Sydney to the Max Season 4: Episode 3 - A Different Orientation
Present Day Scenes Written by: DrDoom2006, With: JoshFics, L. little'sFanFic, and "Fun But Shy Girl"
Flashback Scenes Written by: L. little'sFanFic and "Fun But Shy Girl"
Based on Characters Created by: Mark Reisman
It had to happen, no matter how careful they could be. What Olive and Emmy failed to realize was that both Sydney and Sophia were noticing things about them; like Emmy bringing Olive's lunch and snacks day in and day out, and what's more, always packaged with a flower. Also the other two teenagers noticed how they looked at each other, and how they always wanted to sit one at the side of the other. Sophia was the one that was growing more and more curious since Emmy who used to be her best friend was now growing more distant. That's why she decided to go talk to the one person she knew had the mind clarity to understand her: Sydney. The brunette who was working the smoothie counter at her dad's shop was surprised to see her friend alone.
-Hey Sophia. Everything okay? Hey, by the way: where's Emmy? - she asked
-That's what I need to talk to you about…
More curious than worried, she invited her friend to sit.
-Did you two have a fight again?
-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
-Since she came back from summer vacation… I barely see Emmy in or out of school… 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?
-I…
-See? Something is wrong with Emmy and I'm starting to get scared.
-Maybe… I don't know, she's going through something. But if she is, we'll fix it. I promise.
But Sophia wasn't satisfied. The following day after school and after being told by Emmy that she would meet her later that day, Sophia decided to follow her. She knew it was wrong to spy on her best friend but she was also scared about what could be happening to her.
-Why… are you going to the park?
Trying not to get discovered, she followed the Latina until she went into a secluded area of the park that was near a lake. She almost fell to the ground when she realized that someone was waiting for her with a full picnic setup. At first she thought it would be a secret boyfriend… but what she saw shocked her… it was Olive that was coming to meet with Emmy.
-O… Olive? W… what?
What she saw next shocked her to the deepest part of her being, as she sat, Emmy leaned and kissed her blonde friend on the lips, they held the kiss for a few seconds until both smiled at each other.
-no… no no no no…. This can't be true…
The teenager had to sit on the grass, her world shattering in a million pieces…
Sophia then ran immediately to Sydney's house and found herself instantly banging her door down. As Sydney opened her door, she saw a completely hysterical Sophia standing before her.
-Sophia, are you OK?
-I… I… saw them…
Sydney led her friend to the couch
-Saw who? What's going on…
-Olive… and Emmy…
-That's nothing new… we see them every day at school and...
-...kissing…
-Excuse me, what?
-They… were… in the park… kissing each other…
Sydney's eyes opened wide… was she hearing correctly? Had Sophia seen things right?
1994:
Max and Leo were sitting in front of each other in their high school cafeteria as Leo looked at Max with shock and sympathy.
"So wait. Alisha got a boyfriend right before you tried to make up with her? Man, talk about bad timing."
Max sighed.
"I know. I mean Alisha said later she only saw me as a best friend, but... I don't know, maybe if I had told her sooner, or just hadn't acted so stupid the first week of school she would've felt more open to second guess that notion. I mean... it isn't the main reason why I was trying to make up with her, but I was kind of hoping our first date as a couple would've been to the Fall Formal dance."
Leo then tried to put on an optimistic face for his friend.
"Well hey, there are advantages to flying solo. I plan to be a free agent at the dance this Friday night, so I can be free to dance with as many ladies that want a slice of Leo."
Then suddenly Max turned his head when he heard a noise near him. Max saw his friend Bucky was surrounded by several older boys who had just made him drop his lunch tray. One of the older boys then pushed Bucky to the ground and laughed as he and the other boys walked away. Max rushed over to Bucky and helped him get up as he said,
"Bucky, you okay?"
"Yeah. They were just roughing me up. I'm not hurt."
"Well still, what they did wasn't cool. We should tell one of the teachers or a staff members..."
Bucky looked panicked now.
"No. Don't tell anyone. If you do, they said they would... um... you know what, just please drop it."
Then Max picked a notebook that fell out of Bucky's bag. Max then noticed on the back of the notebook was a piece of paper that Max's name written on it several times with hearts drawn around it. Max looked confused as he handed it to Bucky.
"Bucky, what's with this? Do you..."
Bucky quickly grabbed the notebook.
"No, I must of grabbed Amy's notebook by mistake since we sat together in science. I guess she likes you or something. So, um... I gotta go and see if I can find her so can return it as she must have mine."
Then Bucky walked away from Max very quickly, leaving Max looking confused.
PRESENT DAY:
Sophia was having dinner with her mother, although that was an understatement because she was barely touching her food, the images of what she had witnessed at the park recently replayed on her mind over and over again.
-Sophia? SOPHIA! - her mother yelled
-Huh? What? Yeah, it was a good day at school mom...
-First I didn't ask that. Second you're not touching your food. Did you eat at the smoothie shop again?
-No... it's just that... I...
-If you're having issues with your period again, you can...
-MOM! - Sophia got up embarrassed.
-OK, perhaps you better go to bed. I'll leave your food in the oven if you're hungry later.
Sophia then went straight to her room and laid down. As she laid on her bed, a ton of questions popped in Sophia's mind; epecially those concerning the future of the Four Amigas. Sophia had spent days thinking about what she witnessed at the park. She had pondered as to why Emmy seemed to be distancing herself from her. Of course they are in high school now. The work was harder, there were new students in their classes that came from a different school. So in other words, there were new friends to make. But still, Emmy didn't seemed interested in making new friends nor did she seemed more concerned with the difficulties with the class work than she did before. However now that she knew that it was Olive that was occupying Emmy's attention, Sophia felt… lost. If Emmy had just spoken to her, Sophia just knew she could be more grounded in her thoughts. Instead she just had questions floating around, buzzing around in her head.
-How long have they been dating?
-How serious were they?
-How did they start?
-What will happen to the Amigas if they break up?
-Does Emmy have, or did she ever have a crush on her too?
-Does Olive?
-Why are they keeping it a secret from the rest of the group?
Deep down what hurt her the most was that Emmy never trusted her enough to confide to Sophia that she was into girls. Sophia felt herself tearing up again.
-Stupid Emmy... why did you had to wreck the only good thing I had in my life...
She got so mad that she threw a picture of her and Emmy taken during Christmas the past year,. As she picked up the pieces she cut her hand with the broken glass. As she bandaged her hand she again fell deep in her thoughts. The sole thought of seeing the Four Amigas' friendship end scared her. So much had changed in Sophia's life over the last year and a half. Her parents getting divorced, her older brother going to college, the nerve-wracking events she experienced last summer, and on top of all that: she was starting at a new school. For Sophia, her friendship with the Four Amigas was her last hope of having something that resembled her old life at Clara Barton Middle School. It was then also when Sophia realized her hands were trembling.
-Why is this happening...
1994:
Max was sitting in his living room when he heard the doorbell to his house ring. Max answered the door and saw Bucky in the doorway.
"Bucky, can I help you?"
Bucky stepped towards Max looking nervous.
"Yeah, well... my parents aren't home yet and I don't feel comfortable walking home since some people I know might be waiting for... well, the point is, can I hang out here for a bit?"
"Yeah. No big. Leo and my mom aren't here, but we can play video games if you want."
As Max and Bucky sat down on Max's couch together, Max could see Bucky's hands were shaking.
"Bucky... is everything okay?" Max said concerned.
"Well... no Max. But... it's about something I haven't told anyone yet. Not even my parents. But... I was hoping I could tell you."
"Well whatever it is, I can promise you I'll stay here and listen."
Bucky then took a deep breath as he carefully chose his next words.
"Well... I guess it all starts with the fact that... I like someone at school."
"You mean you like, like someone?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, that's huge Bucky. So who is it? Do I know them?"
Bucky looked down "Well... they are in some of my classes, but... I'm pretty sure you've seen this person a lot?" Bucky then looked back up at Max.
"Well that's awesome Bucky. So who is it?"
"Well I can tell you that they are nice, funny and I never saw someone like them before... but I'm sure they don't feel the same way unless they are hiding it."
"Well, you're a cool dude. I'm sure they have to like you. Who wouldn't? So if you're worried, I say just go for it. Look, as I learned recently, there's more harm that can come from spending a lot of time not telling someone how you feel. So again, just... go for it." Max said with a reassuring tone
Bucky looked a bit worried and took a deep breath "Thanks Max. I just hope after possibly being rejected, we can stay friends."
Max with a simple calm expression "Yeah. Sure."
Then Bucky looked at Max with a nervous look "The thing is... the person that I'm talking about... the person that I like... is you."
Max suddenly look very confused "Say what now?"
Bucky sighed and not really looking in Max's eyes but his shirt said, "Max... I'm gay... "
Bucky then looked into Max's eyes "...and I don't know why I like you the way I do. I just do. You're the only one I have ever came out to. I know it is a long shot you feel the same way but I just had to tell someone and you're like my best friend even though we don't hang out as much like with Leo and you. So please do me a favor and don't tell anyone until I'm ready to come out."
Max sat looking stunned and confused "Bucky, I..."
Bucky then stood up suddenly looking even more nervous "You know what? This was a stupid idea. I'm sorry. Goodbye."
Then Bucky ran out of Max's house leaving Max looking confused.
PRESENT DAY:
Sydney was sitting down in her living room watching television, although that wouldn't be completely accurate because she was barely paying attention to what she saw, as the words of what Sophia suggested she had seen Olive and Emmy doing flooded her head. However Sydney had decided that what Sophia saw couldn't have happened. She knew Emmy, and especially Olive very well. Her thoughts suddenly were interrupted though when she heard the doorbell ring. Sydney answered the door and saw Olive standing in front of her.
-Hey Syd.
-Oh. Hey Olive. Um... watcha doing here?
-Well, I wanted to talk about, um... actually, can we talk about it in the basement?
Sydney nodded her head as she and Olive headed downstairs. As they headed down, Sydney chose to believe there was nothing unusual about this request as the two often talked there alone before.
-Okay, so... what's going on? You only ask me to come here with you when you want to plan a surprise party for somebody, but all birthdays have already passed this year...
Olive took a deep breath.
-It's not that... Sydney... it's about me and Emmy...
Sydney stood up with her I have to fix our friendship again attitude.
-Who did what to who? - she asked.
-No... you see, we sorta... during summer vacation... I... we both discovered something...
-Go on...
-Well you see... me and Emmy... we... we love each other Sydney... we have been going out together since we came back...
Sydney immediately stood before Olive looking shocked and appalled. Did she hear correctly? Did her best friend just confess that she was in love with another girl, and none other than one of the Amigas? She had to sit and remain silent for several moments.
-Syd...
-I... Olive are you sure? I mean... I know you better than anyone else... how... how did this... I...
-I'm 100% sure of what I feel Sydney. I mean... what I feel for Emmy is the most beautiful thing I have ever felt for anyone. I mean... just being near her is incredible... and when we...
-STOP!
-Sydney...
-Just... stop... I... I can't...
With her mind in a turmoil Sydney walked out. Olive knew better than trying to go after her and silently made her way out.
1994:
The high school Fall Formal Dance was on as Leo was in the middle of the dance floor shaking his body while six girls surrounded Leo dancing around him. Eventually Leo stepped away as he said, "Excuse me ladies. The Leo Machine needs a little refueling."
Then Leo walked over to Max who was standing near the punch bowl. Leo looked at Max with a concerned face "Hey Max. What's wrong? They are plenty of eligible ladies on that dance floor who I would be happy to share with you."
Max sighed "Eh, it's just I saw Alisha off in the corner with her new boyfriend."
"Well that is a little painful.".
"They were kissing each other." Max said with a upset face.
Leo then made a wincing in pain face "Ooo. Now that sounds very painful."
Then suddenly an older male high school student jumped on a nearby stage holding out a book "Hey everyone. Listen to this listen diary I found from this little wimp here."
From nearby, Bucky ran over to the older student "Hey. That's my journal. Give it back."
The older male high school student held up the book "In here little Bucky writes, I know it's wrong, but when I look at the girls at school I feel nothing. But when I see the cute BOYS, my heart just flitter flatters.'"
Suddenly many students in the room began to laugh at Bucky, as Bucky had a very humiliated look on his face. Bucky then tried to run out of the room, but then one student tripped Bucky, causing him to fall into a cake on a nearby table. More students began to laugh, as Max approached Bucky.
"Bucky, are you..."
Then an older male student grabbed Max's arm "Stay back from that loser kid, or you'll catch the Gay Virus."
Bucky then lifted his head out of the cake and looked at Max with pain in his face. Max looked back at Bucky with hesitation, and then... turned his head from Bucky and walked away. Bucky now looking more hurt now ran out of the room crying.
PRESENT DAY:
Sydney sat in her bedroom in the evening as Max went to look for her as she never made her way down for dinner. It took only a second for Max to notice though that something was bothering Sydney. He sat on the bed and caressed her hair.
-Something is bothering you. So... wanna talk?
The brunette sat and looked out at nothing as she spoke.
-Dad... Olive...
Max got scared.
-Did something happen to her?
-No... well yes... sorta... she came over... and said... that she and Emmy... are... together...
Max didn't get it at first.
-Like... having a sleepover without you?
Sydney glared at her dad, not believing his naivete.
-Dad. Olive and Emmy... they're a couple now... they're dating...
Max was startled
-You mean...
-Yes... that...
Max sat still next to Sydney as he looked a bit of unsure of what to say.
-So what do you think? - Sydney asked once she was sure her dad understood.
-Well... I don't think it matters what I think. They're your friends Sydney. What do you think and feel?
-Well... it's Olive and Emmy, right? The same Olive and Emmy from yesterday, right? - Sydney sounded uncertain.
-You know... I always hated that phrase, the same from yesterday. It's a load of rubbish.
-DAD!
-It's true when it comes to people. Your favorite color is a specific shade of blue, correct?
-Pastel. - Sydney replied, wondering where her dad was going with this.
-When you were five, it was yellow. Last year it was scarlet. Despite some parts of you being the same, your likes and preferences have changed Syd. You're not completely the same as you used to be. You've changed. Olive and Emmy have changed too. However what's important here is how you feel about that.
-Well... I am a bit… reluctant to have another sleepover with them.
Max starred, waiting for Sydney to continue.
-But I feel ashamed that I don't want to spend time with either of them.
-There is nothing really wrong with feeling that Syd. But now you've admitted it to yourself. You recognise it as a flaw. But now you have to figure out how you're going to fix that flaw, and how the version of you that is still changing is going to interact with the new versions of Olive and Emmy that are changing.
-Hmm... I guess you're right dad.
-But I know it won't be easy Syd. Trust me. I know. There is nothing worse then watching you mom kiss her experimental girlfriend.
Sydney suddenly had a massive look of shock go across her face.
-What!?
-On yeah. It happened my freshmen year of high school. When your grandma had her new girlfriend move in for a few months, I had to practically live at Leo's for awhile.
Sydney looking shocked starred right at her dad who kept a straight face. But then after six seconds he burst out laughing.
-Wow. I really had you going there!
-You know dad, it's not fair to make up stories about grandma while she's gone on her year long world tour.
-I know. Just wanted to lighten the mood. But in the end Sydney... this is something I can't tell you how to handle, because honestly... I don't think I know how to handle it perfectly myself... but I'm certain that whatever you decide, it will be for the best.
-Well... I guess... thanks dad.
-You're welcome. Now if you excuse me Syd... I need to do something.
Max then walked out of the room while taking out his phone as Sydney stood up with a look of certainty of what to do next... even though that look of certainty was still mixed with nervousness.
1994:
Max was walking down the stairs of his home as he saw his mother heading out the door with overalls on and got a confused look on his face .
"Hey mom. What's with the weird new work outfit?"
"I'm helping a family down the street move some boxes into their moving truck."
Max looking still confused "Wait. Who's moving?"
"Oh, the Petersons. You know their son, right? Bucky I believe that's his name. It is strange at how fast they suddenly decided to move though. I wonder why?"
"Yeah, strange." Max having a feeling why.
" So Max, you wanna come help me out and say goodbye to Bucky too? I know you have to work at the arcade with Leo though, so it's up to you."
Max had a look of uncertainty on his face as he stood silently for a minute, "I... I think I'll just head to the arcade mom. See ya."
Then Max headed out the door of his home with an expression of guilt across his face.
PRESENT DAY:
-Sydney sat in her fathers' bike shop waiting for Olive to show up. Olive had developed a long time habit of getting smoothies after school every Friday, and she was hoping recent events hadn't broken that habit. Then just as she hoped, she saw Olive step inside. Closing her eyes, Sydney walked towards her.
-Hey Olive. Um.. can I talk to you?
-Um... okay Syd.
Olive followed her friend to a nearby table where they sat down facing one another.
-Sydney...
-Please let me talk... I talked with my Dad... and gave this a lot of thought...
Olive got up, starting to feel a little angry at Sydney for throwing away years of friendship but still thought she'd be a bigger person.
-I understand,… I guess… this had to end eventually, huh? - Olive was proud as at least she kept her anger out.
Sydney did nothing to hide her anger, as she glared at her.
-OLIVIA CHRISTINE ROZALSKI, SIT DOWN THIS MINUTE!
Olive opened her eyes wide, as never in her life had Sydney used her full real name before. Trembling she sat back.
-Look, this is not easy for me at all, okay? You're been my best friend since you were seven and you know better than anyone that I will always stay by your side no matter what. But this is the toughest test you have put me through, and... I know it will take a lot of time to get used to but I'm willing to do it for our friendship. No matter what happens, I will always be your best friend, and I... I will support you and Emmy...
Tears began to appear in Olive's eyes as she moved her body over and hugged Sydney.
-Sydney... thank you...
Meanwhile Max was nearby standing behind the counter of the bike shop as a blond buff man came in through the door.
-Um, I'm here because I won a bike of my choice? The thing is I don't remember entering such a thing, and why here?
Max then took a deep breath as he reintroduced himself to the familiar customer.
-Hey Bucky. It's Max, Max Rey…
-Do I... oh... it's you Reynolds.
The grown up Bucky started to turn around and walk away as Max stepped towards him.
-Wait Bucky. Can we talk?
Bucky sighed as he seemed not eager to even make eye contact with Max.
-Fine.
The two men then sat down at a table together as they began to talk.
-So Bucky... you been doing okay since I last saw you?
-Well moving far away from this terrible neighborhood where no one would help me did wonders; except for the years of trauma I had to deal with. Although it did cause me to spend the next several years staying in the closet until the middle of my second year of college. At least by then being gay was a little more accepted.
Max looked guilty as he kept his face lowered for a moment. But then Max put his head back up as he looked at Bucky.
-Bucky... I felt so guilty about not helping you back in high school. I still do. I wish I had done something but I was just afraid to but... that's really no excuse. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I actually did try to call you several times, but you moved and it was hard to track you down, but... honestly I stopped trying to contact you because I wanted to forget. But then something similar to what happened between me and you happened between my daughter and her best friend recently, and... well... it made me realize that it was time to make a long due apology to you in person.
Max then looked at Bucky as he sat silently in front of him. Eventually though Bucky broke the silence.
-So... you sell all kinds of bikes here I see. Thought you be selling skateboards. So you ever take these out for a test drive?
A smile went suddenly went across Max's face.
-You better believe it. Wanna try some out one day? You could always join me and Leo when he comes to visit me next week. You could meet our kids too if you'd like.
-Well Max... I think I'd like that. Here, let me give you my number.
Bucky and Max then continued to talk as Emmy walked into the bike shop approaching Sydney and Olive with a sad face.
-Emmy? - Olive said.
-What happened? Did someone hurt you? - Olive asked in fear.
Emmy only shook her head as she had tears in her eyes as she began to speak to her friends.
-Sophia... Sophia changed all her classes so she doesn't have any classes together with me anymore or Olive.
Olive looked worried as she looked at Sydney.
-Sydney. Does Sophia know about...
-Well actually Olive... she kind of told me recently that she figured it out on her own. But just because she switched classes recently doesn't mean it has anything to do with that. A lot of freshmen this week had their classes changed due to some recent new teacher hires. Let me call Sophia and ask her about it.
Sydney then stepped outside of the bike shop getting ready to make a call. However Sydney wound up seeing Sophia about to walk right by her. Sydney waved to Sophia trying to catch her attention.
-Sophia, hey!
-Huh? Oh. Hey Sydney.
-So, um... I was just talking to Olive. Um... you were right about her and Emmy. Looks like they're a couple now.
-Oh. Um... okay. - Sophia looked a bit disinterested in what Sydney was saying, as Sydney continued to speak.
-Well anyway Sophia, I know this is weird and hard, but I want us all to keep being friends. I'm hoping you feel the same way.
-Um... I guess. - Sophia spoke sounding very uncertain.
-Well then why did you switch up your school schedule recently so you wouldn't be in anymore classes with Olive and Emmy?
-What? I mean... a lot of freshmen were switched around recently. You know that. Just a coincidence I guess.
Sydney looked at Sophia with skepticism as she spoke.
-Well... okay, I guess. So you'd be okay with us four still doing our homework together tomorrow?
-Um... okay, I guess.
-Well do you wanna come into the bike shop and talk for Olive and Emmy a bit before then? I mean they're right over there.
Sophia suddenly began to look more nervous.
-Sydney... not right now, okay? I... it just isn't a good time right now.
Sophia then walked away from Sydney, as Sydney watched Sophia walk on with a disappointed look on her face.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Coming Soon:
*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.
*Note from "Fun But Shy Girl" - Thank you for checking out the third episode of our Sydney to the Max Season 4 project. This particular episode took a lot of work. As you can see at the top: four writers worked on this episode. Many edits and changes were made many times in an attempt to do this particular story just right. However it did mean deleting some very good scenes to make the story not feel too long. But don't worry. Those "deleted scenes" which actually reveal all the details as to how Olive and Emmy became a couple will become flashbacks for a later episode in this project. Thank you all for sticking with this project so far. We have so many really fantastic stories coming up. If you thought this episode was special; just know that we've only scratched the surface with how great things are gonna get. Please favorite, follow, and share our project with any fellow Sydney to the Max fans you know, and leave us comments on what you think as well.