I Crave Waffles

Chapter 2

Three days afterwards, on Monday morning, Andre found Sikowitz outside on Hollywood Arts' grounds, walking and carrying a large cardboard box.

"Sikowitz!" Andre called as he walked towards him. "Let me help you with that."

"Why, good morning, Andre," Sikowitz said, delighted. He let the boy take the box from his hands. "That's very kind of you to help me out."

"Well, you know me," Andre chuckled as they started to walk again. "So what's in the box?' He looked down to see a bunch of decor and props.

"Oh-just bits and pieces for a play I'm helping set up for a charity event," Sikowitz explained.

"That's cool." Andre nodded. "When does that take place?"

"Tomorrow." Sikowitz shrugged. "I was looking for volunteers, and good old Tori offered to help me last night."

"She called you last night?" Andre inquired.

"Of course," Sikowitz answered.

"Well...that's weird. She told me she had plans tomorrow." Andre bounced on the balls of his feet, eyes shifting as his mind raced. "She went to urgent care...at night! Yeah!"

"Oh?" Sikowitz asked him, looking a bit worried. "Nothing serious, I hope."

"No, no, just... a toe infection," Andre lied. Was a toe infection the best thing he could come up with? he asked himself with a shudder.

"Oh, poor girl," Sikowitz said, stopping near a window.

"Yeah, so would you still be looking for volunteers?" Andre asked.

"Yep," Sikowitz nodded.

"Say, I'm not doing anything on Tuesday," Andre said. "Maybe I could help you out?"

"Sure, I won't say no to free labor!" Sikowitz smiled as he took the box of props from Andre's hands. "I'll see you in class." Before Andre could reply, Sikowitz entered through the classroom window.

In the afternoon of that same day, Tori stayed back after acting class. Jade glanced at her curiously as everyone left.

"So, Sikowitz..." Tori began.

"Tori!" Sikowitz said. "How's the toe?"

Tori looked at him confused. "My toe?" she asked. "It's doing.. fine?" Strange, she thought. Sikowitz wasn't the first person to ask that today. Why her toe?

"Good to hear," Sikowitz replied.

"So, anyways," she said with an awkward laugh. "When's that charity event tomorrow? And where is it at?"

"Oh, you don't have to come," Sikowitz said. "It's best if you tend to your things first. Andre's filling in for you! Let me know how the appointment goes."

Tori opened her mouth to speak but Sikowitz had already left the classroom.

Tori updated her status on TheSlap which read: "Apparently I got a toe infection?! - MOOD = Furious".

Later that day:

"How could you!" Tori exclaimed when she saw Andre at the Asphalt Cafe.

"Oh, hey Tor," Andre said casually; Jade watched them both with amusement.

"Don't hey Tor me," Tori said as she sat down. "You told Sikowitz that I had a toe infection?!"

"Nice move," Jade said as she reached in for a french fry. Tori shot her a glare.

"What?" Andre asked innocently. "It was an honest mistake." Tori groaned and rested her head on the table, and Andre continued. "Well, sorry about that, but maybe this makes up for what happened... I got into NYU!"

The rest of the gang cheered for him.

"I'm so proud of you, babe," Tori said, relenting. The two kissed.

"Well, that's good news." Jade smiled. "We should hold a celebration...but hey, that does not mean you're getting off the hook this week."

Andre sighed, smiling back. "Fine."