[music] >> Hey, leave us alone. >> Hey Einstein, maybe try a sport that doesn't need a calculator. >> [music] >> You're not even worth the attention.
Pathetic. >> Why didn't you do anything? >> [music] >> Nathan?
>> [music] >> You okay? First day at your new school. Exciting, right?
>> Mom, actually >> [music] >> we're here only. Is it cool if I just walk the rest of the way? >> Sure.
>> [music] >> I still can't believe it. Stanford Medical School. >> Stop.
Mom, it's it's not that big of a deal. >> Do you know how proud that makes me? You graduated valedictorian, won nationals with the cheer squad, and now med school.
I couldn't ask for a more perfect daughter. Brooke, did you see Amanda's feature in the alumni newsletter? >> [music] >> That could be you next year.
>> Oh, that's my ride. I'm carpooling with Layla today, so see you sis. >> Hey, I'll be back for your tournament this weekend.
Just don't let mom stress you out too much before then. >> Thanks. >> Oh, come on.
I don't stress her out. Right, Brooke? >> [music] >> Totally the vibe.
Okay, look at those weirdos. How high do you think you'd have to jump to kiss her? >> [music] >> I know.
Watch this. >> [gasps] >> Tell me that wasn't the funniest thing you've seen all week. Oh my god, the way the water splashed, Oscar-worthy.
Her boyfriend is going to need a towel and therapy. Guys, I got my jacket in the car, so I'm just going to catch up with y'all. Cool backpack.
>> [music] >> You know, I don't expect my backpack to go on the floor. Do you? >> [laughter] [music] [music] [music] >> Wow, Bahar.
Who knew Crayola could be a career path? >> Leave me alone, Layla. >> [music] >> Brooke?
What are you doing here? >> Um I just had some homework that I need to finish before class. >> Maybe she needs to hear from you.
>> Captain, tell her her doodles are pathetic. [music] >> [music] >> Being nice to losers like her is why girls on the team are starting to lose respect for you. They're all saying you only got captain because [music] of your sister.
>> [music] >> Layla's right. Your drawings are totally lame. >> [music] >> Give those back.
>> Don't give it to her. >> [music] >> I'm sorry. I didn't have my glasses on.
Why don't you wear your glasses? >> Cuz I'm bad at seeing a girl. >> Here.
>> Are you new? And you play chess? Come with me.
>> W- What? Wait, wait. W- Where are we going?
>> I don't think so. >> Who do you think you came up your queen for nothing? Everyone, we have a new member.
>> Wait, what? >> This is from Ali. People who aren't chess members aren't technically allowed in this room.
>> This is Nathan. >> Hi, Nathan. >> [music] >> Welcome.
Nice to meet you. >> Cool pawn. >> Not so fast.
You want to join us? You have to prove you're worthy by beating me in a chess duel. [music] >> Zack, don't.
>> D- D- You've done your job, Grayson. Now it's time for me to do mine. >> [music] >> Loser has to donate $5.
I hope you have cash. >> I got to go find where my next class is. >> I knew he was a wood pusher.
>> [music] >> I never said I wasn't good. Woah. Woah.
>> [music] [music] >> That pawn's your only real hope. Go ahead, promote it to queen. It won't save you.
Never underestimate a pawn. It may look small, but one move can change everything. >> He's promoting to a queen.
That was checkmate. >> [laughter] >> Okay. So, >> [music] >> assuming independence and 2 weeks of shared lab study, probability is 98.
9% with a plus or minus 0. 1% margin. >> Translation, you're playing with an aimbot.
She's going to say yes. >> Thanks, June. Here goes nothing.
>> Go get 'em, tiger. >> Who's he giving those flowers to? >> Layla, the mini boss of the Palm Squad.
They got real close as lab partners last month. >> Uh okay. A cheerleader?
>> Mhm. So bad. So bad.
>> Hey. Hey, Layla. I I got these for you.
I was wondering if you maybe want to go on a a date >> Uh stop. You think I actually want to go on a date with you? Please.
I just needed help passing bio. >> But we're lab partners every day. And >> Hey, get lost, dork.
>> [music] >> Nerds like you should only open their mouth when answering our homework problems. Got it? >> [music] >> Hey, Einstein.
Maybe try a sport that doesn't need a calculator. >> [laughter] >> Why don't you do anything? >> [music] >> Hey.
>> [music] >> Leave him alone. >> You must be new here. Another chess dork.
Listen up, new kid. I'm Jeremiah, king of Bookside. You don't want to mess with me.
>> Wouldn't be the first time a king falls to a pawn. >> Is that dork talk for an insult? You just signed your own death sentence.
Next time, you won't be so lucky. >> I can't believe you stood up to him. No one's ever done that.
>> Sorry about the way that girl treated you. >> You have to see this. It's so bad.
>> [laughter] >> Jocks, cheerleaders, picking losers since the dawn of time. It's never going to end. >> Every game has an end.
Most of the time, you just have to take down the queen. >> The queen? That'd be Brooke.
She's captain of the cheer team. >> [laughter] [laughter] [gasps] >> Let's go. >> Grayson, would you mind giving this to the chess club?
>> [music] >> Brooke, I've never seen you get anything less than an A in this class. >> I'm sorry. I've just been really stressed out with the competition coming up and >> Bs don't get you into med school, Brooke.
Straight As like your sister Amanda, nothing less. >> And everything else going on. >> Brooke, okay.
Class, this next project will be with partners and it will be 25% of your grade. And for some of you, this will be the last chance to get an A in this class. Megan, you will be with Bahar.
Vanessa, you will be with Devin. Theodore, you'll be with James. Brooke, you will be with Nathan, our [music] new student.
>> [bell] [music] [music] >> It's an outlier. >> There's zero chance we're going to raise the money we need. >> Technically, the odds are >> Tariq, we know that we're screwed.
>> All right. We won't even be in this situation if it wasn't for the cheer team. >> What's the cheer team have to do with this?
>> They convinced the school board to allocate extra funds for their travel expenses for their cheer competition. And that bonus comes straight out of the extracurricular budget, which is where all of our funds come from. >> We need to figure out a way to raise some money fast.
How else are we going to compete this year? >> If we can't raise the money, there is one more option. We stop the cheer team from competing.
>> What? >> No trip means no travel expenses. Then the money's ours again.
>> [music] [music] [music] >> The captain stumbles again. The competition is this weekend. >> Sorry, guys.
Let's just go again. >> Man, I can't believe you actually scored Layla. >> You know me.
I only date the hottest girl in school. >> Nah, forget Layla. Brooke's on a whole 'nother level.
She's way hotter. >> [music] >> Think so? >> [music] >> Wait, what you're saying is we take down the [music] cheer squad and then we loot their gold.
>> Precisely. >> Zack, we can't do that. >> Why not?
Think about it. Not only did they take our money, they just used us. Sammy, remember when you helped [music] Jamie study for the math test?
She aced the test and then told everyone you smell like Cheetos. And Grayson, you thought Layla liked you, but the whole time she was just using you for test answers. [music] They take advantage of us.
Always have. Because they think of us as pawns. >> Look, I want to help save our club, too, okay?
But we can't do it by becoming the thing that we hate. If that's really the only way, guys, I'm out. >> Feelings aside, how are we going to stop the cheer team from competing?
>> I haven't figured that out, but using the chess strategy I'll get close to the queen. Brooke. And then I'll find a way to dismantle the squad piece by piece.
>> You get close to Brooke. >> Yeah, Tariq has better odds of finding a girlfriend before that happens. >> Zack is correct.
Girls like Brooke lower the solar radiation levels in our quadrant to near zero. >> Tariq is saying that we are like NPCs on her map. >> She won't even give you the time of day.
>> I already got her time. >> [music] [music] [music] >> Got you. Good strategy.
But this is Brooke. >> Taylor, she's varsity cheer royalty. >> A guy like you isn't getting close to her.
>> You of all people should know that pawns don't stay pawns forever. >> [music] >> Deep deep down in my soul >> [music] >> there's a place no one knows. >> [music] >> Got so close, can't deny.
>> [music] >> Shut my eyes, love is blind. >> [music] >> I don't need you to know. >> [music] [music] >> Oh.
>> Our guy just unlocked a new legendary skin. >> And his confidence stat just got a plus 20 buff. >> Mhm.
>> Now, we move on to step two. >> I mean, we might as well sure. >> Yeah.
>> Say Nate's plan doesn't work. And and club shuts down, what happens to us? >> Statistically?
>> Emotionally. This club, it it's the only place I I don't belong this way. Without it, I don't know where I belong.
>> Well, it's not game over yet. >> Yeah. >> You're wrong about her, you know.
Brooke's not like Layla. >> I saw how she snatched her sketchbook. >> Don't give it to her.
You clearly didn't see it all. >> I'm sorry. >> And that, girls, is why we'll never win with Brooke as captain.
You have to be dedicated to upholding the standard of the squad. That's not it. >> Don't listen to them, okay?
You're really talented. >> [music] >> Brooke came back to help me. >> That doesn't change what she is.
People like her don't stop unless you make them. Why didn't you do anything? At my last school, I didn't do anything and my friend paid for it.
I'm not making that same mistake again. >> Revenge feels like a win. Right, but you're just trading pieces until the board's empty and everyone loses.
If you're really [music] a good chess player, you'll find a win where both kings stay standing. >> [music] >> Yo, you guys won't believe it. That new kid um Nathan?
>> The one who stood up to Jeremiah. >> Yeah, yeah, that's him. He got Brooke's number in class today.
Kid thinks he's the new king of the school. >> [music] >> We won a lot of championships when Amanda was captain. The only bad decision she made was choosing her little sister as her successor.
Now we're never going [music] to win. >> Brooke's not so bad. >> Oh, I forgot.
You two are friends, aren't you? Makes sense. >> [sighs] >> Seems like you're into the same stuff.
Don't forget, she's the reason you didn't make the team this year. >> [music] >> Brooke, I bought you something. >> Oh my >> Are you doodling again?
>> No, I'm just taking a break. >> Breaks don't get you into med school. You need to focus.
[music] Straight A's like your sister, not this fantasy. >> Well, you've never even taken a look at my drawings. >> I don't need to.
I'm your mom and I want you to have a good future, [music] Brooke. Not throw your life away. Remember when Amanda wanted to be making movies?
But now she's onto [music] a bright future as a doctor. How's practice for the competition going? >> Fine.
>> Don't forget what your college counselor said. You can't just rely on a 4. 5 GPA.
Being cheer captain and winning the tournament is what's going to get you into your dream school, Stanford. >> Right. Stanford.
[music] >> Stanford wants polished Brooke. And if you are lucky enough to get an interview, this will help you. >> [music] >> Are you expecting anyone?
>> Uh, no one special. >> Who are you? >> Nathan is my partner and >> [music] >> Brooke?
>> Mhm. Sorry, he's my my partner in AP Calc. We're doing an assignment together.
>> Good. Hopefully you can help her focus on things that actually matter. Come in.
>> You look different. Uh, we can study in my room. Thanks for carrying that.
>> Wow. So, you like to cheer, huh? Top of your class, best at school.
>> [gasps] >> Is any of this really you or is it all to fit what a bubble gum cheer princess should be? >> What's that supposed to mean? >> I'm just trying to figure out who you actually are.
From my experience, cheerleaders only get lifted up by stepping on someone else. >> Yeah, it looks like you already made up your mind about me. Just like everyone else.
>> Are these your nuts? You like to draw? >> No.
No, that's just um pointless doodles. [music] >> Doesn't seem pointless to me. It's actually really good.
>> Really? >> What do those chains represent? >> Captivity.
[music] >> Physical or figurative? >> Is there a difference? >> One someone puts on you, the other [music] you put on yourself.
So, which one is it? >> Ever feel like everyone around you has made up their mind about who you are before you can even decide [music] for yourself? >> You must be new here.
Another chess dork. >> You just signed your own death sentence. >> [music] >> Sorry.
I didn't mean to start trauma dumping on you like that. >> No, no. I I get it.
>> [music] >> I understand. I also feel those exact same ways. Um I get called the [music] nerd.
Nothing else. It's frustrating. >> Hm.
Looks like we're both [music] stuck in boxes then, huh? >> [music] >> Ready, honey? >> Uh actually, Mom, uh it's not that far.
I I'm just going to walk. >> Sure. Oh, wait.
You never told me how you're getting along with the kids at your new school. >> At first, not so great. But, I don't know.
I'm realizing sometimes that people aren't who you think they are. Bye. >> [music] >> Yeah.
This time the bullying isn't going to save him. >> [snorts] >> I'm going to finish what I started. >> Ugh.
Can't believe he didn't answer, again. >> Wait, isn't that that guy that you splashed the other day? >> The chaste guy?
Oh, yeah. Wow. >> AKA king of the nerds.
>> More like king of fine. Someone had a glow up. >> Should I like offer him a ride?
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> [music] >> Somebody's jealous.
>> Shut up. Well, at least you have Jeremiah. >> Yeah.
>> [music] >> No way. Now she's giving him rides, too? See how much she likes him after I punch [music] his face in.
Jeremiah. They got in trouble? >> Principal Davis.
Of course. You know, we we were just headed to class. >> [clears throat] >> Okay.
>> Thanks for the ride. >> Of course. Thanks for listening.
I finally felt like myself for once. >> I'll see you inside. >> Yeah.
Brooke. New necklace? Uh, yeah.
>> I saw this and I thought of you. Westbrook Academy. One of the top art schools.
I'm thinking of applying and I think you should, too. I saw your drawings the other day, the warrior queen. Really cool.
>> Uh Actually, if you could not talk to anyone about that. >> Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me.
But just think about it, okay? >> My mom would never pay for me to go to a school like that. >> There's a scholarship.
All you have to do is submit your And from what I've seen, they'd have to be crazy not to accept you. Actually, Bahar, um there was something that I wanted to talk to you about. I'm really sorry about earlier this year.
>> [music] >> Wow. I I honestly can't believe how fast you memorized our dance. I think >> seriously think you're going to let a loser like her on the team.
Does she? >> What happened was the sorrow. Arabic represents a blooming flower or breaking free.
Could be a good name for your warrior queen. >> [music] >> Hey. So, how's the plan coming along?
>> It's um coming. I found out that Brooke doesn't like cheering. She does it because her mom wants to.
If that's Brooke's goal, that's the weakness. Now, press it. Make Brooke quit the team.
She steps down, Queen's off the board, the team collapses, we win the game and get our funding back. >> Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. I I hear you. I'm I'm just I don't know.
Feel a little bad. She's not what I expected her to be. >> Don't forget which side you're playing for, Nathan.
This was your plan. You're our ringleader here. You can't go soft on us now.
>> [music] >> Right. Yeah. Totally.
>> Hey, this new restaurant opened at the Commons, Boulevard Steak. Here we go, Freddy. Jeremiah.
>> Hm? Oh, yeah, steakhouse, yeah. >> Can you help me with my books?
>> Brooke. Do you need help with your books? >> Uh No, I think I got it.
Thanks, Jeremiah. Jeremiah, I clearly need help. Brooke.
>> See you at lunch then. >> Um actually, I'm going to spend it with Nathan, but um thanks. Um hello.
Can you not see that your girlfriend is >> My sweater is in Zack, my sweater is in your locker. >> [music] >> What's that? >> Sorry.
>> Why are you always hiding your drawings? >> Hm, you're one to talk. Why are you always hiding that pawn in your pocket, huh?
>> What pawn? >> [music] >> I don't really feel like talking about it. >> Well, I hide my drawings because one, I would be a social outcast.
And my friends on the cheer team would literally never speak to me again. And two, my mom thinks it's a complete waste of time. She won't even take a look at my drawings.
>> You're [music] kidding. >> Nope. >> I'm sorry.
>> Thanks. >> [music] >> Well, um you can't change your mom, but you can change your friends. >> Well, then I would have nobody.
>> [music] >> That's not true. You'd have me. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [laughter] [music] >> All right, your necklace.
>> Thanks. My mom [music] gave it to me. She said it's for my Stanford interview.
>> [gasps and laughter] [music] >> You know, it's okay to do what feels right sometimes. >> What? You mean like [music] quit the cheer team?
>> If that's what you want. >> [music] >> I better get going. >> Yeah.
>> Hey. Um there's only 3 days left to save the chess club. Do you think your plan will work in time?
>> The plan? You know I I was I was thinking maybe that >> Look, Nathan, I don't know that much about love, but it kind of seems like you two like each other. >> I guess the algorithm didn't account for that variable.
>> Forget the plan. Clubs come and go, but a girl like that, you won't see that twice. I mean, what are the odds you find a girl like >> 0.
0001%. >> [laughter] >> Go pursue your love side quest. >> [music] [music] [music] >> If he won't do it, I will.
>> Hey, uh Jeremiah. I I I want to tell you something about Nathan. >> Okay.
All right, guys. I think that felt really good. We can just run it one more time and then maybe take a break and rest for the rest of the night.
>> I need some water. >> All right. >> 5 6 7 8 >> Their precious, perfect, bubblegum cheerleader queen is nothing more than an anime-loving nerd.
Let's see how much Jermaine and the girls like her after seeing this. >> Nathan come here. Sorry, guys.
Just a sec. >> We got an A in our AP Calc assignment. >> Brooke, that's amazing.
>> I know. >> Actually, there's something I need to tell you. I um that you wanted to play her like a chess game.
Guess who just heard the big chess master strategy. Stop the cheer team, save your little nerd club. >> Strategy?
What is he talking about, Nathan? >> Nothing. He's >> Isolate the queen, Brooke, then step three, stop the cheer team.
>> What? So, all of these talks about me quitting the cheer team was just part of your plan? >> No, Brooke, it's not like that, and I swear.
Brooke, listen. I tried to tell you. A pawn doesn't stand a chance against a king.
>> [music] >> Don't worry. I'll go comfort her. >> Welcome to the 2026 Regional Cheer Competition.
>> [music] >> Has anyone heard from Brooke? Is she even going to show? >> I hope so.
So, I could tank her reputation. >> [music] >> Hey. >> I think that I heard the good news.
Brooke got an A all because of you. >> Can I see her? >> Um of course.
She just seemed a little distraught about something. But the good news is is that she got an A. >> Now she just needs to win today and she'll be joining her sister at Stanford.
You can go ahead. >> Tick tock, Brooke. 10 minutes or you're busting yourself there.
>> I heard you, Mom. Stay away from me. >> Please, just just let me explain.
>> Explain what? That you played me like a stupid game, like a pawn on your chessboard? >> Remember when you asked me about why I always carry this pawn?
At my last school, I had a best friend named Sam. Sam. >> [music] >> Sam, talk to me, please.
But there were mean people, bullies. They made his life a living nightmare. >> It's every day, all the time.
They're relentless. Nobody's sticking up for me. Nobody.
>> [music] >> It got so bad that one day >> [music] >> his family packed up and moved out of state. >> [music] >> Just like that. >> Sam!
>> [music] >> No goodbye. No new address. Even [music] changed his number.
I haven't heard from him since. And it's [music] my fault. And I do anything to apologize to him, to defend him, if there was a second chance.
And this poem represents that. This is all I had left of him from that day. I swore never again.
Never again. Not to me, not to anyone else. So, that's why I came up with this plan to protect people from those who hurt them.
Somewhere along the way, you weren't just a plan anymore. >> You hurt me, Nathan. More than anyone ever has.
>> I know. And if you never forgive me, I'll carry [music] that. But if you really don't want to cheer, then don't.
Not for your mom, not for anyone else. Just make sure that it's your choice. [music] Because you know what?
Those girls out there, they're counting on you, too. >> [music] >> Do you know how I can get to the talent show? Thank you.
>> The regional cheer championship is about to begin. All squads, please take your positions. >> Okay, what do we do?
I don't think Brooke is coming. >> Sorry I'm late, guys. >> Found [music] your little secret.
Guess our perfect cheer captain is really just a nerd with crayons. >> Lila, give me those, okay? They're for my application.
>> Oopsy. >> [gasps and panting] >> Guess it makes sense you and Nathan got close. Nerds really do stick together.
Now, why don't you go run away and hide like you always do? I'll step in as captain. >> Brooke, straight A's don't get you into med school.
You need to focus. Straight A's like your sister Amanda. >> Maybe she needs to hear from you.
Captain, tell her her doodles are pathetic. >> You can't change your mom, but you can change your friends. >> Not today, Leila.
I'm done. Okay, I'm done pretending. I'm done hiding.
I'm done with you. I am your captain and it's about time you start treating me like it. >> Captain?
Please. Our team doesn't need a cosplay obsessed dork embarrassing us. Right, girls?
>> [music] >> Girls? Jamie? Maya, say something.
>> Actually, Brooke's a really good captain. >> [music] >> She's nice and she's real. >> Honestly, we need her to win.
Plus, my little brother likes anime. It's not that bad. >> You need me.
>> No, Leila. We don't need you. I've actually already found your replacement.
Brooke deserved to be on our team a long time ago. She knows our whole choreography. I was going to have her replace me, but now she's replacing you.
You're out. >> You can't do that. >> I just did.
>> This is a joke. A total joke. >> Next up, Book Side High.
>> All right, girls. That is enough drama for today. Let's win this [music] thing.
Palms in. Ready? And >> Book Side!
>> All right, guys. >> [music] >> Nathan really is a sweet you know. And I don't think he really knew what he was doing.
Let's go show them what we're made of. >> [cheering] [applause] [cheering] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [cheering] [cheering] [music] [cheering] [music] [applause and cheering] >> Congrats, Captain. >> Thanks, Jeremiah.
>> So, king needs a queen, right? We'd rule this school. It's like a steakhouse down the way.
>> That's really sweet, but I'm kind of into someone else. >> A cheerleader and a chess dork? Are you serious, Brooke?
You'd be a loser. Think about your image, your reputation. >> [music] >> Maybe it's time you start thinking through yours.
It's been live stream by the way. >> [laughter] >> You turn that thing off. >> I I rule this school.
I will pummel ALL OF YOU. >> [laughter] >> NOT ANYMORE YOU DON'T. I THINK BOOKSIDE High is ready for a new power couple.
>> Brooke! Oh, Stanford just called with your GPA and the championship. They want to interview you.
Oh, this is literally a dream come true. Where's your necklace? >> Mom, Stanford's your dream, not mine.
You know I just want to draw. >> We've been over this. I won't pay for art school.
>> Then you won't have to. >> On behalf of Westbrook Academy Art School, it's our pleasure to formally notify you that you've been selected as a recipient of Westbrook Academy scholarship. I wasn't sure if you were going to apply, so I took photos of your work and sent it in for you.
>> [music] >> I got it! >> They loved Zara. They loved you.
>> [music] >> You got a scholarship. Wow. You're really good.
>> I don't just want to be good, Mom. I I want to be me. >> [music] >> I'm so sorry, Annie.
>> [music] >> Congrats, Brooke. You uh you're incredible. And I'm I'm sorry about the way >> Just shut up and kiss me.
>> [music] [music] >> Bahar was right. Winning isn't about breaking people. It's about changing the board so everyone can play.
>> [music] >> Sorry I couldn't save the chess club. >> [music] >> The club isn't ending. >> But we didn't get the money.
>> Hi. The cheer team won a big check at the competition. We don't need it, but you guys do.
So consider it an olive branch. Maybe the cheer team and the chess club don't have to be at odds. >> Yeah, we can cheer for you at chess matches and you can teach us math.
>> Updated forecast, zero anomalies detected. Chess club survival is confirmed at 100%. >> Translation, we just unlocked co-op mode.
>> [laughter] >> You know, I've always found glasses to be so hot. >> Stay. We've all made bad moves.
>> [music] >> What matters the most is the next one. >> [music] >> Zara. She's free.
