Season 1 - Episode 3
We pick our story back up in Fredrick Douglas Auditorium, where Taylor and Sheena' s mother, Carsen Davenport have just overheard a conversation between Sheena and Natalie.
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
Sheena: Oh ..hey mama.
Natalie: Hi Soror Davenport!
Carsen Davenport: Hello girls. Well, aren' t you going to say hello to Soror Taylor?
Sheena: Hi Soror Taylor.Sheena leans in to hug Taylor.
Carsen Davenport: Natalie?
Natalie: Hmm?
Carsen Davenport: Don't sass me, young lady. You heard what I said.
Natalie: (sarcastically) Hi Taylor.
Taylor: Hi sorors! I missed you over the summer! Did you get my messages?
Natalie: Oh yeah, I got em. I had a busy summer. My bad, girl.(Silence)
Natalie: I guess you want to sit with us, huh? Too bad there are only two seats over here. I guess we could try to move.
Taylor: Oh that's okay soror. I'm meeting up with Ka....... .uh, my friend from back home.
Natalie: Oh okay! Well don't let us stop you. We'll see you later, soror.Taylor looks hurt and then walks away.
Carsen Davenport: I heard what you two were saying and it was very hurtful. That is not what the sisterhood is all about. And Sheena, I'm really surprised at you. You know better!
Natalie: Oh Soror Davenport, we were only kidding! Taylor knows that! It was just harmless play between sisters!
Carsen Davenport: I have to get backstage for the procession but we will continue this conversation later, Natalie.Natalie: Yes, ma' am.
Across campus, Nathaniel and Jovan are leaving the Jewel House to walk over to convocation.
Jovan: Man, will you slow down? Why you walking so fast?
Nathaniel: I told you before we left that something is up with Laray and I want to try to find her before convocation.
Jovan: Is everything alright?
Nathaniel: Man, I don't know. We were on the phone, she was crying and next thing I know, she had hung up.
Jovan: I'm sure she's alright.
Nathaniel: I hope so. She ain't sound right.
Jovan: At least she ain't pregnant!
Nathaniel (laughing) True! But hey, you seem like you really feeling Joi so it s all good.
Jovan: Yeah, I'm feeling her. I'm just not feeling being a daddy right now.
Nathaniel: Yeah I guess it is kinda quick. I mean ya'll had really just started kicking it when she got pregnant. You ain't waste no time! (laughs)
Jovan: (laughs) You know how we do! There go my baby right there! (yelling) Joi!Outside of Frederick Douglas Auditorium, Sy'mone and Joi are having a conversation while Joi waits for her boyfriend, Jovan.
Sy'mone: Okay see, you talking about being fat and you still found a man while you were pregnant!
Joi: Girl what are you talking about? I was with Jovan before I was pregnant.
Sy'mone: Okay.... now what are you talking about? We were studying for Zeta when you found out you were pregnant and you were not dating Jovan. I also remember who you were messin' with before you found out!Joi is silent and looks away.
Sy'mone: Joi. Hold up, girl. Does Jovan think you havin' his baby?
Joi: Huh? Oh look! There's Krystalyn and Patrick.
Sy'mone: Yeah and she don't look too happy to see me
Joi: Patrick looks nice. He looks like he lost some weight.
Sy'mone: Joi, you didn't answer me. Does Jovan think you havin' his baby?Joi and Sy'mone are interrupted by Jovan's voice from across the quad.
Joi!
Nathaniel and Jovan walk over to Joi and Sy'mone.
Joi: Hey sweetie!
Jovan leans down and kisses Joi on the forehead.
Jovan: Hi baby! (rubbing Joi's stomach) Hi to both of my babies!
Sy'mone: Hey, what's up Jovan! What's up Nate!
Nathaniel: What's up ladies! Yo, J, I'm gonna catch up with you inside. I need to get in here and try to find Laray real quick before it starts.
Sy'mone: Tell my soror I said Z-Phi!
Nathaniel: Spoken like a true neo! (laughing)Everyone laughs but Sy'mone.
Jovan: Alright frat. Handle your business, I'll see you in a few.
Nathaniel walks away towards the building.
Jovan: Baby, you ain't have to wait out here for me. You could have gone in!
Joi: I know but I wanted to see you! Are you sitting with your frat brothers?
Jovan: Yeah, baby, I have to.
Joi: Okay. Well I' m sure I can find a seat somewhere in the back. This pregnancy has me runnin' to the bathroom every five minutes anyway.
Jovan: You sure you gonna be alright?
Sy'mone: I'll sit with her!
Jovan: Oh thanks, Sy'mone. I appreciate it!
Joi: Alright hon, my ankles are starting to swell. Help me find a seat.
Jovan: No problem. Let's go!
A few feet away, Krystalyn and Patrick are in the middle of a conversation about Joi.
Krystalyn (with her hands on her hips): Wait a minute. At first you were yelling at me about being nice to my soror. Then I point out Joi and you start acting all shady. I thought you said you didn't know her!
Patrick stands in silence.
Krystalyn: Answer me, Patrick. Is Joi the reason you don't want to go over there?
Patrick: Honestly? Yeah, it is.
Krystalyn: Excuse me? You better start explaining.
Patrick: There's nothing to explain.
Krystalyn: You daggone right there is something to explain. At first you said you ain' t even know Joi now you sayin' you don't want to go over there because of her. I want to know what is going on. Now, Patrick!
Patrick: It's nothing, Krys. It's just... ..pregnant women make me a little nervous, that's all.Krystalyn: Pregnant women make you nervous?
Patrick: Yeah, they do.
Krystalyn: That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard, Patrick! You really need to grow up. I like Joi and I'm going over to say hi.
Patrick: Well looks like you might have to wait until later.
Krystalyn: Huh?Krystalyn turns to see Joi and Sy'mone walking towards the auditorium with Jovan.
Patrick: That's odd. What is Jovan doing with them?
Krystalyn: What's so odd about helping your girlfriend into the auditorium?
Patrick: Jovan is dating Sy'mone?
Krystalyn: No. He's dating Joi! They seem so happy. He's really excited about the
baby.Patrick turns and stares angrily at Jovan and Joi.
Patrick thinks: Joi seemed like she was really feeling me when we were messin' around. She sure ain't waste no time movin' on.
Krystalyn (interrupting Patrick's thoughts): Did you hear me?
Patrick: What?
Krystalyn: I said I can hear the opening music! We better get to our seats!
Inside the Auditorium, Convocation has just begun. The stage is lined with university administration, and the student assembly officers. The choir has just sang the Aphla University Song, "A Hymn for Ahpla ". President Melinda Ferguson has just walked up to the podium to deliver her opening address.
President Ferguson: To the board of trustees, the administration, the faculty, the staff, the student assembly officers, students, parents, and friends of Ahpla University, I would like to welcome you today to the 98th Annual Opening Student Convocation.
(the audience claps)
President Ferguson continues: My dear students, it has been a long summer. A summer full of transition, soul searching, and change. Although it has only been a short time since our last encounter, it feels like it's been years. There are many changes taking place at Ahpla. This is the season of change! If you look around, you may only see a few familiar faces. And while it is comforting to see those whom we've grown accustomed to, I want to encourage you, my young scholars to embrace the new. Get to know those new and wonderful faces on campus! Love them and show them that wonderful fighting Ahpla spirit. We have a wonderful year planned for you! This fall will mark the 10 year anniversary of reorganization of the Athletic Department. To commemorate this event, we have worked for over a year to plan a very memorable and exciting homecoming weekend! We have worked diligently to ensure that we were able to contact every single Ahpla Univeristy alumnae! Those alums who we all love so dear will soon return to the place that they called home. Over the University's rich and colorful 98 year history, many people, myself included, have grown to call Ahpla home. I know that you will, too.(The audience begins to clap.)
President Ferguson: Now in the spirit of change, we have had some significant changes in administration over the past summer. I want to now introduce to you some of the new faces on our staff. This first individual I would like to introduce to you truly needs no introduction. She is also an Ahpla University Alumnae, she is a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and a wonderful human being all around. She's giving, kind, warm, and dedicated to the ideals and missions of the Aphla University Student affairs office. Ahpla Students, please let me be the first to introduce you to your new Director of Greek Life, Ms Mona Ferguson! Mona, please come and greet the students and tell them a little about what you have planned for greek life on campus!