ONE YEAR LATER

DAY 1

Marco walked along a sidewalk, books in hand, 7:45 am, he smiles to himself. As he comes to the home of his best friend he calls to her, "Ellie?...Ellie?..." She opens the door and replies, "Just a minute, Marco," as she turns to pick up her books and join her gentle-faced friend.

They arrived at school, punctually, with minutes to spare. On Ellie as they continue down the hall, A cool Sean snaps his fingers ala Dylan for Ellie to come to him. Without missing a beat Ellie changes directions. Sean has to hustle to catch up with her. He putt his arm around Ellie and said, "That's why you need a real man, Babe, you're tough to handle."

"And you're the real man?" She retorts with a smirk and walks away.

They continue on until they part ways. Marco makes his way twards the boy's bathroom. Marco ducks into a stall and for a quick hit of cocaine. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small platic bag of white power. He opens it and lifts a snuff spoon to his left nostril and discreetly snorts and the school bell rang simultaneously. He wipes his nose and exited the stall.

Later, 3pm, to be presice, Marco enters the boiler room in the Degrassi High basement, wearing only a white towel around his waist from phys. ed, where he meets James Hurley, leaning against the wall waiting for him. His chizzled face and doe-eyes echoed a latter day James Dean, after whom his mother named him.

Dylan Michaelchuk saunters into school - late as usual. He doesn't play hockey anymore. He isn't the sweet faced jock everyone knew. He'd changed. He'd changed because of Marco. The corridor is empty. Everyone else is in class. He walks to Marco's class president portrait in the trophy case. Kisses the glass protecting it.

"Hey baby..."

James looked into Marco's eyes sincerly, "But it does matter. We're in love."

Uneffected marco says, "James, you don't know what you are talking about. Quit trying to hold on so tight. I'm gone... long gone like a turkey in the corn."

"You're not a turkey. A turkey is one of the dumbest birds on earth." James replied.

Marco tried to joke, but didn't look into his eyes because he knew his own were welling up with tears. "gobble...gobble, gobble." He looked up with watery eyes and a half smile. He smiles. Marco kisses him and he responds. "Don't ever leave, Marco, ever. I'll never leave you." Marco moves into him. An utterly and forever hopeless embrace. His eyes full of hope and Marco's empty. He pulls him to the floor to make love.

A bell rings and, after a moment, students and teachers start to move out. Dylan catches up with Marco and Ellie. "Hey! Where were you for the last hour? I've been lookin' for you!" His eyes angry.

"I was right behind you, but you're too dumb to turn around." laughing with Ellie, "If he turned around he might get dizzy." Dylan grabs him roughly and spins him around. Students stop and stare. Dylan, very angry now, "I'M NOT KIDDIN'. WHERE WERE YOU? WHO WERE YOU WITH?"

"Get lost Dylan!" Marco said deffensively.

Dylan catches his game, "Oh, yeah? You'll be callin' soon and maybe I'm not gonna be there."

Marco, very smooth, cooing, "Oh, come on, sweetie... give me one of your smiles." He knew what to do, "Come on..."

Dylan can't hold onto his anger. Slowly a huge smile spreads across his face. "Love ya, Babe." he points and walks away grinning.

Back at the Nash residence, Marco and Ellie lay on seperate couches staring at the ceiling.

"Are you going to see James tonight?" Ellie asked.

"Why are you suddenly so interested in who I am going to see at night? Nighttime is my time."

"You're telling me, only because you never let me in on any of it..." Ellie protests, "you're not going to see Dylan, are you?"

"Maybe."

"Oh god, Marco."

"Well, why not?"

"Because Bobby is a loser, you said so yourself," she explained, "He's a goon." Ellie sighs to herself. "James is the one," she continues, getting very dreamy, "He loves you with that ever-lasting love... "true love".

Marco looks at Ellie. "Yes, James is very sweet. Why don't you get out your violin, Ellie?"

"Sweet? God, he's gorgeous!"

"Yes, James is very sweet... and very gorgeous." Marco said dryly.

Ellie drifts off. "I wonder if Sean could ever write a poem?" Marco laughs. She continues, "Do you think that if you were falling in space you would slow down after a while or go faster and faster?"

Marco's expression turns cold, "Faster and faster. For a long time you wouldn't feel anything. Then you would burst into fire... forever. And the angels wouldn't help you. Because they've all gone away.

Ellie studies her friend and thinks about what he had said.

Marco returns home, no one seemed to be home. "Mom... Mom?" No answer - he headed up to his room, under the ceiling fan to the stairs. Marco came into his room and dropped his books on his bed. He went to the window and opened it - took a package of cigarettes out, pulled one out and lit it. He went to his "public" diary which he kept on his desk. He opened it to page one took out a packet full of cocaine and, like a pro, he took a snort. Then another. And then a big sigh of relief. Then he moved to his "private" diary behind his dresser - gets a pen, ready to write and starts to freak out. Pages are missing. First, he discovers one, then more. Marco panics, dropping his cocaine onto the bed and taking his private diary, he sprints from the room.

Marco skids up outside the apartment of his therapist, Harold, who was an agoraphobic. Then backs the car up to a darker, more enclosed area amongst some trees. Cautiously, he gets out of the car and then hurries to Harold's door.

He answers, "Marco?"

Marco rushes past him to the sofa, opening the book for him to see, "My secret diary. There are pages missing!"

"Who would do that?"

"Bob."

"But Bob isn't real."

"The pages are gone, Harold, that's real!"

"Maybe..." Harold tried to reason but Marco cut him off, "Bob is real. He's been "having" me since I was 12." Stunned, Harold doesn't know what to do. "The diary was hidden too well. He's the only one who could know where it was. He's getting to know me, now. He's real. He speaks to me."

"What does Bob say?" Harold croaked, to shocked for words.

Marco whispered, "He wants to be me... or he will kill me.

"No... No..."

Marco retorts, strangely, "Oh, yes... yes..." He starts towards him, frightening Harold.

"What? Please!" Marco allowed the feeling of Bob to come over him and he began to scream. Harold stepped back, but Marco grabbed him. To his face with a horrifying expression on his.

"FIRE WALK WITH ME!" He buried himself on his shoulder and cried. "You have to hide the diary, Harold. You made me write it all down. He doesn't know about you. You'll be safe..." he stared at Harold and his eyes widened, terrified with suspicion. "You're not Bob are you, Harold? If you are, you can kill me right now. Kill me right now, if you are."

"Marco, no, I'm not. I'm not Bob," Harold began to shake and cry, "Marco. I wish I could help you." He held him.

"I hate him, I hate it. Sometimes I love it. But now I'm afraid. I am so afraid."

"But you're strong Marco... so much stronger than I... How can I help you? I can't. I can't even go outside." Marco reaches up and tenderly touches his cheek. "What about James? Can't James help you? You two are so in love."

Marco saied flatly, "He's in love with a guy who's dead." He handed him the diary, "It is dangerous for you to have it. I'm sorry."

Harold, thinking only of his helpless patient "I'm so sorry, Marco." He pulled his doctor twards him and kissed his forehead. "I don't know when I can come back. Maybe never." Marco slowly went out the door. Harold could only watch.