Not So Pure and Simple

At the next Purity Pledge class, Del shows Jameer his notes. He’s satisfied with the answers and work on the wet dreams topic. In return, Jameer tells him he needs to win the Purity Pledge, to become the best pledger. That way, he can prove to Kiera he’s serious about staying pure and is not the player she assumes he is.

Mya shows them a video from Taylor, another of the nine pregnant girls, with her baby. Taylor, adamant that it takes two people to make a baby, points out the Sexual Double Standard in how the pregnant girls are treated versus how the fathers are treated. She says her baby’s father is just as responsible as she is. She reveals that Colossus is the father.

In the classroom, Kiera apologizes to Del for how she treated him. She says that Jameer told her she was too hard on him. She prayed about it and realizes she shouldn’t judge anyone for their past. Del appreciates the apology, but he takes Kiera aside and shows her Taylor’s video. Kiera remains stoic, and she’s nearly silent throughout the rest of purity class.

At work, Del gets to know Mya better. Though they didn’t talk much before, they’re becoming friends through the Purity Pledge class. They discuss how Del is taking questions from Jameer (even one about feet) for all the Purity Pledgers to ask in the Healthy Living class. Mya swears she isn’t asking any questions since she’s not interested in sex—especially after all the pregnancies last year.

After work, Del goes to visit Qwan. He finds him in his room making out with Angie Bell. Del is surprised Qwan is still hanging out with her. Angie says she’s a fan of Cressie, then leaves. Qwan shows Del his sister’s YouTube channel, called FemFam, which he’s never seen before. She has two episodes and is gaining a following. They play video games. Qwan tells Dell that Kiera is fire but that Del’s not going to get sex from her. Del won’t give up on Kiera. Jameer texts him that someone is at Kiera’s house.

Del drives quickly over, where he spies on Kiera from Jameer’s window. Miles Mason, a kid from school, works for a landscaping company and is trimming the shrubbery at Kiera’s house. He and Kiera are flirting while they sip lemonade. Del thinks he’s lost his chance, so he’s upset with Jameer. He also feels bad for Jameer because he doesn’t have a door to his room, video games, computer, or personal belongings. Jameer’s parents come home with dinner, and they’re upset that Del is there. He’s not allowed to have anyone over when they aren’t home.

Later, Jameer sends Del apology messages, but Jameer has a plan to help him win Kiera’s heart, and the other Purity Pledgers are going to help.

Taylor returns to school the next day, and everyone crowds around her and Kiera, whose lockers are only a few feet apart. Though peers expect a confrontation since Taylor identified Colossus as her baby’s father, Kiera says a silent prayer and welcomes Taylor back with a hug. The girls walk to class together.

In Healthy Living, MJ leaves five minutes at the end of each class for open questions. Del suspects MJ allows the time because Del asks all his Purity Pledge members’ questions. When someone asks about his “lady,” MJ explains that they met in college and that he thought he was impressing her with corny pick-up lines. The kids think his game (strategy) was fine, but he explains that he was disrespectful, and women will be hurt by their old “caveman” ways.

In the hallway, Del runs into Shianne, who is crying. She’s overwhelmed by the amount of work she must complete to graduate. With her daughter at home and the “judgmental” tutors, she asks if Del will tutor her. Her dad will pay him well. Since he hasn’t been getting many hours at work and wants to help, Del agrees.

At the Harvest Fest, the church’s alternative to Halloween, Del hopes to make an impression with Kiera. Kids enjoy religious games, a bouncy house, and prizes bought with tickets. Sister Vanessa pairs boys with girls to show everyone how a healthy, respectful relationship between opposite sexes should work. Del is upset to not be paired with Kiera, but he has fun at the bounce house with Mya. As it turns out, Mya and Del (who is dressed as Will Smith from Men in Black) both love science fiction and comic books.

Enacting the Purity Pledge plan, Ralph’s brother, Bobby, fakes an allergic reaction inside the church, so Ralph leaves the prize table he’s been working with Kiera and runs inside to help his brother. At the same time, Jameer gives long strips of prize tickets to the kids, who then overrun Kiera, now solo at the prize table. Del takes Ralph’s place as Kiera’s partner. Getting along well, they connect over loving Men in Black. Suddenly Pastor Newsome comes and asks Del to join him in his office.

After he sits Del down in his office, the pastor asks for more information about what he’s learning in Healthy Living class.

Pastor Newsome questions Del about the Healthy Living class. He wants details about what the kids are learning, and he’s manipulative and judgmental. Newsome doesn’t approve of Del being in both Purity Pledge and Healthy Living. He bullies Del into telling him about Healthy Living; if Del doesn’t answer his questions, he’ll kick him out of the Purity Pledge. He tells Del that his concern is based in his wonderful, deceased wife Odessa’s mission to save the church’s youth.

When Del says Mister Jay (MJ) talks about how to be prepared and to protect themselves, Newsome assumes MJ wants them to seek out and use contraceptives. Del defends MJ, but Newsome seems against the man and his teaching practices. He doesn’t like that MJ shares details of his personal life (such as that he has a child) and that the kids call him MJ. He finally lets Del go, who feels uncomfortable.

Sister Vanessa asks if Del is okay after coming out of the meeting. He lies and says he’s fine. He hurries back to his table with Kiera, where he’s disappointed to find Mason Miles flirting with her.