{~~~~TORI~~~~}
"Boo!"
I squeak, drop my books, and whirl around to face my attacker...though I wasn't technically "attacked."
I should've known it'd be Melissa.
"You scared the chiz out of me!" I yell at her.
"Really? So, how was the beach?" she asks as if she couldn't be bothered by the fact that she nearly made me wazz my pants. Nor does she bother to help me pick up all the stuff I dropped on the floor in front of my locker.
Pendeja.
"It was nice," I answer somewhat irritably. Believe it or not, it's not Melissa I'm irritated with even though it's her that I just referred to as a jerk. It's Jade.
The beach was nice, but I think Jade's mad at me. I have no idea why. I thought we had a good time Saturday. To be honest, It was better than good. It was one of the best days I've had all year. We did a marathon's worth of running around with the girls; all while laughing, playing, and splashing around.
And judging by the amount of playing and laughing Jade did with us, I'd say she had a pretty good day too.
But then she started acting weird afterward. Fidgety and short tempered. I figured she was just drained and wanted to hit the sack. I know I can be a bit cranky when I'm exhausted too.
I changed my mind about that theory Sunday. I could barely get her to talk to me on the phone. And whenever I texted her, I'd get short replies, like one or two words. Three at the most. Even worse than that, when I picked her up this morning she seemed to have even less to say than that!
Heck, she didn't even glare at me for anything. And as crazy as it sounds, I miss that. Not the glaring per se, but some sort of indication that she's her normal self.
But no, she's just been kinda….blah…about everything. When I asked her a question, she would either shake or nod her head. And for the questions that required more than a yes or no answer, she just shrugged until I quit trying to talk to her altogether.
"Earth to Icky."
I turn around quickly, just realizing that I'd been staring at Jade. She's at her locker as well. Thankfully it doesn't seem as if she's noticed me staring. Or maybe she has and she doesn't give a ding-dang. As I said, she's been a bit indifferent toward me since the beach.
"So, how was soccer?" I ask Melissa. Maybe if I get her to talk about her weekend she won't comment on my zoning-outness. Though it's not really that good of a subject change if you ask me. I told Chris I was gonna go to his game and then I didn't show up. I feel guilty about it.
"It wasn't really soccer," she laughs. "But he tried, and he was so cute!"
"I bet he was," I smile absently.
"He asked about you." She tells me.
"Really? What'd you guys say?" I ask, though I kinda don't want to know what lie they told him at the same time. Whether I was too sick or I forgot to come, it doesn't really matter. I still wasn't there. That's all he'll know.
"I told him you wanted to be there."
"But?"
Melissa laughs again. "That's as far as we got. He's got the attention span of a cross-eyed Chihuahua."
I can't help but to feel relieved, and I laugh along with her.
I'd forgotten about that, about how fast that kid can bounce back. Maybe he didn't miss me at all. It makes me feel much less guilty then I'd been feeling just moments before.
SLAM!
For the second time in my very short morning the chiz is scared out of me when my locker is slammed shut behind me.
I jump again, tripping over absolutely nothing and landing right in Melissa's arms. Surprisingly she drops her books to catch me with a load grunt. I would've never expected that in a million years. It wouldn't have surprised me at all if she had let me fall in favor of her books. She can be a gank when she wants to be.
As soon as Melissa uprights me, I spin around and come face to face with Jade.
Go figure.
"You scared me!" I yell at her.
"So?" she glares back at me.
Oh, so now she wants to start glaring at me and stuff, acting like her old self again. She couldn't do any of that this morning? Seriously, what the chiz is her problem?
Melissa is behind me laughing her head off. So I turn around to deal with her first. She's much easier than Jade.
"You knew she was behind me, didn't you?" I point an accusing finger at her.
"Why yes. Yes I did." She smirks.
"You could've warned me, Lissa!"
"Ugh, and where would the fun in that have been?" She rolls her eyes as if I'm stupid for even asking a question with such an obvious answer.
"Nowhere, but now I've got a little bit of wazz in my panties, so thank you for that." I answer sarcastically, placing both hands on my hips.
Melissa tilts her head a little bit, and her eyes lower down to the front of my jeans. Then she grabs me by the waist and turns me a little so she can check my back.
Seriously?
"You still look plenty dry down there. I think you'll live." She winks before walking off.
"Hey! I'm not done yelling at you!"
She turns around, but only long enough to blow a kiss and finger wave at me.
The nerve. I make to go after her when suddenly my arm is clamped on to, and I mean, it's in a vice grip. And it kinda hurts too.
There's no doubt in my mind that my clamper is Jade.
"Walk me to class," she commands while dragging me away.
I would love to walk her to class. Really, I would. It'd be the perfect opportunity to talk to her and try to find out why she's in such a ganky funk; but I don't have the time. Number one, I gotta go number one thanks to her; and number two, my homeroom class is like the complete opposite direction of hers. There's no way I'll make it to class on time, and I don't have a perfect attendance for nothing.
The bell rings. The five minute warning bell.
Yeah, I definitely don't have the time to walk her to class.
I snatch my arm out of her grip. "My class is the other way and I gotta wazz." I quickly explain to Jade before leaning in to nip at her bottom lip, but then I change my mind and pull back. She still seems moody. She might not like that right now. "Uh, see ya fourth period."
I jog away without waiting for a response, easily catching up with Melissa. She's walking backwards, no doubt waiting for me as we share the same class, but I don't really plan on stopping. Like I said, I really gotta wazz.
I nearly pass her when she says, "I think your girlfriend's jealous."
That stops me.
"Of you?" I scoff. God this girl is so full of herself, not that there's no cause for it. She is extremelygorgeous.
"Yep, watch this," she smirks as she hooks arms with me.
"Huh?" I frown, doing the pee-pee dance in place.
She nods her head slightly, towards the direction from which I just came and somehow I instinctively know she wants me to look behind myself. So I do it and… oh crap! She's right. Jade looks extremely pissed off. She's standing there, in the same place I left her. Her hands are crossed over her chest, she's got one hip jutted to the side and she's just staring…Oh God, I'm in so much trouble.
But I'm just so dang considerate that I'm able to think of others when I'm in for a serious janking. I dig in my purse for a scrunchie and offer it to Melissa.
"What's this for?" She frowns.
"Your hair. It's really pretty. My girlfriend knows I really like it. And she really loves scissors; and right now, I think she really doesn't like you." I explain.
Melissa laughs, but she takes the hair tie from me and begins to put her hair up. By the time she's done, it's a very tight knot on the top of her head. Just in case.
"I'm still pretty gorgeous even without all the hair, aren't I, Icky?" she smirks. I don't agree with her, even though I was thinking the same thing. I don't need her head to swell up even more.
So, with a roll of my eyes I tell her she looks "prepared" before doubling back for my girlfriend.
"Why were you staring at us like that?" I demand. It's not menacing at all. It's more of a whine really because I'm doing the pee-pee dance as I stand before her.
"What the fuck was that?" She asks, pointing at Melissa, who thankfully has enough sense to head for class and not wait for me.
Now Jade on the other hand, she sounds plenty menacing.
"What was what? Me telling Melissa to tie her hair up because you look like you're about to chop it all off, which you're not going to do because it's not nice, Jade!" I hiss/whine.
"I'm not a very nice person, Vega!"
"You can be if you want to be! You were just fine at the beach, now all of a sudden you're in a sour mood." I can't help but to bring it up. It's really bugging me. How she was just fine one day and then all of a sudden she's being a super grunch. And she's not even on her lady time!
"God, do you and Joy rehearse that shit?" she rolls her eyes.
Huh? Rehearse what? It's safe to say that I'm officially lost.
"When am I not in a sour mood?" she continues.
"You didn't seem to be in much of a sour mood when you were sweating on me, Saturday!" I blurt. Immediately I want to take it back, because I recognize that look on her face. It's the same one she had on when she dragged me into the janitor's closet and stretched my legs in the most painful way ever. The one that lets me know I'm in deep, deep, chiz.
She takes a step toward me.
I take a giant step back.
"What did you just say, Vega?" She doesn't open her mouth to ask, that's how hard she's clenching her teeth, but I understand her just fine.
I gulp loudly. Sweet chiz, I'm gonna die.
"Jade doesn't sweat, Tori."
I jump, again, for the third time this morning. Jeez, Louise, and Steve. Beck came out of nowhere, and I mean, no friggin' where, and just scared the living chizlets out of me.
But once I calm down a little, get the ol' heart rate back to a regular pace, I roll my eyes playfully and say, "Everybody sweats." I mean, it's more than obvious he's joking because, well, everybody does sweat….unless they've got that condition where there's something wrong with their sweat glands.
"Not Jade. She says it's gross, so she doesn't do it." Beck continues. "You know, it's really hard to believe you two are a couple when you mess up on the little things, Tori."
I blink at him; then I look to Jade. I feel like I'm being pranked or something because Jade does sweat. Okay, so she didn't sweat on me at the beach. I just said that to be appropriate in the school hallways, but I've seen Jade sweat before. Here at school in fact; in the janitor's closet.
Jade's response is to roll her eyes, turn on her heels, and head for class.
Weird.
I would've thought she'd defend me. I know she's mad at me right now, but aren't we supposed to be making Beck jealous? We can't do that if he doesn't think we're a real couple; and he's never gonna think we're a real couple if he thinks I'm messing up the way he thinks I am right now.
I turn back toward Beck, ready to tell him again that Jade does indeed sweat, but before I can get a word out the bell rings. He gives me a smug smile before heading for class.
Whatever. I shrug before going to class as well, totally forgetting that I gotta wazz pretty dang bad.
I only have to squirm in homeroom for about half an hour before it goes away. Melissa being the good friend that she is, told the teacher I was a little late because I was on the toilet, ergo, I couldn't exactly ask for a bathroom pass.
I don't see Jade again until fourth period. Not at our lockers, not in the hallways, not in the bathroom, nowhere. It seems to me that she's avoiding me.
Whatever.
If she wants to have attitudes and pout for no reason, then she can just have an attitude and pout for no dang reason!
"Owwie, Tori!"
Crap! I just jerked the door open and it slammed right into Cat's face. She ends up falling flat on her butt with both hands covering her forehead. Oh man! I didn't even know she was behind me!
Why am I always hurting this girl?
"I'm so sorry, Cat!" I exclaim, hoping she can tell how sorry I am by my voice alone and that I won't have to bribe her into forgiving me. I'm too broke to take her to Freezy Queen again.
I help her onto her feet and she wobbles a little.
Crap! That's not good, right? Wobbling?
"Cat, how many fingers am I holding up?" I ask after holding up two.
"Two." she says and I exhale a huge breath of relief. "But those other three are just flying." She frowns and waves her hand in front of her face.
Jammit!
"I'll take you to the nurse." I sigh, grabbing on to her wrist and beginning to pull.
She digs her heels into the ground. "But I feel fine Tori, just a little bit dizzy."
"When do you not feel dizzy?" Jade brushes by, walking into the classroom without so much as a glance our way.
"Hey, quit being a gank!" I snap back at her.
Everyone inside goes quiet. No one talks to Jade that way. I have my moments, but I usually pick them better than this. And this is not the time for calling Jade a gank to her face…in front of a whole classroom.
Jade turns around slowly, lifting her eyebrows in a way that lets me know I'll definitely be paying for that. Like right now.
"You really gotta work on that temper of yours, Icky." Melissa sneaks up beside me, successfully distracting me from my fire breathing dragon of a girlfriend.
"I do not have a temper!" I snap back at her.
"Course you don't." She grabs me by my hand and starts pulling on me. You're just a big ol' ray of sunshine. Aren't ya?" She continues. We leave Cat behind, rush right by a scowling Jade and end up in the front of the class. Then she sits me down, using one hand to press down on my shoulder. "We'll just sit you next to André. You haven't snapped at him yet… I mean today." She smirks.
I slap her hand away.
She puts both of her hands up, surrendering, but mockingly so.
Okay, so maybe I have a little temper. But it's not like I have my little spells and tantrums for no good reason. I mean, right now I…I uh, crap, why am I irritated?
"Alright class!" I hear Sikowitz's voice boom from behind me. And I jump. I'm facing front; expecting him to either come in through the window or the door by the board like he always does. But he didn't. Hoy no. Nope, he came in from the door at the back of the class.
When am I gonna learn this man is just unpredictable? Cuando?
"Now," he claps excitedly once he's up front. "Let's talk about the new play I'm directing."
Everyone sits up in their seats expectantly.
"Do I get to star in it?" Jade is the first to speak.
"Uh, I think it's my turn to star in one of Sikowitz's plays." André turns in his seat to address her.
"No it's my turn," Robbie claims. Followed by other classmates.
I keep my mouth shut and let the class argue over the lead role because I have no desire to claim it for myself. I've never done a play at this school before and I think it'd be better if I take a minor role the first time around. Just to see how it works here. Then I'll go for it next time. Hey, you can't lead unless you know how to follow. That's what my Papi says anyway.
"See?" Sikowitz says, holding his hands up to get everyone's attention. When everyone quiets down, he continues. "Every time I cast a new play, you get your panties in a pretzel. So this time, you people will choose your own roles."
Silowitz goes off to the side and picks up a little box, shaking it as he approaches us.
"Um. Sikowitz?"
"Yes, Melissa Imnuhere."
"It's Belle. What happens if a girl picks a male character, or vice versa. Do we pick again?" She asks.
"Of course not." He scoffs. "The girl will play a male character and vice versa." Then he holds out a box to André, effectively ending the conversation. "Pick a role." He commands.
André does as he's told, then reads the slip of paper out loud. "Tommy, 10 year old identical twin brother of Carter."
Next he goes to Melissa. I hope she picks out a guy for her character.
And as soon as I see her frown, I know she did. "Carter, 10 year old identical twin brother of Tommy." She monotones.
"Ha ha," I tease.
She glares at me. "Are you sure we can't pick another character?" she pleads with Sikowitz.
"My box has spoken." He says dramatically, clutching to his chest as if it's a million dollars and someone is trying to swipe it.
"I guess we're twins." She frown at André.
"Yeah, Momma's got some explaining to do." André nods, earning a laugh from everyone in the class. Except for Jade. She's still in her ganky mood.
And that's who Sikowitz goes to next.
"Jade, pick a role."
"Gracie. Four year old little sister of Carter and Tommy." She reads before balling the paper up and throwing it on the floor.
"Hey, sissy." André coos, earning yet another laugh from the class until Jade pulls out a pair of scissors. I think Sikowitz is a little too used to Jade because he holds his hand out for them immediately. It was like he already knew she was gonna whip 'em out.
And just like I had done a few weeks back, Jade hands her scissor over, pointy end facing Sikowitz.
"Thank you, Gracie," Sikowitz taunts. I think he and Lane are the only adults here that aren't afraid of her.
"Beck, pick a role."
"Alright," he claps before reaching in. "Nancy, Loving wife of Walter Swain. Interesting." He shrugs. "Wonder who my husband will be."
I expect him to be just a little more freaked out than that, but I guess he's probably used to this kind of stuff. He did have to be Cat for a whole day once; and if I'm not mistaken he wore a dress, a pink dress.
"Toro!"
I scowl back at him. It's Tori. Tori.
"Pick a role." He commands.
I take a deep breath and pray for a minor role, but God ignores me.
"Astronaut Walter Swaine, husband of Nancy," I gulp just in time for Jade to stand to her feet and shout, "Over my dead body!"
"Oh, this is gonna be so awesome," Melissa says, high fiving André.
"Oh yeah," he agrees.
And he calls himself my friend.
Suddenly I hear footsteps, well more like foot stomps, coming my way.
There's no way they don't belong to Jade.
Here we go.
I sigh heavily and lift up my arm before she can even ask for it. She takes it and all but snatches me out of my chair before dragging me outside the classroom.
We don't go far, just a little ways to the right of the door. If anyone opens it, they'll see us.
"No!" she tells me as she pushes me up against the wall a bit roughly.
I hit my head.
"Hay, Jade! No, what?" I answer with a rub to the back of my head. I'm much quieter than her because I'm so sure our classmates can hear us if we're loud enough. "What did I do?"
"You're not going to play Beck's wife."
I roll my eyes. "Husband."
"Spouse." She hisses.
"I don't have a choice. Sikowitz's box has spoken." I repeat the stupid reason Sikowitz wouldn't let Melissa pick again. "And besides. It's just a play, just pretend. So what's your problem?"
"You!" she grabs my chin in one hand and jerks my head forward a little. "You are my problem."
Suddenly I realize this confrontation of ours might have very little to do with the play. Maybe I'm about to find out why she's been so moody lately. I can't help but to get a little excited. iif I know what's wrong, maybe I can fix it. Then everything will be okay between us again.
And I want that. Bad. It's only been a day and a half since her bad mood, but I kinda miss her.
Okay, so I definitely miss her.
I reach out and grab hold of her waist. Then I look her straight in the eyes, showing her that she has my undivided attention.
"What did I do, Mami?"
"Don't make that face." She scowls at me.
"What face?" I frown. The corners of my mouth twitch just once, but save from that I'm able to keep my smile at bay.
I know exactly what face she's talking about.
"That! That lost puppy with pneumonia face." She drops her hand from my chin. It lands on my shoulder and she keeps it there. Probably because there's nowhere else to put it. Not without it being awkward because of the way my hands are positioned on her.
I pull her closer to me, my eyes never leaving hers.
"What'd I do?" I ask again. This time more serious.
She narrows her eyes and I feel her grip tighten on my shoulder.
Something has to be really bothering her if she can't just come out and say it.
"Hey," I give her waist a gentle squeeze. "Talk to me." I coax.
Still she doesn't say anything. I watch her struggle to put her thoughts into words for a bit longer before she gets frustrated with herself and blows up at me.
"I don't know, but you need to stop it!" She yells.
"If you don't know, then how should I know what I'm supposed to be stopping?" I answer calmly. Rationally.
"I don't know!"
"You don't know?"
"Yeah, I don't know. Just figure it out, okay Vega! Damn."
I tilt my head to the side a little and study her. It doesn't take me any time at all to realize that she really doesn't know what's bothering her.
That happens to me sometimes. Something can bug me, something I thought wasn't a big deal, but subconsciously I let it fluster inside of me and next thing I know, I'm blowing up at everyone around me.
Who knew me and Jade actually had something in common?
"Well, whatever I do to upset you, I'm really sorry Jade. I don't mean it."
She frowns back at me. Her grip on my shoulder loosening considerably.
"I know you don't. You just can't help it." She sighs.
Now it's my turn to frown. "I just can't help what?"
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. I wish she hadn't. I love her eyes.
"I just wish you were a little less friendly sometimes." She breathes after a few tense seconds.
"What does that even mean?"
She scowls at me, eyes still closed.
I don't know how many people have ever told Jade that she's adorable when she does that and lived afterward, but I don't want to find out if I'll be one of the lucky ones. So I keep my mouth shut and wait for her answer.
"It means I wish you were a little less friendly."
Well that was helpful.
"Less friendly, like you?" I guess.
She opens her eyes. "Exactly."
I roll my eyes. "Seriously? Wouldn't it be weird to have a girlfriend that acts just like you?"
"Ah, so you remember?"
"Remember what?"
"That you're my girlfriend."
What the chiz is she talking about?
"I never forget." I frown.
"Don't you though?"
"No."
"It seems to me," she starts off just as she averts her eyes, staring unseeingly at the wall beside my head. "That you sometimes do forget."
I still don't know how she came to that conclusion, but I do know to take her serious.
"You're my first girlfriend, Jade." I move my head a little, getting into her line of vision. She blinks twice; then focuses on my face. No scowl or glare. She's just looking back at me. And Dios mío…she's absolutely the most beautiful girl in the world. Sometimes I forget because she's so ganky, but there's no denying it. Jade West is a breathtaking sight.
"And?" she presses when I stop there.
I blink a few times, trying to remember what the heck I was trying to say before to begin with. But I can't. Nothing comes.
Like I said. Jade's a stunner.
"I forgot what I was about to say. You know, you should try to be less beautiful. Maybe I'll be able to keep a train of thought." I reprimand.
She rolls her eyes, but I can see she rather enjoyed the flattery. And I'm so sure she has a rebuttal for that but I don't wait for it. I dip my head in and press my lips to hers. I'm pretty sure she likes it better when I bite her, but right now I really want to kiss her. So I do.
It's a small kiss. Meant to last no more than a second; but when it's over I instantly want more.
I pull back, just a little, and I look at Jade. She doesn't look like she was quite ready for it to end either. She's just now beginning to open her eyes back. So I kiss her again.
And again I want another; just one more I promise myself.
Jade lifts her hands up, cupping my face gently and it's all the encouragement I need. I kiss her again…and again…and again, each kiss getting longer than the last until I drop the notion of this kiss being the last. I accept that I'm in a full make out session with my girlfriend in the school hallway.
The door's opened and Sikowitz pokes his head out. "Jade, kiss your girlfriend on your own time."
Oh God! I push Jade off of me and scramble back into the classroom.
"Me? Vega kissed me!" I hear her shout behind me.
"Oh, of course she did."
I keep my eyes forward, focusing on the front of the room and wait for Sikowitz to do something to distract the class even though there's nothing going on up there. Everything's happening in the back, from Jade undoubtedly glaring daggers into my back for not defending her to the rest of the class laughing at my expense.
Sikowitz runs up to the front of the class and claps for everyone's attention. It's not given immediately, but soon enough.
I sink lower in my chair as Sikowitz begins to describe the play. To my dismay, I definitely got the lead role.
As soon as we're dismissed for lunch, Sikowitz pulls me and Melissa aside and tells us that we can't actually do the play until we pass the bird scene.
I seriously contemplate failing it until opening night.
{~~~O~~~}
I passed the bird scene on the first try, and I wasn't even really trying. Well, I tried, but when I was done, I got my applauds and I sat down. I didn't even ask Sikowitz if I did it right. I didn't really care.
Turns out, asking if you did good is how you fail.
I swear, I'm never gonna get used to this school. But I have to admit, I'm actually kind of glad I got the lead role. This isn't so bad.
Sure, we've been rehearsing for about an hour and a half after school ended, but I'm having fun being Walter Swaine. Narcolepsy is kinda fun. To fake, that is.
I hear Beck fake crying in his "lady voice" from backstage, and I know it's almost time to go on. I just have a few more minutes until I hear my cue. A car door shutting effect.
I hear Beck telling the "children" that no matter how narcoleptic I am, they're not to notice.
Then I hear it, my cue.
I step out on the stage, open my arms wide and say my first line of this scene. "Nancy, kids, I'm home."
Jade comes running up to me and I get a little confused because I don't remember it being in the script, or maybe it is and I'm missing something. Oh crap! What if I am missing something?
She jumps up on me, knocking me to a sitting position on the couch. Thank God we have soft props. "Daddy, you're home!" She squeals before kissing my lips.
"Jade!" I cry.
"I'm Gracie." She rolls her eyes at me. I can just hear her thinking 'amateur' at me.
"That's not in the script," I hiss at her.
"I'm improvising. Aren't little girls supposed to be excited when their fathers come home?"
"Sikowitz!" I turn my attention to the coconut sucking nut of a man. He could at least try to help me out here.
Sikowitz frowns back at me, deep in thought. "I like it!" he announces suddenly.
"What!?"
Jade gives me a triumphant smirk.
"But less…passion. Remember Jade, this is your father, not your girlfriend."
"Got it."
"Alright, let's take it from Walter's first line!"
I go back to the wings and come in, saying the line that announces my presence to my family.
Jade runs up to me again, but I'm ready for her so I embrace her so that she doesn't knock me off balance for real, but I fake it. Landing on the couch the way I did before.
"Whoa, hey there pumpkin," I smile widely before giving her a sound kiss on the cheek.
She grins back at me.
Then I turn my attention to Melissa and André. "Hello Car-…"
I fall to the side in a narcoleptic sleep. Unfortunately for Jade, she didn't brace herself and she falls off the couch.
"Damn it, Vega!" She yells.
"I'm Daddy to you, pumpkin." I grin back. Hey, it's not every day one gets Jade to break character. I think I'm gonna remember this moment for the rest of my life; which I've only got about ten seconds left of judging by the way Jade's glaring at me.
"Well what kind of a father drops his little girl on the floor?"
"A narcoleptic one." I fire back.
"Vega…." She growls. She's not playing around.
I roll my eyes. "So it's realistic of me to place you down on the ground gently before falling into a narcoleptic sleep?"
"Tori's right." Sikowitz pipes up. "The fall's good. Adds drama. Beck, you as the mother of four year old Gracie will need to console your daughter after she has her fall. Then you will go into your next line."
"Got it." Beck nods.
Jade glares at me and I can only smile back at her and her pouting. She's kinda cute.
"I'll try not to drop you so hard next time, Mami." I promise before leaning in, just a little. I could go all the way in and kiss her, but I want to see if she'll meet me, even when she's mad at me.
She rolls her eyes at me and I lean in just a little bit more. I see a small twitch at the corner of her mouth and I know she's caving, so I decide to give her a little push.
"Come on, give Daddy some sugar." I coax.
"Shut up," she groans, trying to, but unsuccessfully, hiding her smile. Then she gives me what I asked for. She gently places her index under my chin and kisses me.
"Tori, Jade! Less passion!" Sikowitz shouts.
Me and Jade jump apart. How the heck did I forget that I'm on stage, in front of an audience?
We have to rehearse the new improvised scene a few times before I finally figure out a way to drop Jade while making it look like an accident and simultaneously make sure she doesn't get too hurt.
Once that's all ironed out, I get to start on the next couple of lines. Which is:
"I'm up, I'm up!"
Then I jump up off the couch and look at Melissa. "So, Tommy, How was school today?"
"I'm Carter." Melissa pouts.
"I'm Tommy." André pipes up.
"Oh man!" I slap my hand against my forehead. "What kind of father am I? I'm so darn narcoleptic I can't even tell my own twins sons apart! Wait, Sikowitz," I interrupt Beck as he starts to deliver his next line, because this is truly bothering me. "What the helicopter does narcolepsy have to do with not being able to tell my twins apart? I mean, so what if I fall asleep out of the blue, that shouldn't affect my sight. Should it? Maybe it could just be a guy thing, to not be able to tell twins…" I cut myself off when I catch the look Beck's giving me and I realize what I just said. That it's probably a guy thing to not be able to tell twins apart.
Beck's a guy…and he can't tell the twins apart, and I might've embarrassed him at the beach when I could tell Amber from Riley, even though he's known them longer. He probably thinks I was just now trying to take a stab at him.
Jammit! Me and my big mouth!
"You know what," I scratch the back of my head and address the whole cast. "I can see it now; how a narcoleptic astronaut might not be able to tell his sons apart. It uh…it makes perfect since."
Just shut up Tori. Just stop talking.
"Maybe we should start again, from the "I'm up, I'm up." I declare.
Slurp.
That's all I get from Sikowitz.
Well, it's not a no. So I lie back down on the couch and wait for Beck to try to wake me up.
Thank God, he doesn't leave me hanging.
I deliver the rest of my lines as smoothly as I can. But I have a little trouble with the last ones.
Beck's a great actor, but I think he's a little irritated with me right now and it shows. He delivers his lines in clipped tones and it's just awkward. When we have to tell each other we love each other, it's so unbelievable that I expect Sikowitz to throw his coconut at our heads. But he waits for us to finish. And when we hug, it's the worst acting yet. There's enough space between us to fit a beach ball.
"Ow!" I cry when I feel a sharp pain in my knee. Then I see a coconut rolling around on the ground and my eyes widen. There's also this sound in the background, like someone's moving furniture, but I ignore it because I'm in complete shock right now.
"Sikowitz! You threw that coconut at me!"
"Yes. Yes I did." He confesses without a shred of shame.
"It hurt!"
"That's how I feel inside! Hurt! You two are singularly ruining my play!"
Just then, I feel two hands pulling me down by the waist. My eyes widen and I throw my arms out to the side so that I can brace myself for the fall, but I land on soft thighs. Jade's thighs. "Don't be such a baby." She murmurs before rubbing my right knee.
I turn a little so I can have a clear view of her and Sikowitz at the same time.
"It's this one." I point to my left knee.
She rolls her eyes, but switches knees. "Big baby."
"Well it hurt." I pout, totally milking this. I'm not gonna lie. I like being babied by Jade. It's different. Good different.
"This is our fifth rehearsal," Sikowitz continues to rant. "And you two aren't getting any better at playing a believable husband and wife."
"It can't be that bad." I mutter.
"Oh Babe, trust me, it's bad." Jade whispers back.
"Shut up." I whine.
Jade drops a kiss on the back of my shoulder.
Gosh I hope she gets to be my girlfriend for a long time. She's so good at it.
"Beck, Tori, Nozu's. 7pm. Be there." Sikowitz announces.
"Why?" Jade asks suspiciously.
"Because they need to learn to play a believable husband and wife."
"But what does that have to do with sushi?" I chime in.
"It's simple. To prepare for your rolls you two must date."
"What!" Jade and I exclaim together, but I end up on the floor because Jade jumps up out of her seat and I was sitting in her lap and well you can imagine the rest.
"Listen, I once had to do a show where I played a man in great pain." Sikowitz begins
"We know," I grunt, standing up. "You threw yourself down a flight of stairs."
"And yes, we would believe how many times you hit your semi bald head." Jade adds.
"Well then, you understand the method behind the madness."
"But what if I have plans." I try.
Sikowitz actually rolls his eyes at me. Well, he more or less rolled his whole head as well. "If you don't go, you'll receive an F for the semester." is his solution.
I gasp and clutch at my heart. I've never gotten an F in my life!
"Beck, do you have plans?"
"Nope."
"Excellent. You will both stay until the restaurant closes. laughing and giggling and talking about silly nothings."
"But Nozu's closes at twelve." Jade grinds out through clenched teeth.
"Yes they do. That's five hours of getting to know each other. I suggest you be quick studies unless you want to go on another date tomorrow night." Then as if dismissing any further arguments form me and Jade, he quickly follows that up with, "Sinjin, Melissa, I'm gonna need you two to be my spies, make sure Tori and Beck stay until twelve."
Sinjin agrees immediately.
Melissa on the other hand doesn't seem to want to do it. She shakes her head a little. "Sikowitz, I don't know if I could do that"-
"I'll give you a free pass on you and Tori's next scavenger hunt."
"Deal!"
"Melissa!" I gasp. "You're supposed to be my friend."
"What? You can't tell me you wouldn't do it if the situation was reversed."
I keep my mouth shut, because I can't. I would take that deal in a heartbeat.
But still…
"Traitor!" I hiss.
She shrugs out a, "see ya later" and starts walking off. In fact, everyone's walking off. Rehearsal's over.
I look around for Jade, but she's gone too. Probably went t to get her frustrations out by cutting something up.
But I find her by my car after she sends me a text telling me to hurry up.
"Seatbelt." I automatically mumble when we get in.
She ignores me. I know I'm going on a date with her ex and she's mad at me for that, but this really isn't my fault. Still, no one in their right mind would claim Jade's a very rational person.
I lean over her and buckle her in myself.
She unbuckles a minute later.
And I buckle her back in. We go on and on like this. I don't know why she's doing it, but I'm doing it because it's the only kind of interaction I can get out of her right now. She's refusing to talk to me.
"Are you bi?" she suddenly blurts out.
I blink back at her, thanking God we're at a red light.
She raises her eyebrows at me when I don't answer. But I can't help my silence. I feel like this is a trick question or something.
"I know we're dating," she motions a finger between me and her. "But do you look at other girls too?"
I squirm a little in my seat. "Not really."
"It's a yes or no question, Vega."
"What about you?" I ask, knowing she's just gonna tell me that she asked first, therefore I have to answer first. It's an unwritten rule. But I'm trying to buy myself some time 'cause I'm seriously confused. Where is this even coming from?
"I'm straight." She answers and my heart clenches a little. "With the exception of you of course. Now your turn."
Good answer. I like it.
"Same as you." I answer straight away.
"But you think Melissa is pretty."
She is.
"A lot of girls are pretty." I answer vaguely.
"You kissed your friend, Josephina."
I did.
"I was twelve." I shrug. "It wasn't anything serious."
"You kissed Cat."
I had to.
"I was you, and she was Beck. You know that." I explain with a roll of my eyes.
"And you kissed her again after Sikowitz announced the project was over." She rebuttals.
Green light.
"It was an accident." I sigh.
"How do you accidently kiss someone?"
I shrug my shoulders. That's a good question. But it's really difficult to answer believably. I have a feeling I'll just put my foot in my mouth if I try, so I keep quiet.
And so does Jade. The rest of the ride to her house is made in a very awkward silence. The next time I speak or smile, it's because Riley's banging on my window. I have a feeling she was waiting for me to pull up.
Jade gets out of the car without saying goodbye to me and I try to pretend like I'm unaffected by that as I roll my window down.
"Aren't you coming in?" Riley frowns at me.
"Not today, Monstrito. I gotta get ready for a date."
"Why didn't you two just go on the date after school?"
"Oh, I'm not going with Jade."
"Then who are you going with?" She frowns suspiciously. "Did you guys break up or something?"
I shake my head. "No, we didn't break up. This is just for a school project."
"But"-
"Hey," I cut in before she can ask me who I'm going on my "date" with again. "Can you get Amber so I can say bye to her before I go?"
"Why don't you just text her?"
"You're too smart for your own good kid, you know that?" I reach out and ruffle her hair a bit.
"Yeah, I know." She answers, trying to smooth her hair back down.
Amber comes out the door about five seconds after I text. I swear, these kids take their PearPhones wherever they go.
"So, how was school today, Mamita?" I ask as soon as she gets to my window.
"Good." Riley answers for her, and just a little too quickly I might add.
"No it wasn't."
"Shut up, Amber."
"What?" I narrow my eyes suspiciously. "What happened? What are you trying to hide from me, Monstrito?"
"Nothing, see ya Tori," Riley sings before grabbing Amber's hand and tugging roughly. "Let's go!"
"I'm coming!" Amber yells back irritably.
Interesting. And I'll get to the bottom of that later, but first things first. Jade left without saying goodbye. I'm not going to let these to get away with it too.
I open the door and step out of my car.
"Wait!" I yell. They stop in their tracks, Amber first of course. I jog up until I'm in front of them. "Where are you two going without un abrazo?"
"Huh?" they both frown.
"My hug." I repeat in English.
"Wait, how'd you say it?" Riley takes a step toward me; her eyes alight with curiosity and I can't deny her. If the kid wants to learn a little Spanish, why not teach it to her?
"Abrazo."
"Abrazo?" she repeats, but she pronounces it wrong.
"Abrazo." I say slowly. And I make the both of them repeat it until I'm satisfied with their pronunciation.
Amber gets it right first, but Riley's not too far behind her.
"Cool! How do you say stupid?" Riley asks once she's got it down.
"How do you say flower?" This from Amber.
"No, how do you say, gank?"
They fire off word after word after phrase after phrase at lightning speed. "Guys, guys, I will teach you more words later okay?" I chuckle "Les prometo."
"Huh?" they chorus together.
"Promise."
"Les pro…." Amber tries.
"Les prometo." I repeat.
It takes them a few tries to get that one down as well, but once they get it I congratulate them with high fives.
"Okay. Denme abrazos. I gotta go."
They both look confused for a second, but then Amber gasps and her eyes widen. "Abrazo!" she says.
Riley's eyes light up too as she gets it as well.
"Well?" I ask.
They both hug me.
Gosh they're quick learners.
I head home, smiling the whole way. I really love those girls. They always make me smile and brighten my day.
So much so that even now, as Trina asks me to clean the fungus out of her toenails, I'm still wearing a little smile on my face.
I decline of course, because that's just gross, and she tries to blackmail me into doing it by threatening to tell our parents about that time me and Jade were caught splunking in the janitor's closet.
Yeah, I never told them about that. I never planned on them finding out, but I still decline. I'd rather be grounded for the rest of my life than to scrape fungus out of Trina's feet.
"What's with you? You usually cave after a threat like that." Trina whines.
How is it that she's the oldest?
"Get out of my room Trina! I don't have time to deal with you right now. I gotta get ready for this stupid date with Beck." And even if I did have the time, I still wouldn't do it; but I keep that part to myself.
"Fine, I'll tell Jade, you're going on a date with her ex." She blackmails. "Unless…" she holds her foot up, putting it near my face. She doesn't have to raise it much. I am bending over to put on my shoes.
I slap her foot away.
"Gross, Trina. No. And Jade already knows, so that won't work."
"Jade knows? And you're still alive?"
I roll my eyes. "It's for a play."
"And you're dressed like that?"
I look down at my clothes. White shorts with a sleeveless black top. I've got on black boots and silver accessories to dress it up a bit. Casual, but still date-y, At least I thought so. "What's wrong with the way I'm dressed?" I frown.
"Nothing."
I ignore her and go downstairs. She doesn't know what she's talking about anyway. I look fine.
"Going somewhere?" My dad asks as soon as he sees me.
"A date."
"Like that?"
Seriously?
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"
"Don't you wanna look nice?" he asks me.
I frown. I thought I did look nice.
"How are you supposed to keep Jade interested if you go on dates looking like that?"
Oh.
"I'm not going with Jade." I explain.
"No?"
"No. It's not a real date. Sikowitz is making me and Beck go on a date from 7 to midnight. It's so that we can have better chemistry and play a believable husband and wife." I say quickly, trying to overload him with information so he won't question anything.
Yeah, that doesn't work.
"Midnight? And what if I say you can't stay out that late?" He huffs. Getting all overprotective dad-like on me.
Seriously?
"I'll get an F if I don't go, Papi." I sigh.
"What kind of homework is that?"
Just then, Mom comes in through the garage and my dad tattles on me. Yeah, he really goes to my mom and tells her about my date with Beck that's supposed to last until midnight.
"It's a performing arts school, David. Trina's had to do weirder things than that!" she rolls her eyes at him, but spares me a wink.
I swear no one looks out for me the way that woman does. I love her so much.
I don't think any of us are expecting company, but I'm relieved when there's a knock on the door.
"I got it." I call, so my parents can continue arguing amongst themselves.
It's Jade…and Cat.
"Um, hi?" I blink at them. I don't remember making plans, but okay.
"Hey." Jade responds in that bored tone of hers.
"Hi, hi, Tori!" Cat sings.
I turn to Cat, deciding to talk to the one who's not cranky.
"Hey, Cat. Whatch doin' here?"
"My brother dropped us off."
"Okay, but I asked what you are doing here, not how you got here."
"Oh, me and Jade are going on the date with you. But not like a double date. We're just gonna sit at another table and watch you"-
"Stop talking." Jade covers her mouth.
Cat nods her head.
I smile at the pair of them. I don't mind them coming at all. In fact, why didn't I come up with it? It's a great idea! I'm sure my dad will like it very much. But not more than me. Now that my girlfriend's coming, this date with Beck will feel even less weird.
"It was a long ride, let me in." Jade adds rudely.
Jeez, my girlfriend has no manners whatsoever. But I step aside anyway and they both come in.
"Hi Tori's Dad! Hi tori's mom." Cat sings as soon as her mouth's free.
My parents greet her back, but they look at me like I'm the one who's supposed to be able to explain her…specialness.
"Cat…I said stop talking."
"Oopsie. I forgot."
"Lemme guess," I turn and shut the door back. "I'm giving you girls a ride." I grin.
"I'm dating a genius." Jade deadpans.
I don't take offense. Just move on. It's time to get this show on the road.
"So, how do I look?" I ask, giving a little twirl.
"Like the biggest gank of all ganks."
"What, how?" I whine. I'm wearing more than Cat, and not nearly as much of my cleavage is showing as much as Jade's, yet I'm the head of all ganks?
"You just do."
"Cat," I turn to my bubbly friend. "Do you think I look like a gank?"
Jade glares at Cat, and Cat being as special as she is understands that Jade wants her to agree with her, so she says yes, but she simultaneously tells me no by shaking her head.
Gotta love that girl.
I stick my tongue out at Jade. Obviously Cat doesn't think I'm dressed like a gank.
She rolls her eyes at me.
"Mom, Dad, I'm out!" I call. I don't say bye to Trina because…well, she's Trina.
"Wait I just got one question." My Dad says.
"No." I answer.
"It's actually for Jade."
Jade tenses up a little. She doesn't really deal with my parents much. They like her, but I'm not sure if Jade likes them back. I try not to take offense because Jade doesn't really like anyone.
"So, Tori tells me she's going on a date with your ex…"for a play."" My dad air quotes.
"She is." Jade says through clenched teeth.
"And you let her dress like that?"
What?
Jade glares at me. "I told you. Go change!"
"No!"
My dad starts laughing. Like he knew he'd be causing problems for me. And I bet he did. I bet he did it on purpose. He knows how Jade is and I really don't need this right now. I need to get going because if I don't leave now I'm gonna be late for my date.
"Mom!" I yell.
"I'm right here, Tori. There's no need to yell."
I knew that, but I don't apologize. I'm that bugged.
"Can you take him upstairs," I point to my dad, even though he is the only "him" in this house.
"And do what with him?"
"I don't know, make him happy or something!"
"Acabas de chulear a tu propia madre?" he smirks at me.
"Papi!" I exclaim, though he's kinda right. I kinda did just pimp out my own mother.
Dad turns to my momr. "Holly, I think we were just given the green light to"-
"No!" I cover my ears, snatch up my keys and purse and get the heck out of there. If Jade and Cat wanna come, they better follow.
And they do. Jade sits up front. Cat in the back. And like always, I put her seatbelt on for her and she takes it off before I can even drive off.
Fine. It's not like it's gonna be me that flies through my windshield if I get in an accident.
When we come to a red light, Jade puts her hand on my thigh and I suddenly remember the last time she did this. She was trying to get my phone…after I shoved it in between my legs. I told her she can't touch me there while I'm driving; that she could cause an accident and she asked me if she could touch me when we got to a red light.
We're at a red light. And her hand is slowly traveling upward.
Oh God, what do I do, what do I do, what do I do….
After some quick thinking, I realize what I have to do. I lean in a little and whisper, "Do you really wanna get me all hot and bothered before my date with Beck?"
She snatches her hand away and glares at me. I smile back smugly.
I won.
Gotta hand it to Beck. He's right on time. It's 6:58pm and he's waiting outside Nozu's for me. Granted, this is for a grade, but even so…brownie points.
"Shall we?" He offers his arm to me and I take it, fighting tooth and nail to not turn around and see how just how wazzed off Jade must be right now.
We sit at the bar, even though we're not old enough to drink. And as soon as I sit, Jade brushes by me, Cat in tow.
She did that on purpose and I scowl at her retreating back…for a long time. Because I can't help but to watch the bounce to her hips. Does Jade ever just walk? Or does she have to strut everywhere she goes?
"So, you're bi?"
"What?" I squeak, turning my attention back to Beck. It's the second time someone's asked me that question, and it's the second time I've been totally caught off guard by it.
"I saw you watching that girl over there." He points.
I nearly tell him I wasn't watching anyone, but then I notice who he's pointing at. "Jade?" I frown.
"You know her?" he asks.
Oh, now I get it. He's acting like we just met.
"Uh, Beck, Sikowitz said we had to go on a date. He never said we have to pretend like we never met."
"You're absolutely right." He agrees with an easy smile.
Just then my phone rings. I roll my eyes when I see the collar ID.
Freakin' Danny.
"Seriously?" I mutter. What could he possibly want?
"Is that Jade?" Beck asks.
I frown at him before shaking my head. Why the heck would he think Jade's calling me? We're in the same restaurant. Why would she even need to call me?
I turn a little in my seat, and see that Jade's on her phone. Okay, that's a bit of a coincidence but still…
"So…" I say, trying to get this date stuff out of the way.
"So…" repeats.
"Tell me everything I need to know about Beck Oliver."
Beck laughs at me.
"What?" I pout.
"Is that a line you actually use on a date?"
"I don't date much." I shrug sheepishly.
"Well"-
My phone chimes, interrupting whatever Beck's tip for me was going to be.
It's a text from Melissa. I look up, searching for her, but I don't see her. Then she sends me another text telling me that I should stop looking for her. She's a good spy, ergo I won't spy her.
I roll my eyes and put my phone on the counter; just in case someone else decides to call me.
"Was that Jade?"
"No." I frown back at him. Jeez, why does he keep asking me that?
I can't believe it. My phone's ringing…again. I seriously consider shutting it off until this date is over, but then I see that it's my father.
"Where is Jade?" Beck asks suspiciously, just as I put the phone up to my ear. I can ignore Danny and Melissa, but not my father.
But Beck's tone makes me turn around to see what he's talking about. Jade's gone.
Weird. But not my main concern.
"Hello?" I answer.
"What took you so long to answer?"
"I'm on a date. You know that, Dad!"
Beck scoffs. "Tell Jade to stop interrupting our date."
"I'm not talking to Jade!" I hiss back at him after covering up the mouth piece.
"Of course you aren't." he says at the same time as my dad asks me if I'm listening to him.
"Yeah Dad, but I'm busy"-
"You're too busy for me?"
I pull the phone away from my ear and roll my eyes at it real quick.
"It's not like that and you know it. Quit playing around, I could fail"-
Abruptly, Beck snatches my phone out of my hand.
"Hey!" I exclaim, reaching for it.
But he easily dodges out of my reach.
"Jade, stop interrupting our date. You're being selfish!"
I know the exact second my father starts answering Beck because his eyes widen and his mouth drops open.
"It's for you" he whispers, handing the phone back to me with two shaky hands.
I don't want that!
But I take it anyway.
"Papi?"
"Ese es el muchaco con quien sales. Ese irrespetuoso pedaso de-"
"Papi, slow down." I get up, excusing myself from the table. It's too loud in here. Someone's just started doing karaoke, and she sounds amazing, but I don't even have the time to stop and look. He's speaking so fast, I can barely understand him.
"Quien se cree? Agarrandote el telefono asi?
"Papi, stop. He didn't mean anything by snatching my phone. He thought you were Jade, okay?" I answer, but he's not hearing me. He keeps on as if I hadn't spoken a word.
Necesitas que yo me aparesca? Ya vengo"
"No, Dad. I don't need you to come up here. Beck's a really nice guy."
"No me impota que digas que es un buen chico, porque no lo es. Se le nota. Puedo leer a la gente, como un libro. Eso es lo que hacen los policías. Así es como me gano la vida."
I roll my eyes. That makes absolutely no sense. "So because you're a police officer you can tell what kind of a person he is over the phone. Is that what you're saying to me?" I ask incredulously.
"Si, eso es lo que te digo." He agrees stubbornly.
"Oh my God, where's Mom?"
"Porque?"
"Why? Because I want to talk to her. That's why."
"What do you want to talk to her for? You're talking to me. Hablame."
"No, no quiero hablar contigo! Quiero hablar con Mami!" I yell back.
"Okay, okay, maybe I was a little too harsh." He finally agrees to back off. He usually does when I get irritated enough to ask for my mommy.
"Maybe?" I scoff.
"Yeah, maybe. And I still don't like him. He better keep his hands to himself." He mumbles.
"Jade's here. I'm sure he will." I say before hanging up.
When I get out of the bathroom, my ears are assaulted with an extremely powerful voice doing some crazy runs. This time I do look.
And oh, my. Gosh. It's Cat!...sounding like that! I know she can act. And I've heard her hum little doo-wops to herself a few times but I had no idea she was this good!
"Come a little closer, come a little closer baby, baby, …" she starts singing and I hear a second voice harmonizing with her as she starts shimmying her way towards Jade. Wait…Jade? Jade's doing the harmonizing?"
Oh wow.
In unison, they starts switching their hips from side to side and I gotta say, my eyes zone in to Jade's. I love those things.
"Yeah, you are my baby, and I'll make you crazy tonight." They sing together, but jade winks at me.
Oh gosh. I blush deeply before hurrying to find my seat 'cause I'm feeling a little unsteady.
As soon as I sit next to Beck, I notice he looks a little uncomfortable, but a sad kind of uncomfortable and I feels sorry for him. I have to remember that he's probably hurting. I mean, Jade just broke up with him out of the blue and over the silliest of arguments. It's not like they mutually agreed to go their separate ways.
"You okay?" I ask him, leaning in a little so he can hear me over the music.
He looks me straight in the eyes and frowns. "Am I okay? Is your dad coming?
It takes me a second to get it, and then we both bust out laughing.
"Okay, let's do this." I hiccup on my last bit of laughter.
"Do this?"
"Date. No mention of Jade, at all. Just me and you." I offer him my hand. "Deal?"
He takes my hand in his. "Deal."
"So what's your favorite color?"
He laughs at me again.
"What?"
"I can tell you don't date much. Blue."
"I'm not your boo."
"I said blue. Didn't you ask me what my favorite color was?"
Face palm.
"Oh. Right. Oops."
"So what's your favorite color?" he asks me.
I don't have to think about it for long. It used to be yellow, but it's changed recently. "Blue," I answer. But that seems to be so… elusive. Because it's not just any old blue. So I try my best to explain it.. "Well, it's sort of this bluish, greyish, greenish type of blue."
Beck rolls his eyes.
"What?"
"No mention of Jade, remember? That was your rule."
"I didn't"-
"Bluish, greyish, greenish sounds like an eye color to me."
"Whuh?" and then it hits me. Bluish, greyish, greenish.
Jade's eyes. That's my new favorite color.
"I'm so sprung." I groan, dropping my head onto the countertop.
He's laughing at me again, but I don't mind. If I were him, I'd laugh too.
He pats my back. "Cheer up Tori, it's time to order food."
I pick my head up and order, and surprisingly our date starts to go well. Sikowitz really knows what he's doing because I'm a lot more comfortable with Beck now. We really did need some one-on-one time. It's helped me to remember that he's my friend.
But easy going conversations only last for a few hours. It's 11pm and we've kinda run out of stuff to talk about. So we've just ordered more food. Not because we're hungry again, but so that we'll have something to do.
"Okay, okay I know what we can talk about now." I say suddenly once our food arrives.
"What?"
"How is it that you're eating with this when you should be using these?" I snatch up his fork and hand him a pair of chopsticks.
"Because I'm American, now gimme my fork back."
"You're Canadian."
"Oh, right."
We both start laughing. Suddenly, he lunges for his fork but I snatch it back and out of reach. He almost got it though. His arms are a little longer than mine. So, as an act of desperation, I sit on it.
"Seriously?" he moans.
"Seriously." I confirm.
"You are evil." He smiles before finally picking up his sticks. "Alright, show me how it's done."
Wepa!
I perk up, going straight into teaching mode. Before I came to Hollywood Arts, that's what I wanted to be. A teacher.
I show him how to hold the sticks, letting him copy my hands. He tries a little, but it's not long before he drops one of the sticks and spears the sushi through the middle.
I shake my head and snatch the food away.
"Oh, come on Tori!"
"No, you come on Beck." I mimic his whine. "Now, gimme your hand."
He does so and I place the chopsticks in there for him. Then I physically show him how each finger is supposed to move in order for him to be able to pick any food up. Some people are more hands on than others.
It takes a little time, but eventually he gets the basic movement down and he shakily, but successfully, grabs a sushi roll and gets it in his mouth.
"Yes!" we cheer, and I high-five him with both hands.
"You know what tori?"
"What?"
"I had fun with you tonight." He says with an easy smile.
"Me too." I agree. "I'm actually glad I came."
"Same here. We should do it again."
"No the fuck you shouldn't."
I wazz a little in my pants. The voice behind me, it just came out of nowhere. And I definitely know who it belongs to.
"Jade!" I exclaim.
"Date's over." She glares at the both of us.
I gulp. Twice.
"It's 11:59. I still have a minute." Beck says. Then he leans in and kisses me. "I had a great time Tori." He says to me.
I don't have an answer. I just gulp again. Because I know, I know, that I'm gonna die.
Beck smiles at Jade. "Okay, now the dates over."