Sydney to the Max

Olive, are you nervous about mentoring a 6th grader?

No. Why are you so nervous?

Who says I'm nervous?

Because nervous people always pace

and ask other people if they're nervous.

Well, that's not why I... Okay, I'm nervous.

I just really wanna do a great job.

When I got my mentor, I thought she'd be like

a big sister looking out for me.

Instead, I ended up with...

-Janice Wentworth. -Janice Wentworth.

Remember the first day of 6th grade? She ditched me.

I got so lost, I wandered into the boy's locker room.

I can still picture their cold stares

and smell their stinky feet.

Syd, we're gonna be great. Just imagine.

Some wide-eyed 6th graders

are gonna try to be exactly like us.

No one can, but it'll be so cute to watch them try.

Ah! There she is.

Sydney Reynolds.

Sydney, I'd like you to meet your mentee,

Lucy Davis. Lucy,

Sydney will show you around, tell you about your teachers

and how everyone loves a certain vice principal.

Promise you won't gush.

Good, so it's a promise!

Hey, Mr. Virmani, where's my mentee?

Oopsy-daisy! I'll be right back.

I'm so happy to meet you, Lucy.

I meet you happy so, too!

Lucy, take a deep breath.

I'm just so nervous.

I totally get it. I remember my first day of middle school.

It's scary, and I'm sure all your friends feel the same way.

Actually, we just moved here from Chicago,

so I don't know anyone yet.

Really?

Well, don't worry. I am going to be here

every step of the way.

Nobody's gonna let you walk into the boy's locker room.

-That happened to you? -Couldn't see the sign.

It coulda happened to anyone. Let's just go find your locker.

- -Hey, Olive.

I'm Jordan, your mentee.

Hi, Jordan. Oh! Cool outfit.

Thanks. It's so crazy.

When you model, sometimes they let you keep the clothes.

Now, I know you must be pretty nervous to meet

an actual 8th grader.

But no matter how cool I seem,

I want you to know I'm nervous, too.

Aw, don't be!

You're gonna be a great mentor.

You really think so?

Yeah, girl, you gotta believe in yourself.

Okay, if you say so.

Hey, Mom! You started your second year of college.

How's it feel to be the BGOC?

Big Grandma On Campus.

It feels great.

Which is why I volunteered to lead campus tours.

Now, all I have to do is learn to walk backwards

-and pass the tour test. -You mean like this?

On the right isour coffee table. On the left is our couch.

-Interesting sidebar. -I was once vacuuming

under the cushions, and I found a dollar

and a remote to a TV we don't have anymore,

which brings us back to a woman obviously jealous

of my backward walking skills.

Please. If you can do it,

how hard could it be?

On the left is our dining room that we never eat in.

On the right is a chair that I paid way too much for.

Oh! And a son who forgot that he inherited

all of his skills from his fabulous mama!

Hey, Syd. Who's this?

This is Lucy. She's the 6th grader I'm mentoring.

Um, hi, Mr. Reynolds.

Hi, Lucy. Aw, my baby's a mentor.

Seems like just yesterday she was in her high chair,

-drooling all over... -Cool story!

Lucy, why don't you head upstairs,

-and I'll bring you a snack? -Okay.

-No more drooling stories? -Please.

Isn't Lucy sweet?

She just moved her, so I'm gonna make sure

that I'm really there for her, unlike...

-Janice Wentworth. -Janice Wentworth.

First, I'm gonna draw her a map of the school

with all of her classes marked.

-Oh, that's very thoughtful of you. -Then,

I'm gonna make her a list of all of her teacher's pet peeves,

show her the least drafty seats in the cafeteria,

and, of course, give her a guide of the cleanest bathrooms.

They're ranked from "wow" to "whoa."

Syd, don't you think you're going a little overboard here?

No. I'm just trying to be the big sister

my mentor never was. Now, if you'll excuse me,

I've gotta go get my little sis the perfect snack.

I know! My famous grilled cheese!

Don't you mean my famous grilled cheese?

Oh right.

Do a good job, Dad. There's a lot riding on this.

- : Take me to your beaker. -

- : You have to flask nicely. -

Are you finished, boys?

Okay, done.

Boys, you haven't been paying attention all class.

-What are you talking about? -Yeah.

-We've been paying attention. -Richardson: Really?

'Cause class ended 10 minutes ago!

Well, this is awkward.

-Hello, boys! -Ah!

Gentlemen, I'm here to inform you

that the administration, in its infinite wisdom,

that's me,

has decided to make some changes in your class schedules.

Let me cut to the chase.

You no longer have any classes together!

-What? -But we've had all of our classes together

since kindergarten.

First of all, boo-hoo.

Secondly, whenever you two are in class together,

you goof off, and it's affecting your grades.

Please, Vice Principal Virmani, I'm literally begging you!

-Don't do this to us. -Can't you give us another chance?

Boys, boys, please. This brings me no pleasure.

Wait a minute.

There's a little.

And a little more!

What am I saying? I'm positively giddy!

Enjoy your new schedules.

I know I will!

Okay, it's Wednesday, so you'll be getting your lab partner.

You want someone smart, but not a know-it-all.

Someone fun, but not so fun

that you don't end up learning anything.

How will I know?

Well, trust your instincts. And send me a picture.

Wow. I'm so lucky I got you for a mentor.

You're like the nicest, coolest person in the world!

Come on. Coolest person in the world?

I'm probably only top five.

Well, wish me luck.

Hey, Syd.

You look cute.

Hey.

Doesn't Jordan wear her hair like that?

Does she? Didn't notice.

Hi, guys! Olive!

Great 'do.

Oh, come on, really?

Hey, I was thinking I could walk you to the club fair

and show you around.

I'm actually in charge of the club fair, but thanks!

-You are? -The committee told me I was still in the mix.

Oh no.

They're picking lab partners, and Lucy

is just sitting there all alone.

What if she never gets picked?

I should go in there and be her lab partner.

What, are you nuts?

You can't do that.

Syd, you gotta stop doing everything for Lucy.

-I'm not. -Really?

You meet her when she gets to school, you eat lunch with her,

yesterday you held her hair while she drank

from the drinking fountain.

It was about to get wet. I'd do the same for you.

Please don't.

All I'm saying is you gotta let Lucy

figure things out for herself.

Don't worry. She's got this.

Yeah. She does.

Because she's got me.

Mom, I need your help.

Virmani put Leo and me in separate classes

because he says "we're" distracting each other.

Shouldn't the air quotes have been... Never mind.

I have to admit, I think Virmani may be right.

But I have to be with Leo!

He's like the peanut butter to my jelly.

The basketball to my hoop.

The hair gel to my...

Hair?

Thanks. I didn't know where I was going with that.

The point is Leo's the only thing

that makes going to school worthwhile.

Well, you're gonna have to come up with another reason.

Oh, I have an idea. How about learning?

You always have to go there, don't you?