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[narrator] If I had to pick a yearbook quote, it would be,
"Lonely in life, popular in death."
- See that girl flying up in the air? -[shutter clicks]
That's me, Darby Harper.
My upbringing was pretty awesome at first.
-[chuckles] That's my mom. -[cheers]
I was following in her iconic cheer footsteps.
[crowd cheering]
Back then, I thought I knew who I was and who I wanted to be.
- Until everything came crashing down. -[Mom] There's Dad.
-Darby! -[water splashes]
My mom and I died on the same day.
[lifeguard] One. Two…
And even though I technically came back from the other side,
-[thunder rumbling] - I was never the same.
What was different about me? Are you sitting down for this?
[whispering] I see dead people.
[normal voice] Everywhere.
And it turns out the dead,
- or "Deados" as I like to call them, -[Darby] Excuse me.
actually needed my help.
-[Dad] Hey. -[Darby's friends cheering]
So, that's when I turned my back on the living world
and decided to start my little side hustle,
- counseling local spirits. -Hello.
Over time, I learned that not every person who died stuck around.
Only those who have some unfinished business.
-[doorbell rings] - And this is where I come in…
-[door opens] - …as a spiritual messenger of sorts,
making sure the Deados don't get stuck in a world that no longer sees them.
With my assistance, these spirits were able to cross over,
which is pretty beautiful.
Word spread in the purgatory circuit, and my after-school job took off.
Hey, how are you?
There's no pay,
but if dead people gratitude had monetary value,
I'd be Jeff Bezos.
[car horn honks]
You'd think witnessing dead people say, "Goodbye" over and over again
would be my biggest burden,
but it is a distant second
to the torturous realm where I am forced to spend my days, high school.
I can't believe you think this is a better education than homeschooling.
[scoffs] I mean, look at them.
Honey, I have a hard time getting you to come out for dinner.
I mean, how else can I get you to socialize?
I make, like, ten new dead friends a week. How much more social can I get?
-[bell rings] -[Dad] I love you.
[Darby] Love you too.
Try to have a good day.
-[student outside school] Hey, babe. -Hey, isn't that Capri Donahue?
[student whistles]
Honey, I just don't get why you two stopped hanging out.
You were joined at the hip. Maybe y'all should reconnect.
Oh, no. I lost my hard-earned smile.
[engine starts]
[students chattering]
It truly amazes me that at the most formative time of their lives,
a time that should be about self-discovery,
and finding what is individual and unique about themselves,
they instead choose to homogenize in groups
that give them the unhealthy acceptance they so deeply crave.
You're so lucky your mom let you.
I was going under the knife for my deviated septum anyway,
so we just thought that we'd get my boobs done at the same time.
And that's why I'd rather hang out with the unliving than the unwoke.
[skater dude 1 burps]
-Gross, sorry. -Hey, dude,
La Croix eruption at Mount McMuffin, dude.
Did I mention that I spent last Friday night discussing modern art
with a woman who claimed to be Frida Kahlo's lover? Just saying.
[sighs]
In the ecosystem of high school,
I'm basically a hermit crab hiding under a reef.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
That's my friend, Gary. He's a "Stayer." A Stayer is a Deado who--
-[laughing] Oh, my God. No way! -I know. And she said, "Fetch."
-Ew. -Your jacket is really cute, by the way.
Oh, thanks. It's amazing what I can do with a sewing machine and a little thread.
Capri Donahue.
Head phony. Ever heard of someone described as having solid character?
Oh, my God. The Sweet Seventeen promo video?
-I know. -Oh, I'm living for it.
Well, Capri's is pure particle board.
[singsongy] I know!
Good morning, Miss Lyman. You look like a breath of fresh air.
[coughing] Kiss ass.
Oh, Darby. Forgot you went here.
Hmm.
-[student] Babe. -[Capri gasps] Jamesy!
I missed you.
In case you couldn't tell by that dramatic Bachelor Nation -style spin,
that's Capri's boyfriend.
James Harris was a band geek
who had been completely invisible to Capri until--
♪ I needed you, oh But I never showed ♪
♪ And I wanna stay with you Until we're gray and old ♪
Even though he didn't make it past the blind audition round,
it was enough fame for Capri
to turn her chair and set her thirsty hooks in him.
-[bell rings] -Good morning, newly minted junior class.
-Whoo! -[Lyman] Welcome to biology lab.
Before you get too comfortable, I've paired you up with your lab partner
alphabetically by last name.
Go ahead and take a seat with that person.
I don't even have to look at the list. Ever since first grade, it's always--
-Harper. -Harris.
Uh, Miss Lyman, I need to be partnered with James
because I'm trained to assist him with his learning disability.
[whispering] He has dyslexia.
[softly] No, he doesn't.
I'm sure James will manage on his own, Capri.
[sighs]
Capri knows I'm the one person she can't get to like her.
I'm the one girl in school who doesn't wanna be her,
the one person who can see through her bullshit.
[clears throat]
[sighs]
-[laughs] -Hi, baby.
Babe, I'm at a different table. I'm not going off to war.
Oh, my God. Don't even say that.
All right. Let's get started.
Uh, excuse me, Miss Lyman? There's an ass on my desk.
-[students giggling] -Oh, I'm sorry. This is a fresh blowout.
I didn't even see anyone was sitting here.
[whispering] Freak show.
I'm sorry. She can be a little extra sometimes. [chuckles]
Extra psychotic.
-I like your Chucks. -Oh, thanks.
Yeah.
James is a good guy.
He was actually my first crush back in sixth grade. [inhales sharply]
Before I realized that romantic relationships are just a social construct
people created to avoid the fact that we're all helplessly alone in this world.
-[Gary chuckles] -Mmm. I got you this time.
I do.
-Hmm. Boom. -Eh, nah, nah, nah, nah. Bishop to e4.
Ugh, crap. That's--
Yeah, that's-- That would be checkmate.
Mmm.
[inhales deeply] And that would also be two more bucks you owe me, kid.
Come on. You don't even use money.
I know, I know. But I love to leave it in Linda's purse.
She gets a big boost when she finds it. Treat herself to some fancy coffee drink.
[sighs] All right. That is pretty frigging adorable.
[laughs] All right, come on. Pay up.
[sighs] I really wish you took Venmo.
[bell rings]
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day.
Thank you, Gary. I appreciate it. I'll try.
[chattering]
[students chattering in background]
Hey, hi. Uh, you're the girl from the bleachers, right?
Uh, I don't talk to clients here.
Uh. [chuckles]
Come by my office Friday night, okay? That's where I work.
Work--
-Oh, shit. -[laughs] Are you okay?
I mean, you look like you've just seen a ghost.
[sighs] The opposite, actually. I thought you were--
Never mind. I just-- I haven't seen you before.
Great. You two found each other.
-Alex is new, and he's gonna need… -Oh, God. Please, no.
…a junior study buddy to show him the ropes.
[Darby titters]
[whispering] He just transferred in from a Montessori school,
so all this is pretty foreign to him.
Oh, okay. Yeah, I don't know if I'm the best person to do that.
Sure, you are. You're an honors student, and you both seem like such--
-He's thinking, "Weirdos." -Abstract thinkers.
-Mmm. [chuckles] -Yeah.
Extracurricular activities meet-and-greet starts in ten minutes.
Walk Alex through it. Help him acclimatize. [clicks tongue]
-That guy. Uh, we're-- Yep. -Yep. Okay.
So, do you have any burning questions about Frederick Douglass High
I can answer in the next two minutes?
Uh, that for starters.
Yeah, the superintendent passed a bill allowing corporate sponsorship
of cafeterias so that schools could save on the cost of lunches. [chuckles]
Jeez.
My old school didn't have this type of structure.
You know, the bell telling you when and where to go,
having to raise your hand to get permission to take a leak.
Public school is only a few rules away from the Marines.
[laughing] Yeah. That's funny.
So, why did you leave Montessori?
I had a bit of a rough patch last year. You know, some issues, so--
I feel your pain, junior class buddy.
So, who do you hang with?
Uh, I don't.
Oh. The lone wolf.
[chuckles]
You said something earlier about your work?
Oh, no. N-- It was nothing. [laughs]
I thought you were someone else.
Um, I do some social work on Friday nights.
Social work?
When in doubt, the truth gets people to bug off every time.
Yeah. Yeah, it's for dead people. I help them pass on to the next realm.
Uh-- [laughs]
That's really cool. I'm actually into psychic mediums too.
-Oh, yeah? -Yeah. What are the odds?
That backfired.
[Alex] So, uh, are you in any of these clubs?
Maybe in another lifetime.
At my old school, I had a Stephen King book club.
Oh, uh-huh.
But you know, if I'm forced to be here, which I am,
I've decided I want the most public school experience ever known to man.
[laughs] Wow. You're quite the glass half-full guy.
I mean, if you don't embrace the absurdities in life, right?
It's unlivable.
Mmm.
Ooh, prom. I've seen that in the movies.
[laughs]
Uh, I gotta run.
Oh. Okay, uh--
I-I'd love to talk to you more about the paranormal stuff.
[sighs] Lone wolf, Alex.
-"Lone" being the key adjective there. -Right. [chuckles]
Yeah. See you.
[howls]
Yeah.
Mmm. That's not good.
All right. Listen up, people.
We got a few cheerleaders here who want to do a special presentation just for you.
And action!
Let's go. [claps]
Hi, Cougars! I'm Capri Donahue, and this is--
Taylor.
Taylor, Bree, Piper and Todd.
And we're here to tell all the gym classes about cheer tryouts next week.
Here's a little skit we prepared. Hope you enjoy!
Hi! Are you new here?
Yes, I'm a freshman.
-[gasps] -[Taylor] And I've always dreamed of being
a cheerleader, but I'm so intimidated by it.
Isn't it just for shallow, hot girls?
I'm so glad you asked. And the answer is, that's offensive.
Cheerleaders aren't just pretty people who are happy all the time.
We face the same challenges. Just like you.
Really? Even you, the head cheerleader?
-[Capri] Yes, even me. -Yeah.
But cheer allows us to be the change that we wanna see.
[Bree] We support female empowerment, just like Beyoncé.
When one of us falls-- [gasps]
-The sisterhood is there to catch us. -Jesus.
Next week, I'll be there.
[whispering] Piper, at the end.
But cheer keeps the world moving.
Because when something gets us down--
-[Piper] Cheer-- -Lifts us back up. [giggling]
[dance music playing]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Let's hear it, Cougars!
[cheerleaders] Tryouts next week, show us what you can do.
[Bree] Tryouts next week!
-[Taylor] Now, Piper! -"Now," what?
Next week? I'll be there.
-Shit. -[Bree and Capri] Whoo!
-[Bree] Let's go, Cougars! -[Taylor] Whoo!
My dad said I can only invite 50 people, but I was, like,
"Come on, the DJ tent holds at least a hundo."
Ugh! Can we get a corporate sponsor from…
[electricity crackles]
…the electric company or something? This is ridiculous.
Give me my clothes.
Why would I take your clothes? Not planning on attending a funeral.
[laughing]
I have no problem walking up to Principal Morgan's office in my towel
to discuss his zero tolerance bullying policy.
Oh, my God! You're totally gaslighting me right now.
You're the one who bullied me in front of the entire class this morning.
You called me an ass.
Technically, I called your actual ass an ass.
Maybe you'll understand that more when we get to the anatomy section of bio lab.
[laughs, clears throat]
[laughs]
It was just a joke. No need to go crying to the principal, freak show.
-[screams, gasps] -[water splashes]
Ow! My ass.
-Capri! -Are you okay?
I'm fine. Just-- [sighs] I slipped.
[electricity crackling]
[whimpers]
[crackling fades]
[police radio chatter]
[officer] Miss Harper, thank you so much for giving us your statement.
We'll be in touch if we have any follow-up questions.
Miss Harper?
Uh-- Yeah, yes. [chuckles] Okay.
Okay.
All right, ladies.
[sniffs] Go home, get some rest.
Remember, we have grief counselors available.
Seeing a dead person is a very traumatic experience
which none of us are equipped for.
[laughs]
[Darby coughing]
[whispers] Sorry.
Something in the throat. [clears throat]
-[birds chirping] -[dog barking in distance]
Hey.
[Darby] Hey. [chuckles]
[groans, sighs]
Yeah. She was a beauty.
I know you don't like talking about your mom.
And I'm not trying to push you.
I know Capri's death is probably a trigger. Right?
No. No, really. I'm-- I'm fine.
Honey.
I'm just tired.
So-- But thank you.
Night.
-[Dad] I love you. -Love you.
[sighs]
Wake up, bitch. Wake up!
Oh, goddamn it.
[gasps]
-[light switch clicks] -So it's true. You can see me.
[Darby] How did you even-- Uh--
Remember groundskeeper Gary?
-Uh-- -Yeah.
He told me all about your little "ability."
-[sighs] -Bring me back.
Darby!
Bring me back. Now!
Capri, I can't bring you back. I can only help you move on.
Move on?
No. Cheer tryouts are next week.
My Sweet Seventeen is coming up in a month.
I've planned it the whole year. It costs more than my sister's wedding.
[inhales sharply] Denial. It's the hardest stage.
Listen, I'm-- [sighs] …I'm really sorry you died.
I truly am. But you are dead,
and neither I, nor anyone else can bring you back.
[electricity crackling, whooshing]
[screams]
[Capri gasps]
Holy crap!
-Did I do that? -[sighs]
-Am I coming back to life? -No, dude, you're a form of energy.
So, with intense focus and practice,
or I guess just pure, unfiltered teenage rage,
Deados can manipulate things in the real world.
-"Deados?" -Yeah. Yeah, that's what I call your kind.
The in-betweeners like you.
Okay, but-but-but what about, um, Gary?
-I mean, he died our freshman year, right? -Yeah.
He's a Stayer. It means he chooses to be here.
He's waiting for his wife to die so they can pass on together.
Okay, cute. Um. Then, I will be a Stayer too.
Yeah. I don't wanna go to some… [scoffs] …creepy afterlife. No, thank you.
No, no. Capri, this is not where you're meant to be,
so it'll be very difficult for you to be at peace here.
Especially you, feeling like you're missing out on all that stupid shit
-you think is so important. -[gasps]
Oh, it might be stupid shit to you, freak show,
but this is the best year of my life.
Everyone thinks senior year is peak, but no.
Seniors have one foot out the door to college.
I am at the epicenter of the ultimate high school experience.
[sighing] I'm not going anywhere.
You literally will never be able to see yourself again.
You're dead.
So is all that shit you care about.
Cheer championships, homecoming, your birthday.
You can't experience it anymore.
[sighs]
[exhales deeply]
I'm sorry.
Look, I can deliver whatever message you want to whomever.
But once you make the decision to move on, you move on.
[Darby sighs]
Look, you can stay here tonight if you're freaked out.
But I'm going to sleep because, well, I'm alive,
and I have another day of living hell tomorrow.
I'm sorry you died.
[light switch clicks]
I'm Katlyn Kelley, reporting live from Frederick Douglass High School,
where yesterday, students witnessed the shocking and tragic death
of their popular classmate, head cheerleader,
Capricorn Donahue.
[sighs] I'm on TV, and I can't even enjoy it.
Grieving students have been visiting this memorial
for the beloved cheerleader.
Could you tell us a little about what made Capri so special?
[sighs] She was an amazing person and such a great friend.
And I'm just gonna miss her so much.
I've literally never seen you before in my life.
Capri was planning a big Sweet Seventeen birthday for next month.
Can you tell us more about that?
[sobbing, sniffling] Yeah, she was so excited about the party.
She put everything she had into planning it.
Oh, guys! I'm still here-- [screams]
Is there anything else you would like our viewers to know about Capri?
Just that she was the glue that bonded together our sisterhood.
She was actually a Scorpio.
Also, follow us on Instagram. Thank you.
A young spark of life, gone in a flash. A cheer heard no more.
Are you sure you wanna do this? Maybe you should stay at home.
[Katlyn] Signing off.
Nah, it's just putting off the inevitable.
[Capri] That's the photo you brought to my shrine?
Taylor, you look adorable, and my eyes are literally closed!
[screams]
-[gasps] -[Bree] Did you guys see that?
[sighs]
[Cougars laughing]
[Taylor] That practice killed me. Capri would have been so proud.
[Bree] Nationals, here we come! [cheers]
[giggles] So, where are we going tonight?
[chatters indistinctly]
I just can't believe that she's gone.
I had my nose modeled after hers.
I heard she shot 50 feet in the air, and her pants flew off.
Do you think James Harris will rejoin jazz band now?
[student 5] "Dead Cheerleader" is a killer name for a band.
[student 6] Alive Capricorn Donahue was an "it girl," but dead Capri Donahue?
Oh, she's a legend, honey.
[Gary] Hey, here she is-- Hey, Darby. My buddy, Mel.
-Hi. -He passed last night.
-Uh, heart attack. -Yeah.
-Oh. Sorry. -You know. So if you don't mind,
he's gonna sit and watch our lunchtime chess games
-until you can help him move on. -Yeah, sure.
My wife, Deb, uh, she passed 17 years ago,
and you know, that's a long time.
I was in a lot better shape then, right?
Uh, what if she's not
-attracted to me anymore? -Maybe.
Well, I like to think that when you pass on,
you pass as your optimal self.
And I'm pretty sure that has nothing to do with your superficial exterior.
Oh, my optimal self?
-Yeah. -I like that.
-[Gary laughs] -[laughs] Okay.
-Well, we'll talk soon. -Way to be, Darby. Thank you.
-She is good! -I told you, huh?
[Darby] Oh, no.
Oh, thank God.
-Hola! Oh! -Oh! Jeez-- [scoffs]
-God, you scared the shit out of me. -[laughing] Oh. Sorry.
Are you okay?
Yeah, fine. I--
It's just someone I'm trying to avoid. [chuckles]
Oh. Got a little stalker? [laughs]
[inhales sharply] Potentially.
Oh, you're serious.
-Oh, my bad. Okay. Uh… -[chuckles]
You wanna talk about it?
Well, the frustrating thing is, is I don't think anyone would understand.
Mmm. I get that.
Don't have to explain anything to me, I'm just making sure you're okay.
Thanks.
-Um-- -So, what's up?
So, you were there with the cheerleader yesterday?
That's pretty intense.
[sighs] Yeah. [screams]
Whoo! Sorry, Alex. Too much caffeine.
Uh, sorry. Uh, I-- I gotta go but I'll s-- Thanks for the--
Just thanks.
-I need to talk to you. -[Alex] Okay.
I don't work at school, Capri.
What do you mean, "Work"? I'm not asking you to do my taxes.
-[sighs] -[bell rings]
[sighs]
[door closes]
Okay, what do you want?
I have decided that I do, in fact, want to move on.
It's incredibly boring being here and being invisible.
Also, apparently, I'm stuck in this outfit.
If I knew I was gonna die, I would've worn way more accessories.
Smart decision. Come see me Friday night.
Whoa! I haven't told you when I wanna move on.
Okay, I don't have time for this.
It'll be next month. After my Sweet Seventeen.
No. No, just go to your funeral. Yeah, everyone will be crying
and talking about how awesome you were. You'll love it.
Ew, no. I hate funerals, they're mad depressing.
I want the party. Which is where you come in.
You're gonna make sure the party still happens.
[scoffs]
I think that curling iron incident fried your last remaining brain cell.
I-- [gasps]
[exhales sharply]
Game on.
Ideally, you'll do this voluntarily.
But I've been practicing the whole manipulation of objects thing all morning.
So, I can make life very weird for you if it comes down to it.
-Psycho. -[scoffs]
[Lyman] I just wanted to let you know.
-Sorry I'm late. -[Lyman] That's okay, Darby.
[door closes]
As I was saying, James will not be in today.
For obvious reasons.
Bree, Taylor, Piper, my condolences. I know you girls were very close.
She really would've wanted us to be here today.
To remember her with everyone else.
That's true. I mean, they're no good to me crying in private.
[Lyman] All right. Let's get started. If you uncover the tray in front of you,
you'll find today's project.
-Ugh. -[biology student 2] Gross!
-Cool! -I'm reporting this to PETA.
I'm sorry, buddy.
Um, Darby, I wanted to see if you wouldn't mind
dropping off James's lab homework for him until he's back.
Oh. Uh, I don't really think that'd be approp--
-What? Say yes! -Yes, of course.
[Taylor] Oh, my God.
Capri's Sweet Seventeen promo video has over, like, 200,000 views.
-Really? -Yeah. They played it on the news.
-[party music plays] -It's so tragic that it's canceled.
Darby!
Don't ignore me.
Hey! I'm serious.
[electricity crackles, whizzes]
-Hmm. -[whispering] What are you doing? Stop.
-Help me get the party back on. -[whispering] No.
[whizzing]
-[whispering] Stop it. -Darby, is everything okay?
Yes, fine.
[electricity crackling]
-[grunts] -[gasps, screams]
-[biology student] Ew. Gross! -[Taylor] Oh, my God.
-What the f-- -[Darby] Oh-- I'm--
Sorry, my hand slipped. [laughs]
Haven't you done enough?
Excuse me. I don't feel well.
-[whispers] My God. -What just happened?
-Okay, class. Carry on. -Oh, my God.
What a freak.
-Clearly, she needs therapy. -Hmm.
What the hell are you doing to me?
-Just say you'll help me. -No.
[grunting]
What are you-- No!
[shoes squeaking]
No! No, no, no, no!
-[shouting] No! No, no! -[electricity whizzing]
-Sorry, I just really have to pee. -Mm-hmm.
-[electricity crackling] -[screams]
-No. What are you-- No! -It's just till the party's back on.
No way in hell! [grunting]
[screams]
-Stop. No. Capri! -[crackling intensifies]
Stop, stop!
No, no, no, no!
-[toilet flushes] -[Darby screams]
-A public toilet? -[scoffs]
I could've contracted any number of deadly diseases.
This is criminal bullying.
I think it's criminally good haunting.
Fine. You know what? Have at it.
I'll just keep ignoring you until I'm committed to a psych ward.
Or you could help me and be free in a month.
All I want is to go to this party. To see my friends having fun,
and to dance next to James one last time.
And then I'll move on.
-I promise. -And in what worldly dimension
do you think I can throw your dream party?
Me, the girl you call, "Freak show"?
In a world where I make you popular enough to do it.
[laughs]
[Capri] I'm gonna let you in on a little secret.
Being popular is an illusion.
Like a magic trick, or cryptocurrency.
You just have to believe in it. And then they will too.
First, you'll need to get close to Taylor and Bree,
so you can convince them to throw the party in my honor.
[scoffs] Yeah, that sounds attainable,
since they hate me with the passion of a thousand suns.
Excuse me. You won't be able to avoid them once you join cheer.
[laughing] Never.
[sighs]
Aw, look at us little nuggets in our cheesy matching uniforms.
Hey, get outta there.
I forgot we were even friends that summer.
Then you were all weird when we got back to school.
Oh, sorry. I was just going through a little thing called my mom died.
Your mom was so boss.
[chuckles]
Top of the pyramid at the '93 Nationals.
Did she come to you too after she died?
Get out.
Okay! Touchy subject.
But don't you think that she'd want you to be like she was in that picture?
Happy? Smiling? Do you even have teeth?
[scoffs] You're really blowing your pitch, Capri.
Well, I just don't understand
why you wouldn't wanna be, at the very least, normal.
Well, I'm not normal.
I've spent my childhood being a travel agent for dead people.
-Okay, and? We all have baggage. [laughs] -[scoffs]
Yeah, like getting zits and wondering if anyone will ask you to prom.
Deep.
You're the most judgmental and self-righteous person I've ever met.
What? No, I'm not.
Okay, then prove it. If you really don't care what people think about you,
then what does it matter if you hang out with the popular crew for a month
or less, even?
[sighs]
[inhales sharply] So, as soon as the party is back on, do you promise to leave?
Do I have your word you'll leave after the party?
Okay, yes. I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die. Again.
[sighs]
Okay, fine.
Yes!
The first order of business is a full head-to-toe glow up.
Hey.
-What's wrong with this? -[sighs] It's a lot of black, Darbs.
No.
My God. Burn that.
What's all this stuff?
My mom's old clothes from the '90s.
Retro.
I dig it!
[laughing] Darby, stop it.
[machine whirring]
Ooh, it's a two-piece suit. Oh, it's a suit. [gasping]
Darby.
Stay still.
Nope. No.
Congratulations.
You actually look kind of hot! You need to post a selfie.
To what?
[sighs] What are you, an alien? Or Amish or something?
- I found out to be popular… -Here.
…you need to post a lot of selfies.
Hold it. Find your angles.
-You've never taken-- -What is-- What's my angle?
- Some selfies should be silly. -[shutter clicks]
And you should test out every filter until your eyes lose all perspective,
and you pick one where it looks like you have jaundice.
[shutter clicking]
Using too many emojis comes off as desperate and thirsty.
But three carefully curated emojis, radiates sophistication and class.
Eggplants? Penises. Kitty cats? Vaginas.
And a peach is a butt.
Well that certainly changes the meaning of that text I sent my grandma this morning.
Just keep the captions simple.
[sighs]
Two hours and 88 photos later,
I had six usable selfies posted to my feed.
If you don't embarrass yourself on Instagram,
maybe I'll train you on TikTok.
Don't-- Don't do that.
[bicycle bell rings]
[Capri] I can imagine James trying to block the party,
thinking the girls are only doing it for followers.
-So you'll have to get him on board, okay? -I'll try.
Here it is. Aw, the tree house of love.
That was our favorite make-out spot.
Barf.
Oh, Mrs. Harris? Hi, it's Darby. I brought James's homework.
Oh, go right on up. He hasn't left his room all day.
[James] ♪ Now everybody knows ♪
♪ And darling, it's you and me Until we're gray and old ♪
♪ Just say you won't let go ♪
Darby?
Jamesy. [sighs]
Hi, Jamesy-- I mean, James. [stammering] I brought your homework.
You look different.
Yeah, yeah. My cousin just started cosmetology school
-and needed a guinea pig. [laughs] -Nice. Natural liar.
-[softly] I love you. -[sighs] Sorry, it's such a mess in here.
-Just let me clean it up. -Oh. No worries.
-[sighs] -He listens to oldies.
Isn't it adorable?
[exhales sharply] I'm really sorry about Capri.
I know she loved you a lot.
Didn't you hate each other?
Hmm. Love-hate. We were close when we were younger.
And we still talk, sometimes. Uh, talked, sometimes.
Oh. Right, I didn't realize that.
[sighs] It's so weird, like I-- I know she's gone,
but it still feels like she's here with me.
I mean, she was the most kind, selfless person I've ever met.
Really?
[sighs] I mean, really. Yeah. I totally get that.
And when I didn't make it past the blinds on The Voice …
[sighs] …I felt like such a loser.
But when I came back to school, Capri helped me realize
that failures are just life's way of making you stronger.
It's true. I was so supportive.
[laughs] I'm sorry. I'm rambling.
No. It's okay, really. I get it. My mom died when I was seven.
Yeah, I remember. Can't even imagine how hard that's gotta be.
Yeah. It's just so disorienting,
like, one day your whole world is flipped upside down
and it feels like you're on Mars or something,
and you don't know how to feel normal again.
Yeah.
That's totally how it feels.
Uh, I should go.
Look, thank you for bringing that over.
It was nice to actually talk to someone.
[ghost] Hey, Darby.
Death has a funny way of teaching you what's most important.
Like finally making that apology.
Encouraging your child to embrace who they are.
And the one that always gets me, that final, "I love you."
The Deados never asked for anything petty or superficial…
[sighs] …until now.
[Dad] Whoa!
Good morning, sweetheart.
Morning. Don't make it a thing, okay?
It's just a temporary experiment for social studies.
-It's just-- -What?
You look like your mom.
Okay, this is weird. What is happening?
Who is that? I want her butt.
Damn, smoke show. You got steez.
Who is that? Is that Darby Harper?
-What is everyone looking at? -You, dummy.
Shoulders back, head up, walk.
Who's the new chick?
[student 8 sighs] That's head-to-toe vintage. Who's that girl?
I don't know. But she's serving '90s realness, and I'm so here for it.
Don't scowl, smile a little. [softly] They like you. Let them in.
Okay, don't smile. Um, try pouty. Cute pouty.
[grunts] How?
-[student 1] God, she is fire. -[student 2] Super fresh.
[students chattering in background]
Is she wearing a couch cover?
Hey. [chuckles]
Darby? You look different.
I mean a good different. [laughs]
I mean, you always look great.
-You wanna have a seat? -Yeah.
-No. -[electricity crackling]
-[Darby chuckling] Um-- -Darby, no. Absolutely not.
[Taylor] Is she trying to sit with the new guy?
-No. Uh, no. -[crackling continues]
-[Darby] Stupid chair. Come on. -No.
[grunts] You know, I'll just stand. Yeah, it's better for digestion.
Hey, hey, new girl. You wanna come, uh, eat lunch with us?
That's Todd. He's the cutest guy in the cheer squad.
-You should definitely sit with us. -No.
Oh.
No, what?
No, I forgot that I have something to get from my locker.
No time for lunch. [chuckles]
-[sighs] -Darby! Hey, Darby!
-[whispering] What? -[whispering] What are you doing?
Go sit at Todd's table. Don't be such a weirdo.
Well, I am a weirdo.
My anonymity was my only means of survival in this place.
-I'm done. -No. We have a deal.
[scoffs] Oh, right. Your brilliant plan.
[Darby] Hey.
-What are you doing? -You wanna know what I was thinking?
Even though you hate me, I could sit at your table at lunch,
join cheer and we could all become besties. [laughs]
Have you gone fully mental?
What? You don't wanna be my friend
just 'cause I got a new haircut and some lip gloss?
Oh, my God.
There, I tried.
Your new style is hideous.
[gasps] You wouldn't know real fashion if it bit you on the tit.
I thought it was cool.
-I like her socks. -Guys.
-[snaps] -What the hell was that back there?
You have zero chill. You need to get your shit together.
I'm crawling back into my hermit shell tomorrow.
[sighs] Why are you such a defeatist?
-[Gary] Oh, Darby, what are you doing? -[grunts]
-You've just left your king wide open. -Defeatist is right.
This is like watching The Queen's Gambit. Except she sucks.
-[Gary] Hey, hey. Darby, girl. -Burn.
Why don't you just do the cheer thing? You know you want to.
It'll be good, you'll meet new friends. Ones with pulses.
Yeah. And if you follow my plan,
then you'll earn their respect organically.
And if I refuse?
-[Gary groans] -[laughs]
-Oh-- Oh, my-- -[Gary, Mel] Whoa!
Bitch, was that a frog? What the hell!
I've been saving him since science class. I am not giving up on my party, Darby.
-There's more where that came from. -[bell rings]
Damn it! Fine! Fine.
But this is a hostage situation,
and that is on your karma report card, not mine.
Cheer tryouts are less than a week away.
We're training every day during lunch and after school. Hey!
Your days of chess and donuts, over.
Donuts. I will miss them.
Hmm.
Four.
You gonna do anything?
Excuse me?
Eight. Nine.
Three. Five. Seven. Again.
Everything okay?
Yeah, just need a sec to focus.
I haven't done this since, well, you know, since my mom.
-Hey, fresh homework. -Thanks.
No problem.
[cheering]
[whirring]
[students chattering]
-What's up? Did you hurt your ankle? -[sighs]
It's fine. It's nothing, I just-- I don't like the beach.
You're gonna kill it at tryouts tomorrow.
You're the best tumbler I've ever seen, and I've been to Nationals, twice.
Why did you quit when we were younger?
You're honestly a natural, just like she was.
I don't wanna talk about my mother.
Why?
You know, I used to wish I had your mom instead of mine.
At least your mom waited till she was dead to ignore you.
Sometimes I think she might have stayed.
But if she did, then why-- [sighs] Forget it.
If she had stayed, then why what?
I don't wanna talk about my mom, okay?
Okay.
Do you wanna scream about her instead?
What?
[shouting] I said, do you want to scream about her?
Cut it out.
No. I think you'll feel a lot better if you just scream a little bit!
-[screams] -Stop.
Come on!
Stop.
[shouting] Are we gonna make the team tomorrow, Darby Harper?
Yes.
[shouting] I said, are we gonna make the team tomorrow?
Yes! Yes! Okay?
-Yes! -Yes!
Okay! That's what I'm talking about!
[screaming]
[shouting] I'm gonna make the team!
[screaming]
You're gonna make the team!
All right. For those of you who don't know who I am, I am Coach Paula.
You gotta be kidding me.
And we have some very exciting news.
So, without further ado,
-he's your mascot and mine… -[cheering]
…Douglas The Donut!
-Look at this guy. -Come on.
-[cheering] -Oh, my God! So cute. Go, Dougie!
[mouthing words] Oh, wow.
[auditionees chanting] Time to rumble, time to go nuts!
-Time to cheer for the Fighting Donuts! -[Paula] She's pretty good.
[cheering]
-[Paula] Oh. -[Becky] Oh, nice try.
Let me see it.
Show 'em your moneymaker, Darbs.
[Capri] Yay!
Suck on that, Taylor!
-[Paula] Yeah. -So good.
[applauding]
-You slayed that shit. -[laughs]
I'm so proud of you. How does it feel?
I actually forgot how empowering it feels. It's such a high.
I feel like I have lockjaw from forcing a smile for an hour.
[donut] Great job out there. [grunts]
[laughing] No way.
You-- You know the donut?
Yeah, I never would've thought cheering was your thing.
-You're full of surprises. -I'm full of surprises?
You weren't kidding when you said you were gonna find the most ridiculous activity.
Well, it counts as a gym class credit. I get a free dozen donuts every game.
And, come on, the outfit is sexy as hell.
-[laughs] -No, no, no, no.
You cannot be friends with the donut. This is social suicide.
Uh, so-- Uh, update on your stalker situation?
-It's ongoing. -Ooh. Sorry to hear that.
Step away from the donut.
I'll talk to you later. Okay, Alex?
Okay.
I mean, that new cheer girl's just sick on the mat. And cute.
She's not new. That's Darby Harper. And she's, like, a witch or something.
Yeah. She basically killed Capri.
[Paula] Thank you for your patience.
If I call out your name, welcome to the Fighting Donuts cheer team.
You made it.
[squeals] Yes! I knew you could do it. God, I haven't felt this alive since--
-Well, since I was alive. -[chuckles]
Darby Harper, is that a smile on your face?
Congrats on making the team, Darbs. See you on the field.
-Say thanks, weirdo. -Thanks, weirdo, you. [chuckles]
-How does he know I made the team? -Probably posted it to IG. Check.
Okay! Look at you with 756 followers.
Congrats, you're actually becoming a real person.
Now, repost it to your story. And, um, humble brag.
Pretend like you don't actually care.
Uh, I don't really care.
Perfect! God, you're so good at that.
I actually did care.
I'd finally started making it in the living world,
but it turns out there are a lot of rules to being popular.
Don't brag, only humble brag.
It's okay to be moody, but never sad. Sad is cringe.
Don't try too hard.
Be woke, but not a woke fisher.
Don't be thirsty. Do listen. Do smile. Speak clearly. Don't be angry.
Be a winner. Don't worry. Dress to impress. Don't overgram.
I prefer the Deados any day.
Sure, they're dead, but at least they don't play games.
[inhales deeply, sighs]
The admiration and envy hang so heavily in the air,
even a dead girl can smell its sweet musk.
[laughing] Hey, hey, Darby!
-Ah! Ah, ah. -[Todd] I'll check you later.
-[softly] But I have chess with Gary. -Mm-mmm. Not today, you don't.
[sighs]
-[Cougars chattering, laughing] -Sit.
[cheering] Full set. Unbelievable.
-Yeah. Cool. -[inhales deeply]
Say hi. Jesus Christ, I feel like a ventriloquist.
-Hi. -[scoffs]
-[jock 1] Hey, Todd. -[laughs, grunts]
[jock 1] Nice catch, bro.
[Todd] Darby. You lit that mat on fire. Seriously.
-Welcome to the team. -[laughing] Thanks.
-Hey, Darby. Looking good. -Oh, thanks.
Aw! Look at you all flush with endorphins.
This is probably the first time you've experienced popularity, huh?
Own it, girl. Also, smile? Yeah, you have spinach in your teeth.
-What? -Phase one of my plan is complete.
You've joined the team and gained influence.
Now on to phase two.
That's phase two.
Oh, my God.
I swore I had a tampon in here.
She did. I put it in your locker. [whispering] You're welcome.
I wore white jeans. Do you have anything?
Still trans.
Go on, this is your cue.
-[Bree] Sorry, boo. I don't have any. -[Taylor] Oh, my God. Come on.
Here, Taylor.
Thanks.
[Capri] Retreat. Retreat! Act natural. Come on.
[Darby] Yeah.
[clears throat]
So, I guess we have to practice the stunt.
You can come over tomorrow after school.
Yeah, sounds good.
I will see you then. I guess.
[cheering, laughing]
Why the sudden desire to join cheer, Darby Harper?
Whoa. What's happening?
-She thinks you're an undercover narc. -Like 21 Jump Street.
-She's clean. -Nice.
Uh-- Say something. Um, something good.
Well, honestly, you guys,
that recruitment skit that you guys did in gym class really spoke to me.
[exhales sharply] I wrote that.
After I said, "Let's write a script." [sighs]
And I just thought, "Wow." [chuckles] I mean, "I wish I had such cool friends."
[laughs] Yeah, we're definitely an upgrade from that weird donut kid.
-Yeah. Are you dating the donut? -Squash that. Now.
[stammers] No. No, I don't really know him.
Ooh, I wonder how James is doing.
Bitch, I will drown you in a toilet bowl
if you think for one second about dating Jamesy.
I think he's coming back to school soon.
It's gonna be so sad seeing him without Capri.
-I still can't believe that she's gone. -Here's your in.
Um, well, isn't Capri's birthday coming up?
Do you guys have, I don't know, anything special planned for it?
Well, she had this big Coachella-themed party planned.
-Yes, Bree. Keep going. -It's canceled, obviously.
-[sighs] -Well, you know, what would be so cool--
Okay, easy. [softly] Don't force it.
Actually, you know what, never mind. It's none of my business.
I wasn't friends with her. I'm gonna go.
Wait, wait. What were you gonna say?
[chuckles] Well, wouldn't it be great
if you guys did something to celebrate her,
and remember all of her amazing qualities? Like--
Being named after pants.
Right. But, you know--
There were so many things about Capri, right? Like--
I mean, she was, uh, pretty and--
Oh! Bossy. Yeah, she was bossy.
Well, anyway. Wouldn't it be cool if you guys threw
Capri's Sweet Seventeen party in her honor?
A birthday party for our dead best friend?
[laughs] That seems kind of inappropriate.
-Bad form. -[Bree] Yeah. Super weird.
Uh, followers! Instagram followers.
Well, what if it was to support accidental electrocution awareness?
-[laughs] What? -[Taylor] Huh?
I mean, I'm sure it'd make the news and draw national attention.
Genius.
"Hashtag Capri's Sweet Seventeen."
A celebration of her life, thrown by her three best friends. [laughs]
Yeah, this could make you guys legit influencers.
[exhales deeply]
Influencers for accidental electrocution awareness, of course.
-Oh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course. -Electrical.
-Yes! -[grunts]
-[Darby grunts] Oh, I-- Hi. Sorry. -Uh. Hi. Hi.
Jelly legs. Eat a banana.
-I'm gonna stretch. -Bye.
Oops.
We did it.
Ugh. Honestly, I think the party will be even more iconic now that I'm dead.
Ooh, you know, we should do something special
at midnight to symbolize you passing on.
Ooh! Like, uh, releasing a white dove or something?
-Oh. -[Capri] That's fresh.
Yeah, that's cool. I actually haven't done that for anyone yet.
You know,
I used to think you were such a stuck-up bitch,
but you're actually kinda cool.
[chuckles]
You thought I was a stuck-up bitch?
Oh, please.
You acted like you were so edgy and cool,
and everyone else was basic and below you or something.
[chuckles] What?
Of course, that was before I knew you were dealing with all this…
dead people shit.
Must be very isolating for you.
Capri Donahue, did you just express empathy for another person?
[chuckles] Well, I didn't really think about it before I died
but being popular can be isolating too.
Isn't that an oxymoron?
No.
Imagine everyone has these high expectations of you,
and you don't wanna disappoint them,
so you just keep all your imperfections bottled up inside.
You have imperfections?
Well, not my looks or personality in general, but…
my mom used to say that I wasn't smart and that I'd only get by on my looks.
[chuckles] I've never told anyone that.
Capri, I think you're smart.
Like, maybe even dangerously so.
Thanks.
I just don't think your looks are anything to write home about.
-[scoffs] -[phone buzzes, beeps]
How are the numbers on the bikini selfie?
-[Darby sighs] -Did you Photoshop this?
-No. -I can teach you how to Facetune.
-Okay. It's fine. -[Darby] Why?
Ooh! "Slay, Queen!
You are the hottest girl to ever walk the halls of FDHS."
[chuckles]
-[player grunts] -[whistle blows]
[cheering]
-[crowd whistling] -[person] Whoo!
[Taylor] Let's go Cougars! Let's go, ladies!
-Let's go! Come on! -[Todd] Yeah!
-Whoo! -[cheering]
[cheerleaders] Whoo!
Yeah!
[shouts]
[crowd] Darby! Darby! Darby! Darby! Darby!
-[students chattering] -[student] Yo!
Whoo!
[cheering]
I am accepted, admired, maybe even adored.
People who couldn't pick me out of a lineup a month ago
now comment with things like--
Fire emoji, fire emoji.
Crown emoji.
And--
Dying! Heart eye emoji.
And even--
-Eggplant emoji. -Water spray emoji.
Any press is good press.
Every like, every comment, every regram is a rush of dopamine.
I feel a certain sense of power.
And on game nights, I feel extra alive.
-Ladies and gentlemen! -["Whoomp. There it is" playing]
It's time to make the donut!
Donut! Donut! Donut!
Here we go! Here we go!
[imitates explosion]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Go, Darby! Go, Darby! Go, Darby! Go, Darby!
["Whoomp! There it is" continues]
Here we go!
[Darby] Wait, no!
[Alex laughing]
-Dude. [chuckles] -[Alex] Hello.
[laughs]
-You got some moves, huh? -Yeah, I do.
[Alex chuckles]
-[Darby chuckles] Yeah. -[Alex] Yeah.
[both laughing]
Oh, my God. I haven't laughed this hard in li--
I've never laughed this hard. [chuckles] My cheeks hurt.
Wait, wait, your cheeks hurt?
At least the padded icing cushioned your fall.
[Alex laughing] Okay.
Look, Darby, there's something I really wanted to tell you.
[Todd] Hey, Darby. You coming to the lake?
-[Darby] Oh, yeah. -[Todd] Oh, awesome.
-[Darby chuckles] -[person] Awesome.
-Sorry. -[Alex] Don't be. [chuckles]
I'm dying to go take this stupid thing off anyway.
But, uh, maybe we could go get a coffee next week?
How about Thursday, right after school?
-Go to Indie Roasters? It's downtown. -[Darby chuckles]
-I'll be there. -Okay.
Cool, cool. Very cool.
[Darby chuckles]
[Todd] Okay, let's take another one.
-[Bree] Okay, ready? Smile. -[Todd] Let's go.
You know you don't have to talk to the mascot after the game ends, right?
Oh, yeah. He was just seeing if I wanted to grab a coffee next week.
Could you imagine?
Douglas The Donut takes you to Starbucks.
-[Piper] What a scandal. -[Taylor gasps]
Oh, my God!
My uncle said we can use his house for the party.
-[Todd] No way. -Oh, my God.
You know that giant glass house on the lake?
Wait, that's your uncle's house?
Yeah. Her uncle invented that crypto banking app, Money Grab.
[sighs] It's an app that's like a bank
but instead of going to an actual bank, you go to the app and like grab money.
No, Bree, it's an actual bank.
It's just, like, the money that isn't real.
Anyway, it'll be sick for the party.
Tell 'em how big it is.
The chandelier has a chandelier.
-Yeah. -Guys, let's go to the lake.
Let's pop some tops, okay? Right?
Oh, Darby can't hang out on Friday nights, remember?
-Her daddy wants her home early. -Yeah.
[Bree] But the head of the homecoming committee will be there.
We can kiss her ass for a queen nomination.
It's gonna suck.
-You should come. -Uh--
Don't you have work tonight?
Isn't that your whole thing?
-Please? -Come on, Harper.
Break the rules.
-[Todd] Come on, Harper. -[Piper] Do it.
-[Taylor] It'll be fun. -Okay. Just give me a sec.
-I'm gonna call my dad, okay? -[Todd] Awesome.
-Whoo-hoo! Nice. -Gotta get permission.
-[Todd] Ooh! -[Taylor] Okay.
Hey, can you please tell the Deados something came up
-and I can't make it tonight? -What?
You're really gonna blow off the Deados just so you can drink hard seltzer
that literally tastes like Strawberry Shortcake's butt crack?
Come on. Please?
I have literally never taken a Friday off work before.
We just won the game.
I don't feel like hanging with dead people tonight.
No offense.
Okay, well, I don't feel like hanging out with dead people either.
Then come with us.
So I can hide in the bushes like Michael Myers
-and watch you guys have fun? -[car horn honks]
-No, thank you. -[horn honks]
-Come on, Harper! -[Bree] Come on!
[Darby] Coming!
Did you hear that they're using Taylor's uncle's mansion for the party?
Great news, right?
-Yay. -[cheering]
[Todd] There you are!
-Whoo-hoo-hoo! -[Taylor] Let's go.
-[Bree] Party time! All right. -[Todd] Let's go!
I'll go back to being a mole person after the party
but until then, fooling all the normies is actually kind of satisfying. [chuckles]
Shoulders back, head up.
Although, I won't deny the influencing has become slightly intoxicating.
I mean, I had single-handedly started a fashion trend.
Me. The invisible girl.
The girl no one even realized existed.
[cheering, laughing]
[jock] Hey, Darbs.
Are you stoked for the game on Friday?
[Capri] "Darbs"?
I'll be more stoked if you guys can score a touchdown this time.
-[gasp, chuckle] -[Todd] Oh, oh.
[camera shutter clicks]
Okay, the tent is arriving Saturday morning.
DJ Linky Dinky Dog will create a collaborative playlist on Spotify
so we can all add our favorite songs.
-Uh, Capri's favorite songs. -[Taylor] Got it.
Uh, Todd is bringing the kegs, and where are we on the dove?
Oh, my mom ordered us one on Amazon.
She cried when I told her your plan to release it at midnight.
Mmm, it's so poetic. Genius really.
-[clears throat] -[Darby] Well,
I feel like I can't take credit for that.
I think it's something Capri would've come up with.
[scoffs] Uh, no. She really wasn't that deep.
-What the f-- -[Darby] Oh, look--
Look the-- the editor sent me the final cut of the promo.
-[Taylor gasps] Ooh. -I'm gonna post it tonight.
[promo narrator] This Saturday, Capri Donahue's Coachella-themed R.I.P.
Rest In Party.
A party so epic they'll hear it in the afterlife.
Hashtag electrocution awareness week.
Follow us on Insta.
Party on.
Iconic. [chuckles]
Well, I have chills.
It's literally the best memorial party promo I have ever seen.
Right?
Oh, my God.
-Oh, my God! -What? What?
They just posted homecoming queen nominations.
Congrats, girl!
-[screams] -[Darby, Capri] What?
-Uh, no, no, no. That can't be right. -Oh, my God. You'll totally win.
Especially because your party is gonna be the coolest of all time.
Oh, is it your party now? Is that what we're calling it?
[chuckles] My party? No, guys, it's not my party.
It's Capri's party.
-Totally. Of course. -Yeah, right.
Not really.
But I mean, it's kind of become your party.
It was your idea, and you planned the whole thing.
No. My idea, Taylor.
-I planned the whole thing! -Shh!
Sure, sure. But it's all for Capri, remember?
Just tell them I'm here. I'm so sick of being invisible!
[electricity crackles]
[stammers]
-[Darby] Uh-- -Um, ow.
-It was a bee. -Really?
-It was a bee. -Did you just do that?
-[Darby] Yeah. -You wanna go?
[Darby] No, I got it. It was buzzing around.
-[chuckles] -[Taylor] Okay.
You guys should go to the locker room. I'm gonna warm up.
Warm up? We just finished practice.
You don't make it to Nationals by losing all your warmth, Bree.
You're weird.
-But so right. -Yeah, I am right.
Whatever. Okay. Bye.
-Bye. [chuckles] -[Bree] Goodbye.
Bye.
-You're my hero. -Oh.
[Darby] Are you trying to blow my cover?
This party's supposed to be my moment.
You've hijacked it! It's all about you now!
What? No, it's not.
Capri, there's literally gonna be a 40-foot projection
of your face in the night sky.
Like a friggin' Bat-Signal.
Yeah, which the homecoming committee will probably give you credit for.
I'm not really gonna be homecoming queen. It's probably just a joke,
and they're gonna pour pig's blood on me or something.
Ew.
Look, I know it sucks for you not to be here
but there's really no need to be jealous--
No, I'm not jealous. Don't flatter yourself.
I'm sleeping at my house this week.
Good luck picking out a homecoming dress without me to do it for you.
[whooshing]
[sighs]
[Darby] What is it, Gary?
It's my buddy, Mel.
He came to see you Friday night, you weren't there,
and he's-- he's in a bad way, Darby.
You know. He says he doesn't feel right. It's unnatural.
He's really ready to move on.
Okay, well, I'm not the border patrol for the afterlife.
He can go on his own.
'Course he can, but-but--
See, he needs you to get a-- a message to his kid first.
He wants to tell him that he's sorry he didn't accept him as a gay.
He's not a gay. He's gay.
Yes, my son, Allen. He's gay.
And I love him anyway and his husband,
and I think they're gonna be great parents.
Like he said.
[sighs]
Gosh, I'm sorry I wasn't there, Mel.
-[student] Great practice, Darbs. -Yeah,
you too, dude. [chuckles]
Look. [clears throat]
Come see me Friday night. I'll be there. I'll help you, okay?
-Okay. -[Darby] Promise.
-Thank you, Darby. -Thank you, Darby.
-Hey, Dad. -Hey.
-Take it you're not staying for dinner? -Uh, no. I gotta go to James's.
Oh.
Honey, listen, I am glad that you're making friends this year.
But is everything okay?
I mean… [sighs] …you just don't seem like yourself anymore.
God, Dad. I mean, you pressure me to get a social life,
and then you give me crap when I have one?
-Make up your mind. -Okay.
[chuckles] That's valid.
But, honey, I'm just checking in on you.
Well, you don't have to worry about me, 'kay?
I'm fine, really.
[chuckles] Same old Darby.
Oh, and can I get a studio lighting kit for my birthday?
The lamps in my room are a little, like, warm and cozy. It's gross.
-Mmm. -[Darby] You know?
Anyway, bye.
Bye.
Yep, same old Darby.
[sighs]
[bike bell ringing]
Did you know that octopus have three brains?
Um, wrong.
-What do you mean? -I'm not-- I mean, wrong!
They have nine brains.
Come on, man. The test is next week.
-Oh. -[chuckles]
Hey, uh, look what I found the other day.
[Darby] Mmm?
-[chuckles] -Look at this. Our, uh… [laughs]
…sixth-grade field trip to the planetarium.
-Oh, wow. -[chuckles]
Harper and Harris.
[James chuckles] I thought you were so cool.
What? Seriously?
Yeah, you were so different from everyone else.
[sighs] It's going to be so weird to go back to school without Capri tomorrow.
[Darby sighs]
Did you hear about that idiotic Sweet Seventeen party for her?
Uh, yeah, yeah. Think I heard someone talking about that.
Good to know Taylor, Bree and Piper are so desperate for attention
that they're willing to whore out Capri's memory to get it.
But isn't it for a good cause?
Accidental electrocution awareness?
Which one of those morons came up with that?
[chuckles]
-Oh, c-cool tree house. -Yeah.
Wanna come check it out?
Whoa.
I haven't been up here since…
[Darby] I didn't wanna leave my room for months after my mom died.
I just…
I felt like if I just returned to regular life
and ignored the fact that she wasn't there anymore,
it'd be like living a lie or something.
But it does get easier. It does.
And I know you can do this.
Thanks.
You really get it.
Why's he looking at me like that?
[whispers] What's going on?
Darby, will you come to school with me tomorrow?
U-Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'll be there.
No, I-- I mean, can I-- can I pick you up?
It's gonna be tough for me to face without Capri there
and, you know, I could really use someone by my side.
Sure, sure. I don't see why not. [chuckles]
Thanks, Darby.
-[both chuckle] -[Darby] Oh.
[sniffs] Your hair smells so good.
Thanks, it's shampoo. I gotta go.
It's getting late.
-All right. -Yeah.
-See you tomorrow? -Sure.
-Be careful on the way down. -I'll just leap down.
-Need help? -No, I got it.
[crash]
[sighs] It's just some environmentally conscious carpooling. [chuckles]
You know, Capri will probably thank me for being there to support him.
[toilet flushes]
[Capri] I will drown you in a toilet bowl
if you think for one second about dating Jamesy.
[Dad] Gonna introduce me to your boyfriend?
What? Who told you that?
No, no. That's just my biology partner.
Okay. Well, boyfriend, biology partner, whatever you kids call it.
Time to face the music.
Okay, well, see you in bio.
Hang on. Will you walk with me?
Oh, no.
Sure, James.
-[student 1] Oh, ho ho! -[student 2] James Harris is back.
How'd Darby Harper manage to pull him
before the bell even rang on his first day back?
[student 3] Are they, like, together now?
James.
[jock] Well, that's gotta be the world's fastest rebound.
James. [chuckles] Welcome back, brother.
Nothing to see here, folks. Just me and James Harris.
Just me and the boy Blake Shelton called,
"A talented guy I should have turned my chair for."
Who, I guess, has a crush on me now? [breathes shakily]
Nothing out of the ordinary going on here. [chuckles]
[student 4] They're holding hands.
Capri Donahue's gonna drown me in a toilet bowl.
[student 5] What?
So, are you and James, like, a thing now?
'Cause everyone is saying that you made out in the hallway this morning.
No. [sighs] No, we didn't.
His hand just brushed mine for a few seconds.
He's having a hard time being back without Capri.
Oh, yes, poor James. The wounded bird.
Yeah, I would be careful.
He's so codependent and definitely on the rebound.
And morally, it's gross.
Totally. Capri's not even cold in her grave yet.
You guys, it was just a one-time ride to school.
-[car horn honks] -[James] Darby.
You, uh-- You want a ride home?
[Darby] No! No, thanks.
I'm just gonna get my cardio in, you know? [chuckles]
All right, well, come by later.
Wrote a song for you.
-There's a song. -Oh, my God.
Gotta run. You know?
[Taylor] She's running in that?
She doesn't live close.
[sighs] It's Thursday.
Only two more days till the party.
[sighs]
I can lay low until…
[gasps] Shit, it's Thursday.
[sighs]
[Mel] I mean, I used to have crates of 12-inch vinyl in my den.
And you could read the liner notes, you could touch 'em, you could feel 'em.
But… [stammers] …the music cloud.
-Where is it? I don't get it. -Ha!
Oh, my God! Can you guys stop?
I cannot believe I'm spending my junior year
listening to some dead boomers
talking about newspapers and typewriters and network television.
Then why don't you just make up with Darby then?
I mean, so what?
She's the Homeroom Queen and you're not. Big deal.
That's, uh, Homecoming Queen.
-Thank you. -[Gary sighs] Listen, Capri,
you should be very proud of yourself.
You were able to pry Darby out of her shell when no one else could.
Yeah, well, now she's taking the attention and credit for my party!
-Yeah. -[sighs]
My sister-in-law, Rose, sang at my funeral.
All anybody could talk about was how great Rose sounded.
What a great voice Rose had.
At my funeral! And you know what they said about me?
"He's looked better."
-[gasps] The audacity! -[Gary] Guys, guys, guys.
Who cares?
You're dead.
You're throwing a temper tantrum
about a party in a dimension that you no longer exist in.
Do you know how crazy that is?
Well, then what's the point?
What's my purpose?
Well, you're gonna find that out on the other side.
I mean, listen, I have a reason to stick around, you know?
I wanna be with Linda.
But you, you're so young and whip-smart.
You got your whole death in front of you.
Why would you wanna stay here and be invisible?
You just have to get the heck out of here.
Thanks, Gary.
Okay.
She has a lot of electricity.
[smacks lips] You know that's how she died, right?
[bell rings]
[Darby] Hey, Alex.
[sighs] Look, I'm so sorry about missing our coffee date.
It's okay.
Uh, you're busy.
I hear you're dating James Harris now.
Oh, no. No, I'm not dating James.
You could have just texted me.
I was waiting like 20 minutes.
[Darby] Uh, look, I gotta go but I really do--
Talk to you later. Right.
[Darby] Hey, Capri. H-How was your Dad's?
Not great.
My mom turned my bedroom into her personal yoga studio.
-[Darby] Mmm. -[Capri] So--
Okay, well, I-I kind of wanna talk to you.
[Capri] Yeah, sure.
-[sighs] -Okay, I'm glad you're here.
-There's something I need to tell you. -Me too.
I wanted to apologize about overreacting about the party.
I've decided that I am proud of your-- our Homecoming nomination.
I just had to remind myself
that I'm the Michelangelo behind your David, you know?
Great. Well, I have something to tell you,
but before you freak out, I want you to let me explain.
-It's about me and-- -[jock] Good to have you back.
[gasps] James. Oh, he's at school today.
Look at him, he's so cute. Look, he's glowing.
[Darby chuckles] Okay, Capri. Listen to me, okay?
There's been a misunderstanding. You'll think it's funny--
-There you are. [chuckles, grunts] -[Darby stammers]
-I've been looking all over for you. -[Darby chuckles]
This too much?
What the hell is going on?
[Darby] Uh, okay. How am I gonna do this?
All right, James.
I-I can't stop thinking about you since the other night at my place.
-Did you hook up with James? -No.
I know we both felt something, and yesterday when you held my hand--
-You what? -[Darby] No, no.
No, I didn't hold your hand, you held mine.
-You slut! -[electricity crackles]
-[grunts] -I felt this spark and--
[Darby pants, yawns]
-Just really ti-- I'm exhausted. Yeah. -Are you okay?
[Darby] Whoo!
I know I'm still grieving Capri. But it just--
-It just felt good to finally feel… -Stop.
…a moment of happiness again, and it's been so long, and I--
I think she'd want that.
No, I really don't think she would.
[sighs]
[Darby] Uh, sorry, James.
I gotta get to class. Have a good day.
Oh, my God. How many times do I have to tell you?
Nothing happened.
You won't admit it.
-Not even now. -Admit what?
Admit that you love my life so much that you want to be me.
I am nothing like you, okay?
You don't have to worry about me and James.
Oh, my God. What is this? The Young and the Restless?
I'm outta here.
[Capri] I'm not worried about James. He's just trauma-bonding.
You don't think in a million years he would actually like you, do you?
[scoffs] Well, that's a little harsh.
You're not even a real person!
I created you! I made you!
I dressed you up and told you how to act so you could be popular.
But deep down,
you know you're just a freak that sees dead people.
Maybe that's why your mom didn't wanna come and see you.
Hey, ladies. It's my big bon voyage.
E-Everybody out! All of you!
[Mel] Not optimum.
It's not my fault your boyfriend finds me a refreshing change of pace
from a talking push-up bra who's wasted her entire life on superficial bullshit.
I built you.
I can just as easily tear you down.
Don't even think of going to my party tomorrow night.
Well, you forgot one vital difference between us, babe.
I'm alive.
[scoffs] I'm not spooked by some jealous dead girl stomping her feet.
I'll go to that party if I damn well please.
Hell, I'm the one who planned the thing!
[chuckles]
-[thud] -[electricity crackles]
Okay, I am a little spooked by a jealous dead girl stomping her feet.
And I am definitely not going anywhere near that party tomorrow.
Hey, kid. [chuckles]
What? School on Saturday? [chuckles]
Word on the street is, uh,
you had a little freak out last night, and I thought I'd check on you.
I've been looking for you.
I'm sorry, but I--
I can't talk to you anymore, Gary.
I just wanna be normal.
Oh, Darby, don't you think you're normal?
Uh…
To clarify, I wanna be
the-girl-who-doesn't-talk-to-dead-people version of normal.
How about that?
Well, honey, you know, but that's-- that's kind of what makes you, you.
Have you maybe talked to Capri about this?
Maybe a friend your age could help--
I'm not talking to Capri.
She's not my friend. She never was.
She just used me like a pawn.
Well, yeah, I guess…
I guess, uh, that's one way of looking at it.
But-- You know, but from a different point of view,
maybe she's the one who opened you up to a whole new world of possibilities.
She didn't do anything for me.
She's just another loser Stayer who can't move on.
Oh.
Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, Darby.
[sighs]
[Kelley] After losing their daughter, Capricorn, just a month ago,
more tragedy strikes the Donahue residence.
Police are asking anyone with knowledge of the arson attack to come forward.
[siren wailing]
[Dad] Hey, sweetie. Dinner's ready.
-[doorbell rings] -[gasps]
[sighs] Uh, I'll get it.
James?
Can you take a drive with me, please?
I'm freaking out right now. This is gonna sound crazy,
but I feel like Capri is communicating with me.
Like today, her picture fell off my dresser,
and, I don't know, the TV turned on without me even touching it,
and it was playing the news story about the party tonight! And I--
-I-I swear it happened. -Oh, I'm sure it did.
It's been a rough day.
This grief stuff comes in waves.
Mmm.
Also, I'm sorry, Darby.
I don't think I'm ready to be in a relationship.
Oh, thank God that you told me that.
Because I-I was thinking something else was happening.
But I hope we can still be friends.
Yeah. Yeah, of course, James.
I-I appreciate your honesty.
My heart will go on.
[sighs]
I can't believe we fake dated, and I for real got broken up with.
[pop music playing]
[Darby] This is not good. This is very not good.
James, I thought you were protesting this.
Taylor, Piper and Bree are using Capri's death to up their social status.
-It's sick, remember? -I don't care about them!
Okay? I wanna say goodbye to Capri.
Well, well, if it isn't the happy couple.
I'm here for Capri.
Not to promote myself under the guise of some bogus awareness campaign.
Sure it's not to ruin another party with an acoustic guitar?
[scoffs] You mean the bogus awareness campaign your new girlfriend came up with?
What?
[stammers] This was your idea?
-Not that she bothered to dress up. -[Taylor] Mm-mmm.
The theme's Coachella, not Stagecoach.
-No, I-I mean, not-- not technically. -[scoffs]
Look, I can explain in the car, but we should go. Now.
Darby, it's not cool that the two of you came together.
Capri would be so pissed.
-[Piper] Oh. -[Taylor] Oh. Oh, my God. No.
-No. No! -[clamoring]
Those were supposed to go off at midnight!
-Go. Go. Go. -[Taylor screams]
Really, you're gonna go full Poltergeist on a keg party?
-Wow, Capri. -[Taylor screams]
Ah, this must be the electrocution awareness part of the festivities.
[both chuckle]
[Darby] Alex? [chuckles]
What are you doing here?
You know, I'm never gonna pass on a free drink
and a chance to see the party's latest Coachella fashion trends. [chuckles]
Sorry, I'm sure you don't wanna be seen talking to the weirdo donut kid.
You're cool now.
[chuckles]
Have a good night, Darby.
Wait. No, no.
I mean, I'm a weirdo too. [chuckles]
Or, at least, I used to be.
-[crowd] Chug! Chug! Chug! -["Boss Bitch" playing]
[cheering, chattering]
♪ I'm clumsy Made friends with the floor ♪
♪ Two for one You know a bitch buy four ♪
♪ And two left feet You know I always drop ♪
♪ First thing a girl did was a bop ♪
[shouting, cheering]
Hey, what's up, Darbs?
-You all good? -Yeah, have you seen James?
Uh, yeah, yeah. I think, uh, I think he went upstairs.
But look, James looked kinda bummed, Darbs.
["Boss Bitch" continues]
♪ I don't wanna row, row, row the boat ♪
James.
Hey, J-James.
She's here. She's really here.
Who's here? I don't see anyone.
Look, this is just a stupid game, okay? It doesn't work.
♪ I'm a bitch and a boss I'ma shine like gloss ♪
♪ I'm a bitch, I'm a boss I'm a bitch and a boss ♪
Hi, bitch.
[James] It's okay. Don't be scared. It's her.
She's trying to tell me something.
I know she's here.
[whooshing]
I think it's about you.
It would be a lot easier if you just came clean
and told everyone what a freak you are.
[whooshing]
["Boss Bitch" continues]
-[person 1] Did you see that? -[person 2] Is that an Ouija board?
Who is doing that? Stop!
[electricity crackling]
Shit.
-[person 1] Nearly hit me, man. -[person 2] Freaky.
[person 3] Follow it.
Go, go, go.
[person 4] Hey, cut the music, man.
Is someone flying a freaking drone in my uncle's house?
[person 5] Dude, did they hire a magician?
-[Taylor] James, what is going on? -[music stops]
[Capri] I'd hold off on preparing that Homecoming Queen speech.
I don't think you're gonna test too well in the polls after this.
[kisses, giggles]
[person 5] Who cut the music, man?
[person] Oh, my God.
-Uh-- -Is anyone else seeing this too?
Is this a drama club thing or something?
[freshman] I'm scared. Get me out of here.
[crowd] C-A-P-R-I.
Capri? Capri!
-Oh, my God! -[Bree] This is freaky.
[electricity crackles]
Okay, cut the shit. You're scaring people.
-I told you not to come here. -Darby, you can see her?
-[person] What's he talking about? -I--
-Who? -Huh?
Okay, fine.
You win. What do you want?
Surprise me.
[Bree] What is even happening?
-[Todd] No, where's she-- -[Taylor] Darby!
-No, no, no. Oh, she's-- she's up there. -Okay.
-[Taylor] That's happening. -Hey, guys! Guess what?
I'm a freak of nature who can see dead people.
[crowd clamoring]
I'm only popular because the ghost of Capri Donahue molded me into her image.
[chuckles] I'm just a puppet!
Yeah, I'm loving this narrative. Keep going.
She told me what to wear and what to say and how to act
in order to make friends,
and it worked.
She instilled confidence in me when I had none.
I was just an insecure hater
who hid in the corner judging all of you for just being normal teenagers.
But, I mean, none of us are-- are normal, really.
We're all flawed and insecure and beautiful and ugly--
-You're not ugly. -Oh, you either.
I couldn't see that from inside my closed-minded shell.
Capri changed that.
Capri was special.
And I'm…
Wrap it up.
…just a freak show.
-[person 1] Boo! You suck! -[person 2] What a fake.
Hey, Ghost Cheerleader, can you, like, turn the music back on?
All right, posers.
-Put your mother freakin' hands up! Yeah! -[all cheer]
[pop music playing]
-[cheering] -Yeah!
[person] Cannonball!
[cheering]
[pop music fades, ends]
[blows]
[bell rings]
You'd think the ghost of a dead cheerleader crashing her own party
would result in total chaos.
But people like to find an explanation for the inexplicable.
No, I'm telling you, dude, someone laced the keg with Molly.
Brody told me.
But there were magnets attached to the bottom of the Ouija Board.
I saw 'em when it flew over my head.
And others seem to simply ignore what they cannot understand.
You missed an epic party, bro. You hear what happened?
Coop streaked the crowd and cannonballed into the pool.
[jock chuckles]
[Darby] In the span of a month,
- I'd gone from… -[person] It's her!
…invisible,
to queen bee,
to social poison.
[shutter clicks]
[person] She totally lost her shit.
[kitty katxox] "Oh, my God. That is all Facetune."
[Taylor] You pretend to see dead people. Hashtag cancel Darby Harper.
[Darby] The phrase, "I wouldn't be caught dead with you"
has never been more accurate.
[sighs] It's so weird to admit it now.
But you're my best--
My only friend.
Oh, come on. You don't wanna hurt Gary's feelings, now, do you?
[scoffs] You're still here?
Yeah.
After you left the party, I realized…
I shouldn't have forced you to become someone else
just so I could have a stupid party.
Sorry.
[inhales sharply] Yeah, it was a pretty stupid party.
[chuckles]
But, hey, at least I got a cool pet out of it.
-[dove cooing] -[gasps]
[Darby] I named it Capricorn.
God, I can't believe I acted like
some kind of pathetic attention-seeking haunter.
Flying around?
Scaring high schoolers? Ugh.
[sighs]
[Capri] And now James is a mess.
He sits in front of a Ouija Board all day and lays out cookies at night.
Like I'm Santa Claus or something.
Oh.
[Capri] Yeah.
Well, if it makes you feel any better,
I've totally blown it with the guy I actually do like.
Wait, what?
I never got coffee with the donut.
Donut?
The guy you called social suicide.
Oh, God.
Don't listen to me, or Taylor or Bree or Piper.
We're full of shit.
You're the one who should decide who and what you like.
I'm digging this woke Barbie vibe.
[chuckles] Thanks. She's new.
How are you feeling about moving on?
I'm… [sighs] …so ready.
I've already confronted my worst fear.
Being in the same outfit for more than a week.
[sighs]
Anyway,
I felt pretty terrible about what I said about your mom the other night.
And it made me realize how selfish I've been all these years.
So I did some asking around.
And--
[whooshing]
[Mom] Hi, Darby.
[Darby] You did stay.
-Yes. -But you never--
I never wanted to leave you.
[sighs]
I tried to move on. But…
I wanted to make sure that you'd be okay…
and open up your heart to people again.
[chuckles]
Living people.
[chuckles]
And you have.
You were my unfinished business, Darby.
[sobs]
[inhales sharply]
[seagulls calling]
[Capri] Do you believe in reincarnation?
I was pretty fortunate in this life,
so I figure in the next one, I'll level up and be…
-the next Meghan Markle or something. -[chuckles]
Promise you'll look after James and let him know that I moved on?
Yeah, I promise.
Thank you for forcibly
and, at times, somewhat violently
pushing me out of my cocoon.
You are definitely the coolest, most special-est person I've ever met.
Right back at you. Seriously.
Obviously.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
Bye, bitch.
[Darby] You know, I don't consider high school
to be so torturous anymore.
[James] Hey, Harper.
My fake boyfriend turned out to be a real friend.
-[Darby] Harris. -Yeah!
-Whoa! -[laughs]
And I stayed in cheer.
It makes me feel closer to a couple pretty important people.
[Gary] Hey, Darby.
Hey, Gary.
[Gary] Been a while.
Uh...
Listen, I-I wanna apologize for the way I behaved.
What are you talking about? You kidding me?
Come on. This-- This stuff can get pretty confusing, right?
-Yeah. -[chuckles]
Hey, by the way, you know.
They took Linda to a hospice. She doesn't have long.
Wow.
-Gary, that's fantastic news. [chuckles] -I know.
I know, I know, now we can finally blow this pop stand, and--
and be together again.
-[smacks lips] -Oh, shoot.
Um, I feel horrible about never delivering that message for Mel.
-Oh. -Do you know where his son lives?
That's okay, the, uh, the donut took care of that.
-The what? -The donut.
What do you--
-[Alex] Hey, Gary. Looking good. -[Gary] Thanks. [chuckles]
-See you. -[Alex] Take it easy, man.
[Darby] What?
Wait, you can see him too?
-Yeah. -Why didn't you tell me?
I tried.
My first day here I saw you talking to Gary.
But not something you just blurt out.
Then I tried to get you someplace private to tell you, and you didn't show up.
Right.
Well, but-- but how?
I was in a coma last year after a pretty bad car accident,
and when I woke up,
I became really good friends with the guy in the bed next to me,
only to realize he had died two days earlier.
Wow.
The head shrinker said it was a psychotic hallucination.
-My parents freaked out. -[scoffs]
Took me out of school.
I got so good at pretending not to see the dead
that the dead didn't even know I could see them.
You know, helping Mel cross over,
it was like, finally, this curse felt like it could be a gift.
Yeah, uh, wow.
Look, I just need a second.
I can't believe this.
I mean, I've never been able to talk to anyone about this.
Well, anyone that's living anyway, except you, but you're not really here.
You're wherever you are. [chuckles]
Who are you talk-- Oh.
Hi. [chuckles]
Wait, you-- you can see them too?
Yeah, sure. I see them,
and I see them.
And I see you,
Darby Harper.
[chuckles]
Well, I'm reopening my business and currently taking applications.
Well, I-I was an assistant manager at Jamba Juice.
Wow, impressive.
Reason for leaving?
Got committed to a psych ward for seeing dead people.
-You're hired. -It's a date.
[chuckles]
[Darby] Oh, G-- [chuckles]
[laughing]
That practice killed me.
[Todd] Yeah, it was brutal. [laughs]
I got a date with the donut.
Yeah, you do.
-Nice. -That's so sweet.
-[Todd] Yeah. -I love you.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
[Darby] Hey, what's that?
That is a light kit for your videos.
So you can get your glamour on.
Oh. [chuckles] Thanks, Dad. You're the best. But…
Uh, you can return it though.
-I'm not making those videos anymore. -Why not?
Mostly because social media makes us feel insecure about the way we look
for the sole purpose of selling us stuff we don't need. [chuckles]
Oh, now that is the Darby Harper that I know.
-[chuckles] -[Dad] So,
are you going out with your friends for dinner tonight?
Actually, I was thinking maybe we could order pizza and share stories.
[Mom chuckles]
[Darby] We should do that together.
[Dad] Mm-hmm. I don't know if I could.
[Darby] You could.
Oh, that was before we moved.
-Yeah. -That was the best.
The slide. We should have kept that.
[speaks indistinctly]
[sighs] Ah, that was so fun.
Wait, me too?
Hey. How are you?
I'm fine. How are you?
Get a room.
[chuckles]