Final Project

VI.

"So, tell me about yourselves," Shiori asked as soon as they got into her cute, little blue car that Tori thought looked more like an oversized basket.

Tori ended up sitting in the passenger seat (which felt weird to her, cause it was like she was on the driver's side). She admitted that the car made her feel like she was about to go on one of those 3D adventure rides at Disneyland. She immediately began to look around at the spectacular city of Tokyo as she answered her new friend: "Well, I'm a singer mostly. Hollywood Arts helped me become better at what I always loved doing. I'm starting college at NYCDA, which is a New York performing arts school."

Shiori nodded, "Good for you! And what about you back there?" She looked briefly in her rearview mirror at Beck.

Beck smiled back at her, "I'm the actor. Tapping into emotions that you don't think are there, but really are, has been a passion most of my life. A few colleges have offered me scholarships, but I still don't know which one I want to go to…"

"Hmm, is this New York school that Tori's going to happen to be one of them?" Shiori asked with a very upward inflection at the end as if she were more than hinting at something.

"Umm…yeah, actually," Beck admitted, raising his eyes out his window to stare at all the huge buildings they passed, "Yeah, that's in the mix of 'em."

"Well, there's your answer!" She giggled softly and winked over at Tori.

Tori couldn't even stop the deep blush that spread across her face. She wasn't sure if she was embarrassed that Shiori would find Beck's decision that simple, or if she was embarrassed that Shiori had that innate ability to know certain things that no one else knows (Tori thought back to what Cat said a few days prior when Tori said that nothing would happen in Japan: "We'll see about that….")

"So, tell us about you now!" Tori said to quickly change the subject.

Shiori's face seemed to brighten up even more, "Gladly! I'm nineteen years old and am currently in my third semester at Tokyo's University of the Arts. I'm a singer and a musician, but I'm also studying fashion design and majoring as an English Translator. My dad owns a coffee shop called "Shi-chan's," which has been my nickname since I was a little girl. I usually help out there at night because it gets so busy, but I don't mind, because a lot of talent plays there. I also thought about becoming a make-up artist, but I'd rather just keep that a hobby."

Tori and Beck glanced at each other, thinking that this girl that was assigned to be their tour-guide had major talent.

Beck leaned forward in his seat a little, "So you said you're a singer and musician. You have any records?"

"Aww, you're so sweet! No, I'm just a local favorite for now. I perform a lot at Club Dragon on Saturday nights; maybe you guys can come see me!"

"Definitely/Love to," Beck and Tori answered, wondering what other things they would find out about her along the way.

"Oh! And before I forget…" Shiori reached over and opened the glove compartment and took out two phones. She gave the blue one to Tori and the green one to Beck, "Your phones obviously don't work over here, so I got some temporary ones for you. They're pretty basic so don't expect anything too jazzy just 'cause you're in wonderful Japan! They're mostly for in case you need to reach me or if you get separated from each other. I already put in my number and each of your numbers into your phones."

"Wow, thanks" Tori said, admiring her new phone that looked more like a TV remote.

"Really appreciate it," Beck chimed in.

Shiori giggled, "You guys are so cute. Oh, look! We're here!" She pointed to a large building in front of them that had "Ryumeikan" written across the front. "You guys are so lucky! This is a very snazzy hotel."

"Great, 'cause I need some sleep…" Beck said, slumping back against his seat as Shiori pulled up to the visitor drop off.

"What?" Tori asked incredulously as she turned around, "Don't you want to site see? Go check out some stores? Grab something to eat?"

Beck smiled slightly at her enthusiasm, "Unlike someone, I didn't just sleep for twelve hours."

"Poo," Tori crossed her arms, a little disappointed that their adventure would have to be put off for a few more hours.

"Maybe you should get some more rest, too, Tori-chan," Shiori said as they all got out of the car, "Jetlag can really wear you down. C'mon, I'll help you guys check in."

They walked through the main doors, the huge lobby area causing Beck and Tori to look around at everything, from the signs they couldn't read, to the dragon statues, to how they seemed to be the only Americans there, to the very friendly looking receptionists. They stood behind Shiori as she talked Japanese to a lady behind the counter.

Tori leaned closer to Beck as she whispered: "You think we'll talk like that before we leave?"

He grinned and whispered back, "We'll be lucky if we can complete a full sentence correctly by then."

"And here you are!" Shiori yelled as she turned around and handed them their room keys. Her sudden loudness made them jump, both of them reaching out to take their key. "Now remember, if you need anything at all, call me. But until then…ja ne!" She began skipping toward the exit, waving behind her as she left.

They watched as she got into her car, still waving as she pulled away.

"Guess that leaves just you and me," Beck said, picking up his luggage again that he put down momentarily.

"You make it sound so…" but Tori just let the rest of her sentence trail off. She looked down at her room key and saw that it said 3125, so looked around for an elevator. Spotting one at the far side of the lobby, she picked up her luggage, too, to begin heading that way.

"So what?" Beck inquired with a little smirk. He managed to shift his luggage around so he could carry both his bags in one hand. He walked next to her and put an arm around her, "So personal?"

Tori laughed shortly and ducked and leaned away to get away from his arm, "Yeah right. I was gonna say you make it sound so dangerous."

They reached the elevator, and Beck pressed the up button, "Hmm, I think I might like that better."

Tori rolled her eyes, but couldn't hold back the playful smile on her lips, "I think you've been hanging around Jade too long."

The elevator dinged, a Japanese girl on recording started going off, probably to tell them to watch their step, and they stepped on, Beck pressing the third button. He sighed and leaned against the elevator wall, "Don't I know it."

Tori glanced at him as the elevator doors closed. He sure was making it obvious that he was glad to get away from Jade. Were things really that bad between them right now? And was it mostly because they got paired together? She wanted to ask but at the same time was afraid of the answer.

Before they knew it, the elevator dinged again and the doors opened to release them onto their floor. They only walked past a few rooms before Tori saw a 3125 plaque on the door to the room she would be staying in the next few weeks.

"Well, here I am," she announced.

"Hmm…that's weird," Beck said as he looked down at his room key, "I got the same room."

Tori's jaw dropped and her eyes became big as moons. She felt her skin go numb and her muscles turn to mush which caused her to drop all her luggage. She felt this certain tightening in her stomach that made her feel lightheaded, and her body just went through so many changes in that quick second that she didn't even feel like herself anymore.

Beck laughed at her reaction, "I'm just kidding, Tori! I got room 3129, see," He held up his key to show his number.

And all at once, feeling returned to her body, but her feet still felt cold as ice. Her face heated up with embarrassment for reacting like she did so quickly. "Oh….you!" She stepped forward and began throwing a tirade of playful slaps on his arm that he tried to hold up in defense.

"Okay, okay, sorry!" He was still laughing as he tried to back away from her.

She finally stopped, but looked very disheveled. She waved him off as she turned back to her room, "Go get some sleep. I think you need it."

"See you later, Tor," he said as he turned to his room also.

Sliding the key in and out, the green light flashed to let Tori in. She dragged her luggage in, only to leave it right at the door as it closed by itself behind her. She stared at the huge, king-sized bed that was in the next room, because this didn't just look like a hotel room, it looked like a hotel apartment. As she walked further in, she passed the bathroom to see a huge oval tub underneath a dark window, a shower on the side, and a huge mirror that went across the other side with two sinks beneath it. She couldn't help but squeal in delight and satisfaction at her temporary home. She walked into the bedroom, only to see that there were three steps about five feet from the bed that led down into a living room. There was a long couch in front of a flat screen TV that was mounted on the wall. To her right was what could be considered the dining room, with a little table that sat low to the ground, so people could sit on their knees. To her left was a huge window that overlooked the city of Tokyo.

"Wow…" she whispered, taking in the magnificent view the hotel offered. She got so excited she actually ran around her spacious room to really get the feel of it. She jumped on the bed, it being a bit firmer than she had expected, but it was still way more comfortable than the airplane seats. Grabbing a pillow, she hugged it close to her as she stared out the smaller window that was on the opposite wall from the entrance.

Tori must have been as jetlagged at Shiori said because without even realizing it, she fell asleep again.

Her eyes snapped open. Except for the street lights outside, her room was pitch black. She sat up pretty quickly, immediately knowing that she slept the whole day away. Running her hand through her hair that desperately needed washed, she reached above the bed and pressed the little button that turned on a light above it.

"How did I sleep so much?" she mumbled to herself, rubbing her eyes and wondering what time it was.

Then she heard something. It sounded like a very light tapping, something she wouldn't have heard had she still been asleep. She thought it sounded like it came from the door, but as she slid off the bed, she wondered if she had heard anything at all.

Walking over to the door, she peered out the peephole and was a little shocked to see Beck standing in the hallway. She quickly opened the door.

"Hey," Beck said lowly, sheepishly, "I didn't wake you, did I?"

Tori shook her head, "No, I did just wake up though. I can't believe I slept all day."

"I hear ya. It's midnight."

"What?" Tori yelled, only after considering that everyone else on their floor was probably sleeping. She covered her mouth and ushered Beck into her room before someone came out and started yelling at her in a foreign language.

Beck laughed as he walked in. Tori closed the door and leaned against is, "Midnight, really? We lost a whole day?"

"Hey, remember, our bodies are still on stateside time, so day is night and night is day," Beck explained as he looked around her room, "Hey, your room looks just like mine except reversed."

"Yeah, I guess…" Tori agreed, ignoring his last statement, "We'll just have to make it the best Tuesday we can."

He glanced at her, "You mean Wednesday. We just slept Tuesday away."

Tori felt so confused by the time and day difference that she didn't even bother to question him. Wasn't it just 2AM on Monday? And now it's midnight on Wednesday?

"Anyway," Beck began a new topic, "I was looking through the brochure that was in my room and saw that they have an indoor pool. Wanna go check it out?"

"At midnight?"

"Sure, why not?"

Tori just stared at him. Was Beck really inviting her to go swimming at a time when it was certain that no one else would be in the pool? Didn't that seem a little…

Personal? Dangerous?

Was personal becoming dangerous?

"Well…?" he asked when she didn't give him an answer.

She sighed, "Yeah, let me just find my bathing suit."

He smiled, "Cool. I'll meet you down there, okay? When you get off the elevator, just go straight through the lobby and you'll see glass doors."

Tori was about to protest. Why can't he just wait for me? But then thought better of it. She thought about having to take out all her clothes to find her suit in front of him, and then changing into it with him still in her room (granted, she would have gone into the bathroom, but still).

"Okay, see you in a few minutes," she said before he left her room. She grabbed her suitcase and unzipped it, practically tossing everything out to find the article she was looking for. When she found it, she felt her heart drop into her stomach.

It was a light green bikini. The top had the string that tied behind her neck so she wouldn't get a weird tan line on her shoulders…of course, she knew what kind of swimsuit she had, but she never imagined she would have to wear it in front of Beck—and only Beck—at an indoor pool—where they were going to be the only ones.

Tori sucked in a deep breath and blew out, causing her bangs to wave slightly. At least the bottoms looked more like a mini skirt. She quickly changed, examining herself in the full-body length mirror that was beside her bed. Of course Tori Vega didn't have a body to be anywhere near ashamed of, and she didn't particularly know why she felt nervous to go to the pool.

Either way, Beck was waiting for her, so she grabbed a towel from the bathroom and her room key, and made her way to the elevator. Reaching the first floor, she noticed how empty the whole lobby looked, with only two receptionists standing behind the counter, talking to each other quietly. They didn't even look her way as she walked through the lobby, spotting the glass doors Beck told her about.

Walking inside, the warm air immediately encircled her, the smell of chlorine hitting her nostrils, and the different air pressure causing her ears to dull a bit.

"There you are," Beck greeted her, her arms resting on the side of the pool as his chest and below stayed hidden under the water, "Come on in. The water's heated."

Tori gave a small smile, gripping onto the towel that she had wrapped around her a little tighter. She noticed that he didn't get his hair wet yet, so only his arms were shiny from the wetness.

It wasn't hard for Beck to notice her nervousness, and he couldn't help but smile. The thought passed his mind to swim a few laps until she got in the pool…but what fun would that be?

"Come on, get in," he urged, pushing himself off from the side to float back, "We'll play Marco Polo."

A sudden, loud laugh escaped from her mouth, and she quickly covered it as the sound echoed throughout the room.

He laughed at her sudden outburst, "What's so funny?"

She uncovered her mouth, shaking her head as she looked a little embarrassed, "Nothing, it's just…that used to be my favorite game when I was little. I would always beg Trina to play it with me…she would get so mad."

"Well you don't have to beg me," he announced, pushing himself with his arms to the middle of the pool, "I'm willing."

Tori grinned at his words and, losing her fleeting feeling of self-consciousness, dropped her towel and walked to the edge of the pool.

Beck stopped moving his arms, staring at her dainty form as her toes hung over the side. Maybe dainty wasn't the right word…graceful? Delicate? Tori definitely grew into herself from the very first time she sang at the showcase that got her into Hollywood Arts.

Before he could truly admire all of her, Tori plugged her nose and did a pencil dive feet first into the water. He watched as she resurfaced, her hands spreading over her face and then back through her wet hair.

She kept her eyes closed as she smiled playfully, "Marco."

He grinned and pushed himself further away from her, "Polo."

Tori swam in the direction of his voice and he slowly, so as not to make too many waves, continued to move back.

"Marco!"

In his best British accent, he replied: "Polo!"

She laughed again and Beck couldn't help but be totally taken away by the sound as it resonated around him.

Sinking herself under the water again, she pushed herself in his direction. He watched her squiggly form get closer to him until he was backed against the wall. Seeing that she was about to surface and be right in front of him, he managed to move himself to the side. Coming up for air, she gasped as she held onto the wall, "Marco."

He now used an Italian accent, sounding like he was making a pizza, "A-Polo!"

Hearing that he was to her right, she practically threw herself in his direction, splashing a big wave of water on him as she did so. Her hand just missed him, but he started laughing so she was able to keep track of him.

She threw herself at him again, this time succeeding in catching him. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and instinctively, his arms came around her waist.

"Ha!" Tori opened her eyes, grinning at her victim, "Caught you!"

It didn't take her but an extra second to realize their closeness. Quickly pushing herself away from him and feeling her cheeks heat up, she ducked down to hide half of her face underwater. She only raised her mouth above water to say "Your turn" before lowering herself again.

Grinning, Beck closed his eyes, "Marco."

Tori raised her head above water again and squeaked out like a mouse: "Polo."

He began walking toward her, but she dived underwater again and swam the opposite way from where he was going. When she came back up, she turned around to see him still facing the other way.

"Marco."

She raised her voice like she was singing in the opera, "Po-lo-!"

Beck quickly turned around and began making his way toward her again, splashing up as much water as he could along the way. She held up her hands to shield her face, surprised at how fast he was coming at her.

"Marco!"

"Polo!" She yelled quickly, trying not to get any of the water in her mouth.

When she realized that he was really close to her, she started splashing water back at him. There was so much water going everywhere that she had her eyes closed as well, and was definitely going on the defense rather than swimming away. When he was right in front of her, she screamed in excitement and turned around to try to get away, but it was too late. He pounced on her, causing both of them to go under.

They came up fairly quickly, both pretty much out of breath and needing to laugh at their silliness.

Tori rubbed the water out of her eyes, blinking a few times to make sure. She laughed again, "I can't believe this."

Beck ran a hand back through his hair before shaking his head back and forth in an attempt to air dry, "What?"

"That the first thing we did in Japan was play Marco Polo."

"Gotta start somewhere."

She watched him as he kept messing with his hair. Finally, she swam over to him and messed her fingers in his hair to make it go wild. When she was done with him, he looked like he belonged in an eighties rock group.

"Looks good?" he asked her, dropping his hands so he wouldn't touch it anymore.

Tori nodded once, "Perfect!" She dunked her head back quickly to get her hair straight, "So tell me, Mr. Planner, what's on the agenda for tomorrow?" She asked, remembering how he told her about everything going on when they were at KaraOKAAAAY.

"Well, we can either hit up some stores or go to one of the parks around here to maybe catch a Japanese style wedding."

"Or we can do both," Tori offered, "We gonna call Shiori to show us around?"

Beck shrugged, "Sure, if you want."

"Well, she did tell us to keep in touch so she—," Tori suddenly had a realization and all the color drained from her face, "Oh shit…"

Beck panicked from her sudden change in mood, "What, what?"

"I forgot to set up my laptop for video chat! I promised Andre that that would be the first thing I do…" She groaned.

Beck's shoulders slumped when he realized it was nothing serious, "Is that all? Just tell him you passed out from the plane ride and didn't get a chance."

"I guess…" Tori trailed off before pushing herself to the side of the pool, "But maybe I should go set that up now…incase he's waiting for me…"

Beck only watched her as she pulled herself out of the pool, his heartbeat quickening when he was able to see all of her out of the water again (this time it was better because she was all wet).

Man, she's gorgeous…

"You coming?" she asked as she bent down to get her towel. She wrapped it around her body again.

"Um, no…I think I'm gonna stay a little longer."

"Okay," she began walking toward to the exit, but turned around one last time, "See you for breakfast?"

He smiled, "Of course."

Then she left him alone to cool down.

()()()()()()()

Hello! So you guys should be super happy, because despite all the homework I had to do before my trip, I still made time to write this. And it was a long one, too!

The Marco Polo scene was inspired by the Youtube video of Victoria and Avan playing Marco Polo. It was cute, so I turned it into words.

I saw that the very last episode of iCarly is airing in November. =( Makes me sad.

Anyway, thanks for all your reviews! See you soon!