We follow the steps of a student as he exits the building in search of anybody he recognizes.

BEN is just one of the friendly faces that ED considered a sight for soar eyes.

As Ben leads, Ed playfully takes a small bead of clay from that he swiped from art class and flicks it at Ben.

There is a pause as they stand in line to the cafeteria window.

Ben points toward the cafeteria windows.

Ed walks over the a small group of students hanging out by one of the closed windows. They greet one another and chat. Ed makes himself comfortable since it seems that the group is in no rush to go anywhere. One of the boys feels something hit him on the head and swipes at it like a fly. Mention of Ben, a mutual acquaintance, comes up as the small clique looks in his direction only to be met with the middle finger.

Ed looks down at the ground to find a bead of clay.

As Ben gradually moves up in the line to the cafeteria window, Ed notices a girl two or three students behind him. He glances at her every few minutes or so. As she gets closer, Ed can't help but look in her direction more and more. Eventually she makes it to the window, places her order, and leaves with her friends.

The halls of the building are filled with students finding their way to their classes. Some linger around their lockers waiting for their friends, or just using the precious few minutes between classes to chat it up a bit. Ed doesn't know his way around the campus, and finding his friends is useless for help since it's their first year at the new school too.

He sees a friend and says hello but all he gets in return is a playful slap on the head as his friend playfully rushes down the hallway in search for his next class. Ed curses him under his breath.

As Ed reaches the classroom, he enters slowly to try to scope the room for acquaintances. Unable to see any of his friends, he takes a seat any place he finds vacant.

FADE TO

ONE HOUR LATER

The lunch bell rings and everybody exits the classroom with plans, it seems. Ed walks down the halls wondering if he can find the cafeteria again.

Ed took notice of many of the girls around campus. Some of them had a resemblance to the one girl he began to grow an obsession over, but because he hadn't found the nerve to introduce himself to her, he didn't know whether some of the girls he'd goggle were her or not.

He had tried to access information through his friends.

Determined to put an end to the mystery of whether or not she might be too old for him, he decides to follow her home.

As Ed begins to leave, he feels a piece of clay bounce off his head.

They walk on together. As they reach their classroom, Ben convinces Ed to sit near the back with him. He begins throwing clay to the backs of other students when the teacher isn't looking.

A student decides to complain and approaches the teacher to inform him that somebody is throwing mud in the class. Ed avoids eye contact as the teacher surveys the classroom for suspicious looking kids, when Ed notices the girl he's been following around happened to pass outside. He asks to be permitted to use the restroom and exits the classroom. He follows the girl down the halls eager to get close enough to see her face as he's still uncertain if he is following who he thinks he is following.

Keeping a safe distance, Ed battles with himself to avoid making a fool of himself by approaching the girl and saying something stupid. He manages to spot her long enough to register the color of her clothes. He sees her walking up one street, so he cleverly takes a side street two or three blocks away.

He stands at the bus stop. He flashes a bus pass as he boards a bus. He makes his way to the back of the bus where the exit door is located. His eyes are peeled at the upcoming stop. The crowd that's waiting to board is enormous. He sees her as she waits her turn to board. As she boards, he exits. He then makes his way back to campus.

SFX: school bell

The bell rings indicating the end of the period just as Ed returned to class. As the students begin to leave, he asks around if the teacher handed out any homework. Ben is nowhere around. He approaches the teacher's desk and obtains some handouts. He goes to his desk and sticks the papers in his notebook and leaves. At his locker he sees Zack.

Ed feels like he's indebted to Zack for asking around about her for him.

Zack and Ed go about their separate ways. As Ed passes the administration offices, he sees Ben sitting on one of the chairs. Ed makes a hello gesture and inquires where he'd disappeared to after biology.

Ed gives Ben a consoling look and takes his leave. He remembers that he forgot his algebra books when the warning bell rings and returns to his locker. The tardy bell rings and he barely reaches his locker. He makes a decision to cut class and make his way to All American.

The hallways that use to be full of students are now empty. Only authorized personnel allowed to roam the halls are visible. First he sees he Charles, a tall heavy set guy.

Ed sees Emily and lingers awhile until he hears one of her co-workers confirm her name. She is at one of the tables picking up some of the stray rappers left behind. Ed slowly comes up behind her.

Ed doesn't wait for a response, not even a reaction. He just turns with a smile and leaves.

FADE OUT

A few days later, Ed and Emily are on regular talking terms and today she invites him to her home. This is the first time that Ed visits Emily. They are alone with the whole house to themselves. When they speak, there is silence.

SFX: MUTE SOUND AND DIALOG

Of course, their lips are not moving in sync with the words "blah". The conversation taking place is typical between two young people who are getting to know one another better.