SCENE 2

BIANCA is alone in her bedroom. Only her silhouette can be seen, as it is very early morning. She is flicking through her diary and stops to look out the window. Hung up on Joey's TV kiss, sadness and disappointment are evident in her eyes.

BIANCA WRITES in the diary. She jumps suddenly as her phone rings.

BIANCA

Hello?

CHASTITY

Don't you have caller ID?

BIANCA

Chastity, hey…

BIANCA rolls her eyes

CHASTITY

Listen, I just wanted to say I am so so sorry for announcing I was leaving to you and Dawn earlier. You didn't deserve that. I mean actually –

BIANCA

You're not going?

CHASTITY

Laughs

Silly. Of course I am still going. I can't rule at Padua anymore. I guess you'll just have to take my place, or fight Dawn for it, you pick.

BIANCA

I can't believe you are seriously going… It seems like everyone is moving on…

BIANCA seems distant

CHASTITY

Hey, chin up! You'll be peachy perfect again before you know it when you become the most adored girl in Padua High. And I am pretty sure this makes you the youngest Cheerleader ever now…

…I am so proud of how I have made you.

BIANCA ignores the comment.

You really think I can be popular again? The cheer squad pretty much ditched us dry.

CHASTITY

Believe in yourself

PAUSE

Girly, I've got to go now. Kisses!

BIANCA puts the phone down. She perches on the end of her bed and hangs her head low

WHISPERING

She's right. It's about believing.

BIANCA gets up and approaches the window. She leans on the pane with one arm over her head and squints. She sees a boy over the road lay on the grass and looking to the sky. He seems tense. He sits up slowly and rubs a hand over his head. He accidentally catches BIANCA's eye and stares. BIANCA pulls away from the window. She had been caught staring. Not that he was bad to stare at…

BIANCA goes downstairs and into the kitchen WALTER is making lunch

WALTER

Hey sweet, do you want some rice? I'm trying out an oriental lunch for a change!

BIANCA

No thanks Dad…

WALTER

Something's wrong. Is it Joey? Has he done something-

BIANCA

No, it's not Joey. Well yes it is Joey, but he hasn't done anything else. I've just forgotten who I am.

WALTER

Last time I looked you were Bianca Stratford, an esteemed daughter, a stylish dresser and the most successful high school cheerleader there ever-

BIANCA

Dad! Stop it, that's not… all true. I meant that I feel like I've lost everything since Chastity announced her sudden departure.

BIANCA's tone turns sarcastic.

WALTER

Maybe it's time for you to stop following the leader and realise that you have it in you to lead yourself.

BIANCA

You sound like Kat.

WALTER

There is a reason for that.

BIANCA

Hey, and it also rhymes. Thanks Dad. I'll work on it.

WALTER

And you'll do well. I know you will. You'll storm that school tomorrow baby girl.

BIANCA hugs WALTER before taking a prawn cracker from WALTER's lunch and heads back upstairs.

She stops on the stairs.

BIANCA

Wait, where is Kat?

WALTER

Out.

Where has Kat gone? You tell me! I'd like to know what you think.

And if you are reading this, then I'll do a silly authors note and thank each of you.

Hopefully you don't mind an English person writing an American show. But hey, Shakespeare wrote the tale originally.

Thank you!