Chapter 3- Something Old, Something New

Bring ding ding ding ding!

Acting class had officially ended, right in the middle of Sikowitz talking, as it usually did. Beck leaped to his feet. After being so close to Tori that their arms were brushing for the past fifty minutes, being away from her felt like walking into a heavily air conditioned room after being in the Los Angeles heat for hours. The students filed out the door. Tori and Beck were last to leave.

By some miracle of fate, they were walking out alone. The other students were far ahead and there they were; side by side. Tori was glancing down the hallway with a thoughtful expression on her face. She had normal things on her mind.

"So that was really great acting today," Beck pointed out.

When he started the conversation, Tori immediately looked at him. She reminded him of a cheery chipmunk. "Yeah, we did. I can't believe I looked real enough for Sikowitz today. Usually he has some bone to pick with my acting. I'm surprised I wasn't sent to the Gorilla Club again for this exercise."

"Well, I don't think the Gorilla Club would be of much use for this one," he said.

Tori can't possibly think it was just an act…

Tori grew all serious. "So…this acting exercise."

"Yeah?"

"…Do you think it was just my acting that made the exercise so…intimate? Or do you think it is what Sikowitz said about…redirecting our emotions?"

"That is for you to decide, Tori."

Tori began to twirl her hair around her finger absently. Even though the Hollywood Arts hallways were never dull of noise, the silence that occurred between them made her feel awkward. Beck was always calm, so he continued to go on calmly.

Finally, Tori hastily said, "I'll see you later."

"Alright. I'll see you later, too," he told her as she was scurrying away.

I need some ravioli. Nothing calms the nerves better than square shaped noodles covered in sauce and filled with cheese.

Tori stood in the line for the grub truck. Standing on the concrete and waiting edgily in the heat felt nice for once. She loved the reminder that after the crazy events of the Platinum Music Awards, things were finally dwindling down to normal. Eating her normal lunch with her normal friends was something she found herself looking forward to most of that morning. Ever since second period.

Well, things were almost normal.

She heard someone saunter behind her in line. A voice asked, "You're a regular here. What's the best thing to order?"

Realizing that guy's voice was very familiar, she whirled around. She gasped and stepped back. She wasn't sure how to react.

"Danny," she finally mustered. "Hi…What's up?"

"Oh, just thinking about getting some lunch," he answered with a grin on his face. "And saying congrats to you. I would have never guessed I would see your face representing the Platinum Music Awards."

"Thanks. But why lunch? You don't go to school here."

"I do now!"

Danny swung the backpack off his shoulder and presented it for Tori to read. Sure enough, he had Hollywood Arts embroidered into the front. He beamed at her and waited for her reaction.

"Oh my gosh," she breathed. "That's great! What inspired you to audition here?"

"You did."

"Me?"

"Yep." Danny poked her nose playfully. "You. Your talent really inspires me. After I saw how different you became after transferring here from Sheerwood, I thought I wanted to experience that difference for myself. You glad to see me?"

"Well yeah, I am, but…uh…"

He laughed nervously. "I know, the whole thing that happened last time. It's all cool. Let's just forget about it. Want to?"

Tori's own drama and stupidity from that short time Danny and Cat dated made her laugh at herself. Even though it was miserable for her then, she felt relieved to see Danny now. She was glad to have a new boy to think about besides Beck. She was even more glad that they healed over the past awkwardness.

"Yeah, I want to," she told him with a mood-brightening Tori smile.

"Hey you two!" Festus barked at them. "Are you going to stand there blabbering all day, or are you going to order some grub?"

While they were talking the entire line cleared out.

"Sorry!" called Tori.

She and Danny rushed to the truck to order their lunches. Danny ordered the ravioli on Tori's word. Then both of them headed over to the lunch table. The moment the friend group saw Danny, all their focus was on him. Tori expected Cat and Danny to look at each other differently, but Cat was as perky and friendly towards him as she would be anyone else. It was her idea that they just be friends, after all.

"Everyone, you've met Danny," Tori introduced. "Well Danny now goes to school here."

"Wow," Robbie said.

"Congrats, man," added Andre. "Come sit."

"Sure!"

Feeling welcomed into the group, Danny grabbed a seat next to Andre. Tori could see that there was space between every person for her to sit. She decided that it would be most appropriate to sit next to Danny, though. She did, having him on her left side and Robbie and Rex on her right side. Starting on her right, the seating order went Robbie, Rex, Jade, Cat, Beck, Andre, then Danny. It was as if the order was specifically crafted so that no one person would feel awkward. Tori was looking forward to lunch even more so now that Danny was here to share it with her. She was excited to hear all about his life, and she would help him catch up on her life as well.

"So how is school so far?" Tori prompted. "Made any new friends yet?"

"Oh well, not really, but I'm sure I will."

"Oh my gosh, Danny can hang out with us," Cat suggested, and then giggled merrily by her idea.

"If that would be cool with you," he responded.

"Oh sure," Tori agreed without hesitation.

"Yeah, why not?" Robbie voted.

"It's cool," Rex added.

"Whatever." That was Jade's typical response to anything.

"Well great. It feels good to be wanted, am I right? Hey Tori, do you want to show me around more of the school after lunch? So I don't get lost later on?"

"Oh." She took a bite of her ravioli, then nodded. "Sure."

Danny smiled back at her. "Good."

Danny sipped some of his drink through a straw and leaned back contently.