For *shkendra* Thanx for the Support

Whenever I mention a song, it plays a part in the character's mood. If you know the song, then you will have a pretty good idea as to how they feel. If not, feel free to listen to the song while u read. It'll be cool. Tell me what u think. What u wanna c happen next.

Ladies and Gents

4

Club Paradise

Thursday morning Andre sat in his car, biding his time before he made it to Hollywood Arts. He'd spent the last couple of minutes cycling through texts between his phone and Tori's. Senior year was surely overwhelming him, but in a good way. He was confident that he and Tori were going to kill at the showcase; he was never the type to brag, but everyone knew who the favorites were.

Then there was Tori. He couldn't believe the course in which their friendship had taken. He'd watched Tori mature and grow from this shy, talented young lady to a confident, exuberant and sexy woman. They were grown now; it was time to for them to accept the fact that they could love. That they did love.

birthday tomorrow, what are your plans? That was the last message he'd sent to her. She'd replied.
i dnt kno! show me a good time?

That was something he had no problem doing; problem was, he hadn't an idea as to what he was going to get her. In her mind, the only the thing she wanted was time. In Andre's, time wasn't good enough.

Tori and Cat stood at her locker, going over plans for the weekend. "We should go do something tomorrow night!" Cat offered. Tori wanted to say yes, and she wanted to say no. She didn't mind hanging out with Cat and all of her other friends for her birthday, but there was something telling her to keep her options open.

"I would love to" Tori said honestly, "but have you heard from Andre? I think he might have something for us to do." Cat smiled. "Us?" she asked, moving her arms in a huge circle, "or us…" she added, forming a tiny heart with her fingers. Tori blushed when she finally caught on. "The second one" she admitted, "but iono it might not be like that." Cat was pretty sure that us meant that Andre and Tori wanted to be alone for her birthday, and she was happy to do anything she could to make sure they got their chance.

Robbie and Rex showed up and wished Tori a happy early birthday. "Thanks you guys" she said to them. "So…how about me and you go out Friday night?" said Rex. "Are you asking me out on a date?" Tori replied, smiling. "Are you saying yes?" said Rex. "Sorry Rex you're too lateeee! Tori's all booked up for tomorrow night" said Cat. "You butt out carrot top!" said Rex. Cat gasped. "You're so mean to me!" she said, storming away. "Rex!" Robbie said, looking at his puppet.

"That girl is out of it" Rex explained. Robbie looked over Tori's shoulder and saw that Andre was coming. "Um…I've got to go Tori, let me know what you decide to do for your birthday!" Robbie stormed off; Tori called after him, "Okay!"

"Vega!" said Andre. Tori smiled and turned to face him. "Hi!" she beamed, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him. Andre's fingers found themselves in her belt loops, so he pulled her closer. "I thought you were never going to show up" she admitted in his ear. "Class starts in ten" he replied. "It still felt like forever" she sighed.

They let go and began walking. "So I was thinking about your text, and I think I've got something" he told her. "Yay! What is it?" she asked. Andre shook his head. "I'm not telling you." She frowned. "Come on Andre…please" she begged. "Can't do it! Just… don't make any plans for tomorrow, alright?" Tori nodded. "Okay…no plans."

Being eighteen didn't feel different to Tori. The excitement and anticipation of her evening muffled the experience of aging. She'd spent all morning checking her reflection in the mirror; she didn't look older, her hair wasn't longer, she wasn't taller, she hadn't grown out. She'd received a number of birthday texts and wishes from her dearest friends, classmates, family members…and Andre! Knowing she'd be up, Andre waited until twelve AM Friday morning to call Tori and wish her happy birthday. Being the first to do so meant the most to the both of them.

Friday evening came, and after staying after school until six, Cat came home with Tori to help her gussy up for the evening. "What do you think he's up to?" Tori asked Cat as she led her to her room. "I don't know…" Cat said, laughing, giving away the bluff. Tori gave her a skeptical look from over her shoulder. The second they entered the room Cat raved her closet. "You…need…something…likeeee… this!" she said, pulling out a red cocktail dress. Tori recognized it.

"Don't you think that's a little too…sexy?" Cat bore a huge grin. "Yea! It's perfect" She handed the dress to Tori. "But I've never worn it. I don't even think that I can fit it" she admitted, "Well…" Cat began as she started taking off Tori's clothes. She tore off her scandals and nearly decapitated her when she pulled off her t-shirt. "Cat! S-stop! Okay! I've got the rest" Tori cried. "Hurry!" Tori took off her jeans and changed into the dress.

The dress was red and strapless; the bottom was ruffled and stopped mid thigh, and across her waist was a nice black bow. It fit her perfectly. "It fits me perfectly" she thought. "It fits you perfectly" Cat confessed. "Yea" Tori breathed. "Andre is going to love it!" Tori nervously looked at Cat. "You think so?" Cat nodded. "Em hm…" Tori turned around to see her reflection at all angles in the mirror. "I think it's kind of silly" Tori admitted. "What do you mean?" Cat asked. "Wearing this dress for Andre" said Tori. "I mean… why would I want him to see me like this? Can't I just wear a normal dress, or an outfit?"

Cat shot her daggers. "Okay… you're right. I can't… and I don't want to." "Great!" Cat squeaked. She waited for Tori to change and take a shower before helping her with her make up. Cat stayed over for a snack afterwards, but she jolted home at around eight. She was in rush to get home to get herself ready, but still Tori was oblivious.

Andre had it all planned out; he got the idea from his cousin. He would pick Tori up in a few and take her to a hotspot in downtown Los Angeles. All of her friends would be there, and he would let her have all of the fun she wanted; anything she wanted to do. Finally, when it got late, he would take her home. He convinced Sinjin to turn Tori's back patio into a romantic rendezvous when she and Andre left for downtown.

Andre said goodbye to his folks after checking his suit for the tenth time in the mirror. He was wearing slim black slacks, black shoes, a black v neck t-shirt, and a beige blazer. "Show her a good time" his father reminded him. He'd talked the evening over with his parents a dozen times, and they were more than happy for him and Tori. They loved Tori, and they thought she and Andre fit hand in hand.

It took Andre little to no time to get to Tori's. He looked at his cell phone before getting out of the car.

8:34

The sun was on the verge of setting, but due to the overcast the sky was still illuminated. He dreaded the weather as he looked up into the orange cotton clouds. He couldn't understand why it had been raining so much in California lately. "Alright…" he said, building his courage. A million doubts crossed his mind. His hair, his clothes; did he over dress? Sinjin… would he forget to set up Tori's patio? Where was he anyway? He had a habit of lurking around strange places, but Andre hadn't heard from him in hours. What if Jade backed out, and she and Beck didn't show? What about Robbie and Cat? Who cares? "Fair Friday" he whispered.

Andre got out of his car. He closed the door and up Tori's driveway he walked until he was at the door. He rang the doorbell and waited. It opened. Tori's father greeted Andre and complimented his attire. "Nice suit Andre!"

"Thanks Mr. Vega"

"Where are you all headed?"

"The Prosper Room."

Mr. Vega nodded. "She'll be down in a minute. It's a fair Friday. Show her a good time, alright." Mr. Vega smiled at Andre before turning and walking away. A minute later, Tori entered the living room. Andre watched her step for step as she took the staircase.

ANDRE

She looked beautiful. I'd never seen her so stunning… so perfect. She looked like a celebrity… but she was just Tori. Just Tori; the same Tori I'd known for three years. The same Tori I'm falling for.

That dress…what can I say? It was perfect, like her. They complimented one another. It lay on her body the way roses do a bouquet. She wore a crystal necklace and had the earrings to match, and her hair had been done into an up do. Her vanilla skin looked soft…and smooth. Her thighs looked warm, and welcoming. Every bit of her body, form her tiny little knees, to her skinny little ankles, to the pink on her toenails, made my mind scream "I love you Tori."

Tori noticed Andre. His appearance caught her off guard, and was enough to keep her from building the courage to approach him, but she managed.

"You look amazing" he said as she hugged him. "You do too" she said in his ear. There was sudden flash. Mrs. Vega took a picture of their embrace and gestured for them to pose for another. Tori raised a leg behind her as she kissed Andre's cheek. "Good one!" her mom exclaimed. Tori and Andre laughed. "One more" said Mrs. Vega. Andre wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Tori did the same. "That's nice" said Mrs. Vega. "Alright you guys, get on before the weather gets worse."

They waved bye and left for Andre's car. "So are you going to tell me where we're going?" she begged as he started the car. "Nope" he said, pulling out of the driveway. "Why not?" "You'll see in a minute. It's worth the wait, I promise." Andre looked at Tori. "Okay…only because you promised."

Friday night in downtown L.A. was kind of hectic. It took Andre longer than he'd hoped for them to get to the Prosper Room. I Get Lonely Too by Drake played on the radio as they cruised, letting the warm air from outside lift their moods and anxiety. The traffic wasn't fast, but it was moving, so Andre was never able to drive fast enough to mess up Tori's hair or dress.

"This is a real nice song" Tori said, looking over at Andre. "Yea?" he said. "Yea! He's talking about how's he's a celebrity, but he needs that special someone, like we all do" she explained. "You're a celebrity too" said Andre. "So are you looking for that special someone?" he added. She smiled. "Well I don't have to look, now do I Andre?" Andre returned her smile with an affectionate and understanding one of his own. "— And I'm not a celebrity."

Tori and Andre pulled into the valet of the Prosper Room a few minutes later. "Wow Andre" said Tori, taking in the scene. The Prosper Room was a large sky rise, and on the roof was a dance club. They took the elevator to the top as opposed to the stairs, and when Tori stepped out, her jaw dropped.

"SURPRISEEEE!"

Just about everyone she knew from Hollywood Arts was standing with their hands above their heads, screaming birthday wishes at her. "Oh my God!" she said, but her hands muffled her voice as they drew to her mouth in… well surprise. She turned to Andre and gave him a papa bear hug, and then she kissed him on the cheek. Cat, Beck, Jade and Robbie rushed to her side; Jade being pulled by Beck. Even Rex was there. He was dressed in black suit similar to Andre's.

"Oh my God you guys! You didn't have to do this" she said to them. "I know right!" said Jade. They all looked at her. "It was Andre's idea!" Cat blurted out. Tori eyes glossed over as looked up at Andre. "You did this?" she asked. "Yea…it was nothing" he replied. "This is amazing" she said, wrapping her arms around him once more. Andre kissed her cheek and wiped a tear or two from her face. Everyone around them conformed to clapping, with the exception of Jade and Rex.

"I love you Andre you're the best!" she said smiling. "It's nothing…really" Andre said modestly. She smiled at him and turned to her other friends. "Thanks you guys!"

Tori had a lot of fun that night. She danced with all of her friends, talked, played, and laughed the evening away. The scenery couldn't have been any better. The orange glow the clouds let off illuminated everyone, providing the life for the party. The breeze was calm, but now cool.

Andre kept his distance from Tori. He didn't want to spend too much time with her until later on. He hung with Beck and Robbie, talking about the evening and laughing at the rude things Rex would say to just about anyone who walked by. The puppet was in a spazzy mood that night.

Andre's pocket buzzed. He reached into his pocket and removed his phone.

everything is all set up.

He read the message from Sinjin over and over, getting eager with each reread.

11:47

"Well it's about that time you guys" Andre said to the boys. "Where are you going?" Rex asked. "Part two" Andre said simply. He bid them bye and walked around until he found Tori. "Hey Andre!" she said hugging him. "Hey Tor… hey look, I had your birthday gift delivered to your house, but they just dropped it off. You've got to sign for it before they leave." Tori slowly digested what Andre said, but was more than happy to go back to her place to get her present. "It's cool Andre, just let me say bye to everyone."

Tori and Andre laughed the whole elevator ride back to the first floor. "This was the best night ever Andre! Really, you didn't have to buy me anything for my birthday…this is perfect." "Yea I did Tor, why wouldn't I?" "Okayyy… so I guess you're not going to tell me what you got me?" she said, hopeful. "You… guessed right" he replied. Tori pouted and stuck her tongue at Andre. Before he looked her way she turned her head.

The elevator door opened and he gestured for her to get off first. "Did you poke your tongue at me?" Andre asked when the valet returned with his car. She looked at him, expression confused. "Nooo…"

The drive home was just as nice as the drive to the Prosper Room. Nicki Minaj's Super Bass singsonged through the speakers. Every second or so Andre would catch Tori with her eyes closed, bouncing about and singing along. What's My Name followed, to which they karaoked together.

Two or three songs later they were pulling into Tori's driveway. One of her parent's cars was gone, so Andre parked behind Tori's. "Are your parents out for the night?" He asked. She shrugged her shoulders. "Iono" she hummed.

Thanks

Andre sent the thank you text to Sinjin. Andre got out and opened the door for Tori. "Where are the delivery people? I thought I had to sign for something?" she asked. "Oh um… they said they're out back" Andre lied. "But…w-where's their truck?" "Just come on!" he interjected. Andre grabbed her hand and led her around the house and to the backyard. "Open the gate" he said, once they reached the fence.

"Okay…" Tori unbolted the lock and pushed the gate open. Andre hadn't entered the backyard yet, but he was still able to hear Tori's profound gasp. Sinjin had done her backyard wonders. There was sand everywhere. Neon lights hung here and there; each part of her yard was a different color. There was music playing, and candles illuminated a path to Tori's double lawn recliner. Her hands were to her mouth, and under the light Andre could see the water forming in eyes. "Tori?"

At his words she turned around and gave him another hug. "You did this?" she choked. "Yea" he replied. "Oh my God Andre…" she began, tearing up, but smiling. "You like it?" Andre asked.

Tori wrapped her arms around Andre's neck and pulled him into her. When she pulled back to look into his eyes, she slowly placed her lips on his. She kissed him until he caught on and kissed her back. She pulled away and put her arms around his back and her head on his chest.

"Thank you Andre" she whispered. "You're welcome sweetheart." Andre's hands swam up and down Tori's back, but she was over the tingles she felt whenever he touched her that way. She was a headband full of emotions right now. Carefree, and in love.

Mars Vs. Venus by Usher played.

"This place turned out great" Andre said after a minute of quiet slow dancing. Tori hadn't opened her eyes since they shared their kiss. They stood in silence, embraced in one another, slowly rocking to the music.

"It's like… a club" Andre added. Tori smiled and looked up at Andre, "Club Paradise."

Next

Teairra's Room