Have you ever had a crush on someone…
Who was totally wrong for you?
That you don’t want to admit…
And look down at my hands.
They’re shaking slightly.
Because my crush has just walked into study hall.
I glance over at my best friend, who’s sitting next to me.
Georgia
DEVIN is the guy you’re hot for?
Bree
What’s wrong with Devin?
Georgia
Nothing. He’s just…well…
Georgia gets a thoughtful look.
Georgia
He’s been to juvie.
Bree
It was for something minor.
Georgia
He took someone’s car for a joyride.
Georgia
He’s trouble, Bree.
Bree
You sound like my mom.
Georgia laughs and gives Devin a closer look.
It’s an appreciative look.
Georgia
You know, he is kind of gorgeous…
Georgia
In a bad boy kind of way.
And Georgia turns out her palms.
Georgia
I’m not interested in him.
Georgia
My dad would kill me.
Because Devin makes me so nervous…
I can’t even speak to him.
I practically swallow my tongue.
Devin
Your name is Bree, right?
Devin
I was wondering if you could help me.
Georgia
Oh, she’ll help you all right.
I give Georgia a threatening look.
Then I return my gaze to Devin.
He’s tall, dark, and handsome.
Bree
Sure. What do you need?
Devin
Can you follow me into the hall?
Our study hall teacher doesn’t care what we do…
As long as we don’t bother him.
I get up and follow Devin.
When we’re halfway down the hall…
Devin
I need an alibi for this morning.
Devin
You did the marquee sign out front, right?
I change the sign every Monday morning…
As part of my journalism class.
I snap yearbook pictures…
Come up with clever captions…
And post the school’s events on the front sign…
Devin
I was with you, okay?
I’m pretty sure I would remember that.
It’s basically a 1-person job…
And my teachers consider me responsible.
No one worries that I’ll leave campus.
Devin
I’m asking you to say I was with you.
Devin is also in my journalism class.
Devin
You can say you asked me for help.
Bree
Why would I do that?
Devin
Maybe because you’re tired of doing it all by yourself?
I wonder if he knows that’s true.
I have friends, and of course there’s Georgia.
But I tend to stay on the outskirts of groups.
Devin
To tell you the truth…
Devin
I really do wish I could have been with you this morning…
Devin
Helping you with the sign.
My heart thrums in my chest.
That I can smell Devin’s cologne.
That I can see my reflection in his eyes.
Devin
I’ve considered helping you before, you know?
Devin
I’ve noticed how you blush…
Devin
When I come around.
And now I’m surely turning red.
Devin
Maybe I don’t blush as easily.
Devin
But I’ve noticed you too.
I’m not sure how to respond.
My first impulse is to turn to mush.
But maybe he’s just saying that…
So I’ll agree to being his alibi.
I won’t be taken for a fool.
Bree
If you weren’t at school…
Bree
Where WERE you this morning?
Devin looks down at his feet.
Bree
Did you steal another car?
And something wounded flashes in his eyes.
Devin
Is that what people are saying happened?
Devin
I didn’t steal a car.
Bree
What did you do then?
Devin
Well, technically I did take a car…
Devin
But it was my dad’s.
Devin
And I didn’t want him to drive.
Devin
They just think they do.
Bree
They sent you to juvie for that?
Devin shoves his hands in his pockets.
We’re standing against the lockers now.
Devin
My dad is up for a promotion.
Devin
It looks better for him…
Devin
To say I’m a rebellious teen…
Devin
Than to say he’s a drunk.
Devin
I was saving him from himself.
Bree
So you took his car and wrecked it?
Devin
I’m not good with a stick shift, okay?
Devin
It was just a series of unfortunate events…
Devin
That landed me in juvie.
Devin’s story may seem far-fetched.
But somehow I believe him.
There’s something sincere in his eyes.
Bree
Okay, so what happened this morning?
I wait for some other noble explanation.
Devin
I don’t have an excuse.
Devin
I just didn’t want to come.
Devin
It was a bad choice…
Devin
And asking you to cover for me…
Just not quite as bad as I thought.
Just bad enough to be hot…
But not too bad to date, I decide.
Bree
You can help me with the sign next time.
Bree
I’ll cover for you just this once.
Bree
But don’t ask me again.
Devin
If I get to help you with the marquee…
Devin
I’ll never want to skip another Monday.
Devin
In fact, I’ll get to school early.
Marveling at how two complete opposites…
Just found common ground.
And sometimes the bad boy…
The two of us can meet in the middle.
