Chapter Eighty Six
Primadonna

SYDNEY COULDN'T REMEMBER a time where she felt at peace. All her life she had been uneasy, anxiety-filled, and on her feet no matter what she did. Even when good things did happen to her, Sydney always had a thought in the back of her head that something bad would come along with it, and a lot of the time she was right. She never claimed herself to be a good person, but she wasn't a terrible person (anymore that is). She deserved to live a life she wasn't afraid to live.

Now she had it. She had Miguel completely, she had all of her friends and more, and she had karate as well as dance, both of which she had gotten better at. Kreese was fine. Silver was gone. Cobra Kai was gone, and for the first time, Sydney felt at peace with herself.

And there was a new baby Diaz on the way, which only made her feel more happy.

The only thing that made her anxious now was senior year of high school, the year of college planning. Sydney had always known what her plans were for after graduation, but her parents had two different options. Her dad always says to make a plan and hold onto it, be confident about it, and it'll sure to go her way. Her mother always wants her to keep her options open because something better could always come along.

Alex and Caroline were making breakfast in the kitchen when Sydney came down. The bruises on her father's face had faded but even he still liked to bring up how he kicked Silver's ass. "Bonjour, ma belle fille." Alex exclaimed upon seeing her, a pan of scrambled eggs in her hand. Good morning, my beautiful daughter.

"Bonjour, papa," Sydney smiled. "Good morning, mum." Good maman." She directed to her mother. Good morning, daddy. Good morning, mom.

Caroline looked over her shoulder and smiled big. "Good morning, darling."

"Excited for your first day, Syd?" Alex asked while sprinkling fresh herbs into the eggs.

Sydney sat at the kitchen island, her pink heels swinging. "I am, actually. For the first time ever," she answered and locked her hands on the counter, her pink colored nails on display. "Just not ready for all the college planning."

"You don't need to worry about that right now, honey. It's your first day," said Caroline in a comforting voice, and she sat a glass of orange juice in front of her, "just be glad you get to see all of your friends."

"I see them everyday mum."

"Well yes, but—"

"Sydie has one more year, Care. This is the time to be thinking about college," Alex interrupted and joined them. He looked at his daughter. "And you know what I always say. Make—"

"—make a plan and stick to it. I know, dad." She nodded along. She thanked him when he passed her a plate of eggs. "And I have a plan. Well, two plans."

Alex gave her a look.

"I'm just having a hard time choosing, is all." Sydney excused, her eyes cutting to her mother.

Caroline got the message. "Okay! Enough college talk. You—" she pointed at Sydney, "—need to get going. You don't want to be late."

She shoveled the rest of her eggs into her mouth, downed the rest of her orange juice, and hopped down from the chair. "Au revoir. Je vous aime tous less deux." She spoke at a fast pace. Bye. I love you both

"Passe une bonne journée!" Caroline called out when she ran out of the kitchen. Have a great first day!

"Concentre-toi sur ľécole, pas sur ton petit ami!" Shouted Alexander. Focus on school, not your boyfriend!

When Sydney got into her car, the first thing she saw was a photo of her and Miguel at prom on her car visor. She smiled widely, kissed her fingers and pressed them to the photo, hoping to channel some good luck.

There was a ton of students already at school when Sydney arrived, a large welcome back sign hanging from outside the building. Stepping out of the car, her dark eyes searched for some familiar faces. There, standing outside the school with his hands around the straps of his backpack, was Miguel.

Sydney smiled widely and started walking toward him, the clacking of her heels loud enough for him to hear. Miguel looked up and immediately smiled. "There you are."

Feeling giddy, Sydney ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. "Hi," she slipped out a giggle.

"How's your morning been?"

Miguel sat her down and they locked hands, their matching paper rings (both wrapped in tin foil to keep from breaking). "Ah, it was alright. Y'know, until my father went all crazy with the college talk." She explained and they started walking to the building.

"Already?" Miguel asked and laughed, "it's the first day."

She nodded. "That's what my mum said. But he's always been adamant on my future. I mean, he has the right to, but, I've got it, y'know? I'm smart."

"Yes, you are," he agreed, half smiling, "college is pretty much all I can think about."

Before they walked into school, Sydney stopped him by the door and grabbed his other hand. "Hey, you're going to get in. I believe it."

"I know you do, but. . ." Miguel started to say but he paused, sighing. "It doesn't matter."

Sydney frowned. "It does matter."

"It doesn't matter right now," he emphasized and kissed her forehead, "all that matters is that it's a new school year and we're okay again."

Her heart warmed and Sydney grew another smile. "We're more than okay," she declared and cupped his face with her hands. She kissed him softly, feeling his hands on her waist. Sydney pulled away slightly and showed him her hand with the ring on it. "And we have these to prove it."

Miguel nodded with a cheeky grin.

Together, they walked into school where all of their friends stood in the middle of the corridor. "Hey, hey, hey, there's the karate King and Queen!" Said Hawk loudly, his blue mohawk on display.

The couple smiled. "Hey man," said Miguel and the two of them did their handshake.

"More like West High King and Queen," said Demetri and he joined the group, looking between the couple. "I would love to call Yasmine and I the King and Queen but sadly, we haven't been together that long."

"Oh, D. Sadly, that's only in your dreams," Sydney said with a sympathetic smile.

He responded with a defeated nod. "Yeah, yeah, figured."

Sam and Charlie walked into school hand-in-hand as well. "Another year bitches!" He yelled and lifted his arms.

All of them cheered. "What's up, dude?" Miguel said with a laugh and they dropped their girlfriend's hands to high five one another.

Sydney moved out of the way and grabbed Sam's arm, leading her away from the group of boys. "Excited for one last year of hell?" She teased.

"Sure, when you put it like that." Sam responded with a small laugh.

"How about spending another year with Tory?"

Her face fell slightly. "Oh, right. . ."

Sydney raised her eyebrows.

"Let's hope we actually make it to a year. Or, maybe past a day." Sam responded.

"I know things between you are still rocky, but, I'm here for you. Always, remember?" Sydney reminder her.

She smiled. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Always." She declared.

She nodded. "Good." Sydney looked over her shoulder. "Now all we gotta do it keep our baboons of boyfriends out of trouble."

Sam giggled at that. "That might be a little hard."

The first bell rang. "What class do you have first?"

"Uhhh, AP Cal."

Sydney made a noise of disgust. "Math this early in the morning? I don't pity you."

"You never do."

The girls smiled at each other and went in the direction of their classes.

When Sydney walked into American History, she saw Robby sitting in the back of the class alone. She made a beeline down the path of desks. "Bonjour, Keene." She said with a smile.

He grinned. "Hey, Syd. Thank god there's someone in here I know."

"Well, I only hope we can get through your first day without any trouble," she emphasized and gave him a look, making him raise his hands. "If you get into a fight, I will literally go over to your house and beat the shit out of you."

Robby knew she wasn't kidding but it made him happy that she cared. "I know you will. You're over there all the time anyway."

She smiled. "True. Speaking of which," she turned around in her desk so that she could lay her chin on his, "are you excited to be a big brother?"

His smile stretched further. "Yeah, yeah, I am." He nodded happily. "Never thought it would happen, you know?"

Sydney squealed and lifted her head. "This is so exciting. Cobra Kai's gone, you and Miguel are on good terms, and I get to be an aunt!" She exclaimed giddily and locked her hands together.

"Sydney," their teacher, Mr. Mathis, said when he walked into the classroom, causing her to turn around in the desk. "I can hear you all the way down the hall."

"Mr. Mathis, my boyfriend is about to become a big brother, meaning I get to love another Diaz. Not even you can take away my excitement." Sydney spoke dramatically with her hand over her heart.

The man didn't look impressed. "Maybe try being excited a little quieter."

She looked over her shoulder and smiled at Robby, making him laugh.

Sydney only had to be at school until 1:00 due to the high number of credits she received, so her final class of the day was AP Calculus, which she had with both Demetri and Hawk. "I know it's only the first day, but, I desperately college tour day to hurry up." Demetri said spastically, tapping his knuckles on his desk.

"Yeah, thinking about all the parties we can go to." Hawk said and laughed.

He pulled a face. "That's what you're looking forward to? Not touring MIT?"

"Oh, come on, Metri. You don't want to experience your first college party?" Sydney asked from the seat in front of him.

"No, he doesn't. He'd rather spend all his time in the robotics lab." Hawk spoke.

"That's what we both want, right?" Demetri questioned loudly. "It's been our plan since we were kids."

"Of course it's what we both want."

"Butttt," Sydney butted in again, "it doesn't mean we can't have fun on the tour, either. I, myself, am looking forward to seeing how college people like to party."

"You're wanting to go to CAL-Arts and all you can thinking about is partying?"

"Yes, Demetri, I'm not a prude. And neither are. Look at your girlfriend."

Hawk released a cackle and Demetri's jaw dropped.

Princesa 👑
I'll see you training later <3

Mon Amour 🤍
have fun at dance
te amo 💘

Sydney smiled at her phone and turned it off. She put it into her dance bag and laced her pointe shoes. Sailor came and plopped down on the bench beside her. "I saw that smile. I'm guessing you and lover boy are back on?"

"We are," she nodded and took the tin foil wrapped ring off of her pointer finger, "and better than ever."

"That's good. I'm just glad I don't have to kill him, especially after that shit he pulled at the party," Sailor said and started putting on her shoes.

Sydney grinned. "No, none of that. I stood my ground long enough."

"Good for you, Brit." Her friend smiled. "How's karate life treating you."

Sydney stood after lacing her shoes and adjusted her leotard. "Stressful," she answered with a sigh. "I love my senseis but they are actually bonkers."

Sailor snorted. "Bonkers."

She narrowed her eyes. "Ha ha," she mocked, "but the Sekai Takai is, like, only months away."

"Well that's plenty of time to prepare, right? I mean, we train for like six months before a dance competition. It's not that different."

Sydney was quite after that. She nodded slightly, thinking she was right. "Sure, yeah. Yeah, you're right."

Sailor smirked. "That usually happens."

All of the girls walked into the studio where Rosemary was waiting for them. Sydney stood between Sailor and Maddie with her hands behind her back. "Welcome back, girls." Their teacher smiled and stood in front of the large mirror. "I suspect everyone had a good first day back at school?"

Half of the girls nodded, the other half shook their heads.

"Yeah, I understand. I never liked school." Rosemary clasped her hands together. "Anyway, let's talk our upcoming competition. It just so happens to be in Palm Springs," the girls clapped, "and I have three solos to give out."

Sydney's ears perked up.

"My first solo is going to Maddie." The girls gave another round of claps and Maddie smiled. "Maddie, your solo is entitled Young and Beautiful. . . my next solo is going to Sailor,"

There was another round of claps and Sydney smiled at Sailor, nudging her ribs with her elbow.

"Sailor, your solo is entitled Through the Glass. . .finally, the third solo will be going to Sydney."

A smile stretched on Sydney's face.

"Sydney, your solo is entitled The Dying Swan," Rosemary said and smiled, "a little daunting?"

"Kind of, but, those are always the best," she answered with confidence.

"Very good." The teacher nodded, still smiling. "Our group dance is entitled Sleeping Beauty."

One of the girls raised her hand. "Like the movie?"

Rosemary hummed. "A little, yes. Only my vision is a little darker than the movie," she spoke mysteriously and grinned when they all looked at each other. She clapped once. "Okay, let's get stretched and we'll start. Sydney," she beckoned her over.

Sydney walked up to her and Rosemary placed one of her hands on her arm. "How are your feet feeling?" She asked quietly.

Smiling tightly, Sydney responded with a nod. "They're fine. They're doing better."

Her teacher grinned. "Great. Let's hope today goes well." She spoke confidently and patted her back.

She walked away and Sydney went to sit down, ignoring the now short pains she was feeling in her toes.

WE'RE BACK BABY!