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* BloodierAndGorier: The flesh of Teddy's face is graphically burnt.
to:
* BloodierAndGorier: The While with no visible blood, the flesh of Teddy's face is somewhat graphically burnt.
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Dewicked trope
Deleted line(s) 26 (click to see context) :
* AdultFear: Meggie receives ominously persistent notes, one of which threatens Nick with violence.
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Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
In her bag, Meggie Evans finds a crumpled envelope. Inside, a hand-printed note invites her to the wood-shop. At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick, whose friends Bucky and Moose then arrive. One of them snatches Meggie’s note. Nick hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
to:
In her bag, Meggie Evans finds a crumpled envelope. Inside, a hand-printed note invites her to the wood-shop.wood shop. At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick, whose friends Bucky and Moose then arrive. One of them snatches Meggie’s note. Nick hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Shortening my recaps.
Changed line(s) 5,12 (click to see context) from:
Meggie Evans sees her bag to contain a crumpled envelope. Inside, a hand-printed note invites her to the wood-shop. At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick, whose friends Bucky and Moose then arrive. One of them snatches Meggie’s note. Nick hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
Feeling dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand. As she does her homework, her father arrives. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream. Later, as night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a clatter. Just then, the landing light fails. At the front door sound two urgent knocks. Outside, no one is there - but on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message. She locks the door.
Upstairs, across the landing, the bathroom door swings open. In the faint moonlight, she finds the bathroom empty. Its door swings closed behind her. The cabinet mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message. In fear, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette. She lets out a scream, and flees downstairs.
She unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but it’s only Nick, here to apologise for his friends' behaviour. He hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return. Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans's long johns. The bathroom mirror is now clean. With a merry farewell, Nick leaves.
Feeling dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand. As she does her homework, her father arrives. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream. Later, as night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a clatter. Just then, the landing light fails. At the front door sound two urgent knocks. Outside, no one is there - but on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message. She locks the door.
Upstairs, across the landing, the bathroom door swings open. In the faint moonlight, she finds the bathroom empty. Its door swings closed behind her. The cabinet mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message. In fear, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette. She lets out a scream, and flees downstairs.
She unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but it’s only Nick, here to apologise for his friends' behaviour. He hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return. Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans's long johns. The bathroom mirror is now clean. With a merry farewell, Nick leaves.
to:
In her bag, Meggie Evans sees her bag to contain finds a crumpled envelope. Inside, a hand-printed note invites her to the wood-shop. At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick, whose friends Bucky and Moose then arrive. One of them snatches Meggie’s note. Nick hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
Feeling At home, a dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand. As she does her homework, her father arrives. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream. Later, as As night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a clatter. Just then, the landing light fails.The lights fail. At the front door sound two urgent knocks. Outside, no one is there - but on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message. She locks the door.
Upstairs, across the landing, the The bathroom door swings open. In the faint moonlight, she finds the bathroom empty. Its door swings closed behind her. The cabinet mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message. In fear, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette. She lets out a scream, screams, and flees downstairs.
She unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - butit’s it's only Nick, here to apologise for his friends' behaviour. He hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return. Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans's long johns. The bathroom mirror is now clean. With a merry farewell, Nick leaves.
She unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but
Changed line(s) 17,24 (click to see context) from:
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims any part of the spiteful bet. Another note summons her to the wood shop tonight. Nick resolves to meet the note-sender, and leaves. In the kitchen, Mr Evans sees Meggie’s bag. He notes it to have once belonged to Meggie’s mother - whom he now addresses as Meggie; which was her school nickname. Meggie shows them the note. Mrs Evans peers at it. Disturbed, she bustles out. Meggie presses her dad for explanation. He reluctantly explains. When they were at school, delinquent Teddy Mars sent her mother notes. In the wood shop, Meggie's father found Teddy sprayed with lacquer a carved wooden heart. He started shoving the young Mr Evans, who was eventually forced to shove back. Teddy hit his head on the trying lamp, which broke, and ignited the lacquer. The explosion threw Mr Evans out of the room, and killed Teddy.
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, behind him, the open door slams shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge. On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off. All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirrs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room.
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded figure. By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. Gas pours into the room. In the shadows, the apparition laughs. Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite. The disfigured apparition steps into the drying lamp's pink glow. Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors. From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
The ghost of Teddy advances, crowbar in hand. As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room, and helps up Nick. Teddy desperately asks Meggie if she returns his love. Meggie calmly replies in the negative. With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door. They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing room. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, behind him, the open door slams shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge. On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off. All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirrs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room.
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded figure. By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. Gas pours into the room. In the shadows, the apparition laughs. Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite. The disfigured apparition steps into the drying lamp's pink glow. Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors. From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
The ghost of Teddy advances, crowbar in hand. As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room, and helps up Nick. Teddy desperately asks Meggie if she returns his love. Meggie calmly replies in the negative. With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door. They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing room. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
to:
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims denies any part of the spiteful bet. Another note summons her to the wood shop tonight. Nick resolves goes off to meet the note-sender, and leaves.note-sender. In the kitchen, Mr Evans sees Meggie’s bag. He notes it to have once belonged to Meggie’s mother - whom he now addresses as Meggie; which was her school nickname. Young Meggie shows them the note. Mrs Evans peers at it. Disturbed, she bustles out. Meggie presses her dad for explanation. He reluctantly explains. When they were at school, delinquent Teddy Mars sent her mother notes. In the wood shop, Meggie's father found Teddy sprayed with lacquer a carved lacquered wooden heart. He started shoving the young Mr Evans, who was eventually forced to shove back. Teddy hit his head on the trying drying lamp, which broke, and ignited the lacquer. The explosion threw Mr Evans out of the room, and killed Teddy.
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, behind him, the open door slams shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge. On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off. All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirrs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room. \n\n Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded figure. By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. Gas pours into the room. In the shadows, the apparition laughs. Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite. The disfigured apparition steps into the drying lamp's pink glow. Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors. From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
The ghost of Teddy advances, crowbar in hand. As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room, and helps up Nick. Teddy desperately asks Meggie if she returns his love. Meggie calmly replies in the negative. With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door. They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishingroom. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
room.
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, behind him, the open door slams shut.
The ghost of Teddy advances, crowbar in hand. As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room, and helps up Nick. Teddy desperately asks Meggie if she returns his love. Meggie calmly replies in the negative. With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door. They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing
Added DiffLines:
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Changed line(s) 3,4 (click to see context) from:
In a game of "Secret Confessions," Megan reads aloud several typed messages. Anonymous notes can be supportive - but what of they warned of something evil? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story "The Tale of the secret Admirer."
to:
In a game of "Secret Confessions," Megan reads aloud several typed messages. Anonymous notes can be supportive - but what of if they warned of something evil? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story "The Tale of the secret Admirer."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Shortening my recaps.
Changed line(s) 3,268 (click to see context) from:
In a game of "Secret Confessions," Megan reads aloud several typed confessions.
-->'''Megan:''' This one’s to… to Andy. ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’.
-->'''Andy:''' Cool…!
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the next one… this one’s to Andy again. ‘I’ll bet your zipper’s down again’.
Quinn and Vange giggle.
-->'''Andy:''' Come on! Read one to somebody else.
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the last one… Oh, it’s for me. ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty’. … Thanks to whoever wrote that!
-->'''Quinn:''' Alright, has this got anything to do with your story?
-->'''Megan:''' Of course. Getting secret notes is cool. Especially if they’re good ones like this. But what if you got a note that wasn’t so great? What if it warned you about something evil? What would you do?
Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The Tale of the secret Admirer.”
Meggie Evans takes her lunch tray to a fairly quiet table. On the floor, she sees her bag to contain a crumpled envelope, addressed to her. Inside is a hand-printed note. She reads aloud.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you? Meet me in the wood shop right away'?
Tenderly thrilled, she walks through the bustling hallway, and looks around for the anonymous author.
At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick.
Just then, two of his friends Bucky and Moose arrive to jovially greet him. One of them snatches Meggie’s note, and mockingly waves it around. Nick snatches it, hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
… Despondent, Meggie lies on her bed. Her mother attempts to console her.
Feeling dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand.
Later, as she does her homework, her dad arrives, with a gentle offer of confidence. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Okay… but if you wanna talk...
-->'''Meggie:''' '...wanna listen.'
He pats her arm, and leaves her to her books.
Later, as night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a slight clatter. Uneasy, she steals across the landing. At a bang, she gasps in fright - but it’s only a tree branch knocking against a window.
Just then, the landing light fails.
Now frightened, Meggie searches the kitchen dresser, and finds a torch.
A gust of wind blows open the back door. Meggie closes and locks it.
At the front door sound two urgent knocks.
Across the hall, she faces the door. The knocking repeats.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Who’s there''?\
More knocks.
Meggie approaches the door, steals herself, and pulls it open.
No one is there. But on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?'\
With a thrill of dread, she locks the door.
In the darkness of the upstairs landing, she hears a slight rustle.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Hello''? Somebody there?\
Across the landing, the bathroom door, without apparent force, swings open.
In the faint light offered by a distant moon, she finds the bathroom empty. The door swings closed behind her.
However, the cabinet door is wide open. She closes it. The mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message.
In abject dread, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette.
She lets out a scream, and flees downstairs.
She frantically unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but it’s only Nick.
Meggie smiles in relief - but remembers the situation.
-->'''Meggie:''' There’s someone in the house - upstairs!\
Nick hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return.
In the lit bathroom, Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans’s long johns.
With a reassuring laugh, Nick puts the self-opening door down to the wind. The bathroom mirror is now clean.
-->'''Nick:''' Don’t be embarrassed! It’s easy to freak and see things in the dark. I once thought I saw a scarecrow coming at me on the couch with a hammer!
-->'''Meggie:''' And what was it?
-->'''Nick:''' My dog with his food bowl! I felt dumb, but - I never forgot to feed him again!
They reach the hallway.
-->'''Meggie:''' Oh, wait - what are you doing here, anyways?
-->'''Nick:''' Oh, yeah. I came to apologise for today - you know, for the way those guys acted.
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s alright!
-->'''Nick:''' No, it’s not! They can be real jerks. I’m sorry.
-->'''Meggie:''' So… you’re not the one sending me the notes?
-->'''Nick:''' No. Hey! It means you have a secret admirer.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah…! I guess so.
-->'''Nick:''' So… I’ll see you tomorrow.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow!
She closes the door behind him, and grins.
In the bathroom mirror, Meggie laughingly mimics Nick’s suave adieu.
She stoops to the sink, wets her face, and dabs it with a towel.
As she straightens, pained, heavy breathing sounds behind her.
In the mirror, ‘’someone is standing behind her’’. The bathroom light fully illuminates a young man in a leather jacket. The right side of his head, bereft of hair and features, is a tortured mess of charred black flesh.
Meggie screams in abject terror. The apparition grunts in crazed agony.
Downstairs, the front door opens to admit Meggie’s parents. Horrified by the screams, they hurry upstairs. Meggie turns around - but the apparition has gone.
While Meggie falls into her mothers arms, her dad bemusedly inspects the empty bathroom.
Distraught, yet doubtful of her parents' readiness to believe what she saw, Meggie confines herself to her room.
Next day, at school, Nick opens his locker, reaches down into it, and straightens to find, instantaneously placed on the top shelf, an envelope marked “Superstar”. Inside is a note, which he reads aloud.
-->'''Nick:''' 'If you don’t stay away from Meggie, I’m gonna hurt you, superstar'.\
He spots Meggie, and hurries after her.
He delicately shows her the newly delivered note.
-->'''Nick:''' What is with this guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' I don’t know!
Shaken, she hands back the note, and hurries to her locker. Alarmed, he follows her.
-->'''Nick:''' Whoa! What’s the matter?
-->'''Meggie:''' I’m really scared, Nick. This guy’s really freaking me out, and now I’m seeing things that are not really there, and he’s threatening you -
-->'''Nick:''' Easy, easy!
-->'''Meggie:''' … Why is he doing this?
-->'''Nick:''' I don’t know. But whoever he is, he’s a chicken, and there’s absolutely no reason to be afraid of him.
-->'''Meggie:''' … But he threatened you.
-->'''Nick:''' This? Hey, now that I know you, it’s gonna take a lot more than a goofy note to keep me away! Don’t worry about this loser, Meggie. You’ll probably never even hear from him again.
Emboldened, she leans forward and kisses his cheek.
Just then, Bucky and Moose arrive, and laughingly claim to have bet money on Nick’s ability to win a kiss.
Shocked, Nick rebukes the two. Humiliated, Meggie runs off.
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims any part of the spiteful bet.
He reports the arrival of another note outside. She opens the door, and reads aloud the note.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Meet me in the wood shop tonight. I’’ll be waiting.'
-->'''Nick:''' I’ll go to the wood shop and make him leave you alone.
-->'''Maggie:''' I want ''you'' to leave me alone.
-->'''Nick:''' Wait - I don’t know how else to say this… but… I really like you, Meggie. I wish you’d believe me… I’m gonna go meet that guy, and tell him to leave you alone.
-->'''Meggie:''' Just stay ''out'' of it, Nick!
-->'''Nick:''' Maybe it’ll prove I’m telling you the truth!
In the kitchen, as the family prepares for dinner, Mr Evans sees Meggie’s bag. He notes it to have once belonged to Meggie’s mother - whom he now addresses as Meggie.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Didn’t you know? That’s what they used to call me in high school, too.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' And you look just like your mum did, back then.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''{to herself}'' But the note… it was for me…
Her parents overhear. Meggie shows them the note. Mrs Evans peers at it.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Must’ve been stuck in the lining all these years.
-->'''Meggie:''' You means this was for you?
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' … You wouldn’t understand, sweetie.
Disturbed, she bustles out. Meggie presses her dad for explanation.
…
Meanwhile, into a darkened school corridor, steps Nick…
While Meggie chops celery, her dad reluctantly explains.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' His name was Teddy Mars. He was a real foul ball - petty thief, vandal, you name it.
-->'''Meggie:''' What did he look like?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' … I don’t remember. Anyhow, he had a crush on your mum, and he started giving her notes… are you sure you wanna hear this?
… In the darkened corridor, Nick hears heavy breathing. With no apparent breeze, a poster falls from the wall…
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Your mother didn’t like the guy, but didn’t know how to tell him, and… he didn’t take the hints. Then one night, he asked her to meet him in the woodshop, and… I went instead.
-->'''Meggie:''' … Wood shop…?
… Nick fumbles with his locker. Beside him, he hears the rapid approach of heavy breathing. He looks up - but sees no one.
….
-->'''Mr Evans:''' I found him in the finishing room. He was spraying this wooden heart with lacquer. Carved it for your mum. I told him that she wasn’t interested in him, but, uh, he didn’t believe me. Wanted to hear it from her. We started to argue. Kept calling me ‘Superstar’. He pushed me, and pushed me again… I didn’t wanna fight, ‘cause he was a dangerous guy, but, finally, I had to push back.
-->'''Meggie:''' … And?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Teddy fell… Hit his head on the drying lamp. And the bulb broke, and there were sparks, and… lacquer’s pretty flammable. Next thing I know… kaboom. I was blown right out of the room. I was lucky… I hurt my arm. But Teddy…. Teddy died in the explosion.
-->'''Meggie:''' Why didn’t you tell me the truth before?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' We wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand… I really hope that’s today.
She smiles and hugs her dad.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Well, that’s my tale of woe. Now tell me… what’s been bothering you? Is it that guy Nick at the door?
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick…! I gotta go!
She runs…
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, he looks around the darkened, cluttered expanse. Behind him, the open door slams violently shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge.
On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off.
-->'''Nick:''' Hey! Whoever you are, leave Meggie alone!\
All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room. Behind him, the door slams shut. He tries vainly to open it. From across the room comes a scornful laugh. Nick turns.
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded figure.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s payback time, superstar!\
By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. With a hiss, gas pours into the room. Nick starts to cough. In the shadows, the apparition laughs.
Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite, to bathe him in deep pink.
… Meggie hurries into the darkened corridor, and runs to the wood shop…
The disfigured apparition steps into the lurid glow, and points a charred hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s your turn to fry, superstar!\
… Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors.
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
Teddy advances, crowbar in hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' One spark - that’s all it takes. Remember?\
… Meggie reaches through the broken window, unlocks the door, and hurries in…
As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door of the finishing room to rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room.
-->'''Teddy:''' Meggie… you came.\
Meggie helps up Nick.
-->'''Teddy:''' Stop... ! I’ve waited a long time for you to answer my note. I need to know: do you feel the same way about me as I feel about you?
-->'''Meggie:''' No… No, Teddy, I don’t. I don’t feel the same way at all.
With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door.
They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing room. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
-->'''Meggie:''' Are you okay?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah, I guess so. Who was that guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' A sad kid who finally learned the truth.
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah? And what is the truth?
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah! I have.
-->'''Meggie:''' So, then! The only thing that’s not absolutely perfect about you is that you have… jerky friends?
-->'''Nick:''' … Yeah!
-->'''Meggie:''' I can deal with that.
She helps him to his feet.
On closure of her tale, Megan realises herself to have misread the last secret confession: it’s actually addressed to Quinn.
-->'''Megan:''' It says ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty… pretty much a dork.
With chuckles all round, Megan gives him a consolatory pat on the shoulder.
-->'''Megan:''' This one’s to… to Andy. ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’.
-->'''Andy:''' Cool…!
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the next one… this one’s to Andy again. ‘I’ll bet your zipper’s down again’.
Quinn and Vange giggle.
-->'''Andy:''' Come on! Read one to somebody else.
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the last one… Oh, it’s for me. ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty’. … Thanks to whoever wrote that!
-->'''Quinn:''' Alright, has this got anything to do with your story?
-->'''Megan:''' Of course. Getting secret notes is cool. Especially if they’re good ones like this. But what if you got a note that wasn’t so great? What if it warned you about something evil? What would you do?
Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The Tale of the secret Admirer.”
Meggie Evans takes her lunch tray to a fairly quiet table. On the floor, she sees her bag to contain a crumpled envelope, addressed to her. Inside is a hand-printed note. She reads aloud.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you? Meet me in the wood shop right away'?
Tenderly thrilled, she walks through the bustling hallway, and looks around for the anonymous author.
At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick.
Just then, two of his friends Bucky and Moose arrive to jovially greet him. One of them snatches Meggie’s note, and mockingly waves it around. Nick snatches it, hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
… Despondent, Meggie lies on her bed. Her mother attempts to console her.
Feeling dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand.
Later, as she does her homework, her dad arrives, with a gentle offer of confidence. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Okay… but if you wanna talk...
-->'''Meggie:''' '...wanna listen.'
He pats her arm, and leaves her to her books.
Later, as night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a slight clatter. Uneasy, she steals across the landing. At a bang, she gasps in fright - but it’s only a tree branch knocking against a window.
Just then, the landing light fails.
Now frightened, Meggie searches the kitchen dresser, and finds a torch.
A gust of wind blows open the back door. Meggie closes and locks it.
At the front door sound two urgent knocks.
Across the hall, she faces the door. The knocking repeats.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Who’s there''?\
More knocks.
Meggie approaches the door, steals herself, and pulls it open.
No one is there. But on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?'\
With a thrill of dread, she locks the door.
In the darkness of the upstairs landing, she hears a slight rustle.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Hello''? Somebody there?\
Across the landing, the bathroom door, without apparent force, swings open.
In the faint light offered by a distant moon, she finds the bathroom empty. The door swings closed behind her.
However, the cabinet door is wide open. She closes it. The mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message.
In abject dread, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette.
She lets out a scream, and flees downstairs.
She frantically unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but it’s only Nick.
Meggie smiles in relief - but remembers the situation.
-->'''Meggie:''' There’s someone in the house - upstairs!\
Nick hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return.
In the lit bathroom, Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans’s long johns.
With a reassuring laugh, Nick puts the self-opening door down to the wind. The bathroom mirror is now clean.
-->'''Nick:''' Don’t be embarrassed! It’s easy to freak and see things in the dark. I once thought I saw a scarecrow coming at me on the couch with a hammer!
-->'''Meggie:''' And what was it?
-->'''Nick:''' My dog with his food bowl! I felt dumb, but - I never forgot to feed him again!
They reach the hallway.
-->'''Meggie:''' Oh, wait - what are you doing here, anyways?
-->'''Nick:''' Oh, yeah. I came to apologise for today - you know, for the way those guys acted.
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s alright!
-->'''Nick:''' No, it’s not! They can be real jerks. I’m sorry.
-->'''Meggie:''' So… you’re not the one sending me the notes?
-->'''Nick:''' No. Hey! It means you have a secret admirer.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah…! I guess so.
-->'''Nick:''' So… I’ll see you tomorrow.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow!
She closes the door behind him, and grins.
In the bathroom mirror, Meggie laughingly mimics Nick’s suave adieu.
She stoops to the sink, wets her face, and dabs it with a towel.
As she straightens, pained, heavy breathing sounds behind her.
In the mirror, ‘’someone is standing behind her’’. The bathroom light fully illuminates a young man in a leather jacket. The right side of his head, bereft of hair and features, is a tortured mess of charred black flesh.
Meggie screams in abject terror. The apparition grunts in crazed agony.
Downstairs, the front door opens to admit Meggie’s parents. Horrified by the screams, they hurry upstairs. Meggie turns around - but the apparition has gone.
While Meggie falls into her mothers arms, her dad bemusedly inspects the empty bathroom.
Distraught, yet doubtful of her parents' readiness to believe what she saw, Meggie confines herself to her room.
Next day, at school, Nick opens his locker, reaches down into it, and straightens to find, instantaneously placed on the top shelf, an envelope marked “Superstar”. Inside is a note, which he reads aloud.
-->'''Nick:''' 'If you don’t stay away from Meggie, I’m gonna hurt you, superstar'.\
He spots Meggie, and hurries after her.
He delicately shows her the newly delivered note.
-->'''Nick:''' What is with this guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' I don’t know!
Shaken, she hands back the note, and hurries to her locker. Alarmed, he follows her.
-->'''Nick:''' Whoa! What’s the matter?
-->'''Meggie:''' I’m really scared, Nick. This guy’s really freaking me out, and now I’m seeing things that are not really there, and he’s threatening you -
-->'''Nick:''' Easy, easy!
-->'''Meggie:''' … Why is he doing this?
-->'''Nick:''' I don’t know. But whoever he is, he’s a chicken, and there’s absolutely no reason to be afraid of him.
-->'''Meggie:''' … But he threatened you.
-->'''Nick:''' This? Hey, now that I know you, it’s gonna take a lot more than a goofy note to keep me away! Don’t worry about this loser, Meggie. You’ll probably never even hear from him again.
Emboldened, she leans forward and kisses his cheek.
Just then, Bucky and Moose arrive, and laughingly claim to have bet money on Nick’s ability to win a kiss.
Shocked, Nick rebukes the two. Humiliated, Meggie runs off.
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims any part of the spiteful bet.
He reports the arrival of another note outside. She opens the door, and reads aloud the note.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Meet me in the wood shop tonight. I’’ll be waiting.'
-->'''Nick:''' I’ll go to the wood shop and make him leave you alone.
-->'''Maggie:''' I want ''you'' to leave me alone.
-->'''Nick:''' Wait - I don’t know how else to say this… but… I really like you, Meggie. I wish you’d believe me… I’m gonna go meet that guy, and tell him to leave you alone.
-->'''Meggie:''' Just stay ''out'' of it, Nick!
-->'''Nick:''' Maybe it’ll prove I’m telling you the truth!
In the kitchen, as the family prepares for dinner, Mr Evans sees Meggie’s bag. He notes it to have once belonged to Meggie’s mother - whom he now addresses as Meggie.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Didn’t you know? That’s what they used to call me in high school, too.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' And you look just like your mum did, back then.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''{to herself}'' But the note… it was for me…
Her parents overhear. Meggie shows them the note. Mrs Evans peers at it.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Must’ve been stuck in the lining all these years.
-->'''Meggie:''' You means this was for you?
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' … You wouldn’t understand, sweetie.
Disturbed, she bustles out. Meggie presses her dad for explanation.
…
Meanwhile, into a darkened school corridor, steps Nick…
While Meggie chops celery, her dad reluctantly explains.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' His name was Teddy Mars. He was a real foul ball - petty thief, vandal, you name it.
-->'''Meggie:''' What did he look like?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' … I don’t remember. Anyhow, he had a crush on your mum, and he started giving her notes… are you sure you wanna hear this?
… In the darkened corridor, Nick hears heavy breathing. With no apparent breeze, a poster falls from the wall…
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Your mother didn’t like the guy, but didn’t know how to tell him, and… he didn’t take the hints. Then one night, he asked her to meet him in the woodshop, and… I went instead.
-->'''Meggie:''' … Wood shop…?
… Nick fumbles with his locker. Beside him, he hears the rapid approach of heavy breathing. He looks up - but sees no one.
….
-->'''Mr Evans:''' I found him in the finishing room. He was spraying this wooden heart with lacquer. Carved it for your mum. I told him that she wasn’t interested in him, but, uh, he didn’t believe me. Wanted to hear it from her. We started to argue. Kept calling me ‘Superstar’. He pushed me, and pushed me again… I didn’t wanna fight, ‘cause he was a dangerous guy, but, finally, I had to push back.
-->'''Meggie:''' … And?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Teddy fell… Hit his head on the drying lamp. And the bulb broke, and there were sparks, and… lacquer’s pretty flammable. Next thing I know… kaboom. I was blown right out of the room. I was lucky… I hurt my arm. But Teddy…. Teddy died in the explosion.
-->'''Meggie:''' Why didn’t you tell me the truth before?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' We wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand… I really hope that’s today.
She smiles and hugs her dad.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Well, that’s my tale of woe. Now tell me… what’s been bothering you? Is it that guy Nick at the door?
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick…! I gotta go!
She runs…
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, he looks around the darkened, cluttered expanse. Behind him, the open door slams violently shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge.
On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off.
-->'''Nick:''' Hey! Whoever you are, leave Meggie alone!\
All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room. Behind him, the door slams shut. He tries vainly to open it. From across the room comes a scornful laugh. Nick turns.
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded figure.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s payback time, superstar!\
By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. With a hiss, gas pours into the room. Nick starts to cough. In the shadows, the apparition laughs.
Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite, to bathe him in deep pink.
… Meggie hurries into the darkened corridor, and runs to the wood shop…
The disfigured apparition steps into the lurid glow, and points a charred hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s your turn to fry, superstar!\
… Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors.
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
Teddy advances, crowbar in hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' One spark - that’s all it takes. Remember?\
… Meggie reaches through the broken window, unlocks the door, and hurries in…
As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door of the finishing room to rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room.
-->'''Teddy:''' Meggie… you came.\
Meggie helps up Nick.
-->'''Teddy:''' Stop... ! I’ve waited a long time for you to answer my note. I need to know: do you feel the same way about me as I feel about you?
-->'''Meggie:''' No… No, Teddy, I don’t. I don’t feel the same way at all.
With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door.
They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing room. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
-->'''Meggie:''' Are you okay?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah, I guess so. Who was that guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' A sad kid who finally learned the truth.
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah? And what is the truth?
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah! I have.
-->'''Meggie:''' So, then! The only thing that’s not absolutely perfect about you is that you have… jerky friends?
-->'''Nick:''' … Yeah!
-->'''Meggie:''' I can deal with that.
She helps him to his feet.
On closure of her tale, Megan realises herself to have misread the last secret confession: it’s actually addressed to Quinn.
-->'''Megan:''' It says ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty… pretty much a dork.
With chuckles all round, Megan gives him a consolatory pat on the shoulder.
to:
In a game of "Secret Confessions," Megan reads aloud several typed confessions.
-->'''Megan:''' This one’s to… to Andy. ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’.
-->'''Andy:''' Cool…!
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the next one… this one’s to Andy again. ‘I’ll bet your zipper’s down again’.
Quinn and Vange giggle.
-->'''Andy:''' Come on! Read one to somebody else.
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the last one… Oh, it’s for me. ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty’. … Thanks to whoever wrote that!
-->'''Quinn:''' Alright, has this got anything to do with your story?
-->'''Megan:''' Of course. Getting secretmessages. Anonymous notes is cool. Especially if they’re good ones like this. But can be supportive - but what if you got a note that wasn’t so great? What if it of they warned you about of something evil? What would you do?
Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The "The Tale of the secret Admirer.”
"
Meggie Evanstakes her lunch tray to a fairly quiet table. On the floor, she sees her bag to contain a crumpled envelope, addressed to her. Inside is envelope. Inside, a hand-printed note. She reads aloud.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feelnote invites her to the same way about me that I feel about you? Meet me in the wood shop right away'?
Tenderly thrilled, she walks through the bustling hallway, and looks around for the anonymous author.
wood-shop. At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick.
Just then, two of hisNick, whose friends Bucky and Moose arrive to jovially greet him. then arrive. One of them snatches Meggie’s note, and mockingly waves it around. note. Nick snatches it, hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
… Despondent, Meggie lies on her bed. Her mother attempts to console her.
Feeling dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand. \n\nLater, as As she does her homework, her dad arrives, with a gentle offer of confidence. father arrives. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Okay… but if you wanna talk...
-->'''Meggie:''' '...wanna listen.'
He pats her arm, and leaves her to her books.
cream. Later, as night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a slight clatter. Uneasy, she steals across the landing. At a bang, she gasps in fright - but it’s only a tree branch knocking against a window.
Just then, the landing light fails.
Now frightened, Meggie searches the kitchen dresser, and finds a torch.
A gust of wind blows open the back door. Meggie closes and locks it.
fails. At the front door sound two urgent knocks.
Across the hall, she faces the door. The knocking repeats.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Who’s there''?\
More knocks.
Meggie approaches the door, steals herself, and pulls it open.
Noknocks. Outside, no one is there. But there - but on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?'\
With a thrill of dread, shemessage. She locks the door.
In the darkness of the upstairs landing, she hears a slight rustle.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Hello''? Somebody there?\
AcrossUpstairs, across the landing, the bathroom door, without apparent force, door swings open.
open. In the faint light offered by a distant moon, moonlight, she finds the bathroom empty. The Its door swings closed behind her.
However, theher. The cabinet door is wide open. She closes it. The mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message.
message. In abject dread, fear, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette.
silhouette. She lets out a scream, and flees downstairs.
Shefrantically unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but it’s only Nick.
Meggie smiles in relief - but remembers the situation.
-->'''Meggie:''' There’s someone in the house - upstairs!\
NickNick, here to apologise for his friends' behaviour. He hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return.
In the lit bathroom,return. Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans’s Evans's long johns.
With a reassuring laugh, Nick puts the self-opening door down to the wind.johns. The bathroom mirror is now clean.
-->'''Nick:''' Don’t be embarrassed! It’s easy to freak and see things in the dark. I once thought I sawclean. With a scarecrow coming at me on the couch with a hammer!
-->'''Meggie:''' And what was it?
-->'''Nick:''' My dog with his food bowl! I felt dumb, but - I never forgot to feed him again!
They reach the hallway.
-->'''Meggie:''' Oh, wait - what are you doing here, anyways?
-->'''Nick:''' Oh, yeah. I came to apologise for today - you know, for the way those guys acted.
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s alright!
-->'''Nick:''' No, it’s not! They can be real jerks. I’m sorry.
-->'''Meggie:''' So… you’re not the one sending me the notes?
-->'''Nick:''' No. Hey! It means you have a secret admirer.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah…! I guess so.
-->'''Nick:''' So… I’ll see you tomorrow.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow!
She closes the door behind him, and grins.
Inmerry farewell, Nick leaves.
At the bathroommirror, sink, Meggie laughingly mimics Nick’s suave adieu.
She stoops to the sink,wets her face, and dabs it with a towel.
As she straightens, pained, heavy breathing sounds behind her.
towel. In the mirror, ‘’someone ''someone is standing behind her’’.her''. The bathroom light fully illuminates a young man in a leather jacket. The right side of his head, bereft of hair and features, is a tortured mess of charred black flesh.
flesh. Meggie screams in abject terror. The apparition grunts in crazed agony.
Downstairs, the front door opens to admit Meggie’s parents. Horrified by the screams, theyscreams. Her returned parents hurry upstairs. Meggie turns around - but the The apparition has gone.
While Meggie falls into her mothers arms, her dad bemusedly inspects the empty bathroom.
Distraught, yet doubtful of her parents' readiness to believe what she saw, Meggie confines herself to her room.
Next day, at school, Nick opens his in Nick's locker, reaches down into it, and straightens a note threatens to find, instantaneously placed on the top shelf, an envelope marked “Superstar”. Inside is a note, which hurt him if he reads aloud.
-->'''Nick:''' 'If you don’tdoesn't stay away from Meggie, I’m gonna hurt you, superstar'.\
He spots Meggie, and hurries after her.
He delicately shows her the newly delivered note.
-->'''Nick:''' What is with this guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' I don’t know!
Shaken, she hands back the note, and hurries to her locker. Alarmed, he follows her.
-->'''Nick:''' Whoa! What’s the matter?
-->'''Meggie:''' I’m really scared, Nick. This guy’s really freaking me out, and now I’m seeing things that are not really there, and he’s threatening you -
-->'''Nick:''' Easy, easy!
-->'''Meggie:''' … Why is he doing this?
-->'''Nick:''' I don’t know. But whoever he is, he’s a chicken, and there’s absolutely no reason to be afraid of him.
-->'''Meggie:''' … But he threatened you.
-->'''Nick:''' This? Hey, now that I know you, it’s gonna take a lot more than a goofy note to keep me away! Don’t worry about this loser,Meggie. You’ll probably never even hear from him again.
Nick finds Meggie; urges her not to fear this cowardly antic, and emphatically resolves not to stay away. Emboldened, she leans forward and kisses his cheek.
cheek. Just then, Bucky and Moose arrive, and laughingly claim to have bet money on Nick’s ability to win a kiss.
kiss. Shocked, Nick rebukes the two. Humiliated, Meggie runs off.
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims any part of the spitefulbet.
He reports the arrival of anotherbet. Another note outside. She opens the door, and reads aloud the note.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Meet me insummons her to the wood shop tonight. I’’ll be waiting.'
-->'''Nick:''' I’ll goNick resolves to the wood shop and make him leave you alone.
-->'''Maggie:''' I want ''you'' to leave me alone.
-->'''Nick:''' Wait - I don’t know how else to say this… but… I really like you, Meggie. I wish you’d believe me… I’m gonna gomeet that guy, the note-sender, and tell him to leave you alone.
-->'''Meggie:''' Just stay ''out'' of it, Nick!
-->'''Nick:''' Maybe it’ll prove I’m telling you the truth!
leaves. In the kitchen, as the family prepares for dinner, Mr Evans sees Meggie’s bag. He notes it to have once belonged to Meggie’s mother - whom he now addresses as Meggie.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Didn’t you know? That’s what they used to call me in high school, too.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' And you look just like your mum did, back then.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''{to herself}'' But the note… itMeggie; which was for me…
Her parents overhear.her school nickname. Meggie shows them the note. Mrs Evans peers at it. \n\n-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Must’ve been stuck in the lining all these years.\n-->'''Meggie:''' You means this was for you?\n-->'''Mrs Evans:''' … You wouldn’t understand, sweetie.\n\n Disturbed, she bustles out. Meggie presses her dad for explanation.
…
Meanwhile, into a darkened school corridor, steps Nick…
While Meggie chops celery, her dadexplanation. He reluctantly explains.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' His name wasexplains. When they were at school, delinquent Teddy Mars. Mars sent her mother notes. In the wood shop, Meggie's father found Teddy sprayed with lacquer a carved wooden heart. He was a real foul ball - petty thief, vandal, you name it.
-->'''Meggie:''' What did he look like?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' … I don’t remember. Anyhow, he had a crush on your mum, and hestarted giving her notes… are you sure you wanna hear this?
… Inshoving the darkened corridor, Nick hears heavy breathing. With no apparent breeze, a poster falls from the wall…
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Your mother didn’t like the guy, but didn’t know how to tell him, and… he didn’t take the hints. Then one night, he asked her to meet him in the woodshop, and… I went instead.
-->'''Meggie:''' … Wood shop…?
… Nick fumbles with his locker. Beside him, he hears the rapid approach of heavy breathing. He looks up - but sees no one.
….
-->'''Mr Evans:''' I found him in the finishing room. Heyoung Mr Evans, who was spraying this wooden heart with lacquer. Carved it for your mum. I told him that she wasn’t interested in him, but, uh, he didn’t believe me. Wanted eventually forced to hear it from her. We started to argue. Kept calling me ‘Superstar’. He pushed me, and pushed me again… I didn’t wanna fight, ‘cause he was a dangerous guy, but, finally, I had to push back.
-->'''Meggie:''' … And?
-->'''Mr Evans:'''shove back. Teddy fell… Hit hit his head on the drying lamp. And the bulb trying lamp, which broke, and there were sparks, and… lacquer’s pretty flammable. Next thing I know… kaboom. I was blown right ignited the lacquer. The explosion threw Mr Evans out of the room. I was lucky… I hurt my arm. But Teddy…. Teddy died in the explosion.
-->'''Meggie:''' Why didn’t you tell me the truth before?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' We wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand… I really hope that’s today.
She smilesroom, and hugs her dad.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Well, that’s my tale of woe. Now tell me… what’s been bothering you? Is it that guy Nick at the door?
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick…! I gotta go!
She runs…
killed Teddy.
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside,he looks around the darkened, cluttered expanse. Behind behind him, the open door slams violently slams shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge.
budge. On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off. \n\n-->'''Nick:''' Hey! Whoever you are, leave Meggie alone!\\n\n All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirs whirrs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room. Behind him, the door slams shut. He tries vainly to open it. From across the room comes a scornful laugh. Nick turns.\n\n
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shadedfigure.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s payback time, superstar!\
figure. By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. With a hiss, gas Gas pours into the room. Nick starts to cough.room. In the shadows, the apparition laughs. \n\n Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite, to bathe him in deep pink.
… Meggie hurries into the darkened corridor, and runs to the wood shop…
ignite. The disfigured apparition steps into the lurid glow, and points a charred hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s your turn to fry, superstar!\
…drying lamp's pink glow. Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors.
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
doors. From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
The ghost of Teddy advances, crowbar inhand.
-->'''Teddy:''' One spark - that’s all it takes. Remember?\
… Meggie reaches through the broken window, unlocks the door, and hurries in…
hand. As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door of the finishing room to rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room.
-->'''Teddy:''' Meggie… you came.\
Meggieroom, and helps up Nick.
-->'''Teddy:''' Stop... ! I’ve waited a long time for you to answer my note. I need to know: do you feelNick. Teddy desperately asks Meggie if she returns his love. Meggie calmly replies in the same way about me as I feel about you?
-->'''Meggie:''' No… No, Teddy, I don’t. I don’t feel the same way at all.
negative. With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door.
door. They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing room. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
-->'''Meggie:''' Are you okay?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah, I guess so. Who was that guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' A sad kid who finally learned the truth.
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah? And what is the truth?
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah! I have.
-->'''Meggie:''' So, then! The only thing that’s not absolutely perfect about you is that you have… jerky friends?
-->'''Nick:''' … Yeah!
-->'''Meggie:''' I can deal with that.
She helps him to his feet.
On closure of her tale, Megan realises herself to have misread the last secret confession: it’s actually reads a note addressed to Quinn.
-->'''Megan:''' It says ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty… pretty muchQuinn - which jokingly calls him a dork.
dork. With chuckles all round, Megan gives him a consolatory pat on the shoulder.
shoulder.
-->'''Megan:''' This one’s to… to Andy. ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’.
-->'''Andy:''' Cool…!
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the next one… this one’s to Andy again. ‘I’ll bet your zipper’s down again’.
Quinn and Vange giggle.
-->'''Andy:''' Come on! Read one to somebody else.
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the last one… Oh, it’s for me. ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty’. … Thanks to whoever wrote that!
-->'''Quinn:''' Alright, has this got anything to do with your story?
-->'''Megan:''' Of course. Getting secret
Meggie Evans
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel
Tenderly thrilled, she walks through the bustling hallway, and looks around for the anonymous author.
Just then, two of his
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Okay… but if you wanna talk...
-->'''Meggie:''' '...wanna listen.'
He pats her arm, and leaves her to her books.
Now frightened, Meggie searches the kitchen dresser, and finds a torch.
A gust of wind blows open the back door. Meggie closes and locks it.
Across the hall, she faces the door. The knocking repeats.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Who’s there''?\
More knocks.
Meggie approaches the door, steals herself, and pulls it open.
No
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?'\
With a thrill of dread, she
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Hello''? Somebody there?\
Across
However, the
She
Meggie smiles in relief - but remembers the situation.
-->'''Meggie:''' There’s someone in the house - upstairs!\
Nick
In the lit bathroom,
With a reassuring laugh, Nick puts the self-opening door down to the wind.
-->'''Nick:''' Don’t be embarrassed! It’s easy to freak and see things in the dark. I once thought I saw
-->'''Meggie:''' And what was it?
-->'''Nick:''' My dog with his food bowl! I felt dumb, but - I never forgot to feed him again!
They reach the hallway.
-->'''Meggie:''' Oh, wait - what are you doing here, anyways?
-->'''Nick:''' Oh, yeah. I came to apologise for today - you know, for the way those guys acted.
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s alright!
-->'''Nick:''' No, it’s not! They can be real jerks. I’m sorry.
-->'''Meggie:''' So… you’re not the one sending me the notes?
-->'''Nick:''' No. Hey! It means you have a secret admirer.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah…! I guess so.
-->'''Nick:''' So… I’ll see you tomorrow.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow!
She closes the door behind him, and grins.
In
At the bathroom
She stoops to the sink,
As she straightens, pained, heavy breathing sounds behind her.
Downstairs, the front door opens to admit Meggie’s parents. Horrified by the screams, they
Distraught, yet doubtful of her parents' readiness to believe what she saw, Meggie confines herself to her room.
-->'''Nick:''' 'If you don’t
He spots Meggie, and hurries after her.
He delicately shows her the newly delivered note.
-->'''Nick:''' What is with this guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' I don’t know!
Shaken, she hands back the note, and hurries to her locker. Alarmed, he follows her.
-->'''Nick:''' Whoa! What’s the matter?
-->'''Meggie:''' I’m really scared, Nick. This guy’s really freaking me out, and now I’m seeing things that are not really there, and he’s threatening you -
-->'''Nick:''' Easy, easy!
-->'''Meggie:''' … Why is he doing this?
-->'''Nick:''' I don’t know. But whoever he is, he’s a chicken, and there’s absolutely no reason to be afraid of him.
-->'''Meggie:''' … But he threatened you.
-->'''Nick:''' This? Hey, now that I know you, it’s gonna take a lot more than a goofy note to keep me away! Don’t worry about this loser,
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims any part of the spiteful
He reports the arrival of another
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Meet me in
-->'''Nick:''' I’ll go
-->'''Maggie:''' I want ''you'' to leave me alone.
-->'''Nick:''' Wait - I don’t know how else to say this… but… I really like you, Meggie. I wish you’d believe me… I’m gonna go
-->'''Meggie:''' Just stay ''out'' of it, Nick!
-->'''Nick:''' Maybe it’ll prove I’m telling you the truth!
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Didn’t you know? That’s what they used to call me in high school, too.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' And you look just like your mum did, back then.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''{to herself}'' But the note… it
Her parents overhear.
…
Meanwhile, into a darkened school corridor, steps Nick…
While Meggie chops celery, her dad
-->'''Mr Evans:''' His name was
-->'''Meggie:''' What did he look like?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' … I don’t remember. Anyhow, he had a crush on your mum, and he
… In
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Your mother didn’t like the guy, but didn’t know how to tell him, and… he didn’t take the hints. Then one night, he asked her to meet him in the woodshop, and… I went instead.
-->'''Meggie:''' … Wood shop…?
… Nick fumbles with his locker. Beside him, he hears the rapid approach of heavy breathing. He looks up - but sees no one.
….
-->'''Mr Evans:''' I found him in the finishing room. He
-->'''Meggie:''' … And?
-->'''Mr Evans:'''
-->'''Meggie:''' Why didn’t you tell me the truth before?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' We wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand… I really hope that’s today.
She smiles
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Well, that’s my tale of woe. Now tell me… what’s been bothering you? Is it that guy Nick at the door?
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick…! I gotta go!
She runs…
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside,
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s payback time, superstar!\
… Meggie hurries into the darkened corridor, and runs to the wood shop…
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s your turn to fry, superstar!\
…
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
The ghost of Teddy advances, crowbar in
-->'''Teddy:''' One spark - that’s all it takes. Remember?\
… Meggie reaches through the broken window, unlocks the door, and hurries in…
-->'''Teddy:''' Meggie… you came.\
Meggie
-->'''Teddy:''' Stop... ! I’ve waited a long time for you to answer my note. I need to know: do you feel
-->'''Meggie:''' No… No, Teddy, I don’t. I don’t feel the same way at all.
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah, I guess so. Who was that guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' A sad kid who finally learned the truth.
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah? And what is the truth?
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah! I have.
-->'''Meggie:''' So, then! The only thing that’s not absolutely perfect about you is that you have… jerky friends?
-->'''Nick:''' … Yeah!
-->'''Meggie:''' I can deal with that.
She helps him to his feet.
-->'''Megan:''' It says ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty… pretty much
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* NotSoSimilar: When Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Megan tearfully points out that she has no idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly the same]].
to:
* NotSoSimilar: When Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Megan tearfully points out that she has no idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly the same]].same.
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Trope entries go in alphabetical order by trope name.
Deleted line(s) 270 (click to see context) :
* BroodingBoyGentleGirl: A gender inversion; sorrowful, frightened Meggie is soothed by jolly, caring Nick.
Deleted line(s) 275 (click to see context) :
* BroodingBoyGentleGirl: A gender inversion; sorrowful, frightened Meggie is soothed by jolly, caring Nick.
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
Deleted line(s) 281 (click to see context) :
* NotSoSimilar: When Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Megan tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly the same]].
* NotSoSimilar: When Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Megan tearfully points out that she has no idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly the same]].
Changed line(s) 285,286 (click to see context) from:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
to:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.episodes]].
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
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Changed line(s) 274 (click to see context) from:
* BluntHonesty: This is how Meggie is able to get Teddy's ghost to leave her alone once and for all: by telling him the truth that she doesn't feel the same way he does for her.
to:
* BluntHonesty: BrutalHonesty: This is how Meggie is able to get Teddy's ghost to leave her alone once and for all: by telling him the cold hard truth that she doesn't feel the same way he does for her.
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* AllGirlsWantBadBoys: Averted with Meggie, as well as her mother Maggie. Meggie is creeped out that this burnt-face ghost wants to go out with her, whilst Maggie was never comfortable with Teddy's advances to begin with.
* BluntHonesty: This is how Meggie is able to get Teddy's ghost to leave her alone once and for all: by telling him the truth that she doesn't feel the same way he does for her.
Changed line(s) 276 (click to see context) from:
* HistoryRepeats: In life, Teddy tried to woo an unwilling girl, only to confront her "Super Star" crush in the woodshop. A generation later, his ghost tries to woo the girl's unwilling daughter, and confronts her LovableJock crush in the woodshop.
to:
* HistoryRepeats: In life, Teddy tried to woo an unwilling girl, only to confront her "Super Star" crush in the woodshop. A generation later, his ghost tries to woo the girl's unwilling daughter, and confronts her LovableJock crush in the woodshop. And in both instances, what cuts him off from the mortal plane is when he gets caught in a small gas explosion.
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None
Changed line(s) 151 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Meggie:'' 'Meet me in the wood shop tonight. I’’ll be waiting.'
to:
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None
* HauntedTechnology: By spectral means, the notes, [[OffscreenTeleportation unseen by their recipients, arrive instantaneously]]. When manifest, Teddy, by [[MindOverMatter force of will]], controls the wood shop's electronic devices.
Changed line(s) 279 (click to see context) from:
* MyGreatestFailure: A self-defensive shove which triggered an explosion fed by Teddy's excessive use of lacquer, left Mr Evans traumatised.
to:
* MyGreatestFailure: A self-defensive shove which triggered an explosion fed by Teddy's excessive use of lacquer, left killing Teddy and leaving Mr Evans traumatised. traumatised.
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None
Changed line(s) 283 (click to see context) from:
* IWantMyBelovedToHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
to:
* IWantMyBelovedToHappy: IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
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None
Changed line(s) 282 (click to see context) from:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
to:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].episodes]].
* IWantMyBelovedToHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
* IWantMyBelovedToHappy: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]. On learning Meggie not to reciprocate his feelings, Teddy withdraws from the material world - but with a gesture of helpless rage, which causes a small gas explosion.
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None
Changed line(s) 56,57 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Meggie:''' Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?\
to:
-->'''Meggie:''' Do 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?\
you?'\
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Changed line(s) 228,229 (click to see context) from:
-->''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
to:
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Changed line(s) 136 (click to see context) from:
→’’’Meggie:’’’ … Why is he doing this?
to:
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Changed line(s) 282 (click to see context) from:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/YouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
to:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/YouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
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None
Changed line(s) 282 (click to see context) from:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark, and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/reYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
to:
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark, ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/reYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner [[Recap/YouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
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Changed line(s) 255 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick>
to:
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick>Nick?
* AdultFear: Meggie receives ominously persistent notes, one of which threatens Nick with violence.
* BloodierAndGorier: The flesh of Teddy's face is graphically burnt.
* BroodingBoyGentleGirl: A gender inversion; sorrowful, frightened Meggie is soothed by jolly, caring Nick.
* GenerationXerox: Meggie is said to closely resemble her mother at that age.
* BloodierAndGorier: The flesh of Teddy's face is graphically burnt.
* BroodingBoyGentleGirl: A gender inversion; sorrowful, frightened Meggie is soothed by jolly, caring Nick.
* GenerationXerox: Meggie is said to closely resemble her mother at that age.
Changed line(s) 273 (click to see context) from:
* NotSoSimilar: When Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Megan tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly the same]].
to:
* JumpScare: In the bathroom, Meggie, euphoric from her encounter with Nick, [[MoodWhiplash looks up]], and sees, [[MirrorScare in the mirror]], the reflection of a disfigured ghost.
* NotSoSimilar: When Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Megan tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly thesame]].same]].
* MyGreatestFailure: A self-defensive shove which triggered an explosion fed by Teddy's excessive use of lacquer, left Mr Evans traumatised.
* NothingIsScarier: In the dark, empty house, Meggie hears ominous knocking.
* OffscreenTeleportation: Nick, having seen the top shelf of his locker mere seconds ago, looks again to find another phantom note.
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark, and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/reYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
* NotSoSimilar: When Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Megan tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly the
* MyGreatestFailure: A self-defensive shove which triggered an explosion fed by Teddy's excessive use of lacquer, left Mr Evans traumatised.
* NothingIsScarier: In the dark, empty house, Meggie hears ominous knocking.
* OffscreenTeleportation: Nick, having seen the top shelf of his locker mere seconds ago, looks again to find another phantom note.
* ShoutOut: Haunting of a school by the spirit of a young tearaway who died in a fire somewhat recalls ''Film/HelloMaryLouPromNightII'' - whose writer, Ron Oliver, directed much of ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark, and wrote [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason2TheTaleOfTheFullMoon two]] [[Recap/reYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason4TheTaleOfTheGhastlyGrinner episodes]].
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Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_11_27_at_025444.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"It's payback time, superstar!"]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"It's payback time, superstar!"]]
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Changed line(s) 165 (click to see context) from:
→’’’Meggie:’’’ You means this was for you?
to:
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Changed line(s) 177 (click to see context) from:
→’’’Meggie:’’’ What did he look like?
to:
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Changed line(s) 242 (click to see context) from:
→’’’’Teddy:’’’ Stop... ! I’ve waited a long time for you to answer my note. I need to know: do you feel the same way about me as I feel about you?
to:
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Changed line(s) 226,227 (click to see context) from:
→-->''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
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In a game of "Secret Confessions," Megan reads aloud several typed confessions.
-->'''Megan:''' This one’s to… to Andy. ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’.
-->'''Andy:''' Cool…!
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the next one… this one’s to Andy again. ‘I’ll bet your zipper’s down again’.
Quinn and Vange giggle.
-->'''Andy:''' Come on! Read one to somebody else.
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the last one… Oh, it’s for me. ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty’. … Thanks to whoever wrote that!
-->'''Quinn:''' Alright, has this got anything to do with your story?
-->'''Megan:''' Of course. Getting secret notes is cool. Especially if they’re good ones like this. But what if you got a note that wasn’t so great? What if it warned you about something evil? What would you do?
Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The Tale of the secret Admirer.”
Meggie Evans takes her lunch tray to a fairly quiet table. On the floor, she sees her bag to contain a crumpled envelope, addressed to her. Inside is a hand-printed note. She reads aloud.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you? Meet me in the wood shop right away'?
Tenderly thrilled, she walks through the bustling hallway, and looks around for the anonymous author.
At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick.
Just then, two of his friends Bucky and Moose arrive to jovially greet him. One of them snatches Meggie’s note, and mockingly waves it around. Nick snatches it, hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
… Despondent, Meggie lies on her bed. Her mother attempts to console her.
Feeling dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand.
Later, as she does her homework, her dad arrives, with a gentle offer of confidence. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Okay… but if you wanna talk...
-->'''Meggie:''' '...wanna listen.'
He pats her arm, and leaves her to her books.
Later, as night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a slight clatter. Uneasy, she steals across the landing. At a bang, she gasps in fright - but it’s only a tree branch knocking against a window.
Just then, the landing light fails.
Now frightened, Meggie searches the kitchen dresser, and finds a torch.
A gust of wind blows open the back door. Meggie closes and locks it.
At the front door sound two urgent knocks.
Across the hall, she faces the door. The knocking repeats.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Who’s there''?\
More knocks.
Meggie approaches the door, steals herself, and pulls it open.
No one is there. But on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message.
-->'''Meggie:''' Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?\
With a thrill of dread, she locks the door.
In the darkness of the upstairs landing, she hears a slight rustle.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Hello''? Somebody there?\
Across the landing, the bathroom door, without apparent force, swings open.
In the faint light offered by a distant moon, she finds the bathroom empty. The door swings closed behind her.
However, the cabinet door is wide open. She closes it. The mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message.
In abject dread, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette.
She lets out a scream, and flees downstairs.
She frantically unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but it’s only Nick.
Meggie smiles in relief - but remembers the situation.
-->'''Meggie:''' There’s someone in the house - upstairs!\
Nick hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return.
In the lit bathroom, Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans’s long johns.
With a reassuring laugh, Nick puts the self-opening door down to the wind. The bathroom mirror is now clean.
-->'''Nick:''' Don’t be embarrassed! It’s easy to freak and see things in the dark. I once thought I saw a scarecrow coming at me on the couch with a hammer!
-->'''Meggie:''' And what was it?
-->'''Nick:''' My dog with his food bowl! I felt dumb, but - I never forgot to feed him again!
They reach the hallway.
-->'''Meggie:''' Oh, wait - what are you doing here, anyways?
-->'''Nick:''' Oh, yeah. I came to apologise for today - you know, for the way those guys acted.
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s alright!
-->'''Nick:''' No, it’s not! They can be real jerks. I’m sorry.
-->'''Meggie:''' So… you’re not the one sending me the notes?
-->'''Nick:''' No. Hey! It means you have a secret admirer.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah…! I guess so.
-->'''Nick:''' So… I’ll see you tomorrow.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow!
She closes the door behind him, and grins.
In the bathroom mirror, Meggie laughingly mimics Nick’s suave adieu.
She stoops to the sink, wets her face, and dabs it with a towel.
As she straightens, pained, heavy breathing sounds behind her.
In the mirror, ‘’someone is standing behind her’’. The bathroom light fully illuminates a young man in a leather jacket. The right side of his head, bereft of hair and features, is a tortured mess of charred black flesh.
Meggie screams in abject terror. The apparition grunts in crazed agony.
Downstairs, the front door opens to admit Meggie’s parents. Horrified by the screams, they hurry upstairs. Meggie turns around - but the apparition has gone.
While Meggie falls into her mothers arms, her dad bemusedly inspects the empty bathroom.
Distraught, yet doubtful of her parents' readiness to believe what she saw, Meggie confines herself to her room.
Next day, at school, Nick opens his locker, reaches down into it, and straightens to find, instantaneously placed on the top shelf, an envelope marked “Superstar”. Inside is a note, which he reads aloud.
-->'''Nick:''' 'If you don’t stay away from Meggie, I’m gonna hurt you, superstar'.\
He spots Meggie, and hurries after her.
He delicately shows her the newly delivered note.
-->'''Nick:''' What is with this guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' I don’t know!
Shaken, she hands back the note, and hurries to her locker. Alarmed, he follows her.
-->'''Nick:''' Whoa! What’s the matter?
-->'''Meggie:''' I’m really scared, Nick. This guy’s really freaking me out, and now I’m seeing things that are not really there, and he’s threatening you -
-->'''Nick:''' Easy, easy!
→’’’Meggie:’’’ … Why is he doing this?
-->'''Nick:''' I don’t know. But whoever he is, he’s a chicken, and there’s absolutely no reason to be afraid of him.
-->'''Meggie:''' … But he threatened you.
-->'''Nick:''' This? Hey, now that I know you, it’s gonna take a lot more than a goofy note to keep me away! Don’t worry about this loser, Meggie. You’ll probably never even hear from him again.
Emboldened, she leans forward and kisses his cheek.
Just then, Bucky and Moose arrive, and laughingly claim to have bet money on Nick’s ability to win a kiss.
Shocked, Nick rebukes the two. Humiliated, Meggie runs off.
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims any part of the spiteful bet.
He reports the arrival of another note outside. She opens the door, and reads aloud the note.
-->'''Meggie:'' 'Meet me in the wood shop tonight. I’’ll be waiting.'
-->'''Nick:''' I’ll go to the wood shop and make him leave you alone.
-->'''Maggie:''' I want ''you'' to leave me alone.
-->'''Nick:''' Wait - I don’t know how else to say this… but… I really like you, Meggie. I wish you’d believe me… I’m gonna go meet that guy, and tell him to leave you alone.
-->'''Meggie:''' Just stay ''out'' of it, Nick!
-->'''Nick:''' Maybe it’ll prove I’m telling you the truth!
In the kitchen, as the family prepares for dinner, Mr Evans sees Meggie’s bag. He notes it to have once belonged to Meggie’s mother - whom he now addresses as Meggie.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Didn’t you know? That’s what they used to call me in high school, too.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' And you look just like your mum did, back then.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''{to herself}'' But the note… it was for me…
Her parents overhear. Meggie shows them the note. Mrs Evans peers at it.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Must’ve been stuck in the lining all these years.
→’’’Meggie:’’’ You means this was for you?
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' … You wouldn’t understand, sweetie.
Disturbed, she bustles out. Meggie presses her dad for explanation.
…
Meanwhile, into a darkened school corridor, steps Nick…
While Meggie chops celery, her dad reluctantly explains.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' His name was Teddy Mars. He was a real foul ball - petty thief, vandal, you name it.
→’’’Meggie:’’’ What did he look like?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' … I don’t remember. Anyhow, he had a crush on your mum, and he started giving her notes… are you sure you wanna hear this?
… In the darkened corridor, Nick hears heavy breathing. With no apparent breeze, a poster falls from the wall…
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Your mother didn’t like the guy, but didn’t know how to tell him, and… he didn’t take the hints. Then one night, he asked her to meet him in the woodshop, and… I went instead.
-->'''Meggie:''' … Wood shop…?
… Nick fumbles with his locker. Beside him, he hears the rapid approach of heavy breathing. He looks up - but sees no one.
….
-->'''Mr Evans:''' I found him in the finishing room. He was spraying this wooden heart with lacquer. Carved it for your mum. I told him that she wasn’t interested in him, but, uh, he didn’t believe me. Wanted to hear it from her. We started to argue. Kept calling me ‘Superstar’. He pushed me, and pushed me again… I didn’t wanna fight, ‘cause he was a dangerous guy, but, finally, I had to push back.
-->'''Meggie:''' … And?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Teddy fell… Hit his head on the drying lamp. And the bulb broke, and there were sparks, and… lacquer’s pretty flammable. Next thing I know… kaboom. I was blown right out of the room. I was lucky… I hurt my arm. But Teddy…. Teddy died in the explosion.
-->'''Meggie:''' Why didn’t you tell me the truth before?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' We wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand… I really hope that’s today.
She smiles and hugs her dad.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Well, that’s my tale of woe. Now tell me… what’s been bothering you? Is it that guy Nick at the door?
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick…! I gotta go!
She runs…
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, he looks around the darkened, cluttered expanse. Behind him, the open door slams violently shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge.
On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off.
-->'''Nick:''' Hey! Whoever you are, leave Meggie alone!\
All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room. Behind him, the door slams shut. He tries vainly to open it. From across the room comes a scornful laugh. Nick turns.
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded figure.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s payback time, superstar!\
By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. With a hiss, gas pours into the room. Nick starts to cough. In the shadows, the apparition laughs.
Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite, to bathe him in deep pink.
… Meggie hurries into the darkened corridor, and runs to the wood shop…
The disfigured apparition steps into the lurid glow, and points a charred hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s your turn to fry, superstar!\
… Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors.
→-->''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
Teddy advances, crowbar in hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' One spark - that’s all it takes. Remember?\
… Meggie reaches through the broken window, unlocks the door, and hurries in…
As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door of the finishing room to rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room.
-->'''Teddy:''' Meggie… you came.\
Meggie helps up Nick.
→’’’’Teddy:’’’ Stop... ! I’ve waited a long time for you to answer my note. I need to know: do you feel the same way about me as I feel about you?
-->'''Meggie:''' No… No, Teddy, I don’t. I don’t feel the same way at all.
With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door.
They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing room. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
-->'''Meggie:''' Are you okay?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah, I guess so. Who was that guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' A sad kid who finally learned the truth.
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah? And what is the truth?
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick>
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah! I have.
-->'''Meggie:''' So, then! The only thing that’s not absolutely perfect about you is that you have… jerky friends?
-->'''Nick:''' … Yeah!
-->'''Meggie:''' I can deal with that.
She helps him to his feet.
On closure of her tale, Megan realises herself to have misread the last secret confession: it’s actually addressed to Quinn.
-->'''Megan:''' It says ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty… pretty much a dork.
With chuckles all round, Megan gives him a consolatory pat on the shoulder.
!!This episode provides examples of:
-->'''Megan:''' This one’s to… to Andy. ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’.
-->'''Andy:''' Cool…!
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the next one… this one’s to Andy again. ‘I’ll bet your zipper’s down again’.
Quinn and Vange giggle.
-->'''Andy:''' Come on! Read one to somebody else.
-->'''Megan:''' Okay, the last one… Oh, it’s for me. ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty’. … Thanks to whoever wrote that!
-->'''Quinn:''' Alright, has this got anything to do with your story?
-->'''Megan:''' Of course. Getting secret notes is cool. Especially if they’re good ones like this. But what if you got a note that wasn’t so great? What if it warned you about something evil? What would you do?
Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The Tale of the secret Admirer.”
Meggie Evans takes her lunch tray to a fairly quiet table. On the floor, she sees her bag to contain a crumpled envelope, addressed to her. Inside is a hand-printed note. She reads aloud.
-->'''Meggie:''' 'Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you? Meet me in the wood shop right away'?
Tenderly thrilled, she walks through the bustling hallway, and looks around for the anonymous author.
At a row of lockers outside the wood shop, she approaches Nick.
Just then, two of his friends Bucky and Moose arrive to jovially greet him. One of them snatches Meggie’s note, and mockingly waves it around. Nick snatches it, hands it back to Meggie, and gently disclaims authorship.
… Despondent, Meggie lies on her bed. Her mother attempts to console her.
Feeling dejected by her schoolmates, Meggie doubts her mother could understand.
Later, as she does her homework, her dad arrives, with a gentle offer of confidence. She softly declines an offer of a trip to the Scoop for ice cream.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Okay… but if you wanna talk...
-->'''Meggie:''' '...wanna listen.'
He pats her arm, and leaves her to her books.
Later, as night falls, the wind howls. From across the house, Meggie hears a slight clatter. Uneasy, she steals across the landing. At a bang, she gasps in fright - but it’s only a tree branch knocking against a window.
Just then, the landing light fails.
Now frightened, Meggie searches the kitchen dresser, and finds a torch.
A gust of wind blows open the back door. Meggie closes and locks it.
At the front door sound two urgent knocks.
Across the hall, she faces the door. The knocking repeats.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Who’s there''?\
More knocks.
Meggie approaches the door, steals herself, and pulls it open.
No one is there. But on the doorstep is another envelope. Inside is another note, with the same message.
-->'''Meggie:''' Do you feel the same way about me that I feel about you?\
With a thrill of dread, she locks the door.
In the darkness of the upstairs landing, she hears a slight rustle.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''Hello''? Somebody there?\
Across the landing, the bathroom door, without apparent force, swings open.
In the faint light offered by a distant moon, she finds the bathroom empty. The door swings closed behind her.
However, the cabinet door is wide open. She closes it. The mirror is defaced with dark red stains, which, beneath a huge heart-shape, form a repeat of the message.
In abject dread, Meggie looks away - and, behind the shower curtain, sees a tall silhouette.
She lets out a scream, and flees downstairs.
She frantically unlocks the front door, and wrenches it open. Someone is on the doorstep. Meggie yelps in fright - but it’s only Nick.
Meggie smiles in relief - but remembers the situation.
-->'''Meggie:''' There’s someone in the house - upstairs!\
Nick hurries upstairs, closely followed by Meggie. As they reach the landing, the lights return.
In the lit bathroom, Nick wrenches back the shower curtain - to find a hanging pair of Mr Evans’s long johns.
With a reassuring laugh, Nick puts the self-opening door down to the wind. The bathroom mirror is now clean.
-->'''Nick:''' Don’t be embarrassed! It’s easy to freak and see things in the dark. I once thought I saw a scarecrow coming at me on the couch with a hammer!
-->'''Meggie:''' And what was it?
-->'''Nick:''' My dog with his food bowl! I felt dumb, but - I never forgot to feed him again!
They reach the hallway.
-->'''Meggie:''' Oh, wait - what are you doing here, anyways?
-->'''Nick:''' Oh, yeah. I came to apologise for today - you know, for the way those guys acted.
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s alright!
-->'''Nick:''' No, it’s not! They can be real jerks. I’m sorry.
-->'''Meggie:''' So… you’re not the one sending me the notes?
-->'''Nick:''' No. Hey! It means you have a secret admirer.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah…! I guess so.
-->'''Nick:''' So… I’ll see you tomorrow.
-->'''Meggie:''' Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow!
She closes the door behind him, and grins.
In the bathroom mirror, Meggie laughingly mimics Nick’s suave adieu.
She stoops to the sink, wets her face, and dabs it with a towel.
As she straightens, pained, heavy breathing sounds behind her.
In the mirror, ‘’someone is standing behind her’’. The bathroom light fully illuminates a young man in a leather jacket. The right side of his head, bereft of hair and features, is a tortured mess of charred black flesh.
Meggie screams in abject terror. The apparition grunts in crazed agony.
Downstairs, the front door opens to admit Meggie’s parents. Horrified by the screams, they hurry upstairs. Meggie turns around - but the apparition has gone.
While Meggie falls into her mothers arms, her dad bemusedly inspects the empty bathroom.
Distraught, yet doubtful of her parents' readiness to believe what she saw, Meggie confines herself to her room.
Next day, at school, Nick opens his locker, reaches down into it, and straightens to find, instantaneously placed on the top shelf, an envelope marked “Superstar”. Inside is a note, which he reads aloud.
-->'''Nick:''' 'If you don’t stay away from Meggie, I’m gonna hurt you, superstar'.\
He spots Meggie, and hurries after her.
He delicately shows her the newly delivered note.
-->'''Nick:''' What is with this guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' I don’t know!
Shaken, she hands back the note, and hurries to her locker. Alarmed, he follows her.
-->'''Nick:''' Whoa! What’s the matter?
-->'''Meggie:''' I’m really scared, Nick. This guy’s really freaking me out, and now I’m seeing things that are not really there, and he’s threatening you -
-->'''Nick:''' Easy, easy!
→’’’Meggie:’’’ … Why is he doing this?
-->'''Nick:''' I don’t know. But whoever he is, he’s a chicken, and there’s absolutely no reason to be afraid of him.
-->'''Meggie:''' … But he threatened you.
-->'''Nick:''' This? Hey, now that I know you, it’s gonna take a lot more than a goofy note to keep me away! Don’t worry about this loser, Meggie. You’ll probably never even hear from him again.
Emboldened, she leans forward and kisses his cheek.
Just then, Bucky and Moose arrive, and laughingly claim to have bet money on Nick’s ability to win a kiss.
Shocked, Nick rebukes the two. Humiliated, Meggie runs off.
That afternoon, Nick returns to Meggie’s door, and disclaims any part of the spiteful bet.
He reports the arrival of another note outside. She opens the door, and reads aloud the note.
-->'''Meggie:'' 'Meet me in the wood shop tonight. I’’ll be waiting.'
-->'''Nick:''' I’ll go to the wood shop and make him leave you alone.
-->'''Maggie:''' I want ''you'' to leave me alone.
-->'''Nick:''' Wait - I don’t know how else to say this… but… I really like you, Meggie. I wish you’d believe me… I’m gonna go meet that guy, and tell him to leave you alone.
-->'''Meggie:''' Just stay ''out'' of it, Nick!
-->'''Nick:''' Maybe it’ll prove I’m telling you the truth!
In the kitchen, as the family prepares for dinner, Mr Evans sees Meggie’s bag. He notes it to have once belonged to Meggie’s mother - whom he now addresses as Meggie.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Didn’t you know? That’s what they used to call me in high school, too.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' And you look just like your mum did, back then.
-->'''Meggie:''' ''{to herself}'' But the note… it was for me…
Her parents overhear. Meggie shows them the note. Mrs Evans peers at it.
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' Must’ve been stuck in the lining all these years.
→’’’Meggie:’’’ You means this was for you?
-->'''Mrs Evans:''' … You wouldn’t understand, sweetie.
Disturbed, she bustles out. Meggie presses her dad for explanation.
…
Meanwhile, into a darkened school corridor, steps Nick…
While Meggie chops celery, her dad reluctantly explains.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' His name was Teddy Mars. He was a real foul ball - petty thief, vandal, you name it.
→’’’Meggie:’’’ What did he look like?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' … I don’t remember. Anyhow, he had a crush on your mum, and he started giving her notes… are you sure you wanna hear this?
… In the darkened corridor, Nick hears heavy breathing. With no apparent breeze, a poster falls from the wall…
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Your mother didn’t like the guy, but didn’t know how to tell him, and… he didn’t take the hints. Then one night, he asked her to meet him in the woodshop, and… I went instead.
-->'''Meggie:''' … Wood shop…?
… Nick fumbles with his locker. Beside him, he hears the rapid approach of heavy breathing. He looks up - but sees no one.
….
-->'''Mr Evans:''' I found him in the finishing room. He was spraying this wooden heart with lacquer. Carved it for your mum. I told him that she wasn’t interested in him, but, uh, he didn’t believe me. Wanted to hear it from her. We started to argue. Kept calling me ‘Superstar’. He pushed me, and pushed me again… I didn’t wanna fight, ‘cause he was a dangerous guy, but, finally, I had to push back.
-->'''Meggie:''' … And?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Teddy fell… Hit his head on the drying lamp. And the bulb broke, and there were sparks, and… lacquer’s pretty flammable. Next thing I know… kaboom. I was blown right out of the room. I was lucky… I hurt my arm. But Teddy…. Teddy died in the explosion.
-->'''Meggie:''' Why didn’t you tell me the truth before?
-->'''Mr Evans:''' We wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand… I really hope that’s today.
She smiles and hugs her dad.
-->'''Mr Evans:''' Well, that’s my tale of woe. Now tell me… what’s been bothering you? Is it that guy Nick at the door?
-->'''Meggie:''' Nick…! I gotta go!
She runs…
Nick reaches the double doors of the wood shop. Inside, he looks around the darkened, cluttered expanse. Behind him, the open door slams violently shut. Nick hastily tries to open it, but it won’t budge.
On a nearby bench, a buzz saw screeches to life. Nick turns it off.
-->'''Nick:''' Hey! Whoever you are, leave Meggie alone!\
All around the room, equipment rattles furiously. The buzz saw whirs back into life. Nick runs into the finishing room. Behind him, the door slams shut. He tries vainly to open it. From across the room comes a scornful laugh. Nick turns.
Atop a workbench, are mounted two pink-painted wooden hearts. In the shadows beyond is a tall, shaded figure.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s payback time, superstar!\
By itself, the handle of a nearby gas pipe swivels. With a hiss, gas pours into the room. Nick starts to cough. In the shadows, the apparition laughs.
Nick falls to the floor. Above him, the bulbs of the drying lamp ignite, to bathe him in deep pink.
… Meggie hurries into the darkened corridor, and runs to the wood shop…
The disfigured apparition steps into the lurid glow, and points a charred hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' It’s your turn to fry, superstar!\
… Outside the wood shop, Meggie desperately shoves at the double doors.
→-->''Meggie:''' Nick! ''Nick''!\
From by the wall, she lifts a fire bucket, and smashes it into the window, which shatters…
Teddy advances, crowbar in hand.
-->'''Teddy:''' One spark - that’s all it takes. Remember?\
… Meggie reaches through the broken window, unlocks the door, and hurries in…
As Teddy prepares to swing the crowbar, he sees the door of the finishing room to rattle. Coughing, Meggie stumbles into the room.
-->'''Teddy:''' Meggie… you came.\
Meggie helps up Nick.
→’’’’Teddy:’’’ Stop... ! I’ve waited a long time for you to answer my note. I need to know: do you feel the same way about me as I feel about you?
-->'''Meggie:''' No… No, Teddy, I don’t. I don’t feel the same way at all.
With a howl of raging despair, Teddy swings the crowbar at a bulb. In that instant, Meggie and Nick sprint for the door.
They leap out, just in time to evade an explosion which roars across the finishing room. As the two look back, the towering ball of flame is suddenly, with a whoosh, sucked back across the finishing room.
-->'''Meggie:''' Are you okay?
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah, I guess so. Who was that guy?
-->'''Meggie:''' A sad kid who finally learned the truth.
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah? And what is the truth?
-->'''Meggie:''' It’s something you’ve got to listen to, even if you don’t like what you hear. Have you been telling me the truth, Nick>
-->'''Nick:''' Yeah! I have.
-->'''Meggie:''' So, then! The only thing that’s not absolutely perfect about you is that you have… jerky friends?
-->'''Nick:''' … Yeah!
-->'''Meggie:''' I can deal with that.
She helps him to his feet.
On closure of her tale, Megan realises herself to have misread the last secret confession: it’s actually addressed to Quinn.
-->'''Megan:''' It says ‘I always wanted to tell you that you’re pretty… pretty much a dork.
With chuckles all round, Megan gives him a consolatory pat on the shoulder.
!!This episode provides examples of:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
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Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
* HistoryRepeats: In life, the antagonist tried to woo an unwilling girl, only to confront her "Super Star" crush in the woodshop. A generation, his ghost tries to woo the girl's unwilling daughter, and confronts her NiceJock crush in the woodshop.
* NotSoSimilar: When Meggie's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Meggie tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are the same]].
* NotSoSimilar: When Meggie's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Meggie tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are the same]].
to:
* HistoryRepeats: In life, the antagonist Teddy tried to woo an unwilling girl, only to confront her "Super Star" crush in the woodshop. A generation, generation later, his ghost tries to woo the girl's unwilling daughter, and confronts her NiceJock LovableJock crush in the woodshop.
* JerkJock: Nick averts this, have genuine respect and even affection for Megan. His "[[WithFriendsLikeThese friends]]" Moose and Bucky fit the bill, however.
* NotSoSimilar: WhenMeggie's Megan's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Meggie Megan tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are exactly the same]].
* JerkJock: Nick averts this, have genuine respect and even affection for Megan. His "[[WithFriendsLikeThese friends]]" Moose and Bucky fit the bill, however.
* NotSoSimilar: When
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* HistoryRepeats: In life, the antagonist tried to woo an unwilling girl, only to confront her "Super Star" crush in the woodshop. A generation, his ghost tries to woo the girl's unwilling daughter, and confronts her NiceJock crush in the woodshop.
* NotSoSimilar: When Meggie's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Meggie tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are the same]].
* NotSoSimilar: When Meggie's mom tries to comfort that she went through the same thing she did, Meggie tearfully points out that she has not idea what her experiences are like. True enough, [[RealityEnsues no two high school experiences are the same]].
