LAKEHURST HIGH - EPISODE 16 - BACK IN THE REAL WORLD

Disclaimer: I don´t own Degrassi or the characters from it.

1. Int. Lobby. Day.

Lucy and Wheels are waiting impatiently in the lobby.

Wheels:

This is exactly the kind of news, I needed.

Lucy:

Are you starting to get used to it?

Wheels:

Little by little.

They smile, when they see LD coming towards them, with her dad pushing her wheelchair. LD is walking though, even if it´s costing her a lot of energy.

Lucy:

Look at you, walking girl!

LD:

It´s just for show. I can´t do it for very long, at a time.

LD´s Dad:

Do you need to sit?

LD:

Yeah, I´d better.

She sits down in the chair and relaxes.

LD´s dad:

Can I get you a snack from the store for the ride home?

LD:

Some gummy bears would be nice.

LD´s dad:

I´ll be right back. It´s nice to see you again, Lucy. You too, Wheelsl

He leaves them.

Wheels:

I wouldn´t mind getting that kind of service!

Lucy:

What´s the verdict?

LD:

I´m in re-mission! I can finally have my life back!

Her friends look happy for her.

OPENING CREDITS

2. Int. LD´s Room. Evening.

LD is working on retraining her leg muscles with a small weight lifting machine. Wheels is helping to motivate her.

Wheels:

You can do it, LD! Five more!

LD:

I can´t! My legs are too tired!

She gives up and tries to catch her breath. Wheels looks proud of her.

Wheels:

That´s three more than yesterday. You´re getting there.

LD:

I need to lie down.

Wheels:

Sure.

He helps her get over to her bed and gently helps her lie down.

Wheels:

Do you need an extra pillow?

LD:

No, it´s fine.

Wheels:

If there´s anything, I can do ...

LD:

Lie here and talk to me.

He lies down next to her.

Wheels:

Have I told you, that I´m proud of you today?

LD:

A few times.

They look at each other and smile.

Wheels:

Well, I am. You kicked cancer´s ass! That´s pretty damn tough!

LD:

I did have the help of some good doctors, you know?

Wheels:

They weren´t the ones, who had to suffer through it.

They make eye contact and have a moment, that nearly ends in a kiss, until they stop themselves.

Wheels:

LD, I can´t.

He gets up.

Wheels:

I´ll see you tomorrow, okay?

He leaves her. She looks up at the ceiling and wonders to herself.

3. Int. Hallway. Day.

Wheels is talking to Snake.

Snake:

Why didn´t you kiss her? You´re young, single and ready to mingle, enjoy it.

Wheels:

It´s not that I don´t like LD.

Snake:

Is it the cancer thing? It´s not like AIDS. It can´t spread through physical contact.

Wheels:

I know, but it felt like, I was taking advantage of her. This isn´t a girl, I´ve just met, it´s LD. I care about her.

Snake:

Doesn´t she have the right to have a boyfriend, like most of her girlfriends do?

Wheels:

Of course, she does! I want her. She deserves to be happy, with everything life has put her through already.

Snake:

Why not give her that, if you can? You can always pretend to like her.

Wheels considers it. Michelle comes over to them.

Michelle:

You can come over later, if you still want me to help you with French.

Snake:

Sure, when?

Michelle:

I´ll be home from work around eight.

Snake:

I´ll be there.

They smile at each other. He can´t help himself from checking her out from behind, as she walks away from him. Wheels shakes his head at him.

Wheels:

You want that girl so badly, that it almost hurts to look at!

Snake:

She just a friend. Anyway ...

Wheels:

You´re going away to college, blah, blah, blah! You´ve said it a hundred times. Have you said it enough times, to convince yourself yet? She wants it, you want it, so just do it already!

Snake:

Do you think, she does?

Wheels:

If she was a virgin, I wouldn´t think it. But, we all know that she´s tried a thing or two, know what I mean? Face it, Snake. She´s your one chance to get laid, before school ends.

Snake considers it.

4. Int. Classroom. Day.

Lucy is talking to the twins.

Lucy:

Party time at my house is on hold for a while. My dad´s business is in trouble. I overheard him telling my mom, that they have to fire some of the staff.

Erica:

What went wrong?

Lucy:

It´s a long story. It means, that we´ll have to scrape by for a while.

Heather:

I thought, that your parents had plenty of money.

Lucy shakes her head.

Lucy:

My dad´s business hasn´t exactly been thriving. I´m starting to wonder, if they even can afford to send me to college.

Erica:

I´m sorry.

Heather:

Me too. You could work your way through college. Lots of students do.

Lucy:

Maybe, it´s not as bad, as I think.

She looks worried.

5. Int. Cafeteria. Day.

Alexa and Michelle are eating lunch together.

Alexa:

Can you believe, that this our 27th to last lunch in here?

Michelle:

I wasn´t keeping count, but you´re right. This year has just flown by in instant, hasn´t it?

Alexa:

And without the two of us having a single fight!

Michelle:

I think, that´s a first!

Snake catches Michelle´s eye.

Alexa:

Are you gonna make one last go at it?

Michelle:

Tonight. After this, I won´t have time for much else, except for school, work and homework.

Alexa:

Are you sure, it a good idea?

Michelle:

It´s just sex. Once you´ve tried it and feel free about it, it´s not that big of a deal anymore. Doing it with him, would be like putting the perfect bow and arrow on High School.

Alexa:

I hope, that you know, what you´re getting yourself into!

Michelle:

I´m not getting myself into anything! If he says yes, that´s great! Pants off and off to happy land we go!

Alexa giggles.

Alexa:

Off to happy land. I´m gonna steal that one from you!

Michelle:

Be my guest. If he doesn´t say yes, then we part as friends, we say nice to have known you and the best of luck with your future. There´s nothing to lose.

Alexa doesn´t look convinced.

6. Int. Lucy´s House. Evening.

Lucy is sitting on the couch between her parents (yes, we finally get to see them!), who look very serious.

Lucy:

We´re broke?

Lucy´s Mom:

We still have some stock, we can sell. But we´re close to it.

Lucy´s Dad:

Business this winter wasn´t anywhere near, what we hoped. The bank is demanding to see money and if we don´t pay them, then they can take the stores as collateral. In that case, we´ll be left with nothing.

Lucy:

Is it really that bad?

Lucy´s Dad:

Can you handle me being completely honest with you?

Lucy nods, but looks worried over, what she´s about to hear.

Lucy:

I´m old enough, Dad. I can take it.

Lucy´s Dad:

The stores and the company behind them, that we own, is close to 10 million dollars in debt, as we speak.

Lucy looks shocked.

Lucy:

10 million! How are you ever gonna pay that back?

Lucy´s Dad:

If we closed down, then they would sell off the inventory for as much, as they can get for it. We´d be left with the rest, to pay off ourselves. Which would probably take the rest of our lives. We can still turn it around. I´m in talk with some investors, who could make the difference.

Lucy´s Mom:

We didn´t want to worry you. I know, it´s a lot to take in.

Lucy:

10 million! What about college?

Lucy´s Mom:

You should look into a community college.

Lucy gets mad and stands up.

Lucy:

Community college! I´ve been accepted to Banting, I can´t turn that down!

Lucy´s Mom:

We can´t afford to pay the kind of tuition, they charge. We´re really sorry.

Lucy´s Dad:

You can still get a good education here.

Lucy:

It won´t be the same. I´ve wanted to go there, for as long, as I can remember.

Lucy´s Mom:

It´s no one´s fault. These things happen.

Lucy:

No, they don´t just happen! Can you stop being full of it and try being honest, for one time in your life?

Her dad stands up and tries to calm her down.

Lucy´s Dad:

Because you´re disappointed, doesn´t mean, that you get to talk to us like that.

Lucy:

Why shouldn´t I? You two have been idiots by spending money, that you knew, you didn´t have! Who gives a damn about tomorrow, as long as we´re having fun today! That´s how it´s always been with you! Did you ever stop for a second to consider, how it would affect my future?

Lucy´s Mom:

We don´t expect you to understand the intricate nature of economics, but can you please try?

Lucy:

I understand perfectly! You´re two have behaved like a pair of selfish, horrible parents, ever since you had me. I´m going to LD´s. At least, I can stand to look at her!

Lucy´s Dad:

Lucy, please. We have to talk about this.

Lucy:

You´ve said enough! I´ve had enough of of you. I´m never coming back here!

She grabs her coat, storms out the door and slams it behind herself.

7. Int. Michelle´s Apartment. Evening.

Michelle and Snake are studying, while drinking a bottle of red wine.

Snake:

Je ... something, something, something!

Michelle:

How did you guess?

They laugh and toast, before each taking a sip.

Snake:

I like the addition of the French wine.

Michelle:

It adds to the authenticity, don´t you think?

Snake:

If I´d know, then I would have brought a baguette.

She puts her glass away and puts her hand on his leg.

Michelle:

When you asked me to study, you didn´t just mean study, did you?

He gets excited and drinks the rest of his glass. He tries to put his glass on the table, but misses it, because he´s too focused on Michelle. It falls on the floor and shatters.

Snake:

Oh! I´m so sorry, Michelle!

Michelle:

It´s no big deal! At least, it was empty.

She takes her shirt off, exposing her bra underneath. Snake is flustered.

Snake:

Shouldn´t we clean that up?

Michelle:

You can clean it up, if you want to. You can also touch these, if you´d rather do that.

She lies down on top of him and he starts to undo her bra. With much trouble, he finally manages to open it.

8. Int. LD´s Room. Evening.

LD and Wheels are talking it out.

Wheels:

If you were, I don´t want to say normal ...

LD:

It´s okay. I get, what you mean.

Wheels:

You still have a big fight ahead of you.

LD:

I know. I guess, having boyfriend troubles on top of it, would be the last thing, I needed.

Wheels:

You´ll get there soon enough. There´s a world of boys out there, who are just waiting for a taste of LD Delacroix!

They smile at each other.

LD:

Will you be one of them?

Wheels:

If I´m still single, then I might just consider it. You were my first date, after all.

LD:

Which pathetically is still the only one, I´ve been on.

Wheels:

Really? No!

LD:

Who was I gonna date? My Dad? I´ve been locked away from the world this past year.

Wheels:

We need to change that, as soon as possible.

LD looks intrigued.

9. Int. LD´s House. Evening.

LD´s dad has let Lucy in.

LD´s Dad:

They´re in LD´s room.

Lucy:

They?

LD´s Dad:

Her and Wheels. He´s been over here a lot, helping her with her rehab.

Lucy smiles to herself.

10. Int. LD´s Room. Evening.

Wheels and LD are still talking, when there´s a knock on the door.

LD:

Come in.

Lucy comes in.

Lucy:

I was half way expecting to find you smooching!

LD:

We sort of came close to yesterday. But we´ve decided to stay friends, for the time being. At least, until I´m cancer free once and for all.

Lucy:

That sounds like a smart decision.

Wheels:

She needs a friend more than a lover right now, anyway.

LD:

What did your parents say?

Lucy:

You won´t believe this. They´re broke.

Wheels and LD look surprised.

Wheels:

Your parents?

Lucy:

I couldn´t believe my ears either. I totally freaked out on them, when they said, that they can´t afford to send me off to Banting. I´´ll have to find a community college near here in stead.

LD tries not to smile, but can´t help it.

LD:

I´m sorry, but it means, that you´ll still be here next year! I would have missed you like crazy.

Wheels:

She wouldn´t have been the only one. Welcome to the broke loser´s club, Lucy.

LD:

It´s not as bad, as it sounds. We actually have a lot of fun in it.

Lucy is a little cheered up.

11. Int. Michelle´s Bedroom. Evening.

Michelle and Snake are lying in bed next to each other.

Snake:

I´m sorry. I guess, you got me a little over excited.

Michelle:

How long is it usually, before you´re re-charged, so to speak?

Snake:

It depends. Look, maybe we shouldn´t do this, just because we can.

Michelle:

Because of your girlfriend? I don´t care about her.

Snake:

It doesn´t bother you?

Michelle:

It´s not like I want a relationship. This is just sex for fun between two friends, who are hot for one another and know, that they might not get the chance again.

Snake:

That would be fine, if it wasn´t my first time. I´m sorry, Michelle. This isn´t gonna happen.

He gets out of bed, covered in a bed sheet.

12. Int. LD´s Room. Evening.

LD, Lucy and Wheels are enjoying themselves. Lucy is taking notes.

Lucy:

What do you want for your appetizer?

LD:

Appetizer? How many meals are me talking?

Wheels:

There should at least be three.

LD:

Let´s stick to three! How about those little mini spring rolls, we always used to have at your birthday parties?

Lucy:

We can do them for an appetizer.

LD:

You can pick the main course, Wheels.

Wheels considers it for a moment.

Wheels:

What about one big ass bastard of a burger?

The girls laugh.

Lucy:

Spoken like a true guy!

LD:

One, who knows what his date likes too.

Wheels:

We want you to have the best night, you possibly can.

LD:

In that case, it would require cheesecake for dessert!

Lucy:

We both have our issues, but you had to fight back from the brink of death. That trumps our small issues any time.

Wheels:

You´re the toughest dude, I know, LD.

LD smiles to herself.

13. Int. Hallway. Day.

Snake is talking Wheels and Joey.

Joey:

You were like "No, why should I date her?", as late as yesterday!

Snake:

I guess, I´m not always the best at practicing, what I preach.

Wheels:

For once, I get to feel morally superior?

Joey:

Hey! Let me get in on that action!

Snake looks annoyed with them.

Snake:

It´s not funny!

Joey:

Not to you! Do you have any idea, how many times you´ve made me feel bad, over something I did?

Wheels:

Or things I did!

Snake:

Didn´t you almost kiss a girl, who has cancer, a few days ago?

Wheels:

I got out of that one in the most honorable and nicest way possible.

Joey:

What are you gonna do, Snake?

Snake:

Talk to her, I guess.

He sees Michelle coming towards them.

Snake:

Wish me luck.

Joey:

Good luck, Romeo.

Snake walks over to Michelle and smiles shyly.

Snake:

Michelle, about yesterday ...

Michelle:

It´s okay. Some things just weren´t meant to be. What about your girlfriend?

Snake:

I´m gonna break it off with her. Start the summer fresh, you know?

Michelle:

Yeah, I do. It´s a shame, that we´re going to separate cities. It could have been fun.

Snake:

It wasn´t about you. I hope, you understand that.

Michelle:

I do. There´s no hard feelings.

She smiles sadly at him, before leaving him. Wheels and Joey comes over to him.

Joey:

Was that the end of the story of Snake and Michelle?

Snake:

I think, it was. We could have had a lot of fun, though, me and that girl!

He catches her eye and they smile at each other from afar.

14. Int. Classroom. Morning.

Lucy is talking to the twins.

Heather:

How are things with you and your parents now?

Lucy:

Better, believe it or not. This whole thing has made us clear the air on a lot of things, that let´s face it, desperately needed cleaning.

Erica:

What about school?

Lucy:

We had a long talk about that. Community college doesn´t sound too appealing, so I´m going a different route. I´m going straight to film school!

She looks pleased with it. The twins get excited.

Heather:

Are you sure, that you´ll get in?

Lucy:

Don´t spread it around, but my mom knows the dean of the school´s wife. She called her last night and I´m already unofficially accepted.

Erica:

Can they afford it?

Lucy:

We should just be able to make it work. This feels even more perfect, than going to college!

Heather:

That´s great! Do you want to go out and celebrate it?

Lucy:

Thanks, but not today. I have other, very important plans.

She smiles to herself.

15. Int. LD´s House. Evening.

LD and Wheels are dressed up for their date, that takes place in the living room. Lucy is dressed as a waiter.

Lucy:

You menu, as is being prepared as we speak, consists of home made mini spring rolls, hand rolled by yours truly, served with a mild soy and chilli sauce, as your appetizer.

LD:

As I requested. Go on.

Lucy:

Your entree will be, as Wheels requested it "One big bastard of a burger"!

They try to stay serious.

Lucy:

With cheesecake for dessert. I´ll be right back with your drink, a vintage 1992 bottle of Pepsi.

She leaves them. They smile at each other.

LD:

You didn´t have to do this for me.

Wheels:

I´m doing it, because I want to. Who knows, if I´ll get the chance, once you´re back to your old self again.

The last freeze frame is them looking happy on their date.

CLOSING CREDITS