grown-ish

Zoey, just don't take this the wrong way,

but can you just... fall back?

You speak from the heart, and he'll understand.

- Dreams come in many forms.

And rather than the visions

that may haunt your thoughts while you sleep,

I prefer them in less disturbing forms.

Like a beautiful night...

or an impeccable couple...

or watching your friend fulfill his dream

of making a difference.

Passed hors d'oeuvres,

alcohol not in red Solo cups,

and no trap music?

Aaron really pulled something special together.

Yeah, when he said he wanted to do

an event for Black mental health,

I kinda assumed he was just gonna

throw together a gospel brunch or a Spades tournament.

Yeah.

Oh, my God. Damn, look at Nomi and Ana!

Ladies, photo? - Oh, no, no, no.

I'm not here to do all of that.

I'm just here for the cause, not to support Aaron.

It's bad enough I even caved and came.

Ana, you're not caving, okay?

You're taking the higher road.

And you're not even gonna see him anyway,

'cause I promise I'm gonna keep you guys separate

the entire night.

- Okay. Yeah. - All right?

Just relax and celebrate the fact

that a few weeks of no alcohol's giving your ass

very strong JLo "Waiting for Tonight" vibes.

- Oh, okay. - Yeah.

Oh, wait. Hold on. Wrong way.

Okay.

Just... Let's go.

- Let's go. - Oh. Thank you.

Sky, you can slow down.

You don't have to be a hero.

Yeah, this flimsy red carpet

might slip under you like a bath mat.

Remember, that's how Grandma Sadie went down.

No. The crack-infested '80s

brought Grandma Sadie down, okay?

Guys, I'm fine.

Seriously, it's just a sprain.

Um, excuse me, sir.

Can you please hold these while I make all my exes jealous?

Okay, you are not putting any weight on that knee.

You take these crutches from her

and they're going up your ass.

What do I say to that?

You take these crutches

and tell us to say "cheese," bitch.

O-Okay, okay.

Just take the picture, bro.

Oh.

All right, smile like this is the last photo

you will ever take as Joey Bada$$'s biggest fan.

Because after he meets you tonight?

B-F-Fs.

Again, Zoey, I'm... I'm not a fan.

I just have mad respect and an intense devotion to his art.

I mean, have you seen the shit he does with Pro Era?

It's inspiring.

And his lyrics? They speak to me.

It's like we live the same lifestyle...

aggressive but also sensitive.

Got it. Like an adoring fan.

They say you never get a second chance

to make a good first impression.

And this is it... Luca's first big moment with his idol.

S'up, bro.

S'up.

Hey, baby.

He's really eyeing that piece.

You should let him know that that's your friend's art

and just keep the conversation going from there.

Remember, you got to tell him

you are aggressive but also so sensitive.

- Huh? - Zoey, I'm cool. I got this.

Hey! Hey, hi. I'm Zoey.

Um, hate to brag, but my boyfriend

is responsible for the art here.

Uh, guilty, caught me. I'm bragging. I'm bragging.

- - Oh, you did this?

- No. - Wh...

No, he didn't do it, do it, per se.

But he's responsible for it being here.

Like... drove it here?

No, um...

his homegirl is the artist,

and so Luca here connected Aaron with her.

And then, boom, art! A common interest.

Cool, cool.

Cool.

- You ready? - Let's go.

You know some synonyms for "cool"

are "phenomenal" and "amazing".

Well, that went well.

Zoey, just don't take this the wrong way,

but can you just... fall back?

"Fall back"?

How do you take that the right way?

I mean, I know you like to come in hot

and lay on the charm

and become best friends in the first 10 minutes.

- You know, it's... - You're describing a Golden Retriever.

All I'm saying is that that's not me.

You know, I just like to lay in the cut

and just let things happen naturally.

Just ride my own wave.

Cool.

Um... well, while you are here "riding your own wave,"

I'll be over there...

riding one of those drinks and possibly a vegan mini slider.

- Ooh, those are fire. - Mm-hmm.

Can you grab me one or two?

- Got ya. All right, bye. - All right.

Wow, when you're sober, people are unattractive.

All right, Black Eagle spotted. We're on the move.

Wait.

False alarm.

You know, spotting Aaron in a sea of Black men in black tie...

it's a lot harder than I expected.

- Nomi. - Mm.

No. I was right, not racist.

It's Black Eagle. Go, go, go!

Hey, man. Hey. Where'd she go?

- Hey. Look, um... - Yes, sir?

...do you recommend anything for nerves?

I have a big speech coming up, and I-I don't want anything too strong,

'cause I don't want to be like how I was at my cousin's wedding.

I started talking about my aunt's boobs.

Not her boobs exactly,

but her breast reduction she got when... 'cause she had back pain and...

Anyway, screw it. Can I just get a drink?

So, Luca had basically told me

I was cramping his style.

And since I couldn't find the vegan sliders or my girls,

I did what any person in my position would do...

I just stared at my phone

as if I was receiving some extremely important texts.

You good?

Me? Yeah, I'm good. I'm good.

I'm good. I'm good.

- But you know who's great? - Who?

My boyfriend.

I had never seen him more excited

than when he realized Aaron had booked you for this event.

97 unsolicited DMs later, here I am.

- - Luckily for your boy, though,

this is a cause that I really get down on.

Oh, yeah, no, cool. Same. Totally same.

But you know who you should also get down with?

Let me guess... your boyfriend.

Have you heard of him?

I mean, he actually is a really...

super talented designer

who would absolutely kill me if he knew I was saying this,

but it's kind of his dream job to work with you.

I'm sure you hear that all the time, though.

Yeah, as long as you don't link me to your SoundCloud, we're good.

Dope bracelet, by the way.

- Jon Buscemi. - Mm-hmm.

- That's my boy. - Oh, that's amazing.

I have the sneakers to match.

But not that I'd ever wear them at the same time.