The final bell rang, signaling the end of the day at Hollywood Arts. Within a couple of seconds, the hallway was crowded with a sea of teenagers ready to start the long Memorial Day weekend. Everyone was eager to get home and start the usual vacation plans: days at the beach and wild parties at night.
Tori stood at her locker and gathered her books. Her friends hadn't talked to her about any specific plans, but she assumed she was doing the same thing as her classmates. Unfortunately, she knew she had homework for a few of her classes, but she hoped that wouldn't put a damper on her cheerful mood. She was ready to get out and party.
She closed her locker and turned around to head for the door. The warm air seemed so close, she could almost taste the sun on her tounge. Eagerly, she sprinted for the door.
But before she could touch the handle, Jade pushed her way in front of her, a scowl on her face. Jade turned around and faced Tori, clearly agitated at her as usual.
"Where do you think you're going, Vega?" she demanded as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"To enjoy the sunshine, unlike you who will probably sulk in her room in the dark while the rest of the world has fun," Tori retorted.
"Yeah, I don't think so," Jade smirked, shaking her head. "We have a script due on Tuesday and unfortunately you're my partner."
"Take it easy Jade, we'll do it on Monday," Tori said, trying to push past Jade.
"No!" Jade shouted. "I am not a procrastinator. My house. Now."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"Don't test me, Vega."
"Fine," Tori said, exasperated. It was easier just to agree with Jade than fight with her. She always lost anyway.
"Good," Jade said in a fake cheerful voice. "I'm going to drive Cat home and then you'll be eagerly awaiting my arrival when I get back."
Tori rolled her eyes and Jade let her pass.
"I don't see why we can't just wait until the weekend is over," Tori complained. "I have a lot of things I wanted to get done today. I wanted to work on my tan while the sun is still out and-"
"God Tori, do you ever shut up?" Jade groaned.
Tori sighed and sat next to Jade on the living room couch. Jade pulled out her laptop and opened a blank document.
"So what's the assignment?" Tori asked.
"Well if you had been listening, you would know we have a write a one act play with a romance that ends in death."
"That's not so bad," Tori said enthusiastically. "We could finish it by tonight and still make it to a party!"
"If you shut the hell up, Vega, we can finish this faster."
"Fine, Jade. You know, you don't have to be so mean to me all the time."
"I'm mean to people who deserve it. Which is everyone. Now that we cleared that up, let's do this so you can get the hell out of my house."
"So, any ideas for the characters?" Jade asked.
"Hmm," Tori pondered. "Maybe we can have two couples and a love triangle. Then death as the ultimate revenge."
"How cliche," Jade sighed. "But whatever."
Jade picked four random names, two boys and two girls, and began to type them out.
"How do you want the love triangle to go?"
"Maybe the girls can fall in love and one of the boyfriends gets jealous and kills the cheating girl," Tori suggested.
"Ooh, lesbians," Jade said in her fake manly voice. "Hot stuff, Vega."
"Shut up," Tori blushed. "We don't have to do it."
"No, it's fine," Jade said, becoming serious. She began to type the plot summary out as Tori leaned closer to see what she was typing. All of a sudden, Jade stopped typing and sniffed the air. She cringed.
"God, Vega, what perfume are you wearing?"
"It's Marc Jabob's Daisy perfume. And it smells good for your information."
"No, it smells like a garden puked all over you. I like the other one better."
"But I...wait. You've smelled me before?"
"Oh, don't flatter yourself, Vega," Jade said, her eyes never leaving the computer screen. "It's only because you invade my personal space on a daily basis. Like right now."
"I just want to see what you're typing," Tori huffed and backed away. "Better?"
"Much."
A few hours went by and the script was halfway done. Both girls were growing impatient with the slow progression of the piece.
"Ok, so we're at the part where the girls are figuring out what to do about the boyfriends, right?"
"Yes Tori, for the millionth time, yes." Jade groaned.
"I'm just making sure!"
"How do you want to end the scene?"
"I guess we can make it simple. Just a kiss." Tori's voice got quiet.
Jade laughed. "What? Embarrassed by girls kissing?"
"No!" Tori said defensively and blushed.
"So tell me Vega, has little miss innocent ever kissed a girl?" Jade raised her eyebrows.
The color on Tori's cheeks darkened. "No!" she shouted.
Jade laughed. "Oh, don't be so defensive. It was just a question. Your innocence is fucking charming."
"I'm not that innocent," Tori said quietly after a moment of silence.
"Oh really? Tell me then, what's the dirtest thing you've ever done?"
"It's none of your business."
"God, you're such a priss."
"I am not!"
"Fine, whatever. Let's just get back to the script then if you're going to be a child."
"Fine," Tori said. She waited a moment. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Have you ever kissed a girl?"
Jade thought for a moment. "Yeah, I have."
"Oh."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Jade gave an overdramatic sigh and returned to typing. They both sat in silence for a few minutes, letting the sound of the keys on the keyboard fill the room. Finally, Jade violently shut her laptop closed. Tori jumped.
"Let's just finish this tomorrow," she said. "I'm getting tired of typing."
"Want me to write for a while?" Tori offered. "Sorry I made you type this whole time."
"It's not a big deal. You have your party to go to anyway."
"Ok." Tori stood up and gathered her things as Jade turned on the TV. Tori put her hand on the doorknob to leave, but stopped before she could open the door.
"Why don't you come to the party too?" Tori said. "It might be fun."
"No thank you," Jade said, never letting her eyes move from the TV. "I'd rather not waste my night with people I hate."
"Well, it's better than sitting here by yourself."
"I'll do whatever I feel like doing. You can leave now."
"Text me if you change your mind," Tori said as she opened the door. Jade didn't look up until she heard Tori's car pull away from her house.