The following morning was the start of the first day of workshops. Helen gave staff members certain schedules to participate in camp activities, workshops and Final Curtain preparation. Today, Tori, Andre, Beck and Jade would conduct workshops while Robbie, Cat, Sinjin and Burf prepared for the Final Curtain.
"Alright so today we're going to work on confidence," Andre started.
"Confidence? I thought I signed up for music," one girl commented.
"You did," Tori assured. "But music expresses a lot of your emotions, and you need confidence sometimes when you share your most sensitive emotions."
"Yeah, Tori's right. Like for instance, this first song we'll share with you was about a crush I had on a girl, but I didn't know how to express myself. I was getting all wonky in the head so Tori told me to sing the song I wrote even if she didn't know it to get it out of my system and it worked."
"Yup, now he's less wonky," she giggled.
"True chizz," Andre fist pumped her.
"What's chizz?" A kid asked the person next to him.
"A German sausage," Andre said soft enough to him and Tori and they both laughed.
"Now, Andre was unsure at first performing the song but he gained confidence and we had a pretty cool time singing."
"This one's called 365 Days," Andre got his acoustic guitar out and started the song.
(Andre)
Monday, Well baby I fell for you
Tuesday, I wrote you this song
Wednesday, I wait outside your door,
Even though I know it's wrong…
(Tori)
7 days a week Every hour of the month
Gotta let you know where my heart
Is commin' from
(Tori and Andre)
I shouldn't feel this way, But I gotta say
Baby I gotta let you now
I will try Everything,
To make you come Closer to me
And baby do you believe
That it's not just a phase
How can I get it through
To tell you What I cant lose
I will try 365 days,
365 ways to get to you
Andre continued to strum his guitar and Tori got lost in the music and swayed her hips. That was until Anthony stepped in the room with Kojak and two other guest instructors. She made contact with Kojak and grew nervous, signaling for Andre to stop playing. Tori directed everyone's attention to Anthony and the other three.
"Hey Tori, Andre," he waved.
"Hey Anthony."
"Sup."
"So today we've got some guest instructors to assist Tori and Andre for the workshop. I'm sure you all know Mr. Kool Kojak."
The students applauded.
"Also with me is Mr. Shawn Quincy and Miss Ginger Fox."
The students were excited to see a pop star at the camp.
"Miss Fox can you sing us a song?!" one kid asked.
"Sure, maybe. But after our lesson," she said.
"What's the topic today?" Anthony asked.
"Confidence in performing," Andre answered.
"Good subject," Shawn Quincy noted. "And it's true. You guys better have confidence in yourself before performing in front of a crowd," he told the students.
"Yes… Confidence. You need to realize your full potential and be confident that you can do it," Kojak cryptically addressed. "Like our friend Miss Fox here. That's what her hit song 'Number One' is all about," he praised her.
"Thanks Kojak," she smiled.
"And maybe the next best thing is in this room as well, they just need to be confident that they are number one," he looked at Tori.
This was going to be a long and awkward workshop.
Meanwhile, Jade and Beck were in charge of acting classes with Sikowitz and a guest instructor.
"So, who's ready for some ABC improv?" Sikowitz asked excitedly.
"What?" one student asked.
"You'll see," Jade smiled as she and Beck got up to demonstrate to the class what it was.
"Ok, Beck and Jade, you two are astronauts who landed on the moon and are struggling to find a sandcastle."
"Sure."
"Ok."
"Now you, kid with the braces, give me a letter."
"uh… W?"
"Great. And action!"
"Where is that dang sandcastle?"
"X marks the spot on my map."
"Why can't we find it then?"
"Zebras used to live on the moon so maybe they moved it."
"And why would zebras inhibit the moon?"
During this time, Sophia Michelle walked in and stood near Sikowitz.
"And time out!" Sikowitz told the two. "You kids understand this exercise?"
Most nodded.
"Alright, well- oh Ms. Michelle, hello!" he noticed her presence.
Jade was excited to see her again as well as Beck.
"Hi everyone. Well I think I recognize you two from my play, Uptown, Downtown. Where's the zombie girl?" she asked the two.
Jade loved that Sophia Michelle remembered Tori as the one in the zombie mask and not the 'pretty girl' or 'the one with the nice cheek bones'.
"She's teaching music with Andre," Beck told her.
"Well how about we add two more students in this scene. Ms. Michelle, add to the situation please."
"Ok, you and you," she pointed to an awkward looking boy and a petite blond girl to step up with Jade and Beck. "Now, you're on the moon I presume and you're looking for something. Ok how about while you're all looking, blondie over there starts to run out of oxygen."
"Brilliant! And action!"
"Beck, maybe the sand castle is over there!" the awkward boy started.
"Can we check that location?" the blond girl added.
"Good!" Sikowitz commented as they continued.
"Depends, do we all have to go?" Jade asked.
"Everyone has enough oxygen, right?" Beck wondered.
"Felix does but I don't," the blond stated.
"Great. Now we went on the moon for nothing," Jade grew angry.
"How about we split up?" Felix, the awkward boy, suggested.
"I think Jade and Felix should go while Beck and I stay behind," the blond said.
"Jade, that's probably a good idea," Beck noted.
"Keep your hands to yourself blondie or I'll make sure you won't breathe," she glared at the girl and walked a few steps with Felix.
"I have an idea," Sikowitz said. "Jade, Felix sit. Let's focus the scene on Beck and the girl losing oxygen. And action!"
"Let me see your oxygen level," Beck asked her.
"Mine says it's almost empty."
"Now that's not good."
"Oh no, I feel light headed," she said and sat on the ground. Beck knelt in front of her, holding her arm steady.
"Passing out is not an option," Beck said boldly.
"Quickly losing air," she faked breathed. Beck scooted closer to her as she pulled him close, only to make the scene more dramatic. But it was obvious to that she had the hot's for him. Who didn't? It was Beck Oliver.
"Right, but what can I do to help?" he said as his ear was near her mouth, pretending to listen to her breathing.
"Shut up and kiss me," she said out of character and out of context.
"Wait, wha-" Beck asked before her was forced to crash teeth and teeth with the blond. Not even one second, he pushed her off.
"Uh, that didn't make any sense," he said.
"End scene!" Sikowitz signaled.
"Interesting twist," Sophia Michelle commented. "You guys turned an adventure scene to a romance scene. Clever."
Beck wiped his mouth from the taste of desperation from the girl and sat next to Jade.
"Did you like that?" she said softly.
"Did you not hear the teeth clanks?" He told her while still wiping his mouth.
"Good," she said before helping him rid the taste of the blond by kissing her boyfriend herself.
"Wait, were you jealous?" he asked after the kiss.
"N-no," Jade scowled. "I told you, I'm mature."
Beck eyed her, not knowing if she was serious, but it was good for now.
In the main hall, Robbie, Cat, Sinjin, and Burf were assisting Helen and Principal Eikner with props and tech work for the production. Robbie was at the control panel in the back room while Cat, Sinjin and Burf were fixing a banner in the front of the stage.
"Sup Cat," Burf went up to her snacking on an orange bell pepper.
"Hi Burf!" She said cheerfully.
"Does Jade have a boyfriend?"
"Trust me, I ask her all the time," Sinjin said as he walked pass the two with a ladder.
"Yeah, she got back with Beck," she said.
"Hm… Well that can be fixed," he said before taking another bite of his bell pepper.
"Burf, can you come her for a second and help me with the lighting," Robbie shot from the control panel.
Burf walked up to the room. Cat was trying to set the banner straight but since Burf left, she asked Sinjin to take hold of the other side of the banner.
"So Cat," he started.
"Sinjin, I already told Burf Jade has a boyfriend," she told him.
"No, that's not what I was going to say," he told her. "But that can be arranged," he told her.
"Hehe," she giggled.
"When are you and Robbie going to get together?" he asked her out of the blue.
"W-what are you talking about?" she grew nervous.
"Well at the CowWow, you ditched me for Robbie and he ditched Gabriella for you."
"Sorry about that, Sinjin, I was just trying to get him jealous," she frowned.
"It's ok, between you and me, Gabriella told me I was a better dancer than Robbie."
"You definitely had the moves," she giggled.
"But seriously, you got him jealous. Why aren't you with him?"
"Because we're better as friends," she explained.
"Really? He's so smitten with you. How does that add up?"
"We don't want to ruin our friendship. I mean would you risk that?"
"Well, if we're talking about me and Jade, I'd risk that!"
Cat and Sinjin laughed, they both knew he was joking.
"But you know it's different with you and Robbie. You're both different, but you're always there for each other. That's why you got jealous. You like him don't you?"
Cat looked up at the panel where Robbie and Burf were testing the lights. He caught her staring and decided to flick the spotlight switch on her. She smiled at his goofing off and he winked at her before turning it off.
"That's the problem, Sinjin," was all she said.
"It's ok," he answered. He completely understood. "Being friends is safe. That's why Jade and I are just friends," he joked one last time before leaving Cat to her thoughts.
That night, the three girls were actually being a bit civil with each other. Cat was brushing her hair while humming the Sesame Street theme song. Jade was cutting some construction paper up for the confetti cannon that Sikowitz wanted for the show. She was more than happy to volunteer to cut fifty pounds of construction paper to bits and pieces. The job would only take a few days, but she took any excuse to use scissors. Tori was giving herself a pedicure when her phone rang.
"Hello? Oh hey Trina!" Tori said.
"Cat, let's go look at the stars," Jade got up. She didn't want to listen to Tori and Trina talking on the phone. Plus, she wanted to talk to her best friend about a few things.
When the girls left, Tori resumed her conversation.
So how's it going over there, Tor?
It's… going. The workshops are fun. The food is good, and the place is amazing!
Then why didn't you say fabulous?
Jade.
Oh God, you two fight more than you and I fight.
That's not entirely true, we fight way more. It's just when Jade and I fight, it's much more intense.
Makes sense.
Listen, not that I'm not thrilled to talk to you, but why are you calling? You never call?
Oh, well mom and dad are out on a date and Lindsay is spending the night, but she's showering right now so I'm just killing time.
Thanks?
No, no. I also want to check in on my baby sister.
Really?
Not really. Just killing time. Oh I got a new nail polish set, really sparkly summer colors, at the mall. You'll love them. I'll post a tweet on the slap later.
Oh… well I kind of wanted to talk to you anyway…
Is it Tori problems?
Yeah…
I'm really not in the mood for drama right now. I'm in a drama series of my own you know… Divertisimo?
I wouldn't necessarily categorize a show about a cheese lady being tortured by mice a melodrama, Tri.
Well it's still a challenge, Tori. I'm a soap star.
Sure ok… But Trina, you said I could call you if I need someone to talk to.
When did I say that?
When we were packing.
Haven't you ever heard of an empty gesture?
Trina. Please?
Ugh fine. What's going on in your perfect life?
Ok, well I haven't told anyone this, but I think I might have this great opportunity to further in my music career, but that would mean being on my own.
Yeah, so?
That would mean leaving Andre and working on my own stuff.
And? Look, Andre knows about this business. It's about chasing your dreams. Don't let anyone or anything get in your way.
But Andre's the reason for where I am today. That wouldn't be right.
Tori, are you scared of hurting Andre's feelings, or are you scared about not succeeding?
Outside, Jade and Cat sat on their cabin steps looking up at the stars.
"Jade?"
"What?"
"How many stars are there?"
"I don't know, a million?"
"A million? Wow that's a lot!" Cat grew amazed at the thought of one day seeing a million stars at once. "A million stars can light up a whole town!"
"Sure Kitty-Cat. Hey, can I talk to you?" Jade was playing with the chipped nail polish on her thumbs.
"You are talking to me, hehe."
"No, about something else. Focus Cat, I need you."
Cat knew it was serious. "Is it about Beck?"
Jade nodded. She knew she couldn't hide anything from her best friend. Cat was the only one who saw Jade cry for two weeks after Beck didn't go after her at Tori's house. Cat's known Jade longer than anyone else, and Jade, no matter how mean she was, had a soft spot for Cat.
"Today at our workshop, some cheap little blond kissed Beck."
Cat gasped. "But it was a stage kiss, right?"
"Yeah, of course. Beck wouldn't cheat, you know that."
"Then what's the problem?" the redhead innocently asked, though she already knew why.
"Look," Jade sighed, "I know Beck and I talked things over, but I'm still going to worry about our relationship. I can't help it that I get jealous. I just don't want to lose the one thing that makes me so happy… again."
"I understand, Jade. I really do," Cat patted her shoulder. "Just don't let it get to you. Beck loves you. He wouldn't have gotten back together with you if he didn't."
"It's just every stupid gank out there wants him. Get your own hot boyfriend," she said to no one in particular.
Cat giggled at Jade's jealousy. It was scary, but it was romantic in a sense that Jade truly loved Beck with all her heart.
"No! Trina! Don't you dare mess with my Cuddle Me Cathy while I'm away at Camp!" Tori screamed from inside.
"Ugh, I'm never going to get any sleep if Tori keeps yelling," Jade suddenly changed her mood. She got up and started inside. "Vega! Quit your yapping! It's ten thirty at night and people want to sleep!"
Cat decided to stay outside for a little while longer. Knowing her friends, once Tori got off the phone, she and Jade would be at it for another twenty minutes before pretending not to fight when Cat came in the room. They did try their best to keep the quarrels to a low when Cat was around. But Cat knew it was unhealthy to keep hate inside so, as much as she hated it, would give them time to lash out at each other before showing herself.
Instead, Cat diverted her attention back to the stars. A million, huh? She thought. I wonder if they all have names? Her thoughts were cut short when she heard footsteps coming her way. To her right, she saw someone who lately has been saving her from her thoughts.
"Robbie, what are you doing out so late?"
Robbie walked up to her with one hand behind his back.
"I should be asking you the same thing," he said. Cat motioned to the noise behind her and he understood. "Plus, I just wanted to say goodnight."
Even in the moonlight, Robbie was able to make out the slight pink tint on her cheeks when he said that.
"You're so sweet, Robbie."
"Oh, and I do have a surprise for you." Robbie took his hand away from his back and presented to her a red velvet cupcake. Cat's eyes sparkled, brighter than the stars outside.
"Oh my god! Cupcake! Where'd you get this?"
"I asked Festus to whip up a batch for the tech crew since I was working late with them today at the main hall. And I saved the last one just for you," he poked her nose.
"Thanks, Robbie! You're the bestest friend ever!" Cat hugged him and wasted no time indulging in her treat.
"Yup, the best of the best. Remember that," Robbie said before getting up. "Well I better head over to my cabin before Andre and Beck turn the lights off."
"You didn't bring your night light?"
"Rex told me they'd make fun of me if I brought it."
"Oh yeah, why didn't you bring Rex?"
"He didn't want to risk bed bugs or termites. Plus, he's got Northridge girls to impress this summer. What about Mr. Longneck?"
"He's afraid of the woods," she said as she finished her cupcake.
"Did you bring a night light?"
"We have this small lamp for our table, but they don't let me keep it on at night, so I stay up pretty late."
"Which bed do you have?"
"Top bunk. You?"
"Me too! You know, if you sleep on the opposite side, where the steps are, then you can hit the window above the single bed. I use the light outside as a nightlight," Robbie told her.
"Oh yay, I can see the pretty stars! And the moon!"
"Well, the moon is just restarting it's cycle so we might have to wait a while for that, but the stars, yes."
"Thanks for the tip, Robbie," she smiled at him.
"Anytime, Kitty-Cat," he winked. "Goodnight."
"Bye!" she waved as he left.
Cat was happy to have a night-light when she got to bed that night, but this time she'd grow sleepless because of another thing. The conversation she had with Sinjin early was in the back of her mind and she couldn't seem to shake it off. Not to mention the nice gesture of him bringing a cupcake to her before bed.
A/N: Song Title - Tell Me That You Love Me - It's so obvious Cabbie wants each other. Why can't they tell each other how they feel?
Jazzy2297, I was smiling when I read your review. How'd you guess that the next chapter was this song title? ;)
I need to keep up with my updating. Sorry for skipping a day. I completely lost track of time. Tonight I'm going to try to update again. Have a great day/night/afternoon/tomorrow/yesterday!