[1] Victorious song - You're the Reason; Victorious album ©; Written by Michael Corcoran, Chris Abraham, Dan Schneider

Four Weeks Later

Dear Diary, I'm sorry I haven't written to you in a while, but the last few weeks haven't left me, very much time to write to you. So many things have happened, that I wonder if I'll have time to write it all down. Relations between my new friends and me, have only grown stronger. Cat and I have become pretty good friends, we hang out all the time, even when we're not doing an assignment together. We hang out at my place mostly, but only when Cat's older, obviously insane brother is not home. I swear every story I hear about Cat's brother, makes me appreciate Trina even more, and thinking about him makes me double-down on my training.

Andre, however, is still Andre, and one of the more solid friendships I've made since coming to Hollywood Arts High School. We've collaborated on several pieces of music together, one of which, "You're the Reason, [1]" earned a copyright for Andre Harris, and me a song credit. We wrote it together as a birthday present for my borderline narcissistic, sister's birthday, we slaved away making it for her, which she did not appreciate, thinking that birthday gifts had to be materialistic. That was the closest me and Trina ever came to violating Vega rule number one, and the first time my new friends saw my temper flare. Ironically, it was Jade who suggested we copyright it before we performed it for Trina. We also taped our performance, which proved to be advantageous, because Trina tried to sing it and pass it off as her own music. Again, I came very close to disowning my sister after that, and even dad took a hand and grounded her for a whole month. The music studio who tried to buy the song from Trina settled for paying Andre royalties, for the use of his song. Trina's stunt blacklisted her from the music community. I remembered her quip back before I even joined HA, when she stated sarcastically, "nobody cares who writes the song," well she's now eating her words, because song stealing in the music biz is a huge deal, if you're caught doing it. Andre was still doing ballet and actually enjoyed the workout from ballet, he said it increased his endurance, and dexterity, not to mention his strength, since ballerinos, do a lot of ballerina carrying in some productions.

Speaking of Jade, while I wouldn't call us the strongest of friends, after misreading the situation with Robbie and Brad Battis, and our exchange during our stage fighting scene, we have begun to if not warm up to each other, then thaw toward each other. When Cat and I get together, Jade sometimes, and mostly upon request from Cat, will accompany us in doing various activities, some that no girl no matter how unconventional she may be can resist. It was during this time that Jade and Beck took a small break in their relationship. It all started, when Beck began hanging out with a pretty-blonde socialite, who seemed to really like him. Jade, who was super-protective of what she thought of as her territory – which I kind of agree with, Robbie – didn't take this news well. Beck didn't exactly disabuse her of the idea that he could be cheating on her, it seemed like he was playing chicken with her to see what she would do, so she dumped his ass. Most of us were divided over our loyalties, and all but one of us seemed to voice their opinions over the subject. I thought it was really low the way Beck seemed to be toying with Jade's heart like that, and yet the one person I thought would be the most vocal over the issue, said not a word.

Robbie was utterly silent on the subject, and on the first day after the termination of the relationship, we all gathered around a lunch table. I arrived that day to find Jade and Robbie sitting together, and claimed my seat next to Robbie, with Andre on my other side, and Cat was beyond Jade, Beck hadn't shown up yet. We were making small-talk, studiously avoiding the elephant in the room. Lunch was almost over when, Robbie's eyes harden, but gave no other sign that he was disturbed. He didn't need to because, not five-minutes later, a yellow coupe came roaring into the parking lot, which happened to be behind Jade and Robbie. I immediately warned Jade of the impending arrival of her ex, with the girl that supposedly ruined their relationship. "What, if 'that's' what Beck wants then I hope he has tons-of-fun with 'it'," she said practically strangling her burrito. Beck walked by our table, nodding at us, and Jade just sat there looking as unperturbed as a mountain. Robbie's face was expressionless, and the way his glasses reflected the ambient light, obscured his eyes as his head remained rock still as Beck walked by us.

That night, one of the few nights in southern Cali, with stormy weather, there was a knock at my door. Upon answering it stood Jade, holding a kite, and crying, "this kite is broken," she sobbed.

"Okay," I asked confused, "and," I asked?

"I was just walking around, and I saw this kite stuck in a bush," Jade explained in a shaky voice, "and it's broken, and someone needs to fix it!"

If I was confused before, I was bewildered now, kite fixing seemed more like Robbie territory, what with a workshop in his back yard. "You want me to fix your kite," I asked?

Jade suddenly threw the kite to the side and snapped, "would you forget about the stupid kite!"

I obviously already understood, before she had to say it, that I knew it wasn't about the kite, "I'm sorry I brought it up?"

Jade seemed to be very distraught, because she just couldn't seem to speak for a moment, then getting herself under control, marginally, came out with it, "I want Beck back!"

I nodded as she came to the crux of why she was here, I had to state the obvious to get her to explain more to me, "but you broke up with Beck."

Jade still crying began to explain her reasoning, while dropping down on the couch with face in hands, "I know," she sobbed. "It was just like, when I was seven, and threw away my Potato Patch Pal, and by the time I wanted it back, my mother already gave it to some greedy orphans!" Then she broke down completely for a little while before she got herself under control, by recalling a particularly precious memory, "it was after that, when Robbie took up wood work, he promised me he would get good enough to make me another doll," she said with a slight smile on her lips. "He told me, he would get good enough someday, to make me a better doll than the one I threw out," she said as she recalled that memory.

I was smiling along with her at the boy who had definitely captured my attention from the first day I arrived here, which brought out my curiosity. I stepped forward, sat down next to her, placing my hand on her arm, which she didn't shrug off, and began, "I've gotta ask, given all that's going on with you and Beck, the one voice that seems particularly quiet about all this is Robbie's," she turned to me, "given how close you are, why would you come to me and not him, I know he would help you, or is this some sort of bros before hoes thing?"

For the first time since the breakup, Jade just laughed, "Robbie's not getting involved with this situation, because I've asked him not to," I must've looked confused, which I was because she continued. "First and foremost, I don't need anybody fighting my battles for me," I quirked an eyebrow because that's just what she was asking me to do, wasn't it, "and for the record you're not going to be doing anything but acting as a go between."

I nodded as I understood her reasoning, but asked another question to get to the real reason she's holding her brother from another mother back, "what's the other reason you asked Robbie to stay out of it?"

Jade sighed, "Look, if Robbie got involved, Beck could very well end up in the hospital or the mental ward, he wanted to do something like that to Beck, before I broke it off with him," Jade's voice had the ring of truth in it. "Robbie was really pissed with the way, Beck was treating me, Robbie saw our little dance as a game of relationship chicken, with Beck daring me to cut the cord," I nodded as I remembered thinking along those same lines. "So, the night before I broke up with Beck, I went over to Robbie's and made him promise not to do, or say anything, until this all worked itself out, one way or another," Jade said, as her lip twitched.

I nodded, from what I've learned about my Robbie as I've gotten to know him, is you can pretty much walk all over him, but mess with one of his friends, especially Jade, and he was like a totally different person. The kind, caring, and rather handsome boy I've come to know, disappeared, when that happened, he became an implacable enemy, as a certain blonde-haired Neanderthal, learned a few weeks after Jade and Beck patched things up. More on Robbie later, for now I'll tell you how I helped patch things up with the two lovebirds.

I became a sort of intermediary between Jade and Beck. He told me how she hasn't been very nice to him, and all she got him for his birthday this year was a can of lemonade. I admonished her for that and told her that your boyfriend, should at least get a more personal gift, and both of them needed to work on communication, and going the extra-mile for each other. I even used the what if scenario about me and Robbie, and I just did the bare minimum to keep him. That seemed to wake her up to the fact that being hot and looking-good-together, while good enough for the casual observer, wasn't the most important part of a relationship. Again, I used Robbie and me as an example, let's face it Robbie is not hot, like Beck, or even Andre, but it wasn't really his looks that have attracted me to him, its the fact that he treats people the way he wants to be treated, genuinely cares about his friends, and not status or being popular. He is cute, and handsome when he dresses up, but let's face it, I'm much better looking than he is, I admit that even to myself, but I couldn't give a shit less what he looks like, he'll be my man someday, and I'll dismantle any skank who moves in on my Robbie. Oh, and the thought of feeling his stout and sturdy body pressed into mine tends to make me weak-kneed.

We were at Beck's trailer and things were looking up for Beck and Jade, they were about to kiss when, "not so fast," came from a voice I would know anywhere. The couple looked up at the intruder, Beck was astonished, Jade only curious, because walking into the Oliver drive-way was the one I had just been writing about, the curly-haired Jewish-Spartan, that no matter what I do, I can't get off my mind, Robert "Robbie" Leonidas Shapiro. He walked up to them, nodding to me as he passed me, but even I couldn't get a smile from him, because right now he wasn't my Robbie, he was Jade's brother. He walked up to Jade and Beck, and there must have been a look that Jade recognized, because she knew what was about to happen, and she couldn't have stopped it even if she wanted to, and she later confided in me that she really didn't want to, Beck had toyed with her heart, and though she chose to forgive him, that didn't mean he didn't deserve what he was about to get. That's the night I found out that Robbie's body, unlike Brad was not for show, it was all substance.

Robbie didn't even break stride, and he wasn't wearing his glasses, when he seized Beck by the back of the head, "I warned you, Beck," he spoke, whirling around he flung the newly, reunited boyfriend of Jade face first into his own trailer. "I warned you what would happen to you if you treated Jade like she was inferior to you," Robbie reminded him, as he grabbed Beck by the lapels of his jacket. Robbie hauled the pretty boy to his feet and maintaining his grip on Beck's jacket, flung him around even harder into Beck's trailer. It was so hard it made the entire trailer rock back and forth, I've only seen that kind of power in some of the heavier male MMA fighters. Robbie grabbed Beck by his hair, and again pulled him to his feet, "you toyed with Jade's emotions, never taking them into consideration, when you started seeing another woman behind her back," Robbie told the aspiring actor, he brought Beck into a Muay Thai head clinch, before Robbie's knee rammed into Beck's gut, once, twice, three times. "That you were not cheating on her was immaterial," Robbie said as he let Beck drop to the ground and retch, "you kept parading her around in front of your girlfriend, daring Jade to break up with you, and when she did, you acted like the end of your relationship meant absolutely nothing to you," Robbie was practically shouting at the end of his tirade! Beck looked up at Robbie, when Robbie reared back his fist, and clobbered Beck, sending him down to the deck on his back. Beck was still awake, barely conscious, as Robbie looked into Beck's face, "this was only a warning, and Jade has chosen to take you back, though I don't know why, but this is your last chance, get your head out of your ass, and start treating Jade like the most precious person in your life, or break off with her for good, but if you ever pull another stunt like this, then God have mercy on you Beck, because I won't," before turning and walking back the way he came, this time he did smile and wink at me before leaving the Oliver drive-way.

Things were tense between Beck and Robbie for a whole week after that, but Beck seemed to take Robbie's words to heart, as he really started putting some effort into Jade. Only time will tell if this is permanent, or just kept fresh in his mind by the bruises and cuts on his body.

Robert Leonidas Shapiro;

Mrs. Robert Leonidas Shapiro

Mrs. Robert Shapiro.

Mrs. Robbie Shapiro.

Victoria Dawn Shapiro,

Victoria Shapiro.

Vicky Shapiro

Tori Shapiro.

Pop singer names:

Tori Piro,

Torsha,

Tori Pyro.

That name, that boy, no that man, I can't seem to go a day, without thinking about the person that has made my transition from Sherwood to Hollywood Arts, one of the most enjoyable experiences of my young life. Right up there with the first time I became champion, then my first true title defense, but even they pale in comparison to this person, who seems to embody everything I've ever wanted in a man. Strong in body and morals, willing to work for what he wants, with the callouses on his work hardened hands to prove it. Amazingly perceptive, smart, shrewd, cunning, yet not malicious, confident but humble, caring, loving, and those qualities that are unnamable but are also essential to make Robbie Shapiro, my Robbie. Yes, I, Tori Vega, am finally falling for Robbie Shapiro. When I sang that song, in that play, I wasn't singing to Beck's character as scripted, I was singing to Robbie, I was imagining him standing in front of me, looking at me as I poured my heart into that song. I don't know, when it began, but I do know what it was, that finally pushed me over the edge.

The Monday after the situation where I accused Robbie of cowardice – Thank you God for his forgiveness – we had spent the weekend together, working on our projects, me on my own, and Robbie on two, his own and the one belonging to Brad Battis, he finished both and to be honest it was a pretty good story, it basically retold the story of Hannibal's crossing of the Alps, but replaced the elephants, with tanks that Robbie called elephant tanks. Robbie was giving Brad the benefit of the doubt and put the whole thing into the actual time period as World War II. Robbie even gave the paper the title, "Desert Fox," just in case Brad ever watch the movie, "Patton." I added the finishing touch when I mixed together a mixture of lemon juice, honey, and vinegar, also known as invisible ink, I loaded a fountain pen and proceeded to write Robbie's name as the author under duress by the person handing it in. Robbie's true paper which was originally "Patton vs. Rommel," changed to "Patton's Campaign in Sicily."

Robbie made sure to give Brad, Desert Fox, out of site, to give his scheme the air of authenticity. Robbie sure played the part of bullied nerd well, or Brad was a really bad actor, because according to Sikowitz, good actors can spot lies on instinct, because you had to know what a performance was, and what was the real person. I waited at the door to our classroom, making sure Robbie made it on time, which he barely did, as Brad was already in his seat. Class started, and Brad was either that confident in his ability to cow Robbie, gullible, or that stupid, because he never once looked through his report. The teacher called the reports forward, and everybody passed them up. We wouldn't get them back for four weeks.

That week was the week of my sister's birthday, and as I stated above we wrote her a song she didn't appreciate. While all that chizz was happening, Robbie and Cat went to fix his grandma's internet, Cat didn't seem to make a very good impression with his Mamaw. She kept calling Cat a tramp, until finally Robbie became upset with his grandmother and said if she can't be civil to one of his good friends then he just wouldn't come over anymore, since his friends were his family at school. That seemed to get the old bat's attention, and she began to make an effort to be nice.

In the entire week of Jade and Beck's break up, to take his mind off his sister from another mister, Robbie threw himself into his work for the Slap, reviewing the various productions of Hollywood Arts. Now, Robbie is very fair, and always gives constructive criticism in his blogs, but that week there was a problem. Trina had decided to put on a one woman show – because nobody wants to work with you, Trina – but for all Robbie's verbal acrobatics he couldn't find anything constructive to say about it, the most constructive statement he made was 'at least the audience got some good sleep,' he was at his wits end, and finally lamented his troubles to Andre, who suggested Robbie review it as a comedy. The end of that week was when Robbie gave Beck his thrashing.

The next week was my first lead in a leading role at HA, and Beck and Robbie were two men vying for my character Penny's affections. Beck was playing the part of a poor farmer, while my Robbie was going against type by playing a rich industrialist. Everything was going well, until the day before opening night, when Cat needing help for her make up class, mixed Grizzly Glue up with Derma Glue – probably thinking glue was glue, Cat – which was industrial grade cement. Trina actually showed a modicum of sisterly concern, and volunteered to drive the two hours to Bakersfield, to get the glue solvent before the play. I love Cat, and I have to love Trina, but I should've known better, then to rely on them for anything. I had to play the lead character, as a fucking Zombie.

Monday morning the next week, we got our papers back at the end of class, and of course Robbie and I got very good grades on them. We heard a gasp and turned to see Brad, looking shocked at his paper, I was behind him and saw the grade he got, low 50's, and a note that told him to see the teacher. He turned a scathing glare at my Robbie, who looked back impassively, before turning his paper around to show Brad, the score Robbie earned, high 90's, which showed Brad, just how unafraid my Robbie was of him, and if Brad had any brains at all would have just stopped at glaring at unofficially my guy. Sadly, for Brad, he wasn't that smart to begin with, maybe if he actually worked hard, instead of forcing others to do his work for him, he might have realized whom, he was dealing with.

The bell rang, and Robbie walks over to me, waiting for me to gather my stuff, we walk out of the classroom, heading for our lockers, mine is closer so he heads across the hall to his own. Jade is there getting her things for her next class, she smiles at Robbie but frowns as she sees somebody rushing up behind Robbie. He just nods and turns to face Brad, a look of indifference crossing his face, "Hey, Brad, how can I help you," Robbie said quirking an eyebrow?

Brad got right in Robbie's face and in a hushed tone growled, "you can help me nerd, by standing there, while I kick your fucking ass," then tried to shove Robbie, who had lowered his center of gravity, causing the shove to only move Robbie, an inch at most!

Robbie adopted a look of confusion, "why Brad, you seem perturbed," he observed, "what could be the cause of your rage," Robbie asked mockingly?

"You were supposed to do my history paper," Brad shouted, "I told you to do it, four weeks ago," he raged giving a charging shove at my Robbie, who sidestepped causing Brad to shoot passed him and slam his hands into the locker.

The way Robbie moved, should really have clued Brad, into just the caliber of the warrior he was facing. I've only ever seen one other person move with his kind of speed, my papi. Robbie cupped an elbow and massaged his chin, he was standing side on to Brad, "which paper is this, this school is lousy with printed paper, what with scripts, playbills, and don't get me started on the homework?"

"The history paper on WWII, we turned in four weeks ago, dumbass," Brad said while charging at Robbie! This time Robbie met his charge head on with a left hook, followed immediately by a right cross, then a straight shot that broke his nose and stunned him. Robbie didn't give him any time to recover as he rushed in, ducking under, and delivering an uppercut right into Brad's chin. Robbie had perfect form, the chin music was powerful enough to lift Brad off the ground for an instant, he ended up in a heap on the floor.

Just then, Principal Eikner showed up, he wasn't seen much, in fact I had only ever dealt with Lane Alexander, the Guidance Counselor, since the Big Showcase. "What's going on here," he demanded?

Robbie turned to look at Eikner and smiled, "sir, I'd like to report Brad Battis," he said gesturing with his hand to the semi-conscious teenager behind him, "he tried to use intimidation against me, to do one of his homework assignments, after I intentionally failed the paper, he attempted to assault me in retaliation, therefore I was forced to defend myself using various means."

Eikner was listening and thinking, "unfortunately, Mr. Shapiro I can't just take your word for it," he told him, "I need evidence to present before the school board, and later to the police," he informed my Robbie.

Robbie nodded, "while I didn't know he was going to attack me, I prepared for it, and since I knew the day it might happen, I set up a surveillance camera and microphone inside my locker, which recorded everything we said to each other." As Robbie said this he was pointed to his locker, "please retrieve it yourself to prevent any accusations of tampering, also as this is a school devoted to the visual arts I'm sure some of my classmates have caught the whole scene on video," he said waving in the general direction of the students. They all collectively nodded and various mediums from tapes to flash drives were held up, and one-by-one with the help of other teachers were taken and Brad was escorted to the nurse for treatment.

By the end of the week, Brad was not only expelled from Hollywood Arts, but prosecuted as a minor for extortion, and assault, he was sentenced to serve time in juvie until he turned eighteen. We never heard from or saw him again. But I had a bigger problem, you see witnessing Robbie's prowess in these fights; this one and the one with Beck, made me of two minds about him: one, I wanted to test myself against him and see how well he could handle a real challenge, and two, I wanted to kiss him.

Well, Diary, that's the story of my last four weeks, it has been quite the exciting time for me. I now go to a school, I not only love but cherish every moment, after walking through those doors. I have the most amazing friends, and I'm totally falling in love with Robbie Shapiro, can it get any better than this?