Chapter 1
Pov: [ street light.. going on and off].
( people chattering).
( The pool water turned red as the street light flickered above them)
[ dog backing].
( A boy on the floor).
[ heavy breath].
Simon: what do you guys think we should do.
Desmond: I really don't know.. maybe hide the truth.
Gloria: hiding the truth is bad... we ain't criminals.
Joseph: can we just be honest and call the cops.
( Desmond.. laughing ).
Desmond : are yall Crazy... we could go to jail for this.
Gloria: it's better than lying.
Joseph: you know what..I regret saying this but.. I agree with Desmond for once.
Am too young to go to jail.
Ain't doing all that.
I have a future after high-school.
Gloria: he had one too...be fore we ended it.
Desmond: let's just forget about tonight.
[ Maria crying].
Maria: I should have listened to my mom... I should have stayed home.. and miss this party.
But Desmond you said I will be a mommy's girl... if i didn't come.
Now see.
Am so scared yall.
Desmond: chill.. I got yall.
Gloria: how.
Desmond: I have this gang... I will call them, to clean up the mess..
And wipe our names.
Gloria: then.. what next.
We go back to school.. and act surprised when we hear about the news.
Act like we didn't do it.
Desmond: exactly...now you get it.
Gloria: No.. thats wrong and unfair.
At least Think about his mom.. she just lost her job.
For God sake.
Desmond: don't bring God to this.
Gloria: why..
It makes you guilty.. am I right.
Joseph: guys calm down.
We are in this together.. we should find a way.
Maria: Joseph is right..
Arguing makes it worst.
( desmond.. looks around).
Desmond: who agrees with me.
That we should get rid of it.
And continue living our lives.
[ no one raised their hands].
Desmond: why yall looking at me like that.
I really don't know about yall.
But I still need to get an internship for the college.. basketball team.
Joseph: man..have some empathy..please .
Desmond: I do have one..
Maria: my mama...is picking me up soon.. so see yall..
Text me.
When you find a way.
Gloria: no one is leaving.. till we find a way.
Desmond: I already found a way.
Stop being stubborn Gloria.
Gloria: No.
We will come in.. clean.
The truth is better than this lie.. you are trying to come up with.
Maria : Desmond.. I think we should listen to Gloria.
You know that am bad at hiding secrets.
I will start sweating and then., they find out the truth then.
Desmond: then.. we will have to teach you how to lie.
Gloria: NO.
if you guys refuse to turn in freely.
Then I will.
[Desmond laughs].
Desmond: are you crazy.
You remember that your mum is sick.
What will happen when she finds out.
She will die of heart attack.
Then what.
At least think of your little siblings..
They are just 9.
Think about your scholarship at Oxford.
All that will go to waste.
And for what.
Your stubbornness.
Gloria: Desmond stop.
Desmond: why.. the truth hurts.. doesn't it.
And do as I say.
Maria: am scared.
Simon: am tired of hearing all of you guys yapping.
Let's find a way.
Yall know my dad is a cop.
He will kill me.
If he finds out.
And by the way... he will ask me so much questions.
Because he knows I came for this party.
Then what.
Lie.
I have never lied to my dad
he knows me too well.
Now am panicking.
Desmond: what type of parents.. yall got.
Gloria: parents that taught us to have some heart, and emotions.. with fear.
Not to be stone hearted.
But I guess your's forgot to do so.
Desmond: watch your mouth.
you are Lucky.. you are a girl.
or else.
Gloria: or else..what.
You will hurt me.
Kill me..
Then go ahead.
Desmond: stop putting words in my mouth.
Gloria : then shut up.
Let me think.
[ Maria crying].
Desmond: can you stop crying for once..
Am tired.
Maria: what now.
Desmond: we need to get rid of the body.
Maria : am not touching that.
Desmond: no one is.
Simon: then who will.
Desmond: my gang.
Gloria : what is this gang of yours.
Do you guys actually do stuff like this.. and wipe them.
Desmond: Gloria chill.. ain't some monster.
Gloria: you are acting like one.
By the way.. it's late let's go.
Joseph: what about the body.
Desmond: we should burry it.
Gloria: (WHAT).
Joseph:( WHAT).
Maria: (WHAT).
Simon: NO.
the is no way.. I will do this.
Desmond : can yall chill.
We can, And we will.
Simon: am calling my dad.
Desmond: bro.. you better not joke like that.
Don't touch your phone.
Simon: Desmond Please stop.
Let's turn in freely.
For Jesus sake.
Please.
Desmond: no.
[ Simon takes out his phone].
Simon: (dialing the number).
Phone ringing.
Hellow dad.
Please can you come to apartment 225.. room, 2
We have an emergency.
Mr chase: son.. what happen.
You good.
[Simon crying]
Simon: no dad.
Mr chace: what happened.
Simon: am afraid to say this.
We might have killed someone.
Mr chance: WHAT.
murdered.
How, when..where.
Simon: please come.
We will turn in freely.
[ hang up the Phone].
Desmond: how dare you.
Snitch.
Simon: am sorry.
Am scared.
Gloria: am turning in freely.
Maria: me too.
Joseph: me three.
Desmond: bye then.
Maria: where are you going.
Desmond : out of this city.
Gloria: Desmond wait.
Don't go.
Just turn in.
[ Desmond leaves].
[Mr chace approaching]
Mr chace: am here.
Hands up in the air
and everyone out .
[ every puts their hands up].
Simon: dad am sorry.
Mr chace: am disappointed.
Am on duty.. am not your dad.
Simon: yes sir.
Mr chace: Gloria you were supposed to be the brilliant one.
I guess the saying goes to you as well.
Teenagers be doing stuff.
Yall get in the car.
Am about to call your parents.
[ silent music].
( police station).
Officer kim: I need yall to come in.. one by one.
[ Maria goes first].
Officer kim: have a seat young lady.
What's your name.
Maria: m..Maria.
Officer kim: how old.
Maria: 16.
Officer kim: how close were you to the victim.
Maria: class mate.
Officer kim: did you see what happen to him.
Maria: yes sir.
Officer kim: tell me what exactly happened.
And if I was you.. I will not cover up for anyone.
[Maria nods her head].
Maria: we got invited to the star boys.. party.
And I went.
So did my friends.
When we arrived.
The door was close.
And we open the door behind .
We saw max.
The victim.. his name was max.
He was sitting on the couch.
When he saw Desmond.
He immediately.. pick him up.. and they started fighting.
Officer kim: wait a minute..who is Desmond.
Maria: he is my friend.
Officer kim: where he at .
Maria: he ran away.
Officer kim: ok.. go ahead.. am all ears.
Maria: they started fighting.
And max said Desmond.. cheating on him.
In their gamble.
That Desmond owed him some cash.
But Desmond said.. he is not paying any money.
They took the fight to the back yard.
Where the swimming pool is.
Desmond.. forced max head to the pool.
And max couldn't swim.
Desmond drown him.
He was shouting for help.
But none of us helped him.
We were scared of how.. angry and hight tempered Desmond was.
When max passed out.
Desmond took him out of the pool.
And he mashed his head on the stone.
Then the was blood everywhere.
We shouted .
Desmond was our friend so.. we didn't do anything to help max.
Officer kim: so what you trying to tell me.
Is that... yall let a 16 years old boy with a future, dreams to die.
And yall sat there and watch it happen .
Maria : we were scared.
Officer kim: get out.
[ Maria crying].
Maria: am sorry.
Officer kim: OUT.
[ the Officer investigate every one else].
[ door closed].
( months later).
Mr chace: son.
Simon: yes dad.
Mr chace: we got.. Desmond.
Simon: for real.
Mr chace: yeah.
He is behind bars now.
Simon: dad.. I will beheading out now.
Mr chace: where to.
Simon: visit my friends.
Pov: [ friend gathering].
Joseph: hi guys... yall heard of the news.
Maria: what news..I was out of town.
Spill the tea.
Gloria: the tea is... they caught Desmond.
He is behind bars.
Maria: WHAT.
Joseph: yep.
They did.
Maria: Oh my gosh.
Joseph:what should we do now.
Simon: like what.
Gloria: I think we should go and visit him.
Joseph: are you crazy.
We got in enough trouble because of him.
Have you suddenly forgotten.
Gloria: no I haven't.
I will never forget.
But he was still our friend.
We were still team mate.
So when one is hurt.
We all are.
Joseph: Gloria you are way too kind.
Gloria: the is a different.. between kindness and human empathy.
And by the way.
We all can keep faking it.
But we miss him.
Maria: yeah...I do.
I remember wen he will fought the gang boys who tried to bully me.
He always had my back.
I can't just ignore him.
He needs us.
Please Joseph.. let's visit him.
Joseph: how can I say no...when you put on such cute eyes.
Fine... I will come along.
Simon: me too.
Joseph: wait a minute.
Simon: shouldn't we ask your dad first.
Before he start suspecting us.
Simon: yes my d..dad..I almost forgot.
Let me call him.
[ number dialing ].
( Phone ringing).
Mr chance: what's up.
Simon: hi dad.
Can I please ask you something.
Mr chance: what.
[ Simon clears his throat in fear].
Simon: can we please go visit Desmond.
For once... please.
Mr chance: and.. who's idea was this.
Simon: our whole group.
Mr chance: you mean the same..guy.. that almost ruined your career.
And our family name.
Simon: please dad.
You always taught me to remember.. those who got my back from day one.
And Desmond did.
He always stood up for us.
He is one of us.
[ mr chance.. slow his tone].
Mr chance: yes... you can go.
But remember.. keep the words on track.
No wired stuff.
And keep your phone on .
I have a track.. no matter what happen.. I will know.
[ the group smiling].
Simon: thanks... dad.
Gloria: thank you mr chance.
Mr chance: welcome...
And remember.
Simon: what .
Mr chance: I love you...
Simon: love you too dad.
Mr chance: take care.
Pov: [ prison].
( guards walking around... keeping the place on track).
[ group approaching].
( Desmond).
[ Maria runs and hugs Desmond].
Maria: I missed you.
Desmond: same.
How are you.
Maria: not ok.. without you.
I thought of you every night.
Gloria: we miss you too.
Joseph : same man.. I missed you.
Simon: me too.
Am sorry.. you are in all this alone.
Desmond: no need to apologize.
I did it.. and I ran.
So I deserve this.
Simon: so how are you.
How do they treat you in here.
Desmond: not so bad.
Your dad.. made sure.. I have some kind of special treatment.
And he visits me 3 time a week.
Simon: oh.. he never told me that.
Desmond: yeah.. he acts like a strick cop..infront of everyone.
But deep down.. he sees everyone like family.
You are lucky to have him.
Simon: thanks man.
Um.. what about your family.
Did they ever reach out.
[Desmond laughs].
Gloria: whats funny.
Desmond: they disown me.. the moment they heard.. I ran away.
Maria: thats sad.
Leaving you all alone.
[ Maria puts her shoulder on Desmond].
Maria: I want to be here.. with you.
Desmond: ( laughs).
I don’t want you here.
Maria: really.. fine then..
Desmond: I didn’t meant it like that.
What I mean is.. I can't watch you in prison like me.
Maria : I miss you.
Desmond: I do too.. so much.
Why did you guys visit me.. after what I did.
Gloria: you remember... when we started this group.
We said.. till death tear us apart.
We are each other's , keeper.
That means we watch over each other.
You are part of us.
And we miss you.
[ tall guard].
guard: visiting time..is almost over guys.
Desmond: you guys have to go.
Maria: I heard you have six months more.
Desmond: yes.
Maria: I will wait for you.
Gloria:we will.
Simon: yes man.. we will cheer you up.. till then.
Maria: I promise..
We will be present...for every visiting time.
Joseph: sure will.
Maria: can I get a big group hug.
Desmond: come here.
[ all them hug together].
( Maria crying).
Desmond: why are you crying...
Maria: because I don't want to let you go.
Desmond: am not going anywhere am right here.
Maria: I don’t care... I want you out of here.
Desmond: time will tell.
[ Desmond makes a joke]
Desmond: does she always act this childish... with you guys.
Simon: nope..
Only with you.
Desmond: Maria... I promise.. I will be fine.
Maria: when you get a phone time.. call me first.
Desmond: I pinky promise.
[ Maria smiles..and hug Desmond again].
Joseph: bye...now.
Gloria: bye .
Desmond : yall take care of yourself... and take care of Maria for me.
Simon: sure will..
And do same for us.. take care of yourself
[ group leaves the building].
( Desmond smiles).
