Nathaniel Hardin

> "*I know. And I appreciate that, but in the real world, I won't always have my, um... My Keisha shield. And I need to fight these battles now so I can create a space for myself in this world. Whether it's over my right to stay in the girls' wing or the boys' wing or whatever. These are the battles I'm gonna have to fight outside of Bringston one day. And I just need to be prepared.*"
> ― Nathaniel opens up to Keisha[source]
>
>

**Nathaniel** is a recurring character on *All American: Homecoming*. She is portrayed by Rhoyle Ivy King.

She is the non-binary, gender-fluid personification of fly AF. Equally masculine and feminine, Nate brings another kind of hustle to Bringston that isn’t found on a field or court — she’s a thriving stylist and loyal above all. Her friends are her world, particularly her besties Simone and Keisha.

## Throughout All American: Homecoming

Nathaniel and Keisha welcome Simone to Bringston, scolding her for being inactive in the group chat. Keisha is now the RA and has to deal with other students. Nate asks about her boyfriend or entourage, as she’s alone. Nate steps up to help her despite her protests. Room 211 is hers and it's a single room.

That night, Keisha gives her roommates a welcome speech. She wraps it up so they can go party, much to Nate’s glee. Simone and Nate praise Keisha for her political future, and Keisha admits she wants Damon’s hot roommate in her future. Simone is surprised that Damon lives on-campus, so Nate and Keisha tease her about her excitement. Keisha plans to call Damon and his cute roommate to hang out, so Nate reminds Keisha of her vow of celibacy after the Lisa breakup. As they playfully bicker, Thea and her friend walk in, which annoys Simone. They invite her out to part, but she plans to shower and call it a night.

Simone lays on Nate’s bed, worrying that the universe is telling her she picked the wrong college. Nate assures her the universe is just telling her that she’s grown and the late-night partying decisions have next-day consequences. Keisha enters and Simone invites her to sit as Nate is giving inspiration. Nate notices Keisha’s expression and asks what’s wrong. Keisha just got a call from the residential department, and there’s an issue with Simone’s campus housing. Only her tuition was paid for that semester, not her room and board. Her dorm assignment was a mistake. Simone knows it was paid as her parents paid for it.

That night, Simone reveals that her mother isn’t paying for her anymore. If she insists on defying her impulsive choices that will wreck her future, she wants no part of it. Anything outside of an ivy league or Stanford is wrecking your life. Keisha wonders why her mom wouldn’t take it all away, and continue to pay her tuition but not board. Simone’s father put his foot down on that one. Keisha remarks that he stood up for something, at least. Nate answers a knock on the door to find Amara, who hugs Simons as she heard the news. She and her sister will have words about this, regardless of whether they’re estranged or not. She offers to let Simone stay with her until they figure out the dorm situation. Nate adds that she’s the Queen of navigating the financial aid department and will help Simone navigate that. Simone thanks both of them. Amara knows the days have been tough but the blessing is around the corner. Keisha adds that she might have to fight harder for it. They have a group hug, and Simone has to leave to fight harder for something important to her.

As everyone packs up Simone’s room, Damon, JR, and Cam arrive with power tools. Nate appreciates the image but wonders why they’re there. Damon admits they’re going to put up the curtain rods. Simone appreciates the sweet offer but she’s moving out so they are off the hook. Cam thanks her and gets ready to leave when Amara stops him as there is plenty of manual labor that needs to be done, and if they’re lucky, there’s a meal at the end of it. JR laughs that she had him at a meal. Damon and Simone exchange a smile.

At Amara’s house, the group sits around the table and laughs over dinner. Cam thanks Amara for the meal, and she acknowledges that any friend of Simone is welcome anytime. Nate wonders if the food will be this good so they can make it a regular thing. Simone likes that idea - a family dinner once a week. Simone thanks everyone for not only helping her move but everything else they have done for her in their short time together. She wouldn’t have made it the past few days without them. Amara knows she would as she’s resilient. Keisha adds that the same goes for Ms. P, as everyone heard rumors about them cutting back on her classes. This is news to Simone, but Amara assures everyone it’s okay. Keisha knows it’s not okay but as a people, they should be standing behind her for doing what’s right not tearing her down. Nate adds that everyone has her back - they aren’t going to let them take Amara from everyone. Amara doesn’t plan to let that happen either. She was rattled at first, but the youngins have inspired her. She plans to share her knowledge in any way that she can. She then has them help clean up the dinner.

A few days later, Nate finishes a student's hair while Simone and Keisha watch. Simone wonders if she needs a side job since Nate is performing so well in hers. Keisha offers to hook Simone up with a work-study job using her connections. The next afternoon, Nate and Keisha track down Simone, believing they’ve taught her nothing. Simone was slammed on Yard Yack, a social media app. She turns to Damon for support but he has none, as he’s always dripped out. Keisha and Nate decide to help her.

The trio work at Amara’s house to reglam Simone. Amara comes home and remarks on not missing those days. Nate points out that Simone is a late bloomer. Keisha tells Amara she had to drop her class, but not because of the scandal. She needed more space for pre-med classes. Amara encourages her to pursue her dance dream instead of her father's dream of medicine. Keisha made a promise to her cancer-ridden mom who died that she would pursue medicine. Amara knows her mom wouldn’t hold her to it, but Keisha also doesn’t want to disappoint her father. Simone overhears and tries to get Keisha to help her get a physical sooner. Keisha becomes upset and leaves, with Nate telling Simone to learn to choose her spots.

Nathaniel attends a party at Keisha McCalla's house. She is drunk while Simone tries to leave, only to unload her problems on Nate instead. She storms off to find Keisha, while Nate happily realizes the best part of the night is happening outside - Keisha’s dad is home. The next night, Simone celebrates making the team with her friends and learns she’s being celebrated on Yard Yack. Nate praises her for getting everything she needed.

In the coming days, Nate lets Simone stay in her dorm so she doesn't have to commute so far. Simone thanks Nate for letting her stay with her in the dorm. Keisha jokes about undercover arrangements going on. Nate praises her for making the tennis squad, but Simone is worried about Thea. Keisha knows it’s all about jealousy. Keisha is making gift bags for Thea as it’s her birthday soon. A girl, Wilinda, knocks on the door so Kiesha leaves. Simone feels inspired. At lunch, Simone sits with Nathaniel and Keisha who aren’t interested in helping her throw Thea a surprise party. Nate tells her to let it go which Keisha agrees with, though Simone still wants to try. In class, Nate asks questions to Ralph Wells, an author. He learned everything he knows from Amara’s class. Everyone claps at the end of class.

Simone and Thea head to the party together where Thea agrees to feign surprise. When they arrive, the room is empty except for a few male students playing video games, Keisha, and Nate. Thea knew that no one would show at her party and that’s why she didn’t want one. Simone questions Keisha and Nate about not telling her the party was a bust. Wilinda shows up to speak with Keisha and file a formal complaint against Simone and Nate. She knows Simone has been staying there with Nate, who she misgenders as male, and Nate doesn’t have the right to risk everyone’s safety by letting others shack up in their dorms and use up their resources. Simone immediately jumps to defense mode, correcting Wilinda for misgendering Nate. She confronts Melinda about her problem but Nate calls out Simone. Keisha takes Melinda to fill out the paperwork. Simone questions Nate on why she lets Melinda treat her like that, and Nate knows Melinda is trying to stir her up. She knows who she is and if she sat around trying to correct everyone she’d run out of air. Simone calls Melinda a “Karen” and threatens to handle it if Nathaniel won’t. Nathaniel has enough and tells Simone to listen when people tell her their boundaries. If she had listened to Thea she would have spared her the embarrassment of an empty party, then storms out.

Wilinda is talking with a friend who leaves, just as Nathaniel arrives. Nathaniel suggests Wilinda stop bothering her friends and address the person she has a problem with. Wilinda doesn’t respect certain people getting special treatment. She goes to walk away when Nathaniel asks what that has to do with her. Wilinda thinks it’s unfair that Nathaniel is the only one who has her own room with its own bathroom while the rest have to share a gross communal one. Nathaniel wonders if she really wants to share a bathroom with her. The university assigned her the room for that very reason. Wilinda points out that the university had nothing to do with it, as the room is supposed to be for R.A.s. Keisha made sure she got it and doesn’t think it’s fair.

Wilinda gives Keisha another written complaint. Nathaniel shows up to tell Keisha that the other dormmates have admitted that Wilinda is sneaking her boyfriend in and out of the dorms after hours. She has their signatures as witnesses, so Wilinda takes back the complaint. Nathaniel assures Wilinda they will be friends one day, promising on it, but Wilinda just leaves.

Nathaniel comes into Keisha’s room to talk with her about something serious. She appreciates Keisha looking out for her but doesn’t need Keisha going behind her back to fight her battles. She knows about the room situation. She thought the university was being inclusive but it was really Keisha making it all happen so she wouldn’t have to endure bigotry. Keisha just wanted her to feel safe and comfortable, which Nathaniel knows and appreciates. But in the real world, she won’t always have her Keisha shield. Se needs to fight these battles now so she can create a place for herself. She needs to be prepared. Keisha apologizes and hears her, promising no more Keisha’s shield until she needs to beat someone for her.

At dinner with Amara, the teens talk happily. Thea admits to the group she’s always wanted to pole dance, and Keisha has the perfect cap for her birthday. The girls pole dance at a dance studio while Simone watches.

## Notes and Trivia

* Nathaniel uses she/her pronouns to identify.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nathaniel uses she/her pronouns as part of her identity as both genderfluid and nonbinary. Twitter confirmation from Homecoming writers of she/her pronouns.
2. ↑ "*Start Over*"
3. ↑ "*Under Pressure*"
4. ↑ "*Love and War*"