Zoey is deep in the joy of first love! But when Cash wants a big commitment for their relationship, will Zoey set aside her goals to help him pursue his? Full recap of “Cashin’ Out” by @luvthispayne.
Hey Peeps! Welcome back! Last week’s episode left us in our feels after Zoey and Cash reconciled and he told her it was them against the world, but judging based on the title alone I kinda figured we were in for a rough ride this week. Let’s talk about it.
At Cal U we find Zoey blissfully walking on campus basking in the joy of being in love. Her first love. Let’s all pause and reflect on our first love. On second thought, let’s not. Back to Zoey, our girl has it worse than an Usher song and her head is super high in the clouds! Can you blame her though? I don’t know if we’ve mentioned it before but Cash is fine. Yes, I’m fully aware I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll keep mentioning it. You’re not the boss of me.
Not only is Cash fine but he’s also thoughtful. He surprises her with gifts like TACOS! Check this, any man that surprises me with tacos is meeting my mama. He’s taking my last name on sight. But this ain’t about me.
After spending the day with Cash, Zoey heads back to her room where her roommate dirty dieAna is waiting to be nosy. Sis can’t even get in the room good before Ana starts with the game of 21 questions. Lucky for us she does though because guess what, ZOEY LOST HER VIRGINITY!!!!! I love that they didn’t make this a huge ordeal. I love how Zoey made a decision and did it and that was that. There was no existential morality crisis about purity and marriage. I love how empowering it was that they took all the stigma from it and just showcased it as an experience two people have when their in love. Right on!
Our little girl is all grown up and having sex *cues grownish theme song* She’s really out here making adult choices and I’m simultaneously proud and nostalgic. I mean I’ve known Zoey Johnson since Season 1, Episode 1 of #blackish That was 3 years ago and she was younger and focused on being popular and cute. Now she’s in college, somebody’s girlfriend and having sex. Wall slide.
Over at the local bar, Aaron and Vivek arrive to find Jazz seated hella early. They ask how long she’d been there and Jazz starts to explain that she and Sky came early to avoid having to pay the $5 cover charge. They stay broke. Issa lifestyle. She tries to warn Aaron and Vivek not to say anything about Sky’s face when she comes to the table but we all know men are not the smarter of the species and they do exactly the opposite.
Sky has burns under both eyebrows, a burn under her nose and a bandaid between both eyebrows. Apparently, the twins are so broke Sky had to resort to trying to give herself a wax with a yankee candle. Out here looking like she survived a house fire but smelling like crisp autumn and thanksgiving. I. Can. Not.
Aaron, mentions the obvious, that perhaps they should get a job. While it might seem like a good idea in theory, it’s not all that feasible because between, class, practice, meets and all their other requirements for track, they honestly don’t have time. Aaron suggests a side hustle and for once this is actually a decent idea. Let the plottin and schemin begin.
Meanwhile, Zoey is floating and feeling the love and making her rounds with Cash. He’s been invited to interview with Cari Champion (shoutout to Cari) about his plans post Cal U! Cari is really digging for an answer and Cash is trying to play coy. After much prying he finally says on national television and in front of everyone, he doesn’t know what’s next but whatever it is, he doesn’t want to make a move without his girl, Zoey Johnson. Screeeeeeech!
Wait. Pause the game. He wants to do what?! With whom?! Zoey hears this and realizes its all but a proposal. Cash basically wants her to come with him if he gets drafted. But she’s only a freshman. Wuttice dis Cash? Putting Zoey on the spot like that in front of the ENTIRE nation. BOY!
This leaves Zoey is a odd predicament, yet again. I mean she hadn’t really considered long term, she was just getting used to the here and now. Like y’all just had sex one day ago, now its follow you if you get drafted!?!?!? It seems like Cash has a sincere impulsivity problem. Homeboy really needs to learn to take like 2 seconds to think before he types or speaks.
Zoey heads over to the local bar to catch up with Ana, Nomi and Vivek. Vivek seems to be in a rather cheerful mood and is congratulating Zoey on basically becoming the next basketball wife! I mean Zoey has managed to snag a $100 Million Dollar Pinga (pinga means penis) and she should be considering the possibilities. Meanwhile Ana, is like NAH, what does Zoey look like following in behind Cash…. What about her dreams and school. I mean the girl is a freshman. Nomi is uncharacteristically quiet, and as the resident feminist I expected her to have lots of opinions and all of them about how following Cash is trash (BARS).
Instead when Zoey asks her for her opinion, she snaps and says she basically doesn’t give a shit because Zoey has been all up Cash’s ass and hasn’t had time to be a friend to her. Zoey didn’t even know that Nomi broke up with Dave (she did so because she’s an insecure hypocrite) (is that REALLY Zoey’s problem?) But I digress. As Zoey’s unofficial big sister, I started taking off my earrings when Nomi started talking crazy. Lets just say Zoey is better than men, because what Nomi wasn’t gonna do was talk to me like she lost her damn mind!
Over in Sky and Jazz’s room they are hawking merchandise left and right. Apparently, they decided that their side hustle would be selling their unused Adidas track gear. But what they have in track skills and entrepreneurship they lack in social grace and customer service skills. They are threatening and cussing out customers and luckily Aaron comes in with a few pointers.
Immediately, I’m thinking this ain’t legal and is probably against the NCAA rules and prolly the school rules. I mean I watch college football and I’ve seen more than my fair share of NCAA athletes get booted from teams for selling a football with their signature or a jersey they wore. We need to do a completely separate blog post about just how much bullshit that is.
Zoey is really feeling all the pressure and the weight of a heavy ass decision so she heads back to her room to rest but she can’t because SURPRISE!!!!!! Rainbow Johnson has done a pop up. See kids, let this be a lesson, this is why you DO NOT attend college that in the same state as your parents. My mama wasn’t doing no pop ups in Nashville because she’d have to drive from Atlanta.
Anyway back to Zoey and Bow. Bow is all like Zoey you haven’t been answering my calls and I saw something on tv about you and this guy. Zoey tells Bow she’s in love and tells her Mom that she’s officially no longer a virgin. Bow handles that second part surprisingly well. Thank God this wasn’t Dre. Bow’s biggest concern was making sure that Zoey was safe and used protection.
Along the same lines of making sure she’s safe, Bow is also concerned about Zoey’s wellbeing and what it would mean if she gave up her goals and school to follow this guy. Zoey tries to assure her mom that she still wants all the things she’s talked about like running Vogue, and organizing a Met Gala. Sidenote: Zoey has some boss ass goals! As Zoey tries to tell Bow, she hasn’t even made a decision or had time to think and everyone is offering her an opinion. Honestly if anyone knows how monumental of a decision this is, Zoey does.
Back to the Wonder Twins and suddenly they’re in the bar looking ballerific. Honestly, though they looked like a set of extras from BAPS. If you’re too young to know the reference, depart from me. Once you do, go watch the movie. Children. Anyway, Dean Parker comes over and lets them know the jig is up and their days of scheming and selling are over. He graciously doesn’t kick them out of school or off the track team. He does offer them a job though which should fit into their track schedules nicely.
Over in Zoey’s room and she and Cash are laying together enjoying each other’s company and they start talking about his transition and whether she’s going to follow him. Shockingly, Zoey says she’s made up her mind, and she wants to go with him but jokingly says she hopes he doesn’t end up in Utah. In an interesting turn of events, Cash suddenly seems to be trying to convince Zoey that maybe she shouldn’t follow him. Although his reasons are totally valid, his way of bringing them up are totally fucked up. Not to mention that the only reason they’re even having this conversation is because Cash asked her on national damn television. LE. SIGH.
Zoey is furious and rightfully so because after she’s reconsidered her entire life and following him, suddenly he’s not sure. What kind of shit is this Cash. Truthfully, though we all know this is for the best and I’m just glad he did it now instead of 6 months from now when it’s time to head to the pros. Even if it is the right thing, that doesn’t make it any less painful. Her first love has turned into her first heartbreak.
Zoey is devastated and luckily Nomi puts her petty aside and gives her the comfort that she needs.
Now, that thats over, we can focus on the important things. Like those of us who actually watch #blackish already know Zoey brought Aaron home as her boyfriend (remember Diane tried to steal him and actually Ruby did too lol). Now we get to sit back and find out how this relationship develops. I have also officially coined them as #Zaron. See y’all next week!
Twitter: @luvthispayne
