01x02 - Today

[bunniefuu]

Why won't you tell me
what we're doing?

Because if I tell you,
then you'll start worrying.

It'll literally be impossible
for me to start worrying.

I was born worried. My mom said
I came out with a furrowed brow.

[chuckles]

We're playing sports?
I'm not the sportiest of guys.

I know, because sporty guys
don't use the term "sporty."

I need protective gear?

Only if you value your safety.

Are we doing towel origami? I
can get down with arts and crafts.

I'm crafty. And yes, crafty
people call themselves "crafty."

We're not doing arts and crafts.

Then what?
I can't take it anymore!

Fine. Fine.
Okay, I'll tell you.

We're going to stop
stressing. Come on.

An ice machine? Ooh,
are we making snow cones?

If you think helmets will help
with brain freeze, we need to talk.

[chuckles]
Would you just trust me?

I knew I shouldn't have
trusted you.

It's just ice-blocking.

It's a combination of go-karts,
luge, and steep hills.

I don't like any of those
things on their own.

Why would I combine them?

'Cause it's exhilarating.

Because it gives you the kind of rush
that reminds you, "Today, I'm alive."

Before we go through with this,

were there any other plans you
considered for this afternoon?

Huh. I don't know.

Like checking the expiration
dates on our earthquake kits?

- Yes!
- No. See you at the bottom.

Whoo!

[screams] Whoo-hoo! Yeah!

[laughing]

I'm at the bottom.
I don't see you.

Don't be scared.
You can do this.

Don't be scared. Don't be...

[screaming]

Hey, Dad.
Yeah.

Whoa. Kelp soup?

Uh, that smells... great.

Too bad we just ate. Twice.

Don't worry. I can freeze it. It
might lose some of that briny zest.

I'll be back. I forgot I have
to make a run to the office.

[sniffs] Why does it
smell like low tide?

You kid, but this recipe's
gonna keep Ella healthy.

Kelp is loaded with iodine.

It's like a cold-pressed wheat
grass shot for your thyroid.

Even his analogies
are disgusting.

All you have to do is try it.

I'd try it myself,
but I'm running late.

So late.

- It's your loss.
- [scoffs, chuckles]

Excuse me, do you have
a first aid kit?

In every room.
What's going on?

- Take a look at this.
- [clicks lips] What am I looking at?

It just looks
like a bit of dirt.

Yes, but under that dirt
is a grass burn.

Possibly first-degree.
Maybe second-degree.

Not entirely clear on
how the degree scale works.

How did this happen?

We went ice-blocking, and Kai
grazed his elbow on the ground

for like .3 seconds.

It was more of a drag
than a graze,

and I don't know how long it
was because time stood still.

"Ice-blocking"?
That sounds dangerous.

- Clearly.
- It was completely safe.

We wore helmets and gloves
and lots of sunscreen.

If you have to wear
a helmet, it's not safe.

Come on.

- Can I bring this with me?
- Just use the one in Ella's room.

Well, thanks for going with me.

You're welcome, but I
am never doing that again.

Why?

What if something happens
to my elbow again?

What if it's not just my elbow next
time? What if I seriously get hurt?

I think I know what
we need to do next.

Please be
the earthquake kit thing.

Ice-blocking.

Um, did you not hear
what I just said?

I did. And all of those what-ifs are
exactly why we have to go again.

Your daughter has lost it.

Well, so has my son. Do either of
you have any idea where Grady is?

I thought he had detention because
of the vending machine incident.

The school called and apparently,
he said he had to go to the bathroom

- and then never came back.
- Did they check the vending machine?

- That's not funny.
- I wasn't joking.

I should probably call and ask.

[fast-paced music playing
from machine]

- [machine chimes]
- [Grady sighs]

Dang. Nice moves.

- Reptilian is tough.
- Not when you blast her with Lavanite.

Have I seen you here before?

Nah. This is my first time
I've had to ditch detention.

I couldn't stand another second
of that school librarian.

She an aggressive shush-er?

Nah. She's an
inspirational meme-printer.

She gave me, like, 20 of these.

"You might lose your hair,
but never lose your faith."

- You going bald or something?
- They're for my sister.

Your sister's
going bald? Dang.

You don't know
who my sister is, do you?

Am I supposed to?
Is she famous?

Yo, is she that girl that just
got named second alternate

to the US fencing team?

You must not go
to school around here.

Contin, baby!

Continuation school.

It's a school with, like,


You go to school
above the arcade?

Yep. I even get to come
down here between classes.

I put up the fastest time
for Extreme Kart Racer

during my school's
last fire drill.

And you don't know who
my sister is. You are so lucky.

Hey. You are in so much trouble.

How did you know I was here?

The crossing guard saw you
coming down this street.

I figured you didn't go into
the classical literature store.

Grab your bag.

[bell rings]

No. Absolutely not.
Not happening.

[sighs] Come on. You're letting
your past dictate your future.

Exactly. I learn from my mistakes.
That's a sign of intelligence.

In this case,
it's a sign of fear.

Hey, El. I grabbed a lavender
latte on the way to school.

I thought you might want one.

No, thanks. I'm good.

[smacks lips]
Uh, do you want it?

I'm good. My stomach's been
upset due to a traumatic experience.

Well, uh, I guess I'll
offer this to Ms. Plummer.

I could use all the help
I can get in science.

The audacity of that girl.

Trying to win back your
friendship with a floral latte.

Don't worry.
I'm not running back to her.

Please. Like I'd be
worried about that.

Plus, Ximena and I never do the
kinds of things that you and I do together.

She would never go
ice-blocking, let alone do it twice.

- So where are we going?
- The park.

- Does that mean I'm not grounded anymore?
- No.

Then why are you
taking me to the park?

Getting stuck in a vending
machine? Blowing off detention?

Your behavior has
gotten out of control,

and I think you need
just a little extra attention.

Does that mean you're taking
me to, like, an amusement park?

A water park?

You're going for soccer
practice. You're joining the team.

Are you kidding?
I hate soccer.

This is gonna be
so good for you.

You need attention,
structure, and a...

An authority figure
who's gonna instill discipline.

So you're pawning me off.

Oh, I'm not pawning you off.
I'm bringing in an expert.

[whistle blows]

Let's go! Time to hit
the pitch, Ella's brother!

- Please don't do this to me.
- I'm doing this for you.

Okay. Before you put on a
harness and rappel down my throat

about the whole
ice-blocking thing...

Do you really think
that I would do that?

I-I mean, I wouldn't use
a harness. No fear.

I've decided I'll go
ice-blocking again.

Yes! Forget yesterday.
Today, we live for today.

But my "today" will
have to be tomorrow.

Today I have a violin
lesson. Totally spaced on it.

That fall I took has me
all out of sorts.

You can't run from your fears.

I don't run. Not sporty.

Well... Well, you can walk,
but you can't hide.

[Coach Nattiel] I know y'all
think because you can score goals

in your video games,
that this is gonna be easy.

Well, it's not! On my pitch, the
difficulty level is always on expert.

That's how I got to play
for a premier league in Europe.

You played English Premier?

Azerbaijan. But let me
tell you, those girls can ball.

Um, I'm pretty sure Azerbaijan
isn't in Europe. It's in Asia.

Stop questioning my bona
fides, Daniel. Give me a lap.

In fact, all of you.
Give me a lap.

What do you think you're doing,
skater boy?

When I tell you to run, you run.

The only place I'll run is home.

You don't wanna run.

Okay, Ella's brother.
I've got a spot for you.

You're supposed to block
the shot, Ella's brother.

Please stop calling me that.

I'll stop calling you that
if you block ten of my shots.

Ow! That really stings.

Life stings!

Hey, El. Would you
like a brownie?

Okay. What's going on?
What do you mean?

Brownies?
Something's gotta be up.

Look, can't a mother share
some delicious baked goods

with her one and only daughter?

Ximena's mom called.

Oh, I knew these brownies
had a price tag.

Okay.
Ximena's really upset.

She was hoping once you got back to school
that you could start hanging out again.

Why would I?

She never came to visit me
in the hospital.

- She totally abandoned me.
- I know.

And what's even worse is that now
she's pretending like it never happened.

I'm sorry, but you can't just
act like my cancer didn't exist.

Well, honey...
[stammers, sighs]

People cope in different ways.

Are you seriously
defending Ximena?

I'm not. It's just... [sighs]

You two have been best
friends since you were little.

Do you really wanna
throw all that away?

No, no. She threw that away
when she hurt me.

[car horn honks]

Ooh. Oh, no. [Inhales
sharply] Dad's home.

Okay. These brownies
never happened.

So, today's the day.

Uh, I know yesterday I said
today could be the day,

but "today"
has to be tomorrow again.

The fact that you're coming
up with all of these excuses

tells me ice-blocking again
is exactly what we need to do.

I'm not making excuses.
Something totally legitimate came up.

You're donating blood?

You almost fainted
when you grazed your elbow.

Dragged my elbow.

Sorry. As much as I want to
go give my fear a kick in the butt,

I feel like giving the gift of
life is a bit more important.

Okay.
Then I'll come with you.

Uh, I wish you could,

but you aren't allowed to give
blood because of your cancer.

I may have done
a little research.

True, but I can go
to support you.

You've been by my side
on all of my adventures,

so I'll be by your side
on yours.

[sighs] Unnecessary.

Not necessary, but the right
thing to do as your friend.

Okay, somehow you blocked
nine. Let's see if you have ten in you.

No! [Sighs]

All good. Congratulations!
You're our new goalkeeper.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

I knew you had it in you.
Those were some nice saves.

Except for that last one.
That was pretty garbage.

But you have some potential.

I do? Wait, so does that mean I'm
really gonna play in, like, the games?

You earned it.

You even earned me calling you
by your real name, Benji.

- It's Grady.
- Really? You look like a Benji.

This is taking forever. Maybe
we should leave and come back.

The gift of life is important
enough to wait for, isn't it?

Besides, it's already too
late to go ice-blocking.

Okay, where's my next victim?

- Right here.
- Kai! I'm surprised to see you.

When I handed out the flyers,
you told me you didn't do needles.

Uh, I meant Needles, California.

I'm not a fan of the desert.

Plus, who names a town
after a medical device?

Pretty sure there isn't
a "Catheter, Idaho".

Kai, you're holding up the line.

- Come on.
- I can't do this!

[sighs]
Yes, you can.

I've had more needles
in me than a cactus.

The worst part
about it is the buildup.

If you let yourself start worrying,
then the fear will keep growing.

- It's kind of like I...
- Don't you dare say ice-blocking!

Okay, let's get bleedin'.

[sighs] I'm sorry. I'm not giving
blood, and I'm not going ice-blocking.

Not everyone is
as fearless as you.

[sighs] Hey, Dad. Do you know
where the key to the storage locker is?

I think that my days
of ice-blocking are over.

Oh, good. 'Cause I read
some really concerning articles

about the quality of water
in store-bought ice.

[sighs] It's in the top
drawer of my dresser.

Thank you.

Hey, Grade.

Hey, Grade.
Hey, how's soccer going?

Great. Actually, I love it.

I like it so much I wish I
could be there right now.

If you're ditching soccer,
I will find out.

I'm not ditching.

I like it because
Coach Nattiel respects me.

She said I have potential.

Really? Wow.
Grady, that's great.

I mean, she does call me Benji, but
she also named me the starting goalie.

[chuckles] Why do I feel like
you're messing with me now?

Probably because
you don't care about me.

Grady, that's not true.

You said I needed more attention,
so you send me to a soccer field?

- You would never do that to Ella.
- Well, of c...

No, I know you wanted me to
be yelled at and be miserable.

But your plan backfired, so thank
you for your horrible parenting.

Grady, that's the...

[downbeat pop song playing]

[song fades out]

Ella, what are you doing here?

Looking for you. I had a
feeling this is where you'd be.

[sighs]
Can... Can we talk?

Yeah, totally. Sit.

So, are you super happy
being back at school again?

You really hurt me.

Um, I'm sorry.

Why didn't you come visit me
in the hospital?

I-I just need to know why.

I don't know.

I could've used you.

Just... Just to be there,
and go through it with me.

I mean, I wanted to come.
I meant to. It's...

[sighs]

Just I guess I...
I didn't know what to say.

And, honestly,
I-I was scared to see you sick.

Scared that it would make
losing you become really real.

You were so scared to
lose me that you lost me?

I know. It sounds stupid.

I wish I could do it differently
so we could be friends again.

There's no going back.

[sighs] And when I think about
being friends with you again...

it scares me.

- Why?
- I'm afraid you'd ghost me again.

No, I wouldn't do that again.
I promise you.

You don't need to
promise me anything.

I came here today to get
all of this out because I...

[sighs]

I've decided to forgive you.

I really wanna be friends again.

Really? You do?

I can't let the fear of what might
happen keep me from trying.

Yesterday was yesterday.

Tomorrow is tomorrow.
But... let's be good today.

[sighs]

Okay! First scrimmage today!

Let's really loosen up!

Stretch those hammies
like they're taffy.

- Grady!
- [sighs]

Dad, what are you doing here?

Well, I was thinking
about what you said,

and it's important to me that you know
that I never wanted you to be miserable.

I know sometimes it feels like
all I care about is Ella,

but I care about you
just as much.

And I'm glad you're enjoying soccer,
and I brought you a little something.

Thanks!

Baseball cleats.

I... They're not the same thing?

These have a toe cleat,
and soccer cleats don't

so you won't catch
your foot in the turf

when you try to kick.
Ugh. Really? I'm sorry.

I-I guess I'm more aware of kelp
varieties than I am of cleat varieties.

I wouldn't be proud of that.

I'm not. [Sighs]

But I am proud of you.
I love you, Grade.

Thanks.
I love you too, Dad.

I feel like we should hug,

but it's already weird enough
that we had this whole talk

right next to my team.

Get back out there.
I'll try to return these.

No, no, no. It's fine. I mean,
they're better than my slip-ons.

Thanks.

Our first scrimmage is today
if you wanna stay and watch?

Yeah.

[sighs, clears throat] Yeah.

Goal kick, Benji.
Put some leg into it.

Go, Grady!

- [snaps]
- [groans] My leg!

Ow! Oh! Oh!

Oh...

Ice pack, Daniel!

- Think I heard a snap.
- Ambulance, Daniel!

[Carl] Oh.
[sucks teeth] Um...

Hey. Sorry about
chickening out. Of everything.

You don't need to be sorry.

In fact,
I appreciate what you did.

You do? Why?

You told me that I was fearless,
but I'm really not.

I was just afraid of getting
hurt again as you were.

But you helped me get
through that, so thank you.

You're welcome. [Chuckles] But
what exactly did I help you get past?

Forgiving Ximena.

What? Are you serious?

I can't believe you'd do this.

This is the first step to you
and I not being friends anymore.

Wait, no. No, Kai, it's not.

Did you do this because I
wouldn't go ice-blocking with you?

Of course not.
It was never about that.

It's about living for today.

Why is that so important to you?
Why does that have to be everything?

'Cause I have no choice.

If I think about my future,

the only thing that I can think
about is my cancer coming back.

And if it does, the only
way that I'm gonna be able

to get through treatment is forgetting
how miserable it was last time.

So I have no choice
but to live one today at a time.

I always knew this was gonna
happen with you and Ximena.

I just didn't think
it'd be today.

Wait, wait, Kai. No, I...

Kai, wait!

[sighs]

[sighs] Sorry, Grade.
At least it was a clean break.

Doctor says when it heals,
it'll be even stronger.

Ooh, lucky me.
Can we just go home?

Actually, we need to
make a quick stop.

Let me guess,
something for Ella.

Not for Ella.

Would you be cool if we hung
out here for a couple hours?

Awesome!

Yo! Paper meme kid.

Go hang out with your friend. I'll
check out the classical bookstore.

Or maybe just
take a nap in the car.

Hey, you ever beat Reptilian?

Yesterday.
Between math and history.

Your school sounds sick.

How do you get in there
anyways? Just pay a ton of money?

Nah, you get expelled
from public school.

Whoa, you got expelled?

Yeah. Legit, best thing
that's ever happened.

Kai, please,
please, call me back.

I so needed this.

I don't want this.

A lavender latte?
I thought you liked them.

I don't. Never did.
I just pretended to.

Hey, do you wanna do something
that makes you feel alive?

Something you'd never do
in a million years?

Something scary?

I'm down with all that.
Except the scary.

But that's the best part.

I think I miss the old you.

The old me would have
never spoken to you again.

Okay. Well, new Ximena is
ready to go slide down some ice.

Let's do it. [Chuckles]

Hey, can I join you?

Kai? I thought you said
you'd never do this again.

Well... [sighs] ...my elbow
seems to be improving.

I've been applying ice
packs and heat packs.

- Not sure which one helped, but...
- I'm just glad you're here.

I'm glad that you were able
to get over your fear.

I didn't.
I'm still terrified.

I'm just more terrified
of losing our friendship.

That's never gonna happen.

Not today.

Hey, Kai. I never knew you
were into this type of stuff.

- I can be sporty.
- "Sporty"?

Okay, guys. Let's go.

One.

- Two.
- Three.

[all exclaiming, laughing]

[Ella] Yeah!