A Jori Story: We're Just Acting, Right?

Happy Dating

"What time are you gonna be home tonight?," came Tori's mother's voice as she walked down the staircase.

"Sometime after midnight. Why?"

"Your father and I have to go to Seattle for a few days, your aunt Cecilia fell down a flight of stairs. Again."

Tori nodded and bade her mother goodbye before getting into her car and driving to the restaurant. Her mind was reeling and she was still infuriated at Jade. Nozu with Sikowitz and that girl with the stupid teal-blue eyes was the absolute last place Tori wanted to go.

She got there and walked inside to see Sikowitz already there. She braced herself and walked over, taking a seat beside him.

They sat there for nearly fifteen minutes when she heard Sikowitz call, "Finally."

She looked across the room to where Jade was just walking in and watched her come over and sit on Sikowitz's other side, her usual glare plastered on her face.

"Why are you late?"

"I tried getting run over twice because death would be better than whatever is going to happen here."

"What are we doing here anyway?," Tori butted in.

"We are here because you two need to learn to play a husband and wife. Believably. To prepare for your roles, you two must date."

"What date?"

"This one," said Sikowitz, gesturing to them.

"Your date begins at 7.12 pm and you will eat, drink, chat and giggle until midnight when the restaurant closes."

"But why?," Tori asked, stretching the y with her eyebrows furrowed in frustration.

"One time, I got the part of a man in severe pain. To get ready for the role, I threw myself down a flight of stairs. You won't believe how many times I hit my head."

"Oh trust me, we would."

Sikowitz rolled his eyes.

"You see, I prepared for it thusly and concluding from the fact that the both of you have not the slightest bit of love for each other, you need to find it. Embrace it."

Jade got off the chair. "Forget it, I'm leaving."

Tori made to get up as well when Sikowitz said, "If either of you leave before midnight, you both get an F."

"Whatever, it's not like you're gonna know when we leave anyway," said Jade, already shouldering her bag.

"Oh yes I will. I have Sinjin and Burf watching you."

Defeated, Jade rolled her eyes and sat back down. Sikowitz grinned at them.

"Happy dating."

He got off his chair and pulled Tori's seat closer to Jade, closing off the gap between them until their elbows were touching. They shared a look before watching Sikowitz leave and groaning to themselves.

The night started out awkward and silent as the girls ate and drank.

"Worst night ever," said Jade out of the blue.

"You know, there isn't a good reason why the two of us can't sit down here and have a conversation," said Tori, picking at her rice with chopsticks.

"I have a good reason. I don't like you," said Jade.

"Yeah, that's not what it seemed like when we were running lines alone."

Jade turned to stare at Tori for a second before looking back down at her own food.