"Tori!"

I jumped, startled by Andre's sudden entrance to my room.

"Geez, Andre, you almost made me drop my pees!" I said, gesturing with my head towards the bowl of pees in my lap.

"Put the pees down, we gotta talk," he said.

"But they're comfort pees!" I pleaded, stuffing a spoonful in my mouth.

"Put 'em down!"

I whimpered a little, but put the bowl on my bedside table. Andre sat down on the end of my bed and sighed.

"What?" I asked.

"Look at you!" He said, "You're a complete mess! No one in their right mind would think you performed in the PMA's just three days ago! You missed first and second period today, and you came to school in your pajamas! Why do you even need comfort pees, what's going on?"

"Nothing's going on," I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest, "And Hollywood Arts has no rule against wearing pajamas to school!"

"You are lying to me. Did something happen with Beck the other night after Robbie and I left?"

"No," I said, but it came out more like a question. It's not any of his business what happened with Beck.

"Tori, you're my best friend, and I thought I was yours too. You should be able to tell me anything and know I would never tell anyone."

"Nothing happened," I said more confidently.

"Tori," he said, looking at me knowingly. "I know you've been crazy about him since you got to Hollywood Arts, and-"

"But he was always with Jade!" I interrupted. "Do you know how difficult it's been for me to watch them, so perfect for each other, and totally in love?"

Andre didn't answer, so I continued.

"We almost kissed," I said. When Andre still didn't say anything, I went on, "Twice."

"What? Twice? And why was it almost and not for real?"

"Well, my mom walked in the first time, and the second time...well, Jade and I have never really been friends."

"That's not a secret," Andre interjected.

"Anyway," I said, enunciating each syllable, and glaring at him, "Ever since Sikowitz forced us to get to know each other, we've been better. So when Beck leaned in for this kiss, that stopped me. I don't want to ruin a friendship over a guy."

"I understand," he said, "But maybe you should try talking to Jade about it?"

"No! She'd slit my throat with her favorite pair of scissors!"

"Tori, Beck is really into you. Anytime your name is mentioned, he suddenly gets interested in the conversation. Any news he gets, he wants you to be the first to know about it. He sings love songs, he smiles more, he doesn't even let other girls bum rides from him anymore because of how much they upset you."

"I suppose he's also doodling 'Mr. Tori Vega' in the margins of his notes with little hearts all around it," I teased, trying to act nonchalant while my insides twisted into knots at the thought of Beck going out of his way to see and talk to me.

"No, but he might as well be."

I fiddled with the sleeve of my shirt, then tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and took a deep breath. I knew he was telling the truth, but I couldn't do anything without talking to Jade first.

"Tori, you have to do something."

"I know, I know," I said. "Maybe I should talk to Jade about Beck and me."

"No need." Andre and I both turned to see Jade standing in the door of my bedroom.

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