Episode Report Card Niki: A | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Baby Blues
By Niki | Season 2 | Episode 8 | Aired on 01.09.2001
Eli says that the coach thinks he needs an "attitude adjustment." Wannabe seems to know all about that line, which Eli is perceptive enough to point out. He says that he's heard she knows all about trouble. "Okay, tell me everything you've heard," she says. I think this line is meant to be seductive or something, because Eli reacts as though it is. Wannabe moves in and kisses him. They break apart. He moves in and kisses her. Where the hell is Grace? Shouldn't she be along any time now? Oh, wait, there's the bell, which means Grace should be approaching in five…four…three…And there she is. She freezes a little when she spots them against the lockers. Eli sees her and looks guilty as he says hello. Eli splits, and Grace starts walking down the hallway. Wannabe runs after her and tries to coerce her into -- gasp! -- leaving school property to get a mochaccino. Grace reminds her that she has English. Wannabe tells her to blow it off. Grace refuses. Wannabe tries again, and Grace snaps, "Look! I know it's really easy for you to skip class and do heroin or whatever, but I have things, you know, other things I think about that have nothing at all to do with you!" Grace walks away, leaving Wannabe standing there with her mouth hanging open.
Meanwhile, Eli arrives at Rick's. Rick is setting the table and is surprised to see Eli at home, since he has a game after school. Eli says he just had to pick up a few things. Rick starts yammering like a sports dad, asking if Eli needs anything, does he needs a ride, he should really ice that ankle, blah blah blah vicariouscakes. Eli stands there and stares at Rick with a testy look on his face. When Rick pauses for breath, Eli flatly informs him that he's not going to the game. Rick wants to know if it's a problem with Eli's ankle. Eli rolls his eyes like a pair of dice, revs up his attitude, and tells Rick that he got suspended. Rick is speechless. His eyes pop, and his mouth tries to form words, but nothing's coming out. Eli repeats that he was suspended. Rick finally regains control of his voice and asks if it's because of Eli's hair. Eli says it's because he "wouldn't take any of [the coach's] crap." Rick starts getting angry, asking how long Eli is suspended. Eli says it doesn't matter because he's quitting the team. He starts up the stairs, but Rick calls him back. "What?" Eli snaps. Rick says they should talk about it. Eli fumes that he doesn't feel like talking about it. Rick stammers that he's just trying to understand…Eli claws at his hair and wails, "Can't you see you're tearing me apart!" No, he doesn't, but he might as well. He's a rebel without a cause or a clue. He makes some rude-ass comment to Rick and then retreats upstairs.