Episode Report Card Niki: A | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Baby Blues
By Niki | Season 2 | Episode 8 | Aired on 01.09.2001
Grace hops on the Stool to shed some light on her feelings: "Sometimes, people just aren't who you need them to be, at a certain moment. And, unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about it." Oh, but there is. Kick Wannabe's crusty ass to the curb and get yourself a real friend, is what you can do about it.
Back in the hall, Grace watches the new pair depart, and Jessie throws her a dismayed glance.
Lily, meanwhile, is doing what any sensible person who's just gone through a major emotionally taxing experience would: she's drawing a bubble bath and lighting candles around the room. Sweet. What I wouldn't give for a bathtub (and yes, I'm clean -- I do have a shower). But bad timing prevails as per usual, and Zoe and Judy come busting into the room, energized by their "double whammies" and a trip to the makeup counter. Zoe begins rifling through her bag to apply some of her new goop, and Lily not so subtly suggests that she do it in her own room. Deflated, Zoe leaves. Judy moves in for the dish, and Lily confirms that she did take the test. Pause, pause, pause. "Well, I won't be reading Goodnight Moon for the eight hundredth time," she finally says. Judy takes a moment then says, "I happen to love Goodnight Moon." You know, everyone seems to, but I just don't get why it's such a big deal. Judy asks how Rick took it, and Lily replies that he "took it like a man." Which, apparently, is not a good thing. Judy makes a puckery whoa-ho-ho face as we fade into the next scene.
Which is Grace, waiting outside the school for her ride. Jessie joins her on the steps and nervously asks how Zoe is. "She's annoying," Grace grumps, and tells Jessie that she's lucky to have a brother. Especially a brother as super-delicious as Eli. Jessie informs her that brothers can be pretty annoying, too. Grace spots Rick's truck pull up to the curb, and Jessie shuffles off, awkwardly wondering if she should say good-bye or what. I know how she feels. I'm twenty-eight, and I swear at times, I feel as socially awkward as this thirteen-year-old kid. Rick waves Grace over to tell her that he's picking her up instead of Lily because Lily's "not feeling so great." Grace "um"s and looks up and down the sidewalk for an escape, but there isn't one. Rick says he'll let her drive. Grace points out that she doesn't know how to drive standard (except she calls it "stick" like all the cool kids do), and Rick assures her that it's easy. Sure it is. When it's broad daylight, and you’re in a vacant parking lot with no stoplights and there's no danger of hitting anything or stalling in front of another moving car. But Rick convinces Grace, albeit reluctantly, to give it a try. Is there anyone who thinks this won't turn out badly?