01x08 - Two Truths and a Kai

[bunniefuu]

Whoo-hoo!

[screams]

Whoo-hoo!

[screams]

This is awesome!

I can't believe I'm doing this!

I feel so alive!

I'm gonna die!

Whoo!

That was awesome. Thank you.

[screams, grunts]

Wasn't that amazing?

Oh, yeah. Amazing. Total rush.

I've never done anything like that.

- I felt like I was flying.
- I still feel like I'm flying.

That was so intense.

Great idea, Kai.

Yeah. That's me.
Living in the moment. Intense.

Do you wanna go again?

Absolutely.

[Ella] Yes!

Grady, that is not your personal cereal.
I eat out of that box too.

[sighs] Well, I did.

Why are you still sitting
in front of the TV?

I'm still making my avatar.

- That doesn't look anything like you.
- I know. Cool, right?

[sighs]

- Mom, I didn't hit save. Wha...
- [Carl] Hey. Hey.

What's going on in here?

Mom's not letting me play video games
all of a sudden.

Can you talk to her?

I would, but I agree.

Isn't one of you supposed to be
the cool parent?

- No.
- You don't think I'm the cool one?

[stammers] Look, sorry, bud.

We let you stay up all night when Ella
spent the night at Ximena's house.

You can do something else today.

It'd be good for you
to go and get some fresh air.

Maybe call some of your friends
from school.

Oh, just maybe not Sunil.

I tried his mom
but she won't return my calls.

Calls as in multiple?

No comment.

- Maybe try one of your other friends.
- So they can ask me questions about Ella?

Or make me paint another mural of Ella?

Or help them with their podcast
about what makes Ella so Ella?

[sucks teeth] No, thanks.

I get it, buddy, but there is
more to life than… Saving Humanity.

Yeah. Go for a walk, read a book.

It's Saturday.
The possibilities are endless.

You wanna know where
the possibilities are endless?

In Saving Humanity.
I can be whoever I want my avatar to be.

Well, I won't have you or your avatar

being someone who sits
in front of the TV all day.

[sighs]

[sighs] Yeah.

[grunts]

Come on. Let's get out of the house
for some fresh air.

I don't want to.

Well, we all have to do
things we don't want.

You think I want to go to all of Uncle
Sebastian's a cappella group performances?

I think you both need to go to the park.

- Put on some clean clothes. Let's go.
- I don't have any.

You do. Here.

How 'bout this shirt? Right here.

I hate that stupid shirt.

Would you prefer this sweater
Uncle Sebastian crocheted for you?

I'll take the shirt.

Mmm. Man, I really worked up an appetite.
What about you?

Definitely. I'm so hungry, I'm nauseous.

We should do this again next weekend.

I heard that they have
a frequent flyers card,

so your tenth zip line is completely free.

- Well, money was my main concern.
- [cell phone chimes]

[laughs]

What's so funny?

Ximena just sent me and Priya
the funniest GIF.

It's this little girl
in a room full of doll heads.

Sounds hilarious.

It's because we made plans
to go see that new scary movie together.

- She's asking if we can go see it tonight.
- Okay.

I'm not much of a scary movie guy.

I usually prefer historical dramas
and documentaries.

Perhaps we can compromise
to see the new documentary

about the melting polar ice caps?

Scary and educational.

Um, actually, I-I think she meant just us.
Like, the girls.

- You can't go.
- Why not?

Because we made plans first,
and we're not done yet.

- We're not?
- No.

I have something else up my sleeve.

Are you getting into magic again?

My metaphorical sleeve.

All your adventurousness
has really rubbed off on me.

That is a side effect of my friendship.

Symptoms guaranteed to last. [Chuckles]

[BMX rider] Whoo!

Nah, bro, you totally nailed that landing.

Spectie. Nice, man.

Spectre Bikes. Not everyone is up on them.

Yeah. Right.

Dude, you must ride too.

[scoffs] You tweak your ankle shredding?

Of... Of course, I shred.
How else would I tweak my ankle?

- Bummer, man.
- How long till you're back in the saddle?

Never. I'm allergic to horses.

- [laughs] Allergic to horses.
- Kid has jokes. [Laughs]

Where do you ride?

Uh, around.

Yeah. We usually chill at Poplin Park.

Sick half-pipe over there.
You should come check it out sometime.

Okay. I guess I can come through.

- Sweet.
- See ya.

See you around, bro.

[Carl] Hey.

Sorry that took me so long.
There was a line at the elote cart.

There were "elote" people.

I'm sorry. Was that joke too corny?

[laughs] Still nothing? Come on, Grady.

Dad, can I go to Poplin Park?

Yeah, sure. Was it the corn jokes?

- They didn't help.
- Hmm.

Who knew that there were thousands
of different c*ck species?

I thought one was enough.

[chuckles]

And that concludes
our Creepy Crawler presentation.

Thank you for coming today,
and feel free to look around.

Thank you.

Wow. This was amazing.

How did you know
that I was afraid of c*ck?

Who isn't?

Not us. Not after today.

Totally. [Chuckles]

I am so proud of you.

Look at you,
tackling fears and taking names.

You know me.
A regular name-taker. [Chuckles]

So, should we head home?

No, because we're not finished yet.

There's more? [Chuckles]

We're just getting started.

[both scream]

[whimpers]

[both scream, laugh]

No, no, no, no. [Panting]

[both exhale deeply]

- [Ella] Whoo! Yeah!
- [Kai] Yeah! [Laughs]

[Ella] Whoo! Whoo-hoo! This is awesome!

- [BMX rider] Yo, dude. Over here.
- What's up.

Ah, sweet. You made it.

Yeah. I was in the neighborhood.
I figured I'd stop by.

You don't live around here?
Where are you from?

Uh, East Side.

Oh. Sick, dude. You must ride
that reservoir out there all the time.

- Ah, the vert on that thing is unreal.
- For real.

No wonder you busted your ankle.

Uh, yeah. You know,
when you shred as much as I do,

- it's just a matter of time.
- I hear ya.

I'm Bobo. That's Arthur and Colin.

- What's your name?
- Uh… Benji.

Dude. You totally look like a Benji.

I get that all the time.

Excellent ideas, Kai.

I think I crossed, like,
ten things off my bucket list today.

And tomorrow, we can cross off ten more.

[chuckles] I mean, as much as I love
adventurous Kai, I can't tomorrow.

I'm hanging out with Priya and Ximena.
Remember?

- Doll-head ghost girl.
- [stammers] You can't.

Uh... Yeah, I... I can. I already told them
"no" today 'cause we were hanging out.

But the talent show.

What talent show?

We're gonna dance.

I signed us up for a talent show
at the rec center.

I read about it in the community bulletin.

Of course you read the community bulletin.

And since when do you wanna dance?

I don't. It sounds worse than watching
a movie that's not rooted in history.

You've lost me.

It's just that
since we're both adventurous now,

I thought we could try
something that really scares us.

And what better way to do that
than dancing in public?

The Kai I know would rather bare his feet
to the entire neighborhood

than dance in front of people.

Yeah. No chance I take stage barefoot.

But auditions are at the end of the week,
so we better start practicing.

Kai, where is all this risk-taking
coming from?

What can I say, Ella? I'm evolving.

Unlike those c*ck
that climbed up my arm earlier.

They've been creepy for millions of years.

- [stammers] But I loved them.
- I don't know, Kai.

Okay. I get it. You don't wanna dance.

You're afraid.

[disco music playing]

I feel like we're too far apart.
Shouldn't we be closer together?

We gotta leave room for the bell-bottoms.

Wow. It's really coming along.
Your funky chicken's looking extra funky.

- Thanks, Mom. [Chuckles]
- I love that you're doing this. So fun.

But if you're gonna go with bell-bottoms,
you need silk shirts too.

[gasps] I think we have some
from an old costume party.

We're just trying to get the dance down.

Okay, sure.

Well, let me know… [in robot voice]
…if you need help with the robot.

[humming]

Sorry. [Chuckles]

Maybe we should just call it. [Grunts]

I'm not sure if I can handle her
going all stage-mom on me.

Uh… Let's go to the rehearsal room
at school.

They keep it open on weekends.
That way we can practice in peace.

I don't know, I...

Look what I found. Huh?

[chuckles]

Rehearsal room it is.

Flow.

This term is used to describe
how well a rider transitions

from obstacle to obstacle.

Man, your flow from the kicker
to the bank was buttery.

[BMX influencer] A scorpion...

[porcelain shatters]

Grady, is everything... [gasps]

Oh, you broke Mr. Moola?

I had to. Times are changing, and so am I.

- Is that a song?
- I don't know. Stop being weird, Dad.

What has gotten into you?

Is this about us forcing you
to get outside?

'Cause you have to understand,
we're just worried about you.

We want you to be happy,
and that means getting out into the world.

I know, and I agree.

Look, it's just that... Wait, wh... You do?

Yeah. I picked up a new hobby,
and I'm actually pretty stoked about it.

- I'm going to the bike shop right now.
- Biking? In a boot?

I feel it's more of a mindset.

I have no idea what that means,
but I'm really happy for you.

And after the mall,
I'm meeting my new friends at the park.

New friends.

Yeah, and it's all because
you made me go outside yesterday.

So, thanks.

It's what the cool parent's for.

[disco music playing]

- [song ends]
- [sighs]

I really got to stop getting excused
from gym class.

You mean faking your way out?

Hey, those podiatrist notes are legit.

[cell phone chimes]

[laughs]

- Why don't we take it from the top again?
- You know, I'm... I'm all danced out.

But the talent show
is right around the corner,

and I still don't feel great
about my Disco Finger.

Kai, you point up
a-and then you point down.

Come on, we've been at this all day.

We can run it a couple more times
this week.

[stammers] Wardrobe!

Your mom was right. We need costumes.

- Wanna hit the thrift store?
- No.

Kai, you've been monopolizing my time
all day, and I-I'm over it.

I'm going home. I'm done.

Benji? What are you doing here?
I thought you lived on the East Side.

I do. It's just,
I thought you guys were pretty chill,

so I brought you some stickers.

- Thanks, man.
- [Grady] Mmm.

Whoa! Look at these.

These are sick. Where did you get them?

Uh, there's this company, they...

That keeps trying to send me stuff,
and they're trying to sponsor me. So…

Dude, you got a sponsor?
You're basically a professional.

Yeah, it's no big deal.
They just keep sending me swag.

By the way, where's Bobo?
I got a couple for him too.

Nice flow, man. But, you know,
you're letting your body turn your head.

Yeah. [Sighs] I kinda felt that.

But at least you landed it.
That's why we shred.

Best feeling, right?

Yeah, but honestly the best part
is just kicking it with the crew.

All right, pack it up. Park's closing.

Hey, Benj. We're gonna go grab
some milkshakes. You in?

Yeah, totally. Let's roll.

Man, you can't guard me.
I've been crossing you over all day.

[Kai] Wait. Ella, wait. Don't go.

Kai, I'm not going to spend
every moment with you.

Your insecurity is getting out of control.

What are you talking about?

Ever since I came back to school,

you've been freaking out
that I'm gonna ditch you.

That is not true.

You... You nearly lost it
when I made up with Ximena.

I had to beg you
to come to the pool party,

and now I plan to see one movie
without you and you go off the deep end.

It's a little true.

I shouldn't have to spend every second
with you to prove my loyalty.

That's not how friendship works.

That's not it. It's not that I'm insecure.

I mean, I am insecure,
but that's not what this is about.

What is it about then?

- Uh, I just…
- What?

I just don't like being at home sometimes.

You... You what? What do you mean?

Nothing. Never mind.

Kai, why don't you like to go home?

Yo, Benji, come on.

- Uh, you guys go ahead. I'll catch up.
- No way. You're our boy.

- We're not leaving without you.
- Come on.

Splash! Nothing but net.

No, p-please go.

- Ticktock, kid.
- [Colin] Benji, come on.

That's game. [Squeals]

Who's got next? Who's got next?

[Bobo] What's he doing?

[grunts, exhales sharply]

Kid. You really wanna do this
the hard way?

[Coach Nattiel] Grady?

Grady.

Grady? His name's Benji.

You might recognize him
'cause he's a sponsored BMXer.

No, that's Grady McCaffrey,

and I know that because he snapped
his leg trying to kick a soccer ball.

But he does look like a Benji, doesn't he?

- What?
- A soccer ball?

I thought he tweaked his ankle shredding.

Okay, fine.

My real name is Grady McCaffrey,

and the only bike I own
is my sister's old beach cruiser.

- Poser.
- I can't believe you lied to us.

[scoffs] Beach cruiser.

[sighs] Let's get out of here.

Okay. Do you want to explain to me
what that was about?

Nope.

Well, come on. I'll give you a ride home.

[sighs]
Kai, why don't you like going home?

It's nothing. Just forget it.

You can tell me anything.

I know, it's just, I…

You what?

When I'm at home,
I feel like I'm drowning.

Kai, wh... what do you mean?

Every time I walk in the door, I feel like
there's a 50-pound weight on my chest.

I don't understand.

It's the pressure. It's getting worse,
and I can't take it anymore.

[breathing heavily]

Kai, whatever it is, it's gonna be okay.

No, it's not. You don't know my family.

They're so worried that if I don't get
straight A's and don't play the violin,

then I won't get into an Ivy League
college and a top med school,

and then I'll never become a neurologist.

And then what will I be?

A failure. [Sighs]

Kai…

I'm so sorry.

I can't believe you never told me.

I've never told anyone before.

- Then what changed?
- I quit the violin.

Shouldn't that make it a little better?

No. It makes it worse,
because I can't tell them I did.

They'd freak.
That's why I can't be at home.

That's a lot of pressure.

I'm so sorry, Kai.

Yeah. And it's all your fault, really.

Wait, what does this have to do with me?

[chuckles] Well,
if you weren't so annoyingly inspiring,

I never would have realized I've been
wasting my time waiting to live my life.

When am I allowed to start?

After high school, after college,
after med school?

I wanna live now.

It's just a side effect of my friendship.

Symptoms guaranteed to last.

- You should come with a warning label.
- [laughs]

Is there anything you need me to do?

Just keep being my friend.

Always.

We're not doing this talent show, right?

- [chuckling] Oh, no. Definitely not.
- [chuckles]

Hey, Mom?

Hey, hon. What's up?

I just wanted to thank you
for getting us all this stuff.

Of course.
I'm so excited to see the routine.

We're actually not doing it anymore.

Oh. What happened?

We just decided we weren't really into it.

Well, shouldn't do it
if you're not enjoying it.

Thank you for always being so supportive.

That's what the cool parent's for.

[chuckles]

[kisses] Get some rest.
You have a big week ahead.

Yeah. Huge.

[sighs]