Different

"How can you forgive people so easily?"

It was the night. The night of the performance. The heavy velvet curtains were shielding them from the audience's watchful eye. For now. Everyone was adjusting props, straightening outfits, and generally making last minute preparations. Cat groaned deeply from inside her squirrel costume.

"Sikowitz, it's too hot in this thing!" Cat whined, which was true. It was a mascot type costume, so it was boiling in there. "You could boil an egg on my head! Ooh, that'd be tasty. Maybe some grilled cheese sandwiches would be nice...?"

"Cat, there's no time! The curtains are about to go up, and We Be Jammin' is watching!" Sikowitz hissed, running his hands through what was left of his hair. "Just wait until the forest scene! Then go do your... Um, stuff!" Then Sikowitz rushed to a variety of levers and pulled one. The heavy curtains tucked themselves away at the sides of the stage, signalling that the play was to begin.

Snow White's mother began the scene, stating how much she longed for a child. After 'giving birth' to Tori, she collapsed into the king's arms and died.

Then, of course, the king married the evil queen (Jade!), who hated Snow White with a burning passion. Since Jade really did hate Tori, she didn't even need to change her attitude much. She grinned wickedly when sending Snow White to the forest, and Cat found it hard to tell if Jade was acting or not. Cat sent her friend a supportive smile, before getting into position for the forest scene.

Everything ran smoothly for the remainder of the play. But at the end, as Beck kissed Tori in the final scene, Cat looked at Jade sympathetically. Jade had her chin up, her nose in the air- her don't-care attitude in play as always.

We Be Jammin' seemed to be enjoying it, along with the other audience members. At the end, they read out a selection of names to sing.

And somehow, miraculously-without even knowing how she looked- Cat was chosen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"OK, Tori Vega, you're up!" The director of We Be Jammin', Matt, called out.

"Great! Hey, there! My name's Tori! I'm a huge fan of your music!" Tori simpered, giggling.

"Can you sing for us, please?" Evidently, Matt was not one to waste time.

"Oh, yeah! That. Right. Uh, where's my CD...? I could have sworn-" Tori fumbled aimlessly in her bag, biting her lip. Cat stared around the room, rather bored. She was just about to lapse into a daydream, when she noticed something. Something absolutely awful.

A big contraption was dangling from the ceiling. But the rope was being strained until the rope loosened away and-

"Tori, move!" Cat screamed, then shoved a completely oblivious Tori out of the way. Moments later, there was a horribly loud crash. Thankfully, it missed Cat by literally a centimetre.

"Oh. My. God," breathed Tori. "Cat... Cat... Just... I... What?"

"Cat just I what?" Cat repeated, bewildered.

"Uh, I think she's saying, 'Cat, what just happened? I'm so confused. ...What?'" Jade translated. When given weird stares, she shrugged. "People stutter when they talk to me all the time. I've learnt to translate."

Tori, who was just staring around, pop-eyed, did the only natural thing left to do. Considering the circumstances.

She fainted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh my God!" Cat spluttered hysterically, as they watched endless funny videos online.

"This is exactly why we're friends!" Jade shrieked, before taking a picture. "C'mon, let's do a picture on this!"

"You missed the apostrophe on 'we're'," Cat pointed out.

"Shut up." Jade said simply.

"Shall we call Tori?" Cat asked, getting out her PearPhone. Jade snatched it out of her hand and put it in her back pocket.

"Are you serious?" Jade said in amazement. "How do you forgive people so easily?"

"Um... I'm not sure. It fits with my personality, I guess!" Cat replied. "Could I have my phone back?"

"Maybe. But she took your part! Ripped your picture! Hurt your wrist! How can you...?"

"Jade, we're friends again. She broke up with Beck for you!"

"Why? She was welcome to the-"

"Call him."

"Are you serious? Cat, I'm not-"

"Call him, pretty please with a chocolate on top?"

"The phrase is a CHERRY on top. And fine!"

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Ooh, what an evil little cliffhanger! =D Sorry, guys. It's just fun to keep you in a bit of suspense... Anyway, Cat and Jade's picture on the side! (Made it myself ;) )