AUTHORS NOTE:
Hello All! I do really appreciate the continued support. Degrassi: The New Era premiered in 2015. This is the 5th year doing this FanFic. With that said I do appreciate any feedback that you provide. I want this story to continue and hope that you too are enjoying it.
Thank you for being on this journey!
Degrassi: The New Era
Season Five
Episode 15
"Mercy"
Scene 1: Outside Degrassi. Afternoon
Students start to flood outside the school with excitement as the school day is finally over. Manny exits the school to see Ke'Anna waiting by the steps.
Manny: Hey. I did not know you still attended Degrassi.
Ke'Anna starts to smile as she rolls her eyes at the comment.
Ke'Anna: I just been dealing with a lot, and I just needed to keep my head down for a while. Not bring attention to me now that the whole school knows I'm pregnant.
Manny: If you ever need anyth—
Luke: Aye! If it isn't the main man Manny!
The familiar voice takes Manny by surprise. Luke appears in front of Manny and Ke'Anna. He starts to check out Ke'Anna, licking his lips. He was interested in her.
Luke: How you doing, beautiful? Please don't tell me someone as sexy as you is dating someone like Mannyboy here.
Ke'Anna forces a smile as Manny steps in front of her. Luke took the hint and took a step back.
Manny: Luke, why are you here?
Luke rubs his hands together and smiles.
Luke: I just got back in town. I'm trying to get my bearings, you know? And what better way to do that than with my number one guy.
Manny glances at Ke'Anna standing behind him with a disapproving stare.
OPENING CREDITS
Scene 2: The Dot. Afternoon
Marcel and Kenzie enter the Dot. Marcel notices Nolan and Amina at one of the booths. He becomes shy and tries to hide behind Kenzie.
Kenzie: What are you doing, Mar?
Marcel: Nolan is here. He's the most gorgeous boy at Degrassi, but he's in grade 12. I'm sure he hasn't doesn't know I exist.
Kenzie turns around and faces Marcel. She stands him up straight.
Kenzie: You need to get it together. How about we just go over there.
Marcel: I can't…
Kenzie: And why not?
Marcel: He's coming this way.
Marcel turns Kenzie around as Nolan and Amina make their way towards the two of them.
Nolan: Hey…You're Mar…
Marcel: I'm Marcel.
Nolan: Right. I saw you two perform at the tribute to Brandon. We're doing an LGBTQIA open mic at Above the Dot this Friday. You should perform.
Nolan proceeds to exit. Amina hands Marcel a flyer.
Amina: I saw how you looked at him. You should come.
Amina smiles as she exits the Dot. Marcel looks at Kenzie as they both shriek in excitement.
Scene 3: Degrassi (Media Labs). Afternoon
Isaiah makes his way past the media lab, but he notices Carina inside working. He makes his way inside.
Isaiah: You didn't tell me you were going to be here late.
Carina: I just wanted to finish this assignment for Mrs. Morton.
Isaiah takes a seat in the chair next to Carina. He grabs onto her hands. Carina becomes worried as the energy becomes more serious.
Carina (nervously): Are you okay? You look serious.
Carina chuckles uncertainly.
Isaiah: Carina…
Carina: Isaiah…
Isaiah: I'm ruining the moment.
Isaiah lets go of Carina's hands. He stands up and begins to pace back and forth.
Carina: If you have something to say, then just say it.
Isaiah takes another seat and resumes holding Carina's hand.
Isaiah: Who would have thought that seven months ago asking you on a study date would turn into this relationship. I'm so happy when I'm with you. I guess I have known this from the moment I laid eyes on you, but I was scared to say it because I might scare you away.
Carina: Say what?
Isaiah: I love you, Carina Luciani.
K.C enters the media lab. Carina and K.C lock eyes. She turns her attention back to Isaiah, who is waiting for a response or any acknowledgment. Carina is torn between the two.
K.C: My bad. I didn't know anyone was in here.
Carina: I got to go.
Carina quickly gathers her things and storms towards the door.
K.C: Carina, can we please talk?
Carina (silently): No!
Carina brush past K.C. Isaiah looks over at him as they both are confused about what's going on.
Scene 4: The Ravine. Night
Manny makes his way through the crowd of people congregating at the Ravine. He spots Luke in the group, drinking and flirting.
Luke: Look who decided to join the party!
The crowd begins to cheer for Manny as Luke hands him a cup filled with liquor. Manny takes the cup and looks at it. He is tempted to drink.
Luke: What's wrong? Don't tell me you've gone soft on me.
Manny: I'm sober now.
Manny tries to hand the cup back to Luke.
Luke: It's just one drink, Manny. I'm sure you candle handle that… can't you?
Luke raises his glass and continues to drink as he walks away, leaving Manny alone with his temptation.
Scene 5: Degrassi (Hallways). Morning
Carina, Kenzie, and Marcel enter the school.
Kenzie: I can't believe Isaiah said he loves you. That is so romantic.
Carina: I couldn't say it back. Does that make me a bad person?
They notice Isabella and K.C having a conversation. Isabella was becoming upset.
Marcel: What do you think they're arguing about?
Isabella slaps K.C then storms towards her friends.
Isabella (voice breaking): K.C just broke up with me.
She goes into Carina's arm and begins crying. Carina turns to Marcel and Kenzie, who was speechless. In the distance, K.C turns around, watching as Isabella is comforted by Carina. Carina notices and becomes overwhelmed with guilt.
Carina takes Isabella away as Kenzie glances over at K.C with a smile. This was Kenzie's opening. Marcel steps in front of her. He notices Nolan making his way down the hall.
Marcel: Nolan is coming this way. Should I speak to him? I don't want this to be a Carrie situation with me covered in blood with a touch of embarrassment in front of the whole school.
Kenzie: Stop being a drama queen, Mars. Just talk to him.
Kenzie gives Marcel a push, which leads sends him to Nolan. Nolan starts to smile at him.
Marcel: Sorry.
Nolan (chuckling): It's okay. How are you?
Marcel (awkwardly): You know…just living my best life.
Nolan: I can still count on you to stop by Above the Dot, right? I really would like to hear you sing again.
Hearing those words was music to Marcel's ears.
Marcel: Of course. I wouldn't miss it.
Nolan smiles and proceeds to walk away. Marcel couldn't help but become excited.
Scene 6: Degrassi (Hallways). Morning
Ke'Anna approaches Manny, who is on the ground asleep against his locker.
Ke'Anna (frustrated): Long night, huh?
Manny slowly start to wake up. He rises to his feet and goes into his locker.
Manny: Just stayed up late studying.
Ke'Anna: The alcohol on your breath says otherwise.
Manny tries to explain, but Ke'Anna storms away in disappointment. Manny receives a phone notification. He sees a message from Luke.
Scene 7: Degrassi (The Dot). Afternoon
Carina and Isabella are seated at one of the booths doing their homework. Carina notices Isaiah entering the Dot and quickly ducks trying to hide from him. Isabella turns around to see what was happening.
Isabella: You cannot avoid him forever, Care.
Carina: I'm not avoiding him. He said he loves me, and I just ran away.
Isabella: Are you not in love with Isaiah?
Carina: I think I do, but I don't know. He's the only boyfriend I had. How do I even know what love is supposed to feel like?
Isabella: Could it be that you're in love with a rich bad boy?
Carina is taken by surprise and a brief moment of silence happens between the two. Isabella starts to smile.
Isabella: It's okay. I figured that there was something there when you told me about what happened during the lockdown.
Carina: I don't know how I feel about K.C. There are moments when I see this completely different side to him, but then there are times he's just this typically jock. He's also your boyfriend.
Isabella: He's my ex-boyfriend, and we were never compatible, to begin with.
Carina: I don't want to hurt Isaiah's feelings.
Isabella: Leading him on is also going to hurt his feelings. I have to get home, but think long and hard about this, Carina.
Carina nods as Isabella gathers her things from the table.
Scene 8: The Ravine. Afternoon
Luke is hanging with some friends as Manny begins to approach the group.
Luke: Look who's back.
Manny: Someone important to me thinks that I relapsed.
Luke: Are you blaming me for the drink you had?
Manny: I'm not. I take full responsibility for my actions.
Luke: Listen, you're a buzzkill right now. Are you just here to give me a lecture?
Manny chuckles as he turns his back. He quickly turns around, landing a punch. Luke falls to the ground.
Manny: I'll never know why I risked my sobriety, but thank you for showing me that I've come a long way.
Luke rises to his feet as Manny walks away.
Scene 9: Above the Dot. Night
Marcel and Kenzie make their way up the stairs leading into Above the Dot. They enter the club to see the room filled with teens watching a group perform on stage. They are cheering and singing along with the song.
Marcel's attention goes to Nolan at the refreshment table. He fixes his shirt as he works up the nerve to approach his crush. In the distance, Jordan makes his way over to Nolan carrying a case of drinks. He hands them off to Nolan.
Nolan: Thank you for helping out with this event.
Jordan: This is better than being downstairs with Jack right now.
Nolan tries to hide his excitement.
Nolan: Are you two having issues?
Jordan becomes uneasy.
Jordan: Jack and I broke up. I'm sure you saw Jack and Decker around Degrassi.
Nolan takes hold of Jordan's hand, but Jordan pulls away.
Jordan: We can't. Trust me, I want to, but you're not a rebound for me. I care about you.
Nolan smiles. As Jordan leaves, Marcel approaches the table.
Nolan: You made it!
Marcel: I said I would. I had to make an appearance.
Marcel takes a deep breath and leans in closer to Nolan. Nolan pulls back, surprised by the gesture.
Nolan: Hey. I'm sorry.
Marcel: This is embarrassing. I should go.
Marcel quickly turns around and takes his leave, feeling humiliated.
Scene 10: Degrassi (Athletic Field). Morning
Carina steps onto the athletic field to see a shirtless K.C working out. Her mind starts to deviate as things slow down. K.C grabs his water bottle and makes his way towards Carina. She is seeing everything in slow motion and becomes flustered as he gets closer.
K.C: You needed something?
Carina: I heard about you and Isabella breaking up. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't because of me.
K.C: I wish I could say it wasn't, but it was. You were right, and I don't consider other people's feelings.
Carina: Kaylen…
K.C (chuckling): I'm back to Kaylen, huh? Thought you only said my full name when you hated me.
Carina: I do not hate you.
K.C steps closer, and he looks into Carina's eyes. Carina braces herself. He moves to her ear.
K.C (whispering): I'm ready whenever you are.
K.C smiles and returns to his run.
Scene 11: Degrassi (Hallways). Morning
Manny approaches Ke'Anna locker with a smile.
Manny: I'm sorry.
Ke'Anna closes her locker and faces Manny.
Ke'Anna: I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. You know addiction is a slippery slope. One slip up, and you can go back to being a version of yourself that you didn't like.
Manny: I know… Luke is out of my life for good. I realized that I changed and, at that moment, I made a mistake.
Ke'Anna: The next time you're feeling vulnerable, please call me. I'm here for you.
Ke'Anna and Manny could sense something was changing between them.
Manny: Walk you to class?
Ke'Anna nods as the two proceeds down the hall.
CLOSING CREDITS
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