Original subtitles

When I wake up in the morning and the alarm gets out in the morning, I don't

think I'll ever make it on time.

By the time I grab my books and I give myself a look on at the morning, it's

been time to see the bus fly by.

It's all right because I'm straight by the bell.

If the teacher popped the test, I know I'm in a mess and my dog ate all my

homework last night.

Riding on my chair, she won't know that I'm there. If I can hand it in tomorrow,

it'll be alright.

It's alright, cause I'm saved by the bell.

There's nothing quite like the first day of school fresh faces new clothes and

summer memories No one is quite ready to give up those memories and get back to

the classroom

Especially the teacher.

Hey, guys, what's up?

Yo, Zach!

Too slow, Screech.

Mikey, I've been back two weeks. Where have you been?

I just got back last night. My parents have dragged me to that sausage

convention. Did you meet the Greggy Obasa?

Yeah, and he asked about me.

Listen, I met this great girl at camp.

and hung out with her all summer.

She's 15 and in the ninth grade.

Why would she go out with an eighth grader like you?

Did she lose a bet?

No, I told her I was in the ninth grade, too.

Hey, sounds romantic, summer love.

Even summer lies.

Nikki, sometimes you have to exaggerate the truth in order to have a boy like

you. Even I do it.

Yeah, see, everybody does it. Oh, well, who am I to argue now that Charles and

Di have given their royal blessing?

Well, what a surprise.

I finally have a schedule I can live with. That's funny. Mine's going to kill

me.

Carrie, do you think Belding is still mad at me because of the school play?

No, Tina. I'm sure he's forgotten Rambo and Juliet.

Shakespeare will never forget.

Oh, listen.

There's a new water aerobics class starting Wednesday night and I signed us

That's terrific.

But unsign me.

Brian is coming over for dinner.

You... are going out on a school night?

Who are you? Carrie's evil twin sister?

Good morning, everybody.

Good morning.

Miss Palladino, you look very nice today.

What do you mean by that?

Just that.

Oh. I was just leaving.

I'll change.

Miss Bliss, how are you? I'm fine, Mr. Belding.

I came up with some great ideas.

I'm sure they're wonderful. Now forget them.

I don't mean forget them. Just don't use them.

Now you know I can't make that promise.

I know, but I can hope.

Oh, and speaking of hope, would you cover the PTA board meeting for me

night? Yeah, sure.

When? Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Belding. I'm busy that night.

Is that firm?

Yes, it is firm.

What is it?

A date?

Well, it's, uh... It's... Miss Woods.

Carrie.

We've been together for... How many years is it now?

Eleven. It's a date, and it's firm.

Okay.

Okay.

Um, excuse me. Can someone help me find room 103?

It's my first day.

Sure, I'll be glad to. It's on my way. Thank you.

I never hold her like a second hand to you, Zach. The spell has rung.

I wondered where everyone was.

Now don't start, Zach.

Karen, what are you doing here?

I go to school here. My dad was just transferred.

You two know each other?

Oh, we met at Lake Wannabe during vacation.

Good. Well, in that case, why don't you show Karen to her homeroom? She's in

103.

Um, Zach.

No bonus, Miles.

Come straight back to class.

You got it, Miss Bliss.

So why didn't you tell me?

I didn't know.

You don't seem that happy to see me.

Happy? Oh, of course I'm thrilled. I haven't been this excited since I... I

my driver's license.

Driver's license?

Well, it's an experimental program for a few select ninth graders.

Then you can take me into Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Did you say Wednesday?

Well, that's when their license isn't good.

Now, since most of you will be in my American history class as well as

let me explain my rules.

We have here a classroom based on mutual respect.

There are three things I ask of you. Try your best.

Come to me if you have any problems.

And never show up late without a great excuse.

Let me guess.

Hall terrorism?

Word travels fast.

Karen's here, the girl from the lake. That's great.

That's not great. She thinks I'm in the ninth grade.

Come on.

There will be a general welcoming assembly today at two o 'clock.

Jack, don't forget you're going to be introduced as our eighth grade

representative. Yay, Jack!

When you say general assembly, does that include everyone in the school?

No, Zach, it's just you and a bunch of mirrors.

Well, then, due to a previous engagement, I'm not available for this

Therefore, I appoint my good friend Nicole to take my place.

Me? You can thank me later.

Unfortunately, Zach, being there is one of the responsibilities of this office.

Okay, then I resign.

You can't resign.

We spent too much money buying him votes.

So, this must be Karen. I'm Mikey.

Hi. Are you in the experimental ninth grade, too?

The one that meets off campus.

Oh, yeah.

It's very experimental.

It's a very secret.

I don't know why I did it.

somewhere to go.

No, Jack.

I don't.

Of course you do.

You've been chosen to prepare a landing ship for them.

Oh, I forgot.

They're coming.

Your lips are moving.

It's just a little principle, you know.

Very little.

Is everything okay?

I know how trying the first day of school can be. I was a teacher once.

You know, I remember always doing extra things, helping out the beleaguered

principal. I don't know, Mr. Belding.

Why is this so important to you?

I have dinner show tickets to the King and I with Ellie Saval.

He's my wife's favorite.

You'll just have to get someone else to cover.

All right.

All right.

What would you do if you were in my place?

Stay away from that meatloaf. It's starting to move.

Hey, Dad.

Well, aren't you going to introduce us to your... Uh, Karen, this is Lisa. Hi,

this is... What's your name?

I'm Nikki. Hi.

Karen, you're going to love it here. Have you been to Cosmos yet? Uh -uh.

It's the hottest hangout in town.

Lisa, that's because it's the only hangout in town. But it's hot.

Sounds terrific.

Zach, you've got some great friends.

Yeah, we've been friends since first grade. We've been in the same class for

nine... No, wait, no.

Eight years.

Isn't that right, Zach?

That's the bell.

You'll never see...

You're going to be late for your next class.

Okay. See you later, Zach. Okay, right. I'm out of here. Zach, just a minute. I

want to talk to you.

All right.

What's going on?

Nothing. What do you mean?

What do I mean?

You resigned as student council rep.

Oh, that. Well, this year I promised myself that I would concentrate on my

studies.

Don't con me.

I need to be in the ninth grade.

You will be.

By tomorrow morning.

Does this have anything to do with Karen?

If Karen saw me at the assembly, she'd find out I'm not in the ninth grade.

How long do you think you can carry on with this lie?

Any luck until she graduates.

You have to tell Karen the truth.

But I like her too much to do that. See, she'll dump me.

I promise you, she's going to find out.

Okay.

I'm desperate. I'll try anything, even the truth.

Karen?

We've got to talk.

Good. I wanted to talk to you, too.

I forgot to tell you that my parents are going to be away on Saturday, and we

can have the pool all to ourselves.

You have a swimming pool?

Like, with water?

All right.

And a special bikini that I was too shy to wear at the lake.

Um, so what was it you wanted to talk about?

Me? Talk?

Oh, nothing.

I'll bring my snorkel.

I hate to tell you this, but we're resurfacing the parking lot, and you

able to park your car in your face for three, maybe seven weeks.

Three, maybe seven weeks.

I thought it would be very temperamental.

You never know how she'll react. Now, concrete, that's another story. You lay

down, it stays there. It's reliable.

Hey, Milo, tell her where do I park.

Miss Bliss, I hate to tell you this.

Milo, please don't start a tantrum that way.

Okay. Good news.

I personally made arrangements for you to park at the local drive -in theater.

But that's almost a mile away.

Oh, I'll take the bus.

Well, suit yourself.

Bus!

Sit on the sofa. Popcorn bonbons or jujubees.

By the way, Miss Bliss, good luck on your date tonight.

How would you know about that?

The pipe.

They have ears.

Why do I even ask?

Hi. Hey, Karen.

How's your first week at JFK going? Great. She feels right at home.

Who wouldn't? Zach's with me every free moment I have.

Well, when you get down to it, you can always count on Zach to do the right

thing. Exactly, and that's why we don't want to be late for our next class.

Oh, I think you'll make it, Zach. You have till tomorrow morning.

I knew that.

I'll see you in homeroom, Miss Bliss.

Did I say homeroom?

I guess I did.

Actually, Miss Bliss has an experimental homeroom with eighth graders and a few

special ninth graders like me to help out.

Oh, an experimental homeroom, a mystery campus that no one can find, and a

driver's license doesn't work on Wednesdays?

Get off it, Zach.

You're in the eighth grade, aren't you?

What makes you think that?

Give me a break. You must think I'm an idiot.

No, well, I... Zach, you lied to me.

Well, it was just one lie.

I swear, it'll never happen again. You're right, it won't happen again.

give me a chance, please.

Stay around.

Saturday's still on?

Miss Bliss, I wonder if you have a moment.

Of course, Mr. Belding. Good.

I just wanted to go over the agenda for the PTA board meeting with you and get

your input since you're not going to be there in person.

I see you want my input.

Yes. Now...

The first order of business is the wealth.

We state the goals for the coming year.

That's where you would have spoken.

But, naturally, you're not going to be there.

Then after that, you field some of those incisive questions that you are so good

at answering.

Sharp, incisive answers.

Exactly. Mr. Belding, before you go any further, can I share a sharp, incisive

reply with you?

Of course.

No.

Well, I tried.

By the way, do you know anyone who can use King and I tickets?

Tell us about it, tell us.

Of course.

I really do.

In that case, I hope you have a good time on what seems to be a really hot

I tried three other places and they were all closed, too.

It's all right, Tina. No, it is not all right. I promised you flowers and I'm

going to make you some.

Tina, I don't want you sitting on my floor counting out paper flowers when

arrives. Carrie, I am the music and arts teacher.

I'm good at this. Give me a minute.

Tina, please, Tina, I love you, but I want you out of here now.

to be here, but I promised Carrie that I would pick up the flowers.

And you brought real flowers.

Where did you find a flower shop that was open?

I'm leaving now.

Good night.

Who was that?

I've never seen her before in my life.

Why don't you come with you?

You know, this is the most relaxing evening I've had in months.

I'm glad you're enjoying it, Doctor.

It's nice to have a quiet, romantic conversation with a woman who isn't

a surgical mask.

That's awful.

But it made you laugh.

I love your smile.

It comes with a dinner.

I'll tell you what. Monday is my day off. I'm going to make you the best

food you've ever had.

Oh, Brian.

Monday night at the faculty meeting.

You're going to miss my vegetable gumbo.

No, I'm not.

What's one cycle, do you mean, compared to your gumbo?

I'll be there.

Great. How about some dessert and coffee?

I'd love it.

Everything's fine. Just stay there.

Zach, what are you doing here?

taking a walk and found myself in your backyard.

Well, that's not exactly, but I'm busy right now, so... Oh, of course.

You've got a date.

So how's it going?

Okay, come on.

Out with it.

What's going on?

It's Karen.

She dumped me.

I don't understand.

I thought you told her the truth.

Oh, yes and no.

You mean yes and no.

Well... I told her the truth, but only after she found out I was lying.

Oh.

She busted you.

And then you came clean.

Do you need any help?

No, thanks.

You stay here.

Don't make any noise.

Well, I'm back.

Here's your apple pie.

Thank you.

Well, actually, we were talking about your smile. We were?

We were.

We were what?

Talking about your smile.

You seem distracted.

I do?

I'm not.

What was that?

What was what?

Listen, there's something I ought to tell you.

I think I left something burning in the kitchen. I'll be right back.

Sorry, I dropped my fourth. I heard.

Karen, who are you talking to?

Oh, uh, the, um, it's the paper boy.

He came to collect. I'll be right back.

Poor Zach.

I can see this is really hard for you.

It's worse than that. It's terrible. I mean, I didn't just tell Karen I liked

her. I really did like her.

I know you did.

Well, I've never felt this bad before.

Unfortunately, Zach.

Getting hurt is all part of growing up.

So it's easier when you're grown up?

Actually, sometimes it's harder.

Three years ago, I thought my world had ended.

You mean when your husband died?

Yeah.

See, when you really care about someone, you never actually get over it.

But you learn from it and you deal with it and life goes on.

Listen, sorry.

I mean, I'm just a kid. You're talking about your husband.

Zach, it's important to you, and I understand that.

And you know, the great thing about being 14 is you're balanced right back.

Hi.

Is this someone I should be jealous of?

Brian, I'm sorry. That'll be $17 .50, Miss Bliss.

Remember, you didn't pay me last month either.

That's right.

Brian, this is Zach. He's one of my students. Zach?

He has a problem.

That's fine, Carrie, but I have to be going.

Oh, Brian.

Please don't go.

Oh, Carrie, really, I have to. Oh, Brian, I'm sorry.

I wanted this evening to be special for you, but the truth of the matter is that

when the bell rings for the start of the school year, my life is not my own

anymore. Work doesn't stop at 3 o 'clock. My students drop in all the

And while I'm spilling my guts, Cajun food ranks right up there with meatloaf.

Why are you telling me all this?

Because you want to go.

Carrie, I don't want to go. I have to go. I just got beat. There's an

at the hospital.

Oh, um... Tell Zach he's got a great teacher.

There's that smile.

I think you're feeling better.

I think I'm gonna make it.

Great pie. You look like you could use a piece.

Yeah.

Honesty can take a lot out of a person.

You know you were right.

About what?

Cajun food.

It's really disgusting.

He was right too.

About what?

About me having a great teacher.

Now that, don't start.

Previously on Dawson's Creek.

I don't think you're angry with me for kissing you.

I think you're angry with yourself for kissing me back.

You kissed my girlfriend.

Truth is, I'd do it again.

You thought you'd never ask.

You make me so happy.

I have to make myself happy first.

We can't just say I love you for the first time and have it be over.

Thanks.