Original subtitles

BRIAN:

Jess, look over here.

What are you doing?

Where did you

get that, and why are you

videotaping me?

BRIAN: I found it.

JESS: You found it?

BRIAN: Okay, I didn't find it.

I bought it.

JESS: Do you have

your seat belt on?

BRIAN: Yes, I do.

Your rear view

mirror is okay?

JESS: Mmm-hmm.

BRIAN: Oh, my gosh. I get

so scared when you're driving.

JESS: Why?

BRIAN: I don't know.

Let's see how well

this turn...

Oh, no. Oh, my gosh.

Okay. Okay. Don't judge me.

Don't judge me.

BRIAN: This is exactly why

I get so scared.

JESS: Where are your books?

BRIAN: I forgot them.

Oh. How are you

going to study for

that test tomorrow?

BRIAN: (WHISPERS)

There's a test tomorrow?

(WHISPERS) Yeah.

BRIAN: All right, we need

to make a signature out.

Just say, "I'm Jess"

and "Peace!" or something.

I'm outtie.

(SNICKERS)

JESS: Wait, wait, wait.

What about just, like, a...

BRIAN: You're

embarrassing me.

(CLICKS TONGUE)

That was good.

(CROWD CHEERS)

MAN: (ON TV) You know,

it's not every day that you

get to come to a school

anywhere in America

and see this type

of excitement that

doesn't surround sports.

The National Commission

for High School Education

does not hand this honor

out easily.

Number 10 in the entire

nation, and they are

more than proud here because,

whether or not they knew

an award was at stake or not,

they did the right things.

We cannot go any further

without interviewing

the man of the hour.

We're talking about

the principal of this school,

and you're gonna hear a lot

of cheering 'cause these

students love this guy.

Principal Richard Harris.

Principal...

(KIDS CHEERING)

Whoo!

Congratulations to you.

HARRIS: Thank you.

Thank you very much.

The eyes of the nation,

(GIRL SNIFFLING)

not on North Brookdale,

but on South Brookdale.

Yeah, South Brookdale! Yeah!

(KIDS CHEER)

What is it about this school

that sets it apart?

I know the students

are special,

but what about

the way things are done here?

HARRIS: It's a community.

It's the parents getting

involved with the students,

getting involved

with the teachers,

everybody doing it.

It's a community effort

(OPENS DOOR)

and then the kids doing it

themselves.

Without their hard work,

without them saying,

"We want to do this,"

this couldn't happen.

That's the only way I can

say it, it's everybody doing

what they should do,

and this is it!

(CHEERING) We're the best!

(CHEERING FADES)

(BREATHING DEEPLY)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(LAUGHS)

Do you know an average person

laughs about 15 times a day?

Really?

(CHUCKLES)

That was, like,

a courtesy laugh. I felt bad.

(LAUGHS)

What are you doing?

Um, come here.

I went to

a little spy camera store

and I found this little guy.

That's not a camera.

It is a camera.

And I know how much

you like dragonflies,

so, I talked to the guy,

and he fancied it up

a little bit.

But...

I don't...

We'll clip it here.

Are you messing with me?

I'm dead serious.

It records.

It's recording right now.

BRIAN: Wait.

Yeah, it's recording.

Look.

That is actually a camera.

Well, where's the...

Where's the lens?

That's a secret.

I can't tell you.

But just know

that it's wireless

and I will turn it on

and make sure

it's all working.

I've rigged it like a pin...

Uh-huh.

...and we can put it on you.

We can put it on during school

and record everything,

and it'll just look

like a necklace

or just like you're wearing

a pin, and nobody

will ever know what it is.

(SWALLOWS)

(SIGHS)

(SOBBING)

(WHIMPERING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

MARGARETE:

Jess, are you in here?

(DOOR OPENS)

Jessica?

Sweetheart! Wake up! Jessica!

(SLAPPING)

Jessica!

(SOBBING) No.

No, no, no, no, no!

What did you do?

Sweetie, what did you do?

What did you do?

Sixteen-year-old female.

Overdosed on hydrocodone,

750 milligrams.

Okay. Uh-huh.

About 50 pills.

Uh-huh. Yeah.

Her vitals are very low.

Okay.

Eighty over 40.

Okay.

She's been unconscious

for two hours.

Okay. Get her in.

All right,

hook up a monitor.

Do an EKG.

DOCTOR: Get a CBC,

blood gases, liver enzymes,

prepare for intubation.

Get a social worker

in here, stat!

(GEESE HONKING)

MAN: (ON RADIO) 96.3, WDVD,

Blaine & Allyson.

Another cloudy day, 7:45.

So, did you hear this?

In light of all the hoopla

surrounding South Brookdale's

10th ranking in the nation,

which, by the way,

totally amazing,

if you ask me.

ALLISON: I know.

It's pretty awesome!

BLAINE: An award-winning

filmmaker

has decided to include

the school in her

important documentary

that examines the best

American high schools,

and South Brookdale

is the only public school

featured!

(APPLAUDING)

Let's hear it

for South Brookdale!

ALLISON: The students

of South Brookdale are about

to have their 15 minutes.

WOMAN:

Principal Harris.

Yes.

What an exciting time

for South Brookdale.

We are the first public school

ever to make the top 100...

And not only 100,

we're number 10

in the country.

It was a complete surprise.

(ALL CLAMORING)

Go, Maples, baby!

Go, Maples!

BOY: Number one!

GIRL: Everyone's so excited,

and now we have pep rallies

coming up for it.

It's cool 'cause all of us

are together to celebrate

one big thing.

Good morning, ladies.

How are ya?

Hi, Mr. Hipple.

Good.

Good.

We're excited that you

have come to see our

little corner of the world.

Getting ready, ladies?

Everybody good?

It's a good day.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

GIRL 1: Is she in a hospital?

GIRL 2: I don't know.

I didn't even know anything.

I heard about it in the halls.

There's rumors

going everywhere.

I literally just talked

to her the other day.

I keep thinking about

the classes I've had with her

since I've gotten here.

Nothing happens around here,

and, like, this happens?

Like, it doesn't make

any sense, you know?

Like, you see it on TV shows,

but when it's actually

happening at your school,

someone you

have a class with?

Yeah.

Yeah.

(SNIFFLING)

You okay?

I just feel so bad.

I wasn't really

the best of friends with her,

but I did know her

and she was in my classes.

I saw her

in my classes and stuff,

but that was about it.

She's really kind-hearted.

Really nice girl. Kind of shy.

Jessica was probably

one of the sweetest girls

I ever knew.

I think she was probably

one of those people

that got ran over

and pushed to the side.

There's been something

a little more reserved

with her lately.

(AMY SPEAKING)

I did. I did and I didn't.

Wasn't a drastic change

in her behavior.

Uh, there was just a...

A little less enthusiasm

for school.

Most of the time,

she said she was fine,

but sometimes

she just said, uh...

She brushed it off by saying,

"I just have

a lot on my mind."

Kind of the typical teenage

answer, but as a teacher,

I should know better.

This was something

a lot deeper

and darker for her.

I heard from a few people

that there was a few girls

who were giving

her a hard time.

Mainly, I just heard

it was bullying over time

and from someone

in the classroom.

I heard that she was

getting harassed a lot

by some girl

that goes to our school.

(AMY SPEAKING)

Yeah, her name's Avery.

I don't really know Avery,

but I've heard of her

and stay out of her way.

I mean,

she doesn't seem mean,

but when she's around Jessica,

she just sort of...

I guess she just

sort of changes.

I've met Avery,

and she doesn't seem like

that type of person

who would do that,

but, I mean,

I guess, rumor has it.

You just hear all the rumors.

You don't hear anything about

what actually happened,

you just hear the gossip.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

GIRL: I thought we were

gonna go get coffee.

What time were you gonna

get coffee?

AVERY: Yeah, we can,

but I want to go shopping

before Dan's party, so...

AMY: Hello, ladies.

Hi.

Hi.

AMY: How are you?

Good.

AMY: Can we talk to you

for a couple seconds?

Sure.

AMY: Great.

AMY: Are you...

Are you Avery Keller?

AVERY: Yeah.

AMY: Nice to meet you.

I'm Amy. Nice to meet you.

Hi.

AMY: Hi.

We have been talking

to students

throughout the day

about Jessica Burns.

AVERY: Mmm-hmm.

AMY: Did you guys

hear about Jessica?

Yeah.

It's all over school.

AMY: Did you know Jessica?

We used to be friends, but...

You were all friends before?

No, I used to be

good friends with her, but...

You're not? Not anymore?

No, just, like, high school.

You know, you grow up.

AMY: But nothing happened

between the two of you?

No.

AMY: Oh, just kind of

grew apart?

Yeah.

(BEEPING AND WHIRRING)

DR. WEBER: Jessica was

admitted on Friday.

She was unresponsive

from an overdose

of hydrocodone.

She has, uh, slipped

into a coma due to lack

of oxygen to the brain.

It's called "hypoxia."

At this point,

it is a waiting game.

We are going to run a number

of neurological tests on her.

Is she in any pain?

DOCTOR: No, not at all,

but she is there.

So, you being here,

talking to her,

holding her hand...

She can hear us?

Yes.

And that all helps.

That will help bring her out.

How long could this last?

We can't tell you

at this point.

We're not sure of the damage

that has occurred.

How are you guys

holding up?

(SOBS)

She hasn't left the room yet.

I'm not gonna

leave the room, no.

(SNIFFLES) I'm fine. I'm fine.

From here on out, though,

what's most important

is that you guys

take care of yourself,

so that you can

better take care of Jessica

when she comes out

of this state.

Do you have

any other children?

Uh, yeah.

I took our

youngest girl, Gabby,

to school today.

The best you can do

is to try to keep

a normal routine.

(SNIFFLES)

Okay, I don't...

I'm sorry. Excuse me.

(MARGARETE SOBS)

(SNIFFLES AND SIGHS)

GERALD: Her whole life,

I've been taking care of her.

Her car seats

and making sure she's...

I should have known,

though, I know.

She's my kid.

I should've known

what was going on with her.

I didn't have a clue.

MARGARETE:

I'm right here, baby.

Mama's gonna stay here

with you till you wake up.

(SNIFFLES)

And you're gonna wake up.

(SOBS)

(INHALES AND EXHALES SHARPLY)

MARGARETE: Mommy's right near.

And you're gonna be just fine.

I love you.

BRIAN: You know, Jess,

I normally hate

romantic comedies,

but that one was actually

pretty decent.

I love rom-coms.

"Rom-coms"?

That's what you call it?

JESS: Mmm-hmm.

BRIAN: You're such a nerd.

I watch them so much

that I have my own name

for them.

BRIAN: Oh, my gosh.

That's sad.

I... In real life,

I don't think a girl

like that would go for him.

I thought they were

cute together.

BRIAN: I don't know.

(CELL PHONE CHIMES)

(SIGHS)

BRIAN: You got to

just blow it off.

You can talk to me.

I'm done talking about it.

There's nothing...

(INHALES SHARPLY)

There's nothing else

to talk about.

(WHISPERS)

Can you please turn it off?

(WHISPERS) Yeah.

(SWITCHES CAMERA OFF)

MR. HIPPLE: Suicide...

Successful suicide

is permanent.

Suicide is not temporary.

You will not come back

to see your father,

your mother,

your brothers, your sisters,

your relatives,

your friends...

No one.

It's a tragedy

for the whole school,

for the whole community

because this is a...

Um, just a wonderful

young lady who had

a bright future ahead of her.

She was pretty much a loner,

except for Brian.

In a school of this size,

you could have

multiple friends, right?

(DOOR OPENS)

AMY: Brian? Hi, Brian.

I want to talk to you

a little bit about Jessica.

Okay.

Can you tell me a little bit

about your friendship

with her?

I have heard

that you're really

good friends.

Yeah. Um...

Jess has been

my only friend since

seventh grade, I guess.

Do you know

how she's doing?

I, uh...

I don't feel comfortable

talking about her like this.

AMY: I understand.

(SOBBING)

AMY: I'm sorry, Brian.

That's okay...

Guys, turn off the cameras.

Turn 'em off.

I'm sorry, Brian.

Any updates about Jessica?

No, she's, uh...

She's no worse.

And how's Gabrielle doing?

I don't know.

I mean, she seems okay,

you know? Kids seem to

take it in stride somehow.

GERALD: I'd love to have

some answers, you know?

This doesn't make

any sense to me.

Little girls don't

just start taking drugs,

and don't take

a whole handful.

Hey, honey.

Are you getting hungry?

Yes.

Yeah?

How's your homework going?

GABRIELLE: I didn't do

my homework yet.

Oh, sweetheart,

you've got to get that done.

How about after dinner,

I'll help you with

your homework, all right?

Okay.

Okay.

Dad, can I

tell you something?

Sure, sweetheart.

What is it?

It's okay, Gabby.

Come here.

Don't be scared. Okay?

'Cause...

Listen, listen.

She's gonna be okay,

all right?

She is, and we're gonna

get her home.

Okay, kiddo?

We'll get her

home soon, okay?

(SNIFFLES)

And we'll all do

something fun together.

GABRIELLE: Okay.

But you can't worry

about this that much, okay?

I miss her, too, sweetheart.

Why don't you go

wash up for dinner, okay?

Okay.

(SOBBING)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

Hey, do you guys want to

sign this get-well card

for Jessica?

AMY: Tell me a little bit

about South Brookdale's

social scene.

Um, our school's

very cliquey.

Everyone's very organized.

Everyone's

got their own group.

It's, like,

average high school.

There are the people

that like band

or the people

that like theater

or the people

that like basketball,

the jocks.

(AMY SPEAKING)

Yeah.

(AMY SPEAKING)

GIRL: Hey, do you guys

want to sign this for Jessica?

Yeah.

GIRL 1: It kind of depends

what grade you're in,

but mainly Avery

and her friends.

GIRL 2: All right. Thank you.

It's just those type of people

that think they're

better than everyone

and no one else

really matters but them,

and everyone else

is just kind of worthless,

you know?

Hey, do you guys want to

sign this get-well card

for Jessica?

Uh, no, it's okay.

Uh, are you sure?

AVERY: Mmm-hmm.

I will.

Okay.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

You sure you don't

want to sign it?

No, it's okay, thanks.

Seriously?

Mmm-hmm.

Okay.

Okay.

I just thought

it would be nice.

Is she serious?

(LAUGHS)

Oh, my God.

GIRL: Hey, do you guys want

to sign this get-well card

for Jessica?

(GIRL SPEAKING)

BRIAN: Jess!

Hey, Brian.

What's up, Jason?

JESS: Hey, sorry I didn't

wait for you. I just...

BRIAN: Is everything okay?

I just want to go home.

BRIAN: Are you all right?

JESS: Yeah, I'm fine.

(SIGHS)

Jess. What happened today?

Nothing.

Did she come up to you today?

I don't want

to talk about it.

Jess, are you sure

you're okay?

I'm fine.

(GIRL LAUGHS)

AMY: Hi, ladies. How are you?

Hi.

AMY: Hi.

Good to see you again.

Avery, can I talk to you

for just a second?

Do you have a minute?

Uh, yeah.

Hold on.

AMY: Okay.

AVERY: Gonna close this.

Will you wait for me?

Okay.

Okay.

AMY: How are you?

Good.

AMY: We've talked to a lot

of kids in the school,

and your name

comes up a lot.

You're very popular

in this school.

(CHUCKLES)

AMY: Most of the people

we talked to at this school

think you're really sweet.

But there has been some talk,

though, from students

at the school

that your relationship

with Jessica is a little...

It's not as positive as maybe

you've told me about.

Uh, like I told you,

we were friends and...

It's just that now we're not

in high school.

I don't know.

We've both gotten older

and made different friends.

It's not anything personal,

it's just...

We both just went

different ways.

AMY: Yeah,

that's understandable.

Mmm-hmm.

There is some

testimony about

when you get around Jessica,

things kind of change.

I don't think that anything

ever changes when

I'm around Jessica.

I behave the same with her

as I would anybody

in the halls.

Maybe if you knew

what it's like now

in high school,

girl world now,

with being popular

and everything,

it just is a lot different.

People don't really know

what it's like to be me

and I don't mean that rudely

or thinking a lot of myself,

but it's just people

don't understand what

it's like to be popular.

I'm just like any other girl

in high school.

AMY: I think that perspective

is kind of important.

Would you be willing

to be a part of this story

that we're telling

about the American

high school?

And would you be willing to be

the face of that stereotype

of the popular girl

that not a lot

of people understand

what it feels like,

the pressures of feeling...

Yeah.

...that popularity and

living up to that popularity?

But I want to caution you

that what you put out there,

the world is gonna see.

The real you.

AVERY: Like, the...

I don't know.

The popular-girl

perspective?

AMY: Absolutely.

Okay.

AVERY: ...work this thing?

Holy crap.

(GIRL LAUGHS)

AVERY: How do you...

Is it by the red button?

AVERY: Yeah. Okay.

Okay, so, today

is day one of Avery's life.

Her documentary?

I don't know.

This is my girls!

ALL: Hi!

Is everybody... Wait.

How do you... I don't know.

It's backwards, so... Okay.

AVERY: Hello, ladies!

ALL: Hi!

AVERY: These are my main

bitches right over here.

Hey!

What did you guys

do this weekend?

What did we do?

Partied, of course.

Partied.

And made out...

Hooked up with this guy.

(AVERY LAUGHS)

Emily.

Oh, my gosh.

Excuse me?

Seriously?

What the...

AVERY: Oh, look! Wait!

Hold on! It's Brian!

Brian! Brian!

Wait, wait, wait! Hold on!

Hold on! Brian, wait, wait.

GIRL 1: Hey, Brian!

AVERY: Hello! Hi. How are you?

GIRL 1: Hey, Brian!

GIRL 2: Hey, Brian!

AVERY: Hi Brian! Freak.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

AVERY: Oh, God.

GIRL 1: Bye!

AVERY: Brian, just say hi.

Just wave, really quick.

GIRL 1: Such a freak!

AVERY: Wave really quick! Hi!

Okay.

GIRL 1: Bye!

AVERY: That didn't

really work out.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

As you can tell,

I have losers for friends.

ALL: Hey!

GIRL: That is not fair.

So...

GIRL: Love you, too!

(LAUGHS) Day...

Day one kind of sucked.

So, we'll try again tomorrow,

if we feel like it.

I don't know. Okay!

Okay. Think it's on.

Okay, so...

My name is Avery Keller,

and this is my first

video, journal thing, so...

Yeah, I don't really know

what to talk about.

I am a normal teenage girl.

I have my four best friends.

Maddy, Tessa,

Kayla, and Emily.

And they're super fun.

(CHUCKLES)

AVERY: All right,

so, my girls and I

want to show you

what it's like

to be the sophomores.

The popular sophomores

of South Brookdale.

So, let's take a look...

GIRL: South Brookdale pride!

AVERY: Hey, Trevor!

Hey, Avery.

GIRL: Hey.

AVERY: Hi.

Who was that?

I don't know.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

AVERY: I pretty much

just hang out

with them at school.

It's not like a clique

or anything. It's just...

I don't know,

it's just who I hang out with.

Hi.

AVERY: Hi.

Have you ever talked

to any of them?

AVERY: No.

GIRL 1: Hey.

GIRL 2: No.

GIRL: Is that her locker?

AVERY: Oh.

Jessica's locker.

So, anyways...

Hey, girls!

Hi. I like your shirt.

AVERY: Thank you.

Don't like yours. No.

(LAUGHTER)

AVERY: You know,

I think that people take it

that I'm being a bitch

because I only hang out

with my friends,

but I don't know,

I just don't have any interest

in making any more

friends, so...

It's not, like,

anything personal.

(GIRL LAUGHING)

Say that...

I hate my hair today.

AVERY: It looks cute.

I don't have enough time.

Here, you do it.

Yeah, I don't...

I want to do my eyeliner

really quick.

So, yeah,

this is our girl time

because we never have

enough time because we're

always running late.

So, we use this bathroom

as our "getting ready"

bathroom.

And nobody comes in.

And that bitch

blocks the door.

(GIRL LAUGHING)

GIRL: Yeah, Maddy!

MADDY: Hi, dolls.

So, usually, no one comes in

because they kind of know...

MADDY: Right. What the...

...that this is our place...

Excuse me. Get the...out.

GIRL: Sorry.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

That is why

she blocks the door.

AVERY: This is high school.

It's nothing...

Nothing different from

any other high school

you'd go to.

People joke around,

and people mess around

and have fun.

It's just how high school

is now.

I don't really do

any school activities.

I used to, uh, dance.

I have my trophy for dance,

and my mom would love it

if I did dance still

because she's annoying

and she loves

to control my life

and she would've liked

if I did pom this year,

but I didn't want to do that.

TEACHER:

Nose in the books, guys.

Nose in the books.

I got you for another

20 minutes.

(WHISPERS) Twenty minutes.

Oh, my God.

This class is so boring.

I literally hate public

school, and this is why.

Because we don't

learn anything.

Do you see this?

TEACHER: No, no, no.

This is where we are.

We're right there.

And she is texting me.

AVERY: I actually like school.

I do. I get good grades

because I cannot wait

to get out of this place.

I just want to go away

to college.

I cannot wait

to be out of my house.

But I don't know.

Other than that,

I'm just your normal

teenage girl,

living out

the high school dream.

(CHUCKLES)

Okay.

(EKG BEEPING)

(RESPIRATOR HISSING)

It's getting late, honey.

Listen, why don't you go home

and stay with Gabby,

and I'll stay here

tonight, okay?

Hmm?

(WHISPERS)

I'm okay. I'll stay.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Okay.

Good night, Jessie-bell.

I'm sorry.

(SOBS) I'm sorry.

(INHALES SHARPLY)

It's okay, honey.

I...

It's okay.

No.

It's not okay.

It's not okay if I...

(GASPS)

If I would've

known those...

What?

I didn't know those pills

were there.

I didn't even know

that they were there.

Honey...

How did she find them?

It's not your fault,

all right?

You listen to me.

Listen to me.

I saw those pills...

The pills were there.

I saw them in the cabinet.

I didn't throw them away,

either, okay?

Do you think it's my fault?

Are you sure?

(SOBBING)

No.

Okay.

Then it couldn't be

your fault, okay?

We'll find out

what happened, okay?

But this is not something

you did.

You're a good

mom, okay?

(GROANS)

JESS: It's not gonna

stop, you know?

It's not like

it's just at school.

It's on my phone,

it's online.

It just consumes my life,

and I just...

I can't concentrate

on anything else,

no matter how hard I try.

No matter where I go,

no matter what I do,

(INHALES SHARPLY)

she always...

(SNIFFLES AND SIGHS)

She just always

finds a way to get at me.

(SIGHS)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(RAIN PATTERING)

AMY: There are some

allegations that Jessica

was being harassed.

"Bullied," actually,

are the words a lot of

your students were using.

I don't have any

knowledge of that right now.

That's just...

Um, at this point,

I'd put that in a rumor.

Kids tease each other

and call each other names

and are mean to each other

all of the time.

AMY: Do you guys have

a zero bullying policy

in place here?

Yes. (LAUGHS)

We do.

AMY: You smile about that?

I do, because I think

it's, uh...

It's rhetoric.

There's no forum

for any one of us

to say to anyone,

"Hey, I think

this is happening

with my kid in my classes."

They're not going to

investigate.

None of the administration

really wants to talk about it.

You try to stop something

happening one day,

but the next day,

you don't know

if it's gonna escalate

or you don't know

what happens

in the other classrooms,

and you don't know

what happens when you

do take it that next level,

if it gets resolved,

or if it just is brushed aside

and hushed over.

And if they do get punished,

then there's more bullying.

Yeah.

For the person telling.

One time, a few people

saw it and they

sort of talked to Avery,

but no one really took it

any further

and it didn't really stop.

I've never seen it happen,

but if I did,

I don't think

I would've done

anything about it.

They just don't want

that status of being,

you know, a tattle tale,

a snitch.

Someone goes to a teacher

or a counselor,

and someone else

will start to make fun

of them

by saying how they're weak

or they're a baby.

A teacher might like to put it

as if we were all zebras,

and we're watching

our fellow zebras

being eaten by a lion,

and that's kind of what

it feels like.

We're just watching

people get attacked,

and we do nothing.

I just don't understand why.

I mean, they're popular,

they have

all the nice clothes,

they have friends.

They get things they want.

Their parents

love them to death,

stuff like that.

They have everything.

Hey, guys! Welcome

to the Keller compound!

AMY: Thank you.

Good to see you.

We are so excited

to have you here.

AMY: Thank you.

Come on into our kitchen.

I wanted to invite you

by saying, "Come on down.

"You are the next contestants

on The Cooking is Right,

"and I am your host,

Kassie Keller."

Right in here,

I've got a roast beef,

and right there is

a marvelous macaroni recipe

that came from

my Grandma Marge.

(CLAPS HANDS)

AMY: You have

a beautiful kitchen.

Thank you very much.

(LAUGHS) My husband paid

a lot of money for it,

uh, when he had a job.

And up here,

I've got what I call

"Kassie's Casserole,"

which is actually just

chicken Parmesan

with some broccoli.

For Avery,

she's trying to lose weight,

and so she always wants

to eat a lot of vegetables.

Right here,

we've got cucumbers

and tomatoes

and a meteor shower of herbs

and spices to jazz it up.

I think she's still reeling

over the time

when she didn't make it

for poms, and she came home

that night and said,

"Oh, you know what it is?

It's because I'm too fat."

Um, I attribute her not making

that team to the psycho coach

that she had,

who was, um,

giving her a lot of attitude

about the way

that she treated other kids

on the team

and chose not to select her

this year for the poms team.

KASSIE: This is Josh.

This is our son.

AMY: Hi, Josh. Good.

Hi. How are you?

He recently graduated

from high school

by the skin of his teeth.

Thanks.

Yeah, yeah.

Excuse me.

Just joking around.

So, Josh lives here

at home with us,

and his favorite thing to do

is play video games.

I think one day,

he might actually become

a video game designer.

I think that's his

big aspiration,

but right now,

college is not

interesting to him.

Maybe we stop

with that, so...

It's all right.

You know, it's your

one minute of fame.

Okay.

You might as well

suck it up.

(JOSHUA WHISPERING)

You had your chance!

You could've been

on camera with your mom!

JOSHUA: Yeah. Okay.

You missed it, buddy!

Avery!

Avery, can you

get down here, please?

You know,

you guys might consider

not eating

before Avery gets down here.

That's really obnoxious.

Avery!

Chop chop!

AVERY: I'm coming.

KASSIE: Get this show

on the road.

I made sure you got

a lot of vegetables,

a lot of protein

because I know that you said

you're worried

about your weight.

(SCOFFS SOFTLY)

Thank you for sharing that.

KASSIE: You're welcome.

So polite of you.

KASSIE: You're welcome.

AVERY: Oh, my God.

Why are we doing this?

DAVID: Can I eat now?

"May I?"

May I eat now?

Sure.

Go for it.

So, why don't you

tell us how your

day was today?

It was superb.

Just great.

Well, what kinds of things

make your day superb?

I don't know.

Did you get any tests back?

No.

KASSIE: What about you, Josh?

What'd you do today?

Um... Not much.

Beat Call of Duty, so...

KASSIE: I hear that's

a pretty popular game

with your age group

and the 13-year-olds

in America.

(DAVID CLEARS THROAT)

So, Avery, any boys

that you're interested in?

Not that it's any

of your business, but no.

Better not.

KASSIE: Hmm.

Well, why

don't you tell us

if you don't want

to talk about

that kind of stuff,

why don't you tell us

why your friends

are here today,

filming our family

as we sit here

and dine on this

excellent cuisine?

I don't know, Mom,

because they like me?

(SCOFFS)

I don't know, okay?

Do you think it's

because you are

a beautiful, talented,

intelligent young lady,

and that might be the reason

why you were selected

for this prestigious

opportunity?

Kassie, leave her alone,

will you?

KASSIE: Aren't you proud

of our daughter?

Don't you think that this is

a great opportunity for her...

Just stop, just stop.

...to really shine?

Cut the bullshit.

Just stop.

Just stop. Let's just eat.

Let's just eat.

Let's have dinner.

KASSIE: We're just

having fun here.

Can't we have fun

once in a while?

Yeah. Just give

her a break.

Let's have our dinner.

That's what

we're here for.

Well, maybe when you

learn how to lighten up,

we can do that.

We can have dinner

and have fun at the same time.

Okay.

Seriously,

please just stop.

KASSIE: Hmm.

All right.

Well, I think

it's pretty exciting

that they're here,

and I'm glad that

we can be involved

in this film about you.

I'm very proud of you.

Very proud of you.

Mmm-hmm.

I'll tell you what...

Where are you going?

DAVID: Game's on.

You know where I'll be.

(SIGHS)

KASSIE: I just wanted

a peaceful dinner

with our family,

and that's what I get.

I think I've

lost my appetite.

JOSHUA: Food's good, Mom.

AVERY: Yeah, it's good.

Thank you.

TUMAN: Raise your hand

if you have a best friend.

Now raise your hand

individually

and tell me

what makes that person

a best friend to you. Yes?

GIRL 1: They love me,

no matter what.

They love you, no matter what.

Yes?

GIRL 2: They never

ask me to change.

TUMAN: They never

ask you to change.

Anyone else? Yes?

GIRL 3: They're always

there for me.

TUMAN: Always there for you.

Phenomenal, but the question

I ask all of you is,

why didn't you say

the grades that person had?

Sports they played?

Cars they drove?

Money that they did

and didn't have?

Anybody?

BOY: Because

that's irrelevant.

It's not important?

Doesn't matter?

Then why do we believe

so much that it does matter?

The big question is,

where do some of you

go to be safe?

Do you feel safe in school?

Some of you?

GIRL 4: No.

Truthfully.

GIRL 4: No.

Why?

GIRL 4: 'Cause you can't

be yourself there.

You can't be yourself there.

Yes?

Uh, I don't think

Jessica Burns felt safe here.

Tell me why.

Um, maybe she didn't

have that person,

that best friend to make her

feel safe or make her feel

comfortable and accepted.

So, if you could change

the outcome,

then what could you have done?

Because that... That sometimes

is where it all falls back.

What could we all do?

GIRL 4: Be there for her?

(BRIAN SPEAKING)

BRIAN: I have something

that I want to show you guys.

Hey.

AMY: Hi, Brian. How are you?

Good. Come inside.

AMY: Good to see you.

I have everything

set up upstairs, so...

And I should've showed

somebody a while ago,

but I didn't.

AMY: I like your room, Brian.

It's pretty cool.

Thanks.

BRIAN: That's me and Jess.

Jess and Avery used to be

friends and everything...

AMY: Mmm-hmm.

...since they were kids.

Really young,

and sometime last year,

it just...

Something changed.

They were in class.

Avery was trying to cheat

off of Jess's test,

and she moved her arm.

AMY: Jess did?

Yeah, and she moved her arm

to try to block it,

but I don't even think

she did it on purpose,

and Avery just went nuts.

AMY: So that was

the starting point?

Um, yeah, pretty much.

It started slow, you know?

It would be a bump

here and there

in the hallways,

nasty text messages

or dirty looks.

It just escalated

and blew up.

You know,

Jess didn't feel very safe.

I bought her this backpack,

hoping that she would use it.

It's called an iSafe backpack.

You can pull an alarm.

But she, uh...

She wouldn't use it.

I told Jessica

that I wanted to document it,

I started

filming everything.

I have my own camera and,

um, I gave Jess

this little tiny camera.

It was like a hidden

spy camera, you know?

We would record every day

for six months.

AMY: Six months?

Six months.

We got everything.

I've rigged it like a pin,

any ordinary safety pin...

(SIGHS)

Uh-huh.

...and we can put it on you.

We can put it on during school

and record everything,

and it'll just look

like a necklace

or just like you're wearing

a pin, and nobody

will ever know what it is.

So, what are we

using this for, exactly?

Like, at school

with, you know,

Avery and stuff.

Like, filming them.

I think that's a bad idea.

I think

it's a great idea.

I don't.

What if she finds out?

She's not gonna find out.

You didn't even think

that this was a camera.

What if it beeps,

or something?

There's no noises.

I've already

thought this through.

Trust me.

I think it's too risky.

It's not risky.

Can you imagine

what she would do

if she found out?

She's not gonna find out.

No one will ever believe

that this is a camera.

You don't know.

You don't know that.

Jess, would I ever do

anything to...

I'm not saying you would

intentionally do something,

but...

(EXHALES)

We won't

talk about it in school.

We'll just keep it here.

You don't have to make

any decisions,

but just take it home...

And if you want to work

with it, then just put it on

in the morning.

And I'm gonna be filming

with my camera, too.

So, it's not

just gonna be you.

Okay?

I promise you,

I won't let anything

bad happen.

Okay, but

we can't

show this to anyone.

Nobody.

BRIAN: I made a promise

to Jessica that I wouldn't

show anybody.

And, um... Well,

I'm breaking that promise

right now, but...

AMY: She didn't want you

to show anybody?

She said it would've

made it worse.

But I tried to tell her that

if you show somebody,

we can find her help.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

Bitch.

(CELL PHONE CHIMES)

And I am at a stop sign.

BRIAN: Who texted you?

Avery.

Jess, don't let that

bother you, okay?

(WHISPERS) Okay.

(AVERY LAUGHS)

Watch it, Jessica.

Move along, Jessica.

Keep going. Keep going.

Go to class. Go to class.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

GIRLS: Nice outfit.

Where do you think

you're going?

AVERY: Why didn't you reply

to my texts?

I thought we were friends.

Why didn't you text me back?

I was so nice to you!

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

You have to get

to class, really?

You have to get to class?

Oh, you have to get to class?

(SCOFFS)

She has to get to class.

I don't give a...if

you have to get to class.

Move.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Later, freaks!

You're a disrespectful

little... Did you know that?

JESS: What are you guys doing?

Oh, just opening

your locker for you.

Just admiring all your

cute decorations.

Are you five?

AVERY:

Who decorates their locker

like this, like, really?

JESS: Avery, stop.

This is depressing.

Oh. Wait, you and Brian.

He's so precious.

So cute!

You guys would make

an adorable couple.

AMY: Was any of this

manipulated at all?

And I don't mean any offense

by this question.

What do you mean

by manipulated?

It's not...

There was nothing

set up at all?

No.

Or Jessica

didn't change at all

knowing that

she was filming?

I mean, she got nervous.

Did Avery see you

recording any of this?

Um...

AMY: Or this was all her

little button cam?

It was all her button cam

when she was with Avery.

BRIAN: Wait, just say hi

into the camera for me.

What?

BRIAN: Say hi.

Say, "Hi, I'm Jessica.

I'm at a basketball game..."

Hi, I'm Jessica...

...and we're...

JESS: You missed a shot!

You missed it!

(CROWD CHEERING)

BRIAN: Oh, no!

Oh...

How's my little

bitch doing? Good?

Go home and crawl

under a rock.

You don't

belong here, okay?

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(GAME BUZZER BUZZING)

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

Hey, Jess.

Go on.

(JESS GRUNTS)

GIRLS: Aw... (LAUGHING)

I'm really sorry.

I am so sorry.

I'm sorry.

It's fine. I'm...

I'm really sorry.

I didn't mean to.

Yeah, right.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Seriously, Jessica,

if you disappeared,

the world would be

a better place.

You're a...bitch.

Did you really

just...push me?

JESS: No. I was pushed.

Are you...kidding me?

You weren't pushed.

You just pushed me.

You know, that was

a dumb move, Jessica.

I am just gonna have

to beat your ass now.

Why don't you just go

kill yourself?

AVERY: I have this funny,

funny feeling

that she thinks that

everything is just gonna

get better from here on out.

Just end it.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

Yeah.

Oh... (CHUCKLES)

Well, well, well,

it's Jessica Burns.

What are you doing

in my bathroom?

Nothing to say? No?

Well, your bathroom,

it's down there

with the rest

of the little bitches.

(LAUGHS)

Do you get that?

Are you understanding me?

You have nothing to say?

She's not a fighter, is she?

She just stands there.

Do you understand me?

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

You're gonna be back

in your little bathroom

that you love so much.

Get that?

Don't move.

(GIRLS LAUGHING AND

TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

AVERY: You think that I'm

just gonna forget about you,

and I'm gonna get

bored of you?

That's not the case.

Because I...hate you.

(LAUGHING)

Oh, wow.

Aww.

You have no clothes.

Aw, What are you gonna do?

GIRL: What are you

gonna wear?

(GIRL LAUGHS)

That is so sad.

AVERY: You make my life

so miserable

just by being here.

And I'm gonna make

your life miserable, too.

Guys, do you smell anything?

Kind of embarrassing.

I think we should

take care of that.

Come on, we're gonna

give you a little...

A nice, warm shower.

GIRL: Hold your nose!

(WATER PATTERING)

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Have a really

nice shower.

AVERY: So, I think

I need to kick your...ass.

I think it's about that time.

Are you okay with that?

Got it?

(GIRL LAUGHS)

Go to class, Jessica!

You're gonna be late!

BRIAN: Jess?

(SOBBING)

Jess, are you okay?

I can't.

I can't, I can't.

I can't do it.

Jess, what's wrong?

Come here.

I can't do it anymore.

What's wrong?

I just can't

put up with it.

I can't... I can't put up

with it anymore.

I'm done. I can't.

I can't do it.

Jess, I'm so sorry.

I just...

(SNIFFLES)

I just don't know

how much more of this

I can take.

That's why we have

to show 'em, Jess.

We have all this footage.

We have to do something.

No, it's embarrassing.

I'm not showing this

to anyone.

It'll get better,

I promise. Just...

It's not gonna get better,

it's gonna get worse.

It's never gonna end.

(SOBBING CONTINUES)

It's never gonna end.

Jess...

It's never

gonna get better.

I just feel like

I have no way out.

JESS: I can't. I can't.

I can't do it.

(EKG BEEPING)

(SNIFFLES)

MARGARETE: Hey, guys.

BRIAN: Hi.

Getting anything

done in here?

JESS: Yes.

I am working so hard.

I really am.

(MARGARETE CHUCKLES)

Okay, okay...

JESS: Okay, wait.

Just say hi to

the camera for a second.

Okay.

BRIAN: Yes, say hi!

This is gonna be

great footage!

Okay.

BRIAN: Millions of people

will see this.

JESS: Smile, smile!

Okay, this is the

greatest mom in the world.

(MARGARETE CHUCKLES)

BRIAN: Aww.

MARGARETE: Mwah!

Okay.

BRIAN: Let me take

a picture of you guys.

MARGARETE: I want...

Enough with the camera.

We want the laundry put away.

And then

it's dinner time.

Mmm.

Twenty minutes.

You, too, Brian.

MARGARETE: Get to studying.

Sweetie, 20 minutes.

JESS: Okay.

I love you so, so much.

WOMAN: Bullying's been

going on for as long as

there have been people,

there's been bullying.

What it is,

is we've got to see

that it's changed.

It's getting worse,

but why is it changing?

Why is it getting worse?

MAN: A couple of years ago,

we had kind of

the same situation

that didn't go to this degree,

thank God.

Would you people

please mind telling me

what you've done

in the last two years

(PARENTS APPLAUDING)

to change that?

These things can't

happen overnight.

It does take time

and it takes money and there's

a lot of different things

we have to be...

That have to get approved

before we can put

anything into action.

And there are other issues

besides this going on.

Well, what is it gonna take?

I mean, a girl

is in the hospital.

No one knows what's

gonna happen with her.

So, is that gonna be,

like, the awakening?

And what if it was your

own children who tried

to take their own life?

(PARENTS APPLAUDING)

I care about my daughter!

And I care about how she feels

when she comes home.

And she tells me

she sees it in the classroom,

she sees the bullying

in the parking lot,

she sees it out

on the playing field.

And I want to know,

what are you guys doing?

What are you doing

when you see the bullying?

What policies does

this school have in place

to take care of this?

We believe the issue

is about engagement.

Not engagement

with this commission,

or the school,

but engagement with parents

and their community

with their kids.

We believe

that's the real issue.

The parents

that are here today

aren't the parents

of the children

who are probably

the bulliers.

WOMAN: Mmm.

Most of the time,

the parents that show up here

are the parents of the kids

that are doing well.

But I think that we also

can't lose sight

of the fact that

the mental health

of these bullying kids

has to be recognized, too.

WOMAN: Mmm-hmm.

We'll never stop the bullying

until we find some method

of reaching the bulliers

and getting inside

of their heads

and finding some way

to bring some healing to them.

You know, I've learned

over the course of my life,

that hurt people are the ones

who hurt people.

And these bulliers

are hurting.

(PARENTS APPLAUDING)

KASSIE:

Look at you watching TV

with your frickin' clicker,

lying there on your ass

and not contributing anything

to this household.

Four times...

Okay, so, uh...

This is a typical night

in the Keller household.

KASSIE: Don't wash your hands

because men don't wash

their hands after they go

to the bathroom.

When I go down there

and go to the bathroom,

I like to wash my hands

after I take a piss.

Jesus Christ.

DAVID: I'm gonna fix...

I'm on it, I'm on it.

Jesus...

While we're onto

what we're on,

are you on to getting

a job this week?

Or is that gonna go

another two months?

DAVID: Yeah,

I got an appointment

with my friend Jerry

on Wednesday...

What the hell

are you doing?

KASSIE: Jerry!

Are you...kidding me?

What the hell are you doing?

What, are you taping them?

What are you doing?

AVERY: Yes, I'm...taping them.

Stop asking me questions.

Get out of my...

business, Josh.

JOSHUA: Why don't you get out

of this family's business?

Are you... Is this a joke?

AVERY: "Get out

of this family's business"?

You better delete that,

whatever it is.

AVERY: Oh, my God! Go back

to playing video games.

You...loser! Yeah.

You're such a bitch.

AVERY: Oh, I'm a bitch?

I'm a bitch?

Is that the most

creative thing you could've

come up with, Josh?

Why don't you try

going back to school?

You grow up.

AVERY: Go back to school.

Grow up, really?

You're how old and you

dropped out of college,

still living at home?

Yeah. "Grow up."

KASSIE ...can't grow 'em,

I don't know

what else I can do...

AVERY: Yeah, not only do my

parents fight, my brother's

a...douchebag, so...

So, yeah, that's my night.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

AVERY: Hey.

GIRL: What's up?

Hey.

Hey.

Hello.

Tell her. Go ahead.

Tell me what?

Um, there's a...

Kind of, like,

a rumor going around.

Um, a bunch of people

are saying that

you're the one to blame

for Jessica's suicide.

Okay, wait. Who said this?

It's a huge rumor...

Everyone's people

are talkin' about it.

...and it's everywhere.

The girl next to me

in my math class

said it, too.

AVERY: Why is everyone

stressing out

so much about it?

It's obviously not true.

Because people are saying

that the harassment,

all this, like,

how much she's being

messed with,

this is what caused her

to do what she did.

That's what they're saying.

And I'm not blaming you.

I'm not saying it was you...

Yeah, you're obviously

saying it's me.

I'm not saying it's you.

I'm just trying...

You're saying that this

is the whole reason

why she did...

I never said that,

I'm saying that's what

other people are saying.

Yeah, you just said that

that's the reason why

she did what she did

to herself.

We're just saying

that if enough people

are talking about it,

they're gonna start

asking questions.

Okay, you all stand

right next to me whenever

we talk to Jessica.

Is it harassment?

Is it...harassment?

No, so, why don't we

just drop it?

Just drop it.

No! It's not! Thank you.

AVERY:

It's not harassment. Really?

You're really trying to...

GIRL: ...this!

Thank you. Thank you guys

so much for starting

all this bullshit!

She's trying to help you.

She's trying

to help me, really?

You're starting

all this drama.

Now people are looking

at us. Thank you.

"I didn't even do anything."

Are you serious right now?

GIRL: She's not taking this

seriously enough.

We're not gonna

get in trouble.

Nobody's gonna get in trouble.

Yeah, but people

are gonna start asking

questions pretty soon.

You're supposed

to be her girl.

You're supposed

to be there for her.

MADDY: I am trying

to be there for her, but...

What, throw myself

under the bus

in the process?

Yeah, I'm not about

to get in trouble

for stuff that she did.

I think you just need

to keep your mouths shut

because we have these

cameras walking around.

(EKG BEEPING)

Hi.

MARGARETE: Brian, hi.

They made her

a sign at school.

Oh...

MARGARETE: That's so sweet.

BRIAN: How's she doing?

She's doing about the same.

How are you doing?

Not so good.

I know.

This all feels like

this weird dream.

I know.

Um, I have

to tell you something.

So, you know about

all the bullying

that went on at the school?

About, uh, six months ago,

I told her that

we should start

documenting everything,

like, with

cameras and stuff.

It's been going on

for six months?

Yeah.

Jessica...

You guys should've told me.

She was embarrassed about it.

But you should've told me.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because

she made me promise...

Why didn't you tell me?

...and I couldn't

break that promise.

(SOBS)

No.

Sweetie, it's not...

I know.

I wanted to tell somebody.

And you're a good friend.

That's what you are.

You are a good friend.

But I...

And you held her promise.

(SNIFFLES)

You know how much

we care about you.

You know that, right?

I would never, never

want you to feel bad.

Can I talk to her

for a second?

Yes.

(SNIFFLES)

(SIGHS)

I'm so sorry, Jess.

I had to show somebody.

(SNIFFLES)

And everyone's trying to

stay strong for you.

Because we know

that you're gonna make it.

I miss you so much.

(SNIFFLES)

HARRIS:

Let me ask her the questions

and give her a chance to

tell us her side of the story.

I mean, because I think

it's important.

Um, been principal long enough

to know there's always

two sides

to every story. Um...

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in!

Hi there. Come on in.

Please, have a seat.

(DOOR CLOSES)

AVERY: Okay.

Um, your parents and I

have been discussing

this, uh...

This letter.

Well, I'll just

let you read it.

(HARRIS COUGHS)

What is this?

Well, it's pretty obvious

what it is.

Your friends have made

a statement here that you're

the cause of the bullying,

and we're here to find out

the complete story.

Now, I'm giving you

a chance here

with your parents here

to tell us your side of this

because I know

there's always two sides

to every story...

I didn't do any of this stuff.

I didn't do

any of these things.

I didn't...

I... Let's see.

I did not harass her,

I didn't send her

multiple "mean things,"

I was not "mean to her"

relentlessly.

You didn't do

any of these things?

No! I didn't do

any of those things!

I did not harass her

or bully Jessica!

Okay, all right,

if you say that,

then why would

your friends

put this on paper?

Put their names to it?

This is serious.

This isn't just,

"Oh, geez, she was not..."

I'm not joking

around about this!

Obviously, I know

it's serious, but I didn't do

any of those things!

This isn't something

I can just pass off

because you said,

"I didn't do anything."

DAVID: Oh, my God.

You understand that?

There are consequences

for actions

and part of the

consequences are

you have

to take responsibility

for things that you do.

Yeah, okay. Okay, so...

So, maybe I joked around

with Jessica.

Maybe I joked around with her,

just like those girls were.

I was joking

around with her.

Maybe I took it

a little bit too far,

maybe it hurt her feelings,

I don't know,

but that's not my problem

that this girl can't

handle a joke.

Mr. Harris...

Everyone blew

it way out of...

Mom! Everyone blew it

way out of...

KASSIE:

Don't "mom" me.

Mom!

Everyone blew it

way out of proportion

that that's not even true.

None of that is true.

You know,

he's bullying

you right now,

trying to get you

to admit to something

that you didn't do!

Mom.

I know.

HARRIS: I'm not bullying.

I am asking questions

to find out answers.

(AVERY SIGHS)

My daughter is being

thrown under the bus

by these girls

over something

that you know damn well

happens everywhere in schools

across America.

Okay, okay, we understand.

I didn't do anything!

Everyone understands

I didn't do anything!

Look, I don't understand

that you didn't do anything.

What I understand

is that I have

a very serious situation here

that I have to take care of

and I want to know

everybody's point of view,

including yours,

so that the proper

actions can be taken.

KASSIE: Did the bullying

put her in the coma

or did she

put herself in the coma

by swallowing the pills?

Yeah, that's an actual,

logical point.

We're trying to find out...

Thank you,

and I'm telling you...

HARRIS: So that we can...

...that I didn't do

anything, okay?

All right, all right.

I joked around with her!

Seriously, this is

such bullshit!

No, I'm seriously done

with this!

If that's what you want

to hear,

that I'm sorry

for joking around with her,

then I am very, very sorry

for joking around with her.

I am so terribly sorry

that I didn't know

that some girl doesn't know

how to take a...joke!

Sorry, a freaking joke!

I didn't know

that somebody

can't take a joke!

Seriously.

Like, grow the hell up!

Grow the hell up! Take a joke!

I am so sorry! I'm sorry!

I have to get to class

'cause I'm a very

good student.

(QUIETLY) Bullshit.

(SCHOOL BELL RING)

AVERY: (ON VIDEO)

I didn't do shit!

Calls my parents in there

and tries to embarrass me.

It's like, honestly!

Does she really think

anyone's gonna buy this?

...of actually

getting to explain...

And this is my way

of actually...

GIRL: What's going on?

Avery Keller's,

like, gone nuts.

...or people

telling me that I'm lying.

This is the only way for me

to actually put out there

the way that I feel.

Everybody here at school

is blaming me

for this stupid-ass

Jessica Burns bullshit.

I am so sick of everyone

turning against me

and blaming me

for what happened.

This girl did this to herself!

I did not tell her to go do

what she did!

No one told her!

She made that decision!

For all those girls,

and they know who they are,

you've...with the wrong girl.

(SIGHS)

GIRL: God.

That's so messed up.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

AMY: Avery? Avery.

Avery, please,

will you come talk to me?

Are you doing okay?

Yeah. Why?

Do you want to talk to me

about that video posting

that I saw online today?

Why?

That's not really

what we agreed to

and I'm very concerned.

That was my own

personal thing.

Not your thing,

that was my thing.

I know that,

but I want you

to understand,

it's a very damaging

thing that you did

to post that...

Damaging?

For yourself.

How is it damaging?

AMY: Because

it was reactionary.

When we react to things,

it's never our best selves.

And you were angry.

Yeah, I wanted everyone

to see that I was angry.

I wanted everyone

to see that

'cause now,

when I walk around,

people are scared

to come up to me

and talk to me

about this anymore.

That was what the whole

purpose of this was.

Is that who you want

people to see?

That's how I feel right now,

though, so...

"Right now."

Absolutely perfect words.

"Right now."

It's going to pass.

I'm here to

tell your story

and I think it's

a very important story.

The most important story.

What if I were to tell you

that I know for certain

that footage of you

harassing Jessica exists?

Have you seen it?

I have.

We'll come to your house

and we'll watch it together,

okay?

Yeah.

The footage is very real,

and I want you to

prepare yourself for that.

In the meantime,

will you please,

please do yourself a favor

and take that posting down?

Yeah.

Okay.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

AMY: I know you

got to get to class.

Okay.

All right.

Hang in there, okay?

Yeah.

All right.

AVERY: I don't know

what to do anymore.

I'm kind of embarrassed about

how I handled the situation.

I'm just so frustrated

with not having any control

and I think that what

I was trying to do

is regain some of the control

over the situation.

Obviously, that didn't really

work out so well, so...

It just kind of sucks

right now because

I feel like

everything's

falling apart slowly.

My friends turned on me.

I have no one to talk to.

I mean, besides you.

I mean, kind of...

I feel like now

I can talk to you.

I feel like now you...

You're the only person

that's really there for me,

you're the only person

that doesn't

judge me and make me feel

like I have to be perfect.

You make me feel like

I can just be me

and you're not gonna

judge me and...

I just feel like

I can actually talk to you.

And I'm not used to

being able to talk to someone.

I don't know what to do.

I don't...

I just feel so...

I don't know what other word

to use beside "lost."

And I don't really know what

to expect for tomorrow.

Hopefully, I can, like,

pull myself together

before then, but...

We'll see.

(SIGHS)

AMY: Hi.

Mr. and Mrs. Keller,

how are you?

Nice to see you.

Nice to see you. Hi.

So, you ready

to get started?

Yeah.

Okay.

Set up a monitor here,

if you guys want

to take a seat.

No, they're not gonna stay.

What do you guys

have going on here?

AMY: Well, we're

sitting down to...

We're just watching something,

so you guys can just go.

Well, I am not gonna let you

just sit there by yourself.

I have to watch it,

too, with you.

I'm curious

what's going on here.

No, it's fine. Trust me.

I can do this by my...

This is my thing

right now with Amy, so...

But I am your mother

and you are going to

sit with me and allow me

to be your support system.

AVERY: I'm not gonna

sit with you.

I'm gonna do this by myself

because I'm a big girl

and I need my

privacy sometimes.

So, can you please go?

Let's just give her a minute.

This is about her.

You don't have to be

here right now.

But she needs somebody

to support her through this.

(GROANS) I'm fine!

DAVID: No, she doesn't.

KASSIE: Yes, she does!

We'll be

in the next room, right?

If you want to go

to the next room,

you go right ahead.

I'm gonna stay with her.

I'm not leaving her

in this time of need!

Listen, you're going with me

in the other room

to leave these two alone!

This has been going on

long enough!

This is about Avery.

This is not about you.

Can you just listen to Dad

for one time?

AVERY: Please,

can you just go?

Is this gonna go on?

Fine.

Fine.

Let's go.

AVERY: Thank you.

(RETREATING FOOTSTEPS)

(SIGHS)

AMY: You okay?

Yeah.

(SIGHS)

How about we just...

We get started?

Yeah, let's watch it.

Let's just...

Please, I just...

I don't want to have

to have her barging

down the stairs right now

and be annoying again,

so let's just start.

AMY: Okay.

(EKG BEEPING)

AVERY: (ON VIDEO)

Let's be friends.

Let's be friends.

GIRL: I heard you got

a boyfriend.

JESS: I have to go to class.

AVERY: Go to class? Okay.

Where do you think

you're going?

AVERY: (ON VIDEO)

She's not a fighter, is she?

She just stands there.

I just don't know why

she hates me so much.

Do you understand me?

You're gonna

be back in your little...

BRIAN: Maybe

she doesn't hate you.

Maybe she hates herself.

(WHISPERS)

I don't think so.

(EKG BEEPING RAPIDLY)

Code blue!

I need help here, please!

MARGARETE: What's going on?

What's happening?

GERALD: Jessie?

Nurse, please escort

Mr. and Mrs. Burns

out of here.

Jessie?

All right,

we have no pulse.

I need epinephrine, please!

MARGARETE: Jessie!

Mrs. Burns, you have

to go now, please!

No! Get the parents out!

Mr. Burns, please

take your wife out!

You have to go, please!

Let us do what we do!

I need a cart in here

immediately!

Somebody get me a cart!

Administering epinephrine!

NURSE: But we need

to help her right now!

Please do something!

Do something!

GERALD: Jessie!

Get that camera

out of here! Nurse!

Out! Out! Please!

GERALD: What is going on?

DR. WEBER: No response!

Beginning compressions!

Where's my cart?

GERALD: Oh, my God!

(SOBBING)

Oh, my God!

And I don't think

it's gonna stop.

(MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WHIRRS)

DR. WEBER: Clear!

No pulse!

DR. WEBER: Charging!

Clear!

(EQUIPMENT THUMPS)

NURSE: No pulse!

(EKG BEEPING RAPIDLY)

DR. WEBER: No pulse! Again!

Charging!

NURSE: Charged.

GERALD: Honey.

DR. WEBER: Clear!

NURSE: Clear.

(EQUIPMENT THUMPS)

No pulse.

MARGARETE: Oh, my God!

DR. WEBER: Again. Charging.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS

ON VIDEO)

AVERY: (ON VIDEO)

Yeah? Have you guys...

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Your children

would be really disgusting.

Can you turn it off?

(SNIFFLES)

(GERALD CRYING)

DR. WEBER: Charging!

Clear!

(EQUIPMENT THUMPS)

No pulse! Again!

GERALD: Oh! Jessie.

Can you please

turn it off right now?

Please turn it off.

(MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WHIRRS)

NURSE: Clear!

DR. WEBER: Clear!

(EQUIPMENT THUMPS)

Pulse!

We have a pulse!

(GERALD GASPS)

(EKG BEEPING NORMALLY)

MARGARETE: Is she okay?

Yeah, yeah, she's okay.

I can't...

It's not okay.

AMY: It's all right.

What do I do? What do I...

I don't know

what to do anymore!

I mean, she's not...

AMY: Let's just take it

one step at a time, okay?

Let's just take it one step

at a time and we'll get you

some help, okay?

All right?

I mean, she's dying.

I can't even...

I can't even say I'm sorry!

I can't even tell her

I'm sorry.

AMY: I know.

I know there's

no excuse for that.

It's just not right.

I hate myself now.

I hate it. I hate it.

AMY: I'm very proud of you.

This is really hard.

I think you're a very,

very powerful young woman

who people love

and people follow.

But I know that's not you,

and I know underneath that,

(SNIFFLES)

there's someone

who's just in a lot of pain,

who needs to talk to

somebody and get it out.

Don't you just want

to get it out?

Yeah, but, I mean,

who would I talk to?

I have nobody.

My mom doesn't talk to me.

My dad doesn't talk.

My friends don't care

about real life.

All they care about

is shopping.

They don't...

(SOBS)

I don't have any real friends.

I did have one real friend

and that was Jessica.

The one person

that cared about me,

the one person

that would never hurt me

and then I go

and fuck it all up.

I hurt her.

And I can't even say

I'm sorry.

(RESPIRATOR HISSING)

DR. WEBER:

Let me see the charts.

NURSE: We have no...

I'll know within 24 hours.

DR. WEBER: Okay.

We need to discuss

Jessica's situation.

Can we do it outside?

Absolutely. Please.

Mr. Burns?

After you.

We just checked

Jessica's blood levels

and it seems

that her organs

are not improving,

so she is continuing

down the path

of organ failure,

complete organ failure.

We have her on hemodialysis

at this point...

(MARGARETE GASPS)

And after that,

that's pretty much

all we can do.

What do we do then?

What happens after that?

I'm sorry.

Mmm-mmm. (SOBS)

There's gotta be

something left to do.

We've done pretty much

what we can.

It's just basically

up to her now.

I'm sorry, Dr. Burns.

GERALD: Please.

DR. WEBER: I'm sorry.

(SOBBING)

AVERY: I am

the one responsible

for Jessica Burns

killing herself.

I wish that it was me

that couldn't wake up.

I wish it was me

that wasn't breathing,

not you.

You don't deserve

that, but I do.

I deserve all of that.

BRIAN: Guys. What's happening?

(MARGARETE SOBBING)

GERALD: Um...

Brian.

MARGARETE: Oh, honey.

I thought

everything was okay.

Well, she's had

a rough night.

They're saying

it doesn't look good.

People paid me attention

because of what I was doing.

And even though

it wasn't positive attention,

it was still attention to me.

I didn't care.

I didn't care that what

I was doing was

affecting someone else so much

that they felt like

they had nowhere to go

and had no one to go to,

that they thought

it'd be better

just to die than to be here.

GERALD: She can hear you.

She can hear you.

AVERY: I tried to get control

over other people

and now I'm just totally lost.

I thought it was easier

to put up a wall

and be the one

to control others.

And it's not...

It's not right.

And I was lucky enough

to have someone now

care enough to show me that

and to tell me that,

and spend the time

to talk with me

and listen to me,

which I've never had before.

It wasn't me just

playing games and joking

around with someone.

It was me

(SNIFFLES)

ruining somebody.

(SIGHS)

Jessica,

I know

that you might not ever

get to watch this,

but if for some reason you do,

I'm really sorry.

My name is Avery Keller.

And I'm a bully.