In between workshops and breaks, Sikowitz managed to gather his troops, the gang, for a quick chat.
"So my little coconuts, how's the final number going for the show?" he asked out of the blue.
They all tried to hide between each other with their stares, hesitant to answer.
"It's… going," Beck said.
Truth be told, Sikowitz had only asked a couple days ago but nobody really had time to think about it let alone remember.
"Did you figure out a song?" he asked.
Andre and Tori exchanged glances.
"We uh, we thought of just singing one of the songs we already wrote, you know, since we're going to record all our songs anyways," Andre suggested.
"Yeah, plus it'd be easier in this short amount of time for us to learn a song that they have already performed for us," Jade added.
"Fantastic! Which song?" their teacher asked.
Man, he was killing them with his 20 questions game.
"Uh… What song would you like us to perform?" Tori saved.
"You mean I get to choose?" Sikowitz was more than eager to have a say in this.
"Yeah! Because you're our favorite teacher after all," Cat winked, almost making it so obvious they were playing this by ear. If it weren't for her odd nature, Sikowitz would have caught on.
"Hm, you kids should perform the last song Tori and Andre sang at the CowWow. It was a pretty song."
"You mean, Here's 2 Us?" Robbie confirmed.
"Yes, that one! That's the song you should perform! Do a dance number, something big, anything!"
"Alright, well you got it, Sikowitz. The finale for the Final Curtain will be Here's 2 Us," Tori promised.
"Excellent," their teacher clapped his hands and walked off.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Cat initiated the panic they were all feeling. "We forgot about Sikowitz's request!" she squealed.
"Calm down, Cat. Didn't you just see, he totally bought our act," Jade reassured her.
"Yeah, but now that we've made a specific commitment, we have to follow through," Beck pointed.
"It shouldn't be that bad," Robbie tried lightening the moment, only causing Cat to be on his side by smiling slightly.
"Yeah but we don't have time for that, especially for Tori and me," Andre noted.
"Yeah, but why not just use practice time to rehearse recording that song," Beck suggested.
"I guess," Tori replied.
"Ok," Andre agreed.
"So we got the song covered. What about the actual performance?" Jade asked.
"You mean like dancing and stage direction?"
"No, I meant having tea with the Queen. Of course that's what it means!" Jade snarled.
"Oooh the queen is here?!"
"Cat, focus!"
"Eeep," she fell quiet.
"Ok, we're all pretty ok choreographers. I'm sure we'll think of something along the way. So long as the song itself is mastered, Improv will be heavily relied on," Tori stated.
They all agreed and tried their best to work on studying the lyrics and thinking of creative ways to perform before getting together again.
Dinner rolled around, and the group realized that they hadn't come close to thinking about anything else for the final number.
"Why didn't you guys take some time to think about the song?" Tori asked.
"Why didn't you?" Robbie defended.
"We wrote the song, didn't we? Isn't that enough on our side?" Andre answered.
"Ok but if we're playing to our strengths, it's obvious that you and Andre would have written whatever we'd perform. We have to all collaborate on the dance number," Beck reasoned.
"I didn't have time."
"Neither did I."
"Same."
"Me too."
"Then when the heck are we ever going to get this done?"
"Why are you yelling at us, Vega? You're the one who agreed to this in the first place. You fix it."
"We all agreed, Jade. Not just me."
"Well you kind of verbally agreed for all of us," Andre noted.
"Andre? You're supposed to be on my side," Tori was shocked.
"I am, Tori."
"Anyways, it doesn't matter if Tori was the one who agreed for us, the point is, we promised Sikowitz," Beck said.
"Yeah, and we respect him enough not to back down," Robbie added.
"Yeah I mean let's face it, he's just as crazy as us," Cat commented. Everyone quizzically looked her way, but went back to arguing.
"Oh so you're on Tori's side now, Beck? That doesn't surprise me."
"Are you serious right now? We're back to the Tori thing?"
"Tori thing?" Tori asked Andre. He shrugged.
"Well how can we not when you're always choosing her side instead of your girlfriend?"
"Jade, I thought we'd be mature about this?"
"Fine, let's be mature about this." She started to grab her food, but Andre stopped her.
"Jade," he warned.
She dropped her fork.
At this point, Cat and Robbie had stayed silent, not wanting to be a part of the growing tension. But in hesitation, or in pure amusement, Cat picked up her bowl of pudding and set it at a starting position.
"Cat? What are you doing?" Robbie whispered.
Before she could answer, she flicked some on Robbie's nose. Everyone looked at her.
"What was that for?"
"I thought Jadey was going to throw food again," she smiled.
"No, we don't need a greater problem as it is," Beck said.
"But food fights aren't problems, they're fun!" she reasoned.
"Says who?" Andre questioned.
Robbie decided last minute it was a good idea that Cat brought up. It was healthy therapy to let their frustrations out with a harmless thing such as a food fight. So he grabbed a chunk of his mashed potatoes and poked some on Cat's nose.
She gasped in a happy way.
"You're right, this is fun," Robbie said, licking his spoon clean.
The other four looked at their two friends, confused that they would think of a food fight at a time like this, when they were arguing. But one moment led to another and all hell broke loose. A fight that started between the six of them grew to everyone in the main hall. In a matter of seconds, mashed potato and pudding were flying from every direction with bullets of corn and peas strengthening hits. Pudding was the dessert for the night so if people were close enough, their faces would have a nice pudding facial. Wahoo punch, water, and lemonade were the beverages of choice, freely splashing over anyone's face. In the midst of it all, Tori, Andre, Beck and Jade relaxed and simply had fun. Robbie and Cat found each other after attacking other freshmen and decided to crawl to the door. They stood up, watching at the mess they commenced and smiled at each other.
"Hehe, told you food fights were fun," she said to him as they watched their four friends let loose and actually enjoy their time together.
"You're right," he answered. "Can this night get any better?" he asked hopefully.
"No, but I know how to end it for you," a stern voice cut in from behind the two. Cat and Robbie froze, not wanting to see who was behind them. But, facing the inevitable, they reluctantly turn their heads to see a very serious looking principal, guidance counselor, and teacher.
"Helen!" Cat squealed.
"Lane, Sikowitz," Robbie nervously acknowledged their presence.
It took all of fifteen seconds for Helen to stop the food fight. Scold the kids, and soften up to let everyone go with a warning. Currently, everyone was cleaning the main hall, every square inch, every corner, and every window. Helen had retired for the night while Lane stayed behind to supervise along with Derek the security guard. The six were gathered near the stage area, where most of the mess was, cleaning quietly as Lane passed them. Once he was further than an earshot away, Andre spoke up.
"I don't care how much trouble we got into, that was the best food fight I've had in a long time!"
"Yeah man, even better than that one production the middle schoolers did at the black box," Beck added.
"Oh yeah, I remember that. I still don't know if that was mac and cheese or puss on the wall," Tori reminisced in disgust.
"Mac and cheese," Derek said from nowhere.
"Derek!" Tori jumped in surprise.
"Mhm, don't think you and Jade can trick me again with the dancing and thinking cleaning is fun," the security guard never lived it down for Tori and Jade leaving him in the Black Box to clean up the rest of the mess.
"Oh come on D, you know it was fun. Dancing and cleaning," Jade teased.
Derek playfully laughed and flashed a serious face. "I'm watching you," he pointed his forefinger and middle finger to his eyes then to Tori and Jade's eyes. The two girls stood there and nodded. The second he left, they looked at each other and broke into a fit of laughs.
"Yay, we're friends again!" Cat said as she tried scrubbing the stage floor from the mashed potato bits.
"Of course, Kitty-Cat," Tori said. This time Jade didn't argue. She was a bit relaxed from all her stress to worry about Beck or Tori or anything.
"Thanks you guys, this was fun," Andre told Cat and Robbie. See, Helen gave everyone a warning when Cat and Robbie took full blame for initiating the whole chaotic mess. So Cat and Robbie were on dishes duty for the remainder of the week. Though secretly they liked the fact that they would be spending late nights together for the next few days.
It only took about three hours for everyone to clean up the main hall. It was nearing 11 PM and many campers were about ready for bed. Though in the girls' cabin, they had better things to do than sleep. Tori was currently on the phone with Trina outside this time, while Jade and Cat talked on Jade's bed for a bit since they were alone.
"Jade?"
"What?" the Goth asked as she flipped through a random magazine.
"Have you ever done something that you thought was right, but then you start to realize it wasn't?"
"What are you talking about?" she set the magazine down. Cat was in her serious mood, Jade picked up.
"Like, because it was the right thing to do or because everyone says it's the right thing and then you decide that it's not right for you?"
"Cat, you're not making any sense. Then again, you never make sense 50% of the time."
"Jadeeee," Cat whined.
"Well, yeah I guess? Like the whole Beck thing. Every time we broke up. I didn't think we should be together. But then obviously in time I realized we should have never broken up."
"But you guys always got back together. That doesn't count," Cat reasoned.
"I was just lucky that we got back together, Cat. One of these days Beck might just get fed up with me and we'll break up for good. I'll realize the worse decision I've ever made then," Jade blatantly said.
"I don't think Beck would ever do that. He loves you too much!" Cat youthfully noted.
"I know," Jade mumbled. "But why are you asking me this?" she diverted the attention to Cat, not wanting the spotlight.
"No reason," Cat shrugged.
"Cat, I wasn't born yesterday," her friend saw right through her.
"Of course not! You're birthday's next month!" the red head giggled uncontrollably.
"Don't try to change the subject!" she scolded.
"What subject?" she asked.
"The subject about right and wrong and choosing and ugh you're giving me a headache."
"But I didn't say anything?" she furrowed her brow in confusion.
"Earlier. Why did you ask me that question?"
"I don't know, just wanted to know," she switched back to perky.
"I seriously don't know why I put up with you sometimes," the Goth watched as her friend twirled in circles in the middle of the room.
Outside, Tori was having another conversation with Trina.
Hey Tori, where's the Spackle Dad keeps just in case the walls get damaged when his police friends get rowdy during football games?
I don't know, probably the garage, next to the treadmill.
Treadmill… Got it. Thanks!
Sure- wait, whyyyy?
Oh nothing….
Trina, what did you do?
I tried teaching Lindsay some karate and I accidentally put a lot of force in a kick and uh… well let's just say a picture frame isn't big enough to hide the damage I made on the wall next to the fireplace…
Oh my God Trina. First of all I never know how strong you were, and second, you better fix that wall before mom and dad get home!
Why do you think I need the Spackle, Tor?!
I leave for a month and you make a hole in the wall.
Oh hush. Anyway, how's camp?
OK. Cat and Robbie started a food fight today. It was so fun but we got in so much trouble.
Hey, you had fun. That's all the matters. How are the lovebirds anyways?
Fine, they haven't been fighting that much, except there might just be some restraint on Jade's part since there's a bunch of freshmen girls drooling over Beck.
I'm not talking about Jade and Beck, I'm talking about Cat and Robbie.
Cat and Robbie? Where would you get that idea?
Oh my gosh, how much do I have to explain to you? I thought you were smart!
Hey, I am smart!
Well then you should be smart enough to notice that Cat and Robbie like each other.
No they don't, they're just best friends!
So? It always starts off as that.
Then why don't you think Andre and me like each other?
Because Andre is way out of your league.
Hey!
And Cat and Robbie are weird. So they go well together.
Trust me Trina, they're just friends.
Fine, what ever you say. So how's it going with your bestie anyways? Did you tell him anything yet?
Ugh, no. I'm too scared to. And plus, I'm still not one hundred percent sure if I'm going to do anything.
Well, whatever you do, just make sure you figure it out fast. No use in making him suffer, right?
I guess.
Robbie showed up in front of the girls' cabin moments later.
"Hey Tori!"
"Hi Robbie.
"Who are you talking to?
"Trina.
"Oh, Hey Trina!"
"Trina, Robbie says h-" she was cut off by something Trina said. Tori turned to look at Robbie and sheepishly smiled.
"Still doesn't like me, huh?" he said, having a hunch at what Trina responded.
"Yeah," Tori said embarrassed.
"It's ok, I'm here for Cat. Is she still awake?"
"I think so," Tori turned her head, "Cat, Robbie's outside!" she hollered.
When Cat heard her name, he face lit up.
"Oh, I get it now," Jade smirked.
Cat turned to her best friend, "Get what?"
"You're question."
"What question?" Cat honestly had no idea, but was too excited because Robbie was outside.
"Nothing, Cat. Have fun," Jade coyly smiled and let her redheaded friend skip outside.
"Hi Robbie!" Cat catapulted to him and he picked her up and spun her to the bottom of the steps.
"Hi Kitty-Cat. You wanna take a walk?"
"Sure! By Tori!" she waved to her friend and skipped off the opposite direction with her best guy friend.
Did I hear that right? Cat and Robbie taking a walk? It's nearly midnight.
So? Let them. They got in the most trouble because they started the food fight. So they've got kitchen duty.
Sure, Tori. But I'm just saying. It's pretty romantic taking a late night stroll under the stars.
Robbie led Cat to their secret spot. The events from the day just called for a night away. Despite that it was nearing midnight, they were still wide-awake and full of energy. Robbie had gone to the spot earlier and set up a picnic blanket for them to sit and had two thermoses of hot chocolate ready for them to drink. Cat and Robbie sat on the blanket and sipped their chocolate beverages, indulged in its sweetness and indulged in each other's presence.
"Sorry about getting us in trouble at dinner," Robbie scratched the back of his neck.
"It's my fault really, I started it," she noted.
"Yeah, but I responded," he tried taking the blame.
"Are we really trying to point fingers at ourselves instead of each other?" she giggled.
"Well I just feel bad that you have to wash dishes for the next three days with me."
"What's so bad about that?"
"Because you're stuck in the kitchen, instead of enjoying your time at camp. And you're stuck with me," he reminded her.
"I don't see anything wrong with that," she smiled.
This made Robbie blush. Does that mean she likes being around me? He thought.
"Plus, you did this for me tonight too. It was a crazy day and you set this up at our secret spot tonight. You're forgiven Robbie. In fact, I feel bad that you're going to be stuck with me," she stuck her tongue out.
"I know, that's sucks," he joked.
She dropped her jaw, "Jerk," she playfully smacked his chest and they both laughed.
They sat there, enjoying each other's company, watching the stillness in the lake.
"Mmm thanks for the hot chocolate. It's a pretty chilly night."
"Of course. This will keep us warm all night!"
"Well, not mine," she showed her empty mug to Robbie. "Hehe," she sheepishly grinned.
"Cat, I think you're the only person in the world who loves hot cocoa more than Andre," they both laughed.
"It's ok, I'm not cold yet," she stated.
"If you get cold we can always snuggle," he suggestively wiggled his eyebrows. He was half joking, half being serious.
"Hehe Robbie you're funny," she giggled. "No," she shook her head in seriousness. Well it came off as serious but really, she wanted to snuggle close to him.
After another ten minutes they decided to head back to their cabins. Robbie's cabin was closer but he insisted in walking her to her cabin first, being the gentleman and all.
"Thanks for cheering me up today, Robbie," she told him.
"Well you're the one who cheered everyone else up," he commented.
"Goodnight, Robbie."
"Goodnight, Cat."
A/N: Song Title - Cheer Me Up - Cat and Robbie cheers the gang up with a food fight, Robbie cheers Cat up with a night at the spot.