This is a prompt by underdogs-are-the-best. As I said in the latest chapter of 'Seduction of a Geek', it's the second to latest prompt from their 'Nothing but Jori prompts'.
Usually, when I do prompts like this, I put the prompt before the story itself so you guys know the outline. I'm not doing it this time, and I have no explanation.
To save a little time, Sikowitz started dressing somewhat more normally after retiring from Hollywood Arts. Instead of his 'homeless' (as Tori thought in the pilot) look, he wears slacks, loose t-shirts, sandles, a scarf as usual, and his hair isn't wild. Thought he still drinks coconut milk. That'll never change, even as an up and coming or top director/producer/script writer.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'VicTORious', any characters, or the prompt.
No POV
Flashback
Last Day of Senior Year
Just Before School Started
"Why are we here, Tori?" Jade asks Tori after the half-Latina dragged her into the janitor's closet.
"I want to come out to our friends. Tell them we're dating." Tori answers, staring at Jade. "I know you wanted to stay hidden so no one would judge us, and for when your student film came out, no one would think you picked me as the lead because we were dating, but the film came out and is a success, and it's the last day of school. I want them to know." She says, sighing.
"There's no need, Tori." Jade argues, leaning against the ladder to the library. "Like you said, it's the last day of school, so what's the point? Besides, we're all going in different directions after graduation. They'll find out when the tabloids leak the story, alright?" She says, sighing as she lowers her head.
"I don't want them to find out when TMZ starts questioning why we're always together, or something." Tori counters, groaning a bit as she leans against the closed door. "It doesn't matter that we're a couple. Why can't we tell them?" She asks, failing to meet Jade's gaze.
"Because I don't want them to know. Why do you care so much?" Jade asks, lifting her head and still avoiding Tori's eyes.
"Because it seems like you don't care, like you're ashamed or something." Tori says, pushing off of the door. "When we're alone, you act like someone's going to walk in, even at your place when your parents and brother are out of town. Why did you agree to date if you just want to act like we're barely friends when there's a chance someone's around?" She asks, getting frustrated.
"BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER, TORI!" Jade yells, tired of Tori's questioning. "Just drop it, okay?" She says, pushing off of the ladder and walking towards Tori. "Stop asking why I don't want to come out as a couple." She says, pushing past Tori to open the door.
"We're done then." Tori says, not facing Jade. "You don't want anyone to know we were a couple, then fine. No worries anymore then." She says, turning around and pushing past Jade, leaving the janitor's closet. "I'm glad you're going to Broadway and I'm staying here." She says, walking down the hall towards Sikowitz's classroom.
A Few Minutes After Tori Left The Janitor's Closet
"Hello, class." Sikowitz says, walking into his classroom just after the bell rings, a small smile on his face. "How's everyone's day going so far?" He asks, an amused smile growing at the confused looks on his students faces at the bare room, only his desk, the chairs, and whiteboard remaining.
"Uh, where's all your stuff?" Andre asks, looking around the bare room.
"Oh, I haven't told you all the news." Sikowitz says, the smile dropping momentarily. "You see, this is my last year as a teacher at Hollywood Arts." He starts, sitting on the steps of the small stage.
"They fired you? I know you're crazy and all, but you're also the best teacher here." Jade says, avoiding the gaze of a particular tanned teen across the room.
"No, no." Sikowitz says, laughing. "I'm retiring. After graduation, I'm going to start my career as a writer/director/producer of movies. Think Jade, but no one will have lifetime nightmares after the first two seconds." He jokes, standing up.
"When did you decide this?" Cat asks, staring at the 'favorite uncle' of the group.
"A few weeks ago. I talked to Helen, and she agreed." Sikowitz says, looking around. "Now, since this is the last day of school for all of us in this room, let's have some fun." He says, smiling at the students.
"What kind of fun?" Beck asks, sharing confused looks with the rest of the students.
"Tori, Beck, Andre, Cat, Jade. To the stage." Sikowitz answers, looking at two of the girls as they make their way to the stage. "Let's go back to Tori's first day. The infamous 'dog' incident." He says, taking Tori's seat at the front of the class.
"Really?" Tori says, avoiding Jade as she stares at the balding man.
"Yes, really. But there's a few differences." Sikowitz says, a small smirk. "Tori and Jade, you're the married couple. Beck, you're the dog. Cat and Andre are the children. It's still improve, so don't make it the same as the first time." He says, his smirk widening at the gasps from the class. "Action!" He yells, making a few students around him jump in surprise.
Flashback End
Sikowitz POV
"Action." I call to the group before me, ready to film the last scene of the final film of a three film series of mine.
As I watch the actors perform the scene, a hospital scene where the main character dies from his injuries from earlier in the film, his wife and best friend around him, I think back to my last day as a teacher at Hollywood Arts, and my final attempt at getting Tori and Jade back together.
Yes, I knew the two were a couple, but for an unknown reason, they never made it public. Just before school started on that last day, they broke up in 'Jade's Office', also known as the janitor's closet. (I learned after graduation, the janitor locked the door so only he could use it and sealed the door from the library so it wouldn't open. His reason? 'Only Jade and Tori were allowed in there. Anyone else is just wrong.' His exact words when I asked.)
A few hours later, after filming is done and the cast went to change, I watch the rough cut of the scene in my trailer, making mental notes of what edits need to be done. After a few notes, the door to my trailer opens, my co-director walking in. "Mr. Sikowitz, you're needed to help with some of the background music for the ending and end credits." The slightly older man tells me before leaving.
"On my way." I say, stopping the scene and standing up, grabbing a coconut and following him out.
"Have you started your next script yet?" Marcus, my co-director, asks as we head for the editing room.
"Already finished. It's one I've intended to turn into a one or two-act play when I was a teacher, but never had the opportunity." I answer after sipping from the purple bendy straw in my coconut. "I want to do some research to decide on some possible leads, though, before casting sessions." I say, nodding to him in thanks for holding the door open for me.
"What's it about?" Marcus asks me, showing an interest, possibly hoping I'll pick him to help me on it like the series we just finished.
"Now now, Marcus. You know I don't give that information." I chide him, unable to stop the urge to sound like a teacher again. "Now, what choices are there for music?" I ask when we enter the editing room.
"Here's the list." The music producer tells me, handing me a small notebook with choices.
"Interesting." I say, seeing the top name on the list. "Let's use this as the theme for the movie, having it play during the opening credits and scene, as well as towards the end of the final scene and beginning of the ending credits." I tell her, handing her back the notebook, pointing at my choice.
"Why her?" Sahara, the music producer, asks after looking for the song on her PearBook.
"Because I knew her when I was a teacher. And I've heard that song. It's perfect for the theme." I answer simply, a small smile on my face. "I wonder if she still acts?" I wonder out loud, the soothing piano playing from the speakers.
"Not a lot. She mainly does music, but she's acted in a few t.v. shows over the last few years." Marcus answers, looking her up on his PearPad.
'Tori Vega. I think you're going to be one of my new leads.' I think with a smirk as Tori's voice fills the speakers, the soft rock sound of her latest hit. "Call Tori and ask her permission to use the song. Leave my name out. I don't want that influencing her choice." I tell Sahara and Marcus before leaving. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to finish my notes." I say, walking out. 'Time to look up my old students, see what they've been up to.' I think as I head for my trailer.
Jade POV
New York
One Month Later
"Miss West, Misses Shapiro and Mr. Harris are here." My assistant, Bayley, tells me after knocking on my door.
"Show them in." I tell her, too busy working on my next script to glance up.
After graduation, I moved to New York to work on Broadway. I write scripts for movies, but my focus for now is Broadway. Two years after graduation, I got a wedding invite for Cat's and Robbie's wedding. Yes, the two started dating towards the end of senior year, and got married after Cat cemented herself as a top notch costume designer and Robbie a comedian.
"Hi Jadey!" Cat yells, opening the door and running up to me, Andre close behind.
"What did I say about calling me that?" I ask as I type, not looking at Andre. Since the last time I was in the janitor's closet, I haven't talked to Andre. Him being Tori's best friend, and record producer on her albums, was enough not to if he ever found out Tori and I dated and broke up because I refused to come out as a couple.
"Not to or you'll shave my head again." Cat says with a squeak of fear, quickly backing away and putting her hands over her head, protecting her now back to brunette locks.
"Good. So, why are you two here so early? Our meeting isn't until the third." I ask, saving the document to take a break and give them my full attention.
"It is the third." Andre answers with a deadpan, patting Cat's shoulder. "Where's your head at, girl?" He asks, knowing I've never gotten a date mixed up before.
"Busy." I answer, not looking at him. "So, why did you guys want this meeting? Bayley never told me." I ask them, brushing my dark brunette hair, I stopped dying it after graduation, behind my ears.
"We heard you needed a new costume designer and music producer, so we were wondering if we could help out until you found someone else." Cat replies, back to her usual self. She might've matured a bit since graduation, but when around the old group, she reverts back to her old self in an instant. "So can we?" She asks, a begging look on her face.
"Just until my new play is finished. I was offered a role in some movie back in L.A., and I plan on taking it. I haven't acted in a while, so why not." I answer with a deadpan. "Is that it? I have more stuff to work on." I say, turning back to my PearBook and getting ready to continue my new script for after I'm done with the movie.
"Sure. Call us when you need us for something." Andre answers, sharing a confused look with Cat I notice out of the corner of my eye.
"Just be here early tomorrow morning, and we'll be fine." I say, continuing where I left off. "See you tomorrow, give Bayley you're contact info if she doesn't already have it."
"She's not as nice as she used to be." I hear Cat tell Andre, her voice upset a bit.
"Jade was nice?" Andre jokes as they leave. "Huh, I didn't notice a difference." I hear him say before the door closes.
Tori POV
Puerto Rico
"So, any reason you're in Cidra instead of L.A., learning your lines for your audition?" Trina asks me as I relax on the small porch of our aunt Sonja's place in Cidra, where she and our father were born before they moved to L.A., the place hers for when she visits.
"From what I was told, I have plenty of time before the audition. The director is finishing up his latest movie, and he'll start the auditions a few months after it premiers." I answer, enjoying the steady island breeze, relaxing on the porch in just a purple bikini top and matching bottoms, a skirt over the bottoms. "Besides, my album's finished, I won't be touring until after it's released and I'm done with the movie. If I get the role, anyway." I say, my closed eyes covered by my sunglasses. "Why are you complaining, anyway? You love how relaxing it is here." I ask her, not opening my eyes.
"Well, considering your rough break up with that bitch Hannah, it seems kind of random for you to take a break and come here." Trina notes, sitting down beside me. "No matter, I guess." She says, cutting me off from commenting. "So, what do you know about the director of the movie you're auditioning for?" She asks, sighing. "God, I wish we didn't have neighbors." I hear her mumble.
"Nothing, just that he debuted about five or six years ago, came out with two movies already and just finished a third, and is planning a fourth already." I answer. "And why do you wish we didn't have neighbors here?" I ask, cracking an eye open and staring at her.
"Because it's too nice to wear clothes around the house. I don't feel like closing the door or staying inside all day just so I can remove my top, and I don't want anyone staring or turning me in." Trina answers, making me laugh. "Do me a favor, sis." She tells me, turning her head to look at me.
"What?" I ask, unsure.
"Don't start dating again anytime soon. And if you do, don't date a money-hungry bitch only interested in you because you're famous." Trina tells me, tilting her head back ahead and closing her eyes. "I hate that bitch, Hannah for selling the gifts you gave her for drugs and shitty beer." She growls out, a small smirk growing after. "Though, it will be fun to see her in court for stealing and being a crackhead." She says, knowing Hannah won't last.
"Don't remind me." I sigh out, standing up. "That one necklace was worth over fifteen hundred, and she sold it for only two. Glad I got it on sale." I say, heading into the house. "I'm going to the beach in a bit. Want to come with?" I ask, glad to have finally gotten my license. Though I only got it just before we came to Cidra for a mini vacation.
"Sure." Trina says, standing up. "We're not listening to any of your albums though." She says, giving me an 'innocent' smile.
"As long as you don't sing, we're good." I say, heading for the room I use here to put a tank top on over my bikini top. After grabbing a towel, suntan lotion, and a hat, we head out, Trina grabbing the keys from the counter to drive the rental car we got when we got off the plane. "We grabbing drinks and stuff on the way?" I ask, grabbing my wallet and about forty bucks from it.
"Duh." Trina says simply, heading for the car.
Sikowitz POV
Los Angeles
Two Weeks Later
"Uh, Mr. Sikowitz?" Marcus asks from the doorway of my small office at the studio.
"Yes, Marcus?" I ask, turning to face him. Since becoming a director, I've long gotten used to people calling me 'Mr.' instead of just Sikowitz.
"Who are some of these people on your list to send tickets to for your movie premier?" Marcus asks. In case you're wondering, yes, the movie is already edited, thanks to our editing team editing the movie as we film it.
"What do you mean?" I ask, knowing some of the names on the list are students of mine who didn't go into public careers, such as Cat as a costume designer and Andre as a music producer, unlike Tori or Jade who are in the public eye more, though Jade less so than Tori.
"Uh, Robbie Shapiro, Cat Shapiro, Andre Harris?" Marcus asks, listing a few names.
"Some students of mine back when I taught. They're talented individuals and I always send them tickets. Usually, I do it personally, but with wrapping up the series and getting the next film ready, I haven't had the time." I explain.
"But why haven't I seen them at the premiers?" Marcus asks, putting the list away.
"Most of them were usually too busy to make it. Hopefully, that won't be the case this time, but who knows? Unfortunately, I know Miss West will be unable to make it. She's too busy with Broadway still." I say as I stand up, knowing that's part of the reason. "So, when is the premier set?" I ask, facing him.
"This Friday, Mr. Sikowitz. It's at…"
"I remember where and what time. Just didn't remember the when." I tell him, stopping him. "Will there be anything else?" I ask him.
"No. The limo will be picking you and some other crew members up at six. The movie starts at eight." Marcus says before excusing himself.
"Good. Good." I say, moving to my window. 'Then I can work on getting them back together, and give them starring roles at the same time.' I think to myself, planning on getting them past whatever caused them to break up before graduation. "At least she has no problem letting everyone know she's a lesbian at least." I say with a shrug.
Three Months After Movie Premier
Casting Sessions
No POV
Sikowitz's end to his first movie series was a success, and Sikowitz was in no big hurry to start casting for his next movie, delaying the auditions until he felt ready he finished some edits. 'Hopefully, no one realizes I'm picking them out of favoritism because they were students of mine.' Sikowitz thinks as he gets into the office where the auditions are taking place, a few blocks away from Hollywood Arts.
An hour later, after a few subpar auditions, Tori Vega walks into the audition room, a section of the script in hand. "Hi, my name is Tori Vega, and I'll be trying out for the part of Sasha." She tells the assistant director and casting director, not realizing that there's supposed to be a third person in the room.
"Hello, Miss Vega." Marcus says, recognizing the name from not only the list Sikowitz gave him months ago for the movie premier, but her last two albums and being one of the biggest pop starts over the last five years. "Are you ready?" He asks her, the casting director looking eager for Tori's audition.
"Ready." Tori says, nodding. "Uh, before I begin, I heard this is a lesbian film. Is that correct?" She asks, opening the script to the scene she's using.
"That is correct, Toro." Sikowitz says, walking in from the back entrance that leads to a small meeting room he was using for it's fridge, storing some coconuts to drink from. "Sasha and Morgan are a couple, and if you get the part, you will kiss another woman. Are you okay with that?" He asks with a small smile, hugging the brunette.
"What are you doing here?" Tori asks, hugging her favorite teacher-turned-director.
"You're auditioning for my movie. Where else would I be?" Sikowitz jokes as he releases her from the hug and moves to take his seat.
"How come your name isn't on the script?" Tori asks, looking at the cover of the script and not seeing any hint of his name.
"I knew I forgot something on that script." Sikowitz notes, staring at Tori. "So, are you okay with kissing another woman, my lesbian pupil?" He asks, knowing of her coming out as lesbian after graduation.
"If you know I'm a lesbian, you already know the answer." Tori says, giggling. "Okay. I'm ready." She says, stopping herself and getting into the character of Sasha, a business woman who starts dating a competitor's best lawyer, the two figuring out their feelings, one convincing the other to quit their office and join the others.
"Sasha, do you know why you're here?" Sikowitz asks, acting as Sasha's boss.
"Yes, Mr. Leckner." Tori says as Sasha, her hands behind her back, knowing the lines well. "I didn't know she was working with…"
"Stop." Sikowitz says, holding a hand up to stop her. "You are not here because you dated a woman from another firm. You are here because you slept with her during business hours, and in an office building. Our office building." He explains, the script forgotten as he not only wrote the lines, but said them multiple times today so they were locked in his mind.
"I don't know what came over me, sir." Tori says, some fear entering her voice. "Please don't fire me. I promise it won't happen again."
"Relax, Sasha." Sikowitz says, a gentle smile on his face to soothe her. "You're not fired. But you are suspended. You violated the rules and you must deal with it."
"Understood, sir." Tori says, bowing her head.
"Cut." Sikowitz says, impressed at how well Tori did for just a short scene.
"But there are still a few more lines each." Marcus tells the director.
"I know, but I've seen enough." Sikowitz says simply. "Well done, Miss Vega. We'll call you in a few weeks if you've got the part." He says, already knowing she got the role.
An hour later, after more auditions that barely impressed Sikowitz, a few of which he set aside for different roles other than what they auditioned for, Jade walks in. "Hello. My name's J…" Jade starts, stopping when she sees the familiar image of Sikowitz sipping from a coconut. "This is your movie." She notes, not surprised. "Okay. I'm auditioning for Morgan. And I better get it, Sikowitz. Don't think I've forgotten about 'Steamboat Suzy'." She warns the director, smirking when the man still gulps at the glare she sends him.
"Whenever you're ready." Sikowitz gulps, almost dropping the coconut he was drinking.
"Look, Sasha." Jade starts, getting into character. "I'm not going to quit my law firm and join yours. That's not fair for you to ask." She says, staring at the casting director, the only other female in the room.
"But Morgan…"
"No, Sasha." Jade says, cutting off the other woman. "I enjoy our time together, but that's all it is. Us enjoying each other, not a relationship." She says, staring at the other woman. "If you want a relationship, I don't know where you got that idea. I told you, day one, that this was just something to pass the time and have sex. Not us becoming girlfriends or anything." She says with a sigh, brushing her hair back. "Why are you so persistent?" She asks quietly, eyes down.
"I love you, Morgan." The other woman tries, softly. "Don't say things like that. You know this is more than just a friends with benefits thing." She tells her.
"You're wrong." Jade says with a groan. "This was just for sex, nothing else."
"Cut." Sikowitz says, again ending the scene early. "Not surprised you did so well. Though, we could have done without the threat." He adds, shivering slightly at the memory of her threats in high school.
"Just making sure you know." Jade says, smirking. "So, how long until I get my callback?" She asks, staring at her old teacher.
"Soon, a few weeks at most. There are still many more auditions to get through over the next week or so, as I'm sure you understand." Sikowitz says, meeting her eyes.
"Yeah yeah. Remember, back in high school, you ran out of the room so you didn't tell me I didn't get the lead. If you call and it's not to say I got the part, I still collect scissors." Jade warns with a smirk as she collects her stuff, laughing at the hint of fear in his eyes. "I'm sure I'll get the call I want." She says as she leaves.
"Uh, what does she mean by, she collects scissors?" Marcus asks, sharing a concerned look with the two directors.
"Have you ever seen the movie 'The Scissoring'?" Sikowitz asks the other two, clearing his throat.
"Yeah." "Why?" The other two ask, staring at him.
"Think Tawni Walker Black. That's all I need to say." Sikowitz warns as the door opens, a tall man entering the room.
Sikowitz POV
Three Weeks After Auditions Began
"Have you decided on who got which parts?" Marcus asks me as I make final notes to the script.
"Of course." I say, saving the document and opening a drawer on my desk. Grabbing a folder with headshots a quick resumes, I hand it to Marcus. "Tori Vega and Jade West will be the leads." I say, planning some things in my mind. "The others are in the folder." I tell him, closing the document and ejecting the flashdrive I saved it to. "I'll contact Tori and Jade myself. Can you take care of the others please?" I ask him, shutting off my PearBook.
"On it." Marcus says, grabbing his PearPhone and calling one of the numbers.
"Thank you, Marcus." I say, heading to a small storage room. "Let the fun begin." I say with a smirk, grabbing coconut from where I store them.
That's it for part one. Part two will be out in a few days, when I'll also post another chapter to 'Seduction of a Geek'.
Thank you for reading, hope you liked it, and please review.
Blessed Be.