02x01 - We Need a Resolution

[bunniefuu]

[VOCAL SAMPLES ON SOUNDTRACK]

LEIKELI : ♪ Back again
up in this mother... ♪

♪ Entertainment for you mother... ♪

♪ Come for my Ms, you'll
get this double-double ♪

♪ - straight to your bubble ♪

♪ In this game because
I love the trouble... ♪

- How's the crew at Bringston?
- They're good.

You and Damon, you guys worked
out all your friend stuff?

Wow. So you really think that I'd
move on that fast after we broke up?

♪ You better get back ♪

♪ You pop, huh, like,
my boy, did you forget ♪

♪ We know you not with... ♪

♪ I ain't knocking your little hustle ♪

♪ But watch it, I would
hate to hear that loud ♪

♪ Ooh, chitty-chitty bang,
chitty-chitty bang... ♪

CELINE: We had an
affair. I got pregnant.

I think you're that baby.

You're my son and J.R.'s brother.

DAMON: Celine betrayed you, and
I paid the price for your pride.

JESSIE: I knew I couldn't do it.

You were another man's child.

I'm sorry I hurt you,

but I had to protect my family.

[VOCAL SAMPLES PLAYING ON SOUNDTRACK]

'Cause you had a vasectomy,

the thought never occurred to
you that I could be yours, did it?

'Cause I am, in fact,
your biological son.

♪ Bang, bang, bang, ooh ♪

♪ Chitty-chitty bang,
chitty-chitty bang ♪

[ECHOING] ♪ Bang, bang... ♪

Good game.

ATHLETE: She got so much better.

- Oh, yeah.
- OK!

What exactly are you celebrating?

I just won my match.

That was a practice match between you

and the number- player on this team.

- You're in the top . You're supposed to win.
- Yes, Coach Hinds.

Look, we're in competition season now.

Real matches start in two weeks.

- Coach Loni expects you to be ready.
- And I am ready.

I've been training nonstop
over the winter break,

and there's nothing more important to me

than showing up for
this team this season.

Coach, I'm here to win.

Well, you favoring your back foot

and your poor hip
rotation say different.

Do better, Simone.

Let's go. Huddle up.

I still won.

Coach Shaw was right about you.

Assistant Coach Keeshawn Stan.

Uh, yeah, my bad.

Coach Shaw said the field
would be empty today.

I was just trying to
feel it out for myself.

- Now, look, let me get out your way, all right?
- Hey, no need.

Dude, if everything goes as planned,

this will be your field soon.

I haven't decided if I'mma transfer yet.

"Doing what needs to be
done may not make you happy,

- but it... "
- BOTH: "Will make you great."

Yeah. George Bernard Shaw.

Tick-tock, son.

[KNOCK ON DOOR] SIMONE: Hello!

Oh! Well, OK! New president's office.

Auntie, I see you.

Thank you very much. Not bad, huh?

Definitely giving
Queen over her fiefdom,

I'll tell you that.

This is presidency
Amara Patterson style.

And you're right where
you're supposed to be.

Hmm.

Speaking of which, isn't practice
where you're supposed to be?

Auntie, do you think the coaches
blame me for losing their star player?

What if they believe
Thea's injury is my fault,

- like she says it is?
- OK.

You're talking about
grown-ass women, Simone.

The idea that you sabotaged
and injured Thea is ludicrous,

no matter what insanity
Thea's grief has her

running around campus, saying.

- KEISHA: OK!
- NATHANIEL: Yass!

It's giving President
Dr. Queen Patterson.

- KEISHA: She has money. My God.
- NATHANIEL: OK!

Peace lilies. Allegedly, they
bring good luck and good fortune,

- which we thought was apropos.
- Thank you.

And we're so proud of you. Plus...

Thank you all.

- Love you. So proud of you.
- AMARA: Love you, too.

Enough of that before
you all make me cry.

- KEISHA: OK.
- [AMARA CLEARS THROAT]

AMARA: Um, tell me about L.A.

How was the Christmas trip?

- KEISHA: It was fine.
- SIMONE: Uhh...

- it was fine.
- KEISHA: Yeah. Fine...

- SIMONE: I thought it was fine.
- Uhhhh, try again.

NATHANIEL: The "Cliffs Notes" version?

Cam ghosted Keisha,
and Jordan 'tis a ho.

KEISHA: OK, "ghosted" is kind of

- a strong way of saying...
- SIMONE: Jordan is not hoeing around exactly...

- OK. Whatever.
- Look,

whether or not Jordan is moving

a little fast with Layla or anyone else

is not my business anymore.

I'm fine.

OK. I'll just prove it to you all.

- KEISHA: What are you doing?
- I'm inviting Spencer and Jordan

to family brunch. They're
in town for their bowl game,

and they invited us to their
Christmas Eve Eve party,

so why not return the favor? And send.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[LAUGHTER]

Welcome back, man.

It's good to be back,

especially on neutral ground.

Heh! What, you spending the holidays

juggling your divorcing parents

wasn't all joy and Christmas cheer?

You mean our divorcing parents?

Yeah. Right.

I mean, I appreciate
you, bro, but you know

you didn't have to
get me anything, right?

n*gro, do you see these perfect corners?

Do it look like I can wrap like this?

Man, this from Mom.

Ah... yeah.

Thanks, man.

Hey, how was Christmas with Thea?

Did you tell her you're
considering transferring?

Nah, man. Um...

I mean, I wanted to,

but that girl is dealing
with a lot right now.

You know, her surgery
was successful, but,

well, with her recovery
and physical therapy,

uh, that's been a
little more complicated.

THEA: Are you crazy?

No. May is absolutely
not a freaking option.

What part of "I need to
get back on my courts"

- do you not understand?
- The recovery from a SLAP tear is what it is.

You can't defy medical science.

Well, clearly, you
don't know me that well.

We're done for the day, Thea.

You know, I don't give a crap

what degree you got.

I know my body, and I know
my pain tolerance level...

That's the whole point.
You're not supposed

to be feeling pain
doing these exercises.

THEA: OK, do you want
to get fired like...

DAMON: W-w-wait. Time...
time-out. Time-out.

Time-out.

Bro, look, um,

you might want to go, like,
take a break or something.

- I'll see you Thursday, Thea.
- THEA: Mm-hmm.

DAMON: Appreciate it.

Hey, babe.

[EXHALES]

- Look, babe, maybe you should take it...
- No, shh. Mm.

No, not you, too. Please don't.

Fine. Look, are you ready?

Ready? For... ? Oh.

- Family brunch.
- No. I forgot about that.

- Maybe I shouldn't go. It's just so...
- What? No, no, no, no, no.

Dr. P. is already expecting us, OK?

It is gonna be cool, all right?

- Trust me.
- [SARCASTICALLY] Yeah, sure it is.

♪ Might be I'll have to start dripping ♪

♪ Yeah, it's a whole
lotta ice on me... ♪

Put the food on the
table. We are almost ready.

Hey, look who I found out front.

- SPENCER: Yo.
- SIMONE: Hey, Spence.

AMARA: Spencer, it is so
good to see you, sweetie.

SPENCER: You, too, Dr. Patterson.
Hey, thank you for the invite.

- Of course...
- SPENCER: Man.

Y'all ain't playing when
you say family brunch.

Boy, you know we take our food
and our family very seriously.

Mm.

- So no Jordan?
- He got stuck at a QB meeting.

Cam coming, right? I haven't
seen that fool in a minute.

He claims that he's running
late but that he'll be here soon.

Girl, I was just kidding earlier about

that whole ghosting
thing, but, seriously,

what's going on between you and Cam?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I'm worried about him,
but if he won't talk to me,

then I'll just have
to worry about myself.

J.R.: Starting in your
very first bowl game.

- Yo, that's dope.
- Crazy, right?

Honestly, it ain't even hit me yet.

Oh, you know Spencer's an overachiever.

He puts the rest of us athletes
to shame, don't you, Spence?

I don't know. Sounds
like someone else I know.

Well, it sucks my
coaches don't think so.

Maybe I could ask for a meeting
with Coach Loni and Coach Hinds

to kind of clear some
air between me and Thea.

Or you can let your
hard work on the court

speak for itself and avoid
any perception of drama.

Oop. Too late. Too late.

KEISHA: There goes the neighborhood.

AMARA: Y'all play nice. Damon
asked if he could bring her.

SPENCER: What's going on? What'd I miss?

Just Thea calling Simone
a "conniving bitch"

and then coming for Simone's neck.

- Because of Damon?
- No, stupid. Because of tennis.

Maybe a little bit because of Damon.

SIMONE: Oh, well, I'm glad all
of this is just so amusing to you.

Hey, hey. I'm just glad I'm not the
center of all the drama for once.

I'm gonna sit back and
enjoy this, all right?

- KEISHA: Yeah, you should.
- [NATHANIEL CHUCKLES]

DAMON: What's up, man?
Good to see you again, man.

SPENCER: Bro, you, too, man.

Welcome back. [CHUCKLES]

- Um, it's OK I brought Thea, too, right?
- Does it look OK?

Simone, look, I know
she talked a lot of smack

on the court that day and things
have been pretty messy since.

But she was just spiraling, Simone.

Look, she knows how important
your friendship is to me.

- She's chill now.
- Hey, Damon,

you should sit down. It's time to eat.

Yeah. Real chill.

J.R.: Yo, Dr. P., what channel
is your R & B holiday music?

J.R., turn that up.

REPORTER: ... was spotted
in a secret training session

at Hawkins this morning.

In keeping with NCAA rules,
Coach Shaw was nowhere in sight,

but it appears the rumors are true.

Damon Sims is looking to
enter the transfer portal

and leave Bringston University behind.

Seriously?

Excuse me.

- Thank you so much for brunch.
- Thea.

I told you. You should've told her.

He really wants to play for Coach Shaw?

It's either that or play for our dad.

SIMONE: I guess better
the devil you know

versus the devil you
want nothing to do with.

SPENCER: Ain't nobody wondering
who leaked that video of him?

CAM: Hey, I know I'm
late, y'all. My bad.

Well, dang. What'd I miss?

Everything.

CAM: I didn't realize we inviting
everyone to family meals now.

At least he showed up on time.

OK. I'mma roll out.

I got another workout I got to get in.

I'll go with you. I got two-a-days,

so I got to get back on the court.

AMARA: But you know that you can always

- talk to me, Damon.
- I know. I know. I want to stay.

All right? I do, Dr. P. Believe me.

I just don't know how to play for...

Coach Raymond after
everything he's done.

I understand that things are complicated

- with him being your birth father.
- Is Coach Marcus coming back anytime soon?

I wish I knew, sweetie,

but he's on leave indefinitely,

and he isn't taking my calls.

So that means that Coach Raymond
is gonna be my coach indefinitely.

[SIGHS]

Listen, this is a big
personal decision, Damon,

so take your time. You have
to do what's best for you.

But as soon as you
decide, please let me know.

I'm sure eventually, I'll have to do

some damage control with the trustees.

WOMAN: You're very quiet today, Marcus.

Just thinking.

Care to think out loud?

That's what I'm here for.

Our last session, we talked about

how your time here is coming to an end.

And I sensed some
resistance on your part.

I voluntarily checked myself in here.

Isn't it up to me when
I check myself out?

I think the better question is,

why don't you want
to check yourself out?

It's been weeks, Marcus.
Your new meds are working.

Group therapy worked.
Our sessions have worked.

You asked me what I was
thinking about earlier.

I was staring at my distorted reflection

in the glass covering your artwork.

Now, what if that's how my players
and my friends see me now...

distorted, broken, different?

What if it's not?

- Well, I appreciate you walking me back.
- It's all good.

You ready to talk about it yet?

- Talk about what?
- Take your pick.

Why are you so relieved
Jordan didn't actually show,

Damon leaving Bringston,

or whatever's going on
with you and your coaches?

So nothing gets past you, huh?

I told you. I'm just sitting
back and enjoying watching.

OK. Well, how about this?

I'll talk to you about Jordan and Damon

if you tell me how you really feel
post-break-up with you and Liv.

- So tennis it is.
- Mm-hmm.

- [SIGHS]
- [CLEARS THROAT]

The only reason why I made top
is because Thea's injured.

And to be honest, I don't think
my coaches think I'm good enough.

What do you think?

I think this semester, this new year

was supposed to be me
stepping into this epic era,

creating a buzz around
my name in the conference,

and two-a-days back on campus.

Nothing new, nothing epic.

I mean, your coaches could've
chosen anybody to move up.

- They chose you.
- Or they chose the best of the worst.

Wow. OK.

Who are you, and what have
you done with Simone Hicks?

- Spencer, I'm very serious.
- Me, too.

You got to dig deep, Sim, and
find a way to step your game up.

When I first landed at GAU,

I had my ass handed to me on that field.

Coach Garrett hated me.

So then what'd you
do to change his mind?

I humbled myself,

watched a lot of my game tape,

and really locked in on my weaknesses,

and I turned them into strengths.

Yo, we good?

Do you realize how many times

we asked each other
that on Christmas break?

All right. Look, I know
I was busy back in L.A.

- Busy?
- Look, we're back home at Bringston now.

Can we just, you know,
put the break behind us?

- It's a new year.
- Not quite yet.

Do you mind? This a
private conversation.

I'm just saying,

if you're gonna try to woo
my girl, at least be accurate.

OK, yes, yes. Tomorrow's New Year's Eve.

And after our dinner at Bertacchi's,

we can spend all night together

talking and, well, some other stuff.

Uh, actually, um, about that.

I was thinking we don't do Bertacchi's.

No, no. Look, hear me
out, hear me out, OK?

It's just that New Year's can
be a really lonely time, and...

well, Nate doesn't have a date,
so she shouldn't be alone, right?

- Now, why am I in it?
- Well, Simone, too. She ain't got nobody.

Maybe we can all just do
something chill together.

Oh, OK. I got to go. I'm late.

KEISHA: So he wants to turn our romantic

New Year's Eve into a group hang.

But you know what? Bet.

Why stop at you and Simone?
Why not just invite everybody?

I mean, I am due for a good
old-fashioned Keisha McCalla rager, so...

Kee, what are you doing?

Worrying about my damn self.

Hey, we gonna party on New Year's, Nate.

And I think I know just who to invite.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

[KNOCK ON DOOR, LAPTOP CHIMES]

Jessie, now's not a good time.

I'm guessing the trustees
want answers just like I do.

Did you know Damon was leaving?

He hasn't made a decision yet.

And, no, I had no idea.

What are we gonna do about it?

We are going to give
Damon some room to breathe

and let him make his decision.

The baseball season doesn't
start for another few weeks.

Amara, if Damon leaves, this
baseball program goes to hell.

You need to do something.

Jessie, you need to be less worried
about losing your star pitcher

and more worried about losing your son.

And you need to stop thinking
like everyone's fun aunt

and start thinking
like a damn president.

A trash baseball program means

a loss of recruiting power,
a loss of sponsorships,

a loss of revenue for this institution.

Your predecessor understood that.

You can't afford to give Damon a
couple of weeks to be in his feelings.

You need a decision and a new plan now.

[DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS]

Thea. Hey.

Babe, wait. Wait. Listen... listen...

Do you know how stupid I feel?

You know, I thought
that we were building

- something real here between us.
- We are.

Right, which is why you let me find out

on the news that you're transferring?

And don't tell me about, you
just kept it from everyone

because I could see on
J.R.'s face that he knew.

- So who else knew?
- Just listen to me, OK?

I wanted to tell you everything.

You just had a lot going on with your
shoulder, and I didn't know how...

Damon, we all have a lot
going on. That's called life.

- And I know that.
- [CELL PHONE VIBRATES]

You should just check that.

It's probably someone
more important than me.

I will just turn it off, OK?

[CELL PHONE BUZZES]

It's Dr. P. She's...

she's summoning me to
her office right now.

Like I said, someone
more important than me.

That's not... [EXHALES]

AMARA: Damon, I know I
told you to take your time

in making your transfer decision,

but, unfortunately, the luxury of time

is the one thing neither
of us has anymore.

As president, I need to
put this institution first.

Um, what does that mean, Dr. P.?

It means you have hours to decide

if you're leaving Bringston.

J.R.

Come on, Dad. Look, I
am not in it, all right?

J.R., if Damon leaves, it
affects your baseball team.

This is not the time for
you to run from the fight.

I'm just protecting my peace.

And, real talk, I ain't mad at
Damon for trying to protect his.

This is not about our family drama.

This is about baseball.

And that's your problem, right, Dad?

Because for me and Damon,
it's about family and baseball.

Look, it took me a long time
trying to find my brother.

I'm not gonna let anything
mess that up, especially you.

So from this moment forward,
consider me Switzerland.

If you want to talk to Damon
about staying on the team,

that's for you guys to settle, Dad.

See you later, though.

I want to thank you for
coming to help me out today.

I realized last night,

I can't focus on my
weaknesses if I can't see them.

It's all good.

I got an hour to k*ll before
J. picks me up for practice.

So you sure you got everything?

- Lenses, all that?
- Yes.

Look, just go out there,
do your thing, k*ll it,

- and I'll take care of the rest.
- Spence, relax.

- This is just a practice match.
- Hey,

act like it's not.

Go on.

The floor nurse says you've
received a number of calls

from an Amara Patterson.

Maybe returning her
call would be a good way

to ease the outside world in.

Maybe.

Marcus, you've shut out the
world for quite a while now.

No TV, no music.

You're not taking
calls from your friends.

You're gonna have to
face it all sometime.

- Isn't that proof that I'm not ready?
- No.

It's proof that you're scared to try.

The power's in you, Marcus.

You're a remarkable man.

And adding to that, you're a coach.

Any ignorance you encounter

can just be a teachable moment.

Look at me.

The world is a better
place with you in it,

but you have to really be
in it for that to be true.

I always tell my boys
fear is never the problem.

We all fear.

It's what we do with that
fear that matters, you know?

Like I said, remarkable
man, great coach.

Maybe it's time you listen to yourself.

Coach Ray...

[EXHALES] Damn.

Hey. Damon.

- Hey, what's up?
- Have you seen Spencer?

Nah, bro, I haven't.

Was it all a joke to you?

Look, bro, I got a
lot going on right now.

You really don't want
to do this right now.

You see, when Simone
and I were together,

there was a lot I
didn't say out of respect

for her and your so-called friendship,

but we're not together anymore, so now,

- now seems like a really good time.
- Dude, what is your problem?

- I'm not even with your girl.
- Right, right. Because what?

Because she's not attractive
to you unless she's unavailable?

Unless you're stealing her
out from underneath somebody,

- it's not worth it to you?
- Oh, OK.

I'm gonna need you to watch your mouth

and stop talking about her
like she's a piece of property.

You're really out here trying to
pretend you give a crap about her?

Where was all this whenever
you were busy upending her life

and then you got bored and decided

to hook up with her friend instead?

- I'm done.
- Oh, you're done, huh?

Guess what, guess what.
We are so not done.

[SCOFFS]

You have seconds to
get out of my face, dawg.

[APPLAUSE]

- KEISHA: Yes!
- NATHANIEL: Now, that was impressive.

SIMONE: Thank you.

- What are y'all doing here?
- I was actually just

coming to check to make sure
you got the New Year's Eve invite

- for tonight's party chez moi.
- My bad. I got curfew.

- What time is curfew?
- : .

OK, well, then the party starts at : .

You see how easy that was?

- What is she doing?
- Playing with fire.

OK. Spencer?

- SPENCER: Yeah.
- SIMONE: We're leaving.

- I guess I'll see you tonight.
- See you tonight.

STUDENT: Come on, man. Be cool.

- STUDENT: Hey, man.
- STUDENT : Hey, hey.

- JESSIE: That's enough...
- SPENCER: Hey, hey!

You out your damn mind?
You just got your hand back.

JORDAN: OK, OK. Fine. I'm fine.

Go on. Get him out of here!

DAMON: Get off me.

[DOOR SLAMS SHUT]

Damon, Damon. Damon,

you OK? What happened?

Talk to me. What happened?

I guess that fight was
a long time coming, huh?

What?

[CHUCKLES] I mean,

when two guys fall for the same girl,

it's kind of inevitable, Simone.

Not when everyone has moved on.

Damon, what really happened in there?

[SIGHS]

Your aunt gave me
hours to make a decision.

I don't know. The pressure, the
fear of making the wrong decision.

I guess Jordan was just

running his mouth at the
wrong place at the wrong time.

I get it.

You know, I was considering
transferring last semester, too, right?

So I get how overwhelming
a decision like that is,

and I didn't even have the
family stuff on top of it.

Um...

Do you maybe think you
can talk to your aunt?

Buy me some more time?

Damon, I would if I actually
thought it would make a difference,

but if my aunt gave you hours,

then that's probably
all she has to give.

But I'm here to listen
as long as you need me to.

But Thea is probably the person you
need to talk to about this stuff. So...

I would if Thea would
actually talk to me.

But thanks for the ice pack

and the ear. I'll be straight.

So you done walking it off yet?

- Man. He just gets under my skin.
- Oh, wait. For real?

- I don't think nobody noticed.
- All right. This isn't funny. Just...

Yeah, you right.

What's funny is you fighting some dude

who ain't dating the girl that
you ain't even dating no more.

The person you got unfinished
business with is Simone, J.

Y'all need some real
closure, like, yesterday.

Whoa.

Nice outfit.

You good, bro?

Why y'all even on campus?
You don't even go here.

Whatever. Can you all
just not tell anyone

you saw me delivering food?

You mean don't tell Keisha? [CHUCKLES]

Y'all fools got the
same damn problem, man...

communication.

Y'all letting your pride and ego

stop you from talking to the
women you say mean a lot to you.

Y'all gonna learn the hard way.

Watch.

ANNOUNCER ON TV: $ .
Want some spending money?

DIFFERENT ANNOUNCER:
... is up to throw...

All right. Sports. Nice and easy.

MAN ON TV: Let's be clear. The
only reason Sims' potential transfer

would even be valid this time of year

is because of the coaching
changes at Bringston,

a loophole no one is
surprised Coach Shaw

is readily taking advantage of,

although the portal does open him up

to any school that wants
him, not just Hawkins.

Regardless, this would be a
major blow to the Bringston Lions,

who were poised for quite
the comeback this year.

OK, well, this isn't the outfit
that I was going for tonight, but

at least you're here.

Well, actually, I can't stay.

Well, like, right now, or you
can't come to the party at all?

Wow.

OK, Cam, if you don't
want to be with me anymore,

please just say that because
whatever game you're playing

hurts too much, and I don't
want to do this anymore.

I lost my football scholarship.

That's why I was so distant in L.A.

and didn't bring you
home to meet my parents.

I had to tell them about it,

and I knew that wasn't
gonna go well, so...

I... I don't know. I guess the anxiety

about having to deal
with all that back home

just brought out the old
Cam and my old insecurities.

Wait. Wait. Wait.
What... what do you mean,

you lost your football scholarship?

When? Why?

The night of the step show.

It was either make curfew
or perform with you,

- and I chose you.
- Oh, my God.

Since then, I've been working
mad jobs to try and save money.

That's why I've been so M.I.A.

Wait. But, Cam, that...

that was weeks ago. Why
didn't you tell me sooner?

I didn't want you to feel responsible.

I mean, that's why I didn't
have you meet my parents.

I didn't want them to blame you either.

- So instead...
- So instead, you chose to gaslight me

and make me feel like I was crazy

for thinking you were lying
and keeping things from me

when that's exactly what you
were doing the whole time?

OK, well, this outfit
makes more sense now.

Don't let me keep you from your shift.

You need help?

From you? No, thank you.

I'd like to keep both
my shoulders intact.

I don't even know why I bother.

Anyway, while you're busy
being high and mighty,

you might want to check on Damon.

He could really use
your support right now.

Oh, so now you're telling
me what my boyfriend needs.

I'm not telling you anything.

I'm trying to be the bigger person here,

but screw that and screw you.

I actually have a match to prep for.

Simone, it won't make a
difference how much you practice.

You will never be me,
and you'll never b*at me,

even with my shoulder messed up.

I'm not even gonna engage, Thea.

Are you afraid to play me?

Are you crazy?

You know what? Fine. You
want to be humiliated?

Let's go.

♪ She ain't nothing
like, nothing like me ♪

♪ I am the first of my kind ♪

♪ I am essential ♪

♪ Yeah, you can check my credentials ♪

♪ Movin' like I set the tempo ♪

♪ Don't know what you waiting
fo', get ready for it ♪

♪ I'm the top dawg running
this g*ng, g*ng, g*ng ♪

♪ When I pop up, I'mma
go bang, bang, bang ♪

♪ Not a knockoff, I'm the
real thang, thang, thang ♪

♪ I am the rule breaker ♪

♪ Ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ♪

♪ Ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ♪

- ♪ I am the rule breaker ♪
- [THEA GROANING]

HINDS: What the hell is
wrong with the two of you?

You're supposed to be
teammates. Let me see.

- It's OK. I'm...
- HINDS: Shut up and go see the trainer.

You're likely gonna need
an MRI to assess the damage.

I can't believe that you would do this.

You, of all people, I would think
would take your recovery seriously.

Coach, I am. I just... I...

You do realize once Coach
Loni hears about this,

she's gonna ban you from the court

until you're fully medically healed.

That means you can't
even sit with the team

during practices or games.

- Go.
- But...

Go.

Coach, Coach, I'm really sorry. I...

You almost lost a match to
essentially a one-armed player.

We're an HBCU.

I refuse to have a team
that's less than the best.

So understand this:

the minute Thea is
recovered and cleared,

she's getting her top- spot back.

You're not ready, and
this match just proved it.

[DAMON READING OUT LOUD] "Damon,
I am so glad J.R. found you.

My sons have each other,
and that's all that matters.

Here's to the memories
you'll make together.

The blank pages are for
the memories to come."

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[SIGHS]

What are you doing here?

It's time we talked, don't you think?

I don't have anything to
say to you. Not anymore.

Fine. You just listen.

I get that you want to punish me,

but are you really so selfish

that you can't see what
leaving will do to your brother,

- your team?
- "Selfish"?

This is coming from a man

who chose himself over
a defenseless child?

God. You are so hypocritical.

And for the record,

ain't nobody punishing you, man.

I don't give a damn about you.

Hey.

- What's up?
- So you're not afraid if he leaves

that you'll lose him?

Why is your arm back in a sling?

[SIGHS]

OK. No, I'm not afraid. We're brothers.

And we made a pact not to
let this come between us.

I trust him. You should, too.

J.R., how am I supposed to
do that if he didn't tell me?

Well, he did put your recovery first.

You do realize he gave up spending time

in Chicago with his family to be
by your side this winter break?

Look, Thea, don't let your ego cost you

everything you love in life.

And seeing as your
recovery is going backwards,

I'mma guess it already cost you tennis.

And it's gonna cost you Damon,
too, if you keep shutting him out.

♪ I'm freein' all of
my people out of hell ♪

♪ Blame it on the coke, on
the smoke and the scale ♪

♪ Tryin' to lock us up,
but you always gonna fail ♪

♪ We don't want the damn dreams
that I know you tryin' to sell... ♪

He literally could've just
told me when it happened.

I truly could've helped.

I don't know. I could've
helped him by being

a buffer for him when he
started talking to his parents,

but instead, he decided to cut me out?

Baby girl, I love you,

but you're getting on my nerves. Uh-uh.

Have you considered any of this
from Cam's point of view? Do...

do you know how hard
this must be for him?

He lost football, his first love.

He then had to go home with
his tail between his legs,

let his parents down
by telling them, "Uh-oh.

There is no scholarship."

Now he's running himself ragged,

trying to figure out how
to pay for his tuition.

Oh, and, mind you,

all of this while his
rival shows up in his town,

flirts with his girl,

and plays in a bowl game that
Cam will never get to play in.

Yeah! Yeah, I'd be tripping, too.

[KNOCK KNOCK]

My bad.

Uh, you out of whatever
concoction was in here.

They practically licking
the bowl out there.

I will handle this.

You OK?

I, um,

I actually think I owe you an apology.

For trying to use me
to make Cam jealous?

I was that obvious, huh? Ugh.

I think I really messed this up, Spence.

Yeah, well, you're not gonna fix it

standing in this kitchen here with me.

Come on.

Where are we going?

Hey.

Jordan, today is ranking
as one of my top worst,

and I really don't have
time for this right now.

- What's going on?
- That's not why you came here.

No. No. I, um...

I came here to talk
about how much I hate

how awkward things were in L.A.

We were friends before anything else.

Technically, we were a one-night
stand that became friends, then...

then everything else.

We never did things
the simple way, did we?

Where's the fun in that?

Look, it doesn't...

it doesn't matter why
I came here, all right?

You look like you could use a friend,

and I'm happy to be a substitute

until we find our way back
to being the real thing.

Thea reinjured herself
today playing against me,

and that's probably the only reason why

I'll be in the top
for a little bit longer.

She's coming for her spot back,

and Coach made it very clear
that she's gonna get it.

Hey, it's not your fault Thea is injured

any more than it's my fault that
Wade is off my football team.

- Jordan, that's not the same.
- Yeah, it is.

Look, we can't feel guilty

for the circumstances that
gave us our dream sh*t.

We just have to honor the opportunity

by being the best us we can be,

the us that fought our
way from being walk-ons

to starting players
in less than months.

And we can't let anyone
or anything get in our way.

If your coach thinks you're
just a place-holder...

ah, prove her wrong.

And Thea may come back for her spot. OK.

But make sure that there
is no number-one spot

for her to come back to
because you've truly become

the best player on the team.

All right.

I just need to find my way back to being

the Simone that got me this far already.

I don't have time to doubt myself.

I need to be undeniable.

So do you for tomorrow's game.

I know.

- Thank you.
- Anytime.

About what you wanted to say tonight?

My New Year's wish
for you is to be happy,

whatever that looks like

and whoever that's with.

Come here.

[INHALES AND EXHALES]

I genuinely want the same for you.

- Good.
- [CHUCKLES]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN NEXT ROOM]

Thanks, Spence.

- Anytime.
- ALESSIA CARA: ♪ So much harder to be honest... ♪

I thought you had to work.

Well, I got my shift covered.

And, listen, I've made enough
mistakes to last a lifetime,

but the biggest one would've been

not bringing in the new
year with the girl I love.

- Cam...
- I'm not finished.

Serious relationships
are still new to me.

And, um, I'm not really good

with this whole vulnerable
communication thing.

Yeah, you and me both.

I just know there's no one
I'd rather work on it with.

We both made mistakes.

What I feel for you scares me sometimes.

OK, yeah, a lot of the time.

The thought of losing what we're
working to build scares me more.

So we'll work on this,

all of it, together.

That's right.

♪ But the hardest pill to swallow ♪

♪ Is the meantime ♪

♪ Are the best days just the ones ♪

- ♪ That we survive... ♪
- Hey. [CHUCKLES]

Look at you. I mean, hell
must be freezing over.

You out and it's past : ?

Yeah, I guess some people are
worth sacrificing sleep over.

Look, I'm sorry.

You never left my side through surgery,

through PT, and at the first
sign of trouble, I left yours.

[EXHALES]

No, but I still should've
figured out a way to tell you.

Look, I will stand by whatever
baseball decision that you make.

Wherever you go, we will make it work

because you are too
important to me not to.

You're too important to me, too.

- Thea?
- Mm-hmm.

I made my decision.

♪ Live and then you die ♪

♪ But the hardest pill to swallow ♪

♪ Is the meantime ♪

- _
- ♪ Just the ones that we survive? ♪

♪ Are the best days ♪

♪ What if my best days ♪

♪ Are the days I've left behind? ♪

♪ And what if the rest stays... ♪

MAN: You know, it's a, uh, tragedy
for a pretty woman like yourself

to bring in a New Year's all
alone with no one to kiss.

Well, I'm not alone.
I'm here with myself,

- and I'm perfectly fine.
- OK. OK, fine. That's fair enough.

But, you know, it's a tragedy
for a handsome man like myself

to bring in the New
Year's all alone. Hmm?

That was kind of corny?
All right, all right.

But you're smiling. You're smiling.

[CHUCKLES] I am.

- MAN: I'm, uh...
- SIMONE: Don't ruin it.

STUDENTS: Happy New Year! Whoo!

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh... ♪

Happy New Year.

♪ What if my best days ♪

♪ Are the days I've left behind? ♪
♪

- ♪ And what if the rest stays the same... ♪
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]

♪ For all my life? ♪

♪ What if the best days ♪

♪ Are the days I've left behind? ♪

♪ And what if the rest stays... ♪

Marcus.

Look, I realize I couldn't stay away

in hiding while my village burns.

I'm back. How can I help, Amara?

♪ Yeah, yeah, ooh ooh ooh... ♪

Greg, move your head.