TORIE
Vance is all talk.
FLYNN
I don't know that. So I let him cheat off of me, and Mr. Edwards found out about it. He didn't even have the decency to paraphrase.
TRISTEN
I'm sorry, man. I didn't know.
SAVANNAH
So why isn't he here?
TRISTEN
He was suspended for roughing up a freshman.
Flynn shakes his head. There's a long moment of silence.
ABRAM
I thought Mr. Edwards was cranky because I answered every question with Phil Collins lyrics.
This causes a ripple of laughs.
SAVANNAH
I just didn't feel like coming to school that day.
Even Flynn laughs at that one.
TRISTEN
Am I the only one who actually failed the test.
ABRAM
What about you, Five K? What's your story?
TORIE
Why are you so obsessed with me?
SAVANNAH
Come on. Your reason can't be worse than ours.
TORIE
Fine. When I was taking my test, I took a selfie. (on their looks) What? I've never missed an hour. I didn't want to break my streak.
Abram cracks a smile.
ABRAM
Seriously?
TRISTEN
Back off, man.
ABRAM
And you think I'm obsessed with you.
TORIE
Maybe you're just jealous because people find me interesting. What is it you do besides putting other people down? You're a vampire who sucks the life out of everyone you meet. Do you even have friends?
ABRAM
Do you?
Tori gives him a look.
FLYNN
Can we just finish the test so we can go home?
TRISTEN
What's the point?
SAVANNAH
I'll help you.
All eyes on Savannah.
TRISTEN
You know what you're doing?
SAVANNAH
You've seen my work. Am I a decent student or not?
She looks down at the test.
SAVANNAH
(reading) "FDR's Vice President was Dwight D. Eisenhower." I think that's true.
Flynn knows he shouldn't be doing this but...
FLYNN
It's false. (beat) The next one is true.
They're all in this together.
TRISTEN
I don't see the point in learning this stuff. How is this supposed to help us get good jobs?
FLYNN
We learn about our history so it doesn't repeat itself. If no one knew about the past, who's to say it wouldn't happen again?
SAVANNAH
If that were the case, why are there still wars? We've been fighting for centuries.
TRISTEN
Fair point.
FLYNN
As long as individuals have their own beliefs and values, there will always be conflict. That's unavoidable.
SAVANNAH
So you're saying we'll be fighting for the rest of our lives?
TORIE
Sometimes we fight to be heard. Instead of attacking each other, there should be a conversation. Try to understand where both parties are coming from.
Locks eyes with Abram.
ABRAM
Is that your quote of the day?
Flynn snickers.
YOU ARE READING
Try Again (A Scripted Series)-Part One
Teen FictionWorlds collide as five high school students cross paths while retaking a history test in this tribute to classic teen movies and songs from the early 2000's. They all come from different backgrounds, but there's one thing they're all fighting for: T...
