EXT. THE PARK – EARLY MORNING

James and Cedric are jogging. Cedric has his ipod on, whilst James seems to be deep in thought. Cedric takes one ear-piece out and nudges James.

CEDRIC

Hey, James, why the long face? Quarrelled with Lex?

JAMES

Hmm? What was that?

CEDRIC

What's up, man? You're like in a dream world or something.

JAMES

Oh, nothing really. Just… thinking.

CEDRIC

Got Lex on your mind?

JAMES

Who?

(His hand phone starts ringing, and they stop as he answers it)

Yes? Are you okay? Sure… sure… First thing. I'm coming back now. Don't worry. See you then.

(To Cedric)

Ced, I need to go. I'll catch up with you another time, alright?

CEDRIC

Sure, whatever. Lex in any trouble? Is she fine?

JAMES

Lex? Oh, no. No. That wasn't Lex. It was Heather.

(Turns and rushes away.)

CEDRIC

(Turning towards him, and calling after him)

Heather? Heather who?

(James doesn't appear to have heard him so Cedric shrugs and puts the ear-piece back and resumes his jog. He turns the corner and knocks into Jasmine – he doesn't recognise her at first.)

Oh, sorry! Did I…

(Helps her up)

Jasmine!

JASMINE

(At the same time)

Ced!

(They laugh)

Ow… you do pack a punch.

CEDRIC

Sorry, sorry. My fault. May I join you?

(Jasmine nods and they continue jogging in the direction that Jasmine was going)

JASMINE

You came out alone?

CEDRIC

Nah, I'm with… I mean I was with James. He's gone off now. In a bit of a hurry.

JASMINE

Oh, I wonder why.

Cedric

(Shrugging)

Some Heather somebody.

JASMINE

Heather?

(Stops running abruptly.)

CEDRIC

What? What about Heather? Do you know her?

JASMINE

James hasn't told you anything?

CEDRIC

Told me what?

JASMINE

You know… him? Her? Oh forget it. You guys are such… jerks.

(She turns to walk away, but Cedric grabs her by the arm.)

CEDRIC

Seriously, Jas, I know nothing. And believe me, I would never allow James to do anything that would hurt Lex if I knew about it.

JASMINE

Yeah, well Lex is hurt. So prove it.

CEDRIC

Don't worry, I will.

Jasmine scowls at him, then shrugs him off.

Cedric looks at his watch then continues his run.

EXT. HOSPITAL – MORNING

James is pacing the hallway nervously. His mom and Heather appear from a doorway. He looks up and sighs in relief. Walking up to them, he gives Heather a hug and a peck on the cheek. She smiles.

JAMES

Everything will be alright, Heather. Don't worry. It will all work out fine.

HEATHER

I'm not worried. You are.

JAMES' MOM

Worry wart. Just like his mom.

INT. COLLEGE CLASS ROOM – CONTINUOUS

The classroom is almost filled. The lecturer is talking in front of the class. Alexis glances at her watch several times. Alexis, Jasmine and Trixie are in the middle of the hall, whilst Cedric, Gary and Mark are at the very back.

ALEXIS

(Hissing softly towards Jasmine on her left)

Where is he? He's so late! He's never been this late. Is he even coming?

JASMINE

I don't know. Why don't you ask Cedric?

ALEXIS

Because he's too far away, idiot.

JASMINE

I met Cedric this morning at the park. He said that they were jogging together, but James had to hurry off for something to do with this Heather.

ALEXIS

Heather again! What is going on?

INT. COLLEGE CANTEEN – NOON

Alexis, Jasmine and Trixie are walking in. The canteen is chock-full of people, some of whom nod at them as they walk by. Cedric and a few other guys can be seen at another corner of the canteen, watching them as they pass by.

JASMINE

I told you Lex, he's so totally not worth it. I mean, all this sneaking around behind your back and everything. And you thought he was a nice guy. Jerks. All of them – jerks!

(She slams her bag down on the table.)

You should confront him. I mean, like just totally blast him. He has no right to treat you this way. You need to stand up for your rights!

ALEXIS

Jas, I'm really not in the mood, okay?

TRIXIE

I wonder if anything's up with him. He didn't appear in class today. Highly unusual – for him, I mean.

JASMINE

Of course something's the matter with him. He went to meet Heather.

TRIXIE

Has anyone of you ever seen Heather?

JASMINE

And you think that that two-timing low life would introduce Heather to us?

TRIXIE

I don't know. He might. She might even be nice.

JASMINE

Apparently, she wasn't even introduced to Cedric.

(Rolls her eyes)

Cedric walks up to them, backpack slung over his left shoulder. He puts his hand on Alexis' shoulder. She looks up at him and smiles.

ALEXIS

Hey, Ceddy.

CEDRIC

You doing okay, dear?

ALEXIS

I'll be fine.

CEDRIC

(Taking out a chocolate box from his backpack)

Here, I got you this.

ALEXIS

Aww, you're too sweet, Ceddy. Thanks a bunch.

(Opens the box and takes a chocolate, passing the rest to the girls)

Is James coming to class today?

CEDRIC

I don't know. He didn't say. Sorry.

Alexis just nods. People start streaming out of the canteen.

GIRL #1

(To Girl #2 as she passes by)

It's too sweet, I tell you. She says he's been taking care of her like a baby.

GIRL #2

(Sighs)

True love? I wish I could find mine so easily too. She's just so lucky. He's with her now?

Jasmine scowls at them as they pass by.

JASMINE

I don't suppose they're talking about…

TRIXIE

Jas, they could be talking about anyone. Why do you just assume it's about James and Heather?

Cedric glances at Alexis with a stricken face. Alexis just seems to ignore it, picking up her bag to leave.

INT. CLASSROOM – CONTINUOUS

The four of them are sitting at the back. Other students are still walking in to the room. Alexis sits leaning her chin on her hands, deep in thought.

FLASHBACK – INT. CLASSROOM – MORNING

James is leaning over towards Alexis. The class is already half-empty, with other students walking in and out. Cedric is in the background, slowly packing his things and occasionally glancing at them. He walks out towards the end of the conversation.

JAMES

I love you, you know.

ALEXIS

Yes, I do know, Mez. Now, get your hand off my text book.

JAMES

But I'm carrying it for you.

ALEXIS

No, this one goes in my bag.

JAMES

Ah, but what about the bag?

EXT. COLLEGE CAR PARK – CONTINUOUS

James is carrying Alexis' bag. Cedric can be seen waiting at the College front door, watching them as they walk out, sharing a joke.

JAMES

I'll see you later tomorrow then.

ALEXIS.

Yeah. Call you later?

JAMES

Sure. Any time.

(Gives her a flying kiss as he walks away. She gets into her car, then sees Cedric by the front door. She waves at him, and he waves back.)

BACK TO CLASSROOM

The lecturer has walked into the room, and is handing out notes.

CEDRIC

(Whispering)

Alexis.

(Slightly louder)

Alexis!

ALEXIS

(Turns towards him quizzically.)

CEDRIC

(Passes her the notes)

Snap out of it. Class is starting.

Alexis takes the notes and starts doodling on them. In the front, James comes in and pushes his way up to the back. Alexis perks up. He pushes his way through the rows to their row. Cedric moves to clear a space for him. He sits down beside Alexis.

JAMES

Hey, babe. Sorry I missed the first class. I was held up.

ALEXIS

By a robber?

JAMES

(Laughs)

Very funny, babe. Something came up.

ALEXIS

This something wouldn't be Heather, would it?

JAMES

(A panicked look crosses over his face)

No, not really, but…

(Seeing a hurt look on her face)

Yes, yes. I'm sorry. Look, I'll explain it to you, okay?

ALEXIS

(Turns away, and moves slightly away from him)

Explain it to someone else.

JAMES

Lex, let me…

Alexis ignores him and pretends to be absorbed in the lecture.

LATER

Jasmine and Trixie are still talking at the table, Cedric is quarrelling with James. Alexis is walking out of the classroom alone, head down. James pushes Cedric away and rushes after her, pushing through the other students who are on their way out and getting angry glares.

JAMES

Lex! Babe, wait up!

(He reaches her, and puts an arm around her shoulder. She tries to shrug it off)

ALEXIS

What do you want?

JAMES

Give me a chance. I'm sorry. I know I've been neglecting you. It's just things have been so messy lately. Messy and busy, and…

(He stops talking, biting his lip. He draws her to the side, holding her hands.)

Babe, look at me.

(He lifts up her chin)

I do love you.

ALEXIS

(Musingly)

Do you?

JAMES

You've only always been the only one for me.

ALEXIS

And I almost believe you.

(Turns away and disappears into the streams of people)

James rubs his forehead, then turns and walks in the other direction. Cedric, who has been watching them, turns to follow after Alexis. Maya reaches her first.

MAYA

Hey, Alexis.

ALEXIS

Uh huh… What's up?

MAYA

I was just wondering when we could fix up a date to do that assignment we have together?

ALEXIS

Any time, I'm sure. I guess I'm pretty free.

MAYA

You won't be, like, I don't know… hanging with James or something?

ALEXIS

I guess not.

MAYA

You know, the other day I…

FLASHBACK – INT. BASKIN ROBBINS – EVENING

Maya enters the ice-cream parlour. She stops at the counter and starts choosing flavours for a take-away tub. In the corner of her eye, she notices James. She turns to look and sees that he is there with Heather. She is about to walk up and talk to him, but she decides not to.

HEATHER

I haven't done this in ages.

JAMES

What – not had ice-cream?

HEATHER

(Shaking her head)

I've had ice-cream. Just not in Baskins. And just not with anyone I really cared about. Sad isn't it? Gosh, this is so yummy!

JAMES

So I'll just have to take you out here more.

HEATHER

Oh yes, yes. You do, you do!

James looks up and notices Maya. He starts to blush. He gets up and walks towards her.

JAMES

Hey Maya. I didn't see you come in.

MAYA

Hi James. Uh yeah, too busy I guess.

JAMES

Here for ice-cream too?

MAYA

Uh, yeah. I'm just waiting for my take-away.

JAMES

Oh, alright.

The lady at the counter passes her the tub, and she takes it and pays.

MAYA

I guess I'll see you around then.

JAMES

Yeah. See you.

She walks out and he walks back to where Heather is sitting.

BACK TO THE HALLWAY

ALEXIS

The other day you…?

(gestures with her hand for Maya to continue her sentence)

MAYA

Oh, nothing. It was probably nothing important. I'll catch you later. Maybe sometime this weekend.

ALEXIS

Sure, alright. Just let me know.

EXT. COLLEGE CAR PARK – CONTINUOUS

Alexis is just getting into her car when Cedric runs up.

CEDRIC

Hey, Lex! The guys and I are watching a movie later. Do you want to come along?

ALEXIS

What movie?

CEDRIC

Pirates of the Caribbean 3, I guess. It just started screening.

ALEXIS

Well… I'm not doing anything else tonight, I guess. So yeah. Alright.

CEDRIC

Then I'll pick you up at seven?

ALEXIS

Sure. See you then.

(She closes her door and with a wave at him, she pulls away)

GARY and MARK walk up to Cedric.

MARK

Ahem, ahem.

CEDRIC

Is there something wrong with your throat?

MARK

So, did you score?

GARY

Is she coming?

CEDRIC

Do birds fly?

MARK

Way to go, man!

(He high-fives Cedric.)

GARY

You the man!

(After a pause)

There won't be any problems with James, will there?

CEDRIC

The way I see it, he'll be too busy to even bother. I mean, with Heather and all.

They walk off, laughing.