"Around the Fire" > Feel Any Better?

Cut to: Simon's playing football outside. Someone throws Simon the ball, but he misses it and gets tackled instead. The camera zooms in on Simon's face.

Someone yells to Simon: Feelin' any better?

Cut to: Simon in the shower washing hair. A big tough guy, known as Patterson, walks up to Simon in the shower and stars peeing on Simon's leg. Simon looks down at his leg, shocked. Don't know what to do. Two more guys walk behind Patterson, they all laugh.

Patterson: What are you gonna do about that you little pussy?

Simon makes an adorable scared face.

Patterson: Yeah, that's what I thought. You quite like getting pissed on, don't you?

A guy named Andrew, wearing a white towel walks in. His character is played by Eric Mabius.

Andrew: Hey, why don't you cut it out Patterson?

Patterson: You got a problem, Andrew? What your problem Andrew?

Andrew (walking toward Patterson): That's enough alright?

Patterson: No, I don't think so.

Andrew: Oh, go ahead Patterson. You're a big man. Why don't you knock me out? Go ahead.

Andrew keeps smiling.

Cut to: Andrews seen having a bloody nose, with a couple of tissues on it. He's standing against a locker, in the locker room. Simon is sitting down on one of the bleacher stands in there. He's packing his bookbag.

Andrews (to Simon): Hey. I'm Andrew.

Simon (about Patterson): He's a fuckin' asshole. At the end of this day the whole school will know exactly what happened.

Andrews: And who cares?

Simon: I should have fought back or punched him or somethin' right?

Andrew (laughing): Yeah, and Patterson would have destroyed you, right?

Simon: Look at you though. You should change your tissue. Hey.

Simon stands up and walks over to Andrews. They shake hands.

Simon: Thanks a lot man.

Andrews: It's cool.

Simon: I'm Simon.

Simon goes over and fixes his tie.

Andrews: Hey, what kind of music do you like?

Simon: What does that have to do with anything?

Andrews: Well, let's just say it's probably the single most important question I could ask you.

Cut to: Andrews' room. The Around the Fire theme song is playing. Simon and Andrews are both sitting down listening to music. Andrews takes out a bong from the sofa and stands it up in front of Simon.

Cut to: Principal walking down the hallway wearing a brown tux and glasses.

Back to: Andrews' room. Andrews lights the bong, and smokes it. He hands it to Simon.

Cut to: Principal still pacing in the hallway.

Back to: Simon takes the bong, lights it and smokes.

Cut to: Principal continues walking down the hallway. He hears a noise and stops. The principal knocks on a door. Andrews hears the knock and quickly hides the bong in a whole he dug in from sofa, he covers it up with a sheet and puts everything else away. Simon thinks this is all pretty cool. Andrews takes a spray and sprays it all over the room. Andrews opens the door finding out it's not the principal, but only a messenger, a kid from class.

Andrews: Wow, have we been through this? Teachers knock, you don't knock. You get it?

The kid nods and says: There's a phone call for Simon. Andrews: Dude, I cannot afford to get caught again. How did you know he was in here anyway? Kid says: Duh, weren't you two walkin in here a few minutes ago?

Andrews: Duh, I'll kick your fuckin' ass if you come in here again. You got it?

The kid smiles, opens the door and walks out of Andrews' room. Simon walks out the door.

Cut to: Lauren sitting on a chair by the table and Matt sitting down on the sofa, both on the phone at their house. Simon picks up the phone.

Simon: Hello?

Lauren: Hi Simon!

Matt: Hey, how's it goin?

In the background, Andrews is mooning Simon causing Simon to laugh.

Simon: Dad it's me, it's me. Yeah, is everything okay?

Lauren: How's football Simon?

Simon: Yeah, it's going good.

Matt: Well, how's school?

Simon: Hard work.

Matt: Yeah, well you're staying on top of it right?

Simon: yeah it's on top of it. Yeah, I'm on top of it.

Matt: Alright.

Simon: Hello.

Lauren: Simon, I got some great posters for your room. We'll send them up tomorrow.

Simon: Oh good, why don't you send up my video games and my uh, stereo and uhm my bed too please.

Lauren: Your bed? What's wrong with your bed?

Simon: Nothing I'm just fuckin'—I'm was just kidding around. Hello?

Matt: Good, good. (to Lauren): I told you he would be fine alright? (back to Simon): Oh hey, Lauren had one of her uh loiters from a ferm(?) take care of that ticket for ya. So that's finally behind us. Simon?

Simon takes a breath and roles his eyes.

Simon: Yeah. It's ah, it's great.

Lauren: You sure you're okay Simon?

Simon: Yeah, I'm fine, why don't I uh call you guys after the weekend?

Matt: Okay.

Simon hangs up the phone. Andrews holds up the American flag pretending to be JFK, he's even wearing the mask. Simon smiles. Andrews takes off his JFK mask.

Andrews: Hey.

Simon laughs.

Andrews: Wanna go to a concert this weekend?

Back 12.31.2007.