Stage Fighting
Tori wrestled with her French horn, trying unsuccessfully to fit it into her locker. Frustration etched across her face, she was joined by Cat and Andre. Cat, her usual cheerful self, bounced over, while Andre's calming presence seemed to ease Tori's tension.
"Hey, girl," Andre greeted her.
"I'm having a horn problem," Tori groaned. "Why do I have to play an instrument anyway?"
"We all do," Cat chimed in. "You need to be well-rounded when you leave here, otherwise, you won't be competitive."
"But I sing! My throat is my instrument. I'm a throat player," Tori protested.
"That's actually a thing," Andre interjected. "And saying that might be cultural appropriation."
"What?" Tori furrowed her brow.
"In Alaska, the Inuit..." Andre began, but he noticed Tori's confusion and sighed. "Never mind. Why'd you pick the French horn?"
"I don't know. I like French things," Tori replied.
"French things?" Cat questioned.
"Yeah, French fries, French toast..." Tori shrugged.
"Let's hear it!" Cat suggested brightly.
"Yeah, play that funky music, white girl," Andre playfully encouraged Tori.
"You know I'm half-Latina," Tori corrected, tired of having part of her identity erased. "Then hit it, muchacha," Andre course-corrected easily.
Tori smirked, enjoying the banter, and brought the horn to her lips, producing a sound resembling a sour fart. Cat giggled, and Andre bit his lip to stifle his laughter.
"I think it's broken," Tori claimed, eyeing the misbehaving instrument.
"Here, let me fix it," Andre offered, chuckling. He took the horn from Tori and played a simple tune, the sound resonating clearly.
"I don't think it's broken," Cat nudged Tori. Tori rolled her eyes, feeling untalented and out of place. "You just have to find the right instrument for you. The horn ain't it."
"That guy is like magic," Tori sighed.
Cat giggled, "Yeah," and then bounced away. Andre finished his melody and handed Tori back the horn.
"Like Cat said," Andre added, picking up his backpack, "maybe pick something else? Something more you."
Tori groaned and looked at the horn. Andre was right, and with determination, she marched herself back to the band room. She was going to learn the piano.
The band room was close to the Blackbox theater, and Tori arrived early, only to witness Beck entangled in an intense fistfight with a buff white dude, seemingly losing badly. Without thinking, Tori lunged forward, clinging to the stranger's back, and managed to get a few hits in before being knocked off.
"Beck!" Tori cried out, and several hands pulled her away. Both Beck and the teacher shouted for her to relax.
"What are you doing?" the teacher demanded.
"That guy was beating up Beck!" Tori explained, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Jade, with her trademark indifference, sauntered up to Beck's side, threading her fingers with his. "Oh, you poor thing."
"We were practicing," Beck clarified. "This is Russ, a professional stuntman." They explained the concept of stage fighting to Tori, who felt like she had just made a huge mistake.
"I invited him here to teach the class about stage fighting," Mr. Ross explained, getting to the point. Tori sat in her chair, vowing not to jump to conclusions in the future.
Beck began to explain, "I took a class with him last summer."
"Well, good job. It really looked like he was hurting you," Tori quipped, earning a pointed look from Jade.
"Why do you care?" Jade asked, and Tori shot back, "Because I figure he already suffers enough pain dating you."
The tension escalated, with Jade lunging toward Tori, but Beck intervened, steering Jade to the chairs for the class. Tori, ready to defend herself, turned to Andre.
"Why does she hate me?" Tori asked.
"Maybe she heard you play the French horn," Andre teased. Tori shot him a glare, and he raised his hands in a placating manner.
The teacher announced the day's plan, pairing up students for fight scenes with Russ. Tori's heart sank when she heard her name paired with Jade. The bell rang, and Tori rushed to the teacher, hoping for a change in her assignment.
"Uh, wait," Tori said tentatively. "I'm not comfortable with my partner."
"Just a sec," the teacher replied, turning to discuss something with Russ.
"Hey, partner," Jade's seductive voice sent a shiver down Tori's spine. Turning to face her, Tori couldn't hide her discomfort.
"I can't wait for our fight," Jade paused dramatically, "scene." She smirked as Tori's face drained of color, sauntering out of the Black box with confidence, closely followed by Beck. Tori gulped down the surge of panic. It was for a grade. She could do this.
Trina was in the zone, hunched over her notebook, scribbling furiously as she crafted the perfect one-woman show script. Her mind was ablaze with the creative fire, every word meticulously chosen, every nuance of her performance vividly imagined. The musical theater class hummed with activity around her, but Trina was lost in her own world.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, drawing her attention away from her creative cocoon. In walked a substitute teacher, and Trina's breath caught in her throat. He was, without a doubt, the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. His presence in the room was like a gravitational pull, and Trina found herself mesmerized.
For a moment, she forgot about the impending deadline for the first drafts of their projects. Her masterpiece was far from ready, and panic began to claw at the edges of her artistic trance.
The substitute teacher introduced himself, his voice smooth and captivating. "Good afternoon, class. I'll be filling in for Mrs. Johnson today."
Trina barely registered the words, her eyes fixed on the teacher. He began to explain the day's agenda, but Trina's mind was elsewhere. She needed a showstopper song for her one-woman show, and inspiration struck her like lightning.
The teacher handed out assignments, and Trina snapped back to reality. First drafts were due right away. Her heart raced as she realized she hadn't prepared anything to present.
She glanced around, and her eyes met the substitute teacher's for a fleeting moment. A blush crept up her cheeks, and she quickly averted her gaze.
As the class continued, Trina scrambled to put together a snippet of her script. She was torn between focusing on her writing and stealing glances at the substitute teacher, who effortlessly commanded the attention of the entire room.
In the end, Trina managed to compile a rudimentary draft. As the substitute teacher collected the assignments, he made eye contact with Trina again and offered an encouraging smile. The moment lingered, leaving Trina both exhilarated and nervous.
The class concluded, and Trina couldn't shake the excitement coursing through her veins. The substitute teacher's unexpected presence had added an unexpected twist to her day, and she couldn't wait to refine her script and create the showstopper song that would leave everyone in awe.
"Trina, are you auditioning for submarine?" The girl sitting next to her asked.
Trina looked over at her. She blinked trying to remember which teacher was putting it on. And it was Mrs. Johnson. Which meant hot sub was going to be auditioning kids today. She smiled. "Of course I am."
Robbie stood by his locker, arms crossed over his chest, grappling with a decision that felt more like a dilemma. The binder he needed to make his day more bearable was nowhere to be found this morning. The thought of enduring the humiliation of his breasts straining against his shirt made him contemplate going home during lunch.
The only makeshift solution at his disposal was a wonder bra his mother had bought him when he was smaller. He thought it might work, but the reality was that his breasts were out there, and he felt exposed. Frustration and anxiety welled up inside him, and he couldn't hold back the tears. He opened his locker door and buried his head inside, seeking solace in the confined space.
Jade, a friend who teased him but genuinely cared, approached Robbie, sensing that something was amiss. "What's the prob, Rob?" she inquired.
"I had to wear a bra today," Robbie admitted, his voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
Jade halted whatever she was doing, fully turning her attention to her friend. Aware that she couldn't drive yet, she pondered how to help Robbie in this situation. After a brief contemplation, she spotted a sporty girl down the hall.
"Hey!" Jade called out to the girl. "I'll be right back."
"No, Jade!" Robbie protested, but it was too late. Jade was already chasing down the girl, disappearing around the corner.
A couple of minutes later, Jade returned with a triumphant smile on her face. "I figured this too-small sports bra could help some."
Robbie accepted the sports bra, gratitude filling his eyes. "Thanks," he said sincerely.
Jade patted his back, offering a supportive gesture. "Don't talk about it." With that, she walked away, leaving Robbie to address his temporary challenge. He headed into the bathroom, relieved to have a friend who understood and cared enough to find a solution, no matter how small.
Holly navigated the aisles of the grocery store, her cart filled with the essentials she needed for the week. As she turned a corner, she unexpectedly collided with Gary. Excitement lit up her face as she greeted him enthusiastically.
"Gary! Long time no see," she exclaimed, offering a warm smile.
Gary returned the smile, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Holly, hey! How have you been?"
They engaged in awkward small talk, catching up on the years that had passed since their last encounter. Gary, looking a bit nervous, finally mustered the courage to ask a question that had been weighing on him.
"Hey, um, would you be interested in grabbing coffee sometime?" he asked tentatively.
Holly considered the offer for a moment and then nodded, saying, "Sure, why not? I could use a good cup of coffee."
They found a nearby café, ordered their drinks, and settled into a corner with their steaming cups. The atmosphere was a mix of nostalgia and a subtle tension that lingered between them.
As they sipped their coffee, Gary took a deep breath and opened up about a significant aspect of his life. "I've decided to leave my wife," he confessed.
Holly, caught off guard, managed a congratulatory smile. "Well, I hope it's the right decision for you."
Gary seemed relieved to share his thoughts. "Talking to you has been a big help. I haven't made many friends, and you and David were always there for me."
Holly, empathetic and understanding, offered support. "You can always reach out to me. Call or text whenever you need someone to talk to. I'm here for you, Gary."
They parted ways after their coffee, an awkward handshake sealing the moment. Holly couldn't shake the feeling that their chance encounter might lead to more complicated conversations in the future, but she was willing to be there for Gary as he navigated the challenges ahead.
Tori entered the house, and the air resonated with the expertly played keys of a piano, capturing the essence of Trina's musical world. Oblivious to Tori's presence, Trina was deeply immersed in her own composition, creating a sonic tapestry that filled the space.
Cat's insistence on every student learning an instrument had propelled Trina to showcase her proficiency on the piano. The melody danced through the air, hinting at Trina's musical prowess. Tori, however, couldn't help but anticipate the inevitable addition of Trina's vocals, which she knew could be an acquired taste.
Shaking her head at the thought of enduring Trina's singing, Tori swiftly made her way out of the house. As she stepped into the refreshing outdoor air, her phone buzzed with a message from Marina, inquiring about her availability. Tori's heart raced with excitement at the prospect of spending time with Marina, and she quickly coordinated plans to meet at the nearby pizza place.
Taking a moment to glance at herself in the mirror, Tori ran a brush through her hair, ensuring a polished appearance for the evening. The allure of Marina's company provided a welcome distraction, allowing Tori to momentarily set aside the complex thoughts and emotions tied to her interactions with Jade.
With a determined stride, Tori left the house, ready to embrace the promise of an enjoyable evening with a friend.
Jade gave Beck one last lingering kiss before settling next to him on the bed. As the atmosphere in the room began to shift, Beck voiced a concern that had been lingering on his mind. "Promise me you won't hit Tori during stage fighting," he said, looking into Jade's eyes.
Jade sighed, a hint of annoyance crossing her features. "Beck, I'm not an idiot. I won't jeopardize my grades for that twit," she assured him, a certain disdain evident in her tone. It was clear she had no intention of allowing Tori to interfere with her academic pursuits.
Curiosity tugged at Beck as he asked the question that had been on his mind for a while. "What's your problem with Tori anyway?"
Jade's irritation flared, and she abruptly stood up, slipping her clothes back on. "You killed my mojo. I'm going home," she declared, clearly disturbed by the mere mention of Tori. The effect Tori had on her emotions and desires was something Jade didn't appreciate, and it left her feeling unsettled. With a dismissive air, she headed for the door, leaving Beck to contemplate the complexities of the situation.
Jade and Tori stood on the stage, ready to rehearse their stage fight. Tori couldn't shake off her fear, hesitant to come close enough to Jade to avoid getting hurt.
Jade, ever impatient, broke the silence. "Fine, why don't you hit me instead? I'll come up to you, and you can be some old lady with a cane. Then you catch the thief unaware and swing and get him that way. You don't have to worry about me hitting you."
Tori, feeling a little more at ease, considered the suggestion. Although still not entirely comfortable, the idea of a more controlled scenario appealed to her. "Fine, yeah, I think that would work."
"Great, let's go," Jade declared. "You're an old lady walking down the street."
Tori followed Jade's lead, playing her part in the scenario. They practiced the hit, and despite some close calls that required Jade to dodge quickly, they managed to get through it. Jade couldn't help but comment on one particularly close encounter. "Fuck, Vega, you almost caught my eye."
"Sorry, sorry," Tori apologized, determined to get it right.
Finally, Tori got the distance right every time. However, as they continued, Jade seized the opportunity to make Tori look bad. The bell rang, signaling the end of their rehearsal. Jade turned to grab her bag, she needed to visit the stage makeup class for some suplies. The dynamic between them remained tense, a mixture of fear and rivalry simmering beneath the surface.
Robbie stood in the hallway, script in hand, ready for his audition. Today was different; he felt prepared, with binders and enhancers in the right places. This time, he was auditioning for a play as a male, and he was determined to make a mark.
In the bustling hallway, various students were engrossed in their scripts, preparing for the auditions for "Submarine." The announcement echoed, "Next to audition are Trina Vega and Robbie Shapiro."
Trina, recognizing Robbie, shouted angrily, "No way! Jew Fro?"
Robbie's heart pounded in his chest. "Excuse me?"
"Can I please audition with someone else?" Trina demanded, her annoyance evident.
"You know, you could whisper that," Robbie retorted, annoyed by Trina's lack of discretion.
"It's just an audition," the guy running the auditions remarked, and Trina sighed heavily. "Let's go," she said, briskly walking towards the audition room.
"Wait up!" Robbie scurried behind her. "Walk faster."
They entered a classroom that resembled Sikowitz's, and Robbie took center stage. The cute teacher set the scene, "Alright, it's World War Two, 1944. 1700 feet under the sea, and you're probably gonna die. Go."
Trina stood at the foot of the stage, her body language indicating her attraction to the sub, whose attention was fixed away from her.
Robbie, torn between the sub's charm and Trina's looks, decided to immerse himself in his role, deepening his voice. "Oh my god, Lieutenant, status report."
Trina responded, "We've been hit on the portside, Captain. We've been compromised."
"Torpedoes?" Robbie inquired.
"None," Trina replied.
The scene unfolded, with neither actor truly connecting with the material. They acted until the culmination, where Trina kissed Robbie. Robbie's brain was sent into shockwaves as he experienced the sensation of kissing a woman. He had kissed Cat before, but now, Robbie found himself realizing his genuine attraction to girls. "That… was fantastic!" Robbie stammered, frozen in place.
"That's not your line," Trina said, breaking the tension.
"My line?" Robbie mumbled.
"You know, actually, that's enough," the cute teacher decided. Trina commented about acting with a good actor and left the room, but Robbie remained frozen in place.
"Robbie..." The teacher prompted.
"And scene," the curly-haired boy declared before chasing after Trina, leaving Robbie standing alone in the room, grappling with the unexpected impact of the audition.
During lunch, Beck and Jade deliberately isolated themselves at a separate table, creating a conspicuous distance from Tori, Andre, and Cat. Tori couldn't escape the gnawing suspicion that Jade, with her unpredictable nature, was brewing some sort of scheme. The recent alterations in their rehearsal dynamics only heightened Tori's wariness, and she steeled herself for potential trouble.
As Tori stabbed at her salad, the innocent greens bore the brunt of her frustrations. Andre attempted to console her, offering reassurances that Jade wouldn't jeopardize her grades for a mere confrontation. Tori desperately clung to the hope that he was right, yearning for a respite from the ceaseless conflicts.
Amidst their conversation, Andre casually inquired about Tori's activities the previous night. Tori, cautious about revealing too much of her personal life, downplayed the details. "Oh, just hanging out with my friend Marina from my old school," she replied, her lip bitten in contemplation of their intimate moments.
"Cool," Andre acknowledged, seemingly accepting her response. "I called you, and you didn't answer. Thought you went to bed early or something."
"Nah, we were bowling. I hadn't even looked at the phone," Tori quickly explained.
Trina confidently strode into the Asphalt, fueled by the determination to infiltrate the elusive A-list table. As she passed Tori, she tossed a casual greeting, "Hey, sister-sister," hoping to feel some acknowledgment. Tori looked up, her previously distressed expression transforming into one of recognition and warmth. In that moment, Trina was reminded that she did matter to at least one person in this tumultuous high school world. "Hey!" Tori exclaimed, her invitation clear, "Do you want to sit with us?"
Grateful for the offer but not desperate enough to join a table of sophomores, Trina politely declined, "No," and continued her march towards the seniors. Determinedly, she approached the A-listers and declared, "Hey, A-listers."
Their collective groan greeted her, but Trina wouldn't let their disapproval deter her. She squeezed into the crowded space, uninvited but undeterred. Yet, as soon as she settled, Robbie appeared, making room next to her. The seniors promptly vacated the table, unwilling to be associated with either of the perceived "losers." "What are you doing here?" Trina questioned, her frustration evident.
"I don't know, hanging," Robbie nonchalantly replied. Trina sipped her milk, and just as she finished, Robbie leaned in for a kiss. Startled, Trina spat the contents of her mouth in his face. "I hope that was soy."
"Why did you do that?" Trina demanded, wiping her mouth.
"You know, because we like each other," Robbie insisted, oblivious to her discomfort.
"We what?" Trina's incredulous tone hung in the air.
"That audition...that kiss?" Robbie pressed on, undeterred.
"Look, Robbie, I was playing a part. The kiss was in the script, nothing more," Trina explained, attempting to be clear.
"Would you be willing to convert to Judaism?" Robbie asked, seemingly ignoring her words.
"Listen, I respect your journey, but you need to listen to women when they say no. I'm not interested," Trina asserted, trying to convey her boundaries.
"I'm going to go tell my mom," Robbie declared before abruptly leaving the table. Trina shook her head, bemused by the eccentricities of her sister's friends.
Tori observed intently as Andre executed his scene with Gwen, marveling at the impressive coordination when their part involved hitting the breakaway table. A wave of applause echoed through the room as they were called up for their performance. Jade seemed unusually eager, and Tori couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to her enthusiasm. As they introduced their scene, Jade's hands delved into her hoodie pockets, and Tori's curiosity deepened.
The teacher reiterated the importance of safety, emphasizing the use of the safe word, "butternut," in case anything went awry. Just as they were about to begin, Tori's nerves got the best of her, and she impulsively blurted out the safe word. Jade's exasperated reaction hinted at her impatience, but Tori brushed it off as a harmless test.
The scene unfolded, and Tori struggled to embody her character convincingly. The tension between them was palpable, and Tori's instincts told her that Jade had something up her sleeve. As the choreography began, Tori, relying on her dance background, aimed to avoid any actual contact. "Give me your money. And your watch!" Jade repeated, and Tori, now playing an elderly character, took three deliberate steps, preparing for a wide swing.
Unexpectedly, Jade screamed in pain, turning away from the onlookers. Confusion and concern filled the room as Jade clutched her eye, even though Tori was sure she hadn't made contact. "Butternut!" Jade cried out, her voice quivering with genuine distress.
Tori, visibly alarmed, dropped the cane, puzzled by the inexplicable turn of events. Jade, now facing them again, expressed her pain and confusion. "What the..." Tori began, swearing that she hadn't made any physical contact with Jade.
"Butternut!" Jade called again, and the urgency in her voice sent a ripple of worry through the onlookers. Cat pointed out that Jade was bleeding, prompting everyone to react. The teacher swiftly called for a halt, and the room erupted into chaos as they gathered around Jade, who had angrily tossed aside her beanie.
Tori was left bewildered, replaying the scene in her mind. She had felt no pressure on the cane during the swing, and there had been no discernible impact. The inexplicable situation left everyone grappling for answers and raised questions about the true nature of the mishap.
The teacher, Russ, and Beck gathered around Jade, expressions a mix of concern and confusion as they attempted to examine her injured face. Jade's sobs filled the room, her eye now dripping blood, the red hues around it slowly transforming into shades of purple. Beck, his eyes wide with worry, asked Jade if she was okay, genuine concern etched on his face.
"No! Tori hit me in the face for real!" Jade declared loudly, her accusation cutting through the chaotic atmosphere. Tori, still grappling with the surreal situation, vehemently denied the accusation, unable to comprehend how she could have caused Jade's injury without feeling any impact from the cane.
"Tell that to my bloody eye!" Jade shouted, cradling the injured side of her face. The tension in the room escalated, and Tori couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. She knew in her heart that she hadn't hit Jade, but the evidence spoke otherwise. Jade's psychological warfare had succeeded, and Tori realized she needed to be strategic in navigating this situation.
Amidst the chaos, Jade requested someone to call her mom, and Beck, ever the dutiful boyfriend, promptly offered to make the call. However, Tori, scowling involuntarily, intervened with a firm directive. "She doesn't need her mom," Tori asserted, turning to Beck and emphasizing her point. "Don't bother her mom!"
"I gotta call her mom," Beck responded with a helpless shrug, inadvertently intensifying the tension between him and Tori.
Jade, a few steps away from the door, turned to face Tori directly, her voice now quivering as she softly uttered, "And I thought we were just starting to be friends."
Tori rolled her eyes in response, wondering why she should care about a friendship that seemed to be built on a foundation of deception. The teacher intervened, directing Tori to go to Lane's office for a conversation. Tori nodded, picking up her belongings with a resigned acknowledgment. "Yeah, okay." The weight of the situation settled heavily as she prepared to face the impending conversation with Lane.
"Oh, hey, Tori," Lane said casually, reclining in his hanging wicker chair. He turned to face her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Tori let the door shut behind her slowly, taking in the cluttered surroundings of Lane's office, a mishmash of document boxes and boho chic decor that seemed oddly out of place. Tori felt a mix of tension and uncertainty as she settled into the chair opposite him, setting her bag down with a quiet sigh.
"You look a little worried," Lane noted, trying to appear relaxed despite the serious undertone of their conversation.
"Yeah, well," Tori shrugged, still irritated by the events of the day. She struggled to find the right words to express herself, her frustration evident in her demeanor. "It's not fun getting called into the guidance counselor's office."
"You're not in trouble," Lane reassured her, though his smile remained strained. "I'm here to help you. With your violence issues."
Tori scoffed. "I'm not violent!"
"I believe you," Lane said with an easy smile, though his expression betrayed a hint of skepticism.
"Then why is he here?" Tori gestured towards the security guard, Officer Derrick, who was keeping a close watch on her every move.
"Tori," Lane sighed, "I know that Jade probably isn't your favorite person."
"So?" Tori replied curtly.
"So, in life," Lane continued, "just because we may not like someone... that doesn't mean it's okay to beat 'em with a cane."
"I didn't!" Tori exclaimed, feeling defensive under Derrick's watchful gaze. She quickly raised her hand, signaling for him to relax, knowing the implications of his presence as a person of color and the daughter of a police officer.
Lane glanced at Derrick before returning his attention to Tori. "Then how do you explain her black eye?"
"I don't know," Tori shrugged, feeling exasperated by the interrogation.
"Listen," Lane pressed on, "you were under a lot of stress. And you were worried that Jade was gonna hit you, right?"
"Well, yeah," Tori admitted reluctantly.
"So you were afraid. Your adrenaline was pumping. And maybe in the heat of the moment, you swung on Jade with that cane for real. Maybe."
Tori hesitated, considering Lane's words. "I guess it's possible."
"Now, don't you feel better admitting that you hit Jade?" Lane asked.
"If I say yes, can I go?" Tori pleaded, eager to escape the uncomfortable conversation.
"Sure," Lane agreed, though his next words caught Tori off guard. "Uh, not so fast, darling."
Tori narrowed her eyes, sensing that there was more to come. "You haven't heard your punishment yet."
Tori sighed, resigned to her fate. "Fine. Hit me."
"Two weeks of detention," Lane announced, and Tori groaned in dismay. It was her and Shelby's birthday weekend and she was going to go with her parents to see Shelby, now she had to serve a fucking detention. "And tomorrow night, the middle school's doing a play here in the Black Box Theater. It ends with a big food fight scene."
"So?" Tori protested, sensing where this was heading.
"So, you have to clean the theater after the show," Lane declared, making a sweeping motion with his hands. "Scrape the food off the walls."
"Can't I just have three weeks' detention?" Tori whined, feeling utterly defeated.
"We need someone to do it. And that someone is you," Lane said matter-of-factly, booping her on the nose with an unexpected gesture that only added to Tori's frustration.
Feeling disrespected and downtrodden, Tori turned to leave Lane's office. "Can I go now?"
"You may go," Lane replied, and Tori wasted no time in rushing out of there as fast as she could, eager to put the encounter behind her.
Trina vented her frustrations to Shelby over the phone about her failed audition. "No, no," she lamented, "I didn't get the role."
"Why do you think that is?" Shelby inquired, trying to offer some perspective.
"Maybe 'cause I'm too pretty to get the role," Trina mused, attempting to prop up her fragile ego.
"No, you're not," Shelby retorted with a roll of her eyes.
"Yes, I am!" Trina shot back into the phone, feeling defensive. She wished Shelby would just boost her confidence instead of pointing out negative things. "Shut up!"
Shelby fell silent, sensing Trina's frustration. "Listen, that just wasn't the right role, that's all."
Trina paused as the doorbell rang. "One sec…" she said, setting her phone down and heading towards the door. She opened it to find Robbie standing there with a surprised expression.
"Oh my god…" Trina muttered, taken aback by his unexpected visit. Robbie had brought her some stuffed cabbage and was inviting her to dinner. "I don't like you."
"You can say that, but I know how I felt," Robbie replied, hopeful that Trina might reciprocate his feelings. It had been the first intimate contact he'd had since Cat had ghosted him after their encounter, and his emotions were running high. He couldn't shake the feeling that Trina might still have feelings for him.
Trina reluctantly accepted the cabbage from him, but before Robbie could finish his sentence, she abruptly slammed the door shut in his face and locked it, plunging him into darkness on the porch. "Alright… that stings," he muttered to himself as he walked away dejectedly.
Back inside, Trina resumed her phone call with Shelby. "What was that?" Shelby questioned.
"Oh, just one of Tori's friends who lost his mind because I kissed him," Trina explained dismissively.
"You what?" Shelby exclaimed, surprised.
"Relax, it was scripted," Trina reassured her, downplaying the encounter.
Jade sat alone at lunch, picking at her salad as Beck approached her. She couldn't believe she had managed to deceive him. Perhaps if they had followed their usual routine, he might have discovered her secret the night before, but her injury had granted her a reprieve. Her mother had noticed the black eye and, when questioned, Jade had reluctantly admitted the truth. Afterward, her mother had left her alone, leaving Jade to spend the night plotting her next move against Tori. Why did she care so much? God, she hated Tori Vega.
"How are you feeling?" Beck asked as he reached her table.
"My eye hurts," Jade responded curtly.
"Oh yeah, which one?" Beck quipped, earning a glare from Jade. He wasn't funny, no matter how hard he tried.
"Cute," she retorted, then paused. "I want coffee."
"What's the magic word?" he replied.
Rolling her eyes, Jade looked at him. "Get me some coffee?" she said, seeing his disappointed expression. Deciding not to be bitter for a change, she added a soft "Please…" with a pout.
"Actually, the magic word was 'lotion,' but I'll accept your 'please' since you've got a booboo eye," Beck teased, standing up to get the coffee.
"Two sugars!" she yelled after him.
"I know what to do," he replied without turning back, continuing on his way.
Meanwhile, at the adjacent table, Trina ignored Robbie, who persistently asked her out. She enjoyed the attention but wasn't interested in him at all. She didn't want to seem transphobic by outright rejecting him, but Robbie just wasn't her type. However, he wouldn't take no for an answer.
Jade watched as Trina walked away, leaving the clueless Robbie behind. "Trina! Wait! Baby!" Robbie called out, causing Jade to shake her head in disbelief. Cat sat down next to Robbie, and he looked at her in shock. They hadn't hung out intentionally since their encounter, which had been significant for Robbie, even if it hadn't been for Cat.
"What's the matter?" Cat asked, surprising Robbie with her sudden interest.
"Trina's in denial," Robbie lamented.
"You're still on that?" Cat sighed.
"She loves me," Robbie insisted.
"It was a stage kiss, she was acting!" Cat reasoned.
"You didn't feel the kiss; a girl can't fake that kind of heat," Robbie argued. "I don't care if she tells me a thousand times that it didn't mean anything—"
Before Robbie could finish, Cat silenced him with a kiss, leaving Robbie momentarily speechless. "See?" Cat stated, pulling back as if unaffected.
Robbie looked at her face, noticing her blush and the struggle to maintain composure. "Well, you don't count; I know what your real kisses feel like," he said, trying to play it cool.
Jade rolled her eyes at their interaction, hoping Cat would get herself together soon. Behind her, a group of boys threw a cup of ice down a freshman girl's shirt. The girl gasped, and Jade turned to see what was happening. "You guys are so dead," she muttered, grabbing her own cup of water to retaliate. However, one of the boys dodged her throw, causing the water to splash directly onto Jade's face. "Oh my god, Jade…" the girl apologized profusely, fearing for her social standing. Jade reassured her and hurried into the school, shielding her face from view as she tried to salvage her makeup.
As she rushed, she ran into Andre. "What's wrong with your eye?" he asked.
"Tori hit it, remember?" Jade replied defensively.
"I've never seen a black eye drip before… Tori never hit you, did she?" Andre questioned, his anger simmering. His friend's behavior was troubling, but this crossed a line. "So your plan was to sabotage her for what, Jade? It isn't going to stop her from coming back stronger."
Jade hesitated, feeling the weight of Andre's disappointment. "Look, you can't tell anyone about this. Especially not Tori."
"You used to be my best friend," he said quietly. "I guess I have to rethink some things."
"Dre, please…" Jade pleaded, but Andre shook his head.
"Naw… This ain't right," he stated firmly, backing away to find Tori, who he knew was avoiding Jade. He couldn't believe he had sided with Jade over Tori in this. He wouldn't make that mistake again.
He tried to whisper-shout her name, hoping she would hear him amidst the hushed atmosphere of the library. Andre had spent the entire lunch period searching for her, only realizing in the final minutes that she might be in the library. Thankfully, she did hear him, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked up from her spot.
"Up here," Tori called softly, eliciting a few more shushes from their classmates. Andre reciprocated the shushing, feeling a tad irritated. He had urgent news to deliver, and time was running out.
Bent over double, Andre struggled to catch his breath. "I ran over as fast as I could," he explained in one rushed breath, hoping to clarify his breathlessness.
Tori furrowed her brows, clearly puzzled by his sudden appearance. He could see the question forming in her mind as she awaited his explanation. "Why?" she whispered, her concern evident.
"Jade... faked…" he panted, his words coming out in gasps. Leaning against a nearby bookshelf, he tried to steady himself.
"Jade faked the black eye," he managed to blurt out before collapsing onto one of the nearby couches, finally able to take a deep breath.
"She what?" Tori's shocked expression mirrored her disbelief. Andre could sense her struggle to process the unexpected revelation.
"She faked it. Makeup. Fake blood," he clarified, still trying to catch his breath after the rushed delivery of his news.
"She..." Tori was at a loss for words, her eyes darting with a mixture of emotions. Andre could see the anger simmering beneath the surface. "I knew it, She growled. "that little bitch."
"So, what're you going to do, chica?" Andre asked, moving to sit beside her. He hoped she would confide in him, trusting him to support her through this ordeal.
But Tori surprised him with her response, revealing a determined resolve. "One thing I've learned from my Papi is how to get leverage. If I want peace at Hollywood Arts, I have to take one for the team," she declared, her voice unwavering.
Andre felt a surge of admiration for her courage and selflessness. He knew he had feelings for her, but in that moment, they deepened even further.
"I'm serving my sentence," Tori continued, her determination shining through.
Andre couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for her. He knew she was making a difficult but necessary choice, sacrificing her own comfort for the greater good. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, silently promising to stand by her side. "I'll be there for you, Tori. No matter what," he affirmed, meeting her gaze with unwavering support.
Jade had her mom drop her off at school at 8:45, giving enough time for the auditorium to empty out, and for Tori to start her cleaning. She couldn't believe what she was contemplating. Why hadn't Tori told on her? It puzzled Jade. She decided she would go and help her, and then they would be even. After this, Jade wouldn't feel obligated to be nice to Tori. This was just what Vega was owed. As she approached the theater, she could hear Tori scraping.
"Is that mac and cheese?" Derrick the guard's voice cut through the air.
"Who cares!" snapped Tori, her frustration palpable in her tone. Jade realized that Tori was in a foul mood. Well, she's not all sunshine and flowers, after all, Jade mused to herself as she approached cautiously to assess the situation.
There was Tori, working silently but clearly fuming. Scrape, scrape, plop, repeat. The most revolting substances were being unstuck from the walls. "Just wanted to know if it was mac and cheese," Derrick mumbled to himself as he walked away.
Jade took a deep breath and steeled herself for what she was about to do. This wasn't easy for her. She didn't apologize, ever. But she walked up to Tori nonetheless. She turned at the sound of footsteps approaching from behind, recognizing the distinct stomp of combat boots.
Turning, Tori found Jade standing there, her face twisted in an expression that seemed to sour the air around them. The tension hung thick between them as Tori awaited Jade's words.
Jade looked down at Tori, crouched by the baseboard of the wall. Tori remained silent, waiting for Jade to speak.
Jade surveyed Tori's work silently, taking in the sight of her laboring against the stained walls. "I don't get it," she finally said, her tone flat.
"What?" Tori looked up, momentarily puzzled by Jade's unexpected comment.
"I know Andre told you that I faked everything: the blood, the black eye—" Jade paused, wrinkling her nose at the sight of something on the wall. "What is that, mac and cheese?"
"Looks like it, right?" Derrick mumbled from his perch.
Tori shot him a glare, then turned to Jade. "Why are you here?"
"Why are you here?" Jade shot back. "Why didn't you tell on me?"
"Because," Tori sighed. "We both go to school here, and it's not gonna be much fun for either of us if we're fighting all the time." She brushed past Jade, leaving her bewildered by the explanation.
"So, you're just gonna let me get away with it?" Jade asked incredulously.
Scape, scrape, plop.
Tori scraped another smeared pile off the wall, her expression unreadable. She was done justifying herself.
"You took detention," Jade continued, "and a lower grade, and you're scraping crusty pudding off the wall on a Friday night, just so I won't get in trouble?"
"Pretty much," Tori replied with a nod.
"Well… you can't be nice to me when I've been mean to you," Jade insisted. "That's not how it works."
Tori rolled her eyes again, feeling like they might get stuck that way by the end of the night. "Well, then, try being nice to me sometime. Maybe that'll work," she said, shooing Jade away with a dismissive motion. "Now, go play, I gotta scrape this onion dip off the wall… or onion puss…" She gagged a little and resumed her scraping.
As Tori worked, she heard Jade's footsteps retreating. Then, unexpectedly, she heard it again.
Scrape, scrape, plop.
Tori whirled around with a confused frown, only to find Jade standing there, wearing the most sarcastic smile in the world. Clutching a scraper against one of the red pillars on the stage with a towel slung over her shoulder, Jade's presence surprised Tori.
Tori's heart raced as she watched Jade join her. She realized that Jade was here to help her, and in that moment, Tori felt a rush of gratitude. She couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Jade than met the eye.
Jade, feeling strangely out of her element, pushed forward. She couldn't leave Tori here serving a sentence she didn't deserve. There was a gnawing feeling in her gut, compelling her to make things right.
Scrape, scrape, plop.
"This is going to drive me insane," Jade muttered, glancing around. She moved toward the sound system, declaring loudly, "You know, this might be more fun with some tunes."
As she turned back, Jade slipped on some goo on the floor but played it off smoothly, turning the music on and dancing back to her spot. Tori watched her, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Embarrassed by her slip, Jade tried to shake off the feeling of caring if Tori noticed. Tori was nobody, she reminded herself. Forget it, just dance and clean.
Tori, seeing the slip but deciding not to embarrass Jade, turned back to her work. They both worked in sync, revitalized by the music.
Scrape, scrape, plop.
Tori glanced over at Derrick, who was bobbing his head to the beat. An idea struck her.
"Hey, D!" she called out. "Come scrape with us, this is fun!"
Derrick looked up, considering the scene before him. It did look fun, and at this rate, they'd never finish. He joined them, picking up a scraper
and a bucket.
Jade caught Tori's drift and handed Derrick her scraper. "Here, try it with two."
Derrick accepted the additional tool, dancing more energetically as he scraped down two poles at the same time. The trio worked and danced together, the camaraderie easing the monotony of the task.
Jade and Tori exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging their newfound teamwork. As they danced out of the room, grabbing their bags on the way, they couldn't contain their laughter.
"Shit, we need to get out of here before he figures out we left," Tori exclaimed between giggles.
"Let's go to the Freezy Queen, we can catch our rides from there," Tori suggested.
Jade pulled out her phone. "I can get Beck to drive us home."
"Do you wanna hang out at my house? I'll call Andre, and maybe we can all just have like a movie night there," Tori offered, extending an olive branch.
"No thanks," Jade declined, "but uh, thanks for not ratting me out. This was the least I could do."
Tori smiled in response. "Yeah…"
They waited awkwardly, eating ice cream cones until Beck arrived. "Anyone need a ride?" he called out.
Jade smiled, going straight to him and kissing him soundly. Tori's stomach twisted, not because she didn't like Jade kissing Beck, but because she didn't like Beck kissing Jade. These conflicting feelings needed to stop. They were confusing and painful, and Jade was Beck's girlfriend first. Tori needed to get a grip.
Jade sighed contentedly as she fell backward onto Beck's bed, her arms and legs spread wide, waiting for him to join her. They were making out, and Beck was grateful to her for apologizing. Maybe she should apologize more often, she thought, considering the pleasurable outcome of their reconciliation. If she could play nice, perhaps she could ensure that he stayed with her.
As Beck kissed her neck, Jade's mind wandered back over the events of the week. At first, she had felt so certain, so sure of herself in her quest for revenge against Vega. But then things had spiraled out of control. That puppy dog look Vega had given her had gutted Jade, and she couldn't understand why she felt guilty. After all, Vega was nobody to her.
But as Beck's lips trailed along her skin, Jade couldn't help but smile at the memory of Vega's smile when Jade had started to help her clean. And her laughter as they had run out to the asphalt together. And that tongue as she licked her ice cream... Jade stiffened at the thought, feeling a surprising rush of arousal. But Beck was doing incredible things to her right now, and that was all that mattered. Yes, Vega was undeniably attractive, and she did stir something in Jade's bisexuality, but Jade hated her. She loved Beck, and he was the one who was currently igniting her senses. She refused to acknowledge any lingering thoughts about Tori Vega while in Beck's arms.
At the stroke of midnight on Saturday, Tori's phone buzzed with a text notification. She glanced at the screen and grinned as she read the message from Shelby. "Happy Birthday Thing 2," it read.
Tori chuckled and quickly typed out a response. "Happy Birthday Thing 1," she replied, adding a playful emoji.
Shelby's next text came swiftly. "I can't believe you got detention this weekend."
Tori sighed, her fingers tapping out a reply. "I know, I didn't even do anything."
"Why didn't you tell?" Shelby inquired.
"Because I'm an idiot… and she's fucking hot," Tori confessed, knowing her friend would understand the predicament.
Shelby burst out laughing, causing Tori to grin at her phone screen. "LMAO, I totally get it," Shelby replied.
"Your boyfriend is the one that let me know she had lied. He's my hero, my bestie when you are not here," Tori admitted, a hint of gratitude in her message.
"Bitch!" Shelby retorted playfully. "I am so falling in love with that character. Make sure no girl gets him until I get back."
Tori rolled her eyes at Shelby's affectionate teasing. "LOL yeah right… He is cute," she replied, acknowledging Andre's appeal. "Lots of girls look at him."
"Except the one he wants," Shelby teased back.
Tori shook her head with a smile. "Hush… He's my bestie. I just can't…" she trailed off, knowing that Shelby understood the unspoken boundaries.
"Trina's birth week in two weeks," Shelby reminded her.
"Bitch, what are you getting her?" Tori asked, already feeling the pressure to find the perfect gift.
"I got her, don't you worry. How about you? You better get something good; your track record is not great," Shelby warned, her playful tone laced with a hint of concern.
Tori groaned audibly, already feeling the weight of the looming deadline. "I know, I got two weeks. I'll find something," she promised, determined to come up with a thoughtful gift for her sister.
"It's three AM where I'm at. I am going to bed," Shelby informed her.
"Yeah, HBD. Good night," Tori replied, using their shorthand for "happy birthday" before bidding her friend farewell.
"HBD. Good night," Shelby echoed, ending their late-night birthday exchange.