Degrassi: The New Generation

by Josh Sheats

When the body of a classmate is found floating in a pool in the cold, Canadian winter, the new generation of Degrassi students begin to retrace their steps to find out exactly what happened. Was is foul play? Suicide? Or a cover up? New Students. New Chapters. New Drama. New Generation.

2. Secret Love Song

Title: Degrassi: The New Generation

Credit: Written By

Author: Milo Stuart

Source: Degrassi: The Next Generation

Draft date:

Notes:

Episode 2: Secret Love Song

.Scene 1

!The episode opens to an aerial view of JACK performing CPR on ETTORE, dramatic music plays. The camera pans across the crowd of party goers, watching on in suspense. The DETECTIVE's voice can be heard over the panning.

DETECTIVE

You know Ettore Ortica fairly well, am I right?

!Camera pans across EMILIA and ARSYN holding each other and crying. Cuts to a view of ROBIN in the crowd looking on, fighting back tears. ROBIN's voice heard over the shot.

ROBIN

He's my ex-boyfriend. (Cuts to ROBIN in the same chair CLARK was in in the interrogation room the previous episode, nervously laughs) Well, beard is probably a better term for it.

DETECTIVE

(Pausing, looks at her curiously)

Is Mr. Ortica known for hanging around the wrong crowd?

ROBIN

Oh, absolutely not. He's a very good guy. I mean, he mostly spends his time with Arsyn, his boyfriend. At least, I think they're boyfriends. (Looks at the DETECTIVE curiously) Why do you ask?

DETECTIVE

(Pauses briefly, hesitating)

His blood work shows that he had GHB in his system the night he fell into the pool. (Briefly cuts to a close up of ETTORE's face lying face up on the pool deck, JACK still performing CPR, cuts back to ROBIN, looking confused at the DETECTIVE)

ROBIN

GHB? (Becoming panicked) He was raped?

DETECTIVE

A physical report has shown that there was no type of trauma to any of his orfices and no DNA samples were found on his body, other than that of the boy who revived him.

ROBIN

I don't understand. If he wasn't raped, then what are we doing here?

DETECTIVE

(Sighs heavily)

We believe that the GHB was intended for another party goer and Mr. Ortica ingested the drug by mistake. (Close up of ROBIN's face falling into shock, camera cuts to zooming in on ETTORE's profile, suspenseful music intensifying, the camera stops, two beats, Ettore's eyes lids flinch and then open)

.Scene 2

!ETTORE is in the living room of his parents' mansion, picking up empty red solo cups from the party the night before, stuffing them into a trash bag. He's moving sluggishly, annoyed that his sister, EMILIA, isn't helping him. EMILIA walks into the living room, still in her pajamas, her hair a mess, one eye open. She stands in the doorway, watching ETTORE and scratching her head, stretching one arm above her head.

EMILIA

(Yawning)

Morning. (ETTORE turns to her and shakes his head)

ETTORE

You drank too much last night.

EMILIA

(Sighing, walking over to the couch)

Don't start, Ettore. (Falls onto the couch) I'm not in the mood.

ETTORE

You said you could control yourself. Clearly, you can't even do that.

EMILIA

I don't need a lecture, Ettore.

ETTORE

(Frustrated)

No, you need rehab.

EMILIA

Last night was different. I was drinking for fun, not to escape my problems. (ETTORE walks to the other end of the living room, setting the trash bag down, and getting another one, EMILIA opens her phone that she left on the couch and goes through her social media)

EMILIA (CONT'D)

(Shocked)

Whoa!

ETTORE

(Continuing to pick up cups)

What? Someone post a pic of you from your bad side?

EMILIA

No, it's you.

ETTORE

(Confused)

Me?

EMILIA

Yeah, there's this rumor going around on Twitter that you left the party last night with that Muslim niner.

ETTORE

(Shrugging it off)

So, what? It's just a stupid rumor.

EMILIA

It's not a stupid rumor. What if Mama and Papa see this?

ETTORE

(Snapping)

What if they do? You think they're going to automatically assume their son is a finocchio? (EMILIA stares him down, ETTORE sighs) We just went for a walk. That's all.

EMILIA

Giuri su Dio. (ETTORE looks at her, hesitating)

ETTORE

Lo giuro. Now, get off my back. And get ready for school, we have to finish cleaning up this place when we get home before Mama and Papa get back on Thursday. (EMILIA watches her brother, still not convinced)

.Scene 3

!ARSYN walks into his English class the morning after the party. He has a bit of pep in his step. HENRI and JACK watch him walk to his desk, intrigued.

HENRI

(As ARSYN sits down at his desk in front of HENRI and JACK)

So, you are alive. (Teasing) Thanks for ditching us last night. We got stuck listening to Hannah brag to the upperclassman about our family trip to New York this summer, and how her inner fashion was awakened on that trip.

ARSYN

(Lying)

Yeah, sorry about that. My dad wanted me home. I tried to find you guys, but there were so many people at the party. I couldn't find you when I got back into the living room.

JACK

(Teasing)

Did you spend all morning coming up with that excuse?

ARSYN

Look, I just wasn't feeling the party. Next time, I promise I won't bail.

HENRI

You better not, or we'll lock you in a room with Hannah and have her tell you about her fashion icons. (The three of them laugh as HANNAH enters, NILO trailing behind her)

HANNAH

(Walking to her desk, to her friends, annoyed)

Of all of the things trending on Twitter this morning about the party, do you know who isn't trending?

HENRI

I'm going to go out on a wild limb here, and say you?

NILO

(Sitting down at her desk)

Guess who is.

HANNAH

(Slumping into her seat)

Degrassi Jail Bait. (HENRI and JACK look at each other confused, ARSYN turns around nervously) Apparently, star soccer player, Ettore Ortica, was seen leaving the party with a niner. Oh, but not just any niner. (she looks ARSYN) Arsyn, do you want to give us the details of our rendezvous from last night.

ARSYN

(Playing dumb)

What are you talking about?

HENRI

I thought you went home.

ARSYN

I did. (Hesitates) I ran into Ettore on my way out, he said he needed some air, I told him he could walk me home. (NILO looks at ARSYN in pity) That's all it was, and that's all that happened. Stop insinuating anything else happened. I'm not gay and he's not gay.

JACK

We didn't say you were, but are you?

ARSYN

(Angry)

Of course not! (ARSYN looks at his friends who are filled with worry) Look, it's just a stupid rumor. I'm not going to sit here and try to explain myself. If you don't believe me, that's a you problem. (ARSYN turns around and breathes heavily through his nose in anger as the bell rings)

!Scene cuts to ELOISE in the hallway, prancing over to CLARK at his locker. She's smiling and cheery. She playfully taps his shoulder. CLARK turns around to see her and smiles.

CLARK

(Playfully)

Hey. Coming back for seconds?

ELOISE

(Playing back)

Cute, but there is no seconds without a proper date.

CLARK

(Hesitating)

Oh, I see.

ELOISE

Look, I'm not expecting anything extravagant. Just a nice quiet dinner, just the two of us, talking, getting to know each other.

CLARK

(Fidgeting)

Uh, look, Eloise, I think you got the wrong impression about what happened last night.

ELOISE

(Playing ditzy)

What do you mean?

CLARK

I'm not looking for anything serious. I'm sorry, I thought it was just casual. (ELOISE trying to keep her composure) If I knew you thought it was something more, I wouldn't have hooked up with you.

ELOISE

(Lying)

Uh, no, it's cool. I'm not really looking for anything serious either.

CLARK

You just proposed a date.

ELOISE

It was a test. To see if you were looking for something serious.

CLARK

(Laughing)

Okay, cool. I mean, I had a great time, and I wouldn't mind having another one soon.

ELOISE

Well, I have your number. I'll hit you up soon.

CLARK

Alright, awesome. (Eloise smiles and turns and walks away, her smile slowly fading, shaking it off, and faking a smile as she walks through the hall, her head held high)

!Scene cuts to ETTORE at his locker, ROBIN rounds the corner and sees him. She walks over to him smiling.

ROBIN

Hey, you! (ETTORE turns his attention to her and smiles)

ETTORE

Hey!

ROBIN

I missed you at the party last night. There's some crazy rumor going around that you left the party with some niner guy. Have you heard?

ETTORE

(Turning back to his locker)

Yeah. Em has already filled me in on that.

ROBIN

Well, I'm sure it's not what everyone thinks. I'm sure it was just something innocent.

ETTORE

Yeah, we both just needed some air, so we went for a walk. That's all. (ROBIN nods, ETTORE turns to see ARSYN at his locker, he thinks for second and turns back to ROBIN) Hey, what are you doing after school?

ROBIN

(Surprised)

After school? Well, I have cheer practice until 4, but after that, I'm free as a bird.

ETTORE

Perfect. Um, let's grab coffee. Say around 5?

ROBIN

(Excited)

Yeah, that would be perfect! I'll see you then. (They smile to each other as ROBIN skips down the hall, excited, ETTORE's smile fades as he turns back to ARSYN, he closes his locker and approaches him)

ETTORE

(To ARSYN, softly)

Are you going around telling people that we hooked up?

ARSYN

(Sarcastically)

Good morning to you, too.

ETTORE

Cut the crap, Arsyn. I don't need this. (ARSYN glares at him, clenching his jaw)

ARSYN

Honor killings, remember? If it gets out to my family that I had sex with a guy, my life is over. Why would I go around telling people that we hooked up and risk it getting back to them?

ETTORE

People are talking, Arsyn.

ARSYN

Yeah, talking. They weren't there.

ETTORE

But they think we did something.

ARSYN

No, we didn't. (Staring him down) Because I'm taking it back.

ETTORE

(Confused)

What? You just can't take it back.

ARSYN

Too late, I did. Clearly, it didn't mean anything to you, and I don't give myself to people I don't mean anything to.

ETTORE

We barely know each other. You're talking crazy.

ARSYN

(Shutting his locker)

Yeah, you're right, we barely know each other. (Pauses looking sternly into ETTORE's eyes) But for one moment, it felt like I've known you my whole life. (ETTORE starts to feel guilty) My dad wanted me home, we ran into each other on my way out, and you walked me home. (ETTORE starts to speak but nothing comes out) Don't worry, your skeleton is locked in the closet, just like us. (ARSYN storms off, slamming his locker, leaving ETTORE to watch him walk away)

.Scene 4

!ELOISE is sitting at her desk in her math class, waiting the class to begin. She's going through her phone, stalking CLARK's social media. She becomes frustrated. She closes the apps and slams her phone on her desk, face down. She sighs heavily as ROBIN comes floating into the classroom, ready to gloat about her date with ETTORE after school.

ROBIN

(As she's sitting down at her desk)

You know how you told me Ettore would never go for a girl like me? (ELOISE looks at her in annoyance)

ELOISE

(Covering up her frustration)

I see you're still stuck in that fairytale. Still chasing men out of your league?

ROBIN

(Boasting)

If I'm so out of his league, then why did he ask me to have coffee with him after cheer practice today?

ELOISE

(Looking at ROBIN in disbelief)

You're kidding, right?

ROBIN

(Smiling)

Nope. He told me to meet him at five for coffee. (EMILIA enters, wearing sunglasses, she slumps down in the desk behind ROBIN)

ELOISE

(Trying to hide her jealousy)

Probably to tell you to pick your tongue up off of the floor and stop chasing after him. It's a classic let down. Meeting in a public place so that if things get messy, he has an easy escape.

ROBIN

Or he actually wants to get to know me. (EMILIA lowers her sunglasses a bit to listen on ROBIN and ELOISE's conversation) Why can't you just be happy for me?

ELOISE

(Clenches her jaw, and shakes her head)

I am happy for you.

ROBIN

Well, you don't sound like it. It sounds like you're just jealous.

EMILIA

(Interrupting the conversation)

Happy about what, exactly?

ROBIN

(Smiling to EMILIA)

Your brother asked me out to coffee after school today. Eloise here is just jealous because I'm getting ahead of her in the dating game.

EMILIA

(Looking down)

You shouldn't go. (ELOISE and ROBIN look at her surprised)

ELOISE

Um, are you siding with me? Because yesterday you were totally playing match maker for her.

ROBIN

(Confused)

Yeah, I don't get it. Yesterday you were encouraging me to go out with him.

EMILIA

(Trying to cover up the real reason)

Well, things can change really fast.

ELOISE

Does this have something to do with your brother leaving the party with that niner nobody?

ROBIN

(Defensively)

That's just a stupid rumor.

ELOISE

It's a rumor when one or two people are the source of spreading gossip, but when virtually the whole party saw them leave together, it's hardly a rumor.

EMILIA

(To ROBIN)

Ettore didn't give me the details, but Eloise is right. It's not a rumor.

ROBIN

I can't believe this. (ELOISE smiles to herself)

EMILIA

Ettore told me he and that niner took a walk together, but that's all he would tell me. (ROBIN looks at her in disbelief) Look, some things happened to brother in the UK. I just don't think it's a good idea for you to meet up with him.

ROBIN

What kind of things?

ELOISE

(Taunting ROBIN)

Looks like you're out of Ettore's league after all. (ROBIN glares at her)

EMILIA

(Looking at ELOISE and then back at ROBIN)

It's family stuff. I'm not actually legally allowed to talk about it. If you want to see my brother today, I can't stop you, but just be careful, okay? Let's just say my brother isn't the best at keeping girlfriends. (ROBIN turns back around in her desk, thinking about what ELOISE and EMILIA have said)

.Scene 5

!CLARK is at his locker in the gym, getting ready for basketball practice. DUANE and NATHAN enter, gossiping about the party the night before.

DUANE

(To NATHAN as they reach their lockers)

Bruh, just give it up. You're never going to hit it with the Ice Queen.

NATHAN

No way! Nathan Bragg does not give up on his sexual conquests. I guarantee you by then end of the year, I'll have her screaming my name. (DUANE laughs off NATHAN's comment as he looks at CLARK)

DUANE

What about you, Super Star? You have any luck with getting the ladies in the sack?

CLARK

(Turns to DUANE and then back to his locker)

Nah, still not ready to move on.

NATHAN

Lies.

CLARK

(Turning to NATHAN)

What?

NATHAN

I heard some of the grade ten girls in biology today talking about how they saw you follow Eloise Johnson upstairs and didn't come back down for at least an hour. (CLARK starts to get nervous, DUANE looks at CLARK grinning)

DUANE

You dog, you! Eloise Johnson? Degrassi's reigning queen bee? Dude, she's hot! Why aren't you bragging about sacking her?

CLARK

Because there wasn't anything to brag about.

DUANE

She's that bad in bed, huh?

CLARK

(Licking his lips)

Actually, quite the opposite.

NATHAN

What's this?

CLARK

She's definitely a good fuck.

DUANE

So, c'mon, man! Give us the gritty details. Why hide it?

CLARK

Cause she's got the symptoms of a stage five clinger. She thought that if she seduced me that that meant that we were something more serious.

NATHAN

Dude, that's the worse.

CLARK

I'd fuck her again, but I'm scared she would get even more attached, and not in the good way.

NATHAN

Alright! Our man Clark's got that golden dick.

DUANE

(To CLARK)

Dude, who cares? Give it to her a couple more times, and then cut the strings and move on to the next girl.

CLARK

(Hesitates)

Look, I'm not like you guys. You're cool with the whole meaningless sex thing, but I'm not.

NATHAN

Dude, that's like the gayest thing you've ever said.

CLARK

Go to hell, man! (NATHAN becomes quiet)

DUANE

(To CLARK)

Man, I know your break up with Priscilla was hard, but you got to let it go. There's nothing wrong with banging a couple of chicks on the way to a serious relationship. We're young, and studly. There's nothing wrong with planting a couple of seeds here and there.

NATHAN

Yeah, man. Just use her feelings to your advantage. If she's a good fuck, soak up that shit and have a great time until it gets messy.

DUANE

Bro gets it, dude.

CLARK

I don't know.

DUANE

Just think about it, man. You're getting a lot more than the rest of us are. We'd kill to be in your shoes. (CLARK ponders for a moment then turns back to his locker to finish getting ready for practice)

!Scene cuts to the cheer team practicing their routine, "Get Ready" by Night Panda, BEGINNERS can be heard playing in the background. ROSE is pacing back and forth, intently focusing on the girl's performing the routine. ELOISE and ROBIN enter the gym, laughing at each other and stop, looking surprised at the girls already practicing.

ELOISE

What the hell?

ROSE

(To ELOISE and ROBIN from across the gym)

Ladies, you're late! Laps after practice.

ELOISE

(Approaching ROSE, ROBIN trailing behind her)

Um, who are you?

ROSE

Rose Wilson, your new captain and coach. I'm surprised you have to ask that. Any dedicated cheerleader would know who I am.

ELOISE

I know who you are. I meant, who do you think you are coming in here and running my practice.

ROSE

(Sighing as she rolls her head)

Cut the music! (The music stops as she approaches ELOISE and ROBIN)

ELOISE

You can't just waltz in here and declare yourself captain. It doesn't work like that.

ROSE

(Folding her arms and grinning)

Actually, I can, and it does. Upon my arrival to this school, I was granted the position of head captain and coach of the Degrassi power squad, at Simpson's request. He thought it would be a great opportunity to stay in routine seeing as I'm on a brief cheerleading hiatus to focus on my studies.

ELOISE

Well, on this squad, you have to earn the position of captain, and every captain needs a co-captain. I'm sure you'll fill that position quite nicely.

ROSE

(Chuckles)

Seriously? I've won five cheer titles in the past three years, and have been named athlete of the year by the Canadian Cheer Association four years in a row. I've competed in competitions nationwide, and worldwide. And what are your credentials, exactly? A self titled high school queen bee sleeping with champion title athletes? (ROBIN gasps covering her mouth) This captain sails this ship alone. Cheerleading is hard work, not a popularity stunt. Now, stop wasting this team's time. You have two options, fall in line and take direction, or file out the door. Take your pick. (Staring down ELOISE, turning back to the girls) From the top ladies! First position! (ELOISE purses her lips, glaring at ROSE, eventually falling in line with the other girls)

!Scene cuts to Ettore sitting in a coffee shop called The Dot, sifting through his phone as he waits for ROBIN to arrive. ROBIN rounds the street corner and stops, looking at ETTORE sitting in the window. She smiles and walks into The Dot. ETTORE looks at ROBIN entering through the door and smiles at her as she sits down.

ROBIN

(Sweetly smiling)

I'm so sorry I'm late. We have a new captain and coach on the cheer team and she made Eloise and I run laps after practice because we were late.

ETTORE

Yikes! Bummer. I'm sorry to hear that.

ROBIN

(Shrugging it off)

It doesn't really bother me. Power squad has always been Eloise's thing. I was just roped into it because I'm her sidekick or whatever.

ETTORE

(Confused)

I thought you were her friend. Since when are you her sidekick?

ROBIN

Pretty much since our friendship began in grade one. Eloise barks orders and I take them.

ETTORE

Doesn't sound like much of a friendship, if you don't mind my prying.

ROBIN

No, it's cool. I guess, over the years, I've seen the way that she can treat people and figured it's better to be her right hand than the victim of her antics. (Hesitating) It's funny though. She kept telling me that I was so out of your league, so I was surprised and happy when you asked me out.

ETTORE

The thing is I get to decide who's out of my league and who isn't, and you are definitely in my league. (Takes ROBIN's hand and smiles sweetly at her) Don't let a bully like Eloise keep you down. You're smart, and gorgeous, and she's just jealous. (ROBIN smiles and blushes)

ROBIN

That's really sweet of you to say. (They smile at each other as ARSYN approaches them)

ARSYN

Are you two ready to order? (ETTORE looks at him, his smile fading, he sighs and shakes his head)

ETTORE

What the hell are you doing here? (ROBIN looks at them both curiously)

ARSYN

I work here, hence the apron and the shirt that says "the Dot."

ETTORE

It looks like you're stalking me.

ARSYN

(Trying to hide being annoyed)

Very bold of you to assume that. Now, are you ready to order?

ROBIN

(Trying to break the tension)

Um, I'll just have a caramel macchiato.

ETTORE

Might as well make that two.

ARSYN

(Writing down their orders on a note pad)

I'll get those out to you right away. (ARSYN rolls his eyes as he walks away, ETTORE looks down at the table and sighs)

ROBIN

(To ETTORE)

What was that all about? Does it have to do with the rumors on Twitter?

ETTORE

(Looks up at ROBIN, hesitating)

It's hard. Everyone seems to think I did something with that kid, but I didn't. I'm not into guys. We just went for a walk, that's all. (ROBIN smiles at him and takes his hand)

ROBIN

Those people are just jealous, and they'll say anything to make you look bad. (ETTORE smiles slightly and puts his other hand on top of ROBIN's) Don't let them get to you.(ARSYN watches from the counter as ETTORE and ROBIN smile lovingly at each other)

.Scene 6

A whistle blows as the guys basketball team begins practice. The guys start doing passing, lay up drills. CLARK is passed the ball and completes a perfect lay up, making the basket effortlessly.

ARMSTRONG

(Watching CLARK from the sideline)

Nice job, Cunningham!

!DUANE starts his lay up drill, he tries to do better than CLARK, but gets flustered and misses the basket on his lay up. ARMSTRONG shakes his head from the sidelines.

ARMSTRONG (CONT'D)

Clean it up, Powers!

!DUANE sulks back to the end of the opposite line of CLARK, behind NATHAN.

NATHAN

(Teasing DUANE)

Off your game today a bit, eh?

DUANE

Man, shut up! (Nudging NATHAN's arm) I'm not off my game, I just gave it too much force. (Glares over at CLARK, who's stretching his arms) Look at him. He's so fucking cocky.

NATHAN

(Looks over at CLARK)

Looks like he's just stretching his arms to me, dude. Quit checking out your bro, that's so gay.

DUANE

Shut up! I'm not checking him out! He just acts like he's the best player.

NATHAN

Well, the dude eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball. Bro's always practicing. Maybe you should try that.

DUANE

Hey, I practice just as much as him, yet he always gets the starting position. How do think that happens? It's cause he's white. (Nathan scoffs) What? Tell me I'm wrong.

NATHAN

Yeah, Armstrong, a black man, picks Clark to start over you because he's white.

DUANE

You saying I'm wrong?

NATHAN

I'm saying you're paranoid. Just practice harder. I mean, think about it, if Armstrong favors white players, how come I never start?

DUANE

Easy, you're a dumb ass.

NATHAN

Fair, fair, but I'm also not practicing every chance I get like Clark is. You wanna start, start practicing outside of practice. Your lay up is a little sloppy. (Whistle blows as Nathan runs off to perform his drill, DUANE looking over at CLARK preparing his turn)

.SCENE 7

ARSYN walks into his family's apartment, closing the door behind him, and locking the deadbolt. He walks through the living room to the kitchen to see his mother washing dishes, humming to herself.

ARSYN

(Stopping at the doorway)

I'm home. (MRS. NAJAFI smiles and turns slightly to her son, turning back to her dishes)

MRS. NAJAFI

(In Farsi, sweetly)

Hello, my son, how was work?

ARSYN

(In English)

Fine, nothing really exciting. (He walks over to the table and picks an apple up from the bowl sitting in the middle of the table)

MRS. NAJAFI

(In Farsi)

And school? (ARSYN sighs, she turns to him, curiously, but still smiling sweetly) Is something wrong?

ARSYN

(In English, fumbling with the apple in his hand, not making eye contact with his mother)

No, everything's fine.

MRS. NAJAFI

(Drying her hands on a dish towel)

Sweetheart, I know you. I can always tell when something is wrong with you. (She sets down the towel and smiles at him) Tell me.

ARSYN

I can't.

MRS. NAJAFI

And why not?

ARSYN

(Hesitates)

Because it's something you and Baba don't agree with.

MRS. NAJAFI

You mean it's about a girl?

ARSYN

(lying)

Something like that. (MRS. NAJAFI smiles and walks over to her son)

MRS. NAJAFI

You know how your father feels about you and your sister dating.

ARSYN

Harem. I know.

MRS. NAJAFI

Yes. But, and don't tell your father this, unlike him, I understand that you're a growing boy in a world that is far different than the one your father and I are from. If there is anything that you need to talk about, you can always come to me, and we will keep it between us. Your father doesn't need to know everything, despite his rules. (ARSYN smiles slightly at his mother) Now, tell me, what's the trouble with this girl? (ARSYN hesitates)

ARSYN

(Lying again)

It's nothing, Mama. Really. I'm going to go lie down.

MRS. NAJAFI

Are you sure? (ARSYN nods) Well, okay, but if you get hungry, I put the left overs in the fridge. You missed dinner again, and your father is already out at the hookah bar playing cards. (She walks back to the sink, and turns to ARSYN and smiles) But I'm serious, sweetheart. If there is anything you need to talk about, please, come to me. There's nothing you can do that wouldn't make me proud of you. (ARSYN smiles slightly and heads to his room as his mother finishes the dishes)

!"Hands off a Grain of Sand" by Amelia Curran starts playing. ARSYN closes his bedroom door behind him, setting his backpack down by his bed, falling on to it face down. He hears a chime from his phone and turns on his side, pulling out his phone to check the message. It's from ETTORE. The message read "I'm sorry about earlier, but you caught me off guard. I really need you keep what happen the night of the party a secret, please. I really like Robin and I don't need what happened that night getting out. I hope you can understand." ARSYN grunts in frustration and slams the phone face down on his bed and turns to lay face up, staring at the ceiling. The scene cuts to the next morning. ARSYN is approaching the front entrance to Degrassi. The camera pans out to show all the students congregated in various groups as ARSYN walks up the steps of the school and walks inside, the song slowly fading out. Cut to ROBIN at her locker, smiling. ETTORE approaches her smiling. He taps her shoulder and she turns around to see him.

ROBIN

Hey you! (They lean in to give each other a peck) I enjoyed our coffee date yesterday. I'm hoping there will be a second.

ETTORE

(Smiling)

Oh, most definitely. (He looks out of the corner of his eye to see ARSYN passing by in the hallway, not acknowledging ETTORE and ROBIN, ETTORE turns back to ROBIN) Uh, actually, I was hoping you were free tonight, for dinner. Do you one better than a coffee date.

ROBIN

(Smiling curiously)

A dinner date? What place did you have in mind?

ETTORE

I know this really nice steakhouse downtown. Very classy, so make sure you dress nicely.

ROBIN

I'm already gearing ideas in my head.

ETTORE

I also thought we could talk about making this official.

ROBIN

Official? Like boyfriend and girlfriend?

ETTORE

Yeah. I mean, I know it's a little fast, but I really like you.

ROBIN

(Smiling flirtatiously, giggling slightly)

Yeah, yeah we can talk about this being official.

ETTORE

(Smiling back as they join foreheads)

Perfect. (They smile and kiss each other, cut to ARSYN at his locker down the hall, opening his locker as he turns to see ETTORE and ROBIN kissing each other, he sighs, JACK enters behind ARSYN)

JACK

(To ARSYN)

Hey! (ARSYN turns to JACK) I tried calling you last night. I was going to see if you wanted to come hang out tonight, play some games on the console.

ARSYN

(Hesitating)

Oh, I can't tonight. I'm working.

JACK

Oh, well, okay. Maybe this weekend we can get together. Just us guys, not girls. I mean, Henri is cool and all, but I'm really jazzed to have a dude friend. Do cool kids say jazzed? (ARSYN turns back to ETTORE and ROBIN, drowning out JACK's chatter) Arsyn? Arsyn? Hello? (ARSYN snaps out of his trance, turning back to JACK) You okay? You look pale.

ARSYN

(Fumbling for words)

I, uh, uh, it's just... I gotta go. (ARSYN closes his locker and starts fast walking down the hall to the restroom, JACK watching him confused)

JACK

(Calling down the hallway)

Arsyn! (JACK follows after ARSYN, cut to ETTORE looking down the hallway at JACK following ARSYN as he's giving ROBIN a hug, feeling guilty)

!Cut scene to ARSYN bursting through the men's restroom door, throwing his bag on to the floor. The bathroom is empty. ARSYN turns not the faucet of a sink and leans over it, starting to cry, hard. JACK slowly peers in through the door, curiously looking at ARSYN with worry. He enters, closing the door behind him and locking it. ARSYN turns to JACK, trying to stop his crying, wiping his tears as he turns off the faucet.

JACK

Dude, what's wrong? It's okay if you don't play video games. We can do something else. (JACK slowly approaches ARSYN)

ARSYN

(Sobbing)

It's not that. It's fine, don't worry about it. (ARSYN walks over to the end of the stalls and sits down on the floor, his against the wall)

JACK

(Finishing approaching ARSYN, standing over him)

Dude, you're crying in the guy's washroom, sitting on a germ infested floor. Oh, wait, urine is sterile. But it still smells germ infested. (ARSYN laughs through his sobs) Whatever it is, you can tell me. (Pause) Does this have something to do with that soccer guy at the party? (ARSYN looks at him, JACK starts putting the pieces together) Uh, Arsyn, are you... are you... gay? (ARSYN hesitates) I mean, it's totally cool if you are. Like I don't think you're gross or anything. I mean, if you think I'm cute, that's flattering but I don't think it will work between us. I mean, I still like girls. (ARSYN chuckles through his sobs) Sorry, I'm not really good with sentimental moments, but I am being supportive.

ARSYN

(Calming his sobs)

You're fine. But, yeah, I'm gay. (JACKS nods) But you can't say anything. If it gets back to my parents, I'm dead. And nobody else knows, besides Nilo.

JACK

That's cool. I'm not going to say anything. Even to Henri. I mean, she's going to find out at some point. You can't really keep anything from her. (JACK sits down next to ARSYN) So, is that all this freak out was about? Seems like there was another reason. (ARSYN looks at JACK as they pause)

ARSYN

(Sighs)

You know that rumor of me and that Ettore guy leaving the party together? (JACK nods) Well, the truth is, we didn't just go for a walk. I mean, we did but it was to go skinny dipping in a public pool.

JACK

(Rocking his head)

Right on. That's one way to get to know someone. (They both chuckle)

ARSYN

(Hesitating)

Well, we also sort of hooked up.

JACK

Like making out in the pool?

ARSYN

Among other things.

JACK

(Getting the hint)

Oh. Oh! Oh, wow! Um, that's pretty cool. Wait, can't you get a yeast infection from having sex in a pool?

ARSYN

Well, we weren't in the pool at that point.

JACK

Oh, right. I can imagine the chlorine getting up in there and... (shudders) Ouch!

ARSYN

But ever since then, the only time he talks to me is to tell me to keep it a secret. Now, he's with Robin. It's like that night never happened. That magic I thought I felt was just a dream.

JACK

Well, not to be a cliché, but there are other fish in the sea. And once you come out, there will be a whole ocean. If that overrated, soccer pretty boy can't even accept who he is, then he's not good enough for my friend. (ARSYN looks at him) You're too good for him. You don't deserve someone who uses you like that. (ARSYN smiles)

ARSYN

Thanks, Jack. You're a great friend.

JACK

No problem. Are we suppose to hug now? I feel like this is a hug moment. (ARSYN chuckles as they give each other a break) Try not to get a hard on though. (ARSYN pulls away) Kidding, kidding! Poor taste, my bad. (ARSYN nudges him as they laugh)

.SCENE 8

ELOISE is walking through the hallway, on the way to her next class. CLARK comes up behind her smiling, blowing on her ear. She turns to him giggling, as they stop in the hallway.

ELOISE

What was that for?

CLARK

Well, I was thinking of taking you up on your offer.

ELOISE

And which offer would that be?

CLARK

The casual fling thing.

ELOISE

(Hiding her disappointment)

Oh, right. That.

CLARK

And I was thinking, maybe we could get dinner first.

ELOISE

(Getting excited)

Really?

CLARK

Yeah. I want this to be a booty call without it being a booty call. (They laugh) I figured, we could ease our way into something more serious, but with a little fun along the way.

ELOISE

And why the sudden change of heart?

CLARK

Because I don't want to be that guy who keeps notches on his belt. If I'm going to put notches on my belt, I want my strings attached.

ELOISE

Well, I think that's a pretty fair compromise. (They smile at each other as they hold hands and walk down the hallway, continuing to smile)

!Scene cuts to later in the afternoon. ETTORE is in his room, straightening his tie for his date with ROBIN. He's making sure he's looking his best. EMILIA stands in the doorway, knocking on the frame. ETTORE turns to her.

EMILIA

Uh, Robin is down stairs. She says she's here for her date with you tonight.

ETTORE

Oh, great. (Turning back to the mirror) Tell her I'll be down in just a second. (EMILIA nods as she gets closer to ETTORE)

EMILIA

What are you doing, ETTORE?

ETTORE

(Huffs)

Not this again. (He turns to EMILIA) I'm going on a date with Robin. We're going to talk about us becoming official. Do you have a problem with that?

EMILIA

Actually, I do. Rebecca. Remember? (ETTORE rolls his eyes) You said weren't going to date anymore girls. You promised me you weren't going to put another girl through a heartbreak.

ETTORE

I'm not going to break her heart. I really like her. This is not the same thing as what happened with Rebecca.

EMILIA

Seriously? You're still lying to me? The exact same thing is going to happen again. You're gay, Ettore. Stop playing with these girls and just admit it! Stop putting on this show for people. (ETTORE starts to walk out the room, he stops and turns back to his sister)

ETTORE

I'll admit that I'm gay when you admit that you're a drunk. (EMILIA glares at ETTORE)

EMILIA

(Through her teeth)

Fuck you. This is not the same thing, you asshole! I'm not the one playing with girls' emotions to hide the fact that I'm a flaming faggot! (ROBIN enters the bedroom, she looks at the two of them confused)

ROBIN

Is everything okay? I heard you guys fighting.

ETTORE

(Staring down EMILIA, to ROBIN, "Wildfire" by Natalie Taylor begins playing)

It's nothing. Just my sister throwing another one of her drunken tantrums. (Turns to ROBIN) I'll tell the driver to pull around. (ETTORE exits, ROBIN turns to EMILIA)

ROBIN

You sure everything is okay?

EMILIA

You want the truth? (ROBIN nods) If you don't want to get burned, stay away from my brother.

ROBIN

(Scoffing)

Wow, so you're a jealous sibling?

EMILIA

(Bitterly)

Jealousy has absolutely nothing to do with it. I'm doing this for you. (ROBIN shakes her head and starts to walk out of the bedroom) If you don't believe me, (ROBIN turns back to her) ask him about Rebecca. (ROBIN nods, not taking EMILIA seriously, and walks out of the door, EMILIA stands in frustration, she pulls a flask out of her pocket and takes a swig)

!Scene cuts to EMILIA watching helplessly as JACK still performs CPR on ETTORE, "Wildfire" is still playing, mostly instrumentally. The scene closes up on Robin watching on nervously, her voice can be heard over the sequence.

ROBIN

(To the DETECTIVE)

So, why am I here? Are you accusing me of drugging my ex-boyfriend? (The scene continues to pan through the party crowd, JACK still performing CPR)

DETECTIVE

(Over the panning)

We're simply trying to paint a picture of what happened that night.

ROBIN

(The camera cuts to ROBIN in the interrogation room)

Normally, whenever something like this happens, it's always the spouse or the significant other that gets questioned first.

DETECTIVE

This is true. Jaded exes are also prime suspects as well. As you stated before, you are his ex-girlfriend.

ROBIN

But how did you know to question me?

DETECTIVE

That information is irrelevant. My team has spoken to many of the witnesses at the party.

ROBIN

And did all of them tell you to speak to me directly?

DETECTIVE

Ms. Houser, please. We are not here to discuss finger pointing.

ROBIN

And yet, here we are. (She rests her arms on the table, leaning closer to the DETECTIVE) If you're looking for answers, you're asking the wrong person. I know from the outside it may look like I'm some jaded ex-girlfriend, but I'm really not. I'm Ettore's best friend. Yes, what he did to me was wrong, but how can I not forgive him for hiding who he really is?

DETECTIVE

What exactly are you saying?

ROBIN

What I'm saying is you're wasting your time questioning me. I love Ettore, he's a great friend who made a mistake using me to hide his sexuality. But compared to the things he's done to the people closer to him than I am, they're the ones you should really be questioning.

DETECTIVE

And who do you suggest we talk to?

!The scene cuts back to JACK reaching for neck to find a pulse in slow motion. He looks up at ARSYN and EMILIA.

JACK

(Softly at first)

I have a pulse. I have a pulse! (EMILIA and ARSYN turn to JACK, the scene cuts back to the interrogation room)

ROBIN

(To the DETECTIVE)

You could start with his problematic sister, (cuts to an aerial view of ETTORE closing in, ROBIN's voice now being heard over the scene) but if I were you, I would start with the boyfriend, (ETTORE's eyes open, scene cuts to a close up ROBIN looking into the camera) Arsyn. (Cuts to black, music stops abruptly)

END EPISODE