His Little Star Her Big Protector (Beck X Oc)

The Bird Scene

Beck and I were snuggled up on the couch, wrapped in each other's warmth, watching TV about 30 minutes before we had to be at school. "Star, today I want you to try to do at least one full scene without pausing for a break. Will you try that for me, my little light?" Beck and I had established this daily routine. He would gently challenge me with one or two things to try, like tasting a new food or initiating a conversation with someone I didn't know well. They were never tasks he thought I couldn't handle, but he always checked in to offer support.

I gazed up at Beck, my eyes reflecting both trust and affection. "Can you or Cat be in the scene with me?" I asked, hoping for the comforting presence of someone I knew well. Beck nodded, and I agreed to do my very best.

Once we arrived at school, we made our way to Sikowitz's classroom and approached him. "Starlight would like to try a scene with Cat or me today," Beck explained. Sikowitz, with his eccentricity, agreed to the idea.

As the class unfolded, I found myself standing on the stage, script in hand, preparing to tackle a scene. "Betsy! Betsy! That animal's delicious flesh can keep us all alive for another week," I recited, my voice adopting a Southern accent. Cat, my sister, stood before me, clutching her stuffed pig. She replied, "I don't want to be alive without Poncy. This pig is everything to me that my daddy never was, and I'll be ding-danged--"

Suddenly, Sikowitz tossed a rubber ball between us, causing Cat to scream and me to jump. "SIKOWITZ!" both Beck and Jade screamed as they rushed over to ensure we were unharmed.

"Oh come on. A truly great actor can stay in the scene no matter what's going on around them," Sikowitz lectured, to which we exchanged incredulous glances, well aware of Sikowitz's peculiar teaching methods. Then, the bell rang, signaling lunchtime.

"Yay! Lunchtime!" Cat and I chimed in unison, though I said it with a softer voice. Beck led me toward the classroom exit, but Sikowitz threw the ball again, this time hitting my cheek. "Ow!" I winced, instinctively reaching for my face. Beck's fury was evident, but before he could react towards Sikowitz, he checked my cheek to ensure I was alright. He then turned to Sikowitz, his tone frighteningly calm as he issued a warning, "If you ever hurt her again, whether it is on purpose or not, I will end you." His words hung in the air, a promise of protection that made me feel safe, even in the midst of chaos. Sikowitz simply sipped his coconut, nodded, and turned his attention to Tori, instructing her to stay for a conversation.

Beck pulled me outside, his protective instincts kicking in. He had two reasons for doing so: Tori's callous laughter when I got hit and his knowledge that I needed sustenance to avoid becoming cranky. He cast a stern glare in Tori's direction, silencing her laughter. As he led me away, I couldn't help but wonder why Tori seemed to harbor such resentment toward me.

Beck and I enjoyed our lunch outside, sharing it with Robbie and André. André's peculiar questions about ballet filled the air, but I mostly tuned them out, focusing on my meal as a nagging migraine threatened to take hold. The rest of the day went well and suddenly we were at home cuddled up and going to sleep.

The next day, Tori was scheduled to perform the bird scene in class, so Beck and I completed our morning ritual early. Beck's request for the day was for me to engage in a full conversation with each of our friends, including Cat, Jade, André, Robbie, and even Rex. This would likely mean interacting with Tori, who had found her place within our group. I agreed, and we headed to school, arriving early and making our way to Sikowitz's classroom.

Upon our arrival, Beck and I entered Sikowitz's classroom, hoping for a smooth start to the day. However, Sikowitz had other plans. He grabbed Beck's arm and pulled him up on stage with André. I took Beck's seat and draped his jacket around me, its familiar scent offering me comfort and reassurance.

Sikowitz announced, "Drive-by-acting exercise: you are all angry Englishmen." The exercise had begun, and we each took our turn in the spotlight, playing our parts as best we could.

Tori finally walked in during the chaos. As we settled back into our seats, Tori approached the stage, seeming ready to tackle the bird scene. Sikowitz's instructions were simple: just do your best.

Tori began with a slightly exaggerated Southern accent, recounting her lines, "It was 1934 when my husband left me. Alone. Living on the prairie was a dreary existence. No telephone, no radio. Only a large, majestic bird," she paused, revealing a prop bird, "with whom I shared my feelings. One day when I was feeling low I said to him, 'Oh, bird, you can fly. You can soar miles from this lonely place, yet you stay. Why?' And apparently, my question rang true, for that afternoon the bird left and so too went my spirit."

She lowered her head to signify the end of the scene, but the lack of applause prompted her to lift her head, searching for feedback. We all watched as Sikowitz withheld his approval, and she was met with silence.

After the class ended, we prepared to leave the room, but Tori questioned, "Oh come on. How am I supposed to get this scene right if no one will tell me what I did wrong? I thought you guys were my friends." We paused near her locker, Jade and Beck offering their input, while I followed Beck's lead.

Jade, with her characteristic bluntness, stated, "I'm not your friend, and neither is Starlight. You seem to hate her for no apparent reason." With that, Jade pulled Beck away, leaving me to trail behind, feeling Tori's confused gaze on my back.

Beck and I ventured outside, retrieved our lunches, and joined Robbie and André. André, Robbie, and Beck were having a quiet conversation, but I remained preoccupied with my meal, a dull headache hinting at my heightened anxiety and depression.

Exhausted from the day's events, I fell back to sleep on Beck's lap as soon as the school day was done. When I woke up, the midnight hour had arrived. I whispered, "I love you," to Beck, who was half on me and half off me. He responded with equal tenderness, "I love you too. Now sleep." And so, I did.

The next day, Beck woke me up early for our ritual. Today, his request was for me to try hugging Cat, but I agreed only if Beck joined in the embrace. We headed to school, and upon entering the classroom, I noticed curtains adorning the stage. I didn't think much of it, assuming Tori was behind the decoration.

"Cat," Beck called out, inviting Cat and Jade over. Together, we explained the morning's challenge and received their enthusiastic consent. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around Cat, and Beck encircled both of us in a protective hug. "Jade, why don't you join in the hug?" I suggested. She obliged, enveloping us in her embrace.

After we successfully completed the task, I began to feel anxious, needing to withdraw. Beck kept his arms securely around me as Cat and Jade released their hold. "You did it, Star! You touched someone other than Beck! I'm so happy for you!" Cat exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she practically bounced with joy. Jade, ever the supportive partner, pulled Cat into her arms, sharing in her elation.

Sikowitz returned to the room, inquiring about Tori's whereabouts, but my mounting anxiety and depression began to consume me. I succumbed to exhaustion, drifting into slumber on Beck's lap, trusting him to keep me safe.

As I awoke from my nap, Sikowitz offered an unexpected revelation. "The only two students in the history of Hollywood Arts to get it right on their first try were Beck Oliver and Starlight Valentine," he declared, adding a note of consolation to Tori. His words held an unexpected sense of pride, a testament to the bond Beck and I shared.

The day ended with Tori sharing her locker creation, which had been inspired by the very reason she was at Hollywood Arts. Though I remained silent, my locker, right next to Beck's and under André's, bore a meaningful design. When viewed from the left, it depicted a teenage girl, resembling me, seated atop a massive black wolf with striking red eyes, symbolizing Beck's hidden strength and the dangers beneath his calm exterior. From the right, the locker showcased the same girl cradling a protective dragon, symbolizing Beck's unwavering gentleness even in his most fierce moments.

But when viewed straight on, it revealed an image of Beck and me, holding each other close, signifying the love and security we found in each other's arms.