[Rhonda] Previously on School Spirits...
Pending a school board vote,
we will be closing Split River High.
-That's it. -Oh, my God.
What?
I'm gonna win over your frenemies
and find out what they have on Maddie.
Seriously? You're just drooling over some jock--
No, wait, Charley. He could be my grandson.
Group has more questions for you.
-Are you coming? -I found this hole.
I was suddenly pulled underwater.
I came up for air and I was blinded by headlights.
You were in front of that bus.
The driver saw you.
Whatever it was that grabbed you,
that might be the reason why
so many people died at this school?
[soft eerie music playing]
Can someone explain to me what we're waiting for?
Whatever's down there lowered the veil.
Completely obliterated the line between the living and the dead.
A real person living saw Mr. Martin!
Really. Saw him.
How am I the only one who gets it?
That place,
whatever it is,
could be the reason you've been here for ages,
why you're stuck here, you're stuck...
The reason I'm here.
We have to go to Mr. Martin's scar,
into that hole, and find whatever's really there--
-We got you the first 300 times. -We know.
Please make it stop.
Okay. Simon,
I think we've all heard your point of view.
Maybe we should open it up to some others.
Okay.
Oh, yeah, here's a thought,
Mr. Martin's been spinning tales for decades now.
Couldn't he be lying right now?
I don't know.
Do you really think that he would lie
about his dying friend?
-Or about killing me? -I don't.
Yeah. Me neither.
Okay, so then let's go get him and ask him.
He's been outside getting air for like an hour now.
Maybe some of us would appreciate
not seeing him for a little while.
If Mr. Martin is telling the truth,
then the last time he went in there, eight people died.
Nine. Don't forget Kyle.
-It's too risky. -Try deadly.
And we're not even talking about the fact
that something grabbed him in there.
[exhales] We might not be alone at the school.
Even a better reason to find out more.
Please. We have to.
No, we don't. Not yet. Not you.
Look at your hand, Simon.
You're not like everyone else. You're alive.
Which means you still could die. Officially.
I can't let that happen.
If I don't leave this place,
isn't that basically the same thing?
[cell phone vibrates]
I'm still waiting for Xavier to find out
if any of the hospital ghosts know anything
about a living person getting stuck in the afterlife.
Maybe we'll luck out, maybe they'll know
a better way out than this.
Just give me some time, Simon. Please.
[intense music playing]
[door opens]
[music fades]
-What are you doing? -It's after eight.
-I know-- -I called. I texted.
What's with the suitcase?
What's this?
Uh, ketchup. Maybe paint from the art room.
Or fake blood.
I'm pretty sure it's ketchup.
And I'm pretty sure that that school isn't safe.
In fact, I know it isn't.
Which is why we're leaving.
-Leaving? -Grab your toothbrush.
Mom, you're overreacting.
[sighs]
If you think that,
then you have no idea
what it's like to be in my shoes.
You disappeared!
And I still have no idea why.
All I do know is that bad things keep happening to you
and they keep happening to you in that school.
And I'm not just going to stand by
and watch you get attacked and hurt all over again.
I'm not riding in another ambulance!
[hesitates]
If you take me away from here, I'll just come back.
I'm not leaving my friends.
[exhales] This conversation isn't over.
[cell phone chimes]
[tense dramatic music playing]
["Long Gone" by Anna Waronker playing]
[haunting vocalizing]
* Don't forget me when I'm gone *
* Gone *
* Will you forget me when I'm gone? *
* Don't forget me when I'm gone *
* Will you forget me when I'm gone? *
* Will you forget... *
* Don't forget me when I'm gone *
[upbeat music playing]
[chuckles]
You think she's gonna throw something else at me?
How did your mom find out about that anyway?
No idea.
Maybe you should put her on the case.
I spent an hour taking Livia's photo yesterday
and all I got was some hot goss
about a guy named Luke who pierced his nipples.
Wait, they're still talking about that?
-Apparently they got infected. -Shut up.
Why are we talking about nipples?
[exhales] Livia saw you.
Not you, but Janet, at the college party.
Did she see me, or her, do anything else?
-We don't know yet. -Yeah.
But you have enough to worry about.
Let us figure out what Livia knows
and what she's planning to do with it.
And then before she gets you
-kicked out of school... -Yeah, or worse.
-Hey. -I'm just saying
that Janet was kind of a maniac.
You're right.
I have enough to worry about.
So just be careful.
[exhales] Okay.
Livia's not gonna just spill her secrets.
You have to convince her that you're one of them
and that you hate me and Maddie as much as she does.
Okay. I can do that.
How hard is it to learn basic bitch?
Oh, shit.
Hey. So Kyle finally found your dad.
But he said neither of them
ever heard of a living person
getting trapped in the afterlife.
They were actually pretty freaked out about it.
-Great. Great. -Can I talk to him? My dad.
Yeah. After school.
-I'll set it up. -I can drive you.
-You okay? You ready for this? -Yeah.
I think so.
Ah, Maddie, Xavier, Claire, and Nicole. Together again.
My office. Now.
This morning, Superintendent Hunter-Price and I
had a long talk
about your late night visit to this school
and the lack of clarity
surrounding what really happened.
She-- I mean, we have decided
that instead of going on tomorrow's senior trip,
you will report here, all four of you,
for Saturday detention.
8:00 a.m. sharp.
Understood?
Yeah. Understood.
Well, get to class. That's it.
[Maddie] Principal Hartman.
Did you talk to my mom yesterday?
No, Maddie. You asked me not to.
[inhales] Feels like you've been avoiding me.
You said we could talk later. Is now later enough?
You remember how you went into my scar,
know everything about me.
It kind of only seems fair that...
You're right.
[sniffs]
The summer before my senior year,
I got someone pregnant.
Back then we called it "in trouble."
We only got together a couple of times.
You know, it wasn't something serious.
Then I started to see Paul.
Uh, you mean Ed.
No, Paul. Ed was before this.
Oh. Okay.
And then Julie called out of the blue
and said she was in trouble.
And that she needed to talk about it.
She was on the fence, but...
I think she wanted to keep it.
The baby.
[tender music playing]
So I said I'd meet her at this record store after school.
But before I headed over, I went into the greenhouse,
just to think.
I hadn't even bought my first car yet,
now I was supposed to be someone's father.
God, I just kept thinking to myself... [groans]
..."How do I get out of this? How do I get out of this?"
And my heart started to race. I couldn't breathe.
My anxiety triggered my asthma.
You know the rest.
After that, I came here.
And what about Julie?
You know, did she have the baby all alone?
Did she think I just stood her up?
Maybe I would have.
Maybe that's the kind of person I am.
I don't know.
I never got to figure that out.
That's, um...
Wow. It-It's, uh...
A lot to lay on you all at once.
Yeah. [chuckles]
Uh...
I'm so sorry that that all happened to you.
Um...
[clicks tongue]
And I think I'm, um--
I'm-I'm just a little overwhelmed, uh...
That was a mistake, right?
Julie? Not a mistake. But, um, just...
You're not still into both girls and guys.
Right? Are you?
[scoffs] Does that matter?
No, no, no. I-I just...
I'm only into you right now.
Right, well...
it's not like there's a lot of options.
You think that's why I'm with you?
A lack of options?
Uh, I don't know.
Maybe. [chuckles]
I mean, look at me.
You could write my entire sexual history
on a gum wrapper.
But yours? That's a whole jumbo pack.
It's not some competition, Charley.
Right. Well, it can't be, because I can't compete, so...
Um, I-- [stammers] I have to go see
if Rhonda and Quinn need, um...
I told them that I'd be right back.
[Quinn] If Mr. Martin hadn't gone into that place
on that exact day, at that exact moment...
the bus would've just parked,
and I would have walked out
and I would have gone home to my mom and dad and brother,
and fed my snails,
and woken up the next day, like normal.
Yeah. Probably.
Snails? Really?
Don't tell me you're a dog person.
[inhales, exhales deeply]
Look, this might be stupid,
but I found a Polaroid camera in the teachers' lounge.
I was thinking I could take your yearbook photo.
The one you skipped three years in a row.
I don't know.
My bibbers aren't exactly photo-worthy.
Look, you've finally got a name that fits.
Why not find an outfit to match?
[plucky, upbeat music plays]
Nikki!
Is she talking to me?
Yeah. I think she is.
-Shit-talk me. -What?
Shit-talk me and Maddie. It's the only way this'll work.
Uh...
Fine, screw you, Nicole. Go!
Hey, you.
Hey. Hi.
Well? How did the photos come out?
Oh, uh, can I?
Sure.
Oh, thanks.
I kept that in my bag.
Here you go. There.
Great.
Oh.
[scoffs]
These are good. Like, really good.
Thanks.
I know they're for yearbook,
but could you...
-Send you some? -Yeah.
-For sure. -[chuckles] Thanks.
-Yeah. -Yeah.
You know, it's actually kind of nice
to hear someone compliment my work.
Maddie used to be super into my photos.
But ever since she's been back,
her and Claire are like best friends all of a sudden.
Well, you could just tell her about Xavier.
The whole Claire hooked up with your boyfriend thing.
Yeah, that's...
-You know what's crazy? -Hmm?
I think she knows and doesn't even care.
-[scoffs] -Yeah.
Apparently I'm weird, because I do...
-Oh. -They're both such assholes.
[Livia] What are you doing tonight?
Not much. Why?
I'm having a party.
You should come.
Oh.
Okay.
-Yeah? -Yeah.
Your dad already said that he doesn't know how to help me.
How long do you expect me to just sit around and sit tight?
We're talking in a couple hours. Can't you wait one more day?
All eyes to yourself, dude.
It's not like I didn't see you do way weirder shit
in the bathroom yesterday.
[cell phone vibrates]
-What is it? -Nothing. Just my mom.
Maddie. What's going on?
["Cruel" by Paul Thomas Saunders playing]
* When the world is pushing down on you *
* It feels cruel
* When the world is pushing down on you *
* It feels blue *
* So blue
* But you can't let it hurt you *
It's just gonna reset.
Well, I have to try.
I have to do something.
How about you tell me what else you know.
[scoffs]
All this time,
all those cryptic-ass messages.
I think there's more that you're not telling us.
I really wish there was.
But...
Well, Janet was right.
I don't know how to save Simon.
But Janet didn't want to leave here, you know.
Janet wanted to stay here and help all of us.
And now without her...
without you,
who the hell is gonna figure this place out?
Maybe I'm looking at him.
* It feels cruel
[music fades]
[door closes]
[Dave] You looking for me?
[clears throat] I'm Xavier by the way.
Dave.
But you knew that.
[chuckles]
This place is way too freaky.
Somebody really needs to die in the gift shop.
I'll put that in the suggestion box.
[chuckles]
How come it's been so hard to find you?
Kyle's been looking for days.
Look, um...
I haven't seen Maddie since she was nine years old.
All I had to do to win her over was fix a flat tire on her bike.
I was Dad.
I knew the answers to all her problems.
You're afraid you'll disappoint her.
You should give her a chance.
She's more forgiving than you think.
-Yeah? -Yeah.
I mean, I hope so.
Can you tell me something else about her?
Please.
It's been a long time.
I don't wanna screw this up.
[Simon] The hell are you doing?
[Wally] I needed paper with lines.
You see Mr. Martin outside?
He's out there scrubbing rocks.
Yeah. He's really not much of a help at the moment.
Neither is Maddie's dad.
And her mom?
This close to pulling her out of school. Permanently.
Well, Maddie won't let that happen.
Maybe, maybe not.
Either way, she can't stay
a senior in high school forever.
Seriously. What are you doing?
Reasons to go: "Mr. Martin could be wrong."
Reason not to go: "Simon dies for real."
Aw, appreciate the frowny face, man.
All right. Don't flatter yourself.
Nobody wants to be stuck here with you forever.
You serious about this list?
Because the side that says "go" seems to be winning by a lot.
Yeah.
But it has to just be me. Okay?
If anything happens to you,
Maddie will never forgive either of us.
And I really don't wanna spend
the rest of eternity beating the shit out of you.
[tender music plays]
Let's fucking go!
Yes! No.
-You fucking go. I'll stand by. -[laughs] Okay.
-He's cheating. He's cheating. -[Wally laughs]
[school bell rings]
["Quite Quiet" by Rodes Rollins playing]
See anything you like?
Whoa.
Of all the things I thought would survive the test of time,
those jeans were not one of them.
I said the same thing about bucket hats.
Real surprise there.
But you know what they say. Fashion is cyclical.
And since the 2000s are apparently au courant,
this could really be your do-over era.
Uh, what about those kids over there?
Look, the important thing is you can choose anything.
This photo could be your chance to show the world
who Quinn really is.
So, who is Quinn?
[groans, grunts]
[sighs]
-Holy shit. -This is it.
[exhales]
-Is it gonna be today or... -[mutters]
[grunts, coughs, groans]
Hey, you good?
Yeah. Oh, damn. [groans] Yeah. I'm good.
What do you see?
Well...
[Simon] What's down there?
I can't see anything. It's too dark.
But...
Uh...
Oh. Whoa.
[sighs]
I'm gonna keep going further in.
Uh...
What the hell?
Wally, talk to me!
Yeah, I found stairs. I think this might be a house.
[softly] Fuck.
Si... Simon?
[wind whistling]
[water splashes]
[Wally screams]
Simon!
Help! [yells]
[gurgling]
Wally?
-[Wally screams] -[man screams]
What was that?
[man groans]
[Wally] Oh, God.
I didn't kill him, did I?
[intense music playing]
[music fades]
I don't have much time.
My mom thinks I'm on my way home.
All right. He's just in here.
He's all caught up on you and Simon, by the way.
Are you ready for this?
I don't understand.
After learning what really happened to me,
how could you do that?
How could you risk anyone else's life?
Sorry, how exactly did this happen?
It was just like Mr. Martin said.
I got pulled into this creepy fucking swamp,
and then suddenly I was in the library
standing in front of Mr. South who saw me.
Just like your bus driver.
For just a brief moment, he saw me.
I mean, I shocked him so bad, I knocked him off his ladder.
Luckily, he just got the wind knocked out of him--
And broke his arm.
In a different angle and higher fall,
he could've been done for.
Thank you, Yuri.
-Okay, that was bad. -Yeah.
But Mr. South didn't die.
In fact, what he did do
is prove that whatever is down there
is powerful enough to lift the veil twice now.
We have to go back.
-I'm sorry. Are you serious? -Yeah.
Dude, somebody almost died, and not just Mr. South.
What if you were the one dragged into that water?
What if we give up?
We have to be smarter about this.
We have to be extremely smart.
We have to find out what this place really is.
We don't have to do anything.
You have no idea what you could be messing with.
If you're determined to go back to that place,
you'll have to go through us first.
[Simon] Don't take the watch.
[inhales, exhales deeply]
Let's go.
[door opens, creaks]
Hey. Hey.
I know I fucked up earlier. Can we just talk, please?
It's all good. All good.
[soft dramatic music playing]
[door opens]
[door closes]
Sorry about the accommodations.
Is he really here?
Yeah.
[inhales]
[Xavier sniffs]
Hi, Dad.
He says you look beautiful.
How does he...
Or how do you look?
The same as when you knew him.
Khaki shirt.
The work boots Mom got you for Christmas.
I remember seeing you right before you left.
When you kissed me goodbye...
I, uh...
I-I just didn't... I didn't get up.
I should've hugged you.
Um, Maddie.
I know. I-- Um...
Dad, Simon, he's...
[Xavier] I think...
what Maddie's trying to say...
is that Simon's in trouble.
And if you know something,
anything, anyone that can help him, then...
we need to know.
[Dave] Maddie. Um...
I love you.
And I will do everything I can to help.
He says he loves you...
and he will do everything he can to help.
I love you too, Dad.
[cell phone vibrates]
Oh, it's Mom.
She wants me to come home.
[dramatic music continues]
[sniffles]
[door opens, closes]
[Xavier] My car's out back.
I can drive you home
as soon as I sign out upstairs.
[Maddie] Oh, thanks.
Maddie?
Yeah, I'm good. I just need a moment.
Alone.
[splutters] I'll be right back.
Okay, so after I say how cute and amazing...
-And hot. -...and hot everyone looks,
and I'm also making fun of myself, then what?
How do I get Livia to open up?
It's like I said. You have to trash-talk
me and Maddie.
That's their currency.
You talk shit, they talk shit.
And then somewhere under all that shit
is the answer you're looking for.
That sounds messy.
It is.
But remember, if you're in a jam,
or just need something to say,
you can always talk about boys.
Just about them?
-Like men's basketball is... -What? Nicole.
Like, who you like. Who they like.
Who you just heard might like somebody else.
Right. Okay. Got it.
Okay, and last but not least,
do not, under any circumstances, talk to Jason.
Wait, why? Who's Jason?
Hey. What's going on here?
-Where are you going? -A party.
She looks good, doesn't she?
Wait, wait, so, you're going to a party,
-and you're... -Staying home.
Why?
Do you really want to know?
I mean, he kinda already does, doesn't he?
[sighs] Fine.
Maddie's getting bullied by, well, everybody,
but especially this girl, Livia,
who saw her at the party on your campus,
so I'm trying to find out what she knows.
By infiltrating the cheerleaders.
Yeah, because if she somehow gets Maddie
thrown out of school, or freaking arrested,
Simon's screwed.
The night Maddie got her body back,
Simon got stuck in the ghost world. Even though he's alive.
Technically he's still alive.
But also a ghost.
You know what? I'm sorry I asked.
Yeah, he hasn't quite gotten over his English teacher
being body-snatched and hijacking his car.
-That's fair. -Yeah.
Okay. So, last words of advice?
Don't let Mom see you.
She's gonna come after you with a washcloth.
Okay.
-You got this! Yeah. -Okay.
-You hungry? -I could eat.
Did all that really happen?
Maddie getting her body back? And Simon getting--
Turned into a not-dead ghost? [chuckles] Yeah.
Yeah, shit's even crazier than before.
His parents must be freaking out. Did they call the cops?
They think he's on a trip.
-Some trip. -Yeah.
We're doing everything we can to bring him back,
which for now means trying to help Maddie.
Which is why Nicole's at that party.
So she's not just there to torture
the kind of girls that tortured her?
This is about Maddie and Simon,
who are facing much scarier shit
than what's happening at Livia's house party.
["BEAT UP CHANEL$" BY Slayyyter playing]
* Diamond grills, champagne bottles, swagger I bleed *
* I want sex, money, bitches, and the stickiest weed *
* I want a cigarette *
* Don't wanna talk with ease I'm over all it *
* Don't try fuckin' with me Boy, I don't want it *
* You should go and get with her *
* She's better for you *
* Baby, I'm not that girl *
* Don't want no lovin' from you *
Hey. Cool party.
Are you here to take photos?
No. I was invited as a guest. You were there when it happened.
Mmm.
[chuckles] I really love your face... makeup.
It's so hot.
I mean, mine looks like I did it while driving off a cliff.
Am I right?
-It's not that bad. -No, it's really not.
Oh. Thanks.
Holy shit. Is that Jason?
[scoffs] I can't believe
-he showed up here. -Marisa's gonna freak out.
Hey. You're the girl from the news, right?
-Uh, yeah. -Uh, what is it, um...
-Nicole, right? -Uh-huh.
Oh, yeah. Anyways, your interviews are hilarious.
Especially when you be interviewing someone
that you obviously hate.
Because then you get, like, this look in your eye.
Kind of like the one you're giving me right now.
[chuckles]
Actually, I think I've seen you before, too.
Weren't you in the library for photos yesterday?
You know, 5th period?
Maybe with some of your football buddies.
No, not me.
We all took our photos after school
right before practice.
Oh.
Okay.
Hey.
-Nikki. You came. -Yeah.
We were just heading inside.
It's where the good drinks are. You coming?
["BEAT UP CHANEL$" continues playing]
If I'm not home in ten, my Mom's gonna freak.
Xavier, what you did back there...
I know. I'm sorry.
About what?
I just feel like that shouldn't have been me
back there with your father.
That should've been Simon or Nicole.
I just... I hope I didn't make it weird, Maddie,
or-or-or-or bad...
You didn't make it weird. You made it possible.
Thank you.
Maddie?
Mom? How did you-- What are you doing here?
Me? You said you were on your way home over an hour ago.
I know. I had to get an assignment from Xavier.
Did you get it?
Yes.
Then let's go.
Now.
[dramatic music playing]
[scoffs]
-[Wally] Where you been? -Around.
What's in the bag?
Why am I getting the third degree?
That bag looks pretty heavy
for someone who's not up to something.
Look, Simon, I know you're not happy
about what just happened there.
But we've all had to learn how to be patient.
Okay?
Rushing into something that's not safe--
I didn't ask for a babysitter, Wally.
And as much as you and Maddie
and everyone else want me to be safe, I'm not.
There is nothing safe about this.
I don't have eternity to figure this out.
So if that place is able to break the seal
between the living and dead,
then that has to be an answer to finding a way out of here.
I don't know how to get Mr. Martin's key
without being pummeled by Rhonda.
She just guards it ever since our little meeting.
I understand Quinn's point of view.
I get it.
I'm not like the rest of you.
I don't belong here.
Can I have the watch?
[tense music playing]
I'm not gonna be the reason you don't get out of here.
But you're wrong if you think any of us belong here.
We don't.
[music turns somber]
[watch ticking]
So then Liz was like, "I don't have a thing for Wilder."
And I'm like, girl, you made out with him two days ago.
-Who are you fooling? -[laughter]
What? That's so embarrassing.
[laughs] Fuck. Right?
Poor Nikki. I'm being so rude.
We're, like, barely including you.
But you're probably used to that.
To what?
Being ignored by your friends.
Like you were telling me earlier.
[Nicole] Um...
Oh, right.
Yeah, I'm so ignored.
It's like...
It's bad.
Feelings... I just...
I mean, it's so unfair.
Especially when you're the one
that's been looking for Maddie the whole time.
-Yeah. -I mean,
you're probably one of the only people
that knows what really happened to her.
And she expects you to just keep that a secret?
It's so unfair.
I mean, I don't...
No, I don't know everything.
Maybe not. But you have to know something, right?
Right.
'Cause she's my friend.
But, you know, I mean...
Okay, the thing is, actually, I'm...
I'm actually kind of nervous right now
because I have a huge...
huge crush on a boy.
Really? Who?
-[Lexi] What's his name? -Is he here?
Maybe we could help hook it up.
Um...
It's actually, um, Jason.
[laughs]
What?
[upbeat dance music playing]
-Hey. Nicole! -Oh.
Am I gonna see you tomorrow at the senior trip?
Sorry. I have detention, so...
It was nice knowing you, Jason.
Jason? No, no. That's Jason. I'm Teo.
Chug! Chug! Chug!
But can I get your Instagram or...
No. Why?
-I mean, no. -You said what?
I'm sorry. It was the only name I could come up with.
They were about to roast me on that fire, Claire.
I didn't know what else to do.
Who's Jason? Why is this such a big deal?
Jason is Livia's cousin's best friend's ex-boyfriend.
[Claire] Honestly, Nicole,
I am not sure if you can come back from this one.
-You need to get out of there. -[chuckles]
Right, well, I can't leave.
Apparently all Livia's iced teas come from Long Island,
and I've had three of them.
Not exactly safe to drive over here.
Shit. Where are you now?
Uh, Livia's mom's office, I think.
Wait. Did you know she was the superintendent?
Yes. Did you not?
Her desk is surprisingly messy for a woman who's so uptight.
Can we please focus on getting you out of there?
-I'll just get her. -No. That'll take too long.
- Just get an Uber. -Okay. I'm going. Bye.
[phone beeps]
[soft dramatic music playing]
[keys clacking]
[intense musical stinger]
[camera shutter clicks]
[exhales]
[laptop beeps]
Holy shit.
[thrilling music plays]
[music fades]
[dramatic music playing]
[phone unlocks]
[keys tapping]
[scoffs]
Maddie!
-[knocks] -Maddie!
-Hi. Hey. Stop shouting. -Did you know Livia's mom...
Okay. Did you know Livia's mom was the superintendent?
-Yes. -What?
Why do you look like you're on Love Island?
-Since when? -Um...
What am I looking at?
Claire's stepdad's company's logo.
But why?
Because Livia's mom, the superintendent,
doesn't just wanna move us to a different school.
She wants to bulldoze the old one to the ground.
And build some fancy high-rise on top.
And that's not all, Maddie.
There's cameras. Everywhere.
She's probably looking at us right now.
[door opens]
Huh?
What's going on? Nicole, what are you doing here?
Uh, mmm...
I think I'm gonna be sick.
[crickets chirping]
[train horn blares in the distance]
Why do you think they chose a rock?
I mean, I get Wally and renaming the field, but...
it's not like...
we died mountain climbing.
It just seems--
Like a desperate attempt to make something better.
When you really can't.
Mr. Martin...
if everything happened the way you said it did,
the way Wally described...
this wasn't your fault.
[somber music playing]
You didn't cause this.
[sighs] Maybe, sometimes, bad things just happen.
[clears throat]
[inhales, exhales heavily]
[sighs]
[Simon groans]
This is your plan? Just a bunch of ropes?
I promise, I'll be in and out in one piece.
We'll walk out of Mr. Martin's scar together.
[exhales, groans]
-Let's go. -Okay.
Hey. Where have you been?
I forgave Mr. Martin.
You did?
We've all suffered enough.
And I don't want to be the cause of anyone's pain anymore.
Not Simon's.
And not his.
Are you mad?
No.
Of course not.
I did think we finally settled on the green hoodie, right?
And I'm not changing.
Honestly, I like my bibbers.
I just, I don't have to think about them,
or what they they're saying,
I can just be myself.
Now are you mad?
No, Quinn...
I'm... I'm sorry
if it seemed like I wanted you to change.
You can do whatever you want.
Look, you have to understand,
in my day, girls could get suspended
for showing up to school just wearing pants.
Like, clothes were revolutionary
or a protest or a statement.
Believe it or not, for way too long,
I had no idea what statement I was trying to make.
Until I found this place.
I couldn't believe it was in Split River.
I mean, it was full of poetry and conversation,
interesting people.
I was so out of my depth.
But something about being there felt right.
The kids spin donuts in the dark just to feel movement.
They say be good, be still, be normal.
But I say, rip the stitching,
burn the Sears Catalog.
I've got sonnets in my glove box,
sandwiches wrapped in rebellion,
and enough gas money to outrun that picket fence coffin
they built for me at birth.
Howl, rogue, I'm free.
[fingers snapping]
[host] All right, that was groovy.
We'll have a short break and be back soon.
You want one?
Mm.
Oh, thanks.
[chuckles]
-Oh. -[chuckles]
I think I'll just save it for later.
I haven't seen you here before.
It's my first time.
Are you back from Madison?
No, I'm actually, um, I'm not in college yet.
But I-- I've certainly thought about UW Madison.
I figure it's best to stay close to home.
Is... is that where you go?
I'm on break from UC Berkeley. Back visiting some family.
Have you taken a tour out west yet?
I don't think my parents would like that.
Um, it's practically like traveling abroad.
What's wrong with a traveling broad?
[chuckles]
I'm Joyce.
Rhonda.
You ever think about California?
Berkeley's got room for girls like you.
-I don't know. -I can see you there.
Barefoot. Brilliant.
Breaking hearts.
I don't know about all that.
But maybe I'll take a look.
[host] Next up, we have a cover by Joyce Ball.
Hey, Rhonda.
Don't let anyone trick you into thinking you don't get a say.
People will swear the world isn't yours
but that's just fear talking.
If you break free, they might have to ask
why they're still stuck.
Remember that.
[audience clapping]
[strumming "House of the Rising Sun"]
* There is a house *
* In New Orleans *
* They call the Rising Sun *
* And it's been the ruin *
* Of many a poor girl *
* And me, oh God
* For one *
* Go tell *
* My baby sister *
* Don't do what I have done *
* Go shun that house *
* In New Orleans *
* They call the Rising Sun *
[Rhonda] It was that moment
I discovered a thing I'd always wanted for myself
but never understood.
The kind of person I could be if I was just brave enough.
The me I wanted the world to know.
So today I just wanted that for you too.
I think you look great.
No matter what you're wearing.
So can we take this damn photo already? Come here.
* Beneath the Rising Sun *
[camera clicks, whirs]
I mean, I probably cut our heads off anyway.
[laughs]
-Is she okay? -She will be.
Is that what you and your friends
do after school now?
You planning on joining Nicole at that party
-if I hadn't-- -Are you serious?
You're accusing me of drinking because of Nicole?
You're the one who's been chain-eating breath mints
ever since I got home from the hospital.
You honestly think I can't smell it on you?
I haven't had a drink in weeks.
-[clattering] -What are you doing?
Showing you what it's like to be spied on.
-It doesn't feel good, does it? -I got that app
because I knew that you weren't being honest with me.
Yeah, believe me, I know the feeling.
There's nothing in there, Maddie.
Maddie, stop!
[somber music plays]
That's old, Maddie. Listen to me.
Don't you think I want a mom who can help me?
Don't you think I want a mom who I can talk to?
The reason I disappeared all those weeks ago
was because of you.
Your drinking was killing me.
The person who hurt me in that boiler room was you.
I'm going to go check on Nicole.
[music fades]
[sighs]
You have every right to be mad at me.
When you were telling me about what happened,
I wanted to be there for you, I did.
But all I could hear was...
all of the people that you've been with,
or could be with, if you wanted.
And I know...
I made it about me...
and I'm so sorry.
I never went into my scar.
What?
I wasn't ready.
I'm not ready.
Don't know when I ever will be.
And honestly, Charley,
the way you responded
when I told you didn't really help.
[Charley] How I responded?
Janet left that note about resetting
specifically for you and you can't even try to go in?
Yeah, I think I've dealt with my shame enough for one day.
-Thanks. -Yuri.
No, please. Don't follow me.
[somber music playing]
Ouch.
It's not for you.
Don't worry.
I'm going to a treatment center to detox.
I never meant to hurt you.
I know.
-[Wally] Be careful. -[Simon] I know.
-And stay away from the water-- -Wally.
I know.
Let's go. Put that on your back.
Light on. All right. Don't think, just go.
[groans]
[grunts]
[water dripping]
[Simon] Oh, my God.
I need more rope!
[sighs]
[wind whistling]
[eerie music playing]
[gasps]
[electricity crackling]
Simon?
Simon! Hey!
[music intensifies]
[haunting vocalizing]
[grunts]
Simon!
-[wind howling] -[creaking]
What?
Oh, shit.
["Long Gone" by Anna Waronker playing]