01x01 - School Was My Happy Place

[bunniefuu]

[sombre music playing]

[girl 1] School used to be

my favourite place.

I used to love going to school every day.

[indistinct shouting]

[groaning]

[girl 1] I used to have friends,

lots of them.

And life was good.

[indistinct chatter]

[girl 2, echoing] What did you do?

Let's go before somebody sees us!

[girl 1] But not after today.

[distant siren wailing]

[distant yell echoing]

[girl 1] Now

school has turned into a living nightmare.

CREATED BY TIMA SHOMALI AND SHIRIN KAMAL

DIRECTED BY TIMA SHOMALI

[suspenseful music playing]

When I found her, she was unconscious,

so I went to get help.

But there was no one else around.

Or at least, I didn't see anyone.

Maybe there's someone else who saw it all?

[girl] Yeah, what happened to

Mariam was really bad,

and honestly, it's sad.

But I don't really pay attention

to what girls like her are doing.

We've never been that close, to be honest.

She's always thought

she's better than everyone else.

The vibe in here's a little too serious.

[chuckling] Like an action film,

you know? CSI: Rawabi.

Ooh.

Erm

So, why have I been brought in?

Mariam's my best friend.

Actually,

Mariam's my only friend. [sniffles]

I mean, how could anyone do that to her?

I mean, it's just I don't get it.

[horns honking]

[in Arabic] If everyone told the truth

TWO WEEKS EARLIER

A fire would break out in the world

Told the truth

Put the fire out

Shut all the doors down

Some people

Are still living in the past

Living in the past

And none of them have some free time

Even if someone is free

They could work as a judge

For even a judge

Wants the truth to be shown

Go live alone in those deserts

That no one knows about

[horn honking]

Where there is

No home for you or for me

And where

You cannot even find a pack of gum

[Arabic music playing on radio]

[in English] Good morning, Miss Lamia.

- Good morning!

- Hey, tomboy. What's up?

Hey, you.

Look at me when I'm talking to you.

What's your problem, Layan?

You're the problem.

I have a question.

So, when you drag yourself out of bed,

does the masculine look come naturally

or do you have to try really hard?

I'm not sure. But here's a question.

When you get out of bed in the mornings,

I imagine the bitchiness comes naturally,

or do you have to try really hard?

[Miss Lamia] Girls, please.

Sit down.

[chuckling] That was awesome.

[Arabic music playing on bus radio]

[Mariam] Sorry I didn't

come to the cinema last night.

I was doing homework

and didn't realise how late it was.

As usual.

So, how was it? Anything good?

Yeah! I got to see Zac Efron's abs.

His abs are so amazing. Ooh!

Don't worry, I blocked the school numbers

from my mum's mobile phone.

So now, even if they want to call her,

they won't be able to.

Oh, my God, Layan.

You should be a CIA agent.

[both chuckle]

What? Something wrong?

Forget about that.

Show me the outfit

you've chosen for tonight.

Ooh. Going with the sexy look today?

I like it, Layan.

[sighs] Shut it.

So, you ready? It's almost time.

Don't worry. I was born ready.

- So, next stop?

- Next stop.

[light rock music playing]

Why are you stuffing your face?

I mean, seriously, Dina, stop eating.

Sorry.

Like some?

[both laugh]

[girl] Psst.

[Arabic music playing on radio]

Mr Abu Hamdi,

can we please change the station?

Go back to your seat.

Hey, you two,

you need to move. We need your seats.

Move it.

I'm not moving anywhere.

Move it, she said. Or don't you get it?

Back off, will you?

[horn honking]

[brakes squeak]

Come on, ladies, sit down.

Dina, just ignore them.

[gasping]

[Mariam] Oh, Layan, what's wrong with you?

Do as you're told next time.

[indistinct chatter]

[Dina] My uniform is ruined!

[girl] See, Mr Abu Hamdi,

even Miss Lamia

wants us to play another song.

- [Miss Lamia] Settle down!

- Oh, my God, Miss Lamia!

Help, please.

Dina spilled tea and made a mess.

[Dina] Miss, it wasn't me!

[Miss Lamia] Sit down.

And you as well! Sit down!

[school anthem playing]

[in Arabic] We, AlRawabi girls

To the peaks we are soaring

AlRawabi girls

In the horizons we are shining

We are forerunners and innovators

In science we trust

We are promising and inspiring

And we have supreme ethics

We, AlRawabi girls

To the peaks we are soaring

AlRawabi girls

In the horizons we are shining

We, AlRawabi girls

To the peaks we are soaring

In the horizons we are shining

The future, we are building

We're serious and hardworking

Respect and commitment

Have always been our values

[girl in English]

"How I wish I could wake up one day

to find

that my language has finally allowed me

to speak freely of my longing for love"

[girl continues speaking in background]

[Dina] Sorry. Excuse me. Excuse me.

[sighs]

Hi.

So, I guess it didn't work, then?

Are you being serious?

Can you still see it?

Well, erm, a bit, yeah.

Only if you have eyes. [chuckles softly]

I wish those girls

weren't on our bus route.

Who do they think they are,

bossing us around

like they think they're the Mafia.

[Mariam chuckles softly]

- Quiet!

- Sorry.

[principal] Teachers, please begin

the inspection of your students.

Excellent.

Bravo.

- What's in your pocket?

- Miss, it's nothing.

The rules are very clear.

Everyone else seems to know.

Mobile phones are not to be used

during the school day, my child.

- Give it to me.

- I honestly didn't realise.

Hand it over. Come on.

What are you looking at?

[scoffs]

[door opens]

b*tch.

[door closes]

Mariam, let me see Bravo.

Well done!

Dina.

What happened to you?

Miss Abeer, I swear it was an accident.

We were on the bus and the tea

Shh! Go see matron and get a clean shirt.

- Right away.

- All that work for nothing.

Tuck your shirt in.

Yes, ma'am.

Where's Layan?

[girl] She's not here

today, Miss. She's ill.

Yeah, poor Layan, she got the flu.

You should hear her

Okay, okay. I get it. She's ill.

I need a note from her parents.

Of course, Miss.

[Miss Abeer] Let me see. Good.

[Arabic music playing over speakers]

Well, er, why did you choose this place?

This was the only place

that's open this early,

and you told me you were worried

someone might see us together, remember?

Plus, we can relax a bit here.

[woman laughs]

Why are you scared?

Okay, this place is a bit creepy,

but don't be scared.

Come on,

it doesn't matter where we are right now.

What matters is that we're finally

meeting after a month of just texting.

You were definitely worth the wait, Layan.

[glasses clinking]

Hey, you're the one

who refused to come over to mine.

Well, I hope

you don't live in a place like this.

Well, maybe you should

come over and see for yourself.

[chuckles]

[school bell ringing]

FORERUNNERS AND INNOVATORS

[indistinct chatter]

[girls whispering indistinctly]

[Miss Abeer] Good morning, girls.

[girls] Good morning, Miss Abeer.

I'd like you to all meet Noaf.

Noaf has just joined our school

and starting today,

she will be your new classmate.

Starting a new school

in the middle of the year?

Did someone get into trouble?

Tell us, Noaf. Go on.

What's your story?

[Miss Abeer] Ruqayya, that's enough.

Girls, I would like you to welcome Noaf.

Help her out

as much as you can until she settles in.

Mariam, I'd like you to help her

to get up to speed with her schoolwork,

seeing as you are the best prepared.

[scoffs]

[coughing]

[Ruqayya] Nerd.

[Miss Abeer clears throat]

Er, Noaf,

find yourself a seat and sit down.

From tomorrow,

you'll come in wearing school uniform.

And also, these and these,

all of this, I don't want to see it.

Understand?

Sit down.

That's Layan's seat.

Keep moving.

Noaf, Noaf, you can sit here.

[playful music playing]

Hi.

I'm Dina.

Nice to meet you.

[Miss Abeer] Get your things, girls.

We're going to the lab

to continue working on the group project.

[school bell ringing]

[indistinct chatter]

Erm, I am so hungry.

[Mariam] Yeah, me too.

- [Dina] Mum's cooking tonight.

- [Mariam] What's she cooking?

[Dina] Something called shabu.

- It's Korean.

- Shabu? Sounds delicious.

It is. By the way,

you should come round and try it.

- Hello, Mr Abu Hamdi.

- [Mariam] Hello, Mr Abu Hamdi.

[imperceptible]

[Layan] Did anyone suspect anything

or ask why I wasn't there?

Hey, don't worry. We covered for you.

Now tell me everything.

I want to know all the details.

Okay. Well,

he picked me up in his sports car.

- Okay, okay.

- And he bought me a red rose and a card.

- He's so romantic!

- Oh, my God, show me.

Come on, you know

I had to get rid of them, Rania.

I'd be so dead if my brothers found out.

Oh, yeah, there's that.

Anyway, he's so hot and smells so good.

And we even held hands the whole time.

I might see him again on Wednesday.

He even told me to come over to his.

Oh, and he has

a private suite and a swimming pool.

Ow!

- What the hell's your problem?

- [Dina] Shh!

Wow, they must be loaded.

- A sports car and a pool.

- [mouthing]

Well, I don't mind

being a second wife in that case.

[chuckles] Sure. Sharing is caring.

[both chuckle]

[call to prayer]

[Mariam's dad humming softly]

[chuckling]

Do we really have to wait for Mum?

I'm starving. Can't we just start dinner?

[Mariam's dad] There she is.

Right on time, my love.

- I was just about to serve up.

- [Mariam's mum] Go ahead, start.

Just going to get

changed quickly and then I'll be with you.

[Mariam's dad] What more

could you want in a husband?

I did the cooking

and I did it all on my own.

[Mariam's mum chuckles]

Mmm, he did cook all of it.

[Mariam's mum] Lucky me.

Nothing to complain about.

[Mariam's dad] Actually,

I'm the lucky one.

"Hashtag relationship goals."

- Isn't that what you young people say?

- Dad, no, not like that.

What do you mean?

No? Mariam, isn't that right?

Nah.

[Mariam's dad] Mmm.

- God bless my hands.

- [Mariam chuckles]

[acoustic guitar music playing]

[laptop chiming]

Hello.

Hi, how are you?

I'm good, how are things?

Yeah, good.

Hey, I'm gonna add Dina to the call.

No, wait

I was kind of hoping

it could be just us today. That okay?

Mmm, it's just

I feel bad about not telling Dina

that something happened between us.

- Okay, can I say something?

- What?

- I miss you.

- [chuckles softly]

You can say that.

[chuckles]

Did you watch

the new show I told you about?

Seriously, I'm dying

to talk to someone about it.

Not yet.

I was really busy with homework last week.

And I read

the book series, and if I'm honest,

I think books

are always better than the movies.

Nerd!

Yazan, don't call me that.

It's bad enough the girls at school

call me that all the time, and now you?

I was just joking, Mariam.

[Mariam's mum] Mariam! Mariam!

Look, I'm sorry, I have to go.

Mariam, it was just a joke. I promise.

I know, but my mum is calling me.

Speak to you in a bit.

Okay, then.

Don't forget to watch the show.

[sighs]

[contemplative music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Mariam] Come on, Dina. Let's go!

- Let's go!

- Come on, Dina. Go, go, go!

- Go, Dina! Come on, come on!

- [coach] You can do it.

- [Mariam] sh**t!

- [coach] Give it a go, Dina!

[Mariam] sh**t!

- You can do it, you can do it.

- [grunts]

Dina down! [sighs]

- Dina, to the bench.

- [Dina] Thank God!

- Layan. Take her place.

- [Dina sighing in relief]

Get up.

[Dina sighs] What time is it?

When is this going to be over?

Now we can play basketball.

[Rania grunts]

- Whoo!

- [coach] Bravo!

Best basket ever.

[chuckles]

[girl] Hey! I'm open, I'm open.

Over here! Pass it to me

[Mariam] Layan, Layan, over here!

Layan, I'm over here!

Layan, I'm open!

- Layan, pass the ball to Mariam.

- Pass it to me!

[coach] Layan,

the field is open. Pass the ball.

[Mariam] Come on, just pass it.

Layan!

[Layan] Huh?

[groans]

[tense music playing]

[blows whistle]

[coach] Not cool, Layan!

Are you okay?

Oh, come on, the ball barely touched her.

To be honest, I don't even

understand where she got hurt.

She's completely flat, back and front!

[all laughing]

Layan, bench.

- I just started playing.

- [coach] Now!

- But, Miss, I don't want to!

- [coach] Bench!

[coach blows whistle]

Come on. Let's keep going.

[suspenseful music playing]

- [showers running]

- [indistinct chatter]

[Rania] Guys, have you

listened to Drake's new song?

Oh, you and your obsession with Drake.

Take my advice

and listen to Adham Nabulsi.

[Rania scoffs]

[laughs] No, definitely not.

So, I can tell you like what you see.

Leave me alone, Layan.

[Layan clicking tongue]

Poor, poor Mariam.

I'm guessing you'll never know

what it feels like to be a real woman.

[chuckles] How could you anyway,

with those two tiny cherries you have?

- I mean, they're barely visible.

- Why are you even wearing a bra?

Do you think that wearing it is

going to make them magically get bigger?

- [laughs]

- Boom.

[Layan] Idiot.

I bet you'd love to know how they feel

seeing as you don't have any of your own.

Well, do you?

Go away.

[Layan] Come on!

Don't be so shy.

We're all girls, Mariam.

Layan, leave me alone.

[gasps]

Mariam! What the hell!

I can't believe you just did that!

You're sick!

Guys, did you just see how she grabbed me?

What, I didn't touch you.

What are you talking about?

Why are you lying, Mariam? We all saw you.

- Why would you do that?

- [girl 1] Why did she do that?

- Why are you even in here, Mariam?

- She's making it all up.

- [Ruqayya] Weirdo.

- Who the hell does that, Mariam?

- She's making it up.

- What do you mean?

You're the one who's lying, Mariam.

We all saw you do it.

You can't lie about it.

There's something wrong with her!

[girl 2] She's so weird.

- [girl 3] Do us a favour, get out.

- [girl 4] Get out, Mariam. Get out!

- [girl 5] Disgusting.

- [girl 6] Yeah, that's not normal.

- Mariam, go away.

- She is a freak. A freak!

[girl 7] She's gross.

[girl 8] Get out of here.

- [girl 9] Yeah, get out of here!

- [girl 10] I saw it.

- What was that?

- She's not normal.

[laughs]

[girls murmuring]

[tense music playing]

[gentle guitar music playing]

[in Arabic]

Come on, let's burn down this city

And build another one

That's more honourable

Let's forget about this time

And dream about a nicer time

Since you have nothing

Then you have nothing to lose

And I'm tired of living with myself

- [girl 1 in English] Beautiful voice.

- [girl 2] It's really amazing.

There you are.

I've been looking everywhere for you.

Oh, erm

Sorry, I meant to

- I hate Layan. I just

- Yeah, well, what else is new?

Okay, but there are

other things we need to talk about.

Mariam, I just heard the hottest gossip.

Apparently,

some complete and utter weirdo

grabbed Layan's boobs.

I can't believe I wasn't there to see it!

Dina, are you being serious?

Is everybody talking about it?

Are you telling me you were there?

Oh, I'm always the one who misses out!

[Dina sighs]

Dina, you can't always

believe everything Layan says, you know?

Mariam, I don't care.

Just tell me, please.

[Layan continues singing in background]

- It was me.

- You?

- But I didn't touch her, Dina.

- What are you saying?

I couldn't do anything.

[sighs] Layan was playing around

with me doing what she always does.

Manipulating people.

[vocalising]

[Dina] Start from the beginning.

But I want to know

everything in full detail.

Dina, are you serious right now?

You're always gossiping about everything.

Can you drop it for once in your life?

[girls cheering and applauding]

[girls laughing]

I heard somebody say

Layan's gonna

sneak off the bus again tomorrow morning.

So I guess

I'm not bringing my morning tea.

Hang on.

Tomorrow, Layan is gonna

sneak off the bus?

I thought you said

that I shouldn't gossip all the time.

- Dina.

- Hmm.

Dina. Hey.

Okay, okay, okay.

I'll tell you everything.

Someone said that Layan is gonna

sneak off the bus tomorrow morning

to go see her boyfriend,

who's at university,

who is, by the way, so fine.

You sure it's tomorrow?

I wish I had a boyfriend.

And if he went to university, even better.

[girl 3] Show us the video.

[laughing]

Actually, he doesn't

have to go to university. Any boy will do.

Even Yazan would do. I don't care.

I don't actually mean

I want to go out with Yazan.

I mean, obviously, we're just friends.

[tense music playing]

I just really want to know what it

feels like to be in a relationship.

PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - MISS FATEN QADI

Enter.

[door opens]

[Layan] You wanted to see me, Miss Faten?

Sit down, Layan.

Where were you yesterday?

Er

I was at home in bed.

I was ill.

Layan, enough with the games.

I know that you snuck off the bus.

Who said that? Miss Faten, they're lying.

It doesn't matter.

A girl in your class

brought it to my attention.

Why behave like this

when you know the consequences?

And your father,

what would he do if he found out?

He doesn't need to know.

You're right. He doesn't need to know.

Speaking of which,

how is your father doing?

It's been a long time

since we had the pleasure of a visit.

Don't worry, Miss Faten.

I'll mention it to him

when I go home and

Layan!

Don't for one second

think your father's position

means I'll let you get away

with this reckless behaviour again.

Understood?

Yes, Miss. It won't happen again.

Go back to your class.

Some advice

You should really be more careful

with who you trust around here,

because next time,

I won't be as lenient. Is that clear?

Back to class.

Are you sure, Miss Faten?

You're going to let her get away with it?

Just like that?

Her father's an important man

who could ruin the school.

All hell will break loose if he finds out.

We can't risk it.

At least not at the moment, anyway.

[tense music playing]

[Layan] Everyone, out!

Not you, Sumayya. You can stay.

So, tell us what happened.

Miss Faten found out

I snuck off the bus yesterday

and some snitch told her.

What? Who was it?

Is she going to tell your dad?

[Layan] No.

She's not going to.

I managed to sort it out.

Do you think

it could have been that Dania girl?

You did get off at her house.

No, it wasn't her.

She wouldn't do that. She wouldn't dare.

[scoffs] Yeah, you're right.

The other day,

she was so scared she almost wet herself.

[Rania chuckling]

Well, excuse me.

I was just trying to lighten the mood.

Whatever. I don't care who it was.

Leave it to me.

I'll sort this b*tch out my way.

Don't worry, Layan.

I'll make her life a living hell.

This time it was okay,

but if it happens again,

I'm totally screwed.

Not to mention that you'll have to say

bye-bye to your dates with Laith.

[exhales]

[grunts]

Do you think whoever

told Miss Faten has something against you?

We've got to find out who.

[toilet flushing]

[Layan] Sumayya, you know

what goes on around here.

You have access to the entire school.

You could help us find out who it was

that ratted me out to Miss Faten.

I have a family to feed, sweetheart.

I'm sorry I don't have time for your

silly little games or your problems.

[Layan] Okay.

I see.

And what if I go

and tell Miss Faten that I saw you smoking

in the bathroom yet again.

But you haven't seen that, have you?

Who's Miss Faten going to believe?

An innocent

and well-behaved AlRawabi girl,

or a caretaker

who can just be replaced at any time?

But I'd hate to see you get fired.

It would be awful,

especially since you have

a family you need to feed and all.

Best not to lose your job.

Oh, yeah. How sad would that be?

[exhales deeply] What do you want from me?

[tense music playing]

MEET ME NEAR THE OLD BUS RIGHT NOW.

- [Layan] Who do you think you are?

- What's going on? Hey!

You snitched on me to Miss Faten!

I don't know what you're talking about.

Are you really gonna lie about it

to my face, huh? You've got some nerve.

Get away from me!

Hey! That's my

[Mariam groans]

- Come here, you stupid b*tch!

- [whimpering]

I know it was you who went to Miss Faten.

Are you denying it?

[groaning]

- [grunting]

- [kicks landing]

[kicking continues]

[Mariam whimpering]

If you ever try to stand in my way again,

there will be blood.

And I will destroy you

even if it's the last thing I do!

[Layan grunts]

[ominous music playing]

[Layan gasps]

What did you do?

Let's go before somebody sees us!

Layan!

[Noaf, echoing] Mariam? Mariam, wake up!

Mariam!

Mariam! Mariam! Wake up!

[ambulance siren wailing]

[imperceptible]

Now, has Mariam

done anything

that might have gotten you in trouble?

I don't like what you're implying.

Do you know who my father is?

I don't think he'd be happy to hear

that you're accusing his daughter

of doing such a terrible thing.

[Rania] I already told you,

I was in the toilets.

You were in the bathroom?

At the end of the day?

Yeah, I guess.

I actually remember that day

pretty well because it was

you know,

that time of the month. [chuckles]

Dude, I had my period.

My menstrual cycle.

I mean, surely you know that

all girls get their period once a month?

Anyway, I wasn't

expecting it at all, so I got flustered

and I had to run

to the toilet so I could do

some damage control, you know?

Er

I can, er,

give you more details if you need.

[sighs]

[Ruqayya] I already told you what I know.

If you ask me,

instead of

wasting your time with the wrong girl,

you should be questioning the person

who so "conveniently" found her.

What was she doing there, anyway?

[man] So, can you explain how exactly

you came to find Mariam

lying on the ground unconscious?

And why you were there in the first place?

[mobile phone vibrating]

IF YOU EVEN THINK ABOU

SAYING ANYTHING, YOU'RE NEXT.

[Ruqayya] Come here, you stupid b*tch!

[suspenseful music playing]

[Mariam groaning]

[Noaf gasps]

sh*t. Oh, sh*t.

[Mariam groaning]

[Mariam whimpering]

[Layan] If you ever

try to stand in my way again,

there will be blood.

- [gasps]

- What are you doing here on your own?

Nothing, I was just

You better keep your mouth shut,

otherwise you're not gonna

like what happens to you later.

Get me?

Don't worry. I won't say anything.

[Rania] What did you do?

Let's go before somebody sees us!

Layan!

[gasps]

Mariam. Mariam!

Mariam. Mariam.

Mariam.

Wake up, Mariam!

Mariam!

Mariam!

Mariam!

Mariam? Mariam, wake up!

Mariam!

[man] Mariam I know

how difficult this must be for you,

but you need to tell us who did this.

Try to remember.

- [kicks landing]

- [Mariam groaning]

[Layan] If you ever

try to stand in my way again

[man] Mariam?

Mariam?

They

They attacked me from behind.

I don't know who it was.

I I I couldn't see them.

[indistinct murmuring]

What do you think she's going to say?

[door opens]

- [door closes]

- [murmuring stops]

We have asked you all

to come in today with your daughters

to address the act of violence

that unfortunately

happened here this week,

which involved

your fellow classmate, Mariam.

She has been

so badly injured and traumatised,

it has affected

her recollection of the incident.

[man] If anyone

has any information,

I strongly advise that you say so now,

before we take legal action.

Miss Faten, how can you

be certain that one of our girls did this?

Or anyone at the school, for that matter?

Couldn't it have been someone else?

We can be certain,

thanks to security cameras

installed throughout the school.

The footage from these cameras

is what's given us reason

to suspect two girls.

[Miss Faten] Our two most

important values here at AlRawabi School

are accountability and honesty,

as you very well know.

And that is why we have

both agreed to give one last chance

for the girls

who committed this violent act

to tell the truth.

[tense music playing]

[exhales]

Miss Faten.

I guess it's time to tell the truth.

What are you talking about, Layan?

There was an incident

in the changing rooms.

Are you the one

responsible for what happened?

[woman 1] Excuse me?

I will not let you accuse

my daughter of something so horrific.

Ladies, please settle down.

Layan, what happened

in the changing rooms?

Well, after PE,

we all went to get changed,

and I noticed Mariam

staring at me whilst I got changed.

So I said to her, "What are you doing?

Please stop staring at me."

Next thing I know she got closer and

She got closer and

[voice breaking] she grabbed me.

But, Miss, she's lying!

And when I said

I was going to tell the school,

she threatened me.

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't say anything

because I was scared.

I was scared

she was gonna do something worse.

So when she came to me in the courtyard,

I was trying to protect myself.

And then she grabbed me from behind.

I just wanted to push her away, but

she fell and smacked her head.

I didn't mean to. You have to believe me.

I really didn't mean to.

I swear she's lying! She attacked me!

Don't believe her!

Okay, Layan,

was there anyone with you at the time?

No, I was alone.

No! Ruqayya was there with her.

Rania, too, and

That's quite enough!

It is clear to me

this girl harassed my daughter,

so she cannot stay at this school.

She's a bad influence on our daughters.

I agree. I'm worried about my daughter.

You have to do something. [scoffs]

If Layan's father finds out,

God knows how he'll react.

Please calm down, Miss Marwa.

We'll solve this.

My daughter would never do this.

She would never attack anyone like that.

Mariam, tell them

it's not true what they're saying.

[sobbing] That's not what happened! I

[Layan] If you don't believe me,

ask everyone else.

All the girls were there.

[Miss Faten] Girls?

Did any of you witness the incident?

Yes, I did.

I was there.

Yeah, I did as well.

Well, of course they'll say that.

They're Layan's best friends.

Mariam would never do something like that.

[Miss Faten] Dina, were you there?

I mean, no, but

No one else

is standing up saying they saw it,

right?

I saw it.

I saw it as well.

Yeah. I saw it as well.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Ruqayya] To be honest

Mariam always looks at us weirdly

when we're in the changing rooms.

That's not what happened! I swear!

It wasn't on purpose!

She pushed me and She pushed me and I

I I bumped into her!

But it was her who pushed me!

You're the one who beat me up!

You're the one who did this!

Come on, let's go.

No! No! No!

Let me finish, please.

They're only doing this because I told

Miss Faten what Layan's planning on

Mariam

I think we've heard

enough of the matter, don't you?

The girls have confirmed the incident.

It would be best if you went home.

And as of now,

you are suspended for two weeks.

Then we'll discuss

the next steps with your parents.

[crying]

[Mariam's mum] Excuse me.

Come on.

Come on, let's go.

Noaf! You were there! Tell them!

[sobbing]

- Noaf!

- Come on.

[woman 2] I don't want her

anywhere near my daughter.

[Miss Marwa] Layan,

why didn't you tell me right away?

She shouldn't be allowed to stay

at this school for one second longer!

[door opening]

[door slams]

[Mariam's dad] What's wrong, Laila?

Mariam?

[Mariam crying]

What's the matter, sweetie? Hey.

[tense music playing]

Mum, what are you doing?

I was always very lenient with you.

And I gave you

far more freedom than I ever had!

And this is how you repay me?

[Mariam] What are you looking for?

Mum, what are you looking for?

Mum, stop it!

Mum, please, just stop!

What are you doing?

Mum, please stop. I'm begging you.

Believe me.

A room full of your classmates

all agreeing that they saw the same thing,

and you want me to believe you?

[Mariam's dad] What's going on?

- What's wrong, my love? What's

- Ask your daughter.

What's the matter, Mariam?

Tell me, what's all this? What's going on?

Your daughter has brought

shame to all of us! That's what!

Laila.

Mariam.

[Laila crying]

[sombre music playing]

It's okay. It's okay.

Come on.

[sobbing]

[gentle xylophone music playing]

[in Arabic]

I couldn't find a place to go

And close my eyes

I couldn't find one friend

Who knew how to answer me

I couldn't find a wave

To take me far away

Far away!

I couldn't find the words to say

To express that I am confused

I couldn't find something that explains

Explains the meaning of what's happening

I couldn't find a single melody

That shatters

Shatters mankind's rancour

I couldn't find my folk

I couldn't find my family

I couldn't find relief

I couldn't find joy

I couldn't find my way

I couldn't find my path

I couldn't find my folk

I couldn't find my family

I couldn't find relief

I couldn't find joy

I couldn't find my way

I couldn't find my path

[vocalising]