"EPISODE 1.22 - Truth Will Out"

Written and produced By Alex Gregg. Copyrighted 2003-04.
Originally Aired May 3rd 2004

An exterior shot of Chestaville High. Cut to class. Ashley, Ling, Maria, Dylan, Zak, Abby and the rest of the class are taking one of their final exams. 

Teacher:   Ten minutes to go. 
 
Some students look up, but most ignore her and carry on concentrating on their test. Cut to the halls, the bell goes and students poor into the halls. A class room doors opens and the gang file out and head down the hall.

Maria:   Well, that was the last one. And boy and I happy about it.

Ling:   They weren't that bad. Any of them. 

Ashley:   Well, sure. If you happen to be a brain. 

Dylan:   I've gotta back her up there, Ling. 

Zak:   Yeah. Me too. (shrugs) Sorry...  

Ling:   Well, if you guy's had studied a little harder... 

Maria:   (roles her eyes) Ugh, not with the study bit again! Ling, you know, we can't all be geniuses at school work!

At that moment Abby, followed by a few of her friends pushes past them.

Abby:   (to Maria, sarcastically) That's true. Some of will go to College, where as some of us will end up working the drive though a Berger King. (turns to Dylan and smiles at him) Hi, Dylan! Hope you did okay in there.

With that she turns on her heal and walks down hall. Her friends follow.

Dylan:   Maria, don't retaliate.

Maria:   Ugh! I could just--ugh! Man, she gets to me!

Zak:   Think yourself lucky, I'm related and have to put up with her 24/7. 

Ashley:   Well, look at it like this: Summer's coming soon, we can avoid her for like, six weeks if you like.

Maria:   In this town? I don't think so.

Ling:   Well, we can try, right?
 
 

The Credits

Special Guest Stars: Dylan Matthews, Zak Williams, Abby Tumbridge
Guest Staring: Shane Nash

 
Fade into an outside shot of Chestaville High. Fade into the Cafeteria, its lunch. Ling and Maria are sitting at a table eating theirs. 

Maria:   So, have you thought about who your taking to the Dance?

Ling:   No. I don't even know if I'm going to go.

Maria:   What? Why?

Ling:   Well, I don't have a date, do I?

Maria:   You have four days to find one. What about Shane Nash?

Ling:   Maria, the guy asked me to pass him his shirt, that's all.

Maria:   And gave you a look.

Ling:   Look, he's probably already taken.

Maria:   Well, if you don't ask, you'll never know. (gets up) I've gotta get something from my locker. I'll meet you in the student lounge, okay? 

Ling:   Sure. 

Cut to the halls. The camera pans past other students until it reaches Ashley. She's at her locker. Dylan comes over.

Dylan:   Hey.

Ashley:   Oh, Hey

Dylan:   So, how's everything?

Ashley:   Why?

Dylan:   Oh, no reason. (sees Ashley's not looking at him) Ash, what's up?

Ashley:   (not looking at him) Nothing.

Dylan:   (pulls her locker door back, softly) Hey, what its it? (Ashley looks at him but doesn't say anything, she trying hard not to cry. He gets it) Is it Rick? He he done something? (she nods). What's he done Ash?

Ashley:   (takes a deep breath) I don't know what to do Dylan. (on the verge of tears). He's really scaring me now.

Dylan:   What's he done? 

Ashley:   (tries to stop her shelf from crying) Oh, you know, the usual...

Dylan:   He hit you again?

Ashley:   (nods) Threatened me again too. I'm really sacred.

Dylan:   (put his hands on her shoulders) Hey, its okay, it okay. (hugs her).

Cut to Maria, walking down the hall, rounds the corner and sees Ashley and Dylan and stops. From her point of view the situation looks intimate. Maria just stares at them as the camera fades out.

Cut to the student lounge. Ling and Maria and sitting on the sofa.

Ling:   I wonder where Ashley is, she said she'd meet us 15 minutes ago.

Maria:   (looks pissed off) Yeah. She did.

Ling:   Are you okay?

Maria:   (gets up) Yeah, fine. Come on we'd better get to class.

Ling:   We've still got 20 minutes, and we said we'd wait for Ash.

Maria:   We'll, you know,  she's probably busy with someone else's boyfriend! Are you coming or not? (with that she walks out of the room).

Ling:   What?! (goes after her) Maria, wait!

Cut to the girls' bathroom. Ling and Maria are sitting on the sinks. Maria is telling Ling what she saw between Ashley and Dylan.

Maria:   ... and they looked, really intimate...

Ling:   Maria, you've got it wrong. I know Ashley. She'd never do that to her best friend. Never. Aa-and Dylan, you know? He'd loves you. 

Maria:   I know what is saw, Ling.

Ling:   Maria, you don't. It could have been totally innocent!

Maria:   (thinks) No! (gets up and faces Ling) It all makes sense!

Ling:   It does?

Maria:   Yeah. Ashley's been acting wired for ages now. You know, not talking to us? She's got the hots for my guy! 

Ling:   Maria--

Maria:   (interrupts) And! Then, we ask Dylan to talk to her, so they *both* know that *we* know something's up. They both skipped out of PE last week... and then Abby said "do you know where your boyfriend is" - she's seen them together too! Plus, when we try to get Ashley to look at Zak, she's not interested, is she? It all makes sense!

Ling:   Are you really gonna take Abby's word for it?

Maria:   Ling, even with out that part, it looks really sus.

Ling:   (sighs) Yeah, it does. But I still say there's a reasonable explanation, you've got in wrong. And what you saw was totally innocent.

Maria:   Look, Li, I know you've known Ashley, well, practically forever, but look at the evidence, here. It all fits. They've been seeing each other.

Ling:   (sighs) Okay, so, what are you going to do?

Cut to the Basketball courts next to the park. The camera pans over the court. Dylan and Zak are playing one on one, shooting hoops.

Dylan:   So, any luck with Ashley? (makes basket).

Zak:   (catches the ball) Nope. 

Dylan:   The school dance is at the weekend, why don't you ask her to that?

Zak:   (makes a basket) Because I know what her answer will be. 

Dylan:   (catches the ball) Come on. Give it ago. She might say, Yes. Besides, I'm taking Maria, and Shane Nash reckons he's gonna ask Ling.

Zak:   Isn't he a sophomore?

Dylan:   Yeah, so?

Zak:   Hey, there's Maria. (Dylan terns round to see his girlfriend walking across the court towards them). Hey, Maria.

Maria:   (reaches them) Hey Zak. (turns to Dylan) Can we talk, alone?

Dylan:   Sounds heavy. (Maria just looks at him).

Zak:   (to Dylan) Hey, uh, I'll see you tomorrow at school?

Dylan:   Yeah, sure. (Zak leaves and Dylan turns to Maria) So, what's up?

Maria:   I know what's going on with you and Ashley. 

Dylan:   What? There's nothing--

Maria:   Dylan don't, okay? I saw you two together. Today at school.

Dylan:   Saw us together? 

Maria:   Yes! I know you two are seeing each other. 

Dylan:   What?! Maria, me and Ashley are *not* seeing each other!

Maria:   Then why where you hugging?

Dylan:   Hugging? (thanks) She was upset. I was being a friend.

Maria:   Save the lines.

Dylan:   Maria, I'm not lying to you. 

Maria:   Then explain why Ashley's been acting so weird lately. Explain why, when you said you where in the library do math homework you were with Ashley in the student Lounge, when you *both* should have been in PE! (Dylan looked shocked) Yeah, that's right you where seen.

Dylan:   Ashley was upset, okay? 

Maria:   Upset? Again? Why?

Dylan:   (sighs) I can't tell you. 

Maria:   Then, how do you expect me to believe you!

Dylan:   Because I'm telling you. The only person I'm seeing is you! The only person I love is you! The only person I want to be with is *you*!

Maria:   (slowly shakes her head) I can't believe you. I'm sorry I just... can't.

Dylan:   Maria...

Maria:   I'm sorry Dylan, I can't be with some who I can't trust. Its over...

Maria takes one last look at Dylan then walks away. Dylan just stands there frozen to the spot. Cut to Ling's front door, Maria knocks. Ling answers.

Ling:   Hey! (see Maria's upset, softy) Hey, what's wrong?

Maria:   I saw Dylan. (on the verge of tears) We broke up...

Ling:   Oh god... uh, come in.

Cut to inside Lings bedroom. Maria walks in followed by Ling. Maria goes over and sits on the bed. Ling sits down next to her.

Ling:   What happened?

Maria:   (trying to hold it together) Uh, I went to see Dylan at the basketball courts, he was with Zak. Zak left us alone and I told him straight out. That I knew what was going on.

Ling:   So, what did he say?

Maria:   He said that Ashley's been upset. That he was being a *friend*. And when I asked what she was upset about and he wouldn't tell me. So I asked him how he expects me to believe him and he said because he was telling me... and that I was the only person he wanted to be with. But, Ling, I just couldn't you know? (almost crying now) I told him... that I couldn't be with some who I couldn't trust... (tears now begin to run down her face). 

Ling:   Maria, are you sure he was lying? I mean.. I still can't believe Ashley would do that... it's just not her. And Dylan, you know? He loves you...

Maria:   He was lying Ling, I know he was.

Ling:   Well, have you talked to Ashley?

Maria:   I can't face her right now... (Ling hugs her Maria as she bursts into tears) I love him so much, Li, how could he cheat on me?

Ling:   (trying to comfort he friend) I don't know... Maria I'll be okay...

Maria:   (pulls herself together) I gotta go... (gets up) I uh, gotta be alone...

Ling:   Are you sure? (Maria nods) Well, do you want me to come with you? 

Maria:   Ling, you do know the concept of the word 'alone', right? 

Ling:   (gets up also) Right. Yeah. I just thought--

Maria:   (interrupts)  Thanks. I'll see you at school tomorrow? 

Ling:   Sure.  

Maria watches Ling head out of her bedroom door. Cut to Ashley's front door. Ling knocks and Ashley answers. 

Ashley:   Hey. 

Ling:   Hey, can we talk?  

Ashley:   Uhm, now's not really a good time... 

Ling:   Well, too bad. (she makes her way in). 

When Ling enters the front room she sees Dylan sitting on the sofa.

Ling:   (is really pissed off) Oh, I see, *very* cozy. 

Dylan:   (gets up) Uh, Hey Ling? 

Ling:   You two disgust me!

Ashley:   What? Ling, I--

Ling:   (interrupts) Sitting here together. (to Dylan) That was fast, huh Dylan? Bet you couldn't wait for Maria to brake up with you. So could come round here! (rounds on Ashley) And, you! I've known you practically all my life, I *never* thought you'd do something like this!

Dylan:   Ling, hold it! What are you talking about? I came over here to ask Ashley if she'd seen Maria. I was just about to come and see you.

Ashley:   Dylan's just told me that he and Maria have broken up. But, I uh, I guess you know that... how do you know that?

Ling:   Because I've just had her crying on my shoulder! She thinks the two--

Ashley:   (interrupts) Of us are seeing each other. I know. Dylan's just told me. Which is *crazy* by the way! How could she even think that we'd do anything like that to her. How could you even think that we'd do that to her?

Dylan:   Ling, I love Maria. You know that, she knows that.. America knows that! Why would I do anything to hurt her?

Ling:   (to Dylan) Then tell her what's going on!

Dylan:   (glances at Ashley and sighs) I can't.

Ling:   (to both of them) Then what do you expect? I'll see myself out.

Ashley and Dylan watch her leave. Cut to the next day at Chestaville High. Maria is at her locker. Ashley spots her and walks over.

Ashley:   Maria. Hi.

Maria:   (not looking at her) Go away Ashley. 

Ashley:   Look, Dylan told me what happened yesterday. You've got it all wrong. There's nothing going on between us.

Maria:   (looks at her) I don't believe you. 

Ashley:   Maria, your one of my best friends. I'd never do that to you. 

Maria:   (crosses her arms) Okay. So there's nothing going on. Then why did I see you two together, looking more then just *friends*?

Ashley:   Dylan told me what you saw... and it wasn't what it looked like.

Maria:   Oh, save it Ash! I know what is saw! 

Ashley:   No! You don't! The only thing between me and Dylan is friendship! He loves you Maria! More then you know.

Maria:   And I loved him... (with that she walks away).

Ashley:   (calls after her) Maria! Wait! Maria! (watches her walk away).

Ashley Voice Over:   Oh Man... I so don't know what to do. This is just so messed up. Dylan and Maria.. they're just.. there just meant to be together. I don't get how Maria could think that we'd do that to her! And Ling you know? I don't get how she would think we'd do that either. I wish I could tell them both what's going on with Rick. But I can't. They can't find out. (sighs) I feel like this is all my fault, if I hadn't have dragged Dylan into it, he and Maria would wouldn't still be together. I just wish I could get Maria to see that nothing's going on between me and Dylan.

Cut to Maria walking down one of the halls. She rounds a  corner and bumps into Dylan. They just look ate each other for a moment.

Dylan:   Maria... I've been looking for you.

Maria:   Leave me alone, Dylan. (walks past him).

Dylan:   Maria, wait, please...

Maria:   (turns around to face him) No. If you can't tell me the truth, then.... don't talk to me at all. (she turns round and heads down the hall).

Cut to later. The bell rings. Dylan is waiting outside a classroom door. It opens and students poor out. Dylan spots Maria and walks over to her. 

Dylan:   Maria! (she ignores him and keeps walking) Maria! Wait!

Maria:   (stops and turns n round to face him) What do you want now, Dylan? You know, I could have you done for harassment.

Just then Ling comes out of the class room and see the two of them. She's about to walk over to Maria when someone steps in front of her.

Shane:   Hey, Ling.

Ling:   Oh, uh, Hey. It's Shane, right?

Shane:   (smiles) Yeah. Listen, can I talk to you for a moment?

Ling:   (looks over at Maria and Dylan) Uh, now's it's not really a good time..

Shane:   It'll only take a minute. 

Ling:   Uh.. well, okay then. 

They head over to stand by the wall of the corridor, out of the way of the rush of students walking past on their way home.

Shane:   Uhm, I don't really know how to say this with out just, you know, saying it, but uh... is anyone taking you to the dance Saturday night?

Ling:   Uh, no... 

Shane:   Well, how would you like to come with me?

Ling:   (looks at him is shock) Uh... 

Cut back to Dylan and Maria.

Dylan:   Look, Maria, I know you don't want to talk to me right now--

Maria:   (interrupts) Yeah, you got that right. 

Dylan:   But, please! Maria I love you! 

Maria:   I don't care, Dylan! You lied to me! you cheated on me!

Dylan:   I didn't! Maria, I told you, there's *nothing* on between me and Ashley. Look, you have to believe me.

Maria:   Well, that's the funny thing, Dylan. (shakes her head) I don't...

Cut back to Shane Ling.

Ling:   Shane, I...

Shane:   Look, I get that this is probably a shock, and I know we only met the other day, but, I'd really like to take you to the dance.

Ling:   Well...

Shane:   You don't have to give me an answer right now... how about, you think about it tonight, and let me know tomorrow? And, if that's not enough time, you can give me a call Saturday, I mean the dance isn't until eight, so..

Ling:   Okay, I'll let you know. 

Shane:   Sure. Great (gives her a smile) See you tomorrow, then.

Ling nods and gives him a smile. Shane heads off in the opposite direction and Ling heads over to Dylan and Maria.

Maria:   Fine! Then tell me what's going on!

Dylan:   I told you that I can't. 

Maria:   Then I stand by what I said. It's over.  

Dylan:   (is desperate) Maria... 

Ling:   Dylan, she told you, it's over, just deal with it. 

Dylan:   I can't. I love her. 

Ling:   Then, that's just too bad. Come on Maria. (they turn to leave).

Dylan:   Okay! Okay, I'll tell you! Maria, I'll tell you what's going on.

Ling and Maria turn back to face him. The hall is almost empty now, most students have left though the main entrance.

Maria:   Okay, start talking. 

Dylan:   Not here.

Maria:   Oh no. You want me to listen, you tell me, right here, right now. 

Dylan:   (sighs) Alright. It's Rick. He's... he's been hitting Ashley. (Ling and Maria are wide mouthed in shock) And, I'm the only person she's told. You wanted me to find out what was up with her, and I did. (sighs) She's got he reasons, but she made me swear to not tell anyone, even you guys.

Ling:   (totally shocked) Oh my god...

Maria:   Hitting her? 

Dylan:   (to Maria) That's why you've seen me with her lately. I've been trying to help her deal, I haven't been cheating on you, Maria.

Just then Zak rounds the corner and see them standing together.

Zak:   (walks over to them) Hey, what's up? (they all just look at him) What?

Cut to Ashley's living room, she's sitting on the sofa watching cartoons. There's knock at the door. She puts down the remote and gets up. She opens the door to see Ling, Maria, Dylan and Zak. They all stare at her. 

Ashley:   Uh, what's going on? (gets it, to Dylan, upset) Y-you told them.

Dylan:   (slowly nods, quietly) Yeah... I did...

The Camera pans in on Ashley face, her expression is somewhere between upset and frightened. The Camera slowly fades to black.

...TO BE CONTINUED...