Proving You Care

Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious. All rights are reserved, and I do not have any claim to them. This is a figment of my imagination.

A/N: This story idea was given to me by AaronandSarah. I modified the last few chapters (with their permission), but the first 15 of 20 are all their idea, and not mine.

FYI: Anything in bold is a person's inner thoughts, italics is someone's dreams/memories, and bold italics are text messages.

Chapter 1 - Prologue

It has to be the worst kept "secret" at Hollywood Arts. Since filling in for her no talent older sister, Victoria Vega, more notably known as Tori, has been Jadelyn West's worst enemy. Even if she tried and failed to be her friend. Jadelyn, or well, Jade, almost has no choice but to hang out with the girl, because when she came, she usurped more than the spotlight from the dark haired goth. She stole her friends. Some of which, in the case of Caterina Valentine and Robert Shapiro, are just a bit weird. And then there are Beckett Oliver and André Harris, who are cool enough to be friends with whom ever they like, but decided that the tight nit group was right for them.

Of course, who wouldn't gravitate to Tori. She was beautiful, a great person to be around, and an excellent talent. She had an amazing voice, complimented by a body that loved to move to the beats in the music. And she had a smile, with a pair of perfect cheekbones, that could light up an entire room. Her abilities on stage may have needed some improving, but none the less, she was the total package.

But even as she was, Jade was too. A bit paler and taller, but still gorgeous in her own right. She had the curves to make anyone succomb and fall to their knees. She could write stories that would rival Shakespeare. Her voice was just as much, if not more, powerful and awe inspiring as Tori's. Jade complimented and accenutated everything else with an aura of perfection and untouchable. She was the cream of the crop, and anyone or anything in her way was put down.

Now then, since everyone knows the feud between Jade and Tori, which started because of Beck, they knew that the project they were given together would cause trouble. The only question was, how much?

"Tori, I'm telling you, it will be alright. Jade's not out to get you, I promise." The dark skinned boy was trying to calm his friend down, but having no luck. She was at her wits end. There was no telling what Jade might do. She had intentionally sabotaged her, causing Tori to lose a letter grade and take two weeks of detention. And of course, the Black Box debacle. They had gotten quite the scolding from Lane, the school's guidance councelor.

"André, she hates me. She thinks I want Beck. Why can't she just accept that we're only friends, and that there isn't any chance for us?" "Because in reality, I kinda want her, I think?"

"Well, you do kinda hang on him alot. You might be giving the wrong impression, you know?"

"WHAT, I do not." The latina started to walk away, the pure stupidity of the statement almost bringing her to her knees in laughter. If anyone actually paid attention, they would realize that she wasn't after the handsome Canadian, but the beautiful goth by his side. Their rivalry had created a weird bond. Something that Tori was afraid to admit, even to herself. She had given a few thoughts to the possibility, and even pleasured herself to the thought at times. But she wouldn't allow it. She had her reputation to think about, and wasn't sure if being a lesbian would fly with her friends, family, or prospective employers in the biz. Besides, it was fun knowing she was the only person that could make Jade squirm. A relationship might change that.

"Whatever, chicá. You can't deny it." "Oh, yes I can." Tori was walking in from lunch, after eating her typical Monday salad. Thankfully, Jade and Beck had left her alone long enough for her to eat it without gaining un-needed glances her way. Even though she wouldn't accept it, she couldn't deny that Jade had an effect on her. The way her voice would stammer and shake uncontrollably. Or the way her knees felt weak. Or how her mind would get instantly derailed, and she would stare into the distance like a moron. But unfortunately, her luck ran out, and as she entered the multi-colored, talent filled halls, the goth and boyfriend walked by.

"Hey, Tori."

"Don't speak to her, Beck." There was some obvious distress, but Tori wasn't the one to poke and prod. Well, she was, but not at a time like this. She knew to steer clear.

"Beck. Jade." She laced the goth's name with a bit of venom, making sure to aim a glance straight through her. She got a response from Jade's alternate, southern belle, ego.

"Well, hello miss Vega. What a lovely day. Would you like some licorice?" Tori rolled her eyes, the brunt of one of Jade's favorite jokes wearing away rather quickly. But instead of giving Jade the satisfaction of beating her, Tori chuckled, and walked away.

"Have a nice day. See ya, Beck." She winked, knowing it would get under the girl's skin. And did it ever. Beck was instantly forced to walk into the janitor's closet, and the door was locked. They wouldn't be coming out for a while.

Tori walked into Sikowitz's class, ready to do anything to get out of her project with Jade.

"Sikowitz, we need to talk."

"Tori, if this is about you and Jade, I'm sorry. My box has spoken." Tori remembered the blasted box, and the forced actions of "Nancy" and "Walter" that were wrought from it. She remembered listening to Jade, trying to hear even one minute trace of a kind word from the girl as they sat in the karaoke bar.

"Well, I guess, from certain angles, some people, might say, that you're pretty." Even though she didn't know it, Jade's statement made Tori's day. Knowing that her hard nature and broody outlook on life could be put on hold for even a trace amount of time, the freedom it allowed giving her time to compliment Tori, well, it just warmed her heart. Unfortunately, when Jade begged a response, Tori all too quickly and perky like, returned the favor. Both girls knew right then, after looking at each other and non-chalantly returning to the dinner, that things would change.

Then of course, the two biggest losers in the joint, save for only Sinjin and Berf, and that would be a close race, decided to hit on them. It didn't take long for Jade's temper to get the better of her, her elbow finding the mid section of one guy. And even when doubled over in pain, he still had the gumption to ask the girls for a song.

"You hear that, they want a little songy-song action." The girls made their way to the stage, giving the DJ the code for the song they wanted to sing. Neither girl knew it, but the words had double meaning for both the guys, and each other.

Why am I always hit on by the boys I never like? "Because I don't want them. I want you, Jade. WOAH now, Tori. Don't go down that road again."

I can always see them coming from the left and the right.

I don't wanna be a priss, I'm just trying to be polite. "Get the fuck away from me."

But it always seems to bite me in the-

Ask me for my number, yeah you put me on the spot

You think that we should hook up, well I think that we should not. "The one I want is beside me, can't you see that? Tori, no. She's with Beck, and hates you. Plus, you don't even like girls."

You had me at hello, then you opened up your mouth

And that is when it started going south, OH

Get your hands off my hips, before I punch you in the lips. "Seriously, dumbass, back off"

Stop your staring at my HEY "I only want Jade to see me. Damn, Tori. No"

Take a hint, take a hint. "Please, Tori, take the hint"

No you can't buy me a drink, let me tell you what I think

I think you could use a mint

Take a hint, take a hint. Ta-take a hint, take a hint

I guess you still don't get it, so let's take it from the top "This girl, beside me, is who I want."

You ask me what my sign is, and I told you it was stop "Except you, Tori. Come and get me. Wait, am I singing this to her? WHY HER?"

And if I had a dime for every name that you just dropped

You'd be here and I'd be on a yacht, OH

Get your hands off my hips, before I punch you in the lips. "I only want Jade's lips. Damn, no"

Stop your staring at my HEY "Can you see me, Tori? STOP THIS, JADE. She's the enemy."

Take a hint, take a hint. "Jade, I want you, not Beck. Why can't you see that? And why can't I accept it?"

No you can't buy me a drink, let me tell you what I think

I think you could use a mint

Take a hint, take a hint. Ta-take a hint, take a hint

What about no don't you get, so go and tell your friends,

I'm not really interested

Its about time that you're leavin. "Except you, Jade. Stay, please?"

I'm gonna count to three and open my eyes and-

You'll be gone. "I don't want you to leave, Jade" "Stay behind, Tori."

1 Get your hands off my

2 Or I'll punch you in tha

3 Stop your starin at my HEY

I am not your missing link, let me tell you what I think

I think you could use a mint

Take a hint, take a hint

Take a hint, take a hint

Get your hands off my hips, before I punch you in the lips

Stop your starin at my HEY

Take a hint, take hint

Ta-take a hint

"Uhh, Tori, is everything okay?" With her mind stuck on Jade, obstructing any chance she had of hearing what Sikowitz had told her, she stood dumbfounded again. Under Jade's spell again, Tori was staring blankly at a note it Sikowitz's hand.

"Yeah. What's that?"

"I just told you. I am announcing in class later, that we have a new student coming. I wanted you to mentor her, because she has exception skill on a piano. Can you?"

"I guess. But am I really the best person for this? Why not André? He's better than I am."

"Don't sell yourself short, Tori. Besides, André is looking for a girlfriend, and would probably jump at the first girl he had a chance to be alone with." Tori took the time to remember André waking her up at 3 AM, telling her he loved Jade. Of course, a great song had come from that entire ordeal, but still. "Huh, maybe that's why André was trying to console me earlier. Does he like me? I mean, he's a cool guy and all. But, could I be with him? I might, maybe, be a lesbian? And if so, would it be fair to use him to disguise it? I need to think about this."

"Okay, I'll think about it. When will she be here?"

"Next Monday. She's moving from Eastern Canada, and might actually be in town. But the school is giving her time to get things set before requiring her to be in class."

"Got it. I'll see you later."

Walking out of her class, Tori ran straight into Jade. The goth stopped cold turkey, especially upset. Tori, not wanting to get involved, thought about walking on by. But her sympathy got the better of her. "Is everything okay, Jade?" She saw the girl look up, obviously shaken about something. Right then, Beck walked up behind her.

"She's fine, just got some bad news. C'mon, Jade." He kissed her temple, and led her away. Tori couldn't help wanting to be the one to kiss her, but knew that with Beck in the way, there was no chance. Besides the fact that Jade had no interest, and hated her. Tori lost herself in her thoughts for the rest of the day, not registering anything else that happened.

xxxxx

"Beck, thank you. I love you." Jade looked to her boyfriend, who was still broken about the call she had received. Sikowitz had prompted her to send one of her short stories to a production company. And when it got accepted, she was more than ecstatic. But, just like Mrs. Less and "Well Wishes", they wanted to shred it apart and turn it into a mockery of its original self.

"Anytime. Now, I brought you some coffee, three sugars." He looked at her, the glare her got making him laugh. "Just kidding, babe. Two sugars. Promise." She swatted his shoulder, and laughed along with him. She was doing everything possible, but even after singing her song "You Don't Know Me", and winning him back, things still hadn't gone back to the way she wanted them. Because she knew it, that even though she hated her, she had subconsciously sung the song for Tori. And little did she know, Tori had been encapsulated and loved every moment of it.

Okay, so a little bit of an intro. As I said, this story idea isn't all mine, and credit goes to AaronandSarah. What will happen when Jade and Tori meet up for their project? Will they be able to prove how much they really do care for each other, or will fate keep them apart? Please, R/E/R! (Read, Enjoy, Review!)