Degrassi: The New Era

Season Four

Episode 2

"No Excuses"

SCENE 1: RED'S APARTMENT (LIVING ROOM). MORNING

Red (yelling): Kasey it's time for school. Come and get ready!

Red walks into the living room picking up the trail of clothes left on the floor. Kasey runs into the living room with a smile on her face still dressed in her pajamas. Red notices his sister not dressed for school and becomes frustrated.

Red: Kasey go and get dressed right now!

Kasey stops running after her feelings get hurt hearing her brother raise his voice. She starts to cry. Red places the clothes on the couch and walks over to his crying sister picking her up.

Red: I'm sorry for yelling at you. I need to drop you off at your school, so I can go to mines.

Kasey (sniffling): Where's daddy. I want him to take me to school.

Red: Dad had to work overnight again. He's trying to make sure we can keep our house. You don't want to lose our home right.

Kasey (sniffling): No.

Red: So, let's go get ready for school.

Kasey nods her head in agreement. Red places her back on the ground. She runs to the back and into her room. Red takes a deep breath, as he feels overwhelmed with everything going on in his life.

OPENING CREDITS

SCENE 2: THE RAVINE (DECKER'S CAR). MORNING

Jack and Decker are kissing in the backseat of the car. Jack pulls out his phone to see that Jordan is calling. Jack moves away from Decker. Decker becomes upset seeing Jack on the phone when they're spending time together.

Jack: I'll be there in a few minutes.

Jack hangs up his phone. He leans in to kiss Decker, but Decker rejects the kiss. He proceeds to step out the car and move into the driver's seat. Jack is confused and moves into the passenger seat.

Jack: Did I just do something wrong?

Decker: Let's just get to Degrassi.

The car engine turns and Decker begins to drive off in silence with an attitude.

SCENE 3: DEGRASSI (HALLWAYS). MORNING

Jordan and Alicia are standing by Jack's locker. Jack slowly proceeds to the locker with a concerned look on his face. Alicia places her hands on Jack's shoulder to comfort him.

Alicia: Did you and Decker have another argument?

Jack: I'm not even sure. He just has the weirdest mood swings.

Jordan: Maybe you should think about ending things. Seem like all you guys do is get mad at each other.

Jack: I'm not going to break up with Decker. You just don't understand.

Alicia: I just hope that you know what you're doing Jack.

Alicia proceeds to walk away from the group. Jack notices Jordan has a worried look on his face.

Jordan: Decker is the first person you been with since Danielle. That was almost two years ago. I saw how vulnerable that break up made you feel. You shouldn't stay with Decker just because you don't want to feel that pain again.

Jack: I'm not that person anymore Jordan. I felt alone and abandoned back then. Decker feels the same way now, so I don't want to hurt him. I really care about him Jordan.

Jordan is slightly hurt hearing about how much Jack cares about Decker. At that moment, Jordan knew that Jack would never reciprocate the feelings that he had for him. Jordan places a fake smile on his face as Jack closes his locker. The two walk down the hall.

SCENE 4: THE DOT. AFTERNOON

Red is standing at the counter of the Dot waiting for his order. He looks over his shoulder to see Kasey sitting at one of the booth contently coloring on sheets of paper. He looks over to the door to see Ivy entering. He is instantly smitten with her beauty. Ivy proceeds to head to the counter. The barista gives Red two plates.

Ivy: Seems like a lot of food for a scrawny boy.

Red (chuckling): It's not all for me if you must know.

The two look over to Kasey. She holds up her drawing to show her big brother. Ivy smiles at the adorable Kasey.

Ivy: She is so adorable. Kind of like her brother.

The barista returns handing Ivy her order. Ivy smiles as she proceeds to exit out of the Dot. Red grabs the food and return to his table. He hands Kasey a plate.

Red: You should eat your food before its get cold.

Ivy walks pass the window to see Red pulling out a sketchbook. She gets a glance of some of Red's drawings. She is amazed at his art. She continues to walk before he notices her staring.

SCENE 5: DEGRASSI (HALLWAYS). AFTERNOON

Jordan is placing his belongings into his locker until Ivy approaches him.

Jordan: What can I do for you Ivy?

Ivy: I want you to help me host a fashion show for Degrassi.

Jordan: Why because I'm gay?

Ivy: No. That has nothing to do with it. I know how great you are with special effects and all that other fancy technology stuff.

Jordan closes his locker and the two begin to walk down the hall.

Jordan: Why should I help?

Ivy: Everyone knows that you have a major crush on Jack, but the only way you can get over it is by distracting yourself. This is the perfect opportunity for you to finally get from under Jack's thumb.

Jordan thinks about Ivy's words knowing they had some truth behind them.

Jordan: Fine. I guess I can help you out.

Ivy: We are going to have so much fun working together. This is going to be the best show Degrassi has seen.

Ivy shrieks in excitement as she hugs Jordan.

Ivy: I wanted to do maybe a live art theme.

She wraps her arms around him as they continued to walk.

SCENE 6: DEGRASSI (FRONT STEPS). MORNING

Jack approaches Degrassi to see Decker seated on the steps of the school. Jack takes a deep breath and takes a seat next to Decker.

Jack: Decker…I don't know if I can handle all of your mood swings.

Decker: So you're breaking up with me?

Jack: I'm not, but I want you to be open with me and tell me what's going on with you.

Decker: It's your friends…I don't fit in with them. They only tolerate me because I'm with you.

Jack: They do like you…

Decker: They don't, but I'm fine with that because I know they're important to you, but I'm not okay with you putting them before me.

Jack: I'm just trying to balance it all Decker. I'm trying to give everyone the same amount of attention.

Decker: Just focus on us…please, Jack.

Jack places a forced smile on his face as Decker leans in to kiss him.

SCENE 7: RED'S APARTMENT (LIVING ROOM). MORNING

Kasey is playing in the living room while Red watches on the couch. Mr. Dawson silently comes out of the backroom looking like he hasn't slept in weeks. Red looks at his father as he prepares to leave.

Red: I thought you didn't have to work today.

Mr. Dawson: I asked for a few more shifts. The landlord is threatening to cut off the lights and the heat.

Red: Dad I've been watching Kasey nonstop. I haven't been able to have a life.

Mr. Dawson: I am sorry, son but until we catch up on bills this is the way it has to be.

Mr. Dawson proceeds to exit the apartment. Red stands in silence as he tries to process.

SCENE 8: DEGRASSI (GYM). MORNING

Ivy and Jordan are evaluating the gym as they try to make plans for their upcoming production. Ivy turns around to see Red walking into the gym with his class. Ivy turns back to Jordan who is taking notes. In the background, Red takes a seat on the bench to adjust and tie his shoes.

Ivy: It looks like the gym class is about to start. We should meet up later to discuss.

Jordan nods his head and proceeds to walk away. Ivy makes her way over to Red with a smile on her face.

Ivy: If it isn't Mr. Adorable. I did not know you were a student here.

Red: I try to keep a low profile. Can I help you with something?

Ivy: Actually you might. My friend and I are hosting a live art fashion show. I saw some of your sketches the other day and think you should help.

Red rises from the bench. He doesn't have a happy demeanor.

Red: I don't have time for a pointless fashion show.

Ivy walks away surprised by Red's comment. Red takes a deep breath regretting his word proceeds join his class.

CLOSING CREDITS

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