Original subtitles

(upbeat rock music)

(people cheering)

♪ I'm sorry I do not remember ♪

♪ Ordering a glass of your opinion ♪

♪ I'm sorry I forgot the expert on all things me is you ♪

♪ My apologies, I didn't come to you first ♪

♪ With every single decision ♪

♪ I'm the worst ♪

♪ I'm sorry that you know what I'm not ♪

♪ I almost forgot ♪

- [Wes] They say the 90s was a great time.

I guess it was for most people.

I always felt like I was different.

So finding friends that I was comfortable around wasn't

the easiest thing to do.

- I love your costume.

I'm Katie.

- Thanks.

I'm Wes.

Can I get you a drink?

- Sure.

♪ Don't tell me what to do ♪

♪ I'm sorry, I thought I was subscribed ♪

- Excuse me, officer.

As sorry as I am to interrupt your strip search,

Mr. Creed is needed for photo shoot.

He'll turn himself back to you momentarily.

- Okay, I'm kind of in the middle of something.

- Fine.

I'll let you get back to her and give you 10 bucks

if you can tell me her name.

- All right, damn it.

All right, let's take this photo quickly.

- Can you please hold this?

- Yes. - Thanks.

- [Speaker] All right, ready?

1, 2, 3.

Where could you even keep running in that costume?

- Wouldn't you like to know? (chuckles)

- [Wes] I wasn't the most popular kid at school.

Thank you. - Thanks.

- [Wes] But I guess I did okay.

(Izzy laughing)

- No, I will kill you if you rip that dress.

- Don't be jealous 'cause he looks better

than you in it, Iz.

- As if!

(camera shutter clicking)

- Come on, gimme a kiss.

- Ew, no.

- The track team is gonna love this shot

at the awards slide show. (laughs)

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

(rock music continues)

- [Wes] Home wasn't always great.

To say that my parents fought a lot would be

a huge understatement.

- [Helen] Seems like you always do.

I'm sure you got some tramp

waiting for you somewhere anyway.

(rock music continues)

- [Wes] It's amazing how quickly things can change.

My mother wasn't wrong.

My dad was having an affair,

and that's when things got way worse.

- I can't believe you're doing this,

after everything I've done!

- This is why!

All we ever do is fight.

I'm tired of it, Helen.

I can't live like this anymore.

She understands me in a way you never could.

- Understand?

- Is that what you call fucking that whore now?

Understanding?

(Ray and Helen screaming)

You know what? If you wanna go, go.

Get out.

Don't come back.

- [Wes] Eventually my parents got divorced.

It was hard on my mom, ♪ Don't tell me how to think ♪

♪ And live and be ♪

♪ No I'm not you, thank God ♪

♪ Back off and don't tell me ♪

and I guess it was hard on me too.

♪ Don't tell me what to do ♪

♪ Feels like you wanna control me ♪

- What is this?

This is something you do.

I can't believe you failed a biology test.

- [Wes] Things have gotten better since then.

They're pretty much back to normal, I guess,

except for a couple things that nobody knows about.

♪ And live and be ♪

♪ No I'm not you ♪

- He has to, like, there's no way he can't, right?

- You know I liked my life

before you put this thought in my mind.

- What are you guys talking about?

- Save yourself.

Run.

I'm too late.

- Okay.

I was watching "King Kong" last night

and I couldn't help but notice

that Kong wasn't anatomically correct.

I paused the VCR and everything, it's not there.

It's like a Ken doll.

Feel like a King Kong should have a king dong, right?

No wonder you're swatting at those helicopters.

- What the hell is wrong with you?

- [Wes] I'm Wes and this is my story.

(tense music)

No.

No.

Stop.

(tense music)

Stop!

No! Don't!

(alarm clock ringing)

(students chattering)

Hey! What happened last night?

I thought you were gonna call.

- So sorry.

Rob came over and we got into this huge fight

and I thought it was too late to bother you.

- You're never a bother.

I just don't get you two and the constant arguing.

- I know right?

Believe me, it's getting old.

- What are you up to tonight?

- I don't know.

Rob isn't talking to me and it's our six-month anniversary

and I don't even know if I wanna see him.

- Well, if you wanna talk or don't feel like being alone,

give me a call.

I'll be around.

- Okay.

I'll call you later.

Bye, Wes.

- Bye, Dana.

- What was that?

Seriously, what's going on with the two of you?

- She has a boyfriend, Miles.

We've covered this.

- A boyfriend who's a douche.

This been going on for how long, man?

You either make a move or move on,

'cause it looks like you're headed

straight for the friendzone.

- Pretty sure I'm already there.

All she does is bitch about him.

- If you don't wanna be alone tonight, Dana,

and wanna bitch about your asshole boyfriend,

please call me.

You know there's nothing I like better

than to hear you talk about another guy.

- Shut up, man.

- You sir are a glutton for punishment.

All right, well I gotta meet Carmichael before class,

so I'll catch you later.

- Sure.

- You okay?

- I'm fine.

I didn't get good sleep.

Have you seen Iz?

- She was in the office.

Something about dropping off a check I think.

Speaking of Iz, I gotta talk to you about something.

- What's up?

- Not right now.

It's gonna take more than 30 seconds,

and plus I gotta get going.

We both know how Carmichael is about punctuality.

Five minutes early is on time, ladies and gentlemen,

and on time is late. - And on time is late.

After school.

- So what it comes down to is we believe

that Wes could benefit from a change of scenery.

- Well, is there a problem? Did he do something?

Is he failing another class?

- No, not at all.

- Well, is he being bullied?

- Oh no, nothing like that.

- Well, then what's the issue?

Let's drop the mystery and get to the point.

Why do you want my son out of this school?

- Mister and Misses Connolly,

I can assure you that Wes has been a model student

since his setback last year.

His teachers have nothing but amazing things

to say about Wes and he seems

to get along well with his peers.

However, we feel that-

- Wes' standardized testing results came in

and they're off the charts.

He has a very high IQ and we're just afraid

that maybe he isn't being challenged enough here.

- In a nutshell, we think that Wes would benefit

from a more rigorous curriculum.

There's an amazing private school in Richland

that we both feel would be much more suited

to his abilities.

- You mean Springdale Academy?

- Yes.

- That school costs 15 grand a year.

- Of course you would complain about the cost.

This is our son's future and education

we're talking about here.

You can't put a price tag on that.

- I'm not putting a price tag on it.

Springdale Academy is.

I mean that's a lot of goddamn money!

You know, between child support, alimony, the house,

now you want me to shout out another 15 grand

for private school?

Okay, you know what I'm gonna do?

I'm gonna go move into a cardboard box,

because Wes isn't being challenged enough at his school.

Is that what you want?

- Well, if you weren't supporting two households,

this wouldn't be an issue.

Hope she was worth it.

- (clears throat) Mr. and Mrs. Connolly,

this isn't the timer place for this particular discussion.

And honestly the money is a mood point.

Springdale Academy has an academic scholarship program

and after hearing the West test scores

and his glowing recommendations from his teachers,

they've offered him a full scholarship

for his final two years of high school.

(students chattering)

- Good morning, sunshine.

- Can we dispense with the exuberance this morning?

- Someone's in a mood.

Come on, it's the last day of school.

We're like six hours away from freedom.

- You've known me for low long?

Have I ever been a morning person?

- Touche.

- I can't wait to get this day over with.

- I'm used to you being in miserable,

but you seem extra this morning.

What's wrong?

- I didn't sleep well, and I woke up late.

I hate being late.

- Yes sir, Captain Punctuality.

I figured that had something to do

with your parents being here.

- What are you talking about?

- Your mom and dad.

I saw them with principal Smith in the office.

- Please tell me you're joking.

- Both of them? Together?

- Yeah.

- That can't be good.

Gotta go.

- Wes, calm down, it can't be that bad.

It's literally the last day of school.

- Iz, my parents are combustible in the best of situations.

Them being here talking about me is

like throwing gasoline on a fire.

- This is an amazing opportunity for Wes.

100% of Springdale Academy students go

to university-level colleges,

and 90% of them receive academic scholarships.

- 90%?

What?

Well, I wouldn't have to pay for college.

- You're an ass.

- I'm just proud of my son's newfound academic progress.

(Wes knocking)

- Oh, Wes!

I was just about to have Mrs. Covin call you to the office.

- There he is!

My boy genius.

- What's going on here?

Izzy said she saw you guys.

- Come in.

I was just telling your parents

about how well you did on your standardized testing.

And, given your test scores and your transcript,

Springdale Academy has offered you a full scholarship.

Congratulations, Mr. Connelley.

(camera shutter clicking)

- [Ray] Make sure he gets to this school.

- Yeah, I will. - Okay.

Hey, Wes.

That was some amazing news today, Wes.

You know, going to Springdale is gonna be

an amazing opportunity for you.

- Do we have to talk about this right now?

- Of course we do.

- It's gonna be my junior year.

I have two years left and you want me to leave

all my friends who I've known forever and start over?

- Do you know how much it costs to go to that school?

It's an education Monroe could never give you.

- I don't care how much it costs or how good it is.

This isn't something for you to brag about, mom.

This is my life.

I wanna stay at Monroe, go to my proms,

graduate with my friends,

not finish high school at some fancy prep school.

Look, I know I messed up a lot last year,

but I've been doing so much better.

I've done everything you've asked of me.

Please just let me finish what I started at Monroe.

- This isn't about what happened last year, Wes.

We know how hard you've been working,

and, you know, we're both impressed

with how well you've improved.

But at Springdale you'll make new friends.

It'll be a fresh start.

It's exciting.

This school's gonna open doors for you

that no other public school could.

- I don't wanna make new friends or open new doors.

What's so freaking exciting about being the new kid?

I wanna stay at Monroe.

- Well, sometimes what we want isn't what's best for us,

and it's our job as your parents

to decide what's best for you.

- You may not realize it now,

but one day you'll thank us for this.

- I'm gonna thank you for ruining my life?

Don't hold your breath.

You two have never agreed on anything.

What? Now you decide to team up,

and the only thing you accomplish is fucking up my life.

- Watch your mouth, Wes.

We're your parents,

We know what's best for you.

This is about your future.

And for us, as smart as everyone seems to think you are,

you're still a kid.

We make the decisions around here, okay?

So you're going.

End of story.

- Well, I think it's safe to say

that he inherited his temper from you.

- Can't miss the opportunity to take a shot, can you, Helen?

(camera shutter clicking)

- So ,that's it?

You have to go?

- Yeah, that's it.

They basically made the decision for me

without any concern of how I might feel about it.

I start Springdale in the fall.

- Well, not having you at school is gonna suck,

but I mean, Springdale is an amazing school

and I understand why you don't wanna go,

but your parents are right.

This is a great opportunity.

And who knew you were so smart, right, Miles?

- I don't care about the opportunity.

I don't wanna start over.

I feel like I finally gotten back on track and now, bam.

There aren't even girls there.

- Yeah, that school is a total sausage party,

but it'll be fine, man.

You have the entire summer ahead of you

before you even have to deal with that.

And plus, it's not like you're being shipped off to Siberia.

We're still gonna see you all the time.

- Wait, doesn't you know who go to Springdale?

- I don't wanna talk about this anymore.

Next subject.

- You know who?

- We don't mention his name.

- Who the hell are you talking about?

Why are you two being so mysterious?

Does Bruce Wayne keep a bat cave

under Springdale or something?

- I said I don't wanna talk about this anymore.

Anyway, what are we doing this summer?

- Aren't you gonna eat those?

- Wes will be fine.

It's our job to do what's best for him.

He'll adjust and this will be a really good thing.

- He's really upset.

I'm worried about him.

- That's the way life goes.

You don't always get what you want.

The sooner he learns that, the better off he'll be.

Wait, worried about him?

Why?

- He just seems really closed off lately,

like he's hiding something,

or something's weighing on him.

- He's a teenager, Helen.

They're not exactly known for involving

their parents in their lives.

It's probably just some normal 16-year-old crap.

- I hope so.

- Well, it was good to see you today.

And you know we're doing a good thing here

and I think it's important that we're doing it together.

Unified front.

Okay, I guess I should get going.

- You do have that young one to get home to.

- I'm trying, Helen.

I'm trying to do what's best for everybody

and you seem to take every opportunity

to throw her in my face.

Can't you be civil for more than 10 seconds at a time?

- Well I could have, but you're the one

who decided to have an affair after 20 years of marriage.

- All right, I'm gonna go.

- That's right, Ray.

Do what you do best, leave!

- You two fighting again?

- None of this is easy for any of us.

We'll work it out.

(gentle music)

Listen, I know you don't wanna go to Springdale

and it's a big change for you,

but this is a big opportunity for you, son.

In the long run, I really think you'll thank us for this.

- I know it's a great school.

I'm sure it'll be fine.

- That's my boy.

Listen, your mom's worried about you.

She seems to think you got stuff going on.

Is everything okay?

- I'm fine.

I'm fine, dad, I swear.

- Okay.

I gotta go.

Call me if you need anything.

You're gonna do great at Springdale, son.

I'm really proud of you.

Thanks, dad.

(gentle music continues)

♪ Either way I need to make it clear ♪

♪ Before we're leaving here ♪

- Wes?

- Hey, mom.

Sorry about earlier.

- I know it's not easy, honey,

but it's the best thing for you.

- I know.

Look, I'm gonna call Dana and then try and get some rest.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight

- [Izzy] Wait, doesn't you know who go to Springdale?

(camera shutter clicking)

(gentle upbeat music)

♪ I tripped on it and I fell through ♪

♪ Don't want another, yeah, don't want another ♪

♪ But I'm still trying not to drown too ♪

♪ Swam to the others but walked back to my lover ♪

♪ And I tripped on it, fell through and saw that ♪

♪ Don't want another, why even bother ♪

♪ 'Cause I tripped on it and I found you ♪

♪ Don't want another, yeah, don't want another love ♪

♪ And I fall into you ♪

♪ And I know and I feel and I see that's always true ♪

♪ I can't wait until we get through ♪

♪ Yeah, I don't wanna waste more time on drama, yeah ♪

♪ I think that its time to start new ♪

♪ We've lived through all the hell that we would wanna yeah ♪

♪ I don't wanna waste my time on drama ♪

♪ Leave it in the summer ♪

♪ Try not to remember ♪

- I'm gonna have to make every decision

in this relationship, aren't I?

- Yeah, maybe.

(both chuckle)

Oh no, no, no, no! - Oh, let's go.

That's three now. - I was close that time.

So, Springdale in a couple days.

You excited?

- Well, I think it's pretty exciting.

Just don't forget about us little people.

- I assure you, you guys aren't the ones

I wanna forget about.

- Does this have to do with the mysterious Mister No Name?

I'll take an someone fill Miles in

on what's going on for a thousand Alex?

- Anthony.

- Who's Anthony.

- Before you moved here,

Anthony and I used to be best friends.

- 'Till we caught him hooking up

with Wes' girlfriend at the time.

- Ouch. - Yeah.

- Anthony and I grew up together.

We were inseparable.

We did everything together.

But, after what he did, he changed schools

and he stopped talking to me.

- Honestly, it sounds like you're better off without him.

- Yeah, except now I get to see him every day.

- Is that why you don't wanna go to Springdale?

- It's a big part of it.

Things would be so much different if I never met him.

Anyway, I have to go.

- I thought we were all hanging out.

- Dana and I are going out tonight.

- Oh, her.

Good luck, man.

Thanks, Miles.

- He's just an sometimes.

It's like, hello?

Does he even know who he's dating?

- I just don't understand why you're still with him.

Don't you wanna be with someone

who you know cares about you?

Where the whole thing doesn't feel like work?

- That actually sounds great.

- I'm not a relationship expert by a long shot,

but I don't think it should be so hard.

Yeah, you're gonna have rough patches,

but for the most part it should be easy and simple.

You know that feeling when you just click with someone

and it all fits?

Dana, if I ever find someone to be with,

it makes sense to me that it would be with someone

who I know cares about me, someone I'm familiar with,

but who still makes my heart skip a beat,

still gives me butterflies and all those stupid cliches.

I don't wanna waste time on someone

I need to badger into spending time with me.

- That sounds perfect.

- Dana, you're an amazing person

and you deserve to be with someone

who wants to treat you like a princess.

Don't you believe that?

- Coming from you?

Of course I do.

- Good.

What movie are we seeing tonight?

- Well, there's this new romantic comedy

that looks really cute.

What's it called again?

Oh, "Strictly Business".

- Sounds good.

Don't be silly.

My treat.

Ready?

- My parents are gonna be home soon.

- I guess we should get dressed.

- Hey, what's wrong?

- I feel like all we do is hide.

Hide from your parents, hide from our friends.

- Hide from Wes.

- I don't like feeling like a secret,

like we're doing something wrong.

I mean, if he winds up finding out,

won't that just him off more?

- Miles, I know that you and Wes are close,

but you don't know him like I do.

- Sounds a bit dramatic.

- Well, you weren't around when things went down

with his parents and Anthony.

- Okay, so I get that Anthony and Wes were

best friends and all, but I don't get what the deal is.

- You know, I always thought there was more to it,

but Wes barely talks about it.

Like, if I wasn't there,

I don't think I'd ever know what happened.

- What did happen?

- [Izzy] Wes, he had a lot going on at the time.

Wes' mother just found out that his father was

cheating on her.

His house was basically a war zone.

- We were all hanging out at Katie's

trying to cheer Wes up, but he was really upset.

He kept saying he just wanted to be alone,

and I finally got him to come back and hang out with us,

and when we walked in the house to find Anthony and Katie,

we basically walked in on them hooking up.

- [Anthony] This isn't what it looks like.

- Wes freaked out and just took off.

I yelled at Anthony. - What are you doing, Anthony?

He has enough going on! - And it wasn't good.

- Izzy, wait!

Izzy, listen!

- How long ago was this?

- Couple years ago.

And right after that, Anthony changed schools,

like just like that.

He cut west completely out of his life.

And it was bad.

- I'm sure, having your parents split up

and losing the best friend are difficult on their own,

much worse at the same time.

- It was more than that.

- And Wes, like, he wasn't himself.

He was just dark and moody all the time,

and he was so angry.

Like, he freaked out over the dumbest stuff.

- Wes?

- Yes.

And I was really worried about him.

I was free to do something.

- You mean, like-

- Well, he was in a really bad place.

He's come so far now though.

He's almost back to being himself,

but I just don't wanna do anything to mess that up.

- I get it.

I guess it's just, if it came from me,

I feel like he'd be okay with it, I mean-

- No, he wouldn't handle this well, Miles.

'Cause he's already struggling with feeling left out

with, you know, the new school

and having to see Anthony and the Dana situation

and I just think this would make things worse.

- I get it, Iz, I do, but it's not easy for me

to lie to my friend and act like this isn't happening.

I mean it's not fair to you or me, but especially Wes.

- We'll find the right time, just not right now.

Please.

- Now, come on.

You can't be up here when my parents get home

and I'm gonna kick your ass in Mario Cart.

- You're going down.

- I think it's a little too late for that,

'cause you already went down,

and I won that time too. (laughs)

(camera shutter clicking)

(gentle music)

- I'll be right back.

I have to go to the bathroom.

- So, what did you think of the movie?

- To be honest, it wasn't something I would've chosen,

but it ended up being cute.

- I had a really great time. - Can't believe

the summer's almost over.

I always have fun when we're together.

- Wes, do you like me?

- What do you mean?

Of course I like you.

- I mean, do you like me?

- Danny, you have a boyfriend.

- That can change.

- Well, maybe we should hold off on this conversation

until it does.

- Wes, I like spending time with you.

You're sweet and we always have fun when we're together.

And what you said earlier really got me thinking

that you're right.

I deserve to be with someone

who actually gives me the time of day,

and someone who I truly care about.

I want someone who appreciates me

and someone who wants to be with me.

- Of course you should want those things.

I don't want anything to happen to our friendship.

- Wes, I think we can make it work.

- I gotta get home.

We both have a lot of thinking to do.

- Well, good night.

- Good night.

- How was your date?

- It wasn't a date, mom.

- You keep saying that, but you and Dana have been

seeing an awful lot of each other lately.

- We're friends.

Plus she has a boyfriend, so it really doesn't matter.

- You seem to really like her a lot.

- Okay, well, I'm going to bed.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, honey.

(answering machine beeping)

- [Dana] Hey, Wes.

I had fun tonight, as usual.

I wanna let you know I'm ending things with Rob.

If you're around tomorrow night, maybe we can talk?

(answering machine beeps)

(gentle music) (students chattering)

♪ I'm a always nightmare ♪

♪ I don't even fight fair ♪

♪ I just wanna know, oh, oh ♪

♪ Talk to me baby, I'm a little crazy ♪

♪ Where did you go, oh oh ♪

♪ I really think I miss you ♪

♪ I'm fixing my issues ♪

♪ I case you couldn't tell, tell, tell ♪

♪ I just wanna rock now ♪

♪ The dose don't even lack now ♪

♪ Lock me in a cell, cell, cell ♪

- We got race today.

Remember, no dropping

and you'll do good. - See you then.

♪ Talk to me, baby ♪

♪ Grown man lately ♪

♪ But you never know, oh, oh ♪ (school alarm ringing)

♪ I wish I never knew you ♪

♪ I'm seeing the real you ♪

♪ All you do is yell, yell, yell ♪

♪ I'm screaming and crying, I keep on prying ♪

♪ Lock me in a cell, cell, cell ♪

♪ 'Cause I'll do it again ♪

♪ I keep telling you that it's hard ♪

♪ Feeling like I'm out of my heart ♪

♪ I keep telling you that you're wrong ♪

♪ I should've known all along ♪

♪ I keep telling you that I'm fine ♪

♪ Insignificant in my mind ♪

♪ I keep telling you we're okay ♪

♪ Insignificant you might say ♪

♪ I'm a always nightmare, I don't even take care ♪

♪ Fell in love with pain, pain, pain ♪

♪ Talk to me baby, feeling kind of shaky ♪

♪ I'm going insane, sane, sane ♪

♪ Wanna be all right now, wake up, go away now ♪

♪ Wanna go home, home, home ♪

♪ Lost in the pages, seeing you in ages ♪

♪ Where did you go ♪

- Okay, class.

We'll pick up on this tomorrow.

Tonight I want you to read chapters three and four

and answer the review questions at the end of each section.

♪ I don't wanna see you, you, you ♪

♪ I don't have a clue yet what I'm gonna do yet ♪

♪ Bringing back the pain, pain, pain ♪

♪ No one knows the real me ♪

♪ Always gon' conceal me ♪

♪ Happens every day, day, day ♪

♪ And I'll do it again ♪

♪ I keep telling you that it's hard ♪

♪ Feeling like I'm out of my heart ♪

♪ I keep telling you that you're wrong ♪

♪ I shoulda known known long ♪

♪ I keep telling you that I'm fine ♪

- What's up, stranger?

- Hey.

- How's your first day?

- I got through it, so that's success, right?

It's so weird seeing you here.

- And I'm sure you don't mean that in a good way.

- It's not an insult, it's just surprising.

That's all.

So what brings you here anyway?

- Because, as my former principal, my parents,

and even my friends keep telling me,

it's what's best for me.

Don't worry.

I'm not here to screw anything up for you, Anthony.

- What does that mean?

- It means I'll stay in my lane.

I don't wanna be here anymore than you want me here.

So I'm not trying to cause issues,

I just, I wanna take advantage

of all the wonderful educational opportunities

everyone tells me Springdale Academy has to offer.

Look, it's clear how you feel about our friendship.

I'm not not gonna sulk,

You stopped talking to me.

- Wait, I stopped talking to you?

Is that how you remember this shit?

- Is there a different way to remember it?

You were my best friend, some shit happened,

and you stopped talking to me.

- I've heard of revisionist history, but, damn, Wes.

You're the one that stopped talking to me.

- What?

- You're the one that decided to stop talking to me,

stop answering my calls and believe some girl

that we both knew was a liar over your best friend.

- You know what? I don't wanna do this right now.

- Whatever dude, you're delusion.

Wes, I thought that maybe we could talk,

clear some things up.

I was wrong.

You're the same arrogant that you always were.

- And you're a terrible friend

who bailed when I needed you most.

You know what?

Let's not do this.

It's ancient history.

You've obviously moved on and so have I,

so there's really no fucking point.

(students chattering)

- Hey, what was that about?

You know that guy?

- Thought I did.

(phone ringing)

- [Dana] Hey, it's me.

Rob and I are over.

Call me when you get this.

I really wanna talk to you.

Hope you had a great first day.

Monroe isn't the same without you.

(camera shutter clicking)

(doorbell rings)

- I thought you said your parents wouldn't

be home for hours.

- Why the hell would my parents ring the doorbell?

- Who is it?

- Shit, it's Wes.

Dude, come on.

Wes! Hey!

Miles, it's Wes.

- Everything okay?

- Yeah, yes, great!

Come on, we were just playing video games.

- Wes!

- So, how was Springdale today?

- It wasn't great.

- What happened?

- Well, aside from being the new kid

and everyone pretty much ignoring my existence,

aside from that, Anthony Marshall happened.

- Your archenemy.

Did you know that Superman and Lex Luther went

to the same high school too?

- Well, anyway, did you two talk or anything?

- I guess you could call it that.

I almost punched him.

- What'd he say to you?

- Honestly, it doesn't matter.

We're not friends, we're not gonna be friends.

That's over.

I told him I'd stay in my lane if he stayed in his.

- Oh shit, with everything going on,

you never told us what happened with Dana the other night.

- Actually...

- What? - What?

- She kissed me.

- What? - Dude!

- She broke up with Rob.

- How did this happen?

- I don't know.

We went to dinner in the movies,

and she was bitching about Rob like she always does

and I told her she should be with someone

who cares about her.

- So you finally told her how you feel?

It's about damn time, man.

- Not directly.

She kind of read between the lines.

After I walked her home,

she asked me if I liked her.

- And?

- I said of course, but she has a boyfriend.

- So you finally got the chance to tell her

exactly how you felt for how long now,

and you decided to bring up her shitty relationship

and her jerk boyfriend?

Dear Lord, man, do you ever get outta your own way?

I mean I've never met anyone who enjoys

shooting themselves in the foot more than you, Connolly.

- And then she kissed me.

- So why do you look like someone kicked your puppy?

- Well, for one, there's the whole Rob situation.

Rob and Dana break up and get back together all the time.

I don't want to get jerked around.

- Being jerked around by Dana doesn't sound half bad.

Did I deserve that?

- Yeah, you kind of did.

- Not to be me or anything, but Rob's a total dick.

- I know that, you guys know that,

I'm not sure Dana knows that.

I don't wanna be anyone's insurance policy.

- Yeah, man.

You don't wanna be stuck in some, like, container

that says, "In case of douche bag boyfriend,

break glass and tell Wes all about it."

- Seriously, Miles, go fuck yourself.

- As often as I can, man.

Sometimes twice a day.

- Shut up.

Well, did you tell her how you feel and what you want?

- Yeah, basically.

Yes.

- Well, there you go.

If she broke up with him,

obviously she wants to be with you.

And yet, here you sit

with a I-just-sucked-on-a-lemon face.

- I know.

And I don't even know why.

- Well, Miles is right.

It seems like Dana's pretty serious this time.

She broke up with Rob to be with you.

That says a lot.

Isn't this what you wanted for so long?

- Yeah, it is, but I don't know.

Maybe after I talked to her I'll feel better about it.

She actually left me a message to come over and talk,

like, now.

- And why are you here?

- For the love of God, man, go!

Iz, we need to tell him about us.

(gentle piano music)

♪ Holding my head again ♪

♪ Making my way through crowded thoughts ♪

♪ Sometimes it's hard to get out of it ♪

♪ Broke my heart in the dark ♪

- [Speaker] The issue is not whether there should be

homosexuals in the military.

Everyone concedes that there are.

The issue is whether men and women

who can and have served with real distinction

should be excluded from military service

solely on the basis of their status.

♪ Brig in all the lighting ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm looking for a hero ♪

♪ Look inside the mirror ♪

♪ I find one, oh ♪

♪ Carry the hurt when it gets too hard ♪

♪ Pick it up, dust it off when I fall ♪

♪ Down 11, I get up 12 ♪

♪ Don't need nobody else ♪

♪ Yeah, I can save myself ♪

- I see some things haven't changed.

- What?

- I said I see some things haven't changed.

- Yeah.

- We used to come here a lot.

- I didn't know you still came here.

- I don't.

Well, I mean I haven't, since everything went down.

- Why come back now?

I didn't mean it like that.

- I don't know.

I mean, I know you used to always come out here

when your head was clouded

and you just wanted to have an escape.

- A temporary respite from the war my parents were waging.

I always felt so strange being somewhere so peaceful

when I knew what was going on at home.

- I'm sorry, Wes.

- For what?

- For not working harder to make sure

you understood what happened.

- I wasn't in much of a listening mood at the time.

- And now?

- Is there anything left to talk about?

- Maybe there is.

Maybe there isn't.

That's for you to decide.

I didn't kiss Katie. Wes.

Katie kissed me.

You were a mess.

And, I mean, it was understandable,

but you were a mess.

And I mean, I would've done literally anything.

It was understandable, but I didn't know what to do.

Well, you know what happened.

I would've done literally anything for you,

but and after it happened, well, you know it happened.

I didn't know what to think.

And it was like everything was spinning.

I didn't know what to think.

- So what's going on with you and Wes?

- Nothing, I mean he's got some stuff

going on at home, but he's fine,

he's just a little off. - Everything was spinning.

I went inside to get us both drinks

and Katie was acting all weird.

- He's barely paid any attention to me.

- Cut him some slack.

He's got a lot going on, he'll be fine.

Katie was acting all weird.

- I'm just not used to guys having too much going on

to pay attention to me.

So I bet you wouldn't ignore me.

- I don't know what you are getting at,

but Wes is my best friend.

I told her to give you a break

and that you were my best friend,

but she like jumped on me.

I told her to give you a break

and that you were my best friend,

but she like jumped on me.

- Why would you do that to him, Anthony?

Like he doesn't have enough going on!

Izzy, Wait!

Izzy, listen!

- What the hell is wrong with you?

- Well, it didn't look like you tried to stop her.

Doesn't mean I don't believe you.

I'm pretty sure we both know

that this wasn't about what happened with Katie.

- Yeah.

- I didn't know what was going on between us.

With everything happening back home, I was overwhelmed.

I saw you and Katie, something just snapped.

I freaked out.

At some point it was easier to let things go.

I didn't know what to do, so I did nothing at all.

- I understand that.

I understand that more than you know.

- Things at home were falling apart,

so nothing else mattered.

- For me too.

My mom left my dad,

and I guess by default she left me too.

I don't think my parents loved each other very much.

I mean, they tried to stay together for me,

but I guess they could only take so much of it

until staying together for me was miserable.

Your parents got divorced, Wes.

My mom disappeared.

- Yeah.

I'm really sorry.

I had no idea.

- You were my best friend.

I miss that.

I've missed that for a long time.

I have tried to call you.

I've tried to reach out to you and you never answered.

I don't know, I guess after a while I just got pissed.

I know things have been bad,

but can we at least stop hating each other?

- I never hated you.

I hated a lot of things, but never you.

- Seeing you at that school today really threw me off.

I didn't know if I should punch you or hug you.

- Well, I'm glad you didn't punch me.

- What would you have done?

- I certainly wouldn't have hit me,

but I probably wouldn't have hugged me either.

- Well, let's do this.

I know it's old school, but truce?

- Truce.

- I'm always here for you.

I want you to know that.

- And obviously you know where to find me.

- Yeah, I do.

Just look for the lonely loser sitting alone at the Green.

- You know I might still be an arrogant ass,

but you're still definitely a smart ass.

- Good night, Wes.

- See you tomorrow.

(camera shutter clicking)

(gentle guitar music)

♪ Be here at my shoulder ♪

♪ Be here in my side ♪

♪ Be here when the cold night falls ♪

♪ And in the morning light ♪

♪ Be here in the autumn ♪

♪ When all the colors call ♪

♪ Be the burning memory ♪

♪ Of all the summers gone ♪

♪ Be here every morning ♪

♪ Be the calm I feel ♪

- Hey.

Didn't I tell you before your mom and the kids are sleeping?

Come on, Miles.

- Sorry, Brad.

♪ Be here to remind me ♪

♪ Of all the goodness I knew ♪

- Mom, what happened?

What's wrong?

- I know why last year was so hard for you.

I know what happened.

♪ Don't let me let it go ♪

- Wait.

What are you talking about?

- I read "Abandoned", Wes.

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out

why you seem so off lately.

Now it all makes total sense.

- You read "Abandoned"?

- Well, yes.

Well, I mean, you left your light on in your room again

and it was just sitting on your desk.

- Don't touch my stuff, mom!

That was private and not yours to read.

(Helen sighs)

(phone ringing)

(answering machine beeps)

- Hey, it's me.

Wondering where you are.

I thought you were coming over.

Anyway, call me.

- [Anthony] You're the same arrogant asshole

that you always were.

Leave some girl that we both knew was a liar over your past.

You know what happened, I've missed that for a long time.

- [Dana] I ended things with Rob.

- I've tried to call you. - I know why last year was

so hard for you. - I tried to reach out to you

and you never answered.

- [Ray] Hello?

- Hey.

- [Ray] What's wrong?

- Why does anything have to be wrong?

- [Ray] Helen, you're only calling something's wrong.

What's going on?

I know you didn't call to chat.

- No.

I'm concerned about Wes.

Do you think you can come over and talk?

- [Ray] Well, what's going on with Wes?

He having a tough time at the new school?

- No, he just kind of flipped his lid at me.

I told you something's not right.

- [Ray] I have some puzzles to put together.

How about tomorrow night?

- That's fine.

- [Ray] All right, I'll see you tomorrow.

- Ray?

- [Ray] Yeah.

- Thanks.

- [Ray] No problem.

Good night, Helen.

(students chattering)

- Hey, Izzy, how are you?

- Oh, hey Gabe, I'm good.

What's up?

- I was just wondering if, I don't know,

maybe you wanted to go out to a movie or something sometime.

- Oh.

I'm kind of seeing someone, so.

- Should have known.

Miles, right?

- No, no, he goes to a different school.

But thanks though.

Sorry.

- Another school.

What was that?

- Oh, Miles, we talked about this.

- Hey. - Hey, what's up?

- No much this weekend. - Me too.

- Oh, speaking of that, what are you, well-

- Hey, Wes.

Can I see you in my office for a minute?

- Sure.

Sure, Dr. Burch.

- Great.

- I'll see you there, Wes.

- Going to Burch's office on the first week?

What you do?

No clue.

Catch you later then.

- Wes, how are you?

How are you adjusting to life at Springdale?

- It's good.

Thank you.

- Great. Have a seat.

I would like to share something with you.

Okay, first of all,

your teachers have had really good things to say about you,

and I'm very pleased to say that you've been

an excellent addition at Springdale Academy.

Have you ever considered pursuing writing as a career, Wes?

- Oh, I've thought about going to school for journalism

and I've also considered filmmaking.

Why?

- The essay that you turned in

for your English comp class is excellent.

Miss Angemmy really admired it,

and she brought it to my attention,

and I agree with her that it's fine work.

- Thank you.

- Wes, there's this national essay contest

and we would love for your essay

to represent Springdale in the competition.

- Really?

- Yes.

Congratulations, Wes.

Your essay was very moving.

- Thank you. (chuckles)

I don't know what to say.

- You don't have to say anything, Wes.

Just continue to do what you're doing,

which is turning in excellent work.

Now, let's fill out the submission paperwork.

- What was that about?

- Dr. Burch wants to submit something I wrote

for a competition.

- Really?

I knew you wrote that little book,

but I didn't know you were a real poet.

- There's a lot you don't know about me.

- Oh, remember I was trying to talk to you earlier.

I was wondering if, I don't know,

you wanted to hang out this weekend.

I mean, obviously if you're busy we don't have-

- Yeah, what do you wanna do?

- I don't know.

Why don't we just hang out like the old days?

- All right.

- Cool, it's a date.

What? You could do worse.

(Wes chuckles)

(doorbell rings)

- Come in. Wes.

Anthony's not home yet.

- Hi Mr. Marshall, it's been a while.

- Yeah.

Anthony's not home yet.

He should be home in a couple minutes.

More than welcome to hang out in the basement,

there's a TV down there.

If you need anything, just gimme a holler.

- Thanks.

(gentle music)

- I'm sorry about the whole thing with Gabe earlier.

He just kind of caught me off guard.

- You didn't eat very much.

- I had an egg roll and some lo mein.

And I ate earlier.

- You had a bite of your egg roll and like two noodles.

- I'll meet you upstairs.

- Iz?

(gentle music continues)

- Hey! - Hey, what's up, man?

- Nothing, just waiting for you.

Do you still run track?

- Yeah.

I have been running in Springdale since I was freshman.

- You any good?

- Yeah.

These are not just participation trophies I had up there.

I had some colleges looking at me too.

- Really?

- Is me being a runner of problem for you?

No.

I just didn't know I was hanging out

with the next Carl Lewis.

- There's a lot you don't know about me.

- They make you wear those queer little short shorts?

- Wouldn't you like to know?

- Well, it seems they keep you in shape.

- Yeah, I saw you looking.

It's a joke.

I gotta go shower, but I'll be back down.

To answer your question.

(gentle music)

- You okay, babe?

- [Izzy] Yeah, I am.

(camera shutter clicking)

♪ You're only the best I never had ♪

- You ready to make the night more interesting?

- What about your dad?

- He never comes down here.

He's probably passed out anyway.

What? Why are you looking at me like that?

Come on, don't be a pussy.

- Really?

You're gonna peer pressure me right now?

- Absolutely.

- To old friends.

- Two new old friends.

- I know you're trying to be a good parent,

keep an eye on him.

But if you're gonna be snooping through his journal,

you should get better at covering your tracks.

(Helen laughs)

- He'll have to start talking to me again at some point.

- And what'd you read that made him so angry anyway?

- Just a lot about how he feels different

and how he doesn't fit in.

- I mean, all kids go through that.

When I was 16, I was a disaster.

I'm pretty sure you were too.

- He said he feels abandoned.

- Do you think he's depressed?

Should we have him see someone?

- I don't know.

I do know that he seemed off lately.

Ever since that incident at school last year.

- Well, I'm sure divorce is a big part of it.

I mean, we got so wrapped up in our own scenarios,

we probably haven't given him the support

and attention we should have.

- You know, I read an article that said

children of divorce often have hard times.

They blame themselves.

- Right.

I'll make a few calls, we'll talk to him in the morning.

(gentle piano music)

♪ Trying hard not to jump, not to move too fast ♪

♪ But we could go all in ♪

♪ We could be in love by the end of the night ♪

♪ Sitting here, talking ♪

♪ Kissing your lips and I'm coming to life ♪

♪ We could start running ♪

♪ Make a list of ways that the time just isn't right ♪

- I must have nodded off.

- Yeah, I think we both did.

♪ By the end of the night ♪

♪ I like the way you're holding me close ♪

♪ Arms wrapped around my waist ♪

♪ like you've done it all ♪

- What?

- I just didn't think we'd ever get to do this again.

- I'm glad I'm here.

(Anthony exhales)

- After school, I'm out of here.

- What do you mean?

- There's some schools that I'm looking at out west.

- I just wanna get as far away from him

and all the other people in the world and their bullshit.

Just start new, you know?

- What about money?

- I'll figure it out.

What's the matter?

- We just started talking again,

and now you're talking about leaving.

It'll suck.

- Come with me.

- For real?

- Yes, you and me.

Us.

- Let's see if we can stand each other

for a few weeks first.

♪ Sitting here talking ♪

♪ Kissing your lips and I'm coming to life ♪

♪ We could start running ♪

♪ Make a list of ways that the time just isn't right ♪

♪ But we could go all in ♪

♪ We could be in love by the end of the night ♪

Wait.

(gentle music)

♪ But we could go all in ♪

♪ We could be in love by the end of the night ♪

♪ By the end of the night ♪

- What's wrong? You look like you saw a ghost.

- Iz, you know that no matter what happens,

I'll be here for you, right?

- Yeah.

- I just want you to know that I'll be

by your side for everything.

That I'll always do the right thing no matter what.

- Miles, what's going on?

- I know what's going on.

You don't have to hide it from me.

I heard you getting sick.

You're not eating a lot lately.

You're pregnant.

We'll figure this out together.

- I can make you guys breakfast if you want.

Eggs and bacon sound good?

No, yeah, sounds great.

- I'm gonna head out.

Thanks for having me over.

All right.

See you Monday.

I had fun.

- Yeah, me too.

- Thanks for everything, Mr. Marshall.

- Of course, Wes.

You got a big meat coming up this week, right?

Shouldn't you be focusing on that?

- Well, did you have fun?

And what did you do?

- We watched a movie and ate pizza and popcorn.

- Wow, it certainly looks like you had fun.

I'm glad that you and Anthony made up.

I know he was always a special friend to you.

- We're friends.

- I know.

It's just that you always had a special bond.

- Anthony, come here.

- [Anthony] What's up, dad?

- Where you going?

- Just for a run.

I'll be back in a few minutes.

- Does Wes run track too?

- No. Why?

- Does he play any kind of sports?

- No, Wes is more artistic.

He actually just made an essay to the school

that got put in for a contest.

- Well, good for him.

But artistic kids don't really get

the girls in high school, son.

- Sorry?

- Just saying.

Just keep associating yourself with other athletes.

Be fighting the girls off with a stick, son.

Trust me.

I know.

- Okay, dad.

I'll be back in a bit.

It's gonna be the greatest movie ever, I swear.

Did you see the first one?

- Yeah. - Exactly.

- But we should rent it too. - All right, yeah.

(tense music)

Good morning, class.

My name is Mr. Fraser, I'll be filling in

for Mrs. Flynn for the rest of the semester

while she's on medical leave.

(tense music continues)

Let's get started.

(camera shutter clicking)

(gentle piano music)