Alexa & Katie

My first year of high school was a lot different than I pictured.

But cancer didn't stop me from going to the Winter Formal.

After Katie and I let our hair down for the dance,

we spent the rest of freshman year being ourselves.

All versions of ourselves!

It was fun having a boyfriend on Valentine's Day.

Katie thought so too.

Katie and Ryan decided to just be friends

after they played Von Trapp siblings in the spring musical.

But if you ask me, there's still a chance

for something special between Liesl and Friedrich.

And just like that it was summer!

After everything that happened this year, it was nice to spend time with my family.

Don't tell them I said that.

And before we knew it, it was the first day of school again.

-Bam! -Bam!

Bam?

Now I'm not so sure about the shirt.

I... I thought it was cute.

-Not yours, mine! -Oh!

Oh, I'm so excited for school!

Oh, and this year we will not miss releasing the wish lanterns.

Like we did last year,

when you got us suspended.

Hey, at least we got to see them on Lucas's Instagram.

Until he dropped his phone off the top of the bleachers.

Yeah, he gets really excited around fire.

Oh, what about this?

-Ooh, I like it-- -Yeah, me neither.

I'm so ready for this year.

Now that I've been taking medicine, things are going back to normal.

Hmm, I know! Now, I almost forgot you had that checkup last week.

Ugh. Stupid checkups.

They're not stupid. They're how the doctor knows you're not getting sick again.

-It's just annoying. -Yeah.

Yeah, I know... but...

you'll get your results on Wednesday, and they will be fine like always.

-So don't worry. - My mom is the one who worries.

She obsesses over random stuff, so she won't think about my results.

Remember her knitting craze during my February checkup?

This time she's all over my Sweet 16. Which I don't really care about.

Since when? Okay, we've talked about our Sweet 16

since... since our awkward 10s.

It's four months away. But until my checkup results come back,

I gotta get her to focus on my dad or Lucas.

And... you should wear these.

Hey, I hope she focuses on baking.

Ooh, I'll work the word "fudge" into conversation.

Hey! So, I've been working on some ideas for your Sweet 16.

Woo-hoo!

Uh, it's 7:20. When did you do that?

3:15. That's this morning.

Oh. Wait.

Aha, perfect! No!

Yes, done!

Hey, Mom, so...

has Lucas started his applications for college yet?

Tick-tock.

Ooh. Probably not. I should get on that.

Aww! Dylan's first day as a senior outfit!

Aww! Looks a lot like his last day of summer outfit.

This is it! Perfect!

No.

Yes! Done.

Dad, check out my schedule. Four blow off classes this year.

It's my last year to enjoy life before I'm a boring adult like, you know.

-You know you're gesturing to me. -Yeah, I meant you.

Lucas, have you started your college applications yet?

You haven't. I knew it. We're gonna start with your essay, okay?

Come straight home from school. We'll do it together! Mwah!

What just happened? Thirty seconds ago, I was happy.

You know how your mom and Alexa get when we're waiting for Alexa's results.

Yeah, but every time she's had this checkup, she's been fine.

-That's why you're so chill about it. -Well, I'm not chill, I'm exhausted.

I can never sleep during a checkup week.

I'm so tired right now I'm seeing two of you.

Wow! How do we look?

I don't need to worry about Alexa, do I?

No! Since her initial treatment, every follow-up has been good.

No, we have no reason to think otherwise. I'm just glad I'm off your mom's radar.

Last checkup,

she made me read four books on jelly making.

Then she gave me a test.

-Morning! - Hey!

I love second breakfast.

See? That's why I told you not to fill up at home.

Hey, Lucas.

Uh, Mom, weren't you going to clean the garage with Dad?

Yeah, you know, Dave, we should clean out the garage.

It's full of all your jelly jars.

Uh... Oh, Potato needs a walk. I'll do it.

-Oh great. I'll go get his leash. -Ah, don't. No time.

I'll just hold his collar.

Hey, Lori, how's it going?

A little stressful this week, huh?

Oh no! I'm not worried.

C'mon, Alexa will be fine. Have you ever thought about solar panels?

Nope? I bet you and I can put them up in one day.

You're not afraid of heights, are you?

Girls, let's go if you want a ride to school.

Oh, hey, listen, honey, after your dad and I clean out the garage,

I'm gonna go look at venues for your Sweet 16!

Thanks, Mom, but you know I don't care about that.

Are you kidding? Listen, you're gonna turn 35...

many times.

But you're only gonna have one 16th birthday!

C'mon, Katie!

I'm coming! Nothing's going to keep me from my first day of school! Aah!

-Clear a path! -It's just a little ankle twist.

You don't have to do that.

This time last year, you shaved your head for me.

The least I can do is carry your things and clear a--

Melissa, pick a side!

It's a... a cute shirt, Melissa!

-I'm really glad you got hurt. -Huh?

It's just nice to help you for a change.

Like before cancer when we supported each other.

-Good thing I'm so klutzy! -Ha-ha.

Ooh! Sophomore hall, sophomore lockers!

Sophomore stranger!

Cody?

Seriously, guys, we've gone to school together since kindergarten.

-I'm just kidding. I just moved here. -Oh.

-Hi, I'm Alexa. -Katie. Oh!

Hey, I've... I've got her!

All right. Here's you.

And... here's me!

Oh, right by each other!

Notebook.

Pens.

Mirror.

Maybe I should just switch lockers with one of you guys?

No, you're not bothering us.

Oh, good.

Super cute photo of us.

-Oh! How could I not put this up? -I know!

Look how long our hair is.

I like your short hair.

So, I'll see you guys around?

Or, after every class when I go to my locker?

Maybe I'll just get, like, a really big backpack.

Did you hear that?

He doesn't realize that this is a hair grow, not a hair cut.

I love that there's a person at school who doesn't know about the cancer.

-See? More normal already. -Hmm.

-Hey, guys! -Hey!

Cool crutches.

I almost wore an eyepatch.

Why are you in a cheerleading uniform?

Oh, her mom told her she had to go out for something this year.

'Cause she was getting lazy.

I picked cheerleading because tryouts were next to my house.

I am lazy.

I'm just glad you guys are here on the first day this year.

I know! Last year, you missed the wish lanterns.

My wish... was that you guys had been at school that day.

I wished for an iPad.

Sorry.

I'm helping Katie!

Save us a seat in class?

That was really nice of them, but it's pretty clear that I got this.

Wait, watch out!

-Not-- -Uh... Whoa!

I'm coming for you, Katie!

Was it me, or was that nurse judgy?

She kept putting air quotes around the words "accident" and "friend."

Yeah, well two can play that game, nurse!

-Hey, I can hold my stuff. -No, I've got this.

Your recovery is my number-one priority.

Hey, now my mom is texting me ideas for my Sweet 16.

Man, the stress must really be getting to her.

-Alexa! -Hey!

Hey, I was afraid I wasn't gonna see you all day.

I know. I've been helping Katie.

I like the outfit, senior.

Thanks! I picked it out myself.

Hey, if you want me to go to the doctor's with you--

It's fine.

Yeah, everyone's making such a big deal out of it, but I'm fine.

Okay, well, I'm not tutoring, so I can just easily--

- -Oh, sorry, gotta get Katie to class!

-She hates being late! -

College essay, complete.

Mmm. All right.

"To further myself..."

"Part of a college community..."

"Game room looks dope..."

"I'm hungry"?

I am hungry.

You know, honey, I think your charm is being wasted on the page.

No, let's do a video essay.

You don't need me for that, do you?

Mom! What were some of your ideas for Alexa's Sweet 16?

I don't want a party.

Oh, honey, everybody wants a Sweet 16 party.

And yet Alexa doesn't. Hmm.