It's a new school year at Hollywood Arts. The usual group is in Sikowitz's room. The bell rings. Everyone is sitting in their usual seats for the most part. Then Beck and Jade enter the classroom awkwardly and silently.

"Okay, class. I am expecting some news soon, so be prepared." Sikowitz says before taking a sip out of his coconut.

In the corner, Robbie and Cat are laughing with each other and showing each other pictures on their phones. Jade and Beck are completely silent and sit on opposite sides of the classroom to avoid each other. Jade sits next to Tori and Beck sits next to André.

A student enters the room and gives Sikowitz some papers.

"Thank you for this opportunity."

"Class, this student—"

"My name is Mabel."

"Mabel has won an opportunity to write a play for the school. It's called Opposites Attract. I bet you won't know what it's about."

"Opposites?" Tori asks

"And how they attract?" André asks.

"That sounds stupid."

"Come on, Jade."

"You come on, Beck."

"You know, I should've realized that the answer would've been obvious. Anyway, the play is similar to Almost, Maine where the theme is about romance. Class, today's lesson will be about observing one's natural character. For the remainder of this class period, I will have you all talk to one another and switch off to someone else periodically. Interact. Mix and mingle. This is sort of like speed dating. You will be interacting with everyone. If you do want to be in the play and you have a specific gender preference or multiple preferences, write that down. Alright, begin the speed dating assignment."

As they have their speed dating assignment, Sikowitz jots down notes and pays attention to each student. Then, he notices Jade and Beck still in their seats.

"Okay. Everyone stop. We have a couple of grouches in the room. What's with the trouble in paradise?"

"Jade's being irrational."

"Well, maybe you and that girl having a nice conversation and laughing is irrational!"

"A conversation about class and assignments is irrational?"

"When it's between you and a girl? Yes."

"So if I were to have a conversation with Cat, or Tori, or even Trina?

"Cat's not a threat, Tori's just a friend and better stay that way, and you think Trina's crazy. Other than them, you can't talk to any other girls!"

"Why‽"

"Because I said so!"

"You know what's irrational? This relationship! We're done!"

Everyone then gasps, followed by Sikowitz taking another sip of coconut juice and writing down notes. "Congratulations, Beck. This time, it looks like you had the balls to do it."

"You don't break up with me! I break up with you!"

"I already did."

"No! We're done when I say so! We're done!"

Cat raises her hand. "One time, my brother—"

"NO!" Jade yells.

Cat then hides in Robbie's arms.

"Okay. Now that Beck and Jade have broken up for the umpteenth time, resume your interactions."

Jade sits by herself.

"Jade, you should work on this activity."

Hmm. I'll see if I can piss him off by talking to another boy. Jade approaches a boy and he speed walks away. Not him. Maybe it'll piss him off if he sees me with a girl. Jade approaches a girl and she speed walks away. "Come on! Am I that scary?"

"Yes." Sikowitz says.

"I'm not doing this anymore."

"Okay. Go on class."

They continue switching partners. With less than a minute left, Jade gets up and leaves.

"Jade, you can't leave my class before the bell rings!"

The bell then rings.

"Never mind! Class, before you go, the audition flyers will be up next week, but they will technically be interviews. Actual couples are encouraged to participate. Even you singles can join."

"Hear that? There's even room for you, Rob." Rex says while laughing.

That's it! Timeout!"

"Come on, man." Rex says as he's placed in the bag.

It's the next week and the interviews have started.

"Thank you all for wanting to be in my play. Our auditions will basically be in the form of matchmaking. Form a line and when you come up, tell us about yourself and your types."

Jade comes up first.

"Okay. I'm Jade West. I write dark plays, I sing, and I terrify people.

"Oh! You're that dark and scary girl with that one audition. Don't mind me, I'm just here to observe along with this student and Sikowitz." Principal Helen Dubois says.

"Thanks."

"Who was that boy?" Helen asks.

"My brother."

"He seemed really scared. He might be a future student here."

Jade laughs. "Seemed? He was. I'm a horrible sister who enjoys scaring him." She smiles.

"Why did you say that with a laugh and a smile?" Helen asks.

"This is who Jade West is." Sikowitz says.

"Tell me your type." Mabel says.

Jade thinks to herself. "I like someone who's tough, but soft at the right times. They can't be too much of a pushover. This person would have to be strong and brave enough to stand up to me and they also have to help me feel good as a person."

"Someone?" They ask.

"Someone. Yes. That's what I said. I like people who can handle me, people who can make me feel good about myself. I like people who let me be me, but also let me feel soft."

"People?" They ask again.

"People. That's a word."

"Soft?" Sikowitz asks.

"I can have a soft side!"

"They?" Sikowitz asks again."

"That's a pronoun." Jade says.

They mumble to each other and write stuff down.

"Is there something wrong with me saying 'someone', 'people', 'they' and 'soft' in this school? I curse a lot, but those words are wrong?"

"No, Jade." Helen says.

"So when you say people, does that matter which gender?" Mabel asks.

"I may have developed a type later on in this school that doesn't necessarily stick to just boys."

"Interesting." They say.

"And I may or may not want to do … certain things to fulfill a fantasy."

"Tell us what this fantasy is."

"It's rated R and involves me and another girl without clothes."

They all mumble to each other.

"You seem edgy. By any chance, is your favorite movie The Scissoring?" Mabel asks.

"Yes!"

"What's your favorite part."

"When she starts killing her friends!"

"When she starts with the pretty one?"

"Yes!"

"Why did you answer like that?" Helen asks.

Jade hesitates. "I like violence."

"But you were excited to talk about killing the pretty one." Mabel says.

"And?"

"Do you … have friends?" Mabel asks.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"She does." Sikowitz says. "She hangs out with Tori, Trina, Cat, Robbie, André, and her ex, Beck."

"Thanks for stating my business. Yeah. I guess. Those are the usual people I happen to associate with."

"What do you think of them?" She asks.

"They have main character energy."

"What do you think of the boys?"

"Robbie's weird because he holds a puppet a lot. Beck was cool when he has his moments. I used to date him, but he was annoying. André is talented, but too soft. Sometimes he has a backbone."

"Girls?"

"Trina's not my friend, Cat's my best friend, but she's dumb, and Tori, Trina's sister, is my rival."

Sikowitz laughs. "Rival."

"I know what I said!"

"Rival?"

"Yes, uh…"

"Mabel."

"Yeah."

"How does she make you feel?"

"Angry, jealous, competitive, sometimes she's helpful and I guess it makes me feel… good?"

"Describe your ideal date with a boy and then with a girl."

"We do what I want. However, I'd want the boy to be more dominant and I'd want to be the leader if I were with a girl. We do what I want, sometimes what they want."

"Thank you, Jade! Next person!" Mabel yells.

Tori is next.

"Tell us about yourself."

"I like singing and acting here at Hollywood Arts. I enjoy being with my friends and sometimes with people like Jade and Sinjin. I'm also soft, so don't hurt my feelings."

"What's your type?" Mabel asks.

"I realized at some point that I have this interest in dark people."

"Tori, don't be racist. The politically correct term is African American or Black." Sikowitz says. Helen looks at him.

"No. I mean the way someone presents themselves. I like that stereotypical bad boy look. Dark clothes, seems mean, but has the potential to be nice. I know I don't look like that and I act sweet, but that's a nice look and a nice combination. According to our principal, Ms. Dubois, I'm as pretty as a pickle."

"I did say that!" Helen says.

"A lot of the boys I had a crush on had a similar look."

"Tori, you just said 'someone' to us. Earlier." Mabel says.

"I did."

"Someone?"

"Someone. That's a word."

"Like the word 'people'?"

"Sikowitz, is this student a student?"

"My name is Mabel."

"Tori, she knows what she's saying."

"Boys and girls or boys or girls?" Helen says.

"Oh. Well, I have never had a long-lasting relationship with boys and I never dated a girl." Tori looks up.

"Would you like to date a girl?" Helen asks

"Uh…I don't know."

"If you dated a girl, what would you want?" Mabel asks.

"Is this an interrogation?" Tori asks.

"Is that denial?"

Tori sighs. "I remember when my dad was a cop, he took Trina and me to see the juvenile detention center and I did think some of the boys and girls were cute."

They write more down.

"What's your ideal date with a boy, then a girl?"

"I don't know. I guess for either they'd have to be willing to listen. We could do whatever as long as we're both happy."

"Next!" Mabel says.

Robbie is next.

"What are you like?"

"I guess I'm a nerdy type of guy according to some people, but I play the guitar and do other things like tech stuff."

"What's your type, Hun?" Helen asks.

"Someone who notices me and likes me for me."

"Next!" Mabel says.

"I wasn't done."

"Sorry. I've been saying that all day."

"I also want a girl who's sweet, kind, nice, and pretty."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"Be lucky if you get a girl." Rex says.

Helen laughs. "It's you! The guy with the heckling puppet act!"

"He's actually being mean to me."

"Robbie, put him down." Sikowitz says.

"Fine. I don't need to be attached to Robbie for him to be embarrassing. He does that himself."

Robbie removes him and Helen laughs some more.

"Ideal date?"

"Maybe a movie or some dinner where I can make a girl feel special."

"Last question. Why do you have a puppet that makes you feel bad?" Mabel asks.

"Well, you see, it all started when my—"

"Sorry. I forgot there are other people. Next!"

Cat comes up.

"Aw! It's the adorable little redhead!" Helen says.

"Hi!" Cat says.

"I love your look!" Mabel says.

"Thanks. Want to be friends, Mabel?"

"Sure!"

"Talk about yourself, Cat." Sikowitz says.

"But you already know me."

"It's for my play." Mabel says.

"She doesn't know you, Sweetie." Helen says.

"Oh. Well, I like to sing and dance. I love everyone, even my scary friend named Jade."

"When you say that you love everyone, is that romantically or platonically?"

"Sikowitz, what did she mean by the word with a P?"

"Platonic means like a friend."

"Oh. Yeah. Like a friend."

"I'll ask her an easier question. Do you like boys or girls?"

"Boys."

"What's your type?"

"Cute boys."

"What's cute to you?"

"Hot. Sometimes I think goofy and nerdy boys are cute." Cat laughs.

"From one girl to another, why?"

"They make me feel smart."

"She's not my brightest student."

"What do you mean by 'they make me feel smart' Cat?" Mabel asks.

"I have this one friend named Robbie who I sometimes like, but don't tell him I said that. He's weird with a puppet and he's sometimes gross."

"You met him." Sikowitz says.

"But he's so nice to me and makes me feel good inside when he's not being weird."

Mabel writes more down. "Ideal date?"

"Doing anything with a boy." Cat laughs. "That almost sounded naughty." Cat laughs again. "Fun things like going on walks, eating dinner, and laughing and kissing."

She writes more down.

"Do you want to see me sing and dance?"

"Next!"

"Phooey!" Cat leaves.

Beck is now in front of them.

"You're hot!"

"Thanks. If I was still with Jade, she'd hate you."

"Tell me about yourself."

"I was born in Canada."

"Exotic!" Mabel says.

"I like to act. I'm pretty chill."

"Do you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"Isn't this about your play, Mabel?" Beck asks.

"Right. Right. Uh, What's your type?"

"I like a girl who isn't boring or basic. Someone who can drive me crazy in a good way."

"So hypothetically, if I put you in with Jade, would you—"

"I would rather you not."

"Ideal date?"

"I'm pretty flexible. I just want someone not too intense, but intense enough."

"Do you want my number?"

"I should leave; but since I don't have a possessive girlfriend anymore, why not?" Beck gives her his number and walks out.

Other people interview and now it's Trina's turn.

"Well, I'm glad you saved the best for last."

"You're Trina Vega, right?" Helen asks.

"See that? The principal knows my name!"

"For more reasons than one." Sikowitz saws.

"Your sister auditioned as well. Talk about yourself."

"I'm pretty, I love to sing and dance, I love myself and my friends. Also, I can fight."

"You're only in this school because of my expired coconut juice."

"What?"

"Nothing, Trina."

"Expired juice?" Mabel asks.

"Oh, girl, he's just weird." Trina says.

"My name is Mabel."

"For someone without much talent, I admire your spunk! Maybe there should be more plays with violence and you can shine!" Helen says.

"Wait. Huh?"

"You could even be a bodyguard for me!"

"What's your type?" Mabel asks.

"Cute boys that I think I deserve."

"Can you at least memorize lines?" Mabel asks.

"Yes."

"Could you elaborate your type?"

"Cute boys."

"Like?"

"Beck, this guy named Seth."

"What's an ideal date for you?"

"As long as I'm with a boy that's cute, it doesn't matter. So what cute boy are you gonna pair me with?"

"Next!"

"I'm the last one here."

"Oh. Sorry. I've been saying that all day."

Everyone leaves.

It's been a week since the auditions. Everyone is eating lunch.

"So, who's excited for the announcements?" Tori asks.

"Look at me! I'm Tori Vega and I just love talking about announcements!" Jade says in a 1940s movie star accent.

"One, I don't talk like a 40s movie star! Two, why can't you let me be happy about these things?"

"You know, you two act so much like an unhappily married couple." André says.

"Ew!" Tori says.

"Never say that again!" Jade says.

"Well, we've played couples before."

"Oh! So you want to be my girlfriend‽ Huh‽"

"No! Wait. Why did you ask that?"

Shit! "You just want your Vega cooties inside me. You want to give me VTDs, Vega Transmitted Diseases, you just—"

"Hey!" Trina interrupts Jade and sits by Beck. "So, who do you want to be your partner, Beck?"

"Now that André said it, imagine Tori and Jade getting together in the—"

"Don't finish that sentence, Robbie." Jade says.

"I can't wait to kiss some cute boys." Trina says. "Hopefully the one I'm sitting by."

Oh. Right. "Well, I can't wait for someone more attractive than Beck to kiss me!"

"Jade, stop." Tori says.

"You know, it could even be a girl! Imagine that, Beck. What if a girl is better than you?"

"She's just joking, Beck." Tori says.

"I'm not."

"Well, if a girl does happen to be with you, she would be a very unfortunate girl." Beck says.

"Why is that?"

"You scare every girl in this school."

"Name one time, Beck."

"That one girl who talked to me when we were dating."

"That one girl when we were speed dating in class." Cat says.

"That one girl on TheSlap." Tori says.

"That one girl you made cry for fun." Trina says.

"That one girl in the line for the food truck a few minutes ago." Robbie says.

"That other new girl before Tori's first day." André says.

"Me sometimes." Cat says.

"Robbie." Rex laughs.

"Robbie, put him up." Cat says. Robbie puts Rex in his bag. "But since Rex mentioned Robbie, you also scare boys like Robbie and André. And you sometimes like to make boys cry."

"I only make the lame ones cry, Cat. Plus, all they do is mumble and shrug."

"You're mean, Jade." Cat says.

"I am. So what?"

"She is." André says.

They continue eating.

After school ends, people check the casting list. Cat runs around and then approaches André.

"What's wrong Little Red?"

"It's the play. I'm…" She looks around. "I got partnered with Robbie."

"That's good!"

"No! This is a problem! They made us switch around and act with people and they thought we were a great couple."

"And this is a problem because?"

"I like him."

"So that's not a good thing?"

"Because I can't be with him."

"Why?"

"Because he's weird."

"Well, he is."

"Don't say that! I like him!"

"Cat, let's be honest. You're a good friend, but you're also weird."

"What's that supposed to mean‽"

"Maybe you two should just be … two weirdos in love."

"No!"

"Then quit."

"No. I like him!"

"Well—"

"Shh!"

Robbie walks by and Cat walks away. Robbie approaches Sikowitz and Mabel.

"Sikowitz, I can't do this. I mean, I really want to, but I can't go through this play. See, I really like Cat, but I feel she doesn't like me back and I love her so much that I can't force her to do that."

Cat barges in. "Wait!"

"Cat, is it true that you are uncomfortable around Robbie?"

Cat says nothing.

"Well I'll take your silence as a yes. Mabel, you and I can rework the—"

"No. It's just…"

"Go on."

"Nothing."

"Since you sound very fickle about this, I propose you two go on a date. I don't care where but do it. If you don't, I will remove you two from the play. How does that sound?"

"I don't know. Cat, how does that sound?"

"We can go on a date."

"The juice doesn't lie." He then says after taking a large sip." This student, along with the help of me and my coconuts, has formulated who is paired together in this play. I suppose you two do something that resembles a date. I'll advise others to do the same. Go somewhere to eat, take a nice stroll at a park, feed the homeless, ride bikes in the slums, just date."

Meanwhile, Beck is being smothered by Trina.

"I win! I got Beck!"

"No!" Jade is heard screaming. She then sees Sikowitz and Mabel and runs to them. "Please‽ There's no way this can happen! Can't I get a different role‽"

"No, Jade! The juice doesn't lie."

"Jade, we thought you two would be great."

Tori enters. "What was that about?"

"She's upset. Something on the board." Beck says.

Tori checks the casting list. Let's see. Cat and Robbie. Aw, they would make a cute couple! They're cute in a weird way. Beck and Trina. Wow, that must've pissed Jade off. She smirks. Oh, this school is really progressive. Some guys are together and some girls are together Then again, same-sex marriage was legalized in California in 2008, so …. No! NO! She then sees her name with Jade.

"No!" Tori follows Jade to Sikowitz and Mabel.

"Jade, you made this same fuss during the Secret Santa assignment. There's no way you can hate Tori that much after all of this time since you two are in the same group. Sure, she kissed your boyfriend at the time, manages to excel in this school at a faster rate than you did, basically doesn't need to lift a finger to do what you do and does it better, makes friends easier and faster than you, is arguably prettier than you from what I hear from the students but that's probably because she's nicer than you and smiles more—"

"So you're telling me to smile‽"

"Yes. Either way, whatever it is between you two needs to end for good or at least until the play ends. At the final bell, meet up for rehearsals with everyone else."

Tori comes in. "You know, I really don't think this is a good idea."

"Haven't you two been getting relatively better together? I see it in my class."

They both say "Eh."

"So why is there a problem?"

"I don't know. I try to be nice, but she's always mean."

"Whatever. She just likes annoying me."

"No! That's you!"

"Both of you admitted you have some sort of romantic interest in girls. You wrote it down. Now stop complaining. You two have been a couple before. Go!"

"So you actually like girls?" Jade asks.

"Sometimes I think they look pretty. My type in girls is similar to my type in boys. You've seen the way they look. Sometimes dark clothes, macabre looking except Moose. What about you?"

"At some point at Hollywood Arts I might have… developed a type that doesn't stick to just boys. I'm attracted by what people do."

"Care to tell me?"

"None of your business!"

"Why can I tell you mine, but you can't tell me yours?"

"I don't like this one bit."

"Well, somehow we're a couple again. Act like it or drop the play."

"You drop the play!"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"Well, I won't drop it, Tori."

"Fine."

"Good."

"Can you two leave?" Sikowitz says.

The girls leave the room. The school day ends and rehearsals begin. Mabel gets up.

"My intention for the play is to show that a bunch of people who may not seem to have things in common on the outside may have something in common on the inside. It's not 'opposites attract' but rather 'like attracts like' instead. But the phrase 'opposites attract' has a better ring to it, so that's why I chose that as the title."

"Go on and rehearse lines to get the awkwardness out." Sikowitz says.