Daksh Sehgal, 16 - 11th Std.

The now confident, cocky and popular Daksh grew up in a broken home. Thanks to the
toxicity of his parents' marriage, he regularly found himself having to calm things down in
the middle of shouting matches. His parents usually fought over him, and this
inadvertently made him feel responsible and guilty for the same. A young Daksh decided
to channel his energies at being a good student, for validation that maybe he is not the
reason. When his parents finally got a divorce a couple of years ago, they agreed that
Chesson High would be the best place for Daksh’s upbringing. Daksh accepted this as a
challenge, never being one to show his vulnerability or really think about what he wants.
And to prove that he is a good student and a good boy. That he was not the reason
behind his parents divorce. He developed an innate need to be liked by everyone with a
tinge of superiority complex. A classic people pleaser.

He has now been in the school since 8th grade, and still takes immense pressure on
being liked by everyone. But one thing that does come naturally to him - is badminton.
This is where he channels his pent up aggression that comes from pretending - earning
the nickname of Smash Dash due to his indefensible smashes. He is one of the popular
boys of the school. The ones who know how to have fun but also responsible.

He has a rivalry with Jammy thanks to their Houses and her friendship with Omar, but
soon enough, he finds that she’s the one person who sees him beyond the hard exterior
and lets him be vulnerable. They also relate over their debilitating need to win everytime.
This leads to a will-they-won’t-they of sorts, as an unlikely pairing emerges.

SCENE 1 - DAKSH

INT. DINING HALL - AFTERNOON

DAKSH who wants to make a move on VJ walks up to her, along with his best
friend OMAR. Behind VJ is JAMMY, who does not get along well with Daksh.

DAKSH
Excuse me? Hi... Daksh. You wanted chocolate cupcake, right? What a
coincidence na? Or maybe it is destiny.

Daksh carefully takes out a chocolate cupcake from his pocket, wrapped in
paper napkins.
 VJ
Um, thanks.

VJ takes a piece and eats it.

DAKSH
Liked it?

VJ
Too dry.

JAMMY
(laughing, to Omar)
Isske destiny mein kuch bhi nahi likha hai.

Daksh turns around to see this. Omar gestures to both of them to let it go.

DAKSH
(to Omar)
Kaise dost banaata hai bhai tu.

JAMMY
Haan yaar Omar don’t be friends with failures like him.

DAKSH
Ey fake news ki dukaan... maths mein 3 marks se pass hua tha.

Jammy claps.

JAMMY
What an achievement! Medal mila?

DAKSH
Haan inter-house badminton ka... tujhe nahi mila? Tch sad.

This stings Jammy.

JAMMY
Jaise pichhle saal tu kuch jeeta tha... oh wait maybe you don’t know
(like explaining to a child)
19 was LESS than 21, matlab, you lost! LOSER.

MRS. NEELU, one of the teachers in the distance goes-

MRS. NEELU
SHH! ENOUGH!
Daksh looks at Mrs. Neelu but continues,

DAKSH
(whispers)
Why are YOU so salty? Just because tujhe kisi ladke ne cupcake nahi
diya?

JAMMY
No thanks, I don’t want cupcakes from some boy who can’t even add 2
plus 2.

VJ
Oh! Is that what this is?
(to Daksh)
Sorry bro, I already have a boyfriend.

VJ hands the half eaten cupcake back to Daksh who looks at it sadly.

Jammy cracks up. Daksh fumes and leaves. Omar is lingering around, confused
where to be.

DAKSH
Omar chal na!

JAMMY
Bye bro!