05x01 - Ludacrismas

[bunniefuu]

MAN: ♪ Yeah, girl,
I'm in love with you ♪

♪ This ain't the honeymoon ♪

♪ Passed the infatuation phase ♪

♪ And we're, we're right
in the thick of love ♪

♪ At times, we get sick of love ♪

♪ It seem like we argue every day ♪

♪ Know I've misbehaved ♪

♪ And you've made your mistakes ♪

♪ And we both still got
room left to grow ♪

♪ And though love sometimes hurts ♪

♪ I still put you first ♪

♪ And we'll make this thing work ♪

♪ But I think we should take it slow ♪

♪ We're just ordinary people ♪

♪ We don't know which way to go ♪

- ♪ 'Cause we're ordinary people ♪
- [CROWD CHEERING]

♪ Maybe we should take it slow ♪

♪ Take it slow, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ This time, we'll take it slow ♪

♪ Take it slow, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ This time, we'll take it slow ♪

JORDAN: Get out, get out,
get out, get out.

♪ This ain't a movie now ♪

♪ No fairytale conclusions, y'all ♪

♪ It gets more confusin' every day ♪

♪ Oh, sometimes it's heaven sent ♪

♪ Then we head back to hell again ♪

♪ We kiss and we make up on the way ♪

♪ I hang up, you call ♪

♪ We rise, then we fall ♪

♪ And we feel like just walkin' away ♪

Come on, come on.

- ♪ And as our love advances ♪
- [CROWD GROANS]

♪ We take second chances ♪

♪ No, it's not a fantasy ♪

♪ I still want you to say ♪

♪ We're just ordinary people ♪

♪ We don't know which way to go ♪

♪ Hey, yeah ♪

♪ Because we're ordinary people ♪

- [CROWD CHEERING]
- ♪ Maybe we should take it slow ♪

♪ Take it slow ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

- ♪ This time we'll take it slow ♪
- [CROWD CHEERING AND WHISTLING]

- ♪ Take it slow, oh, oh, oh ♪
- [PLAYERS CHANTING "ATL BOWL"]

♪ This time we'll take it slow ♪

♪ Take it slow,
maybe we'll live and learn ♪

♪ Maybe we'll crash and burn ♪

♪ Maybe you'll stay, maybe
you'll leave me, but you'll return ♪

♪ Maybe another fight ♪

♪ Maybe we won't survive ♪

♪ Maybe we'll grow, we'll never know ♪

♪ Baby, you and I ♪

♪ We're just ordinary people ♪

♪ We don't know which way... ♪

- LAYLA: See anyone you like?
- CLAY: Typical open mic night.

Some good, some not so good.

Look, it's been weeks, Clay.
I think you proved your point.

Yeah, what point is that?

That you can get to me.

You really think I took over as the head

of your dad's label to punish
you for ending things with me?

[CHUCKLES] Nobody thinkin' 'bout you.

This is about my future.

CAM: ♪ ... Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ This time we'll take it... ♪

Guess the Bringston crew
is home for the holidays.

SPENCER: You gonna be good?

I know you and Simone ain't
talked since y'all ended things.

JORDAN: Yeah, yeah, I'm sure,
I'm sure. Why don't you, uh,

go see what's up and
I'll order our food.

- OK. Count on Spencer James.
- Heh! OK.

[APPLAUSE, CHEERING, AND WHISTLING]

KEISHA: Whoo!

LAYLA: Look, I want my dad's company
back, Clay. What's it gonna take?

It was never yours to begin with,

and I'm sure your lawyers
have already told you that.

There's nothing you can do
about that. It's a done deal.

JP Keating Records should
be run by a Keating.

It's not my fault your daddy issues
has got in the way of your future.

What's good? Hmm.

- KEISHA: Oh, my God! Hi!
- SPENCER: What's up?

Can't believe it's been
over a year already.

Welcome to my stomping
grounds this time.

- KEISHA: I know. It's about time.
- COOP: Oh, wait.

You ol' girl that made Olivia jealous
enough to make a move on Spencer.

Thank you, OK? 'Cause
all of us were tired

of that "we want to be
together but we can't" nonsense.

- Ha ha! You're welcome.
- It wasn't even like that.

SIMONE: Uh, it was exactly like that.

Speaking of, where is Liv anyway?

- Oh, no. Did you two break up?
- No, no, we still together.

- Kinda.
- Coop.

What? It's true. Man, you are the most

"not together" together
couple I ever met.

SIMONE: OK. Spencer, what happened?

Nothing, nothing. We, you know,

both just been busy these
past weeks; You know,

me with football, trying to
fight our way into this bowl game.

Well, congrats on that,
by the way. That's huge.

Thank you. Thank you.

You know, Liv's been busy at work, and

we just decided to give
each other a little space

without actually saying we're
taking space, but, you know.

- SIMONE: I'm so confused.
- COOP: Join the club.

SPENCER: Can we talk
about something else?

CAM: Ahem.

- [KEISHA SQUEALS] Baby, you were so good.
- CAM: Thank you.

SPENCER: Yeah, I heard
you were singing now.

I wasn't expecting all
that, though. Congrats, man.

Thanks.

You know, I ain't realize
you were so close to my girl.

COOP: What, she can't have friends?

I'm hungry, baby. You ready?

Uh, no. I was actually in the
middle of talking to our friends.

All right, then. I'mma go get some food.

What the hell was that?

SIMONE: "That" was the old L.A. Cam.

COOP: All right, man, OK.

I'm here. I'm safe. You happy?

Oh, my bad for trying to
look out for my best friend.

Right. Come on, man.
For almost a decade,

I walked from my crib to
your crib with no problem.

Now that I'm in Beverly Hills, you
gotta make sure I get home safe?

Yo, I'll take my chances in the 'hood

over these rich-ass
neighborhoods any day.

She not here, bro,

and don't try to deny the fact
that you was hoping to run into Liv.

- Maybe I was looking for Patience.
- No, you was not, OK?

She in Jamaica with her
moms, and you know that.

Spence, come on, man.

I know you and Liv don't
know what this article

she's doing on your
coach means for y'all,

but this limbo space, it ain't it, bro.

I don't even know how to
start that conversation

after all this time, Coop.

I don't even know if that's a
conversation she wants to have.

Maybe, in her mind,
she moved on already.

At least, in this limbo thing,
technically, we still together.

I mean, by your logic, I'm technically

still with Jethro from the fifth grade.

We didn't have a conversation
before he left for the summer.

Maybe I should call him now and say,

"yo, bro, like, I'm gay and... heh!

I been cheatin' on you with a girl
named Skye for the past weeks."

- Shut up.
- No, for real, man.

Y'all either together or y'all not.

You gotta figure that out, and fast,

before y'all just hurt
each other even more.

[PLAYERS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

Please, tell me you
haven't been up all night

looking at all this
old GAU footage again.

There has to be something
that we're missing,

unless Wade played me and
my dumb ass fell for it.

Well, whether Wade played you or not,

we both had a bad feeling
about Coach Garrett,

and that's before Wade
said anything, so...

You mean before he barely said anything.

I mean, if he really had
it out for Coach Garrett,

why not just lay all his crimes bare?

Instead, he just gives
us footage from a bunch

of old GAU games and
is all cryptic like,

"you know, what Garrett's doing,

even the NCAA won't know
how to penalize," like,

who does he think he is, The Riddler?

[CHUCKLING] OK, OK, easy.

Look, why don't you step
away from all that footage,

go take a shower, clear
your head for a little bit?

No. Thank you, but I...
I need to rewatch this.

That was not a request, baby girl.

Look, you have been
running yourself ragged

for the past weeks,

but it's the holidays, all right?

Now, for our own
sanity, we need a break.

I need a break.

ASHER: You know, I think "Tamia
Cooper, Esquire" has a nice ring to it.

COOP: Yeah, I ain't quite there yet,

even though you wouldn't guess
it with the amount of work

- I got on my plate.
- ASHER: Yeah?

COOP: Yeah, my pens are running out.

Laura's Law is boomin'.

SPENCER: Didn't she tell
you to stop calling it that?

ASHER, CHUCKLING: I
mean, it is pretty catchy.

COOP: Yes, it is.
Thank you, Coach Adams.

Now, that, that has a nice ring to it.

- ASHER: It does, doesn't it?
- COOP: It does.

I'm proud of you. I
mean, I'm proud of us.

JORDAN: You totally made that kid cry.

- JJ: He was so not crying.
- JORDAN: What?

- JJ: Besides, it's his parents' fault.
- JORDAN: Whoa, whoa, whoa.

JJ: Who waits till Christmas Eve
Eve to buy their Christmas tree?

SPENCER: Please tell me
you did not steal Christmas

- up from under some kid.
- JJ: Look,

I'm not gonna apologize for
wanting the best Christmas tree.

Ha ha ha! I mean, this is my
most favorite time of year.

ASHER: JJ, you say that
about every holiday.

Hey, well, Christmas is
different. It's magical, all right?

It's when hearts are
open to possibilities,

a time where all is
forgiven and love reigns.

COOP, CHUCKLING: You been watching
those Hallmark movies again,

- right, bro?
- Hey, wait, wait. JJ's right.

We should throw a party.

A Christmas Eve Eve party, right?

- JJ: Ho ho ho! My man. Hmm.
- JORDAN: OK, hold up, hold up, hold up.

Did Spencer "I don't know
how to have fun" James

- just vote to throw a party?
- SPENCER: No, no, it's like JJ said.

Christmas is the perfect time

for c-coming together and...
and forgiveness and stuff.

COOP: Coming together, huh?

- You should just call her.
- Shut up. Shut up. Look,

I'm throwing a party, here, tonight.

- It's gonna be dope!
- [JJ CHUCKLES]

Should we be worried?

JJ: Spencer James,
you can thank us later.

Thank y'all for what? What is all that?

The beginnings of our, um...
of your Christmas party.

JORDAN: Ha ha ha ha! Now we're talkin'.

JJ: Yeah, I raided my parents' stash.

Picked up a little of this,

- a little of that.
- SPENCER: Hey, guys?

I don't need your help.
I'm good. I got this, OK?

ASHER: Uh, bro? You are a lot of things,

but a party planner is not one of them.

JJ: Yo, and this beach
house has a certain

- reputation to uphold.
- JORDAN: Besides, you know,

you have practice for
the bowl game, so just

say yes to the help.

[SIGHS] Fine, fine.

Y'all do your thing. Just
keep it small, all right?

- Small and intimate. Jordan?
- JORDAN: Yep.

SPENCER: Small and intimate.

I... boy... [SIGHS]

Small and intimate, guys.

Ho ho ho!

- ASHER: Dude. Dude, dude, dude.
- [JJ AND JORDAN LAUGH]

I just want to punch
Clay in his smug face.

- I hate that guy.
- You didn't hate him last summer.

- LAYLA: Mmm, funny.
- OLIVIA: Sorry.

Did you know Simone
is back for Christmas?

She was, um, she was there last night.

Oh. Did Jordan see her? How's she doing?

Uh, I... I don't know.
We didn't really talk.

Layla, she's still our friend,
even though her and Jordan broke up.

Yeah, I know, I... [CLEARS THROAT]...

I just... I got really caught
up with the whole Clay stuff,

so I had to... I had to leave early.

[SIGHS] So what are
you gonna do about him?

- Who?
- Clay. Who else?

Right.

Right. Um...

Well, if he won't give me the company,

I'm just gonna have to
level the playing field,

starting with expanding
my roster of artists.

Oh, which reminds me...
sh**t, I gotta run.

I'm actually meeting one of
the singers from last night.

- OLIVIA: Good luck.
- LAYLA: OK, thanks. Hi, Coop. Bye, Coop.

She lives.

Nice of you to finally make it home.

Aren't you the one
who's just coming home?

Uh, from breakfast, not
from staying out all night,

which has been happening
a lot with you lately.

I didn't realize you were keeping tabs.

Spencer was here last night...

Checking for you.

- Do you even care?
- Of course I care.

OK, Coop, I understand that
Spencer is your best friend,

but our relationship is our business.

OK, no, Spencer is my family, all right?

And where I'm from, families
stand up for each other.

We protect each other.

You think Spencer needs
protecting from me?

Tell me something.

I mean, there isn't any other
investigative piece on this planet

that you could write about?

I mean, come on. There's
gotta be a lacrosse team

somewhere padding their sticks or, hell,

dig into our shady-ass
government who's trying to send

this country back to the stone ages.

Why does it have to be
Spencer's team, his coach?

OK, Coop, I am not getting into
this with you right now, OK?

Look, that boy loves you, Liv.

He supports you. Hell, he
took a damn b*llet for you.

But none of that matters, right?

Because no one's off-limits
when it comes to you

and your damn articles.

You've clearly already made
your choice, so stop stallin'.

If you don't want to be with Spencer,

just rip the band-aid off already,

for both of you all's sake.

[DISTANT CHATTER]

SPENCER, EXHALING: How's it feel?

Little weird, but, you know,
Doc said that was normal.

Hey, I didn't want to say nothing
in front of everybody at the crib,

but what happened yesterday at Slauson?

You bounced pretty fast.

Yeah, I, um, I just wasn't ready
for that run-in with Simone.

- SPENCER: OK. Understood.
- GARRETT: My boys.

- SPENCER: Hey, what up, Coach?
- GARRETT: Baker, how's that hand?

JORDAN: Feels good, Coach.

GARRETT: That mean you're
ready to get back on my field?

Ah, just waiting for the OK from
my doc at the end of this week.

Why wait? Our medical team
got your scans this morning.

Now, Doc can't officially
share anything with me,

but somethin' tells me he might
have some good news for you.

SPENCER: Wait, J. Can find
out today? That's amazing.

- JORDAN: Yeah.
- GARRETT: Better get to it.

We got a bowl game to prep for.

- SPENCER AND JORDAN: Yes, sir.
- GARRETT: Right.

- MAN: Can I help you?
- COOP: Uh, can I help you?

Actually, yes. New walk-in clients

are required to fill
out some information,

and be sure to include your court
date if you already have one.

Hey, you think I'm a client?

- My bad. I just assumed that...
- COOP: The same way you assumed

- this was your desk.
- LAURA: Oh, Coop, good. You're here.

This is Darius Marshall.

He's a first-year associate
I hired to help me out.

This is a motion for you to file.

Please, whatever you do, request
anyone other than Judge Hilson.

My son dated his daughter,
and it did not end well.

What's up with Carlton?

Darius, and you know
how busy I've been, Coop.

The firm's growing. I need
all the help I can get.

OK, I thought that was
what I was here for.

- I thought we were in this together.
- We are in this together,

but without an actual law degree,

your resources and
abilities are limited.

I need someone that can
actually argue in a courtroom.

- [CELL PHONE VIBRATES]
- I gotta get this.

[BIRDS CHIRP]

Hey.

Hey.

Uh...

Uh, I'm sorry I missed you last night.

Uh, Coop said you came by.

Something tells me
that's not all she said.

[SIGHS] Yeah, she is
definitely a loyal friend.

That is for sure. Heh!

I'm glad you're here.

Good.

Good, because I am throwing

a Christmas Eve Eve
party at the beach house,

and I'd really love
for you to roll through.

Wait. You're throwing a party?

Why does everybody have that same
reaction? Yes, I'm throwing a party.

I know how to have fun. Damn.

[CHUCKLES]

Uh, look, I know we've both been busy,

- and it's been a minute since we...
- I'll be there.

[SIGHS] For real?

Yeah, I'd love to.

I mean, it's like you
said, you know, we...

it's been a minute since we
hung out, and, um, I don't know;

I feel like I don't really see
you on campus anymore, so...

I've missed you.

I miss you, too.

[SIGHS] OK, uh,

so tonight.

Tonight. I'll see you there.

LAYLA: Every artist
has a unique quality,

kind of like a thumbprint,

and it's my job to figure out what
that is and fuse it into your music.

I like to think of
it like my superpower.

Look, Layla, I think
you're a dope producer.

I didn't get to you fast enough, did I?

Well, Cam should be here any second.

- You really don't have to wait.
- SIMONE: No.

I actually think I'll hang
out a little bit longer.

- Girl, uh-uh, no.
- What?

Layla and I are long
overdue for a chat, Keish.

Why? Layla didn't do anything.

It's not like her and Jordan are dating.

I saw the way he looked
at her last night.

Layla's not responsible
for Jordan's feelings.

OK, whose side are you on?

I just don't think you
should be throwing stones

from your glass house at Bringston.

- I'm gonna sign with Clay.
- [SIGHS]

I'm sorry.

Clay already has award-winning
producers ready to work with me.

Their b*mb P.R. and marketing team

are already setting up photo sh**t.

Can you match any of that?

Keish, I'm telling you.

I know there's something going
on between Jordan and Layla, OK?

Just let it go for now.

L.A. is huge. We can spend
the rest of Christmas break

never having to interact with Layla.

[CELL PHONES CHIME]

"Secret Santa assignments from... JJ"?

Who is JJ and why is
he playing on my phone?

Great.

_

So much for no interaction.

Where are you going?

To get her a gift.

I'm sure there's some bag
of leftovers somewhere.

How'd the meeting go?

Slauson Café might be open to everyone,

but my studio isn't. Get out.

Hmm.

[SNIFFS]

I'll keep this short.

It's cute you thought you
could b*at me out for an artist.

You're swimming with the big fish now.

Remember that.

What do you even see in Zoesha?

Other than your interest in her,

not much.

MALE SINGER: ♪ Time
to take it home now ♪

♪ Time to head back home now ♪

♪ Gotta take it on home now ♪

♪ Time to take it home now ♪

- [SETS DOWN BAG]
- Beautiful woman,

sitting alone, crying into her tea?

You're not giving the dudes
in here a chance, girl.

- Well, I don't cry.
- Mm-hmm.

You waiting on Cam?

I was, an hour ago.

He was supposed to introduce
me to his parents today,

but I'm just finally
getting a text that says,

"Something else came up. My bad."

That's it. No other explanation.

I'm sorry. Uh, you need
a ride or something?

You've known Cam for a while now, right?

We were more often rivals
than friends, but yeah.

He just seems so different than
the Cam I know back at Bringston.

Back at school, he's loving
and... and considerate,

and I just feel like I'm
meeting a different Cam

and I don't know which one's real.

It's probably a little bit of both.

Listen, people change and grow,

especially at college.

Who he is at Bringston is
clearly who he's trying to be,

but... coming home can be triggering.

Suddenly you're reverting
back to the old you,

and you don't even know it. We
all a little guilty of that, right?

You know...

If this football thing doesn't work out,

you might have a
wonderful career in Psych.

That is actually what I'm
thinking of majoring in.

- Really?
- Yeah.

That's amazing. Good for you.

Watch for when Cam's happiest,

like, legit "laughing like
he don't give a damn" happy.

That's where you'll find the real Cam.

That's the one to focus on.

You good?

Yeah...

yeah, I'm just realizing I should
probably take my own advice. Heh!

- I'll see you.
- See ya.

- [SEA GULL SQUAWKS]
- JORDAN: Got more lights.

JJ: Hey, congrats, man.

Heard the GAU docs cleared you.

JORDAN: Yeah, but those
are Coach Garrett's guys,

you know, team doctors.

What if they cleared me to play
just 'cause he asked them to,

- you know?
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]

SPENCER: I got it.

ASHER: Hey, if you're worried,
you should get a second opinion.

That's the plan, yeah. You know,

that's actually probably my dad now.

We, um, set up an appointment

with one of his old doctor
friends, so we'll see.

- BILLY: Hey.
- SPENCER: Hey, what's up, Coach?

- Is, uh, is that my wreath?
- This?

No. Um, if, by yours, you
mean Mrs. Baker's, then yeah.

Man, Merry Christmas.

- Yeah. How you doing?
- SPENCER: OK.

You ready for this bowl game?

Uh, as ready as I can be, I guess.

BILLY: Spencer, you are starting
in your first college bowl game

as a freshman.

Uh-uh. I'mma need a little
bit more excitement from you.

Heh! I am excited, but it's not
like there's not a lot going on,

like, you know, a possible
investigation into my coach.

Now, you let me worry
about that, all right?

You just focus on the game. There he is.

- JORDAN: Hey, you ready to go?
- Yes, sir.

- All right.
- Good luck, man.

Hey, hey, I got you.

- Thank you.
- Yeah.

[DOOR CLOSES]

MAN: Yep, it's healed nicely,

and your scans show
everything's back to normal.

So, uh, so you think I can play?

Well, technically speaking,
your hand's good to go,

but a little more
physical therapy and time

before you put it through
a game wouldn't hurt.

- It's honestly about how you feel.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]

- Oh, excuse me one moment.
- Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Doc.

[DOOR OPENS]

[JORDAN SIGHS, DOOR CLOSES]

I mean, what do you
think I should do, Dad?

Well, you heard what
Doc said. It's up to you.

I don't know if it's nerves
or something more, but...

[SIGHS]... What if
I make the wrong call?

Yeah.

Well, you're grown now,
son, so you'll learn

to start making these calls for yourself

'cause I won't always be
here to make them for you.

But, while you're making your
decision, I would consider this:

You're still a freshman and...

There will be more games.

Yeah.

OLIVIA: Last box of decorations.

You guys must really be decking out

this beach house for the party.

ASHER: Hey, it's Christmas, right?

Why not do it big? We've
all got lots to celebrate.

Yeah, speak for yourself.

[SETS DOWN BOX]

Liv, come on.

There's a lot for you
to celebrate this year.

You found your passion in journalism,

you landed your dream job.

We got to keep the vortex together...

Hopefully that stays a
good thing... and, hey,

we should both celebrate our
schools making it to a bowl game,

even if GAU got there by luck.

- Luck? 'Cause they had Spencer?
- Heh! No.

'Cause it's easy to win when

players on the opposing
team keep going down.

But whatever. Point is,
your brother and Spencer

are in the ATL bowl, and that
is one more thing to celebrate.

Yes. Lots to celebrate.

- I'll see you at the party.
- Yeah.

ASHER: All right.

- LAYLA: Jordan?
- JORDAN: Mmm?

You've been staring at the
floor for, like, minutes,

- and I promise there's no answers down there.
- JORDAN: OK.

I have been cleared to
play in the bowl game.

Jordan! Wait, that's amazing.

Uh...

OK, do you... do you
not want to be cleared?

No. I mean... I mean, yes, I do.

I mean, we won't win with my backup QB.

It's just... [SIGHS]

... the doctor said more time
in P.T. would not hurt, either.

- Right.
- I mean, Layla, I rushed back

after my concussion senior year,

and it could have cost me everything.

What if I'm rushing back now?

Um, the fact that you're
weighing all your options

should tell you this is
nothing like senior year.

Just, you know, listen to your body

and make a decision based off that.

We're not the same people
we were in high school.

We have to listen to our
better, smarter selves

to help us make the tough calls.

Are you still talking
to me or... heh heh!

Um, yeah, I guess I'm
kinda talking to both of us.

Hmm.

- What?
- You should just be careful.

You're starting to sound
like a supportive girlfriend.

Yeah, I am sounding
like a supportive friend.

- OK, well, I should get going.
- OK. Heh heh!

Hey, um,

is... is Simone being back
in town kinda weird for you?

Uh... [SIGHS]... A little, you know,

just 'cause things are still in
that weird, awkward "ex" phase,

but I plan to clear the air
sooner rather than later.

That's actually why I told
Spence he could invite her

- to the party tonight.
- Yes, I figured she was coming

when I got assigned
her for Secret Santa.

- Mmm!
- Yeah, how's that for messy?

JJ unknowingly strikes again.

I just... I don't want things
to be weird with all of us.

Now, why would they be weird?

I mean, you and I, we're just
supportive friends, right?

- Heh!
- Supportive friends

that shared one pretty amazing,

"we don't talk about it" kiss.

I'll see you at the party, Layla.

[DISTANT CHATTER]

GARRETT: Baker. Heard the
good news. Welcome back, QB.

Actually, Coach, there's something
I wanted to talk to you...

Now I've got my all-star duo
back on the field together.

Ready to win a bowl game, son?

- SPENCER: Yes, sir.
- JORDAN: Coach...

GARRETT: All right, listen up!

Baker's back in business.

ATL, here we come!

- I said ATL, here we come!
- [TEAM CLAMORING]

GARRETT: Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

[TEAM SHOUTING, CLAPPING, AND WHISTLING]

- OLIVIA: Dad?
- BILLY: Yeah, I'm right here. Right here.

What's going on?

I think I figured out what Wade
was trying to tell me. Look.

- [STOPS VIDEO]
- I think Coach Garrett's been training

certain GAU players over
the years to purposely injure

star players on opposing teams,

like "take them out for
the season" type injure.

MALE SINGER: ♪ Snow fallin' ♪

♪ Home callin', I'll be back soon ♪

♪ All I ever really wanted
for Christmas is you ♪

ASHER: Hey, Ms. "Esquire."

- Merry Christmas.
- What? You got me a gift?

Uh, for Secret Santa,

but I would have gotten
this for you anyways.

- Oh, wow. Rich-people pens are heavy.
- Right?

Hey, you said that your
pens kept running out of ink,

and this one has an extra-large chamber,

and they send you ink refills
for the rest of your life.

- Not refills for life?
- Mm-hmm.

For real, man, thank
you. Thank you so much.

Maybe I can, uh, use this to
start applying for new jobs.

What are you talking about?

[SIGHS] Laura replaced
me with some bougie,

Harvard scarf-wearing cat named Darius.

- Whoa, she fired you?
- No, but she hired him.

Coop,

you said yourself you guys
have been nonstop busy.

Besides, what's this
dude got that you don't?

Uh, he has a Ivy-league
education and he passed the bar.

All right, so maybe you
got a little competition.

Use him as fuel.

Up your game, yeah? Look,
when I started at Coastal,

to get Coach Montes' attention, I
had to make myself indispensable.

So if you want to be Mrs.
Baker's go-to legal person,

you know what to do.

No, but I'm, like, so serious.

Like, he actually had Dan Rather

come and talk to all of us in the class

about his reporting on Watergate. Like,

that man is a legend,
and he knows my name.

KEISHA: Yeah, of course he does
because you're a certified bad bitch.

Ha ha ha!

It was just inspiring...

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER,
DISTANT SURF CRASHING]

JJ said the green one
is his special syrup.

It's especially bad.

- Thank you...
- Mm-hmm.

For the heads-up.

Congratulations on completing

- your first semester at Bringston.
- Thank you,

and I heard about the
bowl game. Well done.

Thanks. Yeah.

- JORDAN: So how's...
- SIMONE: So everything's...

Sorry. You... you first.

- You've been good?
- Yeah.

Yeah, I really have. What about you?

How's the crew at Bringston?

- Pretty good.
- You and Damon, you guys worked out

all your f-friend stuff?

Damon and I aren't together,
if that's what you mean.

He's dating Thea.

Wow, so you really think

that I'd move on that
fast after we broke up?

- Simone, I...
- You know what? Excuse me.

I need to give Layla
her Secret Santa gift.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING,
INDISTINCT SINGING]

Hey.

Hey. Uh, welcome home.

It's for you.

Kinda surprised JJ didn't rig
Secret Santa so we all got him.

Heh!

This is for you.

Of course, we got each other.

Heh! Uh, shall we?

I heard that Clay was
coming for your neck,

so the CDs are all your
number-one hits you produced

in the same place, just to remind
you of how much of a badass you are.

Um, I needed the reminder.

Thank you. This means a lot.

It's for your charm bracelet.

Since you got the number- spot on

the Bringston tennis team,
uh, it just seemed perfect.

And I heard baby Shay's
pretty into bears,

so, I don't know, it
just seemed like a...

like a cool way to keep
a piece of him with you

whenever you wear the bracelet.

- Thank you.
- Yeah, of course.

I am gonna put this somewhere safe.

Merry Christmas, Simone.

Yeah, you, too.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING,
INDISTINCT SINGING]

[SIGHS]

I'd say your party was a huge success.

Party I had in mind was way smaller,

probably much less fun.

Yeah, Asher and JJ really hooked it up.

I got you for Secret Santa.

[CHUCKLES]

Subtlety was never JJ's thing.

Not in the least.

My freshman stats?

I got them printed on the laces.

I figured it'd be something
to remember your epic year by.

[CHUCKLES] Yeah.

It has been...

Thank you. This is amazing.

[DISTANT R&B MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey.

Hey. Hey, wh-what's up?

Is everything OK, like...

- between us?
- For sure.

- Why?
- Why?

Because I was supposed to
meet your parents today,

- and then you stood me up.
- Well, I texted you.

Something came up,

but, naw, I mean, we good.

But we're not, though, Cam.

Can't you feel this distance between us?

It's like you're a
different person out here,

and I don't even know how to read you.

'Cause there's nothing to read.

Look, I... I've just been busy, Kee.

- Too busy for me?
- Look,

I've just had less free time
than I thought, that's all.

We're good.

[KISS]

So I'm your Secret Santa,

and I was gonna get you an NDA
to sign as your gift, you know,

just to protect myself
since you can't seem to keep

- people's business out your articles...
- Oh, my God, Coop,

- can you just give it a rest? Please?
- OK, but...

Instead, I got you this.

I mean, they say a picture is
worth a thousand words, right?

And in the words, well, semi-words

of the great Tiffany Haddish,

this what love look like,
this what home look like,

- this is what "meant to be" look like.
- SPENCER: Coop, enough.

This is not your business.

OK, fine.

Fine.

This is what dumbasses look like.

[ERIC BELLINGER'S
"GIFT EXCHANGE" PLAYING]

KEISHA: Well, Cam is on some nonsense.

I think I'm just ready to go home.

Yeah, me, too.

What's wrong? Are you OK?

Wow, these are gorgeous.

They're from Layla.

I'm sorry. I'm still
not seeing the problem.

Baby Shay's obsession with
bears is our special thing.

It's new, and all the bears
he's collected have been from me.

My mom doesn't even know
about Shay's bear thing,

and the only person
that I told is Jordan,

so the only way Layla would know

is if Jordan told her about me and Shay.

He's sharing my personal stories,

my private memories, with her.

I'm so sorry.

You know what?

I think tonight calls for some pjs,

- mmm, and a whole lot of candy canes...
- Heh heh!

And a video call with Nate

so that we can watch
"This Christmas" together.

- Love you, girl.
- I love you, too.

- I'm ready.
- Mm-hmm.

[DISTANT CHATTER]

- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
- LAURA: Yeah?

Coop, what are you
doing here? It's so late.

Um... [SIGHS]

I've been preaching a lot lately
about not living in limbo, and...

that's exactly what I've
been doing, working here.

I think it's time that
I handle my business.

Would you mind writing me
a letter of recommendation?

Wait. Heh!

- You're leaving me?
- No, I...

I'm applying to transfer
to GAU's pre-law program.

No more online classes for me.

You actually want to pursue law?

- Heh!
- Coop, I had no idea.

Hey, neither did I, until
you pointed out the fact

that my resources and abilities
are only gonna go so far.

Look, I am no Darius, OK,

and I'm not gonna get into
some Ivy-league school,

but I know I'd be good at this.

I'm gonna be a lawyer.

[CHUCKLES]

JORDAN: Hey.

- You leaving?
- Uh, yeah, I think so.

- I could give you a ride.
- I've got my car, but thanks.

Interesting.

You know, the last
time that we kissed...

The only time that we kissed.

- The only time that we kissed...
- Mm-hmm.

I told you that I'd wait
until you were ready,

so I'm afraid to say,
but this one's on you.

You're gonna have to kiss me.

I'm not gonna kiss you, Jordan.

Well, you'd be breaking a
, -year-old tradition.

Yeah, a tradition that
has you kissing anyone,

- even your cousin.
- JORDAN: Yeah...

But I'm not your cousin, Layla.

But I'm patient.

Besides,

watching you squirm and try
to resist me is almost worth

doing whatever this is.

Good night, Layla Keating.

[SCOFFS]

[DISTANT DOG BARKING]

[PLAYERS GRUNT, WHISTLE BLOWS]

LAURA: Hi.

- BILLY: Hey.
- LAURA: Where is your partner in crime?

I wanted to believe
that Liv was just wrong,

that this was some coincidence, but, um,

I think that Garrett
is running bounty plays.

- What?
- Yeah.

What if he's paying his boys bonuses

to injure the players
from the opposing teams?

- It...
- I mean, if we're right,

this could do more than
just end Garrett's career.

This could decimate the
entire GAU football program.

[SIGHS]

Hey, I'm sorry about Coop.

I get it.

She hates that you're hurting.

I hate that, too.

- We should talk.
- I agree.

- I think we should break up...
- I want us to stay together...

Wait, wait. Just...

MALE SINGER: ♪ Sometimes
I think the only sound ♪

Liv, I love you.

I'm starting to accept the fact that

loving you is something I'm gonna
probably do for the rest of my life.

That's why I gotta put you first.

So breaking up with
me is putting me first?

You were saying earlier that

we haven't even seen each other
on campus these past few weeks,

but I've seen you.

I've gone out of my way to see you,

make sure you good.

You know what I saw?

I saw you happy,

thrivin'.

[VOICE QUIVERING] I seen your joy

when you working on your
articles outside the commissary.

I seen it when you hangin' with
your journalism friends on the quad.

Even tonight, when you were
talking to Keisha about Dan Rather,

you lit up from the inside.

That was pure joy, baby,

but it dims...

Just a little when
you're around me, and I...

I can't be the reason
your light dims, Liv.

Spencer,

you're so wrong

[SOBBING] Because I... I love you.

I know, I know,

but right now, you love your
dream more, and that's OK.

You gotta be free to write

about whatever you want without
worrying about the fallout to your man.

Maybe I can...

- I don't know, maybe...
- SPENCER: It's OK.

I would never

ask you to give up anything for me,

just like you'd never ask me
to walk away from football.

- ♪ Love can be lonely ♪
- [SIGHS]

♪ Wish that someone told me ♪

♪ It's never gonna feel like ♪

- I guess I should go.
- ♪ Fallin' forever ♪

♪ It doesn't make a difference ♪

♪ Though you're standin' right here ♪

I get it, I do.

This is not where our story ends.

I'm sure of it.

♪ I'll always still love you ♪

♪ Wish we could stay
the way it used to be ♪

♪ Love can be lonely ♪

♪ Wish that someone told me ♪

♪ It's never gonna feel
like fallin' forever ♪