Original subtitles

Previously on "School Spirits"...

They found Maddie's backpack?

Where? - D--deserted house.

Wait, you died at the homecoming game?

Yeah, and my family still shows up for me every year.

Did you say anything about me?

I don't remember.

Is it hard seeing him?

It's getting easier, especially now that

I'm 95% sure he didn't kill me.

Win back Claire's confidence, and then you crack her.

How am I gonna do that?

Tell him to ask her to the homecoming dance.

Ask her to the homecoming dance.

You're shitting me.

Do you wanna go to the dance with me?

Sure, Wally.

I'm guessing this is how

Claire dragged your body out of here.

You what?

I just can't--

a football player?

Shh! Keep your voice down.

You waited to be dead

to go to a school dance

with a jock?

Who are you now?

I'm changing the subject.

I would rather talk about my murder

and my maybe murderer, Claire, please.

Simon.

That's so gross.

Is it, Chloe?

I mean, I just think it's gross

that you're being so judgmental.

Isn't your boyfriend the guy who's been wearing

the same boat shoes without socks

since the seventh grade?

And yet, I've never brought that up.

Xavier is hot and original.

And he's been through a lot.

Expand your horizons, ladies.

And we're sure he didn't murder his girlfriend?

Yes, we're sure.

Wait, I heard she ran away.

Then why would her blood be on the wall, dumbass?

He has other shoes.

Claire said yes.

- Told you it would work. - That's good.

Shit. What now?

Operation Claire-- we crack her at the dance.

Operation Claire--we crack her at the dance.

Crack her? What does that even mean?

Get her to admit what she did.

The blackmail, for starters.

We know she's blackmailing Anderson

for grades, right?

When they got that video, they freaked.

And if Anderson didn't do it--

Then Claire definitely did.

We need to confirm she took Maddie's phone

and smashed it--

and what else she may have smashed,

like Maddie's head.

- Simon. - Jesus. Come on.

- Nice. - What? We need the truth.

Does the truth have to be so graphic while we're eating?

You need to charm Claire into a confession

and record it on your phone.

Get her to admit she dragged Maddie's body

out the fallout shelter. - Charm her?

Last week she was pretending I didn't even exist.

How did that feel?

I don't even know why she said yes.

Maybe she still thinks you're hot.

He's gotta look hotter.

But you need to look hotter.

She did ask if I had a suit.

- Do you? - No.

- Well, Nicole can help. - Nicole,

take him to the mall, find him a suit.

Why, 'cause I'm a girl?

- This needs something. - Fine.

Yeah. both: Ketchup.

Are you sure you're okay with this?

You mean setting up my cheating ex-boyfriend

and my traitor ex-friend?

It's a great plan.

Stop looking at me like that or I'm gonna change my mind.

- ♪ Don't forget me when I'm gone ♪

♪ Don't forget me when I'm gone, gone ♪

♪ Don't you forget me ♪

♪ Don't forget me when I'm gone ♪

♪ Don't you forget me when I'm gone ♪

♪ Don't you forget me ♪

♪ Don't forget me when I'm gone ♪

Is this dust or dandruff?

Ghosts can have allergies. That's good to know.

Yeah, poor Charley will never know the glory of a peanut M&M.

Even dead he still swells up.

- Really? - Yeah.

So are you thinking dress or suit?

- Dress. - Well, that's a statement

for a homecoming dance.

Surprised you'd go frilly.

That's really--

I'm surprised you're going to this thing at all.

It doesn't totally track with you.

Well, how can one revolt

if they've never assimilated?

Weak reasoning.

But I'll let it slide.

I guess I'm just surprised you guys

are throwing yourselves into this.

You know, Wally's acting like it's the first time

he's ever even heard of a dance.

Yeah, well, he's been going

to this thing alone for 37 years.

So brava, I suppose,

for helping him tackle this unfinished business.

We don't always get second chances on this side.

I have a question,

but you can't laugh.

Okay, well, I can't guarantee anything, but shoot.

Can ghosts have sex?

I said we can swell, didn't I?

Oh. So you've all--

La grande mort is no competition

for la petite mort, Tootsie Roll.

But yeah, we've been going through puberty for decades.

We have needs.

We have a past. We all do.

We all do, right?

Maddie Nears, did you die a virgin?

Uh... hello.

I just wanted to come and check in

and make sure that, um, with everything going on,

finding out that you may have possibly been dragged

through a murder tunnel and all that,

um, I wanted to see if you were still up to go to the--

I mean, are--do you-- - To go to the dance?

Yeah. - Okay, you are--

You're not going to this one alone, Wally.

That's--that's awesome.

And I will--I'll--

No, that was cool. That was really cool.

Shut up.

- Hey. - There's a chick in here!

Hey.

Can we talk?

In here?

You might wanna check with them.

I mean, I'm wearing clothes but--

Why the text?

Uh, wh--what do you mean?

Why now?

I mean, I-- I wrote it a while ago.

I just--I figured--

I felt bad about the way I treated you, and it just--

it took me a while to press send.

I guess I--

I miss you.

Oh, you guess.

I know I miss you.

Pick you up at 7:00 tomorrow.

You don't want me to drive?

- I wanna drive. - You do?

Why?

My car has a bigger back seat than yours.

You want Simon to copy this and give it to him?

It's only 16 pages.

Front and back.

I mean, "I've been watching you for the past 28 years."

Charley, Mr. Figueroa-- or Emilio,

he's gonna think that you're messing with him.

Yeah, I didn't-- I didn't think about that.

I mean...

He's in his what now, 40s?

And isn't he married to some guy?

Okay, wow.

Stab me in the chest, why don't you?

Sorry, it's just, what exactly are you trying to say?

Well, I just--I said some awful things back then.

You know? I was so mad.

So now I just--I--

I just wanna apologize.

Yeah, I hear you.

But, you know, I think this should read like 1994,

when you were alive.

I want him to know me now.

I know. But all you can say

is that you didn't mean those words

and that you forgive him.

Ugh. Okay.

Note taken.

One last thing.

You know once he reads the letter,

you're gonna have to forgive yourself, right?

Start living your life or whatever,

or living your death.

Live your death.

I love that.

I'm gonna put that on a T-shirt.

- Ope! - Sorry.

- Jesus. - Fuck.

What about checking the metadata on the phone?

Are you able to pull that up? - No, I--I did.

There's nothing-- no date, no place,

nothing about the phone it was shot on.

- That's weird. - Yeah.

Of all the questions-- and there are many--

this one seems like a big one.

Someone took that video, Nicole.

It doesn't matter who took the video, all right?

The point is, Claire thinks Maddie took the video.

So that's what we should focus on, okay?

Where's your car?

Oh, my parents weren't thrilled I got called in

by the cops for questioning,

so it's cycle city for the foreseeable future.

Guess I'm driving to the dance.

I'll see you tomorrow, okay?

Yo, Simon.

Simon.

I think Claire's playing us.

- He's bailing? - What do you mean?

It's crazy that she said yes, right?

Not that crazy.

It was a pretty convincing text.

Of course it was. I wrote it.

And she cornered me in the locker room earlier

like she was cornering prey, I swear to God.

Oh, please. You're hardly prey, Xavier.

Hm. Did you talk?

She's picking me up at 7:00 tomorrow.

Good.

And she sent me a photo.

Like, a nude?

Not exactly. I--

I--I feel like I'm walking into a trap.

Funny. I don't recall you being scared

when you were hooking up in your back seat.

Yo, are you listening to me?

I don't think this is a great plan.

Simon, tell him he can't back out now.

You can't back out now, Xavier.

- He owes me. - You owe me.

I owe you?

Maddie.

You owe Maddie.

I look stupid.

Anything Harry Styles would wear

is the opposite of stupid.

I--I just don't really feel like

I can pull off high-waisted pants.

And do they have to be orange?

It's called fashion, Xavier.

Oh. You know you're not wearing pants, right?

Yeah. If I'm getting killed tonight,

it's not gonna be in anything orange.

Thank you.

Where's the blue suit?

Uh, it's over here. I got it.

Are you seriously worried Claire might hurt you?

Xavier?

I don't know.

Maybe.

I thought I knew her.

Maybe I don't.

There's no turning back now.

- What's this? - When I was cleaning up,

I found this essay Maddie wrote for her college application.

I hate doing stuff online,

but I don't want her to miss any deadline.

She already turned it in.

Early decision.

Uh, we both did.

Well, I thought Nicole said something about a deadline.

For her. Nicole's submitting a portfolio

for art school in Chicago. - Oh.

The idea is we'd all be together in the same city.

At least that was-- that was the plan.

It still is.

Maddie is coming home.

They found her backpack at that house

and evidence that someone's been sleeping there.

I have to believe that she's coming back.

You're right. I'm, uh--

I'm sorry.

She hasn't tried to reach out to you at all?

You would let me know if she had, wouldn't you?

Of course.

I should go.

I gotta get ready. Tonight's homecoming.

Going to my first high school dance.

Oh, that's sweet.

Will you send me some pictures?

You know, I always thought that it would be nice

if you and Maddie went to that together.

Oh, you're her best friend, Simon.

I don't know what she would do without you.

Thank you.

Could I borrow this?

Beep, beep!

Your ride has arrived, m'lady.

You're late.

How will I ever make it up to you?

Promise me that's not a hot dog.

Well, that can be arranged.

Um... well, you look amazing.

Well, you can thank

the theater's costume department

and Dawn's gift with the home ec sewing machine,

although it's really unsettling

to watch her laugh with pins in her mouth.

Uh, yeah.

Well, speaking of gifts, I, um--

57?

Your football number?

Yeah. Ah, shit.

You hate this, don't you? I'm sorry.

- No. - This--I'm embarrassed.

No, this is so stupid.

It's so stupid. It's just something

we used to do back in the '80s.

It's a thing, you know? - Wally--

- As a football player-- - It's sweet.

Yeah.

It was hard to find flowers, so I had to,

uh, use paper, as you can see.

So, uh,

stay away from an open flame.

Cool? All right, let's go.

After you.

- Wow. - I know.

It's a pretty sweet ride.

Here we go.

Whoo!

Hm.

That's very generous, Claire.

Oh, it's nothing.

My parents just wanted to show their support

for your re-election.

Well, I'll be sure to give 'em a call.

Let me just see what's taking Xavier so long.

Oh, no rush.

No, I'm early.

My mom always says, if you're on time, you're late.

Yeah. Her meds are helping with that.

I'm just glad the school didn't cancel homecoming.

Yeah, this year has been unreal.

First Maddie and then Mr. Anderson...

Yeah, it's nothing you kids need to worry about.

The police are on it. - It's hard not

to wonder though if we'll ever have any answers.

Are there any updates?

Mm, nothing I can share quite yet.

My parents keep asking why Anderson's not speaking.

Or is he?

Do we think he had anything to do

with what happened to Maddie?

It's an ongoing investigation, Claire.

But, uh, be sure to tell you folks

we're very thankful they're cooperating

while we continue to search the abandoned property.

Will you?

Hey.

I--I couldn't find my belt.

Wow.

You look-- - Almost respectable.

This is your influence, I'm guessing.

Yeah, you look great.

Thanks.

Make sure he behaves himself, will you?

And you, you better look after that suit.

You know, your grandfather had a suit like that--

had it his whole life.

He was buried in it.

What? It's called psychological torture.

- I guess. - Her penetrating gaze

watches over us, especially Claire.

Uh-huh.

If you really got something to hide,

her eyes follow you.

Yeah, no, I get it. Stop.

Hey. Did you put that up there?

Is that a problem?

No, no, it's a really nice gesture.

She should be here, at least in our thoughts.

Please. No one even knew her.

The last place Maddie would wanna be is here.

Yeah, I wanted to tell her mom that, but I couldn't.

This morning Sandra said she always thought

Maddie and I would end up going to homecoming together.

Hm. I can see that.

What? Why?

Please, you never thought about it?

Nope.

Maybe once, but I--

I shut it down immediately.

Yeah, yeah.

She's my best friend.

The stakes are way too high.

When was the last time you wore a suit?

The only dance I've ever been to

was a middle school mixer,

and I was only there 'cause my band was playing.

Cute.

What just happened?

Why are we killing the engine?

Claire?

I wanna talk.

Isn't that what we're doing?

The cheerleaders might be a bit bitchy to you tonight.

That tracks.

Mm.

I wanted to prep for you.

When I mentioned I was going with you,

they've been very judgey.

Extra spicy, you know.

Right. Well, consider me prepped.

Can we get back on the road? 'Cause I think if we're--

They've noticed you've been hanging out

with Nicole lately.

Kristin saw you hang out at the mall together.

What's that about?

She was Maddie's best friend.

We were always around each other.

Can we go now?

No.

Now we can go.

Oh, look at you, Dead Astaire.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Peanut.

You look, uh, um...

Use your words.

I like your jacket.

So you plan on dancing tonight?

Oh, hell no. No.

Unless they miraculously play, like, Roicc,

I'll be focused on Operation Claire.

- Yeah, they here yet? - Not yet.

But in the meantime,

here's Charley's letter

transcribed to world-of-the-living paper.

You got any more ghost friends that need favors?

Can I charge them?

I think that's already cost Charley plenty,

but thank you.

And where is this Charley?

Is he standing right next to you?

Hi.

No.

But he's very grateful, Simon.

That letter's gonna help him more than you can imagine.

Help him what...

cross over?

Is that gonna happen

when we figure out what happened to you?

Maybe.

So yeah, just, uh, tell him that you found it

in between the pages of an old library book or something.

Um, I gotta go. I'll just--

I'll come find you in a sec, okay?

Punch.

- Thank you. - Course.

So... what do we do now?

Hey. - Relax. Just--

- You just gave that to me. - Come on, let's go.

- Wally. - Come on.

- Wally, I don't dance. - We're dancing.

Yes. Yes.

Give me your hands.

Loosen up.

Let's get wavy.

I didn't know dancing was this easy.

Ooh. Okay, watch.

Boom, boom, boom, boom. Yeah.

- Wow. - I know, I know.

Everything okay?

Mm-hmm.

Uh, nothing for you to worry about.

- Are you good? - Mm-hmm.

♪ If you wanna dance then ♪

♪ Dance with me ♪

♪ It's pretty fast but ♪

♪ This is what you do at parties, right?

♪ And I know it's hard ♪

Was that your idea?

No, it was--was probably one of the teachers.

I, um--I heard they found her backpack--Maddie's.

It was in that empty house your dad owns.

And?

Well, it's just weird that they found it there, right?

Out of all places.

Are we gonna spend the night talking

about your old girlfriend?

♪ And move your feet to the beat ♪

How fast was I going, officer?

I'd say around 90.

Suppose you get down off your motorcycle

and give me a ticket?

Suppose I let you off with a warning this time?

Suppose it doesn't take?

Suppose I have to whack you over the knuckles?

Suppose I bust out crying

and put my head on your shoulder?

8:30 tomorrow evening?

That's what I suggested.

You'll be here too?

I guess so. I usually am.

Same chair--

Maddie?

And here's one for the chaperones.

Oh, shit!

This is my song.

This DJ sucks.

This DJ rules.

The guy's pretty fly, I'll give him that.

♪ Now ♪

♪ The mist across the window hides the lines ♪

- Incredible. - Whoo!

♪ But nothing hides the color ♪

♪ Of the lights that shine ♪

How'd you know about the backpack?

One of the many perks of living with the sheriff.

But you already knew.

- My stepdad told me. - Oh.

♪ We ♪

♪ So tired of all the darkness in our lives ♪

Come on, Principal Hartman, let's go!

♪ With no more angry ♪

♪ Words to say can come alive ♪

Whoo!

♪ Get into a car and drive ♪

- Oh, ouch. Oh. - ♪ To the other side ♪

♪ Me babe, steppin' out ♪

Have you, uh-- you been back to that house,

you know, since we...

Are you asking if I went back there

to hook up with someone else?

No. No. Definitely not.

I don't go there alone.

I'm gonna go get us some drinks.

Dance with him.

- Oh. - I'll be right back.

Okay.

Punch bowl now.

♪ We'll leave the TV and the radio ♪

- How's it going? - I don't know.

She's smooth. She's a really good liar.

Oh, met your match, huh?

- Maybe we should call it off. - No.

Absolutely not. Dude, he has to push harder.

Are you even trying? Ask more questions.

What do you think I'm doing, Simon?

Okay, maybe he's not asking the right questions.

Simon?

It's fine.

Did you ask her about the phone?

No. No. Not yet.

If I ask her about the phone, she's just gonna bail.

Just stop being a fucking coward. Ask her--

- Simon, chill! - A cow--fuck you, Simon.

You know what? I'm not your puppet.

I'm gonna figure this out by myself.

- No, Xavier-- - Just back off.

Both of you, okay?

It's Sandra.

- Dude. - I'll call her back tomorrow.

I just can't handle it right now.

She's calling me now.

She needs more friends her age.

You're being a jerk.

Hey, Sandra.

Could you repeat that? I couldn't--

Maddie?

Wait, did you call the cops?

Yeah, no, that's probably smart.

Okay. I'll be right there.

She said she was watching TV

and she heard someone in the backyard.

She thinks it's Maddie.

She's afraid to call the police in case they scare Maddie off.

She wants us to come over.

You know what? I--I'll handle it.

Can you find a ride home?

Mr. Figueroa.

Hey, what's up, Simon?

Uh, isn't your first name Emilio?

Yeah.

I think I found something that, uh,

belongs to you--maybe.

I was in the library yesterday.

I found this tucked into an old copy

of "The Things They Carried."

Look, Maddie, you know I hate to brag.

And even though I was dead and I couldn't put on the crown,

I did win Homecoming King my senior year.

I know, I know.

Was it an honorary thing

because you died the night before the dance?

No. No. Hell, no.

No, I won fair and square, okay?

I got all my votes before I got hit.

Maddie, I don't know if you know this about me,

but I'm actually pretty charming.

I liked kissing you earlier in the car.

Yeah, I'm a good kisser.

We've established that.

You know my soft spot.

What game are you playing?

You wanna get out of here?

Trust me.

Hey, Maddie, I think this was a bad idea.

What was?

Coming to this dance together.

What? No.

I just--I, um--

I don't think you're really ready to be dead yet.

Is anyone?

I am.

Okay. But you're, like, old dead.

I--that came out wrong.

I just mean that I have been dead for two weeks, Wally.

And--

Wait, where'd they go?

Where's your date?

What?

6'2", dark hair,

part boy, part golden retriever.

I can't really worry about him right now, Rhonda.

Ouch.

So much for Wally's special night.

Have you seen Xavier and Claire?

I don't know who that is.

You know, we could've gone to the parking lot.

This is way hotter.

Not to kink shame, but--

What is that?

Xavier, what are you doing?

Where'd you find it?

Over here by these back bushes.

Oh, yeah. What you got?

It was buried.

We figured if the backpack was here,

there could be something else.

Nice work.

And you thought you could bring me down here

to what, Xavier, to what?

To force a confession out of me?

Did you kill her, Claire?

I know you swapped Maddie's phone.

Is that why you wanted to drive tonight,

so when you picked me up you could get some answers

out of my dad, huh?

You know, maybe--

maybe I should have shown my dad this.

How do you have this?

Xavier, who else has seen this?

Other people, so deleting it's not gonna

make a difference.

Jesus.

I figured out Mr. Anderson was dealing.

Okay, and-- and I saw an opportunity,

and I took it.

Okay, people do this shit every day.

It was one class.

I just needed an A, Xavier.

I told Mr. Anderson that if he gave me an A,

I wouldn't say anything about the money.

What about Maddie's phone?

Why'd you swap it?

What'd you do with the real one?

We thought Maddie took the video.

And I just wanted to delete it.

But I couldn't unlock it,

so I gave it to Mr. Anderson, okay?

He was the one that got rid of it.

You better not be lying to me.

I told him to pay her off,

to--to give her the money, whatever she wanted.

But that is all I did.

For me, there is no room for failure.

Okay, and maybe that seems dumb to you.

Everyone just thinks that I have it so easy.

But do you know how much work it takes

to make everything look easy?

I know we made a mistake,

Anderson and I,

you and I, cheating.

I have been terrified.

Everything just-- it spun out of control so fast.

I didn't hurt Maddie.

I don't know what happened to her.

But it wasn't me.

♪ Every song ♪

♪ Every dream filled with hell from beyond ♪

♪ As I'm sinkin' ♪

♪ I relive the story ♪

♪ Every try ♪

♪ Every breakthrough and every cry ♪

♪ As I'm sinkin' ♪

♪ I relive the story ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Never forget me ♪

♪ And everything I've done ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Never forget me ♪

♪ Like I'm your favorite song ♪

♪ I'm fadin', replayin' ♪

♪ These thoughts I thought while sinkin' down ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Never forget me ♪

♪ And everything I've done ♪

♪ Tears running dry ♪

♪ Shattered inside ♪

♪ But I still gotta smile ♪

♪ As I'm sinkin' ♪

♪ I relive the story ♪

♪ Glitter comes off ♪

♪ Battered and blue, but I gotta go on ♪

♪ As I'm singin' ♪

♪ I'll rewrite my story ♪

both: ♪ Oh ♪

And without further ado,

your 2023 Homecoming Queen is Claire Zomer!

both: ♪ Oh ♪

♪ Never forget me ♪

♪ Like I'm your favorite song ♪

♪ I'm fadin', replayin' ♪

♪ These thoughts I thought while sinkin' down.

♪ Oh ♪

both: ♪ Never forget me ♪

♪ And everything I've done ♪

What the hell is happening?

Where were they?

Claire didn't do anything to Maddie.

I believe her. I do.

Claire was blackmailing Anderson for grades.

When Claire and Anderson got that video,

they thought that Maddie had taken it,

so they paid her off.

When Maddie disappeared, Claire panicked.

I mean, if that video got out there,

people would think that--

That's motive.

Yeah.

They couldn't get into Maddie's locked phone,

so they destroyed it.

We were right,

but Claire wouldn't hurt Maddie.

She wouldn't.

I believe her.

There was somebody out there.

I believe you.

Sandra, you home?

Did you call the police?

No.

Hi.

I promised I'd, um--

well, I have some news.

You know the empty house where we found Maddie's backpack?

Yes.

Well, we found something else,

a possible murder weapon.

What?

Murder weapon?

We've traced the object to, uh, a person of interest.

They're being brought in for questioning as we speak.

Who?

- Roger South? - Yeah?

It's an employee at the high school.

I can't release a name just yet.

I'm sorry.

But it's not Anderson.

He has a solid alibi.

As soon as I have more information I can share,

you'll be the first to know.

Why--

why would someone do this?

Anderson has given us enough information

to believe that, uh,

Maddie had a great deal of money on her.

And this person wanted it.

Sandra.

I was Team Crystal.

Oh, okay, humor did not work.

Uh, let's try truth.

Being a ghost sucks.

Yup.

I mean, you're forced to watch

your cheating ex-BF dance with your cheating ex-BFF,

and they have no idea you even exist.

If you're trying to cheer me up--

Okay, I--I wasn't done.

Being a ghost sucks most of the time.

But today I was able to watch the love of my life

close a very old, very deep wound...

thanks to you.

How do you feel now?

I'm ready to forgive.

Live my death, remember?

It's good advice, you know.

Maybe it's time you,

you know, take it.

Maybe you should focus on the person you came here with.

♪ We ♪

♪ So tired of all ♪

♪ The darkness in our lives ♪

♪ With no more angry words to say ♪

♪ Can come alive ♪

♪ Get in-- ♪ - ♪ Get into a car and drive ♪

♪ To the other side ♪

Uh, that sounded better in my head.

Wally, I'm sorry.

There was a lot happening,

and I didn't want to ruin this night for you.

But I should have just been honest with you

and told you what was going on.

Maddie, it's--it's fine.

You don't have to apologize to me.

I--

That was also better in my head.

♪ You make me ♪

♪ Feel like I'm living a teenage dream ♪

♪ The way you turn me on, I can't sleep ♪

♪ Let's run away and don't ever look back ♪

♪ Ever look back, oh ♪

♪ My heart stops when you look at me ♪

♪ Just one touch, now baby, I believe ♪

♪ This is real, so take a chance ♪

♪ And don't ever look back, ever look back, oh ♪

Now here's a song for the sad guy popping balloons.

Hey.

- Listen. - I know, this song.

We were just talking about it-- - Simon, listen.

But what did they find?

A weapon.

A weapon that may have been used

to murder Maddie Nears.

And then how do they know that it's--

South! He's the only one

who had access to that tool cabinet.

- Mr. South? - Do you have your keys?

Yeah, I do. I'll take care of it.

Just--I can't believe it.