01
[EXT. RIDGEWAY PREP ACADEMY – MORNING]
A shiny black car drives through the gates of Ridgeway Prep — tall iron fences, clean buildings, and students in uniforms walking around. The sign reads:
RIDGEWAY PREPARATORY ACADEMY – “Discipline, Honor, Success.”
The place looks rich, clean, and quiet.
(Aiden's thoughts): “Mom said this place would fix me… Feels more like they’re about to lock me up.”
(Mom glances at him from the front seat mirror, trying to smile. She looks tired — tired of schools, meetings, and Aiden starting over again and again.)
Aiden: “I’ll try.”
Mom: “You always say that.”
Aiden: “Yeah… and I still mean it.”
(The car slows in front of the dorm building. Students stare at the car — some whisper, some judge, some don’t care at all. A few glance at Aiden specifically, noting the way he’s dressed, his hair, and the way he carries himself. A small group snickers quietly, another mutters something that might be a compliment… or an insult.)
(Aiden steps out, backpack hanging off one shoulder, the cold morning air hitting him immediately.)
(Aiden' thoughts): “Guess this is it… Ridgeway Prep. New school. New rules. Same me.”
(Mom slowly rolls down the front passenger’s seat window)
Mom: “Just be safe, okay? I love you.”
(Aiden looks back at the car.)
Aiden: “Love you too, Mom.”
The car pulls away. Aiden stands alone, surrounded by a school that feels way too perfect — like something real is being hidden beneath it. Students glance at him, sizing him up, deciding if he belongs… or if he’s just another target.
(Jimmy's thoughts): “New start… maybe.”
Scene 2 – First Impressions
[EXT. RIDGEWAY PREP – FRONT GATE / DORMS – CONTINUOUS]
(Aiden’s still standing where his mom dropped him off, adjusting his bag strap and taking a deep breath.)
???: “Are you Aiden Knox?”
(Aiden turns around, startled for a second. Standing behind him is a tall woman in her mid-30s with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a professional outfit and holding a clipboard.)
Aiden: “Uh… yeah. That’s me.”
Miss Rachel: “Good. I’m Miss Rachel, the school secretary.”
(She gives a polite but forced smile.)
Miss Rachel: “Welcome to Ridgeway Prep! I’ve been asked to show you to your dorm and give you your schedule.”
Aiden: “Oh, thanks.”
(He scratches the back of his neck, still awkward.)
Miss Rachel: “We’re very proud of our reputation here, Aiden. Discipline, respect, and self-control are what keep Ridgeway running smoothly.”
(Aiden's thoughts): “Yeah… that’s what they all say.”
Miss Rachel: “Your room is in Dorm C, second floor. I’d suggest unpacking quickly — classes start at nine sharp.”
(She hands him a paper schedule and walks off briskly.)
(Aiden watches her leave, then glances around at the students hanging out nearby. Some are laughing, others glance at him with curiosity.)
(Aiden's thoughts): “Doesn’t look too bad so far…”
(He starts walking toward the dorms — unaware that a group of students in black jackets is watching him from across the courtyard.)
(Aiden's thoughts): “But that’s how it always starts.”
Scene 3 – The Roommate
[INT. RIDGEWAY PREP – BOYS’ DORM ROOM – MORNING]
(Aiden walks into the room, taking a moment to look around. Three beds. Three desks. One small window. It’s simple but clean.)
Aiden (muttering): “Roommates… great.”
(He tosses his duffel bag onto the bed closest to the window and starts unpacking. As he digs through his stuff, something soft falls out — a small, faded blanket with childish patterns.)
Aiden (quietly): “Mom… seriously?”
(He sighs, folds it quickly, and hides it back in the bag.)
???: “Hey, are you the new kid?”
(Aiden turns.)
Aiden: “Depends. You a teacher or someone I gotta pretend to like?”
???: “Peter Karson. I guess we’re roommates.”
Aiden: “Aiden Knox.”
(Peter steps inside — average height, messy dark hair, that nervous look of someone who’s seen enough of Ridgeway to know better.)
Peter (awkward smile): “So, uh… word of advice. If people here seem nice to you? They’re probably not. Everyone here’s got an angle...”
Peter (muttering): “Happened to me once…”
(Aiden raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. )
Aiden: “Yeah, sure… I’ve heard that one before.”
(Peter lowers his voice, glancing toward the door.)
Peter: “And… just so you know… our third roommate is—”
(He hears footsteps. His face drops.)
Peter (under his breath): “Oh great…”
(Aiden folds his arms, leaning back slightly, watching the door like he’s sizing up a new opponent.)
(The door swings open. Aiden freezes and turns around.)
A tall, lean boy stands by the door — maybe 17, with messy blond hair and sharp gray eyes. He’s wearing his Ridgeway uniform half undone, a silver chain around his neck. His expression is casual, but there’s confidence in how he stands.
???: “You must be the new roommate. I see Karson already found you. Careful — the school mascot gets attached.”
(??? casually throws his right arm around Peter’s neck, pulling him a little too close — like a fake friendly headlock.)
(He notices the blanket sticking out of Aiden’s bag.)
???: “Oh great… the new kid’s hugging a teddy-blanket. What is this, daycare? That's yours?”
Aiden: “Uh… yeah. My mom packed it.”
???: (grinning): “You already look nervous. They’re gonna love you.”
(Peter swallows.)
Peter: “Eli, man—”
(Eli looks at Peter like he’s barely worth acknowledging. Maybe an annoying bug.)
Eli: “Easy, Karson. Don’t strain yourself. Go alphabetize your socks or whatever you do around here..”
(Peter swallows hard, shuts down instantly. Aiden can’t help but snicker quietly.)
Aiden (Thinking): "Wow… subtle, real subtle."
(Eli drops his bag on the empty bed like he owns the room.)
Eli: “Name’s Eli Ward. Been stuck here since last year.. Welcome to Ridgeway, man — you’ll either love it or wish you never came.”
Aiden: “Thanks for the heads up. You practice that in the mirror?”
(Eli gives him a sideways grin — impressed, but only a little.)
Eli: “Heads up number two — keep your head low around the halls for a few days. Everyone’s already talking about the new kid.”
Aiden (thinking): “Already?”
Eli: “Yeah, rumors said you came from that school in New York… Avenues, right?”
Aiden: “Yeah… I did. What about it?”
Eli: “Why’d you transfer?”
Aiden: “Grades.”
(Eli nods slightly.)
Eli: “Understandable. But grades aren’t your biggest problem here…”
Aiden: “Meaning?”
(Eli glances at the window as if checking no one’s watching.)
Eli: “This school might look all perfect from the outside, but the truth is…”
(He pauses, glancing toward the window as if checking no one’s listening.)
Eli: “…there’s a war going on in this school. Cliques run everything — fights, deals, territory. Not even the professors or the headmaster can stop it.”
Aiden: “You’re serious? Sounds like every school I’ve ever hated.”
Eli: “Dead serious. Everyone’s got sides here… and you better figure out yours before someone picks it for you.”
(Aiden smirks a little, confidence rising.)
Aiden: “Yeah? Well, let ’em try.”
(Peter looks horrified. Eli looks entertained.)
Peter: "Eli, maybe it isn't a good idea to tell him about the school ye-"
Eli: "Shut it, Karson. Don't make me shove you again."
(Peter quickly stays silent.)
Aiden (thinking): “Wow, he’s an asshole also…”
(Aiden shoots Peter a quick look — not pity, but curiosity — like he’s trying to figure him out.)
(Eli looks back at Aiden.)
Eli: “Just keep your head down, and you won’t get involved. Now follow me. The best thing I can do for you is give you a tour of our ‘wonderful school.’”
Aiden: “Yeah, yeah. Lead the way.”
(Eli walks out. Aiden follows, hands in pockets, annoyed but curious. Peter watches with worry.)
Peter (under his breath): “Why’d it have to be him…?”
