1
Jade's POV
Uhggg, it's the first day back from winter break and I already want to leave. I'm already in a bad mood because my dumbass boyfriend of two years dumped me last week, but hey on to the next on as they say. I'm just pissed that he didn't have the guts to do it in person. He calls me and goes on about how he really likes me but I'm too aggressive.
One bad dinner where I pulled my scissors on his cousin and she just up and leaves me? Where is the loyalty in that? Anyway, we got back together eventually because he realise that's what kind of girls he likes.
One reason I have really bad trust issues, my first relationship I had back in New York told all their friends my secret after I told them I was moving to LA with my dad.
I don't really give two shits about what people think of me but I really don't have any respect for people who put out other's personal business like that.
So I guess you guys are wondering what big secret I'm talking about. Well here it is, I have a penis. Yep, I, Jade West have a penis, and it's not small either. So really I have nothing to worry about right? Wrong, I, Jade West am a female.
That's right I have all girl parts except of course the penis. I look like a girl, a sexy one at that, I have boobs, big ones, and I have a feminine shape to my body, really nice and curvy, not the fat curvy either because I'm no were near fat.
So I walk into the school with my normal scowl on my face and go straight to my locker. Beck my boyfriend of three years is standing there waiting for me with a coffee.
"It better be black with two sugars." I say as I take the coffee and sip it. I moan as the scolding hot liquid runs down my throat.
"You know you could say thank you." Beck says.
"You know you could leave." I say right back to him.
"I will and I'll take this." He says taking the coffee and walking off.
"No! Thank you." I mumble out grabbing the coffee back. I turn to open my scissor covered locker. If you haven't noticed already, I absolutely LOVE scissors. I open my locker and put my jacket and some new notebooks in it. I turn back to beck and see him staring at a girl I've never seen before.
"Who the hell is that." I ask, Beck turns and looks at me like I have two heads.
"T-That's Tori Vega. You don't know of her?" he asks like I just broke some stupid law. I hate stupid laws, and I hate the way he's looking at me.
"Dude stop looking at me like that or I'll pluck out your eyes with my special scissors." I tell him, he just rolls his eyes. Me and Beck have always had this relationship where I can just be myself, no filters, and he accepts me for who I am. He doesn't try to change me like others do. We turn back to look at this Tori character and she's talking to Robbie, she seems a bit freaked out by the puppet.
"We should go help her don't you think?" Beck asks from beside me.
"Nah, she's a big girl, let her handle it herself. See you in class." I say walking off to go to Sikowitz's room.
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A week earlier
Fifteen-year-old Victoria "Tori" Vega was standing in her parents' spacious kitchen in Los Angeles. Her study buddy Evan was hunched over his laptop. Tori's life was about to change forever. But she didn't have a clue about that yet. At the moment she was only concerned with a piece of moody bread that was hanging in front of her nose.
Evan and Tori were working on their school science project: a told blush. Two weeks earlier, they had stuck twigs into a plant pot and used binder clips to attach a piece of food to each one.
The old had grown on the things in odd shapes. It would have looked kind of artistic if it hadn't been so gross Today, Tori's job was to describe the different kinds of mold while Evan took notes. Tori put down the folder she was holding and reached for a magnifying glass.
"The bread mold," she began, flicking back her long brown hair with a sigh. As usual, she was dressed cute and casual in a denim skirt with sandals, a gray T-shirt and a purple hoodie. "The bread mold," Evan repeated enthusiastically, typing the words into his laptop.
"Furry," said Tori. She reached out and touch it. Yuck. It was hard to share Evan's enthusiasm. "Mushy,: she continued. They had to record the look, feel, and smell of the different moods. During what part of her future life would this be useful? Sometimes homework was a mystery to Tori.
"Next, the fish mold," she said as she leaned forward, touched the mold gingerly, and inhaled. "Stinky," she said, wishing she hadn't taken such taken such a big sniff.
Tori was about to move on to the next batch of mold, when BANG! she was saved by the noise of the front door flying open. It was her older sister, Trina, dramatic as ever.
"I am so upset!" she shouted. Trina was never one to hide her feelings. If anything, she made all her emotions big. Huge. Gargantuan!
"You won't believe who I got partnered with for the Big Showcase!" she said, marching into the living room in her high heels. She threw her bag and keys on the sofa and faced the two lab partners with their science experiment. "Andrew Harris...a tenth grader." She growled the words "tenth grader" as if she were saying "complete idiot."
Tori frowned. She and Evan were in the tenth grade. And Trina was only a year older.
"What's the Big Showcase?" asked Evan. "It's a performance they put on her school every year." explained Tori. Tori and Trina went to different schools. And Trina's want just different--- it was different.
Trina loved to sing, dance, act, and be the centre of attention. That was why she fit in so well at Hollywood Arts, a high school that only admitted L.A's most creative, talented kids. Tori went to Sherwood High, which was just a typical school. She liked it, even though the homework included sniffing different types of mold.
Tori glanced over at her science project. She was done with Trina's drama and was ready to get back to work. Trina, however, was just getting started. Trina took Evan's hand and led him across the room as she spoke. "They invite agents and directors and producers and other super-powerful people in the show business and it's extremely important to me," said Trina as she approached the front door. "Which is why I am very upset. And goodbye!" She pushed Tori's friend out the door and slammed it shut, not even when Evan began to complain. Poor Evan. He had no idea that when the steam train Trina came to town, it was best to just get out of the way.
"Hey!" yelled Tori. "He and I have a science project due tomorrow. I have to turn in my mold bush!"
Tori was used to Trina's "me first." outlook on life, but this was too much! "No!" Trina said, crossing the living room. "Andrew's coming over and you've got to help us figure out what we're going to do in the Big Showcase! I definitely want to sing!" She approached the piano, played a chord, threw back her head and sang: "Nyahhhh!"
The sound was like the combination of a car horn and a sick goose.
"How was that?" she asked.
"Loud," Tori replied truthfully.
"Awesome," said Trina, looking very pleased with herself. Tori grinned. Trina was just....Trina. Even when she drove Tori crazy, she still managed to make her little sister smile.
The doorbell rang. "Ugh, he'e here." said Trina. Tori went for the door. It was the least she could do. The situation was obviously upsetting Trina.
"Stay!" Trina snapped, as if talking to a dog. 'Whatever,' thought Tori.
Trina opened the door to revel a cute guy with a friendly smile on his face. "Come in," Trina sighed. She was already so over this. She could handle whatever showbiz dealt her, but working with a tenth grader? Come on!
"Thanks?" the guy said, his friendliness turning to bewilderment. "Tori, that's Andrew." Trina was already walking away. "Andre," he corrected her He turned his smile up to full beam again for Tori. "You go to Hollywood Arts too?"
"Oh no, I'm not a performer! Just my sister," said Tori. "Yep, I got the talent," Trina explained, "and she got the strong teeth." She grabbed Tori's jaw and squished her face. "You know she's never had one cavity?" Trina continued, releasing Tori from her grip.
"I try not brag about it," joked Tori, just relieved to have her face back to normal. Andre grinned. He was obviously amused by the sisters. Then he saw the piano in the corner of the room.
"Wow, nice piano," he cooed.
He sat down and immediately started to play. His fingers glided over the keys, delivering a pretty classical number, finishing with a bluesy, jazzy flourish. It seemed to take no effort at all. Tori was impressed.
"You're fantastic!" she said.
"He's oaky," said Trina.
Andre stopped playing. He frowned and sniffed the air. The he took Tori's hand, smelled it, and shot her a confused look.
"Fish mold," said Tori.
Andre let go of Tori's hand. It dropped to the piano, making the keys clang. They both laughed. 'He's nice,' thought Tori. She was glad her sister had been partnered with Andre. Even if Trina wasn't!
Next Dat At Hollywood Arts
The next day at school, Andre walked into the hallway with a few of his friends. They were all crowded around, talking and laughing as they went to their first class.
"Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Big Showcase himself!" Robbie teased, flashing him a grin. "So, how's it feel to be partnered up with the legendary Trina Vega?" He exaggerated the name, raising his eyebrows dramatically.
Andre groaned, sinking into his seat at the table with Beck, Jade, Cat, and Robbie. "Honestly? It's gonna be a disaster," he muttered, shaking his head. "I don't even know what we're supposed to be doing for the showcase. Trina keeps changing her mind on what song she wants to perform, and every time I suggest something else, she looks at me like I just suggested jumping into a pit of snakes."
His friends burst out laughing, some of them giving him playful jabs.
"You mean, you're gonna let her sing that... thing she calls music?" Rex, Robbie Shapiro's puppet teased, making air quotes around "thing."
"Yeah, her 'Nyahhhh' voice could be an international sensation," Andre joked, mimicking Trina's dramatic wail from the previous day. His friends erupted into laughter again.
Cat gasped in mock horror, her eyes wide. "Not the snakes! Poor Andre!" She put a hand to her heart, making everyone laugh.
"Hey, you could have it worse," Beck said with a smirk. "Could've been paired with Jade."
Jade shot him a glare. "Yeah, 'cause I would totally sabotage him, right?" She scoffed, taking a sip of her juice. "I just don't do showbiz stuff. That's all on you, Andre."
"Exactly," Robbie added. "The only thing Jade's showcasing is her amazing ability to ruin any project with sarcasm and eye rolls."
"Hey!" Jade protested, giving Robbie a shove. "It's a skill, okay? Some of us have natural talent."
Andre chuckled. "Anyway, it's not like I wanted to be partnered with Trina." He leaned in, lowering his voice. " At least Tori is there to keep Trina in line."
The table went quiet for a second, and Cat tilted her head. "Tori? Who's Tori?"
Andre blinked, surprised that none of them had heard of her. "Oh, uh, she's—well, she's Trina's little sister. You know, the one who doesn't make everything about herself? She goes to Sherwood High. I don't really know her that well, but she's... uh, cool, I guess. She's the one who actually does her homework, unlike some people."
Jade raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so you're telling me there's another Vega? A more normal one? Now I'm intrigued. Does she—"
Before Jade could continue, Robbie grinned. "Let me guess, Andre's secretly in love with her?"
"Shut up," Andre muttered, his face flushing as he kicked Robbie under the table.
"Aw, look at that! We got ourselves a little crush," Beck teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
"No! It's not like that!" Andre protested. "She's just... different from Trina, that's all."
Cat nodded slowly. "I think I get it. She's like the calm before the storm that is Trina."
"Exactly," Andre said, relieved they understood. "She's cool. She has her own thing going. Unlike Trina, who thinks the whole world revolves around her 'big performance.'"
Jade chuckled. "I don't know, man, it sounds like you really like her. Maybe you're more into the whole 'normal girl' vibe than I thought."
"Stop," Andre groaned, covering his face with his hands. "I don't have a crush on Tori. I'm just saying—she's a lot more chill than her sister."
The group burst into laughter as Andre buried his face in his arms, wishing he could escape the teasing.
Later that day, after the teasing had died down, Andre was walking through the halls of his school with Robbie and Beck, trying to put the whole Tori conversation behind him.
"So, who's your partner for the Big Showcase?" Robbie asked, bumping his shoulder playfully into Andre. "I heard you got stuck with the one and only Trina Vega." He smirked as if he had a secret weapon up his sleeve.
Andre sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, don't remind me. She's already driving me insane with all her ideas."
Beck chuckled. "How bad is it really, though? You've worked with worse, right?"
"At least when we worked with Jade for that one class project, we didn't have to deal with her singing every five seconds. Now it's just me and her fighting over whether or not she's doing a pop ballad or a Broadway number for the performance."
Robbie raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know how to do a pop ballad or Broadway number?"
Andre shot him a deadpan look. "I'm not the one performing. I'm just here to make sure she doesn't burn the place down with her diva moments."
As they rounded the corner, Andre's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to check the notification and saw a message from Tori.
"Hey, I heard you got paired with Trina. Good luck!"
"Who's that?" Robbie asked, peering at the phone in Andre's hand.
Andre quickly typed back a reply to Tori before looking up. "Oh, that's... just Tori. She's Trina's sister."
Beck raised an eyebrow. "Tori? The one who doesn't make everything about herself? Dude, you seriously need to tell us more about her."
Andre shrugged, trying not to look too flustered. "There's nothing much to say. She's cool. Really different from Trina."
"Different how?" Robbie asked, nudging him again.
Andre paused, unsure of what to say. "I don't know, she just—" he stopped himself, shaking his head. "Anyway, she's not a drama queen like Trina. That's enough for me."
Before anyone could press further, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Andre slipped his phone back in his pocket, silently hoping the whole conversation wouldn't come up again. But, of course, he knew his friends. They would never let it go.
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3 DAYS helping Trina and Andre rehearse. Trina's driving me INSANE!
Andre had been at Tori and Trina's house every day for five days, rehearsing for the Big Showcase. He was so enthusiastic about the upcoming performance that Tori was getting excited too. It was going to be amazing, Andre told her. There would be backup singers and dancers, and his band would be playing onstage with him. All he needed to do now was make sure Trina was ready to perform. But that was going to take some time....
Tori and Andre had become friends, which was good because Tori wasn't allowed to leave her sister's side during rehearsals. Tori had clapped and critiqued and made herself useful for so long that she knew the song as well as Trina did.
One sunny day, Andre and Two were taking a break from rehearsal in the garden. Tori's patio had two green sun loungers and awesome view over the Hollywood Hills. But Andre wasn't relaxing in a chair, and wasn't admiring the view either. He was pacing up and down the garden, talking on his cell phone. It didn't sound like the conversation was going his way.
"Grandma, listen!" Andre shouted. "There's no way you can drown at my school." He rolled his eyes and Tori chuckled. "You are not going to fall in a toilet! Look, I've got to go. I'll call you later!"
"Your grandmother's coming to the Big Showcase?" Tori asked, sipping her lemonade. "Yeah," said Andre. "It's going to be the first time she's left the house in six years."
"Six years? Why?" Tori was intrigued. "The woman's afraid of everything," he explained. "People, umbrellas, rabbis, bikinis, break-fast food..."
Tori grinned. She got the picture. "So if she saw a rabbi in a bikini eating pancakes..."
"The woman would burst into flames!" finished Andre. Tori knew he was exaggerating, but by the sound of it, not much.
TWANG! Inside, Trina banged a chord on the piano. "You guys! Come on!" she screamed. "Back to rehearsal," said Tori, grabbing her drink and heading for the door. They entered the house. Wow! Trina had changed her outfit while they were outside. She was wearing a frilly blue and white tiered dress with black ankle boots and a sparkly tiara.
Tori gulped. Her sister looked like a human piñata.
"So, what do you think?" Trina asked her sister. "Fabulous, right?'
"You really need to wear that just to rehearse?" Tori asked.
"A performer needs to feel the part to be the part," said Trina, slowly tapping Tori on the nose with her finger. "I thought we talked about you not tapping my nose anymore," Tori said in a voice that revealed just how much nose tapping she had to deal with. But as usual, her big sister merely laughed.
"Okay, we got the comedy stuff down, so let's start with my song."
'Comedy stuff?' thought Tori. 'I wasn't joking about the nose tapping!' But there was no point repeating herself now. She'd just have to remind Trina the next time she tapped her nose!
"By your song, I'm guessing you mean the song that I wrote?" Andre asked. "No one cares who wrote the song," said Trina. "Now..." She paused to clear throat. "Take it from 'when I make it shine.'"
Andre had only been playing for a few seconds when Trina barked, "Slower!"
So Andre began to play his melody slow and sweet. Then Trina belted out the chorus. She was off-key. off-tempo, off-everything!
When she finished, she smugly looked at the tenth graders and asked, "Well?" She was only being polite. She clearly thought she'd nailed it!
Andre turned to Tori." Do you have any aspirin?" he asked. Tori already had a large bottle ready. She popped the cap and offered him a couple.
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Later at a mall Jade's POV
I sit at the mall cafeteria waiting for Cat to arrive, she forced me to come with her to buy whatever goes in that mind of hers. I look at the slap for about five minutes before I realize I really have to pee.
I stand up to leave but as soon as I do some idiot runs into me and spills coffee all over me. I'm not even pissed about the shirt, I have another in my bag, I'm just pissed because I no longer have a coffee.
"Watch where you're going moron." I spit out with venom.
"S-Sorry, I d-didn't see you t-there." The idiot stutters out rubbing my chest to try to get the coffee off. I'm about to start counting until I look up and I see the most beautiful chocolate eyes I've ever seen, and I've seen Cat's.
I look away from the eyes and look at the rest of this girl, oh god. She is beyond gorgeous, and she's rubbing my chest. If the coffee wasn't burning me right now I'm pretty sure I'd have a boner.
"Hey, hey look at me okay. You're okay, it's okay, okay?" I ask grabbing her wristand bringing them between us. I think I hear a few gasps at this soft and caring action I'm doing.
"N-No, I spilled hot coffee on you, your shirt is all ruined and you h-have coffee in your hai-." She stops as she looks into my eyes. Gotcha.
She pulls away, her wide brown eyes glancing between my face and the mess on my shirt. I can't believe I'm losing control like this. I've had coffee spilled on me before, but never by someone who could leave me speechless.
"You didn't mean to, it's fine," I say, gently taking her hands back in mine, trying to calm her nerves as she shakes. "Honestly, don't worry about it."
Her skin feels warm under my fingers, and the sight of her there, standing so close, makes my heart race in a way I'm not used to. I glance to the side, desperate for some kind of escape from the growing tension in the air, but I'm in a mall. This is not exactly the place to go full-blown panic mode.
The girl, still flustered, tries to laugh but ends up stammering out an apology. "I... I really didn't mean to, I swear. I'm so sorry again."
I turn back to her, a reassuring smile playing on my lips. "Don't worry. We're all good. Just a little wardrobe malfunction, no big deal."
"But your shirt is—" she starts, her eyes wide, glancing down again at the coffee stains.
I wave it off, my confidence growing despite my initial awkwardness. "I've got another one in my bag, it's fine."
Then, I hear the unmistakable sound of a voice I didn't recognize.
"Hey, cheekbones we have to leave now?" I looked into the direction of the sound to see a girl with blonde hair and brown highlights coming to our direction, once she was near us she grabbed the girl and pulled her away.
"I'm sorry about her"
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Big Showcase day
Ditching school-going to Trina's BIG SHOWCASE.
It was the day of the Big Showcase and Tori had skipped school so she could be there. She couldn't miss Trina's performance----not after everything they had been through! Their parents had taken time off work and were sitting proudly beside Tori in the packed auditorium.
Tori was having a great time. The show was really good because the students were so talented. There were comedians, singers, dancers----even jugglers! Tori sat back in her seat and relaxed. It was almost time for her sister's performance. Onstage, two guys were break-dancing, flipping and spinning with the bumping beats. Then she heard a noise from the roe behind her. An old lady had arrived late and was pushing past the other people in their seats. They tried to move out of her way, but she twitched, her eyes nervously darting around the room. She was absolutely terrified. She glanced left and right as she took the seat behind Tori, clutching her handbag to her knees. Tori could guess who this was.
"Hi," she whispered. "Are you Andre's grandmother?" She was trying to be friendly, but the old lady squealed in alarm.
"I don't know you?" she screamed, ducking down out of sight. She peeped out from behind the chairs. Tori turned back and exchanged confused looks with her parents. Andre's grandma really was scared of everything!
Suddenly, over the noise of noise of the dance music, Tori heard a strange sort of gargling scream. It sounded oddly familiar. The audience shifted uneasily, hopping it would stop. But it came again, louder. The dancer onstage sneaked glances into the wings. There was something going on--- a scuffle behind the curtains was distracting them from their routine.
A man in a brown shirt squeezed along Tori's row and gestured wildly to get her parents' attention. It was Lane, Hollywood Arts' guidance counselor.
"Excuse me. Are you Trina's parents?" he asked. He was trying to keep quiet, but everyone was staring. "Yes, why?" asked Tori's dad uncomfortably. "Please come with me," Lane said. Tori's parents got up, alarmed, mumbling apologies to the people sitting beside them. Tori followed, hoping Trina was okay. What had happened?
Lane led them backstage, then took them to the wings. They walked past guitars, amps, keyboards, and ladders to dodge before they got to Trina. She was wearing her flouncy blue dress and tiara, and was surrounded by a group of students and teachers trying to calm her down. Right beside her was the school nurse, wearing blue latex gloves and holding a tongue depressor. She looked really worried.
Tori and her parents pushed their way through the throng and started at Trina in disbelief. Her tongue had swelled to about four times its normal size and was sticking out of her mouth like a pink ballon. Trina was waving her arms around, frantically trying to talk.
"Unthins ong ith ah ang!" she shouted. Tori was pretty sure she was saying "something is wrong with my tongue," but it was hard to tell because, well, something was wrong with her tongue.
"Oh my god, it's huge!" said Tori. She couldn't believe what she was seeing."Does anybody know how this happened?" the nurse demanded. it was clear she had never seen anything quite like this before. Tori thought hard. What had her sister done? Then she remembered she had seen Trina doing something in the kitchen the night before. Something that was supposed to help, not ruin, Trina's performance. "Chinese herb gargle?" Tori blurted out.
Trina frantically nodded and touched her nose like in a game of charades. "What are you talking about?" asked Mr. Vega. "Trina found a website that shows you hoe to make an herb gargle to help you sing better," said Tori. She hadn't thought it sounded like a good idea at the time, but she hadn't known it would be this dangerous either.
"She must have had an allergic reaction to it," said the nurse. "Ah owth eels ooog!" sealed Trina. "Will she be okay?" asked her mom, watching in horror as the nurse squeezed Trina's massive tongue. "Well, her tongue is engorged and--oh gosh, well now it's throbbing erratically," said the nurse. "Throbbing erratically?" Tori repeated.
Finding it hard to keep quiet despite her over-grown tongue, Trina kept trying to speak. But no one could understand a word she said. "Any way she will be able to perform today?" asked Lane.
"Of course not,"scored the nurse. Trina threw herself at the nurse, grabbing her collar, trying to speak. Fat tongue or not, she wanted to get on stage! "Stop talking!" said the nurse angrily. "Your tongue could burst!"
"Busth?" Trina said, then finally quieted down. This was getting seriously freaky. She looked like she had a full bar of soap shoved in her mouth. "I'm sorry sweetie," said their mom. "Next year," said their dad, rubbing Trina's shoulders. "I'm going to take her over there," said the nurse firmly. She pulled Trina aside. "And massage her tongue."
'Massage her tongue?'
The nurse took Trina gently by the arm and led her away to a quiet corner. Mr. and Mrs. Vega followed them. That was when Tori noticed Andre standing nearby. She realised that it wasn't just Trina who would miss out. Andre couldn't perform his song without a singer. And there was his band, and the backup dancers, who had been practicing too.
"I guess my grandma came here for nothing." Andre said sadly. "Wait," said Lane. "Does anyone else know Trina's part?"
"Her sister does!" said Andre, his face lighting up. He turned to Tori, begging her with his eyes. Tori did not like the way this was going. Not one little bit.
"Me sister?" she yelped. "No. I just helped them rehearse! I'm not even a student here." She backed away, holding out her hands to stop anyone from getting closer. But Andre grabbed her and pulled her to one side. "You know the whole thing inside and out!" said Andre. "The song, the choreography---you can do this!"
"No way," said Tori firmly.
"She said she'll do it!" Andre announced loudly. He flung his arms in the air, and all the students and teachers cheered. "No, I didn't," said Tori, but her voice was lost in the noise. "Wait a minute. She can't go onstage...." said Lane. Tori felt relieved. This man would stop the madness. He would understand that she wasn't a performer! "....wearing that." he finished.
"Excuse me?" shrieked Tori. She was wearing one of her favourite tops! "Go and get her something cool to wear," Lane told Andre. Tori looked down at outfit in disbelief. She started to Protest more, but Andre pulled her away to the dressing rooms. The other kids ran after them, whooping and yelling. Every one loves a makeover!
Tori escaped Andre and ran back, coming to a halt when she reached the stage. She was trapped! She grabbed hold of the back of chair. The student sitting there continued to drum his drum-sticks even when Andre appeared, picked up Tori's legs, and dragged her, along with the chair and the drummer still sitting on it, toward the middle of the room. With her hand holding the chair and Andre pulling at her legs , Tori was completely stretched out.
Her fingers were quickly losing their grip on the chair, and she finally let go. Andre caught her. "Don't make me do this!" he said, picking her up and carrying her, kicking and screaming, back to the dressing room.
The audience waited impatiently. Many were on the phone or in the middle of conversations. Andre's band was onstage tuning up. Andre walked out and headed to his keyboard. Cries of "Hey, Andre!" suddenly rang through the room. Apparently, he was a very popular guy. the lights lowered and the audience grew quiet, waiting. It was as if they could sense that something special was about to happen. Tori's mom and dad were standing in the wings, watching nervously. The stage looked incredible. The crew had wheeled a wide set of steps to back, ready for the dance routine that Tori knew so well.
A hush fell over the crowed. Just then, a muffled squeaking could be heard . It was Tori still trying to get out of the performing. "Let go of me! What are you doing? No, please, no!" She was terrified. With a gentle shove, Lane tried to push Tori out onto the top step. She squirmed back toward the wings, but he pushed her up the steps once again.
The spotlight operator saw this and swung his light around, bathing her in a white glow. Tori's parents gasped. Their youngest daughter was barely recognisable in a sparkling minidress and pink and silver sneakers.
This was it. She was onstage and couldn't fight anymore. The lights were blinding her. She couldn't make out the face in the audience. In a funny was, this helped. She could see Andre sitting at his keyboard. He gave her a reassuring smile then nodded to his band, as if to say "Here we go." Then they started to play the introduction to Andre's song.
From the wings, Trina heard the chords and pushed her way forward to watch, her tongue still huge and bubble-gum pink. Tori gave her a weak smile. Andre nodded at Tori encouragingly from behind the keyboard. The audience was staring at her expectantly. Her brain was churning! She had to think positive. She knew the words. She knew the moves. Tori started to sway to the music; then she shut her eyes, opened her mouth, and sang.
'Here I am, once again
Feeling lost but now and then
I breathe it in to let it go'
Even though Tori was petrified, the words came out pretty, sincere, and on-key. Relaxing a little after first few lines, Tori turned to Andre and mouthed the words 'Speed it up.' He grinned and nodded to the band. They played faster as Tori found her confidence.
'And you don't know where you are now
Or what it would come to, if only somebody could hear
When you figure out how
You're lost in the moment, you disappear'
The lights onstage flashed, turning from white to pink as the song started to build. Tori Could see the two backup singers standing on a raised platform, singing and moving to the music.
Tori smiled and sang loud and strong. How could this be? She wasn't the performer in the family But there was only time to do.
Andre was standing up at his keyboard, singing along. The audience was clapping in time, tapping their feet. Tori's parents beamed. They were impressed and proud. Then the seven back-up dancers bounded onto the stage. Three girls in bright minidresses threw themselves into the routine with an electric energy while the four guys leave up steps to where Tori stood. They lifted her into the air and carried her down to the front of the stage as she moved into the chorus.
Form the wings, Trina and her giant tongue were bopping along to the beat, Even Lane was getting into it.
The dancers spread out, making a half circle on the steps behind Tori. She was in the moment on the stage and loving it. She knew the routine perfectly. Thanks to all the time she'd spent with her sister, she could have done it in her sleep! She'd never known performing could be such a thrill.
You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action
You're never gonna fade, you'll be the main attraction
Not a fantasy, just remember me
When it turns out right
'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination
Tomorrow, you'll be everybody's fascination
In my victory, just remember me
When I make it shine
Reachin' high, feelin' low
I'm holding on but letting go
I like to shine, I'll shine for you
And it's time to show the world how
It's a little bit closer, as long as I'm ready to go
All we have is right now
As long as you feel it inside, you know
You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action
You're never gonna fade, you'll be the main attraction
Not a fantasy, just remember me
When it turns out right
'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination
Tomorrow, you'll be everybody's fascination
In my victory, just remember me
When I make it shine
Everyone can tell you how it's all been said and done (oh-whoa)
That harder times will change your mind
And make you wanna run
But you want it, and you need it
Like you need to breathe the air
If they doubt you, just believe it
That's enough to get you there
You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action
You're never gonna fade, you'll be the main attraction
Not a fantasy, just remember me
When it turns out right (turns out right)
'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination
Tomorrow, you'll be everybody's fascination
In my victory, just remember me
When I make it shine
She finished the song, letting the last note ring around the auditorium. Then she smiled the wildest, happiest smile she had ever smiled in her life. Tori was exhilarated. The whole audience jumped to their feet.
'A standing ovation?' she thought. 'I'm getting a standing ovation?'
The dancers hugged one another. Andre leaped over the keyboard, picked Tori up, and spun her around. Everyone who had been watching from the wings rushed onto the stage with Tori as the curtains closed. There was just one thing they all wanted her to know---she was amazing!
"Sweetie!" squealed Tori's mom. "That was incredible," said her dad, giving her massive bear hug. "It was?" she asked, still not totally convinced by the reaction.
A man in a red shirt and black vest came rushing over, "Excuse me," he said, "but who are you?"
"I am Tori Vega," said Tori. "Who are you?"
"This is Mr. Eikner," said Lane "Our principal."
At once, everyone stopped talking and waited to hear what he had to say. Would he be angry that a student from another school had just performed at his Showcase? Tori bit her lip, suddenly nervous. "You don't go to school here?" Mr. Eikner asked in disbelief. "No. I..." Tori didn't know what to say. She couldn't find the words to explain about Trina's tongue and the rehearsals. But Mr, Eikner had other things on his mind. "Do you want to?" he demanded. "Me?" said Tori in utter shock. "I don't know. Should I?" she looked at her mom and dad. "Yes?" shouted Andre before she had the chance to say anything else.
"Yeth! Yeth!" said Trina, jumping up and down on the spot. Her tongue was still swollen, but she was obviously excited for her sister. Lane was clapping, Andre's band looked pleased, and the school nurse was smiling.
One kid was holding a ventriloquist's dummy, and even the puppet seemed to be looking at her nodding his head.
'A puppet?' thought Tori. 'Who carries a puppet?'
But there really wasn't time to wonder about puppets. Her whole life was about to change at the very moment! Tori's mom and dad looked so proud. They had no idea that their younger daughter could sing and dance like that! It had always been Trina who pushed herself to the front, who wanted to go to Hollywood Arts. But it looked like they had raised two performers, not one.
Everyone stared at Tori expectantly. They were sure she was going to say yes, but Tori was still trying to think it all through. Could she leave Sherwood High halfway through the term and start at a completely different school? She looked at the kids around her. They all looked so cool, confident, and creative. Tori didn't know if she would fit in. She wasn't used to being the centre of attention like this.
"But all the kids who go here are crazy talented!" she said. "So are you," said Andre. Tori's head started to swim. "But what if I'm not good enough?" she asked. Why should she put herself out there just to fail? She was perfectly happy with her regular school and her mold!
Suddenly, everyone seemed to be disagreeing with her at once, and the noise and buzz of excitement was overwhelming. But Andre took control of the situation. He ran out to the side of the stage and pushed past Sinjin, the student stage manager. He found the lever that operated the curtains and pushed. The curtains to an unsuspecting crowd. The audience stopped talking and stared at all the people on the stage. And everyone onstage started at the audience.
What was going on?
The school nurse gave an embarrassing little wave. The principal looked guilty. Tori's mom and dad tried to hide in the wings, but there was no way out. Then Andre strolled forward and took the stage.
"Hey!" he yelled.
"Hey, Andre!" his grandma yelled back, forgetting herself and waving---then ducking down behind her seat like a frightened rabbit.
Andre walked across the stage to the confused Tori. He grabbed her wrist and addressed the audience; "This girl doesn't know if she's good enough to go to school here." He gently led Tori to the front of the stage.
"What do you people think?"
There was a huge explosion of noise ad the crowd went wild. They clapped, cheered, and taped their feet. Everyone on stage joined in.
"Okay?" asked Andre.
"Okay!" said Tori, jumping up and down and hugging Andre. She had made her choice --- and a new best friend. It looked like this was only the beginning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to the present
first day at Hollywood Arts. EPIC!!! - TORI VEGA VIA THESLAP.COM
"See, it's just a school!" said Trina, twirling around as she showed her sister the lockers. Her tongue was back to normal again, and she was already acting like nothing her happened. It was Tori's first day at Hollywood Arts. She'd thought that after the rush from the performance had died down and she was actually at the school, it wouldn't be as scary, it was terrifying. The halls were filled with students practicing dance moves, mimes, and musical performance. The lockers and walls were covered in bright, colourful street art.
"This is not just a high school," protested Tori. "These kids are all artistic ad creative and talented and I'm just....normal." She thought back to her science project with Evan. She got the feeling she wouldn't be studying much bread mold in her classes today.
"It's oaky," said Trina. "There's nothing wrong with being average. Anyway, you're not alone. I've got your back!"
Tori sight with relief. Trina was her big sister and would always be there for her. Just then, a little dynamo of a girl rushed up to them. "Trina! Eric Paulson got his hair straightened!"
"Shut up!" Trina shouted. And off they went, leaving Tori alone. So much for big-sisterly love!
"I'm alone!" Tori said to the back of their heads. She looked around for someone who could help her. She saw a girl wandering down the corridor, lost in her own world. She had bright red hair and seemed friendly. Tori plucked up her courage and wave.
"Hey," started Tori. "Can you tell me-" But the girl stopped and stared at her, openmouthed. "You're Tori, right?" she said. Tori nodded. "You were so awesome in the Big Showcase!" she enthused. The girl had a high, breathy voice and wide, welcoming eyes.
"Oh, thanks!" Tori said. Since Trina had bailed on her and Andre was nowhere in sigh, it was good to have some one to talk to. Evan if that someone was a stranger. "My name's Cat."
"Like the animal?" Tori asked, making sure she had it right. "What's that supposed to mean?" Cat demanded, changing from super-happy to super-upset in an instant. "Nothing! I love cats!" Tori had no idea what she'd said wrong.
"Me too. They're so cute," said Cat, happy again. She wandered away, humming. Tori didn't call after her. Who knew what she might say wrong this time? She caught sight of a boy with a ventriloquist's dummy on his arm. She remembered seeing him in the wings at the Big Showcase. Maybe he would help her.
"Hey," she began.
"Hey, h-hello," he stuttered as he stopped and turned around to look at Tori. "Female," he blurted out, then looked down at the floor and then back at his dummy in panic.
Tori went on anyway. "Can you tell me where Sikowitz's classroom is?" She smiled hopefully. "Sikowitz. Down the hall, swing left at the water fountain, second door on the right," the dummy said in a smooth voice.
The boy's lips didn't even move. Tori was impressed but wary. It wasn't every day she met a student ventriloquist. "Thanks," she said.
"Whatever it takes, cupcake," said the puppet. The boy shrugged, implying that he had no control over what his dummy said. Tori raised her eyebrows and followed his instructions to the classroom as quickly as she could.
Some of her classmates were already in the room, chatting and finding seats. Nervous, Tori looked around to see if she recognise any faces, but of course she didn't have any friends here. Unless you counted the crazy girl. And the guy with the dummy. Wait, did they count as one new friend or two? Tori was lost in thought, when THUPM! she bumped into the extremely ugly boy behind her, causing him to spill his coffee all over his shirt.
"Oh my gosh!" She looked up, mortified. He had long greasy hark hair that looked like he never washed it in his whole life, basic brown eye that does nothing to you, and a slightly surprised expression.
Don't blame him other that his girlfriend no attractive girl pays attention to him.
"It's cool." he said, his voice sounding like a sick goose mixed with a cat that's about to die. "Oh my gosh. I spilled coffee on you. Here." Tori started wiping his jacked with her sleeve as he didn't back away, making it seem like he is cheating piece of ass. "I think it's coming out." She continued to rub furiously, ignoring his protests. "You might be making it worse, actually." He laughed a little.
'A a cute guy' she thought ' I just dumped coffee on a ugly guy that I have to pretend is a cute guy. With a sorta cute laugh that smile and a ugly-'
"Dude!" came a stern voice from the door-way. Tori could tell it was aimed at her. She turned to see a 'tough-looking' girl dressed in black with purple streaks in her long dark hair. She looked 'confided' , 'cool' and very annoyed.
"Why are you rubbing my boyfriend?" she demanded. Tori tried to explain, but the girl shouted it down. "Get away from him!"
"Relax," said the guy, 'calming' his girlfriend down with a kiss. Tori wasn't amazed when the girl's expression stayed the same.
"Oh my god, there's a huge fire!" a voiced screamed out. The classroom door swung open and wild-haired mad was standing there. He had bare feet and were old, tatted clothes. Tori grabbed her bag, and the rest of class leaped to their feet.
"Where?" Tori asked in alarm. "Kidding!" said the strange man. "Kidding. Just wanted to get your blood pumping. Which I did. Ha!" He looked pleased with himself.
"Now, let's get started. Rumps in chairs." Right away all the kids calmed down and sat in their seats, unfazed, as the teacher took off his book bag and rolled it across the floor as if it were a bowling ball. Tori looked around in confusion, saw Andre, and gratefully sank into the chair next to his. Tori whispered, "He's our teacher?" Andre nodded.
"Okay, first I'd like to introduce our new student, Tori," said the teacher. " And I would like to thank her for the generous gift of two dollars, which she handled me outside this morning. Not necessary, but much appreciated."
"Why did you give him two dollars?" asked Andre, leaning to Tori. "I though he was homeless," Tori replied, embarrassed. But Sikowitz had already moved on. "Today, we're going to continue our study in group improve. Tori, I assume you're familiar with improve?"
"No," Tori said, deciding it was best to come clean. "Okay, crash course! Improve!" he bellowed. "Acting without a script. The actors must make up their own actions and dialogue as they perform the scene. Understood?" He left no time for Tori to answer.
"Excellent," he boomed. "Jade, you will captain the first group of the day. Choose your actors, Jade."
'Jade. So that's the ugly boy's girlfriend's name,' Tori thought. She winced as the 'tough' girl in the black leggings stood up, gave her an evil glare, then walked casually to the front of the classroom to pick out her actors.
"Cat," she said. The red-haired girl Tori had met earlier jumped up, looking pleased. "Beck, Eli," Jade continued. Her boyfriend and another boy stood up. Tori tried not to look at large coffee stinky on Beck's shirt. Then the unthinkable happened. "And.....Tori," Jade finished, using a mocking voice.
Tori looked at Andre. It didn't take a psychic to see that this wasn't going to be good. But she tried to relax when she saw how mush Jade was loving putting Tori on the spot. She made her way to the front of the class to join the others onstage.
Then the game began.
"Let's give them a place." said Sikowitz. "Home!" called Robbie, the boy with the dummy on his arm. "Hooooome!" repeated Sikowitz, but with much more dramatic flair. "Real creative," sneered Robbie's puppet. "You be quiet!" Robbie scolded. The dummy responded by smacking Robbie in the face.
"And now we need a situation," continued Sikowitz. "Big news!" suggested Andre. Sikowitz frowned. "Andre, nobody wants to see big nudes," he said. "News," repeated Andre. "Ah well, that's different," said Sikowitz. He scrawled on the board Home/Big New in huge letters. Then nodded to Jade.
"Why don't you wait in the hall?" Jade told Tori. Tori awkwardly made her way over to the door. She had the feeling something terrible was going to happen, but she had no idea what.
"Okay, at home and big news," repeated Sikowitz with excitement. "And...action!"
Jade started the scene. In a voice that sounded like a sitcom house-wife, she spoke to Beck, "Hey babe, how was work today?" Then she put her arms around his neck. "I got fired," said Beck, looking really confused like he doesn't know what acting and improve is. "Again?" Eli pipped up.
"It's okay, I have great news that will cheer up this whole family!"said Jade in her best 'mom' voice. "I went to the animal shelter and got us...a dog!" She crossed over the doorway, where Tori was waiting.
"Yes?" said Tori, not sure what to do. She glanced at Sikowitz, but he was drinking coconut milk through a straw No help there. "I'm the new family dog," she said. "Uh, woof."
But Jade wasn't pleased with this. "Sikowitz, will you tell this amateur that dogs can'r talk and that they don't walk on two legs?"
Sikowitz looked up, started that he had been called on to help. "Sorry, I was sucking the milk out of this coconut. But yes. It's true, Tori." he said. "If you're going to play a dog be a dog."
With a heavy heart, Tori got down on all fours and barked. Jade looked smug. "I went to the animal shelter and got us a dog," said Jade, back in full mom mode.
Because they were playing the kids in the scene, Cat and Eli were happy about their new pet. They got to the floor and started petting the new doggie.
"Uh-oh, it looks like this dog has bugs in her fur." said Jade, picking an imaginary bag from Tori's hair. She stepped away from Tori and wrinkled her nose. Cat, Eli and Beck took a step back too, in character.
"Ew, goss!" Cat said in little girl voice. "Woof?" said Tori. She had a bad feeling that about this. "That's okay," said Jade. "I read on the internet that coffee gets rid of fur bugs," She walked offstage to a student in the front roe and picked up his iced coffee.
"Maybe you shouldn't, um....," Beck attempted, relaxing exactly what Jade was about to do. But it was too late. "Jade!" Andre shouted.
"If you do that you will regret it," said Lola who was already annoyed at Jade for being a stuck up insecure bitch.
Slowly, Jade poured the drink over Tori's head. Coffee dripped down her neck and soaked her T-shirt. The rest of the class gasped in horror. Then clunk, clunk, clunk. Ice cubes bounced off her skull. Tori blinked to keep the coffee out of her eyes and struggled to her feet. She stood up and was met with Jade's stony gaze.
"What's the prob....dog?" Jade asked in a malicious tone.
Tori ran out of the room ad fast as she could. She'd never thought her first day could be this bad.
Tori ran down the hall and found her way back to the lockers. She was trying hard not to cry. Running her fingers through her wet, sticky hair, she plopped down on the stars and pulled pout her phone. As before, the halls of Hollywood Arts were littered with performing practicing their craft.
A boy was balancing on his hands as a girl looked on. Tori was so upset that she didn't even noticed them until she turned her herself and found herself at eye level with the guy's backside! Tori screamed. Right about now she could have used Sikowitz to yell 'Rumps in chair!' but of course, he was back in class Right along with Tori's pride.
Just then, Andre came out by the lockers. "What are you doing?" he asked, as if nothing had happened. "Calling my mom to tell her I want to go back to my old school," Tori said with determination. "Why?" he said looking surprised.
"Maybe because I don't like having black coffee in my hair?" said Tori. "But I'll get you some cream and sugar and everything would be chill," Andre cooed, trying to make Tori laugh.
Tori ignored him, pressing the phone to her ear. She was wet and cranky and even Andre couldn't cheer her up right now. "Hey, Mom?" she started, But Andre grabbed the phone out of her hand ended the call, and shove it in his pocket. "Give me back my mom?" yelled Tori. Andre shook his head.
"You're going to quit this school on your first day because of one mean girl?" he asked.
ori winced. " It's not just her. I don't fit in here with.....all of this," she said, stating around at the unconventional students and colourfully decorated lockers. "Aw come one, it's not that different from other schools," said Andre. Tori looked over to see if there was still a student on his hands on the stairs, but he had gone.
"Oh yeah, like regular schools have improve classes with barefoot teachers or nerd with puppets or mean girls who make you bark like a dog!" she said in a rush, Just then Robbie, the nerd with the puppet appeared in the corridor.
Great.
"Sikowitz wants you both back in class," said the puppet. "He asked me to tell them!" said Robbie, glaring at the dummy on his arm. "See?" said Tori, looking at Andre. "This doesn't happen at my old school." This was weird. Everything was weird. She couldn't stand it anymore.
"Will you guys be cool?" pleaded Andre. "Him? Be cool?" the puppet said, then laughed hysterically. Tori felt like a used coffee filter. She really couldn't deal with these two right now.
"You're a demon!" Robbie shouted at the dummy. "You guys?" Tori saw a flash of red as Cat popped her head around the corner. "Sikowitz really wants everybody back in the class."
"And you really wanted a date to prom last year, but you didn't get one!" said the sassy puppet. "Rex!" Robbie scolded the doll. "What's that supposed to mean?" asked Cat looking hurt and upset. " Tell your puppet to stop being mean to me."
"Don't call him a puppet. That's an offensive term," relied Robbie. Tori looked Fromm one student to the next in disbelief.
"Yeah! This school is pretty normal!" Tori cried in exasperation. Andre released that he had to calm Tori down, and Robbie and Cat really weren't helping. "Just go back to class and tell Sikowitz we'll be there in a minute," he said.
"You'd better hurry," Cat warned Tori and Andre. "Yeah," said Rex. "I was gonna say 'Yeah!" said Robbie. Not surpassingly, Robbie and Rex continued to argue as they walked back towards the classroom.
"Okay, this school's not normal," Andre said quickly, seeing Tori's point. "Really?" Tori asked sarcastically.
"But you're not normal either. I've seen what you can do on onstage. You're special. You're fantastic. You belong at this school."
Tori was touched. She still smelled like coffee, but she was touched.
Andre began to walk away but then turned back to add, "Normal's boring."
"It's true," said Cat popping up from nowhere. Tori sniffed, feeling a bit brighter. "That normal's boring?" she asked.
"Noooooo!" Cat wailed. "That no one asked me to the prom."
Sometimes, revenge is SWEET! - Tori Vega via TheSlap.com
The class watched in disbelief as Sikowitz fell through the window to the right of the classroom's whiteboard. He picked himself up from the floor, dusted himself off, and addressed the class as if his entrance had been completely normal.
"Good morning, young performers!"
"Why did you crawl in the window?" asked one student, echoing the thoughts of the rest of the class.
"BECAUSE being a performer means making intersection choices."
"That explains his wardrobe choices," joked Jade
The door opened, and to the surprise of the entire class, in walked Tori. She had decided to give Hollywood Arts another try. She couldn't give up so quickly.
She could see the other students staring at her and whispering. Jade was fuming, but Beck the really ugly guy we pretend is handsome, seemed impressed.
"Tori! Good to see you again. Come in. By the way, have you ever thought about coming in through the window?" asked Sikowitz. Tori shook her head and looked puzzled. "Think about it," he said. It looked like Sikowitz was going to let the events of the previous day drop. He was a 'live in the moment' kind of guy.
"Today we are going to do alphabetical improv," said Sikowitz, standing at the front of the class and throwing his arms out wide. 'What is alphabetical improve?' I hear you ask! And is I will answer.'
"We give a letter to the first actor who speaks in the scene," continued the teacher. "Then the actor must make his first work start with the letter. So if we start with A, it might go something like...." He snapped his fingers and pointed at chupacabra also known as Beck.
"Apples are falling out of my butt," Beck said with a monkey smile. "Lovely," said Sikowitz. " The next 'actor who speaks must start his line with the next letter in the alphabet, in this case, B. So he might say.."
"Bring those apples, so we may all enjoy the fresh fruit from Beck's butt." said Andre clearly disgusted by Beck's statement.
"Charming," said Sikowitz."So, who wants to lead the first group?"
Tori raised a hand. " I do." she said with confidence. She had no fear. The worst was already over. If she was going to stay at Hollywood Arts, people were going to have to learn that when push come to shove, Tori Vega was a tough cookie.
"All right, Tori," said Sikowitz. "Choose your actors."
"I choose Andre, Cat, Beck, .... and Jade." Jade looked astonished and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. you," said Tori. Jade seemed shocked at the nerve of this newbie, but she wasn't one to back down from a challenge whereas it was a physical fight Jade would be the first one to back down.
She stood up and walked to where Beck stood at the front of the stage. And just to make sure everyone, including Tori, knew what was up, she gave Beck what she thought was passionate kiss.
Whereas in really it look like a sheep dog trying to make out with a bull. "Now I need to bleach my eyes, thank you for such a horrendous scene." said Lola clearly grossed out by Beck mostly. "We get it, he is your boyfriend now shut the fuck, you don't need to say it like every five seconds." she continued as Jade looked annoyed.
Tori couldn't believe this girl, what was her problem?
Sikowitz wasn't happy either. "Jade, kiss your boyfriend on your own time."
"Oh, I will," replied Jade, looking pleased with herself. "If you start your line with the wrong letter, then you're OUT," said Sikowitz. He banged his bare foot on a chair for emphasis. "Robbie, give us a letter."
"P," said Rex.
"P!"shouted Sikowitz.
"Oh, I was gonna say P!" Robbie complained.
"The scene can be about anything you want," Sikowitz continued. "The first letter of the first line is P. Tori, action!"
"Please go and take a shower," said Tori, looking at Jade. It was not a great line, but it was a start and a dose of Jade's own medicine!
"Quit telling me what to do." Jade replied.
Jade made the sentence start with the next letter in the alphabet, but it was obviously she meant what she was saying.
"Relax, girls! Let's all try to get along." said Beck. "Totally," agreed Cat. "Ennnhhh!" Sikowitz made a loud noise like a game-show buzzer. "Cat, your line had to start with an S."
"Oh, my life's the worst!" she cried. Aware of Cat's easily swayed emotions, Sikowitz knew just what to do. "Here's a piece of candy," he said.
"Yay! I love candy!" Cat happily flounced back to her seat, grabbing the candy from Sikowitz along the way.
"All right, Andre. Letter S goes to you," he said.
Jade and Tori were glaring at each other across the stage. Andre tried to cool down the situation. "Something bit my toe," said Andre. "Turtle!" said Tori, diving back into the scene. "That turtle just bit his toe!"
"Unbelievable that you're even here," said Jade, refusing to get into character.
"Very immature of you to say that," scolded Beck.
"What if the turtle bit broke my toe bone?" asked Andre, trying to steer the scene back on track. "X-rays are the only way to find out," said Tori. "You should shut up," said Jade. She wasn't even trying to be a character in a scene. She was just being her usual crabby self!
"Zap! I healed you with my magic finger." said Beck. "Thanks," said Andre, rubbing his toe. "Ennnhhhh!" Sikowitz did the same game-show noise again. "Andre! Your line had to start with an A. Sit down," said Sikowitz.
"Awww, and I just got my toe bone fixed!" Andre said as he left the stage and went back to his seat.
"Tori, letter A to you,"
'A,' thought Tori. 'What goes with the scene and starts with A?' then it came to her in a flash. "Aliens!" she shouted."...are the only ones who can heal toes by finger-zapping!"
"By the way...," Jade began. Then she blew a raspberry at Tori. "Correct. I am an alien!" said Beck, ignoring his girlfriend.
"Oh, a twist!" Sikowitz yelped. "Don't hurt me, please, alien!" gasped Tori, getting into the part. "Even though she's extremely annoying," added Jade.
"Look who's talking," mumbled Lola as she got slap by Quinn.
"Fainting," Beck, swaying on his feet. "Because I can't breath your Earth's air." He collapsed onto the floor. "Gosh, it fainted." said Tori.
Sikowitz clapped. He was enjoying himself too. "Excellent, Tori and Jade! Keep going, girls! The next letter is H."
But with Beck's character passed out, there was no one to stop Jade and Tori's alphabetical attack. "Hey, why don't you go jump off that cliff over there?" Jade said.
"I think you should," Tori countered.
"Just where did you come from?"
Tori said the first thing that came into her head. "Kangaroos!" It was strange choice, but Tori was trying to keep up with fast pace. That was all that mattered.
"Lousy animal, kangaroos. They're awkward and dirty."
"Maybe they learned from you."
The classes glued to Tori and Jade, this was getting nasty.
"No one talks to me like that."
"Obviously someone should."
"Please run in front of a bus!"
"Quite obnoxious of you to say."
"Really?"
"Sure was."
"Thanks."
"Up your nose I see boogers." Tori knew it was immature, but she had no time to think.
"Very clever."
"Wish you'd thought of it?"
"X marks the spot I'd like to punch," Jade replied, pointing at Tori's face. "Your finger smells weird," Tori fired back.
"Zero is what you are on a scale from one to ten."
"And back to the letter A," Sikowitz shouted, clearly impressed that the girls had kept going for so long.
"As if I care what you think!" screamed Tori.
"Better watch yourself!" shouted Jade.
"Can't take it?"
"Don't push me!"
"Eat your pants!"
This made Jade so angry she forgot herself for one crucial moment. "You eat your pants!" she screamed at Tori. Then she realised what she'd done. "Wait!" But it was too late.
"Sorry, Jade," said Sikowitz. "The next letter was--"
"F, I know!" screamed Jade, stamping back to her seat. "Hey, the alien's moving," said Andre, still laughing at Jade's defeat. "Keep the scene going! Sikowitz said to Tori and Beck.
"Get up, alien!" said Tori, thinking fast. "Head feels dizzy!" said Beck, getting to his feet.
"I know what will make you feel better," said Tori.
Jade looked on from her seat. Her furious expression said She wouldn't dare!
"Oh she would dare." whispered Lola to her ear.
But Tori did dare.
"Jumping jacks?" asked Beck.
Tori shook her head and glanced at Jade before turning back towards Beck. "Kiss me," said Tori.
"Little weird. Let's do it," said Beck. He moved his head towards Tori and their lips brushed in a kiss.
Not only had Tori overcome her fear of failure, she kicked butt onstage and to revenge on that bully.
The rest of the class cheered and clapped, except of Jade. She was so angry that stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Tori and Beck broke apart. The next letter was M. Tori thought for a second, then grinned.
"Man," she said. "I love this school!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jade's POV
I can't believe that bitch! How dare she kiss my boyfriend in front of the whole class. How dare he agree to kiss her.
I swear I seen her before somewhere but I can't make it where I seen her.
I'll make her pay for this.