Hollywood Arts: A Beacon of Hope
Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NOTE, Please don't skip over this note.
This story will follow-loosely-the series from the start. Here's the thing I want to inform and educate you on. I want you to know about the real Hollywood Arts. They are a school of the same name that was founded in 2006. Their primary goal is to help the homeless, the troubled youth from ages 13-25 learn through artistic means the skills they need to move forward in life, to grow and eventually even go to colleges that are partnered with Hollywood Arts.
They are a non profit school, and I will give you the website (I'll have to put enter so you know to put it together, else fanfiction will remove the url) Here:
www.
hollywood-arts.
Org
Chapter 1 (A Light in the darkness)
Fifteen year old Tori sat before her computer screen, gazing blankly at the words on the glossy surface before her. Her hair was loose and hanging over her shoulders and her clothes were a mess from having been sleeping all day. She was waiting on her science partner, Ian, to show up so they could get to work.
"Hollywood Arts-" Her voice was coarse and her eyes red from a mixture of exhaustion and tears. Tori had been lucky enough that she was able to attend Sherwood High, while her elder sister was still dealing with Hollywood Arts.
"Hollywood Arts helps LA-based homeless and at-risk young adults ages 13 to twenty five transition into lives of self-sufficiency by utilizing arts-based curriculum, mentorships, ad professional internships." She leaned back and looked up to the door, thinking that she'd heard a car in the drive, but after a few minutes she gave up the thought and returned to her reading of the mission statement. "Classes in performing, visual and urban arts provide these young people with growth, improved self-esteem and, ultimately, the development of critical communication and life skills necessary to lead independent and productive lives…"
They were an artistic safe haven like no other that was focused on the artistic, intellectual, and vocational growth of the neglected and homeless.
"I don't want to have to go here." She leaned her head back as her heart began to sink. Trina thought it would be good for her, but was happy enough with Sherwood. Their sponsor, however, wasn't able to afford money for Sherwood anymore. She heard the argument that Trina had with Holly a few days ago and it scared her.
"Trina's always looking out for me though, she'll find a way. Right, that's what big sisters do isn't it?" She couldn't fathom for a second losing Sherwood, but at the rate Holly was doing, if something didn't give soon she would have to be separated from her older sister. At least until Trina was able to take care of her herself, but right now she was only seventeen.
It was possible for their social worker to do something, but then he wouldn't. David came around on occasion, he even let the girls assume his last name. Through all the foster homes Trina and Tori had been through, he was the only person that was close to being their father. He was the one that made damn sure they weren't separated in the system.
Holly agreed to be their 'sponsor' when no other foster care family could take both of them. This meant only that she could take them in as though she were their foster parent, but even she had some limitations.
"Sometimes I wish we could find our real mom…then we wouldn't have to go through this crap." Trina was three years old and Tori an infant when their parents gave them up in a closed adoption. David did all he could to try and find them, but there was just far too much red tape.
"Hey! You ready?" Tori jolted back from the computer and her heart slammed fast inside when she glanced over to the open door. Ian was standing in the doorway, his eyebrows up and his lips curved into a smile. "I've got everything we need. Are you okay?"
"Not really." She closed the laptop down and set it aside. "But I'll be fine." It didn't sound like Hollywood Arts had any science classes, which she loved, and she hated it.
The class lists was narrowed to Improv, Graphic Design, Resume Writing, Job Training, Fashion and Design, Music dealing with Guitar, drums, vocal, production, recording and keyboard. There was also Theatre, Classical Art, Digital Photography and Stand-up Comedy.
"You don't look well." His eyes held a comfortable look of concern that pulled her thoughts away from the school. She straightened out her hair and smiled kindly at him while shaking her head.
"Don't worry about me, Ian. I'll be fine. Too bad Courtney can't work on this with us." She followed him out to the car and helped bring all the supplies into the house.
"Yeah-hey did you know her brother's been volunteering at that one place? What's it called?"
She looked dismayed and watched him snap his fingers while trying to figure out the name of the community organization. "Hollywood Arts?"
"That's it."
"Yes. Courtney told me he's eventually going to get a job assisting their theater director. He can't right now since he's in his Senior year at Sherwood." She'd met Sinjin Van Cleef many times. He was often over tutoring Trina in actual studies that he was going through in Sherwood. Trina was smart enough to take classes there if she could afford it, and surely was smart enough for a GED.
She just had a bad habit of not caring about anyone or anything besides her little sister or herself. It made sense too since they stuck together their entire lives. "You know, that school wouldn't be so bad for someone like you." He leaned against the countertop and Tori scrunched her face.
"No, they don't teach science classes. I want to be a scientist." Was that so unrealistic? Maybe for someone like her. Ian closed his eyes and shook his head once more.
"Hell, Courtney and I, even her brother, could mentor you if you wanted. I'm just saying, if you were to go there you'd be able to meet people who are also going through similar struggles."
"I wouldn't trade Sherwood for them." She tucked her hair behind her ear and moved for the plant. She didn't want to admit that their sponsor could no longer pay for Sherwood, but as hard as it was to admit, it was even harder to think of losing Ian and Courtney.
She set the plant carfully on the countertop while Ian moved to the table with his laptop. She leaned forward, sliding her palms slowly against the surface as her eyes studied him. He was focused intently on his computer and tapping the side while waiting for it to start up.
Her lip tucked beneath her teeth and she glanced off to the side. "I should probably tell you something." He turned his eyes up to her and immediately she felt a sudden tension in the room. Her breathing stopped in her throat and her body grew tense with pain. "I overheard my sister and Holly talking, she can't afford Sherwood anymore." Ian's face tigthened, then softened as he gazed down at his fingers hovering over the keyboard.
"Oh. I see."
"Trina thinks I should looks seriously into Hollywood Arts." Her fingers closed into her palms as her heart began to quake beneath her. Tori hesitated in her speech and struggled to get her words out. "Even our social worker says Trina's too old to be moved but I need to be getting some sort of education or I will have to go into another foster care system that can provide it." Tears stung her eyes and her knees started to buckle. "I can't be separated from my sister, Ian, but I don't want to leave Sherwood."
"Well if Trina thinks it would be best…" He moved his eyes into hers and gave her a reassuring smile. "I know we'd miss you at Sherwood." She gasped softly and leaned forward. "Look, no matter what, Sherwood is just a school. If you want to stay with Trina, but that means going to a school that is free for you, then that should be what you do." He pressede his lips together and shrugged. "That's what they're there for, people like you and your sister."
"Among other types…"
"Yeah well look, I bet you'd enjoy them if you gave them a chance." Even if she never went there and fought to remain at Sherwood, she'd still lose out because she wasn't going to be able to stay there. "Don't knock something until you've tried it."
"Even you don't know anything about it."
"You should, through your sister."
"Yeah…"
He stretched his arms out as the computer chimed. "Okay, lets get started on this project."
She appreciated his comfort and ability to try and get her to focus on anything else. Even during the project her mind was focused on the inevitable. "Stupid music class!" She heard someone shout from outside. Her heartbeat increased as Ian looked up to the front door. "Goddamn it, shut up, I am trying to think!" The door flew open and Trina stormed inside, growling angrily.
Tori jerked back, her eyes widening and her lips sliding an inch apart. "Something wrong, Trina?"
"Well first off, I got paired with some tenth grade 'genius' in this stupid showcase. Andrew, Andre, whatever the hell his name is. I'm already stessed out enough without hearing the guy's constant-"
"Showcase?" Ian asked. Tori's face sank as Trina snapped her gaze towards the man. Her nostrils flared out and Ian starteed to shrink under her glare.
"Sorry I need to talk to my sister."
"Trina, wait-" Trina grabbed Ian by the wrist, then forced him out the door.
"You can see her in a few minutes!" Trina spun around and straightened her shirt. Tori slowly folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at the woman. "Okay now we can talk private. Aside from the very obvious irritation…" Trina's features softened and gave away the true underlying stressor. Tori could feel in her gut what her sister was about to bring up. "You like to sing in the shower, maybe you could, you know…take my place? I mean, I know you heard what Holly and I were talking about."
"Trina, no." Tori walked past her and dropped her arms to her sides while groaning. "I don't want to leave Sherwood, I-it means too much to me." Trina curled her eyebrows up in the middle and pursed her lips. Tori frowned at her. "I don't mean like it's more important than-I just…Hollywood Arts scares me."
"It's not that bad and it's the only way we're going to be together. Come on, let me show you what they got me trying to sing." Trina took her hand and guided her to the piano. Tori leaned over the top and waited as her sister struck a note.
Trina wasn't in any way a singer, and she knew it, but the girl put down nearly every class. Anything to keep her busy as far as she was concerned.
Before Trina could get started, the doorbell rang. "Oh…" Tori raised an eyebrow as her sister leaned back and glanced at the door. "That's Andre. I forgot he was parking the car." Trina exhaled and scratched her head. "I need to get a job so I can buy a car for us. Can't get a job without experience in this damn town."
Tori's brow meshed together and her eyes dipped towards the piano. "I know it's hard." Trina let out a sharp exhale and started for the door, waving her hand in the air.
"David says he might be able to get me an apprenticeship at the station eventually." In order for that to happen, Trina would have to be eighteen. This wasn't until April. "Even then I won't be making enough. Honestly I think he wants to wait until I'm nineteen or twenty."
Her heart stopped and she pushed herself from the piano, staring strangely at her sister. "What? Why would he wait that long?"
"I don't know, I think he's afraid I'll to find our parents."
"I wouldn't put it past you." Trina stopped at the door, tensing for a split second before pulling it open.
"It would be pointless." She turned around just as a man in long black dreds and a blue hoodie entered the house. "Tori this is Andre." Tori smiled at the man and watched as he made his way to the piano, eyeing it as though it were a new child's plaything.
"This is an awesome piano you got!" He cheered. Tori nodded and Trina's lip curved up into a subtle smirk. Tori studied her expression for a moment, but was instantly distracted when Andre sat down and began to play. "Music is my big thing over at the school."
Trina rolled her eyes and Tori sat beside him. "He's a bit of a showoff." He flexed his fingers and played a tune as though he practiced it just before heading over.
It was an enchanting tune that captivated her senses. When he stopped, she wanted to hear more. "That's amazing!" Andre laughed once and tugged on his shirt.
"Thank you. It's part of the song that Trina and I have to perform. She's not into it, but hey, she signed up for the class."
Tori could still hear the impressive tune playing in her head and still she wanted more. It was calming to the nerves as well, and of course it could easily let her focus on things a lot more than she could elsewhere.
"Just one of the things they teach you over there?"
"Yeah, you must have heard a lot from your sister."
Trina tapped her nails on the top of the piano and tucked the corner of her lip into her cheek. "Oh she's heard plenty." She snapped her fingers and motioned to Tori. "You should help us rehearse."
Her heart sank as nerves rose up in her. "I don't know…"
"Come on, it won't hurt you. Besides, you need to get your mind on something else." Trina moved around the piano and put her hands to Tori's shoulders. Tori slowly lifted her head up, meeting Trina's gaze with a whine. "Tori, you know everything's going to be okay, right? I'm your big sister, I've got your back."
She moved her arms around Trina, holding her tight. After a minute, a sob shook from her lips and her heart sounded out a dull pound while her body trembled. "I don't want to be sep-" The air caught in her throat and her fingers grasped at Trina's back. "I love you, Trina."
"I know baby sis." Trina kissed her on the top of her head and squeezed her. "It's going to be okay, I'm not going to let them split us apart. I'll find a way. I love you too, Tori." Tori buried her face into Trina's shoulder, forgetting about Andre's presence for the moment.
He was too busy playing the piano to notice, and even if he did, he could understand their situation. She wanted to know what his situation was, but wasn't of the right mindset to ask and thought it would be impolite of her.
Trina pulled away from her and tucked a finger beneath her chin, tilting her gaze upright. Tori held her breath as Trina's gaze held hers, studying and looking into her soul. "Hey, I think Ian is still sitting outside. Go grab him, I need to talk to Andre for a minute about something. Alright?"
"Okay," she stammered in reply.
"Tell him I'm sorry for throwing him out like that. Things have obviously been stressful."
"Yeah."
Several days later the big showcase was on. She sat beside David and Holly while waiting eagerly for her sister to get on the stage. Andre's grandmother made an appearance, but she was fidgety and appeared highly stressed-which made it easy to understand why Andre was attending the school, considering his parents were both gone like hers.
After some time they began to hear screams from backstage. The counselor came up to them. He was a tall man with short black hair and a wise expression. "You guys are with Katrina, correct?"
"Yes," David replied nervously, "Is she okay?" Tori's heart stalled and her hands clenched around her pants in terror. Something had to be happening! They wouldn't retrieve them if everything was fine.
"Come with me." Tori made haste in following the man, concerned now that something was gravely wrong. Once out of the aisle, she ran for backstage, racing ahead of the group.
Her heartbeat increased rapidly when she found Trina surrounded by a large group of people. "What happened!" Trina's tongue was enlarged and throbbing. It didn't look like her real tongue, but Tori couldn't tell. Her fears shot up and she immediately began trying to figure out what it was that could have done this.
"Can't talk," Trina mumbled. "Reaction."
"Reaction?" Her eyes darted around for anything Trina was allergic to, which she knew was shellfish. "Did they have any kind of shellfish here?" The nurse nodded and Trina groaned loudly. "She's allergic!"
"Okay," The nurse remarked just as Trina leaned back, her eyes enlarging as Andre walked up from behind. "You'll have to come with me. Let's get the swelling down first." Tori watched as Trina was led off with David and Holly. She wanted to follow but felt like she'd just be in the way.
"She'll be okay," Tori whispered, "She'll be just fine."
"Damn," Andre rubbed his chin and spoke pitifully. "My grandma came here for nothing, and I was ready to show her how well I've been doing. I don't have to go into the gangs like my father did." Tori frowned at him and listened to the others sigh.
The counselor paced for a second before looking to Andre. "Does anyone else know her part?" Tori looked up and started to shake her head, nobody else rehearsed with them. When she heard Andre say her name, she spun around and glared at him.
"No, I don't sing. I can't sing."
"Come on, you know all the parts. You got this."
"I really don't." Her protests didn't get her anywhere as within minutes, Andre was dragging her backstage. She tried to run, but the crowd of people blocked her-it was like a crazed mob that had been put up to ensuring she never left the area.
She fought them all the way to getting put on that stage. Her body heated up and her heart began to pound. The lights above her burned into her skin and sweat trickled down the back of her neck.
How could she have ditched school for this? Why didn't she decide to stay the day and enjoy her last week of Sherwood High? Then again, this was also the last week of time with her sister.
Because she would be unable to attend Sherwood, David was already preparing papers to send her to another foster home that could pay for her to go to school.
She looked towards Andre on her left, then to the group of people on her right at the curtain. She thought she saw Trina's face, then her emotions came rushing back in, spewing out in every direction. Her eyes grew misty and she faced the audience, her body trembling and her legs were turning into jelly.
The music began to play and she struggled to combat her rising fears.
What was she going to do without Trina in her life? Where was she going to go and would she ever see Trina again? Why did their mom and dad give them up? These were just a few questions that wrecked her, ripping her world apart.
A sob left her lips and she started to sing the song with a slow and timid voice at first. Fighting through her tears, she focused solely on the lyrics and the music. After a few seconds she motioned for Andre to speed it up so she could sing faster and fully involve herself in the song.
When the music and singing was over, the audience gave her a standing ovation. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins and her chest heaved with every swift breath. "That really was fun…" She couldn't believe that singing was actually as good as it felt, but then, it did succeed in getting rid of her problems for a time.
Soon the same mob of people surrounded her and she found herself being congratulated by David, Holly, and even Trina. She started to ask what her sister was doing backstage, and even noticed something different about the tongue aside from the swolling having gone down.
Did Trina fake it? Was she still faking it? Why?
The answer came in the form of a tall man with grey hair, a goatee and thick glasses. "Excuse me. Who are you?" He looked at her astonishingly. She didn't recognize him, but the powerful aura he gave off was frightening.
"I-I'm Tori…"
"This is Mr. Eikner," The counselor pointed out, "Our principal." Her heart stopped and the man's lip curved up into a grin.
"But you don't go to our school-I don't recognize you at all."
She exhaled slowly and lifted her hand up, ready to defend herself. "Oh, I'm Trina's sister. She-"
"My point is, would you like to go to school here?" She raised an eyebrow and parted her lips as Trina nodded fervently and the others around her began to murmer their approval.
The only way a man like this would ask her that question is if someone told her about her issues. Or, it could be the fact that he would know who Trina was-then knowing her to be Trina's sister could make him sympathetic.
"I-I don't know." She enjoyed the singing more than expected, but she was still highly nervous. At the same time, it was her only chance to stay where she was. Ian was right, Trina was right, and even Andre was right. She needed to give this school a chance.
Hollywood Arts could very well save her life.
"Yes. I'd love to give it a chance. I-I need it." She felt Trina's arm around her shoulder and looked up to see her sister gazing at her with a proud glint in her eyes. Andre clapped his hands and winked at Trina.
It felt like everyone was in on this. Her jaw hung open and she slowly leaned away from her sister, studying the woman's casual smirk. "Sister knows best," Trina whispered in her ear just as Eikner started to talk about admission papers. "No way I'm letting you go."
This is only the start, and when I say loosely follows-there are a variety of differences. By the way, for the real Hollywood Arts you don't need to audition to get in-you fill out that application Tori was reading at the start. In other words, Trina's showcase was a set up so Tori would feel comfortable enough to see the school for what it is. Tori is not codependent on Trina, please bear in mind they are siblings growing up in foster care, and in that situation you are afraid of being separated. That fear was coming to fruition if Tori didn't agree to join Hollywood Arts.
