AN: This story has been in my head for a while and I figured I'd try to write it out.
There were reasons for everything in Jade West's life. Her reason for loving scissors was largely inspired by the Scissoring but a true defense had a lot to do with it. She loved her friends because they were always there. No matter the situation. They were present and real, almost tangible, though that's not something she would admit aloud, but Jade's friends knew how the thespian felt.
On the opposite side of things Jade West had a very real reason for despising Tori Vega. She despised both Vega's but Tori got the brunt of it all. Most thought it was because of the kissing Beck fiasco and they were partially right. Jade had tried to tell Beck but he said she was overreacting and looking for a reason. But she had already concluded that Tori Vega was fake.
Now she wasn't the forward kind of fake that everyone thought about. She didn't gossip or spread rumors. She didn't pretend to be your friend and then disappear. No, none of that, but Tori Vega was the farthest thing from tangible aside from her sister. Jade didn't quite know how to explain it. It's like when you're watching a TV show and the main character is so amazing at their job you believe it for a second. But then you see the blooper reel. And yes, it's true that the actor infused their mannerism and movement into the character they left bits out. And though some of the smiles were genuine so many of them were fake.
It was almost seamless but it was there. Now a good portion of the time Tori was being genuine but there were hints, subtle but concrete. When a friend came to her with a minor problem you could see her transition into the role. Those few seconds when something flashed across her face. It was always a mix between envy and annoyance. It always left as fast as it came.
Then there were times when it was the opposite. Once cat was getting bullied. Nobody could find out what was wrong with her and it took a while to get her to confess. Some guy had been brushing up against her and copping feels. It got to the point where he pushed up against the locker, grinding against her, telling her she was just asking for a good fuck. After other people seeing Cat had no choice but to let her friends in on her bully situation. They others were all rightfully mad, but the look that passed over Tori's face was one the Jade would never forget. It was pure fury, it matched how Jade felt about the situation. And then it was gone and concern was replaced.
Trina had seen something too, maybe the cries of outrage from their table had caught her attention. As soon as Tori stood up to leave Trina followed. Jade had to give Trina Vega props. She was next level talent. Jade had never mentioned to anyone but she knew there was more to her. She was just like Tori but better. She was faster with her reaction and the transitions were harder to spot. Jade knew why though. See while Tori was sometimes herself Trina never was. She played the character constantly and perfectly. She was always fake.
That was the reason Jade always told Tori they weren't friends and hadn't ever been. It was maybe a little hypocritical true because Jade did her share of hiding but not nearly to the same extent. The others constantly hounded her about it but they didn't see the real extremes of Tori Vega. They didn't care to look. For nearing two years they had accepted her as the front she was and Jade was getting sick of it. Somehow Tori had managed to make her care about her, in a very minimal way of course. There was no doubt that Tori was a good person just if she was a real one.