EPISODE 3: THE MANHATTAN CANDIDATES
the episode begins the day after brooks’ party, and everyone is dealing with the aftermath. skylar was planning on curing her hangover with brunch, but instead is facing a very annoyed phillip, who is upset that she didn’t tell him about the party and that she showed up at all.
phillip: “seriously sky, how the hell could you do this to me?”
skylar: “honestly, phillip, i had to do something! it’s like everything else on campus can get your attention without even trying and suddenly i’m the last thing on your mind.”
phillip: “because you’re acting weird! you have been since we got here. i can’t believe you’re acting like this is my fault when half the time you act like you don’t even wanna be around me.”
james watches their fight, thinking it might be time to make a move, but harper disagrees.
harper: “don’t even think about it, dude.”
james: “what do you— i wasn’t going to—”
harper: “she’s a cheerleader, with a boyfriend who could literally snap you in half with no effort. i would really like to enjoy my french toast without seeing you die this morning, so sit down.”
james: “fine, mom.”
as the week begins, everyone’s talking about the student government election that approaches at the end of the week. there’s one spot left, and both zoey and valentina are campaigning heavily to be the new representative.
zoey: “thought you’d be too busy with your ‘lecture buddy’ to run for something like this.”
valentina: “he’s actually been… kind of busy this week. anyway, i wouldn’t miss a chance to beat you out for something here.”
campaigning outside the library, valentina approaches the band, who have planned a study sesh.
valentina: “hi, i’m valentina romero, and i’m running to be your freshman class—”
cassie: “yeah, i’m gonna stop you right there, i’ve heard the spiel before. i don’t vote. especially not for something as stupid as this.” [she leaves.]
zoey: “nice job, val. you’ve got this in the bag for sure.”
valentina’s frustrated, but she receives help from an unlikely ally in the form of xavier hastings.
xavier: “listen, i’m on student government and i might be able to help you out. i can talk to some members and stuff.”
valentina: “that would actually be… really cool. thanks.”
xavier: “yeah, yeah, don’t tell anyone i did something nice. i have a reputation to uphold.”
the band heads into the library together, but cassie and lara start bickering almost immediately. fletcher, tired of listening, gets up and moves his stuff to a table farther away, which is conveniently occupied by matti.
fletcher: “um, i’m sorry to bother you but is this seat taken, or can i sit here?”
matti: “no — i mean yes — wait.” [he pauses.] “no, the seat’s not taken. and yes, you can definitely sit there.”
fletcher: “oh! uh, cool. thanks matti.”
matti: “you-you know my name?”
at the end of the episode, the student government results are announced! xavier breaks the news to the girls.
xavier: “so it was such a close vote that in the end, we decided you’d actually be working together and splitting the duties of the job. congrats.”
zoey: “you’ve got to be fucking kidding.”
the final scene of the episode, and the cliffhanger for next week, is lara sneaking out of brooks’ room: evidently she is the mystery that has been taking up so much of his time.
lara: “listen, this was a one time thing, okay?”
brooks: “you said that last time, sweetheart. i’ll see you tonight.”