["A-O-K" by Tai Verdes plays]
♪ Living in this big blue world ♪
♪ With my head up in outer space ♪
♪ I know I'll be A-O, A-Okay ♪
♪ When I see trouble come my way ♪
[clears throat]
Dear Diary: Today I start you, my video diary,
because… well, in a nutshell, everything in my life is changing.
Let's see.
One, my best friend, Justin, is moving to Alabama,
leaving me to start middle school alone.
Two, I didn't get an inch taller over the summer.
Like, not even a centimeter.
But my hair did get a little bigger, so I guess that makes me look taller.
And I love it.
Well, actually, it's number three, but for now it'll be 2A.
[sighs] Three.
[sighs] My mom's got a boyfriend. [sighs]
Yeah. It's weird.
That's better.
Four.
My dad.
Um… uh, actually, more on him later.
I, Amber Brown, do not like change.
Then how are we gonna start middle school without each other?
We'll talk all the time.
That's what my dad said when he moved to Paris.
I promise.
He did too.
Well, if I were in Paris, I'd be busy. Very busy.
You know, eating French toast, French fries, French bread.
You're a dork.
-Oui, oui. - [chuckles]
Aw.
Thanks for this.
Don't want us to forget our dorky faces.
That's what mirrors are for.
I mean each other's.
I know.
So… [chuckles]
[imitates explosion]
- [chuckles] - [sighs]
- Well, bye-- - Don't say it!
Later.
Yeah. Ba-later. I can live with that.
Yeah, me too.
Ba-later.
["All Good" playing]
- Ready. Amber. - Yep.
I'm all set. You like?
It's cute.
How come you never got your hair done for Dad?
I got my hair done for me.
Because you're going out with Max.
Come on. Can you just give him a chance?
Aunt Pam says he's a sports car.
- A what? - A phase.
- Oh, my gosh. - Just saying.
Yeah, okay, smarty-pants. Come on. Let's go.
Mom, now that I'm almost 12, you might want to lose the "smarty-pants."
Okay.
[mom] Hey, honey. Got your soup. You hungry?
[gasps] Oh, my God, wait.
Look. The new people are moving in.
[mom] Oh.
I guess they wanted to get here before the school year started.
Oh.
I hope they have a dog.
- I heard they have a daughter. - Rather they had a dog.
Feels super different here without our buds, huh?
Yeah. Only a dog could make Justin moving tolerable.
Mm-hmm. I see what you did there.
- Dog people are the best! - Mm-hmm.
- Do you not want to be the best? - We're not getting a dog.
Well, if I stop asking for a dog, can I get my ears pierced?
[sighs] I'll think about it.
Hello, Diary.
It's official. New people are stealing my friend Justin's house.
And now I know that he's never coming back.
Look, there they are.
Diary?
Yeah, I'm keeping a video diary.
So you're just, like, talking?
Yeah?
To yourself?
It's not much different than writing a letter to yourself.
No, that's for my therapist.
- But you read them, out loud. - Because it helps--
[new neighbor] Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep!
She looks like she's about your age, don't you think?
Oh, my gosh.
Uh, hi! Hi, I'm Sarah.
This is-- This is my daughter. [chuckles]
Uh, welcome!
Cool. Thank you. I'm Brandi, with an I. Do you have a dog?
No, no. Do you?
I wish. My mom's a goldfish person.
"I don't want to feel guilty for being happy.
It is time for me, for my happiness. It is 'me time.'"
- [Amber] That's pretty clear. [sighs] - I can hear you!
I will stop reading from my journal.
Pizza's ready.
Is Aunt Pam driving me to school tomorrow?
Yes. Yeah, she'll be here at 7:00.
Why don't you go next door and introduce yourself?
I'm-- I'm good.
You excited for tomorrow?
I don't know.
You know, maybe Justin moving away
will give you a chance to branch out a little bit, you know?
I love that you're doing this video diary thing. It's super cool.
And you've got your art, but, you know, you also need people.
You know, friends are good to have.
Why do you like Max?
He makes me laugh.
And he likes to dance.
- Uh, that-- that's enough. [chuckles] - I-- [chuckles]
[Sarah sighs]
[shutter clicks]
FYI, my dad likes to dance, and he made my mom laugh.
Just saying.
[all laughing]
- [Amber] Whoa! - [dad, Sarah whooping]
[Amber, Sarah laugh]
Is he gonna make it? Is he gonna make it? Yes!
- [cheers] - Yes, he is.
[dad, Sarah laugh]
[Sarah] Whoo! Ah!
[Amber, Sarah laugh]
[cell phone rings]
[ringing continues]
Hey, Dad. I was just thinking of you.
You were?
Hello, my beautiful girl.
What time is it in Paris?
It's almost midnight.
I was just calling to wish my oh-so-grown-up sixth-grader
-a great day tomorrow and-- - Wait. Midnight?
Yep.
- Why are you up so late? -I was out.
Out where?
- To a dinner. -With who?
[chuckles] Who's the parent here?
Just asking.
I was at a business dinner.
Kind of a celebration, so it went a little late.
- [cell phone beeps] - Ah. My phone's dying. If we get cut off,
-I'll call you back tomorrow. - Wh-What was the celebration about?
I'm sure Mom's told you.
It's my job. They're expanding, so, uh,
yeah, I'm probably moving back.
Wait. Here?
Yes. Well, I shouldn't say "probably." I am. I am moving back.
My new job will be only 20 minutes from you and Mom.
What? When?
As soon as I get a date confirmed, we'll make some plans, I promise.
- [cell phone beeps] - I'm losing juice, honey.
Hey, have a great day at school tomorrow. I love you--
Dad?
I'm so glad you're coming home.
I wonder if Max will still be around when Dad gets back.
Then what do I do? Do I give Max a chance like Mom wants?
And my dad will be there. What does that say to him?
Will he think I love him less? Will he love me less?
Dad's the one who's supposed to be here with us.
I, Amber Brown, wanna crawl into this photo.
[thud]
What?
[mouthing words]
- Hi! - Hello.
I'm Brandi with an I.
I'm Amber with an "am" and a "ber."
Clever.
Are you starting middle school at Park Ridge tomorrow?
- Yeah. - Me too!
Oh, my gosh. What are you wearing?
I haven't really thought about it. [chuckles]
You're hilarious! [chuckles]
Okay, fine. Keep it a secret.
I'm probably gonna go with boots, black tights,
short shorts, tank top with long-sleeve tee under
and, like, messy not-trying-too-hard hair.
Okay. That sounds like a plan.
Great, I can't wait to see what you're doing with your hair.
You're looking at it. [chuckles]
[chuckles] You're too funny. See you tomorrow.
[Amber] Okay.
[chuckling]
- Babe-- - Don't talk to me. I'll fall.
Sorry. Just where's your engagement ring?
Uh, I'm not wearing it. I haven't told Amber yet.
I know. I'm just wondering where you keep it.
It's-- It's right over there. It's safe.
Oh, yeah. Super safe. In a drawer by an open window.
Look, why don't you just tell her, Sarah?
- She's gonna be fine. - I know she's gonna be fine,
but I just want to get her started in school first, and then I'm gonna tell her.
- [Max stammers] - Hey! Hi, honey!
Good morning, young lady!
- Did you stay overnight? - Amber.
[stammers] I'm sorry. Okay, Mom?
It's just so early. He's here so early.
[scoffs] I met your mother for a jog this morning, okay?
- How would you like a protein smoothie? - Hmm.
- [Max] Hmm? - Looks like too much green.
- It's good! It tastes good. - It's the good stuff.
And you get all your veggies in for the day.
Good morning.
I will have a doughnut! Maybe two.
- Poison. - Um, is that my sweater?
- Good morning. Yes, it is. - [Sarah] When did you take that?
- [Pam] Oh. - [Max] Good morning, Pam.
- Max. [sighs] - Hmm.
I don't know. Maybe last week? I had Amber grab it from your closet.
- What else have you stolen? - [Amber scoffs]
Here you go. I brought breakfast.
Well, thank you very much, but no, no doughnuts.
- I want you to have the smoothie, honey. - Come on. Mom.
- Did you stay overnight? - Wha--
- Pam! - What? He's just here so early, Sarah.
- It's so early. - [Max scoffs]
I'm asking for a friend.
I did not stay.
I already asked.
What are you looking for, honey?
I can't find my charcoal drawing pencil.
What is all over this?
You know what? It was on there when I borrowed it.
- Crumbs? I don't think so. - All right, fine.
- I had a doughnut in the car. - It's just powdered sugar everywhere.
Fine, two. I had two doughnuts!
- Two? It's 7:00 a.m. - [Aunt Pam scoffs]
I don't care if you had ten doughnuts.
Please? I'm gonna be sick here.
- I could easily eat ten doughnuts. - Same.
- Do I hear 11? - You know, just as long
as you don't eat them while you're wearing my sweater.
- That's how I do my laundry. - There you go. Good as new.
Mom, can I just please have a doughnut?
They're right there in front of me.
Sweetie, it's just so much sugar in the morning.
Mom, listen to me.
My best friend Justin moved away,
so I'm starting middle school without a best friend.
I do not have pierced ears.
All I have is this old cell phone that barely works…
- [Sarah] Well-- -…and I do not have a dog.
Can I have a doughnut?
You ever consider the debate team at school?
- Okay, fine! You can have a doughnut! - Yes!
- You did that! - Wait, I--
I don't think you should give in so easily.
- Are you serious right now? - I got a protein shake right here.
No, no doughnut.
My dad's moving back from Paris, so…
- I, uh-- [sighs] I was gonna tell you. - [Max] Oh.
Uh… [stammers] …it's for work.
[sighs] His company is moving him back into town.
He was-- He was supposed to let me tell you, honey.
When were you gonna tell me?
- I didn't know who to tell first. - Me!
- Me!
- Amber Brown, you know, his daughter. - Okay.
Okay. Uh. [sighs]
[mutters] Oh. Is this what you were looking for?
- Yes, yes. - [Max] Yeah.
You know, your artwork is really amazing.
Thanks.
Hey, if you're gonna eat that doughnut, you might want to put this on.
Protect your denim.
Okay, so no one wants one of my smoothies?
- No! - No!
[cell phone ringing]
Your dad is moving back? What does that mean?
I truly believe he's coming back for my mom,
and then they'll get back together.
Wait. Wh-What about Max?
What about him? He's a sports car.
-A what? - A phase.
Well… [stammers] …my mom said they're serious,
like getting married serious.
- Don't even say that. -Okay, okay.
Calm down. My mom does have a tendency to exaggerate.
Or maybe she wishes she was marrying Max.
[scoffs] You can have him.
Once your dad's home,
will you still live full-time with your mom?
Aunt Pam said I'll probably be half-Mom, half-Dad.
Great title for a horror movie.
Yeah, really. This year already feels like a scary movie.
I didn't get any taller over the summer.
Well, statistics show that shorter people live longer, healthier lives.
Statistics show that best friends
know exactly what to say to make you feel better.
[school bell ringing]
- Ba-later. - Ba-later.
[school bell ringing]
[chattering]
Oh, look who it is!
I almost tripped over you. Annie. No, Ashley.
No, Amber. Amber, right?
I hardly recognize you without your friend, Jason.
Justin.
Hannah knows me.
We've been going to the same sleepaway camp every summer for years.
Yet, every time she sees me, she pretends like she doesn't remember.
It's just so…
so Hannah-like.
Hannah, hi. Could you turn your hair down a bit?
Don't get all jelly, Amber.
Did I get really tall over the summer, or did you just shrink?
[friends laughing]
- Um, I have to take this call. - Your phone didn't ring.
Um, hello?
You know my friends, Jackie, Shawntay, Hilary, Soon-yi,
Mickey, Alima, Zunairah and Cathy?
[Brandi] Hi, Amber!
Oh, hi!
This is my friend.
[chuckles] Hi. I'm one of Amber's buddies. Brandi. Brandi with an I!
I'm Hannah. Two H's, two N's, and too popular for words.
Touché.
Hannah, we all still going to hang at Rancho's Mini Golf later?
Abso-Stanley-lutely. We'll be there. Right?
- Totally. - Yes, Stanley.
Absolutely.
Fine. Good. Whoa.
- Um, ow. - [Stanley] Uh…
Watch out. Humans here.
I'm sorry. I didn't see you there.
I'm sorry, um…
Amber.
- You have soft hair. - Thanks.
- We're going to play golf later-- - We have enough peeps already.
Yeah. Come on. Hurry up.
Okay.
[Stanley] No, I think I'll--
["Be Kind" playing]
[school bell ringing]
[sighs]
[sighs, chuckles]
- [Brandi] He likes you! - [gasps] Oh, geez. You scared me.
Thank you.
You're welcome?
- A many M's Amber? - What?
The cute guy. Stanley.
He said your name like Ammmber? He likes you.
I don't know. I wasn't really listening.
Well, he also said that you have nice hair.
Soft hair.
You heard that!
Do you wanna borrow one of my necklaces?
One with a crystal. They have great energy.
No, thanks. I don't really wear a lot of jewelry.
Don't even have pierced ears.
Me neither. [chuckles]
Do you wanna sit together for lunch?
Yeah. I mean, abso-Stanley-lutely! [laughs]
- I can't believe she even said that. - I know.
[Amber, Aunt Pam] ♪ …I'll be A-O, A-Okay ♪
♪ I know I'll be A-O, A-Okay ♪
Okay. Here's the big question.
Did you make any new friends?
- Amber? - Um, yeah, I think so. One.
That Stanley guy you were telling me about?
No, he's not really my friend. More of a…
Crush.
[chuckles] If I'm being honest, yeah.
[chuckles]
And then, of course, there's always Hannah.
She's more of a not-friend, but a could-be friend.
But isn't because we're really from different planets.
Big news of the day, Dad comes home on the 22nd.
And Stanley Conover knows my name.
Well, he'd be even luckier if he got to know you.
I'm not sure he'll be able to see me if Hannah's hair is in the same homeroom.
Your dad is moving back.
How wonderful is that?
- I know how much you've been missing him. - [sighs] Yeah. And my mom.
What?
I miss my usual mom, you know?
The one who stays up late and eats pizza and watches movies with me.
Now she's doing yoga and drinking smoothies. [sighs]
I miss her too. [inhales sharply] It's a phase.
That's what you said three months ago. [sighs] Is that normal phase time?
Sure. I went through a three-year phase once.
Okay, maybe twice.
It doesn't matter.
Once Dad gets back, everything will go back to normal.
Come on.
Mom, I'm home!
Wanna get some ice cream to celebrate the first day of sixth grade?
Sounds good!
Oh, geez. You scared me. Sure you're not a ghost?
My mom says I should wear a bell around my neck.
The door is open.
[chuckles]
Oh, I have to get this.
- This is Brandi. - With an I.
And no bell.
Oops. Sorry.
No, it's all right.
[Amber] What's this?
Looks like a ring box.
[gasps] Oh, my gosh.
[scoffs, gasps]