I know my birth parents are Bringston alum.
Would you ever mention that we might be brothers?
- I think we should take a DNA test. - Let's do it.
- Wait that means that we're... - Not brothers after all.
I had some questions about my birth parents.
Her name was Celine.
I had a whole breakfast planned.
I am sorry. The flight was delayed.
Earth to Simone.
You look like you are a million miles away.
I'm here now. I'm glad you made it, Mommy.
Even though I told you I was fine, and you didn't have to come.
Too late. I wanna hear all about this Veronica woman.
A whole trustee leaking your photo.
What I don't understand is why is she doing all
of these now, Auntie? Didn't you and her sister Jada
patch things up the arrest years ago?
Nope. Y'all aren't pulling me back into the drama.
I'm notifying Zeke about what I've learned, and he can deal
with Veronica's nonsense. Look, both of you, hear me.
I'm still leaving Bringston
at the end of the term and I don't need anyone interfering.
- I learned my lesson. - This is just a meddle free trip.
I'll believe it when I see it.
Okay. I've got class but we're still on for lunch.
- Love you. - Love you.
And I got to school. It's service week,
and the team is coaching some local high schoolers.
Are you okay?
When I came in, you looked like you had the weight
of the world on your shoulders.
- I'm fine. - That's the best you can do?
Mom, nothing big. Really.
Okay.
How are you, Ma? Are you good?
Honestly, being single after all these years
is scary, but it's something strangely freeing about it.
I'm glad. For real.
I can't wait to you show you the apartment tonight.
I'm even making your favorite.
I'm gonna eat my weight in spaghetti and meatballs.
Hey, Ma, this is my teammate, Damon Sims.
Oh, yes. The other star of the Bringston Lions.
I don't know about all that, but we do have
a new hotshot outfielder.
- What can I say? - Yeah, he's very humble.
Look, I gotta head back to the Kappa house, but Damon
has a few questions about your time here at Bringston,
if that's cool.
Sure. I hope I can help. I'll see you tonight.
- All right, Ma. - All right, baby.
- All right, bro. - Yeah. Uh, thanks.
Let me get your plate.
- Have a seat. - Oh, yes, ma'am.
What can I help you with?
I was just wondering, have you ever visited
a coffee shop called Peach Brew Cafe?
I loved that place.
Yeah. My adopted daddy used to visit Atlanta a lot
and he loved that place too.
His name was Xavier Wilson, I was wondering if you knew him?
- Wilson? - Yeah.
I thought your last name was Sims?
No. My mom thought her maiden name
had a better ring for branding purposes.
Apparently, Damon Sims has more star power than Damon Wilson.
She's right. It's a good name.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't realize how late it was. I have a meeting.
Wait, Mrs. Wayne.
ALL AMERICAN HOMECOMING Episode 10
Thea, glad I'm blowing you up.
Yeah, I've been busy.
I'm sorry, did I do something? Is this about
the Exquisite Eight party?
Just drop it, Simone.
Thea, I'm sorry that I build on you last minute,
but I knew Nate was gonna...
Did something happened about the Exquisite Eight party?
- That's not my place to say. - So something did happen?
I think that President Allen's was not ready to get started so...
Thank you all for being here and volunteering
for Bringston's Service Week.
And our annual Make your Match mentoring event.
The young people you're mentoring will experience
what academic and athletic excellence feels like here at Bringston.
Each of you has the opportunity to show your teen mentees
the HBCU experience and potentially alter their life path.
And I may be biased but you're also in good hands
with this year's event organizer, Ms. Keisha McCalla.
Y'all received instructions
via email so you know what to do. Group leeaders,
please come at the Welcome Desk
and pick up your packets.
These kids are wild, please, keep them on lock.
- You did good in there. - I did, didn't I?
I've got a trustee meeting, but what happened to giving me
some dates for our joint therapy session?
I don't think my therapist and I are good fit anymore.
We're just really not on the same wavelength.
Therapy isn't a quick fix. It's most effective when you do...
Sorry. Dad, actually, I have to go help Simone out
with some volunteer stuff but I'll let you know if...
When I got my new therapist place.
Please save me from my overly invested father.
Do tell.
It's nothing worth discussing, but are you okay though?
Why does people keep asking me that?
Your aura is off. It's Damon, isn't it? Both of you
are all kinds of awkward. I thought you were
keeping a distance?
I'm trying, the brother is everywhere.
Class, study hall, the gym.
And girl, that's gonna be a hard four years...
- ... if you don't learn how to co-exist. - And you're telling me it's...
Why are we going the other way again?
That is my ex-Lisa and it's a conversation I am not
in the mood to have right now.
I'm sorry. What happened to co-existing?
Co-existing. Do as I say, not what I do.
Okay.
"Can't do at the dinner tonight."
Your choreographer has arrived. How you doing?
- I can bring you my dopest moves. - We'll see have about that.
- You volunteer for the step show? - Just like last year, remember?
That's actually not what I remember about last year.
Can y'all excuse us for a second?
I get that you're still mad about what happened
but can we please put aside our drama and work together?
Sure. For the kids.
Hey, Thea, hold up.
This looks fly.
Let me show you something real quick.
- I think we should go back. - Come on, chill.
Missed seeing your pretty face.
Things got a little dramatic at the party but...
Stop!
Why you tripping? What's up?
I just said get the hell off of her.
You're okay, right? I'd still love to kick it
with you sometime.
No, I need to go.
Thea is not feeling well so I'm talking over.
- Is she okay? - It's Thea so it's hard to tell.
Y'all should have received an email with your court
and mentee player assignment.
Work them through the drills.
Based of the assessment of your mentees' skill levels,
I'll create a roster
for tommorrow's Princess of the Coourt match.
"Simone, I'm here for you if you need me."
Hey, you must be Mya. It's nice to meet you.
We should probably get started.
We don't have a lot of time.
Right. I was thinking we could start
with some valley drills.
I thought this weekend was meant to challenge us.
Change of plans then. Groundstroke techniques
and put-away shots. Let's see what you got.
Bet. Let's do it.
Excuse me, sir, shouldn't you be off shaping young minds?
You best believe I will be.
Right after Roland's little bathroom break.
It's been a while. Where've you been hiding?
Between classes, riding the bench at football practice,
and all of Gabby's rehearsals, and I, I've barely have time to sleep.
So it's Gabby now, is it?
Yo, Keish, you're the one who said you weren't interested
in an us, because you had to work on you.
Unless that's changed.
It's really none of your business
what Gabby and I do. I'll catch you later.
Hey, Roland.
This is like my third message man. I'm trying to see
if you talked to your mom yet.
Look, we need to talk, just ring me back.
- Cocach, you got a sec? - Hey, What's up, Sims?
I normally don't do this, but are you cool me sitting out today?
Wait a minute. Is this where you telling me
you're quitting my team?
No, no, Coach. It's not like that. Just...
- You wanna talk about it, son? - Yeah. Not really.
Hey, Coach, the mentees are ready for you on field.
Got it. All right. Well, I mean take your day, Sims.
But I want you back on the mound tomorrow ready to go, son.
Oh, thanks, coach.
Coach Lowe, why is the Dean's Office sending me an email
saying they never received the team's study hall logs?
I don't know. I, I put 'em on your desk for your signature.
If that were true, I would have seen them.
Listen, if you can't get things down when I ask you to,
I'll find someone who can.
Zeke, we need to talk.
I'll be in touch. Thank you.
I'm guessing it's important.
Did you know that Veronica Skinner is the person
responsible for leaking my mugshot?
- That's troubling, if it's true. - If?
What I meant was Veronica is a dedicated philanthropist
and an important part of this institution.
I can't imagine something like that.
She paid a student to post it.
Please tell me you're going to take action.
Of course, I'll handle it.
Save the impassioned speech, Amara.
I'll talk to Veronica.
You just focus on making this last semester a good one.
Ready?
Good shot, Mya. Bend your knees.
No.
What happened? Look, it's all good.
You could just use my racket and we'll restring it later.
I can't. It doesn't even matter. It's all so stupid.
Mya. Look, you're playing great.
Why let some broken racket rattle you?
Do you know how much it costs to restring a racket?
Or how much it costs to get a new racket, which is what I really need
sinced I use a youth rackett.
I do, but right now we need to, we really need to...
I bet where you're from.
Everyone gets new gear and court time
whenever they want and it's no big deal.
This is why I hate coming here.
It's just a reminder that I cannot afford to compete
at this level.
Do you mind?
How far did he get? Kevin? How far?
He didn't. Damon stopped him.
You're lucky. Kevin and I became friends
during freshmen orientation.
Purely platonic, he knew I had a boyfriend.
There was a party at PKZ and JR was out of town, so I invited Kevin.
One drink turned into two. And the next thing
I know, I'm waking up in Kevin's room
with no clothes. No memory of what happened.
What did Kevin say?
That he had fun. I felt so stupid.
You know, it wasn't like Kevin made me drink.
I thought I could forget about it
but the rumors flew and JR dumped me thinking I cheated on him.
As time went by and my memories came back,
I remembered Kevin didn't drink.
Said he was playing ball the next day and needed to be clear headed.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
Did you tell anyone?
By the time I stopped blaming myself, too much time had passed,
so I'm just happy you're okay.
Yeah, I'm okay, no thanks to you.
Social media is a great tool for journalists,
but we must maintain an objective tone.
Otherwise, we're bound to step
into situations where our morals are questioned.
But as journalists our reputation is our greatest asset
and that is something worth fighting for. See you all next week.
What a wonderful lecture on ethics and responsibility.
You could learn a thing or two.
I heard plenty from Zeke. Got a stern warning.
Why are you here?
I didn't intervene when you were corrupting my sister Jada
with your do-gooder nonsense, but I am tired of and your miltant tactics.
Who the hell do you think you are?
Tina, thank you, but I've got this. Look, I am sorry
that you can't let go of the past. But I'm leaving Bringston
so you'll have to find another target for your little juvenile games.
I'm not done. Not until I see you crippled by depression
and struggle to find work like my sister did.
No. You are done. Amara doesn't play dirty, but I do,
you need to think real hard about your next move.
Enjoy your last semester because big changes
are coming to your beloved university.
What is she talking about? What changes?
- I have no idea. - Too bad you're dropping it.
I was. 'Til Veronica came to my classroom and showed her ass.
If Veronica Skinner wants a fight, I'm going to give her one.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Yo, J. Hey, can I talk to you?
Yeah. Y'all finish up. You got 'em?
Appreciate you. What's up, bro?
- Did you not get my voicemails? - Nah. I've been here all day.
Have you talked to your mom?
Not since earlier, but clearly something went off.
What makes you say that?
Because you're acting weird and she cancelled dinner
when she's been looking forward to it all week.
All I did was ask her about my dad, and then,
she just start acting weird and got up and left.
Then she probably don't know him, bro.
- Then why not just say that? - I couldn't tell you.
Look, can you, can you just talk to her for me, please?
Listen, my mother's finally in a good place
and I don't wanna mess that up, all right?
We took the DNA test, it say we are not brothers.
So maybe we just put it to the side and focus on the future.
Wait. Hold on. So let me get this straight.
So you get the answers that you need and just crew
what I need.
You know damn what I said.
No, all you do is care about you.
You run away like a little punk instead of stopping
and having the tough conversation.
That's what you did with the baseball convention
and that's what you did with your ex, too?
So we analyzing each other now? 'Cause you're putting
this adoption obsession over everything
and it's cost you Simone already.
Simone has nothing to do with this.
You sure about that? 'Cause you dragged her all the way
to Chicago to help you get answers, and now she blocking you out.
I get that you gotta do, but leave me and my mom out of it.
You all look good. Are you ready?
One, two, three, four...
Hey Keish?
You seen a skinny kid with a blue streak in his hair?
- Roland? - Yeah.
No, I haven't. Please tell me you haven't lost him.
Define lost?
Did you or did you not hear my speech about keeping track
of your mentee?
I know, but I turned my back for like one second, bro.
Why are you so irresponsible?
Now we have to call security, and notify his parents.
Wait. He's fifteen, not nine.
We'll find him.
Do you care about how this makes me look?
Wait. Why are you getting so upset?
I'm not upset.
Excuse me. Saw a young boy with a blue streak,
talking to a couple of sorority girls about
how he's Bringston's new starting quaterback?
Perhaps he's yours?
Yes. Thank you, sir.
Thanks, Dad. Crisis averted.
You guys break up?
Who? Me and Cam? We're not together.
That was the young boy you were kissing
at the party at our house, right?
And you guys fight like there are feelings involved.
Okay. Well, there are no feelings and we were never together.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Is that what you told your therapist?
Consider this a free therapy session. One you can't reschedule.
I nearly lost your mother when we started dating
cause I was sacred of anything
that even looked like commitment.
Like father, like daughter, I guess?
My therapist wants me to dig into past relationships
and analyze what went wrong.
I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
You don't get to the good stuff without working through the bad.
Thea, do you know if Cam is in here?
His mentee knows my mentee, and I need some insight right now.
I have no idea.
- Are you okay? - Yeah.
I'm just... It's whatever. I just needed to talk to Damon.
Well, he's at athletic study hall.
I was headed there next.
Thea, can you please tell me what's going on,
I really want to be here to help.
I'm fine. I was fine at least I thought I was
and then today he said hi.
Who said hi? Thea, please help me understand.
Something happened to me.
Well, almost happened to me
because another girl didn't speak up.
But here I am and I haven't spoken up.
Whatever it is, I'm here you for you.
Oh, you're hear for me? Like you were the night of
the Exquisite Eight party because you promised
to be there for me then too.
Thea...
I don't even know why I'm talking to you.
Damon, I think you need to call Thea. She was looking
for you and I was trying to help, but whatever it is
she's going through, I think I made it worse.
Can you please just tell me what's going on?
I'll give her a call.
Hey, um, it's Damon. I was calling to check on you. Hit me back, okay?
Hey, Simone, I heard your little volunteering session
was a disaster.
Excuse me?
My mentee is friends with your mentee, so, you know.
Yeah, it wasn't great, but Mya's super talented,
but she can't afford equipment or court time.
I did the math and my parents spent at least fifteen thousand
and that doesn't even include tournaments.
Tell me about it. My mom spent three times that.
That ain't nothing new. Black kids been priced out
of y'alls bougie sports for decades.
We gotta fix this. At least for our mentees.
Figure out a way to help them long.
We'll brainstorm, get a get a group together,
have like a family-ish dinner at my aunt's. We could order pizza.
I'm always down for free food. Well, and a good cause.
You know, for the kids.
Look, if we wanna make a real impact in these kids' lives,
we're gonna have to make long-term commitments.
Then what about grants? I
I'm sure there's tons of people that we can write to.
It takes forever to get those grants. The kids will graduate college
before they ever saw a penny.
I might be able to help. My firm
works with an organization in LA that provides resources
for middle and high school athletes. I've got the CEO on speed dial.
I could give her a call. Maybe she can give you some advice.
I think we'd love that.
Auntie just texted, said she's working late so not to wait up.
I hope Amara comes to her senses and stays at Bringston.
I do too, but this family is very stubborn
and it takes a lot for them to change their minds.
True. Which is why I'm asking you again what's wrong?
Don't say nothing, and do not think I'm leaving town
without an answer.
I just feel like everything is messed up right now.
I let my teammate, Thea down, like, big time.
I had to end my friendship with Damon.
You mean the young man that was eyeing you all night?
I can't be friends with him and be with Jordan, mom.
And Jordan is three thousand miles away
and I want to blame it on distance but things just feels off.
And I don't want anybody to get hurt.
Relationships are complicated, honey,
both romantic and non-romantic ones.
What you need is a reset.
Come home for fall break. You could see Jordan
and visit him at Golden Angeles.
- True. But I can't afford it. - I'll buy your ticket.
Mom, the time isn't right.
I'm going to stop pushing because you're just going
to keep coming up with excuses.
It's my client. Apparently, the program in LA
has opened two additional satellite offices.
One is here in Atlanta. The director agreed to hear you out on why
they should bring their resources to Bringston tomorrow morning.
Mom, that's amazing.
- I know it's fast. - That's great. We'll be ready.
Our mission is to create champions on and off the court.
That's what we stand for here at Bringston too.
Bringston athletics has mentored kids for years,
but one weekend a year is all they get.
So this is a chance for your organization to help train
future athletes and HBCU grads.
An opportunity to do something for the culture and for sports.
I've also received commitments from Bringston's football,
and baseball, and tennis coaches as well as dozen
of athletes that they'll donate five hours a month each
to coach the kids who've enrolled.
Okay. If you can sign up twenty-five high school athletes,
we'd love to welcome Bringston to the Stellar Ambitious family.
Absolutely. We're on it.
Thank you so much for your time.
- It's so nice to meet you. - Thank you.
Damon Sims, ladies and gentleman.
Coming hot with the last minute save.
You know how I do it.
And yet you stay so humble.
Nah, I needed something positive to focus on last night.
Right now in my life everything is so...
I gotta get to Mya's match.
But I can work on signing up people in the tennis program.
Yeah.
Think you and Cam can focus on football and baseball?
Yeah. We're on it.
Can I have President Allen's office?
- Aqueelah, can I talk to you? - I can't. I have rehearsal.
Look, I owe you an apology.
I spent all morning
at the tennis courts watching these young girls practicing
and I just kept thinking about how they're just like us,
dreaming of coming to Bringston,
excited about pledging a sorority or going on a date with a cute guy,
and what would happen to them if they encountered a guy like Kevin.
He won't stop unless someone stops him, which is why
I made an appointment
with the Dean of Students and President Allen.
And if you went with me, we'd really have a real case.
Look, I admire your optimism, but girls in these he said,
she said situations always lose.
I'm not wrecking my life so Kevin can get a slap on the wrist.
Aqueelah, I'll be by your side.
I'm sorry, I can't.
Four o'clock tomorrow, President Allen's office
if you change your mind. And I hope one day
you can speak your truth for your own healing.
Oh, Jeez.
- I'll help you find it. - Find what?
Whatever you're manically looking for.
But nobody's maniac, Amara.
It's just a turn of phrase, Marcus.
Hey. Look, I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated. You okay?
Yeah. Just doing a little digging for a story and personal reasons,
and stumbled on something.
You know that new board member, Veronica?
The heffa that posted your mugshot.
Did you know Zeke recruited her onto Bringston's board?
Turns out she was an associate
of his late wife's. They served on philanthropic boards together.
Okay, so Zeke has poor taste.
Oh, there's more. I got a list
of Bringston's financial donors, and Veronica isn't one of them.
Wait a minute, if she's not donating money
to Bringston, why is she so valuable
to Zeke and this college?
That's exactly what I need to find out.
Hey, mom.
I hope you don't mind,
one of your frat brothers let me in.
I was actually gonna reach out to you,
make sure you're okay.
Hey, and I'm sorry about the whole Damon ambush thing.
I was just trying to help out a friend,
but if that come at the cost of your peace of mind, no, especially.
when that friend is ungrateful.
You and Damon have a falling out?
Yeah. Because he think I'm some weak fool
that runs at the first sign of conflict.
I think maybe it's time we both stop running.
Mom, what are you talking about?
Have a seat, son.
We need to talk.
Mya. I got some big news.
A way to make sure you can afford
to compete at this level.
- I'm not interested in charity. - No. It's not charity.
I know how this works, okay?
I get excited and then funding gets cut,
or whoever runs this program finds a new project.
Can I finish warming up?
Lisa, hey, yo, I just need two minutes and don't think
that I won't sing Beyonce at the top of my lungs
to get you listen.
I wished you'd brought this type of energy when we were dating.
I just wanted to say that I know
that I kinda sucked as a girlfriend.
The moment things between us got too real, you sabotaged it.
I think that's a little strong. I didn't...
Stand me up? Gaslight me into thinking
we were less serious than we were?
My therapist told me that talking to you
would be good for me, but this feels awful.
- You actually went to therapy? - I did.
Now you're here asking questions even though you hate confrontation.
What motivated that?
Or should I ask who. I guess it is a who.
I thought my fear of commitment was because I was scared to love
and lose a soul mate like my dad did.
I think that's actually because...
You don't think you're good enough. Psych major.
Didn't take me long to figure that out.
Oh, okay, Madame Psych major, you got any advice?
Nobody's gonna convince you you're worthy of love.
That's on you to figure out.
That sounds easy enough.
Thank you, honestly.
Hey, Keish, when you do let go of all your baggage and go all in,
you're gonna be one badass girlfriend.
That was great.
Did you see that? The way I hit my forehand?
- It was perfection, Mya. - Too bad you're wasting your talent.
Mom, don't.
You're good. You know that. But you're letting your pride
get in your way, and pride keeps you from stepping
into yur power.
Do you really think I have what it takes
to play college tennis, Simone?
Yes. But in order for you to compete, you need coaching,
equipment and lots of practice to hone your skills, Mya.
Can I see their brochure again?
Hey.
How'd the match go?
Mya won. And I got her and twelve other tennis girls
to sign up. So, between me, you and Cam,
we got thirty kids to commit.
What?
So Stellar Ambitions is officially partnering with Bringston.
That's really dope.
Thank you again for all your help.
Oh, yeah, well, you know, me and you make a good team.
Yeah.
And I'm sticking around next week for fall break.
Maybe we could, like, grab a coffee or something,
something super casual.
Actually, I'm gonna take my mom up on her offer,
so I'm gonna head back to LA next week.
No, for sure, that's good.
- Well, I'll see you around. - Yup.
You ever think it was a mistake,
you coming to Chicago with me?
No. Never. Damon, I wanted to support you.
I just keep thinking that maybe it'd be easier on everyone
if I would just stop looking for my birth parents.
You don't really believe that.
Look, have a safe flight, Simone Hicks.
I couldn't sleep. You were right.
You ready?
I'm headed out.
- You need anything? - No, I'm good, no.
And again, sorry about the missing study hall log.
I'll find it. It's all good. All right. Take it easy.
Thanks for all the calls checking on me.
Sorry I went M.I.A.
No, we straight. Uh, I knew you were dealing
with the whole Kevin situation.
Yeah.
Good for you for putting him on blast by the way.
- What are you talking about? - This wasn't you?
No, but I know who it was. I went to President Allen,
and he's launching a complete investigation.
So, if there are other girls, hopefully they'll come forward.
You know, you did a good thing.
Hey, you did too. Thanks again for having my back
that night and the day since.
Yeah.
Hey, are you okay? I only work out that hard
when something is messing with my head.
I don't wanna bore you.
No, you won't. Why don't we grab a bite and talk?
Or not? We could just sit in silence.
I know you've been through, a lot these past few days,
so I wanna make sure that I'm reading this right.
Is, like, this a date or just like two friends grabbing a meal?
Can it be both?
I bet. Just let me shower and then...
"JR Meet me at my crib ASAP."
Why don't you handle that first and then come find me?
You know, I will miss you girl.
Girl, I'm only gonna be gone for, like, four days.
Roland has been found. Call off the dogs.
Very funny.
Hey, what was that with you the other day?
It's just been a long week.
I feel you. All right. I'll see you guys around.
What's that look?
Hi, Dr. Garton? This is Keisha McCalla.
I know I said I didn't wanna work together anymore,
but I changed my mind.
Whatever I need to do to be in a healthy relationship, I'm in.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
I'm proud of you. Thank you.
I thought about what you said, J, and I think...
What's this about?
My mom wouldn't talk to me about your adoption.
I wasn't sure I was ready to listen. We're both here now.
What?
I owe you an apology. And some answers.
I haven't heard Xavier's name in years.
We met at Peach Brew Cafe.
It was a hard time for me and he was there.
We had an affair. I got pregnant.
Damon, I think you're that baby.
You're my son and JR's brother.