After Hayden's revelations, William decided to step away for a moment to think things through.
WILLIAM (visibly troubled, running a hand through his hair): Well… uh… I'm going to need some time to… process all this. Sorry, guys, it's just a bit too much all at once.
HAYDEN (shrugging with a mischievous smile): Take your time, big man. Thinking is halfway to action, as an old sage once said.
KATIE (crossing her arms, slightly annoyed): Honestly, Hayden, you're too much. You could have eased into it instead of dropping it like a bomb.
MARY (watching William walk away): Can't you see you put William in a tough spot? He has to digest all this now.
HAYDEN (nonchalant): Hey, sometimes you need a good shake to move forward. And honestly, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Right, Flora?
FLORA (lowering her eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed): Maybe… but it wasn't necessarily the right time.
HAYDEN (with a teasing smile): The right moments are made. Now it's up to him.
William, meanwhile, slowly walked across the gym, his mind clearly elsewhere. He headed towards one of the exits, looking for some quiet to sort out his thoughts.
WILLIAM (to himself, murmuring): This can't be real… Flora, really? And Hayden, why now?
He stopped under the shade of a tree, taking a deep breath.
WILLIAM (pacing): I always knew, somehow, but… why do I feel so… stupid?
Meanwhile, the group watched William from a distance, each reacting differently to the situation.
MARY (crossing her arms): I hope things go well between them.
KATIE (mockingly): With a bit of luck, William won't spend the whole day overthinking.
HAYDEN (smirking): He'll be fine. We're all stronger than we think… even if some need a push to realize it.
As the group tried to ease the tension, three figures approached, their mocking voices echoing through the gym.
VÉRA (with a sneer): Oh, look at this. The Misfit Club having a little group therapy session. I didn't know this was a support group.
LOÏS (giving Hayden a disdainful glance): Seriously, Hayden, you should invest in better clothes. All black, really? That just screams "broke and depressed."
AMBER (eyeing Mary with a venomous smile): And you, Mary, still playing the perfect girl? Must be exhausting babysitting this little group.
KATIE (clenching her fists, clearly annoyed): What do you three want? If it's just to spit your poison, get lost.
VÉRA (faking innocence): Oh, but we just wanted to socialize. It's important to be friendly with classmates, right?
HAYDEN (crossing his arms, smirking at them): Friendly? You? That's a joke. You wouldn't know how to be friendly if your lives depended on it.
LOÏS (laughing lightly): Oh, don't be upset, Hayden. It's not our fault that some are born to shine and others… to entertain us.
AMBER (grinning viciously as she turns to Flora): By the way, Flora, isn't it a bit embarrassing that everyone knows you have a thing for William now? Poor girl, tough luck that Hayden has such a big mouth.
FLORA (clenching her fists, then lifting her head with determination): Maybe you should worry about your own life instead of meddling in mine, Amber. Because right now, you're just being needlessly cruel… again.
AMBER (caught off guard, her smile faltering slightly): What do you mean by that, Flora?
FLORA (firmly, looking her straight in the eyes): I mean, it takes a real lack of self-confidence to spend your time putting others down. Maybe you should try being a little more honest with yourself, don't you think?
KATIE (smirking, impressed): Well said, Flora.
MARY (placing a hand on Flora's shoulder): It's nice to see you standing up for yourself.
AMBER (trying to regain control but visibly irritated): It's easy to talk, Flora, but we'll see how long you can keep that attitude.
HAYDEN (grinning): True, Amber. It would be a first for you to "keep" anything.
VÉRA (crossing her arms, speaking with disdain): We're wasting our time here. Come on, girls, we have better things to do than hang out with this bunch of losers.
LOÏS (taking out a compact mirror, observing her reflection with disinterest): Especially since I need to stop by the salon. I'm not wasting my time listening to their high school drama.
The three girls turned on their heels, leaving the group behind.
MARY (after a moment of silence): Flora, you handled that really well. I'm proud of you.
FLORA (relaxed, smiling slightly): Thanks, Mary. It's because of you all.
HAYDEN (teasing): We might have inspired you, but you stood your ground. Well done, Flo.
Flora spotted William, still deep in thought under the tree, and decided to join him.
FLORA (softly): William…
WILLIAM (turning around, surprised but smiling slightly): Oh, Flora. What's up?
FLORA (timidly): Nothing special… I just wanted to see how you were after… all that.
WILLIAM (sighing, hands in his pockets): I'm fine… I think. Hayden is really good at creating awkward situations, huh?
FLORA (smiling slightly): Yeah, but… he's not always wrong.
WILLIAM (raising an eyebrow): Oh yeah? And what do you think?
FLORA (hesitating, looking down): I think he knows you well… and he was trying to help, in a way.
WILLIAM (chuckling softly): Help me? That guy just put me in the spotlight. But… maybe he meant well.
FLORA (looking at him intently): He was right about… some things. You know, about you and me.
WILLIAM (letting the silence hang before responding softly): Maybe. Maybe this conversation needed to happen.
FLORA: Why did you never tell me anything?
WILLIAM (rubbing his neck, uneasy): Honestly? Because I was scared. Scared of ruining our friendship, scared that you wouldn't feel the same way. And… well, there was also Debbie.
FLORA (frowning): Debbie?
WILLIAM (sighing): Yeah, Debbie. Before she started dating Frank, I had a crush on her. I told her, and she politely turned me down. She said she saw Frank differently… and shortly after, they were together.
FLORA (surprised): I didn't know that.
WILLIAM: That's because I don't talk about it. Debbie and Frank have been my friends forever. We grew up together. But… after that, I decided to keep my feelings to myself.
FLORA (gently): But why tell me now?
WILLIAM (looking at her intensely): Because it's different with you, Flora. I don't want to regret not telling you how I feel.
FLORA (blushing slightly but smiling): William…
Before he could say more, a voice echoed through the gym speakers.
Principal: Dear students, dear staff members, welcome to this new school year. Please proceed immediately to your designated sections for the opening speech. Thank you.
FLORA (chuckling): Another interruption…
WILLIAM (smiling, shaking his head): Of course. It had to happen.
FLORA: We'll continue this conversation, okay?
WILLIAM (with a sincere smile): Promise, Flora.
They exchanged a knowing look before heading towards their sections, unspoken words still lingering
.....
The principal steps onto the gymnasium stage, microphone in hand, addressing the assembly of students and teachers. A mixed atmosphere of curiosity and boredom fills the room.
Principal: Ladies and gentlemen, dear students, welcome to this new school year. For some of you, this is your final year here, your last stretch before stepping into the adult world.
A murmur spreads through the students—some feeling motivated, others uninterested.
Principal: This year is crucial for your future. Your results will determine your next steps, whether it's university, specialized schools, or directly entering the workforce. We expect seriousness, discipline, and ambition from you. To help with this, we have structured the classes into distinct sections to best prepare you for your future careers.
The principal takes out a document and begins reading.
Principal: Section A is for students specializing in pure sciences, such as physics and biology. Section B will be focused on economics and social sciences, with an emphasis on management and finance. Section C is for those passionate about art and literature. Finally, Section D is dedicated to high-level sports and technical professions.
He pauses, scanning the crowd to gauge their reactions.
Principal: I'd like to remind you that switching from one section to another is possible, but only after an assessment of your skills and a justified motivation.
Some students exchange worried glances, while others seem completely indifferent.
Principal: Lastly, I want to emphasize the importance of solidarity and mutual respect. These values will be essential for succeeding in a fast-changing world.
He pauses again before concluding.
Principal: Now, I invite you to check the boards at the gym entrance to find out your assigned sections. Once you've done that, please proceed to your classrooms to meet your homeroom teachers. I wish you all a great school year—make it a successful one.
A wave of murmurs fills the gymnasium as students start getting up. Some seem excited to discover their section, while others, less enthusiastic, drag their feet.
Flora and William, still side by side, walk toward the boards.
FLORA: So, which section do you think you'll be in?
WILLIAM (shrugging): Probably B. It fits my ambitions… What about you?
FLORA (smiling slightly): I'm leaning toward C. You know I love literature.
WILLIAM: That suits you, Flora. Creativity, words… that's totally you.