Chapter Eighty Nine
Primadonna

SYDNEY KNEW HOW important getting into Stanford was for Miguel. It's all he could think about which just so happened to stress him out. Sydney did her best to assure him that he was going to get in, but he always found doubts.

"Not all of us have to learn to walk twice in one lifetime. But we all do have to learn how to pick ourselves back up when we're down and stand firmly on our own two feet. In the end, I learned that first steps are harder the second time around. I hope my next step brings me to Stanford University." Miguel read his college essay out loud.

Sydney sat at the kitchen table beside Robby, Miguel's family around him, with a proud smile on her face.

"I'm so proud." Carmen said and placed her hands on his shoulder. Then she sniffled. "I'm gonna cry!"

"Esto es brilliante," Rosa whimpered with teary eyes, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Es la mejor historia Don Juan DeMarco." They laughed. "Oh, yo también estoy llorando." It's the greatest story since Don Juan DeMarco. Oh, I'm crying too

"Go for more the jugular at the end," Johnny told him, "they'll be begging you to go there."

Miguel nodded and turned to Robby. "What about you? What do you think?" He asked him.

"It's – It's great," Robby replied, nodding. "Even though I'm kind of the bad guy in it."

His face fell. "Uh, I. . .I'll change your name. I—"

"No, dude. I'm. . .I'm kidding. It's not like I'm applying to Stanford. Or anywhere, really."

Sydney nudged his side. "Don't say that."

"Yeah, come on Robby. You have great futures ahead of you." Johnny agreed. "All three of you."

Miguel smiled and turned to Sydney. "Syd, what do you think?" He asked her, wanting her opinion more than anyone.

"It sounds amazing, love. I'm so proud of you," Sydney answered truly and smiled warmly at him, making him look happy. "There's no way they'll say no to you."

"When we win the Sekai Taikai. Doors will be flying open for all of us," Johnny continued.

Suddenly, Rosa bursted into tears and hugged Miguel, crying in Spanish. "Yaya, it's-it's okay—"

"Hey, hey, easy with the waterworks." Johnny butted in when her heads fell on the computer keys.

They were quick to realize they weren't tears. Looking up, Sydney saw that the roof was leaking. When it caved in, water spewed everywhere and they quickly killed back from the table, Johnny quick to save the computer.

"Rob, Sydney, bowls!" Miguel yelled at them.

The two of them scrambled into the kitchen. "It's a sewage pipe!" Said Johnny.

Grabbing a bunch of bowls, Sydney ran back to the table and held them up, the bowls filling fast with water. "This isn't working!" She yelled in a panic.

"No shit, Frenchy!" Johnny shouted back.

Walking into Miguel's room, she saw him packing his things into one of the many boxes they had to find. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso. "I'm so sorry, love."

Miguel sighed. "It's just one thing after another, I swear. My poor mom."

She rubbed his clothed chest. "Hey, it's going to be okay—"

"But it's not," he interrupted her and turned around, making her drop her arms, "I mean, how are all us going to live in Johnny's apartment, especially with my mom being pregnant?"

Sydney pursed her lips. An idea popped in her head. "Why don't you all come stay with me?"

Miguel immediately shook his head. "No, no."

"Yes, come on," she insisted and grabbed his hands, "my house has enough room for all of you."

"That's sweet, Syd, but my mom would never allow it." He told her, his voice somber.

"Well, then let me talk to her and Johnny. It'll all work out, I promise."

Miguel stared at her silently, knowing he couldn't resist when she gave him the pleading eyes he always said yes to. "Okay, okay," he gave in and nodded. "Give it a shot."

Sydney smiled and cupped his face. She pecked his lips. "Come on, I'll help you." She said and started helping him pack.

As they folded his clothes and put them in the boxes, Miguel looked at her again, seemingly in deep thought. "Do you really think I have a chance at getting into Stanford?" He asked her for the hundredth time.

"I do," she answered instantly and met his eyes, "I think you're the smartest, bravest, and most determined person i'be ever met. You've overcome so much. I think Stanford would be lucky to have you."

Miguel smiled at her. "Thank you." He leaned over and kissed the side of her head. "I think CALArts will be lucky to have you, too."

Sydney grinned. "Finger crossed." She said and crossed fingers together.

Walking into Johnny's apartment, Sydney heard him and Carmen talking in his room. She knocked on the door frame and they both turned to face her. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Of course not, sweetheart," Carmen said and grinned her way, obviously still upset.

"What's up, Frenchy?" Johnny asked her.

Sydney played with her fingers. "Well, I know things are really tough for you guys now, so, I had a thought. Why don't you all come stay with me and my house?"

"Oh, Sydney, no. We couldn't possibly do that." Carmen immediately denied.

"Well, actually—"

She hit Johnny on the arm.

Sydney grinned. She stepped forward and grabbed one of Carmen's hands. "Please, Mrs. Diaz. I don't just love your son, I love you as well. And I love your mother. I don't want things to be hard for any of you, especially when you're still pregnant. So please come stay with us."

The woman still looked unsure. Carmen turned her head to Johnny. He held up his hands. "She makes a good case." He declared.

Sydney chuckled and Carmen sighed. "Okay, but you need to ask your parents first, young lady, and then we'll decide." She said firmly, pointing a finger at her.

She smiled widely. "I will, I promise." She squealed and ran out of the room.

"Absolutely not."

Sydney groaned. "Dad!"

"Alex, let's think about this—"

"No, Caroline," Alexander interrupted her. He stared at his daughter sternly. "I'm not going to let a couple of teenage boys live in my house with my daughter under my roof."

"Oh, come on, dad," she groaned and rolled her eyes. "It's not like that. The roof literally caved in on them. They need somewhere to stay. Mum!"

Caroline raised her hands. "Okay, okay," she said and looked at her husband, "Alex, we have to help them. Carmen's pregnant."

"I know that, Care, but—"

"You're going to let that entire family sleep in Johnny's two bedrooms apartment?" She continued and crossed her arms.

Living in a house with two women wasn't all it cracked up to be, Alexander always said. He rolled his eyes. "Don't make me sound evil."

"Daddy, please," Sydney begged and stood by his side. She laid her head on his shoulder. "All Miguel, Robby, and I do every day is go to school, train, and now we're thinking about college. They're about to become brothers. I'm about to be a sister-in-law—"

"You are not—"

She lifted her head. "If you don't give them a place to live while they figure things out, you'll forever be known as the man who turned away a pregnant woman just trying to help her family. Do you want that, father?"

Alexander's jaw dropped. Caroline pursed her lips. "She's good."

Sydney raised her eyebrows. Her father let out a guttural sigh. "You're getting a lock on your door." He declared.

Smiling brightly, Sydney squealed and hugged his neck. "Thank you, daddy!"

Alexander glared at the ceiling. "Why do I let you do this to me?" He said dramatically.

"Because you love me." She answered giggly. She kissed him on the cheek and backed away. "I'll go call Johnny!" She announced and ran out of the living room.

By that weekend, Robby, Miguel, and his family were moved into the Benoist home. "You are literally the best person ever. You know that?" Miguel had said to her after kissing her many, many times.

"Believe me babe, I do." She said back and let out a high pitched laugh when he picked her up and spun her around.

College tour day had came and Sydney was more than excited. Even though she knew she wanted to go to CALArts, she still grabbed as many brochures as she could. She walked around the busy college fair, shaking giddily. She spotted Hawk and Demetri walking by the Georgetown stand. "Hey guys," she said brightly.

"Wow, Syd. You sure you got enough hands for all of those?" Hawk joked and pointed to all the brochures.

"Oh, ha ha," she mocked him and smiled again, "not even your lame jokes can spoil my day."

"I don't even know why we're wasting our time here," said Demetri. "We're already dead set on MIT. All this is doing is disappointing these vultures who think they can pull us in but unfortunately can't."

"Okay, D, what did I say?" Sydney said and looped her arm through his. "Less nerd talk, more thinking about having fun while we're here."

He pulled a face. "But you like my nerd talk."

"Aww, sweetie, I do. But I want you to have a good time." She said and rubbed his arm. She let go and stood in front of them again. "Just like I'll be having fun when I tour CALArts." She said with an excited smile. "What about you guys? Where are you going tonight?"

Before they could answer, Miguel popped up behind her and kissed her cheek, startling her. "Hey, precioso." His eyes widened at the amount of brochures she had. "Jesus, that's a lot of brochures."

Sydney rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay, I get it. I'm just in the college spirit today."

"Are you applying early decision to Stanford?" Hawk asked Miguel.

"Yeah, definitely, but. . ." Miguel started to say. "But I should look into some safety schools, too. Stanford's pretty expensive." He showed them the price on the brochure.

"There's nothing wrong with safety schools," said Sydney and she laid her hand on his back, "any college is a great college, yeah?"

He smiled at her. "Yeah."

"Hey, fam," the guy standing at the College of the Valley stand said to them, "you bros and gal looking to post at a college a little close to home, or what's the word?"

Sydney looked at him strangely.

"Well, Gary, the word is we'll be taking our brodeo on the rodeo." Demetri said coolly (in his mind it sounded cool). "But, um, thank you for all of your bro-vertures."

"Okay, that's my cue to leave," Sydney announced, the nerd talk getting to be too much for her. "Whatever you three end up doing tonight, just remember these three things: Always get your own drinks, don't do drugs, and for the love of Jesus no fighting. Got it?"

"Okay mom." Hawk responded, making the three boys laugh.

She rolled her eyes. Sydney leaned up on her toes and gave Miguel a quick kiss. "Have fun, okay? Call me if any happens."

He smiled cutely. "Sure thing."

She patted his cheek and looked at the other boys. "Don't corrupt him too much tonight, you hear me?" Walking by Demetri, she patted his arm. "Remember what I said. Fun."

"Fun." He mocked her and she walked off.

"Have fun, baby!" Miguel called out to her, his smile lingering.

"Hot girlfriend you have there," the guy, Gary, spoke again.

"Uhhh, t-thanks." Miguel responded uncomfortably.

"I'm guessing you picked an expensive college to be closer to her? She looks like a UCLA or Harvard kind of gal."

"CALArts, actually." Hawk stepped in, giving him a weird look.

"Ohhh, even better. And more expensive." Gary continued. He looked at Miguel again. "What's more important, though? Proximity or expenses? Safety schools get a bad rap. They keep you closer to home, see you up for a big school later, and they take that weight off mom and pop's wallet."

Convincing him, Miguel gingerly reached forward and grabbed a broacher. "Thanks." He mumbled and eyed the front page.

"Dude, you're seriously considering staying close by?" Hawk asked him.

"Yeah, I thought you and Syd's plan was to stay close to each other?" Said Demetri.

"Well, it is, but, come one. I haven't even gotten in to Stanford yet. There's probably a chance I won't," Miguel said sadly. "Sydney's basically a shoe-in for somewhere like CAL. I just need to be safe about things, y'know?"

Hawk and Demetri looked at each other.

"Thank you all so much for coming with me."

Sydney had basically dragged Sam away from Charlie so that she would tour CALArts with her. Both of them combined had about twenty broachers. "No problem. Charlie said he was looking for a good party tonight anyways. Should we be worried?"

"About Charlie and Miguel?" Sydney asked, glancing at her for a second. "No, nothing to worry about. I already made Hawk promise that if they kiss other girls, he'll beat the shit out of them."

Sam chuckled. "Good to know."

Sydney was more than shocked that Tory had agreed to come on the tour with them. It shocked Sam even more. But when she asked Sailor if she wanted to come, she was relieved that she had said yes.

"I'm so excited," she expressed and drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. "Are you guys excited?"

"Excited to walk around a campus I'll never get the chance to go to?" Tory asked sarcastically. "I'm stoked."

"You're a ray of sunshine." Sailor muttered, side eyeing her.

Sydney looked into the mirror. "Why are you being such a Negative Nelly?"

Tory sighed. "Sorry. I just don't see the point doing this if I'm not going to go to college." She admitted.

"Then why did you agree to come?"

"Because you asked me to."

Sydney didn't know what to say after that.

"Well, as long as we go to that party like Brit promised, I'm all for it." Sailor blurted out.

"Yeah, where's the party even at? CALArts doesn't have Greek life." Sam brought up.

"Oh, you all shall see." Sydney answered with a smirk.

"CALArts offers more than 70 comprehensive degree programs in the visual, performing, media, and literary arts," the tour guide explained to everyone that was attending. Sydney held the broacher tightly in her hands. "The most popular selections students choose to go to when they apply are arts, dance, music, and theater.

Sydney looked around the building in awe. She gripped Sam's hand tightly, trying not to squeal.

The tour guide took them out of the building and the large group walking around the campus to another building. Sydney saw a large stage by a wide set of bleachers. "This is where the World of Music Festival is held, an event CALArts has had since the early 70s. There's music, dancing, and art all weekend long. We call it The Beast Stage."

"That's so sick," Sailor said hush toned.

"Oh, I'm going to faint." Sydney mumbled, her excitement levels rising.

"Any questions so far?"

"Is there any chance we'll get to see the dance studios?" Sam took the words right out of Sydney's mouth.

"Yeah, so one of us won't have a heart attack?" Tory added, eyeing her shaking friend.

The tour guide led them into one of the performing arts buildings. "There are for full-time dance studios and a fifth studio for composition classes," she explained to them, "this building has our four large main dance studios and then there's also the Sharon Disney Lund Dance Theater where the performances, rehearsals, and classes take place. We'll check that out in just a little bit."

Leading the group into one of the dance studios, Sydney was breathless. She felt so small in the large room, the large open windows creating a bright light. A large mirror took up one entire wall. "Oh my god, Sailor," she freaked out and grabbed Sailor's arm. "It's so beautiful."

"Damn, Rosemary needs to upgrade her studio," the girl said with a dropped jaw as she looked around the studio.

"Is everyone ready to see the theater?"

Sydney turned to her friends with the biggest smile on her face. The girls smiled back encouragingly.

By the end of the tour, Sydney felt like she was floating on a cloud. She was so happy that she didn't even remember getting into her car. "Uhh, Syd, should you be driving?" Sam questioned from the passenger seat, concerned.

"Yeah, you've had that dazed look on your face the entire time." Tory agreed from the backseat.

"Oh, I'm fine. Don't be dramatic," Sydney dismissed and blinked her eyes. "Well, what did you girls think? You think I'll fit in?"

"I think it's perfect for you, Brit." Sailor responded, Sam and Tory agreeing.

"Yeah, I think you'll have the best time there, Sydie."

Sydney smiled again. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "Good. Wonderful. Alright ladies, are we ready to party?"

"Sure, if you would tell us where." Tory replied and laughed.

Instead of answering, she grabbed her phone. "Siri, give me directions to UCLA." She spoke into the speaker.

Sam's eyes went wide. "We're going to a party at UCLA?" She said in disbelief.

"Indeed, Samantha."

Tory laughed. "Holy shit, that's awesome."

Siri responded back with the directions and a map popped up on her phone screen. "I wonder what the guys are doing right now."

My angels