WHAT IF? - SEASON 5 EPISODE 21 - FELL ON BLACK DAYS (PART 2)
1. Int. Basement. Day.
Bianca is getting ready to start her day. Snake comes down the stairs.
Snake:
We´re all heading out. I can come back and check you at lunch, if you want?
Bianca smiles at him.
Bianca:
That´s okay. I´m gonna spend my day off, trying to get into a better mood for the formal tonight. How I´m not sure yet, but if I stay here by myself I´m sure it won´t help.
Snake:
I´ll explain to Hatzilakos, that you needed today off to process the news of your breast cancer. I know that she´ll be understanding.
Bianca:
Thanks. I´m not sure I could face everyone right now, without running the risk of having a complete breakdown in front of everyone.
Snake:
You´re still sure that you want to go to the formal?
Bianca:
Yeah, I am. It´s probably my last chance of having anything resembling fun for a good while to come.
Snake:
I guess, that´s understandable.
He looks her in the eyes.
Snake:
Did sleeping on it help?
Bianca:
Not really. I´m still as scared of dying today, as I was yesterday. It´s funny because I used to feel like I was invincible and now it feels like I´m the opposite.
Snake:
I know how you feel. When I was given the news, that I had cancer or as I called it "My Sentence", it felt like everything was hopeless and there was no reason to fight on, if I was just going to die anyway.
Bianca:
How did you get away from that mindset?
Snake:
It was mostly thanks to Spike and Emma. I couldn´t bare the thought, that I´d be leaving them alone again. You have to want to defeat it, Bianca, but it´s the people you love that are what gives you the strength to.
She nods in understanding.
Snake:
Which is why I think that you need to tell your friends, sooner rather than later.
Bianca:
I´ll tell them after the Winter Formal is over with. There´s no reason to ruin it for them.
Snake:
You´ll feel like a weight is lifted off you shoulder, when you do. I promise.
They smile sadly at one another.
OPENING CREDITS
2. Int. Classroom. Morning.
Snake is teaching English Class to the Sophomores, among them Drew, Imogen and Dallas. Dallas looks over at Bianca´s empty seat with worry.
Dallas (whispering to Drew):
It has to be bad for a girl to call in sick on the day of the Winter Formal, where she has what is presumably one of the biggest dates of her life so far!
Drew (whispering back to Dallas):
She could just be late.
Dallas (whispering to Drew):
The day after she told Fiona, that she had to leave early for a doctor´s appointment? It´s one thing to stay positive. It´s another thing to deny the truth, when it´s staring you right in the face.
Drew (whispering back to Dallas):
I still think that she would have told you or her friends, if it was anything to worry over.
Dallas (whispering to Imogen):
Maybe it´s something that´s so hard to tell us, that she hasn´t had the courage to yet.
Now Imogen looks worried too and she makes eye contact with Dallas.
3. Int. Hallway. Day:
Imogen is getting some consolation from Fiona.
Imogen:
She wasn´t in class this morning, Fi. What if there really is something seriously wrong with her?
Fiona:
Then I´m sure she´ll tell us in her own time.
Snake comes down the hallway and they stop him to talk to him.
Imogen:
Can I ask you something, Mr. Simpson?
Snake:
Of course you can, Imogen.
Imogen:
Do you know why Bianca isn´t in school today or if she´s still coming to the formal?
Snake gives them a reassuring smile.
Snake:
She´s taking the day off for personal reasons and yes, she´s still planning on going to the formal. I wish that I could tell you more than that, but I know that she wants to do so herself.
Fiona:
Thanks, Mr. Simpson.
Snake:
She´s lucky to have a pair of friends like you two, who care so much about her. I know that she appreciates it, even if she won´t always say it.
He leaves her and Imogen tries to calm down.
Imogen:
Okay, that helped a little! It´s still gonna be on my mind all day though!
Fiona makes a quick decision.
Fiona:
What if there´s a way for me to help you take your mind on it, that could also be kind of fun?
Imogen:
I´m listening!
Imogen looks intrigued.
Fiona:
We have this family get together every year and this year it´s today.
Imogen:
Why haven´t you told me about it until now?
Fiona:
I didn´t know whether to ask you to come or not and I didn´t want your feelings to get hurt, in case I didn´t.
Imogen:
Why wouldn´t you?
Fiona:
Because I know that it wouldn´t be your kind of scene with all those stuffy rich folk. It would make my parents and other members of my family, who worry about me, happy though, to see that I´ve made a friend like you.
Imogen:
If that´s the reason, then of course I´ll come! That goes without saying.
Fiona smiles to herself and looks glad with her decision.
4. Montage - Music: "Change" by Blind Melon
We see Bianca giving Fitz the news outside of Lakehurst. Even for a tough guy like him, it´s enough to visibly leave him shaken and the two of them hug. She tries her hardest not to cry in front of him, but it´s clearly a tough battle for her.
Standing a small distance away from the school and alone now, she gives up the fight and starts crying uncontrollably.
She comes up to a Catholic church and has to spend a few seconds making up her mind on whether or not to go in.
We see her talking to a priest, who offers her all of the comfort, he can. It looks like it helps a little for her.
We see her trying to cheer herself up by passing by an elementary school, where the kids are having recess. Seeing their carefree joy of life makes her smile to herself. She makes eye contact with a little girl, who waves at her with a big smile on her face. Bianca waves back at her and becomes nostalgic for the days when she was like that little girl.
We finish on her trying to pick out the best outfit she can for her upcoming date, looking ready to deal with the evening might bring her.
5. Int. Coyne Mansion. Evening.
Fiona is showing Imogen around and Imogen looks very impressed. There´s lots of other party guests there, including Declan who´s talking to some relatives of his with his girlfriend Tinsley, a pretty 16 year old blonde girl.
Imogen:
I would get lost five times a day, if I lived here!
Fiona giggles.
Imogen:
Are these all your relatives?
Fiona:
Most of them. We have a very big family.
Imogen:
No kidding!
Fiona:
There´s my parents. Just be yourself and you´ll be okay.
Imogen:
It´s not like I can be anyone else!
Fiona:
Which is exactly why I love you so much! There´s nothing fake about you and once they see that, they´ll like you as much as I do.
Imogen smiles at Fiona´s flattery.
The come over to Fiona´s parent´s, who are enjoying their own party.
Fiona:
Mom, dad, this is the friend that I´ve been telling you about.
Fiona´s Mom:
So this is the famous Imogen! It´s so nice to finally meet you!
Imogen:
I wouldn´t exactly call myself famous!
Fiona´s Dad:
You are around this house, since Fiona can´t seem to talk about anything besides you these days.
Fiona:
That´s not entirely true! I can still talk about fashion as well!
Fiona´s Mom:
Okay, so there is that! Just know that we´re very glad that Fiona has found such a wonderful friend in you. It hasn´t always been easy for her to make them in the past.
Imogen:
Me neither. Maybe that´s why we´re such a perfect match.
Imogen and Fiona smile at each other, as Declan and Tinsley come over to them.
Declan:
Don´t think you can hog our parents for yourself all evening, Fiona!
Fiona:
I´m not trying to, I swear!
Fiona´s Dad:
We should go and mingle, Honey. We´ll talk later, kids!
Fiona and Declan´s parents go off to mingle. Tinsley shoots Imogen and Fiona a mean girl look.
Tinsley:
Hi, Fiona.
Fiona:
Hello, Tinsley. Enjoying the party?
Tinsley:
It´s swell! Who´s your friend?
Imogen:
I´m Imogen and I can speak for myself, without Fiona needing to answer for me!
Declan and Fiona can´t help smiling at Imogen´s answer and even Tinsley can´t help smiling a little to herself.
Tinsley:
So you are real, unlike all of those other friends she used to make up, so no one would know how lonely she was?
Imogen:
There´s no shame in it. I used to do the same.
Tinsley:
Why doesn´t that surprise me?
Declan:
There, Tinsley! Imogen isn´t like us. She grew up poor and having to take care of her dad, after her parents divorced, or at least that´s what Fiona tells me.
Fiona:
It´s not everyone, who has a huge trust fund like you do to fall back on, Tinsley. I´ve found out that I like life among those who don´t a lot more, than life around those who do.
Tinsley:
I´m just glad you´ve finally accepted, that the bottom of society is where you belong, Fiona.
Fiona and Tinsley shoot each other murder eyes.
Imogen:
Then again if the top is full of girls like you, Tinsley, I´d prefer life at the bottom too.
Declan is trying his best not to laugh, so funny is it for him to see Tinsley getting a taste of her own medicine.
6. Int. Coyne Mansion (later). Evening.
Fiona is smiling widely and looking proud of Imogen.
Fiona:
Where were you two years ago, when she was making every school day so terrible for me, that I didn´t want to go to school at all anymore?
Imogen:
Living here!
Fiona:
I sure could have used you back then!
Imogen:
Has she always been like that?
Fiona:
Ever since we were kids. Her mom is worse, believe it or not!
Imogen:
How is that even possible? Although I guess it would explain, why she is like she is.
Fiona:
Don´t feel sorry for her. The way you put her down just now, is the same as what she does to dozens of girls every week at Vanderbilt Prep.
Imogen:
We should get going soon. I´m gonna use the restroom before we leave.
Fiona:
Try not to get lost!
Imogen:
If I´m not back in ten minutes, you have my permission to come and look for me!
Imogen leaves her and soon after, Declan comes over to her.
Declan:
That was the greatest thing I´ve seen all year!
Fiona:
If you hate Tinsley as much as I do, why are you dating her?
Declan:
Let´s just say, I have a plan that I needed her to be a part of.
Fiona:
Is it something mean? You know that I would usually be highly against it, but when it comes to her ...
Declan:
You´ll find out soon enough!
She looks intrigued, but doesn´t ask more into it.
7. Int. Coyne Mansion Hallway. Evening.
Imogen is trying to find the bathroom and is indeed a little lost.
Tinsley (off screen):
If you´re looking for the bathroom, the line starts here.
Imogen sees Tinsley standing by the bathroom door, that´s locked and walks over to her.
Tinsley:
There are two more in this house, but it would take longer to walk over there, than it would to wait here. A girl with your sharp tongue would fit like a glove at Vanderbilt.
Imogen:
I´m not usually like that. It´s only when bitchy girls like you try to start something, that it comes out in me.
Tinsley:
If I wasn´t like this, I wouldn´t have survived there. I´m glad for Fiona, that she got away from that whole scene. It wasn´t for her and she´s clearly doing a whole lot better here, than she was the last time I saw her.
Imogen looks like she´s warming up to her a little, since she said those nice things about Fiona.
Imogen:
She never tells me anything about that time of her life.
Tinsley:
It´s probably not my place to tell you, but I think you should know. There were a lot of rumors at Vanderbilt, that Fiona likes girls. As in likes them, likes them!
Imogen looks surprised.
Imogen:
Are you telling me, that she´s gay?
Tinsley:
They could just have been rumors, but you know what they say: Where there´s smoke, there´s usually fire.
The door to the bathroom opens. A woman comes out from it and passes by them.
Tinsley:
You can go first. I can wait another minute.
Imogen:
Thanks. I´ll try not to be long.
Tinsley:
Aren´t you just an angel, Imogen?
Imogen heads into the bathroom and closes the door behind herself. Tinsley smiles deviously to herself, that she outed Fiona to her and hopefully (in Tinsley´s warped mind) ruined their friendship.
8. Ext. Snake and Spike´s House. Evening.
Dallas has picked Bianca up for the formal and even compared to usual, she´s an absolute knockout to look at. He´s not looking too shabby either in his suit, but it´s hard for him to keep up with how good she´s looking.
Dallas:
I´m gonna be the envy of every guy there!
Bianca:
Isn´t that why you asked me out? To impress you homeboys?
Dallas:
I asked you out, because I wanted get to know you better. If their jaws drop at the sight of you, I´ll take it as an extra bonus.
Bianca:
You´re not looking too bad yourself, you know?
Dallas:
Is everything okay with you? You weren´t in school today?
Bianca:
I had a personal thing, that couldn´t wait. It´s a long and boring story.
Dallas:
In that case, I won´t ask again. I only want you to have the best time you can tonight, so you´ll consider going on a second date with me.
Bianca:
If you play your cards right, it could end that way. Who knows what the future will bring?
They smile at one another and he´s none the wiser to the deeper meaning in what she said.
9. Int. Auditorium. Evening.
The Winter Formal is kicking and everyone is enjoying themselves by the looks of it. Among them are Fiona and Imogen, who are dancing to "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.
Fiona:
That Taylor Swift girl knows how to put a pop song together.
Imogen:
If she´s lucky, she´ll end up having a second hit, before she fades into obscurity with all of the other one or two hit wonders!
Fiona:
I wouldn´t bet entirely against it!
They´re glad to see Bianca arrive with Dallas on her arm and walk over to them.
Imogen:
I´m so glad, you came!
Bianca:
I said that I would, didn´t I?
Fiona:
We were just worried because you weren´t at school today.
Bianca:
It´s a long story, that I promise I´ll explain to you some other time. Right now, all I want to do is forget about everything else and have the best time, I can.
Dallas:
Does that start with a bit of dancing?
Bianca:
It sure does! Have fun, girls. We´ll talk more later.
Bianca and Dallas head off to the dance floor. Imogen looks relieved that Bianca appears to be fine.
Imogen:
Thank God! I´ve been so worried all day!
Fiona:
Is that why you didn´t say anything on the ride over here?
Imogen shakes her head and smiles nervously.
Imogen:
No, that was about something completely different!
Fiona:
What was it? You can tell me anything, Imogen. I hope you´re aware of that.
Imogen:
I am, don´t worry.
Imogen stares Fiona in the eyes and tries to gage if Tinsley could be right about her.
10. Int. Coyne Mansion. Evening.
Declan is doing some networking among his family members, while Tinsley follows him around.
Declan:
Let me know if you need an intern this summer, uncle Nick. It would look great on my college resume!
His uncle Nick walks away from them.
Tinsley:
You are so fake, through and through, Declan!
Declan:
Like you´re not? Do you think I don´t know what you´ve been doing with the captain of the basketball team and the captain of the Lacrosse team, for that matter? Do they even know, that they´re not the only one, you´re cheating on me with?
Tinsley:
It´s not like it´s any different, than what you do on a regular Friday night like this one.
Declan:
I have to do something to get your stench off me!
She smiles to herself and he gets a cocky look on his face.
Declan:
You find that funny?
Tinsley:
No, but I think it´s funny that your sister will be a friendless loser again before long! I told Imogen your sister´s dirty little secret.
He nods at her in fake admiration.
Tinsley:
I´m afraid that poor little Fiona will be crying herself to sleep with a bottle again tonight, after her new found friend tells her to take a hike.
Declan:
You are so predictable, that it´s nothing short of fantastic!
Tinsley´s smile fades and turns into a frown quickly.
Tinsley:
Don´t tell me that Imogen girl is gay too?
Declan:
I knew that you would out Fiona to Imogen, the first chance you got, if you thought that it could hurt me! Well, guess what! Now Fiona can finally have a real girlfriend, who she doesn´t have to hide who she is with and will love her for who she is without question! You´ve done my sister the biggest favor, you possibly could have without knowing it!
Tinsley sulks that her plan backfired on her, while Declan basks in his victory.
Declan:
If it´s any consolation, I´m also breaking up with you. Vanderbilt will have to do without me for at least the next semester.
Tinsley:
Don´t tell me, you´re actually moving here to join your sister at that sad excuse for a school, she goes to!
Declan:
It´s done wonders for her. Maybe it´ll do the same for me.
Tinsley storms off in anger, as he smiles to himself.
11. Int. Gymnasium. Evening.
Bianca is dancing away with Dallas like there´s no tomorrow to Beyonce´s "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)" and is spending a lot of energy in doing so. She clearly decided to forget all of her troubles for the evening though and in stead go all out. When she does a spin though, it makes her dizzy and she stops dancing. Dallas look concerned for her.
Dallas:
Do you want to sit down for a little while? I could use a small leg rest break too.
Bianca:
No, I´m okay!
Dallas:
Are you sure?
Bianca:
I just need to dance it away!
She goes back to dancing at the same energy level she did before and Dallas tries to put it out of his mind too, but it isn´t something she can keep up for long, before she starts to feel dizzy again, this time so much that she collapses into his arms. His face is full of shock, as he holds her and her eyes start to go blank.
Dallas:
Bianca, are you okay?
Bianca:
Dallas ...
People around her quickly stops dancing and the DJ turns the music off, as her friends come over to check on her.
DJ:
Hey! We have a medical emergency down here!
Several teachers run to check on Bianca, who looks like she´s passed out.
12. Ext. Degrassi. Evening.
Bianca is being helped into an ambulance and has an oxygen mask on. She waves goodbye to Imogen and Fiona, who try to look brave for her, as they wave back to her. Dallas sees her being loaded safely in on a stretcher and walks over to Imogen and Fiona.
Dallas:
I´m riding with the ambulance. I´ll text you with where we´ve gone and all of that.
Imogen:
Thanks, Dallas.
Fiona:
We´ll take a cab in a little while. I think we both need to let this sink in for a moment, before we do anything.
Dallas:
Okay. I´ll see you in a little while.
He walks away from them and gets into the back of the ambulance, before it drives off. Fiona takes a deep breath and tries to be strong for Imogen, who´s understandably very shaken up.
Fiona:
What an evening, huh?
Imogen:
This wasn´t how I hoped, it would end.
Fiona:
They said that she will be okay.
Imogen:
They don´t take people to the hospital for nothing! You saw her, she was completely out of it.
Fiona:
We have to stay positive for her, Imogen. That´s what she needs from us right now.
Imogen nods in agreement, then looks Fiona deep in the eyes.
Imogen:
Fiona, I like you.
Fiona:
I like you too, Imogen.
Imogen:
You don´t get what I´m saying. I´m telling you that I have a crush on you and that more than anything, I want to kiss you right now.
Fiona looks very pleased.
Fiona:
Funny, that´s exactly the same way I feel about you!
Imogen:
You said earlier tonight, that I´m never fake about who I am. That isn´t who I am all time time yet, but it´s who I strive to become and it starts right now.
She steps up close to Fiona and they put their arms around the waist of one another.
Imogen:
I´m gonna count down from five and if you don´t want me to kiss you, all you have to do is say stop. Five ...
She doesn´t get any further, before Fiona kisses her. Within moments, the two girls are completely lost in one another and locked in a deep, passionate kiss.
13. Int. Hospital Room. Evening.
Fiona, Imogen and Dallas come in to the room, where Bianca is lying in a hospital bed looking a little worse for wear. She musters a small smile for them though.
Imogen:
Hi. Is this where I´ll be visiting you from now on?
Bianca:
Nah, they´re just keeping me for observation the night over. I´ll be picked up by my foster parents in the morning.
Dallas:
That´s great to hear.
Fiona:
It´s nothing serious then?
Bianca:
It is, I´m afraid. Guys, I have breast cancer.
Her friends react in different ways. Dallas with disbelief and Fiona and Imogen with shock.
Dallas:
No, there has to be some mistake!
Bianca:
There isn´t.
Imogen:
I can´t believe this!
She gets a big supportive hug from Fiona.
Bianca:
Try not to get too upset, Imogen. I don´t plan on dying for a long time to come!
Fiona:
We´ll help you however we can.
Bianca:
Thanks. I´m probably gonna need it.
Dallas starts to finally accept it and has to lean against a wall for support.
Dallas:
Me too. There´s no way I´m letting you go through this alone.
Bianca:
This is bad, but it´s not going to be the end of me! Because if that damn cancer thinks it´s gonna take my ass down, it´s got another thing coming to it!
Bianca looks ready for the fight ahead.
CLOSING CREDITS
THERE´S ONLY ONE MORE EPISODE LEFT IN THIS SEASON AND IN CASE YOU´RE CURIOUS, IT´S A VERY EMMA AND JT HEAVY EPISODE. I´M SURE THERE´S MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN MISSING THEM THIS SEASON, SO IT´S TIME TO DO SOMETHING TO RECTIFY IT.
ANYWAY, THANKS FOR READING AND I HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU GUYS AGAIN IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!