My dad once told me
that middle school is the worst time in anybody's life.
He said he wouldn't repeat it for a million dollars, which I get,
but at the same time,
it's not so bad.
I mean, sixth grade was an unmitigated disaster,
what with being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
and basically run out of Manhattan by ableist bullies.
But seventh grade was a lot better,
and eighth grade so far has been an even bigger upgrade.
Great work, as usual.
I know I shouldn't be saying this, but you're my favorite student.
Oh, thanks, Ms. Katimski.
Hardworking, smart, responsible,
and is it weird that I, a grown woman, am consistently jealous of your wardrobe?
I don't know. Kinda?
And you're hilarious. Keep killing it, girl.
I feel like I've really found my groove in Stoneybrook,
and a lot of that has to do with The Baby-Sitters Club.
They're nothing like my friends in New York.
I'm learning so much from them about stuff like art, activism, building a business.
Of course they're learning some important stuff from me too.
And… voilà. That's how you do a foolproof fishtail braid.
I love it. I'm a mermaid.
Can you do one on me? My hair looks like a disaster.
-Yeah. -Mallory, just take this.
Way easier than whatever that was.
Kristy! Oh my gosh.
-What? It looks good. -I'll do it on you later.
But the thing I like most about eighth grade is that I really feel like
I've conquered my diabetes and I can move on with my life.
Looks like you got this whole thing under control, don't you?
Well, having diabetes is kind of like solving a math problem,
and luckily I'm really good at math, so--
It's true. She just got a 98% on her last quiz.
You seem to have transitioned well to the wireless pump.
Just remembering to change--
The site every three days to prevent infection.
And earlier--
If it seems like the insulin isn't getting absorbed. Yup.
-I got this. -You're type 1 and type A.
Oh, she is. She's like a little mini adult.
We are so proud of her.
Mom, chill. You're acting like my publicist or something.
Oh, she's just excited. You want to tell her?
-You're invited to a gala?
And you're going to be on the cover of a magazine!
It's for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
My doctor is on the board and nominated me to be cover girl for the month.
A gala? Being a cover girl?
Stacey, you are the fanciest person in Stoneybrook.
Hello, Baby-Sitters Club.
This is Kristy Thomas, president and founder, speaking.
And there's, like, one more kind of, sort of cool thing.
The JDRF is letting me put on a fashion show at the gala.
Hey.
All right, Mrs. Johanssen. Sunday afternoon,00 p.m.
Stacey, you're free on Sunday?
No. Too many fashion shows and cover shoots.
You guys, stop. Yes, I can, Kristy.
This fashion show isn't to model couture. It's to auction off these pouches.
-What's couture? -I'll explain later.
People with diabetes like to keep their testing kits in these,
plus emergency snacks and juice in case their blood sugar is running low.
These are so unfortunate-looking. I wish I could decorate them like I did yours.
You can. I was thinking we could all come up with a design
to make the pouches functional and cute, then, Claudia, you and I can execute it.
I love a BFF collab.
-Who would model them? -I was thinking maybe you guys would?
-What? Me? Model?
In front of a bunch of rich, snobby people?
Hello? No!
It's for a good cause.
Fine. But I'm not wearing a dress.
Fine by me.
-Oh my gosh, I'm so excited!
Come on in, guys. I'm so happy you're here.
Kristy's just upstairs working on her pouch.
Dawn, tell her your idea.
Well, I wanted to have an anti-capitalist message
because all the things you keep in the pouch cost money,
which is just ridiculous, because it keeps diabetics alive
and they shouldn't have to pay for that.
So something that explains health care is a human right
and capitalism is really just a poison rotting our society from the inside out,
but cute!
Anyway, bye!
Ah. God, this generation.
Politically engaged,
raising money for diabetes in their free time.
When I was their age, I only cared about boys and lip gloss.
I still care about those things to an uncomfortable degree.
Well, on the topic of boys, how are things going with you and Watson?
Are you still in a cloud of newlywed bliss?
We are.
We're actually thinking about trying to have a baby.
-I'm nuts, right? -No way.
You want to bring more love into this world? That's a beautiful thing.
I think maybe having a baby might, you know, complete our family.
Unite us, you know?
Do you feel like you need that?
I don't regret anything. I have amazing kids.
But I can't help but wonder what it would all have been like
if I'd done it with the right man.
I have this fertility statue.
It got my friend Soleil pregnant immediately.
Who knows what getting pregnant looks like at this stage in my life's chronology?
It's definitely going to include acupuncture.
Yes. Okay, enough about me.
What about you and Richard? Tell me the hot goss.
Oh, boy. It's on, in a big way.
There's a lot of canoodling and whispering.
At scheduled times,
so he feels comfortable.
-We are just so-- -Oh my God, ew.
Grown-ups talking about this stuff makes me want to…
Mallory, why are you writing "die"? This is supposed to be uplifting.
Oh, it's gonna say, "Diabetes Stuff".
Get it? Because it holds the stuff for all your diabetes.
I'm not an expert, but I don't think that's how you spell diabetes.
Oh.
-Uh, can I get another pouch? -Um, maybe we can just fix it.
That's, like, your fifth glass of water in 20 minutes. Stace, you okay?
Yeah. My blood sugar just might be a little high is all.
Oh, very high. That can't be right.
Um, I think my app is messed up. I'm gonna go test.
So that happens sometimes?
Your blood sugar's fine and then, like, not fine?
Yeah, sometimes.
I have a pretty good system though, so there are rarely any surprises.
Wow. Stacey, you're so mature.
You're totally showing your diabetes who's boss.
It's like, 1, diabetes: 0.
Don't encourage her, Mal.
She needs to chill. She's, like, 13 going on 35.
Ooh, can you do a fishtail braid on me when you get back?
I tried it at home, but it looked like a regular braid that gave up on itself.
Sure.
A fishtail braid.
First, grab the outside strands and pull them to the middle.
-Then what I like to do is take--
Present.
Kristy!
-Uh, what are you doing to your hair? -Nothing!
I… Karen was just playing with it.
Are you gonna let your new baby brother or sister play with your hair?
Huh?
Your mom told my mom. She and Watson are gonna have a baby!
Congratulations.
Hello?
Did the screen freeze
or do you have complicated feelings that I should have taken into account?
No, I'm here. I just…
I don't have any feelings. I did not know that.
Oh.
Okay.
Um, I'm sure my mom got the wrong info.
She's had, like, three kombuchas today. Forget I said anything.
Why would my mom keep that a secret?
-Well-- -Never mind. I know why.
She thinks I still feel weird about this family merging thing
and that having a baby would freak me out or something.
You kind of are freaking out, which is natural.
I'm freaking out over the secrecy, not the baby.
I love babies. I'm a babysitter!
-You should-- -I'm serious.
I think having a baby would be awesome
and I'm really bummed out that my mom thinks I wouldn't be okay with it.
Did your screen freeze now?
Oh, sorry. Just wanted to make sure you were done talking.
I have to find a way to fix this.
Thomas out.
Okay, this look is next level.
Degas meets McQueen. Stace, what do you think?
Hm?
Oh. Yeah, I love it.
You okay? You've been a little Spacey Stacey today.
Yeah, I just need some juice.
I thought my app was messed up, but it wasn't.
My blood sugar was high and now it's too low.
My levels have never been up and down like this before.
Better. Protein break.
Jessi, no offense, but that's the most depressing snack I've ever seen.
Can I get you some real food, like Starburst?
Later. Now, I need to make sure I eat something that'll maximize my energy.
Feed my muscles. It's kind of a formula, like Stacey.
Not really.
Jessi eats certain things so she can be some super athlete.
I eat them so I don't go into a coma.
Yeah, definitely.
Whatever you're doing, it's working.
I can barely touch my toes
and, considering my age, it's a little concerning. Ow.
Stace. This is great.
-What do you think? -Mm-hm.
Everyone was counting on me to stay on top of it, and I will.
My levels have been wonky,
but I know the juice will bring me back up to normal.
Remember, it's a math equation. And who's better at math than me?
Problem solved, just as I expected.
Now the BSC plus JDRF can equal the best night ever.
Gala time!
Oh, wow.
So many people.
Fun. How fun.
Don't worry. Mom will be here soon. Like in an hour.
Soon, in an hour. So Sharon.
Hi, guys. This gala is crazy. I just met a man named Scoop.
-Kristy! -Hey. Come with me, now.
Okay.
Champagne? Steer clear. Okay.
It happened once.
Are we contagious?
No, honey.
They just think we're deeply uncool, which is unfair because we are fun people.
Yeah, so fun.
So fun. Who would like a drink?
I brought coasters from home.
-Oh, that's cool. -Yeah? All right.
Never mind.
Ta-da! I'm gonna win this.
For your new puppy? Isn't that a tad overkill?
No, it's not for Shannon, you goof. It's for Mom and Watson.
-They're gonna have a baby. -Oh my God! Kristy, congrats.
As someone with approximately 40 siblings, I can give you some tips.
Thanks, but they haven't even told me yet.
They told Dawn's mom and then Dawn told me.
I still say my mom might have gotten the wrong info.
Yesterday, she did laundry with detergent that turned out to be bubble soap.
Now my TreePeople T-shirt is, like, iridescent.
No, it's not like that.
They think that I'm not cool
with the whole Thomas-Brewer hyphenate situation,
and that I'm not down to expand the fam.
But I am, and this bassinet is my proof.
I love this idea.
-Move. -Okay.
Okay.
Here are your instructions.
Dawn. I need you to stall Mom and Watson.
They can't come over here under any circumstances.
This has to be a surprise.
Operation Stall Parents. Got it.
Okay. Mallory, Mary Anne,
I need you guys to help me make sure no one else bids on this bassinet.
I have some babysitting money saved up, but I'm not a billionaire or a Brewer.
How are we gonna stop people bidding on it?
The pouch goes like a crossbody. That way, I won't have to deal with the strap.
Perfect. Can't wait for you to bust a pirouette on the runway.
People will freak.
I was having all the feelings tonight.
Excited, proud, and really nervous.
So, how are you feeling?
I was never feeling bad.
Okay, well, if you are, just let me know.
Claudia, I'm fine now. Let it go, okay?
Oh, look at this.
Trust me, Ms. Papadakis.
You think you want the baby stuff, but you don't. Now, this…
Excuse me.
…power tool. This you're gonna need.
Cool, Mom. Let's bid on that.
Solid choice.
You won't believe how much of this stuff you have to put together.
None of it comes assembled.
-Ah-- -I know!
You should bid on this.
I mean, it's for people with diabetes,
but it could also work for a working mom on the go.
You could put in some baby wipes,
a pacifier, a snack in case you're starving but can't leave the baby.
Trust us. We would know.
-We're babysitters. -It's perfect.
Yeah.
We did it! We did it!
You're a Scorpio, Liz?
Really?
Is that a bad sign?
-Am I bad? -No, no, no.
It's just… How about I read your chart? In fact, I can read all your charts.
I… I'm gonna do a lap. Sharon might be lost in the parking lot.
-We're gonna go with him. -Yeah.
-No, you can't leave! -Why?
Because, Liz, I really need you to answer some questions
about the real estate market.
Will interest rates go up or down?
And which one is better for the, um, economy?
-All great questions, Dawn. -Yeah.
Well, the thing about interest rates is that they're set by the Federal Reserve
and they are more affected by the economy than the other way around.
Oh, shoot.
I can finish myself if you want to sit down.
Maybe you should just take a sec before the show starts?
Claudia, why are you treating me like I'm some invalid?
For the millionth time, I'm fine.
-You just seem a little tired. -Of course I'm tired, Jessi.
I've been planning a fashion show, designing pouches, and preparing a speech.
But I can power through it like you, okay?
Jessi, I'm gonna go get the pouches.
As much as I wanted to deny it, I knew something wasn't right.
I was suddenly extra tired and very moody.
Both symptoms of low blood sugar, again.
Stacey, you're up next. I'm gonna do an intro,
you come out and do your speech, then we're gonna do the fashion show.
-You ready? -Yeah. Ready.
I guess what I'm saying is
I don't know if I really believe in the institution of marriage.
No offense. Your wedding was beautiful.
Oh, thank you.
Well, it's a very personal choice.
Honey, you want to go check out the silent auction?
I would love to go check out the silent auction.
Okay, let's do that.
-Wait, hold on. Just-- -Mom, Watson. Congratulations!
It's a bassinet. Nice, huh?
-It's really heavy. Can you hold it? -Okay.
Honey, wh… what is this? Wh… what's going on here?
I know you've been trying to have a baby for a while
and I also know that some of my past behavior
might indicate that I wouldn't want that, but I really would.
I love our new big family and I can't wait for it to get even bigger.
Uh, thank you.
Honey, I, um--
You guys, we'd better head backstage before the show.
Warning, Stacey seems to really be on one tonight.
-What do you mean? -I think it's her diabetes.
She's really low energy and crabby.
Very crabby.
Hardworking.
Smart.
Responsible.
These are just a few words that describe our newest youth ambassador,
Anastasia Elizabeth McGill.
You may know her as Stacey.
She is an example of how one thrives with diabetes.
And as you all know, a lot of type 1's are children…
Hey, Stace.
-Hey. Um, just start lining up. -Don't you have to do your speech first?
Right. Yeah.
Hey, Stace. Are you okay? Claudia told us you weren't--
Claudia! Seriously?
You're telling everyone?
-Great best friend. -I'm sorry.
Please welcome to the stage Stacey McGill!
-I didn't mean to-- -It's fine.
Um…
Hi, everyone.
Thank you so much for having me here tonight.
Um, when I was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes,
I thought my life was over.
But, um…
I was supposed to say diabetes had turned me into someone ultra-mature
who had it all under control.
But look at me.
It was a total lie.
I'm sorry.
I can't do this. I…
I really don't feel well.
Is my doctor here?
I know I gave myself the right amount of insulin.
-Did you eat your regular dinner? -No.
I knew it.
Stacey, we talked about this.
Mr. and Mrs. McGill, I think we need to hear from Stacey.
I'm just so embarrassed.
You were the one who recommended me to the JDRF
and got me invited to this thing, and now look at me.
My sugar's out of control.
I'm a phony.
There is no perfect representative for diabetes.
Everyone has good days and bad days, no matter how on top of it they are.
I really thought it was just a numbers game,
and if I figured it out, I wouldn't make mistakes.
I'd be okay.
And you will be okay.
When I first got diagnosed, I just felt so powerless in my body.
I don't ever want to go back to feeling that way.
But you might sometimes. It's a lifelong disease.
But you know, Stacey,
not being ashamed of your disease
doesn't mean you have to love having it all the time.
-Sometimes it sucks.
Right?
-Yeah.
Cheers.
To being kind to yourself.
Cheers.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
So, fun night.
Go diabetes!
Not "go" in a positive sense. I mean, it's a disease.
People are suffering.
-Yeah. -Yeah. Okay.
I'm gonna go upstairs and see if Andrew can fit in this bassinet.
-Maybe you guys can have a little chat.
-We got it, Watson. -Right. I'm just saying.
-Talk it out! -Yeah. Bye.
I'm sorry I got you that baby gift. I thought it would make you happy.
Oh, baby, it did.
I didn't think for one second
that you wouldn't be supportive of us having another baby.
In fact, I knew you would be.
-It's kind of why I didn't tell you. -What do you mean?
Well, you know, having a baby at any stage,
it can be a journey, but especially at my age.
There could be setbacks. I just didn't want to tell everyone
until I knew for sure that we were gonna try
or maybe even until we knew it could happen.
Really? It's gonna be that hard?
I don't know. There's just no guarantees.
And when I saw you
get so excited telling us how much you love our family
and how you can't wait for it to get even bigger…
I just felt all this pressure, because what if I can't give you that?
You know? I don't want to get your hopes up, or mine.
Oh no, Mom.
No matter what happens, we have this, and that's enough.
You're amazing.
Mm.
Oh God, I'm already so emotional.
Can you imagine what I'll be like if I have to go on hormones or something?
So you guys are gonna try? It's official?
-Kristy. -Mom.
It's a process, remember?
-I know. -Okay.
I'm just excited. A baby!
I mean, potentially. No pressure.
Thank you.
-I love you.
Looks like remembering to be kind to yourself
doesn't just apply to perfectionist eighth graders living with diabetes.
-It's for everyone. -Ow! Torture chamber!
Okay, well, maybe if you just sit still.
When Stacey does it, it doesn't hurt. Just saying.
Where is Stacey?
I don't know, but she's 4 minutes, 23 seconds late.
Hi.
Sorry for my tardiness.
It's okay.
Okay, look. I owe all of you an apology for being such a fashion show-zilla.
When my blood sugar is messed up, it makes me really irritable,
which isn't an excuse, but--
We know, and we don't care, Stace. We're just glad you're feeling better.
Claudia, I'm so sorry.
All you were trying to do was look out for me.
And, Jessi, I'm sorry for snapping at you too.
But the truth is it wasn't just my blood sugar.
The truth is I'm jealous,
because your body can do all these amazing things
and mine needs major effort just to work right.
It's all good.
Group hug?
Uh, guys, I hate to ruin the moment, but, Stacey, can I ask why you were late?
I got distracted by a little something that came in the mail.
Stace, you look amazing! Oh my gosh!
"Stacey McGill, navigating the highs and lows."
It's a good headline, right?
I don't want to be some perfect poster child for diabetes.
I'm still just figuring things out.
I think you're doing pretty great.
Hello? The pouches you made sold out, and--
Due to my persuasive sales skills.
I wish we could have modeled them. My life's in desperate need of glamour.
You guys, we still can.
I put all of this pressure on myself to be the best Stacey possible.
The best at math, the best at style, the best at managing my diabetes.
But I forgot the one thing that's the most important.
The thing I've always been good at without even trying.
Being a good friend.