Here's chapter 3, hope you enjoy!

"Tell me, please!" Tori's voice practically echoed through the halls of Hollywood Arts.

She had not passed the Bird Scene first time.

Or even the second.

And now her third attempt was looming nearer and she was no closer to understanding the secret to an acceptable performance. Oh, and she was also seething from irritation at Trina's reaction to her little sister being unable to repeat her feat. Tori didn't know what was worse - the gloating or the sickly sweet sympathy. She had to pass, if not to get into Andre's play, then to shut Trina up.

"We can't tell you Tori, we're not allowed." Cat said, ruefully.

"But why? I just wanna pass." Tori complained, sinking back into the row of lockers behind her. Her back hit something sharp and she turned around to see that the locker she had leant on was covered in sharp plastic scissors, almost entirely covering the soulless black paint underneath. God, Tori thought, whoever that belonged to had to be more messed up than Sinjin, and his locker was covered in mushed up food.

"You can't pass if we tell you." Robbie pitched in, retrieving something from his equally disturbing baby-bottle-nipple-decorated locker. "That's cheating."

"You guys are mean." Tori complained, beginning to stalk off. "And your locker is weird." She called out at Robbie as she walked away.

"At least I have one!" He replied to her turned back. She turned back around and immediately the colour drained out of his face.

"I mean- I- I'll help you decorate!" He stammered.

"She doesn't want a nerd like you to decorate her locker." Rex butted in.

"I'm not a nerd!"

"You are too!"

"I'm not a nerd, I'm a well-educated-"

Tori raised an eyebrow at her friend arguing with his own puppet and simply walked off. Robbie was right, however. Not about him not being a nerd of course, he was definitely a massive nerd. But about the locker - she had been at Hollywood Arts for over a week now and her locker was still completely blank. She had seen everyone else's creative concoctions - Andre's working piano and Cat's unicorn-themed designs - but still couldn't think of anything to do for her own. Her latest idea had been an assortment of pictures of her old friends and family members, inspired by the pictures she had seen inside Cat's and Beck's lockers. Cat's locker door featured pictures of her and what must have been her wacky older brother, whilst a picture she had seen at the back of Beck's transparent locker of him holding a baby cousin had made him seem even more attractive to Tori, if that was even possible. So, attempting to recreate that, Tori had placed several photos of her favourite people on the front of her locker, completely with a dry-erase board and pens so that people could draw patterns around the smiling faces. This idea, however, had quickly failed, as she had discovered when returning to the locker after second period to see that a picture of Trina had been particularly creatively defaced. So, back to the drawing board.

Before that, however, she still had to pass the Bird Scene. What was the point decorating a locker for a school that she wasn't even talented enough to be at? These were the doubts that weighed upon her that evening, as she sewed together her prairie dress and exchanged messages with a local bird trainer.

"I don't know why you're trying so hard, Tori. If you don't have the talent, you can't force it." Trina shrugged at the dinner table that night.

That was it - she was passing this test.

And miraculously - she did. As it turned out, all she needed was Trina's constant harangue to force her to be so desperate to pass the scene that she argued against Sikowitz's decision. And that was that - she had passed. All frustrations forgotten, Tori broke into a huge grin and excitedly joined her new friends for a celebratory embrace. She held onto Beck extra tight, feeling so overwhelmed with relief and joy that she was here for good with this boy that made her feel so excited with life. She belonged here just like he did, and she could almost imagine the seeds of a relationship being planted. And when he pulled back and smiled at her, she thought just maybe she could see the same thoughts swirling around behind those deep, soulful eyes.

"So, Tori. This means you can now take part in Hollywood Art's roster of wonderful plays!" Sikowitz exclaimed, and she pulled away from Beck to smile at the teacher.

"Yeah, maybe I could try out for the lead in Andre's play?" She replied, turning to smile at the boy.

"Well, Miss Vega, I will admit that I have been thoroughly impressed by your performances this past week, and now you have the confidence to accompany them. Of course, you'll have to formally audition, but I can tell you know that you've got my vote." Sikowitz replied with a wink.

"Yay! My first play!" Tori exclaimed, turning around for another hug with Andre as the bell, with perfect timing, tolled above her.

"But Sikowitz-" Tori heard Cat's concerned voice behind her and turned to see what the redhead was complaining about.

"I think we should get some lunch to celebrate. Pizza? My treat." Andre said, distracting her.

Pizza did sound good. "Okay, if you insist!" She replied, and the pair blended into the shruggers pulling on their backpacks and leaving the room. Cat's complaints were lost in the noise and the silent fear that she was telling Sikowitz about the hot tamales and handcuff incident prevented Tori from turning back and made her walk just that little bit quicker. Anyway, pizza was calling her name.

Behind her, Robbie had followed the pair out, as had Rex, obviously, and the numerous shruggers who populated the classroom. Beck and Cat, however, had remained in the small room with Sikowitz.

"Why did you say Tori could have the lead?" Cat asked, concern rippling through her face in a much softer manner than the irritation that could be seen on Beck's beside her.

"Because I thought she was very good. And it's a great play for a first-timer." Sikowitz replied cheerily.

"But that's Jade's role." Cat replied sadly.

"Yeah, she auditioned months ago." Beck added in a much harsher tone.

"Yes, I know, but did you kids not see the notice about re-auditions?" Sikowitz replied. "There were several drop-outs so some parts have had to be recast."

"But Jade hasn't dropped out." Beck responded. "I could call her right now and she would say she still wants to do it."

"I know, I know, but-" Sikowitz sighed. "The problem, Beck, is that the senior who wrote the play wants to have it showcased a few weeks earlier than originally planned. And he isn't sure that that will suit your..." The teacher paused, as if being careful to choose the most tactful words. "...situation."

"Our situation? But I'm still in the play?" Beck retorted, frustration seemingly rising off him in waves.

"Yes, but Beck, you have to realise that you two are in different circumstances right now. Jade isn't even back at school yet. And with all of these new responsibilities, would it really be a good idea for her to take on the role right now? The play's writer thought that, given that they're having to recast some roles anyway, it might just be better for everyone if the lead was recast too." Sikowitz replied, raising his hands in the air as if expecting Beck's acidic reply.

"So all of Jade's work is for nothing? She put in hours learning lines and practicing her audition only for Tori to get the role off the back of three Bird Scene attempts?" Was the bitter response which came.

"Beck, I'm no happier about this situation than you, but the decision has been made and the recasting will go ahead. I suggest you support Jade by helping her prepare for her return for school rather than focusing on this little role in a little play." Sikowitz said with a tangible sense of finality, picking up his coconuts and packing them away in his bag.

"This is so unfair." Beck uttered, shaking his head.

"Poor Jade." Cat sighed.

"Send her my well wishes." Sikowitz smiled as he opened the door to leave. "To both of them." He nodded at Beck, before waltzing down the corridor, the door swinging shut behind him.

"Who's gonna tell Jade?" Cat spoke, her doe eyes peering up at Beck.

Beck sighed. Him, obviously.

A/N: Thanks for reading everyone! To the guest review, yes that's probably my favourite ship.