Justin Starling: ♪ Game on, game on, yeah ♪
♪ Tell 'em it's game on, I said hold up ♪
♪ Nah ♪
♪ Game on, game on ♪
♪ Blowing like napalm, I said game on ♪
Hey! ♪ Aye ♪
Game announcer: Both Beverly and Crenshaw have found
their groove in their respective leagues.
If they both make it to the playoffs
and get a chance to actually face each other,
what a game it will be.
♪ Yeah, they built up the city ♪
♪ I'm building it better ♪
♪ Raining or shining, don't matter the weather ♪
♪ We stay on the grind and it's like that forever ♪
♪ We been the flyest, don't need no propellers ♪
♪ Study the game ♪ Hi.
♪ And I'm fixing my flaws, give me the trophies ♪
♪ And keep the applause ♪ Call me.
♪ Step on the field and I tell them it's on ♪
♪ Game on ♪ Hi, KJ.
Ahem. Smile and stare into my eyes
if you wanna get out of here.
Give these girls the impression you're taken.
Yeah, I owe you. Heh heh!
You know, it's kinda weird to go from a team
that nobody cared about to, like, sudden fame.
What, Oakland girls kept it
more chill when you were winning?
Ah, don't get me wrong. I mean, there was
the attention, but I don't know.
I guess it was just less--
Thirsty? Heh!
Yeah, well, don't let that head get too big.
Beverly kids are all about the moment,
and, uh, fair warning. Be prepared
for some panties in your locker.
It's tradition for new hotshot QBs.
Whew! We're good. OK.
So, which one of the parties you hitting tonight, Oakland?
None. The team's watching game tape, and then we're
gonna enjoy my dad's barbecue to celebrate the big win.
Is there one non-football- related thing on your schedule?
Uh... oh! Actually,
there is this, um,
this meal-packing drive at South Crenshaw
that my friend's organizing, but we're not gonna be done
with game-tape viewing to make it in time, so...
What could you guys possibly gain
from watching a 50-0 blowout?
How to make it a 60-0 blowout?
All I'm saying, one athlete to another,
is that you should give yourself a break from football.
Our cheer performance is actually better
once we step away.
Those volunteering for tonight's overnight
meal-packing drive, remember, the doors will be locked
at 7 p.m. for safety,
and big shout out to Stu-Co candidates
for planning and organizing...
especially Amina Simms for orchestrating all this.
Now, I know I technically can't endorse a candidate...
but I best not learn any of y'all voted against her,
or else there's gonna be a problem.
Y'all get up outta here.
You probably cost me some votes with that threat.
Girl, that was no threat.
Besides, what's politics without a little intimidation?
Dad, I'm running a clean campaign,
so please let me do that
and steer clear of any and all influence.
Fine.
Proud dad concedes,
but teacher dad wants to talk to you
about drifting off in class.
Is this about tomorrow?
No, no, I'm fine.
You'll still give me a ride home
before midnight, right? Of course,
though we'll have to sneak out, unless you want to explain
why the organizer of the meal drive lock-in
ain't trying to stay locked in with the rest of 'em.
Thanks. You sure about not,
uh, giving your speech at midnight?
Dad, I gotta get to my next class.
Thanks for checking in. I'll be OK.
Oh, what's up, man? You remembered
to grab the plates for the barbecue, right?
Grayson said he was going to pick some up at the cafeteria.
Oh, that's what's up, man.
But, uh, hey, I was thinking
maybe we do something a little more special.
What could possibly be more special
than my hickory ribs, man?
You saw how hard I worked in that small-ass kitchen.
I don't even have my smoker.
I'm not saying we abandon the food, Pops.
I'm just saying maybe we put it to better use,
like for a friend's meal-packing drive
at South Crenshaw tonight.
This, uh...
friend have a name?
Yeah, uh, Amina. Amina?
Amina. Wait. Heh! Isn't that the name
that keeps popping up in your texts lately?
Heh! Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever, Dad, OK?
She is just a friend. OK.
All right? But nah, I think this is a good chance
for some hardworking volunteers
to be rewarded with the best ribs in Cali!
- Right, all right. - Ha ha!
And this isn't another attempt
to get close to Jordan Baker, right?
Nah, not at all.
I think it'll be good
for the team, you know?
A way to...
step away for a second.
Also...
I kind of miss our time volunteering
back in the Town.
Don't you?
I guess I could find some heating trays.
Thanks, man!
Are you ready for the most amazing thing
you've ever seen? Hi.
Why am I scared right now?
Oh, my instincts are right.
Absolutely not. Absolutely yes, OK?
And you can thank Prime for the speedy delivery.
I ordered hundreds of these.
Do I need to say no a hundred more times?
Baby, cuteness sells.
How do you think Obama got in office?
Because he was an amazing politician
and married to a literal icon.
Yes, that, too.
Flowers to Michelle.
Male singer, whispering: ♪ Hyped up ♪
Why does that Jigglypuff-looking dude
look so familiar? That's the rapper
Boss Boy Drew from the LBC. Hmm.
My opponent, Marcus Rhodes,
is his cousin and running for reelection.
He's literally bribing votes with a hood legend.
Dang, that is him!
I--I mean, dude bars always been corny, if you ask me,
all right, but why don't you use me to bribe votes?
I'm actually something like a hood legend, for real.
You know, maybe these baby pins
aren't such a bad idea after all.
No, not at all, actually just don't trust you with these.
But don't worry about it, OK? You're gonna get your votes,
and your speech is going to solidify your win.
I can't wait to hear it. I'm not giving a speech.
Why? Why not?
My bad. I couldn't help but hear.
But I thought speeches were important.
I mean, how else do people know what you're running for?
Oh, I'm aware of that,
and thanks for finally deciding to acknowledge me,
even if it was to be rude.
Sorry. I gotta start
getting things set up for tonight.
I appreciate the support, Auntie Coop.
Alright, now, you got exactly two seconds
to tell me what you did, 'cause I know it's something.
Oh, shoot, like,
they got this whole thing about us not being late.
I got to run. I'ma see you later, Coop.
Excuse me. OK, all right.
Guess what's hot off the press.
Ho! Hell yes! Uh-huh.
Man, my baby girl had the cutest cheeks.
- Heh heh heh! - But good luck convincing Amina
to use these. Yeah, well, you'll be
surprised to know she already approved.
- Hmm. - I ain't gonna mention it was
a reluctant approval, after seeing
Marcus showing off his rapper cousin,
Boss Boy Drew. Hold up.
Boss Boy Drew here? What?
Come on. Stay focused. He with the enemy.
Right, right. Um...
how's Amina's mood? She was fine,
until Khalil showed up.
- Oh. - I mean, something's definitely
up between the two of them, and I'm wondering if that
is what's stopping her from sticking around
to give her Stu-Co speech. That speech has
everything to do about tomorrow. What's tomorrow?
Think about it. Look, it's the only day
that's tough for her to be around folk.
Damn.
I forgot.
I forgot about that. Look, I--I was going
to head out, but I could definitely
hang around to keep an eye on her.
Nah, nah, nah. I appreciate you.
You sure?
Yeah, you've done a lot for her.
Let me be a father to my daughter for once.
- OK. - Besides, it seems
like you got somewhere to be in that bougie-ass blazer.
I'm actually going to a law seminar
that one of my professors is doing at GAU.
Is this the same professor you've been nonstop about?
If I've been "nonstop,"
it's because she's really dope,
and I got a lot to learn from her.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I guess you'd better go on and get to "learning."
Mm-hmm. I will.
Man, if they don't appreciate these ribs,
I'mma pack 'em back up so fast.
Can't waste good food on those who lack
a good palate, man. Just facts.
Dad, it's OK to say
you're worried that they won't like 'em.
- I didn't say all that, man. - Man, you know how our people
get about their barbecue. It's true, it's true.
But I have yet to meet a Black person who hasn't
enjoyed your barbecue. Also true.
Oh, so that's Amina. OK.
- Hey, we're just friends, Pops. - I didn't say anything, man.
Heh! Look, come on, y'all.
Help me figure out where to set up.
KJ needs to go say hey to his "just friend."
Why? Why are you like this?
Male singer: ♪ I ain't holding my breath ♪
♪ But something's gotta give ♪
♪ Settle for nothing less ♪
Maybe one of these days, you'll get like me.
There you go. I'm glad we finally got
a chance to get together, Pop.
"Finally"? What you mean, finally?
I don't know. It's just...
I ain't seen you in a few days.
You ain't mad I didn't roll with you to Craig's, right?
Look, man, you made your choice,
and I can't do nothing but respect that,
but whenever I am not here...
it's because I'm off stacking this bread
to make sure you have a roof over your head
and a phone in your hand.
Look at me when I'm talking to you, boy.
My bad, just---- forget I said anything.
- You got somewhere better to be? - Nah, it's just...
we having this volunteer lockdown drive
at the school tonight. I just found out
the door's closing at 7:00, so...
Since when you start volunteering, anyway?
It's just one event.
I don't know.
I kind of like the school spirit stuff.
I'm starting to not recognize you at all, man.
Come on, Pop, I ain't changed that much.
No, son,
I'm proud of you for staying on track.
Do I like Coach Baker
whispering in your ear?
Hell no.
You'll come around once you get to know him.
He's a nice dude, pop. The devil
was once nice, too, son.
Go cop some boxes. I'mma drop you at the school.
You sure? I thought you said you had somewhere to be.
I'm not offering twice.
All right.
Hey, hold up, hold up, hold up.
Just remember that your pops is here
for you, and it's good that you and me
can always lean on each other, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, for sure, Pop.
For sure.
OK, so we talking
lettuce and then tomato? No.
Not directly on top of the other.
The lettuce should be on both sides
so the bread doesn't get soggy.
Free meal or not, we're giving people
an expertly prepared sandwich.
Ooh, OK, so then maybe I should watch you first.
OK.
Whoa. Whoa.
Whoa, slow down! Damn! Heh!
Isn't the whole point of an overnight drive
to have all night to finish? For other people, yes,
but I've got 500 sandwiches to finish by 11:30.
And what happens then, Crenshawella?
You turn into a pumpkin? Ha ha!
I just need to get home.
Oh. My bad.
Hey, I was just joking around.
Are you OK?
Well--
Listen up, folks!
This is your 15-minute warning
till the doors are officially locked.
If you haven't gotten everything that you need
for the night, do so now.
How are you planning on leaving
before midnight if the doors are gonna be locked?
That rule doesn't apply to me.
Hey.
Promise I'm not stalking you.
Uh, my cousin goes here and DMed me
literally after we talked, asking if I wanted to support,
and I was thinking, how could I preach about paying it forward
and not do so myself?
Hi. I'm Tori.
Amina. You know, I've seen you cheer
when our teams have played each other over the years.
You're a beast. Was a beast.
Um, I've heard about you, too.
Running for Stu-Co Prez, right? Yeah. Heh!
Uh, Tori,
you brought protein bars. Nice.
Yeah, I've got more in the car.
I'm assuming you guys are accepting donations?
Yeah. The more the merrier.
You can drop them off at the donations table.
Will do. Um, I'll find you in a bit.
All right.
Hmm.
Must be nice to have the kind of rizz
that lures cheerleaders. Stop it, all right?
You heard her. She's here for her cousin.
I don't see a cousin. Do you?
Oh, OK.
Uh, why is he locking the door?
Yeah, the drive is on lockdown until the morning.
Oh. I see.
Well, at least I'm in good company.
Yeah? Oh, your cousin, right?
You can't be that dense.
There is no cousin.
Tshh...
Uh...
Uh, I don't think the donation table is in here.
Uh, yeah. I just figured we could use a break.
It was kinda loud out there, so...
OK.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
That maybe we should give them some privacy?
Way to kill a mood.
Uh... you know, my dad,
he's probably almost out of his famous barbecue.
Maybe we go get some?
I'm vegan.
I'm walking to the bathroom
at a classy restaurant,
minding my business, when a random man makes
a pass that I...
reject. Now,
the perpetrator falls backwards into a table,
and unfortunately, ends up injuring
an innocent bystander we'll call Betty.
Now, the question is, am I liable for the damage,
or is the perpetrator, for initiating harm?
As you know, torts law examines
"you shouldn't" clauses.
You shouldn't inflict physical harm.
You shouldn't misappropriate property.
These are our duties.
Fortunately for me, I was well within my breach of duty
by practicing self-defense, but if I poured
gasoline everywhere and burnt the whole place down,
that might be a different conversation, although,
low-key, sometimes warranted.
But you didn't hear that from me. Thank you.
Thank you all for coming.
Ms. Cooper, I didn't expect to see you.
This is the sort of thing 3Ls usually attend.
Yeah, I know, but I figured it couldn't hurt.
Besides, the contradictions in the breach of duty has
really been messing me up, but it clicked
during your presentation. I'm glad I could help.
I also had a question about Betty.
Like, what if she decided to press charges against you...
- Mm-hmm. - instead of the perpetrator?
So I don't know if you have the time,
but if you do, I would love to talk about it.
- I have some time. - OK. Nice.
So, what? You just gonna ditch
the sandwiches? 'Cause we've got 300 to go.
Well, I mean, at the speed you were going, I thought
we would already be done. I'm kidding, Kingston.
I keep hearing your dad's barbecue's amazing.
I think more volunteers showed up after hearing about it.
Ha! That can't be true.
No, I'm for real. Like, people are
literally posting about it on their stories.
No way! Ha ha! Yes.
Oh.
So, did Tori ever find her cousin
after whatever y'all were up to in the storage office?
Speaking of missing people, where's Khalil?
- Mmm. - Oh.
So y'all are still in your awkward bag
after what happened? You mean where I tried
to kiss him and made an ass of myself?
No. No, I mean where he gave you mixed signals
and let you take all the blame.
Yes to it still being awkward.
He's said all of 5 words to me,
and they were to rudely ask why I was leaving early.
I was kinda wondering the same thing.
Minus the rude part. Look, it's just something
I gotta do, but, please,
let's leave it at that.
Done. Just know I'm here if you need to talk.
Oh.
Did you--did you see me with a book earlier?
Black with gold binding?
Uh... nah.
Sorry. Why? What is it?
Something I gotta find.
Please tell me
you didn't run out of ribs. Heh!
Man, them students been licking their fingers
all night. Man, I'm just happy
to contribute. I'll save you a plate.
Name's Cardell Simms. Everyone knows me as Preach.
Cassius Jeremy, head football coach over at Beverly High.
Oh, yeah. Now I recognize you. Wait.
You ain't tryna poison us with no crosstown rivalry, are you?
And ruin my recipe? No, sir.
Ha ha! My man. Look, I can appreciate
a brother who respects the sanctity of a good recipe.
- Of course. - Yeah.
If you'll excuse me,
I'll be right back. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
How the hell y'all manage to get past
the chain-locked doors?
They just magically flew open.
Maybe you should look into that.
Uh, is everything good over here?
Where I know you from?
I don't ever forget a face.
Hey, Pops. It's all good.
Marqui was just leaving.
Heh! Hey, do work, son.
- Thanks for the ride, Pop. - Mm-hmm.
No problem.
You and I are due for a chat.
Hey, um, I'm sorry
if I made things awkward earlier.
Uh, nah, that's my bad.
Can we just hit the refresh button?
- I'd like that. Heh! - Yeah.
Don't take this personally, because I know it's
your life's ambition to make sandwiches,
but that looks hella sad. Wait. Seriously?
Amina said we were striving for expert-level.
It's giving "my toddler niece made it."
Wow. OK.
Um, I saw you and Amina
together in the locker room,
and now I feel dumb. Why?
Because I should've seen it from the jump.
She's that girl you were all fawning over
at The Hangout a while back. Nah,
we're not even like that. Really?
'Cause it seems so. No, seriously.
There isn't a girl in the picture.
Is there... a guy in the picture?
No judgment, seriously.
It's just you were uninterested
in the girls' attention at Beverly, and then
you acted weird about the panties in your locker
and, not to boast, but I've never been turned down.
No, look, I'm not gay, OK?
I was in an almost 3-year relationship
with this girl back home that ended months ago.
So, you're into girls, just not me.
No, no, that's not what I'm...
That's OK. It's all you had to say.
Um, I think it's time I find my "cousin."
You nervous? No.
Good. I see you ain't got no button.
What's this beef you got with my daughter?
Who told you we was beefing?
I got eyes and ears all up and down
this hallway, little boy. Spill.
Mr. Simms, I swear on my life
I ain't got no beef with Amina.
In fact, I ain't got nothing but mad respect for her.
If I find out that's not the case,
we gonna have a problem, because the sort of life
you and your dad is living is exactly the kind I'm trying
to keep my daughter away from. Do I make myself clear?
- Yes, sir. - Raise up outta here.
Hey. Hey.
- Oh, you found it. - Yeah.
I nearly turned over every box in sight
before I remembered I kept it
in my dad's cubby so it wouldn't get lost.
Heh! So what's so special about this book?
Tomorrow is my mom's birthday.
Oh.
Yeah, um, I'm sorry, Amina.
Yeah, I remember you said that she passed away.
Yeah, it's just not a day where I can pretend
to be happy or hide my emotions.
It's just easier to stay home
and let whatever happens flow.
Which is why I have to leave before midnight.
Yeah, I know that feeling.
I was really close to my godfather and, um,
yeah, he passed away a couple years back.
His birthday's always been hard.
I actually started this tradition
to help me get through it.
Yeah, every year on his day, uh,
I watch an old episode of "I Love Lucy"
like we used to when I was younger.
That's what this book is for me.
Memories of her I've collected over the years.
Pictures, articles, and stuff.
It's a way to remember the best parts of who she was.
You said articles. Was she an actress?
No, no.
A lawyer, actually. Oh.
See, now I know where you get
those, uh, "closing statement"
energy pep talks from. OK. Heh!
- Yeah. Ha ha! - Whatever.
Hey, you want to go for a walk?
Sure, I'd actually really like that.
All right.
And that was only my third case as an associate.
And I tried that solo and swept the prosecution.
Man, all because the lead counsel had food poisoning?
I'm convinced he overslept. But, sure.
Well, I'm sorry.
I'm just--I'm trying to understand.
Like, you've lived 9 lives and you look the same age as me.
So how old are you for real, anyway?
Oh, I know you didn't just ask me that.
Fair.
- Hmm. - Is everything OK?
Some of my friends were trying to set me up with
this woman on a blind date, and she just canceled.
Not sure why I admitted that to a student.
Heh heh! No worries. Listen, my lips are sealed,
but I am sorry she canceled.
Oh, it's all good. But, lucky for you,
that means I have a little more time,
if you wanted to continue unpacking
all things torts. Oh, absolutely.
I mean, I got questions for days.
It does come with one caveat.
I was really looking forward to having a drink tonight.
This also stays here.
And if you say anything, you'll find out
how good of a lawyer I am. OK.
Trust me, stealing toilet paper ain't worth getting suspended.
I wish it was toilet paper I was looking for.
Is there a way out of here?
At this point, I'll take an underground tunnel.
What's got you so pressed to dip?
Mmm. Better question. What's his name?
- Irrelevant. - Hmm.
Well, as fine as you are, you shouldn't let
no "irrelevant" guy ruin your night.
Matter of fact, y'all gotta stop letting us live rent-free
in your feelings, 'cause 9 times out of 10,
we ain't even planning things through the way y'all hoping.
Then, boom...
one wrong move ends up ruining a perfectly good friendship.
Was that advice for me or for yourself?
- I guess both. - Well,
for a guy who doesn't think things through,
that was pretty spot-on.
I'm not gonna find keys in this dirty cart, am I?
Oh, absolutely not, but it's fun watching you try.
When you said "articles," I didn't think you meant
full-page spreads in the "Philadelphia Gazette."
She was hella passionate about helping people
in the community, especially when
that 3-strike law started taking us out like the flu.
Yo, it's really dope that your mom
was a part of that actual fight.
Male singer: ♪ All the thoughts in your mind ♪
Uh, we gonna talk
about why your cheeks were abnormally chubby?
All right, they weren't that big.
Wait. Were they?
I don't know. It's up for debate.
Oh, yeah.
They definitely were. OK, whatever.
Ha ha ha ha!
♪ I'll take the call ♪
Oh, I know this one.
"Hey Black Child."
My mom made me recite that when I was younger.
I was really shy and--
You? Shy?
- Shut up. Ha ha! I was. - OK.
Anyway, she swore that this poem
would help my confidence.
"Hey, Black child,
do you know who you are?"
Male singer: ♪ When all hope dies and skies erupt ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
I'm sorry.
I don't know what's happening. Oh, no.
Look, don't ever apologize for feeling.
I think the hardest part of all of this was that
when she died...
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
things for her were complicated.
She didn't get the chance to right her wrongs
or salvage her reputation.
♪ ...your shelter, I will ♪
- Maybe I can do that for her. - ♪ I will ♪
- I'm sure she'd like that. - ♪ I will be your shelter ♪
And she'd be damn proud of you for even starting here.
♪ I will, I will ♪
♪ I will be your shelter ♪
♪ I will, I will ♪
♪ I will be your shelter ♪
I still can't believe you made all of this happen.
If you're trying to take my mind off the fact
that I just fell apart in your arms,
it's working. Thanks.
As for all of this, it was more
of a team effort than you think.
But it all started in your brain.
That's something to celebrate.
I don't know how much that'll matter.
I'm sure Marcus will take credit for it
in his speech tonight.
If you were to give a speech,
what would you say was your inspiration behind it all,
the reason you're running for office in the first place?
Well, it all started
with this guy Fred, who sleeps in the baseball dugout
at night. Mm-hmm.
One day, I saw him scrounging for food
and ended up bringing him the remainders of my lunch.
Me, Macy, and some friends
started rotating taking food to him,
and it got me thinking, we should be doing this
for others in the community.
And the only way to make that a thing here
at South Crenshaw High is if I have the power
to authorize it as Stu-Co President.
Hey, not for nothing,
but if I heard that story in speech form,
I mean, my vote is yours,
not Marcus's.
It's 12:03.
Technically, you made it past midnight.
What you think?
Try for another hour or two?
Wait. So they threw out the case
on limited testimony? Yeah.
D.A. Baker stepped in, put her foot down.
That's when I knew you got to be a boss to be a lawyer.
I still can't believe you got to work for her,
but talk about having lived 9 lives.
You were basically an associate
as a pre-law student, so how old are you?
Mmm! I know you didn't just ask me that.
Well, I'm definitely
old enough to have another drink.
OK.
Cheers.
Come on. Please tell me that is
a normal radio playlist.
Nope, it's mine.
In all fairness, I didn't know it was
on this particular playlist. Mmm.
I was listening to it long before you were my student.
- I knew I was a hood legend. - OK.
This might sound corny, but
this song hypes me up
before litigation, for real.
It's become like my anthem...
- Mmm. - for never changing who I am
as a killer Black woman in the face of an industry
built on conformity. Hmm.
You know, I--I was wondering, now that I have the artist
here herself, what was
the inspiration behind the song? Simple.
I was a teenager and, uh,
didn't know how to come out to my
super-conservative Christian mom...
- Mmm. - so I put it in a song.
- I'm impressed. - But I got to give credit
to my girl Patience. I mean, she helped me
to realize that I didn't need
to hide my truth from my mom or anyone.
That's her, singing on the hook.
I love that. Is she still in the picture?
Yeah, she around. I mean, we just--
we're long-distance right now. She's in New York,
doing her thing on Broadway, making me proud.
OK. Period. We should toast to that.
Do you want another round?
Uh...
♪ This is me, this is me... ♪
Oh, actually, um,
my niece needs me, so... Hmm.
I gotta go, but thank you
for the office hours. Yeah, anytime.
Yo.
Aye, what you say to make Amina cry?
What? Man, what the hell
makes you think I'm the reason she was crying?
Man, you know what? I don't even have time
for you today. Got to go find my pops.
Yo, was it me?
Was she crying 'cause of me?
So you do care?
Bruh, of course I care.
Meen's like family.
Mm-hmm.
Sure that's all it is? Family?
Look, I just want to make sure she's OK.
That's it. I think she will be.
And before you ask, no, I'm not gonna betray
her confidence, all right? Because whatever she's got
going on, that's her own damn business.
But if you really cared about her,
you'd be talking to her yourself, man,
not trying to fish it from me, "bruh."
Yo.
Why does it look like you're about to transform into
the Incredible Hulk, man? Um,
I think maybe we should dip. I'm getting tired.
Wait, but you were the one who brought me here.
What, you exhausted with your little love triangle?
Man, what are you talking about?
Aye, I've always got eyes on you, son.
And it seems like you've been bouncing
back and forth with both Amina
and a certain head cheerleader from our school.
What's the deal, man?
There is no deal. For starters,
the Beverly cheerleader thinks I'm gay.
I'm sorry. Come again?
Watch out. Heh!
She kinda made this pass that I shot down,
and then she thought I was with Amina.
But like I told you, we're just friends.
Plus, Amina is kinda into someone else.
Right.
Now that I'm talking all this out, man!
How did this all get so messy so fast?
Welcome to high school, man.
Man, can we just fast-track to college?
Yeah, that is just as messy, man.
You'll see.
Why didn't I just kiss Tori?
I mean, a million other guys would have.
And I'm young and single.
And an overthinker. Damn!
Look, you just the kind of dude
that likes there to be a real connection first.
There's nothing wrong with that.
And trust me, after living with those thin-ass walls
we shared back in Oakland, I can confirm you aren't gay.
I mean, look, you and Courtney
started out as friends, kind of like you and Amina.
Yeah, but that was different.
Not really. Look,
the best relationships start out that way.
Same goes for me and your mom.
You and Amina are friends.
You and Tori are making your way to being friends.
Don't feel like you have to rush anything.
Things'll happen with the right girl
when it feels right, a'ight?
Trust your gut, man. You got this.
Good job. Uh-huh.
Thank you.
Hello. First, I want to thank
each and every one of you for volunteering tonight.
Give yourselves a round of applause.
The midnight hour marks a day that has routinely been
one of the most challenging days of my life.
It's my late mom's birthday.
You see, my mom made a huge impact
in our community, and it's sad
that her legacy was shrouded by her complicated past.
But every single one of us knows
that growing up like we do, life isn't obstacle-free.
Sometimes things get complicated
when you're just trying to survive.
My mom was resilient
and smart,
and sadly, she didn't get the opportunity
to rewrite her own narrative before she passed.
But I'm here to do so in her honor.
I'd like to tell you all about a woman
who served the community as a public defender,
a woman who helped people that looked like you and I
get justice when others turned a blind eye.
She recognized when our people were being neglected,
and I'm realizing that that's maybe part
of the legacy she left in me.
Doing something about the neglected
in our own backyard. That's why
I advocated to put this event together tonight.
And if you elect me,
Amina Simms, as your Stu-Co President,
I promise to focus on initiatives
like these to heal people.
Not just here at home,
but as far as we can reach.
Because we need leaders
who remind us that we are worthy,
we are powerful,
and we are everything.
And like my favorite poem-- "Hey Black Child,"
by Useni Eugene Perkins-- reminds us,
"Do what you can do, and tomorrow,
your nation will be what you want it to be."
Thank you.
Yeah!
It's great to meet you.
So good.
Hey. Hey.
Can I holla at you?
Uh, sure. What's up?
Why are you being weird right now?
Like you don't know your dad scared the hell out of me.
OK. Fair.
This whole time, I thought you was avoiding me
because of what happened at the game.
I was so self-centered, I didn't realize what tomorrow,
or, I guess, today was.
I'm sorry, Meen.
- You don't owe me an apology. - I do.
I should have been there for you,
then maybe you wouldn't have had to lean so hard on a stranger.
You mean KJ?
Whatever.
What I'm trying to say is I'm proud of you.
What you said up there on those steps
was hella inspiring.
Took a lot of grown-woman courage to be able
to be that vulnerable. I'm sorry, could you
repeat that last part again? The grown part.
So you got jokes now.
I guess that's good.
So this mean we can pick up where we left off?
The good part, at least? Remind me.
Which good part?
It's been so, so long.
So you just got a whole comedy routine written up, huh?
Oh, I'm just getting started.
Mm-hmm.
Hey, where you find that?
Uh, yo, come on.
Can a girl eat in peace?
Well, I thought we ran out hours ago.
- No, we didn't. - Heh!
Well, the way you tearin' up them greens
can only mean one thing--
tipsy munchies.
Hey, how did you know?
I can sense those glossy,
brown liquor eyes a mile away.
Tsk. Look...
the panel turned into office hours,
then turned into after office hours
and, you know, Breonna, she was just--she was just
helping me with some law stuff that I was bumping on.
And before I knew it,
a bottle of cognac was coming out the drawer.
Oh, so y'all on a first-name basis?
And was the cognac
the only thing that came out of the drawer?
She's my professor, so yes.
Look----I been a teacher long enough
to know that I would never offer my students
alcohol unless it was something more,
even if they were adults.
Bro, I--I am still happily with Patience, remember?
It's not you that I'm worried about.
It's your professor that I'm questioning.
Just keep your eyes open, all right?
Hey, uh, I've been looking for you.
Yeah, the same, but first,
how does it feel to be on cloud nine? Heh!
You earned it. Thanks.
I couldn't have done it without your help, and that's
kind of what I wanted to talk to you about, but you first.
Uh, actually, I could wait.
Yeah, ladies first. OK, um,
apparently, us hanging out caught Khalil's attention,
in a good way, and I think he's jealous
of you, or rather, the idea of you and me.
He thinks there's a you and me?
Maybe. I dunno. But he keeps looking this way
and he called me grown and, oh, my God,
I'm rambling again, so I'm just gonna say it.
What do you think about being my boyfriend?
My fake boyfriend.
It would just be for a while, you know, to test out
this whole jealousy theory? And--oh, my God.
I cannot believe I just said that.
Forget it. It's stupid
and childish, and it's too much to ask,
and I'm gonna go anywhere else but here.
Hey, no, um...
I'll do it.
Yeah, if you...
need a fake boyfriend,
yeah, I'm in, if that's what you really want.
- Thanks. - Oh.
I owe you big.
OK, so, your turn next.
Uh, what did you need to talk to me about?
Um--ahem--nothing.
Hmm, hey, man.
Let me holla at you real quick, man.
What are you doing here?
Mr. Simms is already mad we broke in once.
Man, look, if anybody come asking about me,
you gonna say I dropped you off
at exactly 8:00 tonight.
But you didn't.
Dad, I thought we were done with this.
I dropped you off...
at 8:00.
Say it.
Dropped me off at 8:00.
I knew you'd come through for your old man.
Have a good night, son.
Greg, move your head!