CHAPTER 2:
The next day, Jade was at a local bridal shop trying to pick out her wedding dress. She had Cat help her on a FaceTime call since Cat was still in New York and not due to fly into L.A. until much closer to the wedding date.
Jade tried to maintain her cool when Cat suggested different dresses for her to try out. "I hate them," Jade said instantly each time Cat pointed one out.
"Jade West. I know your dream dress is there," Cat said confidently. "We'll make one of these work, and soon you'll be Mrs. Jade Oliver."
As they browsed through dresses, Jade found something wrong with each one Cat chose. Either she didn't like them, or they were just *too* white.
"Jade, they are supposed to be white," Cat said tiredly, a full day of work and the three-hour time difference taking their toll on her.
"It's just not really me," Jade added, before she suddenly came up with an idea, "I know what I want…"
"What is it?" Cat asked curiously.
Jade explained that she wanted a white dress with what would look like blood splatter on it. She didn't like the idea of a plain white dress; she wanted something unique.
Cat was shocked. "Are you sure about this, Jade?" she asked.
"Yes! It's my wedding, and I want a piece of 'The Scissoring' to be featured," Jade insisted.
"Whatever you say," Cat said reluctantly. "What if we find a dress with red flowers and design sewn into the dress's silhouette? That way, it doesn't have fake blood on it, but it can still give you the pop of color you want. And I can make you something to add around the waistline to make it show your love of 'The Scissoring?'"
"Well, I am pretty good at compromising." Jade grinned playfully, but a feeling stirred in her stomach as she thought about her husband-to-be. "So that sounds like a perfect plan."
The assistant in the store helped Jade find the perfect dress for the wedding. Once the call ended, Cat got to work on the design for the addition for her friend's wedding dress. Cat knew that Jade would want it to be perfect. So, she spent tireless hours getting the design finished. She was awake until 2 in the morning finishing the design. Once done, she sent the design for the waistline addition off to Jade, but she was too tired to wait for a response.
The next day, Tori was just about to leave the apartment to meet Alyssa. She thought back to the day before, and the confrontation with Steven. She gazed at Andre, who was at the piano, and realized that she ought to let him know.
"Hey, Andre," she began. Andre looked back at her over his shoulder. "Remember that callback from yesterday?"
"Yeah, you said it went well," Andre nodded.
"Well, sorta," Tori answered. "I mean I nailed the audition...It's just that… I don't know anymore. I found out that one of the guys who got the callback is Steven."
"Steven Carson?" Andre asked, getting up.
"The same," Tori replied. "I have no idea how he got the job."
"Does anyone there know what he did to you?" Andre asked.
"No, I shouldn't think so," Tori said. "He used a fake name when he auditioned."
"So, are you going to tell the director?" Andre asked.
"I - I honestly don't know," Tori admitted. "It's been a lot of years, and to hold a grudge would be silly. But I'm still angry and hurt about what he did to me and Carly, so I'm not saying that I forgive him."
"The choice is yours, Tori," Andre said. He kissed her forehead and gave her a much-needed hug.
"Thanks. I just hope I'm making the right one," Tori muttered.
A few hours later, Tori met up with Alyssa for a coffee.
"Did all that really happen?" Alyssa asked, after they had finished talking about the scripts. "With you and Mason?"
Tori looked at her for a moment, confused.
"C'mon now," Alyssa prompted. "I couldn't help overhearing you two arguing. I heard the whole thing."
Tori sighed. "Yeah. It did. And I don't feel comfortable playing opposite my ex," she admitted.
"Alright, I'm going to look up this iCarly that you're mentioning, and see if I can find where this happened," Alyssa said.
"Thanks, Alyssa. I hope this doesn't ruin my chances of being cast," Tori said.
"You have nothing to worry about, and there's always a chance someone will end up being better for the part than your ex," Alyssa said.
"Yeah well, I think that I might have to tell you that his real name's not Mason," Tori replied. "It's Steven Carson."
"I heard you call him Steven," Alyssa nodded. "Thanks for letting me know, Tori. You made the right decision."
An hour after Tori left, Alyssa approached Steven.
"How are the scripts going, Mason?" Alyssa asked. "Or is it Steven Carson?"
"Oh, no," Steven replied, scared. "I thought I told you, I'm…"
"Save it!" Alyssa said, interrupting him. "I have it on good authority that you lied on your audition form about your name."
"How'd you find out?" Steven asked.
Pulling out her phone, Alyssa played him a clip of that very iCarly episode where he got exposed. "Care to explain?" Alyssa asked.
"That whole iCarly video kinda gave me a bad reputation. I figured if I auditioned as a different identity, then maybe I could start my life over," Steven explained.
"Well, here's the thing, it came down to you and one other guy for this role, and I'm sorry, but we're going with the other guy. I'm sorry, Steven, but you're not getting cast. I think it's better if you go now," Alyssa said, pointing to the exit. Steven walked out hanging his head in shame.