Sydney to the Max

All right, class. For homework,

I want you to translate all 20 word problems

at the end of the chapter into algebraic equations.

Hey, I don't need you to like me.

I got enough friends.

- -

Twenty equations tonight?

Come on, math, why can't you get off my back

and solve your own problems?

Well, I love math.

Don't tell anybody,

but I kind of have a crush on fractions.

They're like two little numbers in a bunk bed.

Ms. Williams: Excuse me, Olive.

Could I see you for a moment?

Sure, Ms. Williams.

Oh, no. Was I over-participating?

I am so sorry, Ms. Williams. It won't happen again.

See that it doesn't.

Although, I have no idea what you're talking about.

Actually, Olive, it's good news.

In eighth grade, we start to separate students into different levels,

and based on your performance,

I've selected you to be in the advanced math class.

Wait. Did you just say an advanced math class?

So, tell me. Is everything okay?

Yes! You won't believe it.

Ms. Williams just invited me to join

a new advanced math class.

There's an advanced math class?

Yeah. I'm so excited,

the butterflies in my stomach are covered in goosebumps.

This must be what dating's like.

Advanced math?

Good for you.

I know what you're thinking.

Advanced math sounds terrible.

No, I'm thinking, why didn't Ms. Williams ask me?

What? I didn't think you liked math that much.

Where'd you get that idea?

You told math to go solve its own problems.

Oh, I know what's happening.

They're probably telling kids one at a time.

Yeah. Probably.

Anyway, I'm gonna go call my mom and tell her the good news.

There it goes again!

Oh, Syd, good. You're still here.

Yes, I am, Ms. Williams.

Is there something you want to say to me?

-Yes. -I think I know what it is.

You left your sweater in class.

Hi, Ms. Williams. Uh, thanks again for the sweater.

I mean, where's my head, right?

So, I was just talking to Olive,

and she mentioned that you invited her to join

an advanced math class.

Yes. We want to get the top students ready

for the upper-level courses in high school.

Uh-huh.

Totally get it. So,

I was just wondering if you were planning on inviting me

to join the class.

Actually, I wasn't.

-You weren't? -Look, Sydney,

it's not that you're not doing well.

You've got a solid B-plus average.

But this new class is gonna be very challenging.

Ms. Williams, there's something you should know about me.

When I'm challenged, I rise to the occasion.

Grrrr!

Are you sure?

Because it's gonna move pretty fast.

Fast is my only speed.

Again... grrrr!

Well, you do seem pretty determined.

Tell you what,

let's give it a try. If it doesn't work out,

you can always go back to regular math.

You won't have to worry about that, Ms. Williams.

I'm in advanced math to stay.

Wait. Did I just say advanced math?

Hey, where did that come from?

Hey, Max. Check this out.

Nice.

You know what? You should get yourself a pair of skates

so we can go to the roller rink together!

Together? You and me?

It'll be fun! That is, if you think you can keep up.

Keep up? Please.

In case you forgot, I'm a skateboarder.

Blah, blah, blah.

I'm hearing a lot of talk from a guy with no skates.

Oh, don't worry. I'm getting skates.

Then you're on.

I'm gonna go practice leaving you in the dust,

and you should practice getting used to it.

Oh, really?

Sorry, Max. I can't hear you from way back there.

Oh, this is gonna be fun.

-Hi, Mom. -Hi.

Okay, enough small talk.

I could try to butter you up by telling you your hair looks nice,

but you'd just accuse me of wanting something.

Yes, we have done that little dance a time or two.

So I'm just gonna ask it.

Would you buy me a pair of roller skates?

Why don't you just use your savings to buy them?

I don't have any.

I know. But it's just funny to ask.

Please, Mom? This is really important to me.

Wait a minute. Didn't I just see Alisha

roller skate into our garage?

Because if I thought this had anything to do with

your giant crush on her,

I might consider buying them for you.

Okay, fine.

I want them so I can roller skate with Alisha.

-Happy? -Very.

Nothing's ever free with you, is it?

Hey, Mr. R. I'm here to celebrate.

Smoothies for everyone.

And as long as I'm getting my 100 percent discount,

they're on me!

So, what are you celebrating?

There's an advanced math class for the top students,

and my teacher invited me to join it.

Congrats, Olive. That's awesome.

Hey, Syd, you're just in time.

We're celebrating Olive getting into the advanced math class.

Well then, I'd say you should make it a double celebration,

'cause guess who also got into the advanced math class?

Me.

-What? -Really? Advanced math?

Sounded a little too surprised, there.

Wanna try again?

Don't get me wrong. I'm really happy for you.

I just didn't think you like math that much.

Well, maybe my love for math has multiplied.

Look at that. I even use math in my free time!

So, Ms. Williams did ask you, after all.

Well... let's just say we had a little talk,

and bottom line, I'm in.

In that case, math class is gonna be

a straight up polynomial par-tay!

Did I just hear you girls got bumped to the advanced math class?

That's ah-mah-zing!

-Thanks, Grandma J. -Yeah, thanks, Grandma.

You guys aren't the only ones taking a challenging class.

At college, I signed up for

"The Philosophy of the Ancient Greeks."

That's so cool.

You're gonna spend months exploring life's deepest,

most profound questions.

Here's my first one:

Why?

Because I have a deep and profound interest

in the teacher.

When it comes to the meaning of life,

Professor Cutie may not have all the answers,

but let's just say he checks all the boxes.

Here you go, math superstars.

Thanks, Dad. And, of course this doesn't mean that

we're better than anyone else,

but it doesn't mean that we're not.

What do you say we post a picture?

And we should probably mention that we're in the advanced math class.

You know, just to keep people informed.

Sure. Why not?

Both: Math sisters!

Here. Take one of me.

Look at me solving a problem.

Ooh, this one's a toughie!

Are you gettin' the book?

Yeah. Got it.

And the best part about being math sisters?

We can study together.

You know, this class is gonna be really hard,

and I think I'd prefer to study on my own, so I can focus.

Oh. Yeah. Okay. Sure.

Wow, these pics are great.

I am gonna post them all.

Unless you think it might come off a little too braggy.

-Well, maybe a little too-- -And posted!

Hey, Noodle. Look at you, hard at work.

Looks like I'm not the only one. How's philosophy going?

Great. I finally chatted with Professor Cutie today.

He told me he loves everything about ancient Greece.

So I said, "If you love 'ancient grease,'

you should come over and clean my oven sometime."

Good one.

Plus, the oven could really use it.

So how's math?

It's advanced, but luckily so am I.

Hey, you wanna help me check my work?

The answers are in the back of the book.

Sure.

Okay. Number one, X equals five is right.

Yeah, is it!