INT. LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL BUS, AFTERNOON, 2001

High school senior GABBY CHO sits in the back of the bus and looks out the window, waiting for her younger sister, sophomore Valerie Cho, to show up. Gabby turns from the window when she hears a loud stomping noise. Of course, it’s her sister. Valerie has an excited look on her face; she can’t hold back a smile. She sits next to her sister.

Gabby: “Why are you so happy?”

Valerie: “I did it! I asked Ezra Stevens out at lunch today, like you told me to do.”

Gabby: “That’s awesome dude. I knew you could do it. So how did it go?”

Valerie: “He said that he would go out with me if I got straight A’s at the end of the quarter.”

Gabby: “So you’re never going out with this guy.”

Valerie: “Wow dude, thanks for the support.”

Gabby: “I know you; you’re a terrible student-- no offense. More importantly, you can do better than this guy.”

Valerie: “I can change. The love of a good man could be the motivation I need to turn my grades around.”

Gabby: “This guy sounds like a real douche nozzle to me, but if you’re serious about getting your grades up I’ll help you.”

Valerie: “Dead serious.”

THREE WEEKS LATER

INT. LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL BUS, AFTERNOON

Gabby Cho sits in the back of the bus and watches for sister to shuffle aboard. Valerie makes no effort to hide her disappointment. She sits down next to her sister and doesn’t say anything.

Gabby: “Let’s see that progress report.”

Valerie goes to hand her sister the progress report, but stops.

Valerie: “If Ezra can’t accept who I am, then he doesn’t deserve to be with me.”

Gabby: “That bad?”

Valerie:” Yeah.”

Valerie puts her head on her sister’s shoulder in disappointment. “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World begins to play in the background.