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Degrassi: The New Era

Season Five

Episode 4

"Dreams and Nightmares"

Scene 1: Degrassi (Gymnasium). Afternoon

Brandon, Xavier, Decker and other members of the basketball team are running drills. Brandon is keeping up with the other members of the team. Xavier bounce passes the basketball to him. Brandon takes the shot and makes the basketball. He starts to run down the court.

Moment's pass and the team are cooling down from their practice. Brandon takes a deep breath as he takes a seat on the bench. He grabs his water bottle and begins to drink. Xavier approaches Brandon handing him a towel and taking a seat next to him.

Brandon wipes the sweat from his body.

Xavier: Good practice man. It looks like you're getting back to your old game.

Brandon: My physical therapy has been helping. I'm just taking it slow until my leg properly heals, but when I'm healed I'll be coming for captain just to let you know.

Xavier chuckled as he pats Brandon on the back and makes his leave.

Xavier: I'll catch you tomorrow.

Xavier exits the gym. Brandon closes his duffle bag but notices something. He pulls out a bottle of pills. He takes a deep breath.

OPENING CREDITS

Scene 2: Degrassi (Student Council Office). Morning

Red walks pass the Student Council Office when he notices Alicia asleep on her desk. He smiles and enters the room. He knocks on the desk startling Alicia awake.

Red: Hey…Everything okay Madam President.

Alicia grabs her books shoving them into her bag. Red senses how stressed Alicia is.

Alicia: I have a lot on my plate this year. I'm the editor of the Degrassi Grapevine, President of Student Council, and on top of that, I'm taking prep classes for university next year. I don't have time for rest.

Red takes her bag. He forces her to have a seat on the lounge couch.

Red: You are usually never this rattled, so talk to me. What's really going on with you?

Alicia takes a deep breath.

Alicia: I just learned that my birth mother is dying from an inherited cancer, so I decided to be tested to see if I have the same cancer gene. Apparently, my fate is already written because I'll eventually get cancer.

Red takes a moment to process everything.

Red: I'm sorry that you're going through this. At least you know ahead of time, which means you can fight this before it happens. I'm sure there is some type of medication or something that will prevent it from happening.

Alicia: At least one of us is optimistic.

Alicia rises from the couch with a blank expression. She makes her way out of the office. Red becomes worried. He did not recognize this person.

Scene 3: Degrassi (Halls). Morning

Students are making their way down the halls. We see some congregating amongst each other. We also see some of the boys running down the hall roughhousing with each other. Carina closes her locker and starts to walk down the hall. Isaiah exits out of the classroom and notices her. He quickly sprints to catch up with her.

Isaiah: Hey. Where you headed…I'll walk with you.

He takes her books. She smiles at the gesture.

Carina: I have History with Mr. Tenzion.

Isaiah: Heard he's pretty tough, but luckily you got me. I've been told I'm a great tutor.

They both chuckle.

Carina: I'll keep that in mind, but I'm a pretty good historian myself.

Isaiah: Are you doing anything after school?

Carina: McKenzie has Power Squad practice, so I'm free.

Isaiah becomes nervous. This was his moment. He prepares to ask his dream girl out, but the bell rings.

Carina: Thank you for walking me to class. It was sweet of you, but you should go before you are late.

Carina grabs her books and enters the classroom. Isaiah sighs in defeat as he stands in the hall.

Scene 4: Degrassi (Classroom). Afternoon

The teacher is walking through the aisle handing out papers. She reaches Brandon's desk and flips the paper face down.

Ms. Reyes: This is the third low mark this quarter Mr. Jones.

Brandon flips his paper over to see a red D on his paper. Xavier seats behind him. He looks over his shoulder.

Xavier (whispering): You know Coach isn't going to let you play if you're failing bro.

Brandon (whispering): Don't you think I know that? I worked too hard to get back on that court not to play. It's bad enough I had to repeat my senior year and I'm failing Grade 11 math.

Xavier gives him a pat on the back. Brandon becomes discouraged.

Scene 5: The Dot. Afternoon

Red enters the Dot. He scans the restaurant then proceeds to approach Jordan at the counter.

Red: I'm worried about Alicia. She hasn't been herself and she's dealing with a lot.

Jordan: Alicia is probably the strongest person I know. I don't think that there is nothing that girl can't handle.

Red: I'm being serious Jordan. I'm worried.

Jack approaches the two.

Jack: What's going on?

Jordan: Red thinks Alicia is on the verge of a mental breakdown. I have to get to class.

Jordan takes off his work apron. He comes from behind the counter. He kisses Jack goodbye then exits the Dot.

Red: I know we're not really friends since Ivy and I broke up, but I'm worried about Alicia. She told me some stuff and I just don't think she is in the right mindset.

Jack: Alicia is my best friend. I would know if something is up with her.

Red nods his head as he makes his way to the door.

Scene 6: Degrassi (Gymnasium). Afternoon

Brandon is running basketball drills alone in the gymnasium. Coach Dillon enters the gym applauding.

Coach Dillon: It looks like you are almost in playing shape.

Brandon (out of breath): Yeah Coach. I am feeling a lot better. I think I'm ready to play in the big game against Bardell.

Coach Dillon: I know you've been working hard to get back on the court, but I cannot let you play in the Bardell game Jones.

Brandon: I'm better! You've seen that I'm getting better Coach.

Coach Dillon: Ms. Reyes told me that you are not passing her class. In order to play in the game, you need at least a C average in all your classes. I'm sorry Jones, but next game.

Coach Dillon places his hand on Brandon's shoulder. He proceeds to walk off. Brandon tosses his basketball across the gym in anger. Brandon does not notice Decker was almost hit by the basketball. He goes into his bag and grabs the bottle of pills.

Decker: Are you okay man? You seem upset.

Decker notices the bottle in his hand. Brandon quickly places the bottle back into his bag. He tries to storm off, but Decker stops him.

Decker: That bottle in your bag can get you into a lot of trouble.

Brandon tries to calm down.

Brandon: I just can't get anything right. I don't know why I bother.

Decker: Trust me, I know a little something about being a screwup.

Brandon: I need a passing mark on Ms. Reyes's next exam or Coach is going to bench me.

Decker: I passed her class during the summer. I can help you study for the test.

Brandon: You would really do that for me?

Decker: Duh man, we're teammates.

The two hug it out. Brandon appreciated the gesture.

Scene 7: Degrassi (Classroom). Morning

Carina enters the class alongside Isabella. They take a seat at their desk. Isaiah takes a deep breath and walks over to Carina. Isabella turns to allow them to speak privately or as private as they could.

Isaiah: How are you? I'm still available to help you with History.

Carina isn't noticing Isaiah's attempts at flirting, but Isabella does as she smirks in the background.

Carina: I think I can manage.

Mr. Wright enters the classroom.

Mr. Wright: Good Morning. Mr. Luke! Can you find a seat at a desk? Thank you. Let's get started.

Isaiah is once again defeated. He makes his way to his desk. Isabella leans over to Carina.

Isabella (whispering): That was the saddest thing I have ever seen.

Carina (whispering): I'm confused.

Isabella (whispering): He was trying to ask you out, but you blew him off.

Carina peeks behind her to see Isaiah. She turns back to Isabella.

Carina (whispering): You think.

She turns back around to Isaiah. He happens to see her this time. He smiles and waves. A smile comes across her face.

Scene 8: Degrassi (Student Council Office). Morning

Alicia is packing up her things. Jack enters the student council office. He notices her irritate behavior.

Jack: Hey. Red seems to be worried about you. Should I be too?

Jack approaches Alicia. He takes her hands forcing her to stop moving. Alicia stops and sighs in frustration. They stay silent for a moment until Alicia begins to breakdown. Jack wraps his arms around her embracing her friend.

Alicia (voice breaking): I'm going to die…

Jack: Don't stay that…Nothing is going to happen to you, Alicia.

Alicia wipes the tears from her eyes and tries to regain her composure.

Jack: Why didn't you tell me you got your results back?

Alicia: I was scared. I felt alone.

Jack: You are never alone. You have me.

Alicia: That's why I feel alone Jack. You and Jordan are my best friends. But, my best friends are also the ones that broke my heart. I can't be around you without feeling some type of way since we didn't work.

Jack: I guess I thought things didn't have to change between us.

Alicia: I will talk to my parents about the gene. I'm fine. I appreciate the support.

Alicia gives Jack a hug. She proceeds to exit out of the office.

Scene 9: Degrassi (J.T Yorke Memorial Garden). Afternoon

Carina walks pass the Memorial Garden to see Isaiah doing schoolwork. She enters the space and takes a seat next to him.

Carina: I have a History test coming up. I could use a study partner, not a tutor.

Isaiah's faces widen.

Isaiah: Maybe we can hang out after school at the Dot.

Carina: I would love too.

Scene 10: Degrassi (Halls). Afternoon

Decker approaches Brandon at his locker. Brandon has a smile on his face as he shows Decker his passing grade.

Brandon: I get to play in the game against Bardell.

Decker: That's great.

Decker was nervous. Brandon can sense something was off. Brandon goes into his book bag and hands Decker the bottle of pills.

Brandon: I didn't take any, but I wanted too.

Decker: I know it's hard. You're working through it and that's all that matter.

Decker takes the bottle. Brandon closes his locker. They proceed to walk down the hall.

Scene 11: Degrassi (Halls). Morning

Red approaches Alicia's who is at her locker. He leans against the lockers with a smile.

Red: You look well-rested. I'm hoping things are better.

Alicia closes her locker. She slides down to the floor. Red takes a seat beside her.

Alicia: They are and I have you to thank for that.

Red: I didn't do anything.

Alicia: You noticed that I wasn't okay. And you pushed me to have a conversation with my parents that I was scared to have.

Red: Well you are welcome.

Red smiles. Alicia leans over and kisses him. Red is taken by surprise. She rises from the ground. She extends her hand to help Red. He takes her hand and stands. He pulls her closer and they share another kiss, but a little more passionate.

CLOSING CREDITS

I hoped you enjoyed another chapter.