SCENE B

INT. CRESTVIEW HIGH HALLWAY - LATER

Ariella and Mae walk down the hall admiring the students.

ARIELLA

Wow. This place is brimming with inspiration for my new line.

She takes out her phone. A girl walks by in a trendy outfit. Ariella takes pictures.

ARIELLA (CONT'D)

Cute.

Another girl walks by also in a fashionable ensemble. Ariella snaps away.

ARIELLA (CONT'D)

Nice.

Caleb Lazlow,14, enters in what looks like an arts and crafts project. Ariella comes to a halt.

ARIELLA (CONT'D)

Yikes!

CALEB

What's happening, ladies?The names...

He hops around to show off the name blinking on the back of his jacket: Caleb. He hops back around grinning.

ARIELLA

Was there some costume theme we weren't told about?

Caleb frowns. He looks over his shoulder at a guy down the hall.

CALEB

Nah. He's been dressing like that since junior high. No sense of style.

MAE

So you two are close--

Ariella drags Mae away before she insults him any further.

ARIELLA

We'll see you around.

They continue down the hall where Torin Lazlow,15, is handing out flyers.

TORIN

School talent show this Friday. Be there or be a loser. Easy choice.

She hands Ariella and Mae flyers.

MAE

Maybe you should be in the talent show, Ariella.

TORIN

Sorry. The line-up is already full.

ARIELLA

How could it be full? It's only the first day.

Mae looks at the flyer.

MAE

Because someone named Torin took up all the slots.

ARIELLA

Let me guess. You're Torin.

TORIN

The one and only. Now beat it, freshmen. But do enjoy the show.

She continues handing out flyers. Ariella and Mae move to their lockers.

MAE

So are you doing the talent show?

ARIELLA

You heard Torin. No open auditions.

Ariella opens her locker and observes it like a blank canvas.

ARIELLA (CONT'D)

 Should I go with the cheetah or tiger-print wallpaper? The three-way mirror is nonnegotiable.

MAE

What's one more act going to hurt? You should do a fashion show! You could finally show off your designs.

ARIELLA

What if no one likes them?

MAE

They're going to love them. I do. Except for that one skirt that made your hips look wide.

ARIELLA

You know that rare condition where you can never tell a lie. I think I've found a cure. Keep certain things to yourself.

MAE

You have to believe in yourself more. Put yourself out there for the world to see. I can't be your only fan forever.

ARIELLA

Apparently, even that's questionable. If I want to draw in a crowd, I'm going to do it the old-fashioned way. Be my own billboard.

She closes her locker and strikes a pose. Students mosey down the hall without a glance in her direction.

MAE

I don't think they noticed.