Elle – S01E04 – I’m Not Afraid of a Challenge – Transcript

Elle
Season 1 – Episode 4
Episode title: I’m Not Afraid Of A Challenge
Original release date: July 1, 2026

Plot: Elle gets closer to escaping her current situation, but to do so, she must throw her school’s first-ever homecoming. When her controlling nature ostracizes her from her classmates, Elle learns to delegate.

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Transcript

Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.

[bright music playing]

Ooh! [sighs]

That was so necessary.

Can’t believe we haven’t done mother-daughter manis since we got here.

Like water in the desert.

Do you know where the nail polish remover is?

Oh. You’re taking it off?

I thought we liked “moody mauve.”

Well, that’s because our other options were “gunmetal” and “corpse.”

[Eileen] Hi, this is a message for Elle Woods.

This is Eileen from Cosmopolitan magazine.

I’m thrilled to tell you that you’re a finalist in the Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female L.A.

internship program.

What is she talking about? All of our FFF finalists submit five-minute videos describing how they’re a fun, fearless female at home, at school and in their community. We look forward to your application.

[machine beeps] Elle, what was that about?

Oh, that? Right.

That seems to be a message about a small, trivial contest I applied to.

Just on a lark. You know me and larks.

She said it’s an internship.

Did she?

In L.A.

See, I’d forgotten that detail.

It would require me to live in L.A. next semester if I won.

Which I won’t.

Well, if this happens, I-I mean, you’d need a chaperone. I’d have to go back to L.A. with you, meaning I’d step away from my social and charitable endeavors.

But if it’s really important to you, I’ll do it.

I think it could possibly be the best thing ever?

Of course it could be.

Oh, thank God.

[squeals] Yeah, this is huge!

And if you want a career in fashion, you have to be in L.A.

Or New York, but New York isn’t really for us Woods girls.

It’s more for… women with lowlights.

Mm.

So, for the video submission, okay, we have to straddle that line between prestigious enough to be nominated for an Oscar but not pretentious enough to win.

I’m thinking black and white.

Like Madonna in Truth or Dare.

Yes, exactly. Uh-oh.

Sounds like the Woods women are up to something.

Honey, Elle won a spring internship at Cosmopolitan magazine

in Century City. I didn’t win. I’m a finalist.

Century City as in L.A.?

Mm-hmm.

Wow. How are we gonna make that work? We live here now.

Well, I offered to chaperone.

And there’s still a million details to iron out.

Like winning.

So we need to make a mood board. Stat.

I want to think of these two words as our guiding light.

Authentic and curated.

Yeah, love it.

I have to fly out my nail girl, ’cause there’s no way you’re winning this thing with these baby coffins on your nails.

So, all I have to do is make a groundbreaking video, which, obviously, I have in the bag.

You think Scorsese would be right for this?

Potentially not. We’re thinking more of a Truth or Dare aesthetic.

But the problem with black and white is…

There’s no pink. Exactly.

So, I need a new take, ASAP or sooner.

Speaking of… well, nothing.

I was gonna talk to you about it when I visited, but you know I could never keep anything from you.

Oh, my God. What is it?

Okay, you can just rip the Band-Aid off. I can take it.

It’s about homecoming.

I need you to know that I put up a valiant fight.

I did everything that you suggested.

I canvassed, I phone banked, I flirted heavily across all categories. But nobody knew what “in absentia” meant.

I’m sorry, Elle, but you’re not on the homecoming court.

What?

Wha… But me being on homecoming court was supposed to be the amuse-bouche before my triumphant return to L.A. next semester.

I have my therapist’s number at the ready.

I can’t pretend this doesn’t sting.

I mean, they don’t even have homecoming here.

Oh, my God.

They don’t have homecoming here.

I heard you. No, but that’s what I’ll do for my Cosmo video.

I’ll give Seattle the best homecoming of all time and I’ll document the whole thing.

I just have to teach them what homecoming is all about.

Can you think of anything more fun and fearless?

[laughs] I actually cannot.

♪ I’m only happy when it rains ♪

[♪ Garbage sings “I’m Only Happy When It Rains”]

♪ I’m only happy when it’s complicated ♪

♪ And though I know you can’t ♪

♪ appreciate it ♪

♪ I’m only happy when it rains ♪

♪ Pour your ♪

♪ misery down ♪ ♪ Pour your misery ♪

♪ Pour your misery down on me ♪ ♪ down, pour your misery ♪

♪ Pour your misery down ♪ ♪ down, pour ♪

♪ You can keep me company as long as ♪

♪ you don’t care ♪

♪ I’m only happy when it rains ♪

♪ You wanna hear about my new obsession? ♪

♪ I’m riding high upon ♪

♪ a deep depression ♪

♪ I’m only happy when it rains ♪

♪ Pour some misery down on me ♪

♪ I’m only happy when it rains ♪♪

[hip-hop music playing on TV]

Wow.

Did that flautist just do a flip?

Incredible.

[music ends]

As you can see, homecoming is a celebration of school spirit.

But, more importantly, it’s a gathering of community.

And, they’re really, really fun, you guys.

You’ve never done one here.

Until now.

I’ve prepared a 12-point plan to bring homecoming to Rainier West High.

There’ll be a big game on the home basketball court.

Obviously.

Cheerleaders, a bonfire, a king and a queen.

Usually a parade featuring a minor local celebrity.

Last year, my school had Tom Cruise.

Yes. Kimberly?

We don’t have a basketball team here.

And our cheerleaders are neither cheerful nor leaders.

Okay, uh, what sports are happening at the school currently?

Well, cross country has their district championships this weekend, but–

Great. That’ll be the big game then.

With Ms. Burke’s permission.

I’ll just infuse some cheer into the cheerleaders, and handle all the logistics myself.

Are there any other questions?

This is so dumb.

That’s not a question. [Kimberly] Sorry.

Why is this so dumb?

We don’t do that kind of thing here.

Well, I counter your question with another question.

Why not?

We don’t like wearing the same color.

We don’t like clapping.

We don’t chant. That’s brainwashing, by the way. We don’t believe in popularity contests.

We’re not conformist.

[whispers] Keep going.

All excellent points, Kimberly.

M-Maybe no to the homecoming court, but I truly believe if you actually tried it, you’d find conformity invigorating.

Okay, I’ll do the pep rally.

[Elle] Oh.

You’re volunteering to tackle the pep rally?

Yeah, I know how to do school stuff, too, so sign me up.

And you’re comfortable with our budgetary constraints?

I mean, all crafting will have to be 100% DIY. “Do it yourself.”

DIY is not a novel concept here.

But Y will D-I it, right?

Huh?

This isn’t some antiestablishment ruse to humiliate me in front of the entire school again?

The pep rally will have pep, Elle.

Okay, great.

Thank you, Kimberly. [school bell rings]

Don’t forget to read it.

It’s really good.

I’m really excited about this DIY thing.

You know, necessity is the mother of invention.

One time, Sadie Myers’ dad lost all his money producing a Kevin Costner movie in space, so she had to have her tenth birthday party at their house.

And it was actually sort of fun.

In a Little House on the Prairie way.

So, what’s going on with you and Dustin?

Oh.

That. Right.

That’s over.

In every way.

I’m as single as… a girl without a boyfriend.

Samesies.

Wait, what?

Miles and I broke up last night.

It’s fine, I’m fine.

Ever since I got back from my New York trip this summer, it’s been strained.

I feel like he was almost… relieved when I dumped him.

I’m so sorry, Shannon.

It sucks, but you get it.

Because of Dustin.

Of course. I’m devastated, but we were barely together 48 hours.

If we were sushi, you could still safely eat us.

You guys were together, what?

Two years.

I really am okay, though.

It was my choice.

[percussive music playing]

Hey, Dustin.

Hey.

I catch you with that inside again, it is Saturday detention.

Whatever.

[lunch lady] Next.

Here you go.

Hey, Lizbian.

Huh? Hey, Lizbian.

Um… What’s up?

Thank you for teaching me more about matriarchal societies.

You read my zine.

I always read your zine.

What is this?

I’m making conversation.

With a friend.

Or Principal Anderson is a crook and you want my permission to turn the school against him.

I actually wanted to apologize.

I let my disdain for the guy get the best of me and I… I screwed up.

Royally.

You should keep digging.

I don’t want to go to a school run by a corrupt thief anyway.

So, are you apologizing because you actually mean it or because Elle forced you to?

Nah, I’m serious.

If I’d known I was putting you at risk of getting kicked out, I never would’ve been so public.

Plus Elle was, like, really mad at you.

Yeah, I didn’t know anger was an emotion she could feel.

It’s… really quite upsetting.

Terrifying.

[sighs]

It’s just not quite right.

[sighs] Woods women do not look good in green.

But it’s your school color, and you’re gonna be on camera tomorrow, so persist we must. Here.

Let’s see you in a forest.

You’re a lifesaver, Mom.

Oh. I mean, this is important.

I mean, they say fun, fearless female, but fashion is implied in all of those words.

I really need this to go well.

I need the video to be so good that I’m a no-brainer for the internship.

[gasps softly]

Oh…

[whines]

Bruiser, I never should’ve doubted you.

I mean, not only are you gonna win this thing, but you might’ve just convinced me to start wearing green.

You okay?

Um…

I kind of like someone here who I really, really can’t like.

Is it unrequited? [scoffs]

How could it be unrequited? You’re Elle Woods.

I’m sorry I said that.

No, it’s… complicated.

But how do you un-like someone?

Hmm.

Well, it helps if they do something really bad to you.

Like when Marlena was possessed by the devil, it was really hard for John to stay attracted to her.

But that’s not a perfect example.

He still loved her.

He exorcised her.

You’re right.

Honestly, in my experience, if you really like someone, it’s kind of undeniable.

It’s like a fast-moving train.

Well, I definitely need to get off this train.

That’s why you need to win this contest, so you can go back to L.A.

Now, we need a fun, fearless attitude.

Let’s go brew a pot of oolong and put on our Tony Robbins mix.

I’m gonna try this one on.

It’ll probably fit.

[upbeat music playing]

Hey, Elle-A.

I have to show you something.

[Elle scoffs] What are we doing?

[Dustin] What do you see?

[Elle] A haven for people who don’t like human interaction.

Computers. Mouses.

No mousepads.

Mouses or mice?

Missing.

The school budget, which Anderson single-handedly oversees, said we spent $129 on mousepads last month.

But no mousepads. Just like we’re supposed to have a nurse three days a week, but she’s only in on Thursdays.

Okay, what about earthquake insurance?

That seems legitimate. Great.

In the unlikely event the school collapses in an earthquake, we’re saved.

Otherwise, we’re screwed.

Wait, even if I agree that this all appears shady…

Which you do.

…we can’t pursue it.

You know how I feel about protecting Liz.

I apologized.

She told me to go for it.

Wait, you apologized?

For yourself?

I got carried away.

I… owned it and we’re good.

That shows integrity.

So why do you look confused?

I don’t.

Anyway, I should go.

Got to get to class.

Big rally this afternoon.

There might be swooping hawks.

Okay, bye.

Okay, runners, attention please.

Everyone’s piling into the gym now.

Once the clock hits 3:15 on the dot, we’ll run in, I’ll hit play on “Cotton Eye Joe,” and everyone will be cheering their faces off.

Then we’ll announce your names–

[Eva] Boom! Hi. Oh. Hi.

Sorry, sorry. I think that’s…

Back to the top. Or wherever you’re comfortable.

Okay.

Anyway, we’ll all go in and we’ll announce your names one by one, starting with Miles.

Who’s late, by the way. Where is he?

He might not come.

Why would he do that?

He volunteers at an animal shelter on Thursdays.

He’s usually late to practice.

[Elle] Okay.

That’s a very neutral, not at all appealing thing for him to do.

I have no response to that whatsoever.

Great. We’ll all run in, there’ll be instantly iconic speeches, banners, streamers, vendors, fingers crossed on some swooping hawks.

[gasps] Maybe a balloon arch.

Oh, it’s time. Okay.

Rainier West High Runners, are you ready to get your pep on? [mouthing]

Come on!

[energetic music playing]

Woo-hoo!

Make some noise!

Whoo!

[music turns off]

Where is everybody?

[scoffs] Um…

Oh, my God.

I’m sorry, Elle.

Kimberly said she had this.

Kimberly?

This is a disaster.

What’s with the camera crew?

Stay in focus. Stop.

Uh, they’re recording this for posterity. Never mind.

What happened?

Where are the decorations? Where are the posters?

Where is everyone?

You said you’d spread the word.

I did.

I used that computer thing.

Email.

Nobody uses email.

You might as well have sent a carrier pigeon.

Email, seriously?

That’s really messed up. Okay, how was I supposed to know that no one would check their, like, computers?

You did this on purpose.

Why?

Because she doesn’t like me.

Never mind, I will figure out the rest of homecoming by myself.

[Eva] Boom.

Mom, can you not, please?

Honey, but this is your “all is lost” moment.

It’s when our heroine rises from the ashes, like a fun, fearless female would.

Right.

Thank you, Oysters, for your vulnerability.

We’re done here.

[indistinct chatter]

[Shannon sighs]

That was very uncool.

Can I help?

I don’t even know where to start.

I want to show you something.

I’m intrigued.

You were so right.

The whipped cream takes this Frappuccino to the next level.

I know, they should make them this way.

Mm-hmm. Mm.

So, my mom likes to bring me to this place because sometimes you can see Mt. Rainier, and sometimes you can’t.

And when we’re here on the cloudy days, my mom always says, “I bet we’ll see it tomorrow.”

As a naturally glass half-full person, I deeply relate.

Though my glass is feeling a little emptier today.

[sighs]

I really need this homecoming to be perfect, but I’m starting to feel like it was a terrible idea.

Kimberly can actually be a really good friend.

Her homelife isn’t great, so she’s got some insecurities that can make her kind of…

Monstrous?

[laughs]

Homecoming wasn’t a terrible idea.

But Seattle’s a little more grassroots.

People are quirky.

They’re really afraid of being like everyone else.

Except when it comes to plaid.

I’ve known you for, like, five minutes, but you’re a force.

I feel like you can do this.

But we have no budget, no concessions, Cirque du Soleil isn’t returning my calls.

I know in L.A. you’re used to…

Harrison Ford coming to your birthday party

or whatever– It was a Halloween party and he came dressed as Indiana Jones, which felt a little first thought.

We can do homecoming.

It might just not be like an L.A. homecoming.

People are creative here.

Maybe let them do it their way instead of your way.

That might be really amazing, too.

To homecoming.

[Elle] To homecoming.

[♪ The Dylans play “Planet Love”]

So, homecoming still needs a DJ/announcer.

And I’m thinking, do I have any wonderful friends with commanding voices and great taste in music?

Are you gonna micromanage my playlist and eventually DJ the homecoming yourself?

No, you can play whatever you want.

Completely up to you.

Did you hit your head again?

♪ I hang my star on you…

[Donna] Okay, 12 dozen brownies and the place smells like the Keebler factory.

Do you think this’ll be enough?

You’re a saint, Donna.

I should put pot in one of ’em.

Just for fun.

You know, like Willy Wonka’s chocolate bars.

Mom, this is a school function.

No, that’s good, actually.

Not your mom drugging children.

Just, you know, the suggestion of it.

Friends, stoners, come to the homecoming race this weekend.

My mom’s famous brownies.

One of them has something that you, specifically, might like.

Dude. [stoners clamoring]

[Burke] Okay, ladies.

Now, marching around a cir-ircle.

Arms up. Try to keep on… the beat.

Ms. Burke. Hm?

I thought you said you-you taught aerobics.

Oh, I taught Eric Nies’ “The Grind” workout at the Y in Albuquerque.

Okay.

Ladies?

And ma’am.

Uh… you’re giving more beginning of the music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and I’m going to need more end of the music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

But also, freestyling’s cool, too.

Let your personality shine. [short chuckle]

♪ I hear your tambourines ♪

[music continuing on earphones] ♪ on planet love, she says ♪

♪ On planet love…

[shouts] Dad!

Sorry. Dad, we still need someone to run the medic tent.

Could you reach out to one of the doctors in your golf group?

Elle, I’m a doctor.

Oh, my God.

I totally forgot.

This is perfect. [laughs]

Mom.

I’m almost done checking everything off the list.

Do you want to help me heat-press “Rainier West” onto the cheer outfits?

Oh, honey, I’d love to, but I’m, uh, full steam ahead on the video.

Trying to make this pep rally look…

Fun?

Funner.

I’m using footage of you leading the team into the gym and then cutting to stock footage of other high schools celebrating.

You know how to do that?

I do now.

Hey, don’t stay up too late.

Puffy eyes are neither fun nor fearless.

All right.

This is gonna feel different with music.

It’s gonna feel different with music.

[upbeat music playing]

Okay.

Our fun, fearless female is about to lead Rainier West High’s very first homecoming game.

Race. Cross country.

Sure.

How are you feeling?

I’m feeling ready for a fantastic day.

And, for context, starting a high school homecoming might not seem fearless, but in Seattle, where people are on a scale from misanthropic to apathetic, it’s a huge risk.

High probability of failure.

But I’m not afraid of a challenge.

[hopeful music playing]

♪ ♪

I did it.

Yes! [♪ Queen sings “Don’t Stop Me Now”]

♪ ‘Cause I’m having a good time ♪

♪ Having a good time ♪

♪ I’m a shooting star, leaping through the sky ♪

♪ like a tiger defying the laws of gravity ♪

♪ I’m a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva ♪

♪ I’m gonna go, go…

Ow. Ow.

♪ There’s no stopping me ♪

♪ I’m burnin’ through the sky, yeah ♪

♪ Two hundred degrees, that’s why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit ♪

♪ I’m traveling at the speed of light ♪

♪ I want to make a supersonic man outta you ♪

♪ Don’t stop me, don’t stop me, don’t stop me ♪

♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪

♪ Don’t stop me, don’t stop me ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ I like it ♪ ♪ Don’t stop me, don’t stop me ♪

♪ Have a good time, good time ♪

♪ Don’t stop me, don’t stop me ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Let loose, honey ♪

♪ All right ♪

Five, six, seven, eight.

♪ Oh, I’m burning through the sky, yeah ♪

♪ Two hundred degrees, that’s why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit, hey ♪

♪ Traveling at the speed of light ♪

♪ I want to make a supersonic man outta you, hey, hey ♪

♪ Don’t stop me now ♪

♪ I’m having such a good time, I’m having a ball ♪

♪ Don’t stop me now ♪

♪ If you want to have a good time ♪

♪ Just give me a call ♪

♪ Don’t stop me now ♪ ♪ ‘Cause I’m having a good time ♪

♪ Don’t stop me now ♪ ♪ Yes, I’m having a good time ♪

♪ I don’t want to stop at all ♪♪

[cheering]

[crowd whooping, cheering]

[whistles]

[clears throat] Okay, runners, one minute to start.

Elle, that dance was incredible.

And so many people showed up.

You were right.

So, good luck, everyone!

Caleb, buzz cut guy, Miles.

Jack… son.

[mumbles]

Everyone have a great race, equally.

See you at the finish.

[coach] Runners, take your mark.

Get set. Go!

[♪ Veruca Salt playing “Seether”]

♪ I try to keep her on a short leash ♪

♪ I try to calm her down…

Go, Miles!

Go, all runners! Whoo!

♪ Into the ground, yeah…

[Shannon] I hope he can win this. He looks good, right?

Equally as good as everyone else.

♪ Can’t fight the seether…

[cheering]

♪ Can’t fight the seether ♪

♪ I can’t see her till I’m…

Can I get two?

♪ at the mouth…

I like this song.

What?

Uh, I-I like this song.

And?

Uh, that’s it. I-I like this song.

Thanks.

♪ I try to cram her back in my ♪

♪ Yeah ♪♪

Principal Anderson. Hey.

Love to see you getting some school spirit.

Yeah, great turnout, Elle. And meet my wife.

Oh, so nice to meet you, Mrs. Anderson.

Your husband’s really scary.

Oh, he’s a teddy bear.

[chuckles] Yeah.

I can’t believe you did all of this.

Entire school effort. Oh.

And might I just say, your hair is even more aspirational in person than it is in photos.

I keep telling him that.

Yeah, she does.

You know, in three years, I’ve never seen Anderson smile.

[Liz] It’s unsettling.

He’s had a personality transplant.

Maybe his wife just brings out the best of him.

Maybe he’s two-faced.

Did you really come here to creep on him?

I thought you were allergic to seeing people from school outside school.

Inside school, too, actually.

You have a crush on Elle.

[scoffs] No, I don’t.

Oh, it wasn’t a question.

Elle organized homecoming.

That’s why you came.

I don’t have a crush on Elle.

We have nothing in common.

I have never held a tennis racket and yet I have a crush on Gabriela Sabatini.

And I have a crush on vigilante justice. Right.

And that’s it.

Uh-huh.

[mockingly] Uh-huh.

Hey, be honest with me, doc, how bad is it?

Well, we’re gonna have to lose the leg.

It’s just a minor sprain. You’re gonna keep some ice on it, and you’ll be the next Suzanne Somers before you know it.

[sighs] I was really asking for it when I put the Running Man in the routine.

[chuckles] Well, thank you again.

Sure. All right. Oh, boy, that’s-that’s bad.

Look at you, being all heroic.

Yeah, seven skinned knees, two bee stings, one overly confident chemistry teacher and… yeah.

Honestly, today’s been a blast.

Oh, Elle really pulled this thing

together. Yeah.

[chuckles softly] And the footage is gonna be incredible.

Joe’s entire coverage of the pistol start is out of focus, but I’m gonna see if I can bribe the coach to do it again, and I’ll get it as a pickup.

Well, if anyone can do it, you can.

I think every single one of Elle’s teachers came here to tell me how much they love her.

As they should. We created her.

Hey, I read Elle’s essays for Cosmo, and they’re fantastic.

And I’m sure this internship will be great

on a college application. Mm-hmm.

But… she is thriving here.

I mean, look at all this.

Are we sure that moving back is the right move?

I mean, it’s what she wants.

Hmm.

That’s, uh, Derr…

David, er…

Dane… Dean. Dean, okay, I think. I-I’m just

gonna go talk to him for a second. Yeah.

Hi.

Dean Wilson for mayor.

Oh, thank you.

Eva.

Hey. Great event.

Thank you so much for coming.

Of course. And, you know, you’re doubling as our local celebrity.

Oh. Well, I mean, any chance to be out in the community.

Yeah.

Would you like a button?

Oh. [laughs]

Uh…

Oh, you’re serious.

This is Gucci.

You-you don’t put a pin through it.

Ah. You’re actually not even supposed to wear it.

Yeah, I’m not really a fashion guy.

Yeah, I noticed.

So you don’t think this says “relatable everyman”?

I think your message is saying that, and your outfit is saying more…

“…I just ate wings.”

All right.

Nobody on my staff wants to tell me no.

They want to help you get elected or…

Would you want to come join my team?

[laughs]

No, I’m serious.

I… Obviously, I need some help with my image, and you really seem to know what you’re doing.

Um…

Wow.

Mm…

I’m sorry. No, I can’t.

I have obligations back in L.A.

Sure, yeah.

But thank you. Well, it was worth a shot.

Yeah.

You should change this picture out, ’cause it doesn’t…

It’s just a landscape.

But have a good day. All right.

[♪ Tori Amos sings “Cornflake Girl”]

[crowd cheering]

They’re coming!

[speaking indistinctly]

♪ Never was a cornflake girl…

Go, Miles! Go! Run!

♪ Thought that was a good solution…

Go! You got this, kid! Go, go!

Go, Miles, go, run!

Run faster! Beat ’em!

♪ This is not really happening ♪

♪ You bet your life it is ♪

♪ Oh, honey, you bet your life ♪

♪ It’s a peel out the watchword ♪

♪ Rabbit ♪

♪ where’d you put the keys, girl? ♪

♪ Rabbit ♪

♪ where’d you put the keys? ♪♪

Way to go, buddy.

Amazing!

I love sports!

Who knew?

Hey.

That was incredible.

Thanks. [laughs]

I didn’t know trying could be so rewarding.

Yeah, trying rocks.

Uh, I’ll see you guys, okay?

Bye.

Elle, we made $300 on concessions and Anderson said the student activities board can have it.

I have an idea.

We buy one and a half pairs of jeans?

A winter formal.

A winter formal?

Like, where people do their hair and wear fancy dresses and… not plaid?

Maybe less plaid.

We’ve never had one before, but we’ve never had one of these either, and this was so fun.

I was thinking you and I could plan it together.

Yes. Okay.

I’m thinking ice sculptures, I’m thinking fake snow machines, I’m thinking– [Kimberly] Shannon.

Let’s go.

I’m gonna drop off the petty cash

at the school. Okay.

Hey, Shannon.

The mountain came out today.

Byes!

[Miles] Can I help?

[Elle] O-Oh.

Sure. Yeah.

There’s some signage by the entrance at the woods.

My… my dad helped me put it up.

Okay, yeah.

Yeah.

[wistful music playing]

[Miles] That’s tough, yeah. [Elle laughs]

Great race, by the way. Thank you.

What you did at the end there– that was pretty epic.

Well… to be honest, it’s the first time I’ve run in front of that many people, so…

♪ Ta-da ♪♪

Very impressive.

I’m a pro.

You’re very sparkly.

It’s an oil-free shimmer, and it is unisex, if you’re interested. [chuckles]

You know, I think it’s gonna rain.

Here.

Stand under the tree.

Take this.

[mutters] [giggles]

There you go.

[rain falling]

Okay, how did you know that?

Live here long enough, you can just kind of feel it.

Don’t you get tired of all the rain?

No.

I mean, people complain about Seattle being, like, dark and depressing, but the rain is actually what makes it beautiful.

It’s what makes it green.

Sorry.

Here. Oh.

I got it.

So, you and Dustin…

If I’m being perfectly honest…

[whispers] …we were never actually dating.

[regular volume] Kimberly thought I had a crush on somebody else.

Crush on who?

Um…

[laughs]

I’m unable to disclose that information at this moment.

[tender music playing]

[Eva] And even though the big game is over, our fun, fearless female

never stops. Oh, my God, Mom.

Here she is, cleaning up with our star quarterback.

I’m sorry, it’s this

dumb video project we’re doing. [Miles] It’s-it’s okay.

I should probably go. My-my dads are here. They…

Yeah. They’re gonna drive me home.

Okay. Okay.

Bye.

Bye. And… that’s a cut.

All right, guys, you can take five.

Make it a real five. Can I have that tape, please?

And put a tarp over the camera, Joe. You got it, Mrs. Woods.

Mom, what was that?

We just got the most amazing footage.

This isn’t footage, this is my life.

I… I know.

You know what, forget this.

Wait, wait, what are you doing? I don’t want to do the contest anymore.

No, Elle, we can win this thing.

I already renewed our subscription to the Bowl.

You did this for yourself.

What?

You pretended to be doing the video for me, but clearly, you were just dying to get back to L.A. yourself.

Okay, maybe I’m not loving

Seattle, and I was intrigued by the idea of having a reason to go back home.

Yeah, because you’re so closed-minded, you can’t look around and say maybe this place doesn’t suck.

Maybe it’s okay people don’t do things here like they do in L.A.

Okay, you’re the one that wanted to go back to L.A. in the first place.

Well, now I don’t know!

I’m changing this place, and maybe it’s changing me, too.

And I don’t totally hate it.

I don’t need to pretend to be fun and fearless for a stupid video.

I am fun and fearless.

[♪ Mazzy Star play “Bells Ring”]

You can’t walk home, Elle. It’s two miles and it’s raining.

Fearless!

[thunder rumbling]

Oh, my poor shoes.

♪ Bells ring into the night ♪

♪ Sounds like a mistress on a rainy night…

[Chad] I am so glad you didn’t have to run in this.

♪ down together…

Uh, I’m just gonna be a second.

All right. I’ll be quick.

♪ goes away…

Did you walk home?

My-my dads could’ve given you a ride.

I still have your jacket.

It’s pouring. Just give it back to me tomorrow.

♪ Don’t want to say that I’m through with it ♪

♪ Just want to be right by your side ♪

♪ Right by your side ♪♪

Mom?

[Wyatt] Hey, there.

Looks like you got trapped in the rain.

Where’s Mom? Uh, she, apparently, is helping out the superintendent with his mayoral campaign.

She was very riled up about elastic waistbands.

Okay. Do you know when she’ll be back?

I really, really need to talk to her.

You could talk to me.

Like…

Like, about my life?

Then you’ll give me your opinion on it?

Sure.

I mean, I was kind of bummed when I found out that you were thinking about going back to Los Angeles without even talking to me about it first.

That’s not happening anymore. Oh.

I just kissed a guy who got broken up with by a girl who I’m really trying to become friends with, and obviously, I shouldn’t have done that, but it was really, really hard not to, so what should I do?

Uh…

I’ll just go wait for Mom.

Great.

[exhales sharply]

No.

[muttering]

“How long do I have to wait before I’m allowed to kiss a friend’s ex?”

This one says… two years.

That one says the length of the relationship plus two years.

I’m seeing…

“…never, you monster.”

Triple-checking for one that says 48 hours.

What if you’re really new friends?

[whines softly]

I messed up.

[whines]

I have to own it.

Hopefully, Shannon appreciates the honesty and forgives me.

[whines]

[suspenseful music playing]

Hey. Hey, have you seen Shannon?

Um, she’s not here.

Something really bad happened.

I know. I-I just need to talk to her. It was a misunderstand–

Shannon’s mom was in a car accident last night.

In front of the school.

She’s dead.

[somber, percussive music playing]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪