01x10 - Move On

[bunniefuu]

♪ I caught it bad yesterday ♪

♪ You hit me with a call to your place ♪

♪ Ain't been out in a while anyway ♪

♪ Was hoping I could catch you ♪

♪ Throwing smiles in my face ♪

♪ Romantic talking? ♪

♪ You don't even have to try ♪

♪ You're cute enough
to... with me tonight ♪

♪ Looking at the table
and I see the reason why ♪

♪ Baby, you living the life,
but baby, you... ♪

My birth parents are
actually Bringston alum.

So was you ever gonna mention
that we might be brothers?

♪ I cannot pretend ♪

♪ Call me when you want ♪

♪ Call me when you need ♪

♪ Call me in the morning ♪

♪ I'll be on the way ♪

♪ Call me when you want ♪

♪ Call me when you need ♪

- ♪ Call me out by your... ♪
- I think we should take a DNA test.

So... wait, that means that we're...

Not brothers after all.

I have some questions
about my birth parents.

Her name was Celine.

♪ Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, ayy, ayy ♪

AMARA: I had a whole breakfast planned.

TINA: Well, I'm sorry.
The flight was delayed.

- AMARA: Mm-hmm.
- [DOOR CLOSES]

Earth to Simone.

You look like you were
a million miles away.

Well, I'm here now.

Oh, I'm glad you made it, Mommy.

Even though I told you I was fine

and you didn't have to come.

Well, too late.

I wanna hear all about
this Veronica woman.

A whole trustee. Leaking your photo.

And what I don't understand is why is

she doing all of this now, Auntie.

Didn't you and her sister Jada

patch things up about
the arrest years ago?

Nope.

Y'all aren't pulling
me back into the drama.

I'm notifying Zeke about what I learned

and he can deal with
Veronica's nonsense.

Look, both of you,

hear me.

I'm still leaving Bringston
at the end of the term

and I don't need anyone

interfering in my business.

I learned my lesson.

This is a meddle-free trip.

Yeah, OK. I'll believe it when I see it.

OK. I got class,

but we're still on for lunch.

Love y'all.

Love you.

And I got school.

It's service week

and the team is coaching
some local high schoolers.

Are you OK?

When I came in, it
looked like you had the...

weight of the world on your shoulders.

I'm fine.

That's the best you can do?

Mom,

it's nothing big.

- SIMONE: Really.
- TINA: OK.

[LAUGHTER]

How are you, Mom?

- Are you good?
- Honestly?

Being single after all
these years is scary,

but there's something

strangely freeing about it.

I'm glad.

For real.

I can't wait to show you
the apartment tonight.

I'm even making your favorite.

Uh-oh. I'm about to eat my weight

in spaghetti and meatballs.
You know that, right?

- CELINE: Yeah.
- [LAUGHTER]

Hey, Mom, this is my teammate.

Damon Sims.

Oh, yes.

The other star of the Bringston Lions.

DAMON: I don't know about all that, but

we do have a new hotshot outfielder.

Well, you know, what can I say? [LAUGHS]

- DAMON: You're very humble.
- [J.R. LAUGHS]

Look, I gotta head
back to the kappa house,

but Damon has a few questions

about your time here at
Bringston if it's cool.

Oh. Sure. I hope I can help.

- CELINE: I'll see you tonight.
- J.R.: All right, Mom.

- CELINE: All right, baby.
- DAMON: All right, bro.

Yeah. Thanks.

- Uh, let me get your plate.
- Thank you.

- CELINE: Have a seat.
- DAMON: Yes, ma'am.

So, what can I help you with?

I was just wondering,
have you ever visited

a coffee shop called Peach Brew Cafe?

Oh, I loved that place.

Yeah, my adoptive dad

used to visit Atlanta a lot and...

he loved that place, too.

- CELINE: Oh.
- [BOTH LAUGH]

Uh, his name was Xavier Wilson.

I was wondering if you knew him.

CELINE: Wilson?

- DAMON: Yeah.
- I thought your last name was Sims.

Oh, no, my mom thought her maiden name

had a better ring for branding purposes.

Apparently, "Damon Sims" has more

star power than "Damon Wilson."

She's right.

It's a good name.

Oh, um...

Sorry, I...

didn't realize how late it was.

I have a meeting.

Wait. Ms Raymond.

♪ I don't wanna go back now ♪

♪ Say you really want me now ♪

♪ 'Cause I've moved on somehow ♪

- ♪ So... so... ♪
- MAN: That's exactly what she said.

♪ I don't wanna go back now... ♪

SIMONE: Thea. Girl,
I've been blowing you up.

Yeah, I've been busy.

- SIMONE: OK.
- ♪ So... So... So... ♪

I'm sorry. Did I do something?

Is this about the Exquisite party?

[SIGH] Just drop it, Simone.

Thea, I'm sorry that I
bailed on you last minute,

but I knew Nate was...

Hey, um,

did something happen at the
Exquisite party the other night?

That's... that's not
really my place to say.

So, something did happen?

I think that President Allen's

ready to start, so...

ZEKE: Thank you all for being here

and volunteering for
Bringston's service week

and our annual

"make your match" mentoring event.

The young people you're
mentoring will experience

what academic and athletic excellence

feels like here at Bringston.

Each of you has the opportunity

to show your teen mentees
the HBCU experience

and potentially alter their life path.

And I may be biased, but
you're also in good hands

with this year's event organizer

Ms. Keisha McCalla.

[APPLAUSE]

Thank you.

All right, y'all received
instructions via email,

so, you know what to do.

Group leaders,

please come to the welcome
desk and pick up your packets,

and remember, y'all,
these kids are wild,

so, please just

keep them on lock. Ha!

You did good in there.

I did, didn't I?

I got a trustee meeting, but

what happened to giving me dates

for our joint therapy session?

Um, I actually don't
think my therapist and I

are a good fit anymore.

We're just really not
on the same wavelength.

Therapy isn't a quick fix.

- It's most effective when you...
- Oh, sorry, Dad.

Actually, I have to go help Simone out

with some volunteer stuff,

but I'll let you know if...

When I get my new therapist...

Oh!

Please save me

from my overly invested father.

Do tell.

Nothing worth discussing. But...

are you OK then?

Why does everyone keep asking me that?

Your aura is off.

It's Damon, isn't it?

Y'all are all kinds of awkward.

I thought you were
keeping your distance.

I mean, I'm trying.

The brother is everywhere.

Class, study hall, the gym.

Girl, it's gonna be a hard years
if you don't learn how to coexist.

Man, you're telling me.

Why are we going the other way again?

That is my ex Lisa and
that's a conversation

I am not in the mood to have right now.

I'm sorry. What happened to coexisting?

Coexisting.

[INDISTINCT].

BOTH: OK.

[PHONE CHIMES]

Hey. Your choreographer has arrived.

How you doing?

I come bringing my dopest moves.

We'll see about that.

You're volunteering for the step show?

Just like last year, remember?

No.

That's actually not what
I remember about last year.

Can y'all excuse us for a second?

I get that you're still
mad about what happened,

but can we please put aside
our drama and work together?

Sure.

For the kids.

KEVIN: Hey, Thea, hold up.

- [LAUGHTER]
- THEA: Just a splash.

KEVIN: Let me show you
something real quick.

THEA: Wait. I think we should go back.

KEVIN: Come on. Chill.

Missed seeing your pretty face.

Things got a little
dramatic at the party, but...

- THEA: Stop.
- KEVIN: Wait, what...

THEA: Stop. Stop. Stop!

Get the hell off her!

We're OK, right?

I mean, I'd still love to
kick it with you sometime.

No, I...

I... I need to go.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Thea's not feeling well,
so, I'm taking over.

- SIMONE: Is she OK?
- JERIKA: It's Thea,

so, it's hard to tell.

Y'all should've received an email

with your court and
mentee player assignments.

Work them through the drills today.

Based on my assessment of
your mentee's skill level,

I'll create a roster for tomorrow's

Princess of the court match.

[CHIMES]

Hey. You must be Mya.
It's nice to meet you.

Yeah, we should probably get started.

We don't have a lot of time.

Right.

Well, I was thinking we could
start with some volley drills.

I thought this weekend
was meant to challenge us.

OK.

Change of plans then.

Groundstroke techniques
and putaway sh*ts.

Let's see what you got.

Bet.

Let's do it.

Ahem. Excuse me, sir.

Shouldn't you be off
shaping young minds?

Oh, you best believe I will be.

Right after Roland's
little bathroom break.

It's been a while.

Where you been hiding?

Between classes, riding the
bench at football practice,

and all of Gabby's rehearsals,

I've barely had time to sleep.

So, it's Gabby now, is it?

Yo, Keish,

you the one who said you
weren't interested in an "us"

because you had to work on you.

Unless that's changed...

Then it's really none of your
business what Gabby and I do.

I'll catch you later. Hey, Roland.

Hey. Hey, this is, like,
my third message, man.

I'm trying to see if you
talked to your moms yet.

Look, we need to talk. Just...

hit me back, all right?

Hey, uh, Coach,

- you got a sec?
- Hey. What's up, Sims?

Um, look, I normally don't do this, but

are you cool with me sitting out today?

Wait a minute. Is this where you're
telling me you're quitting my team?

No, no, Coach. It's...

It's not like that. Just...

You want to talk about it, son?

- DAMON: Not really.
- MAN: Hey, Coach.

The mentees are ready
for you on the field.

Got it.

All right, well, you
take your day, Sims.

But I want you back on that
mound tomorrow ready to go, son.

- Thanks, Coach.
- Thank you.

All right.

Coach Lowe, why is the Dean's office

sending me emails saying
they haven't received

the team's study hall logs?

I don't know. I put it on
your desk for your signature.

If that were true, I would've seen them.

Listen, if you can't get things done

when I ask you to, I'll
find someone who can.

ZEKE: Ha ha ha!

AMARA: Zeke, we need to talk.

I'll be in touch. Thank you.

- [DOOR CLOSES]
- I'm guessing it's important.

Did you know that Veronica Skinner

is the person responsible
for leaking my mugshot?

That's troubling.

- If it's true.
- AMARA: If?

ZEKE: What I meant is Veronica
is a dedicated philanthropist

and an important part
of this institution.

I can't imagine she'd
do something like that.

She paid a student to post it.

Please tell me you're
going to take action.

Of course. I'll handle it.

Save the impassioned speech, Amara.

I'll talk to Veronica.

You just focus on making
this last semester a good one.

Ready?

Good sh*t, Mya. Bend your knees.

MYA: No.

- No, no!
- SIMONE: What happened?

Look, it's all good. You can just

use my racquet and
we'll restring it later.

No, I... I can't.

It doesn't even matter. It's...

It's all so stupid.

Mya!

Look, you're playing great.

Don't let some broken
racquet rattle you.

Do you know how much it
costs to restring a racquet?

Or how much it costs
to get a new racquet,

which is what I really need,

since I'm still using a youth racquet.

I do, but right now we...

Look, I bet where you're from,

everyone gets new gear and court time

whenever they want and it's...

no big deal.

This is why I hate coming here.

It's just a reminder that I...

I can't afford to compete at this level.

Do you mind?

How far did he get?

Kevin? How far...

Um, he didn't.

Damon stopped him.

You're lucky.

Kevin and I became friends

during freshman orientation.

Purely platonic. He
knew I had a boyfriend.

Um...

there was a party at PKZ

and J.R. was out of town,

so, I invited Kevin.

One drink turned into two.

And the next thing I know, I'm waking up

in Kevin's room with no clothes

and no memory of what happened.

Well, what did Kevin say?

That he had fun.

I felt so stupid.

It wasn't like Kevin made me drink.

I thought I could forget about it, but

the rumors flew and...

J.R. Dumped me, thinking
I cheated on him.

As time went by and my
memories came back...

I remembered Kevin didn't drink.

Said he was...

playing ball the next day

and needed to be clear-headed.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

Did you...

Did you tell anyone?

By the time I stopped blaming myself,

too much time had passed, so...

I'm just happy you're OK.

Yeah, I'm OK,

no thanks to you.

Social media is a great tool

for journalists, but

we must maintain an objective tone.

Otherwise, we're bound to
step into situations where...

Our morals are questioned.

But as journalists, our reputation

is our greatest asset,

and that is something
worth fighting for.

See you all next week.

What a wonderful lecture on
ethics and responsibility.

You could learn a thing or two.

I heard plenty from Zeke.

Got a stern warning.

Why are you here?

I didn't intervene when you were

corrupting my sister Jada

with your do-gooder nonsense,

but I am tired of you
and your militant antics.

TINA: Who the hell do you think you are?

Tina,

thank you, but

I've got this.

Look, I am sorry

that you can't let go of the past,

but I'm leaving Bringston,

so, you need to find another target

for your little juvenile games.

I'm not done. Not until I see you

crippled with depression

and struggle to find
work like my sister did.

TINA: No. You are done.

Amara doesn't play dirty, but I do.

You need to think real
hard about your next move.

Enjoy your last semester,

because...

big changes are coming

to your beloved university.

What is she talking about?

What changes?

I have no idea.

Too bad you're dropping it.

I was.

Till Veronica came to my classroom

and showed her ass.

If Veronica Skinner wants a fight,

I'm going to give her one.

, , , .

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING FAINTLY]

DAMON: J.

Yo, J.

Can I talk to you?

Yeah. Y'all finish up, all right?

You got 'em? Appreciate you.

What's up, bro?

Did you not get my voicemails, bro?

No. I been here all day.

Have you talked to your mom?

Not since earlier, but
clearly, something went on.

- DAMON: What makes you say that?
- J.R.: Because you're acting weird.

And she cancelled dinner on us.

She'd been looking
forward to it all week.

All I did was ask her about my dad

and then she just started
acting weird and got up and left.

She probably don't know him, bro.

OK, then why wouldn't she just say that?

I couldn't tell you.

Look, can you...

Can you just talk to her for me, please?

- Please.
- Listen,

my mother's finally in a good place

and I don't want to mess that up.

All right? We took the DNA test.

It said we not brothers.

So, maybe we should
just put it to the side

and focus on the future.

Hold on. Let me get something straight.

So, you get the answers that you need

and just... and just
screw what I need, right?

You know damn well
that ain't what I said.

Bro, all you do is care about you.

You run away like a little punk

instead of stopping and having

the tough conversation.

That's what you did
with the baseball team

and that's what you did
with your ex, too, isn't it?

Oh.

So, we analyzing each other now.

'Cause you putting
this adoption obsession

over everything and it's
cost you Simone already.

Whoa. Simone has
nothing to do with this.

You sure about that?

'Cause you drug her
all the way to Chicago

to help you get answers

and now she blocking you out.

Say, bruh, I get that you gotta do you,

but leave me and my mom
out of it, all right?

All right, fellas, y'all
look good. You ready?

, , , .

[STOMPING, CLAPPING]

Hey, Keish, you see a little, skinny kid

- with a blue streak in his hair?
- KEISHA: Roland?

- CAM: Yeah. [CAM SIGHS]
- KEISHA: No, I haven't.

Please tell me you haven't lost him.

Define lost.

Did you or did you not hear my speech

about keeping track of your mentees?

I know, but I turned my back
for, like, one second, bro.

Why are you so irresponsible?

Now we have to call security

and notify his parents.

Wait, wait. He's , not .

He'll be fine. We'll find him.

Do you care about how
this makes me look?

Wait. Why are you getting so upset?

- KEISHA: I'm not upset.
- ZEKE: Excuse me.

I saw a young boy with a blue streak

talking to a couple
of sorority girls about

how he's Bringston's
new starting quarterback.

- ZEKE: Perhaps he's yours?
- CAM: Yes.

Thank you, sir.

Thanks, Dad.

Crisis averted.

You guys break up?

Me and Cam?

We're not together.

That was the young boy you were kissing

at the party at our house, right?

And you guys fight like
there are feelings involved.

OK, well, there are no feelings

and we were never together.

You don't know what
you're talking about.

Is that what you told your therapist?

Consider this

a free therapy session.

One you can't reschedule.

I nearly lost your mother
when we started dating

'cause I was scared

of anything that even
looked like commitment.

Like Father, like daughter, I guess.

[CHUCKLES] [SIGHS]

My therapist wants me to dig
into past relationships and...

analyze what went wrong.

I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

You don't get to the good stuff

without working through the bad.

Thea, do you know if Cam is in here?

His mentee knows my mentee

and I kind of need
some insight right now.

I have no idea.

Are you OK?

Yeah. I'm just...

It's whatever. I just
needed to talk to Damon.

Well, he's at athletic study hall.

I was headed there next.

Hey, uh...

Will you please tell me what's going on?

I really want to be here to help.

I'm fine.

I was fine. At least, I thought I was,

and then today, he said hi.

Who said hi?

Thea, please help me understand.

Something happened to me.

Well, almost happened to me because

another girl didn't speak up,

but here I am and I haven't spoken up.

Whatever it is, I'm here for you.

Oh, you're here for me?

Like you were the night
of the Exquisite party?

Because you promised to be there

for me then, too, right?

- SIMONE: Thea...
- THEA: Forget it.

I don't even know why
I'm talking to you.

Damon, I think you need to call Thea.

She was looking for you and

I was trying to help, but

whatever it is she's going through,

I think I made it worse.

Can you please just help me?

All right. I'll give her a call.

[UNZIPS BAG]

Hey. It's Damon.

I was just calling to check on you.

Hit me back, OK?

CAM: Hey, Simone, I heard your little

volunteering session was a disaster.

- SIMONE: Excuse me?
- CAM: Well, my mentee

is friends with your
mentee, so, you know.

Yeah.

It wasn't great, but

Mya's super talented
but she can't afford

equipment or court time.

I did the math and my parents spent

at least , , and that

doesn't even include tournaments.

Tell me about it. My mom
spent, like, times that.

That ain't nothing new.

Black kids been priced out of y'all's

bougie sports for decades.

Well, we gotta fix this.

At least for our mentees.

Figure out a way to help them long term.

We'll brainstorm.

Get a group together, have a
family-ish dinner at my aunt's.

We could order pizza.

I'm always down for free food.

And a good cause.

You know, the kids.

DAMON: Look, if we want
to make a real impact

in these kids' lives,
we're gonna have to

make a long-term commitment.

What about grants?

I mean, I'm sure there's tons
of people that we can write to.

It takes forever to get those grants.

Them kids will graduate college

before they ever saw a penny.

I might be able to help.

My firm works with an
organization in L.A.

That provides resources for
middle and high school athletes.

I've got the CEO on speed dial.

I could give her a call. Maybe she could

give you some advice.

- I think we'd love that.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[LAUGHTER]

Auntie just texted.

Said she's working
late, so, not to wait up.

I hope Amara comes to her senses

and stays at Bringston.

I do, too, but this
family is very stubborn.

It takes a lot for them
to change their minds.

True,

which is why I'm asking you again...

What's wrong?

Don't say "nothing" and do not think

I am leaving town without an answer.

OK.

OK.

I just feel like everything's
messed up right now.

I let my teammate Thea
down, like, big time.

I had to end my friendship with Damon.

You mean the young man that
was eyeing you all night?

I can't be friends with him

and be with Jordan, Mom.

And Jordan is , miles away and...

I want to blame it on distance,

but things just...

Just feels off.

And I don't want anybody to get hurt.

Relationships are complicated, honey,

both romantic and non-romantic ones.

What you need is a reset.

Come home for fall break.

You could see Jordan and visit him

at Golden Angeles.

True.

- But I can't afford it.
- TINA: I'll buy your ticket.

SIMONE: Mom, I don't...

The time isn't right.

OK.

I'm going to stop pushing

because you're just gonna keep

- coming up with excuses, so.
- [PHONE CHIMES]

Hmm. It's my client.

Apparently, the program in L.A.

has opened two additional
satellite offices.

One is here in Atlanta.

The director agreed to hear you out

on why they should bring
their resources to Bringston...

- Tomorrow morning.
- SIMONE: Mom,

- that's amazing.
- TINA: I know it's fast.

No, no, that's great.

We'll be ready.

Our mission is to create champions

on and off the court.

Yeah, that's... that's what we stand for

here at Bringston, too.

Bringston athletics has
mentored kids for years,

but one weekend a year is all they get.

So, this is a chance
for your organization

to help train future athletes

and HBCU grads.

An opportunity to do something

for the culture and for sports.

I've also received commitments from

Bringston's football, baseball,

and tennis coaches,

as well as dozens of athletes,

that they'll donate hours a month each

to coach the kids who have enrolled.

OK. If you can sign up
high school athletes,

we'd love to welcome Bringston

to the Stellar Ambitions family.

Absolutely. We're on it.

Yeah, yeah. Thank you
so much for your time.

It's so nice to meet you.

- SIMONE: Thank you.
- WOMAN: Thank you.

Damon Sims, ladies and gentlemen,

coming in hot with
the last-minute save.

Oh. You know how I do.

And yet you stay so humble.

[CHUCKLES] Nah, I really, I just...

I needed something positive

to focus on last night.

Right now in my life,
everything is just so...

I gotta get to Mya's match.

Um, but I can work on

signing up people for
the tennis program.

- Yeah.
- Think you and Cam

can focus on football and baseball?

Yeah, yeah. We're on it.

♪ I was , still fun at parties ♪

♪ He plied me with sh*t after sh*t ♪

♪ He assured me he was harmless ♪

♪ Why did I ever trust a fox? ♪

♪ I almost let him get his claws in ♪

♪ Still knocks the wind
right out of me ♪

♪ Now I avoid the woods ♪

Hi. Can I have President Allen's office?

♪ Now I know the wolves ♪

Hey, Aqueelah, can I talk to you?

I can't. I have rehearsal.

Look, I owe you an apology.

I...

I spent all morning at the tennis courts

watching these young girls practicing

and I just kept thinking about how

they're just like us,

dreaming of coming to Bringston,

excited about maybe pledging a sorority

or going on a date
with a cute guy, and...

what would happen to them

if they encountered a guy like Kevin.

He won't stop unless someone stops him.

Which is why I made
an appointment with...

the Dean of students
and President Allen.

And if you went with me,

we'd really have a case.

I admire your optimism,

but girls in these

"he said/she said"
situations always lose.

I'm not wrecking my life so Kevin

can get a slap on the wrist.

Aqueelah, I'll be by your side.

I'm sorry. I can't.

: tomorrow.

President Allen's office.

If you change your mind.

And I hope one day you
can speak your truth.

For your own healing.

[KEYS CLACKING ON KEYBOARD]

Oh, jeez.

- [KEYS CLACKING]
- [DOOR KNOCKING]

[MUMBLING]

- AMARA: I hope you find it.
- [DOOR CLOSES]

MARCUS: Find what?

AMARA: Whatever you're
manically looking for.

Nobody's manic, Amara.

It's just a turn of phrase, Marcus.

OK, look, I'm sorry.
I'm just frustrated.

You OK?

Yeah. Just doing a little digging

for a story, and personal reasons,

and stumbled on something.

You know that new board member Veronica?

Yeah. The heffa that
posted your mugshot.

Did you know Zeke
personally recruited her

onto Bringston's board?

Turns out she was an
associate of his late wife's.

They served on philanthropic
boards together.

OK, so, Zeke has poor taste.

Oh, there's more.

I got a list of Bringston's
financial donors,

and Veronica isn't one of them.

Wait a minute. If she's not
donating money to Bringston...

Why is she so valuable
to Zeke and this college?

That's exactly what I need to find out.

[DOOR OPENS]

- J.R.: Hey, Ma.
- CELINE: Um, I hope you don't mind.

One of your frat brothers let me in.

Of course not.

I was actually gonna reach out to you.

- Make sure you were OK.
- CELINE: J.R....

J.R.: I'm sorry about the
whole Damon ambush thing.

I was just trying to help out a friend.

But if that come at the cost
of your peace of mind, no,

especially when that
friend is ungrateful.

You and Damon have a falling out?

Yeah. 'Cause he think I'm some weak fool

that runs at the first sign of conflict.

I think maybe it's time
we both stop running.

Mom, what are you talking about?

Have a seat, son.

[SIGH] We need to talk.

Mya.

I got some big news.

A way to make sure you can afford

to compete at this level.

I'm not interested in charity.

No. It's not charity.

I know how this works, OK?

I get excited and then funding gets cut,

or whoever runs this program

finds a new project.

Can I finish warming up?

Lisa, yo, I just need two minutes,

and don't think that
I won't sing Beyonce

at the top of my lungs
to get you to listen.

I wish you'd brought this type of energy

when we were dating.

I just...

I just wanted to say
that I know that I...

Kinda sucked as a girlfriend.

Kinda?

The moment things
between us got too real,

- you sabotaged it.
- I mean, I...

I think that's a little
strong. I didn't...

Stand me up?

Gaslight me into thinking we were

less serious than we were?

My therapist told me that talking to you

would be good for me but this feels...

Awful.

Wait. You actually went to therapy?

I did.

And now you're here asking questions

even though you hate confrontation.

What motivated that?

Or should I ask who?

Oh, wow.

I guess it really is a who.

I-I thought my fear of commitment

was 'cause I was afraid

to love and lose a soulmate

like my dad did.

But I... I think that

- actually...
- You don't think you're good enough.

Psych major.

Didn't take me long to figure that out.

OK, madam psych major...

You got any advice?

Nobody's gonna convince
you you're worthy of love.

That's on you to figure out.

That sounds easy enough.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Thank you.

Honestly.

Hey, Keish,

when you do let go of all
your baggage and go all in...

You're gonna be one badass girlfriend.

SPECTATOR: Whoo!

[APPLAUSE]

You did great! Mm!

Did you see that?

The way I hit my forehand?

It was perfection, Mya.

Too bad you're wasting your talent.

SIMONE: Mom. Don't.

You're good. You know that.

But you're letting your
pride get in your way,

and pride keeps you from

stepping into your power.

Do you really think I have what it takes

to play college tennis, Simone?

Yes.

But in order for you to compete,

you need coaching,

equipment, and lots of practice
to hone your skills, Mya.

Can I see that brochure again?

Hey.

Uh, hey.

How'd the match go?

Mya won and I got her

and other tennis girls to sign up,

so, between me, you, and Cam,

we got kids to commit.

- DAMON: What!
- SIMONE: So, Stellar Ambitions

is officially partnering with Bringston.

That's really dope.

Thank you, again, for all your help.

Yeah, well, we make a good team.

Yeah.

Uh...

I'm sticking around
next week for fall break.

Maybe we can, like, grab

a coffee or something.

Something super casual.

Actually, I'm gonna take
my mom up on her offer.

I'm gonna head back to L.A. next week.

Yeah. Heh.

Oh, for sure. That's...

that's good.

Well, guess I'll see you around.

Yup.

Hey, um...

You ever think it was a mistake?

You coming to Chicago with me?

No. Never.

Damon, I wanted to support you.

I just keep thinking that

maybe it'd be easier on everyone

if I would just stop

looking for my birth parents.

You don't really believe that.

Look, have a safe flight,

Simone Hicks.

I couldn't sleep.

You were right.

You ready?

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Yo. Yo, I'm headed out.

- MARCUS: Yo.
- COACH LOWE: You need anything?

No. I'm good. No.

Yo, and again, sorry about
the missing study hall log.

I'll find it. It's all good, all right?

Take it easy.

[SIGH]

[GRUNTING]

Hey.

Thanks for all the calls checking on me.

Sorry I've been M.I.A.

Nah, we straight.

I know you were dealing
with the whole...

- Kevin situation.
- THEA: Yeah.

DAMON: Good for you for putting
him on blast, by the way.

What are you talking about?

Uh,

this wasn't you?

No. But I know who it was.

I went to President Allen

and he's launching a
complete investigation.

So, if there are other girls,

hopefully they'll come forward.

You know, you did a good thing.

Yeah, you did, too.

Thanks again for

having my back that
night and the days since.

Yeah.

Ahh. OK.

Ahh.

Hey, are you OK?

I only work out that hard

when something's messing with my head.

Uh, yeah. I don't wanna bore you.

You won't.

Why don't we grab a bite and talk?

Or not.

We could just

sit in silence.

I know you've been through,

you know, a lot these past few days,

so, I wanna make sure that
I'm reading this right. Is...

is this a date

or just, like, two
friends grabbing a meal?

Can it be both?

Uh...

yeah. Bet. Just let me, um,

- shower and then...
- [PHONE CHIMES]

_

Why don't you handle that first

and then come find me.

Yo, I'm gonna miss you, girl.

Girl, I'm only gonna be
gone for, like, days.

Roland has been found!

Call off the dogs.

Ha ha. Yeah. Very funny.

Hey, what was up with you the other day?

Oh. It's just been a long week.

I feel you.

Aight.

I'll see you guys around.

Yeah.

What's that look?

Hi. Dr. Garton? This is Keisha McCalla.

I know I said I didn't want to
work together anymore, but...

I changed my mind.

Whatever I need to do to be
in a healthy relationship,

I'm in.

Thank you.

- KEISHA: Oh, my god.
- [SIMONE CHUCKLES]

I'm proud of you.

- KEISHA: Thank you.
- SIMONE: Mm-hmm.

♪ I can see the cold world ♪

- [KNOCKING ON DOOR]
- ♪ Every time I'm warm ♪

Hey, um,

I thought about what you said, J, and...

I think...

♪ Though it's heating up here ♪

Uh...

- ♪ I should... ♪
- DAMON: What... what's this about?

My mom wanted to talk to
me about your adoption.

I wasn't sure I was ready to listen.

J.R.: We're both in now.

DAMON: What?

I owe you an apology...

And some answers.

I haven't heard Xavier's name in years.

We met at Peach Brew Cafe.

It was a hard time for me and...

he was there.

We had an affair.

I got pregnant.

Damon,

I think you're that baby.

[SOFTLY] You're my son

[NORMAL VOICE] And, um...

And J.R.'s brother.