Degrassi (Season 16)

by Josh Sheats

The new semester has just begun, with new faces, new beginnings, and new hope. But just as the students are starting to settle into what appears to be a drama free term, the tables are flipped! Rivalries form, lines are crossed, hearts are broken, and everyone is forced to question who they are, and accept that everything they've ever known will change!

2. Best of Me, Part 2

Degrassi Season 16

"Best of Me, Part 2" Episode 2

The power cheer girls are sitting in the bleachers, conversing with each other as they wait for Rose to arrive to begin practice. Rose struts in, her head held high, smiling. She stands in front of the bleachers and claps her hands.

"Alright, ladies," she called to the girls. The girls quickly grow quiet and turn their attention to Rose. "Great work beating Newman at regionals. Now we have an even bigger challenge ahead of us, provincials." Danielle sneaks into the gym. "It's going to take a lot of hard work and practice, but together we can..." Rose notices Danielle sneaking in. "Excuse me! Power cheer practice is closed."
"I know," Danielle stuttered embarrassed. "But, it's just, it's always been my dream to a part of the power cheer squad. I heard you had a couple of openings, so I was just wondering if maybe I could try out." The squad look at each other, trying not to laugh. Danielle blushes and folds her arms in front of her, trying to hide her body. Tori looks sympathetically at her. Rose rolls her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but we're currently not looking for any replacements," Rose barked. "Come back in the fall and when you've toned up." Danielle starts tearing up and runs out of the gym. Rose huffs and turns back to the girls, smiling. "Okay, ladies! Let's warm up!" The girls file down the bleachers. Tori walks over to Rose.
"Um, Rose," Tori started. Rose turns to her. "I think you should let her try out. I mean, I know you're the coach and what you say goes but with Zoë quitting the squad and Jack moving away, we do need at least one more person."
"We will do just fine with the girls we have," Rose responded. "Besides, that girl is not in the shape she needs to be to be able to keep up the demanding routine that I have planned for you girls."
"I understand that," Tori said. "But.."
"But nothing, Sanataria," Rose interrupted. "She is not in shape. End of discussion." Rose begins to turn her back to Tori.
"Wait, maybe you missed judged her," Tori added. Rose turns back to her inquisitively. "Just give her a chance. Maybe she'll surprise you." Rose thinks about this suggestion for a second. She looks back at Tori.
"I'll track her down, and give her a chance," Rose gave in. Tori squeals in excitement and hugs Rose. Rose pinches her face into disgust. "Okay, rule number one, never hug me, no matter how excited you are." Tori pulls away blushing.
"Sorry," Tori apologized.
"Get in line, Sanataria," Rose smiled. Tori smiles and hurries to the line. Rose turns to the girls smiling and shaking her head as the theme music begins to play.

*Enter Theme Music*

SCENE 1

Scotty is sitting in Principal Simpson's office, his mother next to him and Simpson across from them. Simpson is not sure how to start the meeting. Scotty is leaning away in his seat from his mom in fear.

"Scott, your mother has come here to clear any confusion about how you address yourself to the students and staff here at Degrassi," Simpson started. "It seems that you addressed yourself to your homeroom teacher as 'Lindsay.' Is this true?"
"Of course it's true!" Mrs. Adams cut in, speaking for Scotty. "I get a phone call from the school this morning saying that my daughter, 'Lindsay,' has arrived safely to school. I immediately call the school back and tell them that I don't have a daughter and that my son, Scott, arrived safely to school because I am the one who dropped him off. The lady over the phone said that there must be some mistake, and I had to tell her that there is no mistake because my son is clearly a boy." Scotty sinks into his seat.
"I understand your confusion and anger, Mrs. Adams," Mr. Simpson sympathized. "But here at Degrassi, we encourage our students to express themselves in the manner that they feel is best suited for them. Our goal at Degrassi is to make sure that all of our students are free to be who they are in a safe environment."
"I understand that, Mr. Simpson," Mrs. Adams agreed. "And while that might be acceptable for other parents, my son is a boy. Not a girl, and he should act as such. You are born with the gender you are assigned to and that is that. I do not want to come back up here again to discuss this very situation. Do not encourage this perverted behavior."
"I understand, but that goes against school policy," Mr. Simpson continued. "I am not allowed to interfere with student's behavior unless they pose a threat to themselves or students and faculty."
"School Policy?" Mrs. Adams asked angered. "Is it school policy to allow students to engage in sexual intercourse or drug usage on school grounds?"
"Well, no," Mr. Simpson started.
"Then it should be against school policy to allow a boy to identify as a girl," Mrs. Adams interrupted. "My son is wearing make up and is addressing himself as woman! This is not how I have raised my son! We have had problems in past schools with him getting beat up for this kind of behavior, and my husband and I chose Degrassi because you claim to have a zero tolerance policy, and that means not entertaining behavior that would lead to such actions. Now, if I have been misled to believe that you don't tolerate this kind of behavior, then we will find another school for Scott." Mr. Simpson looks helplessly at Scotty who is about to burst into tears. "I don't want to be up here again discussing this same conversation or I will pull my son from this school. Is that understood, Mr. Simpson?" Mr. Simpson sighs.
"Understood, Mrs. Adams," Mr. Simpson agreed quietly. Mrs. Adams turns to her son and glares.
"Wipe that crap off your face and meet me outside," Mrs. Adams demanded as she storms out of the room. Scotty looks at Mr. Simpson who mouths "I'm sorry" to him. Scotty sighs and grabs his back pack. He leaves Simpson's office solemnly.

SCENE 2

Hannah struts down the hall in her gray cardigan and plaid skirt. She's wearing sunglasses and feeling confident. She walks into the classroom where the fashion club is being held and stops in the doorway. She takes off her glasses and grins.

"Bow down, peasants," she ginned. "The queen of fashion has arrived." The club just stares at her. She struts over to her desk and sits down poised. Sophie rushes in and sets her belongings down on the podium and smiles to the club.
"Welcome, everybody, to the fashion club," Sophie greeted. "In this club, we will be designing and creating original looks that will be featured in a fashion show that will be held at the end of the year." Just then, Olivia walks in. The club's attention is turned to her.
"Sorry I'm late," she started walking over to an empty seat next to Hannah. "But it is fashionable." The club chuckles at Olivia's pun except Hannah who rolls her eyes.
"Oh my god, it's Olivia Spicewood," Sophie exclaimed. "Welcome to Degrassi and to our fashion club."
"I figured that I might be a good influence on the club," she announced grinning at Hannah. "Seeing as I'm one of Canada's top fashion icons." Hannah rolls her eyes in disgust.
"Well, welcome to our school," Sophie smiled. "Okay, everyone, let's get busy designing." Sophie begins to walk around the room as Hannah smiles and pulls out some sketches. As she's flipping through her sketch book, Olivia looks over and snickers. Hannah huffs and glares at Olivia.
"What?" Hannah asked angrily
"Nothing," Olivia replied trying to hold back her laughter. "I just hope that you aren't thinking of using those sketches."
"And what if I am?" Hannah snarled.
"I would be embarrassed to design something that is totally last season," Olivia grinned.
"Then what would you suggest?" Hannah asked.
"Well, since the fashion show will be held at the end of the year, I suggest something for spring," Olivia suggested in a snotty tone. "But, do what you want. There's no limit to creativity, I suppose." Hannah sighs in frustration.

SCENE 3

Rose is walking in the hallway when she notices Danielle in front of her. Rose hurries to catch up with Danielle, walking next to her.

"Excuse me," Rose said. Danielle rolls her eyes, not making eye contact with Rose.
"What do you want?" Danielle snarled.
"You were at my practice earlier, asking about trying out," Rose explained.
"Yes, and you totally humiliated me," Danielle added. "If you'll excuse me, I'm trying to get to class in peace."
"Well, I was just going to offer you a chance to try out," Rose said. Danielle stops and turns to face her.
"Is this a joke?" Danielle asked offended.
"I'm serious," Rose smiled. "Look, I'm not making promises, but one of the girls convinced me to let you try out, so are you interested?" Danielle smiles wide.
"Yes, yes, a million times yes!" Danielle exclaimed in excitement.
"Like I said, I can't make promises, but this is your chance to show me what you're made of," Rose explained.
"Yes, I totally understand," Danielle said in excitement.
"Good, meet me in the gym at three o'clock this afternoon," Rose instructed. "Don't be late. And, I'm Rose by the way."
"Oh, I know who you are," Danielle gushed. "I'm Danielle. You're like my biggest idol!"
"Thanks, but flattery is not an influence on your talent," Rose said.
"Oh, I understand," Danielle replied. "I just wanted you to know."
"Well, I appreciate the compliment," Rose smiled. "Three o'clock." Rose struts off as Danielle giggles in excitement.

SCENE 4

Mrs. Adams is waiting outside of Degrassi. She's tapping her foot, impatiently waiting for her son to arrive. Scotty walks out of the front door of the school and sees his mother. He knows that she is angry with him and hesitates. He walks down the stairs as she notices him and starts walking to the parking lot. Scotty trails behind her.

"I cannot believe you would embarrass me like that," she grumbled. "I asked you to for once just be normal."
"You didn't ask me, mum, you told me to be normal" Scotty corrected. His mother scoffs.
"And you couldn't just listen to me for once," she barked back.
"Actually, no mum, I can't," Scotty confessed. "Because I'm not normal. Why don't you understand that?"
"Because what you're doing is not right," she replied.
"You mean it's not right for you," Scotty argued. Mrs. Adams stops abruptly and turns to her son.
"It is not right period," she said sternly. "You are a boy! Start acting like one!" They look at each other for a moment. Mrs. Adams continues walking to the car in a hough. Scotty watches her in shame, tugging on his sleeves.

SCENE 5

Hannah is in the fashion club classroom, bringing to life one of her designs. She is pinning fabric to a mannequin when her sister, Henri, walks in.

"Hannah, Mum's here to pick us up," Henri called from the doorway.
"Tell her I'm going to walk home," Hannah called back, not taking her eyes off of the mannequin.
"You're going to walk home?" Henri asked. "In your favorite heels?"
"Beauty is pain, Henrietta," Hannah grinned still pinning fabric. Henri shakes her head.
"Okay, are you sick?" Henri asked walking over to her sister. Hannah turns to her.
"I'm fine," Hannah smiled. "It's just, if I'm going to out design Olivia, I'm going to need all of the time that I can get."
"Olivia?" Henri asked for clarification. "Olivia Spicewood? The billionaire heiress who's like one of the country's greatest fashion icons? She goes to our school?"
"Yes," Hannah replied with a snotty tone. "She's the worst. She thinks she's over everything and thinks she's better than all because her daddy is loaded. So, I'm trying to show her that money can't buy talent. I'm going to show that rich priss up at the end of the semester."
"Wow, obsessive much?" Henri asked.
"Don't patronize me," Hannah commanded. "This is important to me."
"What, your passion for fashion or your desire to crush some irrelevant snot?" Henri asked. Hannah pauses. "I'll tell mum you'll be home later." Henri leaves as Hannah tries to shake off Henri's comment, continuing to work on the mannequin.

SCENE 6

Rose is sitting on the bleachers in the gym as Danielle walks in confidently with her portable stereo, dressed in her athletic clothing that is somewhat tight on her, ready to try out for power cheer.

"I'm here," Danielle called to Rose. Rose looks at her phone.
"Five minutes early," Rose smiled. "Impressive. Let's see what you've got." Danielle smiles and sets the stereo down and presses play. She gets into her formation and takes a breath as the music begins to play. Rose watches intently. Danielle begins her simple routine. She's doing well but suddenly becomes flustered and begins to miss steps to the routine and ultimately stops. She turns off the stereo as Rose shakes her head.
"Wait, let me start over," Danielle said nervously. She reaches for the play button on the stereo.
"That won't be necessary," Rose interrupted. Danielle looks at her anxious.
"You didn't like it, did you?" Danielle asked tearing up. Rose sighs.
"I'm sorry, Danielle," Rose apologized. "You're just not cut out for power cheer."
"But, it's my dream," Danielle pleaded. "Please, just give me another try. I'll do anything." Rose gets up and walks over to her.
"You're not in shape, and you messed up even the simplest of routines," Rose explained. "I need girls who are going to help me get to the top. You're just not cut out for power cheer." Danielle looks down, trying not to cry. Rose sighs heavily. "But I like your determination, so I'll make you a deal." Danielle looks up curiously, wiping her eyes. "If you promise to work really hard, I'll privately condition you and you can try again in the fall."
"Really?" Danielle smiled.
"Really," Rose replied. "And in the meantime, you can be my assistant. Not assistant coach, but my assistant. That means if the girls need water, you fetch it. If I need you to come over a couple of nights so that I can get feedback on strategy, you're there, no questions asked."
"I promise," Danielle exclaimed. "I will do whatever it takes!"
"Perfect," Rose smiled. "We'll meet at four o'clock here at the gym three times a week for conditioning, and when we're not conditioning, I expect you to be running. Nothing too strenuous at first, but I expect you to work your way up. Got it?"
"Loud and clear," Danielle smiled. "Thank you so much, Rose!" Danielle grabs her stereo and hurries out, excited. Tori passes Danielle on her way out and smiles at Rose, walking towards her.
"Did she make the squad?" Tori asked Rose.
"Not exactly," Rose confessed. "But she's going to work for it and try again in the fall. Plus I sort of made her my gopher."
"And this is going to help her?" Tori asked.
"She'll become familiar with how I work," Rose explained. "We'll see if she's serious about joining the squad."
"Well, you do know best," Tori smiled.
"Of course I do," Rose replied flipping her hair. "I'm Rose Wilson." She struts out smiling as Tori smiles and shakes her head.

SCENE 7

Scotty is at home, looking at himself in the mirror melancholy. "The Real Me" by Natalie Grant plays in the background. He stares at himself, touching his face. He runs his hands down his body. He caresses his chest, then his stomach. He stares at his groins and begins to tear up. He looks over at a blonde wig laying on the bathroom counter. He reaches for it and puts it on. He runs his fingers through the hair and looks back at himself. He smiles through the tears and looks down at the hair that falls past his shoulders. He caresses it gently and looks back at himself one more time, giving in to who he really wants to be.

END EPISODE