character and other associated copyrights are property of someone else and not me.
Double trouble
Chapter 4 – Be Daring, Be bold.
More of Jade's adventures in Universe 2
As they headed out of the school, the Jade spotted Sikowitz, who looked exactly the same even down to the cocoanut he was drinking.
"Ahh…Jadelyn, the dark cloud of clouds. It seems that all the other girls who signed up to audition for the lead of Ariel, in my latest musical, footloose, have mysteriously dropped out. So once again you are the only one who…"
Having a thought, Jade pushed Tori forward. "No….um…Vega here wants to sign up, is it too late?"
Tori, looking nervous, turned and under her breath whispered. "You threatened to break my arm if I auditioned."
Jade frowned. "That was her, this is me."
Sikowitz looked at Jade with an unreadable expression. "Yes, she may try out. Auditions are after school at 6:00 tonight in the Black box theatre. "
He pulled a sheet of paper out of his bag and handed it to Tori. "Here is the scene I'm having the girls auditioning for Ariel perform. It's not long, but see if you can get it down. Words and music."
"Ok, thank you."
He then narrowed his eyes, took a sip from his cocoanut and scrutinized Jade carefully. After a full ten seconds he turned away and muttered. "Interesting."
That done, Jade nudged Tori to the exit. "Come on Vega, let's roll."
"Jade, I can't try out for the lead. I'm not good enough. I'm scared." Tori said looking more nervous than before.
Jade stopped and took a deep breath. "I can't speak for other Jade, but despite what I say nearly all the time, I think you're a very good actress and an excellent singer. You can do it. I'm auditioning. Give me a run for my money. I like a challenge. I still hate to lose, but I do like a challenge. Besides, it feels better than to actually beat them for the part than simply threatening to kill them if they even audition. You can do it Vega. Remember your motto, Be Daring, Be Bold."
"That's not my motto."
"Vega, Don't contradict me. It is now. Come on I'm hungry."
Jade realized that this Tori if she ever was going to survive her counterpart, needed an ego boost. Beside she hated seeing Tori so unsure of herself. Jade found it more annoying than confident Tori.
They reached the parking lot and luckily for Jade, not only was other Jade's car the same her keys fit the lock. When she started the Car, Tori asked.
"Won't Jade be mad you're driving her car."
Jade smirked and reached over and started to fiddle with the radio. "Furious, she'll be even more so when she finds I changed all her stations. Goodbye alternative rock station, hello conservative talk radio. I absolutely hate it when people change my stations. Drives me buggo. I love Vega with all my heart but, god help her, if she fiddles with my radio."
"And your deliberately antagonizing Jade? She's dangerous you know."
"So am I. Don't be fooled to think that I'm nice. I'm not nice. I'm frequently moody, angry, morbid and sometimes cruel. But my very small sphere of things I don't hate, has expanded slightly to cover Vega, she's still annoying as hell mind you, so you're covered under the same policy. I can handle other Jade when the time comes."
"How will you handle Jade?"
Jade's smirk widened as she glanced at the shovel lying across the back seat. "I'll think of something."
As they drove, Jade asked. "Ok, you don't have a sister named Trina, what do you have."
"Trina's my sister in the other world?"
"Yes, older sister. Seriously not a lick of talent, obnoxious and delusional. She thinks' she's the next Mariah Carey, but that one ex tv star's already taken that job."
Tori nodded "I see. Well, it's just me and my dad. My dad's a cop and when I was 3, my mom left my dad for his partner Gary. He got a job from an old army buddy of his with this security company he was starting. It's called Green Hill Security, now it's a huge government contractor; they do security for diplomats and stuff. Now Gary has hit the big time and he and my mom live in a huge house in Maryland. They're married and have 2 children. They are worth millions."
Judging from the depressed sounding tone of voice, Jade realized this was a painful subject. She however pressed on. "Do you see her much?"
Tori paused before answering. "No. I've only seen her twice in 15 years. I've met my two younger siblings once. She hated my father, and because I'm his daughter, she wants nothing to do with me. Her other children are her only children as she is concerned. The last time I got a birthday present from her is when I was 5. The thing is, my dad didn't cheat on her or beat her. He worked a lot, but I just don't know. I've been over it a million times why. Wondering what he did, or what I did to driver her away. I can't think of it, no matter how hard I try, I just can't think of it." She just abandoned us."
Jade could tell that it was a very painful thing for her and honestly felt badly about it. "I'm sorry."
"Your Tori, are her parents together?"
"Yeah, It's not a perfect marriage, I've seen them fight once and a while when I was over at Vega's house, but they are still together."
Tori nodded and then remained quiet for the rest of the short drive. Reaching Nozu, Jade was relieved to see it seemed exactly like the other one.
But she did get one shock when she happened as she walked in and glanced at a movie that was playing on one of the TV screens in the restaurant.
It was the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, only that Captain Jack was being played by Keanu Reeves. The strange part was that he was playing the character, much like his dimwit Ted character from the Bill and Ted movies. In this version of the movie, Captain Jack's trademark phrase is, "Woah". To Jade, seeing a different actor in the role was downright bizarre.
"Keanu Reeves as Captain Jack." Jade said with an incredulous expression, after they walked in.
"Yes of course, a huge hit. I think they are on number 5."
"Dare I ask, who starred in The Matrix"
"Why Johnny Depp of course."
"Of course."
"Jade, there's no where to sit. Let's just go try somewhere else." Tori said upon seeing the restaurant was unusually busy for a midafternoon."
"Hold on Vega."
Jade walked over to a pair of students she recognized as being from Hollywood Arts, that had just sat at a nearby table. "Let's see if this universes Jade is a feared as I think. " Jade mused to herself.
Upon reaching the table Jade crossed her arms and calmly said. "I want this table. You may leave now."
Instantly the pair bolted from the table. Her job done, Jade then smirked at Tori.
"Look, a table just happened to open up. How convenient."
Tori walked over, not looking like she approved of Jade's tactics. For a moment she appeared as if she was going to say something but just sat down.
"What were you going to say?"
Tori lowered her head. "It's nothing."
Jade huffed. "Spill it Vega. Say what you think. Remember be daring, be bold."
After a moment of in decision, Tori sat up. "That wasn't nice Jade. Just demanding the table."
Jade looked pleased. "Now that's my Tori. Not being afraid to tell me that I'm being a total gank."
Tori smiled in return and looked at the students who were now waiting for a new table. "I'm glad, you're going to apologize to them then, Right?"
Jade shook her head and grabbed a menu. "No."
Realizing it was futile to press the matter further, Tori grabbed a menu herself. After ordering Jade decided to help Tori learn her lines for the audition later on. Jade at the same time learned the lines she needed to learn. The mood at the table was light and fun and Jade noticed the nervous unsure Tori started to relax.
A bit later, while they were eating Tori excused herself to go to the bathroom. As soon as she got out of sight to the table someone tapped her shoulder.
"Tori?"
Tori turned to see it ways Ryder Daniels, a very concerned expression on his face.
"Hi Ryder. How are you?" Tori said with a cheerful smile.
"I'm Fine, but I'm worried about you. You're with Jade. Has she threatened you or something? Made you sit with her. I'm getting worried about how much she bully's you. I can get you out of here. We can go now."
Tori shook her head and put her hand on his shoulder. "It's Ok. I'm fine. We're talking and she's not bullying me."
"Are you sure? I'm going to run for class president and stopping bullying will be my main platform."
"It's ok, really. I'm fine. Thank you for you concern."
He looked around the corner at Jade and then to Tori, "Well, ok. But if you need anything. Just call me. I may not be your best friend, but I will be there. If you can't reach me, call my girlfriend, Jana. She will know where to find me."
Tori nodded. "Thanks."
Tori left Ryder and after going to the bathroom, returned to the table.
"You were gone a while." Jade remarked.
"It was Ryder Daniels."
Jade's jaw hardened. "Did he bother you?"
"No, he was concerned about my safety, me being with you and all."
Jade's face briefly scrunched. "Him concerned?"
"Yes, he's a real nice guy. If he was single half the girls in school would be after him, but he's dedicated to his girlfriend Jana. They've been together nearly 3 years. He's even running for class president."
Jade chuckled. "A universe with an evil Beck and a good Ryder, what a strange place."
They continued eating, worked on the audition and both had a good time.
"You're so much nicer than the other Jade. All she does is torment people and I seem to be her favorite to torment." Tori said as they were leaving Nozu.
Jade suddenly stopped and cursed herself for not thinking of it earlier. She had been so caught up in her own situation it never really dawned on her. "Dam! That means that instead of tormenting you, she's….."
Tori nodded. "Most likely Tormenting your Tori. I'm sorry."
Jades worry level went up a hundred fold. "Oh god. She's not dating Tori, she'll deny they ever went out . Tori will think I dumped her. She'll cry."
Tori sighed. "Jade will make her cry. She loves making me cry. I think it's her favorite hobby."
In the parking lot Jade started pace back and forth nervously as her mind went in a hundred different directions at once. "She's going to make my Tori cry and I can't do anything about it. She'll think I don't lover her."
Tori quickly put her hand's on Jade's shoulders, calming her down. "Look, I'm sure your Robbie and them will figure it out. You'll be back tomorrow and all will be well."
Tori was surprised to see that her calming words had such an immediate effect as Jade did quickly relax.
"If she hurts her, I'll bury that wench. Come on, its nearly audition time." Jade said as she urged them to the car. She felt it best to simply focus on the task at hand and not worry about things she had no control of. Also, for some strange reason, Tori's presence did make her feel better.
They arrived to the audition and when it came time to audition for the lead, only Jade and Tori were up for the part.
"I've never had the lead before, I'm not sure I can do it." Said Tori before she went on stage.
Jade quickly responded. "Vega, you're annoying me. Remember be brave, be bold. Show other Jade and the rest of the school just what you can do."
"Jade isn't it be Daring be, be bold."
"What ever...Just blow them way."
Tori said thanks and went on sage.
The audition went flawlessly and much to Jade's pleasant surprise Tori did very well, playing the part to a T. "She's perfect." Jade said, proud of her egging Tori to audition.
Jade, who was next, was so impressed by Tori's performance, she decided to fail the audition on purpose. She wanted Hollywood Arts to see how good she actually was, which would give Tori a needed self-esteem boost. Normally Jade would never do that, even for Tori, but Jade rationalized it as the only person who would be out was the other Jade.
When it came time for her to go up, Jade purposely was slightly off on her timing during the scene. During the part she had to sing, Jade went off key for a brief section of the song. They weren't major mistakes, but she felt enough small ones to swing the part to Tori.
Heading out, Jade said to Tori. "You know Vega, I think you've got it."
"No, you've got it. Jade you always get it." Tori said in her normal uncertain tone of voice.
"I beg to differ, you've got it. We'll find out tomorrow when he posts the cast."
As they left the school a group of girls across the parking lot, began to walk towards Jade and Tori. One girl of about 15, with long straight brown hair was in front.
"Jade I've been looking for you everywhere. Take us to the mall!" Demanded the girl with the long brown hair from across the parking lot. It struck Jade by the tone of this girls voice that she actually expected Jade to obey her.
"Uh…Vega, who is this soon to be dead person who treats me like a servant."
"Get used to that treatment." Tori said cynically, "She's your half-sister. Krista West."