Between my Noise and your Silence

Ravenscourt Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in the city of London, had many important people walk in and out every day—students, teachers, politicians, celebrities, you get where I'm coming from. But of all these people that stepped in, nobody, I mean nobody, expected Nolan Hayes to walk in through the school hallway. He walked into Year 13B and sat on the seat on the third row, second column, as that was the only seat that was empty. Everyone stared at him when he stepped into the classroom; however, he buried his face into the ground till he sat down. As soon as the bell rang, Miss Laura, their form tutor, stepped into the classroom. MISS LAURA: Good morning, students. CLASS: Good morning, ma'am. MISS LAURA: I will be your new form tutor. (Writes her name on the board.) MISS LAURA: I'm Miss Laura. Welcome to Year 13. Now, as you all know, this is your last year in high school. You guys have to work hard this year if you're willing to further your education and make not only your families but yourselves proud too. You all probably recognise yourselves from Year 12, and, oh, there's one last student joining us this year. Please, let's help him feel welcome... (Stares at Nolan, whose eyes are glued to his desk, then faces the rest of the class.) MISS LAURA: Alright, for the class rep... (Stares at the class and picks.) MISS LAURA: Mr. Calloway? OWEN: Yes, ma'am. MISS LAURA: Follow me to my office so I can give you the timetable for Year 13 A and B. I'll get everyone's contact and add you to the Year 13B group chat and the main Year 13 GC. I'll take the attendance now. Raise your hands to signify. BELL RINGS AFTER SHE TAKES ATTENDANCE... Year 13 students move to the English hall to have English Literature. Felicia Whitmore steps into the hall looking as radiant as ever. Everyone stares as she steps in with her best friend, Elara Sinclair. They take their seats as class commences. In the middle of the class, the girls in front of them start to gossip about Nolan. GIRL 1: OMG, girl, did u see the news last night? GIRL 2: Umm yh?? Tom Hayes and his son moved to London. They tried to keep things secret, but somehow the press found outttt. Do you think Tom is in London for like business orrr— GIRL 1: IDK tooooo, but we both know that if it's business, Tom never fails to succeed. But I kinda feel bad for him. (Looks at Nolan.) GIRL 1: I think that's why no one wants to talk to him. You know, that thing... GIRL 2: Yhhh. (Looks at him too and gets carried away.) GIRL 2: But he's like really, really hot. GIRL 3: Oh please, have u forgotten about Owen Calloway?? He's hotter and he— ENGLISH TEACHER: Girls? Would you like to include us in your conversation? BOTH GIRLS: We're sorryy... The rest of the lesson ends later on, but what the girls said doesn't leave Felicia's head. She keeps looking at Nolan, wondering why exactly people felt bad for him. They also have Math class in the same hall. By 11 a.m., the bell rings for break. Girls from Year 13A, Year 12A and Year 12B swarm around Year 13B, all of them stuck to the windows like glue, all to stare at the new boy and the already existing school heartthrob, Nolan Hayes and Owen Calloway. Alistair and Arthur walk up to Owen. ALISTAIR: Seems to me like our boy Owen has gotten himself some kind of competition. (Taps his shoulder and chuckles.) OWEN: (Laughs.) I'm not in any competition with anyone. This is a school, not some pageant lol. ARTHUR: Well, I beg to differ... (Stares at two girls heading towards Owen's table.) GIRL 1: Hi, Owen. (Looks at his friends.) GIRL 1: And Owen's friends, we were coming from Year 12B and we stopped by to give you these keychains that we handmade as a resumption gift. OWEN: Oh, that is so thoughtful of you, but— ALISTAIR: Thank you so much, ladies, for taking your time to prepare such— (Looks at the ugly keychains.) ALISTAIR: —unique-looking gifts. We really appreciate it. (Collects it from them and smiles.) GIRL 2: You're umm—you're... (Laughs in a flirty way.) GIRL 2: Welcome... Are you free this— ALISTAIR: Why would you look at the time? It's abou— GIRL 1: Haha. (Claps once.) GIRL 1: Ignore her. (Smiles nervously.) GIRL 1: She's still on her meds. GIRL 2: (Whispers to her friend.) Wait, no I'm nottt— GIRL 1: Oh, we have class soon. (Pulls her out.) GIRL 2: (Whispers to her friend.) Why did— GIRL 1: (Whispers back.) You i***t, he obviously interrupted 'cause he doesn't wanna reject you and turn you into a laughing stock. I know they're hot, but pull yourself together! ALISTAIR: (Turns to Owen.) That's the 33rd one today... aren't you tired? OWEN: As long as I'm not breaking anyone's heart, I'll just endure it till it's over. ALISTAIR: Really sucks to be you right now lol. Outside the classroom, Felicia and Elara were coming from the headteacher, Mrs. Williams' office and spotted the crowd around Year 13B. FELICIA: Geez, tough crowd. (Smiles.) FELICIA: Pretty sure Owen's not enjoying any of this lol. ELARA: (Laughs.) He looks so uncomfortable. FELICIA: (Looks at some girls staring at Nolan from outside.) They'd rather stare from afar 'cause they don't want to approach him? ELARA: Seems like so to me too. FELICIA: Why do you think they don't want to? (Faces Elara.) ELARA: (Shrugs.) FELICIA: Hmm, fear? (With a curious look on her face.) ELARA: Well, it could be fear. It's his first time showing up in public for the past 11 years since the big incident. People don't know what he's been up to. FELICIA: That, or pity. (Turns to face Elara again.) ELARA: Pity? (Thinks about it.) ELARA: Could be it. People might feel bad for him and his past and not want to do anything to make him feel worse. FELICIA: (Laughs.) What are we even doing right now? ELARA: (Smiles and fixes up her glasses.) You seem curious about him. FELICIA: (Smiles.) I'm too predictable, aren't I? (Looks at Nolan.) FELICIA: Whether it's anger, fear or pity, I'm going to befriend him. (Smiles brightly.) FELICIA: If no one's going to do it, I guess I will. ELARA: (Laughs and snorts.) FELICIA: Whaaat? (Scoffs at Elara.) FELICIA: You think I can do it? (Laughs.) FELICIA: Are you underestimating me? ELARA: (Laughs.) No, no, no, it's just... Felicia, look at him. He's like a brick wall! FELICIA: (Stares at Nolan, then stares back at Elara.) FELICIA: 10k. ELARA: A bet?? (Scoffs.) ELARA: Fifi, you don't bet! FELICIA: That should show you how serious I am, but this should be a friendly bet. (Laughs nervously.) FELICIA: I can't lose my best friend. ELARA: (Looks down, laughs, looks back at Felicia and nods.) Make it 50k. FELICIA: Whatever you want. (Laughs.) ELARA: I won't get in your way, promise. (Smiles.) They both work towards the class. FELICIA: Don't judge a book by its cover, Els. ELARA: (Chuckles.) They enter the class. Owen notices them. ELARA: Hey boys. (Smiles.) FELICIA: Hi. (Smiles.) ALISTAIR: Heyyy, what brings you two here? ARTHUR: Hello. (Smiles.) OWEN: (Turns to Alistair.) You're from their class too. What are you doing here? ALISTAIR: (Places his hands on his chest.) You are vicious. (Fakes a sad look.) ALISTAIR: But I won't get mad. (Smiles.) ALISTAIR: My feelings for you are way too strong. (Attempts to hug Owen.) OWEN: Ugh, get away from me, you terrible actor. (Pushes him away lightly and laughs.) OWEN: Your lines are even worse. ALISTAIR: No way, Arthur, did you hear this jerk? (Looks at Arthur with sad eyes.) ARTHUR: (Laughs.) You guys are hilarious. (Continues texting on his phone.) ALISTAIR: Who are u talking to? I am so curious. (Peeks.) ARTHUR: Heyyyyy, last time I checked, it's MY phone. Alistair keeps pestering Arthur. Elara joins, trying to peep at Arthur's phone. OWEN: (Faces Felicia.) They're clowns lol. FELICIA: Seriously. (Laughs.) FELICIA: They're so hilarious. (Stares at Owen's keychain.) FELICIA: Your fangirls are talented. OWEN: (Looks away and clears his throat.) You do that every time. (Chuckles nervously.) FELICIA: (Laughs.) That's because they are talented. (Laughs and looks at Nolan.) OWEN: What, you want to go make fun of him too? FELICIA: I actually want to say hi. (Turns to Owen.) FELICIA: Excuse me, please. OWEN: Wha— Felicia walks up to Nolan's table. Some people stare at her. She stops in front of his table for about three seconds, breathes and lightly knocks twice on his table. FELICIA: Hi there. (Smiles brightly with her teeth.) NOLAN: (Ignores her and continues reading his book.) FELICIA: (Knocks again and clears her throat.) Hello. NOLAN: (His right eyebrow twitches. He looks up with no expression on his face.) FELICIA: (As soon as their eyes meet, her smile stops and her expression switches to a confused one.) (She stares into his deep blue eyes.) NOLAN'S V.O.: How is she so... different? FELICIA'S V.O.: He's different... TO BE CONTINUED...