Original subtitles

* We were looking up at the stars *

* And talking about how we like to talk in conversations *

* How beautiful I thought you are *

- [Rhyme Voiceover] Hey, Harmony.

Something happened to me and I can't talk about it.

I don't wanna burden my friends but I'm not sure

how much longer I can cope with this alone.

I feel like I'm drowning

and I don't know how to ask for air.

Thanks for reading, Drowning.

Dear Drowning,

I am so sorry you're struggling.

It may feel like you're alone and no one understands

but you're not.

(relaxed piano music)

* We fly so high

* We fly together, fly together *

* We are a girl gang like birds of a feather *

* Birds of a feather

* We fly so high

* We fly together, fly together *

* We are a girl gang like birds of a feather *

* Birds of a feather

- And then she said I was one of the most skilled debaters

that she's ever come across in her decades of teaching.

Me.

She really believes in me, you know?

I don't think any other teacher has

truly noticed my potential like she has.

Are you listening?

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Sorry.

Yeah, that's good.

- It's just you didn't even notice my outfit today, so.

- It's a little fancy for school, isn't it?

- I mean, my first debate's today,

so I gotta wear a power suit.

I'm going part Beyonce, part RBG.

- It looks great.

- Good morning, Attaway.

It's a beautiful fall morning and I don't know

whether it's the crisp weather or the Sex Ed unit

in gym class, but love is in the air.

So let's get out there and make the most of it.

Yee haw.

(hard rock music)

* Brace with it

Ah.

How long have you been there?

- Long enough.

* Hallelujah

* Hallelujah

(hard rock music)

(tepid guitar music)

- Hey, I totally forgot we had Sex Ed this week.

I was in the locker room and like no one was there.

- I can't believe this is the only

gym unit I'm not allowed out of.

You look better.

- Yeah, I took a little break.

I was kind of in a funk.

Sorry I didn't return your texts.

- Yeah, missed you in Drivers Ed.

- Okay, ladies and gents,

and everyone in between.

For the next few sessions,

we are going to be talking about sex

and gender and healthy relationships.

As teenagers, you guys are on a raging hormone rollercoaster

that pretty much won't let off until you're about 25

when things start to level out, so listen up.

- Hey, how's a going?

- [Rhyme] Pretty good.

- I was wondering if I could cash in on that

maybe you gave me about hanging out sometime?

I'm going to this thing later

and I think you should come with me.

- A thing?

- Yeah it's, it's a thing,

it's like a storytelling open mic thing.

People put their names in a hat and they get selected

to come up on stage and read one of their stories

and you're a writer, so I thought you might be into it.

But if not, it's chill. - No, no, no.

I am, it sounds awesome.

- So you wanna come?

- I have to check on something.

You know, ask my mom.

- Cool.

Just let me know by the end of the day.

- Okay. - Cool.

- If you two would read.

One for you.

In front of the class, please.

- Hey girl, meet me after school.

I need to get in my quality time.

- Sorry babe,

I told the girls I'd hang out with them after school.

- But I need to see you.

- Hey, I'm sorry I missed Drivers Ed.

- [Male Student] But don't you want to see me, baby?

- It's fine.

- Of course I do. - You okay?

- [Female Student] But Lucy really--

- We can talk about it later.

- I don't care about Lucy. - After school?

- [Male Student] You need to meet my needs.

- That'd be great.

- And you better not be talking to Lucy's brother.

- Great job, guys, great job.

All right.

Well remember, whatever the relationship,

safe,

honest, open communication is crucial to success

and success is essential to happiness.

And don't you wanna be happy?

(bell ringing)

(mid tempo electronic music)

- Can I talk to you about something?

- Of course.

- So, well--

(sighing)

- Sorry, I can't get this right.

- You look great, why are you obsessing?

- Easy for you to say.

Your hair always looks perfect.

- Not to me it doesn't.

But it doesn't matter, we're at school.

- I have my shift today.

I know it's gonna sound stupid or whatever

but I've just never felt this way about anyone.

- You mean-- - Wes, yeah.

You've had a lot of boyfriends,

so you probably think it's stupid.

- I have not had a lot of boyfriends.

But I just didn't know you felt that way about him.

- It's making me crazy.

- You should wear your hair down, it looks good.

- Really?

Thanks, Rhyme.

Anyway, what did you want to talk about?

- Nothing.

- [Jesse] Hey.

- Hi.

- I read your latest article.

- Oh, well that was quick.

- I read everything you write.

- You're very thorough.

- You could say that, that I'm thorough.

Also reliable and sensitive, but not in a girly way.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I'm fluid, which is a weird word.

Anyways, I have to get back to my,

my book place.

The hole in the-- - Your locker?

- [Jesse] Yeah, yeah, my locker.

- See ya. - Bye.

(mid tempo upbeat rock music)

(anxious tones)

- You need to pay up, man.

- I'm trying to get the money, I need more time.

- I was thinking more like 200.

Give me my money.

- Robbie?

What are you doing here?

Hey.

- Hey.

- How was art, make anything good?

- No, we just watched a slide show about different

versions of baby Jesus in the Renaissance period.

- Sweet.

- Yeah.

- Hey, are you mad at me?

- No, why would you think that?

- I don't know, I'm just checking in.

Maybe I've been distracted with other stuff

and I haven't been there for you enough or, I don't know.

- Why?

You're doing you.

I think that's great.

The last thing I want is

to suffocate you with all my problems.

- But I wanna hear all your problems.

That's kind of the deal here, okay?

- Okay.

- I'll talk to you after my debate.

- Yeah, go knock 'em dead.

(mid tempo guitar music) (rhythmic clapping)

(bell ringing)

- So, Juniors?

- Yeah, I'm down.

Oh, I forgot my gym bag, I'll be right back.

- Okay.

- Hey.

- Hey.

- You okay?

- Yeah, I'm fine, it's nothing.

- You don't look fine.

- Yeah, I'm fine, I just,

I have this mock interview in a few minutes

and I look like a basket case, so.

- No, you don't.

A little.

Put this under your eyes for 30 seconds,

you should be good.

- Thanks, Rooney.

- You sure you're okay?

- I'm not allowed to talk to you

and

I'm not okay with that.

That's so hard for me.

* Leave my heart unopened

* Close my ears, don't even notice *

- I'm sorry, I should not be burdening you with this.

- No, I want you to burden me with this.

All this time, I've just wanted to know how you feel.

- I don't know, I've just been confused.

- You're confused?

You ghosted me without an explanation.

I had nobody to talk to, no one.

I should hate you right now.

But I can't stop thinking about you.

- I don't know what to do.

* What do you have to lose

* I choose

* For you to show me what to do *

* Somebody tell me what to do

- Hey.

So, what's the verdict?

- I'm really sorry.

I just don't think it's gonna work out.

I have a lot of work and stuff.

- Well, that's okay, maybe next time?

- You know, maybe you should ask Astrid.

She's free tonight after her shift

and I feel she'd really like it.

- She would?

- Yeah, you guys have fun.

(soft piano tones)

(relaxed upbeat guitar music)

- Hey, how'd it go?

Not well?

- I won.

- Well, that's amazing.

- I know, I'm one of the few

Attaway kids going up against Millwood next week.

- Why aren't you more excited?

- Well, the other day after debate let out,

Ms. Henderson was saying that somebody

took money out of her bag.

- Okay.

- Anyways, I was the last one

in the room, so she thinks I did it.

- Except

you weren't the last one in the room.

I was.

- What are you talking about?

(soft piano music)

- [Rhyme Voiceover] Dear Drowning,

You might feel alone right now

but I promise you that there are people

in your life that love you and want to help.

All around you,

people are fighting their own private battles

and when it feels impossible,

try to remember that what you're going through is temporary.

- It was me.

I stole the money.

- [Rhyme Voiceover] And how you get through

these experiences will inform the person

you become for the rest of your life.

- [Ms. Henderson] Ellie, may I speak to you alone?

- I'd like you to move out of my house.

- [Rhyme Voiceover] Though it might not always seem like it,

we're in the trenches with you.

* I wish you

* Were holding me right now

- [Rhyme] Next time on "Chicken Girls."

- There is a little something extra in your paychecks.

- Is Astrid here?

This is her mom, Colleen.

- [Wes] I really like you, Astrid.

- [Ellie] What did you do to yourself?