01x01 - Chapter One: New Beginnings

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR:

If Hollywood's taught us one thing,

it's that finding love

in a big city can be,

you know, such a mess.

But would love really be any easier,

[crow calling]

less complicated,

if we were someplace else?

- How can I frame it ♪

NARRATOR:

This is the story of five women

looking for love in a town where,

well, let's just say your dating app

comes up empty after two swipes.

- No-no, no-no ♪

NARRATOR:

Welcome to Fairhope, Alabama.

♪

We've got two traffic lights,

one bar, a beach,

and the biggest bash on the Mobile Bay,

The Magnolia Ball,

where some of the best love stories begin,

or, well,

end,

especially this year.

- I don't really know a lot about love ♪

NARRATOR: Because while these

five women may live in a town

where their love lives are just

as spotty as their cell service,

they too, just like you and me,

are trying to figure out

this maddening thing called love.

Because, let's face it,

even in a small town,

love is complicated,

especially in a small town.

About Love by MARINA playing ♪

Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

NARRATOR:

The first chapter of our love story

is actually about chapters,

starting new ones.

Cute, right?

And it begins the week

of the big Magnolia Ball,

with heartbreak hometown girl, Abby,

who has just returned to Fairhope.

Love & Sound by Alula playing ♪

- Or time to stop with what we got,

we keep going ♪

NARRATOR:

Abby was born and raised in Fairhope,

but she had big dreams,

so she moved to New York City.

She found a dream job in marketing,

and soon after, fell madly in love,

but eventually,

it all came crashing down.

And sound ♪

Now she's back home at the local hang

trying to swallow her pride,

and some tequila,

and hit reset.

We keep going ♪

ABBY: I never thought I'd be

back in Fairhope at 30,

[Abby chuckles]

let alone ever.

You know,

when you go out around here,

it's like a high school reunion.

Sound ♪

BRIT: So, Abby's back! Woo!

[indistinct chatter]

- Yes.

- I need your energy in my life,

I've missed you.

- I've missed you,

I've missed Fairhope.

- How long are you back for?

- Indefinitely.

- Really?

- Yes.

[patrons chattering]

BRIT:

You gotta fill me in.

What made you change

your mind about New York?

- I, um-- It didn't work out.

And it's fine, it's fine.

- Okay.

- Like, not the person for me, and so--

- Oh, relationship-wise.

- Yeah, yeah.

- So, you came back alone?

- Yeah.

I am done with putting guys first

and neglecting myself.

- Period! Yes!

So, you're single and ready to mingle?

- Not looking at all.

- Okay.

- Just wanna have fun

and not, like, cater to a guy.

- We don't need that,

you don't need that!

- So, I got the cutest little house.

I'm just excited to have

my own space again,

and, like, go to bed and wake up

without worrying if I'm,

like, irritating someone.

- That's the best, honestly.

- [laughing] It really is.

- You don't realize how much energy

you put into worryin' about someone.

- I know! I'm just-- Yeah.

You wanna take a shot with me?

- You know what?

I would love that.

So, since you're back a little early,

The Magnolia Ball is this weekend.

- They still do that?

- You forgot?

[Abby laughing]

Oh, it took you

out of your roots, sister!

- Are you going?

- Should we?

- [scoffs] Duh.

- Should we?

- Yeah.

- We should, shouldn't we?

- [laughing] Yeah!

- Why don't you ask Trevor?

He always asks about you.

ABBY:

Well, duh. We'll see.

- Maybe that was

the one that you missed.

- No, like, I want to,

like, just be by myself.

BRIT: Absolutely, yeah.

- And just, like, focus on me,

and having fun,

and be with my friends, and, like, just--

- We're gonna be lookin' hot,

we're gonna have fun,

we're gonna have a few drinks.

- [Southern accent]

'Cause it's just you and I, baby girl.

- I love it, baby girl!

- I love you!

[laughs]

- Cheers to Abby bein' back.

[Abby gasping]

Let's go, girl!

I Like That

by Coola Maya playing ♪

Hey, sugar, whatcha doing ♪

Whatcha doing, baby ♪

♪

NARRATOR: There's something

I forgot to mention about Abby,

she's absolutely incapable

of staying away from

town bad boy/ex-boyfriend, Trevor.

I like that ♪

Care Anymore by Bryar playing ♪

[thunder rumbling]

It's like I'm cheating in my head ♪

Don't know if I can help it ♪

[chimes ringing]

ABBY:

You always look this good in the morning?

It's annoying. [chuckles]

[Trevor laughing]

Trevor is complicated, to say the least.

I mean, before I moved to New York,

we were in and out of a situationship

for what seemed like years.

TREVOR:

How's your coffee, need a refill?

ABBY:

Please.

- Did you have a good time last night?

- I did.

But I can't help myself ♪

Can't help myself ♪

♪

- Want sugar?

- No.

♪

[thunder rumbles]

♪

You make me nervous.

[Trevor chuckles]

- Why do I make you nervous?

- I don't know,

it's just been a while.

- Has been a while.

NARRATOR: Abby's not nervous

for the reasons you might think,

she's nervous because she's

about to reopen a chapter

with someone who's hurt her.

Only Human by Robin Loxley

& Wolfgang Black playing ♪

- Plans today?

- I don't think so.

- We could do nothing

together if you want.

NARRATOR:

A guy she knows deep down

almost always has another girl in the mix.

♪

I'm only human ♪

I'm only human ♪

[chimes ringing]

[thunder rumbling]

NARRATOR:

New page, new story.

Behold the new college graduate, Mya Jo.

She's what you'd call

the quintessential small-town sweetheart.

upbeat music playing ♪

And yes, annoyingly beautiful.

We never gotta worry ♪

She was captain

of the cheerleading team,

homecoming queen,

not once, but two years in a row.

She was the most popular

girl in high school.

Hey ♪

I'm just here for the good vibes ♪

MYA JO: I really don't know

what I'm doing with my life,

and, honestly, this summer,

I just wanna go home

to all my friends and just have fun,

especially with my best friend, Nick.

I be ridin' in my summer whip ♪

Who you tryna spend your summer with? ♪

NARRATOR:

You see, Nick and Mya Jo

have always been close,

but when Nick lost his brother

a couple years ago,

their bond tightened.

Some may even say it got

romantic there for a minute.

It's been a while since

Mya Jo's seen Nick,

but that doesn't take away from the fact

that Nick is always Mya Jo's first stop.

♪

Hey ♪

My bad, my bad ♪

♪

Ha, ha ♪

- Hi!

NICK:

How you been?

- [chuckles]

Good, how are you?

- Oh, I'm doin' great.

- You're doin' great?

- Yeah.

- That's good.

- I haven't seen you, though.

- And I haven't heard from you.

You don't answer the phone anymore.

- Yeah, you know, I'm busy.

- Yeah, I'm busy, too.

You know, finals and college.

- Yeah, I didn't know that

you were gonna be back at all for

- Yeah, 'cause you don't answer the phone.

- couple months at least.

- Yeah, you don't

answer the phone, Nicholas.

- I know.

I've been meanin' to call you back.

It's gotten a little bit

complicated since you've been gone.

- Yeah?

- Mm-hm.

- Explain?

- Ah, just new friends and stuff.

- A girl?

- Ah, maybe, maybe.

- Maybe?

Tell me!

- Yeah, she's just a friend.

- I'm just a friend.

- Mmm.

There might be--

- A little somethin' there?

- Little,

little dynamic, maybe.

- A little-little somethin'-somethin'?

- Maybe a little somethin'.

- Is she cute?

- But--

Yeah, she's cute.

- Would I like her?

- I'd hope so.

- [softly]

Would I like her?

- Probably not.

- Why?

- You don't like anybody.

- Yeah.

That's not true.

- Mmm.

- If she's a nice girl, I'll like her.

But she has an attitude

she's kicked to the curb.

- Yeah?

Are you goin' to the ball?

- Yeah, are you?

- I think me and her are

probably gonna be goin', too.

- Oh.

- You know?

- Oh!

- Little bit different this year for sure.

- That is different.

- Who are you goin' with?

- Myself.

I was gonna go with you,

we always go together, but

- I know, I know.

- it's okay.

It'll be fun, we all have fun.

- Yeah.

- Okay, well, sounds good,

we'll see you tomorrow. It's a plan.

- It was good to see you, too.

- We'll talk more about this mystery lady.

- Yeah.

You need to come by more often.

[car engine starts]

- I will.

- I'll be around.

- M'kay.

- You know where to find me.

- Bye.

[car humming]

- All right, MJ.

NARRATOR:

While Mya Jo slowly started to realize

she may not play the lead role

in Nick's story anymore,

upbeat music playing ♪

I'm just thinkin' 'bout you ♪

Abby was thinking

about rewriting the past.

I'm just thinkin' 'bout you ♪

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪

- You made it!

[footsteps rustling]

[Trevor clears throat]

Did you bring wine?

- I did.

- Good thing.

Grillin' steaks, you up for it?

- Perfect.

[insects chirring]

[grill sizzling]

How's your mom?

- She's doin' good.

- Spending time with her?

- Of course. Always.

How's your mom?

- [sighs] She's good.

- Yeah? Talked to her

since you've been in town?

- Yes. I haven't seen her yet, though.

But, um, she's good.

But, you know, just livin' her--

in her own little world, so.

[sniffles]

I think she's seeing

someone else now, so.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

[Trevor clears throat]

You know her, she loves love.

- [chuckles]

She loves love.

- [laughing] Loves love.

My mom and I have

a, uh, complicated relationship.

And Trevor's actually

one of the few people

that knows most of the details of that.

She asks about you all the time.

- Really?

All good things, right?

- Yeah.

[Trevor chuckles]

She just, like, likes you a lot.

[grill sizzling]

My friends, however--

- Oh, I know, your friends hate me.

[Abby chuckles]

- They don't hate you.

[Trevor chuckles]

They just, they just love me. [laughs]

- Still as bold as ever.

[Abby chuckles]

♪

ABBY:

Things with Trevor are very cyclical.

We have fun together,

he becomes a bit more

vague and confusing,

so I distance myself.

And then we just repeat the same

old circus show all over again.

Let's Go Somewhere Else

by Grayson Voltaire

& Spencer Wilson playing ♪

Let's go somewhere else ♪

I'm not looking for trouble ♪

Let's go anywhere

other than here ♪

Somewhere else ♪

[indistinct chatter and laughter]

♪

MYA JO: How are your brothers?

- Oh, they're good, they're--

- They're gettin' so bi-big and grown.

- Oh, I know, they're seniors now.

- God.

- They're going to college, literally.

- And Mikey's goin' into his senior year.

- No way.

- Yeah.

- That is so sad, they grow up so fast.

- It's just so sad.

We, literally, were just seniors.

- I know, and now our brothers

are, like, trying to figure out,

like, a life plan and stuff.

- I'm like,

"Y'all are too young for this."

- Right.

Y'all can't have a life plan before I do.

- I know.

[partiers chattering]

downbeat music playing ♪

MYA JO: I'm surprised

that Nick has a new girlfriend.

And as his best friend,

I would expect him to tell me.

It's so annoying.

♪

They're very lovey-dovey.

♪

MEREDITH:

Very, yeah.

- Did you meet her?

- No, I haven't yet.

- Yeah, he didn't introduce

her to me, either.

MEREDITH: Really?

MYA JO: Yeah.

MEREDITH: Feel, like-- That you would be

the first person he'd wanna introduce.

- I know.

I, like, came home from college,

and I was like,

"Let's go to The Magnolia Ball."

- Yeah!

- Like, "What are you gonna wear?"

And he was, like--

- Oh.

- "I'm actually talking to someone."

And he wouldn't tell me who.

- See, that's weird

'cause y'all always go together--

- I know.

So, Nick seems happy,

so that's all that matters,

but I'm outta the loop,

and I feel, like, you know,

like, left out, you know?

♪

Let's go somewhere else ♪

I'm not looking for trouble ♪

ABBY:

Thank you for cooking,

it's really good.

- Absolutely.

[insects chirring]

Glad you came.

- Me too.

Good seeing you and, I don't know,

catchin' up.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

I never thought I would be back here,

but, like, being back just feels

- Feels right? Hm.

- right, yeah.

It's a simple life.

- Exactly.

light music playing ♪

- Are you going to The Magnolia Ball?

- Um I don't know.

- Are you taking someone?

[Trevor chuckles]

- I hadn't thought about it.

♪

- I mean, think you'll ever settle down?

- Nah.

I'm not lookin' for it, but maybe

it'll appear on my doorstep one day.

NARRATOR:

In case you're still wondering

where this relationship is heading--

- Okay.

NARRATOR: Trevor just told you

everything you need to know.

Not just once,

three times, actually.

TREVOR:

It's kinda cold.

Think it's time to go in,

where it's warmer?

♪

NARRATOR: Now this is where

you do a coy, little smile

and act like you're,

oh, so tired and leave.

Right?

[footsteps]

♪

Then again, what's one more night?

[sighs]

♪

And he probably didn't mean what he said?

[insects chirring]

church organ music playing ♪

NARRATOR:

Now in Fairhope,

there are churches

on almost every street corner.

And this love story began

in the most prominent one.

CHOIR [singing]:

I want you to stay ♪

[hands clapping]

In my life, Lord ♪

NARRATOR: Which leads us to Lashoundra,

the town pastor's wife

CHOIR:

I see the light ♪

NARRATOR:

who met her husband 15 years ago

CHOIR:

I want you to be ♪

NARRATOR: in this very pew.

CHOIR: Lift me today ♪

[hands clapping]

LASHOUNDRA:

When I first met Kendell,

what I loved the most about him

was his love for the Lord.

CHOIR:

Show me the way ♪

LASHOUNDRA:

I admired his love for others.

[congregation applauding]

- Lord, we thank you

for what our eyes have seen,

our ears have heard,

and our hearts have felt.

LASHOUNDRA:

I admired his love for me.

NARRATOR:

The two eventually said, "I do."

And the respected pastor

and his impressive wife

built the picture-perfect family.

LASHOUNDRA:

All right, let's go!

upbeat music playing ♪

Ooh, and she makes it and she goes!

[Lashoundra panting]

In your face!

NARRATOR:

Everyone wanted to be The Youngs.

They had it all.

- Ooh, high-five myself.

NARRATOR:

But the truth is,

we never really know

what goes on behind closed doors

KENDELL:

All right, guys, you can come eat.

NARRATOR:

especially, in this town.

- You want a hamburger?

KADEN: Mm-mm.

LASHOUNDRA:

I gotta say grace, so we can eat, bruh.

Lord, bless the food,

bless the one that prepared it.

Lord, allow it to be

nourishment for our bodies,

in Jesus's name we pray,

Amen.

KENDELL: Amen.

What was the hand circle motion?

What that was?

- 'Cause this allows

God to bless the food

as I pray.

KENDELL: Oh, okay.

LASHOUNDRA:

Over the last couple of years,

Kendell and I have

struggled with our marriage.

Right now, we're livin'

in two different households,

and I am so confused.

So, Kaden, [sighs] how you feel

about me and your daddy

takin' turns again takin' you to school?

[birds chirping]

- I don't know.

LASHOUNDRA: Do you just prefer

one person to take you to school?

- Yeah.

- Okay, you want your daddy

to take you to school?

KADEN:

Yeah.

- So, you don't want

your mama to take you to school?

KADEN:

No.

- Why?

- 'Cause.

How Do I Say Goodbye

by Ari Dayan playing ♪

No fairytale ♪

KENDELL: Hm.

Our perfect heaven ♪

Is burnin' like hell ♪

LASHOUNDRA: You should be takin'

Kaden to school every day, then.

- That's, that's fine.

LASHOUNDRA:

So, here we are.

Forty and secretly separated,

but tryna figure it out

for the son who we both love.

All right, so, are both

of y'all gon' walk me out?

KENDELL:

Yeah.

You gon' take leftovers?

LASHOUNDRA: All right.

All right, well, I guess

I'll see you at The Magnolia Ball.

- All right.

How do I ♪

Say goodbye ♪

I need more time ♪

I need more ♪

LASHOUNDRA:

The hardest part of the separation

is the in-between,

it's the tug of w*r,

it's the not knowing,

and really having to rely on self.

Nobody else but me.

Goodbye ♪

I need more time ♪

[keys jingling]

I need more ♪

Time ♪

upbeat music playing ♪

NARRATOR:

Now, at the end of every great chapter,

bitter or sweet,

is an even bigger event.

Finally, the day has come

for The Magnolia Ball.

Which means hair down, pressure on.

Push Up the Beat

by Lee Baker & Laura Vane playing ♪

And we, kick into play ♪

Until the night turns into day ♪

Push up the beat ♪

Keep it moving ♪

Kick off my shoes ♪

And we-- ♪

NARRATOR:

Anything can and will happen tonight.

After all, it's The Magnolia Ball.

♪

Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

CLAIBORNE: I don’t know how

to break the news to you, honey,

but you're on your own tonight

'cause Mama's comin' in late.

Lay me an egg while you're gone.

Don't wait up, Richie.

[duck quacking]

downbeat music playing ♪

NARRATOR:

The Magnolia Ball is a big, buzzy night.

Big feelings, big expectations,

big pours of bubbly.

It's been the biggest event

in Fairhope for over 50 years,

and there's one woman in town

who's been to every single one of them.

- I love it this time of year.

The Magnolia Ball.

NARRATOR: Miss Claiborne's

the unofficial town mascot,

and if you're lucky enough

to be seated next to her at a party,

you're gonna learn everything

there is to know about love,

whether you ask for it or not.

CLAIBORNE:

I've seen so many romances bloom.

Couples meeting, gettin' together,

some of 'em falling in love.

- Hi!

CLAIBORNE:

And the real fun is in the watching,

don't you think so?

- Mm-hm.

[Claiborne laughs]

You're the light ♪

CLAIBORNE: The Magnolia Ball

was actually the first time

Johnny ever told me that he loved me.

He was the love of my life,

and was married to him for 54 years.

And then, not long ago, he passed.

I'm 76.

First time I've ever

been alone, by myself.

[indistinct chatter]

Blackberries by Emily Blue

& OTNES playing ♪

Wrapped in your arms, you show it ♪

NARRATOR: While Claiborne

was reminiscing about her husband,

Abby was pretending not to scan the room

for you know who, Trevor.

KALA:

What about him?

ABBY:

Yes.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

But no.

- What? You don't want to?

- No. No!

I'm supposed to be single.

- You're gonna stay single?

[Abby laughing]

- Right? Um, absolutely not,

that's not gonna happen.

- You think I'm gonna fail.

- She always--

- You ain't, you ain't gon' make it.

- I love love.

[Abby laughing]

- I'm just saying.

NARRATOR:

Meanwhile, a couple tables over,

Mya Jo is about to meet her replacement.

- I'm so happy that you're back.

- Me too.

- I feel like everything just,

like, fits better when you're here.

Like--

NICK'S GIRLFRIEND: Hi!

[all greeting each other]

- Nice to meet you!

BAYLEE: I'm Baylee.

- Nice to meet you.

BAYLEE:

Nice to meet you.

[Baylee laughs]

- I just really heard about you.

- Yeah. I mean, it's, you know, new.

- Yeah.

- Um--

- New?

BAYLEE: Yeah.

- How long have you guys been datin'?

- About, like, three months?

- Yeah. Or, so.

[chuckles]

NARRATOR: And while Mya Jo

was seething with jealousy

over Nick's new girlfriend,

Lashoundra was taking a break

from playing the part

of the perfect pastor's wife.

gentle music playing ♪

- Well, I'm sure you're wonderin'

why I excused myself. It's a lot.

It's a lot for me.

We are putting on a show,

so, so at what point does it stop?

At what point do we say, "No more,"

'cause we are puttin' on this,

this mask for people.

- Yeah, well, let's continue to mask up,

enjoy the party,

and we'll talk about it later.

NARRATOR:

That's the thing about love.

Even when we know deep down

we're at the end of a chapter,

we're terrified to turn the page

because who knows what

the next chapter will be.

Chasing a Feeling by Léon playing ♪

Maybe it can't be like before ♪

Would you tell me if it's over ♪

'Cause our bed is getting cold ♪

And I wonder if I'm better alone ♪

How do you know you know? ♪

♪

How can you seem so sure? ♪

♪

How do you know you know? ♪

♪

NARRATOR: This is where

I'm supposed to neatly wrap it all up

with another metaphor about chapters,

but I can't.

Because the truth is,

love is complicated,

even in a small town.

♪

Especially in a small town.

♪

- 'Course.

You always want what you can't have ♪

Baby, we've been chasing a feeling ♪

Maybe we can't be like before ♪

Would you tell me if it's over ♪

'Cause our bed is getting cold ♪

And all this talk of growing old ♪

It makes me scared of the unknown ♪

Still I wonder if I'm better alone ♪

How do you know you know? ♪

How can you seem so sure? ♪

How do you know? ♪

How can you seem so sure ♪

Mm, mm, mm