Sydney to the Max Season 4: Episode 11 - What Dance Come May
Present Day and Flash-Forward Scenes Written by: "Fun But Shy Girl"
Flashback Scenes Written by: Katy Kear
Based on Characters Created by: Mark Reisman
Sydney Reynolds was walking into the bike shop holding hands with Harry as she said, "Okay. So you got your tuxedo, and I got my dress. So I think we're both totally ready for the Junior Prom." Harry smirked as he said, "I'm glad you're excited Syd. So when am I going to see your dress?" Sydney smiled as she said, "Well I wanna leave you with something to look forward to." Then Harry said, "Oh come on. Olive said she already saw it. It's not like it's our wedding or something." Then Sydney chuckled, but then saw Sophia sitting at a table by herself looking upset. Then Sydney looked at Harry as she said, "Hey Harry, why don't you help start working behind the smoothie counter early. I'm gonna see how Sophia is doing." Sydney then sat down next to Sophia as she said, "Hey Sophia. You doing okay?" Then Sophia sighed and said, "I'm fine I guess." Then from nearby, Max walked over to Sophia and said, "Hey Sophia. I just got a call from your mom. She said you seemed really upset this morning, and wanted me to check in on you."
Then Sophia looking angry said, "Fine, I'm not okay. But it's not a big deal. It's just... with everyone getting ready for Junior Prom, I know everyone is going to take pictures at the start of the evening with friends and... with family. So... I tried calling my dad to see if he wanted to take a few pictures with me but... his number was disconnected. I guess he got a new number and didn't tell me." Then Sydney said, "Well could you ask your mom for his new number?" Sophia then said, "I don't know if I want to ask my mom about my her ex-husband's whereabouts." Then Max said, "Well if you want, I can help you find him. I was using a special web service to locate some distant relatives of mine awhile ago for fun, but I bet I could use that service to help you find your dad." Sophia looking slightly optimistic now said, "You'd do that?" Max with a matter of fact expression said, "Sure. I'll get on it tonight."
2042:
An adult Sydney was driving a car up to a middle school. As Sydney stopped the car she looked at Alisha and Valicity in the back seat and said, "Okay girls, you got everything you need for school?" Alisha then said, "Yes mom. We do." Then as the two girls got out of the car, Valicity said, "Have a good day Sydney." Then as the two girls headed towards the school, Alisha excitedly said, "So... you going with anyone to the big school dance?" Valicity made a small smile as she said, "Na. I'd rather go single." Then Alisha said, "Hey, you don't need a boyfriend by the day of the dance. You just need a friend to act as a date." Then Valicity said, "Well honestly... I can't think of anyone." Then as the two girls headed into the building, Alisha said, "Well you need to find someone girl. I can't have my sister going to the dance solo. Anyway, I gotta head to History Class. Enjoy first period Math."
Then as Alisha headed off down the hallway, Valicity stepped into a classroom and sat down at a desk next to a male student in a wheelchair whose face was stuck in a specific facial expression, and his arms remain bent. The student began to flail his arms around as he said, "Ahh! Ahh!" Then a female teacher sitting near the student said, "Okay Toby. Calm down. Here's your pencil." The teacher handed the boy Toby his pencil. However Toby then threw the pencil in the air hitting Valicity in the head. Valicity looking annoyed said, "Ow! Hey!" The female teacher looking frustrated said, "Toby, stop that. I'm sorry. He's sorry." Then the teacher handed Toby his pencil again, only for him to throw it at Valicity's head again. Valicity looking annoyed, got up and moved to another desk.
1995:
Leo Webb was walking with his cousin Alisha down the sidewalk.
"So, I'm taking Taylor to prom," Leo told his cousin. "Who are you going with?"
"I don't think I'm going to prom, cuz," Alisha told him.
"Why?" Leo asked her. "You said that you definitely wouldn't miss it. Especially since it's the perfect time to prank the teachers."
"Well, things are different now, Leo," she said.
"Why don't you go with Max?" Leo questioned. "I know you still like each other, and you have something going on."
"I don't even have a dress," Alisha said. "Prom is on Saturday."
"You know you do," he said, "and I guarantee that he'd like it."
"I said all of that at the start of the school year," Alisha reminded her cousin.
"Your mom said that you're healing," Leo said.
"I am," she agreed, "but that doesn't mean that I have to do whatever you think I should, Leo."
"I'm not trying to force you, Al," he said. "I just don't want you to miss out on stuff because you're scared that you'll break again."
"I'm not who I used to be, cuz," she told him.
They stopped in front of her house.
"At least think about it," Leo told her.
"Okay," she agreed. "See you later, cuz."
She went inside.
PRESENT DAY:
Sydney stepped out of her closet and into her bedroom wearing a a dark purple dress as Sophia sat on her bed looking towards Sydney. As Sydney smiled she said, "So... what do you think?" Sophia looking amazed said, "You are rocking that dress girl!" Then Max walked into Sydney's bedroom as he said, "Sorry, but I saw the door open and the second I saw you in that dress... wow Sydney. You in that outfit... it's perfect on you." Sydney smiled as she said, "Thanks dad. Wow, Harry is going to go crazy when he sees me in this." Then Max sat down on the bed next to Sophia with a piece of paper in his hand as he said, "Well he better not go too crazy since I'll be the chaperone at the dance. But I didn't just come to talk outfits. Sophia, I did some digging and found a new address your father moved to, and a new phone number he got there." Sophia looking more upbeat now said, "Wow. Thank you. Um... I guess I'll call him tonight then." Max then stood up and said, "Great. Hope it goes well."
Then as Max left the room Sydney stepped towards her closet as she said, "Okay. I guess I'll just take this outfit off and..." Then Sydney's dress got caught on a large splinter in the door-frame of her closet door. As Sydney struggled to get her dress free she said, "Oh come on. Stupid door frame. Ugh!" Then Sydney pulled hard, but then suddenly caused a large rip to appear around the waist of her dress. Sydney suddenly looked horrified as she said, "Oh no. My dress... it's ruined." Then Sophia stood up and said, "Oh my gosh. Well... do you know how it can be fixed?" Then Sydney said, "No! It's an expensive material too, so I don't know even know if it can be fixed." Then Sophia got out her phone and said, "Don't worry. My mom patched up my pants all the time when I was little. I think she might be able to fix this."
2042:
Valicity was sitting at a desk in the family living room doing her homework. As Valicity tried to do her work, she leaned her head back and said, "Ugh!" Then Sydney walked into the room and sat near Valicity as she said, "Hey Valicity. Math homework giving you trouble?" Valicity sighed and said, "Yeah, but I wouldn't be if I could've concentrated on the lesson during class. However I couldn't concentrate because there was this new kid in a wheelchair throwing pencils at me and making noises all throughout class." Then a curious Sydney said, "Was he doing it to get attention or something?" Valicity leaned back in her chair as she said, "Nah. I think he has some serious disability or something like that. His body is like mostly frozen all the time and he can barely say any words."
Then Sydney said, "Oh. Well I've never met this fellow student of yours but it sounds like he might have Cerebral Palsy, or some other form of severe disability. But what it means is he probably can't help the way he acts often." Then Valicity sighed with a frustrated tone and said, "Then why does he have to be in my class? He's disruptive, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't understand most of the lesson plans anyway." Then Sydney scooted closer to Valicity and said, "Well, there are always going to be disruptive kids and people who don't understand the lesson plan in any math class that do not have a serious disability." Valicity sighed and said, "You know what I mean. Why don't people like this disabled kid go to a different school or something?"
Sydney then said, "Well a long time ago when my dad was young, most did. However by the time I was young, they realized that just like how people shouldn't be sent to different schools for looking different, people also shouldn't be sent to different schools for being born with their brains being different too. There are obviously still exceptions for very specific disabilities and illnesses, and the way integration works still isn't perfect. However I do believe everyone can benefit from attending a school that has people with various forms of disabilities." A confused looking Valicity then said, "What do you mean?"
Then Sydney said, "Well you know how in church you learned how God made everyone with a purpose? Well that includes people with various forms of disabilities as well. They have as much a part to play in our world as we do." Valicity looking skeptical then said, "You really think so?" Then Sydney said, "Yeah. Plus, if you really think about it... we all are born with different strengths and weaknesses. Some people struggle more in certain sports than others, while others struggle at math or reading. However every person also has strengths as well, and I've found that once you discover what any persons' strengths are, it's easier to love them as a person." Valicity then sighed and said, "Yeah. I guess..."
1995:
Max sat in his pajamas. Judy walked into the living room.
"Hey, Max," she greeted her son. "It's already 7. Why aren't you dressed up? It's Prom night."
"I'm not going," he said. "The only person I want to go with is Alisha, and I don't want her to think she has to go."
"Did you even ask her?"
"No," he answered. "She's still healing, and I don't want to change that."
"You're still healing, too, Max," she reminded him, nodding to an upside-down box on the coffee table. "This could help both of you."
"Everything still makes me think of her, mom," he confessed. "I see little kids with their parents at the arcade, and... I just want to scream." He stared at the coffee table. "I don't know how this could help."
"You'll be together," she said.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Judy walked to the door and opened it.
"Oh, hi, Alisha," she said. "Wow, you look amazing!"
Max shot up off the couch and turned around. Alisha was standing there, wearing a dark purple dress with thin pinkish-purple diagonal stripes.
"You're beautiful," Max told her.
She smiled at him.
"I love your dress," Judy told her. "Where did you get it?"
"Actually, my sister, Sydney, and I made it together," she said.
"That's awesome," Max said. "You look amazing in it."
"Thanks, Max," she replied with a smile. "I'm glad you like it." She looked him straight in the eyes. "Max... will you go to Prom with me?"
Max looked at his mom, then back at Alisha.
"Yeah, definitely."
She looked him up and down with a smirk.
"You're not wearing your pajamas to it, right?"
"Well, the Juniors did say to dress casual," he joked. She started laughing. "I'll be right back."
"I haven't heard that laugh in a while," Alisha's mother Maya observed, as she appeared in the doorway. "Is Maxwell getting ready?"
"Yes, he was in his pajamas," Judy replied. She walked over to the coffee table.
Max walked down the stairs in a purple dress shirt and black slacks.
"Ready?" Alisha asked him.
"One more thing," Judy said. She handed Max a gift bag.
"What's this for?" He questioned, confused. He looked over and didn't see the box. "Oh."
"What is that for?" Alisha asked.
"It's for you…later," Max told her.
Max and Alisha then walked out together with her Alisha's mother.
PRESENT DAY:
Sydney was sitting at her kitchen table as Sophia's mother Angela was examining Sydney's dress. As Angela look at the dress she said, "Well I don't think I have any thread that will match with the color and texture of this material." Sydney sighed and said, "I guess it's okay. I'll wear another dress. Unlike many girls out there, I guess I should just feel fortunate enough to have multiple nice dresses." Sydney was silent for a moment, but then Angela scooted towards Sydney and said, "Why was this one important to you though?" Sydney looked at Angela and said, "Well... this dress belonged to my mom. She wore it to her first dance and real date she ever had with my dad. When I was little, my mom would often let me put it on despite it being way over-sized for me, and we would play pretend and imagine what my first high school Junior Prom would be like once I was big enough to wear this. But... not everything turns out the way you want I guess." Then Angela said, "Hmm. You know what? I think there is something I actually can do to salvage this." Then suddenly Sophia walked into the kitchen with tears in her eyes. Angela looking concerned said, "Sophia, what is it?" Sophia began to cry as she said, "I... I called dad, but... he hung up on me. I tried calling him several more times, but then he blocked his number, and... I know dad hasn't been good with returning my calls, but... why doesn't he want to talk to me?" Angela then stood up and hugged a sobbing Sophia as she said, "Oh Sophia. I'm so sorry."
2042:
In an art class at school, Valicity stepped in and saw the student Toby was in his wheelchair slowly moving a paint brush across a piece of paper, as a female teacher sat right beside him. Valicity then took a deep breath and walked over to Toby and sat near him as well. Valicity then got our her own art supplies as she said, "Hey. You both mind if I sit here?" Toby then looked at Valicity as he said, "Aha. Aha!" The female teacher then said, "That usually means yes." Valicity then looked at several pictures of landscape paintings on the table near Toby and said, "Whoa. Who made all these?" The teacher then said, "Toby did. He loves to draw nature. You've probably seen a bunch of his recent paintings hanging around the auditorium. Toby really wanted to make some nice decorations for the school dance this Friday." Valicity looking surprised said, "Whoa. You mean Toby made all of those?" The teacher smiled as she said, "Well just because someone like Toby struggles in other things, doesn't mean he doesn't have some hidden talents." Valicity smiled too as she said, "Yeah... I'm starting to realize that... Hey, um... Toby... you got a date to the dance on Friday?" Toby looked at Valicity as he shook his head back and forth. Then Valicity said, "Well neither do I. So if you want to, as just a friend... wanna be my date to the dance? You could point to all of the cool decorations and pictures you made while we're hanging out. What do you say?" Toby then shook his body with a big smile on his face, as his teacher said, "That means a yes." Valicity smiled as she said, "Great. Looking forward to Friday then."
1995:
Max and Alisha were dancing together to a slow song at the Junior Prom.
"I'm glad we came together," Max told Alisha.
"Me too," she replied.
A faster paced song started. They started dancing. He spun her and dipped her. He looked at her with a smile on his face.
"I love you," he told her, slightly raising his voice so she could hear him.
He pulled her up. She looked at him.
"I love you, too," she replicated.
"Can we talk outside?" He asked her.
She nodded in agreement.
They went outside and sat on one of the benches. He pulled the gift bag out from under it.
"I didn't expect to give this to you tonight," he told her, "but I think it's the perfect time."
Max pulled a box out of the bag and gave it to Alisha faced up.
She looked at it. The lid had boarders with the name Valicity carved into them. The rest of the lid was carved out of it, making a picture frame. On each side of the actual box were the three names "Max", "Alisha", and "Valicity"; and on the last was "Reynolds".
"Wow…" Alisha said in awe. "This is amazing."
"Open it," he said.
She did so and saw a small blue velvet-covered box. She took it out and opened it. In it were two silver rings.
"Max…"
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
She smiled at him.
"Yes."
He took one of the rings out of the box and she let him put it on her right ring finger and she did the same for him.
"I made the box in wood-shop," he told her. "I know how much she meant to both of us. I couldn't stop thinking about her, and I guess this is how I could show that."
Alisha set the box next to her. She looked over at Max and then leaned forward and kissed him. It lasted a few seconds. They parted and smiles were plastered on both of their faces.
PRESENT DAY:
Inside the high school gym, a large dance was occurring as many young teenagers were dancing together. Sydney was on the floor dancing with Harry wearing her purple dress which now had two large blue blue bows on the sides. As they danced, Harry said, "This has been great tonight Syd. You look so amazing. And your dress is nice too." Sydney smiled as she said, "Thanks. I got a little help at improving it." Then nearby Olive and Emmy appeared dancing together. As Sydney looked at the two girls she said, "Hey. I'm glad you two both came together. Plus, you two look fabulous." Emmy then said, "Thanks. You both do too." Then Olive glanced at Harry as she said, "Hey Harry. You mind if I cut in for a minute? Me and Sydney promised each other years ago we'd both have a 'best friends' dance at our first Prom." Harry then said, "Sounds cool to me. Emmy, you wanna swap dance partners for a minute." Emmy smiled and said, "Sure." Then Harry and Emmy began to dance together, while Sydney and Olive put their hands together and began to dance.
Meanwhile near the food and drinks, Max and Angela stood together. As the two adults stood together, Max smirked and said, "Hey. The kids seem to be behaving, so... wanna dance?" Angela smirked as she said, "Max, we're two grown adults at a high school dance. What will the kids think if we start dancing with them too?" Then Max said, "That we're two adults giving each other public displays of affection, and that will gross them out, causing them to turn their heads away, giving us plenty of room to dance the night away." Angela smiled as she said, "Well, when you say it that way." Then Max and Angela put their hands together, and began to dance with one another.
In the middle of the dance floor meanwhile as Sydney and Olive danced together, Sydney said, "Wow. it's amazing how much can change so quickly. I mean a year ago we were just big kids dancing in my backyard at an after church party. Now we're both here at our first high school prom with dates." Then Olive said, "I know. You and Harry, me and Emmy... and your dad and Sophia's mom." Olive motioned nearby, and then Sydney saw Max and Angela dancing together. Sydney smiled as she said, "Excuse me. I forgot to do something really important." Then Sydney walked over to Max and Angela and said, "Hey dad. Mind if I talk to Angela for a moment?" Max stepped away as he said, "Sure."
Sydney then looked at Angela as she said, "I just wanted to properly say... thank you for repairing my dress." Then Angela said, "Well I didn't really repair it. The matching bows just helped cover up the damage. It's just a little thing you learn when you're a mom: covering up ugly stuff as efficiently as possible." Then Sydney said, "Well I love how it looks. Whenever I used to look at this dress, I would always think about how sweet and helpful my mom was. But now when I look at it... I'll also think about how sweet and helpful you are too." Then tears appeared in Sydney's eyes as she smiled and then hugged Angela. Angela smiled with tears in her eyes too as she hugged Sydney back and said, "You're welcome Sydney."
Meanwhile Sophia was sitting in a chair in a corner by herself. Max then approached Sophia as he said, "Hey Sophia. You doing okay?" Sophia sighed and said, "No. I thought coming here would make me feel better, but... I'm not." Max sighed and said, "I get it. I'm sorry though for getting your hopes up with getting you your father's contact info." Sophia then looked at Max as she said, "No. You were trying to help, and... I appreciate that." Then Max said, "Well... if you need to keep moping a little, you'll find no judgment here. My own dad wasn't around a lot when I was young, so I know... it never feels good. But I will tell you... the pain gets a little less painful as times goes on."
Then a teacher stood up on the stage and said, "Okay. We're getting near the end of Junior Prom. Now per our tradition here as parents come in to pick up their teenage children, we'll be allowing the last few minutes of our dance for any fathers to have a dance with their daughters." Then as slow music began to play, Sydney walked over to Max with her hand out and said, "Come on dad." Max smiled as he took Sydney's hands and walked onto the dance floor with her. As Sydney and Max began to dance together: Angela, Sophia, Olive, And Emmy stayed on the sidelines watching. Everyone was smiling except for Sophia who kept her face hung low. Sydney and Max then turned their heads and noticed how Sophia was looking. Sydney then looked at Max, and with no hesitation in her face she said, "Go." Sydney and Max then approached Sophia, as Sydney said, "Come on Sophia. Your turn to step in." Sophia then stood up confused, as Max took her hand and led her to dance floor. Sydney watched with a smile on her face as Max and Sophia began to slowly dance together. As Max looked down at Sophia with a warm smile. Sophia looked up at Max with tears starting to appear in her eyes. Sophia then finally made a small smile as she said, "Thank you." Max smiled back as he said, "Any time." Then Sophia began to cry a bit as Max held her close.
Meanwhile on the sidelines: Olive and Emmy watched the dance going on. Olive then said, "It's too bad Sophia's dad couldn't be here. But I got a feeling that Sydney, Sophia, and their parents are about to start a new kind of family together." Emmy sighed and said, "Yeah. Still... it's sad Sophia's parents got divorced and that Sydney's mother died though." Then Olive said, "Yeah, well not all marriages last." Then Emmy said, "Yeah. It does make you wonder... why even start a romantic relationship while young if it's just gonna end with tears, tragedy, and traumatic drama?" Olive looking confused said, "Why are you asking that Emmy?" Emmy sighed and said, "I mean... I guess I'm looking at how badly other relationships that started young turned out around us, and... I guess I'm starting to not even see the point in any romance at our age. I mean... it's not like most romantic relationships that start in high school last long anyway. So why keep fooling ourselves?" Olive looking very concerned now said, "Emmy... are... are you saying you want to break up with me?"
TO BE CONTINUED...
Coming Soon:
*Episode 12 - Chasing Emmy - Olive and Emmy experience a major turning point in their relationship.
*Episode 13 - Parents in Love - Sydney and Sophia decide to take it upon themselves to push their parents to make an important decision.
*Episode 14 - I Don't Wanna Miss a Ring - On what should be a day of happiness, several characters begin feeling overwhelming feelings of sadness.