West & Vega: The Untold Jori

Rising Heat

We emerged from the planetarium different. Or maybe with a different perspective. Things seemed settled. My nerves calmed; sitting next to Tori no longer caused horrific anxiety. Instead, I was able to open up and truly enjoy everything we were experiencing.

The sun was starting to turn downward. I had two more stops on our agenda before we had to get back to the hotel, and I hoped we'd be able to fit them both in without rushing through everything. If not, it was cool. I didn't want that kind of pressure on our day. But if we were able to see it all, I'd call it a win.

No, telling myself that didn't work. I was still nervous as fuck.I wanted to get everything done.

The first stop was Madame Tussaud's wax museum. Why? Because Tori loved selfies and celebrities and this bundled them together in one convenient package. Sam said Cat had really enjoyed herself on their trip. She shared a few of the pics they took, including one of Cat with the wax figure of Ariana Grande. That was trippy.

Not nearly as trippy as the pic Tori made me take of her with the wax figure of Shelby Marx, though.

"How does this chick look so much like you?" I asked. "It's creepy."

"I think she's hot," Tori said very matter-of-factly. "Look at these abs."

Tori ran her fingers across the wax figures very impressive six-pack, and my midsection was suddenly aflame at the sight. "Please don't do that," I said.

Tori seemed confused at first, but she's a smart girl and she could read the look on my face. A devilish grin crossed her lips. "Why?" she asked. "Does it turn you on?"

I looked away. "No."

"Your cheeks say otherwise," Tori said as she stepped away from the figure. "Could you even handle two of me at once?" She took my hand.

I admit, my mind had gone there the moment I saw her standing next to the figure. But I wasn't going to let her know that.

"I still don't know if I can handle one of you at once," I said. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for anyone else."

Tori's eyes seemed to twinkle against the spotlights. "Well good, let's keep it that way for now."

I nodded absently. It took me a minute for her words to sink in. "Wait...for now?"

Tori shushed me, then pulled me onward.

She dragged me around from celeb to celeb, taking more selfies and pictures of the displays. Her favorite was the recreation of The Tonight Show set with Jimmy Fallon. I took a handful of pictures of her sitting in the chair as a guest. She did a few serious poses, and a few ridiculous poses (like trying to kiss "Jimmy" on the cheek). We burned through maybe thirty pictures just on that one exhibit.

"You know you're going to be on this show someday," I said. "We could just wait and get the real thing."

Tori's cheeks positively glowed at that comment. She stood up from the guest chair and walked towards me, her skirt bouncing playfully. "Jade West, are you trying to flatter me in front of Jimmy Fallon?"

"I'm not trying, I'm succeeding. That glow in your cheeks kind of gives it away."

She broke eye contact for a second and touched her cheeks, then slid her arms around my neck. "You know, I'm not the only one who could be on the real thing someday. You'll get there too."

I shrugged. "Eh. Maybe. I just want to tell my stories. And my stories aren't usually the kind that get you on Jimmy Fallon. But I'll see it when I go with you."