Degrassi: New Beginnings
Season One
Episode One
"Here We Go Again"
(It's the first day after summer break. Bright eyed students greet each other. Summer stories fill the air as the students gather around Degrassi, ready to start a new year. The air is fresh and welcoming. An old 99 silver Ford truck pulls into the parking lot and parks. The car is still running. Julian and Jack sit inside the car. Awkwardness is evident.)
Jack: So, what time will Isabella be back from Paris?
(Julian looks at his phone. He scans it for a message from Isabella, his girlfriend and Jack's best friend.)
Julian: She hasn't texted me yet but she told me she should be back in town sometime tonight.
Jack: That's what she told me.
(They sit in Julian's truck in silence. The only noise is the rattling that comes from the air vent and the quiet whisper of Halsey singing "Graveyard" on the radio.)
Jack: We both promised we wouldn't say anything to her. You're still up for that right?
Julian: Yes, like you said...it was a mistake.
Jack: Exactly, a mistake we both regret.
(Jack and Julian look at each other, for a second Jack believes he sees woefulness in Julian's eyes. Their gaze is broken when Mel comes over and bangs on the window. Jack jumps a little, caught off guard by the loud bang bang.)
Mel: Get out here you two!
(Mel is looking through the window staring at Julian and Jack.)
Jack: We should probably get going.
(Jack and Julian smile at each other, staring into each other's eyes for a beat longer. Was it a mistake? Jack wonders. Jack opens the door and steps outside, letting the warm summer air engulf him.)
(Ashli steps into Degrassi, looking around at her surroundings. She places a hand on her stomach and takes a deep breath. This school looks completely different then her old school Bardell, it's much more advanced and colorful It's like the schools you see on the CW.)
Lulu: You look lost.
(Ashli jumps as a girl walks up from behind her. The girl is very pretty and has a welcoming grin.)
Ashli: I am, I transferred here from Bardell.
Lulu: Oooooh, Bardell? Well I'll have you know us Degrassi students take our school rivalries very seriously. Rumor has it one student died because of it.
(Ashli stairs at Lulu, confused. Then, Lulu starts laughing.)
Eric: Is Lulu freaking you out? She has a tendency to do that with her dry humor. I'm Eric.
(A boy walks up from behind Lulu and smiles. He's wearing huge circular glasses that make it look like he's cos-playing as Harry Potter. His eyes instantly fall down to Ashli's stomach. He stares at her protruding belly.)
Ashli: Well, in case it wasn't obvious I'm pregnant.
(Ashli laughs, trying to cut out the tension in the room. Eric's eyes quickly shoot up from her stomach and to her eyes.)
Eric: What...no, I mean...I can't tell.
(Eric blushes, showing the embarrassment he feels.)
Lulu: I'm sorry about him, he's kind of a dork. My name's Lulu. I'm pretty much the coolest girl you'll meet at Degrassi.
(Lulu sticks out her hand for Ashli to shake. Ashli shakes it.)
Lulu: What grade are you in Ashli, we can tell you what homeroom to go to. That's how you get your schedules and locker assignments at Degrassi.
Ashli: I'm a sophomore.
Lulu: Well you're in luck, Ash, Eric and I are too. Follow us and we'll show you the ropes. Just don't let it slip that you're from Bardell, you might get stabbed.
(Lulu places her hand on Ashli's shoulder. Ashli looks over at Lulu with a little chuckle. That was a joke right? Ashli momentarily thinks to herself. )
Eric: She's joking.
(Eric walks around to the other side of Lulu and places his hand on the other shoulder. Lulu and Eric walk Ashli to their homeroom.)
Lulu: Here it is, Mr. Mitchell. He's super cool! He teaches English as well so I'm sure you'll see him again! You can sit over here by me Ash.
(Lulu walks to a seat in the back of the room. Ashli starts to follow her and is instantly caught off guard by the stares of other students. She makes her way to Lulu, trying to ignore the stares. Lulu notices Ashli's change in emotion.)
Lulu: Don't worry about it Ashli, they stare at me too because of my hijab. Sometimes people like to stare at people who are different.
(Ashli smiles at Lulu, welcoming the comfort she's trying to give her.)
(Ellie and Marco are talking in an empty classroom. Ellie is pacing around the room in a panicked manner as Marco organizes his desk.)
Ellie: What if I don't get the promotion?
Marco: You'll get it Ellie, don't worry.
(Ellie looks around the room, confused for a second.)
Ellie: I thought you said you had a homeroom this year?
Marco: I do but it's freshmen so they go to the gym for orientation and then come here.
Ellie: Oh neat, now back to me.
(Ellie takes a deep breath and looks at Marco. Marco can see how nervous she is. Marco places his hands on Ellie's shoulders gently and moves her to face him. Ellie instantly calms down.)
Marco: Eleanor Elizabeth Nash-Scott, listen to me! You're an amazing journalist, person and employee. You've worked for BumblePop for four years now and they adore you. You're going to rock this interview, get your own office and get a HUGE pay raise. Just. Breathe.
Ellie: You always know how to talk me down Marco.
(Ellie smiles and pulls Marco into a huge hug. It is clear that after all the years of their friendship nothing has changed, they're still best friends.)
Ellie: Last question, are you sure this outfit is Editor-in-Chief chic? Like I look like I belong in my own office?
(Marco laughs as he shakes his head yes.)
(Jack and Mel walk into Degrassi's gym and find a seat in one of the many foldable chairs placed throughout the gym. Jack has a strange look on his face and Mel notices this.)
Mel: What's up Jack?
(Before Jack can answer he gets a tap on his shoulder and soon arms wrap around him, drawing him into a hug. The familiar scent of Light Blue by Dolce Gabbana fills his nose and he instantly knows who it is.)
Jack: Izzy...
Isabella: Hi best friend, did you miss me?
(Jack's body instantly fills with anxiety as he stands up to face Isabella. Isabella who wasn't supposed to be home yet. He hides the anxiety and looks at her.)
Jack: You're back early.
Isabella: Yeah, you know how vacations go with my mom. She's usually too busy with her clothing line to pay any attention to me so I left early. She still probably hasn't noticed.
Jack: Oh...you didn't text me and let me know.
Isabella: I wanted it to be a surprise!
(Jack stands there, unsure what to do next. He decides to pull Isabella into a hug again. This guilt he feels is overpowering. Is it guilt? Right now his emotions were scattered. He honestly was not sure what to feel.)
Isabella: You smell...Acqua di Gio! That's it. That's what Julian wears.
(Julian, his name instantly puts a sour taste in Jack's mouth. Does she know now? Jack tries to hide the panic look from his eyes and quickly thinks of what he should say next.)
Jack: Yeah...Julian gave me a ride to school today. His smell must've stuck to me.
Isabella: Yeah his cologne is super strong. It sticks to everything. I'm glad he was here for you this summer. I know you two didn't really know each other but I hope this summer made you two closer.
Flashback: (Jack and Julian are laying in bed together. Jack's shirtless and so is Julian. They're holding hands and Julian is holding Jack. A stripped version of "Colors" by Halsey is playing quietly on Julian's phone as it rains outside. The tapping from the rain on the window and Halsey's voice mix together making a comforting atmosphere.)
Julian: I'm sorry about your mom. I'm sure it's been tough on the two of you since your dad's passing.
Jack: Yeah it has been. I guess it's been harder on my mom though. All she does now is drink. It's hard for me to see her like that. She's a shell of herself. We knew it was coming so I prepared myself, she didn't.
Julian: Can you ever truly prepare for your husband to die from cancer...or a father?
Jack: I guess not, but I can't let it affect me. I have to stay focused if I want to get into Juilliard for drama.
Julian: You're only a freshmen Jack, you have plenty of time to worry about college.
Jack: Not Juilliard. They have a 5.9% acceptance rate. If I want to go there my high school career has to be exceptional. I have to be in clubs, maintain a 4.0 and act in every school production. No exceptions.
(Julian laughs and pulls Jack closer to him.)
Julian: You are amazing Jack, you truly are. But you can't let Juilliard dictate your emotions. You can't go through life without processing trauma.
Jack: I am processing it, you help me with that.
Julian: Well Jack you're welcomed here whenever. My mom and dad are usually away on business trips so it's nice to have someone else here.
(Jack smiles and Julian pulls him into a kiss.)
Julian: Especially someone as amazing as you.
Isabella: Hello, Earth to Jack.
(Jack snaps out of his daydream and looks at Isabella. Mel and her and staring at him with an inquiring gaze.)
Isabella: What's up?
Jack: Sorry nothing, I was just thinking about my dad. It's strange being here. He has so much history in these halls. His name is everywhere. We're standing in the newly remodeled Archie Simpson Gymnasium.
(Isabella and Mel hug Jack. Jack hugs them back. He is glad Isabella is back, she is his best friend. He missed her but the thought of Julian still lingered in the back of his mind.)
Mel: We're sure it's been hard for you. Just know we are here if you need anything. We love you Jack!
Jack: Thank you guys.
Isabella: You're welcome, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral this summer. My mom wouldn't let me leave, she forced me into a photoshoot for her new clothing line.
Mel: I'm sorry I wasn't here either, we were away visiting my brother. I wish I could have made it.
Ms. Hatzilakos: Everyone please sit down so we can get this assembly started.
(Jack, Isabella and Mel take a seat. Jack is left pondering on his father and Julian.)
(Some time has passed. It's now lunch time. Lulu, Ashli and Eric are walking in the lunchroom. Ashli passes by a few sign up sheets before she sees a sign up sheet for the Creative Writing club.)
Ashli: Wow, you guys have a Creative Writing club?
Lulu: Yeah, it's a cool club. Mr. Mitchell is the club's leader.
(Ashli holds her bagged lunch in one hand and signs up for the Creative Writing club before walking over to a table and sitting with Eric and Lulu.)
Ashli: Are you in the club too Lulu?
Lulu: No, I am actually head of the Fashion club this year.
Ashli: Oh that sounds like fun. What about you Eric?
Eric: I actually run a gaming club. We aren't as popular as the other clubs though.
Ashli: I'm not a huge gamer.
Eric: Neither is Lulu.
(Eric, Lulu and Ashli continue to talk and eat their lunch. Kyle Armstrong comes up behind Ashli and taps on her shoulder.)
Kyle: Hey, my team and I couldn't help noticing you're pregnant.
Ashli: Okay?
Kyle: You're not that whore from Bardell who doesn't know the daddy are you?
(Ashli gets bright red and anger grows inside her. She wanted to get away from these ridiculous rumors but they still followed her here. How?)
Ashli: No, I know who the father is. Why?
Kyle: Oh I see, must've just been a rumor then. Well whenever you shoot that baby out hit me up, maybe we can make another one.
(Kyle winks at Ashli and walks away.)
Lulu: He's kind of Degrassi's local ass hat. No one really likes him. He was the quarterback of the football team until Julian got the spot. Julian was the really cute nice guy in our homeroom today. The one who introduced himself to you Kyle's twin sister, Hanna is a sweetheart though. They're both juniors and their dad is Mr. Armstrong, he teaches Math and Gym plus handles the football coaching. He's a busy, busy man. But Mr. Armstrong is petty cool!
Ashli: Every school needs an ass I guess. Bardell has Tyler.
(A moment of silence passes between all three.)
Lulu: Is Tyler the father?
Ashli: If you wanna call him that. As soon as I told him I was pregnant he started a rumor about me and told everyone I was sleeping with other guys. He didn't want to man up I guess.
Lulu: Guys are complete dicks aren't they?
(Lulu grabs Ashli's hand and smiles at her. Ashli smiles back.)
Eric: Hey now, not all guys.
(Lulu, Eric and Ashli all laugh and continue eating their lunch.)
(Ellie walks into her house. Gregg, her husband, is waiting for her in the living room. She quickly flips off her high heels, rips off her blazer and unbuttons her pants.)
Gregg: Hey baby, how did the interview go?
Ellie: I don't know. I don't wanna think about it anymore, I just want the job!
(Ellie throws herself on the couch and signs.)
Ellie: How did your meeting go? Are you and Spinner set to open up The Dot's new location in Quebec?
Gregg: As of right now, yes. It will be a couple months though. Spinner and I have some more stuff to do before we can begin the construction.
Ellie: Well I'm glad it's looking positive for you guys.
(Ellie kisses Gregg and Gregg kisses her back.)
Gregg: So, do you wanna go up stairs and continue where we left off last night?
Ellie: Do you mean continue trying to make a baby.
(Ellie giggles realizing how unsexy that sounds. Gregg looks at her, gets up and picks her up off the couch.)
Gregg: Yes, of course that's what I mean my love.
(Ellie laughs again, glad Gregg gets her strange and uncanny sense of humor. Gregg walks Ellie up the stairs leading into their bedroom and he shuts the door behind him.)
(Jack, Julian, Mel and Isabella are sitting at a table together during lunch.)
Isabella: ...Paris was so much fun! How was everyone else's summer?
(Mel elbows Isabella and gazes at Jack. Jack notices this and laughs. They don't have to tiptoe around him. The topic of his dad is not off limits and he had a pretty amazing summer anyways...with Julian.)
Julian: I had a pretty lame summer, I didn't do much really.
(Jack hears what Julian is saying and instantly feels sick to his stomach. Why does he feel so many different emotions?)
Isabella: Well nothing to worry about now baby, I'm home. I'm sure we can find something to do.
Jack: I'll be back, have to run to the restroom.
(Jack quickly gets up from the table and scurry's off into the restroom. Julian watches him go, worried he hurt his feelings. But no, he couldn't have. According to Jack this summer was a mistake.)
Isabella: Mel, Julian. How's Jack?
Mel: He seems fine, why?
Isabella: Are you sure? His dad died like two months ago, how fine could he be?
(Julian starts to worry about Jack, he stands up.)
Julian: I have to go to the bathroom. I'll check on Jack while I'm in there.
(Meanwhile, Jack is in the bathroom. His body is tense. He can't breathe. He is having a panic attack and doesn't know what to do. He splashes some water on his face. Julian walks in and sees what's happening.)
Julian: Wow, Jack. Breathe. What's up?
(Julian runs over to Jack and pulls him into his arms. His muscular arms and chest give Jack comfort and relief. The smell of his cologne invades Jack's nose with welcoming scents.)
Julian: It's okay, I have you.
(Jack feels at ease in Julian's arms. They both hear a stall opening. Quickly Jack pulls away from Julian. Kyle walks out of the stall.)
Kyle: Well, well, well is Degrassi's new QB a homo?
Julian: No, Kyle. I have a friend and he's having a hard time. Good friends help each other out.
(Julian smiles at Jack. Hearing Julian call Jack a "friend" doesn't help Jack out much.)
Kyle: Ah, well Jack's definitely a homo.
(Kyle walks up to Jack and wipes Jack's eyebrows, smudging Jack's makeup. He laughs a little as he does this.)
Kyle: Sorry about that bro, didn't mean to fuck up your makeup. Nice eyeshadow by the way. You're almost as pretty as a girl.
(Kyle laughs. Julian's face blazes with anger and he pins Kyle to the bathroom wall.)
Julian: Say you're sorry! No wonder I'm QB this year, obviously you can't handle that responsibility.
Kyle: Sticking up for your boyfriend I see?
(Julian lets Kyle go, laughing.)
Julian: You're not worth it Kyle. Come on Jack let's go back to our friends.
(Jack and Julian walk out of the bathroom. As they get back into the crowded lunchroom Jack starts to panic again. Julian notices this and quickly thinks of a solution.)
Julian: Come on Jack, follow me!
(Julian leads Jack out of the lunch room, Jack grabs ahold of his hand focusing on Julian's cologne. His smell was very comforting.)
(Ellie and Gregg lay in bed together. Ellie is holding Gregg's hand as he runs his fingers through her hair.)
Gregg: I hope our child has your fiery hair.
Ellie: I hope our child has all of your features.
Gregg: I can't wait to have a family with you Mrs. Nash-Scott.
(Ellie blushes and kisses Gregg.)
Ellie: I love it when you call me that.
Gregg: I love everything about you.
Ellie: How did I get so lucky?
Gregg: Not sure.
(Ellie and Gregg laugh as they continue to lay in bed. A peaceful atmosphere is in the room.)
(Jack and Julian sit in Julian's truck.)
Julian: We can sit out here as long as you need to.
Jack: I'm sorry.
Julian: Don't apologize, did you bring the stuff for your eyebrows so you can fix them?
(Jack pulls down Julian's mirror to look at his smudged makeup. He wipes away the smudges, trying to clean it up the best that he can.)
Julian: Just for the record, I think it's cool that you wear makeup. It takes a lot of talent.
Jack: Why are you so nice?
Julian: I guess I just...like you.
(Jack freezes as the words come out of Julian's mouth. Part of Jack feels relieved by the confession but another part of him feels anxiety because of it.)
Jack: Julian, this summer….
Julian: It wasn't a mistake Jack. We spent all summer together. Before I met you I never once thought I could be into guys, you showed me gender doesn't matter. Personality is what's important.
Jack: But Julian.
Julian: When we first kissed, do you remember how amazing it was? Remember what was playing on the radio that day, what the weather was like? I do. We sat in my truck, it was raining and we were listening to Lana Del Rey's album. I literally went and bought her album that day because I remember Izzy telling me you loved Lana. I wanted to make you feel good, it was right after your dad's funeral. I was giving you a ride home. We sat outside your house and "Lust for Life" was playing. We sat there, quietly listening until our hands touched. Then we kissed each other. Nothing has ever felt more innocent and right in my entire life until that kiss! You can't tell me you don't feel the same way.
Jack: But Isabella.
Julian: When we first started doing anything Isabella had broken up with me.
Jack: She does that all the time, you know that. That's her way of testing you.
Julian: I'm not in love with her Jack, I'm in love with you.
(Julian leans over and kisses Jack, Jack falls into his kiss. Melting into him for a second before pulling away.)
Jack: But you took her back!
(Jack screams the words with a little more anger then he meant to. Julian looks at him shocked.)
Julian: I...I only did because….I don't know why.
Jack: Because you love her.
Julian: No, I don't. I'm ending things with her tonight.
(Jack looks over at Julian shocked. That wasn't the plan. He wasn't suppose to break up with her.)
Jack: What?
Julian: I'm planning on breaking up with her tonight Jack. Not because of you but because it isn't fair to her. I can't kiss her, touch her, nothing. Not when my heart belongs to you.
(Without thinking Jack gets out of Julian's car and walks back into Degrassi unsure of what his next move will be. Classes will start back up in about ten minutes. Jack decides he can head over to his next class. World History with Mr. Del Rossi. He needs to focus on school.)
(After school, Ashli is sitting in an interview at The Dot. Spinner sits there with a pen and paper. He is reading over her application once more.)
Spinner: Well you seem like a great candidate, I do have one question however.
Ashli: About the baby? I know it's a risk hiring a pregnant teenager but I promise I won't let it interfere.
Spinner: No, it says you here that you worked at JavaPlace but you didn't put an end date on here. When did you leave?
(Ashli looks at Spinner wide eyed, she's a little embarrassed.)
Ashli: I'm so sorry, I worked there over the summer before moving here. I'll fix that.
(Ashli takes her application from Spinner and makes the needed corrections and hands it back to him.)
Spinner: Okay well I will call you soon to let you know. It was nice meeting you Ashli.
Ashli: Nice meeting you too!
(Ashli and Spinner stand up, Ashli shakes Spinner's hand and Spinner leaves.)
(Jack walks into his house. He just got out of a student council meeting, he's the ninth grade event planner. As soon as he enters the house he smells alcohol. He walks in to find his mom drunk and asleep on the floor.)
Jack: Damnit. Not again.
(Jack tries to wake his mom up but she won't budge. He picks her up and puts her onto the couch putting a cover over her. He picks up the empty Wine bottles, about 5 of them, and throws them away.)
Jack: Fuck.
(He stands in the kitchen. It's so barren and empty now. When his dad was alive he would cook, he was the one who made dinner every single night for him and his mom. The memory of his dad's cooking lingers in his mind until finally he breaks down. He sits on the kitchen floor and cries. Letting out all the emotions he felt today. Instinctively he picks up his phone and dials Julian's number. Julian answers within seconds. Jack talks to him through tears.)
Jack: Can you get me?
Julian: I'll be there as fast as I can.
(Jack hangs up, rolls himself into a ball and continues to cry.)
(Ashli walks into her house. Her mom is cutting vegetables for dinner as her sister watches. The smell of vegetable soup invites her in.)
Megan: Ashli's home!
(Megan, Ashli's sister, runs over to Ashli and hugs her.)
Megan: How was your first day?
Ashli: It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. I actually met some cool people!
Mrs. Channing: I'm glad. Degrassi's a good school, you'll like it there. I'm making your favorite tonight, veggie soup!
(Ashli's phone buzzes in her pocket. She quickly answers it when she sees it's from The Dot.)
Spinner: Hi, Ashli?
Ashli: Yes.
Spinner: Could you come in Monday for training? You got the job!
Ashli: Yes, I would love to!
Spinner: Awesome, I'll see you Monday.
(Ashli hangs up the phone and looks at her mom and sister with happiness all over her face.)
Ashli: I got the job guys!
Mrs: Channing: That's amazing. I can't wait until your dad gets home so we can tell him!
(Ashli, Megan and her mom celebrate as her mom continues to make dinner. Maybe this is a new beginning for me, Ashli thinks to herself.)
(Ellie and Gregg are sitting at their dinner table. They're eating chinese takeout.)
Ellie: Hey don't hog all the orange chicken!
(Ellie reaches over and grabs some of the orange chicken with her chopsticks.)
Ellie: It's my favorite!
Gregg: Well that sucks because it's my favorite too!
(Ellie's phone buzzes and she sees that it's BumblePop. She excitedly answers it. Her face quickly changes as she hears the news.)
Ellie: I completely understand.
(Ellie hangs up the phone as Gregg stares at her, waiting to hear if she got the job or not.)
Ellie: Corporate is bringing someone in from the New York office. She's going to be our new Editor-in-Chief. They think it's the best move. She has more experience.
Gregg: Babe, I'm so sorry.
(Ellie shakes her head.)
Ellie: Maybe it's better this way. I'll continue writing articles. It gives us more time to focus on us and start our family. It's what we wanted.
(Gregg reaches over for Ellie's hand, letting her know it's okay to be sad.)
Gregg: But I know you wanted the promotion.
Ellie: You're right, I did.
(Ellie looks at Gregg with a pouty look on her face. Her and Gregg sit in the kitchen in silence as he holds her hand.)
(Jack and Julian sit in Julians truck. The air vents are rattling and Demi Lovato's "I Love Me" plays quietly on the radio.)
Jack: I've felt more emotions today then I have all summer and I think I know why.
Julian: Because of me...I shouldn't have said what I said today. I'm sorry.
Jack: Did you break up with Isabella?
Julian: Yes. I did after school today. Why?
Jack: Because I think I love you too. I'm trying to hide my emotions and that isn't good for my mental health. I'm falling hard for you Julian. I've been to scared to admit it but I am.
(Jack leans over and kisses Julian. Julian kisses him back.)
Jack: Can I stay with you tonight? It hurts me to see my mom like this and I need to get a head start on my homework.
Julian: Yes.
(Julian pulls Jack into another kiss, finally the weight is off of Jack. He feels happy again. He smiles at Julian. Julian starts his car, driving away from Jack's house and to his.)
What do you guys think? Did you like episode one? Any predictions? Please give me as much feedback as you can! I hope you guys enjoyed it! :)