"[pop song playing]" "♪ Early morning, got a feeling Something good is on the way ♪" "♪ Keep my hopes up To the ceiling ♪" "♪ It's a chasy kind of day ♪" "♪ And when I'm in a rush ♪" "♪ Got to keep both feet On the ground ♪" "♪ I'm finally waking up ♪" "♪ Nothing can bring me down ♪" "♪ So, come on, come on You're a girl in the world ♪" "♪ Let down your hair and give it a twirl ♪" "♪ Just keep having fun ♪" "♪ Whoa-oh, oh, oh ♪" "♪ Come on, come on Let's shoot for the stars ♪" "♪ We do what what we do Wherever we are ♪" "♪ The best is still to come ♪" "♪ Whoa-oh, oh, oh ♪" "♪ Just like you, I'm a girl ♪" "♪ In the world!" "♪" "♪ When we catch that second-guessing ♪" "♪ It doesn't matter what they say ♪" "♪ 'Cause like an eagle I'm feeling destined ♪" "♪ Spread my wings and fly away ♪" "♪ And when I'm in a rush Got to keep... ♪ [alarm blaring]" "[Mrs. Darling] Jessica, breakfast!" "Coming, Mom!" "[Mrs. Darling] Come on, it's time to go." "Do we have to?" "Jessica, you're two days away from junior high." "Mom, look." "I get that when you used to take Bethany shopping, it was all dressing room montages, manicures and girl talk." "It was." "But now Bethany's in college." "I just want to have that special time with my baby girl." "Okay." "Let's do it." "Yay!" "Come on." "We are gonna have so much fun." "Hey, how was the big shopping spree?" "I got a shirt." "A plain gray t-shirt." "That she found crumpled up in the corner of the Deals for Real dressing room." "Well, technically, I did buy something new from a trendy store." "You should be happy!" "Mom texted me." "I got here as soon as I could." "Why?" "Is something wrong?" "Don't you have school?" "This is much more important than college." "Mom told me about the mall." "Yes, it's a large building with lots of different shops." "Jess, you need help." "Do you really want to start seventh grade looking like a dork?" "Mom said I was a dork?" "This... is for you." "Bam!" "An expired coupon for Thai food?" "Gee, thanks." "The other side." ""Bethany Darling's It List."" "A guaranteed guide to popularity, prettiness and perfection." "Seriously?" "Deadly-ously." "Not a word." "Shut up." "Read." "[Jessica reading]" "[Bethany] Give me that." "It's number two." ""Make the cheer team" with four exclamation points." "[Bethany reading]" "And number four, "Stick with the It clique." Got it?" "Depends." "What am I supposed to do with it?" "Live it." "If you do, you'll have the best year ever." "And if I don't?" "Total misery." "Hi, Jess." "Hey, Bridge." "What's this?" "My Decision Board." "I'm pretty sure I've almost, like, 100%-ish narrowed it down to these four hairstyles, these three tops, these five pairs of jeans, and these seven pairs of shoes." "That's like 1,500 different combinations." "You're being insane." "Don't math me!" "Help me!" "Fine." "Hair half-up, half-down." "Striped top." "Skinny capris." "Slip-ons." "There." "Done." "Cute but safe." "Thank you." "So, you're okay now?" "I guess." "Actually, no!" "I'm so not okay!" "I can't believe we're the only ones going to Westside from our old school." "We're like... refugees." "We have each other." "At least there's that." "That's not enough." "You need to change your name asap." "Why?" "Because you're in all the gifted classes and I'm not, and the only way we'll have any classes together is if we're in homeroom together, and that's by last name." "And you're "D" and I'm an "M."" "So, it'd be great if you changed it." "To, like..." ""Jessica Marling." Doesn't that have a nice ring to it?" "Hey, Bridget B. Milhokovich, why don't you change your name?" "Because my mom got me this." "Isn't it cute?" "You should get one too!" "Shut mouth!" "Braces too bright!" "So, what are you wearing, anyway?" ""Wear something different everyday."" "What you mean, "Wear something different?"" "[cellphone chiming]" "Cool." "And definitely... different." "Are you sure you can't wear your hair down?" "Just for the first day?" "Fine." "Nope." "Can't do it." "[door opening]" "♪ I'm feeling alive ♪" "♪ I will never let this go ♪" "Whoa!" "♪ I'm feeling alive ♪" "♪ Ooh ♪" "Whoa!" "Bridget, you look like a supermodel." "Thanks." "What do you think?" "You look... amazing." "When did you get your braces off?" "Yesterday afternoon!" "I wanted to surprise you." "None of this was on the Decision Board." "My mom took me to Deals for Real." "You should totally go there." "Photo op." "Dad, we have to go." "Hold on." "Hold on." "Say "Brie!"" "Gorgonzola!" "Chin up." "[Mr. Darling] Okay, I think we got all we need." "Sweetheart, you're going to be fine." "Just be yourself." "Thanks, Dad." "I hate my outfit." "What?" "No way." "I love your t-shirt!" "I wish I was cool enough to pull that off." "Thanks, B." "Ready?" "Nope." "Me neither." "[indistinct chattering]" "[Boy] BMB." "What if our lockers aren't near each other?" "[Boy] BMB." "[Bridget] If they're not, maybe we can trade with people?" "[taunting continues] I got the cutest stuff to decorate my locker with." "Look" "Bridget." "Aren't you gonna do anything?" "About what?" "[boys taunting]" "Are they talking to me?" "Well, "talking" is a relative term." "But... they're eighth graders." "Yeah." "I know." "I can tell by the giant cloud of body spray hovering over them like smog." "[taunting continues]" "Hey, if you get here first, save me a seat for the way home, okay?" "What, like I'm going to sit next to Joe Football over there?" "[Boy] Hey!" "[Burke clearing throat]" "I'm Burke Roy." "I'll save you a seat on the ride home." "Allow me to be your one-man welcoming committee to Westside." "Okay." "And that would be my foot." "[Burke] Sorry." "[school bell ringing]" "[Boy 1] What's your name?" "[Boy 2] My name is... [all taking indistinctly]" "Name?" "Jessica Darling." "Well, don't just stand there." "Take a seat." "I don't really know anyone." "Doesn't matter." "Seats are assigned by name." "You're right over there." "Thanks." "[Jessica] Sorry." "No worries." "I have one in every color." "I'm Sara." "D'Abruzzi." "I'm Jessica Da" "And before you ask, yes, that D'Abruzzi." "She didn't ask." "I'm sure she recognized the name." "Doesn't look like it." "Hope, could you please just let me get to know Justine here?" "It's Jessica." "I'm Hope." "Sara's just trying to hint to you that her dad owns all the ice-cream shops on the boardwalk." "Wally D's?" "Cool!" "I guess." "No biggie." "So, did you just move here from, like, the Midwest or something?" "No, I went to Green Valley." "Me and my friend" "Cool!" "This homeroom bites." "The cutest seventh grade boys all have names from F to M and are in Homeroom B." "No offense." "Scotty Glazer's in B." "Just so you know, I already called dibs on him." "Gotcha." "No Scotty." "Who's Scotty?" "And when did dibs happen?" "Before school?" "Over the summer?" "Should I have gotten, like, a text about this?" "Don't worry about it." "Too late!" "Can you text me about homework?" "Yeah." "Totally." "Great." "Well, nice to meet you." "Hope and I are off to Honors English." "You're in honors?" "Doi." "I'm super smart." "Ice-cream buys a lot of favors." "[school bell rings]" "Hey!" "Sorry, I only saved two." "Plus, I don't know you." "Stranger-danger and all." "You know what?" "I'll just sit over here." "Hey." "Hello, everyone, and welcome to-- [cellphone chiming]" "My wedding band just canceled." "[cellphone vibrating]" "I will be right back." "[Sarah reading]" "[Manda reading]" "Eye-roll emoji." "Did you guys just text each other even though you're sitting right next to each other" "and said it out loud?" "I just sent these emojis to Scotty." "The hand-up girl and cheeseburger?" "Could you be more desperate?" "He'll know what it means." "I am not hiring a stupid DJ!" "Everybody just write a haiku about... whatever." "[door closes]" "We have time." "Let's do this." "Do what?" "Set the game plan for lunch, obvs." "Okay." "Here's the quad." "The round tables over there are our best bet." "That way we can watch the hots without a trying-too-hard vibe." "The hots?" "The popular crowd." "Were you home-schooled or something?" "No, I just never thought of this stuff until... recently." "Well this is junior high." "You better start caring." "Do you care?" "A little." "We just need to make sure we're not near the trash cans, so we won't get mistaken for" "Let me guess." "The nots?" "What are you?" "I mean, me?" "What are we?" "We're all "normals" for the first few days, until we prove we're not "nots."" "And future hots." "This is the one." "It's so beautiful." "This is probably the most important moment of our entire lives." "Jessica, are you helping us with this or not?" "Of course." "I'm just looking for my friend-- [school bell ringing]" "Our lunch period is starting." "Now!" "Come on!" "Let's go!" "There!" "Right there!" "That's our spot!" "Quick!" "Before they steal it!" "Move!" "[all panting]" "We did it!" "Great work, everyone." "You're fast." "I guess you're in." "Wait, you mean I wasn't already?" "Better not ask too many questions." "[Manda] What's the matter?" "I know one of those girls." "Her name is Dori." "We were best friends from first to fourth grade." "Then she moved schools." "I feel bad now." "Maybe we can invite her over here." "Bless your heart, aren't you nice to offer?" "So..." "I think..." "Not." "Okay." "Well, at least I have to save a seat for my best friend Bridget." "She's was really nervous about lunch." "I'm not sure we have room." "Oh, my, gosh." "Who is that?" "♪ I'm feeling alive ♪" "♪ I will never let this go ♪ [mouthing] Hi!" "Jessica!" "You know her?" "Who is she?" "That's Bridget." "My best friend." "Hi!" "It feels like I haven't seen you in a year!" "I know." "I'm so sorry!" "I just sat here without even introducing myself!" "I'm Bridget." "I'm Manda." "This is Sara and Hope." "Hi." "You don't mind if Jess and I sit here, do you?" "Well" "Are you kidding?" "We just went up to the top of the seventh grade hots." "And look!" "We're all wearing the same bracelet!" "Bracelet buddies!" "See?" "We were meant to be friends!" "Cool, we all have Home Ec together now." "That's the same as Industrial Arts right?" "No." "That's woodshop." "Jessica, you need to get that switched." "Like, now." "But I didn't sign up for this." "This has to be a mistake." "Right?" "Or... not." "Sorry." "Bet no one gets killed baking cookies in Home Ec." "[growling]" "A monster." "A giant." "How can any man be so freakishly huge?" "I eat a lot of kale, that's how." "[students giggling]" "Now, please allow me to introduce myself properly." "My name is Mr. Pudel." "[students giggling]" "The first person who barks like a poodle, or makes any other animal noise will be cleaning up sawdust for the rest of the semester." "with your tongue." "Excuse me, Mr. Pudel." "I don't think I'm supposed to be here." "Name?" "Jessica Darling." "Jessica Dear," "Jessica Sweetheart," "Jessica Darling." "Oops, you're on here." "Which means you're officially in here." "But I" "What's up, Hagrid!" "That is the best one yet." "You're on sawdust duty, Aleck." "That's not my name." "It's" "I don't care what your real name is." "In here, you're Aleck." "As in Smart Aleck minus the smart." "And "lick" as in, you're licking up sawdust." "Take a seat next to Clem." "Who?" "Clementine, the girl." "♪ Oh, my darlin' Oh, my darlin' ♪" "♪ Oh, my darlin' Clementine ♪" "Keeps getting better and better." "Can't believe I have to be partners with a chick." "It's not fair." "Life's not fair." "I'm missing three fingers." "Is that fair?" "Is it?" "I got you." "You've been Pudled." "Now, if none of you loses an appendage during the class," "I get a sweet gift card from the hardware store." "So, please don't." "Don't worry about being my partner, I'm transferring out of here." "I'm sorry." "I just checked." "There's no more room in Family and Consumer Sciences, aka Home Ec, aka Cookie Baking and Giggling 101." "This class... is the best thing you will ever do." "Design." "Science." "Engineering." "This is hands-on excitement, Clem!" "Can I get a" "As you were saying, Clam?" "It's Clem." "Oh, no." "I'm Clem." "Want a cookie?" "Let me guess." "Home Ec?" "Yeah!" "It was so fun!" "All we did was bake and laugh." "But you'll be there tomorrow, right?" "Actually, I think I'm stuck in woodshop." "But... now we won't have any classes together." "I barely have any time to talk to you." "Well, at least we have the bus." "Right!" "The BFF Express." "Come on, Bridget." "Come sit with us." "No, thanks." "I'm sitting with my BFF." "Come on." "Just for a few minutes?" "Do you mind?" "I'll just be, like, one second." "Go for it." "So, how was your first day?" "Did you make any new friends?" "I think so." "[Mrs. Darling] Did Bridget?" "Does the entire school count?" "Here's your mail." "Thanks." "Yeah." "But what are you doing home?" "I came home to hear about Jess's first..." "What are you wearing?" "Your old t-shirts." "What t-shirts?" "You know, those old vintage concert t-shirts... at the top of the hall closet." "No!" "Those were Dad's gross old shirts from college that I used as rags for cheer team car washes." "I thought they looked familiar." "Man, I was skinny." "Jessica, come with me." "Now." "How could you miss this?" "Maybe I was blinded by all the bling." "It's pictures of every outfit I ever wore from seventh grade through high school." "No repeats." "So, when you said, wear something different every day, you meant different meaning "not the same."" "Not different meaning "unusual."" "How are we even related?" "It's your fault!" "Why didn't you just tell me what you meant?" "It's supposed to be a freakin' journey of freakin' discovery." "Now I need you to tell me the truth." "In the quad... are you eating lunch... by the trash cans?" "No." "[sighs]" "All is not lost." "Just rock number two." ""Make the cheer team?"" "Yeah, that was gonna be the one I was gonna pass on." "I figure three out of four is still pretty good." "Jess, if you don't do this, you can forget the rest." "Come with me." "Bossy much?" "It's only because I care." "Be... aggressive." "Be, be." "Aggressive." "Louder." "Get into it." "Be aggressive!" "You know, all you really need to know how to do is a basic cartwheel." "You do, right?" "Duh." "Who can't do a cartwheel?" "[grunting]" "What is it?" "Nothing." "Jessica." "I know that "ugh." What is it?" "I have nothing to wear." "I should've listened to you at the mall." "I'll be right back." "You're calling me in sick?" "I love you." "What's this?" "Well, I may have gone back to the mall to pick up a few things." "How did you know?" "I went to junior high school too, you know." "Thanks." "[Bridget] Jessica!" "I love..." "L-O-V-E, love, love, love your outfit!" "So much better." "Wait, I thought you liked how I could pull off vintage." "You totally can!" "But this is more..." "Me?" "More... junior high." "So, listen." "Don't get mad, but today I'm gonna be riding home from school on the late bus." "Okay." "Why?" "It's cheer team tryouts!" "I know." "I'm trying out too." "But I thought you hated all that stuff." "I thought I did, but maybe I don't." "This is so great!" "Wouldn't it be amazing if we both made it?" "We'd have the best year ever!" "That's the plan." "I didn't see your name on the cheer sign-ups." "Aren't you trying out?" "I have a gazillion reasons why I'm not trying out." "One, I have coding class." "Two, I can't do a cartwheel." "Three, just no." "I'm sure anyone can do a cartwheel if they try." "Can't they?" "Jessica." "Jessica." "Guess who is on the tryout list!" "The only names that matter." "Mine and Sara's." "No." "Dori Sipowitz!" "Did you know she went here?" "Actually, I think she's sitting" "[Manda] Jessica." "There she is!" "I'm gonna to go ask her to sit with us." "Wait, did you know she was there the whole time?" "I..." "I just wasn't sure it was her." "Well, it is!" "Come on!" "I feel like such a jerk." "That was weird." "She totally took off." "Guess she didn't recognize us." "I know I don't." "The cut's way too jagged." "The consistency is not right." "Nice try though." "He's good." "Hey, I know." "Maybe you should actually watch the safety video so that doesn't happen to you in real life." "Nah, if I want to see carnage, I'll watch the cheer team tryouts." "Good luck, by the way." "How do you know I was trying out?" "'Cause you hang with the wannabes." "That's what we're called?" "Depends who you ask." "[girls talking indistinctly]" "Look who I found." "It's Dori." "The Gleesome Threesome are back together." "Hi, Jess." "Hey, it really was you." "I wasn't sure." "I didn't know you were into cheerleading." "Yeah." "I've been doing gymnastics ever since we moved." "Remember when we were too scared to do a cartwheel?" "[laughing nervously]" "Yep." "We were pretty lame." "Where are Manda and Sara?" "Hello, ladies!" "I'm Miss Garcia." "[girls whooping]" "Woo!" "Excuse me, Miss Garcia." "Sorry." "Reserved." "Cheer team tryouts." "Well, ladies, we're on the move." "It looks like we're off-roading." "Again." "Hopefully we won't see any snakes." "Hut-hut!" "Ladies, the word awesome means to inspire awe." "And that's what we do here on the Westside cheer team." "We make the impossible... possible!" "[girls cheering]" "Stomping our feet is impossible?" "[shushing]" "A-W-E..." "S-O-M-E!" "Awesome!" "Awesome!" "Awesome are we!" "[girls whooping]" "Try to do it with us." "I am." "[Miss Garcia] We inspire the uninspired." "We motivate the unmotivated." "We make believers out of unbelievers." "Disbelievers." "Whatever..." "I have to go." "[Bridget] I understand." "[Miss Garcia] Okay, girls, let's line up." "Shortest to tallest." "[Sara and Manda laughing]" "Five minutes late, 50 push-ups." "Now." "What are your names?" "Manda Powers." "Sara D'Abruzzi." "Well, Manda Powers, Sara D'Abruzzi, you may go." "You're kidding, right?" "But we're barely even late." "And the only reason we were barely even late is because of all this awesome cheer flair." "Yeah!" "You don't see anyone else rocking so much school spirit." "No, because they followed directions and wore what it said to wear in the sign-up packet." "Who's ready to be a cheer champ?" "[girls whooping]" "Not you." "[huffing]" "This is all your fault." "You!" "You're Bethany Darling's little sister." "I'd recognize that special cheer-itude anywhere!" "You're a mini Bethany, and future cheer team captain if I ever saw one!" "Wow." "Thanks." "But I'm not Bethany's sister." "That's Bethany's sister." "Jessica." "Of course." "You're Jessica Darling." "I see the resemblance." "So..." "Jessica Darling... show us what you got." "Actually, I was just leaving" "That's hilarious!" "Come on." "Now, show us that Westside spirit." "Show us what you've got." "Show us what you've got." "Show us what you've got." "Okay." "I can do this." "It's just physics." "Motion, mass and momentum!" "I've got this." "Be... aggressive!" "Be, be, aggressive!" "[shrieking]" "[girls laughing]" "Maybe you should go..." "and see Nurse Fleet." "Yes." "I should definitely go." "Anywhere else." "That would be best." "I'll go with her." "No." "You need to cheer for both of us now." "Go be awe... some." "Thanks, Jess." "You did it!" "Humiliated myself in front of every girl in school?" "Yes, I know." "What're you talking about?" "You made the team!" "Sherri Garcia just called me." "I'm 100% certain that's a mistake, or I'm sucked into an alternate dimension." "Okay, then why did she tell me to tell you to meet her at the gym before school tomorrow for a fitting?" "Really?" "Jess!" "I am so proud of you!" "Another Darling cheerleader!" "[both whooping]" "Woo." "I'm sure it was better earlier." "Come on." "Let's go have a cheer chat." "That's a thing?" "It is now." "So, listen." "Sherri said to tell you not to tell anyone about meeting with her before school tomorrow." "Why not?" "They're not posting the official list till after homeroom." "So, now that we have It List item number two out of the way, what about number three?" "Pick your first boyfriend wisely, remember?" "I have to do that now?" "Wait too long, and all the good ones will be gone." "And you'll be stuck with some dork from the gifted class." "I'm in the gifted class." "So, who do you like?" "There's got to be someone." "There isn't anyone, okay?" "It's not like I'm one of those groupies who are always salivating over Burke Roy." "Sure you're not." "Seriously." "I'm not!" "Gotcha." "I'm here to tell you that what I'm about to offer you is such an honor, such an important responsibility, that I wouldn't give this to anyone if I didn't think they had what it takes." "Sorry." "I missed the end of tryouts." "Did everyone collapse with an intestinal virus or something?" "Because I'm pretty sure literally everyone there was better than me." "Including the janitor." "[Miss Garcia] Jessica." "You are invited to be the official Westside School... mascot!" "Mighty the Eagle!" "Okay, now I know this is a prank." "Not cool, you guys!" "This is no prank." "I've been waiting to bring back Mighty for years." "But until your tryout, I hadn't seen anyone who was willing to put my personal cheer philosophy into action." "Which is..." "Cheer without fear." "Right." "Thanks." "One more thing, which is the most important part." "The identity of Mighty the Eagle must remain a mystery." "You can't tell anyone it's you." "But I" "No one." "At all." "Ever." "Not even your family." "Not even your dog." "I don't have a dog." "Then when you get a dog, don't tell it." "Okay." "Mighty's anonymity is a 50-year-old Westside tradition." "It's a tradition of pride." "Of honor." "Of glory." "Jessica Darling... can you keep the Mighty secret?" "Of course I can." "Does that mean you're in?" "I'm in." "Congratulations!" "This conversation never happened." "Got it." "Is she okay?" "She's cracking her knuckles." "Never a good sign." "Don't feel bad, Sara, at least you didn't fall flat on your face like I did, right?" "Come on, you don't want to make fun of me a little?" "I was a disaster!" "You're lucky no one took video or you'd be so viral right now." "At least she got to try out." "[girls shrieking]" "This is all your fault for making me put on all that cheer flair." "No, It's your fault for taking too long painting that stupid chicken on your face." "Hey, isn't the mascot an Eagle?" "Yep." "I made it!" "I made it, too!" "We made it!" "I'm so sorry you didn't make the squad, Jess." "Actually, I" "I kind of feel like I did make it." "Through you." "You stole our spots." "What?" "You didn't even try out." "Well, it's a good thing we didn't, because those spots were so ours." "Yeah, except they're not." "Hey, if I did a cartwheel right now, would that break the tension?" "No." "Just your nose." "Good point." "Are Manda, Sara and Bridget all going to eat here?" "'Cause it feels like that part in a movie when a food fight would happen." "I'll save my orange." "It's a good projectile." "Yeah." ""The Westside Neighborhood School Spirit Squad."" "It's a new club we're starting." ""An all-new, elite, invitation-only organization of..."" "[Hope laughing]" "I can't." ""Athletic supporters?"" "Isn't that that thing that guys put around their..." "I told you people would think that." "You said you'd change it!" "Maybe I was too busy trying to find the right font after you rejected the first 10." "Fonts are everything." "You think people are going to take us seriously if we use Comic Sans?" "Hello!" "Fine." "I'll reprint it." "Good." "And then we can end the cheer-opoly on school spirit once and for all!" "Nothing says school spirit like declaring war on your fellow classmates." "And by the way, what's with putting the word "cheer" in front of everything?" "Cheer-itude, cheer-opoly, it's cheer-tastic!" "It's cheer-diculous." "Cheer-iously!" "Okay, I have to ask." "How are you, Manda and Sara friends?" "We just are." "Manda lives on my cul-de-sac." "Sara's family used to until their parents made all that boardwalk money and moved to a better house." "With indoor plumbing." "And toilet paper." "Be right back." "Gonna go get a cheer-nana." "Too far." "Thought so." "Bridge, you are not gonna believe what Manda and Sara are doing" "Jess, do you care if I sit with Dori during lunch?" "I mean not every day." "Just some days." "Like today?" "There's just so much to talk about, you know?" "With making the squad?" "Yeah." "It's fine." "Glad you guys are friends again." "You can join us if you want to." "If you want, you can... help make signs for the pep rally." "I'll just stay here." "I mean, I can't cheer chat if I'm not on the cheer team right?" "It's okay." "Go for it." "Wow." "Looks like Bridget's sitting at the not table?" "Lame." "I don't think it's the not table anymore." "Heard about your face-wheel at tryouts." "But on the bright side, now you don't have to be a cheerleader." "Here we go, ditzes!" "Here we go!" "I shouldn't laugh." "Bridget's actually pretty smart." "Hey, just wait." "A couple of falls from the top of the pyramid... [whistles] ...down goes the old IQ." "You must've fallen a lot as a kid." "Heard about your face-wheel at tryouts." "[laughs mockingly]" "Okay, gang, today..." "we're gonna learn to use the circular saw." "It's important to know how to use one for the zombie apocalypse." "I was gonna take you to the lumber yard to practice, on Thursday, but instead we'll be attending a pep rally eating into our valuable classroom time." "Is anyone in here on the football team or the cheer squad?" "[sighs] Thank goodness." "Life lesson, kids." "Don't peak in junior high." "When did you peak?" "I have an RV, a houseboat, a Harley and stock in an up-and-coming tech startup." "I'm peaking right about now." "We have a lot of work to do, little lady." "Work?" "[upbeat music playing]" "♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪" "♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪" "♪ All my ladies in the place who got style, who got grace ♪" "♪ Make the boys wanna say ♪" "♪ Working every day ♪" "♪ We're gonna take it all the way ♪" "♪ Make the people wanna say ♪" "♪ Anything make it new ♪" "♪ I know we can do it too ♪" "♪ Get some love for my crew ♪" "♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪" "♪ This is to all my girls ♪" "♪ All my girls around the world ♪" "♪ Working hard and making moves ♪" "♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪" "♪ Anything make it new ♪" "♪ I know we can do it too ♪" "♪ Get some love for my crew ♪" "♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪" "♪ This is to all my girls ♪" "♪ All my girls around the world ♪" "♪ Working hard and making moves ♪" "♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪" "I'm ready." "Right before sixth period, you'll have the locker room all to yourself." "Your costume will be waiting." "Go get 'em, Mighty." "Whoo!" "Shush!" "Jessica." "Wow!" "You look great" "The skirt's not too short?" "I feel like it's too short." "It's fine!" "[boys exclaiming] [boy whistling]" "Okay, maybe it's a little short." "You know, Jessica here won the robotics competition over the summer, why aren't you whistling about that?" "I don't think that's helping, but I appreciate the effort." "They're terrible." "No pizazz." "Well, let them enjoy it now, 'cause when the Spirit Squad shows up to the game, no one will be watching them." "Almost time for the pep rally!" "[Sara laughing pretentiously]" ""Almost time for the pep rally!"" "Right?" "What's that supposed to mean?" "That it's almost time for the pep rally." "I..." "I got to go." "Do you want us to save you a seat inside?" "Better not." "This feels like..." "a stomach issue." "Must've been some improperly refrigerated lunch meat." "Gotta go." "And that is why we have a private chef to make my lunches everyday." "You throw them away and get pizza." "Shut up." "Whoa." "That's an eagle, all right." "It's okay." "Be the Eagle." "Be the Eagle." "[indistinct chattering]" "[breathing heavily]" "I can do this." "[marching band music playing]" "[music stops]" "[music resumes]" "You got this, Jessica." "You got this." "[music stops]" "Okay." "[drum roll] [music resumes]" "[audience cheering]" "Bridget." "Ready?" "Okay." "[upbeat music playing]" "No way." "That's the same routine Bethany taught me when I was six." "I know this." "[Jessica counting indistinctly]" "Who are you?" "Yeah." "Who are you?" "Who are you?" "[Boy 1] Who are you?" "[Boy 2] Who are you?" "[Sara] Who are you?" "We're the cheerleaders!" "All right!" "[audience chanting]" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "[hyperventilating]" "Can't breathe." "Can't breathe." "Can't breathe." "Have to get this thing off." "[chanting continues]" "Bridget." "Go away, you stupid chicken!" "It's not funny!" "Miss Garcia!" "Help!" "Miss Garcia." "[Jessica] Please." "I'm gonna faint." "You're okay." "You're okay." "What happened?" "You fainted." "Whoa." "And you killed!" "I knew you were the right person for the job!" "Such inspired comic improvisation!" "And why didn't you tell me you knew the Westside fight song choreography?" "I didn't know I knew it." "I guess it was all those years of being forced to watch Bethany." "Well, you were amazing." "[school bell rings]" "Quick, change into your regular clothes." "Remember, no one can know who Mighty is." "See what I did there?" "That's more an owl more" "Never mind." "I could use a few minutes to" "Hurry!" "Time for Mighty to hide-y!" "Hey." "Jessica, right?" "Yeah." "Bridget's best friend." "I think." "You have a feather in your hair." "Where have you been?" "Nurse's office?" "Remember?" "Food poisoning?" "Why?" "You missed the craziness!" "What craziness?" "The pep rally." "It was the greatest thing I have ever seen." "That mascot was so tight." "Yeah, he took all the attention away from them." "Them?" "Our entire routine was ruined by that stupid chicken." "Eagle." "We worked so hard, and all anyone can talk about is some guy in a lame costume." "Boo-hoo." "We were so tight and no one even noticed." "First of all, no one says "tight" anymore." "You literally just said it." "Second, you're just jealous." "I personally thought the chicken was great." "Eagle." "And then he showed a lot of school... spirit!" "And isn't that what we all want, Bridget?" "Which is why it's so important that we rock the Spirit Squad for the game." "You're cheering in front of the crowd?" "Even better." "We're in the crowd." "So you're like superfans?" "That's great!" "We totally appreciate your support." "Very cool of you guys." "Hey, Burke." "Hey, Bridge." "You looked awesome out there." "Thanks." "See you at the game." "Okay." "Let's go, Dori." "[cellphone chimes]" "OMG." "Heard mascot totally botched your pep rally." "So lame." "Xoxo." "Mad props to whoever it was." "That Eagle was so cool." "I think the Eagle is Burke Roy." "Duh, it's not, he was sitting with the football team." "I don't know who the Eagle is." "And even if I did, nobody would believe me." "If I ever find out who that Eagle is..." "Mighty Eagle." "Hey." "Have you been keeping something from me?" "No, of course not." "It kind of seems like you have." "Even if I was, which I'm not," "I wouldn't be able to keep anything from you." "But I'm not." "Really?" "Really." "Elbow swear." "You still remember that?" "We haven't done that in years." "Okay." "Good." "I hate secrets." "Almost as much as I hate that stupid pigeon." "Eagle." "Whatever." "I got to go." "We have a practice before the game." "Thanks for making me feel better about all this, Jess." "You're welcome." "Hi." "Miss Garcia?" "It's Jessica." "I heard they hired a professional mascot from Ohio." "Man, this Eagle is like the most popular kid in school." "Until we show our stuff tomorrow night." "Those cheerleaders won't know what hit them." "Quick announcement." "Fall Ball tickets go on sale on the quad today." "So, buy them!" "A dance." "A dance!" "Oh, my gosh, a dance!" "A school dance already?" "Wow, they don't waste any time throwing us into awkward social situations." "Right?" "Dibs on Scotty!" "Excuse me?" "I called him on day one." "Dibs don't count if he does the asking." "I wonder what flavor ice cream he'd like 100 gallons of." "Where's Bridget?" "I thought she was eating with us today." "Over there." "Whoa." "That's a major move." "Shut up." "That'll be us on Monday." "It's okay to come up and talk to us after we move, too." "How kind of you." "Just don't linger." "Hey, so, are you going to the game tomorrow?" "I have plans." "With my aunt." "She's getting so old, and every dinner could be her last." "I mean, don't you want to see what Spirit Squad does?" "Strictly for snark possibilities?" "Totally, but..." "I mean, her last words can't be, "Where's Jessica?"" "Guilt much?" "We're part Italian." "So..." "What time should I pick you up for the Fall Ball?" "Never-thirty." "I'll be there at never-fifteen." "I like to be punctual." "[whimpers]" "Thanks." "Well, better smashed than slashed, I always say." "Here's some ice." "Shake it off." "I'm sure she'll be fine." "Mighty fine." "Good luck tomorrow." "See you at the game, Bridge!" "Bye." "[Burke clicks tongue]" "Okay, what was that?" "What?" "Burke just did this to you." "[clicks tongue]" "No." "He did that to you." "I don't even know him." "Why would he do that to you then?" "I just told you, he didn't!" "Okay." "Bridge." "Just..." "See you tomorrow." "Yeah." "Bye." "[girls cheering] [marching band music playing]" "[Sara] Man, junior high crowds stink." "It's because the game is too early." "We're just laying the groundwork for high school glory." "Spirit Squad!" "Jess is going to be so bummed to miss this drama." "Hey, it's her life." "If you're not at the game, like it or not, you'll never be hot." "I'm so hot." "You're just having anxiety attacks from being a quitter." "I can't do the lying thing, okay?" "I'm sorry." "This is it for me." "It's a shame." "You're, like, a mascot savant." "You're cheer-credible." "And if you happen to change your mind, I'm sure" "[Announcer over speaker] Let's hear it for your Westside Neighborhood School Mighty Eagles Football Team!" "That's your cue." "[people cheering]" "Get out there." "[audience cheering]" "Go, Mighty!" "No." "It's their turn." "Here we go!" "Go!" "Eagles!" "Go Eagles!" "Go!" "Eagles!" "Go Eagles!" "Go!" "Eagles!" "[scattered booing]" "Go!" "Eagles!" "Go Eagles!" "Come on, girls." "Let's do this." "Ready?" "Okay." "[bee buzzing]" "No." "[Jessica] Bee!" "Go away!" "[Audience] Mighty!" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "I'm not joking!" "Bee in the suit!" "Oh, my gosh!" "Bee!" "Bee!" "It's in the suit!" "Bee!" "[Jessica groaning]" "Hey, are you all right?" "No!" "We didn't even get to finish the routine!" "I meant J" " Mighty." "Serves him right, making it all about himself." "Come on." "We got to help her." "Her?" "Who is she?" "No!" "No!" "We can't reveal Mighty's secret identity!" "Bee." "Bee." "Aggressive." "Be, be aggressive." "That's right." "Come on, let's get our Mystery Mascot some air." "[Miss Garcia] No." "[audience gasping]" "Jessica?" "Bridget, I" "It was you?" "The whole time?" "Bridget, I wanted to tell you, but" "How could you do this to me?" "You knew what a big deal it was..." "And you didn't even care if you made me, made all of us, look stupid?" "And you elbow swore that you weren't keeping a secret from me, and you were." "You lied to me!" "I'm sorry." "I'm your best friend!" "Was your best friend." "But I wasn't trying to make" "No way!" "It was Jessica?" "But she's not funny." "Shut up, Manda." "You were jealous that I made the team!" "And that me and Dori are friends now." "You humiliated us!" "You're no better than Manda and Sara and their stupid Spirit Squad!" "Hey!" "Don't bring us into this." "I'm sorry." "Miss Garcia wouldn't let me tell anyone." "That's right." "I did say that." "But I'm not just anyone." "[whistle blows]" "[Referee] Come on, boys." "Better get out of here." "And that's not even the worst lie." "I knew it." "I knew you liked Burke." "Jessica likes Burke?" "No." "No, I don't." "Your sister told me you had a crush on him." "What?" "What are you talking about?" "Dori said I should confront you and you lied!" "You lied about everything!" "I didn't!" "I said I didn't like him!" "Then why does it look like you two have some big secret?" "Because he knew I was Mighty." "That's it." "I don't like him." "Why not?" "What's wrong with him?" "Nothing." "So you do like him!" "Oh, my gosh." "Come on, B." "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys." "Best secret ever." "Right?" "All Manda and I could talk about was how we should thank whoever Mighty is for making the cheerleaders look bad, and it was you!" "You're my hero!" "[whistle blowing]" "Game's starting." "We have to go." "Spirit squad!" "You know, you could've told me." "I wouldn't have said anything." "I know." "I'm sorry." "I'm just chock full of bad decisions." "Hope it was worth it." "Yeah." "Totally." "Couldn't be happier." "[Nurse Fleet] Hey." "It's okay." "It's not your fault a bee got in your costume." "None of this is my fault." "It's the stupid It List's." ""It List?" What's that?" "Come on." "Let's get you out of this chicken suit." "Eagle." "[door opening]" "I know you said not to come, but we did, and we went to the field and they said you were here!" "What happened?" "Are you okay?" "She'll be fine." "A bee got into her costume and then she ran head first into a tackle dummy, but luckily that Eagle head offers plenty decent cranial protection." "Did you understand a word of that?" "I'll just..." "I'll give you guys some privacy." "I wasn't on the cheer team." "Okay?" "I was the school mascot." "Mighty the Eagle." "Honey!" "I'm so sorry." "It doesn't matter now because I'm not the mascot anymore." "I'm hanging up my wings." "Well, it's your decision, sweetheart." "Whatever you think is best." "Nice, Marjorie." "[cellphone chimes]" "♪ Fading from the things I've done ♪" "♪ Yet you only wish me well ♪" "♪ Make believe in fairy tales ♪" "♪ I wish you wouldn't tell ♪" "Does anyone smell chicken?" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "[Boy] You were so cool." "[cheering continues]" "What's wrong?" "You're infamous!" "Which is the best kind of famous to be." "It's just..." "This was the one class I thought no one would care." "Well, I don't." "And if I cared, I would've told everyone it was you last week." "How did you know?" "You have a very specific and pathetic way of expressing distress." "Something in the vein of... [groans distinctly]" "Hey." "I didn't mean to." "You were great." "Really." "I could have never done what you did." "Now you're just mocking me." "I'm not." "It was really cool how you put yourself out there like that." "Thanks." "[buzzing]" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "Mighty!" "So, Jess, we're all going to the dance together." "No dates." "Here's your ticket." "You're on the It list." "No, I'm not." "I'm the farthest thing from it." "And I'm so not going to the dance." "So, you're cool establishing yourself as a weirdo loner who doesn't participate?" "I was the school freaking mascot!" "And you were hot." "What are you gonna be now?" "How about happy?" "So, being a weirdo loner who doesn't participate makes you happy?" "Fine, I'll go to the stupid dance." "Okay?" "Happy now?" "It's not about us." "Selfie with Mighty?" "Nice." "Post it!" "Please tell me you're going to the dance with everyone." "I don't know." "I have an art fair thing that day." "Also, I'm pretty sure the dance is gonna be just like lunch, except with... [mimicking techno beats]" "And you still kind of suck for not telling me you were Mighty." "Mighty Jessica!" "So happy to see you." "How's the bee sting?" "Swollen." "Your head?" "Physically, just a bump." "Mentally..." "Everyone thinks I'm a lying, boy-stealing, feather-wearing joke." "All because I listened to my sister and her stupid rules." "I'm basically having the worst start to junior high anyone can possibly have." "I think I'm going to transfer to a different school." "In a different state." "Jessica, the buzz will die down soon enough." "Is that a bee joke?" "Sorry." "Didn't mean to "bee" insensitive." "Okay, that was one." "Aren't you supposed to help me?" "I'm going to." "Through the majesty of cross-country running." "Did you know I'm not only the school nurse," "I'm also the cross-country coach?" "No." "Yeah." "You realize how fast you were running out there?" "Even with 30 pounds of feathers on you?" "You've got raw talent, young lady." "Come to practice tomorrow after school." "You won't be sorry." "Can I get out of it with a note from the school nurse?" "Just think about it." "[cellphone chimes]" "Mom, I need to go to the mall!" "For a dress for the dance?" "Make-up?" "Skirts?" "Strappy sandals?" "Running shoes." "Maybe you can get some in cute colors?" "Sure." "All right, ladies, let's settle up on the line." "On the line." "Okay." "Ladies, let's welcome Jessica Darling to the Westside Neighborhood School cross-country team." "Actually, I haven't decided" "Run now, talk later." "All right, warm up." "One mile." "It's four laps." "Here we go." "And... [blows whistle]" "Not bad, not bad at all." "And that was just a warm-up without a bee in your bonnet." "So, how long have you been running for?" "About seven minutes." "No, I mean, as a sport." "About seven minutes." "Ladies, I think we finally have our fourth team member." "No more forfeits!" "We're legit, baby!" "[all whooping]" "I didn't say I was in." "Okay, I'm in." "[all cheering]" "Hey." "How's your head?" "From the thingy?" "It's fine, thanks." "I'll see you." "Wait." "Are you going to the dance with anyone?" "I was just going to ask if you want to" "No!" "Wow." "I'm sorry." "It's just..." "I don't understand." "You need to ask Bridget." "She likes you." "You don't?" "I don't even know you." "So?" "Okay, seriously." "I don't get why you're asking me." "I just thought a chick who did what you did was pretty cool, that's all." "Yeah." "Now you just seem kind of weird." "Yes." "I am." "Very." "Ooh." "You should ask Bridget." "Yeah, okay." "Whatever." "What is happening?" "[Aleck] Hey." "Are you gonna pick a color or what?" "You're just staring off into space." "Sorry." "Red is fine." "So, what did Burke want?" "You saw us?" "Please don't tell anyone." "That's just gonna make everything so much worse." "Did he ask you to the dance?" "It doesn't matter." "I'm going with friends." "I mean, I think they're my friends." "I don't know." "I don't even know if I like most of them." "What about you?" "Are you going?" "Only because I have to." "My mom's forcing me." "She thinks I'm making myself into some weird loner who doesn't participate." "We're all weird, Aleck." "Some of us just hide it better." "It's Marcus." "What is?" "My name... is Marcus." "Jessica." "Mighty glad to meet you." "Really?" "Sorry, it was just too easy." "[Children] Berman!" "Berman!" "Berman!" "What's going on?" "Noah Berman set free all the frogs in the bio lab." "You're old news." "Really?" "That's awesome." "So you joined cross-country?" "Yup." "Apparently I have a gift for running in circles." "Glad you found something you really like." "Thanks." "So, are we..." "We're cool." "I know you swore to Miss Garcia you'd keep the secret." "So, I guess I know if you knew something about me, you'd keep it to yourself?" "Depends." "Whatcha got?" "I'm really a teen pop star in disguise." "I knew it!" "All right." "See you then." "[shrieks] [all screeching]" "Looks like Burke asked Bridget." "Finally." "What took him so long?" "Guys, we have to go!" "Everyone's meeting at school!" "Say, "Brie."" "Gorgonzola." "You look so pretty, sweetheart." "That's it?" "No "maybe you shoulds?"" "Of course not!" "All right." "Maybe just a darker shade of lip gloss." "Mom!" "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "Hey, Bethany, we didn't expect you tonight." "Just wanted to see Jessica before the dance." "You look good." "Maybe you should try a darker shade of lip gloss." "Seriously?" "[clearing throat]" "You looking for this?" "No." "What is it?" "Well, Apparently Bethany's been flunking out of school." "For six months." "What?" "Okay." "Fine." "You caught me." "I'm officially a loser." "Honey, you're not a loser." "But you're also not getting another dime from us, except food and rent until your grades go back up." "What about my clothing allowance?" "I'm sorry, Bethany, you are just going to have to... repeat an outfit." "No." "Wait." "So... that's why you've been hanging around?" "To intercept the mail?" "And giving me that list was just an excuse to keep coming back?" "Do you even care what happens to me?" "Of course I do." "I just wanted you to have a great time in school." "And I thought that meant you needed to be more like me." "But clearly, I should've been more like you." "You're so smart and funny and beautiful." "You never needed that stupid list." "I'm so sorry, Jess." "[pop song playing] [children exclaiming]" "This is my mom's necklace." "It's worth, like, a hundred thousand dollars." "Yeah, you told me, like, a hundred thousand times." "You look cute!" "Try not to sound so surprised." "I love this song!" "Let's go in." "No, it's too early." "We have to wait." "Sara, stop!" "You're ruining our big entrance!" "Bridget." "I get that we're not gonna be as close as we used to be, but this whole drama thing, it's kind of exhausting." "It really is." "So... maybe let's not go there?" "Sounds good to me." "And I'm sorry I yelled at you." "Thanks." "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was Mighty." "Thanks." "The guys want to dance." "Got to go." "I have to go, too." "[inspirational song playing]" "♪ I'll take this chance ♪" "♪ Gonna chase my future Build it with these hands ♪" "♪ Change my stars ♪" "♪ I found my way ♪" "♪ Found my place ♪" "♪ I'll be brave I'm not afraid, not afraid ♪" "♪ I see the light At the end of the tunnel ♪" "♪ Keep on ♪" "♪ I finally believe I finally can see ♪" "♪ I'll tear these walls down No one can stop me ♪" "♪ Stay strong ♪" "♪ I finally believe I finally can see ♪" "♪ I'm becoming Who I'm supposed to be ♪" "♪ This is me ♪" "♪ This is who I am ♪" "♪ Not afraid of the future Now I'll take my stand ♪" "♪ It's my time ♪" "♪ I found my way ♪" "♪ Found my place ♪" "♪ I'll be brave, I'm not afraid ♪" "♪ I see the light At the end of the tunnel ♪" "♪ Keep on ♪" "♪ I finally believe I finally can see... ♪ [gasps]" "Sorry." "What are you doing here?" "I figured you could use a real friend at the dance." "But if you make me run, I'm leaving." "Deal." "How'd you know I was here?" "Your buddy from woodshop told me." "How long have you been following me?" "Long enough to make sure you're okay." "Thanks, Aleck." "Hey, I thought your name was Marcus." "Depends who's asking." "What do the police call you when they take your mug shots?" "Nice one." "Yeah, she's cool." "Yeah." "I know." "[dance song playing]" "Yeah." "Here we go!" "♪ It's like I'm dancing on the moon ♪" "♪ Feeling free ♪" "What, like you can do better?" "♪ I'm flying next to you ♪" "♪ I found my wings ♪" "Guys." "♪ We got the stars on our side, written in the sky ♪" "♪ Just you and I ♪" "♪ We'll last forever ♪" "♪ Feeling so alive ♪" "♪ Shining through the night ♪" "♪ Just you and I ♪" "♪ You and I dancing on the moon ♪" "♪ I'm flying next to you ♪" "♪ And dancing on the moon ♪" "♪ I'm flying next to you ♪" "♪ And dancing on the moon ♪" "♪ Take my hand we'll steal the night ♪" "♪ We can't escape the vibe ♪" "♪ Close your eyes and you can see ♪" "♪ We're flying to another world ♪" "♪ Yeah, I'm your Cosmo girl ♪" "♪ We can be anything ♪" "♪ It's like I'm dancing on the moon ♪" "♪ Feeling free, no gravity ♪" "♪ I'm flying next to you ♪" "♪ I found my wings ♪" "♪ We got the stars on our side ♪" "♪ Written in the sky ♪" "♪ Just you and I... ♪ [rock song playing]" "♪ One, two, three, four Take this list, it's all yours ♪" "♪ I want to write my own history ♪" "♪ Secrets, didn't want to keep ♪" "♪ Friends don't look The same to me ♪" "♪ Got a brand new list ♪" "♪ It goes like this!" "♪" "♪ Be yourself ♪" "♪ Every chance you get ♪" "♪ Love someone ♪" "♪ With no regrets ♪" "♪ Sometimes when life's not What you want it to be ♪" "♪ Don't give up ♪" "♪ Just be yourself ♪" "♪ Five, six, seven, eight ♪" "♪ I just can't seem to concentrate ♪" "♪ Things are changing ♪" "♪ Rearranging ♪" "♪ My feelings get the best of me Am I my own worst enemy?" "♪" "♪ I got a brand new list ♪" "♪ It goes like this!" "♪" "♪ Be yourself ♪" "♪ Every chance you get ♪" "♪ Love someone ♪" "♪ With no regrets ♪" "♪ Sometimes when life's not What you want it to be ♪" "♪ Don't give up ♪" "♪ Just be yourself ♪" "♪ Every chance you get ♪" "♪ Love someone ♪" "♪ With no regrets ♪" "♪ Sometimes when life's not What you want it to be ♪" "♪ Don't give up ♪" "♪ Just be yourself ♪"