Deadly Cheers (2021) - full transcript

[soft, energetic music]

[woman]
vanessa!

Vanessa, where are you?

[intense music]

We'll find you.

Wherever you go, we'll find you.

Vanessa... I'll find you.

Vanessa, come back!

[pom-poms rustle]

[vanessa] I loved being
captain of the wolf pack...

Until I didn't.



I couldn't remember
how I got to the farm

or why I was there.

I just knew
I needed to get away.

I tried to run, I tried to hide,

but... [screams]
it was no use.

And a few months later...

[cheering, chanting]

They replaced me with you.

[cheering]

I wish I could have warned you.

[soft music]

So much space.

Isn't it great?

A little too great.



How are we gonna afford
all this?

[brianna]
well, the starting salary

for this assistant principal job

at the school district's much
better than the one back home.

And I got a good deal.

Motivated sellers.

Motivated by what?

[brianna] I don't know,
divorce, financial problems?

I mean, for once it's someone
else's loss and my gain.

That's not funny.

[brianna] can you at least
pretend to be excited?

[julie]
sure, it's great.

When did we win the lottery,
mom?

How are we gonna afford
all of this?

Did you even think about that?

Look, mom.

I'm happy you got the new job.

You worked so hard for this.

Taking all those extra classes
at night.

And I know this place is better.

For both of us.

[sentimental music]

When you get into college,

I might actually be able
to afford to send you.

I just miss my friends is all.

- I know, I'm sorry, baby.
- It's okay.

- Was kind of over 'em anyway.
- Is that so?

[julie] I mean, who needs friends
when you have your own bathroom

with two sinks?

[brianna] mine has
a jacuzzi tub and a tv.

- No way.
- Seriously, check it out.

[julie]
so, here's my new room.

Some boxes I need to unpack.

And here's my bed.

[tina]
oh my gosh, it is huge.

Can I come live with you?

I wish.

How was practice today?

[tina sighs]

[tina]
I mean, bad.

We suck without you.

Now show me your closet.

[kelly]
hey!

Hello?

Yo.

Girl.

Do you live here now?

[julie] yeah, me and my
mom, we just moved in and...

[tina]
what was that?

My weird new neighbor, I guess.

I found a pizza place
with some decent reviews.

They don't have meatballs
though.

Sausage?

Okay, plain cheese it is.

[tina] invieñ me over
for pizza sometime.

Is that you, tina?

[tina] yes, love the
new house, ms. Mckay.

[brianna]
did julie show you the pool?

[tina]
there's a pool?

[julie]
I gotta go. Talk later.

[tina]
bye.

You should invite tina over
to stay for winter break.

It's only three months away.

I'll get her a plane ticket
so she doesn't have to drive.

[phone dings]

Oh, well, I don't know
if this pizza will be any good,

but it'll be here fast.

[reflective music]

All right, we got some pizza.

[julie]
it smells good.

[brianna]
it does smell good.

- Able to get it down.
- All right, so...

[brianna] you have this
one and I'll have this one.

[julie]
did you wash your hands?

It's because I saw you
scrubbing the floor.

[dark music]

[indistinct chatter]

So, should we watch
a movie tonight?

Of course.

What should we watch,
what type of movie? Scary?

[brianna] you know I
can't do scary, honey.

- Why not?
- It's just too much

on my conscience.

I have way too much
on my mind right now.

[soft, tense music]

That's where superintendent
vargas said my office would be.

So let's go.

[brianna] okay, well,
I guess it's over here,

my name's on the door.

Okay.

[soft music]

[cheerleaders chanting]

Just put it on the floor, honey.

[chanting continues]

- Can I go look around?
- Yeah, sure.

Okay, I'll be back.

Purple, black, white.

Wolf pack, let's fight.

[kelly]
let's go again.

- Purple, black, white.
- Are you okay?

You look like
you're in distress.

Do you need an adult or...?

No, I, uh... um...

Are those cheer tryouts?

Um...

[cheerleaders]
purple, black, white.

Sorry... I'm new.

Couldn't tell.

I'm messing with you.

Come on, it doesn't matter
that you're late.

You know, with six state
and 40 national titles,

you would think we'd get
a better turnout than this.

Kelly, found another one.

She was wandering the halls.

Thank god,
'cause this is pathetic.

[dark music]

Do you live here now?

She can't try out.

Not only is she late, her outfit
isn't workout approved.

[lexi] I'm sure she'll
probably change clothes.

I said no.

[julie] I don't think this
is about my clothes.

[allison]
good morning, everyone.

How are we doing today?

Hi, what's your name?

What position
are you trying out for?

Julie mckay, uh, tumbler, flyer.

[allison]
well, all right then.

Let's see what you got,
miss julie.

[intense music]

- Competition.
- Oh, wow.

[lexi] she tumbles
better than the boys.

- Wow, she's amazing.
- She's got it.

[lexi]
woo!

[ricky]
she's amazing.

[applause]

[allison] looks like we just
found our new baby cub.

Practice is every day
at 9:00 a.M. Sharp.

- Don't be late.
- Don't worry, I won't.

[indistinct chatter]

[dr. Russo]
nice view, isn't it?

I trust the accommodation
is suitable.

Well, for now.

Your predecessor
is still vacating.

Principal russo.

I recognize you
from the school website.

Yes, this will work just fine
for now.

[dr. Russo]
superintendent vargas told me

that this is your first year
in administration.

Yes, this is my first year
as an assistant principal,

but I have taught high school
english and sociology

for over 15 years,
and I obtained my master's

- and I...
- I've read your resume.

I just want to know
if you're aware of why you,

above all the highly qualified
candidates

that applied for this position,
were selected.

- I do.
- Do tell.

It was my thesis
on the effects of trauma

- on academic achievement.
- Very impressive.

Superintendent vargas
seemed to believe

that there was a need
for some...

Fresh insight here at wilson.

Fresh insight, hm.

I'm sorry if you were
blindsided by my hiring.

[dr. Russo]
oh, please, please.

[chuckles]

- No.
- Purple, black, white.

The thing is, ms. Mckay...

Wilson high school has a very
lofty reputation to uphold.

If you perused our website,

I'm sure that was
more than apparent.

Your alumni are a list
of very impressive athletes,

olympians.

The championships that this
school has won are unmatched.

[dr. Russo] then I'm sure you
can imagine the powers at play

in such a competitive
environment.

[julie] mom, mom, I made
the cheerleading squad!

Wait, what,
they were having tryouts

- this late in the summer?
- Yeah, I guess

someone dropped out
and they had a spot to fill.

[brianna laughs]

[brianna]
well, what did you do?

[julie] just did some
tumbling and stuff.

[brianna] I'm sorry. Julie, this
is ms. Russo, your principal.

Dr. Russo.

Congratulations to you, julie.

You must be very good to make it
onto our cheerleading team.

I see the two of you
will have no problem

fitting in at wilson.

If there's anything you need,

please feel free
to call my assistant.

Thank you, dr. Russo.

Dr. Russo.

So, tell me all about it.

So I had to tumble
in my socks again.

You're gonna break your ankles
one of these days.

- But I was fine.
- You never listen to me.

Mom, this? Again?

[brianna] honey, that's from
our trip to the beach together.

Do you remember that?

You were only
like four years old

and you peed
right on the beach...

Mom, okay, okay.

[giggling]

[cheerleaders]
purple, black, and white.

Wolf pack, let's fight!

[allison]
great practice, everybody.

B squad, hit the track.

Alpha squad,
meet me in the gym in five.

- Let's go!
- Oh my god, it's julie.

Julie, come here!

- The queen herself.
- Stop.

[ricky] lexi can't stop
talking about you.

[lexi]
it's like I was praying for her

and she just walked
right into our lives.

We're gonna take nationals now
for sure.

What's her problem?

Don't worry about kelly.

We're really not supposed
to talk about it.

Coach is here.

Good morning, everybody.

- How are we doing?
- The best ever!

Wolf pack!

[allison] I woke up with butterflies
in my stomach this morning

because I was so excited
to get here and announce

the newest member
of our wolf pack, miss julie.

I think she's gonna take us
all the way.

J-u-I-e! Julie! Julie!

J-u-I-e!
Julie! Julie!

J-u-I-e! Julie! Julie!

[cheering]

[allison]
so we have about an hour

until I bring
the rest of the team in.

Let's run the routine
from your ripple.

So get into that formation.

And we're gonna go full out.

So, please do your jumps,
your stunts, your tumbling.

And give me smiles, yeah?

All right, here we go.

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, three,
four, five, six...

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
- My shoulder.

[allison] safety first.
Are you girls okay?

[kelly]
well, I'm not.

Now, kelly,
what do I always say?

I'm gonna have to work
on my confidence.

K-e-I-I-y! Kelly!

I don't need confidence!

I need the new girl
to lose 10 pounds.

She almost dislocated
my shoulder.

[allison] whoa there,
missy, you and I need to talk.

Lexi, run the cooldown music.

- That not okay.
- You heard her, everyone.

[ricky]
it's not your fault.

Kelly's shoulder
was already injured.

[lexi] do not listen
to anything she says.

The girl has
some serious issues.

I don't know
what her problem is.

She lives next-door to me.

Wait, you moved into the house
next-door to kelly?

Yeah, why?

Not right now,
but I'll find time

for us to talk about that later.

Come with us to the farm?

Wait, what's the farm?

[lexi] sometimes, after practice,
we'll go work on choreography,

conditioning,
that kind of thing.

But two-a-day practices
are illegal.

That's why they call it
choreography.

[lexi]
and do it off-campus.

You're not some kind
of like cheer narc

or something, are you?

'Cause if you are,
you have to tell me.

- That's like entrapment.
- No, of course not.

Good, 'cause the administration
of this school in insane.

What happens in wolf pack cheer
stays in wolf pack cheer.

Absolutely,
I would never say anything.

[brianna]
why won't you take...

[cell phone ringing]

How was your first day
of practice?

Mm.

So did you do well or...?

[julie] I'm just not in
shape like I need to be.

Honey, you'll get there.

- I fell during a routine.
- I'll be finished up here

in a few and we can talk
about it later.

Um...

Listen, lexi invited me
over to her house

to hang out and listen to music.

Okay, sweetie, just don't
stay out too late, okay?

You have practice in the morning
and you need your sleep.

- Mom, I know.
- I'm proud of you.

- I love you.
- Love you too, mom.

[grim music]

Which one do you think?

We could do something like this.

[cork pops, twinkling sound]

Wait, oh my god.

That's you?

Yeah, and my best friend, tina,
our team choreographer.

[ricky]
these moves are like so insane.

We should have her come
to wilson.

- She would love that.
- I'm gonna grab our bags.

[julie] I mean, we don't
have that many followers.

Besides, it's over now.

But that's okay.

- I'm doing this.
- True.

Wolf pack is all-consuming.

[kids cheering sound effect]

[twinkling sound]

[indistinct chatter]

[lexi]
julie, ricky, come here.

Before we tell you anything
about kelly or what happened,

you have to promise
you cannot tell anybody

that we talked about this, okay?

[ricky] but we have
to tell you, obviously.

- Yeah.
- I promise.

The house that you live in
used to belong to vanessa.

Who's vanessa?

[lexi] she was the
captain before kelly.

She was an absolutely insane
flyer.

She was training to be, like,
an olympic gymnast...

Wait, I thought she was in the
circus or something like that.

No, same thing.

It was big
and it didn't work out,

so her and her family
all pick up from this podunk,

middle-of-nowhere town
that they live in

and come here to try out
for our squad.

She made it, of course,
and we end up winning state.

[ricky]
wolf pack state champs.

Anyways, so, fresh out of state,
bam, vanessa gets injured.

Kelly was her base, dropped her.

[lexi]
and guess who gets made captain?

Kelly... But why?

She doesn't seem like
a team player at all.

[ricky]
she's basically untouchable.

- The administration is...
- Can I tell my story, please?

Okay, thank you.

Anyways, so, vanessa,
she's healing up,

that girl's like made of steel.

[ricky]
well, so we thought.

True, because when nationals
does finally roll around,

vanessa's nowhere to be found.

[ricky]
gone... Nobody can find her.

And we lost... Of course.

[lexi] she's missing,
there's a whole investigation,

the cops are going through
all of her things.

They find her diary.

There's page after page of,

"oh my god, my life is so hard.

There's so much stress.
Cheer is so difficult.

My parents are so hard on me.

I have to be the best
all the time."

- Ugh.
- But don't be so mean about it.

I mean, she did say
how her real dream

was to help sick animals.

- And she was so sweet.
- Whatever.

Her parents sue the school.

Wait, how do you know
all of this?

[lexi] my mom's firm
worked on the case,

so I know everything about it.

So, school decides
to settle out of court.

The family takes
the money and runs.

That's it, they're probably out
there with vanessa right now

living the high life
on our families' donations.

Oh, no,
I don't think that's true.

[lexi] no, like my mom always
says, cui bono, right? Who benefits?

Yeah.

The captain.

[dark music]

[solemn music]

[engine roaring]

[lexi]
and there it is.

[julie] no offense, but that
kind of looks like something

out of a horror film.

You have no idea.

[dogs barking]

[allison]
let's go, wolf pack!

I expect you to show b squad
how it's done.

[cheerleaders]
yes, coach allison!

[allison] someone's always
looking to take your place

if you don't work for it.

[r&b music]

This is where we grow
into champions.

Don't grow too much.

[allison] now, kelly, ain't
nothing wrong with growth.

We need to nurture
our bodies with...

Love!

[allison]
that didn't sound sincere.

We need to nurture our bodies
with what?

- Love!
- Yes.

Good job, edgar, nice smile.

- Can we get some smiles?
- Yes, coach allison!

[allison]
25, 26.

Yes, good job, good form.

Suicides, go!

- Come on, lex.
- Come on, lex.

Good job, victoria.
Go, lexi.

Go, go, go, ricky, let's go!

Push yourselves, guys,
push yourselves!

Come on, julie!

- Great!
- Finish strong,

- finish strong, finish strong.
- Come on, julie!

[ricky]
come on, julie!

- Nice!
- Okay.

- Next time.
- All right, guys, bring it in.

[ricky]
nice job, wolf pack.

[allison]
great job.

I'm really, really proud of you,

so keep pushing
for the rest of the season.

Yeah, maybe this isn't for you.

You should probably quit now.

[allison] you guys go home
and get some rest now.

[clapping]

Go ahead, woo!

Julie, will you help me
clean up?

[indistinct chatter]

[soft music]

Ms. Mckay.

[brianna laughs]

Superintendent vargas.

It's so great to finally
meet you in person.

[vargas] I am glad I
caught you before you left.

- How is everything going?
- Great.

I mean, I don't quite
have the computer system

all worked out yet,
but I figured out

where everything is on campus,

I sent out personal
introduction emails

- to all the teaching staff.
- Okay, great.

- And you feel welcome?
- Mm, for the most part.

Mm, russo.

You mean dr. Russo.

[superintendent vargas sighs]

It's fine, I am just here
for the kids, so...

That is why I hired you, yes.

And everything else,
the move, all good?

Thank you so much, by the way,

- for your help with all that.
- Don't thank me,

thank my staff.

I only hire the best.

But if you need anything,
you just ask, okay?

- Okay.
- It's great to meet you.

You too.

Coach, sorry I couldn't
keep up today.

Are you kidding?

I know how rough this is,
and you did amazing.

I just wanted to say
how blessed we are

to have you on this team.

I also wanted to make sure

you felt comfortable here
and welcomed.

You know, kelly's outburst
earlier was uncalled for

and I talked to her about it.

Her shoulder gives her pain

and she doesn't really know
how to cope with that.

But if you have any issues,

you please be sure
to let me know.

Okay, I will.

But everything's
been great so far.

Um, I have some paperwork
for you.

[soft music]

Wow, is that vanessa?

[allison]
uh-huh, and that's me.

National champions that year.

[julie] whoa, is that
why you get diamonds?

Captains get diamond eyes.

A squad gets rubies.

Anything is possible
if you believe in yourself.

You can be captain too.

Just gotta work hard.

I'll email you
the team nutrition plan, okay?

'Cause we have to nurture
our bodies with...

Love.

Oh, and your uniform.

Only the best at wilson.

We're gonna have to do
a rush order

if we want it here
by homecoming.

Honey... I get it.

Let's just close our eyes
and raise our arms,

and we'll think happy thoughts.

- Are you serious?
- Yes, I'm serious.

How 'bout you turn
and you tell me

about your first memory
of tumbling.

Okay.

[seagulls calling,
waves crashing]

I was at the beach with my mom.

She held my hands.

I flipped right over her.

I just did it.

Thank you.

All right.

- Julie!
- Oh!

Looks like your ride is here.

I'll get back to work
and see you later, okay?

- Okay.
- Okay.

[lexi]
come on, let's go.

[soft music]

[julie]
hey.

[sighs]

[cheerleaders]
purple, black, white.

Wolf pack, let's go.

[energetic music]

[vargas]
don't you worry about allison.

Your daughter is going to be
on the best cheer squad

in the country.

Everything's topnotch
here at wilson.

I'm going to personally take
really good care of her.

[woman]
looking chubby there, allison.

Looks like we've got a gainer.

Wanna put our best face
forward, girls.

- Gainer, gainer, gainer!
- Run, fatty, run.

[woman]
run, you little fatty.

Nobody likes a fat cheerleader.

[vargas] I hear you're having a
little trouble making weight, allison.

[allison whimpering]

I have something
I could give you

that could help with that.

- Let's go.
- Don't make me do it.

- Don't make do it.
- Why are you even trying out?

- Why don't you come join us?
- Again?

[allison] I thought you
said this was a yacht party.

[vargas] party for two is
much more fun, don't you think?

[woman]
wolf pack!

[vargas] we count on
you for a lot here at wilson.

[allison]
don't make do it.

Don't make me do it.

[vargas]
gotta be a team player.

[allison] don't make me
hurt another cheerleader.

[microwave beeping]

Julie.

Coming.

- Food's ready.
- Thanks, I'm starving.

Look at what
the school sent you.

- Wow.
- I guess they signed you up

for some sort of meal plan
subscription service.

Riverford farms.

It's good, right?

Gotta nourish my body with love.

[brianna]
yeah, I hear ya.

Can you believe
that superintendent vargas

came by to make sure
I was doing okay?

I mean, in all my years
of teaching,

I've never even spoken
to a superintendent.

I'm so happy we're here.

It's like all of our hard times
are finally over.

[soft, tense music]

[cheerleaders]
j-u-I-e! Julie! Julie!

J-u-I-e!
Julie! Julie!

J-u-I-e! Julie! Julie!

J-u-I-e!
Julie! Julie!

[dark music]

Go, julie!

[vanessa] I tried to run,
but I woke up in a dark room.

[cheerleaders]
go, julie!

[vanessa]
I wish I could have warned you.

Help me. Help us.

[disembodied scream]

[brianna]
jules, you ready?

You ready?

I'm gonna go make your shake,
let's go.

Coach allison's meal plan
requires a protein shake

every morning.

Let's go, hurry up.

[faucet flowing]

[soft, dark music]

Diamonds? Diamond eyes
are for captains.

Vanessa? The other one,
I put it in here.

[brianna] are you sure
you didn't leave it at home?

Why would I bring one shoe?

- She didn't see me, did she?
- No.

It was bad enough when you were
just an english teacher.

Now you're assistant principal.

Just write "leper" on my face.

[brianna] yeah, but I'm
the cool assistant principal.

No, there's no such thing.

Have a good day.

Up! Don't forget your shake.

Thank you.

[lexi] hey, julie, you got
some new moves for us?

[julie] yeah, but,
um, I'll tell you later.

[lexi] is that a peanut
butter protein shake?

Those things
are like so addictive.

[julie]
I know, they're like amazing.

They're also super caloric, fyi.

[lexi] kelly's just jealous because
she's allergic to peanut butter.

No, I just like to keep it
34/22/34.

Tight.

[dark music]

[dr. Russo]
can I help you?

I'm having some problems

logging into the student
records page.

That sounds like
a district issue.

Why don't you call
the superintendent's office?

I'm sure he can help.

I'll do that.

[indistinct chatter]

[allison]
okay, we're gonna run it again,

and please remember the
adjustments we made yesterday.

All right, so we're gonna do it
to music.

Make sure you're sharp.

Five, six, seven, eight.

One and two and three and four.

[energetic music]

Sharp. Smile.

- Yes.
- Wait, stop, coach.

Kelly's hurt.

- I'm fine.
- Are you sure?

- That looks pretty painful.
- I said I'm fine.

[allison] maybe you should
take a week off and let it heal.

[kelly]
let's run it, I'm fine.

Listen to your body.
It knows best.

Yeah, and my body
says it's fine.

[dark music]

I'm sorry, kelly.
Safety first.

Let's take a water break,

and I need to talk to you...

[indistinct chatter]

I'm gonna go check on her.

She's fine.

- Wait.
- Just a second.

Kelly?

Kelly?

[dramatic music]

What did you... what did you do?

Coach!

Coach!

Coach allison!

Coach allison, call 911!

Kelly needs help.

I don't know
if she took something.

She's unconscious.

Come on.

Grab the first aid kit.

What happened?

[julie] coach, she's over
here. Come on, please.

Coach, she's right there.

Kelly!

- Um, hand me the...
- Oh my god, kelly!

- Is she gonna die?
- Shut up!

The auto-injector,
I need the auto-injector.

[ricky]
I don't... what?

[girl]
oh my god!

[sobbing]

[julie]
shouldn't we call 911?

[allison]
don't call 911!

We got this.
Come on, kelly, you got this.

Wake up.

Well, thank you for taking my
computer problem so seriously.

Of course, brianna.

I'll have it reach out to you
first thing in the morning.

Can you ask them to fix
the vending machine too?

- It stole my dollar at lunch.
- No, no, no, no.

Don't tell me you're eating
vending machine food.

Well, I tried the pizza
in this town and...

All right,
I need to send you a list

of some of our fine dining
establishments.

[julie]
mom! Mom, I need you now.

Kelly oded in the locker room.

- Come on, call 911.
- My daughter thinks

- one of the cheerleaders oded.
- All right, I'll be right there.

[julie]
mom, come on.

- What's going on?
- A cheerleader oded

- in the locker room.
- It was kelly.

No, no, no, this is faster.

[julie]
she's over there.

Kelly?

Honey, honey, honey.

Are you okay?

[allison] let's give kelly
and her mom some privacy.

- Mom... That's her mom?
- Julie said she oded.

Are the paramedics on the way?

- Who are you?
- Brianna mckay.

The new assistant principal.

- I'm julie's mom.
- Oh... Of course.

I'm so sorry, I...

Kelly had an allergic reaction
to some nuts.

Um, seems like
she mistakenly drank

- out of the wrong cup, but...
- It wasn't that.

[allison] fortunately, I was here
to administer her epinephrine.

It seems like she's doing
a lot better.

I'm just glad she's okay.

It's fine.

[allison]
all right, squad.

Come on, let's go.

[dr. Russo] come on,
honey, let's get you home.

Here.

- Mom, stop.
- Drink this.

Tell me what they did to you.

Leave me alone.

Dr. Russo?

Are you sure I can't give you
guys a ride to the hospital?

[kelly]
no, I just wanna go home.

I'll be taking some
personal time, all right?

Yeah, of course.

[dr. Russo]
kelly... Come on.

[cell phone ringing]

Yes, I'm here.

I just like to keep it 34/22/34.

[trash rustles]

[julie]
naloxone?

Everything good, sweets?

- Yeah.
- Just getting all your stuff?

[julie]
yeah.

[footsteps retreating]

Wolf pack, we need to send
some healing vibes

to our little alpha wolf kelly.

[soft music]

K-e-I-I-y.

K-e-I-I-y.

Kelly.

Kelly's going to be taking
some time off.

In her place,

someone demonstrated
some amazing leadership skills

during this crisis.

And what do we say?

A true alpha wolf always cares
for their pack.

[allison]
that's right.

That's why I would like
to nominate...

Julie as captain.

[dark music]

- Do I get a second?
- I second.

Great. Everyone, up.

J-u-I-e.

Julie, julie.

J-u-I-e.

Julie, julie.

J-u-I-e.

Julie, julie.

[cheering]

Wolf pack!

Congratulations, julie.

All right, I'll see you guys
tomorrow bright and early,

and please keep sending those
positive vibes to kelly, okay?

Hey, lexi, ricky. Hey!

[ricky] I know kelly
treated you like a bitch,

but you didn't have to go
and rat her out.

- What are you talking about?
- You know,

accuse her of oding
to your faculty mom.

Thanks for mentioning that,
by the way.

[julie]
sorry, I didn't.

I don't know, I just...

[lexi]
cui bono, right?

Who benefits?

[ricky]
yeah, captain.

[julie]
I didn't choose to be captain.

No... You didn't.

[brianna]
hey, sweetie.

Coach allison said she's gonna
give you a ride home, okay?

Principal russo has taken some
personal time to be with kelly,

and I really need to get up
to speed on things,

okay, all right?

[allison]
everything okay?

Yeah, just...
I'll tell you later.

Okay.

[soft, tense music]

- Is she okay?
- Yeah, I guess she's fine.

I don't know, it seems like

she just had an allergic
reaction or something.

She's with her mom and it feels
like it's under control.

Phew.

Yeah, so, uh,

principal russo says she needs
to take some personal time.

Of course, of course.

Um, did she say anything
about where she was

on the schedule with opening up
the campus?

- We have...
- 15 days.

Fifteen days.

Look, I'm sure if we just
take five minutes...

Or a couple of hours
and put together a list

where we can figure out
where we are, we'll be fine.

- We'll be ready for opening day.
- You know what?

I've been on my feet all day.

Do you mind if we make this
a working lunch?

I mean... Dinner?

Yeah, sure,
just let me get my laptop.

No, no, no, you know what?
Let's eat first.

I'll drive. Come on.

Fifteen days,
that means orientation

has to be the number one
priority.

They're laying down
the new track next week.

Don't have to worry about that.

They know what
the first day of school is.

- Ah.
- Is that...?

Are you seeing what I'm seeing?

Vargas, you dog.

The new girl's here
and he's already after her mom.

It took him like five seconds.

Wow.

Can't wait for julie
to see that.

That would break her.

If we lose nationals
because of him...

[sighs]

He's gonna get a bullet
in his head.

That's for sure.

Lexi and ricky just accused me
of ratting out kelly

to my mom for being on drugs.

Heavens no!
I'll have a talk with them.

No, it'll only make it worse.

We have a strict no-bullying
policy on this squad.

What happened to kelly...
Was an accident.

I'm not crazy.

I saw the naloxone.

It's what you give someone
when they've oded

on painkillers.

[allison]
you're right.

I am so sorry.

I wasn't thinking in the moment.

I was just trying to save kelly.

I wanted to make sure
she was all right.

She just lost her best friend.

[julie]
her best friend?

Vanessa.

Vanessa?

They were friends?

[allison]
they were inseparable.

She was the first person
on the squad

that could really relate
to kelly.

You know...
Kelly is from this town,

but she's not like
the other kids here.

Her mom works for the school.

Earned talent like hers,
like yours...

It makes these kids
uncomfortable.

If it got out that kelly
has a substance abuse issue

at this school,

the kids, her parents,
all of the parents,

will destroy her future.

And they'll laugh about it
over iced lattes.

I could see that.

Trust me, I know.

It happened to me
my senior year.

One little mistake and, poof,

all of my hopes and dreams
just gone.

I see why you want
to protect her,

but she needs real help.

I am so proud of you.

You are a true alpha wolf,
julie girl.

Coachin' the coach.

I'll talk to her mom, okay?

I am going to make sure
kelly's safe, okay?

Safety first, right?

[dark music]

[birdsong]

[vargas]
I hope you're a meat eater.

- Definitely.
- Good, because their fillet

is to die for,
all locally sourced.

[brianna]
well...

[elegant music]

Oh.

The riverfords
are the biggest donor

to our athletic department.

The staff eats here for free.

Oh, right, riverford farms,
the meal plan service.

Yes, well, that's one
of their many ventures,

but, uh, wilson high school
remains their top priority.

[indistinct soft chatter]

[waiter]
good afternoon, ladies.

Are you enjoying your meal?

Brianna, you play billiards?

- I do.
- You any good?

Some might say.

- Mr. Vargas?
- Yes.

- I have your table ready.
- Perfect, thank you.

Go ahead.

So many choices.

- The fillet?
- Good choice.

Oh yeah... I'll have the same.

[sighs]

What a day it's been.

Indeed.

To a new school year.

[glasses clink]

You see why we need changes.

Wilson is the athletic magnet
in this area.

We attract students with amazing
talents from all over.

They place such high demands
on themselves.

The stresses, the needing
to win at all costs.

I understand.

I understand as well.

I also was an athlete.

- Did you partake in athletics?
- Yes, I was a cheerleader,

uh, high school, college.

Well, that's where
julie gets it.

And you must get
what I'm saying.

Children like your daughter,
they're not like other kids.

We need to level
the playing field.

Principal russo thinks they need
extra test prep and homework.

It's just too much.

Mm, you want a soft touch?

Look, I just need to know
that we're on the same team.

Last year, we had a student,
vanessa...

That had a psychiatric
breakdown.

[clears throat]

It was russo's academic hardline

that caused it.

Oh my god...
That's horrible.

Yep.

And after I read your thesis,

the traumatized children
and academic performance...

All I could do
was think of that student.

So you think athletic training
and competition is traumatic?

It can be.

I think when we don't
hear the children

and what they're saying,

and when we, and the parents,

pretend that they're just
playing a sport

and not committing to something
that they're passionate about.

Sports equals passion.

And I am rambling again.

- Anyways, enough of that.
- No, that's fine.

I think it's important to take
at least an hour a day to...

Let it all go.

Let my defenses down.

As the cheer squad says...

Nurture your body with love.

That's it.
That's what we're gonna do.

Nurture our body with love...
And a little wine.

[brianna laughs]

In theory, I agree,
but I have yet to fully adapt

that practice into my life.

Honestly, I don't even know
if I... if I know how to start.

As I tell my students,
you already have.

Yes, this... this is a start.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Ah, the riverfords are here.

Oh.

Brianna, correct?

I just wanted to say
what a pleasure it is

to have you here, um,
part of the wilson family.

- Thank you very much.
- Lexi, say hello.

- Hello.
- Lexi, I've heard so much

about you.

My daughter, she loves you.

Thank you so much for making her
transition so much easier.

[lexi]
of course.

[giggles]

Would you mind if I stole
mr. Vargas for a few moments?

- By all means.
- Okay.

Won't be long.

[footsteps retreating]

[clears throat]

I come home and lexi informs me
that this new girl julie

is saying kelly overdosed
on drugs.

- Oh god.
- I think I speak

for the other parents when I say
that after the vanessa debacle,

we're all a little... Insecure.

This is the second position
I've financed on the squad

to try to replace
that nightmare kelly

and actually get some
of the big titles

that we deserve this year.

That kelly is
chronically injured,

not to mention her mother,
that nightmare of a principal,

trying to claim that my lexi
didn't earn those test scores

that we got for her.

[vargas]
kelly is a bad apple, no doubt,

and, uh... She is gone for good.

Okay?

Coach allison assures me
that julie

has the flying
and tumbling talents

to lead us to nationals,

and just so you know...

Brianna is definitely on board

with our academic philosophy
here at wilson.

I'm a senior,

so this is my last chance
to get a national title,

and I'm starting to think
that maybe

you aren't the man
to take us there.

Wow, is that so, lexi?

Well, guess what?

Everything is going
according to plan.

Well, that's great,

because I want to talk to you
about another position.

[gentle music]

We want the tina girl too.

Whatever you want.

Call allison.

She'll make it happen.

I hope you both enjoy

the rest of your evening.

[phone chiming]

[car approaching]

Thank you so much for the ride.

Of course!

Oh, I almost forgot.

[glove compartment opening]

So it's official.

Captain.

Oh my god.

I don't know what to say.

[mellow music]

Put it on.

Being captain can be
a thankless job.

It's important to have
a little reminder

of how strong you need to be.

Strong as diamonds?

[chuckling]

like my grandma
used to always say,

it's not always sunshine
and roses,

but... I see that strength
in you.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

[door opens]

[phone ringing]

[door closes]

- Hello?
- Hi, allison.

Lexi tells me that the tina girl
is a good choreographer.

[allison] I have the
choreography department covered.

Oh, sweetheart,
don't kid yourself.

I need you to make an offer.

Of course, ms. Riverford.

[grim music]

[engine starting]

[birds chirping]

[knocking]

Can I come in?

Yeah.

Oh, what's that smell?

- My food.
- Oh my god.

- Are you okay?
- No.

[mellow music]

[breathing heavily]

You're not either... Captain.

[julie] found these from when I
sprained my ankle last summer.

Ibuprofen 500.

[kelly] does your mom
have anything stronger?

[julie] sorry, my mom
doesn't use that kind of stuff.

- Can I borrow your phone?
- Yeah.

It's dead.

[she groans]

I found your ring.

You left it in your locker.

- Get that away from me.
- Fine.

I guess I have a collection now.

Where'd you get that?

[julie] found it in the sink
drain in my bathroom.

[solemn music]

It's vanessa's, isn't it?

Yeah.

- What happened to her?
- I don't know.

[phone dings, ringing]

- Hey!
- Wait, let me pull over.

- Where are you?
- I thought something happened

to you, so I took
my grandma's car and I...

I just drove.

Have you checked
our cheer account?

- My phone was dead.
- It's horrible!

There's hundreds of comments.

The worst one is "flexilexi."

I tried reporting them,
but... They won't stop.

[julie] "I can't decide
who's uglier or fatter."

"Who let them on a squad?"

"They're so embarrassing."

Told you, they're animals.

- Who's there?
- It's kelly.

She's not involved.

Honestly, I just wanna go back
to my old school.

I hate this.

[tina]
have you told your mom?

[notifications chiming]

No.

Oh my god, I think it's my mom.

[dramatic music]

- I gotta go.
- Can you go check?

- I gotta go.
- Don't tell her I'm here.

[notifications chiming]

[vargas]
so I think that puts an end

to the pizza place
after going there.

[sighs]

You got enough to eat?
That was...

Dinner was great.

- Is that my mom?
- No, but...

It is my mom,
and it looks like she found

a new boyfriend.

That's no boyfriend.

That's vargas.

We didn't get
any work done, but...

Oh, that can wait till tomorrow.

Hmm, I didn't read you
as a procrastinating type.

Oh, I'm not.

Seriously, it's always been
my problem.

[bright music]

Yeah, I thought you were
the fast type.

Just covered in red flags, huh?

[birds chirping]

You're my boss.

- And, so?
- And you don't seem to care.

You are way too smooth.

[he laughs]

You're amazing.

You have no idea.

Call you tomorrow?

[julie]
the superintendent, really?

- What? Nothing happened.
- Oh, but it's gonna.

I've been holding back
from telling you

how bad I want to go home

because I know how hard
you worked to get here.

But you know what?
Why bother?

You're gonna mess this up
all on your own.

[brianna]
what is going on with you?

[solemn music]

You seem to be enjoying
cheerleading.

Coach allison said
you were fitting in so well.

You're happy,
taking care of yourself,

eating well.

Oh my god,
I can't even talk to you!

[brianna] what? I can't
say that you're doing well?

[julie] don't let me ruin
the last glimmer of hope

you have left for me.

See, it's the way
you look at me,

like you're
chronically disappointed.

Julie, where is this
coming from?

Why am I never enough?

Why is it my entire life, I...
Me... could never make you happy?

[sniffles]

Nothing can be further
from the truth, julie.

You needed the bigger house,

the better job, the better man.

I was there for you!

I supported you!

Six years of night school,

all the bad break-ups,
the moves,

for what?

I was finally happy
at my old school.

Honey...

Things haven't been easy,
I know that, but...

It's gonna be different now.

[julie]
it's not gonna be different.

Something bad keeps happening
to the cheer captains here,

and coach allison
and your new boyfriend

are a part of it.

[brianna]
that's not true.

Julie! Julie!

[julie] I'm going to find
out what happened, mom.

Julie, get back here!

[knocking]

- Julie.
- No!

- Julie, let's talk.
- Just leave me alone!

[door opens]

You don't look too good.

Yeah... I don't feel too good.

You need to go to a doctor.

I know, I know.

Can you help me get my car?

Yeah, of course.

I just need a sec.

[sighs]

[indistinct sports news
broadcast]

[soft footsteps]

[door softly closes]

[door closes]

[tense music]

[vargas]
we need to take care of kelly.

[susan]
this is the last time.

I wouldn't ask
if it wasn't important.

[susan] you don't need to keep
supplying her with painkillers

now that she's useless to us.

All right, gotta get going.

Leave it to me, okay?

[camera clicks]

I'll take care of her.

Oh, well, good evening, allison.

- You reach the tina girl?
- Yes, but, um,

seems like that's not gonna be
a possibility, unfortunately.

Make a better offer.

I think we'll be fine
for nationals.

Julie is an unbelievably
talented tumbler and flyer.

If we properly utilize
her skills,

we'll annihilate
the competition.

That is my point.

We need a better choreographer

to properly utilize her skills.

Yes, well...

If you want to protect
your investment, susan,

or win nationals, lexi,
then the constant bullying

and gossip needs to stop.

The wolf pack is a family, and
you both seem to forget that.

[susan]
you better have proof

if you are accusing my daughter
of any improprieties.

You are just as replaceable
as the rest of them.

I monitor everyone's
social media.

"Flexilexi," I saw
the horrible things

that you, ricky,
and your little crew left

on julie's page.

[allison scoffs]

Disgusting.

[lexi]
that's not true!

I don't know what
she's talking about.

[allison]
for your sake, I hope

that all those elite
educational institutions

you've applied for
don't find out

about this abusive hatred.

I mean, that would just
absolutely ruin your life.

[sighs]

Christin.

[christin]
yes, mrs. Riverford?

[susan]
more of this, sweetie.

I'll take what she's having.

Oh, that's fine.

[sighs]

Julie! Julie, julie!

- Let's go!
- Kelly!

What the hell
are you doing here?

- Kelly, get out of the car!
- I said I'm not going!

Get out of the car!

[dramatic music]

- What the...
- Go, go!

[dark music]

Make a left here.

Here.

This doesn't look
like a doctor's office.

[doors opening]

[doors closing]

Stay with him.
I'll be back.

Give me the keys.

- I'm not gonna ditch you.
- Give 'em!

Go.

- Julie, right?
- Yeah.

Brianna's daughter, correct?

Get up here!

Your mom has been a life-saver
the last two days.

Wonderful woman.

Do you want anything.

[car door closes]

- I'm good.
- You sure?

All right, take a seat,
take a seat.

You sure you don't want
anything?

- I'm good.
- You're okay? All right.

Are you in pain like kelly?

- No!
- Oh, good.

That's... That's very good.

I know they run
you girls ragged.

Wilson demands so much

from their athletes.

Trust me, I know,
I was one at wilson.

[he sighs]

I'll tell you what.

If you girls win nationals,

I've got a big yacht
we can party on.

Have you ever been on a yacht?

- No.
- Oh, it's incredible.

You're gonna have the best time.

Have you been up
to the country club yet?

- Have you seen it?
- No.

[vargas]
oh my god, you need to see

the golf course at night,
the way they light it up.

You gotta ask kelly.

I've taken her so many times.

She absolutely loves it.

She loves my yacht parties too.

Okay. Let's go.

[vargas] hey, what is
this? I thought you girls

were gonna stick around,
we were gonna have some fun.

No, gotta go.

But my mom is gonna be looking
for me all night.

Could I have some money
for a hotel?

Yeah, sure.

Whatever you need.

[money crinkling]

Here you go.

Have fun tonight.

[car doors opening]

[doors closing]

[engine starting]

[car driving away]

You are unbelievable.

Nothing ever changes
with you, does it?

Oh, my god!

Save the preaching.

[allison] when I came
to wilson high school,

I thought my life
was going to change.

You sat in my mom's living room

and told me I was gonna be
on the best cheer squad

in the country.

And guess what?

You were.

Because I made it the best!

I led that squad
of mediocre rich kids

to a national title.

There's no "I" in team.

Then why did they all go off
to their elite universities

while I stayed here
with no high school education,

a drug felony,
and no hope out of this town?

You made some bad
personal choices, allison.

What can I say?

Happens to the best of us.

[allison] and you and
your little yacht parties

had nothing to do with that?

I was a kid.

You're an animal.

Don't you ever wonder

if any of this
is gonna come back to you?

You're gonna rat me out?

Blackmail me?

Your hands are dirty, too,
and since you brought it up,

I thought the kelly situation
was a liability.

Let's just say...

She's gonna be on a long list

of wilson high school tragedies,

just like our little vanessa.

Do you miss her, huh?

I don't!

But it seems like you want to be
on that list too.

Is that right?

[whimpering]

No, I promise.

Please, just let me go.

Please.

I'm not gonna say anything.

[music intensifying]

Please.

[panting]

[he snickers]

[soft music]

You are psychotic.

I know.

[ominous music]

But you... Make me that way.

[he chuckles]

[he screams]

[intense music]

[gasping]

[panting]

[wheezing]

[allison]
and five, six, seven, eight.

And hit, hit.

Come on, girls, let's go.

Hit, full out.

Go seven, hold eight.

Cradle.

Come on, wolf pack, let's go!

We got this!

[electronic dance music]

Three, hit, hit. Yes.

[music fading]

[dreary music]

Is vargas the reason
you wanted to quit?

He's about to become
your new best friend,

captain.

[julie]
did he do something to vanessa?

Probably.

I thought she was your friend.

You can take that ring off.

Once a captain,
always a captain.

There's no escape.

They own us now.

Are you sure you're okay
to drive?

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

[skidding]

[glass shattering]

Kelly?

Kelly!

Kelly...

Where's my... where's my...

- No.
- But you're hurt.

We have to get you
to a hospital.

[words echoing]

Coach allison.

She knows what to do.

[phone dialing]

[coughing]

[allison]
hello? Julie? Julie!

Coach allison, we need help.

[panting]

[dark music]

- Are you hurt?
- Uh, no, just a tiny bit.

- But kelly's really hurt.
- Oh, honey.

[julie] I never should've
gotten in the car with her.

- My mom's gonna kill me.
- Damn it, kelly!

What the hell
are you still doing here?

I'm not going to rehab.

I can't leave vanessa.

Vanessa is gone,

and you need to watch
what you're saying

before we all end up
just like her.

She needs to know the truth.

[tense music]

We're not at riverford farms
tonight.

- Do you understand me?
- Yes.

I'm gonna take you home.

You're gonna tell your mom
and anyone who asks

that she wanted to hang out
with boys,

but you went home instead and...

But, coach, kelly's hurt.

We need to take her
to the hospital.

We need to call 911!

- We can't call...
- We can't do this!

Of course.

You're right, okay?

Help me get her in the car,

and we'll take her
to the hospital.

Okay, let's go, come on.

Okay.

[doors closing]

[grunts, smacks]

Ooh, pitching prospect arrested

with 20 pounds of cocaine
in duffel bag.

"Pitching hopeful
jackie vargas, 20,

is led off by police
after a drug raid

at hotpants nightclub."

Wow, vargas.

I didn't pick you
as that fast, jeez.

[knocking]

[door opens]

Kelly?

I know she's here.

Kelly, get down here now!

What? What are you doing?

Kelly, don't mess with me!

Kelly?

[solemn music]

Kelly!

[phone dialing]

She's not picking up, I don't...

Julie?

This is my daughter's ring.

I don't know where she is.

I didn't even know
she left the house.

Julie? Call me, now.

I promise you,
she's a good girl.

[dr. Russo]
that's what they all say.

I go watch kelly at practice
just to make sure she's alive.

She won't even talk to me.

[whimpering]

God knows where she sleeps
at night.

They've got her hooked on drugs,
I know it.

[phone ringing]

- Tina?
- Hey, ms. Mckay.

Is julie there?
I'm on my way.

[brianna] you're on your
way? What do you mean?

What's going on?
We can't find kelly or julie.

[tina]
didn't she tell you?

Somebody or somebodies left
hundreds of threatening comments

on our cheer videos.

What is going on at this school?

I just did a little recon
on vargas, and now this?

You have no idea.

Vargas made the last captain
disappear.

[dramatic music]

[wheezing, whimpering]

[vanessa]
nurture your body with drugs.

Morning practices at the school,

hours of training at the farm.

That meal plan?

A dinner to make you sleep

and a shake to wake you up,

and nurture your body
with drugs.

[allison]
there's no "I" in team.

[breathing heavily, whimpering]

[echoing voices, screaming]

You're gonna be safe now.

[words echoing]

Where am I?

I'm keeping you girls safe.

Safety first, right?

Is kelly okay?

Oh, kelly's a trooper.

It's you
I'm more concerned about.

You are much more sensitive
than kelly.

You were such a good find.

[dark music]

Scouting social media,

I thought of that.

You know, your tumbling, ahh.

Your body not trashed
by drugs yet.

What are you talking about?

I moved here 'cause my mom
got a job here.

[kelly]
no.

Your mom got the job
'cause they wanted you.

They wanted my mom out.

[allison] when that whole lawsuit
business happened with vanessa,

they knew that they needed
to find families

that they could better integrate
with the wolf pack family.

A parent with a sweet job
in the school administration.

Staff is just so easy
to keep on the same team.

You'd know.

[allison] and you know
your friend tina, jules?

She's so good.

They want her, too, but...

I am not gonna let them
take away

another one
of these young ladies.

- You're a traitor, allison.
- No, you are!

I invested a lot in you, kelly.

You know, I trained her
since she was wee big.

So talented, but then
one little injury

and she gets hooked
onto painkillers

that vargas gave her.

You're supposed to nurture
your body

with love, kelly, not poison.

It's okay, baby.

Vargas is gone.

I made sure he won't hurt
any more cheerleaders.

I'm gonna take the pain away.

Wait, I have something for you.

[door creaking]

[door closes]

[groaning]

[brianna]
"who let them on the squad?"

"A waste of life."

Tina, I'm... I'm so sorry.

[tina] I tracked down one
of the accounts, "flexilexi,"

to the name lexi riverford.

Let me see if I can get
a number or email

attached to the account.

Lexi and her crew

bullied my daughter
into a person

I don't even recognize anymore.

That's why vargas wants me gone.

Because I wasn't down
with letting parents

like the riverfords buy grades.

[brianna]
so that's what he meant by,

"we need to level
the academic playing field."

Make wilson a safe space
for gifted athletes

who need
individualized attention.

[groans in disgust]

More like keep your mouth shut

while he gets paid
to commit academic fraud.

[brianna]
figures.

I wondered why I was locked out
of the student accounts.

I'm sorry I thought it was you.

I'm sorry.

Money buys a lot of power
in this town.

Yeah.

It's hard to trust anyone.

You can trust me.

[tina]
I'm sending a number.

It is linked to those accounts.

- Okay.
- Oh, wait.

Even though her phone location
isn't coming up,

check her workout app.

She keeps it on all the time.

It'll show you the last place
that she was at.

All right.

Um, okay, it looks like
they were at riverford farms,

and then it stopped
at riverford road,

57 minutes ago.

Oh my god.

Let's go.

[tense music]

[door creaking]

let's go, vanessa. Game plan.

[shaky breathing]

[groaning]

[tense music]

[tearing]

Kelly?

[door creaking]

Vanessa?

[dripping]

[door closing]

[keys jingling]

Set that down over there.

My little runaways.

I get it,
I wanted to run away, too,

but I had to stay here

and make sure
you guys were safe,

so you owe me this,

especially you, kelly.

You had your chance to leave,
but you didn't.

I'm going to take down
wilson high once and for all.

So we're going out
in a bang, girls.

I have a video I wanna show you.

Me and vanessa
have been working on this dance,

and we almost got it down,
right?

Come on, guys, get up!

This is going to be

the most epic
wilson high school tragedy ever,

too big for even
the riverfords to cover up.

Here, I'll get some pom-poms.

You guys want poms?

[upbeat dance music]

last practice, okay?

Five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, ta, ta...

[car rumbling]

[phone dialing]

[phone ringing, groans]

[upbeat dance music]

Buzzkill, hold on.

- Hey, who's this?
- This is julie's mom.

I'm calling for flexilexi.

This is about the comments
you left

on my daughter's
social media page.

Yes, this is lexi,

and I don't know
what you're talking about.

Um, I'm really busy
right now studying,

so you're gonna have to call
my lawyer, a.K.A. My mom.

Coach allison, is that you?

What the...

I have no idea what's going on.

[brianna]
I do, she's a cheer coach.

[allison] change of
plans, practice is cut short.

Man, sometimes you just have
to improvise, you know?

Don't let the judges see
your mistakes.

So we need... To finish big,

finish strong, finish sharp,

full out just finish big!

[groaning]

[fire whooshing]

[dramatic music]

[groaning]

[breathing heavily]

[punches, groaning]

- Oh my god.
- Okay, wait, what's this?

- Oh my god.
- That's kelly's car.

- No!
- Stop the car, stop the car.

[tense music]

Oh my god, they're not here.

- Let's go.
- Julie!

[dramatic music]

[kicks, groans]

[fire roaring]

[smacking, groaning]

[keys jingling]

[door creaking]

Oh my god!

[groans]

[tires screech, thud]

[mellow music]

[flames crackling]

[groans]

[grim music]

[groaning]

[breathing heavily]

[explosion]

Oh my god.

[explosions rumbling]

[mellow music]

[sirens wailing]

[firetruck horn blaring]

[kelly]
well, I'm off to rehab.

Can we hang when I get back?

[bright music]

[vanessa]
I tested positive

for performance-enhancing drugs

at a club cheer meet.

I knew the school
was drugging me.

I was still gonna do nationals.

I was gonna quit after
and tell the team why.

Kelly and her mom
used to drive me to practice.

- Have fun!
- Thanks, love you!

[vanessa]
but not that day.

Hey!

Good morning, sweetie.

[solemn music]

I got your favorite.

[vanessa] that's the
last thing I remember...

Before I woke up in a dark room.

[allison]
vanessa?

They'll find you, vanessa.

[words echoing]

[vanessa]
I tried escaping.

It was... It was no use.

[door creaking]

It's okay, you're safe now.

Thanks.

[indistinct radio chatter]

[birds chirping]

[mellow music]

[door closes]

This is so weird.

This is still your home.

Okay.

You can stay here
as long as you like.

Julie...

Vanessa, do you want to go
to your room,

take a shower
and get cleaned up?

Yeah, thanks.

[ominous music]

[gentle music]

It, uh, pretty much looks
the same as when I lived here.

Really?
I imagined whoever lived

in this big old fancy house
probably had a bunch

of nice furniture
and cool clothes.

[chuckling]

- No.
- Are these okay?

Yeah, yeah, these are perfect.

I'll go get you
some clean socks or something.

Awesome, thank you.

[whimpering]

- Julie!
- Oh, you need a towel?

- Shh, shh.
- Are you okay?

- Are you okay?
- Yeah, yeah.

[dark music]

We need to talk.

Mom?

[yelps]

- Mom?
- I'm okay, baby, I'm okay.

[breathing heavily]

Hey, girls, get out.

It's okay, go sit down.

I'm glad that we're all here
for this little chat.

[brianna]
let the girls go.

You and I can go and talk
about this like adults, okay?

We're all adults here.

Isn't that right, ladies?

[brianna] they don't
need to be here, vargas.

You and I can go talk
about this.

When the feds called
this morning

wanting to speak to me

about coach allison's
unfortunate demise,

I had to make sure
we were all on the same page.

So excited to find tina
waiting outside for you.

We've got big things
planned for you, girl.

I've been making champions

and breaking champions
at wilson high school

for a long time.

That's why the riverfords
and families like them

keep me here,
because I make them happy.

Trust me when I say to you...

You don't want to make
the riverfords unhappy.

- Isn't that right, vanessa?
- Go to hell.

You're just
their little bitch boy

who will do anything
to get up top.

- Oh, no, no, no.
- We went a whole year

without you;
We can go one more.

I'm assuming you and kelly

blabbed to the feds
about the medication

I was facilitating to her, huh?

You know what, shut up, shut up.

Kelly I could care less about.

She's a degenerate drug addict,

and her mom is a spiteful bitch

who's mad about being replaced.

But you, julie, and you and you,

we've got
a real opportunity here.

I mean, if it means getting in
on some of the riverford money,

I'm down.

[vargas laughs]

How much cash we talkin'?

Right? Are you girls in?

[vargas]
you raised a smart girl here.

[brianna] she's always
been very practical.

I can arrange ample compensation
with the riverfords,

but I need all of you to recant
anything you said to the feds

involving me or the riverfords.

The drugs, vanessa's kidnapping
and disappearance,

everything falls
on coach allison, we got that?

- Yeah, yeah, fine.
- Loud and clear.

[vargas]
because with the three of you,

I believe
wilson's wolf pack cheer

is looking to have
the best year ever!

Hey!
[smacks]

[brianna]
get back, get back, get back.

- Oh my god.
- Did we get it?

[tina]
yeah!

Over 10,000 people are watching.

- What?
- Make that...

Oh my god, make that 30.

[laughing]

Make that 55!

Thank you.

- Oh my gosh, we're saved.
- I'll tell kelly's mom.

[laughing]

[lexi]
ready? Okay.

[clapping]

Purple, black, white.

Wolf pack, let's fight.

Purple, black, white.

Wolf pack, let's fight.

[dramatic music]

[officer]
lexi riverford?

Lexi riverford,
you are under arrest

for conspiracy to commit fraud.

I... I'm not a criminal.

I'm captain of the cheer team.

I didn't do it.

You're gonna have to call
my mom, she's my lawyer.

All right, girls,
grab your poms.

Let's get into cheer formation
for wolf pack.

All right, from the top,
here we go.

Six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four,

five, six... Wolf pack!

[bright music]

Do you know who I am?

[cheerleader]
seven, eight.

Go one, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight.

Nice, one, two, three, four,

five, six... Wolf pack!

[julie]
five, six, seven, eight.

Wolf pack!