In Which Beck and Jade Find Themselves In a Familiar Situation For The First Time.

Beck loved Jade. Jade loved Beck. It was a given at Hollywood Arts Middle; no matter what crazy nonsense happened, you could always count on one thing: Jade and Beck's unfaltering love.

It was oddly comforting for the school. To always know some things just never change, like popcorn always being better with butter. It was one of those things.

And HAM, (which Cat Valentine always laughed at - "HAM? Ham? Ahaha, geddit? Aha.") found themselves in a limbo when Jade leaves Beck for the first time. With or without love, Jade and Beck worked. So when, in 8th grade, Jade leaves for the first time, no one knew what to think.

Rumors flew around on why.

"I heard it was 'cause Beck is moving back to Canada."

"Someone told me it was because Jade cut up all of Beck's jeans with scissors. She's such a freak."

"Oh my god, but I heard she attacked his dad!"

No matter why, no matter what, no matter how, it was done. Girls fought endlessly over the fluffy-haired boy, and boys were suddenly a lot more available, if you get the drift.

Cat Valentine is the only person in the world who knows why. Not even Beck knows why Jade could have ever possibly left him. She'll never say, but Jade doesn't feel, well, good enough for Beck. Cat, when she thinks of this, laughs. Jadey? Not good enough? HAH!

Jade wasn't pleased with the laughter.

"Three things, Cat, my name is NOT Jadey. Two, I do NOT appreciate the humor at my fears; and three, it's true! I'm not good enough for Mister-Perfect-Hair-And-Smile-And-Body-And... I want him back!

When Jade West cried, Cat cried. Jade was her best friend, and she couldn't ever imagine a world where Jade couldn't be enough for someone. Sure, she could be a little lazy, and crude, and maybe a bit morbid or a tiny bit inconsiderate, but she was the best! You couldn't someone who was best over Jade West! Cat then laughed. Best and West rhymed! Maybe she'd think about being a poet...

Beck didn't know what to feel. He, well, missed Jade's snarky remarks and rude comments.

Was he not good enough for her? He knew it. He was too annoying and clingy and sometimes he got angry with her. Or maybe it was the time he messed up her coffee order. Two sugars, he berated himself. Or maybe it was the time he didn't kiss her after school?

His mind was in overdrive, and he didn't like it one bit.

So, on a lunch break, Cat devised a plan. She named it the Cat Is Stuck, And Jade Loves Beck plan. All she needed was a rope, Sinjin, and Rex to tell the tale...

"Beck! Ooh, man, you gotta see this! Cat's stuck on a rope, and oh man, this is good stuff. I have to videotape this...," laughed Rex, while Robbie's eyebrows creased in worry and fear for the ditzy girl.

"What? Is she okay!?" Beck went into older protective brother mode. "Where? Where!?"

"The old stage room," replied Robbie.

"Okay, okay, okay!"

Jade reacted a bit less kind. "Did you videotape it and put it on the Slap yet?" She asked lazily, her hand waving around.

"That's what I said!" Said Rex.

Robbie glared at the two. "Guys! Cat is stuck on a rope, and you want to humiliate her? She needs to be cut down, not made fun of! And last time I was in there, there was a niiice pair of black scissors-"

"Where is she?" Asked Jade, sitting up quickly.

"The old stage."

Beck felt awkward. He wasn't used to the feeling, but when your best friend is stuck on a rope, your ex has a pair of sharp scissors, and some weird guy named Sinjin won't stop staring a bit too interested at Jade, who wouldn't be? (Although he knew the poor guy didn't even have a chance.)

In conclusion: Beck was uncomfortable, jealous, and sad,

Cat sighed, apparently, waiting for something, anything, to happen.

Jade looked around, her lips slightly pursed and all Beck thought about was how much he wanted to kiss her, right then. He was hurt by her seemingly unbothered by his presence.

The raven-haired girl huffed. "Well? Is someone gonna get her down or?"

Beck was testy. "YOU have the scissors! YOU cut her down!"

"Ugh. You're lazy."

Cat sighed for the second time of what seemed like an endless night of sighs. Her plan wasn't working... She'd have to change it.

Cat began crying.

Jade jumped, and gapped. "No, Cat, I'll get you down! Don't cry! We'll - I'll - get you down!"

"No! Nooo," sobbed the red-head.

"Then what's wrong, Cat?" Asked Beck.

"You guys ne-e-ed to get back," - hiccup, - "together. You guys are so sa-a-d without each other!"

Jade glanced at her shoes. "Who said that?"

Beck took a look at her. "Jade? I'm... sorry. I miss you. And whatever I did..." He didn't get a chance to finish before her lips stole his every word.