When I pull into the parking lot at Nozu I almost dread getting out. I just wanted a little more along time with Tori. But we both get out of the car and walk in. We see Andre stand up and wave us over to a table that looks like it could fit ten more people.
We both sit down next to each other.
"Did you guys come here together?" asked Robbie, in an obnoxious way.
"Yes. Is that a problem, Robert?" I say, making sure to call him Robert because I know he hates it.
"No." he mumbles as he hangs his head. I grin triumphantly. Tori gives me a look that says 'Don't me mean' but in a playful way. I shoot her an apologetic look.
The rest of dinner just drags on and on. Beck brought up the topic of the play and soon everyone was joining in. Except me. All I could think about was Tori. How much I wanted to kiss her. NO! You don't want to kiss Tori. You want to kill Tori. No, I want to kiss her. Shut up! God, I hate arguing with myself. It's your own fault.
"Jade?" asks Tori in a caring way.
"What?" I ask, snapping back to reality.
"Didn't you say you wanted to try out for Juliet?"
"Uh, yeah. I do."
"Do you want to tell them why?" she asks quietly, making sure they can't hear her. I shake my head and she nods, understanding why. That's what I love about her. she really cares. Whoa, wait. Love? You do not love Tori Vega. You can't! Do I? No. Yes. No. Yes, I do. I love Tori Vega. Oh god. I think I'm gonna be sick.
"I have to go to the bathroom." I say and I bolt away. When I get into the bathroom I look at myself in the mirror. What do you see? I see a girl. Girls are supposed to love boys. But, sometimes they love girls. Am I one of those girls? I think the better question is, is Tori one of those girls? She definitely hinted towards it. Does she feel the same way?
Look again. Think differently. What do you see? I see a goth girl. A goth girl that almost nobody likes. I do not see Juliet. Imagine yourself as Juliet. What do you look like? I don't have any piercings, my hair doesn't have any other colors in it, and it isn't even black. My hair is light brown. I see my skin a little darker. I can't help but like the way I look as Juliet. God, what is happening to me? Is Tori making me change? Or was the meant to happen either way?
Before I can dive any deeper, Tori walks in.
"Hey, Jade."
"Hi." I can barely choke that out.
"Is something wrong?"
Yes.
"No. I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"I said I'm fine."
"Okay. We should get back to the table don't you think?"
"Actually I think I'm just gonna go home."
"Oh, alright. I guess I could catch a ride with Beck and the others."
I can hear the disappointment in her voice.
"Tori?"
"Yeah?" she turns back to face me.
"There's something I have to give you before I go."
"What is it?"
I grab her hands and pull her in close so that our lips meet. It wasn't long before she was kissing me back. We break apart for air and before she can say anything else, I'm gone. Driving away. Away from Nozu. Away from Tori. What do I do now? Should I call her and explain? No, that's dumb. I'll just let things play out the way they're supposed to. Knowing Tori, she'll keep my secret and won't tell the others.
Instead of driving him, I find myself driving to Hollywood Arts. I park the car and walk in. the door was locked, but that wasn't a problem. I walk into Sikowitz's room and I look at the spot where I had tackled Tori and then kissed her on the cheek. I sighed and left the room.
I walked to the Blackbox Theatre and I look around.
"What is wrong with me?"
Before I can help myself, I start singing. I can't help the song I'm singing. I just had to go with Taylor Swift on this one. Love Story just fits. When I hit the last note I hear clapping. Shit. Who did I just sing for?"
"Excellent work Jade!"
Sikowitz. I turn to face him.
"May I ask who that song was sung for?"
"No, you may not. What are you doing here anyways?"
"I don't know. What are you doing here?"
He got me there.
"I just needed to get away."
"And you feel comfortable on the stage. It makes sense. You're a performer."
"Uum, thanks?"
"It's not a compliment. It's a fact. It's also a fact that out of everyone in Hollywood Arts, you're the only one that has earned my absolute respect."
Whoa.
"Wow. I don't know what to say to that."
"Well you might say thank you since that was a compliment."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I have great faith in you, Jade Maryn West!"
"How do you know my middle name?"
"How do you know my middle name?"
"I don't."
"Oh, right. It's Murl. Well, I'll see you on Monday, Jade. And I trust I'll see at the auditions."
"Yeah. You will."
"FANTASTIC! Have a nice night."
And with that, he turns and leaves. What just happened?
This time when I get in my car I actually drive home.