Josaline looks at Charlie and starts smiling, which gets him excited and nervous at the same time. Afterwards, she sits down at her seat and starts talking to her friends.
CHARLIE
Did she…just smile at me?
FRANK
Yep. She might be interested in you. I would go for it.
CHARLIE
You think I should?
FRANK
Yeah. What do you got to lose?
CHARLIE
You’re right.
FRANK
(sarcasm)
Exactly. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like she’s going to look at you and be disgusted by your face, slap you around a bit, push you to the ground, and then stomp on your balls just to make sure you don’t bring another abomination to this world.
Charlie looks at Frank with a disturbed look on his face.
CHARLIE
(sarcasm)
Gee. Thanks for the pep talk, buddy.
Frank looks at Charlie and smiles.
FRANK
No problem, buddy. I’m here to help.
Charlie turns away from Frank.
CHARLIE
(Whispers) More like, you’re here to ruin my life.
FRANK
What was that?
Charlie gets nervous and forces himself to smile.
CHARLIE
I said I can’t wait to get her into my life.
FRANK
That’s the spirit.
CHARLIE
I’m going to go talk to her.
Charlie does not move.
FRANK
Aren’t you going to go talk to her?
CHARLIE
I''m going...
Charlie continues to stay put.
FRANK
Dude...
CHARLIE
I need to build the courage first!
FRANK
(disappointed)
You’re bumming me out, bro.
CANDICE
You’re too late, anyway.
Charlie looks at Candice.
CHARLIE
What do you mean?
CANDICE
She has a boyfriend.
CHARLIE
(shocked)
SHE ALREADY HAS A BOYFRIEND?!
A tear comes from Charlie''s eye.
CHARLIE
(disappointed)
Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?
Candice looks at Charlie.
CANDICE
Frank knew. He could''ve told you.
Charlie gets mad and looks at Frank, witnessing Frank trying to sneak away.
CHARLIE
FRANK!
Frank gets startled and jumps a little. He slowly turns his head towards Charlie with a smile on his face.
FRANK
(nervously)
Did you get her number yet?
CHARLIE
Why did you encourage me to talk to her knowing she already has a boyfriend?!
FRANK
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. I thought…it would be funny?
CHARLIE
You really are trying to ruin my life!
Frank stops smiling.
FRANK
Not true. I did a lot to help you out.
CHARLIE
Name one!
FRANK
That’s not fair. I’ve done so much, it’s hard to choose just one.
CHARLIE
Then name all of them!
FRANK
There’s so many, I can’t remember them all.
CHARLIE
You’re full of it!
Candice sees Josaline’s boyfriend come into the classroom.
CANDICE
And there he is.
Charlie and Frank turn their attention to the entrance.
CHARLIE
(surprised)
Logan?!
CANDICE
Yep.
CHARLIE
But he’s a jerk!
Charlie, Candice and Frank watches as Logan walks over to Josaline, bends over, and gives her a kiss on the lips.
CHARLIE
(NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)
Charlie falls to his knees and starts sobbing.
CHARLIE
My life has no meaning anymore. It’s ruined.
Frank and Candice looks at Charlie.
CANDICE
That’s not necessary. You are being over dramatic.
FRANK
There’s plenty of fish in the sea, bro.
CHARLIE
But she was the one fish I wanted to swim with...forever.
CANDICE
Quick your sobbing and stand up like a proud man.
CHARLIE
But I’m not a proud man. I’m a pathetic little boy with no life.
FRANK
You can say that again.
Candice looks at Frank.
CANDICE
Shut up, Frank. You’re not helping.
Frank looks at Candice.
FRANK
But I am helping.
CANDICE
How?
FRANK
I don’t know. I thought you knew.
CANDICE
(Sigh) Why do I even bother? Charlie you need to get up.
Candice looks at Charlie doing the worm while sobbing.
CHARLIE
I have no life. I have no life. I have no life.
CANDICE
(annoyed)
I don’t even know why I’m still your friend.
Candice notice Logan looking at her. Logan smiles and begins to walk over towards them.
CANDICE
(Oh great. Here he comes.)
Candice quickly grabs Charlie by his shirt, snatches him off the ground, and stands him up.
CANDICE
Get up already. You’re embarrassing yourself.
Charlie wipes his face and stops sobbing.
CHARLIE
(upset)
(Sniff) OK.
Logan stops in front of the group.
LOGAN
How’s it hanging, bubs and bubette?
CANDICE
Don’t call me that.
FRANK
My man, Logan.
Frank walks to Logan and gives him a high five.
FRANK
What you been up too?
LOGAN
Being a bad ass and making out with Josaline....the usual.
FRANK
That’s what I’m talking about.
CANDICE
Did not need to hear that.
LOGAN
What is he doing?
Candice looks behind herself and sees Charlie on the ground, sobbing and doing the worm.
CHARLIE
Why does this have to happen to me?! Why?!
Candice looks at Logan.
CANDICE
He’s…going through a bit of a phase. But he’ll get over it...I hope.
FRANK
He’s fine. So, Logan, what’s the 411?
LOGAN
There’s nothing to tell, Frank.
FRANK
Come on, man. I know you got something. What about Josaline, eh?
LOGAN
What about her?
FRANK
I know you’ve been knocking those boots.
Candice punches Frank in the back of the head and pushes him out of the way.
CANDICE
What he is trying to ask is how are things going with you and miss goody two shoes over there?
FRANK
Sounds like someone is jealous.
CANDICE
I’m not jealous.
LOGAN
I just came here to see if you guys wanted to go to this party Josaline and I are going to after school.
Frank quickly moves beside Logan.
FRANK
Sweet! I''m there!
CANDICE
Count me out.
LOGAN
You don’t want to go?
CANDICE
Nah. Parties aren’t really my thing.
Frank looks at Candice.
FRANK
Come on, Candice. You gotta go.
CANDICE
I don’t know.
LOGAN
There’s going to be ramen.
Candice''s eyes widen.
CANDICE
Ramen?!
LOGAN
Yeah and lots of it.
CANDICE
(smiles confidently)
I’m in.
FRANK
Great. We’re all set.
Candice looks behind herself and sees Charlie in the corner of the classroom in the fetal position, sucking on his thumb.
CANDICE
What about Charlie?
LOGAN
He can go if he wants.
Charlie takes his thumb out his mouth.
CHARLIE
No. I’m not going with…hiiiiiiiiim.
LOGAN
What’s that all about?
CANDICE
It’s nothing. Just ignore him.
FRANK
Then it’s settled.
The teacher walks into the classroom. Everyone sits down in their proper seat and gets ready for class.