Wallace and his buddies staring at Aaron and Big Mike.
Aaron tapping Big Mike on the shoulder.
AARON: Let's get outta here.
Hurting while holding his side, Aaron and Big Mike take off, scurrying down
the alleyway.
Wallace's friends about to run after them, but Wallace holding them back as he extends his arms to fend them off.
His buddies looking to him as if he's insane.
BUDDIE: What are you doing? Let's get after them!
WALLACE: No...Mike is already threatening to tell... and I certainly don't need more attention drawn my way on that front.
OTHER BUDDIE: But you threatened him too, man.
WALLACE: I said no.
Wallace slicks his red hair back, and rubs his face, which, surprisingly has no freckles, and then grabs at two of his buddies shirts, turning them both around.
WALLACE: Let's go.
His other buddies following without any joking force.
THE FOLLOWING DAY AT BIG MIKE'S HOUSE
He opens the door to find Lucas standing before him, one arm stretched out to lean against the house.
Big Mike furrowing his brows.
BIG MIKE: How'd you find me -- where I live?
LUCAS: Tree Hill's a small town.
Big Mike watching the blond guy staring down on him who has obviously come for answers.
Lucas squinting.
LUCAS: I need to know the kid's name who attacked Aaron.
Big Mike hesitates, looking back inside of his house and then back to Lucas.
Lucas taking note of his peculiar behavior.
LUCAS: Your parents home?
BIG MIKE: No. And you need to go.
LUCAS: Mike, please...you were there with me when all this went down as the other kids fled -- You were worried about your friend, like I am now. I've gotta get this kid before he hurts anyone else.
Big Mike just stares at Lucas.
Lucas making it known even futhur.
LUCAS: I didn't get a good look at him. And I know you want this guy off the streets, I know you do.
BIG MIKE: I gotta go.
SLAM!
The door shuts in Lucas' face.
Lucas rasing his hand to knock on it, but instead stopping.
Only bending his head down in exasperation, dropping his arm to his side.
AS ON SOME STREET
Wallace is by himself, walking with a knife in his hand as he plays with it and talks to himself.
WALLACE: Damn, Aaron-kid. Something weird about him anyway. And who cares if he would have died? I don't.
Wallace laughs, patting himself on the head.
WALLACE: Oh, Wallace, you're talking to yourself again. Get a grip.
He walks past a house, where a bunch of teenage girls, same age as him, are playing in the sprinklers, their skimpy little bikinis on.
Calling out to him.
FIRST GIRL: Hey, Wallace!
SECOND GIRL: Yeah, Wallace, come join us.
Wallace steadily walking down the street, paying them no attention.
AS OVER AT THE SPRINKLERS
The girls giggle.
FIRST GIRL: He's so freakin' cute!
They shriek in giddiness.
SECOND GIRL: My God, I know.
THIRD GIRL: And that hair...
FIRST GIRL: Fiery-red goodness to die for.
They all giggle.
First girl then scoffing as she crosses her arms with attitude.
FIRST GIRL: Too bad that Sharee-bitch couldn't hold onto him.
SECOND: Like, I know.
Third Girl nodding as they all watch Wallace completely unaffected by them.
THIRD GIRL: She really missed out.
BACK IN THE STREET, FURTHER DOWN
Wallace takes out a cigarette from his pocket, and lights up.
Then looking down at the lighter...he smiles.
He Remembers.
WALLACE: Peyton.
He smiles even wider.
AS AT PEYTON'S HOUSE
IN HER ROOM
Peyton is lying on her bed.
Lucas soon emerging in the doorway, bags in hand.
LUCAS: You know, you're really gonna regret not locking your front door sometime.
Peyton sits up.
PEYTON: I already do.
LUCAS: Ouch! Lady is harsh.
He walks over to her.
LUCAS: I come bearing gifts.
He hands her the bags.
PEYTON: Lucas...
LUCAS: Go on, just open it.
Peyton reaches into the bags.
What she pulls out, she smiles at.
It's a framed picture of her sand-drawing of Lucas.
Lucas explaining --
LUCAS: Had a camera in the truck. Snuck back and got it when you ran off. I just couldn't let the waves wash away your art like that, even if it was just sand -- not before snapping a shot of it first.
He laughs.
LUCAS: Then I left.
He pauses and clarifies even more.
LUCAS: Quickly.
Peyton giggling.
LUCAS: And I know it's kinda vain, giving you a picture of me and all. But, hey, it's a picture you drew, right? That's gotta count for something.
Peyton smiling.
It's quiet for a moment.
Then...
LUCAS: Well, open the other one.
She does and it's...
Well, Lucas explains this too --
LUCAS: A Ramones T-shirt...rare.
PEYTON: I know.
She sits there with her mouth wide open in awe.
Lucas kneeling in front of her.
LUCAS: Actually, I got this for you a while back. I knew you were looking for it and --
PEYTON: Oh, my God, Lucas, I thought they stopped selling these. I wanted one -- at least this kind -- so badly then. Already had all the others.
LUCAS: I know.
Peyton looking up at him.
Lucas finishing what he's saying.
LUCAS: I was going to give it to you then...but...well...you know...things got in the way.
It's silent between them again.
Peyton needing to let him know something.
PEYTON: I don't want you doing this because you feel you have to, or to make up for something.
LUCAS: Peyton...I'm doing this because I want to do this. I realize that I've been focusing on everything else lately...when what I should be focusing on is making us right again.
He holds out his hand to her, Peyton excepting it as she stands with him.
LUCAS: Got the whole day planned. What do you say we get outta here?
Peyton grins.
Lucas pulling her along.
AS WITH THIS MONTAGE
We see a day full of fun for Lucas and Peyton...
...Lucas and Peyton at the movies, laughing as they throw popcorn at each other...
a big man getting angry with them, and the two of them only looking from the man to each other and then bursting out laughing again.
The man just getting up and leaving, shaking his head in shame for the two...
As at the mall...Lucas and Peyton...sitting at a table, ice creams in hand, goofing off, Peyton playfully pushing Lucas in the shoulder as he takes the spoon out and balances it up on his nose.
And as outside...Lucas handing a guy his camera as the dude snaps pictures of him and Peyton posing in funny stances.
First, Lucas as a muscle man...then Peyton knocking him over as she giggles and makes her SuperWoman pose..
...Lucas bumping her back out as they chuckle, him taking front place again, sticking his tounge out as he makes a scary face.
Peyton grabbing his scary face, and making one of her very own as she puts her cheek up next to his and the man ends up snapping the pictures of the two.
Lucas then picking up Peyton, and swinging her around, only managing to fall softly against her as they crash to the ground, landing on top of each other, giggling, then turning to the camera as the snapshot flashes.
And back on the beach, Lucas and Peyton finally giving the mime a chance to impress them, the mime teaching Lucas and Peyton how to do illusional tricks...Lucas looking like a fool as he tries one...and Peyton smirking at him.
AS OUT OF THIS MONTAGE
this day ends with
THE BEACH, AT NIGHT TIME
Lucas and Peyton lying beside each other under the stars.
LUCAS: Why didn't we do this sooner?
PEYTON: Because you were always brooding.
LUCAS: Well, you were always bitching.
They both laugh.
Then actually letting the question sink in as they answer it truthfully.
LUCAS: We never got the chance.
Peyton sighs,
PEYTON: Yeah.
The night breeze passes over them.
PEYTON: Lucas?
LUCAS: Yeah?
PEYTON: When things build up to this wonderful momentus occasion that, like, after going through the difficulties of it all just to get there -- and it doesn't happen -- do you think it ever will?
He sits up on his elbows, looking down at her.
LUCAS: I think... sometimes those wonderful momentus occasions that were cut short in the past or didn't quite come to full bloom...well...sometimes they are just waiting...waiting for their time...and worth waiting for. Because when it finally does happen...it'll be magical.
Peyton looks down.
Lucas offering his arm out to her as she moves into the nook of his closeness and he holds her there tight.
Peyton placing her hand over his chest..
And Lucas placing a kiss to her forehead...
...the both of them lying there in the sand...together.
AS LATER
AT LUCAS' HOUSE
IN HIS ROOM
Lucas is the only one to come in, tossing his keys to the bed as he makes his way over to his desk.
Grabbing the empty bottle that once contained his heart medication -- his HCM pills.
He looks at the bottle, sighing.
LUCAS: I can't really have this disease.
Putting the pill bottle back down, he grabs the small tape recorder resting next to a stack of papers.
Turns it on, and moves to his bed as he plops down on it, speaking into the tape recorder.
LUCAS: Tonight...was a night to remember...and maybe I should have had more nights like this with her...
He pauses.
LUCAS: But...
MOVE BACK as we watch Lucas through his bedroom window, steadily talking, as we are unable to hear what he's saying.
THE VERY NEXT DAY
Lucas is asleep in his bed, nothing but his tank top and trousers on.
Suddenly there is a KNOCK on his door.
He abruptly jumps up, wiping at his face.
Then a smile comes across his lips
...as he sees Peyton standing in his doorway, a bag slung over her shoulder.
Lucas quickly getting up out of bed as Peyton comes more fully into his room...
Lucas backing up to where his empty bottle of heart medication is.
LUCAS: Peyton...um...what...what are you doing here?
He skillfully puts away the bottle behind his back into the drawer.
Peyton answering.
PEYTON: You okay there? I -- I thought maybe you might wanna help me out with Tric. Money's always good.
LUCAS: Again?
Peyton looking at him with a stupified expression on her face.
Lucas smiling.
LUCAS: Just kidding.
She purses her lips together humorously.
Lucas raking his fingers through his hair.
LUCAS: Just let me get a shower first.
Peyton nods.
AS AT WALLACE'S HOUSE
IN THE LIVINGROOM
Wallace blasts rocks music, his feet kicked up onto the table and him lying back on the couch.
The music booming throughout all the rooms.
His mother, purse and notes in hand, instantly coming down the stairs.
MISS JOHNSON: Wallace! Wallace, you turn that down right now.
Wallace blowing the smoke that flows from his lungs, his cigarette stylishly between his fingers.
Puff.
Puff.
Miss Johnson gasping.
MISS JOHNSON: Since when do you smoke?
She moves right to him, snatching the cig from his mouth and turning down the radio.
MISS JOHNSON: What is this?
Wallace smirks.
WALLACE: Oh -- that -- that's called a cigarette.
MISS JOHNSON: I know what it's called. Don't you be coy with me. Didn't your father and I teach you what smoking does to people?
WALLACE: Your exact words were... "Smoking is for losers."
Wallace taking out another cig, though not lighting it up, only places it in his mouth.
WALLACE: Well, guess what, mom...I'm a loser.
She snatches that one away from him too.
MISS JOHNSON: Ugh! I can't believe you.
She puts her purse and notes down, going to take away his medium-cized CD player/radio and ash tray.
MISS JOHNSON: When I get back...me and your father are going to have a long...very long... talk with you.
She marches up the stairs with his stuff.
Wallace rolling his eyes..
then seeing...what's this? His mother's therapy notes of her patients.
He picks them up, flipping through quickly, coming across the name that light's up his face.
WALLACE: Peyton...It couldn't be the same Peyton.
He drags his finger furthur down the typing...seeing...the girl's address and everything.
WALLACE: If this is you, Peyton...then there's only one way to find out.
AS AT TRIC
It's busier this day, in fact, even though it is day time. Strange.
Peyton placing some speakers in their right positions on stage.
Lucas checking the microphone, making sure it's working.
LUCAS: Got any good acts lined up?
PEYTON: To be honest -- I don't know. I mean, I got some roadies who wanna play tonight, but Billy Bob there is looking kinda funny.
Lucas laughs.
Peyton walking over to him.
PEYTON: Here -- let me get that.
She helps him adjust the microphone, the both of them giving each other flirtatious glances.
Just as...
Lucas' cell phone goes off.
LUCAS: Damn, if these are those men calling about Dan...
Lucas pulling out his cell and answering.
LUCAS: Yeah? What?
There is a pause.
LUCAS: This has got to be a joke.
AS AT THE BIG BROTHER'S COMMUNITY
AT THE DESK AREA
Lucas is talking to the Studious-Looking Woman.
LUCAS: What do you mean you forgot to take me off the list of Big Brother's? I can't do this now.
STUDIOUS-LOOKING WOMAN: We understand that, sir. But after you signed off, your paper got lost in with the others of what we call dailies...unimportant piles we just throw out as to not crowd up the area.
LUCAS: Unimportant? If anything, my signature was very, important. Yes, very important.
STUDIOUS-LOOKING WOMAN: I wasn't here when the fill-in assigned you a student. If so, I would have recognized you right away, but I'm sorry.
LUCAS: Well, then now you can just take me off the list.
STUDIOUS-LOOKING WOMAN: Here's the thing, sir...this kid really needs help, he came to us pratically pleading with us to sign him up. He's been waiting for months now, guy after guy, turning him down, turning down the offer at the last minute...and well, I just don't think he can take another heartbreak.
Lucas listens to these words.
Studious-Looking Woman's face softening up.
STUDIOUS-LOOKING WOMAN: So what do you say...can you stay on for just a little while longer...just for this kid? Please, Mr. Scott?
Lucas inhales and exhales.
He then looks up at the woman.
LUCAS: Well, how hard can it be, right? Sure...I'll do it.
Studious-Looking Woman smiling with glee.
Then looking to her assistant.
STUDIOUS-LOOKING WOMAN: Becky, bring him on out!
Lucas shrugs his shoulders, standing up straight, no more leaning for him at this moment as he slowy turns toward the door
...and before saying it...it is said for him
as young AARON TAYNES stands in the doorway.
AARON: Oh, hell no!
Lucas standing there in shock as Aaron pleads to be taken back inside.
AARON: Not him. You gotta be kidding me! Seriously, how the hell's he gonna help me? He almost ran me over...Hell no!
Aaron continuing to ramble on...
Lucas finally speaking something.
LUCAS: Kill me now.
For there is no turning back now as Lucas stands there, now the assigned Big Brother to Aaron Taynes.
Aaron still rambling on...
AARON: Oh, hell no!
END OF ACT 1