This week on Awkward., Matty's 18th birthday brought on a lot of surprises; Gabby/Jenna and Sadie/Tamara worked together; Jenna and Matty bonded over family troubles.
Jenna began her day anticipating the mail; she was waiting for her acceptance to Lockard University. Lacey seemed to hold something back from her daughter, but she said she was waiting for a present for Jenna's dad. Jenna realized she completely forgot Matty's birthday.
After fishing out a vending machine cupcake at school, Jenna presented the treat to Matty. Her gesture was upstaged by Gabby, who had a little celebration waiting with homemade cupcakes for her boyfriend. Jenna just stood back and took in how her cupcake was literally thrown aside.
Class began with Jake whisking Matty away to the "principal's office." It was just a front to get the boys to a strip club to get a taste of adulthood.
Jenna played nice with Gabby by complimenting her on her gift of Lakers tickets for Matty. Gabby responded by politely inviting her to the surprise party she was throwing for him later. Jenna rejected the invite, and Gabby said she understood; she wouldn't want her to be uncomfortable. Jenna was left puzzled.
Because of tripping drugs at the Valentine's Dance, Sadie took the opportunity to reclaim her "stolen captaincy." Tamara had none of it, especially when Sadie demonstrated her mean cheer. After an exchange of insults, the girls threw down into a major cat-fight, landing themselves in Val's office. Val suggested they become co-captains and work together. Good luck with that.
Jenna relayed the latest on her situation with Gabby to Tamara, who suggested she was throwing down the gauntlet. She was rubbing in Jenna's face how secure she was in her relationship with Matty that she had no problem being friends with his ex. Jenna turned the tables on Gabby by saying she could come to the party. Gabby was happy she changed her mind and also invited Tamara. She then invited Jenna to help set-up at Matty's house, so they could really get to know each other. Yikes!
Jenna was thrown by being alone in Matty's house with "Intimidation Nation" girls. She kept quiet about playing Bruno Mars at the party as Matty's favorite band was Bastille. She maintained she knew him better because of his dislike for hummus and love for tequila that Jenna had in her house. She also got Tamara to pick the boys up from the strip club, so they would be on time for the party. Jenna had won that round.
Meanwhile at the strip club, Matty and Jake were enjoying buffet-style food and discussing the fun things they could do at age 18. It stopped being fun when they realized being 18 was all about doing things that could get you killed. Matty mentioned he could find out who is birth parents are; he filled out a form, so he could find out now.
Cheer practice brought Sadie (Bulldog) and Tamara (Chihuahua) teaching the team different cheers. There was still difference of opinion, until Tamara received Jenna's text about picking Matty and Jake up. Tamara refused to go by herself to the strip club and needed a bulldog to go with her. The girls arrived at the club, but the bouncer wasn't fooled by their fake IDs. They decided to go to the back and enter the club as strippers. It's their turn to take the stage, leaving Matty and Jake surprised and horrified. Sadie and Tamara performed one their cheers, bonding them through the experience. Still in character, Sadie crawled to the boys and got them to leave for the party.
Jenna went home to get the tequila and found a big envelop from Lockard. She got excited and waited until after the party to open the envelope.
Tamara informed everyone Matty was on his way, so they hid. Gabby and Jenna hid behind a couch, where they shared a warm moment. Gabby thanked Jenna for helping with the party as they both admitted to feeling intimidated by the other. They both admired each other, leading them on the road to friendship.
Matty was surprised at his party, and everything seemed to be going well. Everyone was having fun watch Matty open cards from family members. He came across one that made him grimace, so he tucked it away in his pocket, which Jenna noticed.
Matty wanted to toast Gabby for throwing a party for him. Since Gabby had a match the following day, Matty and Jenna shared the toast. She told Tamara about getting into Lockard, which Gabby overheard. Jenna and Gabby shared a hug over the news.
Jenna returned home to open the package. She gave it to her mom, who excitedly opened it and exclaimed in delight. Jenna was confused until she saw "Lacey Hamilton" on the package. What?! Lacey applied to the same college as her daughter and got in. Meanwhile, a small envelope arrived for Jenna, which could mean only one thing: rejection.
Jenna locked herself in her room, while Lacey sat outside and apologized. She only applied because she never had a chance to go to college, and since Jenna was leaving, she wanted to make something of herself. Jenna was too upset to understand, so her mother left her alone. Matty arrived next, looking for a drinking partner. He saw Jenna was upset and asked what was wrong. She told him about not getting into Lockard, but her mother did. Matty explained why he was there; he got an envelope with his birth parents' names in it, and he didn't want to open it alone. His birth mother did not want to be found, while his birth father resided in Portland, Oregon. His last name could've been Durand, too.
Both were feeling vulnerable about their rejection. Matty leaned in and kissed Jenna. Things were getting intense when Jenna stopped it. Matty wanted to keeping going, but Jenna reminded him they weren't outside the rules of high school yet. Since she and Gabby formed a friendship, she was not going to sleep with her boyfriend. As much as I hated it, Jenna did the right thing by putting on the brakes.
Quote of the Week: "I'm Chichi Huahua, and this is Sadie Saxton," Tamara, when asked what their names were at the strip club.
Next week, Matty and Jenna struggle with telling Gabby about their almost hook-up.
Awkward. airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on MTV.
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