Not So Pure and Simple

After school that day, at Shianne’s mansion, her mother hands over baby Zoey, telling them to work with the fussy baby. Her parents approve of Del and are thankful for his tutoring help. Before they get started, Kiera texts Del about looping in Jameer for his insight about the project. Del wants just the two of them on the project, but not wanting to blow his cover story, he agrees. Kiera says her dad will drive her and Jameer. Against Qwan’s womanizing teachings, Del adds a “Can’t wait” to his texts.

Shianne says he’s looks goofy and asks who he’s texting, but he doesn’t tell her. As it turns out, Shianne doesn’t need help with schoolwork because she’s always gotten better grades than Del; she really wants an extra hand with Zoey so she can do her work. Del babysits, and they chat. Shianne explains that she has no filter since she had Zoey, and she doesn’t interact with the other “Baby Getters” since they weren’t friends before they had kids. She tells Del she can’t wait to get out of their judgmental town. Del accepts the $50 per tutoring session.

At school, MJ returns, so Del feel less worried. At the end of class, MJ, acting uncharacteristically serious, tells Del he can’t entertain his questions anymore. MJ explains that someone has shared information with the religious organizations, and the church’s input—along with parents—has resulted in the class being canceled. MJ feels the loss of the class is a major injustice to the kids since they need knowledge. Del feels horrible and can’t admit he’s to blame.

At work, Mya gives Del a copy of Shuri, which is the story of Black Panther’s sister. She wants to introduce him to more strong female heroines, especially Black girls.

The next morning, Del wakes to his car being gone. Cressie came home from college the night before and took the car, which they share. His parents acquiesced since the kids agreed to share the car. Del is upset because he can’t drive to his date with Kiera now.

Although Del has sent Cressie a bunch of texts explaining the situation and his dire need for the car, she doesn’t reply. Del hasn’t seen her since she returned either. Though he tries to borrow his parents’ cars, Del isn’t successful. He bikes to his date instead. Jameer and Del have planned that Jameer will go to the bathroom and then say he’s sick so that Del and Kiera can be alone. After the three chat, Jameer leaves for the bathroom.

However, Colossus and his friends arrive at the restaurant, and he begs Kiera to talk outside. Kiera tells Colossus to go take care of his child. Because he’s so close to Kiera, Del has an erection. Kiera wants to leave the booth, but Del blocks her. Colossus lifts him up to fight, but they notice his erection. Kiera rushes outside. Del follows her to bike her home. When they text Jameer, he says a friend showed up, so he’ll meet Keira at their spot by their houses later.

When Del asks about Jameer’s situation, Kiera explains that he can’t get in further trouble because his parents may get the pastor involved. Pastor Newsome may make Jameer (or others) confess their sins in front of the congregation, a practice called “baring your soul.” Del thinks it’s public humiliation.

Del gets on his bike, too, with Kiera holding him from behind, and he takes her to her favorite place: the library. When Del shows her fantasy works like The Walking Dead, she says she only reads realism. They connect further on the way to her house, discussing their love of New York City and how they’ve enjoyed getting to know each other in the Purity Pledge. Sensing a moment, Del leans in to kiss Kiera. She backs away, telling him she’s not looking for anything serious after Colossus. Del blames timing again. Kiera doesn’t want anything to be awkward and confirms they can be friends.

That night, Kiera texts an apology, reassuring Del that he’s a great guy and she doesn’t want things to be weird. She reschedules their planning for tomorrow. Del is discouraged but still thinks he and Kiera are inevitable.

At the library the next day, Kiera unexpectedly invites all the other Purity Pledgers to join. Del is annoyed. After shouting out ideas, they set a timer to write their final project notions. Del motions to Kiera to chat outside the study room.

Alone, he confirms Kiera and Jameer didn’t get in trouble, telling their parents they walked home. He apologizes for the near kiss, and Kiera isn’t upset about it. Del says the word “timing” again, but Kiera motions to her dinging phone. Del returns to the group, where they’ve digressed into questions about sexuality. The kids write anonymous questions, which Jameer gives to Del, and he answers as best he can about topics ranging from shaving your privates to hearing parents making weird sex noises.

When Kiera returns, she disapproves of the questions, but she intervenes for one that asks if God is punishing the person’s aunt by giving her a baby with Down’s Syndrome. Del doesn’t know how to answer. Kiera takes out her Bible and quotes that God doesn’t hold sins of the parents on their children; Jameer quotes by heart another passage that says God does. They argue about the truth. When the librarian looks in the room, they settle down.

Afterward, Del tells Jameer he’s upset that Kiera seems to be texting Mason. Jameer isn’t sure, but he says she’s changed since breaking up with Colossus, and he doesn’t think anything will earn Kiera’s affection. Del is frustrated, refusing to answer Jameer’s questions anymore. Jameer bristles, but he asks if he can trust Del, who he says isn’t brainwashed by Newsome. Jameer tells Del that he’s gay, and his friend from the other night is his boyfriend. His parents can never know he’s in a relationship with another boy, especially since they made him confess his sins publicly to the congregation. Del accepts Jameer because he’s been taught not to judge people by who they love. Jameer relaxes.

At home, Del finds Cressie filming a YouTube video for her channel called FemFam. He’s upset with her about the car situation.

Cressie logs off her live stream, explaining to Del that she’s home to work on her sociology project titled “Modern Feminism vs. Societal Mores” (222). She plans to interview Taylor Burkin. Cressie comments that society wants people to reproduce but ostracizes and judges women such as Taylor for being single moms without acknowledging the responsibility of the fathers. Cressie goes on, but Del doesn’t fully understand.

He scolds his older sister about the car. Cressie says he’s being overly dramatic and that Kiera is nice and likely won’t mind his bike. Cressie wants Del to watch her show to learn more or to be a guest and provide a male perspective. He declines.

Cressie tells him about Jaylan Knows, another well-known feminist YouTuber. She’s coming to her university soon, so she gives Del the flyer and encourages him to come to Jaylan’s talk.

He texts Qwan to hang out since his car is back, but Qwan has plans with Angie. He makes plans to “tutor” Shianne instead.

At Shianne’s house, she binges Hulu while he checks the Purity Pledgers’ questions. Del admits he’s answering the questions for the Purity Pledgers to help them because their parents don’t allow access to computers.

Shianne presses him about joining the pledge, and Del admits he did it for Kiera. Shianne laughs that Del has liked her forever. In Shianne’s view, Kiera is still hurt by Colossus’s infidelity, and she thinks Kiera is too uptight. He disagrees. When they banter, Shianne admits, despite gossip, that Zoey’s dad is a football player from another school. He was nice to her until she got pregnant, and then he suggested it could be anyone’s baby. Shianne knows he was her lone sexual partner. Del asks if her parents will sue the baby’s father, but her parents are rich, and they don’t think her father would be a good influence for Zoey. When Del asks why she liked the boy, she explains his smile, confidence, and body were amazing, but after Zoey, she realized he’s insecure and mean. Shianne tells Del to be real with Kiera, and not to pretend they have things in common that they don’t.

Del binges Jaylan’s videos, per Cressie’s suggestion. Jaylan talks openly about topics from sexuality to double standards for men and women, to dress codes. Del gets an idea, which he tells Kiera and Jameer early on Sunday. Showing them the Jaylan flyer, he wants them to attend Jaylan’s talk, then do a flip skit or panel for their project. They consider it.

At church, Pastor Newsome makes Tavia, a girl from their school who got pregnant, confess her sins before the congregation. Tavia cries throughout the public confession.

At school, Qwan shows Del that Cressie’s videos are blowing up. Her chat with Taylor has record high views because they discuss the unfairness of Taylor’s situation, the harshness of judgment against her, and the refusal of her father’s child (Colossus) to take responsibility.

Cressie texts Del about the video with Taylor, then asks if he’s heard anything about his sex ed class being canceled. She keeps pestering him, but he doesn’t respond.