting you more upset..it's really none of my business. I don't even really like Chris, I like you.

Jaxson: (smiling) Yeah, I like you too. I mean, not to sound stupid but when I first saw you in the hallway..you just sort of glowed..you know like sort of love at first site..not to jinx anything..

Reign: Yeah, I actually felt that, too. One of the other reasons why I called.

Jaxson: Let's knock on wood just in case, alright?

Reign: (laughs) There isn't any wood..

Jaxson: Let me take you somewhere..

Reign: Where?

Jaxson: My haven..

(They get out of the seats and to the car. Jaxson and Reign arrive at an area with beautiful trees and a lake that the moon reflects, making the night even more beautiful)

Reign: Wow! This is incredible! Where are we?

Jaxson: My backyard..

Reign: Really? You own all this..

Jaxson: (blushes and puts his head down) Yeah..

Reign: (laughing) At first I thought your haven was your house or something..little did I know it was..this!

Jaxson: Yeah, this is where I usually clear all my thoughts and just write.

Reign: You write?

Jaxson: Yeah, I want to be a writer, so like..I take notes of everything I see and this is one of the most beautiful places to create imagery for a story..you know..great material..like it could be a romantic setting correlating to a romantic story or a beautiful setting contradicting a horrible accident or a troubled family or something that makes the beautiful setting ironic..you know?

Reign: Yeah, I..I know what you mean..that's pretty cool..

Jaxson: (laughs) There are these really dumb girls who always ask me what I'm writing..it's funny because last time they asked me..I sort of called them whores..

Reign: (laughs) Oh my god! (nudges him) That's so mean..but I assume it was well deserved..

Jaxson: Well, they wouldn't leave me alone..so I think it was well deserved..

Reign: What were you writing?

Jaxson: Just things, shit that I see..like I said before..you know..settings..characters based on people that I see..uhm..all that kinds of stuff..it's all school is really good for..

Reign: Wow, that's interesting..and at the same time..really weird..

Jaxson: It was actually a technique used by the guy who wrote Peter Pan..he would write stuff that he saw, and then later analyze his notes and make a story out of it..he isn't my hero or anything..I don't even really like Peter Pan, but I just thought that was a cool aspect of life, to capture things in the moment, instead of trying to remember them later and forgetting the small detail and stuff.

Reign: That's really clever..do you write a lot of stories?

Jaxson: Constantly..that's what I love about the notes..there is always something behind them..like, see that tree over there? It's completely brown, but the blue lights that reflect the tree make it look almost blue, so in my head, I would note that it makes the tree look unatural..I mean..I did..I made a whole story about how artificial intelligence is making the natural world disappear..

Reign: Wow, I wouldn't have even noticed that..

Jaxson: Exactly! No offense or anything but no one notices the little things in life..like how things look, how they smell, any of that..Helen Keller wrote once that if she could have one day..one hour of sight, she would give anything for it, to see the sky, flowers, birds..otherwise stupid shit to us..but if someones loses their eyesight tomorrow..they'll say something about hating how they took advantage of not really utilizing their eyes..(he notices that she has looked away) I know it's lame..sorry for ranting..

Reign: (There are tears in her eyes, that she wipes away and leans over, kissing Jaxson on the lips) It's getting late, I should go..

Jaxson: (smiles) Alright, I'll drive you home..

Reign: (Bites her lip) Thanks..

(Blackout)

Scene 6

(Reign is in her room, pacing back and forth, talking to herself)

Reign: I can't do this..I can't! What the fuck is wrong with me? I can't do this to him..what the fuck! Damn-it! (She sits down and hugs her knees. She bangs her head against her knees) Damn-it! Damnit! Damnit! I'm so fucking stupid! I can't tell Chris..I have to tell Chris that I can't fucking do this! I can't though..what if..what if he starts something with me..makes me the laughing stock of the whole school! What if he tells Jax! If I go along with it..Jax will be hurt either way, though..God! What the fuck do I do! Oh my God..oh my God..if I really cared about Jaxson..then I wouldn't do this..I really do care about Jaxson! What the fuck is wrong with me?

(She is practically having a panic attack as she is freaking out. She is hysterically crying. She quickly gets to her feat and walks over to her desk draw and opens it. There is a razor lying in it that she retrieves, along with a cloth. She sits back down, still crying. As the razor digs into her skin, she seems to be more at ease, as if cutting herself is letting the frustration out. When the thin line is made, she is not crying anymore, just sitting there, staring at her self-inflicted wound. She grabs the towel and dries up the wound and then the hard wood floor. She goes into bed and closes her eyes)

I'll tell Chris tomorrow..

ACT IV

Scene 1

(Jaxson and Reign are in Reign's bedroom. Two months have passed and they are sitting on the floor, the same place where Reign cut herself. They seem to be very comfortable, sitting next to each other, but you see Reign is a bit more tense then the last time we saw her)

Jaxson: (touches her face) Happy two months..

Reign: (she stills seems distressed, more then before) Wow, it's been that long?

Jaxson: Believe it or not..(she gets up, letting go of his hand) Are you alright? You seem so stressed lately..

Reign: I'm fine! I really am..(she sits back down and kisses him) I'm great..I'm here with you. (She kisses him again)

(Reign lays on his shoulder for a moment and Jaxson lifts up a book from the side of him)

Jaxson: What is this?

Reign: Oh! That's my photo album!

Jaxson: (flipping pages) You're so beautiful.

Reign: (smiles) No I'm not.(points to a picture)especially not there..I'm such a tub of lard there!

Jaxson: Stop that! Who cares..you were a little heavy..you were still beautiful..just as beautiful as you are now..

Reign: (laughs awkwardly) Yeah, right..you're able to say that now because I don't weigh 200 pounds..

Jaxson: You really think that would matter?

Reign: (Shifts away from him) I know it matters..you wouldn't have even looked at me if I didn't loose almost 100 pounds..

Jaxson: Wow..do you even know me at all..

Reign: I know you, and yeah, you're great but either way..you're still a guy and all guys see initially is the looks and the body..

Jaxson: I don't know what guys you've dealt with in the past..but I'm not like that..

Reign: That's what they all say..

Jaxson: ..Whatever..fine..believe what you want to believe..

Reign: I will..(they look at each other for a moment) Aww, now you're mad because you know I'm right..

Jaxson: You're not right..not even in the slightest bit..

Reign: So then explain to me, that when I weighed 200 pounds why all my guy friends wanted to stay friends but when I lost all the weight that they wanted more..

Jaxson: They were stupid..I don't know..weren't you the one who said you can't make assumptions about people..?

Reign: It's not an assumption..it's a fact..

Jaxson: Whatever..

Reign: I'm sorry..it's just the way I feel..(He looks away) Jax, I'm sorry..I'm just not in a good mood lately..I've been snippy to everyone..

Jaxson: Reign, you know if something is wrong, I'm here for you..

Reign: (looks down at her arm) I know..it's just..my mom has been on my case lately..it's sort of gets to me..you know?

Jaxson: What do you mean?

Reign: (She begins to lift up her sleeve) My mom takes me to see this shrink..because I have a lot of problems..Jax, I'm not sure we can do this..I'm no good for you..

Jaxson: (he gets up quickly and hugs her) What do you mean?

Reign: (pulls away, she has tears in her eyes) I'm so messed up, Jax! Look! Look at my arm (she reveals scars on her arm. Jax looks at them in shock and touches marks delicately)

When I was in Jersey City, my mom would always say.."Reign, you're disgusting..you need to loose that fat or you'll never find a boy to love you." I began throwing up..constantly..and I would go days without eating..you know that saying..fat people can go for weeks without eating..it's not true..anyway..I finally lost all the weight through vomiting all the time. She was so proud of me, she didn't even know! She said "Good job honey! I'm proud of you.." She still doesn't know about it..but she knows about the marks..I couldn't really hide those..I can't do this, Jax. I'm too messed up..I'm no good for you..

Jaxson: (ignores her mumbling and holds her) I'm not going anywhere, you hear me? (touches her face, brushes hair away from it)I refuse to let you go..

Reign: Why? I'm a bad person Jax! I am!

Jaxson: No! Reign! You aren't..so stop it..I'm not going anywhere..

Reign: I..I love you..

Scene 2

(Autumn and Tim are sitting at the lunch table together)

Autumn: I just don't understand why you have to be such a bitch about this..he's your best friend!

Tim: Precisely why I can't talk to him anymore..

Autumn: So are you saying that you would dump me if I was doing the same thing?

Tim: Yes! (Her jaw almost drops and he gathers his things and stands up) Tell Jax..that if he cares about our friendship at all to admit I'm right about this..

(exit Tim)

(Autumn walks over to Jax who is sitting by himself)

Autumn: Sorry..I tried to reason with him..

Jaxson: I know..thanks..

Autumn: Why not just admit to him..that you are wrong..

Jaxson: Wrong about what? He keeps telling me I'm wrong..but I don't even know what I'm wrong about!

Autumn: About how you handle your life! You say you don't care about yourself and whether you live or die..but yet you have a girlfriend and friends, who really care about you!

Jaxson: I never said that! I never said I didn't care about myself or anything like that!

Autumn: Yeah, but your actions say otherwise! You waltzed around here like no one can touch you and that's not true!

Jaxson: I don't act like that!

Autumn: Yes, you definitely do!

(Jaxson buries his head in his hands and Autumn rolls her eyes)

You know what? Tim is wrong..and you're so right..I'll just tell Tim that how he feels is wrong and then he'll realize how dumb he's being and tell you he's sorry and everything will be forgotten..

Jaxson: Look, I know that sometimes I say or do things that aren't always the smartest things and Tim's always been there for me..

Autumn: Don't tell me, loser! Tell him that!

Jaxson: (smiles and stands up when Reign comes over to them. He gives her a kiss) Hey babe.

Reign: (she seems a bit flustered but smiles and kisses him) Hi.

Jaxson: Listen, I have to go talk to Tim. I'll see you later?

Reign: You bet..I love you..

Jaxson: Love you, too!

(Exit Jaxson)

Autumn: Still playing the two boys?

Reign: (pissed) No, I was never playing both of them..Chris is a..friend..sort of..

Autumn: How was the party?

Reign: I stayed for like ten minutes..I'm not a party person..

Autumn: Then, like a gentleman, did he take you out?

Reign: Yeah, but it only lasted like 20 minutes..

Autumn: Sounds like a date to me..

Reign: But it wasn't! I don't like Chris!

Autumn: That's good..because neither does your boyfriend..who..apparently you love now..

Reign: (nervously) Alright, I don't know what the hell your problem is with me..

Autumn: (Cuts her off) I see right through you..if you really care about Jax, stay away from him..you're not good for him.

(Autumn walks away and leaves Reign just standing there helplessly. She looks like she's on the verge of another break down and so she runs out the lunchroom quickly so no one sees her)

(Blackout)

Scene 3

(Jaxson finds Tim in the library reading a book and sits down next to him)

Jaxson: Hows the book?

Tim: I don't know..I'm not really reading it..

Jaxson: (at first he laughs but then the smile fades and he looks more serious) Listen, I know I do or say some really dumb things and I'm sorry..I'm not trying to self destruct or anything like that..I just feel like I needed to stick up for Zach and all those guys because they, for some reason can't and no one else tries to help them..it felt like something I needed to do..to help them..

Tim: You were always like that..always trying to help the people in need..(he looks out to the window) Do you remember when your mom stole your father's wallet and when he was about to belt her..you told him it was you and he beat the shit out of you? Until then, I always thought of you as this superhero..like superman or something but when I saw your face, your bruises..I was scared for you because even though he did that to you, you were still always watching out for everyone else but I didn't still see that superhero anymore..I saw a dumb kid who didn't learn..so I decided to always be there..to save you from anyone that you ticked off enough..you keep doing things that make enemies and one day..I won't be there Jax..

Jaxson: Okay..so you were the one who called 911 that day..but when did I ever need you after that? You act like I get into fights constantly that I can't handle..

Tim: You're always sticking up for people like Zach and Danny and anyone who needs you..you aren't that strong Jax! You stick your nose into everyone's business and you always have something to say! Is it that worth it to help Zach and Dan if Chris and his posse come after you?

Jaxson: Yeah, it is worth it to me because unlike you, I don't feel like sitting back and saying it isn't my problem. (both are silent for a moment, just staring at each other) Tell me something Tim, if I don't defend them, who is going to?

Tim: It's not your job to defend them! Believe it or not Jax, it isn't your calling to help the helpless.

Jaxson: Whatever Tim. I'll admit that I do really dumb things sometimes, but when you fucking tell me I'm wrong for trying to help someone who obviously can't do it themselves, I can't deal with that...it's people like you that make people like Zach hate the world..your right, it isn't your problem or my problem but it is a problem and someone has to take a stand..now I'm saying it..I can't be friends with you anymore.. (exit Jaxson)

Scene 4

(It's the end of the day and Reign is sitting in class drawing on her arm. The bell has rung and in comes Chris. The teacher looks at him and sighs. Chris apologizes arrogantly and sits down)

Chris: (Nudges Reign) Hey babe, haven't talked to you in awhile..

Reign: (doesn't look up) Yeah, it's been awhile..

Chris: (ignoring her distance) How's our little Jax doing?

Reign: (still not looking up) He's fine..

Chris: (He grabs the arm she's drawing on, she winces and he ignores the noise) Aww, Reign loves Jaxson..you're really playing this game well, Reign..have you already told him you love him?

Reign: (she takes her arm back and starts trying to smudge the writing) Yes..(she takes a deep breath as if ready to say something)

Chris: (cutting him off) Wow! You're amazing, Reign..sort of cold hearted too..

Reign: I'm not cold hearted!

Mr. Dean: Reign? Chris? Unlike you two, people actually want to do work..if you'd like..I could send you out. I'm sure the principal would love to see you.

Reign: I'm sorry, sir.

Chris: Yeah, sorry Mr. Dean..(Mr. Dean nods his head and the looks down at his desk. Chris then begins to whisper) I'm sorry babe, you aren't cold hearted, just a little into it..but it's good because that's going to bring him down all the more..the fucking loser..(he smiles) does he say he loves you?

Reign: Yeah..(She takes another deep breath as if to say something again and he cuts her off again)

Chris: Hah! (slams his hand on the desk) That's amazing! He's such a fucking loser man, we got him good Reign..we got him good..

Mr. Dean: (annoyed but calm) Okay Mr. Jenkins..it's time for you to leave.

Chris: Oh come on Mr. Dean! I didn't do anything!

Mr. Dean: I told you to stop talking once..I don't give people second chances Mr. Jenkins, you know that..

(Chris huffs loudly and grabs his books and leaves)

(Blackout)

Scene 5

(Reign is in her bedroom doing writing in a notebook. Her cell phone begins to ring. It says Chris)

Reign: Hey..

Chris: Hey babe, how ya doin?'

Reign: I'm alright..just doing some homework..nothing important..what's up?

Chris: Nothing, I just wanted to call to see how you were..you seem a little distanced lately..I just got this crazy notion that maybe you were mad at me..

Reign: No..why would I be mad at you?

Chris: I don't know..then I thought..maybe..alright..are you in love with Jax?

Reign: Uhm..I'm not sure what love is, Chris..

Chris: Well..whatever you feel about him..does it feel somewhat like love..?

Reign: I don't know..maybe..

Chris: I was afraid of that..

Reign: (her facial expression goes from afraid to pissed) Why? What would be so wrong with me being in love with Jax? Yeah, it would ruin your plan but he's nothing like you described and I don't think I can go through with it..

Chris: How badly does he have you fooled? Seriously Reign..he's the enemy..when did you forget this?

Reign: I never thought of him as the enemy, Chris..I just thought he was a jerk and you were the victim. Yeah, he did an awful thing to you, and he didn't dig deeper to see a sweet guy..but that's only because there isn't anything more to you then just a dumb fuck who likes sex, partying and football..I'm done..oh and another thing..I love Jaxson with all my heart and if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even realized it..

(She hangs up and takes a really deep breath and smiles. There is a knock on the door)

Reign: Come in..

(Enter Jaxson)

Jaxson: Hey beautiful..

Reign: (smiles from ear to ear) Hey! (she rushes over to him and kisses him)

Jaxson: (laughs) Wow, you're happy..

Reign: Yes, I am..

Jaxson: (touches her face) I haven't seen this smile..since..the first time we met..

Reign: Well, today is a good day..I love you

Jaxson: I love you, too.

(blackout)

Scene 6

(Chris is in the hallway after school with Kimberly and Gabby)

Chris: Okay..so the baseball players should be getting out in like 10 minutes..when you see Jax..tell him to come to D-22..alright Gab?

Gabby: Yeah..whatever..why aren't you at practice?

Chris: I was suspended from the team because of stupid fucking Jax..

Kimberly: I thought you were talking to Reign..why do you need to like talk to Jax, I thought you like..didn't like him..

Chris: I need to settle something..

(A few students exit the room D-22, including Reign. She looks at Chris and begins walking the other way. He walks quickly over to her and grabs her arm)

Chris: I need to talk to you, Reign..

Reign: I don't need to listen to you..

Chris: (lessens his grip on her arm) You don't need to listen..but I just..I need to talk to you, Reign.

Reign: (She sees that his eyes seem desperate) Alright..I'll give you five minutes..

Chris: Great, that's great..that's all I want..

(They enter the same room Reign exited a few minutes ago)

So how was your drama meeting?

Reign: Fine, what do you want, Chris?

Chris: I just..I wanted to say I'm sorry..I didn't know you..felt that way about him..I would have never let you go through with this whole plan had I known that you would fall in love..I'm not that bad Reign. (He inches closer to her and looks out at the door)

Reign: (She looks down, unsuspecting of him moving closer) Well, I didn't think you were. You just don't understand how badly I wanted to tell you..I was afraid that you would..I don't know..

Chris: (touches her arms gently) What would I do..?

Reign: (She looks up, upset) That you would..what the fuck are you doing..? (She backs up into a desk, he moves away)

Chris: Nothing, just trying to console a friend..

Reign: A friend? Me? Oh..you have got to be kidding me..you think I'm that dumb? You're planning on following through with the plan, without me knowing! (she laughs almost manically) I should have known..(he looks down, not saying anything) It really means that much to you..doesn't it? The whole revenge thing..you're nothing but a piece of shit Chris..(They look at each other, and she seems to have come to her own conclusion) alright..(She walks up to him and begins kissing him all over. This goes on for a good two minutes before Jaxson finally walks in, horrified)

(Enter Jaxson, Kimberly and Gabby)

Jaxson: What the fuck is this?

Reign: (looks at Jaxson, wipes her mouth and looks back at Chris) Happy? (She goes to leave but Jaxson grabs her arm)

Jaxson: What are you doing?

Reign: What he asked me to do, Jax! I helped him settle the score with you! Now I'm fucking done! (She rips her arm out of his grasp and walks out. Jaxson follows. Gabby looks at Chris and begins laughing)

Jaxson: Reign! Reign! What the hell is going on?

Reign: Leave me alone, Jaxson!

Jaxson: (He grabs her arms again and turns her around) What the fuck is your problem, Reign? I caught YOU making out with him..I didn't do anything to you!

Reign: No, you didn't do anything to me, Jax. It was all me..I told you I wasn't any good for you..I..I was playing you..even when I knew it was wrong..right from the moment I met you..God, I always do things..even though I know it's wrong..You know, when I first looked at you..I saw someone I knew I could love..but then Chris came along and ruined that..he asked me to help him get you back..I agreed and I was just a mess..I wanted to be with you..but I liked Chris and wanted to make him happy..but then I told you about my past..and I knew you were..the one..my first love so I told Chris I couldn't help him anymore..even though I wanted to break it off on the first date when you showed me how amazing you were, it took me two months to tell him. Then he decided to still go on with the plan, without my consent..I saw how badly he wanted to get you back..I saw it in his eyes..they were desperate, Jax and he really wanted to get you back..that's when I realized..this..this thing we have..isn't worth it..it wasn't meant to be..I'm sorry Jaxson, it's over..

(she walks away, leaving Jaxson practically in tears. Chris, Gabby and Kimberly walk out of the classroom. Chris looks a little weary walking past Jaxson. Chris puts his arm around Gabby as somewhat of a shield, just in case Jax comes after him. Jaxson sits down on the floor, leaning against the lockers. Kimberly stops and stares at him)

Jaxson: (looks up at her) What?

Kimberly: Are you okay?

Jaxson: Yeah, I'm great..

Kimberly: I..I didn't know they were doing this..I wouldn't have let them if I knew..

Jaxson: (he looks at the opened door) It's for the best..

Kimberly: (She sits down next to him and takes his hands) You're a great guy, Jax..you didn't deserve this..Chris is an ass and obviously Reign is too..

Jaxson: Nah..it's not that they were wrong..I was too, you know?

Kimberly: Wait, what do you mean?

Jaxson: I should be a lot more upset..but I'm not..I mean..I guess I was almost expecting something from him..he's not the type of guy to be humiliated in front of people..even if it's something small..and just let it go..you know?

Kimberly: Oh, trust me..I know..I've known Chris almost all my life..he'll beat up the ground that he trips on..(they laugh) He really is dumb though..

Jaxson: (looks at her and smiles) Speaking of dumb..you haven't said 'like' in this whole conversation..

Kimberly: (pushes him) Shut up, jerk (she laughs) I don't know..it's contagious when you're around stupid people, I guess..

Jaxson: Yeah, I guess so..

(He bangs the back of his head lightly against the lockers)

Karma has been such a bitch lately..I mean..the two people who always had my back..my best friend Tim stopped talking to me and my step-mom Katie is mad at me, so she packed up and left..now this..what's next?

Kimberly: (shrugs her shoulder) Maybe redemption..

Jaxson: (he smiles) Oh yeah?

Kimberly: Maybe..

(They look at each other, smiling)

(Blackout)

Scene 7

(Jaxson, Zach, and Danny are again in Zach's house watching TV whiles loud music is playing across the street)

Zach: (to Jaxson) So..the cops never showed up last time..

Danny: Yeah, you could have told us his dad was a cop..

Jaxson: (laughs) Sorry..

Danny: Man, we should go over there and shoot them all!

Jaxson: (looks at him in shock) Man, are you okay?

Zach: Yeah, he's just a little upset..

Jaxson: Why? What's the matter?

Danny: Those people! I fucking hate them (he begins pacing)

Zach: He saw this kid being called a fag..you know Bobby Johnson? He's a really tiny freshman..

Danny: I thought things changed! I really did..I thought you stopped them..scared them out of their whole bully bull shit..Jax, we need to do something else..to get back at Chris and his stupid fucking friends..

Jaxson: No..I'm not doing that shit anymore..

Zach: Why not?

Jaxson: Because..it's none of my business..I lost my best friend and my girlfriend because of my big mouth..I'm glad I helped you guys out a little bit..but it's not my business..you guys won't always have me..if you want them to stop..you need to stand up on your own two feet..they won't go away because I write about them in the paper..

Zach: (hurt) What do you mean, 'it isn't your business?'

Danny: (ignoring Zach) What happened to you and Reign?

Jaxson: (also ignoring Zach) She and Chris were like..plotting against me..he asked her to help 'get me back..and she did..we aren't together anymore..because of him..because of me..butting into business that isn't mine..

Zach: I don't understand what you mean by 'it's not your business..' wasn't it you who said it is your business if you see shit happening..?

Jaxson: Yeah, but butting into the situation and not letting you guys handle it yourself..set myself up for this..look..I have to go..I'll talk to you guys later..

(They don't say goodbye, they just stare at him)

(exit Jaxson)

Danny: He's clueless..we need to help him..we were going to do this for ourselves..but now we need to do this for Jax, too..because he's just as much a victim as us..if not more..

Zach: Alright..tomorrow..it's going to happen..no more bull shitting..

(They both pull out their handguns and tap them together, almost like they are toasting to an occasion)

Danny: For Jax.

Zach: For Jax.

(Blackout)

ACT V

Scene 1

(The school hallways are flooded with people at their lockers. The day is almost over and everyone is going to 10th period class. Jaxson is walking up the steps when Zach and Danny come up behind him)

Zach: (He has his hair gelled down and he's wearing a tuxedo. He also has a backpack) Hey man!

Jaxson: Wow, Zach..you look..very weird..

Danny: (He is also wearing a tuxedo and a backpack) We have this little presentation for English..we want you to see..

(Both have a certain eeriness that makes Jaxson uneasy but alas, he follows them into the room D-22)

(Enter Jaxson, Zach, and Danny)

Mr. Dean: (Zach and Danny are in front of Jaxson, so the teacher doesn't notice him) Boys..you're late..(he looks at them confused) Why are you so dressed up..?

Zach: Oh..well we're singing our little swan song today..

Mr. Dean: (He looks at them, a little afraid but he nods along) Oh..interesting choice of words..you know that means someone dying..

Danny: Yes..it does (He pulls out his gun and shoots Mr. Dean. Everyone screams and Zach pulls his gun out of his jacket and points it at the class. Jaxson stares in horror as the teacher lay on the floor, possibly dead)

Jaxson: What the fuck are you doing?! (Kimberly and Jaxson run over to Mr. Dean and Kimberly checks Mr. Dean to see if he has a pulse. There is none. Jaxson covers his mouth as does Kimberly. Jax stares at the metallic ring on Mr. Dean's right hand and bullet wound in his head. Jaxson begins to cry but of course, he isn't the only one. Danny grabs onto his shirt and pulls him to the front of the room. Zach is tying people to their chairs, and a selective few he lets leave the room, to spread the word of their impending doom. Outside the classroom, shots are heard, meaning there is another one. Zach then comes back over and pushes Kim into her seat)

Danny: So..as you all know, this is Jaxson Davis..say hello to Jaxson everyone..You think I'm joking?! Say it! (Everyone stays silent. Danny shoots a student that is not yet binded to their seat) Now say it, damn-it!

(muffled noises come from all the people in the room and more cries are heard as the student lay limp)

Now..Zach and me have damn good aim so don't fuck with us..and an 'innocent' (He motions his fingers as if doing the bunny ears as he says innocent) bystander won't die again, alright? Okay..so anyway..this is Jaxson..he's a great guy..he saw our good friend Zachy getting attacked and actually did something about it..

Zach: (He ties the last person to their chair and joins a fear stricken Jaxson and Danny) This is a lesson for all you shits. Now we promise that not all of you will die..but most of you will (Zach and Danny laugh and high five) Now, this lesson is about 'Innocent Bystanders' kids! Jaxson here was, what most of you would call, an innocent bystander..he saw something he didn't like, an instead of doing what most bystanders would do..

Danny: (cutting him off) That is..ignore the situation and say it's not my problem..

Zach: He decided to take a stand for us..and mention that little Chrissy boy over here(points the gun at Chris who cries out in complete terror) is an asshole. Chris decided that after some complete humiliation..he would get Jax back..by wooing Jaxson's girlfriend at the time..the beautiful Reign, ladies and gentlemen! Oh, beauty truly doesn't say a damn thing, now does it Dan?

Danny: (smiles) Absolutely not..now introducing the one and only Tim Broderick..Jaxson's bestest wittle friend who decided to ditch him because Jax stood up for us..three bastards who messed with a friend as a result of him helping us..

Zach: And..we don't like that..so now it's time for some dyin!'

Danny: Oh..but wait..we have a special prize for the greatest guy!

Zach: You, Jaxson my friend, get to choose who dies first..out of the three meanies who are crying like little weenies!

Danny: (slams his hand on the desk and cracks up) That's a good one Zach (they high five again) Alright Jax, who will it be?

(Jaxson stands frozen as he stares at the people who are in the room. In the front row, it's Tim, Reign, and Chris. Behind them is Autumn, Kimberly, Gaby and the two jocks, Rick and Eddie, who Chris was with the day Jax and Chris fought. All the people that have in some way, shape or form, affected Jax)

Zach: Well..we're waiting..

Danny: Clock is ticking man..only 20 minutes until school is over! (Jaxson is still silent) Come on man! Come on! Anyone in this room, just pick one!

Reign: Please stop this! Why are you doing this?

Danny: Shut up, bitch! (he points it at her face, everyone yells, including Jaxson for him to stop) All of you! I swear..if I hear anyone talking..even a little bit..objecting to what we're doing..this is over..and all of you are dying!

Zach: You know what Dan..I think it's too hard..lets narrow it down..to..uhm..should we do the three meanies first or should that be more of a finale?

Danny: It would only be a finale if everyone in this room could see..

Zach: So..the three weenies first? (Danny nods happily) Alright then..now it's nice and easy Jax..pick either Reign, the big bad bitch, Chris the stupid son of a bitch, or Tim the backstabbing, bitch.

Jaxson: (very quietly) None of them

Danny: What? What was that? Reign? Did I hear you say, Reign?

Jaxson: (screams out) No! I said none of them! Don't shoot anyone else!

(Danny looks very angry after this outburst and shoots Jaxson in the thigh. He falls to the floor screaming and crying as everyone else in the room also scream and cry)

Zach: Everyone, shut the fuck up! Shut up! (everyone is somewhat quieter)

Danny: (Looking at Jax who is holding his leg) You're really pissing me off, Jax and I don't like to be mad..I do things I don't want to do..like shoot people in the places I know will be a slow painful death..(he leans over Jax and presses the gun on his stomach) Like here..(he presses the gun on his shoulder) or here..get the picture? (Jaxson nods) Good..

(Zach grabs Danny's arm and they walk over to the side of the room. They begin to argue)

Zach: Dan..just blow off some steam..alright? We'll finish this when the period is over..just..find Bobby blow off that steam..

(Danny gives a defeated look and nods his head. He exits the room. Zach walks over to Jax, who isn't moving very much and drags him over to the teacher's desk and handcuffs Jax to the drawer)

Zach: We had these specially for you, man..(he looks around the room) Wow, you guys all look so pale..(he sets his eyes on Chris, who is balling like a child) Hey baby..what's the matter? You scared? Well..I have a fun game for us to play..maybe make wittle Chrissy feel better remaining ten minutes you have to live (he walks over to Chris and unties him. He grabs his neck and pushes him toward Jaxson) Since you're going to die today, probably in vein..maybe you'd like to seek some redemption from the one and only..now say you're sorry to Jaxson..

Chris: (he is blubbering but manages to speak) I'm so sorry! Jaxson! I'm so sorry!

Zach: Good! Wow..that was easy..huh, Jax? I think we should play another game for the remaining 7 minutes..yes? Everyone..yes? Lets play..how good is Zach's aim..wonder what the rules are? Well it's simple people! Chris..you stand right here..(pushes him to the back of the room) and I'm going to stand right here..lets see if I can make a head shape out of bullets..now..Chris..you must be very, very still, okay? (He doesn't answer, he just cries, helplessly looking at Jaxson. Jaxson realizes the drawer he is chained to can be separated from the desk itself. This part is in slow motion Before he can properly plan out what he's going to do, Jaxson quickly rises then rips the drawer out of the desk and as Zach turns around to see what's going on, Jaxson smacks him across the face with the drawer. Zach falls to the floor, unconscious right away (Slow motion is done and it's back to normal) Jaxson continues to hit him with the drawer in the fa-ce. Chris runs to stop Jax, and Jax does stop, and then goes in Zach's right pocket and takes out the key and un-cuffs himself. Chris aids him to a chair, where he holds his leg again as Chris unties everyone. Kimberly walks over to Jax and begins helping him with his injured thigh)

Kimberly: (very professional/urgent) I need something to tie around his leg..a jacket..a belt..anything..

Tim: Here..here's my belt..

Kimberly: Thanks..(she begins to tie it around Jax's leg..he winces in pain, but you can tell he's trying to be tough about it)

Chris: We need to get out of here before he comes back..we need to go..now!

Gabby: (hovering over the dead boy in the corner) No! We can't leave him! (She's in hysterics) Please! Someone help me carry him out? Please?

Chris: Gab! We need to go!

(The two jocks run over to the dead boy and pick him up for Gabby as she holds herself. She whispers to the boy that everything will be alright as they exit and then more gunshots are heard. Everyone in the room stands in fear for a few seconds, only to realize no one is coming)

Tim: Alright, Chris..help me with Jax..(Chris nods)

(The whole group of people walk through the hallway that is mass chaos. People are still running, some are hovered over dead friends and others are laying lifeless on the floor. They reach the staircase when they hear a loud cry of "What the fuck?!" They all move faster, but the shots are played in slow motion showing just how chaotic it really is. Danny and a boy from the begining of ACT II SCENE 4, also known as Bobby, are standing at the top, shooting. Reign is the first to fall and Autumn begins dragging her out. Then Tim gets hit, and since he's holding up Jaxson, the two stagger. Chris grabs Tim's arms and also begins dragging him. One by one, they each get out of the school and are safe. Authorities begin running towards them, still in slow motion, and now they are being aided and escorted away from the school)

(blackout)

SCENE 2

(Jaxson is laying in a hospital bed watching TV. Katie knocks on the door)

Jaxson: (weakly) Come in..

(enter Katie)

Katie: (she seems flustered and her eyes are red) Hey baby, how ya feeling..?

Jaxson: (smiling weakly) I'm alright..my leg hurts, but it's fine..

Katie: (touches his head, meshing around his hair a bit, too) I saw on the news about what happened. I called your father right away..he didn't even know..he came and picked me up and we went to the high school..oh baby..I was so scared..

Jaxson: (tearing a little) Yeah, I was too.

Katie: I'm sorry about your friends..I'm sorry this had to hap..(she covers her mouth and tears start flowing) happen..

Jaxson: (biting his lip) I'm sorry too..about what I said..

Katie: (cuts him off) No, no..lets not mention that, alright? Baby, I'm coming home with you and we're going to take such good care of you! (Brighter) The doctors say you can leave soon!

(There is another knock on the door. It's Chris)

(Enter Chris)

Chris: Sorry, I didn't mean to interupt..

Katie: (wiping the tears away) It's fine. I'm going to get a cup of coffee baby, want anything?

(Jaxson shakes his head no)

(exit Katie)

Chris: Hey, hows your leg?

Jaxson: (welcoming tone) It's alright..I mean..it hurts but I'm alright..

Chris: (begins crying) Look man..I know all of this is my fault! I didn't mean for it to be like this, I should have listened to you! You warned me and I didn't listen! Now Reign might be paralyzed and Tim was shot and Gabby's boyfriend was killed..THAT WAS ALL MY FAULT (quieter) and I'm so sorry!

Jaxson: (very calm) Man, calm down. This isn't all your fault. They lost it a long time ago..and maybe you fed there anger, but it's not an excuse to do what they did..

Chris: No! But it is! What they did..they did it because they knew no one was there except you. Sometimes..when I did something to Zach and everyone would laugh, I'd look around and wonder why everyone was laughing..why everyone thought I was so funny..I wanted someone to tell me to stop because I hated doing it and I felt like this wasn't real. I wasn't really THAT guy..that jerk who everyone was afraid of..and this kid was just a figment of my imagination who had no real feelings. I needed someone to bring me back to life! You did that but I did exactly what I didn't want to! I ignored the wringing in my ears and the knots in my stomach when I saw his face AND FOR WHAT JAX? (quietly) and for what? Why did I ignore my gut and what you had to say?

Jaxson: Chris, you need to calm down! What's done is done, alright? (Chris looks down at the floor) Now, what you need to do is, forgive yourself..it won't be easy but your life isn't even close to over yet, Chris. You need to move on, change your ways, make yourself proud of who you are, okay?

Chris: How are you so calm about this?

Jaxson: Someone has to be, Chris..

(blackout)

SCENE 3

(Jaxson is sleeping in his bed now. It's a few days later. His father enters with a tray of food)

Jack: (smiling) Got your favorite..Chicken Caesar salad from Salad-works..

Jaxson: Thanks, Dad.

Jack: (he sits down) Tim's out of the hospital, you know?

Jaxson: (eating) Is he?

Jack: Yeah, he's actually in the living-room..I can tell him to leave if you're not up for it..he's with some girl..Kim..I think..

Jaxson: They can come in..

Jack: (he gets up) Alright..I'll get them..

(exit Jack)

(enter Tim who is walking very slowly and Kimberly who is assisting him)

Jaxson: Man, you shouldn't be up and walking around..

Tim: (concentrating on his steps) Yeah, I know..but this is important..Kim came to help me..

Kimberly: And..also to see how you were..

Jaxson: I'm fine..how are you guys..?

Kimberly: (solemnly) I'm alright..still really shaken up, but overall okay.

Tim: Yeah (awkward silence)..oh..good news..Reign isn't paralyzed..I think they said 6 inches from being paralyzed from the neck down..they called her lucky..ironic, aye?

Jaxson: That's great to hear..as long as she's alright..(they look at each other for quite awhile. Another awkward silence) Look man, I'm not ever going to apologize or make excuses for the things that happened..

Tim: (cuts him off) You shouldn't have to..you were right. When I said none of it was my problem..I knew I was being selfish and stupid because if you or Autumn were being treated like Zach I would have fought the world for it to stop..but because it was Zach..I didn't care. I mean, he wasn't my friend..(he begins to tear up, but he quickly wipes them away)

Kimberly: We're having a group meeting tomorrow..at I think 3 o'clock..to talk..about what happened, will you come?

Jaxson: Yeah..I guess..

Tim: There's also a memorial service tonight at school..

Jaxson: It's a little soon, isn't it?

Kimberly: It's been a few days now..they want it to happen..

Jaxson: I'll see if I'm up to it..

(Tim gets up and is about to leave. Kimberly walks over to Jaxson and kisses his lips)

Kimberly: Lets not ignore what we feel for each other because we think we'll see another tomorrow..

(exit Kimberly and Tim)

(Blackout)

Scene 4

(Heart Beatz by the Sleeping is heard while an overview of a huge group of people is shown at the high school)

One day gone, life's not the same without you.

(People are holding up posters for their loved ones, others are holding another and crying, and some are holding themselves)

We can all be strong.

But strength can't bring back the one's we've lost.

Holding on, moments will last always inside of our hearts

But what good are hearts when their Beatz have stopped?

(A shot of people's faces are shown. Everyone is holding a lit candle and all are crying)

My friend it hurts that you're gone.

You should still be here.

The world knows it wasn't your time.

Taken away and screaming, "Don't go, don't."

(On this line, you see a shot of a person breaking down and screaming on top of their lungs)

We know you're needed here with us.

It's so hard moving on.

We wake up everyday without a friend,

knowing it wasn't his time.

(Some people are on their knees, praying for their friends)

Passing on

We know that you're looking out for us all.

Still, so hard to believe that you're not with us.

You can't bring back the ones you've lost.

You can't bring back the ones you've lost.

You belong down here smiling wide.

Don't go.

No, don't go.

You belong down here smiling wide.

You know you're needed here with us."

(Jaxson turns off his radio and sits at his desk, thinking. The whole sequence just seen is all figments created by Jaxson. He closes his red notebook and on the cover it says 'Innocent Bystanders?')

THE END