In the aftermath of a school shooting, the perpetrator’s loner best friend becomes a romantically involved with a popular girl who was injured in the incident. Their relationship is put to the test when he is forced to testify at an inquest that he had foreknowledge of the tragedy.

So he's too "insular" to notify the police of an impending mass murder. But he's not too "insular" to get romantically involved with a girl. And not just any girl; he, an outsider, has hookie up with an insider, one of the most popular girls in school.

Sorry, I'm not buying that.

I think your idea has the promise of exploring an interesting character dyad, but it seems like you're still in the brainstorming stage. Keep brainstorming, best wishes with the story.

Sounds interesting! I like your story idea.

Thanks.
I was toying with the idea that he had foreknowledge of the shooting, but due to his insular nature did not warn anyone... and now the guilt is eating at him....

An interesting point....
I would like this screenplay to be an opportunity for myself to explore the underlying causes of survivor's guilt. As of now, I don't have an answer to your question about why the girl suffers survivor's guilt - indeed, the phenomenon of survivor's guilt is not a "logical" one - but I can suggest that maybe her best friend took a bullet for her leaving the girl only partially injured...

Interesting concept. Maybe he was also asked by his friend to participate, but refused because he was too scared.
Either way, I like the story. You have something good here!

Michael Fine:

I'm intrigued, but not clear on the concept. It's a no-brainer why the kid would -- or should -- be racked with guilt. But why does the girl suffer suffer survivor's guilt? Why should she?

What is the emotional symmetry between his guilt and hers?