I'm sorry... there's lots of sexual content on its part. I don't usually apologize but a lot of things happened. still, I hope you enjoy this! S.K.
Tori the Zombie
As Beck entered the serene yoga studio in NoHo, he was immediately struck by the calming atmosphere. Surrounded by soft lighting and the gentle aroma of incense, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. It was a welcome change from the chaos of his recent relationship drama with Jade.
As he settled onto his mat, preparing for the class to begin, Beck couldn't help but notice the striking woman a few mats over. Alyssa Vaughan exuded an aura of confidence and elegance, her flawless form gracefully moving through the poses with practiced ease.
Intrigued, Beck found himself stealing glances in Alyssa's direction throughout the class, admiring the way her lithe body flowed effortlessly from one pose to the next. As their eyes met, a spark of recognition passed between them, and Beck felt a surge of excitement flutter in his chest.
After the class ended, Beck approached Alyssa with a charming smile. "That was quite the workout, wasn't it?" he remarked, hoping to strike up a conversation.
Alyssa returned his smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Indeed it was. I must say, you have quite the impressive yoga skills," she replied, her voice smooth and velvety.
Flattered by her compliment, Beck chuckled. "Well, I've had a bit of practice. But I must admit, you seem to be a natural."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they exchanged stories about their yoga experiences and shared laughter over some of the more challenging poses. Beck found himself drawn to Alyssa's magnetic personality, her wit and intelligence captivating him with each passing moment.
As the class disbanded and the other students began to filter out of the studio, Beck mustered up the courage to ask Alyssa for her number. To his delight, she readily agreed, a playful twinkle in her eyes as she handed him her phone.
With a sense of anticipation, Beck entered Alyssa's number into his phone, already imagining the conversations they would share in the days to come. As they parted ways, he couldn't shake the feeling that this chance encounter might just lead to something extraordinary.
Holly's frustration simmered beneath the surface as she watched David prepare to leave for yet another long shift at the precinct. It seemed like lately, he was spending more time at work than he did with their family. She knew he was dedicated to his job, but she couldn't shake the feeling of resentment building within her.
As he grabbed his keys and briefcase, Holly couldn't hold back any longer. "David, we need to talk," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.
David turned to face her, a faint furrow forming between his brows. "What's wrong, Holly?" he asked, his tone gentle but distracted.
"It's about your work," Holly began, trying to keep her voice steady. "You're taking on so much, and it's starting to impact our family."
David's expression softened with understanding, but Holly could see the hint of defensiveness in his eyes. "I know it's been tough lately, but I talked to the girls about this," he said. "They understand that sometimes Daddy has to work late."
Holly sighed, feeling a surge of irritation rising within her. "It's not just about the extra shifts, David," she replied, her frustration seeping into her words. "It's about the weekends we used to spend together as a family. Now, even those are slipping away because of your work."
David's brow furrowed deeper as he processed her words. "Holly, I'm not abandoning our family," he said, his tone firm. "You're here to take care of the girls when I can't be."
Holly's jaw clenched as she struggled to contain her rising emotions. "Yes, I'm here," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But what about me? What about my needs?"
David's expression remained stoic, and there was a hint of frustration in his eyes. "What do you mean, Holly?" he asked, his tone tinged with impatience.
"I mean," Holly said, her frustration boiling over, "that I would like to have the option to spend time with my husband without feeling like I'm competing with his job."
David's brow furrowed in frustration. "Holly, we've been over this," he said, his tone tinged with exasperation. "My job is important, and sometimes it requires sacrifices."
Holly felt a surge of anger coursing through her veins. "But what about us?" she demanded, her voice rising with emotion. "What about our marriage? Are we just supposed to take a backseat to your career?"
David's expression hardened, and there was a coldness in his eyes. "I don't have time for this, Holly," he said, his voice icy. "I have work to do."
Holly's heart sank as she realized that David wasn't going to listen to her concerns. She felt a sense of defeat wash over her as he turned and walked out the door, leaving her standing alone in the empty room.
As Holly stood in the quiet aftermath of the argument, her thoughts swirled with frustration and disappointment. She felt a pang of guilt as she saw Tori descending the stairs, her face a mix of disappointment and frustration.
"Hey Mom," Tori said, her voice tinged with irritation. "Where's Dad? I need him to teach me how to drive."
Holly's heart sank as she realized the impact of the argument on her daughter. "I'm sorry, Tori," she said softly, her voice tinged with regret. "Your dad... had to leave for work."
Tori's frustration mounted, and she let out an exasperated sigh. "Great," she muttered. "He's the only one willing to teach me."
Holly looked at her daughter, a sense of determination rising within her. "I'll teach you," she said firmly, meeting Tori's gaze with unwavering resolve.
Tori's brows furrowed in disbelief. "You?" she asked, her tone incredulous. "But Mom, you don't have the patience for it."
Holly's jaw clenched slightly at the implication, but she forced a reassuring smile. "Trust me, Tori," she said, her voice steady. "We'll make it work. Plus, we can hang out afterward. Just the two of us."
Tori hesitated, her expression thoughtful. She had been meaning to talk to her mom about something important, but now didn't seem like the right time. She wasn't sure how her mom would react, and the uncertainty made her hesitate.
"Yeah, sure," Tori finally agreed, her tone a mix of reluctance and resignation.
As Tori took the wheel, Holly couldn't help but feel a surge of anxiety coursing through her veins. The way Tori gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity and hesitated at every turn sent shivers down Holly's spine. She tried to hide her apprehension behind a forced smile, but inside, she was praying for the lesson to end without any mishaps.
"Okay, Tori, let's start by pulling out of the driveway," Holly instructed, her voice laced with forced calmness.
Tori nodded nervously, her eyes fixed on the road ahead as she cautiously eased the car forward. The jerky movements and erratic steering made Holly's heart race, and she instinctively reached for the door handle, bracing herself for the worst.
"Easy, Tori," Holly urged, her voice trembling slightly. "Just relax your grip on the wheel and take it slow."
But Tori's nerves seemed to get the better of her, and she continued to navigate the car with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. She swerved precariously close to the curb, narrowly missing a parked car, and Holly couldn't help but let out a gasp of terror.
"Watch out!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic.
Tori's eyes widened in alarm, and she slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt. They both sat in silence for a moment, the tension palpable in the air as they caught their breath.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Tori muttered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I just... I don't think I'm cut out for this driving thing."
Holly let out a sigh of relief, grateful that they hadn't ended up in a ditch. "It's okay, Tori," she reassured, her voice tinged with relief. "Driving takes practice, that's all. We'll get there eventually."
But deep down, Holly couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered in the pit of her stomach. If Tori's driving didn't improve soon, she feared for both their lives every time they hit the road.
Holly watched as Tori practically sprinted away, her heart sinking with disappointment. She had been looking forward to spending some quality time with her daughter, but it seemed that Tori had other plans.
Tori's behavior had been strange lately, and Holly couldn't help but feel worried. She had always been a reserved and introverted child, but lately, she seemed to be even more withdrawn. Holly couldn't shake off the feeling that something was bothering her daughter, but she didn't want to push her. She wanted Tori to come to her when she was ready.
As they walked through the mall, Holly couldn't help but notice Tori's tense demeanor. She stole glances at her daughter, trying to read her expressions, but Tori kept her eyes fixed straight ahead. Holly sighed inwardly, feeling a little out of her depth. She had always been able to connect with her daughters, but Tori seemed to be slipping away from her.
When they passed by the fountain and saw a gay couple sharing a kiss, Holly noticed Tori's reaction. She got a little squirmy and seemed uncomfortable. Holly couldn't understand why, but before she could ask, Tori spotted her friends Cat and Robbie going into a store.
Tori's face lit up at the sight of her friends, and she turned to Holly with pleading eyes. 'Can I go with them, Mom? Please?' she begged.
Holly hesitated for a moment, feeling a little disappointed that Tori didn't want to spend time with her. But she also didn't want to deny her daughter the chance to hang out with her friends. With a sigh, she relented, 'Okay, but make sure to text me when you're ready to come home.'
Tori practically squealed with joy and thanked her mother before she practically sprinted away towards her friends. Holly watched her go, feeling a little unfulfilled with their interaction. She had hoped to have a heart-to-heart with Tori, but it seemed that her daughter was more interested in hanging out with her friends.
Feeling a little lost, Holly wandered towards a nearby cafe and took a seat, ordering a coffee. She sat there, lost in her thoughts, wondering if she had done something wrong as a mother. She couldn't help but feel a little out of control as Tori grew more independent and popular with her friends. It was a scary place for any parent to be in, and Holly couldn't help but feel a little left behind.
Holly was still reeling from her daughter's sudden departure when she saw Gary emerge from a nearby store. Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach twisted in knots. She wanted to run, to hide, to escape the intense emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. But she stayed rooted to the spot, determined to face Gary like the adult she was.
As he approached her, Holly couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, as he stopped in front of her.
'Hey, Holly,' he said, his voice warm and inviting. 'I didn't expect to see you here.'
Holly tried to keep her composure, but her voice came out in a shaky whisper. 'Yeah, I...I was just grabbing some coffee.'
Gary's eyes roamed over her face, and she could feel her cheeks flushing under his gaze. 'Well, I'm glad I ran into you,' he said, a small smile playing on his lips. 'I was actually hoping to talk to you.'
Holly's heart lurched at the thought of being alone with Gary, but she couldn't resist his charm. 'Sure,' she said, her voice barely audible.
Gary motioned for her to follow him, and she fell into step beside Tori disappeared into the crowd, Holly's heartache seemed to dissipate, replaced by a tingling sensation as she locked eyes with Gary. She couldn't deny the attraction she felt for him, even though she knew it was wrong. Her mind and body were at war, but her desire won out as she found herself following him out of the mall.
As they reached his car, Gary turned to her, his eyes burning with intensity. 'I wanted to apologize for the other night, for kissing you,' he said, his voice sincere. 'I know it was wrong, and I never meant to cause any trouble between you and David.'
Holly's heart ached at the mention of her husband's name. She had been so hurt and disappointed by their fight, and now she was feeling a whole new set of emotions with Gary. But she couldn't deny the pull she felt towards him, and she found herself confessing her feelings.
'I know it was wrong too, but...I can't help the way I feel about you,' she said, her voice trembling.
Gary stopped walking and turned to face her, his eyes full of emotion. 'Holly, I've always had feelings for you,' he said, his voice husky. 'But I never acted on them because of David. I didn't want to cause any problems for you two.'
Holly felt a surge of guilt for betraying her husband, but she couldn't deny the intense chemistry between her and Gary. She leaned in, and their lips met in a passionate 's heart raced as he pulled her close, his lips crashing down on hers in a passionate kiss. She melted into him, her body responding to his touch as if it had a mind of its own. She could feel his hands roaming over her body, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't ignore.
She couldn't believe that she was about to do this, to betray her husband and give into her desires for his partner, but she couldn't resist the pull that Gary had over her. She climbed into the car, her hands shaking as Gary leaned in to kiss her.
Their lips met in a passionate embrace, and Holly felt all of her previous worries and doubts melt away. Gary's touch was electric, and she couldn't help but moan against his lips as he deepened the kiss. His hands roamed over her body, igniting her skin with every touch.
'God, Holly,' Gary breathed against her lips. 'I've wanted you for so long.'
Holly's heart swelled at his words, and she knew that she had wanted him just as much. All of the tension and frustration between them had finally boiled over, and they were both giving into the desire that had been building for weeks.
Their hands fumbled with each other's clothes as they frantically undressed, their need for each other growing with every passing second. Finally, they were both naked and Holly climbed onto Gary's lap, straddling him as they continued to kiss and explore each other's bodies.
'Holly,' Gary moaned as her hand traveled down his chest, tracing the lines of his muscles before finally wrapping around his length. He groaned and thrust up into her hand, his eyes never leaving hers.
Holly bit her lip as she continued to pump him, feeling his arousal grow under her touch. She couldn't believe how good it felt to be with him, to have him inside her.
'I need you, Gary,' Holly whispered, her voice filled with longing.
'I need you too,' Gary replied, his eyes burning with desire.
And then they were moving together, their bodies joined in a rhythm that felt like it was meant to be. Holly lost herself in the pleasure, in the way Gary's hands and lips explored every inch of her body. She cried out his name as she reached her climax, her body trembling and pulsing around him.
They collapsed against each other, their breathing heavy and their bodies covered in a thin sheen of sweat. Holly couldn't believe what had just happened. Her mind was clouded with guilt and confusion, but in that moment, all she could feel was the overwhelming connection she shared with Gary. She knew it was wrong, but it felt so right.
'I shouldn't have done that,' she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
Gary brushed a stray hair from her face and looked into her eyes with a mix of regret and longing. 'I know,' he said softly. 'But I couldn't resist you, Holly. I've wanted you for so long.'
Holly's heart ached as she realized the depth of his feelings for her. She knew she couldn't continue this affair, but in that moment, she didn't want to think about the consequences. For just a little while longer, she wanted to stay in this blissful bubble with Gary.
But reality soon came crashing back as they dressed in silence and parted ways. Holly's mind was filled with conflicting emotions as she drove home, knowing that she had just betrayed her husband and her family.
But in that moment, as she relived the intense pleasure she had just experienced with Gary, she couldn't bring herself to regret it. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't deny the undeniable chemistry between them. And for a brief moment, she had felt alive again. But at what cost?
Tori sat on a bench in the mall, surrounded by her friends Robbie and Cat. They were chatting and laughing, enjoying their day together. But Tori couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness bubbling in her stomach. She had been wanting to tell her friends something for a while now, and she finally mustered up the courage to do it.
'Guys, I have something to tell you,' Tori said, her voice shaking slightly.
Robbie and Cat turned to her, their expressions curious. 'What is it?' Cat asked.
Taking a deep breath, Tori blurted out, 'I think, I'm bi.' She really thought she was straight up a lesbian, buit she wasn't ready to let go of the mask completely just in case she needed to hide from pain.
There was a moment of silence as her friends processed her confession. But then, to Tori's relief, they both smiled and gave her a hug.
'That's amazing, Tori!' Cat exclaimed. 'I'm so happy for you.'
Robbie nodded, a proud smile on his face. 'It takes a lot of courage to come out, Tori. I'm proud of you.'
Tori felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been worried about how her friends would react, but their support meant everything to her. She then went on to share how she had almost come out to her mom before seeing them and chickening out.
'I just don't know how she would take it,' Tori admitted, feeling a little guilty for not being honest with her mom.
Robbie placed a hand on her shoulder. 'I understand how you feel. When I came out as trans, I was scared too. But my mom was surprisingly supportive. She just wanted me to be happy and true to myself.'
Tori's eyes widened in surprise. She had no idea that Robbie was trans. She had always known him as Robbie, and had never questioned anything.
'You're trans?' Tori asked, her voice filled with awe.
Robbie nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. 'Yeah. I've been transitioning for a few Months now. It's a long and difficult journey, but I'm finally comfortable in my own skin.'
Tori gave Robbie a quick hug. 'I'm so proud of you, Robbie. And I'm so glad that you can be yourself around us.'
Tori couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration towards her friends. They were all so brave and true to themselves, and she was lucky to have them in her life.
'I'm here for you, Tori,' Cat said, placing a hand on her shoulder. 'We all are. And we'll support you no matter what.'
Tori smiled, feeling grateful for her amazing friends. She finally felt like she could be completely open and honest with them, and that was an incredible feeling. "So glad I'm not the only one in our friend group." she breathed out in relief.
"Are you kidding?" Cat said. "J-"
"CAT… let's not talk about that right now. It's not your place." Robbie stated
"Oh… right." Cat said.
"Yeah… and dont' tell anyone. Especially not Jade." Tori stated.
"Why not?" Cat asked.
"Because…" Tori said. "I don't need this to be the thing she gets a hold of and bullies me for it."
"She wouldn't do that." Robbie said softly. "I mean You didn't even know I was trans. She's known me as a girl."
Tori sighed"I suppose you are right… but she at least likes you"
Cat giggled to herself at another tangent. Robbie looked at Cat and looked away. Tori narrowed her eyes wondering what that was all about but decided against pressing them for answers.
Tori sstood opposite Robbie they were getting close to opening night on uptown downtown. This had been Torin's first lead role and she was psyched. She ha beat out Jade est fot the role. It made sense though… because Jade didn't exactly exude Pep lie her character did.. Thoush she doesn't doubt Jade would have done a spectacular job. It is called acting after all.
But she was grateful to be standing there. Scrip in hand opposite Robbie, who was playing his role as asshole prety believably. "Ready? Action." the director said as Sinjin played with the light board above them.
"I- I don't know." Tori stammered her line as she was supposed to.
"Oh come on, why can't you admit that you're in love with me? Robbie stated.
"Why are you in love with me?
"Because you're beautiful," he said and they moved closer to each other. "Look at your face in the moonlight" Tori didn't know why she felt more comfortable around Robbie now than she had before, and she wondered if it was because she knew about his anatomy now. But She felt herself being able to get closer to him much easier. And she felt like a total jerk about it.
"I can't," she said looking out in the middle distance.
"You can…" Robbie said from the script.
"No, a person can't look at their own face, It's impossible." she retorted looking thoroughly confused at this janky ass line.
"Then marry me and I will buy you a thousand mirrors." He started trying to convince her of her beauty.
"But that's so many!" she said in astonishment.
"My father's a billionaire." Robbie countered. "I can give you anything you've ever wanted… and I'm very good-looking."
Tori bit her inner lip to keep from laughing. Not because she didn't think Robbie was good-looking… but because he said it as though he really didn't believe that about himself. "Hmmm… yeah…"
"Think," he said pointing at her. Then the lights over him faded.
"And lights go…" the director says and they switch the lights to illuminate a patiently waiting Beck. "I don't know," Tori echoed her original sentiments.
The contrast to Robbie, Beck presented a more understanding dialogue. "It's okay that you don't know."
"But you deserve an answer," Tori stated.
"I can wait." He stated. "For you, I would wait for a thousand years.."
"But that's so many!" Tori says in an exaggerated tone.
But I love you." Beck is mostly off-book. He's not even glancing at the pages in his hands.
Tori returns to face "Because I'm beautiful?"
" I don't love you because you're beautiful," Beck, says, reaching out to her."You're beautiful because I love you." This time Tori got the huge eye roll from Jade, who was staring down at her phone. Then all of a sudden, disco music started to play overhead completely destroying the vibe they turned to face the catwalk. And was scrambling to get the sound system back under control.
"What up with the disco?" Jade yelled at the boy.
"I'm sorry, I hit the wrong thing."
"No, 15 years ago, your mother gave birth to the wrong thing," Jade yelled harshly. Tori looked over at her and frowned.
The director took this opportunity to give everyone a break. "Tori, Beck you guys were great really good stuff guys"
He walked away, Jade spoke as she stood up and loudly announced, "Guys, guys, everyone shut up a second."
"Whatcha got?" Beck nodded to Jade, approaching alongside Tori as the students crowded around her, as she stared intently at her phone.
"An email from Principal Eikner."
"That says?" Tori prompted Jade.
Jade threw Tori a baleful look before turning back to her phone to read the email out loud. "To all students involved in our school's production of Uptown Downtown, Sofia Michelle will be in Los Angeles the weekend of the seventeenth and will be personally attending your opening-night performance."
There were excited murmurs rising amongst the students.
"Oh my god," the teacher overseeing the production smiled. The smile quickly faded as his face paled, and he clutched his stomach. He sped out of the theater.
"Who's Sofia Michelle?" Tori asked.
"Oh, no, no, no…" Jade groaned, as She grabbed Beck's hand and tugged him over to sit down with her in some empty chairs.
"What?" Tori asked innocently opening her arms wide.
Jade sighed heavily, pressing the corner of her phone deep into her forehead as she loudly lamented, "She gets to be the lead, and she doesn't even know who Sofia Michelle is."
The crowd of students gave a mixture of shocked and disbelieving stares at Tori.
Trey was sick and tired of this know-it-all pointing out her amateur behavior. "No you know what? I don't. I don't know who she is. So could you just please enlighten me."
"Look at the cover of your script," Robbie suggested.
Sorry, did that she was told and discovered that she was the author of the play. She ought to be embarrassed. But really all she cared about was getting her part right and not necessarily who wrote the words that were coming out of her mouth. "Oh! Sofia Michelle wrote the play we're doing."
"Oh!" Jade mocked Tori, staring determinedly at her phone as Beck massaged her shoulders in an effort to get her to back down a little.
"She's like the biggest playwright on Broadway" Robbie explained further. There were a few supporting murmurs from their fellow cast mates.
Right then, the teacher burst back into the room, guzzling half of a water bottle in three gulps. "Alright, you guys," he panted, still looking rather pale and sweaty. "We knew we had to be great. Now, we have to be perfect. We are not gonna disappoint Sofia Michelle."
All the teams agreed and we're ready to get moving on rehearsal.
"Places!" He shouted, amongst other instructions. Once everyone was settled again, she called, "Action!"
After rehearsal, Tori searched for Cat. She had received a text that she was still stuck in class. "Cat?" Tori called as she entered the makeup classroom. There was a row of vanities set up like the makeup and dressing room in the backstage of the theater. "Cat?" Tori tapped the shoulder of a nearby student, asking, "Hey, have you seen Cat?"
The guy turned around, and Tori nearly jumped out of her skin and screamed.
"It's just special effects makeup," the guy shrugged, like his face wasn't covered in severe burns. It was so realistic, whoever that was was getting an A.
"Oh," Tori replied shakily, "well, that is… special." She grimaced and nodded. "And I have been affected." She quickly sidestepped the student and continued her search. She found her redheaded friend stationed in front of another student. "Yo, Cat."
"Oh, hey, Tori," Cat greeted brightly.
"We doing lunch?" Tori asked.
"Uh, yeah," Cat replied, returning her focus to her model seated on the chair in front of her. "Just a sec…" She lightly swiped a thin brush across one of the cheeks as she explained, "I'm almost finished with my assignment."
"Ooh, what's the assignment?" Tori asked. She had always been curious to see this side of the backend of production.
"To transform a human face into a terrifying monster," Cat recited proudly. She glanced over the model's shoulder and asked excitedly, "Wanna see?"
Tori grinned, setting down the cotton swab she had picked up to fidget with. "Terrify me."
Cat turned the model around in the chair, gauging Tori's reaction.
Tori stared at the face in front of her blankly. "Isn't he scary?" Cat prompted.
"No," Tori said slowly. "He's kind of adorable." The model's face was covered in yellow, with bushy eyebrows, a pink nose, and equally pink eyeshadow all around his eyes. Overall, he looked like Ned from the Dr Seuss stories.
"Aw man!" the model exclaimed, leaning to the side to observe his reflection in the mirror. "You made me cute!" He hopped off the chair and to his feet. "You're the worst!" he rounded on Cat.
"Well," Cat blustered, trying to calm him down, "let me try again after school!"
But the model wasn't having it. He vehemently refused. "I'm done with you."
"No, but wait! You can't just—"
"Done with you!" he repeated before swiftly exiting the room.
"Oh," Cat pouted and stomped. "That's the third model who's quit on me." She threw her brush down onto the vanity counter. "I'm gonna get an F—in makeup!"
"Aww, that bites," Tori deadpanned, no sympathy in her voice. "Let's go get an A in lunch," she suggested instead. She grabbed Cat's wrist and tugged to get them both well on their way to some food. Her stomach was starting to grumble, now.
"Wait!" Cat gasped. Tori turned around to catch Cat's expression. The one that now carefully regarded Tori with renewed determination.
"No…" Tori said, hoping to preemptively cut off whatever Cat was scheming "I just need—"
"I am not gonna be your monster makeup model!" Tori protested.
"But if I don't transform someone's face into a hideous monster by Monday, I'm gonna fail this class!" Cat exclaimed.
"And if I don't cram a turkey sandwich down my throat, I'm gonna fail not starving to death!" Tori countered. Tori turned to leave. She was going to go get lunch, with or without Cat.
"Come on!" Cat pleaded, running to block Tori's path. "We can do it tonight, tomorrow night, whenever you want!"
"I'm in a huge play," Tori explained. "I have to learn all my lines and five songs."
"Tori," Cat pouted.
"Cat," Tori retorted with equal exasperation.
Cat continued to plead as Tori continued to decline, and she finally caved when she tired of her childlike determination. "Okay, fine, I'll do it!" She shouted over the argument.
"Yay!" Pure joy spread over Cat's face.
"But you're buying my lunch," Tori amended.
"Oh," Cat's face fell a little.
Tori grabbed Cat's wrist again and tugged them towards the door. "Let's go."
Andre stepped into the Vega house, Tori greeted him with a warm smile, her excitement evident in her voice. "Hey, I think Shelby is at the gym, you want to chill here til she gets back?"
"Sure," Andre replied, following her inside.
"Great, you can help me with my songs for this play," Tori suggested, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"You know, you don't have to bribe me with Shelby to get me to hang out," Andre chuckled, taking a seat on the couch. "Of course I'd help."
Tori grinned and hugged her best friend tightly. "You are the best."
"I know it," Andre said with a playful smirk, primping slightly. "Let me go get my keyboard in the car."
"Cool, you want a lemonade?" Tori offered as she headed towards the kitchen.
"Sure, Chizz," Andre replied before heading out to the car. By the time he returned, Tori had already served up two glasses of lemonade, and they settled down to work on Tori's songs.
They played around with the vocals, Andre offering suggestions and guidance as Tori sang. "Suddenly, my choice is clear..." Tori sang, her voice filling the room.
"Nice, now sing it like an old jazz singer," Andre instructed a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Tori looked at him in confusion. "Why?"
"To amuse me," he shrugged, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Tori chuckled and cleared her throat, attempting to mimic an old jazz singer. "Suddenly, my choice is clear," she sang, trying to add a raspy edge to her voice.
"Clear," Andre demonstrated, prompting Tori to try again.
"Clear..." Tori repeated, her voice faltering slightly.
"Come on, be a man... Clear," Andre chimed in, causing Tori to burst into laughter as her voice went flat.
"Now, I'm amused," Andre chuckled, setting aside his keyboard as Tori checked the time on her phone.
"Hey, it's almost 8. Are you getting hungry?" Tori asked, glancing up at Andre.
"Yeah," Andre nodded, patting his stomach thoughtfully. "Want me to go pick up a pizza?"
"Sure!" Tori agreed brightly. "Let's get a large pepperoni..."
The doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. "Coming!" Tori said, standing to go to the door as Andre placed the pizza order online.
Opening the door, Tori found Cat posing in the doorway with a suitcase in tow. "Makeup time!" Cat announced cheerfully.
Tori's nervousness crept up as she greeted Cat, stepping aside to let her in. "Hey, Cat."
"Where should I set up?" Cat asked eagerly, already making her way towards the kitchen table.
"Kitchen table," Tori directed, closing the door behind Cat.
Cat nodded and began unpacking her supplies, turning to Andre with a playful grin. "Hey, Andre!"
"Sup, Little Red," Andre replied absentmindedly, his attention already drifting back to Tori.
Cat giggled at the nickname. "I like that!"
Tori thanked Andre for placing the pizza order before turning her attention back to Cat. "Can we just get this whole monster makeup thing over with?" Tori asked as Shelby walked through the door.
"Sure," Cat agreed readily. "Let's get started. Can Andre be my assistant?" she asked and as she began to unpack her suitcase full of supplies. Shelby walked through the door.
"You can ask him," Tori shrugged.
"Hey, Andre—"Cat began to ask and turned to ask him just that, but he was being pulled up the stairs by Tori's sister.
"Oh." Cat's expression fell a little.
"Yeah, I don't think I'd choose makeup over a makeout either," Tori remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice. Cat chuckled in response.
"Andre and Trina?" Cat asked, her surprise evident in her tone.
"Ewww… no," Tori quickly clarified, shaking her head. "Let's get on with whatever this is."
"I'll try to be quick," Cat promised with a wink, guiding Tori to a seat at the table.
Tori settled into her chair, watching as Cat organized her tools and prepared to work her magic. Despite the tension that had lingered in the air earlier, Tori found herself grateful for the distraction of Cat's makeup session. As Cat began to work, Tori allowed herself to relax, focusing on the gentle brush strokes and the transformation taking place before her eyes.
Shelby and Andre lay tangled up on Shelby's bed, their breathing heavy and breathless after their makeout session. Shelby giggles and runs her fingers through her hair as she catches her breath.
'Wow, that was... intense,' she says, a flushed smile on her face.
Andre grins back at her, 'Yeah, it was. But we should probably get going if we're gonna pick up that pizza before it gets cold.'
Shelby nods, pushing herself up from the bed. They walk hand in hand down the stairs, and She glances over at the kitchen table and does a double-take.
'Is that Tori?' she asks, gesturing towards her twin sister, who is sitting at the table with a cat.
Tori looks up and waves, her face half-covered in latex prosthetics that her friend Cat is carefully applying.
'Hey, Shell,' Tori says, her voice muffled by the prosthetics.
Shelby raises an eyebrow. 'Looks like you're getting ready for something. What's going on with the face?'
Tori grins. 'Oh, Cat and I are working on a project for her effects make up class. She's makingme into a monster.'
Cat beams with pride. 'Tori's going to look amazing."
Shelby nods. 'That's cool. Well, Andre and I are going to go get that pizza. We'll see you guys later.'
Tori and Cat nod, and Shelby and Andre make their way out of the house, hand in hand. As they walk to the car, Shelby glances back at the house, a thoughtful look on her face.
'It's weird,' she says, 'seeing Tori like that. It's like she's a totally different person.'
Andre squeezes her hand. 'Sometimes it's fun to try on a different persona, you know? It's like playing dress-up, but for grown-ups.'
Shelby laughs. 'I guess you're right. But I think I'll stick with being myself for now.'
Andre grins. 'I wouldn't want you any other way.'
Minutes later, Cat excitedly returned with a mirror and asked, "Ready?"
Tori nodded. "Yep, show me, me."
Cat presented the mirror to Tori, and Tori gasped, marveling at the detail. "Wow, look at me," she breathed in awe. "I'm hideous!"
"You really think so?" Cat asked, bursting with pride.
"Yeah," Tori replied, standing up. "I totally look like a zombie."
"Yay," Cat cheered softly with a smile, "I'm not a failure!"
"Oh, hey, let's go scare my sister," Tori suggested. Cat readily agreed, and they got into position. Tori hid out of sight from the stairs, at the entry of the hallway that led to the first-floor guest bedroom.
"Trina!" she called up the stairs. "Come see something!"
"Is it for me?" came the distant reply.
"Yeah, sure," Tori replied quickly.
Trina soon came bounding down the stairs. Frowning, she glanced around and asked Cat, "Where's Tori?" She gasped. "Did they deliver my vibrator?"
Tori chose that moment to jump out and growl menacingly.
Trina turned to face Tori slowly, her face painted with unamusement.
Tori dropped her arms and rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. How could you not be scared by this?"
"I've seen our grandmother naked," Trina deadpanned. "Nothing scares me anymore."
"Come on, Tori, I need to get pics of your face!" Cat quickly beckoned for Tori to come back to the kitchen.
"Oh, okay!"
Trina followed Tori into the kitchen to grab herself a glass of apple juice.
"Over here, into the light," Cat instructed as she began to snap pictures.
Tori posed several times, most being simple stares into the lens, and a few silly ones for good measure.
"Uh," Trina said from the kitchen table. She was holding up a bottle with a concerned look on her face. "What is this for?"
"Oh, that's glue," Cat replied easily.
"Yeah," Trina nodded. "But why is it with your makeup supplies?"
"What's the problem?" Tori chimed in.
"This is Grizzly Glue," Trina explained. "It's, like, an industrial cement."
"Huh?" Tori must have heard wrong. She had to have heard wrong. Trina did not just say—
"Cat…" Trina said slowly. "Tell me you didn't use this on Tori's face."
"Oh no…" Cat glanced between the two sisters. "I'm sorry! I ran out of Dermaglue, so I grabbed that out of my dad's toolbox!"
Tori grabbed the bottle out of Trina's hand and read the label. "For industrial use only… Caution: avoid contact with skin…"
"Are you serious?" Trina shrieked.
"Will it come off?" Tori panicked.
"I don't know." Trina screamed in a panic
Both sisters' panic was spiking through the roof.
"Here, let's try to get it off," Cat murmured, grabbing some long cotton swabs and sculpting tools. Trina did the same.
The two poked and prodded at the thick makeup, and while some came off, the majority was still stuck to Tori's face.
"Ow, ow, ow!" she exclaimed, waving away both pairs of hands.
"This is not gonna work," Trina sighed.
"You guys, I'm playing the lead in a big musical tomorrow night, and my character is supposed to be beautiful!"
"Well," Trina replied, "you do not look beautiful."
"No, chiz!" Tori bit back bitterly.
"Can't you postpone the play?" Cat asked.
"No," Tori sighed. "Sofia Michelle is coming to see it."
"Oh, that's exciting!" Cat applauded.
"No, it's not!" Tori retorted hotly. "Because I look like a rotting zombie!"
Just then Shelby and Andre walked into the house. "I got pizza!" Andre said and paused at the arguing that the girls had dissolved to. He and Shelby looked at each other. Shelby dropped one of the pizza boxes on the coffee table and
Jade reclined against the headboard of her bed, a contented smile playing on her lips as she watched Beck read through the pages of her rough draft. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm ambiance that matched the intimate atmosphere between them.
Beck's eyes skimmed over the lines of Jade's writing, his expression shifting from concentration to awe. "Jade, this is amazing," he murmured, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
A flush of pride washed over Jade at his words, and she leaned into his side as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. The warmth of his embrace enveloped her, sending a comforting sensation coursing through her veins.
"You really think so?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Beck turned to her, his eyes shining with sincerity. "Absolutely. You're so talented, Jade. Beautiful and brilliant."
Jade's heart swelled with emotion at his praise, and she couldn't help but press a soft kiss against his lips, gratitude and affection mingling in the tender gesture.
As they lingered in each other's embrace, the tranquility of the moment was interrupted by the chirping of Beck's phone. He reluctantly pulled away, reaching for the device to check the incoming message.
Jade's curiosity piqued as she watched him read the text, her eyes narrowing slightly as she noticed the name displayed on the screen – Alyssa.
"Who's that?" she asked, unable to suppress her curiosity.
Beck hesitated for a moment before answering, his gaze meeting hers with a hint of apprehension. "It's Alyssa Vaughan," he explained, his tone guarded.
Jade's eyebrows lifted in surprise at the mention of the heiress's name. "The Alyssa Vaughan?" she echoed, her interest piqued.
Beck nodded, his expression tinged with uncertainty. "Yeah, I met her at yoga," he admitted a note of hesitation in his voice.
Jade felt a mixture of emotions swirling inside her – a blend of admiration, jealousy, and curiosity. Part of her was impressed that Beck had crossed paths with someone as prominent as Alyssa Vaughan, but another part couldn't help but feel a twinge of insecurity at the thought of him interacting with such a wealthy and influential figure.
Despite her conflicting feelings, Jade appreciated Beck's honesty in sharing the information with her. She knew that he could have easily kept it from her, but the fact that he had chosen to be transparent spoke volumes about the trust and openness between them.
"Wow," Jade murmured, her mind racing with thoughts and questions. "Well, at least you told me."
Beck offered her a reassuring smile, his hand reaching out to gently caress her cheek. "Of course, Jade. You're the only one I want to be with."
Jade felt a rush of warmth at his words, her insecurities momentarily fading in the glow of his affection. She leaned into his touch, grateful for the reassurance and comfort he provided.
The two fell back into bed, their bodies entwined in a warm embrace. Beck's heart raced as he tried to think of how to prove his loyalty to Jade. He knew he had been cheating on her, and he knew she suspected as much. But he couldn't bear the thought of losing her. So he decided to show her just how much he loved her, how much he cherished her, by being the most tender and supportive lover she had ever had.
He kissed her gently, his lips soft and warm against hers. He ran his fingers through her hair, cradling her head as he deepened the kiss. Jade responded eagerly, her body melting into his. She could feel the tension in his muscles, the way he was holding back, trying to be gentle with her. It only made her want him more.
Beck trailed kisses down Jade's neck, his hands exploring her body. He caressed her breasts, teasing her nipples until they were hard and sensitive. Jade arched her back, moaning softly as he moved lower, his tongue tracing a path down her stomach.
When he reached the apex of her thighs, he paused, looking up at her with a question in his eyes. Jade nodded, giving him permission to continue. Beck smiled softly and leaned in, his tongue flicking out to taste her.
Jade gasped, her hips bucking as Beck's tongue worked its magic. He licked and sucked, teasing her clit until she was trembling with need. She could feel the pressure building inside her, the familiar tightness that preceded her orgasm.
But just as she was about to tip over the edge, Beck pulled away. Jade looked at him, puzzled.
'I want to be inside you,' he said, his voice husky with desire. 'I want to feel you around me.'
Jade nodded, her heart racing. She reached down between them, guiding Beck inside her. He entered her slowly, inch by inch until he was fully seated.
Beck started to move, his hips thrusting gently as he made love to Jade. He wanted to show her how much he cared, how much he loved her. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting her, of causing her pain.
Jade wrapped her legs around Beck's waist, pulling him deeper inside her. She could feel every inch of him, the way he filled her up, the way he made her feel whole. She had never felt so loved, so cherished.
But as they moved together, their passion building, Jade's mind started to drift. She remembered the condoms she had forgotten to buy, the ones she had meant to bring to bed with them. She had been so caught up in the moment, so swept away by Beck's tenderness, that she had forgotten.
She opened her mouth to say something, to tell Beck to stop, but then she remembered. She was on the pill. She had taken it just this morning, she was sure of it. It would still work, even without the condom.
Jade closed her eyes, surrendering to the pleasure. She encouraged Beck to finish, to let go, and to give in to the passion. And as he did, as he thrust deep inside her one last time, she knew that she had never felt so loved, so cherished. And even though she had forgotten the condom, she knew that everything would be okay.
"Well, I'm going to try and wash it off in the bathroom," Tori said heading toward the bathroom, irritated beyond belief.
Cat and Trina glanced at each other and decided to split up the calls.
Trina called the family physician, Dr. Dodie, while Cat called the customer service line for Grizzly Industries printed on the bottom of the label.
Tori returned a little while later to find Cat pacing the living room and Trina stretched across one of the half-couches.
"Who are you on the phone with?" Tori asked Trina first. Trina held up an impatient finger.
"Dr. Dodie, shh!" Trina shushed her sister loudly.
Tori turned to Cat next. "And who are you on the phone with?"
"The glue company," Cat replied, similarly holding up a hand to silence Tori. "Shh!" Tori was only partially offended. "No.. no you don't understand, it's all over her face." Cat was saying.
"Should I take her to the emergency room?" Trina was saying on the other line.
"I didn't read the label! Don't make me feel bad!" Cat screamed into the phone.
"Okay," Trina nodded and ended her call first. "I'll tell Tori." TORi rushed over to get the message and trina sat up.
"Well? Can he get the glue off my skin?" Tori asked impatiently.
"No," Trina reported with a slow, sad shake of her head.
"But what about my plaaaayyyy!" TOri whined.
"Well… You have an understudy don't you? You also have a twin with the same face."
"And doesn't know the lines!" Tori grit her teeth. "Trust me I've thought about it."
"You do?" Cat asked excitedly into the phone. Tori sprang to her feet.
"What, what what?" Tori asked.
"THey have a solvent that safe for skin!" Cat stated excitedly.
"YES!' TOri shouted victoriously, she could be free by tomorrow afternoon. "Where can we get some?" She asked.
"Sh… hold on!" Cat said and asked the question of the lady on the other line. "Uh-huh, okay. And where can I buy some? Uh-huh. Uh-huh, okay. Uh-huh. Okay, and what are the hours?" Cat nodded, "Uh-huh. Okay. Thank you so much, Gail. Mhm, bye!"
"Well?" Tori asked expectantly again.
"it's not sold in stores. You can only get it at Grizzly Industries."
"Well, where's that?"
"Bakersfield."
"Bakersfield?!" Tori repeated.
"Relax," Trina said, settling a hand on Tori's shoulder. "That's only like two hours from here. I can drive you there tomorrow."
"When?" Tori asked exasperatedly. "I have school until 3, and then I have final rehearsal, and then, I have to do the play!" she listed off her fingers.
"Calm down," Cat reassured Tori. "After school tomorrow, I'll go with Trina to Bakersfield, pick up the solvent, drive back, and get the makeup off your face before the play starts."
"Okay, okay, that sounds like a plan," Tori nodded, finally starting to breathe normally again.
Tori couldn't wait until she got her hands on that solvent.
Robbie couldn't contain his excitement as he carefully pulled on the special underwear he had purchased. He had been eagerly anticipating this moment for quite some time, and now that he finally had the right underwear, he felt a surge of pride and anticipation. This was another step in his journey to becoming the man he wanted to be, and he was determined to make it count.
As he adjusted the bulge to ensure it looked just right, Robbie couldn't help but admire himself in the mirror. He felt confident and empowered, ready to face whatever the day had in store for him. With a satisfied nod, he pulled on his jeans, opting for a pair that was a little tighter than usual to accentuate his new enhancement.
Throughout the morning at school, Robbie couldn't shake the feeling of pride that swelled within him. He walked a little taller, a little more confidently, knowing that he had taken another step towards embracing his true self.
However, as the day progressed and he found himself in rehearsals for the school play, Robbie's excitement began to wane. The tightness of his jeans combined with the unfamiliar sensation of the bulge began to chafe, causing discomfort and irritation. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to focus on the dance routines and lines, but the discomfort lingered in the back of his mind.
By the end of rehearsal, Robbie was feeling frustrated and disheartened. The thought of having to remove the bulge for the play loomed over him, threatening to overshadow his excitement. He had worked so hard to feel confident and comfortable in his own skin, and the idea of having to compromise that made him feel defeated.
"5, 6, 7, 8!" Lane counted them down as they finished the dance.
"That was dynamite!" The director said. "Except Robbie." He said coming up to the young man. "Is something wrong with your pants?"
Robbie stiffened, and he blushed. "No. why? Was I dancing weird?"
The director's eyes widened. "Uh, no… it was great." then he turned to the rest of the cast. "Now everyone, have some water, hydrate, and rest up for the show. Then he walked off making sure everything was ready for Sophia Michelle.
During the final rehearsal, the teacher called for a break after the cast performed the final dance number again.
He pulled Tori aside.
"Yeah, what's up?" Tori asked as casually as she could manage.
"Your face," he deadpanned. "It's still hideous."
"I know, but my sister and Cat are already on their way back here from Bakersfield with the solvent."
"You're sure?" he asked, anxiety writhing in every word and expression.
"Totally, yes," Tori nodded as confidently as she could muster.
Tori waited until he was out of earshot to whip out her phone and call Trina.
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon," Tori muttered under her breath each time the line simply rang.
Finally, Cat picked up. "Hi, this is Trina's phone!" she chirped happily.
"Please tell me you're on your way back with the solvent?" Tori asked pleadingly.
"Um, who's this?" Cat said trying not to tell Tori that they hadn't even gotten to the factory yet. Tori knew the stall tactics.
"It's Tori! Put Trina on the phone." The sound quality suddenly changed, and Cat sounded more distant. "Tori, you're on speaker. Trina is also in the car," Cat dutifully reported.
"Hey, sis!" Trina greeted Tori brightly over the phone.
"Where are you guys?" Tori asked quickly. Her unoccupied fingers were trembling and grasping at the hem of her shirt, near the opposite hip. Her forearm was pressed against her stomach in a desperate attempt at a half-self-hug. She was practically hunched over into herself. She could feel eyes on her from behind, and she glanced around behind her before her eyes met Jade's. Jade quickly turned around. Tori frowned a little, but she was fairly confident the thick makeup hid the expression well.
"... And we'll be there before the curtain rises!" Trina was saying.
"Wait," Tori cut in, shaking her head. "Did you say you're not at the factory yet?"
"No," Trina denied tiredly. "Listen we'll be back before you know it," Trina assured her over the phone. "As long as we don't run into traffic or cops or something…"
"Trina, you are going kind of fast," Cat murmured.
"Treen," Tori whined, "please don't get another speeding ticket. You know Dad is gonna ground you again."
"Would you relax?" Trina huffed. "I'll be there in like an hour and a half," Trina snapped impatiently.
"Good. Drive safe. Please?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Kay kay, bye, Tori!"
Tori sighed and hung up the phone.
"I could play the lead," Tori heard Jade telling the teacher.
"We don't have anyone to play your character," the teacher countered.
Jade rolled her eyes and muttered, "We're indoors. Lose the scarf." And she stormed away, leaving a flabbergasted adult man looking self-conscious and queasy in the wake of her insult.
"They're 90 minutes out," Tori informed the teacher, and his nerves looked marginally relaxed at the news.
He nodded and sped away, probably in search of another water bottle.
Tori couldn't shake the feeling of nervousness as she changed into her costume. Every glance from Jade only added to her anxiety, but she couldn't quite decipher the emotions behind Jade's eyes. Was it concern? Disapproval? Tori wished she could read Jade's expressions better, but the confusion only served to distract her from the mounting tension in her stomach.
This was Tori's first major play at Hollywood Arts, and the presence of the playwright added to her nerves. Plus, the complicated dynamics with the girls he liked didn't make things any easier. To top it off, she had to kiss the same girl's boyfriend through a bunch of prosthetics, and Trina was taking her time. It felt like everything was going wrong.
"Sofia Michelle is here!" Robbie's excited whisper broke the tension, and Beck's confirmation only heightened the anticipation. Tori tried to focus, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her bright red blazer as she awaited her cue.
Her phone vibrated in her hand, and seeing Trina's name on the screen brought a sense of relief. "We're at the back door to the theater!" Cat's voice came through the phone.
"On my way," Tori replied, hurrying to let them in. Once they arrived, Tori was ushered into a makeup chair, where the thick stage makeup was quickly removed. Despite the risk of irritation, Tori allowed Cat to apply a proper stage contour, eager to get ready as quickly as possible.
As Robbie adlibbed lines to stall for time, Tori took a deep breath to steady herself. With a nod of determination, she stepped onto the stage, wheeling her prop suitcase behind her. The sight of the audience and the anticipation of her performance fueled her nerves, but she pushed through.
Before she could fully immerse herself in her role, the reaction from the boys caught her off guard. Robbie and Beck's scripted comments about her appearance filled her with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. Even if she didn't see them in that way, it was a boost to her confidence to hear such compliments.
But it was Jade's reaction that truly surprised her. The sight of Jade dropping her baggage when she noticed Tori, coupled with the stunned expression on her face, made Tori's heart skip a beat. It was a moment of validation, a reminder that she was capable of capturing attention and admiration.
As Tori blushed at the unexpected reactions, she couldn't help but feel a sense of reassurance. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, there was something undeniably gratifying about knowing that she could command such attention, even if just for a moment.
The curtains fell closed, and the cast dispersed, finally free of their frozen poses. Behind the curtains, the thunderous applause continued for a few moments longer before the theater slowly began to empty, chairs scraping against the floor as people made their way towards the exit.
"You were incredible, Jade," Beck said, his voice filled with admiration as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Jade leaned into him, pressing her lips against his in a deep and passionate kiss. Tori's gaze instinctively darted away, feeling a pang of discomfort before she hurried towards the dressing room.
Jade joined her soon after, followed by the rest of the girls from the cast. They worked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they shed their costumes and makeup.
As Tori pulled her t-shirt down to her waist and began to put her hair up into a messy bun, Jade's voice cut through the quiet. "You look... less awful," she remarked, her tone casual but her eyes lingering on Tori's face for a moment longer than necessary before she brushed past her and left the room.
Tori felt her cheeks flush with warmth at Jade's words, her heart fluttering in her chest. She wanted to be annoyed, to brush off the comment with a sarcastic remark, but deep down, she couldn't deny the rush of excitement that Jade's compliment stirred within her. Despite her best efforts to hide it, Tori couldn't help but feel a surge of affection towards Jade, her crush more evident than ever in the way her heart skipped a beat at the mere mention of her name.
Tori joined the rest of the cast, now changed into their street clothes, and gathered around Sofia Michelle at her request.
"It's truly an honor to meet you, Miss Michelle," Tori greeted the playwright with a nervous smile, extending her hand.
Sofia shook it firmly, her gaze piercing as she assessed the young actress before her. "I must say, your portrayal of Penny was quite impressive."
Tori's heart skipped a beat at the praise, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and pride. "Thank you so much," she managed to stammer out.
Sofia nodded approvingly. "In fact, the entire cast delivered commendable performances. It's rare to see such talent in high school productions."
"Thank you," the group murmured collectively, their voices tinged with gratitude and awe.
As Sofia excused herself and left the theater, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Beck pulled Jade into a tender embrace, pressing a kiss to her temple as his arms enveloped her.
Jade's smile widened at Beck's affection, her features softening with genuine happiness. However, when she caught Tori's gaze lingering on them, her expression hardened into a scowl.
Tori recoiled slightly at the sudden change, her heart sinking with disappointment. She desperately wished she could share in the warmth of Beck and Jade's embrace, but she knew it was an unattainable dream.
Before she could respond, Jade's voice sliced through the air like a knife. "What are you staring at, Vega?" she snapped, her tone sharp and accusatory.
Tori's cheeks burned with embarrassment, her gaze dropping to the floor as she mumbled an apology. "S-sorry, Jade. I didn't mean to..."
But Jade's glare only intensified her words cutting through Tori's feeble attempts to explain herself. "Stop acting like a creep," she growled, her tone laced with contempt.
Beck, sensing the tension between the two girls, stepped in and pulled Jade back into his arms, trying to diffuse the situation. "Hey, let's all head over to the cast party, okay?" he suggested with forced cheerfulness, hoping to distract them from the awkwardness.
The rest of the group eagerly agreed, their voices filled with excitement as they began to make their way out of the theater. But Tori and Jade remained locked in an intense staring match.
Beck parked the car in front of Jade's house, the engine humming softly as he turned to face her. She looked at him expectantly, her eyes searching his for an explanation.
"So, what was that text about?" Jade asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.
Beck hesitated for a moment, his mind scrambling for a plausible excuse. "Oh, uh, it's just my mom," he lied smoothly, his voice betraying no hint of deception. "She needs me to help with something at home, so I should probably head back."
Jade's disappointment was palpable, her shoulders slumping slightly as she processed his words. "Oh, okay," she murmured, a hint of sadness coloring her voice.
Beck reached out to gently cup her cheek, his thumb brushing against her soft skin. "I'm sorry, Jade," he whispered sincerely. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Jade managed a small smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "It's okay," she said softly, leaning in to press a tender kiss to his lips. "Just take care of whatever you need to do."
Beck returned the kiss with equal tenderness, savoring the bittersweet moment before reluctantly pulling away. "I will," he vowed, his voice barely above a whisper.
With one last lingering look, Beck climbed out of the car and watched as Jade disappeared into her house. Once she was safely inside, he turned and made his way down the street, his heart heavy with guilt.
Half an hour later, Beck found himself standing outside Alyssa's penthouse in NoHo, his heart pounding in his chest as he raised a trembling hand to knock on the door.
Alyssa opened the door with a seductive smile, her figure accentuated by the revealing nightie she wore. Without a word, she reached out and grabbed Beck by the shirt, pulling him into her luxurious penthouse.
Beck's heart raced as Alyssa pressed her soft lips against his, her kiss filled with passion and desire. He followed her lead as she guided him towards her bedroom, his mind clouded with excitement and anticipation.
The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of candles casting flickering shadows across the walls. Alyssa's bed was adorned with silk sheets, inviting and enticing.
Beck's pulse quickened as Alyssa pushed him gently onto the bed, her eyes burning with lust as she straddled him, her hands roaming eagerly over his body.
In that moment, all thoughts of guilt or hesitation melted away as Beck surrendered himself to the intoxicating allure of Alyssa Vaughan.