01x10 - A Gift & The Curse

[bunniefuu]

["DON'T BE DUMB / TRIP BABY"
by A$AP Rocky playing]

♪ I can see the sky cryin'
When your rain fall tears ♪

-[Xavier] Well…
-[Deborah sighs]

…in the words of the prophet Lil U*i Vert,

"It's only my third day out here,
I don't know."

I don't know.

Oh yeah, it's… it's… it's day three

of our occupation
of the president's office,

and, uh, I don't know, bro,

we just gonna tap in with our… leader.

That's right, campus security
is stationed outside,

but we are not leaving
until we have been heard.

Thank you to our allies.

We've seen your messages of support,

and they are helping us keep going

as we continue to stand
on bidness. [chuckles]

Thank you for tapping in
on another day in the trenches.

-Debo out. Press the button.
-No, D-- No, hey.

End my live stream again,
we gonna have a problem.

-Who are you talking to?
-[Xavier] We all tired.

-That's how you wanna die?
-Okay, stay calm everyone.

Word on HBCU UP is President Wayne
is about to negotiate with the faculty.

Why are we still
being kept out of the conversation?

-That's your daddy.
-[Rashida] Ah, this has got to end.

I mean, we have finals,
Light the Night Gala, pack-up.

I mean, my mom's on a flight right now
headed to come help me pack.

And we all know
how Darlene get about Rashida.

[Kojo] Yeah, I'm not gonna lie,

I didn't think we'd be here
for more than just a few hours.

Seriously, I'm supposed to be hazing
the new Haus Authority members right now.

Like, Kojo should be locked in a closet
in his drawers hemming my pants.

[Rashida] Mm?

Bro, we hangry. I'm sorry,
but somebody in here funky as hell.

As the president
of the Young Black Republicans…

[all groaning]

…I joined your little left-wing movement

'cause I don't believe
in big administration.

But at this point,
it's giving crybaby anarchy.

-[Rashida scoffs]
-Okay, Deborah, back to you.

What's the plan, sis?

Okay, I told Debo,

if they don't reach terms
by the end of day,

campus safety is gonna come
and get 'em out of there.

Yes, Dwayne,
you have got to put your foot down.

That's all I can do.

-Dwayne…
-[Dwayne] Hm?

…the board is planning
to vote on Hillman's future.

And there's a lot of chatter

about your interim presidency
becoming permanent.

What?

I mean, it's been nothing but
one controversy after another all year.

Yes, but you are exactly
the leader that we've needed.

They're planning to announce it
at the Light the Night Gala.

Wow.

I never really thought
this job was for me,

but, uh, I did eat.

I slayed. Boy, I…

[chuckles] This might actually
be the place for me.

-It suits you.
-[Dwayne] Hm.

[Dwayne speaking indistinctly]

-[Byron] Whitley.
-Byron.

Dwayne.

Well, uh, let's get down to business.

Mm, good idea, Mrs. Wayne.

[laughing]

-Well…
-[chair scraping]

-…as you know…
-[Dwayne clears throat]

…the esteemed Congresswoman James
and I have been working

on a piece of legislation
that would earmark funds for HBCUs

and nearly replace the federal cuts.

-[Dwayne] Mm-hm.
-And… we've gotten it through.

-Ah. Yes.
-[Whitley gasps]

-[Byron chuckling]
-[Dwayne] Oh man.

A huge win that will supplement

the major raise
you've done with your coalition.

So it's… it's… it's really over?

-[Byron] Mm.
-[Dwayne] Oh man.

Thank you, Senator.

And Hillman thanks you too.

-[laughing]
-[Dwayne] Mm-hm.

[Dwayne chuckling]

Dwayne,

not many people
could've inherited the crisis that you did

and come through successfully.

Honestly, Dwayne,
I didn't think you had it in you.

-[Dwayne] Hm.
-But you should be very proud.

[Dwayne clears throat]

I am.

And thankfully, I had

my wife by my side.

[Whitley chuckles]

You can let go now.

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

[upbeat music playing]

The Student Action Collective
demands the following.

One, no disciplinary action will be taken
against any protest participants.

Two, restoration
of all student org budgets.

And durags will be allowed at graduation.

-Shut up.
-I'm 85% sure I'm gon' graduate this year.

-[Rashida] Hey, focus.
-[Deborah] Come on, enough.

Three, students will have approval power
over the school's annual budget.

Deborah, it'll be a cold day in Anguilla.

-Can you be--
-Anguilla?

Four, a quarterly student representative
meeting with the president.

Five, guaranteed student housing
for all four years,

or in the event that there is none,
a stipend will be provided.

I was unhoused, y'all.

You were unhoused. Yep.

And finally, a freeze on tuition hikes,

which we can revisit
in about three or so years.

Wow, that is a lengthy list of demands,

considering the board
wants you expelled, all of you.

Uh-uh. Uh-uh. They kidnapped me.
They holding me hostage.

President Wayne, as a SGA board member
and longtime Hillman legacy,

I feel compelled to argue

that activism has always been
a core value of this institution.

[Dwayne] Mm-hm.

When my great-grandfather
was a student here in the 1940s,

he led the Double V Campaign on campus.

In the '60s, my grandmother organized
sit-ins at segregated lunch counters

and pressured… [bangs desk]
…the administration

to define a more Afrocentric curriculum.

With all due respect,

this is what being a Hillmanite
is all about.

And your daughter… is the best of us.

What's your name, son?

Ellington Kendall, sir.

Any relation to Denise Kendall?

Well, she goes by Huxtable now, but yeah,
that's my mom. You know her?

[gentle music playing]

[sighs] Uh…

Listen, I-- I gotta admit,
it's complicated for me sitting here.

I… I don't know
if I handled all this perfectly.

I… I definitely made some mistakes.

[gentle music continues playing]

But when I was back there
on the other side of that table,

fighting the good fight,

I was given a lot of grace
by the late, great Dean Hughes.

So today, I'm going to extend
that same grace to you all.

I will not be pursuing
any disciplinary actions this time.

[students murmuring]

But you all will have to complete 30 hours
of community service next semester.

Oh, that's fine.

I will not be granting student government
approval for all future budgets,

but I will implement an SGA review panel
for transparency moving forward.

So that's it?

That's all?

[chuckles] We won, y'all!

-[students cheering]
-[Dwayne] Wait a minute! Hey, hey!

This is not a win.

The federal cuts were not something
that Hillman did to you.

It happened to all of us. As a group.

We shouldn't have been
on opposite sides, kid.

Once I get this agreement approved
by the board, I'll put out a statement.

Should be two hours.

Come on. [clears throat]

["ICE CREAM DOPE" by Astral Trap playing]

Okay, kid.

Viva la revolución.

That's Spanish for we did it, y'all. Damn!

[all laughing]

[all cheering]

["ICE CREAM DOPE" continues
in the background]

Mir Mir.

What's up? Oh. [clears throat]

I mean, I'm not gonna front,
I was kinda nervous, uh, to approach you.

[sighs] But I gotta get this off my chest,
uh, before we, uh, leave.

[Jalen inhales, exhales sharply]

I miss my boy, man.

My big homie, you know?

[Jalen sighs]

Not to sound g*y or nothing,
I'm just trying to, um…

You know, I really can't catch any more
charges on my probation, Jalen, so--

No, no, no. I'm playing. I'm playing.

I just, um, never allowed myself

to have that kind of bond
with another dude before.

And I don't know about you,

but maybe
we shouldn't have to give that up.

["Ransom" by Brandon playing]

♪ I think you proved that it's worth it ♪

♪ No, no ♪

♪ To fight for you, right all my wrongs ♪

♪ I, I see the purpose… ♪

Uh…

Uh, things are just getting back on track
with me and Hazel.

I'm sorry, I can't do this again.

♪ The radio only plays songs telling me… ♪

Um…

Cool. All right.

-Um…
-Yeah.

If you never wanna talk again,
you know, I'll drop it.

[inhales, sighs] But if you, um,
change your mind, you know,

can you meet me
at the Serenity Garden after the gala?

♪ For sure ♪

♪ I'll pay the ransom ♪

I will think about it.

♪ I will, I will ♪

Okay.

["ICE CREAM DOPE" playing
in the background]

[clattering]

Mm?

So… how's it feel
getting your Fannie Lou Hamer on?

Uh…

I didn't

get into Hillman on my own.

[tense music playing]

My parents bought my way in.

[groans]

[Deborah] My parents lied to me.

This is betrayal, Rashida.

But is it though?

Look, I'm not gonna say it doesn't suck,
but look at all that came from it.

-[Deborah kisses teeth]
-Look at us.

Hell, I don't even hate you anymore.

Okay, fine.

I might even be able to say that
I love your crazy a*s.

Yeah, but you didn't read
the letter though.

It isn't just about the money.
They didn't believe in me, again.

Besties! I have huge news!

Real funny, girl. Where have you been?

[sighs] As much as I respect
everyone's right to protest,

this sash means I have a title to uphold.

I plan to fight for our cause
from within the system, not against it.

And that's what my news was about.

I got accepted into Congresswoman James'
Leadership Institute in D.C.,

so I can take the skills and be the best
leader I can be on campus next year.

-What?
-[Hazel] Yes!

-Congratulations!
-[Hazel laughing]

Thank you.

[Rashida laughing]

Oh, I gotta start packing
for the Hill. [shrieks]

-And just like that…
-She's gone.

[Rashida] There she go.
Gone like the wind.

[wheels rattling]

Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Lady. Lady, uh-uh-uh.

Have you lost your Black-a*s mind?

You know this is my bin.
You saw me wheel it from the yard.

And I appreciate it.

Now you can go and get you another one.

You make me break my nail
over a bin that I found first,

I'm gon' put you in this bin.

I should've removed you from my building
for that cheap blouse alone.

-Now let go.
-[Darlene] Don't-- Hey, hey! Hey, hey!

Who's gon' make me?
You big bobble-head small body?

Lena and Horne.

-Wait, hey, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!
-Mom!

-There's my baby girl. Oh.
-[Rashida] Hey.

[Darlene] Your daddy and I cannot wait

for our favorite store manager
to be back on site.

I miss having my little mini-me
by my side. Real bad.

-That's what the kids say, right?
-Right.

-Oh, okay, you gotta help me.
-Here you go, Mrs. Duvall. I'm sorry.

-[Deborah] Mom.
-Thank you. She's so sweet.

No, this was mine.

You cannot just use your money and name
and power to get everything you want.

Deborah, that is what money
and power are for.

Oh. Is that why you and Dad donated
tons of money to the Gaines Library

in exchange for getting me into Hillman?

[Whitley inhales]

I have worked so hard
to be enough for y'all,

but I'm never gonna be, am I?

-That was--
-I-- I don't wanna fight.

Okay? I…

I'm gonna pack.

[gentle music playing]

-Nice meeting you.
-One sec, Ma.

Thank you. You're so sweet.

Damn, I guess she told you.

Rashida!

Help me-- Help me get the bin in.

[people chattering indistinctly]

Rashida, my righteous sapling. [chuckling]

I am so proud and impressed
with your role in the student occupation.

Thank you so much.

I wanna officially offer you an extension
as my research assistant for the summer.

I could really use your passion and drive

to get us across
the finish line on this case.

It's a paid gig, room and board included.

Oh my God. Professor Brooks, what?

[laughing] Yes! Ah.

[inhales, sighs]

[laughing] Rashida, what's wrong?

My mom just keeps saying how much harder
it is running the store without me.

How am I supposed
to leave my parents hanging

when they've sacrificed everything
for me to be here?

Let's go talk about it.

-[door closes]
-[Shaquille] What's good, girl?

Been hitting your line.
I ain't heard from you.

Look, anyway, I got something to tell you.

I got a big offer, but I'm torn--

Did this offer come from Candace?

Yeah.

Shaquille,

I know.

["Tears Run" by Alonda Rich playing]

And the worst part is,

you had every chance
to tell me during spring break

and every day since,
but instead, you lied to me.

No, Deborah, please let me explain.

I believed you, Shaquille.

You made me believe that… that…
that you… you loved me,

and that we were meant to be together.

We are meant to be together,
and I do love you, Deborah.

I was gonna tell you.

-Look, I-- I wanted to tell you. I--
-Mm-mm. No, no.

You can stop the nice guy act.

Seriously.

Because I can see now
that you are really just…

[inhales deeply]

…an as*h*le in disguise.

♪ It's like I had an out-of-body
In a wreckage ♪

Yeah, that's the Deborah I know.

Always running.

That's what you do, huh?

♪ The presence of you ♪

You are just like my parents.

What?

Yeah, you… you do something sneaky

and dirty to me,

and then you make me feel like
I am the problem.

So don't bother,

because you

are blocked.

Digitally, emotionally…

[chuckles]

…and permanently.

Deborah…

♪ I gave you my life
Cut me like a knife ♪

♪ No, no, no… ♪

[knocking on door]

["Love Outloud" by TheARTI$t playing]

[chuckles]

You look gorgeous like this.
Are you joking?

Even though you did say you would be ready
for the gala an hour ago.

I know, but Nellie needed extra help
with inventory

after being closed for so many days.

But…

you're looking quite dapper yourself,
fine sir.

Fine sir?

-[laughs]
-[Kojo] You know what?

I do like proper Rashida.

[Rashida laughs] Very funny.

But… [sighs]
…I've been trying to figure out

what I'm gonna do about
Professor Brooks' offer

and my mom.

I got nothing.

Look, I know how important
your family is to you, yeah?

But I also know
how much you've been learning

working with Professor Brooks.

["Love Outloud" continues playing]

I just hate letting my parents down.

And I don't wanna make them feel like
I'm turning my back on them.

Rashida, I don't know your parents,

but I do know

that you must get some of that bravery
and some of that passion from them.

So maybe they'll see that too.

♪ Your secret's safe with me… ♪

[Rashida sighs]

If I stay at Hillman
and work with Professor Brooks…

would you stay with me too?

I mean, I know your parents
will be in Lagos,

and over winter break, and I kinda--

You had me at "stay."

[both chuckling]

-Really?
-[chuckles] Yeah, of course.

[Kojo chuckles]

♪ If I had to choose, I'm choosing you
'Cause, baby, I just want your body ♪

♪ So tell me now ♪

♪ You want lovin' now ♪

♪ Just let it flow, let it fall… ♪

[Kojo] Uh… [chuckles] Well…

Wait, wait, hold on, hold on.

Is this okay?

Yes.

I want this.

I want you.

♪ Your secret's safe with me
Just let it out ♪

♪ Don't hold your guard up
I won't let you down ♪

♪ I know it's hard to try to love me now ♪

♪ Don't keep it quiet, you can love… ♪

[Kojo laughing]

[string quartet playing
"Blow the Whistle" by Too Short]

[guests chattering indistinctly]

[inaudible]

[Dwayne clears throat]

Don't you look radiant,
my favorite daughter.

[Dwayne] Come on, Debo.

I get it. I know why you're not answering
our calls and our texts.

-Right.
-But we wanna apologize.

You weren't supposed to find out this way.

That letter is just another example
of you guys underestimating me.

It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I mean, you don't believe in me.
I doubt myself. I disappoint you.

It happens like that every time.

We don't underestimate you.

We believe in you.

It's just that we see ourselves in you,
the good and not so good.

Yeah. And that warehouse fire
scared the sh*t out of us.

-I don't--
-[Dwayne] Listen to me.

We panicked.

We went into parent mode to protect you.

We weren't gonna leave it
up to chance, okay?

We knew Hillman was the best place for you
to find yourself, like it was for us.

[Whitley] And look
how you've grown this year.

We only argue like once a week now.

[Dwayne and Deborah laughing]

[Dwayne] And I know I shouldn't be,

but I am so proud
of how you led that protest.

-[Whitley] And even your little prank…
-Really?

…locking us up in that room together,

it turned out to be a good thing.

[Dwayne] Mm-hm.

It's clear that you are forging
your own legacy at Hillman.

-You make our family proud.
-Yeah.

-Proud?
-Yeah.

Can I get that in the family group chat?

-[Dwayne laughs] Listen…
-Please?

Listen, to celebrate your achievements
and to display how much we trust you…

We're gonna let you stay
in the Brooklyn condo over the summer.

The condo?

-No, no, no, no, no, seriously?
-[Dwayne] Yes, yes, yes.

Conditional. You're gonna
pay us back the $12,900.

-And 75 cents.
-[Dwayne] And 75 cents, that's right.

-Get in here. Get in here.
-Thank you. Thank you, guys.

Thank you, thank you.

-[Dwayne] Mm.
-[Deborah] Mwah.

["Before I Let Go"
by Frankie Beverly & Maze playing]

♪ Whoa, whoa-h* ♪

[chattering indistinctly]

You know, you could've just told me
you were into guys.

Look, okay, Hazel, I'm so sorry.

Look, I'm still trying to figure
that part out for myself, you know.

And all I do know is that I really like
spending time with you, Hazel.

All right? And I know that doesn't excuse
what I did, but I'm so, so sorry.

♪ And I won't forget ♪

It doesn't.

But you can stop
beating yourself up over it.

I wasn't completely honest
with you either.

Look, Amir is a really special guy, Jalen.

Don't hurt him like you hurt me.

♪ Before I let go ♪

Because I'm basically besties
with a sitting U.S. congresswoman now,

and I will come after you
with the fullest of legislative powers.

[chuckles] Okay?

Okay.

♪ We're hurtin' each other ♪

So you're the boy
who has stolen my baby's heart.

-Mom, stop.
-[Darlene] What? I'm just saying.

I mean, you're always like,
"Kojo this and Kojo that."

Oh wow. What's--

-Sorry, did I hear "Mum"?
-Yeah.

That's crazy, 'cause, Rashida,
I could have sworn this was your sister.

Oh. [laughs]

It's an absolute pleasure to meet you.

-Thank you.
-[Kojo] Mm-hmm.

-Okay, cheesy.
-I'm just getting to know her.

-Can you give us a second?
-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.

-Okay, girl, I see you with baby Idris.
-[Rashida chuckles]

-You like him?
-[chuckling] Yeah. You know what?

Sometimes your dad,
he speaks with an accent.

All right, no, no, no. It's okay.
I-- I don't have to hear that.

[upbeat music playing]

-We need to talk.
-Sure.

I don't think I'm gonna come back to L.A.
for the summer.

What do you mean?
I came here to take you back.

I know, but I got
this incredible opportunity

to continue my research position
with Professor Brooks.

Oh.

I knew this would happen.

You've outgrown me.

-No, it's nothing like that or anything--
-Yes, it is.

Look, I didn't want you working
at the store for the rest of your life.

I want you to spread your wings,
you know? Follow your dreams.

This is what I've been praying
and hoping for.

I'm proud of you.

I love you, Mom.

I love you. [chuckling]

You always could pull off a cape.

I wish I could say the same
about that porkpie hat.

I, uh, don't see your boyfriend Baptiste.

What's the matter? He couldn't get
his permission slip signed?

Baptiste is not my man.

[upbeat music playing]

But he's a damn good lover.
Probably the best I've ever had.

Well, now you are just lying.

But you know what?

I can't help but wonder
how our lives might be different

if we hadn't let stubbornness
get in the way of our lives as kids.

We had chemistry.

Yeah.

In spite of having
absolutely nothing else in common.

Except love.

Listen, if you wanna

test that chemistry out again,
you know, with a fully grown man--

Oh stop it.

Tonight's the night.

Shaquille and I leave for Colorado
in the morning.

Ron, that is never,
ever going to happen again.

[laughing] I mean…

-What was I thinking?
-Yeah.

Same frigid Freddie.

Frigid?

[Amir] Well, boys, we've come
a long way this year.

You know, I was unhoused and horny.

Shaquille, you were sexually frustrated
and, TBH, kinda aggressive.

And Kojo, you were kind of a problematic,
pushy perv.

But now, I mean,
I'm all locked in with Rashida.

I don't know what you talking about.
We are solid.

Okay, wait, you mean to tell me y'all two
finally had international relations?

Hey, listen, a gentleman never tells.
I done told you lot this, yeah?

-Okay, all right. Excuse me.
-A'ight.

-Happy for you, brother.
-[hands slapping]

Hard work paid off.

-[Kojo] Thank you, man.
-Yeah.

[Kojo] Mm-hm.

-[Amir] Mm.
-Wish I could say the same.

We survived our first homecoming,
heartbreak, and a whole tornado.

I'm so glad we had each other
to get through it though.

Me too.

Me three. I'm gonna miss my GirlyPops.

I don't know. I'm kinda hyped for summer.

-Ooh.
-NYC ain't ready for your girl.

-Okay.
-And D.C. better prepare itself for me.

Hello, and sex traffickers
hate to see me coming.

-[Hazel and Deborah] Shh.
-[all laughing]

Look, y'all, this brotherhood
has gotten me through this messy,

b*mb-threatened,
and almost STI-adjacent school year.

-I love y'all, man.
-[Kojo kisses teeth]

We love you too, man.

For sure. Let's get a picture in, yo.

Let's do it.

-Yo. Me and my guys.
-[camera shutter clicks]

Listen, listen, listen.
I am so proud of both of you, okay?

And I know you're gonna do
amazing things this summer.

And no matter where break takes us,
this year made us girls for life.

-How about that?
-It did.

-That part.
-Three-way pinkie promise.

-Come on.
-Bam. Bam.

-Take a picture.
-Ooh. Yeah. "GirlyPops" on three.

-Okay, one, two, three.
-Fine.

-[all] GirlyPops!
-[camera shutter clicks]

["Return of the Mack"
by Mark Morrison playing over speakers]

-Rashida, Rashida, Rashida.
-Huh?

Look, I've been trying to give you
your space, okay? But I just don't get it.

We have a real connection.
And that's even before we slept together.

But you just up and ghosted on me,
and I don't understand.

-Did I do something wrong?
-No, it's not you, okay? It's…

It's not anything you did or anything.

-It's-- It's just my own stuff.
-[Kojo] You slept with him?

[Rashida] Uh, I, uh…

-I-- I just--
-Hold-- Nah, nah, nah.

All year long,
you have had your walls up with me.

Saying I've been pressuring you
into losing your virginity.

Keeping me at arm's length.

But what, he made you feel comfortable,
and I didn't?

I…

Got it. Enjoy.

-Uh, I was gonna--
-[Kojo] Nah, nah.

I was gonna tell you.
It's not like I told you a lie.

[phone whoops]

["Drop It Off" by Emes playing]

[people chattering indistinctly]

[camera shutter clicks]

[scoffs] So Shaquille and I are done.

Like, "done" done.

I'm not trying to defend him,
but he felt really bad about it.

[sighs]

The boy is madly in love with you.

It'd be embarrassing
if it wasn't so sweet.

I'm not seeing the sweet part, Amir.

Look, Shaquille told me
he wants to make it right.

He regrets it.

Boundaries and empathy can exist together.

-What does that mean?
-I gotta go.

-I don't know what that means.
-Love you. Bye.

["Drop It Off" continues playing]

[man] Yo.

-Larrold?
-You missed our check-in.

Oh my God, the protest.

Look, my phone was dead.
I didn't do it on purpose.

Amir, stop. No more excuses, okay?

I had to report you.

A warrant's been issued.

Well, well, well.

If it isn't the opinionated
Miss Gilbert Hall.

I beg your pardon, Xavier.

Don't you have, like,
a Twitch to stream or something?

[chuckles] Careful.
I love me a smart mouth,

and, uh, that sharp tongue
caught my attention at the brunch.

Oh. [chuckles]

I mean…

[chuckles] I'm flattered.

And despite your c*ck,

you are quite… strapping. [chuckles]

But no, I'm moving differently these days.

I have a long-distance boyfriend.

Okay, I can respect that.

["Drop It Off" continues playing]

Can you?

[string quartet playing
"This Is for the Lover in You"]

You know, I've been thinking.

There's probably
still some meat left on the bone.

How would you feel about
staying in Richmond full-time?

You know, for us? Moving in with me?

Oh, Dwayne Cleofis Wayne,
of course I will.

I've always wanted to redecorate
the president's house.

Of course you have. [chuckles]
Of course you have.

-[music stops]
-[Whitley] I'd be the first lady.

That quartet goes hard, doesn't it?

Hell yeah. Oh yeah.

[guests clapping and cheering]

-Thank you.
-[woman] That's right.

It's been a challenging year
in our country.

Because of an oppressive
federal administration,

we've seen attacks on DEI
and federal funding cuts to HBCUs.

What this tells me
is that we need to continue

to fight tooth and nail
for our academic institutions.

Because here, at our Hillman,
is where the future is nurtured.

Yes.

-[guests clapping]
-Wow.

I wanna… I wanna give props to a man

who shouldered and sacrificed
to keep Hillman afloat.

Interim President Dwayne Wayne.

-[guests cheering]
-[Xavier speaking indistinctly]

Dwayne,

your steady leadership
helped to steer Hillman through the storm.

On behalf of the trustees, thank you.

Yeah.

Now, as we look ahead
to Hillman's next chapter,

the board has agreed to allow me
to put forward a candidate

who will take the helm permanently.

The board has to go through its process,
but my candidate's record is impeccable.

Dedicated, strategic.

There was no one better for the job.

Who the hell is he talking about?

-I don't know.
-[Byron] Someone that taught me…

-That scoundrel.
-…to invest in our future.

-Don't you worry, pookie.
-[Byron] My hope is that we all have that…

Byron will not get away with this.
You will be the next president.

If I have anything to say about it.

[Byron speaking indistinctly]

[keyboard clacking]

[pensive music playing]

[phone chimes]

[door opens]

[Deborah exhales]

Sorry, um, don't be mad.

I may have paid off
your nemesis RA to let me in.

Deborah, I'm sorry for everything,

especially taking credit for the flowers.

But know that

I am very clear about one thing.

["hopeless romantic" by kwn playing]

♪ sh*t ♪

♪ I want us in matching slippers ♪

♪ Dancing in the kitchen ♪

♪ Some **** that leads to kissing ♪

♪ While dinner still needs fixing ♪

♪ And our phones are somehow missing ♪

[phone chimes]

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

♪ I want side-by-side chairs ♪

Hi.

♪ Chocolate we could share ♪

♪ And *** up on the stairs
'Cause we can't make it to the bed ♪

♪ And gray all in our hair ♪

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

-[Darlene] Hm.
-[Rashida crying]

I know, baby.

It's gonna be okay.

♪ …fall in love with my best friend ♪

I'm so ready for this year to end.

Okay, let's send it off
with a bang then. [chuckles]

[Kojo chuckling]

Nah, nah, nah. I've had a long night.
Don't even play.

Who's playing?

Look, when you first approached me,
I couldn't with your corny lines.

-[Kojo] Mm-hm. [chuckles]
-And I still can't, for the record.

But, I don't know,

I guess I'm just a sucker
for a talented hottie.

-Tell me more.
-[man] Hey!

You two got your papers on you?

♪ That zip up on your dress
So we can meet up in the shower… ♪

[phone buzzing]

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

♪ sh*t ♪

♪ We gon' keep going on dates, huh ♪

♪ Might just misbehave
Or laugh until we can't… ♪

[exhales deeply]

[sighs]

Hey, Denise. Thanks for calling me back.

I, um…

I really need you right now.

♪ I think I wanna fall in love
With my best friend ♪

♪ Oh sh*t ♪

♪ I think I want forever
'Cause forever never ends ♪

♪ sh*t ♪

♪ We gon' keep going on dates, huh ♪

♪ Might just misbehave
Or laugh until we can't ♪

♪ Barely finish in our play though ♪

♪ I'm ♪

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

♪ I think I wanna fall in love
With my best friend ♪

I can't let someone like you
get away from me. Not again.

I wanna be with you, Deborah.

♪ sh*t ♪

♪ I want somebody
That'll choose me every day ♪

♪ I don't wanna ever lose
The honeymoon phase ♪

♪ I ♪

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

♪ I think I wanna fall in love
With my best friend ♪

♪ I think I want forever
'Cause forever never ends ♪

♪ I want somebody
That'll choose me every day ♪

♪ I don't wanna ever lose
The honeymoon phase ♪

♪ I ♪

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

♪ I think I wanna fall in love
With my best friend ♪

♪ Oh sh*t ♪

♪ I think I want forever
'Cause forever never ends ♪

♪ sh*t ♪

♪ I want somebody
That'll choose me every day ♪

♪ I don't wanna ever lose
The honeymoon phase ♪

♪ I ♪

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

♪ I think I wanna fall in love
With my best friend ♪

♪ Oh sh*t ♪

♪ I think I want forever
'Cause forever never ends ♪

♪ sh*t ♪

♪ I want somebody
That'll choose me every day ♪

♪ I don't wanna ever lose
The honeymoon phase ♪

♪ I ♪

♪ I'm a hopeless romantic ♪

[song fades]