"EPISODE 1.1 - New Places, New Faces"

Written and produced By Alex Gregg. Copyrighted 2003.
Originally Aired September 29th 2003

The camera pans down from a bright blue sky to two teenage girls walking down a street, supporting a backpack each.

Ling:  So, are you nervous?

Ashley:  Not really...

Ling:  Not really? Not really? It's a new School! New teachers, new... new everything! And you're sayin' not really!

Ashley:  Well... (Shrugs) I guess its gonna be tough to start with, you know? But once we get into it, it'll be okay.

Ling:  (not so sure) Uh-huh... I guess...

Ashley:  (puts her arm around her friend's shoulders) Hey, you'll be fine Li...

The camera pans up to an over view of the Street. Looking down on the two friends walking to school.

Ashley Voice Over:  Hey it's me, Ashley. Okay, so it's our first day at High School, as a freshman. And boy, are we... well... I, excited! Ling's my best friend. I've grown up with her and known her for most of my life, we've lived next door since we were four. There's nothing we don't do together.
 
Main Street. Close up on a store called "Harris Electrical Supplies". The camera pans up to the flat above the store. Cut to a teenage bedroom. The camera shows a shot from above of a teenage girl asleep in bed. Suddenly there's knock at her door. She sits up in bed - half asleep. The door opens and her Dad looks in.

Mr. Harris:  Morning! (smiles) You up?

Maria:  (still half asleep) Uh-huh...

Mr. Harris:  Good. You don't wanna be late for your first day, right? See you downstairs (leaves the room).

Maria:  (looks around her room. There's still unpacked box's and its only half decorated) No.... (sighs) Don't wanna be late...
 

The Credits

Special Guest Stars: Abby Tumbridge, Dylan Matthews
Guest Staring: Mr Harris, Mr DeCole

  
Cut to inside Mr Harris's store. He's at the counter pricing up goods. Maria enters though the back entrance of the store that leads up to their flat.

Maria:  (walks up to the counter) Okay, I'm off.

Mr. Harris:  (stops pricing) Right. Have a good day.

Maria puts her backpack on her shoulders and heads to the front entrance of the store.

Maria:  (unenthusiastic) I'm sure I will...

Mr. Harris:  Oh Maria? (she stops, turns back to her Dad) Please try to stay out of trouble, and not get kicked out?

Maria:  (forces a smile) I'll Try... (leaves the store).

Exterior shot of the School. The bell rings. Cut to Bio Class. With about fifteen students sitting at tables - Two to a table. Ashley and Ling are sitting together, in the back row.

Mr. DeCole:  So, I expect you all to get high grades in my class. I have no time for those who choose not to work, and therefore make themselves fall behind. Is that clear?

Suddenly the door opens and in walks Maria.

Mr. DeCole:  Ah, a late student. Glad you could join us...?

Maria:  (takes the nearest seat) Maria....

Mr. DeCole:  Maria. (turns back to the rest of the class) You're in high school now. Playtime's over people.

Cut to later. In the same class.

Ashley:  (whispers) Are you feeling that he's, like the monster teacher that everyone doesn't get on with?

Ling:  (whispers) He's not a monster, he's just... dedicated?

Ashley:  (whispers) Dedicated? Yeah, right... dedicated to making our lives hell for the next four years.

Ling:  (grins, whispers) Yeah. Anyway, monster? You've been watching waaaaay too much Buffy, Ashley. What, do you think he's gonna turn into a giant bug? Or something?

Ashley:  (whispers) Haha, very funny! 

Mr. DeCole:  Girls? Something to share with the class?

The rest of the students turn to took at them. Ashley and Ling shake their heads. Suddenly the bell rings.

Mr. DeCole:  Okay people, that's it for today. I'll look forward to seeing you in our next class. This Semester we'll be looking at Introduction to Plant Life. Welcome to Chestaville High.

The students gather up their things and head out of the room. Cut to the hall. Ashley and Ling come out of class.

Ashley:  Okay, lunch! Wonder what we got...

Ling:  Where's the Cafeteria again?

Ashley:  (points to the end of the hall) Uh, this way?

Later. Cut to the cafeteria. It's Potato Salad or Spaghetti. The camera pans past the steam table as the kitchen staff serves out the food. It pans up to show the girls sitting at one of the tables finishing their lunch.

Ling:  (puts down her fork) Well, that was... interesting. Is it too much to ask, for the kitchen staff to provide us with a decent meal on the first day?

Ashley:  Apparently so... I don't know, mine tasted okay.

Ling:  Cos you had the Spaghetti, I had the Potato Salad.

Ashley:  True... (looks at the remains of Ling's potato salad). What is that green stuff anyway? (points) It looks like, cross between mashed up brussel sprouts and... something not of this planet... 

Ling:  Yeah. Tastes like it too... (makes a face then pushes the plate away).

Ashley:  So, how do you like High School so far then?

Ling:  Its not as bad as I thought it would be... The teachers are okay. And, there's some cute guys around.

Ashley:  See? Told you you'd be okay.

Ling:  Yeah, but the only bad thing? We're the Freshmen. At the bottom of the ladder? you know?

Ashley:  Yeah, there's that too it I guess... But, just think. In another three years we'll be seniors! At the top of the ladder.

Cut to the lunch line. Maria pays for her lunch. She's also got the Potato Salad. She walks past Ashley and Ling's table and go to sit at an empty one near one of the Cafeteria windows.

Cut to later. The girl's are at their lockers.

Ashley:  So, what do we have next?

Ling:  (puts a book in her locker) Math.

Ashley:  (leans back against the lockers) Really? (sighs). Oh, great, my favorite subject... not...

Ling:  Well, look at it this way. Its the last class of the day.

Cut to further down the hall. Maria puts some books from her bag into her locker, turns to close the door and finds another girl standing in front of her.

Maria:  Uh... Hey?

Abby:  (crosses her arms) So you're the new girl in town.

Maria:  (closes her locker) Yeah.

Abby:  I'm Abby.

Maria:  Maria.

The bell rings. Students begin to fill the halls and walk to their next classes.

Abby:  So, where you headed next?

Maria:  B2, Math?

Abby:  Me too.

Abby walks alongside Maria as they head to Math Class. Cut to Ashley and Ling also walking to Math class also.

Ashley:  So you wanna hit the Skater Park after school?

Ling:  Sure. If you come see a movie with me after?

Ashley:  (fake considers) Hmm....I guess I can do that...

Ling:  (laughs) Okay...

They get to their Math room. Cut to Maria and Abby walking down the hall towards the same room.

Abby:  I'd love to live in the City! Small towns are just so boring... Listen, you'll be okay here, if you hang with me and mine.

Maria:  (not overly impressed) Right...

Abby:  So, what happened? I mean, why did they kick you out?

Maria:  Uh... How did you know I--

Abby:  (interrupts) Oh! Small town... Plus, (proudly) my Dad's the Mayor.

Abby looks towards at a boy approaching from the opposite direction.

Abby:  Oh! Dylan Matthews at 12 o'clock. (top Dylan) Hey Dylan!

Dylan:  (stops) What's up Abby?

Abby:  Notthing much. So, I hear your running for quarterback on the team?

Dylan:  (nods) Yeah, actually I am.

Abby:  Cool.

Dylan:  (looks at Maria) New girl in town, right?

Maria:  Uh, yeah...

Dylan:  Though so. (introduces himself) Dylan.

Maria:  (glances at Abby) So I heard. Oh, and, uh (points to herself) Maria.

Dylan:  Maria. Cool. Well, listen I better go. See you around though. (smiles at her, she smiles back) See you later Abby.

Abby:  (big smile) Bye Dylan! (turns to Maria) Dylan Matthews... Hottest Guy in 9th Grade. I've known him since Elementary.

Maria:  Right.

Cut to Ashley and Ling walking into class.

Ashley:  So, what's premiering at the moment?

Ling:  I heard that there's this new one called-- (suddenly Abby walks into class and bumps in to Ling) Hey...

Abby:  Sorr-- (sees who she bumped into to) Oh, Its only you. (then walks away with out another glance). Come on Maria.

Maria follows Abby as they sit down to class.

Ling:  Geez...

Ashley:  Are you okay?

Ling:  Yeah. God, another four years with Abby Tumbridge. Someone explain to me why we're so unlucky?

Ashley:  Tell me about it...

They find their seats and sit down. Looking over at Maria and Abby, who are sitting couple of rows in front.

Ling:  Hey, Isn't she with the new girl... uh (thinks) Maria Harris?

Ashley:  Yeah. Way to start in a new town, hanging out with Abby.

Ling:  She's new I guess...

Ashley:  Yeah... but still. Abby?

Cut to Maria and Abby.

Abby:  (points to the girls) you wanna hang out with me and mine, first rule: know the losers. (points each girl out) Ashley Ross and Ling Lee are some of the few in this grade.

Maria:  (not really agreeing) Yeah... (lets out a nervous laugh).

She looks at the girls again who have turned away and are talking. The teacher enters the room and class begins.

The bell rings. Shot of the front of the school. Students pile of out of the front entrance and exit the school grounds.

Ashley Voice Over:  Okay, so our first day is over. And, well it was okay. It seems to me that it's not as crazy here as people make out; in fact it's a lot like Junior High. The new teachers weren't that bad... except Mr DeCole... I got a feeling that we're gonna have some problems with him... But anyway... Skater Park here I come!

Dissolve to Later. The Skater Park. Ashley is practicing some new moves on the ramps (looking quite good). Ling is sitting on one of the benches reading a magazine. Ashley finishes on the ramps and goes over to Ling.

Ling:  Looking good!

Ashley:  Thanks! (sits) You wanna try it sometime?

Ling:  Oh, no thanks. I'm all for hanging out here and watching. But I think I'm gonna leave the actual boarding to you.

Ashley:  Ha! Wuss! (Ling smiles, knowing she's joking) Okay, so you wanna catch that movie now?

Ling:  Sure!

They both get up, pack their things and head out of the Skater Park, towards the Mall.

Cut to Maria's room. She's sitting on her bed reading a magazine. There's a knock on the door. Mr Harris opens it and walks in. 

Maria:  Hey, Dad.

Mr Harris:  (comes into the room) Hi, Honey.

Maria:  (puts down the magazine) What's up?

Mr Harris:  (sits on the edge of her bed) I just wanted to see how you where. How was school?

Maria:  Okay. Quieter then the city...

Mr Harris:  Have you made any friends yet?

Maria:  Well, there was this one girl... but... no not really...

Mr Harris:  I'm sure things will get better. (changes the subject)  The shop has only been open a week and business is already getting really good. I think the word is spreading around the town.

Maria:  That's great (forces a smile). 

Mr Harris:  (sees through it) Maria, I know you'd rather be back in the city. But things, they where just too complicated there.

Maria:  You mean, I was too complicated there. 

Mr Harris:  (sighs) Maria...

Maria:  Dad, I understand. Okay? I get it. I get that we had to move. For starters, you had to find a school that would take me...

Mr Harris:  Maria, your the most import thing in the word to me. (there's short silence) It's hard. A new town and everything... It is for me too. (takes his daughter's hands in his) But we can make it work. We just have to give it a chance. Have to give it time, okay?

Maria:  (quietly) I know...

Mr Harris:  Your a good girl, Maria. You just got mixed up with the wrong people, that's all. But now that's all behind us. We have the chance to make a fresh start. A new beginning.

Maria:  (not so sure) Yeah...

Next day at school. Lunch. Ashley and Ling walk into the in the Quad.

Ashley:  The movie was good last night, Li.

Ling:  Well actually Lok suggested it.

Ashley:  Well... okay, well done to your brother...

They find an empty Picnic table. Ashley climbs up and sits on one end of the table top, resting her feet on the bench below and Ling sits on bench the at the other end.

Ashley:  So, any plans this weekend? (takes her drink out of her backpack and takes a swig) Cos, I personally, have none... 

They chat some more, after a few minutes Maria approaches.

Maria:  Hi. (they both look at her) Uh... you don't know me--

Ashley:  (interrupts) Maria. Right? You just moved to town?

Maria:  (surprised and confused) Uh... yeah... How'd you know?

Ashley:  Small Town. Everyone Talks...

Maria:  Yeah. I've heard that. (sits at the table). Uhm.. I kinda need a favor.

Ling:  Oh! What do you need?

Maria:  Well, help with schoolwork mainly, and... some friends? (Ashley and Ling look at each other, then back at Maria). Yeah, I realize that sounds lame... But the girls in our grade say, Ling Lee is the person to ask, if you need any help with schoolwork, so....

Ling:  (smiles) No, sure, I can *totally* help you out with the schoolwork... but friends? With us?

Ashley:  Yeah, I mean, aren't you hanging out with Abby "little-miss-rich-girl" Tumbridge? No offence...

Maria:  Are you kidding?! Ugh! I can't stand her! Okay, so I met her yesterday after lunch... but I'm telling you, one afternoon with the girl is *so* more than enough for me...

Ashley and Ling laugh. Maria Smiles. From the other side of the Quad Abby is sitting with her "gang". She sees Maria sitting with Ashley and Ling. She walks over to them.

Abby:  Are these loser's bothering you?

Maria:  (looks up at Abby) Uh... No.

Abby:  Oh. Well, me and the girls are going to the Cafeteria now; you want to come with us?

Maria:  Thanks. But... I think I'm gonna hang out here... (turns to the others) If that's okay with you guys?

Ashley/Ling:  Sure!

Abby is dumbfounded, she moves round the table closer to Maria.

Abby:  Okay, you remember that "Losers" talk we had yesterday? In Math class? These are those people.

Maria:  Yeah. (nods). I kinda noticed that.

Abby:  Pfft! What-ever! (walks off).

Cut to later: In class. Ashley and Ling are sitting in the third row next to each other. Maria is sitting behind Ashley.

Ling opens a note from Ashley: "Maria and us, mall after School?"

Teacher:  Can anyone explain the reason why the native tribes relied on these huge herds of buffalo?

Ling writes an answer to the note.

Girl:  Well... didn't they, like, make most of their stuff from it?

Teacher:  Correct. But define "stuff". Anyone?

Ling passes the note back to Ashley. She opens it. It reads: "I'm there". Ashley takes another piece of paper from her notebook and writes: "Mall, after school, Wanna Come?"

Boy:  Tools for hunting?

Ashley makes sure the teacher isn't looking then turns round and puts the note of Maria desk. Maria sees it and opens it. Ashley waits while she reads it. Maria nods.

The bell rings. Cut to the hall. The girls are coming out of class.

Ashley:  So, we're meeting about five... (looks at Ling) Right? (she nods). Is that okay by you?

Maria:  Yeah.

They make their way along the hall and down the stairs.

Ling:  Oh, Ash, I saw these jeans at the mall. Totally you.

Ashley:  Yeah? Show me tonight?

Ling:  Sure.

They reach their lockers and empty their bags, which are full of textbooks. Abby walks over to Maria.

Abby:  Looks like you're still hanging with the loser's.

Maria:   (closes and turns look at Abby) Yup, looks like.

Abby:  You know, if you wanna be popular in this school, hanging with them and not with me *so* isn't the way to go.

Maria:  Who says I wanna be popular?

Abby:  Uh, who doesn't?

Maria:  Me? Look Abby. I've been where you are. Done that. And! Got the t-shirt. I'd rather have people I can call "friends" then people that just hang out with me cos I'm "popular", okay?

Abby:  Hey! You don't wanna be talking to me like that!

Maria:  (laughs) Listen. Where I come from, you don't have people telling you who to hang out with, you choose your own friends. I've chose mine, so why don't you go hang out with yours?

Abby:  You could have been someone here. A face people know...

Maria:  Oh, I don't think that'll be a problem...

Abby:  (can't believe that) I'm gonna make your life hell, Harris.

Maria:  Yeah? (leans in closer) Ditto. (then walks past Abby and over to Ashley and Ling) You guys coming?

Ashley and Ling smile at their new friend as they walk together down the Hall. Abby watches them go, with an angry expression.

Ashley:  Maria, if you ever had the chance at being popular, you just blew it.

Ling:  Big time.

Maria:  Popular, maybe. Known by people, (smiles) we'll see....

Cut to later at the Mall. The three friends are sitting round a table at the Ice Cream Booth with a huge Sundae in the middle of the table each are holding a spoon. Laughing and joking.

Ashley Voice Over:  That was pretty cool, how Maria stood up to Abby. Friend's, aren't they the best?! Sure being popular would be great, but if I had to choose, I'd pick friendship over popularity anytime. I'm glad Maria made the same choice. But what did she mean when she said "Known by people, we'll see". I guess there's more to Maria then meets the eye. Cool! So, Yeah, now we're a Threesome. And that's totally awesome!

Camera fades to Black.