Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[INT. GERRY’S BEDROOM.]

[GERRY WAKES UP, THE BED CREAKS AS THEY GET UP WITH A GROAN. THEY STRETCH, BACK CRACKING, AND WINCE AS THEY CHECK THE TIME AND NOTICE THAT THEY’RE ALREADY RUNNING LATE. THEY GET READY QUICKLY, GRAB A CEREAL BAR FOR THE ROAD, AND PROCEED TO RACE OUT THE DOOR.]

Gerry

(Their voice is still foggy from sleep) I’m going now, Dad! I’ll see you after school.

Eric

Bye, Gerry! Enjoy your first day, and stay out of trouble, okay, kiddo?

[THE DOOR SLAMS SHUT AS GERRY HURRIES OUT.]

[THEY WALK DOWN THE STREET, MUNCHING ON THEIR CEREAL BAR AND CASUALLY PANICKING AS THEY TRY TO REMEMBER WHETHER THEY PACKED EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEEDED OR NOT.]

Sasha

Oh, hi! You’re Gerard, right?

[A GIRL THAT LOOKS TO BE ABOUT GERRY’S AGE, MAYBE SLIGHTLY OLDER, COMES UP FROM BEHIND AND TAPS GERRY ON THE SHOULDER, SCARING THEM AND CAUSING THEM TO JUMP A GOOD THREE FEET IN THE AIR. THE GIRL HAS BROWN SKIN, BROWN EYES, AND BROWN HAIR PULLED NEATLY BACK IN A VERY PUFFY PONYTAIL. SHE HAS A NARROW AND PLEASANT FACE, WITH LARGE ROUND GLASSES COVERING BIG EYES THAT GIVE HER A DISTINCLY OWL-LIKE APPEARANCE.]

Gerry

( surprised) Uh, huh? Yeah, uh. Gerry. It’s just Gerry. Not Gerard. But, yep! That’s me! 

Sasha

Well then, hello, Just Gerry! I’m Sasha James, the student council president here at Magnus, and I’ll be showing you around on the first day, helping you get accustomed to the new school, the whole deal. So… Welcome!

Gerry

Oh! Cool, um. (They grimace. Obviously, their communication skills still need work.) How did you know who I am?

Sasha

( She looks Gerry over, taking in their ruffled and badly dyed hair, the necklaces, and the outfit choice, but not in an unfriendly manner) Well, you don’t exactly fit in with the crowd, do you? It wasn’t difficult to find you here. Plus, in a town this small, there aren’t exactly hordes of new students every year. Oh! And, I may or may not have gotten a look at your student files earlier!

Gerry

(Has no idea how to answer.) Ah.

Sasha

(Talking very quickly) I’m not freaking you out or anything, am I? I tend to ramble, sorry about that. You’re looking a bit pale, am I freaking you out? Or maybe that’s just how you normally look? Hm… Oh! Well, here we are! Jonah Magnus Highschool! 

Gerry

(Still trying to recover from the sudden onslaught of words Sasha just threw at them) Oh. We’re here? Cool. Um.

Sasha

Mhm! Okay, so, I’m sure you don’t really care about the school’s history, but I’ll tell you anyways. It was founded a few hundred years back, by some creepy rich guy called Jonah Magnus, honestly, I think he just wanted fame and a school named after him, oh, by the way, do you need help with your schedule? Do you have it? If you don’t, I already took a look at your schedule, and printed out some extra copies for you! 

[SOUNDS OF A BACKPACK UNZIPPING AS SASHA MOVES TO PULL OUT THE SCHEDULE.]

Gerry

Oh, I have my schedule right here, actually. Thanks though.

[THEY UNZIP THEIR BACKPACK TOO. SOUNDS OF RUSTLING PAPER CAN BE HEARD AS THEY PULL OUT THEIR SCHEDULE.]

Sasha

Ah! Okay, okayy… 

[SHE LEANS OVER TO LOOK AT GERRY’S SCHEDULE OVER THEIR SHOULDER.]

So, you have math first period? Eugh. That’s unfortunate, having math in the very morning before your brain even starts working is never fun, but I’m sure it’ll be fine! We don’t share a math class, but the majority of our other classes line up. A lot of my friends are in these same classes too, well. It’s mostly Jon… Though all of us; Jon, me, Michael and Tim, and now you, too, share— Oh, actually, there’s Jon now! 

[SASHA STRAIGHTENS UP, LOOKING TO THE RIGHT AND WAVING TO A PERSON WHO WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE TWO.]

Hi Jon, come over here and meet Gerry!

Jon

Hey, Sasha. Hello, Gerry. I’m Jon, it’s nice to meet you, at last. Sasha has been talking nonstop about you for the past few weeks, as our school doesn’t get new students often and she was excited. I hope she hasn’t talked your ears off, or, at least not yet.

[JON STRETCHES OUT HIS HAND TO GERRY TO SHAKE.]

[JON LOOKS TO BE A PUERTO RICAN MALE WHO IS ABOUT SASHA’S AGE, WITH ACNE SCARS DOTTING HIS FACE AND SHORT DARK HAIR PULLED UP IN A MESSY HAIRDO THAT JUST BARELY RESEMBLES A PONYTAIL. HIS SQUARE GLASSES, SWEATER VEST, AND THE BLEACHED SILVER STREAKS IN HIS HAIR MAKE HIM LOOK MORE LIKE A TIRED MIDDLE-AGED MAN THAN A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY.]

Gerry

Oh, It’s nice to meet you, Jon! Uh.

[THEY HESITATE, GLANCING DOWN AT JON’S OUTSTRETCHED HAND, NOTICING THE STRANGE PINK SCAR ON HIS PALM BEFORE RETURNING THE HANDSHAKE.]

Right! Sorry. I’m not actually used to anyone under like, 30 years old who isn’t a businessman greeting each other with a handshake. So. 

Sasha

(lighthearted) To be fair, Jon is like a middle-aged man trapped inside a teenager’s body.

Jon

(mock offense) How dare you? I can be perfectly— perfectly teenager-like !

Sasha

Yeah? I doubt that.

Jon

I can! I’ll prove it too, we can—

Gerry

Um, guys, sorry to interrupt, but I may have a question.

Sasha

Hm?

Gerry

Does the school have, like, a dress code, or something? Because compared to how academic you and Jon look, I’m dressed… Uh, you know.

[THEY GESTURE AT THEIR OUTFIT CHOICE FOR THE DAY.]

Sasha

Oh, no, no, don’t worry, you’re fine! The dress codes aren’t too strict here at Magnus, you should be fine as long as you don’t show up to school completely buck-naked or something. I usually try and dress more academically because I represent the school and like to be professional, and Jon, well, as I’d mentioned before, he just likes the middle-aged-man aesthetic because he’s weird.

[JON MAKES AN OFFENDED SOUND AT THAT.]

Anyways, after you look at the way Tim and Michael dress, you’ll see how loose the dress codes here really are. Really, the school lets Tim get away with wearing such monstrosities… 

_______________

[INT. CAFETERIA.]

[THE SOUNDS OF PEOPLE SCREAMING, LAUGHING, TALKING, AND MAYBE EVEN CRYING ARE ALL MASHED TOGETHER INTO ONE CLOUD OF MEANINGLESS NOISE. IT IS VERY CHAOTIC. OF COURSE IT IS, THIS IS A HIGH SCHOOL. GERRY SHOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED ANYTHING ELSE.]

Sasha

Gerry, come sit over here!

[SASHA IS WAVING AT GERRY FROM ACROSS THE ROOM, WHERE SHE’S SEATED WITH JON AND TWO STRANGERS WHO GERRY ASSUMES ARE THE TIM AND MICHEAL THAT SASHA PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.] 

Gerry

[THEY WEAVE THROUGH THE THRONGS OF PEOPLE, PLOPPING THEMSELVES DOWN IN THE OPEN SEAT AT THE END OF THE TABLE, WITH SASHA ON THEIR RIGHT AND ACROSS A KID WITH A ROUND FACE AND EXTREMELY UNRULY BLOND HAIR.]

Hey, guys.

Sasha

Gerry! Hi! How’s your first day been treating you?

Gerry

It’s been… surprisingly mundane.

Jon

( deadpan ) Well, aren’t you lucky? I got unwillingly pulled into a school-wide conspiracy on my first day.

Tim

Ah, those were fun times. Kinda miss them, honestly. ( turning to Gerry ) I’m Tim, by the way, how are ya, man?

Gerry

I’m doing fine, I guess, and also… ( grimacing ) not a man.

Sasha

Oh, oh! We never did introduce ourselves fully, did we? We can do that now! Tim, you go first! Full name, pronouns, and a hobby or two. We’ll go in a circle, clockwise.

Tim

Sure. ( addressing Gerry ) As I already said, I’m Tim, Tim Stoker! He/him pronouns are fine, but I don’t mind other pronouns too. Uh, I kayak! It’s a bit dumb, but I got into it last summer when I went on a trip with my brother…

[GERRY QUIETLY OBSERVES TIM WHILE HE INTRODUCES HIMSELF. TIM IS VERY ANIMATED, CONSTANTLY MAKING EXAGGERATED FACES AND MOVING HIS HANDS WHILE HE TALKS. HE’S WHITE, HAS BROWN HAIR, BROWN EYES, AND ACNE SCARS SIMILAR TO JON’S, BUT UNLIKE THE LATTER, HE SOMEHOW MANAGES TO PULL THEM OFF.]

Michael

I’m Michael Shelley. He/they pronouns, please. I’m really interested in… fashion? Well, not fashion specifically, I really like… design, I guess? Decorating places, dressing up, fooling around with unique aesthetics… Um, anyways, pleased to meet you!

[THE FIRST THING THAT GERRY NOTICES ABOUT MICHEAL IS THAT THEY ARE PRETTY. LONG, BLOND CURLS FRAMING A PLEASANTLY ROUND FACE, SMILING GREEN EYES, AND A DUSTING OF FRECKLES ON MICHEAL’S NOSE. MICHEAL IS WEARING AN OUTFIT MADE ENTIRELY UP OF BRIGHT AND CLASHING COLORS THAT WOULD NEVER LOOK GOOD TOGETHER ON ANY OTHER OCCASION, BUT MICHEAL SOMEHOW MANAGES TO PULL IT OFF PERFECTLY.]

Gerry

Hi Tim, Hi Micheal, pleased to meet you both! It’s… my turn now, then? Okay, hm. I’m Gerry K– Gerry Delano. They/them pronouns, and… I draw. That’s it, I guess.

Michael

Oh, you draw? That’s awesome! I actually really like art too, I’m super happy that we finally have another artist here in the group with us!

Gerry

Really? That’s, that’s cool…

Michael

 Mhm!!

Sasha

Alright! I’m up next, then? As you already know, I’m Sasha James, she/her pronouns, and I like—

Jon

—Bossing people around.

Sasha

( mock offense ) That is not what I was about to say! Sure, yeah, I like leadership! That isn’t considered bossing people around !

Tim

[TIM LEANS OVER ACROSS THE TABLE TO WHISPER IN GERRY’S DIRECTION.]

Literally, nothing can stop those two when they get like that. Their arguments are all jokes… for the most part. You kind of have to learn to live with it after a while because this happens constantly. 

Gerry

( chuckling ) Yeah, I’d only really seen Sasha and Jon together a few times today, and something like this went down basically every time they were put in one room together—

Sasha

Tim, you aren’t trying to brainwash our newest member, are you? Don’t listen to whatever he’s telling you, Gerry! Tim has a kayak for a brain.

Tim

( What did you just say?) How dare you accuse me of such things! I would never! 

Michael

[MICHEAL LEANS OVER A LITTLE SO HE COULD COMFORTABLY TALK TO GERRY WITHOUT HAVING TO SCREAM TO BE HEARD OVER THE NOISE LEVEL IN THE CAFETERIA.]

Sorry about them. They’re all… a lot, sometimes, but they all mean well.

Gerry

( laughing lightly ) It’s fine. The chaos is actually a nice change of pace from what my summer was like. My dad works a lot so I have to stay home alone a lot, and I don’t have any siblings, so it gets really quiet sometimes.

Michael

Lucky! I live with my sister, and she works a lot too, but it’s mostly just work from home so she is constantly nagging me about every little thing… I can’t blame her for being overprotective, but it gets to be a lot, you know? ( small shrug )

[GERRY NODS IN AGREEMENT, BEFORE TURNING AROUND TO CHECK ON TIM, SASHA, AND JON… AND IMMEDIATELY REGRETS IT. TIM HAS GOTTEN UP ONTO THE TABLE AND IS DOING SOME KIND OF WEIRD JIG WHILE SASHA THROWS BABY CARROTS AT HIM. JON IS SITTING WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS, SHAKING BECAUSE OF EITHER TEARS OR LAUGHTER; POSSIBLY BOTH.]

Sasha

[SHE FINALLY RUNS OUT OF CARROTS, AND MOTIONS FOR TIM TO GET OFF THE TABLE BEFORE ANYONE GETS IN TROUBLE.]

Sorry about that! Ah, Jon, you’re next.

Jon

Oh. Right. Um.

[HE PAUSES TO ADJUST HIS GLASSES.]

I’m Jonathan Sims, call me Jon. I use he/him pronouns, although I don’t mind they/them and she/her on occasion, either. I enjoy writing, organizing things…

Tim

Oh, come on, Jon!

Sasha

Quit being professional! We’re all friends here!

Jon

[HE SIGHS AND RUBS HIS TEMPLES LIKE HE HAS A HEADACHE FROM HIS FRIENDS’ STUPIDITY]

Fine. Alright! My passion is music. I’d like to have a band someday.

Sasha

[SHE CLAPS HER HANDS IN JONS DIRECTION, BEAMING.]

There we go! Now, that wasn’t that hard, was it?

Jon

( begrudgingly ) Shut up, Sasha.

Gerry

That’s honestly really cool. Being in a band, I mean.

Michael

Mhm, Jon’s been planning this for ages. He composed his own music and everything. It’s awesome.

Jon

It… really isn’t that impressive.

Tim

Come on, Jon, give yourself some credit!

Michael

I’ve seen your music, and I’ve played it before, too! It’s impressive!

Sasha

Right! You judge yourself too harshly, Jon!

[GERRY WATCHES THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM BICKER WITH AMUSEMENT WHILE HE EATS HIS LUNCH. MAYBE SCHOOL THIS YEAR MIGHT ACTUALLY TURN OUT TO BE VERY INTERESTING, AFTER ALL.]

Chapter Text

[EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD.]

[SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE DAY. GERRY IS GETTING READY TO GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, BUT THEN THEY SEE JON IN THE BUSHES DOING… SOMETHING.]

Gerry

( confused ) …Jon?

Jon

Shhhh.

Gerry

What are you— 

Jon

I said ‘shhhhh.’ Quiet!

Gerry

Are you… okay?

Jon

Yes, I’m okay! Fine, don’t just stand there gaping! If you’re so insistent on staying, come here next to me.

Gerry

[THEY WALK OVER CAREFULLY, SQUATTING DOWN NEXT TO JON AND PEERING OUT OF THE BUSHES WITH HIM.]

Am I supposed to be looking at something in particular?

Jon

Yes.

Gerry

What… should I be looking at then?

Jon

Who.

Gerry

(What is going on with this guy?) Huh.

Jon

He’s a who, not a what.

Gerry

Alright… So, we’re looking for… a guy?

Jon

Not just any guy. Martin. Wait, shhh. He’s coming.

[GERRY FOLLOWS JON’S GAZE TO SEE A CHUBBY BOY WITH LIGHT BROWN HAIR AND TOO MANY FRECKLES EXIT THE SCHOOL. HE’S WEARING A CHUNKY LIGHT BLUE CARDIGAN AND IS TALKING TO TWO GIRLS WHO ARE WALKING NEXT TO HIM.]

Gerry

[THEY RAISE AN EYEBROW IN JON’S DIRECTION.]

So, you like this guy.

Jon

( perfect innocence) Whatever makes you think that?

Gerry

(exasperated) Jon . You are currently hiding in some bushes, watching him. Also, your face got really red when you saw him.

Jon

( sputtering ) Well, well that is completely beside the point!

Gerry

Oh, yeah? What is the point then, exactly?

Jon

[JON OPENS HIS MOUTH, AND THEN CLOSES IT AGAIN, LIKE HE’S TRYING TO SAY SOMETHING BUT CAN’T. HE LOOKS LIKE A FISH.]

Well, that is— that—

Gerry

( smug bastard) Exactly. So, why exactly are you spying on the guy you like instead of talking to him like a normal human being?

Jon

Ah, you see, I can't just go and talk to him. Because he hates me.

Gerry

( confusion) He… hates you.

Jon

Alright, fine! I don't actually know if he hates me or not, but, he has multiple very good reasons to.

Gerry

Yeah? And what are those reasons, exactly? Uh, I mean, I'm not forcing you to tell me or anything. Only do so if you're comfortable.

Jon

Alright then… ( deep breath) We; that is, me, Sasha, Tim, Martin, Melanie and Georgie, Mel and Georgie are the two girls with Martin right now, by the way… We all were friends last year. But, ah, me and Georgie dated for a while and then we fell out, so that caused some tension in our little group, and then Martin… Well, let's just say that I didn't treat him as well as I should have. I took a lot of my stress and anger that I felt at the time out on him, and then our whole group just, split up, shortly after Michael joined Tim, Sasha, and me.

Gerry

[THIS WHOLE TIME GERRY HAS BEEN LISTENING INTENTLY, NODDING ALONG WHILE JON SPOKE]

So, the problem is that you only realized you had feelings for Martin after you lost him?

Jon

I suppose you could say that, yes.

Gerry

Okay, okay, let me recap. You used to date Georgie, you guys had a messy breakup which affected your friendship, then the stress that was already building up was too much and it resulted in Martin and the two others ultimately leaving to do their own thing. And now you miss them, so you're watching them through the bushes.

Jon

Christ, I sound like a dick when you put it that way. And a creep.

Gerry

Heh, sorry.

Jon

There was just… a lot going on last year. Tim and Sasha broke up around the same time that Georgie and I fell out, so it was double the tension… Not to mention the other drama. It got too much.

Gerry

I totally get it, actually. Friendship is hard, but… can't you just try and talk to Martin instead of just watching him? 

Jon

( bitterly ) Believe me, I would if I could, but Melanie was especially hurt by… something I did. She's, ah, a pretty stubborn person as it is, and at this point, I think she'd probably flay me or something if I got too close.

Gerry

( Awkward laugh) I… can't actually tell if you're joking about the flaying or not.

Jon

( Ominous) I wish I knew, myself. She and Georgie have gotten quite good at keeping me and Martin apart.

Gerry

I don’t… actually get why you’re telling me all of this though? I mean, I appreciate the fact that you trust me. But, you know, you’ve only known me for a day. I could be a serial killer or something, for all you know.

Jon

( no-nonsense ) Well, Sasha saw your school files, and she trusts you, so I do too.

Gerry

[GERRY GLANCES AT THE GROUP OF THREE THAT THEY WERE JUST DISCUSSING WITH JON.]

( Nervously ) I am going to ignore every mildly concerning thing you just said for now, because I think that Melanie—

Jon

( Small laugh ) Don't look so worried. I was joking about what I said earlier about the flaying. Well, for the most part.

Gerry

No— I mean, that's good, I think, but they're all coming over here. Like, right now.

Jon

Shit.

Gerry

Uh, run on the count of three?

Jon

Don't count, just run!

[THE TWO SPRINT OFF IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, WITH GERRY HEADING IN THE DIRECTION OF THEIR HOUSE AND JON HEADING… WELL, SOMEWHERE. GERRY WASN'T ACTUALLY SURE. HE HEARD ONE OF THE GIRLS, PRESUMABLY MELANIE, YELL SOMETHING AFTER JON, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.]

_______________

[INT. GERRY'S HOUSE.]

[GERRY ENTERS THEIR HOUSE, IMMEDIATELY FALLING FACE-FIRST ONTO THE COUCH, EXHAUSTED. THEY JUST RAN HALF OF THE WAY HOME BEFORE THEY REALIZED THAT THEY WERE NEVER IN ANY REAL DANGER TO BEGIN WITH AND HAD NO REASON TO RUN.]

Eric

[GERRY'S DAD ENTERS THE LIVING ROOM, NOTICING HIS KID COLLAPSE ON THE COUCH.]

Hey, kiddo, how was your first day? Make any new friends?

Gerry

( Muffled) Mmph.

Eric

What was that?

Gerry

[THEY LIFT THEIR FACE SLIGHTLY OUT OF THE COUCH CUSHIONS TO SPEAK, BEFORE PLOPPING BACK DOWN AGAIN.]

Day was good. I made some friends. Tired.

Eric

Well, are you hungry? I could make something real quick and we could eat together if you'd like.

Gerry

[THEY SIT UP.]

Nah, it's alright. I just ate in school a few hours ago. I'll be up in my room if you need me.

Eric

You weren't assigned any homework on your first day, were you?

Gerry

No, I just never finished decorating my room, so maybe I'll do that… And , I got my friends' phone numbers.

Eric

Ah, phone numbers? Well, good for you! Go and rest up, then. I'll call you down for dinner in a few hours.

Gerry

( Smiling) Sure. Thanks, Dad.

Chapter Text

Michael 🌀

___________

Hello❗

Just making sure I got the right number,

this is Gerry, right?

Yep, that’s me

oh okay okay, cool!

hru? 

I'm pretty good, wbu??

im working on my english homework 

right now and I feel like I am dying a

slow and painful death i HATE grammer

you got homework on the first day? 😭

your teacher is EVIL bro

she rlly is, I have Ms. Robinson for english

and my sister had her when she was in

highschool too, and according to her

Ms. Robinson is really strict

I’m very sorry for you

I have leitner as my english teacher, 

and I just. really don’t like him for

some reason.

oh yeah, he seems like a complete prick

honestly 😭

he spent the whole class period rambling on

about the beauty of old-timey literature

nobody could actually follow along with

what he was saying, but at least

he didn’t assign homework

Haha yeah… he may be old and crusty,

but at least he doesn’t assign you a shit-ton

of assignments of grammar on the FIRST 

DAY OF SCHOOL 

You’re very bitter about this

i HATE grammar 

That’s fair

I feel like SPECIFICALLY with

English teachers, it's very much

a hit-or-miss thing bc they'll either 

change your life (positively) or like.

ruin it completely and leave you with

lasting scars

that's actually so real and now

I am having sudden urges to 

punch leitner in the face

I am not excited to have to live 

through a whole school year with

this crusty man as my teacher

 and his giant eyebrows and 

wrinkly old man bald head

  your description of leitner is

hilarious lmao 😭

I don't think I'll survive a school

year with Ms. Robinson either,

if she assigns so much hw all

the time…

We can punch our teachers

 together /hj :)

haha, let's see how the 

rest of the school year goes

before resorting to such drastic

measures 🚶🚶

Oh, fine 💔

well then I’m gonna go suffer (do homework),

I’ll talk to u later? :D

sure, my dad is calling me for dinner 

anyways

We’ll talk soon! 💥💥

Mhm!!

_______________

[INT. GERRY’S BEDROOM.]

[GERRY PUTS THEIR PHONE DOWN ON THE NIGHTSTAND, STANDS UP FROM THEIR BED, AND HEADS DOWNSTAIRS.]

Eric

Gerry, just in time for dinner!

Gerry

[THERE IS THE SOUND OF A CHAIR SQUEAKING AS GERRY SITS DOWN AT THE TABLE, ACROSS FROM THEIR DAD.]

Mhm.

Eric

So, come on! Don’t keep me in suspense here, how was your first day? Tell me everything!

Gerry

[GERRY TAKES A BIG BITE OF CHICKEN AND CHEWS IT SLOWLY, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY SHOULD ANSWER THAT.]

( talking with mouth full) You make good food.

Eric

Thank you.

Gerry

( They swallow) Anyways, As I said before, the day was fine. It was… good. Some girl was assigned to help me figure out my way around school and I met some of her friends, too. They all seem nice.

Eric

That’s good! I was worried, you know, with it being your first day back after such a long time… 

Gerry

[THEY ROLL THEIR EYES LIGHTHEARTEDLY.]

It was fine, dad. I can take care of myself.

Eric

Are you sure that it wasn’t too overwhelming or anything? You were completely fine? It’s okay for you to take more time off, I hope you know that. You’ve had so many large changes in your life recently—

Gerry

( sigh) Dad.

Eric

Alright, alright. I’ll stop. I just want you to stay safe, okay?

Gerry

I appreciate it, really, but I’ll be fine.

Eric

(resigned) If you’re sure… 

Gerry

( firmly) I’m sure.

Eric

( talking quickly) It’s just that after Mary— 

Gerry

[THE CHAIR SQUEAKS LOUDLY AND SUDDENLY AS GERRY PUSHES THEMSELVES OFF THE CHAIR.]

Don’t— don’t do that.

Eric

( calmly ) Okay. Yes, you’re right. Sit back down, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned her.

Gerry

Fine.

[THEY SIT BACK DOWN QUIETLY, PICKING AT THEIR FOOD INSTEAD OF EATING IT NOW.]

Eric

( trying very hard to change the topic ) So, who were you texting earlier?

Gerry

[GERRY DEFINITELY PERKS UP AT THIS QUESTION.]

Just… A guy. We talked a little during lunch earlier, he seems really cool… He's artistic, I think, like me, so I think we may have a lot in common.

Eric

( very obvious eyebrow raise ) Just a guy?

Gerry

( embarrassed ) Dad, I literally just met him today. Yes, he's just a guy.

Eric

Oh, well, forgive a dad for getting excited about his child's future! 

Gerry

( very obvious grimace) Why do I even bother.

Eric

Bother with what, exactly?

Gerry

( Yep nope idk how to explain this to my dad) Nothing, nothing. Uh, I'm done, so… ( gesturing ) I'll just be up in my room, I guess?

[GERRY PICKS UP THEIR DIRTY DISHES AND PLACES THEM IN THE SINK BEFORE HURRYING BACK UPSTAIRS. ERIC WATCHES THEM LEAVE, LOOKING MELANCHOLIC.]

Eric

( softly) Alright…

Chapter Text

[EXT. THE ROAD TO MAGNUS HIGHSCHOOL.]

[GERRY HAS MET UP WITH SASHA AND JON EARLY THIS MORNING AND IS WALKING WITH THEM TO SCHOOL. EVEN THIS EARLY, SASHA AND JON ARE ALREADY ENGAGED IN FRIENDLY BANTER.]

Sasha

( incredulous ) Jon, you did what now?

Jon

…You heard me perfectly fine the first three times I repeated it.

Sasha

[SASHA TURNS TO GERRY WITH COMICALLY WIDE EYES.]

Did you know about this?

Gerry

( was zoning out until now) What? Oh, uh. Know about how Jon was spying on that guy yesterday? Yeah, I was there with him when that happened.

Sasha

( absolutely done with this nonsense) Oh, Jon. You’re hopeless.

Jon

Why do you all keep saying that? What else was I supposed to do? Talk to him?

Sasha & Gerry

( in unison ) 

Yes.

Jon

(sputtering) Well, excuse me! I don’t want him to— Oh, I don’t know, hate me even more! What would I even say to him?

Sasha

( calmly ) Jon, I think Martin would hate you more if you spied on him than if you decided to go and apologize for being an asshole to him. It’s been a year, come on now!

Gerry

[THEY TURN TO JON, DIRECTING A QUESTION AT HIM.]

Did that girl chase you home yesterday? She looked really angry, so, you know. Are you okay?

Jon

Oh! Yes, yes, I’m fine. She didn’t chase me home; just off the school property. Melanie is more bark than bite, really.

Sasha

( what in the actual fuck , Jon?) Melanie saw you guys? 

[GERRY AND JON GRIMACE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN REPLY.]

Sasha

( exhausted) She is going to kill me. 

Jon

Well then. Good luck with that.

Sasha

Fine! You know what, you brought this upon yourself, Jon! When Melanie comes to me to give her formal complaint about your behaviour, I’m gonna tell her that I was in no way involved with this and that if she wants to complain, she should do it to your face!

Jon

You know what? Yeah, that’s fair. Sorry, Sasha.

Sasha

( affectionately) You’re an idiot, Jon.

Gerry

( confusion ) Wait, so— this sort of thing happens often?

Sasha

“This sort of thing?”

Gerry

(awkwardly) Well, yeah… Like, Melanie… and Jon…

Sasha

Ohhh, you mean, Jon being dumb and me receiving all the complaints about it? Yeah, all the time. 

Jon

( interrupting) No, never. 

Sasha

Well, on occasion.

Jon

( defensive ) It’s not just me!

Sasha

Okay, okay! True! All of my friends are disasters! Well. Except for you, Gerry. You’re cool.

Gerry

Thaaaaank you, I think?

[THE THREE FRIENDS REACH THE SCHOOL AT LAST, PAUSING AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING. A LOT OF PEOPLE SWARMING AROUND THEM, ALL TALKING, AND GERRY HAS TO RAISE THEIR VOICE QUITE A BIT TO BE HEARD ABOVE THE CHATTER.]

So, I’ll see you all during History?

Jon

Mhm, see you in 45 minutes.

Sasha

Bye, Gerry! Don’t be late!

[SHE AND JON WALK OFF IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, LEAVING GERRY TO STARE AFTER THEM.]

Gerry

Don’t be?— 

[THEY CHECK THE TIME, REALIZING THAT THEY ARE, INDEED, ABOUT TO BE LATE FOR FIRST PERIOD.]

Well, fuck.

____________________

[INT. THE SCHOOL’S CAFETERIA. IT IS LUNCHTIME.]

[SASHA IS DEEP INTO A DISCUSSION WITH TIM AND JON ABOUT SOMETHING THAT GERRY CAN NOT EVEN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND. THEY ARE FEELING PRETTY OUT OF PLACE, AND JUDGING BY THE FACT THAT MICHAEL IS SITTING QUIETLY AND OBSERVING THE OTHERS WITHOUT SAYING A WORD, HE PROBABLY FEELS THE SAME.]

Gerry

Hey, Michael.

Michael

Oh! Gerry, hi! How’s life been treating you?

Gerry

[THEY UNPACK THEIR LUNCH AND BEGIN TO EAT, TAKING A FEW SECONDS TO CHEW AND SWALLOW BEFORE ANSWERING MICHAEL’S QUESTION.]

Oh, you know. The usual. 

Michael

(they don't   know, actually) And the usual is?...

Gerry

I don’t know. Uh, I’m doing fine. Not bad, really.

Michael

Well that’s, that’s good, I think.

Gerry

Yep.

[THE TWO SIT IN SILENCE FOR A FEW VERY AWKWARD MINUTES. GERRY EATS THEIR LUNCH WHILE HALF-LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION TIM AND JON ARE CURRENTLY HAVING. JON SEEMS TO BE VERY PASSIONATELY RANTING ABOUT EMULSIFIERS, WHILE TIM LISTENS INTENTLY. GERRY LOOKS AT SASHA AND SEES HER EVEN JOTTING DOWN NOTES.]

Michael

Uh, (clearing through) Gerry?

Gerry

Yeah?

Michael

Would you, like… LIke to come over tomorrow? To my house, I mean.

Gerry

What?

Michael

Well, just as friends! You know. We could just, do our homework together, or something. As friends! Of course. You know, you just seem cool, I’d like to get to know you better? So… Would you like to come over tomorrow, to my house? Well, technically my apartment. That is, my sister’s apartment—

Gerry

(grinning) No need to explain yourself, I’d love to, actually. Thanks.

Michael

(obviously surprised) Oh! Okay, okay, great! I’ll text you the address later, then?

Gerry

Sure. 

Michael

( smiling now too) No problem.

[GERRY CONTINUES EATING IN A HAPPY LITTLE HAZE. MICHAEL THINKS THAT THEY  ARE COOL?]

Melanie

Ahem.

[GERRY LOOKS UP WITH A START TO SEE ONE OF THE GIRLS FROM YESTERDAY (MELANIE, THEY THINK) STARING AT JON. IF LOOKS COULD KILL, THIS ONE DEFINITELY WOULD. BEHIND MELANIE STAND GEORGIE AND MARTIN.]

Sasha

( calmly) Melanie.

Melanie

(false cheerfulness) Sasha! I’m sure that you already know why I’m here today, right?

Martin

( embarrassed)  Listen Melanie you really don’t have to do this it’s not a big deal—

Melanie

(talking through her teeth) But it is a big deal! Jon was spying on you!

Sasha

Yes, and I already talked to Jon about that. He promised to apologize. I have this under control.

Melanie

Okay, student body president, don’t you think that we deserve a little more than just a little apology for everything that happened?

Sasha

And what do you want from us, exactly?

Georgie

Listen, we really don’t want trouble, but, at least, could you guys leave us be?

Sasha

We really are trying our best, we’ve had enough problems—

Melanie

Then why was Jon spying on us?

Sasha

Well really, that’s Jon’s business.

Martin

( desperate) Melanie please can we just go and finish our lunches, it really doesn’t matter that much…

Melanie

Fine. But I’m watching you, Sims.

[MELANIE STALKS OFF, WITH THE OTHER TWO FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND. MARTIN LOOKS BACK AND GRIMACES APOLOGETICALLY IN SASHA’S DIRECTION AND GEORGIE WHISPERS SOMETHING TO MELANIE.]

Gerry

( confused ) This… happens often?

Michael

More often than we’re all comfortable with, yep.

Gerry

Hm. Uh, Jon, are you okay?

Jon

( curt) Yes, yes, fine. I’m sorry.

Tim

Hey, don’t be sorry, dude! Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Yours just happen to be a little more interesting than most.

Jon

Mmm.

Sasha

(comforting) Don’t worry about it, really. We’ll get everything figured out eventually, okay?

Jon

I— Yes. Thank you Sasha, I appreciate all the chances you’re giving me, truly.

Sasha

(fondly) Oh, drop the nonsense, Jon, we’re friends! That’s what friends are for.

Jon

( unsure ) I suppose you’re correct. Now, what were we discussing before this interruption?...

Chapter Text

[EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD.]

[GERRY STANDS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL, TAPPING THEIR FOOT AS THEY WAIT FOR MICHAEL. THEIR LAST DAY AND A HALF HAD PASSED QUICKLY, LEAVING GERRY GIDDY WITH NERVOUS EXCITEMENT.]

Michael

(calling out, their voice getting louder as he gets closer) Gerry!! Hey!!

Gerry

Michael! I know we just saw each other at lunch, but how are you?

[THE TWO START WALKING, WITH MICHAEL IN THE LEAD AND GERRY FOLLOWING HIM.]

Michael

Same as before, only now also mad about English homework… again…

Gerry

(sympathetic) Ms. Robinson strikes again?

Michael

(jokingly mournful) Yep, Ms. Robinson strikes again…

Gerry

I don’t have homework for any class but History, and since we share the class I was thinking we could just get that out of the way first, and then I could help you with English?

Michael

Sure, sounds like a plan! (brief pause) Uh, listen, you’re fine with walking all the way to my place, right? It’s not very far, maybe a few more minutes, but if you’re tired I can—

Gerry

It’s totally fine, don’t worry about it! I walk to and from school every day and it’s a good 15-minute walk away, I’m used to it. 

Michael

(obviously relieved) That’s good then. Another thing, I think my sister is probably home today? She shouldn’t bother us that much, but she can be a little… much, sometimes, like me, so just… warning you, I guess. 

Gerry

(earnest) I don’t think you’re too much. I mean, you’re really great and obviously careful with respecting boundaries and all that, I can see that right away.

Michael

Oh, really? (flustered, just a bit) Thanks! I’m… glad you think that.

Gerry

It’s no problem.

[A FEW BEATS OF AWKWARD SILENCE.]

Michael

The apartment is just up ahead— Uh, that one.

[HE POINTS AT A SMALL BUILDING, APPROXIMATELY THREE FLOORS TALL. IT’S WHITE, WITH MANY WINDOWS AND A FRESHLY PAINTED PICKET FENCE SURROUNDING THE PROPERTY, GIVING OFF A COZY FEEL.]

Gerry

Cool, cool.

Michael

Yeah! We’re right on the first floor, so we don’t have much further to go. Here, you go first.

[THE DOOR CREAKS LIGHTLY AS MICHAEL PUSHES AGAINST IT, LEANING AGAINST THE DOOR TO HOLD IT OPEN AND WAITING FOR GERRY TO PASS THROUGH.]

Gerry

Oh! Thanks, man.

Michael

Don’t worry about it— Oh, here we are!

[THEY GESTURE TO A DOOR. ITS PAINTED A PLEASANT LIGHT PURPLE, AND A LITTLE CARDBOARD WREATH HANGS ON IT. “OUR HOME,” IT ANNOUNCES, IN BRIGHT, GLITTERY LETTERS.]

Uh, don’t mind the wreath, I made that when I was like… six, or something.

Gerry

(shrug) I think it’s cute.

Michael

I— I mean, I’m glad, (loudly) Hey Helen, are you home?

Helen

Come on in Mikey— oooh, you brought a friend? How nice!

[GERRY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE EXPECTING WHEN MICHAEL SAID HE HAD A SISTER, BUT IT WASN'T THIS; SHE LOOKS THE EXACT POLAR OPPOSITE FROM MICHAEL, WITH DARK SKIN AND BLACK HAIR CUT IN A SHARP BUT STYLISH BOB, WITH COLORFUL DANGLING EARRINGS MADE UP OF GEOMETRIC SHAPES AND WEARING A PURPLE SUIT.]

I don't remember seeing you around before, are you new? It's nice to meet you darling, I'm Helen!

Gerry

[THEY NOD, NOT REALLY SURE HOW TO ANSWER AND A BIT TAKEN ABACK BY THE BUNDLE OF ENERGY THAT IS HELEN.]

Michael

Hey, Helen- we're just gonna be in my room, we were just planning on doing some homework together.

Helen

Of course, of course! Are you two hungry? I just got home myself, but I could fix up a snack for you both if you'd like, after I get changed.

Gerry

(slightly overwhelmed) uh…

Michael

[HE SAVES GERRY FROM HAVING TO REPLY, DRAGGING THEM BY THE ARM PAST HELEN AND FURTHER DOWN THE HALLWAY.]

(calling out as he heads towards what Gerry assumes is his room) it's okay, we'll be fine, thanks! 

Gerry

[THEY LOOK AROUND THE HALLWAY AS THEY WALK THROUGH IT, ALL THE COLORFUL ART ON THE WALLS, HOW EVERYTHING LOOKS SO BRIGHT, COLORFUL, LIVED IN. IT MAKES GERRY HAPPY, THE WAY THIS PLACE WAS CLEARLY MADE TO BE A REFLECTION OF WHO MICHAEL AND HELEN ARE AS PEOPLE.]

(desperately trying to start the conversation again) So, your sister-

Michael

Hm? Oh yeah, stepsister. My mom got together with her dad after he already had Helen so we're not related by blood at all.

Gerry

Oh, cool? Not at all what I was gonna ask, but cool. I just wanted to say that she seems nice, is all

Michael

 (a lil embarrassed) Yeah, she's awesome!

[WITH THOSE WORDS THEY THROW OPEN THE DOOR TO THEIR ROOM, USHERING GERRY IN.]

Gerry

[THE FIRST WORD THAT POPS INTO GERRY'S HEAD UPON ENTERING MICHAEL'S ROOM IS: MESS. BUT AFTER THEIR EYES ADJUST TO THE SUDDEN BURST OF COLOR AND MOTION THEY REALIZE IT'S NOT A MESS AT ALL, JUST AN ARTFULLY PUT TOGETHER MOSAIC OF SO MANY THINGS IT'S ALMOST CLAUSTROPHOBIC. EVERY LITTLE SPACE IS FILLED, WALLS PLASTERED IN LITTLE PICTURES AND POSTCARDS AND POSTERS, A COLOR CODED COLLECTION OF CANDY WRAPPERS STUCK TO THE WALL, HALF-FINISHED DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS HAPHAZARDLY PINNED UP NEXT TO IT.]

[IT TAKES GERRY A MOMENT TO EVEN RECOGNIZE MICHAEL'S DESK AS A DESK, IT'S SO COMPLETELY COVERED IN SCRAPS OF FABRIC, VARIOUS PAPERS AND ART SUPPLIES. THE BED IS MORE BLANKETS AND PILLOWS THAN IT IS BED.]

(awestruck) Woah.

Michael

I'm really sorry for the mess, I don't really clean my room that often…

Gerry

No, no, this is great! Genuinely, wow.

Michael

Aw, thanks! It's really nothing impressive, mostly just an incoherent mess, really.

Gerry

[THEY THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN ROOM, WITH THE EMPTY WALLS AND EMPTY DESK, ONE OLD BLANKET THEY'VE HAD SINCE THEY WERE A KID THROWN ONTO A NEVER-MADE BED.]

Well, I think it's nice.

(awkward) So, about that homework…

Michael

(The voice of someone who completely forgot the original purpose of why they were even here) Right, yeah, homework! 

Here, you sit at the desk, I'll pull up a beanbag for myself

[THEY GESTURE AT A LARGE PILE OF BLANKETS THAT GERRY ONLY NOW REALIZES HOLDS A CHAIR BENEATH.]

Gerry

Alright, so, History first, grammar with our dear Mrs. Robinson after?

[THEY TAKE A SEAT AT THE DESK, PLACING THEIR BACKPACK BY THE CHAIR AND PULLING OUT THEIR SCHOOL CHROMEBOOK, PUTTING IT ON THE CONVENIENTLY LAPTOP-SHAPED CLEARED SPACE IN THE CENTER OF THE DESK.]

Michael

(so, very sarcastic) Of course, gotta save the best for last! 

[HE DRAGS OVER A GIGANTIC YELLOW BEAN BAG AND PLOPS DOWN ON IT NEXT TO GERRY.]

You know what the homework is on?

Gerry

[THEY CLICK AROUND ON THE LAPTOP, TRYING TO ACCESS THE ASSIGNMENT.]

Pretty sure it's something about, uh… something…

Michael

(giggle) Yep, sounds about right!

[HE GRABS HIS OWN LAPTOP AND PULLS IT UP ON HIS LAP, GETTING THE ASSIGNMENT OPEN AND THEN GRABS A LITTLE SCRAP OF FABRIC OFF HIS DESK TO FIDGET WITH.]

Gerry

[THEY FINALLY GET THE ASSIGNMENT OPEN AND TURN THEIR CHROMEBOOK SLIGHTLY TO FACE MICHAEL.]

Do you get any of this?

Michael

Um, yeah, for the most part! 

Gerry

(said with the slightest laugh) Good, because I don't! 

Michael 

Don't worry, it looks hard but it isn't, mostly just kinda tedious, here..

[HE LEANS OVER TO BE ABLE TO REACH GERRY'S CHROMEBOOK, SCROLLING DOWN ON THE ASSIGNMENT AND BEGINS TO EXPLAIN.]

Gerry

[WITH THE WAY MICHAEL IS LEANING FORWARD, GERRY GETS A FULL FACE OF HIS HAIR AND HAS TO MOVE A LITTLE BACKWARDS AND TO THE SIDE SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHAT MICHAEL IS EXPLAINING.]

[THEY ALMOST DON'T WANT TO MOVE, BECAUSE MAN, MICHAEL'S HAIR IS SO SOFT, AND IT SMELLS SO GOOD THAT THEY ALMOST WANT TO ASK HIM WHAT SHAMPOO HE USES…]

[AND THEN THEY REALIZE THAT IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA TO ACTUALLY BE PAYING ATTENTION TO

WHAT MICHAEL IS SHOWING THEM INSTEAD OF THINKING GAY THOUGHTS, SO THEY DO EXACTLY THAT. OR AT LEAST TRY TO, BUT IT'S NOT THAT EASY WHEN THEY'RE SITTING NEXT TO ONE OF THE PRETTIEST AND COOLEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.]

[...GOD, THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG FEW HOURS, ISN'T IT?]