Tori gets Stuck

"Men always tell you how they do it all, but women do the work you never see!" I sang for my audition for Steamboat Suzy. So far, I was the only one auditioning for Suzy, given that I scared everyone else off. The auditions ended in 5 minutes, and I was making sure to sing as long as possible in case of anyone that came in last minute.

I had my eyes closed and I was singing my heart out, but I heard the back door click open.

"Jade, Jade. Thank you. That's enough," Sikowitz said, turning around.

"Hi Sikowitz, am I too late or can I still audition?" Tori asked coming in.

"You're just in time. Jade get down now. What part will you be auditioning for?" Sikowitz asked Tori.

I crossed my fingers. Don't say Suzy…don't say Suzy…

"Suzy," Tori said. I groaned, getting me a glare from Sikowitz. Unhappily, I plopped down beside Beck who was watching my audition.

"Don't worry about it, you did great," Beck said.

"Yeah, but better than that?" I asked. Tori began singing. It wasn't better than me, but Sikowitz was staring at her like she was the best person in the world.

"Of course." He said, kissing my head. I sighed.

"Why do you have to go to Canada on the day of the play?" I asked.

"Jade we've been over this. My grandpa died. I HAVE to go to his funeral." Beck said.

"Why did he have to die! Couldn't he have waited another week?" I groaned.

"I wish babe, I wish," Beck said.

I was cranky enough. Beck was in Canada. No coffee and no ride to school. I need coffee to function. I walked into Sikowitz's class and sat alone where me and Beck usually sit. I glanced up and saw a poster for Steamboat Suzy. Wonderful. I had almost forgotten about that.

"Hello class! Today we will learn about acting!" Sikowitz said, walking in the back door.

"That's what we learn about every day…" Andre said.

"I don't need your sass," Sikowitz said.

"Sorry…"

"Now! Jade! Tori! Get up on this wonderful block of whatever called the stage!" He said.

I groaned. Really?

"Now you are both women," Sikowitz said, and paused.

"That is correct…" Tori said in a waiting tone.

"And you hate each other." Sikowitz said.

"That is correct," I mocked Tori. Tori frowned.

"And you have three arms. Action!"

I turned to face Tori.

"This is your fault!"

"I just wanted to see if I could grow arm hair! I didn't think it would actually make a third arm!" Tori shrieked.

"Well you thought wrong!" I yelled.

"Think of all the great things you can do with a third arm! You can play basketball better!"

"Well that would be great, if I knew how to PLAY!" I yelled.

The bell rang and I walked off the stage. I grabbed my bag and started to leave.

"Ah ah ah!" Sikowitz said.

We turned to him.

"Does somebody want to see the cast list for Steamboat Suzy?" He asked, waving a piece of paper. I smiled.

"I got the lead, right?" Tori asked, walking up.

"Ah…kind of…." Sikowitz said. I frowned.

"Kind of?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Just look yourself," Sikowitz said, throwing the paper and leaving the room. I picked it up.

Suzy…Jade West….understudy….Tori Vega

I grinned.

"Did I get the lead?" Tori asked, leaning over my shoulder.

She wrinkled her nose when she saw her name.

"What's an understudy?" She asked.

"You don't know what an understudy is?" I asked in a 'duh' tone.

"No..."

"You're the backup. In case Jade gets sick or something," Andre explained.

"Oh…so does an understudy get a part?" Tori asked.

"No. Usually understudy's have a minor part, but your names not on here for anything," Andre said.

"So I get to sit and watch all of rehearsals?" Tori asked.

"Yup," I grinned.

"Oh…"

I walked out of the classroom and into the hallway. I pulled out my phone and called Beck.

"Hey babe," Beck answered.

"Hey. Guess what?" I said.

"You got the part of Suzy," Beck laughed.

I frowned. "Yes…who told you?"

"My Jade sensors told me. They're really good. I always know exactly what you're thinking."

"No seriously who?"

"Andre."

"Ah. Well, I miss you already," I said, walking into a deserted bathroom so no one would hear my moment of sweetness.

"I miss you too, but babe, I might have to stay a little longer. Uh, my grandma needs someone to help her with some of the housework and getting on her feet again, so my dad said me and him can stay. It might be another week," Beck said.

My heart fell.

"But you're going to miss my clowns don't bounce performance….and, and…Beck!" I shrieked.

"Baby I'm so sorry. I owe you when I get back. I've got to run now, I love you."

I sighed and hung up the phone, and then whispered. "I love you too."

I walked out into the hallway, where the bell had far from rung and everyone was at their next class except for a couple of 'cool' freshman.

I walked out the front doors and into my car. I hopped in, and fell asleep with my face against the window.

I was waken by the sound of the bell and people flooding into the parking lot. I looked at my phone. 2:45. Play rehearsals started at 3. Perfect timing. I grabbed my makeup bag out of the passenger seat and went to the bathroom to freshen up. I looked at my appearance. I had makeup smudged under my eyes and my hair was a mess. I ran my fingers through the curls to save them, and then wiped the mascara from under my eyes.

I walked back out to my car and threw the makeup bag in and grabbed my phone. 3 o'clock on the dot. Good. I can be fashionably late. I walked through the hallways and into the Blackbox Theater where everyone was waiting on someone….oh wait. ME! The lead.

"Jade! You're here!" Sikowitz said.

"Yeah. So where are we starting from?"

"Act 1 Scene 1. You are boarding the ship. ACTION!" Sikowitz said.

I went through my lines, where I met Andre, the captain, Trina…ew. And I was supposed to meet Robbie…I paused at my line when there was no Robbie to meet.

"Sikowitz!" I yelled. "SIKOWITZ!"

Sikowitz looked up from his coconut. "Why did you stop!" He pouted.

"Where's ROBBIE?"

Sikowitz looked around, startled. Lane entered the doorway as if on cue.

"Guys, stop your rehearsal." Lane said.

"We were already stopped," I snapped.

"Robbie's in the hospital!" Lane said.

Everyone gasped around me. "Whatever…" I mumbled.

"We have to go visit him!" Tori shrieked.

"NO!" I shouted.

"Sikowitz?" Tori asked.

"Yes, Yes. Go visit, but be back before the play starts!"

I groaned. Everyone rushed out the door so it was just me and Sikowitz.

"Jade, why are you still here?"

"Because I don't want anything to happen between now and the play." I said, sticking my nose up.

"Oh Jade…"

I ignored him and leaned back on the seat and typed on my phone. A new text from my doctor brother that's too good for my family. Strange.

Hey Jadey. I finally found a way to pay back for all the times mom and dad picked me when it should have been you. I see that Tori Vega girl at the hospital right now. Is she any threat to you?

I smiled. That's right big bro. You can get my love back.

Not really. But it's nice to see her in pain. Whatcha got?

I sat back and he replied quickly.

She's giving blood, a pint to be exact. I can make sure the blood she's giving gets 'lost' so she has to keep giving more. At about 3 pints given, girl your age are extremely vulnerable and faint easy.

I grinned.

Do it.

It was 6:30 and the play started at 7. I was in my dress recurling my hair and applying lighter makeup. Cat bounced into the dressing room.

"Hey hey!"

"Where's Tori?" I asked.

"She had to give 3 pints of blood! She an even talk! Andre's helping her in right now." Cat giggled.

"ACTORS REPORT TO STAGE…ACTORS REPORT TO STAGE," The intercom blasted. I quickly finished my makeup and rushed out to see all the cast and their understudies, including Robbie's, on stage around Sikowitz.

"Everyone, get in first positions, first positions!" Sikowitz screamed. Most of the people went to the sides of the stage curtains, but I stood front and center. The curtain rose, and the huge audience was mine.

'This boat needs a captain, the bravest of all captains. The captain of this ship is me'

YAY! I like this! HAHA I'm starting to like this story, and I did the Beck leaving thing to explain why he was gone in this episode and Prom Wrecker, so this is also why he's gone in Prom Wrecker.

Yeah

R&R PLEASE! Let's get to like, 160!

-Sarah-