01x06 - Best Wishes

[bunniefuu]

[Joanne] Come on, Ella.
Stay with us.

[Ella] I'm trying. I just...
[sighs] I can't do this anymore.

[Carl] Yes, you can.
You're doing great.

[Grady] Why do I even
have to be here?

[Joanne] To support your sister.

Surprise!

I hate to break it to you guys, but
my birthday's not for a couple months.

Not a birthday party.

Then we're really
going all out for Arbor Day.

Ella, everyone's here for you.
Look at the monitor.

Hey, everyone. My name is Ella McCaffrey,
and this is month two in the hospital.

I have a dual diagnosis.

Stage two rhabdomyosarcoma
and stage five grumpy nurse.

Oh, this is stage two. If you wanna
see stage five, keep making jokes.

Well, I'm trying to record my wish
to the Lucky Dream Foundation.

Do you have to do whatever
it is you're doing right now?

Okay. Okay, I'm leaving. Just
promise me you will edit all this out?

Absolutely. You have my word.
This will never see the light of day.

[mouthing words] Sorry.

If I could ask the Lucky Dream
Foundation to grant one wish,

it would definitely be
to meet Hayley Kiyoko.

When you're in the hospital,
you spend a lot of time by yourself.

There was this one night
where I was feeling really alone.

I tried to distract myself
with music. It did not work.

Then, "Gravel to Tempo" came on,

and it was like
she was singing directly to me.

Her lyrics made me realize
that even though I was by myself,

I had the power to
get through anything.

Her song, it took me from

crying in bed to
dancing all around my room.

["Gravel to Tempo" playing]

♪ I'll do this my way
Don't matter if I break ♪

♪ I gotta be on my own ♪

♪ Lost in this feeling
Don't never need a reason ♪

- ♪ I gotta be... ♪
- ♪ I gotta be on my own ♪

[song stops]

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

[clicks tongue]

[giggles] Please don't hold what
she did to Hayley's song against me.

Throughout my treatment, even
when I was too weak to get out of bed,

Hayley and her music
gave me strength.

Hayley, whether I get to
meet you or not,

I just wanna say thank you
for being such an inspiration.

I have my family and an incredible
team of doctors and nurses,

but I'm also here today
because of you. Love you!

- Ella!
- [gasps]

Thank you so much for the love.

It means so much to me
to hear "Gravel to Tempo"

helped pick you up
when you needed it.

[inhales deeply] I wrote that song
because there have been times in my life

I didn't feel like I was enough.

But I've come to realize that
the more I believe in myself,

the more I'm capable of.

And Ella, seeing how strong you
are, I know you are capable of anything.

I'm coming back to LA
in a few days,

and I would love for you to come meet
me and be a special guest at my concert.

These are your VIP passes.
Bring your family and your friends.

- Friends!
- That's us!

- [shrieks]
- [all laugh]

And tell that nurse
not to be embarrassed,

because she's got what we call
in the music business "raw talent."

[Ella giggles]

Can't wait to meet you,
Ella. See you soon.

Hi! I'm Millicent
from Lucky Dream.

We, in partnership with the
hospital, are happy to grant your wish!

- Congratulations!
- [gasps] I can't believe it.

- Hey, let me in! [Chuckles]
- [Ximena] Me too!

Oh, make room
for the raw talent!

- Here you go.
- [Gavin] Thanks.

I have a T-shirt. Oh, my gosh.

- Look at this hat.
- Oh, cool. Yeah. [Speaks indistinctly]

Dad, can we go?

I think I've had enough
of this Ella-bration.

You're not excited
for the concert?

No!
I'm excited about tomorrow.

I finally get this
stupid cast off,

I get to go to school
without Ella,

- and I can start my life over again.
- Aw.

This is so cool.

I didn't think my wish
would be granted.

I made that video so long ago,
and now I'm out of treatment.

Well, being out of treatment
doesn't disqualify you.

Come on. I'd love to get some
pics of you to share with Hayley.

Sure. [Chuckles]

- [chuckles]
- [shutter clicking]

That's great. Perfect.

Let's go, everyone!
Time to get back to your rooms.

Gavin, we gotta get
your infusion started.

See you, guys.

[Millicent] Smile, Ella!

Say "VIP."

VIP. [Sighs]

Once again, Principal At water,
I apologize for Grady's behavior.

Yes.
I was totally out of line.

"Out of line" is
an understatement.

Your goat turned my orchid
into a stick in a pot.

I am very sorry.
I accept all consequences.

While I appreciate the apology,

unfortunately, your recent actions have
left me with no choice but to expel you.

Wait! Oh, geez.
Sorry about that.

You should really
get a doorstop.

What do you need, Steve? [Sighs]

Look, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I
think you're making a huge mistake.

Grady is the victim here.
He's being bullied.

- You're being bullied?
- No!

- Grady, what's going on here?
- Nothing. Really!

Grady is not going to admit to it,
because silence is the code of the halls.

Look, I know about bullies
from when I was a kid.

Because you were bullied?

No. I was the bully.

- Are you okay?
- I am now, after a lot of soul-searching.

- I meant my son.
- Oh, yeah.

- I'm fine, Dad. Really.
- You sure?

You've got a stoic young man.

- Who is doing this to you?
- No one! I swear.

[sighs] See?
He's too afraid to speak up.

Some older kids took his lunch
and then roughed him up.

He told me the whole story.

No, I didn't. I did, but...

And now these punks are making
him take the fall for the goat,

like he's some kind of chump.

- Grady, you are no chump.
- I know I'm not a chump.

No wonder you wanna
move to a new school!

You know, now that I'm thinking
about it, it makes more sense

that it has to be a setup.

No one would be dumb enough

to leave a handwritten receipt
at the scene of a crime.

- I am! I'm dumb enough! Expel me!
- Do you see the fear?

[sighs, clicks tongue] Grady, I am
so sorry this is happening to you.

Principal At water, don't you feel
like you owe my son an apology?

Grady, I am so sorry
that we accused you.

Our number one priority is that
you feel safe and are happy.

This is your school.
You're not going anywhere.

Oh, you're wearing
your shirt already.

Of course I am.
I'm so excited.

Uh, why aren't you
wearing yours?

I don't know. I thought
I'd save it for the concert.

I get it. The screen printing
might fade after washing.

Which is why I hand-washed
and line-dried mine.

It was a bit damp when I put it
on, but it dried on the way here.

That's the benefit of riding
a scooter to school.

I think it's
still a little damp.

That's sweat. That's the downside
of riding a scooter to school.

Oh, my Kiyokian VIPs! [Giggles]

Yeah! I like what
you did with your shirt,

but you might have taken it from
"hand-wash" to "dry-clean only."

[chuckles]
Ella, where's your shirt?

I just... I don't really wanna
make a big deal out of this.

This wouldn't even be
happening if it wasn't for you.

Anyway, I...
I gotta get to class.

[shutter clicks]

Grady, I am so sorry that you've
been going through this alone.

I should've read between the lines
and known it wasn't just about Ella.

It is just about Ella.

Right. 'Cause we've been spending
so much time focusing on her,

we didn't see
what was going on with you.

- Dad, it's...
- No, it is not okay.

You were... You were too embarrassed
to tell me you were getting picked on.

I can't believe I got mad at you when
you got stuck in the vending machine.

You were just scared and hungry.

Well, I was hungry.

Look, I will drive across town every day
to bring you a new sandwich if I have to.

Dad, that's not necessary.

Grady, I love you,
and that will never change.

And... [sighs]
...you were right.

If... If I'd have spent less time lecturing
you and more time asking questions,

I would've realized
what was really going on.

'Cause we... we both know you're not the
kind of kid to cause this kind of trouble.

You're not that kid.
[inhales deeply, sighs]

[grunts]

So cool, Ella.
I love Hayley Kiyoko.

Okay.

Oh, Ella. Do you think you
could play my demo for Hayley?

I don't know if
clarinet's her vibe.

Ella! Front row seats and
backstage passes to Hayley Kiyoko?

How does everyone
know about that?

Ximena's picture with Kai.
It's all over social media.

You're so lucky. [Chuckles]

What were you thinking?

You're right. It's risky
eating a burrito in this shirt.

No, I'm talking about
the picture Ximena posted.

What do you mean? You said you didn't
wanna be in it, so it's just me and Kai.

I thanked you for
taking us in the caption.

I told you guys I didn't wanna
make this thing into a big deal.

Ella... [scoffs] ...we're hanging out
with Hayley Kiyoko. It is a big deal.

[groans] You guys are making
this whole thing feel so gross.

What is up with her?

Now that we're running in celebrity
circles, there's just so much drama.

[stammers]
How can you tell what's what?

It's called "textbook surprise."

If I'm stuck here, I might
as well make it interesting.

Which one am I
bringing to Spanish today?

Ooh, Earth Science.
Interesante.

Huh.

So, uh, I just want you to know that
Principal At water and I have been talking,

and there's gonna be
some real changes around here.

Whatever. [Sighs]

[grunts] Okay. My job at this school is to
be the protector of the students' safety.

And obviously, your safety
needs protectoring. [Chuckles]

- Huh?
- Uh, protecting? Pro-Protection. Pro...

The point is, I know
you're having a rough time,

but we're gonna work together to
make sure school is a safe place for you.

Work together?
What kind of work?

While violence
is never the answer,

I think it's wise for you
to learn some self-defense.

Dude, are you serious?

Look, every Wednesday
I take an aikido class,

and I was thinking I could
teach you a couple basics.

[whooshing,
imitates chopping noise]

And how many Wednesdays
have you taken this class?

Two. Plus one Thursday makeup class
when my sensei got in a fender bender.

Yeah, I'm not doing this.

Okay. [Stammers] Okay.

[clears throat, whooshes]

[grunts]

Mom?

["Gravel to Tempo"
playing in earphones]

- [chuckles]
- [music stops]

Hey.

I've been listening to all of
Hayley's music before the concert.

I think I'm a Kiyokian now.

You too?

Do you think Hayley
will call you up on stage?

- No.
- But she might. How cool would that be?

Not cool! [Scoffs]

Everyone's acting like
I won a contest or something.

I didn't win anything.
I had cancer.

Honey. [Sighs]

I think everyone's just
really happy for you.

After everything you've been
through, you deserve this.

[sighs]

Did I say something wrong?

[inhales shakily] No. No, I just...
I think I need to go talk to Gavin.

Of course.

- [knocks]
- Ella! Come in.

I wanna show you
my concert kicks.

No. A-A mask?

Yeah. Your count came
back low. You're neutropenic.

- But the concert...
- I know how badly you wanna go,

but your immune system is too weak
for you to even have visitors right now.

There's no way the doctors are
gonna clear you to leave the hospital.

[clicks tongue] I'm sorry.

[sighs]

[no audible dialogue]

Oh, hey! Heard you get to meet
Hayley Kiyoko with your sister. So lucky!

[groans]

- Dude, I wish I was Ella's brother.
- Yeah, I'm happy to trade.

[sighs]

Hey, Grady! Congrats
for getting your cast off.

Oh. Thanks for noticing.

Of course!
This must be huge for you.

Yeah. I mean, I still have to
wear the boot, but it's pretty cool.

Well, we're making a video to raise
funds for the local animal shelter.

Could you have Ella ask
Hayley Kiyoko to be in it?

[sighs] I have to
get out of this school.

[groans]
Gavin, I can't believe it.

[Gavin] I know.

Of course my immune
system would go MIA now.

Guess you need to have
enough fun for the both of us.

No, no, no. Forget about
that. I'm not going if you're not.

[scoffs] What are you
talking about? You have to go.

I know, but I...

[stammers] Don't you dare make
me the reason you give that up.

It's not you.

This whole thing just feels
so out of control.

Everyone's making it
such a big deal.

I mean, meeting Hayley
is a big deal. [Chuckles]

I know, but I already got
my real wish. To get better.

And not everyone does.

I don't deserve this prize.

Ah. Survivor's guilt.

- What?
- Survivor's guilt.

It's part of the ride.

You know, when I got out of the
hospital, I couldn't help but think,

"Why do I get to eat
my mom's pancakes,

walk the dog, enjoy
the little things in life

"that I never even cared about
before, when others don't?"

Yes. Yes, that... that-that's
exactly what I've been feeling.

But, when I feel that way,

I take it as a reminder that I was
given a chance not everyone gets.

So, rather than waste time
feeling guilty,

I try to channel that energy
into doing something meaningful.

Hi. It's Grady McCaffrey,

or as many of you guys
like to call me, Ella's brother.

I'm not being bullied,

and today,
I'm about to vandalize my way

into being expelled
from Mission Middle School.

I owe you both an apology.

Of course you two are
excited to meet Hayley.

But you're not excited?

I-I mean, I wasn't before.

But I think I figured out
a way I can be.

If you're trying to explain this to us,
can you try again? 'Cause I'm lost.

I just... I need to make this whole
Hayley experience meaningful.

Oh. Grady, we don't need
a bat for self-defense.

- That's why we have aikido.
- Nurse Steve, please listen to me.

There are no bullies.

You... You told me
they took your lunch.

Yeah, I lied.

You know...
I just wanted pizza bagels.

It was all me.
I brought the goat to school.

And I was gonna use this bat
to smash that vending machine.

Well... [stammers] So, if there aren't
any bullies, what's all this about?

I don't know. I just wanna... [sighs]
...get away from this stupid school.

I'm... I'm not happy here,
and I'll never be happy here.

Oh.

[sighs]

Look, I... I don't know
why you're so unhappy,

but I do know you won't solve
your problems by running away.

It doesn't matter where you go if
you take the same attitude with you.

The power is your perspective.

I got that from Sensei
Roger. [Chuckles]

That actually made
a little bit of sense.

Roger's a pretty good sensei.
Uh, not such a good driver. Hmm.

So, what stopped you from giving
the vending machine a beatdown?

I don't know.

I guess I'm just not
that kind of kid.

[sighs]

Okay, please wait here.

I'll go check to see
if Hayley is ready.

In the meantime,
help yourself to any snacks.

[mouthing words]
This is so cool.

[mouthing words] Yeah.

[crunching]

Again with the celery?

Hayley, this young lady

has spent over a year in the
hospital dealing with the most...

Oh, you don't have to
tell me! I remember Ella.

- Hi! Hi. Hi. [Grunts]
- Hey. Hi.

- Are these your friends?
- Yes, yes.

- Hi. Hi.
- Hi, I'm Hayley. Nice to meet you.

- Hi.
- [Hayley] Welcome!

Your video blew me away.

You know, you write a song hoping
that it's gonna mean something,

but to hear how it helped
you, even just a little bit...

It really did mean a lot to me.

But I wasn't gonna come tonight.

Is it 'cause it costs so
much to park at this place?

I just drove around and found
a spot on the street. [Chuckles]

No, I... I just...
I wanted this wish so badly,

but ever since I got it...
[sighs] ...I've been miserable.

Okay. I'm sure
she doesn't mean that.

Hang on.
Let Ella speak for herself.

M-My friend Gavin from the hospital...
You saw him dancing with me in the video.

Yes! Yeah. [Chuckles]
Of course.

He was supposed to
be here with me tonight.

[Hayley sighs]

But instead, he's stuck in a hospital
room and can't even have visitors.

[sighs] I'm so sorry.

But, you know,
i-it's not just Gavin.

There's a whole ward
full of kids just like him.

And that's why
I didn't wanna come today.

I just... I couldn't stand the thought
of me having this great night with you

when there were
other kids that couldn't.

That's a lot for you to carry.

But you're here.
What changed your mind?

I was reminded that not everyone
gets a chance to do things like this.

[sighs]
Not everyone gets their wish.

So, I'm not gonna waste mine.

But I-I need to
make it mean something.

I think we've taken up enough
of Hayley's time.

No, for this, I have
all the time in the world.

Come on. Okay.

Don't.

Ella, I would love to
help you. What can I do?

Well, I think that there's a way
for me to share my wish with Gavin

and all the other
kids in the hospital.

I'm in.

But, question. If... If
they can't leave the hospital,

and they can't have visitors,
what do you have in mind?

[chuckles] Well,
are you afraid of heights?

[mechanical whirring]

♪ Catch my name for kicks ♪

♪ Thinking I would be
Right by your side ♪

♪ I don't feel adequate ♪

♪ Thinking I'm a monster
In disguise ♪

♪ I've gone down every list ♪

♪ Stuck but I have got to
Begin to resist ♪

♪ Caught up with the fact
That life will be dark ♪

♪ But can we handle
Being kids? ♪

♪ I'll do this my way
Don't matter if I break ♪

♪ I gotta be on my own ♪

♪ Lost in this feeling
Don't never need a reason ♪

♪ I gotta be on my own ♪

- I love you, Hayley!
- [laughs]

♪ Try to stand the test ♪

♪ But the night is crawling
Through my eyes ♪

This Ella-bration
too much for you?

No, this actually
is pretty cool.

It's not where you are.
It's your attitude.

[Hayley]
♪ I'll do this my way... ♪

- This is awesome.
- So cool!

I think I'm ready
for that picture now.

[shutter clicks]

♪ Lost in this feeling
Don't never need a reason ♪

- ♪ I gotta be on my own ♪
- ♪ On my own ♪

How?

Let me see your hands!

Hey!

I wanna thank Ella
for making this happen.

Ella made a wish to meet me,

but I'm the lucky one,
'cause I got to meet her.

And all of you!

Sing with me!

♪ I'll do this my way
Don't matter if I break ♪

♪ I gotta be on my own ♪