(A/N: Hey y'all. It's 5:28 AM. If you're wondering "Hey, he said he wouldn't update!" you are right. I just couldn't sleep after studying until 3 AM. I tried to sleep, but then I couldn't and wrote this. We're starting to get into more of the meaty part of the story. Hope you enjoy. And wish me luck on my final! It's in Spanish at 2 this afternoon! No hablo espanol mis amigos! El examen oral es muy mal y dificil! Adios! Hasta manana!)
"Ok, question and answer time now." The moderator said as I drank half of the water bottle, then went to lean on the stool onstage.
"It'll be a 15 minute session, please keep all questions friendly and stay calm."
The room laughed, including me.
New York has odd stage rules. Doesn't really matter. We're just doing a Q&A instead of an afterparty.
The moderator handed me the mic and smiled.
This went better than he expected clearly.
I took it and hands shot into the air.
I point to a college aged girl with blonde hair.
"How old are you? You look young to be doing comedy."
"I'm 19, going to be 20 in Feburary. And…I don't think so. I seemed to do alright I thought." I smiled.
A cheer went up, confirming my thoughts.
"Thanks." I smiled, picking a middle aged man.
"How many tours have you done?"
"This is my fourth."
Well dressed guy in the back.
"Where can we find out your touring dates?"
"Uhm, I have a website. My name, Robbie Shapiro, then dot comedy."
(A/N: FF doesn't like websites, even fake ones. So I had to spell it out.)
I see a lot of people go to their phones and start typing.
Hopefully their writing down the website.
Woman in the first few rows.
"Are you in a relationship?"
"No I'm not."
A girl shot her hand up on the left.
"Yes?"
"What are you doing after this?"
The room laughed and looked over to her.
"I'm going to bed." I joked.
The room laughed again.
New person. Guy in the front row, next to the VIP's.
"Does being on stage ever get boring to you or tire you out?"
"Well, it never gets boring because every time you step out on stage you never know who is in the audience or how they'll take your jokes. They might think you're hilarious, but there is a real possibility you're in a no win situation. And it's actually exhausting. I always feel like I've been running around all day even though I've only been on stage for an hour and a half."
Girl in the middle.
Tori.
She's wearing a white shirt and a black jacket. That's all I see.
"What do you do to prepare yourself mentally?" She asked, smiling at me.
"Listen to a lot of music and avoid my notes as much as I can."
"Why?" She asked.
"I become a psycho if I obsess over my notes."
The moderator jumped in. "1 more question."
That was fast.
"Is your show in two days full?" A man asked.
"Yeah. Standing room only, and that's pretty much full too." I frowned.
Lots of disappointed looks in the crowd.
"Well, thank you so much for the great questions and for being such a good crowd. Have a good night everybody." I said.
The room applauded as I put the microphone into its holder and walked off stage.
I pumped my fist as I got out of site.
That. Went. Great.
That was amazing. I had the room in my hand. Anything I said was met with laughs basically.
"Robbie!" Julian called out to me, beaming.
"Hey!"
"You crushed it! You were great!"
"Thanks, I thought I did good but you never know." I said as he handed me a Raderade.
I started off as a sip, but ended up drinking the whole thing as he laughed.
"Thirsty much?"
"Guess so." I laughed.
"You think you'll be ready for Thursday?" He asked.
"Yeah, I just have to survive in New York City." I joked.
He looked over to the security guards, where Tori was trying to talk her way in.
"Her too. She your girlfriend?" He asked.
"Nah, old friend from school." I said.
He gave me a 'Yeah right.' Look and smiled.
"I'll let her in. See you Thursday."
"Ok."
I pull my phone out of my pocket to check email.
Nothing…
Blah…
"Robbie!" I hear her squeal, then look to see her leaping to me.
"Ahh!" I jump, catching her.
She latched onto me.
"Robbie!"
I laughed. "Hi!"
"You were great! And funny! And oh my gosh you've grown!" She said, looking up at me as she hopped off of me.
"A little." I joked.
"How much?" She asked.
"4 inches since graduation."
Her eyes bulged. "No way. That'd be 6'1!"
"I am 6'1."
She beamed at me. "You've grown up."
"Thanks. You um…" I begin, not knowing where I'm going with it.
I'm trying not to be obvious, but she's…grown up too.
I wonder if she's thought about modeling.
"I know where you're going with that, and be thankful I don't hit you."
"Thanks for not hitting me." I joke.
She giggled and hugged me again. "Shall we go?"
"We shall." I smile.
She grabbed my hand and we walked out together.
She seemed unfazed by the people lingering after the show.
"Robbie!" One person called out.
I waved and smiled, but kept moving.
Once we reached the outside, she came closer and latched her arm around mine. I pulled up my collar against the wind.
"Man it's cold." I said quietly, breath drifting up.
"Duh. It's January in New York silly."
"Well it was a lot warmer at home." I said.
She laughed. "I bet. I haven't been home in forever."
"Why not?" I ask.
"I've been too busy trying to break in here. It's a lot harder than back home."
That's what Jade said.
"How so?"
"Oh it's harder to get audition times and the people aren't nearly as kind. People here can be real assholes."
I look over at her, shocked.
"Whoa!"
She laughed.
"Yeah?"
"You didn't used to swear." I say, surprised.
"Oh, yeah. It just kinda happened. You seemed shocked."
"Well…yeah. Even Cat swore once at school. But never you. And the next time I see you, bang."
She shrugged. "Gotta have something to say during sex."
I bust out laughing and eventually have to lean against a building to catch my breath.
"Oh my gosh…that was hilarious."
"It's true! Guys like it!"
That is true. At least to me. Sexy.
"True." I confess.
"Told you." She smiled.
"I know." I laughed.
"Wanna walk in the park?" She asked.
I know the theater was near Central Park.
I have no idea where Tori lives though.
"Sure. Is this Central Park?"
"Yep." She grabbed my hand with hers and started me down a lighted path.
"What time is it?" I asked after a moment or two of silence.
"10:30."
"Don't we need to eat though?" I asked.
"Yeah, but New York never sleeps. There will be tons of places to eat. Trust me." She squeezed my hand.
"Ok. I guess." I joke, causing her to smile.
This isn't the same Tori from Hollywood Arts.
How you ask? Well for starters she's holding my hand. And she's acting a lot more friend like.
Before, at school she was friendly and all. But there was a limit. Where everyone else except Jade obviously was at. But I wasn't in that club.
Maybe it was the 2+ weeks of texting before tonight.
It was essentially constant. Back and forth until one of us fell asleep. Catching up on stuff and the like.
"You like Chinese still right?" She asked, snapping me out of my reverie.
"Of course. Somebody can't stop liking Chinese. It's not possible." I joke.
"Well good. I know a great Chinese place. I parked near here, so that's where we'll go." She said.
"You parked near here?"
"Yeah. That's where my place is."
"Cool."
"You have time to come over right?" She immediately asked.
"Of course. I have two free days after tonight, then after the show Thursday."
"No, I meant tonight."
Oh.
"I don't see why not."
"Good. You're coming."
"Cool. How cold is it?" I asked.
"Uhmmm…29 degrees. -1 Celsius."
"Negative Celsius?"
"Uh huh. I didn't know that was possible." She replied.
"Me neither. Guess it's cold."
She laughed. "No shit Sherlock."
My eyes immediately dart, instinctively.
She laughed again.
"You'll get used to it."
"I'll have to."
She smirked and hugged me from the side.
The side with my broken ribs.
"Ow!"
"What?" She asked suddenly.
"Broken ribs. Forgot to mention that."
"When? How?"
"About 3 weeks ago. Car accident." I lied.
Didn't tell her about Cat. Too many questions for comfort.
I just want to forget her for two weeks.
"Are you ok? Is that all that is wrong?" She said quickly, letting go of me completely.
"Yeah. Just sore and trying to stay off it."
"I'm so sorry Robbie!" She said hurriedly.
"It's fine." I chuckled. "I'm the one who forgot to tell you."
"But I hurt you. And still—"
I simply hugged her, lifting her off the ground and spun her around.
"What are you doing?" She laughed.
"Stop apologizing." I smiled.
"Ok. Next topic. How is the tour coming?"
"It's great. Cat and Jade are coming on Thursday."
"Oh." She bit her bottom lip.
"Oh?" I repeated.
"I saw her a few months ago. She really didn't want to talk to me."
"I know."
"You do?"
"Yeah." I said.
"How?" She asked.
"I've stayed in contact with her. Everybody really."
"You just got back in touch with me though…"
"Because you left."
I hate to jump on her a bit, but everybody is pissed.
Me included.
She quickly looked guilty. "I know…"
"You could have just said 'Hey guys, I'm going to New York to live out my dreams!'?"
My statement was met with silence.
"My car's right there…" She said stuffily suddenly.
"You lead me. Please." I asked, it coming out a little harsh.
She walked to her White Camero, the same one from school.
"I know this car…" I joke, getting a laugh out of her.
"Yep. Drove cross country in it. Everything I came with inside."
"Wow. That's a drive."
She silently nodded and started driving.
"It's not very far, I'm parking in my building's garage. It's 2 blocks from my place."
"Ok."
"I can drop you off at the place and you can get our food if you want." She offered.
…
"Sounds good."
She suddenly started digging in her purse.
"Don't even think about it." I said suddenly.
"Robbie…"
"Hey, I can pay for dinner. I got it."
"But—"
I adopt Jade's imitation of Jade.
"Ok Mister Robbie! I'll let you pay!"
She suddenly looked amused but kind of mad. Just as she stopped in front of a Chinese place.
She rolled her eyes. "Can you grab be some of the glazed chicken, rice, and mixed veggies?"
That's what I always get.
"Sure. I'll get two of those. That's what I always get." I said, hopping onto the curb and closing the door.
She smiled at me, then started driving towards her garage.
I'll definitely see her place tonight.
Sweet.
She's a lot prettier than she was when I saw her last. It's not makeup.
It's like a maturity.
The guy at the register gestured for me to come.
"Hi, can I get 2 orders of Glazed chicken, rice, and mixed vegtables?"
She nodded and gestured for my card.
She rung me up and gave me my receipt.
I'm number 57.
"55?" Is called out behind me.
Sweet.
I hope I didn't upset her too much with the reality of things back home.
It came out harsher than I meant.
"57?"
They skipped 56.
I grab the food and look to my phone, waiting for instructions from Tori.
I have the message half typed up when she sends off "It's the Bennett Building. I'm floor 71. Tell me when you're in the lobby and I'll send the elevator for you."
The Bennett building is 2 blocks away she said.
Must be that massive one we passed coming here while I teased her over paying.
I start walking towards the building, bundled against the biting wind.
It feels like forever, but I slip inside the doors and immediately text Tori.
"I'm here."
About 45 seconds later a elevator dings and opens.
I walk inside, and move to press 71, but my hand is swatted away.
"Are you Ms. Tori's guest?" A man in a odd suit asked aggressively.
"Yes…?" I reply.
"Ok."
He presses the button and we zoom up in silence.
Finally we get to 71 and the door opens.
"Have a nice night sir." He says as I steps out. "The one on the left."
"Thanks…" I say, unsure of myself.
He smiled and disappeared behind the door.
What a strange man.
Regardless, I go up to the doors, since apparently the floor is split like Cat's and knock on the left one.
A few moments later fevered footsteps come and the door opens.
Tori opened the door in a tight white tanktop, jeans and furry boots.
"My bad, I was just unbundling my stuff. You got it?" She waved me in.
"I did. Smells good." I said, stepping inside.
It looks pretty cool. Wood paneling and floors. Not great lighting, but that helps the look.
She led me to the dining area, with two spots already set up.
"Drinks?" She offered.
"What do you have?"
"Basically everything. I'm having wine."
"I'll have some too then."
Might as well. Can't hurt.
Just can't have too much.
I set out our portions as I heard the clinking of wine classes, then a "Pop!"
A moment later she carried out the glasses and wine.
She poured me half a glass, then gave herself a bit more than me.
"Thanks." I said as she began to eat.
"No prob. Eat. And tell me, does the tour cover all your bills, what do you do?"
I really don't have bills.
Except rent with Cat.
"Uhm…I work at a Pear Store."
She smirked, sipping her wine.
"Eh. Helps me get my nerd out." I smile.
"Why am I not surprised?"
"I don't know." I said, then took a bite.
"You and Cat mentioning Pear stuff all the time. Does she work with you?"
"Nah…she is all music and acting."
"Music? I heard about a movie with Sam from iCarly but haven't checked my alerts in awhile."
"Check them again. Her music career is blowing up. It's getting huge."
"Do you see her much?"
"…No. I try to avoid her."
"Heart still hurting?"
"Yeah." I say, sounding defeated. "The wound never really healed. I just paved over it with Megan then when we broke up the pothole popped up and here I am."
"No girlfriend." She assumed.
I nodded. "Don't want one. How about you?"
"No. Single and unwilling to mingle. Guys here blow."
"Blow? That's all they do?" I tease, expecting something out of her new swearing playbook.
"Oh they do more, but I know you have been down that path." She joked.
"You done?" I asked.
Her plate is empty.
Mine is too.
Kind of small portions.
"Yeah. What do you wanna do?" She asked.
"After dishes I was wanting to go back to the park if that's ok." I said.
"That's fine. It was kind of a nice night." She smiled. "No dishes. Let's just go."
"But—"
She ignored me and left the room.
I lingered by the door until she came back with her old outfit, but added a scarf this time and a thingy for her head.
"Let us go!"
We took the elevator and was outside walking a minute or two later.
"So…I don't think you were done about what happened two summers ago…" She said, her hand entwined in mine.
"No, I basically was. I just wanted to say that it really hurt. We all knew that we might not see each other much, but we'd all be in the area if we needed to chill. But then you leaving was a cold dose of reality."
I look over to her and she isn't looking at me. She's looking straight ahead.
"What about Jade? She's out here."
"I know. But she told us that she was coming and she waited until that fall to leave. We got to say goodbye to her. We never got that privilege with you."
"…How'd you find out?"
"Andre was freaking out that you hadn't replied to any of his texts for weeks. Jade looked you up and it said you were in a starring role here in New York."
A grim smile flew across her features before she went back to pursing her lips.
"How'd he react?" She asked.
…
"We had to stop him from buying the next ticket here."
No verbal response. She did wipe at her nose and sniffled.
"He liked you. You know that right?"
"I know…he texted me for months." She started, as tears began to fall. "He does still texts sometimes. Saying he's thinking about me. And always on my birthday."
She sniffled as I processed what she just said.
That's really sad.
"Why didn't you guys get together when we were in California?" I asked.
"I…I was stupid. Dumb reasons. And my move had been in the works for months, way before we graduated. So my impending move was a factor."
I don't know what to say, so I keep quiet.
"Is he dating anyone?" She asked.
"I don't know. Don't see him much. Don't think so."
"His Splashface says single, but that might not be accurate." She said solemnly.
"It is."
"…I hope he doesn't hate me. Those conversations in my living room in the middle of the night when he came over to help me with music and the topic changed…"
"You feel guilty." I assumed.
"Very."
"Do you miss him?" I asked.
"So much." She croaked. "I miss all you guys so much. It's so good to see you I can't describe it."
"Why? We never were that close." I said.
"I know…and I'm sorry for being such a bitch. It's just that when you're alone for so long and don't see anybody I went to Hollywood Arts with it's like it never happened. All I have are pictures, and those eventually get distorted by memories."
"You know you can always reach out. I'm sure they will let you back in."
"But what if they hate me?"
"They won't. They might seem cold eventually but you're Tori."
"I really didn't mean to hurt him. Or anyone."
Then I jumped in, but she continued to talk. "But it was the best move for your career."
We said it at the same time.
"Believe me I know." I reassured her.
"Are you mad at me?"
"Not after your explanation. It was basically what Jade did, except a bit more heartbreaking."
"Are they still together? Her and Beck? I saw pictures on her Splashface page a few days ago. Near the river. Was he in town?"
"Yeah. He came to see her so for Christmas."
She suddenly started crying again, which nearly broke my heart.
"I feel so bad Robbie!"
I pulled her into a hug and she completely broke down.
"It's ok. It isn't over as long as you want to mend fences, then everything will work itself out."
I couldn't tell if she noticed or heard me because she kept crying into my chest.
We just stood there for a minute, her hugging and pulling herself together slowly in the middle of Central Park.
Then light snowflakes began falling.
"Hey, look it's snowing." I said calmly.
I haven't seen snowfall in years.
"Huh?" She looked up in time for a few flakes to hit her in the face.
"Ahh!"
I laughed, causing her to glare at me.
"Oh come on. I had to." I joked.
"Yeah, I guess I did have that coming." She smiled.
"There's that smile."
She laughed, looking beautiful in the lamp light behind me as snowflakes blew around us.
"See? This is winter." She grinned at me.
"I like it."
"I thought you would." She smiled.
"Hey, can I tell you something?"
"Sure, what?" She asked.
"Close your eyes."
She briefly smirked before closing her eyes.
Tell her you'll always be there for her.
I bend down, close my and catch her lips in a kiss.
I feel her gasp briefly before linking her arms around my neck, relaxing and getting into it.
I don't know how long we stood there kissing, but when we broke apart my arms were around her waist and her hand was in my hair.
She was blushing madly at first, but then silently grabbed my hand again and started back to her apartment.
I really like snow.
