THIRD PERSON pov
THE SCHOOL GATE – MORNING
The sun is hitting the "Higher Value International School" sign. JAY-JAY (tough but nervous) stands at the gate. She's wearing the elite uniform, but she looks like she's walking to her execution.
ARIES (looking sharp in his Section A uniform) leans against the wall, checking for witnesses. He pulls Jay-Jay into the shadows.
ARIES: (Low voice) Remember the deal, Jay. Use the name "Mariano." If anyone asks about the Fernandez family, you don't know us. Especially Section E.
JAY-JAY: I know, Kuya. But why do I have to be in that section? People say they eat students for breakfast.
ARIES: (Grips her shoulder) Because it's the only place they won't look for a "Fernandez." Hide in the trash, and you'll stay safe. Just... (His eyes soften for a split second) ...don't let them break you. If they do, I'm burning that classroom down.
JAY-JAY: (Rolls eyes) Go away, overprotective giant. I've got this.
THE SECTION E CLASSROOM
Jay-Jay pushes the heavy wooden door open. The air is thick with dust. The windows are cracked. The students are doing everything except studying.
CI-N is sitting on a windowsill, eating chips and throwing the wrappers on the floor.
MAYO and DENZEL are playing cards for money.
KEIFER is at the back, feet up on a desk, looking like the king of the ruins. YURI is beside him, cleaning his glasses and watching the door.
The room goes quiet as Jay-Jay enters. The boys look at her like she's an alien.
MAYO: (Whistles) Did the school send us a new maid? This building is finally getting cleaned?
KEIFER: (Deep, cold voice) A girl? In the dungeon? You're in the wrong place, Miss Elite.
JAY-JAY: I'm Jasper Jean Mariano. I'm assigned to Section E.
KEIFER: (Smirks) Section E doesn't accept "girls." Go back to the main building before you get stained by the dust here.
Suddenly, the door slams open again. A tall, stern man walks in. The room instantly gets 50% quieter. It's Sir Alvin. He drops a heavy stack of books on the table. BAM!
SIR ALVIN: Sit down, you delinquents! And Keifer, get your feet off the furniture. It's old enough to break under your ego.
KEIFER: (Slowly drops his feet, eyes still on Jay-Jay) Yes, Sir.
SIR ALVIN: (Looks at Jay-Jay) You must be Mariano. Welcome to the circus. Find a seat. If they bother you, tell me... though I'll probably be too busy stopping them from burning the school down.