SCHOOLYARD, TAMPA, FL -- DAY

Kids of middle school age (12-13) laugh, joke and hang out in the Florida sunshine. It's the first day back at school after the winter break and everyone is buzzing.

Lil’ DJ strolls across the yard like he owns the place. He is handsome, but not a “pretty boy.” Boys go out of their way to bump fists with him and all the Girls flash him coquettish smiles.

BOY 1: Wassup D?

LIL' DJ: Chillin' playa.

GIRL 1: Hey Lil' DJ. What's good?

LIL' DJ: You are baby.

She giggles with delight as Lil' DJ gives her a wink.

Bino approaches. He is big and menacing, but always has a smile on his face. He is also the only kid in Middle School with a tattoo.

BINO: Yo DJ!

LIL' DJ: Wassup playa?

BINO: Nothin'. Sucks being back here, huh?

LIL' DJ: Nah, man, come on. We run this place.

BINO: Yeah, I know. I like it better when we're running the beach, though.

They slap skin as Bino notices something over Lil DJ's shoulder.

BINO: Oh dang. Later bro.

Lil' DJ turns around to see A-Kid approaching with a big smile and wave. A-Kid is naturally handsome, but tries a little too hard. He's the only kid in Middle School with frosted hair.

LIL' DJ: Bino! Come on man! Not cool!

Bino can barely contain his giggles as he scurries off, leaving Lil' DJ with nowhere to turn as A-Kid reaches him.

A-KID: Yo! What is the word, Lil'?

LIL' DJ: Oh. Hey Kid.

A-KID: Hey man, what happened? I thought we were gonna hang out over the winter break?

LIL' DJ: Oh, yeah, uh, weren't you going to call me or something?

A-KID: I tried. Did you change your cell number again?

LIL' DJ: Oh yeah, sorry. That crazy chick from the drama club was straight up stalkin' me.

A-KID: Let me get that new number.

LIL' DJ: Oh. You know what? I'm not sure...You know how it is - you never dial it yourself, so you don't know it.

A-KID: I know mine. Want it?

LIL' DJ: Maybe later.

A-KID: Speaking of later, I was thinking that maybe we could hit the mall, you know? Like we used to? I hear they're having a mad sale at Eddie Bauer.

LIL' DJ: Well, that does sound cool, but practice starts up this week. I gotta get ready.

A-KID: Ooh, me too! I've already been in the cages. I hit exactly 500 pitches every day. How many do you hit?

LIL' DJ: I'm not sure.

A-KID: Well, how many grounders do you take? I take 200 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 150 on the other days.

LIL' DJ: Cool.

Lil' DJ desperately looks for someone else to talk to. Then he spots Cook approaching over A-Kid's shoulder. Cook is a bad dude. If he's your friend, then you're loving life. If not, then look out.

COOK: Yo Lil'!

As Lil' DJ waves, A-Kid turns around.

A-KID: Hey, Cook!

COOK: Damn!

A-KID: What are you doing here? I thought you got expelled?

COOK: I transferred fool!

A-KID: Oh, sorry.

COOK: I just came by to say what's up to my boys.

A-Kid holds up his hand for a high five.

A-KID: I hear that.

Cook just stares him down. A-Kid puts both hands in the air like he's dancing in an attempt to save face.

COOK (to Lil' DJ): Come and find me when you're done.

Cook glares at A-Kid as he walks off towards Bino.

A-KID: What was that about?

LIL' DJ: Ah, you know Cook. He just gets a little grouchy sometimes.

A-KID: No, I mean you. You just stood there while he did that.

LIL' DJ: What did you want me to do?

A-KID: I don't' know. You could at least say something. Aren't you my friend?

Lil' DJ pauses just a little too long.

LIL' DJ: Uh, yeah. Sure.

A-KID: This is just like after that championship game last year. Everyone in school made fun of me and you just stood there then, too.

LIL' DJ: Well, your error did cost us the game.

A-KID: And you've never made mistakes?

LIL' DJ: Yeah. And people make fun of me for them. That's just how it goes.

A-KID: Not like they get on me.

LIL' DJ: What do you want me to do? I can't force everyone to like you.

A-KID: Is this because of what I wrote on the bathroom wall in 3rd grade?

Lil' DJ is obviously hurt.

LIL' DJ: What? I don't even know what you're talking about.

A-KID: I'm sorry alright. I didn't mean it like you ate boogers all the time. Just occasionally.

LIL' DJ: Can we just drop it?

A-KID: No! I want to go back to how it used to be. I want us to be buddies again.

LIL' DJ: Look Kid, I think you're a nice guy. It's just that, you know, we're kind of different.

A-KID: Different, how? We're still a couple of cool dudes with attitude, right?

Lil' DJ smiles uncomfortably as Cook and Bino walk in their direction.

A-Kid is getting agitated. He raises his voice.

A-KID: So why don't we hang out? When is the last time we had a sleep over?

Cook and Bino stop dead in their tracks as Lil' DJ freezes in horror.

Cook and Bino bust out laughing as they head off in the other direction.

LIL' DJ: See, there's a great example right there.

A-KID: What?

LIL' DJ: A sleep over? Come on man, we're 13 years old. Don't you think that sounds kinda weird?

A-KID: No.

LIL' DJ: Well it does. You're always saying stupid stuff like that. If you'd just be quiet, people would like you more.

A-KID: So I should just not talk?

LIL' DJ: Pretty much.

A-KID: Then everyone will like me?

LIL' DJ: Maybe.

A-Kid drops his head in frustration. Lil' DJ is overtaken by a wave of compassion.

LIL' DJ: Listen. You're a great athlete. And you're gonna make a ton of money when you're older. Who cares if people like you?

A-KID: That's easy for you to say. You're a great athlete who's gonna make tons of money and everyone loves you.

LIL' DJ: Yeah, but come on. This is Middle School. We're just a bunch of dumb kids. When we're grown ups, none of this stuff will matter.

A-KID: Promise?

LIL' DJ: Yeah.

FADE OUT: