Chapter 6: Where Ya Headed?
Mindy's POV
God only knows why I turned down her request. I'm sure she's probably at home, all by herself, upset over Jade. Or worse; getting back together with her.
But that doesn't make me feel any better either, bashing their relationship like that. They care about each other- I can just tell. If not, Jade would have never blew up at me during Vocals today.
"Why are you mad at me? How is this my fault?"
Jade and I were making quite a scene. Students backed away, and Cat was cowering in the corner.
"How isn't it?"
I really had nothing to do with it, but Jade had it set in her mind it was my fault.
"You stay away from my girlfriend, Mindy!"
"I don't know what you're talking about, you're fucking crazy!"
"She likes you, and don't act like you don't know!"
I wish she'd never told me. I wish, so much, I didn't know, because in all actuality, I'd been hoping to find someone like her. Josh and I just aren't as close as we used to be. I wanted to be loved and cared for, I wanted affection… he couldn't provide that for me.
Tori, though. You can just see how much she loves and adores Jade. That's what I want; for my lover to look at me in a way that says 'I love you'.
I sit back on the couch, aka, my bed, and turn on the TV.
Jade's not exactly a nice person. She threatened me with scissors, and I'd rather not experience what she has in store for me if I ever try to make a move on Tori. I wasn't about to let her scare me, though. I may fear her wrath, but I sure as hell wasn't going to show it. It's not like I'm trying to break them up, but if I wanna talk to Tori, I will.
But will she talk to me? Come to think of it, that may be the reason she was so hasty to get away from me after first block. I wouldn't think she'd be the type let her relationship ruin her friendships, but, then again, I haven't known her long enough to come to such a solid conclusion. I also haven't really known her long enough to call our relationship a 'friendship' either.
"Ooo! What are you watching?" Megan asks, hopping up on the couch.
"Megan, you have school in the morning. Shouldn't you be in bed?"
She crosses her arms. "Shouldn't you?"
I don't think she really understands the age difference thing. Though, I can't really blame her. She has the intelligence of someone well beyond high school level. There's missing fragments, of course, but she's a sharp child.
I shrug. I don't see why she can't stay up a little longer.
"So Drake tells me there's lesbians at your new school. Are you gonna ask one of them out?"
Okay, strike that.
"Out." I demand, pointing towards her bedroom in the hall.
She stands up, and smirks. "I'm just saying, your lack of interest in Josh isn't exactly a secret."
My lack of interest?!
"Megan, bed. Now."
She giggles, knowing she was right. She skips off to her room, and I slouch back. The nerve…
Tori was acting a TON different today than yesterday. She wasn't back to normal, per-say, but damn was she clinging to Jade like- well, like Cat clings to the two of them. Only physically.
It's safe to assume they're back together, but she wouldn't even look at me. I got the feeling they were a little pissed at me, but I still don't get how it's my fault. Maybe I have a little crush on Tori, but it's not like I've ever shown it.
Actually, it's not like Tori's ever really portrayed her feelings for me either. I never would have known if Jade never said anything about it.
As much as it doesn't make sense, I can understand why they're doing this to me. Tori's afraid of losing Jade, and Jade- well, she's being controlling, but, I get how she could see me as the enemy.
I wonder if anyone else has had to endure her threats because she thought that person was trying to steal her lover?
But, today the three of us all had Sikowitz. So did their pet, and Andre and Beck and the guy with the puppet. Talking to Cat won't do me any good, but I'm sure amongst the three guys I'll have something to talk about with them.
…not the puppet guy, though. He's kinda creepy.
…and maybe not Beck either, unless I want my head ripped off by some ditz.
"Hey Andre!" I smile, and take a seat next to him. Tori and Jade weren't here yet, so I get first pick on the general area of where I want to sit. God knows they'll sit on the opposite side of the universe of me.
"What up Crenshaw?" He smiles.
Our teacher Sikowitz gave us a rundown of what we were to do today. After warm-ups, he wants to get volunteers to do an improv scene involving hitch hiking? I can't claim I understand it, but, before any of this…
"Mindy." He prompts.
Of course, since I'm a new student to the class, I must pass a short scene which is known as 'The Bird Scene'. I was a little nervous, but if I didn't pass, I couldn't participate in any of the school plays.
I actually did better than I thought! I figured I was going to get up there and stumble all over my words, but I recited each word perfectly. Unfortunately, my teacher didn't think the same. When I asked him, he told me I failed, and would have to do it again tomorrow.
Damn, I don't want to have to do it again! But afterwards, I asked Andre if he could help me. He told me he isn't allowed to, because it's some sort of rule?
Apparently there's a secret to the Bird Scene. I memorized it, so, obviously the secret isn't saying it word for word. My guess is, maybe it doesn't have anything to do with the scene itself, but the performer.
It makes sense now! Sikowitz told me I'd have to do the scene over again and again until I 'got it right'. The secret must be not getting nervous in front of an audience! I bet if I can do the scene tomorrow without seeming jittery, he'll pass me.
Tori's POV
Warm ups had just wrapped up, and we returned to our seats. Jade and I were in the back with nodder, shrugger, and clapper, since Mindy was sitting up front today with Andre and Beck.
"And now, I'll need four volunteers." Sikowitz says. We were about to play an improv game called 'Hitchhiker'. It's one of my favorites.
I raise my hand. "Can I be the driver this time?"
"Yes yes." Sikowitz says. "Come on up."
I take the stage, and sit in the 'driver' seat.
"Passengers? Any takers?" He questions.
Andre raises his hand. He grabs Mindy's arm and raises hers too.
She instantly pulls away, but it was too late.
"Ah, yes- the new girl. Mindy! Andre! You'll both be passengers!" Sikowitz announced.
"But I don't want to-"
"Chill out, it'll be fun." Andre assures her, and guides her to the side of the stage.
"And now I need a fourth volunteer…"
Jade's hand went up instantly, and I feared what she might do. Thankfully, Sikowitz called on another boy.
Jade intervenes, standing up herself and growling at the boy to sit down, claiming she was to be the third passenger. The boy backs into his seat, and Jade stands at the side of the stage, next to Mindy.
Sikowitz gives a run down on the game; each passenger will have a trait, and anyone in the 'car' at the time has to guess that trait, and copy it. Once the driver has figured out the trait, the next passenger can takes a seat, and so on and so forth.
We all knew the rules, but I assume the instructions were mainly directed towards the new girl.
Mindy's the first to enter. Sikowitz asks if she knows what trait she's going to posses, and Mindy nods.
She walks up to the 'car', and I put it to park. I lean over and open the door, which she grabs, steps inside, and takes a seat.
"Where are you headed?" I ask.
"Oh, um…" Mindy stutters. "I don't know."
"EEEER!" Sikowitz yells, causing Mindy to startle. "Mindy, in improv, there is no such thing as 'no' or 'I don't know'. You have to keep the scene going with words and actions that move the story forward.
"S-sorry." She replies.
"Continue."
"Um- I'm, going to the zoo." Mindy says.
I couldn't figure out her trait just yet. If she did have one picked out, she wasn't being very dramatic about it.
"That's quite a ways away from here." I note. "How about we stop for ice cream first."
"Okay."
"EEEER!"
Mindy jumps again, and Jade rolls her eyes.
"Mindy, if you don't want to play the game the right way, then why did you volunteer to begin with?" Sikowitz questions.
"I didn't!" The girl defends.
"Be that as it may, you still aren't understanding the idea." Sikowitz tells her. "Tori and Mindy, switch spots."
I open the door and shut it on my way out. Mindy stands up, and scoots over. We take our seats, and await Sikowitz's instruction.
"Now Mindy, you, being the driver, must copy Tori's trait." He instructs. "ACTION!"
She jumps again, then looks at me.
Great- I have to think of a trait on the spot. Let's see… "You know, maybe you should look at the road while you're driving." I say to stall for time.
"Oh- um…" Mindy places her hands on the steering wheel. "Right. Thank you."
"Don't mention it, sugar."
I decided to take on the role of a sweet-talker.
"So, where are you headed?" Mindy asks.
"Wherever the wind shall take me, darling."
She blushes.
"Well, in that case I'll just keep driving." She answers. She still wasn't getting it, but I could tell she was improving.
"The stars are just so beautiful tonight!" I smile, looking toward the sky. "They're glimmer is almost as spectacular of a sight as those gorgeous eyes of yours."
I hear Mindy swallow.
"Good, yes!" Sikowitz encourages. "Now Mindy, copy her trait!"
"Th-thank you." She stutters. "But nothing could compare to the way the moonlight reflects off your skin. Darling."
Her face was red. I think she was a little nervous.
"Oh, sugar, look over there. Is that someone walking across the street?" I prompt, and Andre steps up to the side of the stage, his thumb out.
"I think it is, sweetheart." Mindy says. She puts her foot on the 'brakes'.
Sikowitz seems pleased that she's finally getting the hang of it.
"Hey, mind if I catch a ride?"
We nod, and let Andre in.
"So, where are you headed?" Mindy asks.
"You know, just in this general direction. Trying to get to California." Andre tells us.
Mindy seems confused of his trait, as am I. So, it looks like we'll have to keep probing before we get it.
"Why California?" I ask.
"Well, I've always admired the film industry, and I have a cousin that lives in the area, so I just figured- I SWEAR I DIDN'T DO IT! IT WASN'T ME! STOP YELLING, STOP YELLING!" Andre instantly outbursts. He grabs his head, and begins to rock back and forth in his seat.
"What- what didn't you do, baby?" I ask.
"What's you're problem?! Um, sugar?" Mindy questions.
"Oh, nothing." Andre laughs. "I just don't have the money to go out there on my own. That's all."
Bipolarity. Classic.
"Well I think it's a great thing that you're going out to visit your family and- NO NO NO YOU'RE MAKING A WRONG TURN! GO LEFT GO LEFT!"
Mindy yanks the 'steering wheel' in the other direction. "It's alright, I'm going left, chill out there."
"Aw, it's all good!" Andre assures her. "I'm just happy we didn't miss the turn! …can we drive off a cliff? Life sucks."
"It's the worst." Mindy moans. "Hey look, ice cream!" She exclaims, instantly smiling.
"Excellent!" Sikowitz says, and Jade approaches the car.
"Well looky there! Another passenger!" Andre claps.
Mindy 'pulls over'.
"No! No! Stop! Stranger danger, stranger danger!" Andre begins to chant, but Jade gets in anyway.
This is going to be… interesting.
"Hi." Mindy says. "Where are you headed?"
"Club Rainbow." She smirks.
"Oh." Mindy says. "Um, where's that?"
"Oh- like you don't know." Jade grins. "I've seen you there many times."
Unbelievable. I mean, Mindy's not even gay and Jade's making fun of her sexuality! Well, at least, I don't think Mindy's gay…
That's what she was doing. She was testing Mindy, to see if she could pull it off. God, why can't she just leave the girl alone?
"It's okay, I know where club rainbow is!" Andre says, rather flamboyantly. "Just take the next right, and we're on our way! Woo woo!"
The class laughs.
One down, two to go.
"Okay." Mindy says.
Usually Sikowitz would buzz a player out at that point, but there were enough of us here to keep the scene going.
"I normally wouldn't hitchhike, but my parents have no idea I'm out."
"I know," I stay, acting as though a stereotypical lesbian might. "It's like, why can't you just let me be myself?"
"Um, excuse me, miss?" Andre says, tapping the driver cautiously on the shoulder. "Could you please not make such sharp turns? That girl keeps leaning on me."
"You act like I've got cooties- what are you? Five?" Jade snaps.
"I'll drive-" She pauses. "I'll drive however I want to. It's my life, I do what I want."
Seems like she's catching on.
"Is that so?" Jade challenges. "Because, I don't think you do."
"Sure I do. I'm just as prideful as any of you." Mindy says, possibly getting annoyed with Jade.
"You go girl!" Andre cheers.
"Prove it!" Jade mocks.
I glare at Jade harshly, before Mindy grasps my face and presses her lips against mine. I close my eyes, and fight to keep my hands off her.
"Scene!" Sikowitz calls, and she releases me.
R-right. The scene ends when the driver figures out the last trait. So… that means the scene is over.
I follow behind Jade, and return to my seat next to her.
"Not bad for your first improv, miss…"
"Crenshaw." Mindy informs him. She looked a little shaken up, too.
"Miss Crenshaw. Yes. You did quite well, so I'll allow you to participate as a passenger next time. Sound fair?"
"Actually I really didn't want to-"
"Very good!" Sikowitz interrupts. "Now, for the next improv game…"
I talk to Jade casually as we walk out of the classroom. The minute we're out of ear-shot, I grab her wrist.
"Why did you do that?!" I scrutinize.
She smiles. "What? I thought you liked her?"
I release her, and she smirks.
"W-wait, you're telling me you intended to do that?" I ask her.
"Well at least act a little happy." She instructs. "You do like her, don't you?"
"I- yes." I answer. "But, I mean, I like you Jade."
She shrugs. "I know that. What, do you think I'm insecure or something?"
"Ummm…"
"Careful how you answer that." She warns, taking a pair of scissors from her pocket and twirling them in her fingers.
She was serious. Oh my god she was being serious. I don't believe for a second she planned it, but I can't deny the possibility either. She seemed to have some sort of idea in her mind when she volunteered. Her trait, her lines, the way she's acting now…
"You're serious." I note.