Original subtitles

I thought you and I were clear on our no sleepover policy.

Well, it's not like I planned it.

Well, you need to plan to get out of here before everyone wakes up

and mistakes this little arrangement for something that it's not.

Like what ? A relationship ? That one hurts, Simone. It really does.

You know, it's funny, I don't remember you living here.

I don't remember where I live being any of your business.

Cam ?

Oh, my bad. I didn't see you come in.

You just gonna let that ring ? Okay. Where were you just then ?

Right here. What's up ?

I'm just coming to see if you're gonna go to Dr. P's town hall.

I mean, I would if I could, but someone's gotta answer the phones, right ?

I'm sure Dr. P would understand if he can...

- I'll see you later. - Okay. Holler if you need me.

Thank you all for joining me on such short notice.

I'd hoped for a bigger turnout, but word will travel regardless.

I owe you an apology.

Something horrible happened to us and just like the rest of the world,

I expected us all to be strong and just move on.

I was wrong.

We need to stop normalizing Black trauma and start normalizing self-care.

We need to give ourselves the time to heal.

Time to reclaim our joy. Black joy.

And that is why I am hereby canceling

all classes, practices and games scheduled for tomorrow.

I'm giving you a free day. A mental health day with resources provided.

Tomorrow at Bringston University will officially be Free Black Joy Day.

- What's up ? You had it, right ? - I mean...

Whatcha you doing in here, man ? I thought you had breakfast with Thea.

- Man, she canceled them. - Is that deep ?

This is Thea that we're talking about. What's more likely ?

Her forgetting something tennis related or her ghosting me ?

Why she ghosting you ? What'd you do ?

Nothing.

Bro, we're good. Like, better than good. Like, I said "I love you" good.

Already ?

Like, that's dope. But when all this go down ?

- Night of the bomb threat. - Okay.

Okay. So what's this look ?

I mean, the timing of the ghosting maybe makes sense now.

You two said "I love you" on the most emotional day in Bringston history.

- That's all. - Okay.

The bomb threat made us realize how we felt. What's the problem with that ?

Who said it first ? Have y'all said it since ?

Figured. You're pretty much Thea's first everything.

So it'd make sense if the whole "I love you" thing got her shook.

Wait, you think she only said it 'cause I did ?

There's only one way to find out.

Simone, hold up. You got plans tomorrow for the free day ?

It's gonna be like Homecoming with all the stuff they got planned.

It could be fun to explore. No ulterior motives, just friends, hanging out.

Calling us friends is a bit of a stretch, don't you think ?

Damn. She tough.

All right. I'm not your friend, and we're not more than friends.

So... what am I ?

You're Lando. And that's exactly how I like it.

Yeah, I'm on my way... I can't wait to meet them either.

Meeting the new girlfriend's parents already ? So much for ho season.

Monique is not my girl, we're just kicking it.

But her grandparents are in town, she wants me to meet 'em.

I hate to break it to you, JR,

but if you're meeting the grandparents, then you're in a relationship.

So what was I supposed to do when she asked ? Say no ? That's rude.

No, that's honest. But all good. Some guys are not built to be casual.

I'm telling you, Monique is not my girl.

Well, I know that and you know that, but does Monique know that ? Yeah.

Hey, babe. Babe.

Hey, should you be hitting those like that ?

Actually, I have some pretty big news.

Okay. What's up ? Wait, you've been cleared to play with the team again ?

Since I don't have any more pain in my shoulder, the doctor cleared me.

Baby, that is so amazing ! Oh, my God !

You know what, we should take the free day tomorrow and celebrate.

Just you and me, get some QT in.

I'll plan everything, all you gotta do is show up, all right ?

Okay. Sure. That sounds good.

All right. Dope. I'll pick you up at 10:00 and then we can...

- Damon, we need to go. - Wait, don't you still have practice ?

Where are you rushing out to ?

- What are you doing here ? - Obviously, I am here to see you.

And who is this ? Tell me he's the boyfriend.

- I am. - Oh, okay.

Well, he's cute. You did good, baby.

Damon, this is Pamela Mays. My mother.

But you can call me Mama Mays. Everybody does.

Mama, why didn't you tell me you were coming ?

To save you the trouble of telling me to stay at home

which was not gonna happen.

I will let you two say your goodbyes while I go to the car and grab my bag.

Grab your bag ?

You thought that I was gonna stay in a hotel ? Oh, no...

I came to see my daughter, which is exactly what I'm gonna do.

- It was nice to meet you, Damon. - Nice to meet you, Mama Mays.

Your mom seems chill. Or... not.

My mom and I, we don't really speak, like, even when we talk to each other.

She just never supported my tennis dreams.

Look, if you need anything, I'm here.

No, it's one night. I can do anything for one night. It's fine...

Well, JR is at KEK setting up for the party later. Damon is with Thea.

Nate's parents made her go home for the week.

So that just leaves just you, me, and Keisha.

Oh, my bad, you were talking to me ?

Oh, look. Here's Keisha.

Why you look like you're dressed for class ?

Because I am. Dr. Pace pulled the "a real artist take no days off" card

so we have to rehearse twice today.

Auntie gave the entire school the day off.

- She said that I was voluntary but... - With Dr. Pace, nothing's voluntary.

Exactly. Well, at least the two of you get some solo time for a change.

Look at me making lemonade. You gonna be okay ?

- Yeah, Simone don't scare me. - No, stupid.

I mean about the whole free day thing. I know it's been kind of hard for you.

- I'm straight. - Okay.

- Go kill it in class. - Thank you.

- So we're not really about to, like... - Nope. Deuces.

All right.

- Simone, hey, I thought that was you. - Hey, Aqueelah. What's up ?

PKZ is spreading a little Black joy with a mani-pedi station.

So if you're not busy, you should stop by, get pampered,

and maybe learn a little about what PKZ represents.

Sounds great, but I promised my aunt I'd come by to help her in the office.

- Raincheck ? - Okay, we'll be here all day.

- Hey. - Hey.

Auntie, have you been to the quad ? It looks amazing.

Everybody already looks more chill.

Then what are you doing here ? Go partake in the day of Black joy.

I just came by to see if you needed anything.

Actually, I do, for you to take the day off.

- Auntie, I... - Sweetie...

You've been so tennis and school driven you've barely come up for air.

Bringston has so much to offer. Fun things, relaxing things, social things.

Today is the perfect day for you to relax, late release and explore them all.

I gotta grab this.

Call me later and tell me about the fantastic day you're having.

- Fine. I will go have fun. - That's all I ask.

Dr. Moore, I'm so glad you returned my call so quickly.

Yes, that's wonderful. Every little bit helps.

I'll be in touch with the details.

Look who decided to walk through my door, Mr. Ralph Wells.

What brings you back to campus ?

I'm doing an article on the "Free Black Joy Day" and you.

Yes, to what we're doing here. You can save the ink on me.

I beg to differ.

You went to the board and asked for the funds for mental health professionals.

Gave student organizations a financial boost so they could participate.

- And how do you know all of that ? - I'm a journalist, remember ?

So how about a tour of "Black Joy Day" and an interview ?

As tempting as that sounds,

I'm going to be stuck to this desk deep into the night.

So no free day for you. Interesting.

- If you change your mind... - I know how to reach you.

Mama Mays, I thought you left.

Well, I was about to but then I told myself,

"Mama Mays, you haven't questioned the boyfriend." So, I waited for you.

Okay. Did you have a good visit with Thea ?

It was fine. She spent the whole day telling me how great everything is.

Only thing missing was a Power Point and a little laser pointer.

Thea really is okay. For real.

She's recovering from an injury that may not let her play tennis,

and you all just had a bomb threat, she's not okay.

So either you are gonna tell me what's what. Or you gonna tell me what's what.

She's been pushing herself really hard.

Her recovery is back on track but she did have a setback a few weeks ago.

And... she ain't really been sleeping.

Listen, do you think that she needs to stop playing tennis,

you know, and just focus on her recovery ?

Mom, what are you still doing here ?

I decided to stay a little longer. Wanna spend some time with you,

find out what this Black Joy Day is all about.

Hey. It's me again. Just calling to check in on you. Call me back, okay ?

Simone. Hey. Have you seen Cam ?

I thought you two were supposed to be hanging out today ?

Now you know nothing about that sentence makes sense.

Is he okay ? What's going on ?

No reason. I'm not talking to anybody bad.

I mean, if you want, I can stop by the dorm, check in on him.

No. I see what you're doing.

You're avoiding having fun even though your auntie specifically told you to.

- I'm sorry, how do you know that ? - She texted the fam.

Asked us to point you in the direction of fun if you lost your way.

- Well, I know how to have fun. - Then why aren't you doing it ?

- Why aren't you in dance class ? - Because Dr. Pace can kiss my ass.

I mean, talk about tone deaf. If she was gonna have us dance today,

the least she could've done was have us perform for Bringston.

Use our art to bring back some of the light the bomb threat took.

Ms. McCalla, your break is over.

- Dr. Pace, I'm sorry, I didn't... - Let's get back to work.

Good luck, girl.

Ralph. It's good to see you, man.

I've been meaning to call you. I owe you an apology for how I...

Hey, you weren't in a good place, man.

Now it seems like you are so, no harm no foul, yeah ?

- So what's good here ? - Are you kidding me ? Everything.

I have a rib plate for Cam Watkins !

You know what ? Let me get back to you.

Mr. Watkins. I'm Ralph Wells with the Atlanta Daily News.

- I'm doing a story on the bomb threat... - I ain't got nothing to say.

Listen, I understand that it's difficult to talk about it, but you took the call.

Hey, bro, you really need to leave me alone, all right ?

Your experience could really help...

Hey, what, are you deaf ? I said I ain't got nothing to say, all right ?

Easy, son. It's all right.

Now she is living her best life as a 42 year old college student.

- What did you say ? - Nothing. Nothing bad.

What did you say ?

Okay. So that's how it's gonna be ?

- That's how it's gonna be. - That's how it's gonna be ?

All right. I told her that your recovery is going well now but...

I still think that you push yourself too hard.

What did my mom have to say

about me allegedly pushing myself too hard ?

She asked me if I thought you should quit tennis.

All right, Sweetie. So where are we going next ?

I'm going to change out of these wet clothes

and I'll let you two talk since you love doing it so much.

Okay, this is the last place I thought I'd see you.

This painting is... "Beautiful" doesn't quite capture it.

Yeah. I've seen it a billion times. I still can't find the words.

Well, you just got to campus.

How have you seen this "A billion times" ?

Because I was there when it was being painted, my mom is the artist.

- She's got a great eye. - Yeah, she does.

She used to say, "Baby, out of all my art, you are my best creation."

- Corny, right ? - Actually, as a mom, I think it's sweet.

So I've been watching you ever since you rolled up in here.

Okay. Because that's not weird.

You grabbed the library map on your way in. You ain't ever been in here ?

Everything I need for classes is in the West library.

But it's part of the tour during freshman orientation.

I never actually went on the orientation tour. I was already too busy with tennis.

- So no BU freshman rite of passage ? - I'm sorry, no BU rite of what now ?

All right. Cool. It's about to go down. Okay. I might need you to come with me.

- Where are we going ? - Just trust me. Come on.

I have been called many things in my career,

but I have to say, "tone deaf" is not one of them.

Someone brought to my attention that having you dance today

just for the sake of training is not meeting the moment.

They're right.

We have an obligation and responsibility

to use our art to uplift the rest of our community.

So, you will perform today in the quad. Be back here in two hours

ready to learn new chorography that will inspire your community.

You are dismissed.

Dr. Pace, thank you so much.

If you want the class to perform for the other students that's fine,

but you're going to choreograph the new routine.

- In two hours ? I don't... - Is that a problem ?

No. Not at all. Thank you for the opportunity.

You haven't said anything about the bomb threat.

It might help to talk about it. If not to me then...

I've already talked to people. I don't need anything affecting my mental game.

I have to stay sharp on the court.

Okay. Listen. You have to make time for friends too.

And I'm sure Damon would love to see you more.

Don't bring Damon into this. No more than you already have.

Hey, how about I win us a stuffed animal ?

And for the record, I have friends.

Yeah, you don't have to worry about her.

She has a lot of people here that really care about her.

Thought you'd be thrilled that I'm not completely socially awkward.

I am, all right. It's just...

I'm glad you're finally letting people in and I just wish I were one of them.

Okay. Well, mom, my friends actually support my tennis dreams.

Tee-Tee, I do support you.

By asking my boyfriend if I should quit because of my injury ?

Your mom is just concerned.

Your parents basically paid for the tennis courts. That's support, right ?

Listen, I... mom.

So now you're telling people

that your dad and I are donors to the tennis program ?

I can explain. I don't wanna hear it.

I knew you were ashamed of us, but I had no idea how much until right now.

Thea I don't understand what...

Thea !

Now, I know you are not hiding.

Shouldn't you be outside Black joyinq it up ?

Bathroom break. What's your excuse ?

Damn ! A brother can't get some KEK work done in peace ?

Not on Black Joy Day, he can't. Oh, my God. You are hiding, aren't you ?

- What, no, maybe... - Spill.

Monique's grandparents invited me to their family's spring break trip.

They're happy that Monique found a "nice boy."

And I'm not done. Cynthia, the other chick I was kicking it with,

she just asked to get matching tattoos.

Dang, you laying it on them that good, JR ?

Shut up. All I did was just bring flowers.

See that's your problem. You're too damn nice and attentive.

Ho season is about no strings, but staying respectful.

You know what you need ? You need a Ho Yoda.

Lucky for you, I'm an expert. Stand up.

You know this is ridiculous.

Now, your first assignment should you choose to accept it...

I want you to roam around the quad and get a girl's first name and nothing else.

No last name, no birthday, no damn flowers,

and definitely no information about her grandparents.

That's it ?

All right. Bet. Look, watch me work.

I'm scared of you.

That was fun.

Oh, God. I've been wanting to try that since I transferred in.

And you didn't want to do it alone ?

Half the fun is looking stupid in front of somebody else.

Mission accomplished.

I better get going.

We haven't hit the quad yet. I heard Coach Marcus can BBQ.

Actually, I was gonna get some reps in on the court.

You're gonna go to the court on your day off ?

- What's wrong with that ? - Everything.

Look, I get it. I love baseball, it's my craft, but it's not my life.

Okay. Well, tennis is my life.

I want to make moves in the sport and I'm going to do whatever it takes.

- Yeah, except for self-care. - Excuse me ?

You'll never gonna be elite on the court

unless you take care of yourself off the court.

I know that.

Then come to the quad with me. We have the day off for a reason.

No. I don't have to prove anything to you. You don't even know me, Lando.

And yet I can see that you're trying to stay busy

to avoid dealing with your feelings around the bomb threat.

On a day that's supposed to be all about dealing with those feelings.

You know what ? Me, you this fountain.

It was a bad idea. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Damn it.

Hey, Damon. You seen Cam ? There was a situation.

Cam. Hey. You all right, man ?

Coach Marcus is worried about you. He said, he came checked in for you.

Yeah. I stayed in my room until I knew he was gone.

- Why ? What's going on ? - Nothing. I'm good.

- Cam... - Yo, this is my sanctuary right now.

If you stay, you don't say nothing. We just play video games.

All right, man. I can work with that.

- So I'm yellow ? - Yeah.

Hey, you and Keisha said "I love you" each other yet ?

No. It's about me, bro. Not you. No cap.

I mean it wasn't planned, but, yeah, we said it.

Yeah. Me and Thea kind of planned it.

Now I think she's having second thoughts.

So, what if she does take it back ? Does that change how you feel ?

- No, man. - Keep doing you then.

Show up for her, even when she doesn't ask.

She not really in love right now, she'll fall eventually.

And plus I've seen the obnoxious way y'all look at each other.

Damn. What the hell, bro ?

I said no talking. You broke the rules of my sanctuary.

Being a majority black school makes us a target.

So does being the only black speck at a PWI.

We should get to have our own space.

That's naive. We all know, when we come together excellence happens.

And that threatens them. We put ourselves in the line of fire.

Isn't it weird that on a day where we're supposed to be relaxing,

we both end up here on the tennis courts ?

No. It just means we know what we want and we're willing to sacrifice to get it.

All day, everyone's been telling me just relax, just to let go,

and just be and I can't.

I'm so gonna regret asking this, but why ?

When I let go, I think about that day and how I almost lost everything.

The boundaries I put up fall to pieces and I can't have that.

If I let everything out,

then I don't know that I'll be able to put myself back together.

And everything you sacrificed to get here will then for nothing.

Exactly. Leaving LA and Shay and my family behind,

it would just feel like nothing, so I have to keep my boundaries up.

I have to stay busy, I have to stay focus on my goals

and that's tennis and graduating with honors.

There's nothing wrong with that.

If you wanna be the best, you have to put in the time in.

Because I have made sacrifices too and I won't let them be in vain.

Because life has taught me that the only thing that I can count on is tennis.

And I'm not giving it up. Not even a little bit.

Where are you going ?

I'm gonna find the balance between letting go and holding onto my dreams.

I don't want tennis to be the only thing I can count on.

Thea, those sacrifices, were you thinking about them during that day ?

Yeah. I was thinking about my mom and dad.

Well, maybe you should tell them that because the bomb threat

taught us anything is to tell the ones we love how we really feel.

- Come in. - Delivery for Amara Patterson.

Bless you. I haven't eaten a thing all day.

Yeah, figured as much. There you go.

You know I gotta give Marcus his due, the man knows his way around a grill.

This looks like heaven on a plate. It has been a very long day already.

Need an ear ?

I've been on the phone all day with investors trying to raise money

for extended mental health care for the students

and more cameras and security guards for the campus.

I let these kids down. I need to find a way to protect them.

You can only do so much, Amara.

And from where I'm sitting, you're doing plenty.

Maybe you should come see for yourself.

Mama Mays, is Thea in her room ?

I have no idea where my daughter is, and I'm sure that's the way she likes it.

So, what ? You're just got to leave ?

Clearly, she doesn't need or want me around.

All she cares about is Granny Mays and her money.

How ? Come on ! You're her mom, right ? You love her ?

- Of course, I love my daughter. - Okay. Then fight for her !

Okay. You know what ? Watch your tone Damon.

I don't know what is going on between you two,

but I do know that your daughter is beautifully complicated.

She's frustrating at times, yeah.

But she's amazing and for her it's been about the money.

Fine, yeah, she lied about the tennis courts.

But isn't she worth finding out why ?

Stay, Mama Mays. Talk to her. Show her that you love her regardless.

- Cam... - I just need to be left alone right now.

No... Cam relax, okay ?

I think the problem is that you've been left alone way too much.

You were the one who heard the voice of hate.

And that's an experience the rest of us don't have to carry, man.

Every time Dr. P's phone ring, I'm afraid to answer it.

'Cause it can be someone making another bomb threat.

Or someone making a promise.

I came to Bringston so I could escape the violence.

I thought this place was supposed to safe, but it ain't.

Ain't nowhere safe for us, Coach. We can't go nowhere now.

Ms. McCalla, you really rose to the occasion.

That was beautiful and the campus clearly needed it.

Dr. Pace, I can't...

But if you ever challenge me or question my decisions again,

you will be cut from this class.

Okay. I may or may not have selectively overheard that.

- Keisha, are you okay ? - Yes. No, I don't really know actually.

I can't think about her right now. I need to go find Cam.

- I love you. - I love you, too.

Okay. You can do this.

Relax, breathe, release. Relax.

Simone ! Real talk, I'm surprised to see you back.

I'm sorry about earlier. I was just rude and in denial, if I'm being honest.

So my prescription for today is relaxation.

Mani and pedi sounds great right about now if that's okay.

Of course. Look, no worries about earlier. I get it.

And since we're being honest, I was a wreck after the threat.

- How did you make it through ? - My PKZ sisters.

When I needed to talk, they listened. When I needed to cry, they had tissues.

When I needed someone to hold my hair back

because I was physically sick, they did.

This sisterhood between us Black women, that's the best part.

They balance me. So come on.

I thought you left.

I did. But Damon made a very convincing argument.

You know, if this baseball thing doesn't pan out, he should go into law.

I'm sorry about the lie.

At the time, I was a 15-year-old

playing on the junior circuit with girls whose parents owned jets and...

And you just wanted to fit in.

I told one person that my parents donated the courts at Bringston

and before I knew it, the lie followed me here.

And I know it was stupid, I just felt so alone.

Baby, listen, you were not alone, all right ? Why didn't you call me ?

'Cause Mom, you never wanted tennis for me.

Why do you think I went to live with Granny Mays ?

'Cause she shared my love for tennis, she understood,

she wanted it for me as badly as I did.

Baby, I wanted tennis for you, too.

It was your single-minded focus on it that worried us.

I wanted you to have normal childhood experiences, all right ?

Sleepovers and prom and graduation, and boyfriends. I wanted you happy.

During the bomb threat, I thought about you and Dad,

and how I sacrificed a lot of time with you for tennis.

And that if my injury or anything else

stopped me from getting back on those courts,

that sacrifice would've been for nothing.

Okay. Look. Listen to me, we will always be there.

And you are gonna achieve your tennis dream.

They're gonna have to come up with a new word

to describe just how amazing you are.

- I love you so much. - I love you.

And you know what ? You also achieved my dream for you, too.

You found balance.

And of course, you did it on your own time, but Damon is proof of that.

I think I screwed that up.

Damon told me that he loved me and I said it back, and I meant it.

But ever since, I've kind of been freaking out.

Why ?

My whole life, I thought the people I love would eventually give up on me.

But I know now I was wrong.

Listen. If you really do love him,

you're gonna have to make this right.

How ? If you were me, what would you do ?

Well, Mama Mays has a few tricks up her sleeve.

- Damon, what's going on ? - I have no clue.

I got a text from Cam saying to come to the room and wait in the hallway.

Same here. This is weird, right ?

Is it okay if I start freaking out a little bit ?

- Coach ? What are you doing here ? - Waiting on y'all.

Look, Cam could really use his friends right now. Come on.

Cam ? Baby, what's going on ?

I tried to get through what happened to me, to us, by myself.

Coach Marcus helped me see that we shouldn't go through this alone.

None of us should.

I don't think I'm the only person who pushed down what happened,

who swallowed everything they were feeling after the bomb threat.

It felt easy to try to forget and move on.

Except it isn't that easy, is it ?

Not at all. So what do you have in mind, Cam ?

Dr. Hall. It's Marcus. Do you have time for a session ?

- You heard from Thea ? - No. Not yet.

Probably didn't help that I yelled at her mother, too.

You are not winning today at all.

Look, I know why I'm sitting here with my sad-ass silver cup.

Why aren't you out on the dance floor ?

I'm afraid I might come back with a wife.

All day, I tried to talk to girls and get just their first name and phone number.

I ended up with six life stories and a Chemistry study date.

- I don't like nor take Chemistry. - A sad boy.

Is Damon Sims in here anywhere ? Hey, there you are.

- Thea, what are you doing ? - Apologizing, Mama Mays style.

I'm sorry for flipping out on you.

What you said earlier just hit a little nerve.

Because I was right.

But lucky for you, I'm not the type of dude that says, "I told you so."

Low-key you just did.

- So do you want this apology or not ? - No apology necessary.

And judging by your relaxed look,

you eventually found whatever peace you needed to find today.

That's all I want for you.

What got into you ? And where did that voice come from ? What ?

I got it from my mama.

Listen, I'm sorry I got scared, I got distant,

but I never want you to doubt that I love you, Damon Sims.

I love you, too, Thea Mays.

Look, I'm gonna say it. I ain't a playa.

I don't know about that. You down to give it one last try ?

For what ? Gabby, look, I am at peace with being a relationship guy.

Never leave an assignment unfinished.

And I think I have a foolproof way to let your inner ho shine.

- Take your shirt off. - Excuse me ?

- What now ? - Now nothing. Just wait.

And don't talk. You'll ruin it.

Thank you.

What are you doing back here ?

I thought that was you that went inside.

So I wanted to wait and make sure you're okay.

I am now. Today ended up being exactly what I needed it to be.

You, did you do what I asked you to do today ?

I did. And there's just one more thing that I wanna try with you

so we can finish our Free Black Joy Day in style.

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