The Common Room
(Opens with shot of college. JAMES is walking towards the college. Close up of James)
James: New year, new start....(Sighs).....God help me.
(James enters college still rather groggy. Friend AARON sitting down greets him)
Aaron- Tired?
James- (sarcastically) nope just ran a marathon didn't you see?
(James drops himself onto a chair and rubs his eyes)
James: don't even ask. Its still too early to be thinking.
Aaron- I can see a new year hasn't changed you much. Same old sarcastic you, ay.
(James lays down across some chairs covering his eyes with his hands)
James- Yup too much effort to change now. How was the summer?
Aaron- Ah it was alright just sat around really. You?
James- Same old same old, sitting round and going into town. (Sarcastically) My life is so exciting.
So new year, new college, new people to meet....
Aaron- (staring into space) new girls....
James- is that all that's on your mind? I mean yes that's true and that was my next line! However you have a girlfriend!
Aaron- really?
James- well last time I saw you, you were together.
Aaron- yeah things have changed since then.
(James quickly sits up. Staring at Aaron in disbelief)
James- since yesterday!? I mean I know you 2 are constantly on and off but that quickly? Really!?
(James looks confused at Aaron)
Aaron- don't you think I know that it was quick. I'll just sit and wait to see what she says to me next.
James- what like if she walks in and declares her undying love for you then you know your ok.
(James slowly starts to pick away at Aarons patience)
Aaron- you know what I mean! Anyway you've had more girlfriends than me!
James- hey!! We do not speak of what happened at school! College means a new start to all that! What happened at school stays at school!
(Aaron laughs)
Aaron: What? Even the time when......
James: (quickly interrupts Aaron) Especially that time!! No-one will know about that time!!
(Aaron laughs. James falls back onto the chairs and again covers his eyes. SIMON enters)
Simon- Guess who's back.
James- (still covering his eyes) Oh god here he is.
Simon- so where are the girls?
James- they aren't here yet. As you can probably tell.
Simon- right well I'm determined to make a good impression on them today.
James: (sarcasm) By doing what? Magic tricks? Cause hell I'd be impressed if you did them.
Aaron: Do you ever say anything without sarcasm?
James: Now where is the fun in that though. What's the time?
Simon: 9.00
James: Eurgh, I've got lessons.
(James stands up, places his bag on his shoulder and gets ready to leave)
Simon: Your not waiting to say hi to the girls?
James: I'll say hi at lunch. Its not like I'm looking for a relationship at the moment anyway. And plus I already know a few of the girls so I'm not meeting anyone new. I'll leave the chatting for you Simon.
(Aaron laughs)
James: Right well tell Nikki I said hi. I'll see you inabit.
Aaron&Simon: Cya later.
(James leaves the room leaving Aaron and Simon chatting. The screen fades to black the fades in with the shot of the college. Lunchtime and the common room is busy. James enters and re assumes his earlier position on the chairs. Aaron calls James over from the other side of the room.)
Aaron: Oi James we're over here.
James: (deep sigh) this had best be worth the effort.
(James walks over to Aaron who is stood in a group of girls. NIKKI turns around and spots James)
Nikki: Hey, how are you? (She hugs James)
James: Hey I'm good thanks you? I haven't seen you in ages.
Nikki: I'm good thanks. I know we never met up did we. Let me introduce you to everyone.
(She points to everyone from left to right and introducing them)
Nikki: So this is Adele, Rachael, Michelle, and Louise. Girls this is James.
(James' face seems to drop as he sees Louise)
James: Hey
(Everyone returns back to their own conversations)
Nikki: James can I just have a word with you?
James: yeah sure
(Nikki takes James to one side away from the rest of the group)
James: So what do you......
(Nikki slaps him around the head. James looks shocked and rubs his head)
James: Ouch! What was that for?
Nikki: I saw that look you gave louise. I know what that look means.
James: What? What does that look mean?
Nikki: It means she will be another girl you like then as soon as you start going out you'll freak out and call it off.
(James stands there thinking about what Nikki has just said to him)
James: No that's not..........oh wait, yeah I guess your right. But its different this time.
Nikki: No its not. Your not allowed to like her!
James: What! Why!?
Nikki: Because I'm not listening to you all over again for you to say "actually I don't like her".
James: Yeah but she is just soooooo.......
(Nikki slaps him again)
Nikki: What did I just say?
James: Owww. That hurts you know.
Nikki: Good then that means everytime you even remotely mention her I will do it again until you give up. Plus she has just come out of a relationship.
James: So, that has never stopped me before.
Nikki: Well it will this time.
(Nikki walks off to re-join the group. James remains standing there taking in what he has just been told before rejoining the group. Simon enters slapping James round the head as he goes by)
Simon: What's up.
(James rubs his head again)
James: What is with people hitting me around the head today?
Simon: Oh sorry just thought I'd say hi. How was lesson?
James: Oh cheers. It was alright just same old same old really. How was yours?
Simon: I was just meeting new people.
James: You mean checking out the girls?
Simon: Maybe. Anyway I'm off to go chat to some guys from my class.
James: Oh so you do talk to guys too then. I'm sure they feel privileged.
(James and Simon laugh then Simon exits the room. Cut away to shot of the college.)
(New day. Shot of college. Cuts to the common room as James, Nikki, Rachel, Michelle and Adele are sitting there discussing their first day)
James: So how did you find your first day?
Rachel: Yeah it was alright although this guy keeps trying to chat me up but I've for got his name, it was something like.....
(Interrupting Rachel)
James: Simon
Rachel: Yeah that was it. Is he your friend?
James: You could say that. But apart from the stalker how was it?
Michelle: Yeah it was nice everyone is really friendly.
James: So where's Louise today?
(James acts like he isn't bothered. Nikki glares at him reminding him of their chat the day before)
Adele: We don't know she said she'd be in at lunch.
(As Adele says this Louise enters upset. All the girls rush towards her to hug her. They sit here down and begin to have a private conversation. James sits there very awkwardly wondering what to do. He sees Simon and Aaron standing at the door so he slowly slips away to join them)
Aaron: What's happening over there?
James: Errm Louise is upset over something.
Simon: what's she upset about?
James: I don't know. Nikki said she'd just come out of a serious relationship so I'm guessing its about that.
Aaron: So how much do you like her?
James: What!? I don't like her.
(James trys to hide the fact he secretly does)
Simon: Yeah you do.
James: No I don't!
Aaron: We've known you for years. We know when you like someone. Don't lie!
James: Bugger. Clearly I won't have a chance with her for a while though ay.
(Cuts back to the girls)
Nikki: What's wrong?
Louise: My brothers gone to uni today.
Adele: Where's he gone?
Louise: Cardiff. I won't see him again now until christmas.
Michelle: You're going to miss him a lot aren't you.
Louise: Yeah I really will.
(Cuts back to the guys at the door. They are still looking at what the girls are doing)
Simon: Must have been a real serious relationship.
Aaron: Yeah she seems really upset about it.
James: Just my luck I always pick the girls I can't get. I really liked her aswell.
(James' tone in his voice drops slightly as he is slightly upset. He slumps abit and starts to walk away. Aaron and Simon follow. Simon pats him on the back as he leaves.)
(Scene fades out. Credits roll over scene. Simon enters the common room and walks over to Rachel and Michelle)
Simon: Hey there I'm Simon. How are you doing?
Rachel: Hey I'm Rachel and this is Michelle. We're good thanks. How are you?
Simon: I'm all good thanks. So what are you talking about?
Michelle: Eurovision
Simon: Why thank you. You're a vision yourself.
(There is a long awkward pause)
Rachel: errm we've got to go to lesson so we'll see you later.
Simon: yeah I'll see you around soon.
(Rachel and Michelle walk away and leave the common room. Simon turns around and bumps into James)
James: What is wrong with you? I'm sure they can't stop thinking about you now.
Simon: (shrugs) I didn't like them anyway.
(James places his arm around Simons shoulder. James pats Simon on the shoulder)
James: Sure you didn't. I'll keep it quiet.
(Scene Fades Out)
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