Zoey: We've all seen a million post‐apocalyptic zombie movies
where the heroes are battling the enemy
or running and hiding for their lives.
But rarely do we see the aftermath...
...when the hero has finally defeated the monster
and society is left to rebuild itself.
Well, there's a reason for that.
I know it looks super grim,
but I promise, it didn't feel that way.
Yes, the world had turned upside down
and everything had changed,
but after spending countless months living with our parents
and attending virtual classes from our childhood bedrooms,
the important thing was we were all back together,
and even had an old‐school slumber party with the girls...
...and Vivek,
to catch up on everything we missed
and game plan for the last year of our college journey.
The only thing that got me through a global pandemic
which canceled our fall semester was the anticipation
to finally be able to say these three little words ‐‐
senior year, bitches! Ooh, it feels so good.
It's kind of like a Pfizer vaccine right to my soul.
Clean hands, clean slate, fresh start. For real this time.
Working in the real world made me realize
how good I have it here,
and how much a degree from Cal U really means to me,
and now, the only thing standing between your girl
and that diploma are 12 classes, one internship,
and six feet between me and the student in front of me.
Safety.
Whew! Apparently, the only thing standing between me
and that internship is Aaron's ex, Rochelle.
Okay, did I mention that Aaron and I kind of smashed
when they were together? Dammit, Zoey.
My clean slate is dirty already.
I'm grown now
every day
so I'mma feel my way
on me
this is what I say
I'm grown now
Okay. So, as mentioned before, Aaron and I were in a shameful
and kind of steamy dalliance while he was with Rochelle.
But, I mean, whatever. Technically he was mine first,
and I don't know, isn't all fair in love and college?
Oh, my God. It's not, is it?
Zoey! It's been a minute.
You look great.
What kind of psychological warfare is this?
‐Hey. ‐Hey. Really, Nomi? What?
I didn't spend half a stack on Goldilocks so Luna
could get her baby drool all over it.
Aww, wittle Viveky's been moody
ever since he lost his drug income.
Hey, you know what everyone hates more than anything?
Baby talk.
Ugh. What am I saying?
Nothing makes me hornier. Horny‐er?
I'm sorry, guys. I'm in my feelings right now.
I spent all this money on a handsome,
hotshot lawyer, and for what?
I mean, to plead guilty to a misdemeanor
without even setting foot in court?
Having to start community service today?
It's ridiculous, man. Ana: Wait,
so when you say "all this money",
that ‐‐ that doesn't include our rent money, does it?
Relax, freeloader.
The place is paid for, so stop asking.
Wow. Whew.
Unless you want to ask me like a baby.
Aww, t'ank you, my sweet wittle Viveky.
Gross. And also, Vivek,
I would count your blessings,
'cause you got off super easy.
Mm‐hmm. And I'm about to again,
thanks to Ana's baby voice.
I'll be in my room with the door unlocked,
if anyone wants to join me.
Alright, everyone, listen up.
Here are your interval partners for the day ‐‐
Melanie A. and Melanie J.,
Mikey and Greg, Jazz and Des. Davis. Des.
Hey. What are you doing here?
I figured you transferred when you stopped showing up
for practice last year.
Nah, I was just laying low.
Took a little time off to get some personal things handled.
Everything okay?
Yeah. Nothing crazy. Shit just...
got a little heavy when I came out to my parents,
and I needed a mental health break,
but, um, it's all good now. Oh, wow.
I had no idea you could do that.
Come out? No, no, no.
No, like, I mean, like, take a break from the team.
Oh. Yeah. It's covered under a medical redshirt
so I keep my scholarship.
I mean, I still had to go to classes and stuff,
but at least I didn't have to deal with
all the pressures of practice and meets and training.
Interesting.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
But the real question is, did you keep your times?
Hmm. Hmm.
You're about to find out. Oh? Mm.
Look, to be honest, since the pandemic,
internships are super hard to get.
Students who couldn't do them last semester
were all rescheduled to this semester... Mm.
...so there are hardly any left.
I mean, they do pop up, but they go fast.
Okay, I'm sorry. Hold on.
Let me just wrap my mind around this,
'cause I struggled to catch up in school
while isolated with my family
in the middle of, like, a fricking pandemic,
and now the one reason that I might not be graduating...
is because of this internship.
Of course. Of course.
Oh, my God. This sucks. It sure does.
Which is why it's a good thing
you know someone on the inside.
I'll keep an eye out for you.
Is there something in her eye, or did she just wink at me?
Honestly, that is so cool of you, girlfriend.
Like, I really can't believe
that you'd do something like that for me.
Of course I would. Why wouldn't I? Mm.
Uh, no ‐‐ no reason. Aaron, what the hell?
Did you seriously not tell Rochelle about us?
Uh, no. Why ‐‐ Why would I do that?
Oh, why would you do that? Why would you do that?
I mean, why would he do that?
kidding me right now?
Walk me through it, step by step, what happened,
and what did you say to Rochelle when you broke up with her?
Okay. Uh, well, you came to me
and told me that you loved me
and that you were removing yourself from the equation,
and that if we were meant to be together someday,
somehow, then we would be. Mm‐hmm.
And I wanted to be together right then,
right there, no questions asked.
Okay. Continue. Okay, yeah.
So, then, I went over to Rochelle's,
and I let her down gently.
She cried. Mm‐hmm.
We made love for our last and final time,
and then that was it, you know? We said our goodbyes.
No, pause. Rewind. You made what?
We made love. Aaron...
Zoey, I'm ‐‐ I'm kidding.
Your face was priceless, though.
Why would you joke about that? I'm sorry.
No, I let her down as sensitively as possible, okay?
I kept it vague, kept it brief...
except for the oral part.
That was very not vague or brief at all.
It was pretty lengthy and, um, specific.
These vivid details are starting to really hurt my feelings.
Well, I had a little run‐in with Rochelle today,
and I think you may have kept it too vague.
Well, what did you want me to say, Zoey?
Huh? You ‐‐ You wanted me to go and say, "Hey, Rochelle, look,
I know you love me, but I don't love you.
I know that you want to be in a relationship with me,
but I want to be in a relationship
with only one person, and that person is Zoey Johnson.
And also, PS, I cheated on you with Zoey Johnson"?
How do you think she'd take that?
That's rough. Right. You know?
And if you're not Zoey Johnson,
that would probably hurt to hear.
But still, because you didn't say anything,
now it's on me, and I have to.
No, you don't have to.
It is in the rearview mirror, where it belongs.
Mm‐hmm. Let's just leave it there.
Okay? Mm‐hmm.
Kinda how I left Rochelle in the back seat
of that Jeep after we got hot and steamy.
Okay! Just joking.
I have no clue how you had two incredibly smart,
beautiful women fighting over your dumb ass.
Oh, come on. It's not that hard to believe.
Oh, it's pretty hard. Really? Yeah.
Forster, 62. Good stuff. Great job today, everyone.
Damn, bro. You are killing it.
You're making them look bad.
Them? I was smoking you, too.
Nobody can make me look bad.
Nice job today, Forster.
Keep up these times, you'll be out there
with your sister in 2024.
You hear that? I do. Mnh‐mnh.
Seriously, do I be honest with Rochelle
and tell her about my relationship with Aaron?
No. Zoey, she doesn't follow you or Aaron
or any of us on social media.
Why would you tell her?
Because I honestly feel like it's the right thing to do.
Otherwise, she's walking around on campus all oblivious.
It's like I'm making a fool out of her
by keeping her in the dark.
Yeah, but, Zoey, it was, like, on Aaron
to tell her at the time. Absolutely. I agree.
And you think he would, but he didn't.
And I really want to start my senior year
with a fresh, clean slate,
and not telling her while she's legit helping me
is really getting in the way of that.
Yeah, but sharing information with somebody who doesn't want
or need it just scrapes all the crap
off of your plate and onto theirs. Mm.
I hear your point, but it's also not "plate". Mm. It's slate.
But it is selfish.
Yeah, well, I actually think it's selfish not to tell her.
Shocker. Hey.
During the lockdown, Javi and I
started going to virtual couple's counseling
with our pastor to deal with our issues.
Like how he's shady and you're crazy?
Exactly, and it's really helped us
become much less shady and crazy with each other.
Oh. And according to Pastor Babyboy,
everyone should know everything all the time.
Yeah, that really sounds like the right advice
from someone named Pastor Babyboy.
Zo, before you do anything,
just think about whether your confession
is to make her feel better
or you feel better. Mm.
And, well, if you do decide to go right by Jesus,
just make sure it's after she gives you an internship.
I mean, honesty's great, but so is securing the bag.
Mm. That's also from Pastor Babyboy.
Yeah, stop that.
Ugh. Community service, am I right?
Like we don't have better things to do
than scrub public toilets all day long.
I didn't have any set plans.
You know, I have a sweet senior schedule.
Classes only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Could've run an errand or something, you know?
Not that I care about you or your situation,
but you did the right thing by taking community service.
There's no way you would survive inside.
I don't know. My two favorite hobbies
are making friends and working out.
Think I'd be okay. You would not.
One last thing before you need to stop talking to me
or I will hurt you ‐‐ when we get to our work spot,
be sure you grab the power washer and not the scrub brush.
Could change your whole day.
Hey. Thanks, man. You're alright.
So, what'd you do to get in here?
Remember that big fire in Westwood? Yeah, I do.
I didn't do that.
Girl, you should have seen me out there.
I was killing it.
Sky: Are you serious? Mm‐hmm.
I'm so happy for you.
Hey, who did Coach pair you up with?
Oh, remember Des? Of course.
He's back? Mm‐hmm.
Is he still fine as hell?
Fine, and apparently gay.
Okay, Des. Yeah.
Oh, and I have other big news.
Uh, Coach said 2024 is actually looking like
a big possibility for me.
Oh, my God. Jazz, this is huge!
We'd get to run together again.
And I could get rid of my roommate
who cries herself to sleep every night.
This is perfect. Yeah, yeah. It is. But?
But... I think I'm gonna quit.
Zoey: After talking to Nomi and Ana,
I didn't have any clarity
on what to say or not say to Rochelle,
but after she left me a voicemail
saying she may have found me an internship,
I knew I'd have to figure it out
sooner rather than later. Hi. Hey. Good news.
Something just opened up that I think you'll really like.
Oh.
Well, look at Rochelle pulling through for me.
I mean, I hate to say it, but Aaron chose the wrong girl.
I mean, no, he didn't. Like he didn't.
But she has some great qualities.
Like integrity.
Which is something I am severely lacking.
Rochelle, I have something to tell you.
Aaron and I are together...
and I really should have said that
the first time I was in here,
but I chickened out, and you don't deserve that.
You deserve to know, and ultimately,
we would probably end up running into each other on campus.
I wanted to try and do the right thing or the respectful thing
and give you a heads up before that happened.
You honestly think I didn't know that?
W‐‐ Wait, you knew? Then...
I mean, why ‐‐ why didn't you say anything?
Because my job is not to point out what a snake you are.
Mm. My job is to get your snake‐ass an internship,
and that's it. Okay.
Oh, are you uncomfortable right now? Good.
Because that's exactly how I felt for the last six months,
knowing that I was dumped for someone
as shady and backstabbing as you.
Right.
Well, I mean, it could've been worse, right?
At least she didn't call me a bitch.
Uh, bye, bitch.
Just like the heroes in those scary movies,
I faced off against my zombie and I survived.
Plus, I got an internship with Esme Sharp,
a Cal U alum and prolific streetwear designer.
All in all, this situation was resolved,
and there was nothing more to do.
But please for a second hear me out.
Zoey, why are you here? You got your internship.
We are done.
No, we're not, because I owe you an apology.
I know that Aaron and I hurt you, and we didn't mean to.
I swear ‐‐ What exactly do you want from me?
I want to fix this. How is that possible?
You pretended to be my friend, reassured me
I had nothing to worry about between you and Aaron,
and then you went ahead and screwed him anyway.
And after all that, I still do my job.
I still get you an internship, and you're still here,
shoving all that humiliation back in my face.
Please, Zoey... just go away.
Can you leave?
I'm trying to get my internship with Jason Biggs.
And in that moment, I realized that as hard
as I had been working to wipe my slate clean,
what I really needed to do was give Rochelle
the clean slate she ultimately deserved.
Dammit, Shelly, cry into your pillow.
I can't hear my sister.
So, what made you change your mind out of the blue like that?
Actually, it was when Coach was talking about the Olympics.
But they're so far away.
I know, I know, but the thought of dedicating myself
to something like this,
going through another brutal season of training ‐‐
I just don't think my heart is in it.
It's like I said, if I ever didn't love it anymore,
I'd walk away. And now...
I think it's time to walk away.
I'm so sorry, Sky.
You don't have to apologize.
I get it.
If my heart wasn't in it, I'm not sure how I'd survive.
I'd probably look a lot like Shelly.
No offense. Hang in there, girl.
But wait ‐‐ if you quit track,
you're gonna lose your scholarship.
How are you supposed to pay for school? Actually...
I think I might have a way.
After filling everyone in on the Rochelle drama,
I ultimately decided to follow Aaron's advice
and leave it all in my rearview mirror.
‐Cheers! ‐Yay!
So, we celebrated my new internship
and Vivek crushing his community service.
You know, I didn't expect to, but I had a really great time.
Yeah, I'll drink to that.
‐Yeah. ‐Yeah.
Hold up. This is like the third time
this weird number's calling me. Alright.
Um, hey, guys, just 'cause I'm the only one
who can get away with saying this,
his afternoon sounded real gay, right? No, no, no, no.
I will not go down that road again.
I will, and, uh, yeah, it did.
‐Cool. ‐Absolutely.
As I get older, I've learned that wiping a slate
totally clean is impossible,
that along with the more life we live
come marks that are permanent
because of the mistakes we've made
and the people we've hurt.
And unlike in the movies, sometimes,
you just can't outrun your demons.
‐So... ‐Hey, Vivek. You okay?
That was the Cal U Disciplinary Board.
I'm being expelled.
I see here that you're petitioning
for a medical redshirt from the track team
due to the state of your mental health.
Yup. That's right.
So, you feel like it's impacting your performance?
Oh, yeah. Definitely. And how's that?
Well, because I'm crazy, you know?
Yeah. Rap Snack?
It's Fetty Wap Honey Jalapeño.
Oh. No, thank you.
I only like Lil Boosie Louisiana Heat.
But why don't we circle back
to that "crazy" comment?