♪ ♪
hey, grandma! What you reading?
A book of french poetry.
Really? Is it good?
I don't know. It's in french.
Hey, where's dad? I wanna ask him if I can redo my room.
Ooh, that's a tough one. You know how sentimental he is.
Yeah, but I changed over summer. Maybe he did, too.
Syd, I can't believe you threw out
your empty sunblock from camp!
This baby's going right in the scrapbook.
-Oh boy. -Oh boy.
Well, I'm off to le parc with my baguette.
You know, it's the only bread that's also a back-scratcher.
Dad, I need to talk to you about something important.
Shoot.
I wanna redo my room.
And I know what you're gonna say.
(imitating): "but, syd, that room has so many memories."
yes, but changing it won't take them away.
"sounds kinda pricey."
it won't be 'cause I'm selling my old furniture to pay for it.
"but I don't have time for a big project right now."
I promise you won't lift a finger.
Am I done?
You are.
Fine, you can redo your room.
Seriously?
Yeah! You grew up a lot this summer.
It's your room, syd. Make it yours.
Thanks, dad! Well, I better go start on my redo!
Now? I thought you might finally tell me about camp.
Trees, music, bonfires. Gotta go!
Wow. It's like I was there.
♪ ♪
can you believe it, leo?
-Our first day as 8th graders. -I was so excited,
I barely slept last night.
But when you look this good, it's hard to tell.
-Now we're the big men on campus. -Yep.
-Walking tall. -Everyone looking up to us.
Am I imagining it,
or did everyone have a growth spurt this summer except me?
So what? Who cares?
Hey, leo. Hey, shortstack.
Okay, pete cares.
Leo, I think I must be the shortest kid in 8th grade.
Dude, don't sweat it.
If you're worried about anything,
it should be your grades.
Hoo-doggy.
Forget about your height, man.
You're right. I will.
Right after I find a way to grow three inches by tomorrow.
Dang. And it looked like you were listening and everything.
♪ ♪
oh my gosh.
I've never seen your room naked before.
Stop staring. You're making her blush.
I can't believe we're doing this!
Oh! But, no worries. I'm all prepared.
I have sketch pads, pencils, and even masks for painting.
These days, I've got plenty.
Cloth, disposable,
schnauzer.
So what's the plan?
The plan is...
There is no plan.
Ooh! The no-plan plan. What a great plan.
No. The no-plan plan isn't a plan.
Still sounds like a plan to me.
Olive, it's like they taught us at camp.
The key to creating great music
is to follow your instincts.
So, I'm gonna go with my gut.
Now, can you help me put up these last few samples?
So, what's your gut saying?
It says...
(scary voice): I like all of them!
Sorry, syd's scary gut, but you can't do all of them.
(normal): Who says? Art is all about taking risks.
Like this.
Now your turn!
Me? Oh, no, I couldn't--
(scary voice): Do it.
What a rush!
-Oh no! I got paint on your floor. I'll get a rag. -(normal): Don't!
I just got an idea.
We'll paint the floors.
Who says paint is only for walls?
Painters?
Olive, I want this room
to look different than anything I've ever seen before.
So throw out the rulebook
and let your creative tiger out of its cage.
(meow)
more tiger, less kitten.
-(roar) -now we're talking!
♪ ♪
syd, you just stepped in fresh paint.
No. I just stepped in a fresh idea.
♪
(splat)
what are you doing?
Writing all my song lyrics on the walls.
"I'm leaving all of my fears...
Beh"?
Yeah, I ran out of space.
(spraying)
olive, I am so sorry!
About what?
Hey, you missed a spot.
Is it ready yet, syd?
I've run out of excuses to walk by your door.
Even I don't believe me anymore.
Sydney: Okay, dad, you've been patient. Come on in.
Oh, goodie. I can't wait to see what you've done!
What have you done?
(whispering): I don't think he likes it as much as we do.
Max: No, I don't!
It's a mess! I can't even tell the walls from the floor!
Oh my gosh, you painted the floor.
-And where's your desk? -There.
Oh, so you haven't gotten one yet.
No, that is the desk.
It's called deconstructivism.
It's a kind of design where you superimpose--
yeah, I didn't get it either.
Well, I've got a new kind of design for you.
It's called reconstructivism.
It means you're redoing this room.
What? No!
This room is new syd.
But how are you gonna hang out in here? Do homework?
Not have nightmares?
Well, I'm not changing it.
Besides, I spent all my money.
Then I'll pay for it.
Wow, he must really hate it.
But you said it was my room.
Yes, but it's my house.
I can't believe you!
You know what? I am staying at olive's tonight.
Weren't you going to do that anyway
because of the paint fumes?
Yes.
But now I have a better reason.
And I'm going to olive's, too,
because I'm supporting my best friend.
And also 'cause I live there.
♪ ♪
♪
hey, what's taking so long?
-I wanna see tall max. -Max: He's coming!
What do you think? Do I look taller?
Taller? Run! It's a giant!
How many of your sneakers did you have to rip up
to make those things?
All of 'em. The great part is...
You can't tell!
But it's the hair that really sells tall.
And I was afraid it wouldn't look natural.
Between the hair and the shoes,
no one's gonna make fun of me now.
(laughing)
hoo, look at you!
You do know Halloween's not for another six months?
Mom, this is serious. I'm trying to look taller.
I'm the shortest kid in my grade.
Pete called him shortstack.
Oh. I'm sorry.
But, going to school like that isn't going to help.
Your hair looks ridiculous.
(gasps) ridiculous?
It took me three hours to get it to look like that!
And two hours to get my hand unstuck from max's head.
Max, please sit down.
Listen, there's always gonna be some doofus
who's gonna say something mean to you.
But who cares? They don't really know you.
You don't get it. Every class picture is gonna be,
"short kids in front."
it makes me feel like a loser.
How am I supposed to survive school like this?
Well, if you wear those shoes to school,
you won't have to worry about it.
You'll be in the hospital before lunch.
I'll be fine.
(thud)
gah! Don't worry!
My hair broke my fall!
♪ ♪
are you ready
for our first official hang in new syd's room?
I have never been more excited for anything.
And I don't care what my dad says. I love it.
Huh.
Olive: What's wrong? Why'd you say...
Huh.
Is it me, or does this place look
different than it did last night?
No...
Well, maybe just a hair.
Not that different's a bad thing.
No. Of course not.
I said I wanted something different.
And I think we've hit that one out of the park.
You know, maybe this room is just so different
that it's a little uncomfortable when you first see it.
-Exactly. -I hate it!
I hate it, too!
So how come we loved it so much last night?
I don't know.
I guess it's like when I write a new song I love,
and the next morning, I get up,
take a fresh look at it, and it sounds like doo-doo.
Are you saying you think your new room is doo-doo?
I do... Do.
I guess I was just
trying so hard to make my room different
that I got carried away.
I should've never listened to my gut.
We trusted you.
(scary voice): Sorry, olive.
It knows my name!
So have you seen syd's room?
Why am I asking you? You'll probably say something like,
"it's totally on point."
not after hearing you say it.
Between us, I think it's a hot mess.
Wait, we're actually on the same page?
So then you agree she should change it?
-No. What are you, nuts? -And she's back.
Max, kids make tons of decisions their parents don't like.
-You gotta pick your battles. -You picked every battle.
Oh really? Did you know I was dead set
against you getting a skateboard?
Really? You never told me.
Yeah. I thought you'd break your neck.
But I kept it to myself, and I'm glad I did.
You only chipped three teeth and cracked a rib.
Yeah. I was good.
Imagine what life would've been like without your skateboard.
I can't.
So maybe you should think about it
before you make syd change something
she really has her heart set on.
♪ ♪
seriously, dude? You're standing on a milk crate?
Doesn't feel so good, does it, little man?
Max, what are you gonna do at school? Carry that thing around?
'cause I'd rather be shortstack than crate boy.
Well, it doesn't matter 'cause I'm not going back to school.
No way am I gonna be the shortest kid.
Hey, benny. How's it going?
Yeah, benny? How's it going?
Never better, my man.
One fake vomit, please.
Sometimes, you gotta treat yourself.
Ooh, sorry. You're a little short.
(gasps) oh wait! I-I didn't mean it in that way. I just--
it's all good. I'll just get some more tickets.
I saw a bunch under the foosball table.
When you're low to the ground, you notice those things.
-You know what I'm thinking? -Never.
I should hang out with benny more.
We were buds in 2nd grade.
This wouldn't have anything to do
with benny being shorter than you, would it?
(scoffs) of course it does!
Try to keep up, leo.
As long as I'm standing next to benny,
I won't be the shortest kid in class.
I don't know, max. I'm not sure this is the best idea.
On the other hand, next to your other ideas,
it's genius.
♪ ♪
sydney: What am I gonna do?
I can't live in here.
Maybe my dad was... Was...
-Right? -Thanks. My mouth was never gonna allow me to say that.
Then redo it. He offered to pay.
No 'cause then every time he disagrees with me, he'll say,
(imitating): "remember how I was right about your room?"
wait!
Why does he ever have to know you hate it?
He's gonna make you redo the place anyway.
What are you saying?
Pretend he's making me do it?
I know, it's pretty devious--
that's why I love it.
I mean, how hard is it to act like an angry teenager?
Please. It's the role I was born to play.
Syd, I think we should discuss your room.
Why? So you can tell me to change it back?
You're ruining my life.
Actually, I was going to say that you can keep it.
Why can't you be like other-- what's what?
You were right. Doesn't matter what I think.
The important thing is that you love it.
But dad, it's like you said. It's your house.
But it's your room. Look, syd,
all I know is if you're happy, then I'm happy.
Happy?
Oh, you have no idea.
♪ ♪
hey, syd, I heard the good news.
Your dad's gonna let you keep your room the way you want it.
Yeah. How can he be so mean?
Okay, now I'm officially confused.
I thought you loved this room?
Well, I thought I did, too,
but in the light of day... Yikes.
So then, why don't you just tell your dad how you feel?
And let him know he was right?
-You mean the "I-told-you-so's"? -And don't forget the,
(imitating): "are you sure? Haven't we been here before?"
ah, that sounds like old syd.
What do you mean?
Well, part of growing up
is being able to admit when you're wrong.
Like this ridiculous outfit.
I mean, what have I been thinking?
My shoes are killing me.
French women must have a thing for bunions.
Well then, why are you doing this whole french thing?
Well, your dad was right. I was just trying
to keep my vacation going.
I should've just bought a mona lisa bobblehead
like everyone else.
So I guess new syd is gonna have to tell her dad he was right.
That is what a mature woman would do.
Oh, but don't tell your dad why I dumped the whole french thing.
We can't let him be right twice.
It's been a blast hanging out with you again, max.
Right back at you, benny.
Hey. There's tamira.
Wait here. I'm gonna go ask her out.
Wait.
You're gonna ask out tamira?
Don't you think she's a little...
How do I put this... Out of your reach?
Only one way to find out.
Okay, good news. Tamira said she'd get back to me.
She needs to see if she can get out of babysitting.
Right.
Babysitting.
Hey, benny. I got someone else to babysit.
Cool. I'll meet you there at 6:00.
Can't wait to mini-golf.
Yup. Mm-hmm.
I can't believe it.
She said yes?
And you invited her to do something that involves the word
"mini"?
Max, why are you so surprised?
Because I'm short?
You are? I never noticed.
Max, it's not about altitude.
It's about attitude.
I don't even think about how tall I am.
I just think of myself as benny.
That's the way the world sees me.
Wow. I never thought of it that way.
Thanks, benny. B-ball Tuesday?
Well, let's see how things go with tamira.
I have a feeling I might be busy for a while.
Whoa, max! Did you have a growth spurt?
You're taller than me!
Yeah, we're done with that.
Good, 'cause even I wasn't buying it.
Why the big change?
Leo. Height is about attitude,
not altitude. It's how I see myself.
And I gotta be honest, I like what I see.
Wow! I don't know if you're taller,
but you definitely have grown.
Hey. After school, let's go get some pancakes.
I'm suddenly craving a short stack.
Dad, I need to talk to you about my room.
Okay.
-(quietly): You were right. -I'm sorry, can't hear you.
(mumbling): You were right.
Syd, I'm sorry. You're gonna have to speak--
-you were right! I hate it! -I heard that.
I wanna redo my redo.
And I know what you're gonna say.
"but you said you liked it." yeah, but now I don't.
"then I was right?" yes, so if you wanna say, "I told you so,"
go ahead.
So when do you wanna get started?
Wait, that's it?
No "I told you so"?
The dad in my head is doing a victory dance.
(laughs) why would I do that?
Must've been really hard to come down here and tell me this,
especially after how hard you fought for that room.
Honestly, I'm proud of you.
Seriously?
Seriously.
So, you wanna go see if your old furniture
is at the thrift store?
Nah. I'm just not that girl anymore.
But I'm not new syd either.
It's scary. I don't know who I am.
Who says you have to?
You're still growing into who you're gonna be,
and you can take it as slow as you want.
Why don't you move into the girl cave in the basement
until you put together the room that you love?
You're kidding. That would be amazing.
Maybe I could move in there forever...
I'll take this one. "syd, let's not push it."
dad, thanks for understanding.
You're quite welcome.
So, do you still wanna hear about camp?
Nah. I mean, I've pretty much put together--
yes, please! Tell me everything.
♪ ♪
it took me a while to get it right, but...
Voilà!
Oh, noodle, it's perfect!
The colors, the texture, the...
-Je ne sais quoi. -Mom!
What? She said voilà.
I love the esperanza spalding poster!
Yep. She's just the coolest.
And my own personal hero.
Not that I'm gushing.
Dad, what do you think about it?
What do I think?
I think it's fantastic.
Aw, and I love this old picture of you and your mom.
Are these your old ballet slippers?
-Yep. -I love it all, syd.
Really? There's gotta be something in this room
that isn't dad-approved.
Well, honestly, I don't get
that thing over there.
Oh, thank goodness.
Noodle, why don't we leave you alone
so you can enjoy your room?
Thanks, grandma.
Oh really? I was hoping syd and I could hang,
maybe spill some tea.
Okay. There's another phrase I'll never use again.
(sighs) well, gut, I think we did a pretty good job.
(scary voice): Thanks. When's dinner?
♪ ♪
man: Oh yeah.