(A/N: Hi! Hope everyone had a good Labor Day weekend. As always, I don't own Victorious, Toyota, MTV or any other companies listed in this chapter. If I did, I wouldn't be saying this. Enjoy.)
Sydney POV
Busy busy busy.
Story of my life.
I'll just get right into it and take it from the top. Starting with Austin.
It's been 8 days since Deka came over and extended their sponsorship offer, and informed him of his mom's betrayal.
You may not believe me, but we've barely been together since then.
The day after, Mom and Dad called Mr. Rasmussen and started putting together a legal game plan about what to do with Austin's mom.
They had the idea of suing her in court, and not much else that was desirable.
Mom and Dad didn't want to propose something like getting her visitation revoked and have Austin be completely opposed to it.
Until Austin came back that night after talking to his Dad and Grandma, and said just that.
They're cutting her out.
The documents are in the process of getting put together, but the judge agreed that it was a violation of the agreement she signed.
Sam wasn't too distressed about it, and their grandma is on the verge of exploding over it.
Austin's dad is doing basically all of the work now, and I haven't heard anything on that end in a couple of days.
On Splashface, Austin wrote a long post about the divorce, how the whole thing was primarily his mom's fault, how she yelled at him after our accident, basically everything.
Mom and Dad proofread it, but it was all his words.
I was touched when I saw that he put that he "couldn't have made it thru this without Sydney, her family and friends." and thanked them profusely.
Beck and Jade came the next day, thinking that he was home (like he normally is).
But nope.
I woke up to the news that Austin was in Oregon.
OREGON!
Stupid Deka convinced him to come up to that Beaverton place and start their sponsorship right away.
I'm guessing he talked to everyone and took their offer.
Makes sense, who can turn down 10 million when they usually get money by helping others down at the cages for $12 an hour?
Last time we had an actual date, I paid for everything because he was broke. Had like $70 to his name.
He felt awful about it, but I didn't mind. Just makes me nervous in case something actually happens to him and he doesn't have to money for it.
As I said earlier the last few days have been really quiet.
I've been doing music stuff.
Mom has been starting to crank up her musical monolithic machine. Promotion and the like.
Dad has been doing back to school stuff for everyone.
Both mom and dad have been analyzing the contract Austin sent them 2 days ago, his signature included, which verified my suspicions about him taking the deal.
Uncle Andre, Tori, Beck and Aunt Jade have all been over, asking what he's been up to. But I have to say I don't know because I don't know.
The boy has gone off the radar.
All I know is that he's in Oregon after Deka's official Splashface page announced the partnership under the banner "The Revolution Starts Now"
Pretty good I'll admit.
It had a picture of Austin; all Deka'd out, looking menacingly at the camera.
My page melted down, with people completely losing it about how we're the next big celebrity couple.
The pop star and the MLB star.
I doubt that.
I didn't know that the same day as Deka, when he went to the pharmacy, he bumped into some fans with Corey and Olivia.
Corey did as he has always been told to, and got out of the shot. Just laid low and out of the camera.
Austin took a picture with some of the fans, then took Olivia back and got what he was supposed to.
Lots of stuff I don't know right now.
And it's got me all worked up.
Dad smirked and said he can just tell when I'm this mad, and Mom by extension.
I mean, first he didn't tell me in person about his mom, which is ok. But at least tell me! Not some general thing that was sent to everyone in the know, with me added onto the email like a hanger-on.
Secondly, HE WENT TO OREGON WITHOUT TELLING ME!
No "Hey, I'm at the airport, Deka wants me to come up." nothing.
NOTHING!
I stopped texting him yesterday after he hasn't replied to my last 9 texts.
Just because you're gone doesn't mean you can just go disappear.
Even though he has done a good job of disappearing.
Nothing since his post about everything that's gone on, and the Deka promotion.
Focus Syd.
Email.
…
…
Spam from Pandora…
…
Bank statement…
I'll get that to Daddy in a minute.
Last one.
…
From…
This can't be right.
MTV?
…
Asking me to walk down the red carpet, give interviews, and be at the show…
They must mean my mom.
Even though my name is all over it.
I print the statement to the wireless printer in the office, grab my laptop and walk to their room, grabbing my print as I go.
Dad is watching TV, and mom is sitting and on her laptop.
"Hi…for you." I hand Dad the statement.
He took it, glanced at the title and put it off to the side. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. And Mom, I think I got an email for you."
Her head popped up, and she looked baffled.
"Really?"
I nod, and trade her laptops.
The only difference between them is that she has a pink case on it, and mine doesn't have a case or anything.
"Uhm…no, this isn't for me. I've already gotten an email like this a few days ago from MTV. This is for you."
Dad glanced over and said "Did you ever get back to them?"
"Yeah, I told them I'd present and interview like normal."
"What did your email say Syddo?" Dad asked.
"They want me to walk the carpet, interview and be there for the show."
Mom immediately jumped in "You don't have to stay for the show if you don't want to. It's a mob live. The TV presentation doesn't do it justice."
I probably won't want to.
"Who do I talk to about this?" I ask.
"Just email them back, saying yes or no. They'll do the rest." Mom said.
Suddenly dad got up and said "I'm going to check on the guys."
"Where are they?" Mom asked.
"Backyard baseball. I think. Or maybe football." Dad said, then disappearing out the door.
Mom hopped off the bed, put my laptop to the side and hugged me.
"Congratulations."
"Thanks Mommy."
She let me go, moved my hair to the side then walked to the door.
"Anything from Austin?"
"No." I say grumpily.
I see Mom smirk as she walked into the kitchen and came out with waters for us.
"You're mad at him."
"He left without telling me anything! I shouldn't be mad?"
"Not nearly to the degree you are."
"Mom!"
She opened the back door and I see that Andre, Tori and Olivia apparently are here.
Ellie stayed over last night and is sitting with them too.
"AGA!" Olivia said, then grabbed for me.
"Hi!" I say, then grabbing her and hugging her.
"She's figured out how to give kisses, just warning everyone." Aunt Tori said, smiling.
"Aww." Mom smiled, and then kissed Olivia's cheek.
She lit up and grabbed Mom's hair.
Mom took her right after that and made a face, causing her to laugh.
"But give him some slack Sydney. This is his first time going thru all this. He isn't going to do it perfectly. Trust him." Mom hopped back onto her soapbox.
I try to stifle an angry growl.
"Still mad?" Uncle Andre presumed.
I nod, but before I can speak Ellie does it for me.
"Don't believe her nod. She's furious."
"It's not that big a deal Sydney." Aunt Tori smiled, as Mom came back with lemonade for me and a kiss on the cheek for Olivia before giving her back to me.
"How is it not? I have no problem with him leaving, it's the not telling me part I'm mad about!"
"Not telling you what?" Dad asked, coming thru the back door.
"EVERYTHING!" I snap, causing everyone to jump. "Oregon, his mom, Sam, everything! He told me nothing!"
Olivia looked up to me and cooed softly while patting my collarbone with an open palm.
"He's definitely struck a nerve." Aunt Jade said, popping up from nowhere.
Seconds later, Matt ran by his dad to join Corey and Kevin behind the pool.
I sip my lemonade.
Music.
Think about music.
I might be releasing Right Here.
Mom said that the very first songs in the beginning of making an album almost never make it.
She said herself that she has some examples of that.
Something called "Boyfriend Material" jumps to mind.
Apparently it was going to be in her first album, and she liked it all the way up to the day that she had to choose her track list.
Then it ended up on the cutting room floor.
I zaplooked it, and there are still lyric videos of the song, with a version still online.
Later that night I went down to the recording booth's computer and found the "final" version, which hadn't been opened in 8 years according to the computer.
It wasn't a bad song. It was actually good.
Wonder why it didn't make it.
Sorry, got sidetracked. The point is, Mom, Jade and Aunt Tori all have said that it will probably end up on the cutting room floor in a few years when all this gets done. And since it's too good of a song to deserve that fate, why not put it out as a single?
I hear Mom laugh and look up to see Mom and Jade looking at mom's phone.
"What's so funny?" I laugh.
"Funny fan photo." Dad said while glancing out at the guys throwing the football around.
…
"AGA!" Olivia said randomly, while looking inside.
I smile and kiss her cheek.
She laughed and kicked her feet.
I pull out my phone to check Splashfa—
"AGA!" Olivia squealed again.
I look up, and Ellie is giving me a glance.
"What's wrong big girl? You ok?" Ellie leaned forward.
Olivia simply lifted a hand to point at the back door.
"Aga."
I don't even notice that the door opened until I hear Mom say "Hey!"
I look up to see my boyfriend smiling.
"Hi. What's everyone doing?"
"AGA!" Olivia cheered.
"That's what you were talking about! Weren't you? You saw Austin before he came out!" Ellie smiled at her.
Olivia giggled and kicked her feet in Austin's direction.
He came over and scooped her up, smiled, then blew on her tummy, causing her to giggle loudly.
When he sat down next to me, I notice he's wearing a white v neck shirt, with black Deka shorts and running shoes.
Looks like he just got off the plane.
"Be careful, she's pissed off at you." Dad gave him fair warning.
I pop my head back up from Austin's new shoes to say "Dad!"
"Why are you mad at me?"
"You didn't tell me you were leaving. Haven't talked much since Deka came by." I frown at him.
His eyebrows knitted together, and he said "I called. You didn't answer, and I didn't catch the voicemail for some strange reason. Didn't you see?"
I shake my head.
"Honey, don't forget that this is Austin's first rodeo. He isn't going to be perfect honey." Mom said calmly.
"Why didn't you call again or text?" I press him, ignoring the others.
"Uhm, I've been running around like a madman. Deka, new car, Sam, school, tons of stuff I've got to do. Starts next Wednesday remember?"
"I remember. But you can't have been that busy."
Andre and Tori are giving me odd looks.
"You totally zoned out didn't you?" Uncle Andre said.
"Huh?" I ask.
"He said a few minutes ago, before Austin appeared, that he's probably extremely busy, and that's why he didn't call or something. Didn't you hear that?" Jade said.
"No."
"More importantly, you didn't get her voicemail?" Dad asked Austin, who nodded.
"Call her now." Mom asked firmly.
Austin simply pulled out his phone, tapped "Syd" with a heart and a smile emoticon next to it, and laid the phone on his knee for all to see.
…
…
My phone isn't doing anything.
"That's weird." Ellie said.
Austin let it ring all the way until the call randomly cut off at the :56 mark.
Dad is already dialing me by the time Austin has his phone back in his pocket.
…
"Daddy" pops up onto my screen, with the normal accept, decline options.
"Really weird." Aunt Jade commented.
"Looks like we have a trip to the phone store coming before school."
"I'll take care of it." Mom volunteered.
"Wonder what it could be?" Uncle Beck asked.
"Might just need a new phone. It didn't even recognize the incoming call." Aunt Tori said.
"But it took mine, which is the baffling part."
"Phones got its priorities straight at least." Austin said, causing me to turn back to him.
"No it doesn't." I say.
"Yeah, it does. If your dad needed to call, you need that call. If I can't reach you, I can just pop over. In your dad's case it could be important or an emergency."
"Wherever you got so wise, please tell me so I can pound it into my son's head." Jade said, getting a few laughs.
Austin shrugged.
"But I am off the hook. At least on that count."
"We'll see." I say.
"Dinner. On me. I'll even drive. Tonight. That can't hurt my cause." Austin said, his confident smirk returning.
"Aga!"
Austin smiled and said "I'll take you shopping some other time ok? I've even got a car seat just for you!"
"Huh?" Aunt Jade asked.
"What's up?"
"Car seat? What are you talking about?"
"Oh…yeah. I forgot to tell you guys…" Austin said, biting his lip and suddenly giving me an antsy look.
"Forgot to tell us what?" Mom asked, leaning forward.
"I bought a car."
"WHAT?!" Mom, Jade, Beck, Tori and Dad all jump in surprise.
"A car? What kind?" Uncle Andre asked.
"Toyota. Good gas mileage and safety. New too."
"Why?" Aunt Jade asked.
"Well, I have money now, and I know eventually I won't be able to be driven everywhere, so I bought it with my advance for my contract."
"But you can't drive I thought."
"Hardship license. I've had it for awhile for Sam, but I'm turning 16 in a few weeks, so I'll be able to be legal that way too." Austin answered.
"When'd you get this car? Didn't you just now get back?"
"No. I've been back for 2 days." Austin said simply.
"YOU WHAT?!" I explode, hopping to my feet.
"Let's go see my car!" Austin smiled at Olivia, who giggled, then stood.
"I'll get the boys." Mom said in the background, as I'm giving Austin an angry stare.
"Hey, at least I've been getting stuff done." He said in his defense.
"Just text me next time. Or mom and address it to me."
"We'll talk later I'm guessing…" Austin said quietly, as he led the way out to the driveway, where there is indeed a new blue car parked behind Dad's SUV.
"Nice…new you said?" Uncle Andre said.
"Yup."
"How much did it run you?" Uncle Beck asked.
"And did you straight up buy it or are you gonna space it out?" Andre asked.
"Bought it straight up. And it ran 38,5." Austin said.
"Huh. Considering everything, good choice." Dad said quietly.
"Whoa!" Matt said.
I look and see my brothers and he are at the door.
"Who's car is it?"
"Mine." Austin said.
"Oh, hi." Kevin said.
"Sweet. Looks cool." Corey smiled.
"You bought a car seat for real?" Aunt Tori asked, looking in the back.
I glance down, and indeed there is a car seat on the right side.
"Yeah, just in case something comes up and I need to take Olivia somewhere. I'll put it in the trunk when I'm not using it."
All the adults smiled.
Then Andre pulled out his wallet.
"You don't have to—Oh?" Austin said, looking at Olivia.
Who kissed his cheek.
"Silly girl. Thank you." Austin smiled.
Olivia simply curled into his chest.
"C'mon. Back inside. Are you hungry? It's lunchtime." Mom gestured everyone to the door.
"Yeah actually." Ellie said.
I nod, and hang back with Austin.
When nobody is looking, I sneak a kiss on his cheek.
"I missed you." I say quietly.
"I know. Otherwise why would you be so mad about all this. I didn't mean to leave you in the dark. I'll do better next time."
"And I'll try not to get so mad." I say quietly.
Austin stopped and smiled at me, then quickly kissed me.
"No, you can't do that yet." He said to Olivia.
Olivia then looked sad, and grabbed for me.
"You hungry? Let's eat." I say, then start back towards the kitchen.
Austin fell into line, but when we got in, I feel everyone's eyes on us.
"What?" I ask.
"Oh, nothing." Mom said too fast.
Oh.
Austin quietly laughed and said "Ooh, turkey. Yes please." As he darted around me and towards the plates.
"Ok. Sounds like our bottomless pit is back." Dad joked with a smile.
"It is. Deka got cleaned out by me. I would feel bad, but they took me to too nice places."
"Too nice?" Ellie asked, then popped a spare piece of turkey into her mouth.
"Yeah. Those places where the servings are small? They took me there. It just wasn't enough."
Everyone laughed.
"They should have just asked us. We would have said to take you just to buffet places." Mom said.
"Exactly. See, you guys understand!" Austin smiled, getting more laughs.