It's been a couple of days since Beck and I broke up and I was not doing as well as I could be. I avoided hanging around him too often, which often estranged me from my other friends in the group. Lunchtimes were the worst; I learned after the second day that eating at a secluded table where I could brood alone was far better than faking my usual snarky behavior and avoiding any eye or physical contact with Beck.

I also learned that those 30 minutes go by a lot slower without someone to accompany you.

Please someone save me from this boredom.

I pondered over the groups in the large courtyard of Hollywood Arts. They all knew who I was and would never dream of sitting at my table unless it was a dare or required for school work. No one would dream of approaching.

"Looky here. Is that Jade West eating alone?" I turned my head to see Ryder walk up to the table I was at.

I spoke too soon. I already missed wallowing in my loneliness because lord knows what this slime ball wanted from me.

"Don't ask to be my partner for the upcoming project Ryder because I can do far worse than Vega."

His response was a loud laugh that attracted attention from surrounding tables. "I almost forgot about that."

"Really, because I don't think your ego has."

"Even when dealing with heartbreak you're still as snarky as ever." He said casually while sliding onto the table.

Ouch.

I felt my body stiffen. "Who told you?" I winced at how strained and weak my voice sounded.

"It's all over the Slap that golden boy and goth girl broke up… oh and I guess the whole eating alone thing may have tipped me off. Plus I could tell by the way girls weren't afraid to throw themselves at Beck anymore," he answered easily.

His last comment made me snort, "Like that stopped those sluts before."

"No it didn't," he said pensively. "But that was because he always flirts back." If he didn't notice my discomfort before the noticeable wince probably tipped him off. It scared me how he knew exactly what to say to throw me off balance. "It seems I hit a sore spot."

"Congratulations Ryder," I said in a bored tone. "You have no room to judge my relationship seeing as yours are based on your own selfish gains."

"I hit everything on the nose, didn't I?"

Great, now I'm dealing with a mind reader. "Don't seem so sure about that."

"We are more alike than you think." He finished with a probing stare. He seemed to be getting closer with every statement.

"I seriously doubt that, I mean look at you and then take a long look at me. We're as far away from each other as you can get."

"Hmmm, we both don't mind stepping on a couple of toes to get what we want, we're gorgeous, and we both have problems with Vega. That's more than you and your pretty boy will ever have." He was so close that I could see the slight freckles on his face.

"Stop acting like you know everything about Beck and stop acting like you know about anything about me. I'm going through a rough time right now and I don't need an annoying ass poking into my life."

"Stop pitying yourself. You went through a fucking break up Jade. There are things in life other than your boyfriend." He said annoyed. "Oh wait, I forgot. You pushed everything else to the backburner when you two started going out."

"Don't act like you're so much better than I am. You pitied yourself for a while after Tori embarrassed you in front of anyone. And you haven't even grown or changed from that experience as far as I can tell you're still a misogynistic jerk."

"I never said I wanted you to change. Just remember that."

"Excuse me?" I asked angrily.

He was already walking away from me when I said that. He turned around and saluted me, "See you later Jade."

Asshole.

"Hey Jade," Tori said nervously while sitting in Cat's usually spot next to me. I pointedly looked at the seat she was sitting at and then at her face. She scrambled to move over and cleared her throat, "Umm…"

I cut her off before she could stutter out her question. "Let me guess, you want to know what Ryder and I were talking about during lunch." I noticed that a couple of students in class leaned in closer after that statement. "Excuse me. Last time I checked I wasn't talking to any of you." The eavesdroppers immediately turned away although I could tell they were still listening intently. "Anyways, I don't think it really concerns you."

Her eyes widened comically. "Jade he's bad news, just remember that. He makes you feel all wonky inside and then he breaks your heart."

I almost snorted at that. "Vega, sloppy seconds are not my style. We are not a thing."

"Are you positive?" Vega asked unsurely.

"No Vega I'm not positive. Ryder and I may be going out but I was just never informed of it," I said with an eye roll. "Get real, he's hot but not my type."

She seemed satisfied with my answer. "I trust you just –"

"HEY guys look what I just bought at the Sky Mall!" Cat came running in holding a funny looking contraption.

Phew. Saved by the ginger.

By the time I got home I was even more irritated than usual after being interrogated about my supposed relationship with Ryder Daniels by people I don't even know. The worst confrontation was with the group after Sikowitz's class.

"Hey Jade!" I saw Cat, and her usually bubbly self, run towards me. "Are your's and Ryder's couple name Ryde or Jyder?"

"We don't have a couple name for two reasons: one, we're not a couple and two, couple names are stupid anyways. Who told you that we were a couple anyways."

"Oh you know Jessica, Mary, Patrick, Nancy, Todd-"

I cut her off, "Actually I don't know any of them."

"-And Adam, Carrie-"

"Okay I get it now. But we're not a couple so you can tell Jessica, Mary, and the rest of them that Jyder is not a couple."

"So it is Jyder! I knew it! Ryde sounds like that one word so it's weird. But Jyder is-"

"Cat!"

"What?" She asked somewhat scared.

"Jyder does not exist!" I yelled angrily.

"Well you could of just told me you liked Ryde better, I mean it is your relationship…"

"No Cat, Jyder does not exist because I am not, nor will I ever go out with Ryder Daniels."

"So what's this I hear about you and Ryder dating?" Andre asked adding to my irritation.

"We're not dating! Why is everyone jumping to that conclusion?"

"I hate to break it to you but it looked like you guys were in an intense conversation at lunch. Plus you ditched us and we found you alone with Ryder. I mean, you know that guy's reputation." Andre sounded like he was apologizing.

"So we were talking? Does that automatically mean we're dating or even interested in each other?"

Beck walked up at that moment. "I don't know Jade you assumed I was interested in every girl I talked to."

Asshole.