Tori Pov

"Why hasn't Jade been in school today? She is supposed to have a rehearsal today." I asked, my mtone curious, but not overbearing. I was sitting with my firends, minus Jade and Beck, at our usual lunch table. I wore my usual pink blouse and tight jeans, with simple tan flip flops.

"Her and Beck broke up." Andre answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He was wearing a dark green t-shirt along with loose green shorts and flip flops as well.

"So? They do that all the time. They make up. Jade doesn't miss school for that." I responded, taking a bite of my pizza. Couldn' this school spend a little more money on its lunch budget, this is starting to taste like slime.

"It's why Jade broke up with Beck that's keeping her from school. She apparently has fallen for someone else." Robbie said. He sat there with that weird puppet sitting on his lap. His button up shirt still had its usual pocket over his right breast, and still trying to rock the skinny jeans. never gonna happen.

"Hard to believe she would give up Beck. That witch can't get any other guy to put up with her." Rex said in his usual tone, where he essentially spits his words like they should be blantanly obvious.

"Oh, she didn't leave him for a boy." Cat added in while munching on a piece of salad. She sat there in a white t-shirt that seemed a little too tight, a short white skirt and ... she isnt wearing shoes today. Weird.

"But Beck told me she said loves someone else." Andre added, a hint of curiousity adding in his tone.

"She has fallen in love." Cat answered in her usual cheery tone.

"But you just said she didn't leave him for someone." Robbie said confusedly.

"Nope, I said she didn't leave him for a boy. Besides, she's really depressed about the whole thing too. Hey does anyone wanna see my new coin dispenser belt?" she asked as if it didn't even matter. She could change any subject. We all seemed to put two and two together, and what we concluded made us all stare at Cat confused.

"Cat who has Jade left Beck for?" Andre asked with shock written all over his face and in his voice.

"She told me I couldn't tell anyone. She wanted to tell her herself. She'll be back by Friday. Oh she also said the person would get a message from her tonight. Letter of course- not text. She said she did that so no one could track it, it should have a package with it too." She answered in that rare serious Cat voice, before returning to her salad.

So it was a she? Who in the world would queen witch give up Beck for? Especially if that someone was a chick.

We all finished lunch and moved on with the rest of our classes. None of us could really concentrate though. We all kept wondering who this girl was. It wasn't Cat because she had been telling Cat everything. It couldn't be me because she hated me. Not Trina because Trina's presence alone made Jade wanna barf.

I saw Beck once during the day after lunch, but he wouldn't even look at me. I couldn't tell why.

"Say Cat did Jade tell Beck who she left him for?" I asked, trying to pry a little more information from the strange girl.

"Yup. Hey that cloud looks like a bunny hehe." Cat answered to me cheerfully before gazing off into the sky, her eyes glazed over.

"Come on Cat I won't tell anyone I promise." I tried to beg her. I got on my knees and put both my hands together, begging for an answer.

"You'll just have to find out tomorrow when the one who gets the message tells everyone else." Cat may be naive, but she is very loyal. Give her a secret, and there's very little chance she'll say anything.

I decided to wait until tomorrow to find out. When I got home Trina was already home and asleep on the couch. She was such an airhead. She completely forgot I needed her to get home. Walking that far sucks badly. I moved up to my room and started working on my homework when I heard Trina call me.

"Hey Tori. Package for you. Doesn't say who it's from." she yelled in her usual shreeking tone. I wondered who could have sent me a package. The holidays were months off, I wasn't dating anyone, and I couldn't think of any reason someone would send me a package anyway.

I went downstairs, and I saw Trina holding a small box. On the table was a bouquet of roses. Trina was obviously trying to open the box, but it seemed to be locked.

"Trina when the box has someones name on it other than yours, you don't open it." I said mockingly, as if I was a mother telliung a childd something for the hundreth time, which was pretty much what this equates to. She dropped the box on the table in frustration.

"It has a stupid lock on it. It isn't a normal keyhole either. Whoever this guy is, he must think you'll know how to open it." she pouted in mock anger.

"Just go back to sleep Trina." I tried to wave her off. A request she completely ignored, as she was curious who sent the package. I looked at the lock. I couldn't figure it out. Then Trina handed me a note that had been on the lock. It said, 'The key is around your neck stupid.' I looked at my necklace and realized it was shaped just like the hole. I took it off and placed it in the lock, which it fit perfectly. How could anyone make a keyhole from my necklace?

I turned the key, and it unlocked, the lid popping up a bit. I opened it, and couldn't believe what I saw. Inside were two small rings, both of the rings had several diamonds on them. In the center of both were bright crystals of jade. I picked them up, still quite confused.

Underneath was a letter. This made me think of what Cat was telling us earlier today. Jade would send the one a package and a letter. She had told Beck who she left him for, and he had been ignoring me all day. Everything made sense except one thing. Jade hated me.

I opened the letter, Trina looking over my shoulder still, and read it aloud:

Dear Tori Vega,

I hope you accept me for who I am and that our past issues will not stop you from realizing how I feel. I have treated you like dirt, putting you down every chance I got because I didn't know to express myself any other way. I was only with him for appearances, and to raise my status in the class.

When you arrived I never saw you as a threat. I merely acted that way to keep my appearance up. I was awe struck by your talent. I would have never admitted it before because I had a rep to uphold, and I didn't know how people would react to me liking a female. I don't care anymore though. I can't keep acting like I love someone I don't. I'm sick of putting up this front that I'm a mean girl. Even if you don't accept me, I will still care for you.

Regardless of your answer I will continue life as normal, but if you do accept me, we can either be open or secret about it. I will leave it up to you. I just had to get this off my chest. I love you and I hope you can come to feel the same way about me.

Love,

Jadelyn West

P.S. The rings are for if you say yes. I have another question for you that involves them.

Trina and I both sat down and stared at each other. How could Jade love me? More importantly, why did she take so long to say it? I had always felt something for her, but I thought she hated me. I liked her alot, which was why I was always trying to make her smile and kept giving her hugs, despite her saying she hated them. I guess she actually enjoyed those hugs. I had felt something for her- but she was with Beck, and I didn't want my friends thinking I was some weirdo who liked the same sex. I always had liked girls, I just made it seem otherwise. Only Trina knew the truth, because when she was still nice I had asked her about these sort of things. She had told me that although she thought it was okay, most people thought liking the same sex was wrong. That's sort of why she knew I wouldn't stay with any guy for too long.

"I'm going to Jade's. Tell Mom that I went to see a friend, and may be staying the night."

"It's about time you got with someone you'll actually like. I was getting sick of watching you break boys hearts. Don't worry, this is one of the few times I know covering for you will amount to something. So I've got your back. Good luck." she told me, finishing with a wink. Trina never supported me when it came to romantic pursuits, because she knew they would fail in the end. For once though, she thought this might work, so she was going to back me all the way. I don't think she realized just how much that meant to me.

I hopped in my car and raced to Jade's place. I was wearing one of the rings, and I knew the other was for me to give back to her. She had planned this so I would have to talk to her, no matter what my answer. She knew I'd either return one or both, and that would be answer enough for her. We would be open about this. I had no problem with that.

I walked up to the door and knocked. She came to the door, saw the ring on my finger, and well... let's leave the rest to the imagination.

Andre Pov

Cat, Beck, Robbie, and I stayed after school to help Sikowitz with a project. He had asked each of us to stay, except Cat who had already volunteered. He said it would probably take us all night, and we couldn't have our phones on. Beck looked really out of it, he had been told who Jade left him for, and it was tearing him up. Not so much that Jade had moved on, but that she had moved on to a girl. He said we would find out more tomorrow.

I was wondering why Sikowitz hadn't asked Tori to help us. It was a play that he wanted each of us ready for by tomorrow.

"Say Sikowitz, I get why you would need us for an all nighter, but why do our phones need to be off?" I asked, curiousity and suspicion laced in my voice.

"Because we don't need you guys asking around to find anything out." he answered, like usual yelling the words for no apparent reason.

"Wait you know something about what's going on with Jade?" Robbie asked suddenly seeming to get interested in the subject again.

"Cat told me she had instruction from Jade to have me keep you all here so you wouldn't find out early. Also I really do need you to know this play by tomorrow." He answered us a little more calmly, then took a sip of his coconut and continued. "It will be for the head of casting at Universal Pictures. He plans on coming here tomorrow to look for new talent. I thought it was a perfect opportunity to keep you guys distracted."

"Okay I understand that, and why Jade's not here. What I don't get is why you aren't keeping Tori here? And where is Cat?" Robbie added in, now staring at Sikowitz like he deserved an explanation.

"Tori and Cat are being kept with one of the other teahcers. We needed to keep you guys separated because Cat knows who it is, Tori wouldn't pry and you all would. Now let us begin." He answered, back to yelling his words again.

Cat Pov

Sikowitz is doing a good job keeping the boys distracted. Beck had to be here because he might go blabbing, and as long as Sikowitz is keeping them busy he won't say anything. I knew Tori was at Jade's house because Jade had texted me as she drove up. I also knew it had gone well because she hadn't texted me again. Jade knew I wasn't the moron everyone thought I was. We had been friends for a long time, and she was the only person who knew the real me.

My friends didn't know how I became such a good actress, they didn't know that I'm always acting unless it's just Jade and me. I'm actually quite smart, but I never thought anyone would accept me for anything other than my looks. Yeah I'm on the same team as Jade, not that the guys have any idea. One of these days though, Robbie's going to push his luck, and my patience to the edge. Jade knew it was a long time coming. I had already picked a place on his face for the punch he'd get when his luck ran out- right between the eyes.

He was a nice guy, but he was taking my naivety to his advantage. I was actually behind the two way board Sikowitz had set up and was watching the boys.

"Say do you think I should ask Tori out? I mean I've been crushing on her for a while, and I kinda thought she felt the same. Whaddya think Beck?" Andre asked. He was so clueless. Of course only I could see that Tori didn't like guys. She may try to hide it, but it's obvious to someone who studied to be a mentalist. I had to in order to be able to learn more about people. With the way I act normally, I would be able to watch people in odd ways without them taking it oddly so I could study them. Tori had been an easy read though, I had known about six minutes after meeting Tori. I never said anything, it was her business, and most of them would have thought I was just being Cat.

"Nope. I don't think she'll go for it. That's all I have to say so don't ask me anything about Tori." He said Tori's name with a little venom. Andre and Robbie are pretty perceptive when they need to be, but they would never guess that Tori was Jade's love. Jade acted like she hated Tori, when really she had been crushing on her from the moment she saw her.

"I can't believe I'm asking this, but what do you think Sikowitz and Robbie? Beck's not in the best mood so I don't think his advice would help anyone." Andre said, turning his attention from the brooding pretty boy.

"I think-" "Definitely." Robbie was cut off by Rex. If you can call that cutting him off. Then again, Rex is actually Robbie's other personality. He had two minds that acted completely independently. "She's hot. You aren't too bad, and you have been friends since you guys met. In fact you were her first friend. Why wouldn't she like you?" Rex was pretty good with women, but even he didn't have a clue. He still only knew what Robbie knew, which left him at a disadvantage.

"I think you should work on the play. We need to have this done. The head of casting will be here in two days- which gives us tonight and tomorrow to work." He answered loudly, still sipping from that coconut again. "In any case, tomorrow you will all hear Jade's big reveal. Either that or she will come in depressed and hate us all even more. Now let's get practicing."

"Hold on a sec. What do you mean she could come in depressed?" Andre asked.

"Yeah why would she be depressed if she just let a big thing off her chest like she did? Hasn't she been thinking about this for a year now? At least that's what Beck told me." Robbie added.

"Well actually Jade has been holding this in for two years. Also there's no guarantee that she will be accepted. We can only wait for tomorrow." They continued practicing and drinking red bull until about 2:30 the next morning. I had passed out around six yesterday. I woke up in time to see the boys wake up themselves to the sound of the staff bell.

"Wow it's already tomorrow. Sorry for falling asleep Sikowitz. I'll go get Tori and Cat so we can get ready for class today. Good thing we got permission from our folks to stay over night." Andre said groggily, yawning through art of the sentence.

I decided now would be a good time to show myself, so I stepped into the room, "No need I'm wide awake. You guys were great. I hope the casting dude likes it. Hey does anyone wanna smoothie?" I continued with my usual airhead ways.

"Wait, weren't you and Tori with another teacher? And where is Tori?" Robbie asked.

"She wasn't here. Nice job with the story Sikowitz. Would you like a smoothie?"

"Sure thing Cat. Mango and bean please. I have a craving for beans."

"Then where's Tori?" Andre asked.

"I'm right here." Tori said as she and Jade walked in the room. They were holding hands, I could tell from that and the numerous hickeys on Tori's neck things had gone very well. Jade had said she wouldn't have sex, but anything short of that was open season. Jade and Tori both had large smiles on their faces, and Jade wasn't wearing any make up.

"Tori... is...with...?" Robbie got those two words out before his mouth hit the floor. Beck just mumbled something inaudible. Sikowitz and I shared a triumphant look and a fist bump. We had been trying to find a way to bring those two together for year and a half now. Sikowitz was just that good, he noticed the look in Jade's eye when she looked at Tori was only acted hatred. Underneath there had been deep passion. I figured it out from my training- I read her body language. Jade drooped when Tori was around, she would roll her eyes and scowl. If you knew what to look for though, you would see her breathing speed up, her eyes dart back and forth from time to time, and the slight blush she always has when Tori's around.

Tori had most of the same signs except she didn't hide them, the boys were just oblivious. One difference though, was that instead of a blush, she got a starry look in her eyes. These were still too subtle for the average person to notice, especially a bunch of hormonally unstable teenage boys. They would have never seen it. I would have thought that they'd notice Tori's constant attempts to hug Jade more than most, or that Jade never really fought it once Tori got her in one.

"And to think I was asking if I should ask you out. That explains why Sikowitz avoided the question and Beck snapped at me. Really though, if you were playing for our side you could have told us. That would have taken a lot of pressure off me. I've been crushin' on you for a while." Andre said.

"I know and that's why I didn't date you. I would have to break your heart eventually. I just never really liked boys. I was just putting up a front to seem normal." Tori answered.

"So you showed you cared by not dating me. Well at least I don't need to chase you anymore." Andre realized.

"Well don't think this changes anything. I'm still Jade. Even if I am permanetly taken." Jade said, as Tori and her held up each others ring fingers. I think the boys were still processing the fact that they were together. It was a full thirty minutes before they realized what those rings meant.

"Wait a minute aren't you guys only like 16?" Robbie asked.

"We aren't doing anything further till after we graduate, but yeah I think you guys have the right idea." Tori answered. I hadn't thought that Jade would ask so quickly, but I guess it didn't matter. It would be years before that came into play. Besides, this was only the first of a few relationships Sikowitz and I had to get started by the end of the year, and by the look of this it was going very well.

"So you guys going to be hanging out all the time?" Robbie asked.

"Actually I'm not going to be away from her ever. I talked to the principal and she was happy to have all my classes switched so my schedule fit with Tori's. Also we're going to start moving my stuff after school." Jade answreed cockily.

"Your family is moving?" Andre asked.

"Nope just me- into one of Tori's guest rooms. It won't be a guest room anymore. I wanted to share her room, but her mom wasn't hearing it. Besides I can at least decorate it my way." Jade told him. This caused Beck to stare at her in what can only be described as pure anger. I guess he hadn't quite realized that Jade never really loved him. The fact that she was still a virgin and refused to let him change that should have sent some sort of message. He must be mad that she never talked about moving in with him the two years they dated and suddenly she's moving in with Tori.

"Really Jade? That's it! I'm done with all of you! I seem to be the only one disgusted by this couple. They're the same sex for God's sake! Doesn't anyone see something wrong with this?" I knew Andre was too accepting, Sikowitz too hippy, and Robbie too clueless to really think so. The personality that they thought I had made me seem too ditsy and cheerful to not accept any sort of love. Rex was too into romance to care. When Beck didn't get an answer I could tell he was digusted with all of us.

"Fine if you guys find this disgusting display of love okay I'm through with you guys. Screw the play, I'm leaving Hollywood Arts." He stormed off. I heard he later withdrew his tuition and left the school. There was an eerie silence after Beck left the room. Of course Tori was the one to break it. Despite how I appeared, she was definitely the most peppy one out of us.

"Wow moody much. So anyone ready for first period? It starts in two minutes."

"Actually you will all be here today. I told the principal you would all be here including Jade and Tori. As far as she knows you two have been here all night. This also means one of you will take Beck's part since it's not gender exclusive. You will all be excused from your classes and will aid me today with my classes. Besides I think the other student have been dying to find out about Jade's new girl." I think that's when the others realized how fast rumors and news spread through the school. Everyone knew about this final breakup and the that Jade had hooked up with a new girl. The question on everyone's mind would be who.

"I told you we could have kept this secret." Jade said to Tori. Tori just kissed her on the cheek and gave her a cute little pout.

"Now where would be the fun in that? Besides we both know either Beck would have said something or Sinjin would have found out sooner or later and blabbed it to the whole school. I'd rather be open about it. I don't care what everyone else thinks and I know you don't anymore." Tori said to Jade. That pouty look she gave Jade could get anyone to agree.

"Fine whatever." And so we began our day. The two had decided in the end to keep it a secret from the rest of the student body until the day after Jade finished moving in with Tori. I couldn't wait to see what everyone would say.