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!

4. Wildfire

Degrassi Season 16

"Wildfire" Episode 4

The next Monday at school, Miles is wandering the hallway, sulking. Milo catches up to Miles in the hallway.

"Where have you been?" Milo asked. "You dipped out on the party without telling me, and then you ignore me all weekend. Miles, what's going on with you?"
"Nothing, Milo, stop freaking out," Miles replied annoyed.
"Are you being serious?" Milo asked. "You've been acting weird ever since that guy, Bentley, started coming to Degrassi."
"It's nothing to freak out about," Miles grumbled.
"Then why won't you tell me what's wrong?" Milo asked.
"Because you don't need to know," Miles snapped. Milo looks at him in disappointment. Bentley rounds the corner and walks up to Milo and Miles. Miles sighs in frustration.
"Looks like I walked in at the perfect time," Bentley grinned. Bentley breathes in deeply. "Smells like break up city to me." Milo looks at Bentley confused.
"What are you talking about?" Miles asked.
"What, you haven't told your dream boy?" Bentley asked.
"Miles, what is he talking about?" Milo asked.
"I'm surprised you don't know, Milo," Bentley stated.
"Know what?" Milo asked confused.
"Well, it seems that after Miles here was informed of his parents remarriage, he dipped out for some lip action with a dark haired beauty behind the Dot." Milo glares at Miles.
"What is he talking about?" Milo asked angry.
"Tell him the truth, Miley," Bentley egged as Miles glares at him.
"Look, it's not what you think, Milo," Miles said. Bentley snickers. Miles scowls at Bentley. "Don't you have something better to do than to try to ruin my life?"
"Please," Bentley scoffed. "You need my help to ruin your life. You can do that all by yourself." Miles clenches his fist in anger. "Once a screw up, always a screw up. You'll never get it right." Miles snaps and punches Bentley in the face. Bentley falls backwards but stays on his feet.
"Miles!" Milo yelled. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to shut this prick ass up," Miles growled. Mr. Simpson appears around the corner and looks at Bentley then at Miles, still seeing Miles fist clenched.
"Miles Hollingsworth, my office, now," Mr. Simpson demanded. Miles huffs in anger. Milo looks at him with concern. Bentley wipes his lip and glares at Miles.
"Don't hate the messenger just because you can't keep your life in check," Bentley growled. They stare each other down and Bentley nudges Miles out of the way. Miles watches him walk way and huffs.
"What the hell was that?" Milo asked. Miles pauses.
"Payback," Miles panted as the theme song begins to play.

*Enter Theme Music*

SCENE 1

Sophie catches up with Rose in the hallway.

"Hey, how is conditioning Danielle going?" Sophie asked. Rose sighs.
"Not as well as I had hoped," Rose confessed. "She's got the determination, which I'm highly impressed with, but her stamina... I just don't know if I can get her where she wants to be."
"But you're Rose Wilson," Sophie smiled. "You can do anything!"
"I know I can do it, Sophia," Rose barked. "I just don't know if I can do it in time to get her where she wants to be. Plus, she's very sensitive. I feel like if I give her even the slightest criticism, she'll fall apart."
"But maybe that's what she needs," Sophie suggested. "Someone to be firm with her, and not sugar coat things. If she's not in shape, she's not in shape. Tell her that. It might motivate her to work harder. I'm just so surprised that you're being so shy. You never have a problem with putting people in their place."
"I know, but I feel as if this girl is really delicate," Rose said. "I don't want to come across as a bitch and then destroy her self confidence."
"Do it delicately," Sophie commanded. "Use your bitchiness but gently."
"Do you think that will work?" Rose asked.
"Most likely," Sophie smiled. "People are more receptive to gentleness."
"I'll give it a shot," Rose smiled. "How's fashion club?"
"Oh my God, Rose, it's amazing," Sophie gushed. "Olivia Spicewood, daughter of billionaire David Spicewood, is in fashion club, and she is amazingly talented."
"Spicewood," Rose said softly. "Doesn't she have an older brother."
"Yeah, Bentley," Sophie smiled. "He's a total heart throb."
"Or a pain in your stomach," Rose said. "I heard the guy is a total creep."
"Maybe he's just misunderstood," Sophie suggested. Rose scoffed.
"Thank god I am not boy crazy," Rose chuckled. "Because you are a hot mess." Sophie shakes her head playfully.

SCENE 2

Milo is waiting outside of the principal's office for Miles. Miles walks out solemnly and begins to walk away ignoring Milo. Milo catches up to him.

"What did Simpson say?" Milo asked.
"One week detention," Miles grumbled.
"That's not so bad," Milo said.
"Maybe for you," Miles groaned.
"Miles, we need to talk about this," Milo stated.
"No, we don't," Miles insisted.
"Miles, you decked Bentley in the hallway and you're being all secretive," Milo pointed out. "You're my boyfriend, that means we talk to each other."
"I don't need to talk to you about anything," Miles snapped. He turns to Milo to see sadness on his face.
"You're not yourself," Milo said softly. "I'm worried about you."
"It's nothing, Milo, why don't you believe me?" Miles asked.
"Because you're acting weird and reckless," Milo explained. There's an awkward pause. "Did you cheat on me, Miles?" Miles shakes his head and sighs. Milo looks down solemnly.
"Yes," Miles replied quietly. Milo sighs and starts to walk away. He turns back to Miles.
"I thought you said we were going to get this right this year," Milo said softly. Miles stares at him. Milo walks away. Miles pulls out his phone and texts Esme "Let's ditch class."

SCENE 3

Zoe is sitting on a bench in the hallway. Zig walks up to her and sits down next to her. There is an awkward silence. Zig sighs.

"I think we should break up," Zig said. "We don't see each other, we're not how we used to be. This just isn't working."
"I agree," Zoe replied softly. Zig turns to her.
"I'm really sorry," Zig apologized. "I hope you understand."
"I do," Zoe smiled genuinely. "You're a great friend, Zig, but I just don't think we have that romantic spark for each other like we used to. I hope you're not upset."
"Nah, it's cool," Zig sighed.
"We can stay friends," Zoe smiled. "And not the clichè "let's be friends because I have hope that one day you'll return" let's be friends. I mean, let's just stay friends. We work better that way."
"I agree," Zig smiled weakly. Zoe smiles and grabs her bag.
"I better get to class," Zoe said getting up. "I'll see you in class." Zig nods and Zoe walks away. Zig leans back against the wall and sighs in disappointment.

SCENE 4

Miles and Esme are hanging out behind Degrassi, talking and laughing. Miles becomes serious for a minute.

"Something else you should know about your psychology partner," Miles sighed. "He is now single." Esme smiles becoming intrigued.
"Oh is he now?" Esme asked flirtatiously. "May I ask why?"
"Things are really crazy in my life right now," Miles explained. "And Milo just doesn't understand me when I get like this."
"Like what?" Esme asked.
"Anxious, wound up," Miles replied. "I feel like I have to be perfect for him. I can't let loose. Everything has to be stable. He doesn't just go with the flow." Esme smiles caressing Miles' face.
"He doesn't know how to live in the moment," Esme said.
"Exactly," Miles said swallowing hard. "He doesn't understand that I'm not perfect. That I'm really messed up. I feel like he's trying to change me."
"Don't change," Esme smiled. "You're perfect just the way you are. I like that." Miles smiles at her. They lean in and kiss each other passionately.

SCENE 5

Milo is sitting at the lunch table. Grace walks over swiftly and sits down next to him.

"I got your text message," Grace said. "What's wrong?"
"Miles cheated on me," Milo replied softly.
"Again?" Grace asked angrily. "Please tell me you dumped his sorry ass."
"I'm not sure where we stand," Milo admitted. "But he's not himself, so I don't know what I'm going to do."
"You're going to break up with him," Grace commanded. "You're too good to be treated like that, Milo, and you don't deserve to settle for someone who treats you like that."
"I know he's going through a lot with his parents getting back together after having a rocky relationship with his dad, and Bentley, his long time rival, going to Degrassi now," Milo said. "I think he's slipping back into his old habits. I don't know what to do."
"So let him," Grace said. "If he really cares about you, walking out of his life for a while will help him see what an idiot he's being right now. And if he does see that, he'll come back and appreciate you better than he does right now. But for now, Milo, walk away. Let him get straight before you try to further this relationship. You're only going to get hurt until he gets his act together. If you love something, set it free."
"You're right," Milo agreed. Grace smiles and starts to leave but he stops her. "One more thing." Grace sits back down curiously. "You know everything that goes on in this school, right?"
"Pretty much," Grace replied. "It's a hobby of mine."
"You know about this rumor that Miles was kissing another girl Friday night," Milo started.
"I have details," Grace sighed.
"May I have them?" Milo asked anxiously. Grace hesitates.
"Her name is Esme Song," Grace started. "Grade eleven. Prim and proper but is known to have a wild streak. She's also psychotic. If she doesn't have the attention on her or things don't go her way, she manipulates people for her own selfish gain. Like she threatens to hurt herself if things don't go her way." Milo grows concerned. "Miles is definitely playing with fire with this one. If he's having a break down now, she's just going to make it worse." Grace walks away, leaving Milo to his thoughts.

SCENE 6

Danielle enters the gym enthusiastically. She's ready to begin her conditioning. Rose is sitting at the bottom of the bleachers.

"Okay, so I've been working really hard at eating right and exercising," Danielle boasted setting down her gym bag. "I think I'm starting to see some improvements." Rose sighs and gets up from the bleachers. She walks over to Danielle.
"Why do you want to be a part of power cheer?" Rose asked inquisitively. Danielle is caught off guard.
"What do you mean?" Danielle replied. "Because I'm passionate about cheering. This is what I want to do."
"Are you sure you're not trying to just fit in?" Rose asked. Danielle becomes offended.
"Oh my God, you're just like them," Danielle grumbled. "You think I'm just the dumb, ugly, fat girl who wants to cheer to feel pretty." Danielle grabs her bag and tries to walk away but Rose stops her.
"That's not what I meant," Rose said. Danielle turns back to her. "I just want to make sure that I understand completely why you're doing this."
"Why does it matter?" Danielle asked.
"Because if I'm right, and I think that you're just doing this to be liked, then I think you're doing this for the wrong reason," Rose explained. "I don't cheer to feel pretty. I cheer because it's my passion. Whether I'm a size zero or bigger." Danielle looks down solemnly at her feet.
"The truth," Danielle said softly. "You're right. I want to do this to be pretty, to be liked." Rose looks at her sympathetically. "I just want to be popular. I want to be pretty. I thought that maybe if I was a cheer leader, people would like me, and they would stop making fun of me." There's a pause. "Do you know what it's like? To have people make jokes about your weight? To think that you're ugly because you're not skinny? It hurts." Danielle starts to cry. "I don't want to be the fat girl. I just want the jokes to stop. You have all of this confidence, and that's why I idolize you, Rose, and I thought maybe you could help gain that confidence in myself. I look at myself everyday in the mirror and just think about how I'll ever be is the big girl that everyone makes jokes about, and it hurts, and I just want it to stop." Danielle breaks down and starts crying hysterically. Rose walks over to her and puts her arms around her and consoles her.
"No matter what people say about you, you are beautiful," Rose said softly. "And I'm going to help you see that."

SCENE 7

Miles walks through the front door of the Hollingsworth mansion. His mother meets him at the door.
"I'm glad that you're here," she smiled. "We need to talk."
"About you and Dad getting back together?" Miles asked.
"How did you know?" his mother asked.
"Bentley tipped me off," Miles grumbled.
"That's another thing that we need to talk about," his mother said. "But yes, your father and I are getting back together." She smiles at him. Miles sighs and rolls his eyes.
"Can this wait?" Miles asked. "I've kind of got other things on my mind and I just want to be left alone right now."
"Is everything okay?" she asked concerned.
"Yeah, everything's fine," Miles lied. "I'll be in my room." Miles walks upstairs, his mother watching him with concern. Miles closes the door to his room and sets his bag down on the ground. He sits on the little couch in his room and leans back, sighing. He begins to think about everything that has happened; his rivalry with Bentley, punching Bentley, his parents getting back together, flashbacks of fights with his father, Milo, Esme. Miles becomes restless and slowly overwhelmed. He gets up and starts pacing back and forth, trying to get his thoughts to quiet down, but it doesn't work. He starts to lose his breath, and takes deeper ones. He feels light headed and starts gasping for air. He looks across the room at the phone. He walks over to the phone and dials 911. He suddenly falls as the dispatcher answers the call.
"911, what's your emergency?" the dispatcher asked.
"I can't breathe," Miles replied through breaths. Miles lays on the floor, praying this will all end soon.

SCENE 8

Zoe is sitting at the Dot with Garrett. She feels great to be with Garrett and that she's free of Zig.

"So, you and Zig ended pretty quick," Garrett stated. "What happened?"
Zig and I just agreed that it would be better if we just stayed friends," Zoe explained. "And like actual friends. Zig's a nice guy, but he's not really boyfriend material for me. We're just too platonic."
"Well, I'm glad you're okay with this," Garrett smiled. He puts his hand on top of hers as their hands rest on the table.
"Me too," Zoe blushed. "Now we can focus on us." They smile to each other.

SCENE 9

Miles is laying in his hospital bed. He's staring out the window when Milo shows up in the doorway. Milo knocks and Miles turns to the doorway. Milo walks in.

"You're mom called me and said that you were rushed to the hospital," Milo explained. "She said you had a panic attack."
"Yeah," Miles nodded.
"I'd ask if you were okay, but you'd just yell at me," Milo said.
"I'm fine," Miles smiled weakly. Milo hesitates. "I'm glad you're here, but you shouldn't be."
"Why not?" Milo asked.
"Because I'm a bad guy, Milo," Miles explained. "Every time things don't go well, I destroy the thing that's going the best in my life, and I can't be perfect for you."
"Who said you had to be perfect?" Milo asked. Miles doesn't respond. Milo sighs. "Esme?" Miles nods. Milo shakes his head.
"You're too good for me, Milo," Miles confessed tearing up. "You deserve someone who can be perfect for you, and treat you the way that you deserve to be treated. I don't think I can ever treat you like that, and I love you too much to continue to hurt you." Milo nods tearing up. Milo starts to walk out the door, but turns back to Miles. "Surrender" by Natalie Taylor begins to play.
"I know you're falling for Esme," Milo confessed. "A girl you just met, not to mention, but if she is really what you want, just be careful. I've heard things about her, she's bad news, and I'm not saying that out of spite. You didn't like it when your dad manipulated you, I can't imagine why you would want someone else to do that to you. When you pull your head out of your ass, you know where to find me. I never asked you to be perfect, Miles, and I never expected you to be, and that's why I was able to love you unconditionally. I just wanted you to better yourself. I hope she's everything that you want, because I swear up and down that I was." Milo nods and walks out of the room. Miles lays in his bed contemplating the conversation.

END EPISODE