A troubled student named Holly has a tense meeting with her teacher after school. Holly is angry and insists the teacher doesn't truly care about her struggles. When the teacher presses her to open up, Holly has an emotional outburst, revealing she feels like nobody cares about her. She abruptly leaves the classroom in tears, forgetting her bag. The teacher is left feeling frustrated with himself, apologizing as he realizes the meeting did not go as intended.

1. INT – CLASSROOM – LONDON – LATE AFTERNOON<br />No one is left as it is now the end of the day, all of the students having rushed off after hearing the bell ring – except for one man. He works alone, shuffling papers on his desk and making marks with a pen in hand before lifting his glasses up to rub his eyes; he’s tired. Teaching can be hard work, and it’s been a long day. <br />Suddenly a sharp RAP-RAP-RAP-RAP comes knocking at the door waking him up but he does not look surprised.<br />TEACHER:<br />Come in.<br />A girl walks in, looking subdued although she has a scowl on her face. She appears to be a student, judging by the large bag which dwarfs her small frame and there is attitude about her as she pulls back a chair to sit in with unnecessary force. He does not react – only looks at her. She is leaning back into her chair, as if trying to get away, with her arms folded and staring off into the distance.<br />TEACHER:<br />So you came.<br />GIRL:<br />(head whips round, looks at him in disbelief, indignant)<br />Yeah! (pause) Wot, just cuz I don’t like you and you fink i’m trouble, you thought i just wouldn’t come?<br />TEACHER:<br />Well, to be frank, yes.<br />GIRL:<br />Yeah well, you know what ‘sir’, you don’t know me. Don’t act like you know me, cuz you don’t.<br />TEACHER:<br />Isn’t that why we’re here? So that we can talk, and I can get to know you.<br />GIRL:<br />I-I don’t know. You tell me...you were the one who said I had detention.<br />TEACHER:<br />(stares at her hard, and leans forward, his fingers in a steeple with an intense look on his face)<br />No, I didn’t. I said to ‘come see me’ after school. There’s a difference. <br />For once there is no comeback from the girl. She is quiet, biting her lip and does not meet his eye.<br />TEACHER (CONT’D):<br />You should have detention, because all you’ve been lately in class is sleeping, lazy and you’ve missed two deadlines now. I just wanted to know....is there something you wanted to tell me?<br />Startled, she looks up and then back down again, staring into her lap.<br />TEACHER (CONT’D) :<br />(tries again) Is there something wrong?<br />(a pause turns into a silence, and then)<br />Holly? ...Look, is there-<br />GIRL:<br />(bursts out) SHUT UP, will you?! Just...stop, alright! <br />(He tries to speak but she interrupts, her face crumpling)<br />NO! I said shut up! You, and everyone else like you! Don’t act like you care, you’re only askin me cuz it’s your job, cuz you want everyone to get good grades cuz it makes you look good!<br />TEACHER:<br />(looks taken aback)<br />That’s not true, I do care, I do worry, I-<br />GIRL:<br />WHAT DID I JUST SAY? Shut up! For god’s sake, please, stop, stop talking to me! (is getting tearful) You don’t care, I know you don’t! <br />(pause, a catch of the breath as she seems to deflate, her gaze dropping, shaking her head and she’s shaking. Her next words are much quieter).<br />Nobody does.<br />She stands up abruptly and wiping at her face turns and pulling at the door hard almost runs out of the room. The teacher stands about to run after her. <br />TEACHER:<br />Holly! Come back! HOLLY! <br />But it’s too late, she’s gone. Her shouting’s gotten him all worked up as well as her and he sinks back into his seat, looking frustrated when he notices his leg kicking something. She’s forgotten her bag, and he has no idea where she is. He kneads his temples, eyes closed as he dwells over how this meeting could have turned out differently. It’s all his fault.<br />TEACHER: <br />(whisper)I’m sorry...<br />FADE OUT<br />BlACK SCREEN<br />