Tiny Dancer

2.07 Helen Back Again

"Hello. Your attention, please!"

Jesse looks up at the platform above the Asphalt Café when he hears Sikowitz trying (and failing) to get everybody's attention. Even the microphone doesn't help him.

"Up here. I'm waving," he tries, doing just that. "See my hand? Moving to and fro? Please."

"Jade?" Jesse prompts, aware the girl will enjoy the chance to yell at people.

"I got it," she says, standing up on her seat. "Everybody shut up!"

It immediately works. The Café falls silent as soon as the students hear the unmistakable sound of an irritated Jade West.

"Ah, Jade," Sikowitz says with a smile. "So sweet and feminine."

She just rolls her eyes and sits back down, appearing completely disinterested even as she waits patiently for whatever his announcement is.

"And now I give you a man who needs no introduction," he goes on. "He was born beside a river in Kentucky way back in 19-"

"Sikowitz, give me the mic."

"Principal Eikner."

A polite round of applause sounds from the waiting students as their principal takes the microphone and steps up to the platform's railing.

"Students and faculty, it is with a heaving heart that I tell you that as of today, I am resigning as principal of Hollywood Arts."

Jesse and Beck share a confused look as a general shocked murmur fills the café.

Eikner holds up one hand as he shushes them. "Please, hold your murmurs. It's not that I don't love running this school. I do, but I've fallen in love with a Tahitian woman, and I want to spend time with her and her people."

"Love, huh?" Beck mutters as said woman steps up beside their soon to be ex-principal. "Are we sure that's the right word?"

Jesse hums quietly in thought as he sees the way they smile at each other, smiling himself when Eikner kisses her forehead.

"Yeah, actually," he says, rubbing his thumb across Beck's knuckles where their hands are linked on the tabletop. He shrugs. "They seem happy, at least."

"Wait. Does this mean we gotta get a new principal?" Andre asks.

Jesse gives him a confused look. "Yes," he says slowly. "What else would it mean?"

"We don't need a new principal," Jade claims, leaning on her crossed arms with an annoyed scowl.

"Well, see, actually we do," Beck reminds her. "On account of Eikner leaving to live with his Tahitian girlfriend and all."

Jade glares at him. "The school is fine the way it is."

Cat suddenly gasps. "Oh my gosh. You guys, what if the new principal is, like, a monkey?" She giggles to herself. "A monkey wearing a yellow hat."

While the others stare at her and wonder why they're even surprised, Beck leans in toward Jesse.

"Did she just imply our new principal is gonna be Curious George?" he asks in an undertone.

Jesse gives him an amused look. "George didn't wear the yellow hat," he corrects. "His human friend did."

"I love that you know that," Beck says with an adoring smile.

"Phoebe loved those books," he says defensively.

Beck lifts their joined hands and kisses the back of Jesse's. "Still cute."