A/N: You guys, come on, you know my writing style. If there isn't a 'The End' or marked 'complete' it's not over yet ;) Here it is. The final chapter of Here's 2 Us. Enjoy! (Maybe you might want tissue close by. I don't know, up to you.)
Oh and my Author's Note will be a separate chapter.
Chapter Song title - Make it in America - Each and every actor in the show will make it in america, as will their characters. And as will all of us with any of our future endeavors.
*No signal screen flashes for about two seconds before a picture is focused in.*
"Is this working?"
"Yeah but you're boobs are literally in front of the camera, move over!"
"Oh hush!" she backed away from the lens and took a seat on a stool.
"Guys, the camera's rolling…" a good-looking guy reminded the two girls.
"Oh! *clears throat* Hi, I'm Tori," she waved to the camera.
"What's up y'all. Name's Andre," he flashed a peace sign.
"I'm Robbie!" a nerd with glasses flashed an iconic 'We Come In Peace' wave with his left hand.
"Don't do that," the good-looking boy said.
"Sorry," the nerd put his hand down. Focus went back to the third guy.
"Hey I'm Beck," he coolly nodded to the camera.
"Hiiii I'm Cat! Teeheehee," the redhead giggled uncontrollably for three seconds.
"Jade," she said bluntly.
"Jade, can't you show a little emotion?" Tori asked.
"I did, it's called hate," she sipped on her coffee.
"Don't you have any other emotions?"
"Why of course I do!" she mocked her.
"No sarcasm either! And I don't talk like that!"
"Uh… Anyways… Welcome to Hollywood Arts you guys," Andre took over. "You're going to love your time here and you'll love Sikowitz's class the most. He's the best teacher out there."
"Sikowitz has been a mentor and a friend to all of us since we were freshman, and to Tori when she transferred in her sophomore year," Beck added.
"That was unfortunate," Jade commented.
Tori glared at her.
"If you let me finish," she glared back, "But thanks to Sikowitz, I guess we're friends now," she smiled at the Latina girl.
"Aw," Tori held her arms out.
"How many times do I have to say don't ruin the moment?!"
"Girls," Andre stopped them.
"Sorry," They said.
"Now just because you got in to one of LA's top Performing Arts school, doesn't mean everything will be handed off to you," Jade informed.
"You still have to work your butt off to reach your dreams. But fear not, Hollywood Arts is there to help and support you," Robbie encouraged.
"But don't forget that this is first and foremost a school. You've got your academia, but you'll learn a lot more than you will from a textbook during your time there," Tori said.
"And, you'll make a lot of memories and make amazing friends like these people! Oh, and me too! Let's be best friends!" Cat raised her arms.
"Cat, you're talking to a camera," Jade said blankly.
"Oh, hiiii," she giggled.
"You know what, let's just cut to our solos," Beck suggested.
*The Camera cut to individual shots. Each person gave about five minutes to talk and cut videos and photos in their parts of the video. Each one is introduced with a title card and their favorite lesson taught by Sikowitz. (A/N: The quotes I gave them were from actual episodes written on the white board. Thank you Victorious Wiki!)*
Beck
'Life is like a play. It's not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters.'
"For as long as I can remember, acting was the answer to everything. There was nothing else that I knew and nothing else really mattered. Nothing really seemed more important, even thought I wasn't getting the support I needed from home. But that was fine because HA introduced me to people who appreciated my talent and I've grown to love a select few. I've mastered so many roles, created dozens of personas and perfected my method acting styles, but my preeminent character would be playing myself. That's the only performance that counts. It's my greatest challenge, but I reap the best rewards. I learn the most about my life by playing myself. This school is flooded with talent, and the only way to show your genuine self is to just be you – and that will always be good enough."
*Camera cuts to some of Beck's finest acting moments. From his dance number with Tori in Sophia Michelle's play 'Uptown Downtown', to his re-audition video for Helen, to a collection of scenes in his short film directed by Dale Squires, to end credits of 'The Blonde Squad'. It cut to several scenes of him hanging at the Asphalt Café with his friends, usually his arm would be around Jade, a funny video he uploaded of Robbie getting soaked by cheerleaders while fixing his car, and some scenes when the gang would hangout at his RV, the Silver Streak, as he calls it.*
Robbie
'Improv Is Like A Fine Cheese, But Not Really.'
"I didn't feel like I belong. I'm a nerd, I get it. I'm weird. And nerds don't necessarily have it good in the social ladder. But HA defies the status quo and accepts me for me. I'm socially awkward, but my friends love me anyways. How many people like me can say that? How many people can say that they'll have others who will go to every show and support my career no matter how ridiculous and uncanny it may be? Not a lot. But I can guarantee you that when you do find that comfort, you'll never want to lose that feeling ever again. You'll be lucky as cheese to have friends who accept you just the way you are, and even luckier to meet someone as wonderful as my kitty-cat.
*Camera cuts to a brief montage of Robbie and Rex, his old friend. His re-audition piece for Helen, to his performance at Karaoke Dokie singing 'Forever Baby' with Rex, to Rex's rap battle at Kennan Thompson's house. Then several scenes cut to he and Cat's Bad News Songs from the Slap, his pearpad contest submission with Andre that Sinjin never finished filming, his infamous 'Broken Glass' audition video for the Platinum Music Awards, and a performance of him singing 'I Think Your Swell' to Cat. It cut to scenes of him with Sinjin and the tech crew backstage during many productions, backstage shots with Andre and Trina in a ranch house for Tori's play, to the gangs horrible black and white play with his bludgeoning violin, and a scene with he and Cat holding hands at the CowWow.*
Tori
'The actor has to develop his body. The actor has to develop her voice. But the most important thing the actor has to work on is his mind.'
"Before Hollywood Arts I was basically a nobody. At least that's what everyone thinks until someone shows you what you can really do. I was doing a science project in my kitchen, sniffing mold – it was an ordinary day for an ordinary girl. That is until my sister and would be best friend opened the door (literally) and changed my life forever. I was afraid, but everyone at the school believed in me. And eventually I started to believe in myself. Just knowing that at least one person thought I had what it takes to shine, well that's all I needed. That's all you'll ever really need actually. I mean look where it's gotten me. I'm following my dreams and taking in every moment. I made the best friends any girl could ask for. I've got three of the best guys friends that I love so much-
(From outside the door) Girl!
(Tori) As 'friends'! Did you not hear that? And wait your turn!
(Back to camera) And I've got two genuine girl friends that are like sisters to me. Even Jade…
You got accepted to Hollywood Arts because you want to follow your dreams. Don't lose sight of that, and don't go through it alone. Because having a chance at the spotlight is great, but sharing it with your best friends, well you can't really ask for anything better than that."
*Camera cuts to Tori's achievements at Hollywood Arts starting with the performance she never meant to do but led her to brilliant things - "Make it Shine". From her performances with Andre at Mastro's, the Full Moon jam, her audition piece 'Cheer Me Up', and At Prome with Cat and Andre, to her unintentional zombie mask scenes in 'Uptown Downtown' and her role as Walter, to her singing surprise at Karaoke Dokie as Louise Nordoff and her directing debut of her ranch house play. Tori's also added Funny Nugget video's of she and Cat goofing off with their British accents, falling over, and peculiar behaviors, as well as her requests like attempting to mess Beck's hair up and, along with Andre, shaving a man's mustache and gluing a lady's watch in it's place. All leading up to a clip of her living out her dream for a few moments performing "Make it in America" at the Platinum Music Awards.
Andre
'REMEMBER your glass is full, hold it level, give it some "weight".'
"The thing about music is that it speaks for you when you just can't get the right words out. Which is ironic now that I think about it because lyrics are strings of words in line with a melody. Huh… But the beauty of music - the secret – it's how the combination of a beautiful melody and simple words can create so much meaning in the form of a relatable tune. I pride myself for being able to express my inner most thoughts on a keyboard or a guitar. I think I'm pretty good. But Hollywood Arts? Well if you take one step inside and hear the music, your walls will break down and you'll find strength in your vulnerability to feel other people's music. It reminded me why I wanted to write music in the first place. It'll take you to a nostalgic place but you'll definitely be going places after you leave the school."
*Camera cuts to many of Andre's amazing musical numbers. He took a clip of "Favorite Foods" his most embarrassing time, and let it transition into his live performance with Tori singing "Song 2 You". He also added some clips of he and Tori writing songs like "You're the Reason" and "Beggin' on Your Knees". He added clips from when he sang "Countdown" at Hope Quincy's party, and "365 Days", which was a subliminal message for Jade. He added some clips of his random bobble head video of Robbie, his proof that the gang found all the letters to spell KE$HA, and a backstage clip of he and Beck in blonde wigs as "Tommy and Carter", identical twins nonetheless, for Sikowitz's play.*
Cat
'A flute without holes is not a flute. A donut without a hole is Danish.'
"I may not use my noggin a lot, hehe that's a funny word – noggin. Teeheehee… Ok let's be serious… I know what I need to know and that's just if I wasn't to make it in life I have to be happy. Hollywood Arts lets me be my happy self everyday. Anywhere else, people will look at you with expectations – family, society, peers – and although some of their judgments may get to us, at Hollywood Arts we're all different, but different together and that's all that matters. Be unique. Evoke your creative spirit, and just be happy in your own skin. Because if you're happy, you'll find people who are happy being themselves too and then you can all be happy together! Hehe I'm so smart…
(to someone off camera) Can I have some oatmeal now?
(Jade) No! I'm next!
(Cat) phooey. (to camera) bye!"
*Camera cuts to Cat's most unique moments, many of which coming from the Slap. She interviews elder people, puts tomatoes in her bra, sings a theme song, explains her red hair, and sings Drake and Josh with Jade. She also cuts to when she sang Bad News Songs with Robbie about a turtle, her performance with Tori at Karaoke Dokie singing "LA Boyz", and with Jade a year prior singing "Give it Up." Cat made a montage of the many outfits she's created/worn, a snippet of Larry the cotton Candy Man and Cat waving to the camera showing off her Cotton Candy machine, a gift from Robbie, and her performance as a Diddly-Bop. Someone caught her and Robbie's kiss at the end of their summer camp, so she added that clip too. Lastly, Cat summed up her many talents with her re-audition piece for Helen, showcasing her acting, juggling, and song and dance skills.*
Jade
'Theater Is Life, Film Is Art, Television Is Furniture.'
"I'm not usually a happy person. In fact about 90% of my videos on The Slap showcase all the things that I hate; with the exception of that one video, a short one, that I described things I liked. Life wasn't easy for a kid like me, I'm sure you can gather that. I may have been like many kids and hated going to school, but Hollywood Arts wasn't just any school. It was a safe haven for outspoken nobody's like me. Something no one in my family understood that made sense to me and made me feel so alive. I made a name for myself, met a boy and even learned to love FIVE perfect strangers. Yes, Tori too; and puppet boy since he's dating my best friend. My point is you're lucky to have one friend, but you're even luckier to have five. If the world won't accept you for you, you can always guarantee a home at HA. So don't tear the school down or I'll-
(From outside the door) Babe, don't scare the freshmen.
(Back to Jade) Ugh… fine. Look, for a girl who hates a lot of things, she loves Hollywood Arts and everything it gave her. I hope you find your place too."
*Camera cuts to a one minute collection of things Jade hates (as posted on her Slap page), to a clip of her unreleased horror film, "Clowns don't Bounce," to a final scene where Cat and another actor take a bow for their roles in "Well Wishes" followed by Jade being acknowledged as the playwright and director. Jade added the time she sang with Tori at Nozu to the song "Take a Hint" and finally got a copy of her song collaboration with Andre, in which she added a clip of her fine singing chops to her montage. Her final performance was of her singing at the Full Moon Jam "You Don't Know Me" followed by a montage of moments she shared with Beck, and some with friends, such as the embarrassing performance in their candy jammies at the Parade Parade and her final bow with Tori as Nancy and Walter for Sikowitz's play.*
*Camera cuts to everyone again*
"Hollywood Arts will help you master the stage, become a virtuoso on any instrument you choose, and apply your knowledge to the mechanics of the theatre, we can guarantee you that," Andre said.
"But friendship, guidance, love – you've got to learn that by yourself," Cat added.
"So what if you picture the world in a different way, play your song in a different key, or dance to the beat of our own drums? Here at Hollywood Arts, we love you - flaws and all," Tori said.
"Cliché…" Jade said, earning a glare from Tori. "But true," she smirked at the Latina.
"So we've got time for one more nugget of advice," Beck said.
"Hehe nugget! Like chicken mcnuggets!"
"Same here! With sweet and sour sauce too!" Robbie exclaimed.
"Robbie shut up. Cat, we'll eat later, let's just finish this video," Jade scolded.
"Bossy."
"What?"
"Nothing!"
"Anyways," Andre started off. "Let your music speak for you."
"Make the stage your own imagination," Beck added.
"Don't take your individuality for granted. The right people will love you for it," Robbie smiled at Cat.
"Never ever be afraid to express yourself," Cat smiled at Robbie.
"Your cuteness makes me puke," Jade ruined the moment.
"Babe, just say your advice."
"Ok, uh… You can hate many things, maybe not as much as I do, but the things you love, never let them go."
"And most importantly, just know that if you work hard enough, dream big enough, and love as much as we do, you'll be ok. You'll… make it in America. Just don't forget to make it shine."
*Camera cuts to a brief montage of the gang's finest moments, in Sikowitz's eyes since he was the one who added this part of the video. It showed their international performances at Yerba to "All I Want Is Everything" (before Tori got arrested), their prison number to "I Want You Back," Each student's initial auditions following each one's walk on stage for their diploma (Sikowitz filmed it for them). Scenes cut to the gang as the Diddly-Bops, a few clips of the Ping Pong Team, a clip of them supporting him at Karaoke Dokie singing "Number One" and of the girls helping out Andre with his Christmas song project. He even added a clip of them performing with the iCarly crew at Keenan Thompson's house, and lastly, a final bow for the six of them in his final spring number. The camera then cut back to the gang.*
"Now I'm hungry," Andre mentioned.
"Oatmeal?" Cat suggested.
"No," Jade said.
"Chicken McNuggets?" she tried again.
"No," Jade grunted.
"Spaghetti and meatballs!" Cat and Robbie blurted at the same time, laughing afterwards.
"NO!"
"Nozu?" Tori suggested.
"Sure."
"Fine."
"I'm down."
"Is it Karaoke night?" Andre asked.
"Yuperdoo!" Robbie exclaimed.
"Ughh," Jade groaned at his comment.
"Yay I love karaoke!" Cat hopped off her seat.
*Everyone walked off the camera. After a few seconds, Tori walked back to the camera and switched it off. But before doing so she says, "Good luck with the new freshmen, Sikowtiz, Love you!" she smiles and it fades to black.*
The teacher turned the TV off and chuckled to himself before facing his students. He could have edited the video, but after watching the first time with those kids, he wanted to keep every raw and real personality each person had. It was why he thought fondly of them even after all these years.
"Hey Sikowitz, why did they look so familiar?"
"Well you kids know Beck and Jade Oliver, correct?" the old man asked.
"Yeah, they're like the Brad and Angelina of our time. Why?"
"Well, that was who you saw in the video, they were seventeen when they filmed that. After college they got married before Beck signed a contract to do a 6 part movie for the next 7 years," he informed them.
"No way!"
"Deng, Beck looked hot even when he was a kid!"
"Some things never change," Sikowitz chuckled, referring to the girls swooning over Beck.
"What about the others?"
"Do you kids listen to music?"
"Duh, it's why we go to an arts school!" they laughed.
"Oh, right!" he chuckled. "Tori and Andre. Tori Vega and Andre Harris… Vega-Harris duo…" he put the pieces together for the students.
"Oh my God that's them?! Wow that's so cool, they were friends for that long?!"
"Still are the best of friends," he told them. "They all met, with the exception of Cat and Jade, at Hollywood Arts. They're all still very close with one another. And they keep in touch with me every holiday."
"Is Robbie the famous comedian?" one student gathered.
"Mhm, he does 'The Rex and Robbie Show' at the comedy pub every week. That boy, he was so weird, but he and Rex were quite the pair."
"Wow he must have had it bad with the ladies then, huh?"
"Yes, but one girl wasn't mean to him and that was the only girl that mattered to him. The little redhead. Cat Valentine. She and Robbie are the most wonderful and unique pair I've ever seen, yet they are so perfect for each other. Cat Valentine is a costume designer. She actually works for the production company that Beck is in so they see a lot of each other that's for sure."
"Wow, and you taught them all?"
"Indeed I did," he sipped his coconut.
"So the rumors are true? Sikowitz you're a legend."
"I am?"
"Yeah, legend has it that whoever takes a class with you, their dreams will come true."
"Good Gandhi, that's a funny rumor! Nevertheless, let's get started. Ron, Jerri, Oscar, Mae, and Devin. To the stage. Time for some drive-by acting."
The five students, who remind Sikowitz so much of his gang, walked up to his stage and waited for their scenario.
"You all are senior citizens stuck in a bouncy house trying to find your fallen toupee's and dentures."
"We're what?" the kids we're awestruck by Sikowitz's uncultivated imagination. After twenty years of teaching you would think the man would come to his senses and create a regular curriculum. But his avant-garde teaching method was what made him the most only one of its kind man any of the six friends have ever known. He certainly was a huge reason for making their dreams come true. They were forever grateful.
Sikowitz ignored their confused expressions, knowing that they'll eventually get used to his ways. Instead, he put on a smile and did what he does best.
"And…. Action!"
The End.