In Frank's shoe shop, Sidney was standing with her arms crossed, eyeing her mother. "Oh, mom, you don't have to bother. I've got this."
Esme raised an eyebrow. "Who are you expecting?"
Sidney sighed dramatically. "No one. Mom, I'm seventeen. Do you know what that means? I'm a teen."
Esme raised her eyebrows, unimpressed. "But not an adult. I hope you don't have a boyfriend."
Sidney grinned. "No. I want to focus on my studies, okay?"
Esme smiled. "Good. So, how was school today?"
Sidney paused before responding. "Well, if you must know, it's bad news. Our chemistry lab exploded. I'm lucky I'm still alive."
Esme's eyes widened in shock. "Oh goodness, how come?"
Sidney raised an eyebrow. "Not how—who?"
Esme blinked in confusion. "Who?"
Sidney leaned back and grinned. "A spoiled brat who thinks she's got everything under control. Turns out, she's not the quickest thinker."
Esme gave her daughter a stern look. "Do you realize you're being saucy right now?"
Sidney laughed and rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry for telling the truth. Mom, she's dumb."
Esme shook her head. "Sidney?"
Sidney's grin widened. "Fine, fine, I'll stop. Nothing happened in school today."
Esme wasn't convinced. "You think I'm buying that?"
Sidney sighed. "Okay, okay. Look, we were trying to create a new compound in the lab. Miss 'Know-It-All' swapped the containers with two similar-looking chemicals. Boom! Explosion."
Esme gasped. "Whoa, seriously? What happened?"
Sidney's eyes sparkled as she spoke. "Instead of a harmless reaction, we got an unexpected chemical reaction. Trust me, it wasn't pretty."
Esme's face turned concerned. "Was anyone hurt?"
Sidney shook her head. "Thankfully, no. We were all wearing safety gear, but it made a mess. The teacher was not impressed. She embarrassed herself in front of everyone."
Esme exhaled in relief. "Lesson learned, I guess. She should double-check those labels next time."
Sidney nodded. "Absolutely. No more explosions in the name of science for Miss 'Know-It-All.' Too bad she wasn't hurt."
Esme gave her a pointed look. "Sidney?"
Sidney smirked. "But I'm kind of glad she humiliated herself."
Esme sighed. "You need help."
Sidney laughed. "Mom, is there something wrong with the shop? Be honest with me."
Esme hesitated. "I can't tell you that. You'll have to speak to your father."
Sidney raised an eyebrow. "What am I, a fool? I already figured it out."
Esme's eyes widened in surprise. "What? So, you know your father is moving out of here?"
Sidney grinned. "I don't, but now I do." She laughed. "Smart, huh?"
Esme smiled. "Touché."
Sidney suddenly became serious. "Hey, mom, Cleopatra was worried about Ray. She said he's mad at her."
Esme blinked. "She told you that?"
Sidney shrugged. "Who am I kidding? I eavesdropped."
Esme smiled knowingly. "I know... that's why I asked."
At Noah's house, the two were lounging in the sitting room when Watt suddenly walked in, looking unusually serious.
"Oh, hi, Noah. Can I ask you for a favor?" Watt asked, his tone awkward.
Noah didn't look up from the TV. "How much?"
Reina, who was sitting nearby, laughed. "That's the favor, isn't it?"
Watt rolled his eyes. "It's not fair. Cal's abuelo is in the hospital."
Noah sat up, his concern visible now. "What?"
Reina's face mirrored his. "What happened?"
Watt shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know—stroke, heart attack, blood pressure issues. I'm not a doctor. He just needs support."
Noah furrowed his brow. "What kind of support? Financial... or should we be there with him?"
Watt gave them a flat look. "What good would you be to him if you were just there?"
Reina exhaled, clearly caught off guard by Watt's bluntness. "Ouch. That was... harsh." She paused and looked at Noah. "We have to go visit Cal."
Watt raised an eyebrow. "With money."
Reina eyed him suspiciously. "Are you sure you're not trying to scam us?"
Watt shook his head, looking slightly offended. "If I was trying to scam you, why would I use Cal's abuelo? I've got my own grandfather."
Noah raised a teasing eyebrow. "You don't have a grandfather, Watt."
Watt sighed in defeat. "Yeah, you caught me. But I'm not lying about Cal's abuelo."
Reina glanced at Noah. "Let's go."
Noah nodded. "Okay, let's go." They both stood up and walked toward the door, ready to head out.