Before the Dawn (2019)

1
Please stand clear.
The doors are closing.
- Hi.
- Good morning.
Lila, nice to meet you.
Nice to see you.
Well, it's a beautiful day out.
I hope that's a good omen.
Did you have any trouble
finding a parking space?
Oh, no not at all.
These facilities are great.
I can't wait to settle in.
Well we're very happy to have you.
I mean, your previous school
just speaks glowingly of
your teaching methods.
Yeah.
I'll miss them but it was
definitely time to move on.
Shannen, I want you to meet Miss Kendy.
She'll be taking over Pauline's classroom.
Miss James is right across
the hall if you need anything.
Oh great.
Lila, nice to meet you.
Well, if you'll excuse me,
I have a parent meeting to get to.
So enjoy your first day.
Okay, thank you Principal Gibney.
Well, don't you just
have the sweetest manners.
If you need me.
Okay.
You wanna stay in that school,
you got to get your grades up
and you got to cut out all
that other shit you're getting into.
You think we're stupid?
We know.
What makes you think I
wanna stay in that school?
Why should we waste
good money on that school
if you're just gonna
piss away your chance?
And stop acting like
you're paying for it.
We all know the church is.
Hey, watch your mouth.
What, it's true.
Okay, that makes it even worse.
You're wasting God's money, Jason.
Oh my god.
Do you wanna end up like your brother?
I'm not Michael!
I actually had friends there.
I kinda liked that school.
Please Jason, can't you
see they're not good for you?
You need to stay away from them.
You're so fucking clueless.
That's enough!
Jason, we just love you
and want what's best for you.
Please, just try and do better at school.
Hey.
Yeah, you always find the spots
with no security cameras.
No, it's 50.
Are you serious?
That's the price.
What?
Dude, don't act like
you don't have the money.
Do you want it or not?
What's with the raise in price?
Inflation.
It's a pleasure doing business.
Good morning, everybody.
My name is Ms Kendy.
And I am your new English teacher.
All right, settle down.
Let's get started.
Hope they didn't
give you too much trouble.
Are you kidding?
Compared to my last
school, they're a dream.
Oh.
Mr. Matthews.
Just call me Andrew.
Lila.
You can call me Ms Kendy.
Well, it was a pleasure meeting you.
I'm off to coach a basketball practice.
I'll see you in the halls.
You will.
With this brown bag.
Put it over her fucking head.
Jason, man, hurry the fuck up.
Fuck you.
Ah, fuck.
I'm trying to imbibe the vibe, man.
What the fuck?
What the fuck?
What?
Yo, yo, yo.
That new school of his is
turning him into a pussy, man.
Oh, fuck you.
No, no, dude, dude, dude.
You should see this new
teacher that we got.
What the fuck?
Like, no dude.
Like she's all proper and shy and shit
but those are the ones always
freak in the sheets, man.
Dog, you know shit
about freaks in the sheet.
What?
I know a lot more than you, fag.
- Fuck no.
- Like Sarah Kadinkski, huh?
The fuck, bitch ass hoe.
Fuck you.
- I never...
- Yeah you did!
Yeah you did!
Yeah they seem like good
kids for the most part
and the school's really nice.
I certainly won't miss
Braybrook, that's for sure.
Well you never complained
about Braybrook before.
Look, I know you're getting a fresh start
but don't forget where you came from.
No, I know.
And it's not Braybrook that
I needed to get away from
but Westbury's a definite improvement.
You know, I wish Dale could've
gone to a school like this.
Don't worry about your brother.
He can take care of himself.
Hi sis.
Tell him hi back.
Oh, I miss you guys.
Nothing's gonna change
if you keep hanging
around those same people.
They're my friends, Mom.
Can't you make friends
at your new school?
Can you just relax?
Look, I wasn't even doing anything wrong.
Relax?
I've already lost one son.
What are you two
screeching about this time?
Nothing, Dad.
Just go back to sleep.
I'm not Michael.
Stop putting that on me.
I still need that
note from your parents.
Okay.
Well if they've signed off on it.
All right, thank you for that, Cindy.
Jason, what can I do for you?
I think I need some help
with my personal essay assignment.
Okay.
Well have you picked a topic yet?
Well, I mean, it's a personal essay.
So the obvious thing to write about
is my family or myself, right?
Right.
Yeah, I expect that's what
most people will write about
or an experience that they've had.
A lot of people use them as practice
for their college application letters.
Look, the purpose of the essay
is just to practice structured writing.
But it also helps me to learn more
about each of you.
If you're worried about
who's gonna see them,
I guarantee that it's just me.
Well, what about you?
What do you mean? What about me?
I mean, you wanna know all about me?
I don't even know who you are.
I mean, what do I know about you?
Well, what do you wanna know?
Forget it.
Slow down.
Little shit.
Sorry about that.
It's not your fault.
But hey, don't waste
your time with that one.
He's a bad seed.
How do you mean?
I mean he doesn't give a shit.
Couldn't care less about school.
He'll be dead by the time he's 20.
Oh, that's a bit
extreme, don't you think?
Trust me.
The kids from Malburg never last.
They don't have it in them.
They don't wanna learn.
No, you're wrong.
He was just here asking
for help with homework.
He does care.
Fine, waste your time.
I don't think of it as wasting my time.
I'm a teacher.
I think of it as doing my job.
Good luck with that.
This toxicity I must destroy.
The flames lick away the pain.
Self-preservation is my ploy
and my freedom I'll regain.
Thank you Nina.
I enjoyed the imagery.
Thank you.
Jason.
You're up.
Still don't see how writing poetry's
ever gonna help me in the real world.
Yeah, come on.
Read.
What happens happens for a reason.
Though those reasons remain unknown.
It won't be this bad forever
though you feel like you walk alone.
I can hear somebody screaming.
I can hear fear and agony.
Frantic I open my eyes.
I realize that somebody's me.
You cannot change what happened
no matter how hard you try.
You cannot turn back the hands of time
no matter how much you cry.
The past is the past for a reason.
That's where we should let it stay.
Sometimes it's hard to let it go.
Try not to let it eat you away.
Dark times make you stronger
though sometimes cold and withdrawn.
When it feels too much,
remember it's always
darkest before the dawn.
That's it.
Thank you, Jason.
I can hear myself scream.
That's enough, David.
Come on, let's see what you've got.
Oh, Jason.
Can I see you before you leave, please?
What's up?
I was just looking over your file.
Oh, it's okay.
I'm just looking over everybody's files.
I notice that you're new here too.
Transferred last semester.
What made you wanna transfer?
Do you know Malburg?
Not personally but I have heard of it.
Were you having trouble
with the other kids there?
No, it was nothing like that.
I was happy there.
My parents just don't want
me to get into trouble.
My mom's pretty religious
so she asked a priest
to get me in here.
You said you were happy there.
Are you happy here?
I don't like taking charity.
What do you mean?
Forget it.
Can I just go?
Just a second.
I wanted you to know how impressed I was
with your poem today.
I have to say, I was surprised
looking over your grades.
I think you're more capable
than you're giving yourself credit for.
Well you don't know me.
I know talent.
I'm not letting you get away
with the bare minimum anymore.
Not now that I know what you can do.
Well it's just a poem.
Regardless, you set the standard.
Now I expect you to live up to it.
Okay?
Okay.
Can I go?
Yeah, get out of here.
All right, got to go.
Where are you going?
Study group at the library.
Oh.
What, that's it?
Oh?
I thought you'd be a little happier.
I am.
I knew you'd do the right thing.
Don't be too late.
Bitch, she's got me like
working for it out here.
I mean, she's hot but she's...
She has everybody working for it.
She thinks that she's the
shit and everything but it's...
Hey, look who it is.
Oh shit.
How kind of you to grace
us with your presence.
Oh yeah, shut the fuck up.
Yeah, we're not keeping you
from all your preppy new friends, are we?
I'm here aren't I?
Yeah, I guess.
Thank you, asshole.
So where you been?
I'm just fucking trying to
lay low right now with my mom.
Like she's been riding me with this shit
- that happened to Michael.
- Shit.
Dude, that shit happens like everyday.
I don't get why she's so upset.
You know how she is.
Dude, we're lucky she hasn't sent you
off to military school.
Oh shit, I got a pic.
- Oh shit, man.
- Hey, hey, hey.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Hold on, let me look
first, let me look first.
Damn, she's fine.
What, that bitch is ugly, bro.
I'm telling you, no dude, she's fine.
Ugh.
I'm 'bout it.
You have really low standards.
Oh my God.
This is my life, this is my life.
This is my life right now.
You nasty asshole.
You gonna break me down like that?
Here you go sweetie.
Good morning.
Jason, you're gonna be late again.
No, I'm not.
- Hey.
- Oh hey.
We still on for tonight?
Tonight?
Oh, the hot spots, right.
Come on, it'll be fun.
Yeah.
Sure, why not?
- Perfect.
- Okay.
I noticed you were
distracted today in class.
Just under a lot of pressure right now.
My stupid parents are on
my back about my grades.
Well you know the personal essay
doesn't go towards your overall grade.
That's not my issue
with the essay though.
Well what is?
I'm not from here.
So, neither am I.
But you don't get it.
We don't have any money.
So my essay, it's not gonna be all rosy
like everyone else's.
Jason, you don't have to
worry about that with me.
I'm from Braybrook.
Wait, for real?
For real.
Well, how'd you end up here?
You religious?
No.
I'm not even Catholic.
Shh.
Look, how about I spend
30 minutes with you
after class each day
and we just work on whatever
it is you need help with.
You don't have to.
I know I don't have to.
I want to.
I told you I'm not letting you get by
with the bare minimum anymore.
Your parents want you out of Malburg.
Well, getting your grades up
and going to college is
gonna be your ticket.
Well we both know I'm never
gonna make it to college.
So you can just stop playing that line.
It's not a line.
There's no reason you can't
do whatever you want to.
You just need pointing
in the right direction.
So what do you say?
Okay.
Thanks Mrs Kendy.
Ms.
I did the personal essay
if you still want that.
Yeah, of course.
You know Jason, I want you to know
that you can talk to me if you need to.
Okay?
Thank you.
Thank you.
So what is your situation?
My situation?
Well yeah, I don't,
yep, I don't see a ring on your finger.
So I assume you're not married.
That situation.
Yeah.
No.
I pawned it.
Good.
Free as a bird.
Perfect.
Oh, I love this song.
Come on.
Oh, dancing.
I'm really Caucasian.
All right, we're gonna do this.
You sure you don't want your purse?
I guess I drank more than I realized.
Yeah, happens to the best of us.
I would give you my coat but...
Oh.
I am not wearing one.
It's fine, I'll live.
Okay.
Well, there you go.
Your chariot awaits.
Thank you.
Oh, hugs.
Goodnight.
Night.
Had fun.
We should do it again sometime.
Okay.
Maybe next time.
Yeah.
That'd be fun.
Just give me a call.
Yeah, I'll see you at school.
Bye.
Hey.
Oh, hey.
I wasn't sure you'd make it in today.
Oh God, I'm so embarrassed.
I hope I wasn't too much of
an annoying drunk last night.
No, no, you looked like
you were having a good time.
Yeah, I was.
Glad to hear it.
I guess I just haven't
drunk alcohol in such a long time
that I've lost my tolerance for it.
I guess we will just have to work on
building it back up again.
Oh god.
Drinking again is the last
thing I can think about.
How are you feeling?
Probably better than I deserve.
Oh, come on.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
You're gonna make me feel bad.
I feel like I'm responsible.
Don't be silly.
I'm a big girl.
Yeah, you keep telling me
you're tougher than you look.
We will see.
Mm-hmm.
Oh.
I'm not sure who dreads that bell more,
them or us.
Did you think I wouldn't notice
that you weren't in class today?
Why, did you miss me?
Look Jason, if you aren't
gonna show up to my class,
then you clearly don't really wanna learn.
So why should I waste my
private time tutoring you?
No, you're right.
I can see how it looked that way
but I just didn't wanna be distracted
by the other students in class
so I was working in the library.
Jason, I saw you sneaking out at lunch.
And lying to me really doesn't
make me wanna help you.
You're right.
I'm sorry.
I'll go.
I guess I'm just destined to fail,
end up a gang banger in the streets
running guns, girls, and crack.
Oh, sit down.
So I was thinking we could start off
with my history homework.
All right, show me what you got.
Hangover?
Excuse me?
I saw you last night at the bar.
Well what were you doing there
if you're underage?
The guy who runs it owes me.
Okay, let's do some work.
That's what we're here for.
No.
Aren't you gonna give
me some dancing lessons?
Okay, I think we're done here.
Oh, come on, no, relax.
I'm just teasing.
How often do you think I get to see
a teacher in her natural habitat?
Okay, I'm sorry.
I couldn't resist.
Come on, let's do some work.
Wait, so you're not gonna
report me for ditching?
Well how would that benefit anyone?
Plus I trust that you're not
gonna do it again, right?
Right.
Okay.
Women in history.
It was good though.
I mean, I had a little
bit too much to drink
but I did have fun.
Did you kiss?
No, I just told you we're colleagues.
Will you see him again?
I see him everyday at school.
You're making this into
something that it isn't.
I'm just excited for you!
I wanna see you happy and settled.
You know, I'd eventually like
to get some grandkids, you know.
Oh, here we go.
Look, I think I deserve
a little bit of time to myself
before I jump back into baby mode, okay?
All right.
All right.
Mom, hold on a sec.
Mom, I'm gonna go.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Jason.
What happened?
What are you doing here?
I'm sorry.
I wouldn't have come here.
I just don't have anywhere else to go.
No, it's okay.
Does it hurt?
What do you think?
Do you think it's broken?
I don't think so.
Look, I just wanted to get cleaned up
before I go home.
I can't let my parents see me like this.
Of course.
Just let me get a towel.
Well, do you want me to
take you to the station
to make a report?
Absolutely not.
Can you tell me what happened?
It's nothing.
Just an occupational hazard.
What occupation is that?
You ask a lot of questions.
You don't answer many.
Okay Jason, look,
if you're gonna show up to my place
in the middle of the night,
I think that means that you trust me,
and you can,
but you can't expect
that I'm not gonna want
some kind of explanation in return.
I wasn't asking for help.
I just wanted to wash up.
I've done that, thank you.
I won't come here again.
Stop.
Where are you going?
Home.
Before my mom sends out a search party.
Let me drive you.
Fine.
Do you have any siblings?
Yeah.
How many?
Two.
Don't drown me in details.
Hmm?
I'm trying to talk to you.
Sorry.
Just got a lot on my mind.
Hey, turn down there.
Why?
Just trust me, turn, turn.
Okay.
What are we doing here?
Come on.
What?
Where?
It's raining.
So what?
What the fuck am I doing?
It's beautiful.
So are you gonna give
me that dancing lesson?
We should go, it's freezing.
You can just drop me off at the corner.
I just don't want my parents
asking any questions.
Look, Jason,
I think you're a great kid
but I'm your teacher.
Things went too far
tonight and that's my fault
but it can't happen again, okay?
Hey kiddo.
You got something you wanna tell me?
No.
What?
Your grades.
I am so proud of you.
Huge improvement.
Yeah, it's not that big of a deal.
Are you joking?
This is the best you've ever done.
Guess the school's finally paying off.
Yeah.
I can't really take all the credit.
Ms. Kendy, she's really
been helping me out.
Kendy, that's the new one?
Mm-hmm, yeah.
She offered to tutor me
after every class a bit.
That's really nice of her.
She must like you to do that.
I don't think she likes me.
I just think...
I don't know.
I think she's just doing her job.
I'll have to thank her
at the parent teacher conference.
You did good, honey.
So anyway, he bucks,
I go flying through the air,
land on my wrist, bust it, but hey,
I guess I deserved it, right?
Jesus.
Remind me to never piss off a bull.
Yeah, right.
So was this while you were married?
How did you know I was married?
You mentioned it
before when we were here,
that you pawned your ring.
Oh.
Shit, I must have been drunk.
No, this was before that.
So what happened?
Oh, I got a metal plate screwed in.
No, I mean with your husband.
Um.
He was volatile to say the least
and I could never seem
to do anything right.
Not a good combination.
So I guess he didn't take it well
when you asked for a divorce?
No.
Um.
Look, do you mind if we
talk about something else?
Of course, yeah.
I'm sorry.
I guess I'm just...
So, have you dated much since?
Not really.
Um.
I'm just gonna go to the bathroom.
I'll be right back.
Oh shit.
Hey, I'm gonna go to the bathroom.
Jason.
Stop.
Hey, I ordered us some drinks.
Thanks.
Um.
Hey look, my mom just called
while I was in the bathroom
and look, something's going on at home.
I really need to leave.
Would that be okay?
Of course, yeah.
Go ahead.
I got this.
Thank you so much.
Let me know if you need anything.
Or not.
Andrew, hi.
Can I join you?
Hi Shannen.
Yeah, sure.
I swear that kid follows
her around like a puppy dog.
Yeah.
I guess so.
Who is it?
It's Jason.
Are you gonna open the door?
I don't think that's a good idea.
I just wanna talk.
I'm sorry about before.
Look, I accept your apology
but this has got to stop.
Can I just come in for a minute?
What for?
You really think this is a conversation
we should be having in the street?
Look Jason, I should've been
clear about this the first time.
You can't be here.
It's inappropriate for
a teacher and a student
to be alone together outside of school.
I know, I know.
I just wanted to see you.
No.
Do you think I'm gonna hurt you?
No.
I just think
we need to keep our distance, okay?
You kissed me back.
Why?
Why what?
Why'd you kiss me back?
I shouldn't have.
I'm sorry.
That's not an answer.
I don't know.
I don't have an answer.
I wasn't thinking.
Bullshit.
It's not bullshit.
We have chemistry and you know it.
Can I kiss you again?
No.
Please?
This isn't right.
Who cares?
I care.
Do you?
I can't.
Stop thinking.
Fuck, this is bad.
Okay.
Not you.
Just this should never have happened.
Well it did.
So just relax and enjoy it for now.
Nobody can know about this, okay?
Promise me.
I promise.
And it can't happen again.
It's not gonna happen again, all right?
Hypothetically speaking,
if I agree to that,
will you agree to just relax
and enjoy the rest of the morning with me?
I promise no one's gonna find out.
Trust me.
Trust me.
Okay.
Oh god.
But aren't your parents
gonna wonder where you are?
No, I texted my mom last night.
What did you tell her?
I told her I was
inside of you all night.
Ow, I'm kidding.
It's not funny.
I just texted her saying
I was playing video games at Nick's
and was staying there.
Oh god.
What are you staring at?
You.
Tell me about your family.
What do you wanna know?
Well you never told
me about your siblings.
I have an older brother
and a younger sister.
Classic middle child syndrome.
Are you close with them?
I was close with my older brother.
I'm very close with my sister.
She's my baby.
You said was.
Did your brother pass away?
No.
He's in jail.
Oh, I'm sorry.
What did he do?
A lot of things.
But he's not a bad guy.
He was just trying to take care of us.
I'm sure that's rough on your parents.
Yeah, it nearly killed my mother.
Now they just take it out on me.
How?
They're just so paranoid
I'm gonna make the same mistakes.
Like that's why they're so worried
about me getting good grades.
They're desperate for me
to get out of the shitty neighborhood
and just go to college and...
Well you can't hold that against them.
They just want what's best for you.
I know, but it's just exhausting.
I constantly have to make up excuses
for where I am every second of the day.
Well where are you going
that you can't tell them?
Don't you start.
We have to get up.
No.
Mm-hmm.
Hey, listen.
I'm not gonna make it to class today.
Is that okay, Ms Kendy?
How come?
I have to take my dad to
his doctor's appointment.
- Uh-huh.
- I'm serious.
Mm-hmm.
I'll definitely make it back
for our tutoring session though.
Okay?
Okay.
Okay.
Saw you last night.
With Andrew.
Oh.
We had a great time after you left.
That's nice.
Oh, well you probably didn't know
that Andrew and I used to date.
No, I didn't.
What about it?
I just hope it doesn't
make you feel insecure
working with me.
Shannen, Andrew and I are just friends
if that's what you're worried about.
I'm not worried.
Just thought you should know.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of your lunch.
Boy, you more of a hustler
than I thought you was, little bro.
Yeah, you know your bro
was a good earner too.
There's your cut, kid.
Hey.
Come see me in a week.
I've got a business opportunity for you.
Hey.
Hi.
I wanted to check if your mom was okay.
My mom?
Oh, right.
Sorry, I'm just a little
bit out of it today.
So?
Oh!
No, yes, she's fine.
Turns out she was just making
a big deal out of nothing.
Oh.
Well, it was too bad
our date got cut short.
We should pick it up again
sometime this weekend.
Oh.
I'm ready Ms Kendy.
Andrew, I will talk to you tomorrow.
- Okay?
- Okay.
Bye.
Walker.
Well you look very happy.
I take it your dad's
appointment went well.
I'm just happy to see you.
Jason.
We need to pretend like
last night didn't happen.
You agreed to that.
Can I at least give you your gift first?
Look, this needs to be
purely a student teacher relationship.
Otherwise, I can't tutor you anymore.
Okay, fine.
Okay, good.
What are we working on today?
I just need to give
you your present first
and then we can go back to normal.
Close your eyes.
Jason.
Just close them.
Nobody's watching.
All right.
Open.
Thank you.
It's beautiful.
Look Jason, I like you more than I should,
but I could lose my job over this.
I'm not gonna tell anyone.
That's not the point.
You're my student and you're underage.
It's wrong.
You didn't think
it was wrong last night.
Yes I did, I told you that.
But you did it anyway.
Let's just spend one more night together.
No.
Just to say goodbye.
I don't think that's a good idea.
All right.
Let's just focus on homework now
and then we'll discuss it Saturday.
There's nothing to discuss.
I'm not giving up.
- Fine.
- Fine.
Geography.
Give me that.
Hi Mom, how's Dad?
Oh, still a miserable prick
but he loves you.
So, tell me about Mr Lover Boy.
Oh god, you're ridiculous.
We're just friends.
We agreed to keep it professional.
What, why?
Well, actually I kinda met someone else.
What, who?
Look, never mind.
I don't even know why I brought it up.
He's younger.
It's not going anywhere.
Just, it felt nice.
Forget I said anything.
Well, do you like him?
Yeah, I do.
That's all that matters then.
I wouldn't write it off just yet.
Maybe.
But I wouldn't be doing
my job as your mother
if I didn't say I still think
you should consider Andrew.
He's got a reliable job.
P.E. teacher so he's probably
in pretty good shape.
Oh, you need to be with someone reliable.
Don't make the same mistake I did
and get stuck with
someone like your father.
You already have one
mistake under your belt.
Okay, thanks for the pep talk, Mom.
I don't know how I let
you talk me into this.
This was not the deal.
It'll be fun, trust me.
Would you stay down?
Well, you could've just asked.
Stop!
All right, now where am I going?
Just get across the town border
and then I'll direct.
All right.
This is very nice.
But I'm sure that we didn't have to come
all the way out here to
have this conversation.
Would it kill you just
to live in the moment,
not worry about every little thing?
Come on.
No, come on.
See?
Isn't it nice?
Yeah, I suppose so.
- What?
- Hey.
What, you camera shy?
Come on, one.
All right, one.
One.
I'll send these to you.
Wait.
Is this why you got kicked
out of your last school?
No, I didn't get kicked out.
Why then?
I just needed a clean slate.
Well usually people say that
when they've made some huge mistake.
I mean I guess you could look
at it like that but I don't.
If I could take it back I would
but I don't think it was my fault.
That's very cryptic.
Can I get a little more information?
Look, I know you're just
trying to get to know me
but it's really not my
favorite topic of conversation.
Well generally the things
people hate talking about
are the things they need to talk about.
Oh, thank you Yoda.
I was married.
Didn't end well.
Cheat?
No.
Not that I know of.
He was aggressive.
Like violent?
Mm-hmm.
He still giving you any problems?
No.
I got a restraining order and left town.
I would never hurt you.
I know.
Thank you.
Hey.
That night that you showed up
at my house with the bloody nose.
What happened?
I told you it was just
a occupational hazard.
Yeah, I remember.
You didn't say what occupation that was.
Okay, let me ask this.
Is it the same occupation
that got your brother in trouble?
Look, just don't talk about my brother.
You don't know anything about him.
Well, that's why I'm asking.
You wanna know about me,
I wanna know about you too.
All right, yeah.
I run with the same crew my brother does
but it's not what you think.
I don't even know what I think.
Look, I just wanna make enough money
to get my family out of the neighborhood.
I mean, you think I want
my sister growing up there?
Do your parents know that?
Are you out of your mind?
They would flip.
So what does this work involve?
Oh my god, Lila.
Give me a break.
Come on.
We had a good day today, didn't we?
I don't wanna rock the boat
but I think you did a complete 180 today.
No I haven't.
I know this is still incredibly stupid
and reckless.
But you're right.
We had a good day and.
I feel good when I'm with you.
Ditto.
You do know how serious
this could be for me,
right, if this got out?
Like I could end up in with your brother.
That's not funny.
I'm not trying to be funny.
I'm just trying to get you to understand
how serious this is.
I get it.
Just give me a break.
Look, no one's gonna find out.
I can promise you that.
Okay.
All I'm trying to say is...
Okay, shh, shh, shh, shh.
All right.
Just let me ask one more question.
Oh my god, Lila.
How did you know where I lived?
I did my homework.
Touche.
What's up, little man?
What are you doing here?
This is my house.
The fuck you just say?
You in my good graces, kid.
You might wanna stay there.
You don't want us to have to teach you
another lesson again, do you?
No.
Good.
We got work for you.
Yeah.
We need a little debt collecting done.
What?
No, I sell.
I'm good at selling.
That's my job.
Think of it as a promotion.
Yeah.
You wanted to take over
your brother's role, right?
You got to take on all
his responsibilities.
Here are the details.
See it done.
Tonight.
Mom?
Oh.
Just getting laundry.
Oh.
Thanks.
Yo Franklin, you're overdue!
I can get it by next week!
I don't have it, I'm sorry!
Bullshit!
Stay down!
Don't make me visit you again.
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Sorry for interrupting.
It's fine.
You are always welcome.
I was just hoping to get
the student transfer
file for the Polish girl.
Oh, right.
Here you go.
Great.
Okay, well I better get going.
Parents are gonna start
showing up anytime now.
Hey, Lila.
I just wanted you to know
I'm okay with being friends.
I'm here if you need anything
and hopefully when you're
ready for something more,
you'll think of me.
That's sweet of you to say.
Well, thank you so much for coming in.
Thank you.
It was lovely to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
I'll see you next time.
See ya.
Mr and Mrs Galea.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Come on in.
Yeah, Daniel's a great kid.
Anyway, thank you for coming in.
Thank you so much.
Great to meet you.
Nice to meet you too.
- Same here, thank you.
- I'll see you next time.
- Okay.
- Okay, thanks.
Take care.
Mrs. Walker.
Hi.
Come on in.
Please.
Thank you so much for coming in.
You know, it's important to us
that we establish an open
line of communication
with all of our parents so
that they have a feeling
for how their kids are progressing.
So, I was pleased to learn
that Jason's a talented writer.
Yes, he tells me you've taken
quite the interest in him.
Yeah, I like to get to
know all of my students
so that they feel comfortable with me.
Well, you certainly have a unique way
of getting to know your students then.
Do you tutor them all?
Um, no.
Actually Jason came to me and then we...
Don't you dare blame my son.
Excuse me?
Don't play dumb with me, girly.
I am onto you.
What kind of sick methods are you using
to get his grades up?
It's not what you think.
Don't tell me what I think.
This school is my kid's chance to get out,
to have a better life.
Don't mess that up for him.
I'm trying to help him.
You better end this.
I am warning you!
That was Mrs. Walker, right?
Uh-huh.
Well, she didn't look very happy.
Um, I think she was just in a rush.
She's definitely happy with
Jason's improvement in grades.
Okay, well that's good.
Listen, is everything all right, Lila?
You seem like you're a little...
Sorry, I just, I have
just a bit of a headache.
I'll be fine.
Well all right then.
I'll leave you to it.
Thanks.
You'd better do something
about that headache
before it turns into something worse.
Look, I did what you wanted.
That's it, I'm out.
Out.
Man, there is no out.
Yeah, even your brother knew that.
Nah, homie.
You just gettin' started.
Mm-hmm.
We got a real big job this weekend
and we a man short.
You're it.
What's the job?
You know what?
I don't think you appreciate
the opportunities I'm giving you.
You got a big payday
coming your way, kid.
Yeah, it's time to
make big brother proud.
Mm-hmm.
So I don't wanna hear
anymore of this out bullshit.
Do you understand me?
I'll be there.
Ay, that's the spirit.
Fuck out of here.
Out.
I'm out.
Little boy.
Yo boy, he crazy.
Jason, can you come here please?
What's up, Mom?
I wanted to ask how your study sessions
are going with Ms Kendy.
Good.
I mean, you've seen my grades.
It really seems like
the extra attention she's
giving you is paying off.
Yeah, I guess so.
Do you think I'm an idiot?
What are you talking about?
I saw the photos on your phone, okay.
- How can you be so stupid?
- Why are you going through
my stuff?
You think the church
will keep supporting you
being at that school when
this gets out, Jason?
And it will.
These things always do.
Mom, you're overreacting.
What's going on?
Your son.
He's diddling his teacher.
- What?
- No, I'm not!
He has
pictures of them together.
Mom, would you stop
and listen for a second?
Oh, okay.
I'll listen.
You explain it to me so I can understand.
Look, forget everything for one second.
We have a connection.
A connection?
Christ Shell, let the boy finish.
Look, the age thing,
her being my teacher,
it's not important.
I love her.
Oh my god.
Do you think this family
needs another scandal?
Okay, I can't take this.
You're gonna cut it off, you hear me?
Get back here!
I'm not finished!
And then Aunt Katherine says to Grandma
that she can't have the cream.
Oh my god, then all hell broke loose.
Yeah, that's good.
Good?
What's good about it?
Are you even listening to me?
I'm sorry Mom.
I've just got a lot on my mind.
Well like what?
Is everything okay at school?
I don't know.
I just, it's complicated.
I think I might be in trouble.
Asshole hasn't breached his
restraining order, has he?
No.
Well, what is it then?
Have things gone sour with Andrew?
No, it's nothing to do with him.
Well, spit it out, Lila.
Remember I told you I met someone?
Oh, the younger guy.
But I thought that wasn't going anywhere.
Yeah well...
I don't even know what to say
'cause I don't want you to flip out.
Why would I flip out?
I met him at school too.
Lila, you can't go dating
men that work together.
It's like dating brothers.
He's not a teacher.
Mom?
What do you expect me to say?
Honestly?
I don't know.
I just needed to tell someone.
Here I was thinking
that I didn't have to
worry about you anymore
because you were getting a fresh start.
Do you realize you're throwing
all of that away right now?
Have you even thought about
the consequences of this?
I didn't do it on purpose.
It just happened.
Oh for Christ's sake, Lila!
Grow up!
Take some responsibility.
Do you realize that getting involved
with a student is criminal?
Do you even know that?
I can't even talk to you right now.
Hey sis.
Hi Dale.
What is Mom talking about?
Nothing.
It's nothing.
Look, you got something
good going right now.
All right, don't screw it up.
It's not like he's 12.
He's practically an adult.
You cannot be serious.
We were already together at his age.
That's completely different.
You were only a few years older
and you weren't my freakin' teacher.
All I'm saying is that he's past the age
of being taken advantage of.
Are you joking?
You would not be this
calm if it was Penny.
Hey, that's ridiculous.
Penny is only 13.
I am saying in a few years.
If Penny got involved with a male teacher
you would blow a gasket.
That's different.
Why, why is that different?
'Cause I know what men are like.
Well, I know how some women are
and I'm telling you,
she is taking advantage.
- Look Lila...
- You can't be here.
- Why?
- We can't do this anymore.
- Why?
- Why didn't you tell me
that your mother knows about us?
Shit, what happened?
She came to the school.
- Fuck!
- Why didn't you warn me?
You know how much trouble
that I could get in.
Look, I didn't know.
I'm sorry, I just found out.
She was this close to
Principal Gibney overhearing.
Okay, no.
You're just, calm down.
Calm down?
I could go to jail, I
could lose my fucking job.
- Shh.
- Don't shush me!
Don't you get it?
Shannen was there as well.
She knows.
Now it's just a matter of
time before this gets out.
You're just being paranoid.
No, you're being naive.
I should've known that you wouldn't have
the maturity to deal with this.
Lila, Lila.
- Just go.
- No, Lila.
- Just go.
- I just wanna talk about it!
Oh shit.
Lila, I'm sorry.
Get out.
What do you wanna do?
I don't know.
I just definitely got the impression.
Gibney suspected something.
I don't have a good feeling about this.
You're just being paranoid.
If she overheard, she
would've said something.
Well I'm not being
paranoid about Miss James.
She definitely knows something.
Somehow I don't get the impression
that she can be trusted.
This is a fucking nightmare.
Thanks.
You know what I mean.
This is dangerous for me.
It's just a matter of time
before Shannen says something to someone
or your mom goes to the
school or the police.
What if we left?
What if we left town?
I mean, if you resign
and then you don't have to worry
about losing your job
and so if you're not my teacher,
there's no issues.
No.
I have money.
Absolutely not.
I'm not using your family's money.
It's my money.
I choose what I wanna do with it.
Right now this is what's important.
Lila, I need this too.
Can you just promise me
that you'll at least think
about what I've said?
I want you to consider
it as a legit option.
Okay.
I'll think about it.
Don't wanna be late for school.
Probably about 15 more minutes.
Sorry Miss.
So have you given any thought
to what we discussed in the morning?
Jason, we shouldn't be
discussing this in public.
Well, have you?
Hey.
You want a cup of coffee?
No.
What do you know about Jason Walker?
Kendy would know more
about him than I would.
What does that mean?
Why are you wasting your time with her?
You're embarrassing yourself.
Oh fuck off, Shannen.
Why are you always such a fucking bitch?
I'm just saying.
'Sup bro?
Hey.
- How's it going?
- Chillin', bro.
How you doin'?
So it's your lucky day today.
I'm running a midweek special.
It's 20% off when you
buy two or more bags.
Shit.
Well, if that's the case,
let us get two then, bro.
All right,
that's what I like to hear.
Yeah.
There you go man.
What are you in such a good mood for?
Love.
All you need is love.
Mom wants you to come down for dinner.
What's that?
It's nothing.
Hey Penny, can you wait a sec?
Come on, I'm hungry.
Come on, I just wanna
give you something.
Come on, sit.
Your bunny?
I didn't even know you still had that.
Well you can have him.
Really?
Why?
Well you always wanted him
more than I ever did, so.
I'm a bit old for it now, but thanks.
And you know I love you.
Yeah.
Okay, good.
Why are you being so weird?
Weird?
You're the one playing with a bunny.
Freak.
Come on, let's get you some food.
- Hey.
- Oh shit!
Andrew, you scared the shit out of me.
What are you, what are you doing?
You need a man, Lila.
Stop!
- Stop!
- I know your ex hurt you.
- That's not how real men act.
- What are you?
- Stop it, Andrew.
- And now you're stuck
with a boy.
I'm gonna take care of you.
Stop!
You need a man for that.
Stop!
Andrew, stop!
Who is it?
Me.
It's not a good time.
What?
What do you mean?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
What is it?
What happened?
I can't tell you.
No, you can tell me anything.
Come on, please.
You're scaring me.
Andrew.
What about him?
What the fuck did he do to you?
That motherfucker.
I'm gonna fucking kill...
Stop, please.
Well let's call the police.
We got to call the
police or do something.
- Let's call the police.
- No, we can't.
Why not?
He knows.
About what?
About us.
Oh.
What, how?
- How's he know?
- I don't.
What'd he say?
That you're a boy
and that I needed a man.
Oh.
I can't wait to get out of here.
Let's leave now.
Let's leave tonight.
- We'd have to just...
- No.
What?
Tomorrow.
I have to go to school
and put in my resignation
and get my things.
You wanna go back there?
- Come on.
- I have to.
No, what if he tries something again?
- You can't...
- He won't.
Not in front of other people.
I'll be fine.
Lila.
It's just one more day.
I love you.
I love you too.
We don't think that you
should deduct points from us
because we're...
Discuss more about that.
Hey, Matthews.
So you're a man now, huh?
Stop it!
Jason!
Stop!
Stop it!
Fuck you!
Stop it.
Stop it.
Stop.
Get off!
You're done.
Watch your step.
Come on.
I swear to God, Jason.
Jason.
Are you okay?
What happened?
You stay away from my son
or so help me God,
I will walk back in there
and have you thrown in jail.
Mom, mom!
Get in the car, Jason.
Now.
Jason.
Get in the car.
Now.
I told you to stay away from him.
He is a child.
What is wrong with you?
I just want to know if he's okay.
What happened with the police?
Go back to where you came from
and leave my boy alone.
Don't look.
Come on.
I knew you'd come around.
You raped me, Andrew.
Come on.
I'm filing a report tomorrow.
So you can expect a visit from the police.
You're out of your mind.
Am I?
Yes.
You know the security cameras
that monitor the schoolyard?
Well there's one that points
directly at my classroom window.
So why tell me now?
Why not just go straight to the police?
Because I'm giving you the opportunity
to make something right.
What?
Jason.
Tell the police whatever you have to
to make sure he gets in as
little trouble as possible.
Why would I do anything to help him?
Because I am not fucking around
when I tell you that I
will go down with you
if I have to to save him.
What am I supposed to say?
I don't care.
Whatever you have to.
If you do that,
I won't press charges
and you're gonna resign.
This is a fucking joke.
Oh fuck, I missed you.
I have good news.
Well that would make a nice change.
Yeah.
The police are just gonna
let me off with a warning.
Apparently Matthews didn't
even wanna press charges.
Aren't you happy?
You're almost all packed up.
Uh-huh.
Well is everything okay?
Jason.
Shit.
All right, what now?
Just, come on.
Just, what?
Say it.
You're not coming with me.
What?
We need to start being
realistic about this.
What are you talking about?
We had it all planned out.
You need to stay here with your parents
and be in school and start
thinking about college
and girls your own age.
I don't want girls my own age.
I want you.
I let this go on for
longer than I should have
and I'm sorry about that.
But you just still have so
much more growing up to do.
Don't.
Don't do that.
Don't just treat me like
I'm some sort of child or something.
I don't mean it like that.
I just...
Jason, I have told you you're so smart
and you can do whatever you want in life.
But you still have so
much more to experience
before you get to where I am
and it would be unfair of me
to take that away from you.
Well what about me, hmm?
What about what I want?
I mean, don't I get a say?
Take this as your get
out of jail free card.
Literally.
So I just never meant anything to you,
- is that what it is?
- You know that's not true.
Fuck.
Lila.
I'm doing this because I love you.
Jason?
Are you okay?
Go away.
Honey, what is it?
She's leaving.
Without me.
I know you're upset now
but you have your whole life ahead of you.
I knew you'd say that.
It's exactly what you wanted.
Do you think it makes me happy
to see my son in pain?
Trust me, I know you
don't wanna hear this,
but there will be more girls
and more heartbreaks.
It hurts now but eventually
it'll just be a memory.
Let me make you some food.
Fuck.
Hello?
Hey little man, it's go time.
Hey, you hear me?
Yeah.
Get over here now
so we can go over the plan then.
All right.
What happens happens for a reason.
Though those reasons remain unknown.
It won't be this bad forever.
Though you feel like you walk alone.
I can hear somebody screaming.
I hear fear and agony.
Frantic I open my eyes.
I realize that somebody is me.
You cannot change what happened
no matter how hard you try.
You cannot turn back the hands of time
no matter how much you cry.
Dark times make you stronger.
Though sometimes cold and withdrawn.
When it feels too much remember,
it's always darkest before the dawn.