Sydney to the Max Season 4: Episode 2 - Keeping Up Relationships
Written By: "Fun But Shy Girl", With: DrDoom2006, Based on Characters Created by: Mark Reisman
Sydney Reynolds was standing behind the smoothie counter at her father's bike shop as she handed a banana smoothie to a young customer as she said, "Here you go." Then an adult customer walked over to Sydney and said, "Hey. I placed an order to go for a strawberry smoothie." Then as Sydney looked at a small computer monitor near her she said, "Yes. It should be ready shortly." Then from nearby, Harry walked over with a smoothie as he said, "Actually, it's ready now. Here you go." Harry handed the smoothie to the adult customer as they said, "Thanks." Then as the customer walked away, a smiling Sydney looked at Harry as she said, "Look at you. Harry, you are so good at this job." Harry smiled as he said, "Well so are you Miss Reynolds." Sydney and Harry then moved their faces towards one another, when suddenly Max walked over to the two and said, "Hey you two. No personal displays of affection on the job." Sydney still had a smile on her face as she said, "Sorry dad. We'll tone it down a bit. But thanks again for hiring Harry to work at the shop with us." Then Max said, "Hey, I know you're both hard workers, but remember that it's important to keep your personal feelings aside when you're on the job."
Then suddenly Sophia and her mother Angela walked into the bike shop, as Angela looking cautious, waved, and said, "Hi Max." Max suddenly looked a bit nervous as he said, "Angela. Hi. Um... you need to talk to me about business at the other shop? How about we go into my office to kiss chat... I mean chit chat!" Then Angela looking nervous said, "Actually, I just wanted to drop off some contracts for you." Angela then handed Max a folder full of papers as she said, "Here they are." Max who was continuing to look nervous said, "Okay." Angela whose face was full of anxiety said, "Okay. So um... I'll go now."
Then Angela walked out as Sophia approached Sydney at the smoothie counter with a concerned look on her face. As Sydney looked at Sophia she said, "Hey Sophia. Everything okay? Hey, by the way: where's Emmy?" Sophia then said, "That's what I need to talk to you about." With a concerned tone Sydney then said, "Did you two have a fight again?" Sophia turned her head and then said, "I wish it was that. I… I don't know what's happening to Emmy…" "Wait, what are you saying?" Sydney asked with a worried voice. Sophia took a deep breath and then said, "Since she came back from summer vacation… I barely see Emmy in or out of school anymore. I call her to do homework together and she always has an excuse. I mean when was the last time you saw us together here?" Sydney at a loss for words said, "I..." Then Sophia said, "See? Something is wrong with Emmy and I'm starting to get scared." Sydney not looking upset said, "Maybe… I don't know, she's going through something. But if she is, we'll fix it. I promise." Sophia sighed as she said, "I guess."
1994:
Max and Leo were both walking down the hallway of the high school as Leo said, "So Max, you wanna come over to my place this afternoon and watch the newest episode of Power Raiders?" Then Max looking hesitant said, "I don't know Leo. Aren't we getting a little old for that show? I mean it's kind of a silly super hero show. I mean it's probably gonna get cancelled in a less than a year or so." Then Leo said, "What are you talking about. Power Raiders is the greatest super hero show ever, and I bet you it will still be on TV thirty years from now!" Then Max smirked as he said, "Well I'll take that bet, because I'm sure that..." Then Max saw down the hallway was Alisha walking by. Max froze as Leo noticed who Max was looking at. Leo sighed and said, "Max, go talk to her." Max sighed and said, "Leo, Alisha said she didn't want to be my girlfriend, and that she needed some space." Leo then said, "Max, that was a month ago. Alisha is a forgiving person. Give her a chance." Max took a deep breath and said, "Okay... I will."
Max then rushed over towards Alisha as she was turning the corner of a hall, and then said, "Alisha, hey!" Alisha turned to look at Max, and said, "Oh... hey Max." Max then said, "Look Alisha, before you say anything... I was wrong to assume I knew where our relationship stood without discussing it with you, and I was even more wrong to blurt it out in the middle of class. I'm sorry." Alisha nodded her head and said, "Thank you for saying that Max. I forgive you." Max smiled a bit and said, "That's great to hear, because the truth is... I still really like you Alisha, and if you wanna give me a chance, I'd really like it if you'd wanna be boyfriend and girlfriend with me." Alisha suddenly had a look of shock and worry on her face as she said, "Oh." Then Max looking a bit optimistic said, "Well... now that I've said what I said... is there anything you want to say to me?" Then Alisha said, "Well I guess I would have to say... no."
Max suddenly looked devastated as he said, "What?" Then Alisha said, "I mean... I have a boyfriend now Max." Then Max looking confused said, "Who? Since when?" Then Alisha said, "His name is Kevin. He's a 10th grader I met in my math class. We got to talking in class on the first day of school and then started having lunch together every day, and... we decided we really like each other and we both wanted to start being a couple. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." As Max stood like he was in a daze he said, "It's... okay." Then Alisha said, "Well... I mean... we all to switch lab partners next week in science class, and... I'll be partners with you now if you'd like." Max nodded his head, still looking like he was in a daze as he said, "Okay." Then Alisha said, "Well... see ya." Then Alisha turned around and walked away, while Max stood completely still, with only one tear moving down his left cheek.
PRESENT DAY:
Sydney and Harry were both sitting on a bench near the lake holding hands as Sydney rested her head against Harry's shoulder smiling. As Sydney looked out at the lake she said, "The lake sure looks beautiful this time of year." Harry then looked at Sydney as he said, "Well I'm looking at a more beautiful site." Sydney smiled as she said, "Remember when both of our moms would let us play near the lake when we were little. There was that one time I fell down and hurt my knee. I wasn't bleeding but it still felt hurt. Then you ran to me with no medical supplies on you, but claimed you could make me feel all better." Harry smirked as he said, "I remember. I kissed your knee, and then you smiled. In fact, here's a little secret I've never said out loud until now. In that moment, I wanted to kiss you on the lips so much." A curious looking Sydney then said, "Well why didn't you?" Then Harry said, "Uh, because we were in like kindergarten and I thought kissing a girl would give me cooties." Sydney chuckled a bit as she said, "Well, would you like some cooties now?" Harry moved his face towards Sydney's as he said, "I'd love to..." Then Sydney glanced at her watch for a second and then jumped back and said, "Oh shoot. We were supposed to be at the bike shop fifteen minutes ago." Harry then got up as he said, "Oh man. Come on."
Then Sydney and Harry both bolted towards the bike shop as fast as they could. Then after a minute of running, the two teenagers entered the bike shop to see a frustrated looking Max standing behind the smoothie counter. Sydney looking very guilty approached Max and said, "Dad. I am so sorry we're late." Then a frustrated Max said, "Syd, where were you? I had tons of smoothie orders I had to take care of myself, and that kept me from approaching any customers who had questions about bikes." Harry then said, "It's my fault Mr. Reynolds. I was the one that suggested we sit by the lake for a bit after school, and we lost track of time." Max then said, "I get it, but look guys. Work is work. Except for emergencies or extreme and uncontrollable conditions, you just can't walk in whenever you feel like. When you make a commitment to a job, you focus on that commitment first before anything else. And if you two can't show me just that basic form of professionalism, I will find other people to take your positions in the afternoon. Is that understood?" Sydney and Harry both looking guilty nodded their heads.
Then as Sydney and Harry got to work, Angela and Sophia walked in. Angela then approached Max as she said, "Hey Max. Did you read over those papers I gave you and signed those contracts?" Max then handed Angela a folder as he said, "Yep. Here you go." Then Max walked over to the bike shop counter as Angela cautiously followed him and said, "So... Max... can we talk about what we did the other..." Max then cut off Angela and said, "I'm sorry but not now Angela. Things are really busy here today and I just want to stay focused on the job right now." Angela stepped away looking disappointed as she said, "Oh." Then Angela looking upset walked away, as Sophia noticed Emmy walking by outside.
Sophia then ran over to Emmy outside and said, "Emmy! Hey!" Emmy looking a little nervous said, "Oh, hey Sophia. What's up?" Then Sophia said, "Oh, I just wanted to check in on you and see how things are going. I know it's been rough for us being in almost none of the same classes this year." Then Emmy said, "Well, I'm okay. Anyway, I gotta get going." As Emmy tried to move away quickly, Sophia stepped towards her and said, "Where are you going?" Emmy continuing to look nervous said, "Oh... just the park." Then a curious Sophia said, "Why are you going to the park?" Then Emmy said, "Oh... no big reason. Bye!" Then Emmy quickly ran off. As Sophia watched Emmy run off she said, "Hmm..." Then after a moment of standing still, Sophia began to slowly walk forward.
1994:
Max and Alisha were both sitting at a table together in their science class as they were looking through their textbooks and looking at small substances under microscopes. Alisha looked at Max with an uncertain look on her face as she said, "So... have you determined if substance D consists of animal or planet cells?" Then Max without looking at Alisha in a monotone voice said, "It has cell walls that definitely indicate it's planet cells." Alisha nodded and while still looking uncertain said, "Okay. So... how are your other classes going? Math and history going okay for you?" Max still focused on his microscope said, "Uh huh." Alisha then said, "Because if they're not, I can always help you a bit after school some time." Max still not looking Alisha said, "I'm fine." Then Alisha looking a bit nervous now said, "Well... you want play some games at the arcade this weekend? Or maybe watch some wrestling." Max still didn't look at Alisha as he said, "I'm good." Alisha then finally turned her head away from Max as she now began to look sad.
PRESENT DAY:
Max was sitting in his living room watching television, when he heard a ring at the doorbell. Max turned off the television and opened the door, seeing Angela standing in front of him. Max looking surprised said, "Angela. Everything okay?" Angela then said, "I'm not sure. Can we sit down?" Max led Angela over to the couch as he said, "Sure." As the two sat down Angela said, "Look. I'm sorry for kissing you the other night and running off. It's just.. for so long I associated the feelings of romance with the painful memories of my divorce, that when I finally started to feel romantic feelings for the first time in a long time, it left me feeling confused. I mean for so long I felt like I was just cursed to be unlucky in romance. However, I've learned from therapy that it's not being unlucky that ruined my marriage. It's the fact that I was so focused on law school and work that it caused me to be unable to see the very problems that existed in my marriage from the very beginning." Max nodded his head briefly and said, "First, thank you Angela. Honestly, at first I thought you ran off because I might've had bad breath." Then Angela smirked a bit and said, "Well honestly I would've preferred if you hadn't had a peanut butter sandwich before we went on our walk."
Max smirked a bit too and then said, "But honestly, I shouldn't have been so rude to you when you came to see me at the bike shop this afternoon. I was angry because Sydney and Harry were late to work, because they were letting their personal lives interfere with their work lives. However... I forgot there is a balance that needs to be reached. Yes, Sydney and Harry shouldn't have been late to work today, but they've both reminded me... that there is more to life than just work. Honestly over the last seven years, I've been so focused on the job of running a business and the job of being a dad, that I've forgotten there is more to life than just our jobs." Angela nodded her head and said, "I know. That's why I wanted to help you start another bike shop. Because you create a place and sell things that help people enjoy their lives outside of their jobs."
Then Max smiled as he said, "Thanks for being so open with me Angela. You know, me and Sydney's mom forgot to be completely open with each other for awhile when we were high school freshmen, and it almost destroyed our friendship." Then Angela said, "Well I don't want anything to destroy our friendship Max. Anyway... would you like to meet me at noon tomorrow to discuss the second shop's design plans?" Max nodded and said, "Definitely. We'll focus on that all of tomorrow afternoon... but then tomorrow night... do you wanna go out somewhere and not talk about work at all?" Angela looked curious as she said, "You mean like on a date?" Then Max looking a little coy said, "Well, do you wanna call it a date?" Angela smiled and then leaned her face forward and kissed Max on the lips. Max kissed Angela back as the two remain lip locked for several moments. Then Angela moved her face away from Max and looked at him in the eyes as she said, "It's a date."
1994:
Max and Alisha were both sitting in their science class slowly measuring and mixing small amounts of chemicals together. As they worked, Alisha looked at Max nervously as she said, "So Max... you want to do our science homework together? Two heads are better than one." Max keeping his eyes just on his work said, "No. I'm cool." Then Alisha said, "Well... you wanna check out those batting cages this weekend?" Then Max with a straight face said, "Busy." Then Alisha suddenly looked frustrated as she said, "Well when are you gonna stop being busy!? Max, you always had plenty of time to hang out with me last year. What's been making you so suddenly busy now!?" Then as Max began to dump some chemicals into a large beaker he said, "Well maybe I don't feel like sharing that information, just like you couldn't share with me that you got a boyfriend!" Then suddenly smoke came out of the large beaker Max was spilling chemicals into, as Alisha said, "Max. how much of that did you pour in..." Then suddenly a huge explosion of smoke came out of the beaker.
PRESENT DAY:
Max was standing behind the shop counter at the bike shop as Sydney walked in. As Sydney walked over to Max, a curious looking Max said, "Hey Syd. Where's Harry?" Sydney then said, "On his way. He's just dropping off homework for a friend that missed class today. Listen dad, again: I am so sorry me and Harry were late yesterday. It won't happen again." Then Max said, "Well it better not. Three infractions of lateness without just cause will lead to termination of employment at this establishment. Is that understood?" Sydney nodded her head and said, "Yes dad. I mean, yes sir." Max then took a deep breath and said, "Good. Now with that being said... if you and Harry ever want to make plans to do something special outside of work one afternoon, as long as you give me a week's notice... you two are free to take some time off. And also, when you both work Saturdays, I am making it mandatory you both take an hour long lunch break together." Sydney looking confused then said, "Wait. Say what?" Max then said, "Sydney, work is important. However I've had trouble remembering over the years that having a personal life is important too. I want you to take your job and time you're working here seriously Syd... but I also want you to make the most of the time you have with Harry and your friends as well." Sydney smiled as she said, "Thanks dad."
1994:
Max and Alisha were both cleaning up the science classroom by themselves as Alisha said, "Ugg. Look at all this mess. I thought for sure we'd get detention for what happened here. Although I guess cleaning this place up is just as bad." As he continued to clean Max said, "Well this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't distracted me." Then Alisha said, "I'm sorry, but... Max, I'm worried. We used to tell each other everything." Then Max said, "Apparently not. We both went almost a year not telling each other we both had a crush on the other. Now I feel like if I did tell you sooner, maybe you would've..." Alisha cut Max off and said, "Max, even if you told me sooner... I would've eventually realized that... I don't like you that way." Max looked disappointed as he tilted his head down and said, "Oh." Then Alisha stepped towards Max as she said, "I know I told you that I had a crush on you last summer. But... I've spent a lot of time thinking about it, and I think I was just confused, because... you're the only boy I know that I've ever been close friends with, and I think I was just confusing close friendship with romance." Max looked down as he said, "I see."
Then Alisha looked right at Max with a smile as she said, "But that's not a bad thing. Max... I love how I can totally be myself around you always. I can play video games, watch wrestling, and be as goofy as I want when you're around. You're someone I can tell anything to. The only reason I didn't tell you I was going out with Kevin immediately was because the thoughts and feelings I was going through were so new and confusing, I hadn't told anybody yet. Not even my mom or the rest of my family. You were going to be the first person I told though. I mean you were, but it just wasn't the way I expected." Max looking a little more sympathetic now said, "Oh. Well... I'm glad you feel like you can trust me Alisha, and... I'm sorry I've been so rude to you lately. I mean you and Leo... you're both my best friends, and I shouldn't let anything stop that. And also... I'm happy you found someone special Alisha." Alisha put a hand on Max's shoulder as she said, "Thanks Max. And don't worry. You'll find someone special one day too. Until then, wanna watch wrestling at my place tonight bro?" Max nodded and made a small smile as he said, "Sure thing Alisha."
PRESENT DAY:
Sophia was crawling through some bushes in the park, but stopped when she saw ahead in a clearing was Emmy sitting by herself with a blanket and a picnic basket set up. As Sophia looked at Emmy from afar she softly to herself, "What's Emmy doing? It's like she's preparing for a date. Does she have a secret boyfriend or something?" Then suddenly Sophia's eyes widened as she saw Olive approaching Emmy from nearby. As Sophia saw Olive and Emmy begin sitting next to each other with big smiles on their faces, Sophia said to herself, " O… Olive? W… what?" Then what Sophia saw next shocked her to the deepest part of her being. As she sat, Emmy leaned in and kissed Olive on the lips; the two holding the kiss for a few seconds until they both stopped and smiled at each other. Sophia looked confused as she said, "No… no no no no…. This can't be true." Sophia then fell back, having to sit on the grass; her world shattering in a million pieces…
TO BE CONTINUED...
Coming Soon:
*Episode 3 - A Different Orientation - When Sydney and Sophia learn of Olive and Emmy's shocking secret, the future of their friendship is put on the line.
*Episode 4 - Smells Like Teen Anxiety - Emmy tries to deal with perceived self-worth, while young Max and Leo try to learn about a mysterious new kid in their neighborhood.
*Episode 5 - Truly Madly Awkward - Both Sydney and young Max begin to learn more about their bodies, resulting in awkward conversations with their respective parents.
*Episode 6 - Sex and the Confusion - When two young characters begin to plan to have sex for the first time very soon, important conversations and surprising secrets are revealed.
*Episode 7 - My So Called Pregnancy - When the last person anyone expected to gets pregnant, everything changes.