Season 1 - Episode 1
Our story begins with a return to the campus of Ahpla University. A few years have passed, and there are many new faces on campus, with a few familiar ones as well. It’s the middle of August, the heat is sweltering, and it’s the first day of class. Our story picks up in the Frederick Douglas Auditorium, where the opening convocation ceremony is set to begin at any moment.
Natalie: Sheena! Shee-na!! Ooo-oop!
Sheena looks around and finds Natalie in the crowd and begins making her way over towards her.
Sheena: Ooo-oop! Hey soror!
Natalie: Hey girl! What’s goin’ on! Give me a hug! I missed you this summer!
Sheena: (giving Natalie a hug) Whatever! You ain’t miss me! All you were thinking about was Demetrius! But anyway, I did miss you! And I also missed that fine brother of yours! Where is Nate, anyway?
Natalie: Who knows, girl. Probably somewhere following LaRay around.
Sheena: He still with her? I was sure they would have broken up by now.
Natalie: Yep! She’s still around-always smiling in my face like she wants us to be friends. Anyway!
Sheena: Anyway is right! I know one thing-she better not mess up cause I would be more than happy to take Nate off her hands! So anyway, how are things going with you and Demetrius?
Natalie: They’re good. We saw each other a few times over the summer. He should be here by now since he’s assembly vice president this year. Anyway, girl…..I heard your mom is new Parent’s Council Chairwoman.
Sheena: Yeah…..
Natalie: Dag girl! Don’t sound so sad! I mean I know you don’t want her hangin’ around campus all the time. But it might be nice to have a soror in high places that can look out for the chapter. Know what I’m sayin’?
Sheena: Yeah, I know what you’re sayin’, but you wouldn’t be sayin’ that if it was your mama!
Natalie: Yeah, you right!
Both girls laugh in unison.
Natalie: What I really wish she could do is help us to get rid of Taylor!
Sheena: Girl, what do you have against Taylor? I mean I know she’s white but she’s really nice when you get to know her, Nat. You should give her a chance. I mean, we already checked with Amgis. She’s legit, so you can’t put her out of the chapter.
Natalie: I know she’s a legitimate soror, Sheena…….and she might be nice! But as far as I’m concerned, she ain’t no sister of mine! And she never will be!
Sheena and Natalie hear a voice from behind them.
“I’m really sorry you feel that way, Natalie.”
Sheena and Natalie turn around to see Taylor and Sheena’s mother, Carsen Davenport standing behind them.
Across campus in The Jewel House, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha are preparing for opening convocation. After donating so much money to the University by way of the Nino Daniels Memorial Scholarship weekend, the University reluctantly agreed to let the fraternity take over the house. However, they are being watched very closely…
Nathaniel: Yo, Jovan, let’s go man! We’re gonna be late for convocation!
Jovan: Aight, Nate! Give me 5 minutes!
Nathaniel: You know LaRay is assembly treasurer now. If I miss her opening report, I’ll never hear the end of it!
DeVaughn comes downstairs to the foyer where Nathaniel is waiting.
DeVaughn: And that’s why a playa like me will never be tied down!
Nathaniel: What’s good, phrat! I’m just waiting for Jovan to hurry up so we can get to convocation.
DeVaughn: That’s what’s up. I can’t wait for ya’ll though. You know a brother like me has to get there early so I can see and be seen. Know what I’m sayin!
Nathaniel: Yeah man, with you, I do know! You ain’t never gonna change!
DeVaughn: (Laughs) And you’d be mad if I did! Aight phrat, I’m outta here. I’ll try to save you two a seat. That is if I don’t find some fine little freshman to sit with first!
Nathaniel: And freshmen are about all you are gonna find to sit with! Sophomore’s and up already know how you roll!
DeVaughn: Ouch, sands! So sad and so true! (laughs) They just mad cause they couldn’t tie me down! Playa for life!
Nathaniel: (Laughs) I hear ya, man. Alright phrat! I’ll see you over there. Be easy on em!
Nathaniel’s cell phone rings
Nathaniel: Hey Baby! I’m on my way, I promise!
LaRay: Nate, I’m in trouble.
Nathaniel: Hello? LaRay? What’s wrong?
LaRay: (sniffs) I just want you to know that I really messed up, Nate….and if you don’t want to be with me after today, I understand.
Nathaniel: Girl, what are you talking about? Are you crying? Where are you? Shouldn’t you be at the auditorium by now?
LaRay: (crying louder): I’m about to leave to go over there now. I’m so scared, Nate!
Nathaniel: Scared about what? LaRay, what is going on!?
LaRay: It’s my report. The opening financial report I’m supposed to give to the student body.
Nathaniel: Yeah, what about it? You didn’t finish that thing yet? I thought you told me you had it under control.
LaRay: I thought I did too. It’s just that…..it’s not coming out even.
Nathaniel: Well how off is it? No one is going to be upset over a few dollars. I’m sure it’s a simple error. Lucky for you, you are dating the king of math! Want me to meet you over there and go over it real quick? Anything for my baby!
LaRay: Nate! You are not listening! It’s $3,000 off and I just know that everyone is going to hate me after today! I may have to transfer! I have to put that money back; I mean….I have to figure out what happened to that money and quick!
Nathaniel: What do you mean? Do you know where the money is, LaRay?
Silence on the phone.
Nathaniel: Hello? LaRay? Baby, are you there?
Over at the Frederick Douglas Auditorium, the students are beginning to arrive for convocation. The excitement of a new academic year is filling the air like a fresh spring bouquet. Old friends are greeting each other, while new students are walking around nervously looking for empty seats. Fraternity and Sorority calls are being heard all over the building. Backstage, the administration, university officials, and student assembly officers are gathering, dressed in their academic regalia, and preparing for the opening procession.
Demetrius: Hey Sydney!
Sydney: What’s up Phrat! Skee-Phi!
Demetrius: You ready for your opening speech?
Sydney: A Woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha is always ready! Besides sweetie, how could I not be ready with such a handsome Vice President by my side?
Demetrius: Oh um, thanks, Syd. So, uh…..how was your summer?
Sydney: You already know everything I do is fabulous! I spent all of July at an intensive retreat for the New Jersey Young Republicans.
Demetrius: (sarcastically): Wow, you’re a real party girl, Syd. (Laughs) I’m just playing, girl. But on the real, you look nice in your suit. Trying to look good for your first official speech as assembly president, huh?
Sydney: Pretty in Pink! Thanks, D. You don’t look so bad yourself! In fact………were you working out over the summer? I’ve never seen you look so…….
Demetrius: (cutting Sydney off before she can finish) : Yeah I went to the gym a little. Thanks. Um…….how are things going with Sherrod? Natalie and I are doing great!
Sydney: Sherrod and I are just fine. Thanks for asking, but why did you have go and bring Natalie up, just when we were having such a great conversation.
Demetrius: What does that mean?
Sydney: It means I just still can’t believe you went from this (points to herself) to that.
Demetrius: Look, Syd. I really like Natalie and if you and I are going to be doing this Student Assembly thing together, I’m not going to let you talk about her like that.
Sydney: Whatever, Demetrius. I’m not trying to have a lover’s quarrel with you today. Although it so cute to know that I can still get you so upset. I guess I haven’t lost my touch!
Demetrius: What? You know what, Syd, I think we need to have a little conversa….
Sydney: (cutting Demetrius off mid sentence) Oh calm down, Demetrius. You can be so serious sometimes. So, where are the rest of the officers? Have you heard from LaRay?
Demetrius: No, I haven’t. I don’t think she has my new cell number.
Sydney: Well I just thought since she’s dating Nate that maybe you saw her at the new house or something.
Demetrius: Nope, can’t say that I have!
Sydney: Well, we need everyone here, so I hope she gets here soon! Once the President introduces Mona Ferguson as the new Director of Greek Life, I’m sure the student body is going to have a lot of questions!