Just a little early Christmas present for you :) And something to take my mind off "Bloodlines" story, so the creative juices will start flowing.
By the way, I am trying out tumblr, so all of you are welcome to follow me at .com. You'll get some original works of mine, life stories that might or might not crack you up, my photography works and films, and basically an insight to my mind (which is a scary thing). And I'll be glad to follow back and get to know you better :)
You may listen to Barry Manilow's "Can't Smile Without you" as you read the story to be completely in the Chrristmas-y mood :) or, do you consider it to be a Christmas song? It always gets me going when I don't quite feel the holiday spirit, so...
Anyway, enjoy your read, follow me on tumblr, and leave a review!
"Um... What do you mean 'Christmas shopping'?"
Tori looked around the table, her beaming smile faltering as she took in her friends' passive faces.
"It's the festive season, guys!" She tried again, turning up her trademark 'Tori-giddiness' to the full. "All the shops have the decorations already, and at the mall there is the cutest Rudolf I've ever seen! Friday at the mall – who's with me?"
Cat glanced at her with her usual innocent gaze, her eyebrows up in a sympathetic expression.
"But Tori, Christmas is like a whole month away," the redhead chirped, squeezing her purple giraffe.
Others murmured their agreement, getting back to the food.
"What do you mean 'a whole month away', it's only a month away," the tan brunette emphasized the last part defensively.
"Sorry Tori, but I guess we're just not that into Christmas this year," Andre shrugged, picking up his burrito and sniffing it cautiously. "Hey do you know where exactly Festus keeps the meat?" He addressed Beck, squinting. The actor just shrugged in a cool manner typical for him. "I don't think I saw any fridge in the truck," he noted calmly.
"Hey, that's right, when I worked there with Trina, we took the ingredients out from card boxes," Robbie added helpfully, also suspiciously scrutinizing his sandwich.
"Seriously, how is he still working here?" Andre grumbled, incredulous.
Everyone went on with their business, not paying attention to the fuming half-Latina and completely disregarding the previous topic.
"Oh come on!" Tori finally exploded, throwing her arms up in the air. "What's wrong with you people! It's Christmas! Most wonderful time of the year – ring any bells?"
"I never really liked it that much," Robbie said with a sheepish smile. "Besides, I'm kinda more of a Hanukah guy, so…"
"Yeah, and I don't like anything connected with snow and winter and stuff like that. Andre is strictly the hot summer guy, ya feel me, girl?"
"One time my brother tried to decorate our house, and since then no one on my street likes Christmas anymore."
"Oh God," Tori groaned quietly, shifting her gaze to Beck who kept silent almost the entire time. "What about you? You had snowy Christmas in Canada when you were growing up, you have to like it at least a little bit, right?"
The tan boy winced.
"Yeah… I spent Christmas with Jade for two years. First time she stabbed me with her scissors, and I wish I could say it was an accident, and second time, she dumped me," he smiled apologetically at the singer, mistaking her reaction as a lost hope at getting the gang into the festive spirit. However, the expression on Tori's face appeared due to a completely unrelated issue she was having.
Tori felt herself stiffen at the mention of the Goth's name. Jade. Her body wasn't paralyzed with fear as it often did last year when Jade came up in a conversation. Now, it was an entirely different reaction, with the tickles down her spine and confusing storm of emotions in her stomach. Lately, her relationship with Jade was morphing into something different and it terrified and excited her at the same time.
Ever since their senior year has started, Jade and her were slowly becoming friends, having outgrown childish pettiness and competitiveness that strained their semi-friendship in the past. However, as they neared the end of their teenage years, the famous teenage hormones decided to make the youngest Vega's life miserable and hit her with a full force. Namely, they made her start to… notice things.
Like how soft Jade's lips looked lately. Or how flawlessly she moved, carrying an air of confidence everywhere she went. Or how perfectly tight her clothes were in all the right places…
The biggest problem, however, wasn't her paying closer attention to the Goth, but the attention she received back.
Now, Tori might be Miss-Holier-Than-Thou sometimes, but she wasn't born yesterday. She also wasn't blind by any means, and, as every pretty girl aware of her good looks, she always noticed the signs of attention directed at her.
She didn't miss the subtle touches and flirtatious smirks, and she often caught Jade's hungry gaze on her behind as she walked by.
And if she was honest with herself, she might have started to walk with more swing to her hips every time she passed the blue-eyed writer.
And that was the scary part. She knew Jade wanted her, if her intense lingering gaze was any indication. She was rather sure that she wanted Jade back as well and just as badly.
But she wasn't sure at all if Jade wasn't going to use her and discard her as soon as she was finished with her body.
Because while they became somewhat friends, with Jade occasionally admitting it through gritted teeth, the Goth pretty much remained a gank to her, toning it down only slightly. And Tori... Tori didn't just want her body. She wanted Jade, period, and her beauty wasn't the only thing that captivated her.
She loved the way Jade so effortlessly performed her roles, seemingly having no trouble transforming from a housewife to a country girl. She loved her writings, each character so well-thought-out and carefully crafted. She loved the way her mind worked, while dark at times, but brilliant nonetheless. She loved the way she laughed, which was so rare it was a treasure, with her whole face lighting up in a carefree innocence. She loved the way Jade protected her sometimes. She loved her posessive and passionate nature.
Tori missed the moment when her little crush began to develop into something much more powerful, but now, it was too late to stop the process.
She was falling for Jade, and she was absolutely sure she would crush and burn.
So, she was stuck between her body screaming at her to give in to Jade's inviting lips, her heart aching for Jade's embrace and her mind warning her about the, no doubt, devastating consequences of the act.
And apparently her body was winning the argument, since last night Tori joined Jade on a dancefloor at the new club, where hands ended up in places and a flustered half-Latina practically ran away before she did something embarrassing.
Like having an orgasm in front of the entire club because Jade's thigh clearly knew what it was doing.
Tori shook her head free of confusing thoughts, deciding to get back to her latest distraction.
"Well, I know all of you have some issues with Christmas, but who doesn't? You just have to focus on the good part! Just imagine this," Tori gestured animatedly, "it's dark outside, and the lawn is covered in the artificial snow, a cup of hot chocolate in your hand, the whole house is magical with decorations…" She trailed off dreamily, closing her eyes as a half-smile adorned her face. "Warm chocolate chip cookies and Christmas classic on the TV, and in the morning you get to open awesome presents. Isn't that awesome?"
"Cheesy," a bored voice stated behind her. "The word you're looking for is cheesy. And you could throw in 'boring' for good measure," the owner of the voice sat down on the bench gracefully, her pierced eyebrow raised as she smirked at Tori. "But then again, not surprising, considering it's Vega's idea of a perfect Christmas."
"I don't know, that kinda sounded great," Robbie smiled hesitatingly at Tori, but, catching the sharp look Jade threw his way, gulped and bit into his sandwich nervously.
"Of course you would think so," the dark-haired girl snapped. "You're nearly as corny as Vega."
Tori scowled. That was Jade in all her glory. Making fun of her ideas and generally of anything even remotely romantic. Alright, yes, everything she said was corny and cheesy. But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing – that was… sweet and romantic and reminded of warm cuddles in front of the fire and gentle kisses.
It also reminded Tori that Jade would never go for any of those things, and anger flowed to her veins.
"It's not corny, it's traditional, and I happen to like those things," she objected forcefully, glaring at the Goth who chuckled in response.
"Well well well, who woulda thought Tori Vega was so vanilla," she cocked her head to the side, doing that… annoyingly sexy eye thing which turned brunette's insides to jelly. "I'd like to think you're not so boring in some… other aspects of life," the dangerous girl widened her smirk as she watched Tori blush slightly at the hidden meaning behind her words.
Andre cleared his throat, catching on the obvious sexual tension between two polar opposites.
"Sorry, Tori, but I gotta go with Jade on that one. The traditional Christmas seems kinda dull, and dull's not Andre," he stated arrogantly.
Tori huffed at him.
"Yeah, sure, side with her."
"It's hard to have a traditional Christmas in LA anyway," Beck remarked stoically. "With the never-ending summer, I can't really feel it, you know?"
"Then…" Tori's mind worked as she got a sudden idea. "…What if all of us go away to the north part of the States? We could get a cabin and have a real Christmas!"
A loud groan from her left slowed her roll. "Fuck, Vega," Jade stated. "I get that you want snow, Santa and a kiss under the mistletoe, but do you have to drag all of us into your little corny fantasy?" She smirked a bit after that, studying Tori. "I mean, I might be down for the last part, but everything else is disgustingly plain. We are supposed to be the most creative teens in LA. Spending Christmas like we do every year is… humiliating."
And there she went again, confusing Tori with her hot-and-cold attitude. Well, the singer was about fed up with it.
She stood up abruptly, not caring if it looked a little over-dramatic, and without another word headed to the school, ignoring her friends' calls for her to come back. She wasn't going to. Christmas was her favorite holiday! And yes, she could understand her friends' being unenthusiastic about it. Hell, she could totally relate to that. Her last Christmas, she spend holed up in her room, trying to control her tears as they slid down her cheeks. Her parents had a huge fight, and while later they decided to try and work on their marriage, at the moment Tori felt that it was final. They were getting a divorce, and she hated how helpless she felt, not knowing what to do.
And now, a year later, David and Holly Vega were leaving their daughters alone on Christmas, desperately trying to save their bond with each other and going on a cruise.
Spending Christmas alone with Trina certainly wasn't on her bucket list. That was the whole reason she started the holiday conversation so early, and now, with the only people she wanted to spend the day with being so against the whole idea, she felt truly alone.
As she got lost in her depressing thoughts, someone grabbed her from behind, dragging her somewhere and muffling her scream with a hand. She found herself in a dark room with practically zero visibility. As she bit into hand that was pressed to her mouth, the light went on, revealing the room to be a janitor's closet and deep chuckles to be Jade's.
"Feisty, Vega," she remarked, still holding her close to her chest. "Knew you liked it rough. It's always the quiet ones, huh?"
Tori stilled her movements, relaxing as she realized that no one was murdering her today.
"And why, may I ask, did you scare the chiz out of me and dragged me in here?" She asked, smiling as she relaxed into the embrace. Jade's chest vibrated against her back with each word she said.
"It's fun to watch you squirm," Jade stated simply, and Tori rolled her eyes. Of course. "And as for me dragging you here…' the black-haired girl lowered her head, nuzzling brunette's neck with her nose. "We appear to have some unfinished business from last night, as I recall," she whispered, sending chills down Tori's spine.
But as her words registered in her brain, she turned in Jade's embrace, eyes wide with disbelief.
"So you dragged me here to have sex with me," she stated, and Jade's eyes also widened in surprise at Tori being so straight-forward. But truth be told, Tori was tired of all the dancing around the issue deal they had for the past several confusing weeks.
"Well, not necessarily," the Goth replied, a slow smirk forming on her lips. "But if that's what you had in mind…" She began to lower her head again, this time aiming at Tori's lips when a firm hand on her shoulder stopped her. The half-Latina broke free of her grasp, crossing her arms over her chest, glaring at her.
"What? What's wrong?" Jade asked, confused. Everything was going fine. Better than fine – Tori finally acknowledged the elephant in the room, and last night was beyond hot.
"Oh, so now you care," the half-Latina huffed angrily. It was so stupid of her to think even for a fraction of a second that Jade would be concerned for her. All Jade cared about was getting in her pants. Her actions further proved her suspicions.
Tori felt angry blush come to her cheeks as she berated herself for letting her hopes up.
"What do you mean?" Confused blue met furious brown.
"You know perfectly well what I meant, Jade."
"Yeah, I don't speak crazy person, so you have to spell it out for me," Jade momentarily cursed herself for her sharp tongue. Tori's eyes flashed hurt before a knowing sad smile made its way to her lips.
"You know what, it doesn't matter," the tan teen scoffed, turning to leave, only to be stopped by Jade's hand on her arm.
"Tori, c'mon," the raven-haired girl tried, softening her gaze."Tell me where I screwed up. I thought we both wanted that," she couldn't help but smirk at the shorter girl who looked less than amused.
"You didn't screw up, Jade," Tori said, tired. " I am to blame for wanting something I can't have."
"Woah, wait up," Jade frowned a bit, not understanding. " I was just offering it to you on a silver plate, Vega. What do you mean you can't have it?"
Tori shrugged Goth's hand off of herself, anger returning to her blood.
"Okay, first of all - thank you for showing just how low you think of me. Having sex in a janitor's closet, really? We haven't even kissed yet, and you expect me to let you fuck me in a dirty supply room?" Jade looked shocked at her using such a strong curse, and she gave herself a mental high-five. "And secondly, thank you for showing me that you and I want completely different things. Now I'll be able to move on from whatever this is," Tori gestured between Jade and herself, "amd continue to live my cheesy corny life."
"So it's about this stupid holiday, is that why you're bitching at me?"
Tori felt a sharp pang in her chest as her heart finally admitted defeat and her mind sang 'I told you so' over and over again.
"This holiday happens to be a big deal to me," she said coldly, her gaze unwavering. " And if you let the blood flow to your brain every once in a while instead of other lower regions, you would understand what I'm bitching about."
With that, she left, leaving Jade to gape at her retreating back.
"Tori, but Christmas is just around the corner!"
The youngest Vega couldn't help but smirk as the irony of the situation sank in. There she was, not having any Christmas-y thoughts whatsoever, when a month ago, she was the one to pester everyone about the importance of the day.
At first she was determined not to let Jade ruin it for her, but as the holidays grew closer, she found herself grow more indifferent with each passing day.
"I know, Cat, but I'm not really in the mood," she retorted lightly at her friend, hugging her books closer to her chest as she made eye contact with Jade who was standing across the hallway, studying her intensely.
Ever since their fight in the closet, Tori didn't allow any contact whatsoever with the alluring girl. Surprisingly, Jade didn't throw a fit at that - she seemed to accept Tori's wish and switched to silent gazing at the brunette, appearing deep in thoughts every time she did. And while Tori's hopelessly romantic side imagined that Jade was hurting inside and was just waiting for the right moment to finally sweep her off her feet, she knew what it really meant.
Jade realised that Tori had feelings which ran deeper than a passionate one-night-stand, and she didn't want anything to do with it.
Tori stared into Jade's eyes for a second longer than intended before dropping her gaze to an expectant Cat.
"How can you be not in the mood? You love Christmas!" The redhead exclaimed, pouting.
"You, come with me," sudden appearence of her older sister saved Tori from having to explain herself, and she just shrugged apologetically, following Trina who seemed agitated by something.
"What is it this time?" She asked warily, scrutinizing her crazy sibling. Trina just stared at her before suddenly letting out a high-pitched squeal, jumping up and down in excitement. Tori frowned at her, slowly inching backwards. It happened. Trina had finally snapped.
"I got a second audition for the movie I tried out for!" Trina shouted, her arms flailing around. Tori widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Really?!" At Trina's excited nod, she let out a squeal of her own, rushing to hug her. "That's awesome!"
"Hey hey hey!" Her older sister protested in an obnoxiously loud voice, holding out a hand. "I am the future movie star, so don't grab the merchandise. That," she pointed to her face, "will get me millions of dollars, so mind your grabby little hands."
Tori rolled her eyes. What an entirely unsurprising response. Some people never changed.
The unwanted picture of a raven-haired girl popped up in her mind, and she willed herself not to dwell on it.
"Well, I am very happy for you," she still congratulated Trina, smiling.
"Of course you should be happy," Trina took out her phone, typing away. "You're flying with me to Minnesota."
The color drained from Tori's face.
"W-what?" She got out weakly.
"Mom and Dad said I can't go alone, so you're flying with me," Trina said slowly, acting like she was talking to a deaf mentally challenged person.
Being stuck with Trin with no escape route for 6 hours, again? That had to be the worst holiday ever.
"Wait, why Minnesota?" She asked, confused.
"Why does it matter?" Trina asked, irritated. "The filming location is here, or whatever."
"B-but..." Tori trailed off as the older Vega advanced on her, menacing.
"Are you trying to sabotage my entire acting career because you're afraid of snow, little sis?" Trina growled at her, getting closer with each step she took. Tori gulped.
"N-no, it's a little weird, is all," she mumbled.
"What, me getting the part is weird, is that what you want to say?" Tori wanted to point out that Trina didn't even get the part yet, but the look in her sister's eyes stopped her.
"Okay, fine!" She exclaimed, getting further form Trina who completely invaded her personal space at that moment. "I'll fly with you to the damn audition!"
"Uh, hello? No one asked you if you're going to do it or not, it was already settled," Trina stated sassily, and Tori fought not to grit her teeth. "You finished with the school or what?"
"Yeah, classes are over for a whole month," Tori faked her enthusiasm, pumping a fist in the air. Trina just rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, loser, let's bail. We're flying out tonight," she added as an after-thought, leaving Tori with an open mouth as she went to the car.
"Why did you even bother with telling me at all?!" Tori shouted at her back. "Throwing a pillowcase over my head and stuffing me in the trunk would've done the trick, you know!"
"Ugh, Tori, you're such a drama queen."
While Trina wasn't aware of this, her life was dangerously close to being cut short, and the only thing that saved her was the plane finally landing.
Tori slowly let out a breath and counted to five. No, better make it ten. After hours spent with her sister, she wasn't as against murder as she previously had been. In fact, she was thinking of starting a petition that allowed it under certain circumstances.
For example, when a person was so annoying you had a constant urge to ram a pen in your eye.
"Move it, grandma!" The object of her murderous thoughts called out impatiently, already making her way to the airport exit.
"I can't move it, I think you broke my leg back at the plane!" Tori growled, limping slightly behind her sister's determined form. "And where the heck are we going? What about our luggage?"
"The studio will take care of it," Trina just waved her hand at her. "Our ride is here, see?"
Tori squinted and her eyes found a tall man in a business suit, holding up a sign with her name on it.
Wait. They were supposed to wait for Trina. Then why did the sign stated 'Victoria Vega'?
"Uh... Trina?" Tori called out cautiously, her eyes not leaving the driver. "Why there is my name on it?"
"Because it's your ride. Duh," the older Vega rolled her eyes as if it was obvious.
"What do you mean it's my ride? Are we going in different cars? Where's yours?"
"I'm not going anywhere," Trina stated calmly, and as Tori turned around to stare at her, she was greeted with her sister's soft smile. "My flight back to LA leaves in an hour."
Tori's head spinned. What was she saying?
"Trina, I don't understand..."
"Just go to the car, and never, ever say that I've never done anything for you," the brunette girl gently nudged Tori to the RangeRover, and Tori complied, walking to it, confused. As she neared the car, she turned around again only to find Trina gone.
"Victoria Vega?" The driver inquired, serious.
"Yeah," Tori stammered. "Do you know what's going on?"
"I am required to drive you to the destination," he replied cryptically in a bored tone. "My responsibilities end there," with that, he opened the door for her, waiting patiently as she got in with hesitation.
What was happening? Was it all Trina's doing? What if she arranged for her to be sold to some rich freak?!
Tori paled before scolding herself. Trina might be crazy and shallow, but she would never agree to anything that might put her life in danger. But the curiosity was killing her as she racked her mind with possible options.
While she entertained herself by coming up with theories, each of them more ridiculous than the last, the driver parked the car somewhere. As Tori stepped out, she shivered from the sudden cold, looking around and gasping in awe.
She was standing near a huge beautiful wooden house that looked like it was straight from Christmas fairytale. It had a front lawn which was completely covered in snow, just like everything else around her. The trees surrounding the house were sparkling with white, adding magnificence to the view. As Tori glanced up at the sky, her frozen hands forgotten, she was awarded with a billion of stars shining down on her.
She had never seen such beauty before. As an LA native, all she knew was sand getting into uncomfortable places, sweat rolling down her spine and the sun pressing on her from a bright scalding sky.
This... This was more than a beauty. Everything was perfectly still in its coldness, hypnotizing with the serenity and calmness, letting her mind relax as her body grew numb.
"I was instructed to give you this," Tori blinked as a coat was draped on her shoulders. She enveloped herself in it, grateful for the warmth it brought.
"So... Still not gonna tell me what's going on?" She tried one last time, looking at the stranger hopefully. He chuckled.
"Nope, but if you decide to open that door," he pointed to the house, " the answer will be waiting for you near the fireplace, most probably sulking about the messed up hot chocolate and nursing a bourbon." With one last wink, he got to the driver's side and sped away into the night.
Tori drew in a cold crystal air, coughing up from not being used to the low temperature. So who brought her here? It was someone close, or Trine would have never gone for it. The youngest Vega had a hunch, but she chased the thought away, bitterly reminding herself that she was going to be disappointed once again if she let that train get to the station.
Shaking her head slightly, she took determined steps to the house, eager to find out who the hell went into all the trouble. As she threw the door open, agitated, she did a double take.
The interior was decorated in the best traditions of Christmas, complete with the lights and huge decorative socks hanging from the fireplace. However, despite driver's words, no one appeared to be home.
Tori took a couple of steps inside, astonished at the coziness of it all. The entrance lead directly to the huge living room: the fireplace was located right across the main door, built into the further wall. In front of it, there were two comfy-looking sofas, facing each other. Wooden furniture was placed around the room as well, a coffee table, a low drawer serving as a table for different amber-colored liquids in crystal pitchers of various sizes - Tori assumed it was alcohol. Right near the fireplace there was a white rug which Tori was willing to bet was the softest thing anyone ever touched. The Christmas tree was standing to fireplace's left, decorated with red and green toys and candies. The little warm lights were hanged on the walls and - Tori looked to the right - entwined the stair rails that lead to the second floor. As Tori shifted her gaze to the tree again, she noticed a large red sack with wrapped presents peeking out of it. She smiled at that in spite of herself, and as she took a deep breath, the familiar scent of cloves, oranges, cinnamon and chocolate reached her nostrils, filling her stomach with butterflies.
The house, the location, the atmosphere whispered a perfect Christmas. But who was behind it all?
Tori couldn't stand the mystery any longer. She threw caution to the wind and rushed to the tree, hoping to find any clues there. As she reached the decorated Christmas symbol, however, she scowled with disbelief, holding out her hand as she fingered one of the ornaments.
Scissors.
No way.
"I've been meaning to ask you how do you like your hot chocolate."
Tori whipped around, a scowl present on her face as Jade appeared from within the depths of the house, clad in a simple grey v-neck and black jeans.
"Some people prefer bitter to sweet, you know," Jade continued, taking a step down a one-stair into the living room. "I figured you liked milk chocolate better." The black-haired girl walked past Tori, coming closer to the fireplace and snatching a glass with the amber drink swirling at the bottom.
'Nursing a bourbon', Tori's helpful memory played the driver's words.
"I actually like it bitter," she found her voice, speaking softly. Jade smirked at her, sipping the drink.
"It doesn't matter now, since it apparently hates me with a burning passion," the meaning of the words wasn't lost on Tori as her companion glanced at her hesitatingly. Hesitation was a stange thing to witness on Jade West's face, and Tori decided she liked that look on her.
"It's the only thing that hates you in this house," she replied, still quiet as she studied Jade's face. The blue-eyes girl broke into a smile.
"Good to know. So," she finished her drink, placing the glass one the table. "I assume you are expecting an explanation?"
"That would be nice," the tan brunette crossed her arms, waiting. Jade fidgeted a little.
"You just want me to talk, or do you have any questions for me?"
"The only question is 'what the hell', so the sooner you start talking, the better."
"Fair enough," Jade chuckled. "Basically, it's me trying to apologize."
Tori's heart sank to her stomach as she swallowed her bitter disappointment.
"A simple 'sorry' would have cut it it," she replied sarcastically.
"Yeah, but it wouldn't be able to show what you are to me," Jade took a cautious step to the half-Latina but stopped as the girl shrunk back. "It wouldn't be able to show how much you mean to me," she whispered, her eyes growing soft.
Tori scowled at that. She knew Jade was trying to make amends, and in a typical West fashion she took things too far, flying her out of state and getting her into a fairytale scene. But she wasn't about to fall for her sweet words, when her actions were anything but.
"Really, Jade," she said dangerously low. "So you decide to ignore me for a month, and then you pull a bunny out of your loaded hat and decide to buy me with Christmas? Is it a diabolical master plan to get into my pants?" She knew she was treading on a thin ice, but she didn't care. She needed Jade to show her real face and stop hiding behind this sweet demeanor.
"Do you honestly believe I would've done all of this simply to get a piece of ass?" Jade questioned lightly, grinning. Tori failed to see what was so funny.
"Look," the Goth - although right now there wasn't much of a Goth left in her with her simple wardrobe choice and light make-up - tried again, dropping the smirk. "I know what an ass I've been to you even before this month. As for ignoring you - I wanted to give you some space to cool off. I'm sure you would've punched me if I tried to do anything sooner," she gave Tori a half-smile.
"You can't be sure about that," Tori stated.
"Yes I can, because I know you. Believe it or not, I know you pretty well, and I also knew that in order for you to believe me, I had to really show you that I actually care," Jade paused, just looking at Tori for a moment. "And in all honesty, when I finally followed your advice and started to think with my brain and not with my metathorical dick, I realized just how much I messed up." She took a step closer to Tori, and this time the singer didn't back down. "You needed this holiday to stop being a reminder of your parents' almost divorce," she continued softly. "You loved it since you were a kid, and I made fun of you for that. But the way I handled things in the closet takes the cake, and there is no apology in the world that encompasses just how sorry I am," she finished in a whisper, her eyes searching Tori's face.
The tan teen let out a shaky breath. She got the apology she wanted, but it wasn't the thing she craved.
"Tori?" Jade pleadingly looked at her, unnerved by the way the singer was keeping silent. "Say something," she asked quietly.
"You're right," Tori sighed, getting herself together. "What you did hurt me, but I accept your apology. You didn't have to do everything that you did," the singer gestured around the room, "but I appreciate it. Now," she let out another sigh, the finality of the situation pressing on her, "now, I need to get back home. I'll catch a flight with Trina," she said softly, watching as Jade's face fell.
"Is that what you want?" The raven-haired girl asked gloomily, turning to watch the fireplace. Tori swallowed a lump in her throat.
"Yes. Yes, that's what I want," she replied. Jade nodded, defeated.
"I'll get Marcus to be here in 5 minutes," she said gruffily, grasping a glass again and pouring herself a shot.
Tori just nodded, not being able to say anything. But as she slowly turned, heading to the exit, she was stopped by the sound of a palm connecting with a forehead, followed by a exasperated groan. She turned again, facing the blue-eyed writer.
"I can't fucking believe my own stupidity," Jade muttered before also facing the brunette. "Everytime I try to talk to you, my brain fries itself and I always end up saying the wrong thing. Or. In this case," she chuckled, "not saying the right thing."
"I don't speak crazy person," the brunette threw Jade's previous words back at her.
"Sure you don't, but I do," the raven-haired girl let out a little laugh. "Since they say love makes you go all whacked in the head, and since I am absolutely and awfully in love with you."
Tori's mouth hanged open as she stared at Jade, frozen. What did she just say?
"This, all of this," Jade spun on her heels with her arms wide open, showing off the decorated room, "it's not the guilt speaking, Vega. Because the first thing in my head after I took it out of my ass wasn't that I was sorry, or that I messed up, or that trying to have sex with you in the cluttered tiny room in a public place was wrong," she smiled at the brunette, looking relieved for some reason, but Tori felt anything but calm. "The only thing in my mind was how much I wanted to make you smile that bright trademark smile of yours, and how much I wanted you to get the Christmas you deserved, because that would make you happy."
A billion thoughts at once bursted into Tori's mind, but it was wiped out completely as Jade stood close to her now, not touching her yet, but if Tori leaned forward just slightly, she would easily reach her forehead with her own.
"And I would be lying if I said I didn't know how I ended up in love with you, because it's kinda hard not to," Jade gazed at her so openly, and Tori immediately fell in love with the vunerability display Jade was showing."I was so straight-forward because I thought we had each other already, you know? You're the one knows me the most, and I already considered us a pair, and that's why the janitor's closet happened. And all that time you thought I just wanted to get you in bed, you were right except for one thing - that was only one out of a million things I wanted with you."
Tori felt her mouth go dry as Jade reached up with her hand, strocking her cheek with her finger tentatively,her gaze impossibly soft. This new Jade was making her head spin and her stomach do flip-flops, and she fell in love with that feeling, too.
"Because it's not the only thing I want from you, Tori. I want to make love to you, and I want to wake up next to you, and I want to hold hands with you and threaten everyone on the planet with my scissors to get the message across that you are with me," Jade let her hand fall to her side as she took a step away from Tori, and the brunette shuddered at the sudden loss. "So that's what I want,Vega. Now, I'll ask you again. Is leaving to the airport what you want?"
Tori lifted her chocolate orbs at Jade's words, and the writer looked taken aback at the furious gaze.
"You wanna know what I think?" Jade nodded hesitatingly, still wary because of the anger Tori was showing. "I think you're an idiot," Tori hissed at the Goth. " You're an idiot because you treated me like crap, you're an idiot because you ignored me for a month, and," she took in a sharp breath, "you're an idiot if you think I'll ever leave your side again," Jade's crestfallen expression changed to surprise as Tori smiled, finally letting happy tears fall. "Because I am an idiot that waited too long to tell you that I'm completely in love with you, too."
As Jade went to say something, she was interrupted by a pair of warm soft lips on her own, moving against her mouth gently but firmly, and she gladly reciprocated.
The breathing became an issue, and they broke free, gasping and grinning at each other with Tori entwining her arms around Jade's neck and the latter doing the same to half-Latina's waist.
"Totally worth striking a deal with Trina Vega," Jade breathed out before catching Tori's lips again, this time with a passionate underlying desire.
Tori made a mental note to ask Jade just how exactly she pulled everything off, but right now, she had another agenda.
She never had it in front of the fireplace before, and it was time Jade changed it.