Episode 9

XAVIER and APRIL are kissing in the library. XAVIER has started to feel on APRIL's butt.

APRIL thinks - Is he touching my...

(She stops kissing him and looks into his eyes.)

(silence)

XAVIER - What? What's wrong?

APRIL - Your hands.

XAVIER - Uh, yeah...

APRIL - They're on my butt.

(XAVIER laughs.)

XAVIER - Oh, my bad.

(XAVIER starts to lift his hands higher.)

APRIL - No no, its okay. Just surprising.

XAVIER - Surprising?

APRIL - Yeah. Very surprising. Since when were you all about grabbin' booty?

XAVIER - I mean... I don't know. I've always been... well...

APRIL - No you haven't always been anything Boobie. This is a new you that I'm with.

XAVIER - A new me?

(They let go of each other and XAVIER backs up.)

APRIL - Yeah. You seem a lot... different.

XAVIER - Maybe you didn't know me very well before but now that we are dating, you get to see the real me.

APRIL - Maybe. Well in any event, I like it.

(She smiles.)

XAVIER - Do you really?

APRIL - Yeah Boo Bear. I like it.

XAVIER - Where did you get all those crazy names from? Boobie and Boo Monster you called me once.

APRIL - I don't know. I've always been this way. I like pet names. Does that bother me?

XAVIER thinks - Yes!

XAVIER - No, its cute.

APRIL - So we're just learning a lot about each other in this relationship huh?

XAVIER - I guess so.

APRIL - You're learning that I am very emotional and love pet names and sweetsy cutsie things. And I am learning that there is a rough edge to Z. A side that is outside of the holy bible quotin' guy that I thought you were.

(silence)

XAVIER - Bible quotin'?

APRIL - Yeah. I mean, that's what I used to think about you. I thought you were like one of those holy roller like people. You know, always talking about God this and Jesus that and stuff but no fun to be around. But hanging out with you in this short period of time as your girl, I see that you're just like the rest of us. And that is so cool.

(silence)

APRIL - What's the matter?

(APRIL tries to read XAVIER's change of expression.)

XAVIER - April I gotta run. I'll call ya later.

(XAVIER turns to leave.)

APRIL - Hey wait, where ya going?

(XAVIER answers without turning back.)

XAVIER - I have a very important phone call to make.

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SHARONDA knocks on DENICE's door.

(SHARONDA knocks again and DENICE answers.)

DENICE - Hey. Come on in.

SHARONDA - What's goin' on?

DENICE - Well, you were right.

SHARONDA - I'm always right. But right about what?

(SHARONDA sits down.)

DENICE - About me and Brandon.

SHARONDA - What are you talking about?

DENICE - We broke up.

SHARONDA - Stop playin'!

DENICE - I'm serius. We weren't meant to be together I guess. It's over.

SHARONDA - Who broke up with who?

DENICE - It was a mutual thing. I'll always love and respect Brandon but we are very different and our personalities collided.

SHARONDA - Yeah, I clearly saw that. Damn, Ididn't think yall were gonna break up so quickly though.

DENICE - Yeah.

SHARONDA - But I think you can do a lot better.

DENICE - Well I don't wanna be with nobody for a while. I just need to chill ya know?

SHARONDA - You say that now because you're hurt. But give it a week and you'll be back in the game.

DENICE - But see thats the thing. I'm not really hurt about it.

SHARONDA - You're not?

DENICE - Naw. See, I thought I was gonna be devastated. You know, with me liking Brandon for as long as I have. But the weird thing is that I'm not really that hurt.

SHARONDA - Maybe you're in denial about it.

DENICE - Nope, its just that when I finally did get into the relationship with Brandon, it didn't meet my expectations. So in that, I was so disappointed that I was like whatever. So even when we broke up finally, I was like, whatever man.

SHARONDA - I hear ya.

DENICE - Yeah. So I'm just gonna chill out, look over the mistakes I may have made that contributed to the relationship failing, and move on.

SHARONDA - Why don't you go for the other twin.

(They both crack up laughing.)

DENICE - Girl please! They may look alike but trust me when I say that they are worlds apart.

SHARONDA - That's my point. Hey, ya never know.

DENICE - Naw. Bren is my little brother. Always has been. I don't even see him that way. That's why its so weird to see all the little freshman girls flocking behind him all the time. I just shake my head.

SHARONDA - That's funny.

DENICE - Well anyway, I think that my break up is probably a good thing for both me and Brandon.

SHARONDA - Its good that you see it that way instead of being all broken up about it.

DENICE - Yeah.

SHARONDA - So maybe this calls for a celebration.

DENICE - What you talkin' bout?

SHARONDA - Come on soror, let's go get some milkshakes, my treat.

DENICE - Your treat? Since when you got money?

SHARONDA - What girl? You aint know? Fergusons always have loot!

(They both laugh.)

DENICE - Alright, if you insist. Let me get my coat.

SHARONDA - Okay.

(DENICE goes into her bedroom.)

SHARONDA - We should get some of these interests pay for our food tonight!

(DENICE comes back out putting her arm into the coat.)

DENICE - Hell no! Are you crazy? You trying to get us suspended or something?

(SHARONDA laughs.)

SHARONDA - Girl, I'm just playin'. Come on, let's go.

(DENICE laughs as she walks SHARONDA out.)

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XAVIER pulls out his keys and opens his door. He walks inside, quickly throws his coat down and turns on the lights.

XAVIER thinks - I hope he's home!

(He walks into his bedroom as he is dialing. He turns on the light in there.)

ANSWERING MACHINE - Hello, you have reached the home of...

(CLICK)

(He dials again and looks at his watch.)

ANSWERING MACHINE - Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You have reached the Antioch Baptist Church. Our office hours are from...

(XAVIER presses two buttons.)

ANSWERING MACHINE - Please hold while I try that extension.

(silence)

MRS. PORTER - Pastor's office.

XAVIER - Hi Mrs. Porters, this is Xavier.

MRS. PORTER - Hello Xavier, how is college?

(XAVIER laughs.)

XAVIER - Its fine maam.

MRS. PORTER - You lookin' for the Reverend?

XAVIER - Yes maam, is he still in?

MRS. PORTER - You know that man don't go home. Hold on.

(XAVIER laughs again as she places him on hold.)

(silence)

PASTOR - Xavier.

XAVIER - Hey dad. What ya doin'?

PASTOR - Studying. What's up?

XAVIER - Oh, I didn't mean to disturb you.

PASTOR - No, its okay.

XAVIER - Okay, well I need to talk to you.

PASTOR - Sure, what's up?

XAVIER - I need for you to pray for... well, actually it isn't that. I just feel... you ever feel out of touch? Well you probably don't ever.

PASTOR - Actually son, as a matter of fact I do. All the time.

XAVIER - You do?

PASTOR - I'm human aren't I?

XAVIER - No you're not.

(They both laugh.)

PASTOR - Xavier, sometimes we feel distant from God for several reasons. It doesn't have to always be sin. Sometimes our agendas get in the way, people get in the way, events and circumstances in our lives get in the way, and the next thing you know you wake up one day and realize you haven't devoted as much time to God as you once did. You haven't prayed like you did. You haven't studied the word like you know you should. It happens.

XAVIER - Well how do you know when you're in a rut? I feel like, I don't know how I feel.

PASTOR - You feel like you're disconnected. You feel like you're a new Xavier, different from before.

XAVIER - Yeah!

PASTOR - And you feel like the things you do, the things you even think, are somehow different.

XAVIER - Yes! How did you know?

PASTOR - And you really haven't prayed about it because you almost feel ashamed to talk to God. You feel bad so its better to not say anything then to crawl back to God after you've kind of neglected Him.

XAVIER - That is exactly how I feel!

PASTOR - I know. That's how I feel sometimes too.

XAVIER - You do?

PASTOR - Sure I do Xavier. I'm a man just like you are. Just because I'm called to preach doesn't mean I don't face temptation and trials. I just have learned to release all of that over to Him and to leave it there.

XAVIER - Well how do you find out what the source of it all is?

PASTOR - There isn't one source. Its not like your distraction is what is messing you up. Its the fact that you haven't spoken or heard from God. When you do that, you're on your own.

XAVIER - That's how I feel.

PASTOR - So my suggestion is, go back to what you know. Get back into that right relationship with God. Begin to worship and pay attention to what God moves out of your life.

XAVIER - Moves out of my life?

PASTOR - God wants full control of you life son. He wants you to submit yourself to Him and to not have anything in between you and Him. So whatever it is that is causing you to stray away from Him... you'll find out what it is. And it will be removed.

XAVIER - What if I don't know what it is.

PASTOR - Either you'll remove it or God will. Either way, it has to go.

XAVIER - Okay.

PASTOR - You sound upset to hear that.

XAVIER - No, no, I'm okay.

PASTOR - You sure? Sounds to me like you may know what is hindering you and changing you, and you don't want to get rid of that thing.

XAVIER - See why I hate having a father thats a prophet?

(They both laugh.)

PASTOR - I aint here to get in your business Xavier. But if you know what that thing is... you may want to remove it. Now.

XAVIER - Yeah, I here ya dad.

PASTOR - And don't tell me what it is, or if you even know. That's beetween you and God. Just pray over it. But when you hear what it is, get rid of it. Get back to the way you used to be son.

XAVIER - I will Dad. Thanks.

PASTOR - Anytime.

XAVIER - Get back to your studying and I'll talk to ya later.

PASTOR - Okay, thanks for calling.

XAVIER - Yeah. Bye.

PASTOR - Bye.

(XAVIER hangs up and sits down.)

XAVIER thinks - I need to pray... but I know what my vice is.

(He closes his eyes and puts his face into his hands.)

XAVIER thinks - Lord I'm sorry for...

(He pauses.)

(silence)

XAVIER thinks - ...I need to... somehow...

(silence)

XAVIER thinks - ...somehow break things off...

(He pauses again.)

XAVIER thinks - ...with April.

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CANDACE is sitting in her car.

(CANDACE's cell phone rings.)

CANDACE - Hi! Are you here?

DERRICK - Yep! I'm walking down to baggage claim now.

CANDACE - Goodie! Goodie!

(DERRICK laughs.)

DERRICK - I hope you're hungry.

CANDACE - Yeah, we can definitely eat.

DERRICK - Good because I'm starvin'.

CANDACE - I'm glad you're home with me.

DERRICK - Its good to be back.

(CANDACE smiles.)

DERRICK - I'll be right out okay? Let me just grab my bags.

CANDACE - Yeah okay.

(They hang up.)

CANDACE thinks - I can't wait to see him!

(CANDACE waits about ten minutes until she sees DERRICK walking out carrying his bags.)

CANDACE - Yay!

(She gets out of her car and waits for him to walk up. When he does, she reaches up and hugs him around his neck and they kiss.)

DERRICK - Hey!

CANDACE - Hey yourself!

(They kiss again and he gets into her car.)

DERRICK - You been here long? I know my flight was delayed.

CANDACE - Actually no. I got here a little late and thought you were gonna be here waiting for me. So this worked out perfect.

DERRICK - Oh so you got here late huh? See, look at you. Showin' up late!

(DERRICK smiles.)

CANDACE - It was traffic.

(She laughs.)

DERRICK - Uh huh. You just comfortable in the relationship now so you think you can do anything!

(He laughs as he says it and she laughs with him.)

CANDACE - Whatever boy! Where you wanna eat at?

DERRICK - Let's go to Olive Garden. I haven't been there in a while.

CANDACE - Olive Garden it is.

(She starts to drive.)

(silence)

DERRICK - Baby, I know you went to go see Caryn.

CANDACE - Uh huh.

DERRICK - Tell me how it went.

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BRANDON has just been told by his band director that he has been kicked out of the band.

PROFESSOR - What is our policy Brandon? You haven't called me. You didn't even let your brother know that you were not going to be around..

BRANDON - Brendon told you that... he knew! I did tell him Prof.

(silence)

BRANDON - But Prof, it aint a problem. I'm gonna ace the exam that I've been studying for and then I'm back on track witcha. No more absentees.

PROFESSOR - I know. You won't be absent... or late... or present for that matter. You're out of the band.

BRANDON - Wh... what?

PROFESSOR - I didn't stutter Brandon. I want your locker cleaned out by tomorrow night. I want your uniform and sticks in my office by morning.

BRANDON - By morn... Professor, you can't be serious!

PROFESSOR - I am very serious Brandon. Way more serious than you about your obligations and responsibilities.

BRANDON - I made one mistake Prof, come on. Don't do this, you can't do this.

PROFESSOR - Oh yes I can and yes I am. Good luck...

(PROF glances toward BREANNA who is across the room waiting on BRANDON.)

PROFESSOR - ...studying.

(He starts to walk toward the front door.)

BRANDON - No! Prof wait! Please!

PROFESSOR - You're not going to change my mind Brandon. I will see you in my office tomorrow morning with your equipment. No excuses.

BRANDON - Proffessor don't do this! Please!

(PROFESSOR walks out without another word or even acknowledgement. BRANDON watches him walk to his car and is almost startled by a tap on the shoulder by BREANNA.)

BREANNA - Hey, is uh, everything okay?

BRANDON - Uh... um yeah. Yeah, everything is um...

BREANNA - What happened? It doesn't look like everything is okay.

(silence)

BRANDON - My band director is really pissed. I've never seen him so mad.

BREANNA - Wow, gosh I feel horrible.

BRANDON - It isn't your fault. It's my fault.

BREANNA - Yeah but it was me you were trying to hang out with which is why you missed the game today.

(silence)

BREANNA - Are you okay?

BRANDON - I don't know. It really hasn't hit me yet... I don't know if he's serious or just...

(silence)

BREANNA - Serious about what?

BRANDON - He um...

(BRANDON pauses.)

BRANDON - ...I just got kicked out of the band.

(BREANNA raises her hands over her mouth.)

BREANNA - Are you serious!

BRANDON - Yeah.

(silence)

BRANDON - Um... listen, I don't know if I feel like going to the Que party anymore. Is that okay if we don't...

BREANNA - Oh sure, say no more. I totally understand. Gosh I am so sorry.

BRANDON - Yeah. Me too.

(silence)

(silence)

BRANDON - Hey, um, can we go to the diner or something?

BREANNA - Sure. That's fine. If you need to talk or anything, we can do that.

BRANDON - Yeah, thanks.

(BREANNA takes BRANDON's hand and they walk out the front door.)

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DERRICK - So you went to go see Caryn. How did it go?

CANDACE - Hmmmm. It was probably the most awkward thing I have ever done. What happened was...

DERRICK - Actually Candace, before you go there. Is this okay to talk about for you? If you're uncomfortable talking about this, I can change the subject.

CANDACE - Oh no, its okay. Basically I went over there and I was very diplomatic. Then Ken shows up all hot headed.

DERRICK - Ken?

CANDACE - One of Nino's frat brothers from Amgis. Him and Nino were real cool and he's like a brother to me. So obviously he's mad upset and comin' over almost igniting Caryn and blowing everything. But luckily I was able to keep everything cool.

DERRICK - Good.

CANDACE - I looked into his eyes. Into Lil Derrick's eyes.

DERRICK - He does have beautiful eyes.

CANDACE - He has Nino's eyes. Its definitely Nino's son.

DERRICK - Yeah.

(silence)

CANDACE - So basically, I had to come to terms with the fact that the guy who I thought was an Angel, did step out on me. Once at least.

DERRICK - Yeah. I'm sorry you've had to experience all this.

CANDACE - Maybe its good for me. I can't go into relationships thinking that these things can't happen.

DERRICK - Well, I'll never cheat on you.

CANDACE - All I can take you for is your word. But I can't say I believe anything anymore. I think anyone is capable of doing anything. I'm fully convinced of that now. But I buried Nino already so I can't let this thing upset me. I thought that when I saw Lil Derrick, I would break down and cry and never be able to see his little face. But that innocent boy has nothing to do with all this and all I could do was smile when he was trying to play with me.

DERRICK - He's a great kid.

CANDACE - Yeah, he is. So I don't really know if going was the right idea. I don't know if I heard what I really wanted to hear or resolved what I needed to resolve. I do know that I'm not really hurting right now. And to me, that is progress.

DERRICK - That's good.

CANDACE - I just have to keep praying for growth. Because I can't lie and tell you that it never runs through my mind. I think Caryn is ultra ghetto and an extreme hoochie momma. So to think that Nino slept with her more than once makes me sick.

DERRICK - Yeah.

(silence)

DERRICK - I won't ever cheat on you Candace.

CANDACE - Derrick that makes me uncomfortable to be honest. Nino said the same thing.

DERRICK - I know he did. I'm different. I'm not Nino.

CANDACE - I know you're not. But you have to understand that I can't take your word for me than anything but words. I can't put faith in that.

DERRICK - Well... why not?

CANDACE - Because I've been burned in the past and it hurts too much.

DERRICK - I won't hurt you Candace.

CANDACE - Please stop Derrick.

DERRICK - I don't mean to...

CANDACE - Please.

(silence)

CANDACE - Derrick, I'm not trying to argue or anything. But this subject is way touchier than I thought. I just can't talk about it right now. Is that okay?

DERRICK - Sure babe. That's fine. I'm sorry.

CANDACE - Its okay.

(silence)

CANDACE - Its just that Caryn is so obnoxious and so nasty. If anything, it just bothers me how she is and to think that Nino fell for her. That really turms my stomach but its something I have to get over.

DERRICK - Yeah.

CANDACE - Fact of the matter is Nino cheated on me with Caryn. Period.

CARYN - Girl wassup! I got something to tell you! Remember when I was telling you...

DONNA - Caryn! Caryn! Hold up.

(DONNA switches her cell phone to her other ear.)

DONNA - Hello?

CARYN - Girl, I got some drama to tell you! Remember how I was telling you that I wanted to get preg...

DONNA - Caryn! Damn girl, slow down! Wait, wait...

(CARYN stops.)

DONNA - I'm kind of... um... busy... at the moment. Let me hit you back in a few okay?

CARYN - Well hurry up! I gotta tell you what I did!

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BRANDON - I just don't really believe it. I've been a part of the Thunder since I got to Ahpla. Me and Bren have been playing together since high school.

BREANNA - Yeah. I remember seeing you guys when I was a freshman.

BRANDON - I wouldn't even know what to do with my weekends. Or my nights for that matter. I'm usually at practice or getting ready for a game or something. I can't believe this. I really can't.

BREANNA - I still feel like this is all my fault.

BRANDON - It isn't. It isn't your problem either but I appreciate you listening to me. I'm just sad right now.

(BREANNA moves her glass of water and reaches across the table to take both of BRANDON's hands.)

BREANNA - Sure Brandon. Whatever you need.

BRANDON - Well you know what, right now I need to have our food come out because I am starving. Where the heck is my burger?

(BRANDON turns around to look at the kitchen to see if he sees their waitress. He doesn't see her.)

BRANDON - They would take their time tonight of all nights.

BREANNA - Yeah.

(BREANNA is rubbing BRANDON's hands.)

BREANNA - Its like, these hands were meant to drum.

BRANDON - Yeah, I know. Its a natural talent. I really didn't even have to practice all that much. It just comes to me. Bren too.

BREANNA - It looks like it. Both of you look so comfortable when you...

DENICE - Oh hell no!

(BRANDON turns around. BREANNA looks up. They are still holding hands across the table. DENICE and TONYA have walked up behind BRANDON.)

DENICE - I see you don't waste any time in moving on huh?

BRANDON thinks - Oh shit!

DENICE - You aint even five minutes out the hot seat and you got some new broad already!

BREANNA - Excuse me!

(DENICE doesn't respond to BREANNA at all.)

DENICE - Can I talk to you Brandon...

(She looks at BREANNA, then back at BRANDON.)

DENICE - alone!