Disclaimer: [The TV show] Victorious belongs to Dan Schneider. I'm not making a living off this. I don't own the movie titles or any brand-name you might find in this fic, either.
Inf.: the movie is 'The book of life' by Guillermo Del Toro.
This story has been beta'd. If you find any mistake please PM me.
Not Just Another Spanglish Story.
-1-
It all started during an almost irrelevant day at Hollywood Arts. As usual, the flood of students, easily confused with a noisy horde of giggling kids, marched towards their respective lockers and groups of friends.
Nevertheless, all the movement and noise came to a halt when a pair of shiny combat boots, and heavy footsteps, made their way through the halls. There, with a cup of coffee in her right hand, stood the very terror of the school. A beautiful pale girl whose name was Jade West.
Her eyes swiftly scoured the perimeter, looking for a certain noodle-armed girl. And, in her deluded mind, it was preferable if said girl wasn't around her, ever, at all. But deep inside, she knew it was just a cruel lie she was trying to make herself believe. A lie that could cost her an opportunity to be truly happy.
Of course, she still heaved a sigh of relief when she didn't see miss noodle arms in the corridors. She already didn't feel like anybody's friend that day – let alone in the mood to deal with her girl crush.
Straight away, she walked languidly up to her locker, the one and only decorated with scissors and opened it to take out a pair of books which she hastily shoved into the bag that hung off her right shoulder. When she shut the locker's door and turned around, she came face to face with the scrutinizing gaze of Beck Oliver, her ex-boyfriend – and in other to conceal the scream of terror that had threatened to tear through her throat, she had bitten her tongue. However, much to her annoyance, he seemed amused by her reaction.
''You look tired.'' He said with a half smirk as he leant against the lockers.
''Really? I haven't noticed.'' She rolled her eyes at him which only served to make his smile broader. Like I don't have a freaking mirror at home.
''Why so grumpy?'' The boy squinted at her, probably trying to figure her out. She detested when people did that to her.
''That's none of your business, Oliver Twist.'' She said, annoyed, and turned around to walk away from him. Although their break-up, months ago, had been a mutual decision, she still felt a small pang of hatred towards the boy.
That's how exes are supposed to treat each other. She believed.
It had nothing to do with the fact that he had tried to kiss the noodle-armed girl on multiple occasions. Not at all. But deep down, she knew it was jealousy masked as hatred – she also knew that she didn't actually hate him; she just disliked him, a tiny bit, lately.
''Is it because you're failing the Spanish course?'' Asked him almost without realising the big slip of the tongue he made; he was meant to ask her what was wrong, not that. Because if Jade West hated something with a passion, it was her being bad at something – and the people who acknowledged it.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, he tacked on.
''Cat told me. Don't get mad at her, she was asking me for advice on how to give you, you know, some advice.'' He said nonchalantly, and almost face palmed himself after he realised what he had just let out. He unconsciously betrayed his perky friend – of course, being the cool guy he was, he kept his façade of impassibility while he ran his hands through his soft hair.
He hoped that if he stopped talking, maybe, just maybe, Jade wouldn't get that mad at Cat or at him.
But Beck knew better than that. And when the Goth gazed in his direction with her unwavering cold eyes, he shivered internally. Nevertheless, when her brain synapsed, in only microseconds because she was not Cat, her nostrils flared; had she been a cartoon character probably some steam would've been coming out of her ears and her eyes widened and her pointy eyebrows seemed dangerously sharper at the moment. Beck Oliver almost feared they were going to chop some chunks of her skin.
Yep. Jade West was livid.
''This is why I never tell her anything! She doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut.'' Snapped the pale girl as she turned on her heels so as to look for a certain redheaded girl.
I'll slice her tongue open and then…! She thought, but she didn't actually mean it. She was only seething at the girl that was supposed to keep her secrets, secret.
But before she could find and scare the living hell out of Cat Valentine, she heard something that grasped her attention, instantly. And, Beck who was still standing beside her, heard the same thing and tilted his face towards Jade, smiling brightly at the pale girl.
Right in front of them was Tori Vega, also known as the noodle-armed girl and miss perfect, walking almost in circles with a PearPhone pressed against her right ear while she spoke words no English speaker could understand – unless they spoke angry Spanish.
''Sí, papá. Entiendo. No, no estoy molesta… sí, sí entiendo. Ya… vale, yo también te quiero. ¡Adios!'' Said the half-Latina as she finished the call in a rush, in order to run to the girl's bathroom; because she really needed to take a wazz.
''Are you thinking what I'm thinking?'' Murmured the actor to the Goth, who felt his hot breath caressing the shell of her ear – thing that made her scoot over from the boy with distaste, as she contracted her shoulders involuntarily, so as to protect her ears.
She relaxed immediately, of course. It's worth mentioning that she was glad her reaction went unnoticed by Beck.
''Coercing Vega into taking my test?'' She hissed back, yet a part of her was delighted by the prospect. Because it was Tori, her crush, they were talking about; and to make it all the better, the half-Latina could possibly help her with her little dilemma.
''Nup. You could talk to her, though. She can help you…'' He murmured, scratching his nape. Sometimes he was only a pretty face, at least, that was what the Goth thought.
''Yeah, as if!'' She forced a sardonic chuckle through her throat, clearly unamused by her ex's unhelpful advice. ''Now, really, which pair of scissors do you like better for the job? I'm thinking about the pair Cat got me for my birthday… I really want to test them on fresh flesh.'' Said the pale girl as she reached into her messenger bag and fished out of it, three scissors of different colours.
He noticed that these weren't the child-safe ones, definitely; he also noticed how polished and sharp their blades seemed to be and to top it all they were glimmering, all right.
''I'm serious. Just ask her, okay?'' Beck was eyeing, warily, the potential weapons in her ex's hands.
She smirked.
''Miss Sally Sweet Peaches is going to say nope.'' She said popping the P and mocking an oblivious Tori with a fake southern accent impression.
''If you don't try you'll never know. She doesn't say no when I ask for help.'' He said, smiling at the obviously fake voice. It did sound a bit like Tori, according to him.
''Oh, yeah! Because I'm Beck and I only have to flip my fluffy hair and everybody agrees to my every whim!'' Mocked the Goth with a clearly, but still awesome, fake male voice.
He was not amused, anymore.
''What?'' Beck was still staring at her with a stoic expression on his face. ''Okay, first, stop looking at me that way!'' She snapped at him, but he just continued to stare at her. ''Fine! I'll talk to her. How hard can it be, anyway? It's only Vega.'' She knew it could be really hard.
A part of her still hated it when he judged her, and, somehow, his silence was way worse than his judgemental glare. She needed to shut him up, even if he wasn't talking whatsoever.
''Just… don't take your scissors with you, okay?'' His typical sing-song voice filled her ears and she couldn't help rolling her eyes hard. Definitely, she was not in love with him anymore.
''Sure thing!'' She said in a mocking fashion as she twirled a pair of scissors around her pointer finger and walked farther and farther away; but not too away because the girl's bathroom was only a few feet away. At some point, she hid a pair of scissors in the waistband of her skirt and threw the others into her bag.
Yet, before she could venture into a sea of people in order to blend with the crowd because she thought it'd be easier to ambush the half-Latina that way, she heard Beck's voice, loud and clear, calling her.
''And, just try being nice for once! It might work!'' Indeed, his words were pure gold.
He upchucks pure wisdom whenever he opens his mouth, thought the girl in a sarcastic fashion. However, she managed not to look that very annoyed at him. Another sarcastic smile would do.
''Just so you know, you make a better comedian than you do an actor!'' She yelled back at him, her words aiming to hurt his ego. But the boy was too used to her cruelty to get hurt anymore, so he just rolled his eyes in response. Maybe he was spending too much time with the ganky girl.
At that precise moment, Jade had become a woman with a mission. She was going to take Tori to the janitor's closet, talk to her and convince the tanned girl to take the Spanish exam for her.
What she didn't expect was chickening when her crush came out of the bathroom with a smile of relief on her face. A beautiful smile, according to the Goth. Her plan had sounded way easier in her mind.
''Vega.'' Her mouth spoke, actually, bellowed before she could stop herself. The taller girl of the two, the one who was acting all miss perfect as she paraded to her make it shine locker while she was looking at the screen of her PearPhone, jumped; completely startled.
''M-morning!'' Stuttered Tori who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Her monster purse clutched firmly against her chest as if it were some sort of shield keeping her frenzied heart from jumping out of her body. ''You scared the chiz out of me…'' Muttered the girl with a small smile after she realised that it was, indeed, only Jade.
Jade West, of course, only cleared her throat as if to get some inexistent point across. However, the half-Latina understood her all the same.
''Yes, Jade?'' Asked with her typical good girl smile.
''Give me your arm!'' Demanded the younger, and paler girl.
''What? Why? Wh-'' Jade took her arm and yanked her in the direction of the janitor's closet, almost mopping the floor with the girl she was dragging along. ''Jammit! Just be careful, that's my arm you're disjointing!'' Whined the half-Latina who was not really in any real pain; actually, she was enjoying the situation a bit too much.
Another forceful and unexpected yank at her arm made her groan with pain.
''That's the one I use to take notes, Jade!'' Said Tori, annoyingly, as Jade shoved her inside the room and closed the door behind them.
''Relax, Vega. I'm not going to murder or kidnap you unless you give me a reason to do so. Well… not now, at least… not when I might... Err, do you remember that favour you said you owed me?'' Said the beautiful pale girl as she fidgeted nervously with the strap of her messenger bag trying to buy Vega into helping her.
''Wait, I don't owe you anything, Jade, that's Cat… Okay, okay, it doesn't matter. Just tell me what's bothering you?'' Asked the Latina with a small smile playing on her lips.
''Well, I… I'm going to be travelling to New York in a week because my mother wants me to visit my grandmother who's practically dying. Every ticking of the clock just takes her closer to her death… my poor old grannie is barely hanging onto life, Tori. And my mother needs me for moral support. The problem is, there's this big test and…'' She said, almost without breathing, and the continued in one breath. ''And I need someone to take it for me – Sadly, the only person I can trust this with, is you.'' She lied through and through.
If Tori hadn't known beforehand about Jade's intentions, she probably would've bought her little-elaborated act. But Beck was a good friend, and he was terrible at keeping secrets. To be honest, he had sent her a text message explaining the situation.
''Are you aware that Beck told me already you were dreading the upcoming Spanish test?'' Inquired the half-Latina with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She was enjoying the situation more than words could describe.
''That wazzbag! I'm so going to rip his hair off!'' Jade said and then tried to storm out the closet while she, automatically, reached out for the scissors; the ones that were hidden in her skirt waistband.
''Hold your corsets, West!'' Tori held out her open hands, in a gesture that universally meant to stop; as if she was trying to keep Jade from hurting her ex.
The Goth girl's mouth opened slightly and her eyebrows knitted together as if to try to make any sense to the tanned girl's words.
''It is: hold your horses, not your corsets.'' Then she groaned. ''Corsets!'' Scoffed. ''That doesn't even make sense.'' The Goth slid her blue-handled scissors into the waistband, once again.
''Really?'' The poor girl actually seemed dumbfounded. Her mouth was slightly ajar, and her brows were curled in surprise upon her wide-open, to a ridiculous extent, eyes. ''But I thought that these women had to prevent these thingies from falling off their… ugh, never mind that. What's actually important is that I have a proposition for you.''
The Goth found the whole array of expressions that crossed the tanned girl's face to be extremely adorable – albeit, she would never, ever, admit that out loud; not even to herself.
''About what, exactly?'' She said as she lifted her left eyebrow, the one that was pierced, at Tori Vega who just smiled back at her. And, the pale girl fought the desire to roll her eyes - not because she actually wanted to, to be honest, the action itself was mostly instinctive.
''Well, I may have an idea on how to help you, so-'' Tacked on the brunette, but was cut off by the Goth's hoarse voice.
Jade furrowed her brow and rose her hand almost in front of Tori's face, mimicking Tori's previous actions – stopping her.
''Hold that tongue, Vega. I don't do hugs, friendships, happy stuff and I am definitely not doing whatever you're about to suggest.'' She managed to interrupt the half-Latina's speech and spurn her advances all at once.
''All right. If you want to fail…'' Tantalised the tanned girl with a tsk so to boost the impact of her words.
''Fine, just make it quick!'' Answered an exasperated Goth as she raised her hands to the sky, just to let them fall in a lacklustre way, to her sides, seconds later – of course, she was just trying to emphasise her annoyance in a cartoonish fashion.
Tori beamed and proceeded further into the conversation.
''I could tutor you, help you with the nuances of the language. And, as you may know, I speak Spanish fairly well, so…'' She stopped talking as she locked eyes with the pale girl. She loved Jade's pale shades of blue, and how the green mingled with the grey creating the most beautiful set of eyes in the whole round world.
Jade was leery about the intentions behind the sweet-faced girl; Tori was sweet all right, but behind every kind, and amiable face was something dark lurking in the back. It was an irrational fear and she knew it, of course, because Tori freaking perfect Vega would never do something bad to her, not intentionally; let alone when said girl had had so many opportunities to do it – to strike back.
The problem was that no one was that good just because. After all, every single gift she had received in her short life had come with a price attached to it – be it figuratively or literally.
''Go on, tell me what's the catch already!'' Demanded the girl as she leant against the wooden door, which creaked under her weight – thing that made her cringe internally. ''Jeez, you'd make a terrible salesperson… what has happened to luring the victim in and then throwing the buy my product bomb at them?'' Tacked on the girl, masking her nervousness with rudeness.
Tori heaved a sigh of annoyance as she closed her eyes wearily. But the Goth tapping her foot on the floor helped her gather enough courage to open her mouth and spit out everything she wanted to say.
''Okay, okay.'' She started, her throat suddenly dry. ''Well, Jade, we've known each other for quite a while, and I consider you as one of my closest friends. And-''
''Oh, no! You can shove your friendship speech up your-'' But was cut out mid-sentence by the beautiful angry voice of her crush. She didn't mind being interrupted that much – only if Tori was the one doing the interruption; the others, also known as the rest of the world, didn't share those benefits.
''Stop interrupting me!'' Chastised the brunette, starting to get really annoyed. ''Anyway, what I want in return is respect. I want you to respect me and treat me like the friend I know I am to you.'' She said, took a deep breath and continued. ''Also I want you to give me one single hug when you ace your exam and don't make it a rib-crushing one this time.'' Tori's eyes screamed mischief, but her smile was still the same sugary good girl smile she had always had.
Jade West frowned as the skin on the bridge of her nose wrinkled considerably as if she were smelling something funky. She crossed her arms over her chest and closed herself to the world. And, as though that hadn't been enough, she shook her head to emphasise her point.
No.
Jade pictured the half-Latina rubbing her palms in a circular motion all over her back. And the Goth shivered at the reverie. Undoubtedly, she didn't want the younger Vega's hands touching her in those hideous friendly ways. Nevertheless, she kept her cool.
''Yikes! Let's just get this over with…'' was what she managed to get out with an unwavering voice. However, she didn't move an inch.
''Uh nupe! I said when you ace your exam.'' The half-Latina clicked her tongue twice as she raised her right hand and held her index finger alongside her face as she motioned them from side to side. Saying no. Denying Jade.
''Whatevs.'' Jade rolled her eyes. ''I got things to do, people to rip loose lips' from, and stupid hair to maul before the first period. So, get lost, Vega.'' She said in her typical cruel, low, and oh-so-sexy voice that always made Tori all malleable and soft like melted cheese. In Jade's jargon, it clearly meant, see you later.
What did I get myself into? Wondered the Spanish speaker while looking intently at the retreating and curvy figure of her dark frenemy.
Tori was left standing there, with a stupid smile on her face, almost daydreaming about the Goth. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she almost didn't hear the loud ringing bell signalling the start of the school day.
So worth it.
During the course of the day, Tori fought to keep herself from showing too much happiness lest she would give away her intentions to the Goth. Of course, she was going to help Jade out of the goodness of her heart, but she knew she was going to get something juicy out of the situation herself – in other words, she was going to spend countless hours helping the girl she liked.
Probably I could try to win her over. Thought the half-Latina, humouring herself with the prospects of dating the ever mean Jade West.
And, even though it had been a long day and she was tired, she felt giddy and could barely contain her excitement – her pounding heart was a clear symptom of her disease. Her plan was to have as many not-quite-real dates with the pale girl – the closer they were, the higher her chances became.
At the end of the school day, the brown-eyed girl was standing awkwardly beside the spooky locker of the girl she was waiting for, with a large cup of a not yet savoured coffee in her right hand.
Although she didn't have to wait too much because Jade's reverberating footsteps alerted the girl of her impending fate. It's time, she said to herself.
Jade didn't even acknowledge Tori's presence, she walked right past her and stopped by her locker so to throw the seemingly useless books inside.
''What are you looking at, Vega!?'' spat the Goth, her blue orbs were fixated on Tori's face, however, something else seemed to have caught her attention. Indeed, she licked her lips at the sight of a delicious cup of coffee in her crush's hand.
''Nothing, nothing… uh ¿quieres? Lo he comprado para ti. '' Tori spoke as slowly as she could, so Jade could understand while a small smile played on her lips. Forthwith Tori rose the coffee cup and offered it to the Goth who took it between her hands and sighed contently.
''What did you just say?'' Asked the girl referring to the Spanish bit of the conversation; then she took the cup to her lips and drunk or, more to the point, slurped the brownish liquid. It was sweltering still, and she loved it that way. The hotter, the tastier. ''Nice… you got it right for once, Vega. Black with two sugars.'' It was as close as she was getting to 'thank-ing' Tori Vega for something.
''We've got a long way to go.'' Muttered the half-Latina, dejectedly. Knowing full well that Jade really needed her help to ace that darned exam. ''Okay, let's get down to business…'' She said singingly, completely dork-ing herself out.
''Stop quoting Disney movies!''
''You've watched them. I knew it!'' Blurted out the tanned girl, and then cleared her throat under the intense gaze of her frenemy, who had a raised a questioning eyebrow. ''Anyway, there's a movie you'd probably love, it's like the corpse bride but less dark and tragic.'' She gulped nervously and then tacked on. ''So, come over today at five? I promise to put on Spanish subs so you can follow what's happening. And, you can always ask me if you don't understand something.''
''It's so preposterous of you to believe that I don't have any plans for today…'' Said the pale girl as she stared at her nails, pretending not to be so utterly interested in going to the Vega's.
''Well, have you?'' Queried Tori as she, too, looked at Jade's nails, wondering what was so intriguing about them. Is her nail polish peeling off? Her mind digressed momentarily.
''In fact, I do. I have to-'' Tried to explain the Goth, but, was cut off by the ever annoying Tori, again. And the pale girl was not best pleased this time around.
''Gosh, you're just being difficult! I'm only trying to help you out, Jade. You know? If you don't want to come over, that's okay… to be honest-'' This time was Jade who got the pleasure to interrupt her. The Goth was smiling wickedly in her insides.
''So, you're implying that since Beck and I split I don't have a social life, is that it?!'' Guilt tripping Tori was one of her favourite activities. She enjoyed the utter look of shock on Tori's face, even if she tried to disguise it, Jade was that good at reading emotions.
''No, no!'' lied the half-Latina through her teeth as she held her hands up in surrender, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible and her eyes from wandering around. Maybe I do. She guiltily thought. ''I'm just saying that I know for a fact that you don't have anything to do today because I checked out your Slap profile this morning and, gasp, I read your last post which says, and I quote, not looking forward to making another what I hate video. I hate them.'' Tori smiled sheepishly.
Jade simply raised her left eyebrow and fought tooth and nail against herself to keep the corners of her mouth from lifting in a smile, too.
A part of Tori was afraid to be yelled at or ignored on by the girl she had in front, after all, she called Jade's bluff.
None of these possible outcomes came true, of course.
''Well, well, well, Vega. You're not only bilingual and Trina's sister, who's an A1 stalker, but a stalker yourself too?'' A small silence followed that statement. ''That says a lot about your family.'' Tori's cheeks rendered red with shame. ''Fine, I'll be there roughly at five.''
And Tori could've almost sworn she saw the ghost of a wink on her crush's face right before the girl turned around and walked away.
What am I gonna wear tonight!? Pondered the half-Latina with a crease of worry drawing on her forehead. She had just been referred to as a stalker, but little did she care, after all, she was way too grateful that this time, Jade didn't use that stupid voice on her.
Over the course of the evening, Tori learnt, thanks to a fellow classmate, that the Goth's test was to take place in nine days. Too short a time for wooing someone, although, long enough to end up with a pair of broken legs and probably some scissor-shaped scars all over her body.
When the clock ticked five and a half, the tanned girl was worried Jade wouldn't show up whatsoever; and she was even lamenting that she bought Jade's favourite popcorn's brand. However, the wrinkles of worry marrying her forehead faded away when, an hour later, someone at the other side of the front door tried to break into her house, only to yell a big loud ''Vega!'' followed by a series of knocks on the door when it remained unopened.
Immediately Tori, who was bouncing with happiness, opened the door and hold it for the mean girl that was looking at her with a scowl on her face. The black-clad girl entered without being invited to come in, but that was Jade West after all. This girl would never stop to confuse and amaze Tori all at the same time.
Nothing was going to wipe that smile off her silly face, as Jade would state, later that night. And to be fair, Tori was babbling excitedly about the movie, even if Jade hated her babbling and had commented on it, the tanned girl couldn't bring herself to hush, not even for a minute.
Till jade pressed Tori's lips together between her pale thumb and index finger.
Did she take Cat's special vitamins or something? Wondered the Goth.
''Enough jawing, Vega. Just… start the danged movie!'' spat the Goth, she rolled her eyes and sighed in fake annoyance while she plopped herself on the red couch; straight away, she lifted her feet so to put them on the coffee table that laid ahead.
Tori frowned, but she was too darned happy that she smiled, nonetheless, as she pressed the play button; starting the cartoon movie.
Throughout the movie, neither girl spoke to each other. However, a lot of awws, coming from Tori, and some small and poorly concealed chuckles coming from Jade, were the only form of communication between the girls. The book of life was that good.
''¿Qué aprendiste?'' Asked the half-Latina in Spanish, and then she explained what it meant in English. ''It means, what did you learn?''
''Uhm, let me see. Probably the most important piece of information I gathered from the movie was that they eat churros glaceados.'' She joked, remembering that particular scene from the movie where the Pidgeon pooped all over the perfectly unglazed churros.
Tori made a cute face and Jade rolled her eyes. BecauseTori Vega was such a baby.
''Uh, yeah, that part was somewhat displeasing.'' Said the half-Latina, her selection of words making the pale girl chuckle.
''Displeasing! Oh, god! And then you wonder why I make fun of you… well, besides the gratification I get at your expense. The point is, you make things sound so proper. Like, come on, say something else.'' She beckoned with her hands to Tori so the half-Latina would spill some fancy words out.
''Would you rather I said disgusting or distasteful, instead?'' Tori joked back with a raised eyebrow of her own, which made Jade snort, loudly. Indeed, Tori made everything sound elegant and proper and just too cute; to be fair, she could say shit and it'd still sound very much ladylike. ''In Spanish disgusting translates to desagradable, by the way. Oh! And, just so you know, churros are super tasty.''
Jade smirked and then they kept on talking about the movie for a while. However, at nine forty a little confession threw Tori into a laughing fit – it had been a roll over the floor and hold your aching belly kind of laugh. The Goth had just pleaded guilty of having a curfew at ten. Of course, picturing the ferocious Jade West following someone else's orders was something laughable according to the half-Latina. Jade, however, didn't quite agree with her, and feeling really annoyed at Tori, she sent a glare her way, hushing the half-Latina up for good.
For some reason, even though Tori had apologised several times, the tanned girl still feel bad for laughing. Jade, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind, for once – even though she threatened to use her scissors on her. Jade wasn't even angry at Tori, after all, it was not as if she could stay mad at the tanned girl. And to be honest, neither could she wipe off the stupid simper on her face, which appeared when she was least expecting cheeks were hurting.
Why were her cheeks hurting, anyway?
The only witness to her weakness was Tori, that's why she didn't care, much. In spite of that, the Goth was freaking the freak out internally, because, really, what was this weird warmth pooling on her chest?
Being happy was so confusing, sometimes.
