[Afternoon. A large studio/art room. About 15 first-year students working about.]

Teacher: Alright folks, that's it for today. Can you all pack up and put the chairs up on the table, please.

[Sounds of scraping chairs, paraphernalia stowed away, shuffled footsteps and increased chatter. Focus on a group of 3 girls. Among them, Sarah, a pretty girl with red hair and green eyes.]

Dana: This is insane. It's only the third day and I've already got so much work to do.

Beatrice: Serves you right for taking five subjects!

Dana: Yeah, well, I didn't think it would be like this in the very first week.

Sarah: You know, I don't fancy walking home in this weather.

[All three girls look out the big windows. It is a gloomy day, with dark clouds overhanging and foreshadowing torrents of rain.]

Dana: Mum's picking me up, so I can give you a lift if you want--

Beatrice: Hey, what's Michael doing here?

[Michael, a charming senior, walks in with a CD in his hand. Sarah blushes while the other girls grin widely at her.]

Michael: Hey Sarah.

Sarah: Hey, what's up?

Beatrice: Um, we gotta go'¦see you tomorrow!

Dana: Yeah, I have to go as well*sorry I can't give you a lift, Sarah! [winking]

[Sarah scowls after her friends, but turns her attention back to Michael. They are the only ones left in the room.]

Michael: Anyway, I just came by to give this to you [handing Sarah the CD]. You were saying yesterday that you love The Gothic Archies, so I thought I'd lend you my copy of their album.

Sarah: Oh, wow! That's so nice of you. Thank you so much!

Michael: Yeah, no problem. I'll see you around.

Sarah: Yeah, sure--bye!

[She watches him go, then twirls on her feet and knocks her sketchbook onto the floor. Sheets of paper and other material spill out.]

Sarah: Oh drat!

[She kneels down and starts picking her things up.]

A Voice: I would stay away form him if I were you.

[Sarah spins around, startled. She sees another girl, Lily, standing behind her, with a pale face, raven black hair and cold, light grey eyes. She looks about a year or two older than Sarah.]

Sarah: Whoa! You scared me. I didn't think there was anyone else still here.

[The pale girl is silent.]

Sarah: Are you a second-year? I mean, I've never seen you before. Well, granted, this is only my third day here, but--

[Sarah falters as she notices the other girl's impassive countenance.]

Sarah: I'm sorry, what were you saying?

Lily: I said, I would stay away from him if I were you.

Sarah: Who? Michael?

Girl: Yes.

[Pause]

Sarah: Wait--why?

Lily: You have to listen to me--

Sarah: I don't even know who the hell you are! What--

Lily: My name is Lily. I used to be a student here.

Sarah: Used to?

Lily: Yes. Michael destroyed my life.

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