When will the Victorious kick end? I have no clue, but I'm liking it too much anyway lol. I guess this is another attempt at fluff. The idea crashed into my head during a song (duh, when does it not?) and I just had to type it up. I might do more one shots but I have a big, and I mean, BIG project I'm doing on the side. Enjoy my latest (and hopefully successful) attempt at fluff.
It should have been just another day at Hollywood Arts. It started off normal enough. Tori came to school a little late because of Trina. She hung out with her friends, Jade included, and attended class after class. By the time lunch came around Cat stopped by Tori's locker, looking for the singer in question. Tori had just arrived and the crazy-excited redhead rushed over to her. Tori halted in her path, afraid Cat wouldn't stop in time, but she did. She had a strange look in her eyes Tori hadn't seen before. She wanted to call it a sneaky knowing expression but she never pinned Cat for having a hidden agenda so she just smiled and waved. She had enough things on her mind than a possibly more than normally crazy idea Cat had planned.
"Hey Cat. What's got you zipping around? You didn't get into more bibble did you?" Tori greeted, leaning in to whisper the last part. She really had to lay off those things. Cat shook her head.
"No, I just wanted to tell you that Andre is looking for you. He wanted to ask you something so I told him I'd find you," she informed her, hopping up and down on the spot. She had a big smile on her face. Tori raised a questioning brow but nodded.
"Uh, ok, I'll probably see him right now when we go to lunch-" she replied, but Cat shook her head.
"No?" Tori asked, moving to open her locker. This time Cat nodded.
"Where is he then?" Tori wondered.
"He said he would be in the recording studio during lunch, waiting for you to meet him there. He has a song he wants you to hear," she answered. Tori could have sworn she heard Cat answer with a hint at something else but she ignored it. She finished exchanging what she needed and shut her locker, turning to the ball of energy that was her friend.
"So, why didn't you tell me that in the first place?" she inquired. Cat only shrugged, her palms held up.
"Ok then, I guess I can stop by there and see what he needs before getting something to eat," she agreed, making Cat cheer for some reason. The energetic redhead bid her farewell and took off. Tori watched her go in even more confusion but shrugged and began her journey to see what Andre wanted. She was just turning the corner into the hall that led to the recording studio when she heard an angry groan and a smack. She froze where she was.
"Ow, you didn't have to hit me you know," Andre's voice echoed down the hall.
"Yes I did Harris, now keep your voice down!" a sharp tongued voice bit back. Jade. Tori's interest in what was going on piqued. She shuffled forward slightly so that she stood close but not too close to the entrance into the recording studio. She felt slightly bad for what she was doing, but any time Jade was involved, her level of interest spiked to dangerous levels. Not even the threat of a very angry Jade finding out could put her off. Ok, maybe sometimes, but right now wasn't the time.
"I'm trying to be a good friend, Jade. I'm trying to help you," Andre told her honestly.
"Being a good friend doesn't include prying into my life and it certainly doesn't include playing matchmaker!" she retorted. Tori frowned. She thought Andre would have never tried to set Jade up with anyone after what she had dragged him into last time. Being threatened with a roll of toilet paper was questionable but not at all impossible; especially if Jade was the one doing the threatening. It all seemed like a lot of work just for Beck and Jade to get back together then break up again. She shook her head.
"No, just listen for a sec. I know you don't want to admit it but-" he tried to say but Jade cut him off.
"Don't you dare say it! I don't want to hear it!" she snapped, enraged now. Tori began to wonder just what Andre was trying to tell Jade. It must be something serious if it riled her up this bad.
"But, you know it too and I know it makes you happy. Why can't you accept one good thing in your life?" he questioned. Silence fell for a few seconds before he got an answer.
"Because the last time I allowed something like that to happen I was crushed," she replied, her voice strangely vulnerable. Tori's heart ached at the sound. Things were going far enough so she backed up and then walked into the room, making her appearance. Andre looked over at her, his face sympathetic but slightly irritated. Jade's eyes flew to her too, rage and hurt clear as day. She grabbed her bag off the chair and headed for the door. Tori rushed to get out of the way but Jade already removed her with a push that was just enough to get her to move but not enough to make her fall. Andre watched, his eyebrows creasing slightly, and he sighed.
"Um, Cat told me to find you here," Tori muttered uncertainly. Her hands fell into their usual fidgeting motions when she was nervous.
"Did you hear anything? 'Cause if you did, don't mention it to Jade. She'll kill you," he told her certainly.
"Thanks for the heads up but I came in around the time Jade muttered something. I couldn't hear what she said though. What's going on anyway?" she asked, setting her own bag on the chair Jade's had occupied.
"Nothin', just Jade throwing a tantrum. Um, I'm really not in the mood to start this now so do you think you could come back after school?" Andre responded. Tori nodded.
"Yeah, sure," she told him.
"Cool, now let's go grab something to eat before everything good is gone," he said with a smile. They left together to join their friends out at The Asphalt Café. When they showed up at the table they usually sat at, Cat was bright eyed and expectant. Of what, Tori didn't know, but the redhead seemed to deflate when she looked at Andre and he shook his head subtly. Robbie was oblivious to the weird events unfolding and Beck seemed to be stuck in a trance-like state of shock for some reason. Jade was nowhere to be seen. Tori spent the rest of the day in deep thought, almost neglecting to listen to the lesson going on around her in every class.
She was desperate to understand what Andre had meant when he said something was good for Jade. When was he ever pushy with the goth for her own good? And why was Jade taking it all so hard? She had never heard her sound so raw, like she was going to break. Her anger concerning the subject was fierce. Tori ran a hand through her hair with a sigh, finally putting the whole thing away until after school when she would try and ask Andre again. The bell for her last class rang and Tori practically raced out of the room and back to the recording studio. She was hell bent on barging in and demanding what was going on when a voice flowed fluidly through the air. She recognized it immediately, as well as the lyrics, and was confused all over again.
When I was younger, I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart and I watched
As he tried to reassemble it
And my momma swore that she would never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love if it does not exist
But darling…
You are the only exception
Tori's fast paced walk slowed until she stopped to hear the beautiful voice. She had never known such a sharp, cutting voice could sound so soothing. It was almost fluid in nature. It was then she came to the decision that she couldn't very well blame Andre for hearing such a voice and falling in love with it more than the person it was associated with. She wouldn't have blamed Andre if he did actually love the person associated with the voice too. To Tori, that was completely understandable because she was, and still, going through the same thing. Possibly on a whole other scale than Andre. It was a scary thought but she made peace with it a long time ago. Her attention went back to the song.
Well maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways to make it alone
Or keep a straight face
And I've always lived like this keeping a comfortable
Distance
And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
Well…
You are the only exception
Tori took a few steps more, hypnotized by the melody. The chorus came around again and all she could think about was who this song was sung for. There must be someone that was causing that voice to sound so sincere and heartfelt. There just had to. Tori was suddenly struck with the need to find out no matter the price. She carefully entered the room quietly and slowed to a complete stop just as the last of the song rolled off the lips of Jade West. Her eyes were closed and the headphones were on. She truly looked at peace; maybe even happy.
I've got a tight grip on reality
But I can't let go of what's part of me here
I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream
Whoa...
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
Tori took a step closer, intent on confronting her, but she stopped again when Jade opened her eyes, the soulful blue-green pinning her to the spot. Tori was ready for the rage and yelling but Jade only sung the last line, looking straight into Tori's eyes. She had never seen such emotions in Jade's eyes let alone having those same emotions aimed right at her. It was almost like they were meant for her.
And I'm on my way to believing
Oh and I'm on my way to believing
Jade reached out to fiddle with the recording device before she pulled off the headphones. She sighed heavily with her eyes closed for a few seconds then she stood and crossed her arms. Her eyes opened and the softness from earlier was gone. In its place was the hard glare Tori always knew Jade for. The moment was broken. Now it was time to face her wrath.
"What are you doing here, Vega?" Jade spat, her famous scowl returning as well. Tori briefly wanted, no, needed to see that other side of Jade again, but she had pushed it away. She moved forward so that she stood with the recording equipment separating them. Jade waited impatiently, tapping her booted foot.
"That was beautiful. Paramore, right?" Tori finally spoke up softly. She was starting to stupidly feel shy. She ducked her head after asking and looked away. Surprisingly, Jade's scowl lessened a little, the corner of her lips quirking up slightly.
"Yeah," she replied, the edge in her voice was toned down unexpectedly.
"Why that song?" Tori inquired curiously, mentally kicking herself for prying. Jade's eyebrows furrowed angrily before smoothing out just as quickly. She looked almost distressed for a second and then she was back to neutral. She waved her hand like it wasn't a big deal.
"It's sorta important to me, that's all. So, what are you doing here?" she asked the other girl. Tori scrambled for words and finally spat them out truthfully.
"Andre told me to meet him here," she replied. Jade groaned and rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"I'm going to painfully torture that boy," she grumbled, her eyes narrowing. Tori hastily stepped forward, ready to talk Jade out of it, but she held up a hand to silence her before she could even begin.
"I hold the right to hurt him for what he's been insinuating," she stated. Tori's expression changed to confusion.
"Is he right though?" she asked before she could stop herself. Sometimes her thoughts spoke aloud without her permission. Jade groaned and closed her eyes tiredly.
"Damn, I shouldn't have said anything," she mumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Jade," Tori spoke quietly, hesitantly. The tone made Jade look up at her, catching her attention.
"Um, well, I know you hate when people pry but, um, why are you singing a cover? And if Andre was in here earlier, didn't you tell him you had the room?" she wondered. Jade shook her head at Tori. She was being so dense.
"Tori, don't you get it? Andre knew I was in here," she told the confused girl. Tori's eyebrows creased.
"So, he wanted me to walk in, on, you…" she realized, her sentence slowing until it died. Jade stared at her for a whole minute. Right when Tori was beginning to understand what was going on, Jade tore her gaze away and began gathering her things. Once she had everything, she strode towards the door. In that moment Tori had decided. She had to know what was going on, even if Jade turned violent. She stepped in front of the now frustrated goth, almost making her crash. She stopped abruptly and grabbed Tori by the front of her shirt in a death grip.
"I'll throw you out of the way if I have to," she threatened. Tori licked her lips nervously before replying.
"Jade, what's gotten into Cat, and Andre, and you for that matter? I mean, even Beck seems out of it," she spoke hesitantly. Her voice shook slightly but she forced out the question. Jade froze, still holding Tori in place. She held Tori's gaze in her own and then looked away.
"Cat and Andre teamed up to play matchmaker for me. I didn't want them to but they did it anyway. Beck just can't believe who they were trying to set me up with. He couldn't accept that I…just forget about it. You've got your answer," Jade replied. She moved to let her go but Tori held the clenched, pale fist, in her own tanned one. Jade glanced down at her touch and then back up.
"Cat and Andre…but Andre knows I…that means…" Tori said, stumbling over the sudden realization finally clicking into place.
"They were trying to make me walk in on you. They wanted me to hear the song," Tori stated, strangely calm but with a slowly approaching happiness. Jade nodded.
"I told Cat that I…well, she told Andre. I guess they thought it was a good idea to mess with someone's feelings. I never wanted to have anyone know but Cat's my best friend. She should have kept my secret but she told Andre. Why?" Jade said, her voice starting off fragile but building into one tinged with anger. Tori felt Jade's fist tighten and her own hand squeezed hers in an attempt to comfort her.
"She told him because I told both of them how I felt. I was hoping Cat could help me and Andre is my best friend so I tell him everything," Tori admitted. Jade looked up from their hands with surprise.
"You…are you saying you like me?" she asked quietly. Tori blushed lightly but nodded.
"Yeah, um, do you like me?" she responded, feeling more than vulnerable for asking. Jade smirked at the tone.
"No," she answered bluntly. Tori nodded quickly, feeling rejected but understanding. After all, everything so far could have been a coincidence. Jade let her wallow for a little bit, her way of getting back at Tori for the way she made her feel. When she felt she had enough she shook her head and chuckled at Tori's discomfort. The singer let Jade's hand go, her arm falling to her side, but Jade didn't release her. Instead, she pulled her closer so that they were nose to nose. Tori's eyes widened and her breath caught at the abrupt proximity change.
"I don't like you Vega…I really like you," Jade corrected, her eyes flicking down to Tori's mouth before closing the distance. The kiss was soft and hesitant, something Jade never applied to anything, but she needed Tori to know she meant what she said. Her hand holding Tori in place smoothed out and slid up to cup her face. Her other hand pulled Tori's body flush against her own by the hip. Tori sucked in air through her nose at the contact but Jade smiled against her mouth. Tori's hands hesitantly lowered to rest on Jade's waist. They parted and Tori rested her forehead against Jade's with a smile.
"Did that song remind you of me?" she asked quietly. Jade scoffed.
"Don't flatter yourself Vega," Jade replied.
"Jade," Tori whined, dragging out her name. Jade's serious expression slowly melted into a content smile.
"Stop whining. Yes, it does. Are you happy now?" she admitted.
"Maybe if I get another kiss," Tori replied, a smirk now adorning her lips. Jade rolled her eyes but complied, bringing their lips together again. This time around Tori pressed as close as she could and even continued to deepen the kiss. Her tongue skimmed Jade's bottom lip and Jade gave in easily. She backed Tori into the wall behind her and held her there with her own body. She pulled away, both of them gasping for air.
"You don't speak of any of this until I say you can, got it?" Jade warned Tori. She nodded, her hands absentmindedly bringing both thumbs higher to slip under Jade's shirt and feel the smooth skin under. Jade shivered and shook her head.
"God, I must be crazy to like you," she complained. Tori tilted her head to the side, questioning but understanding.
"Because you don't want to let another person into your heart just for them to break it," Tori stated softly. Jade's gaze hardened, her hands sliding off Tori to clench at her sides in angry fists.
"You heard me," she growled. Her tone made Tori uncomfortable but she nodded. She removed her own hands and let them rest against the wall.
"I came in around the time you hit Andre. I couldn't help but listen! I wanted to know so badly about you I didn't think about just how wrong of a thing it was to do. I'm so sorry," she blurted out, her soft brown eyes pleading. Jade's anger had mounted, up until Tori's apology. She relaxed at the honest eyes begging her for forgiveness. Beck had pleaded the same thing on multiple occasions but his dark browns never held this much conviction. They were never this honest. She sighed and stroked Tori's famous cheekbone with her thumb.
"It's ok. I would have done the same thing. Except, I think I would have made a big enough statement afterwards so that you would forget I was eavesdropping," she confessed. Tori laughed and shook her head in relief.
"What would that have been?" she questioned. Jade's eyes turned smoldering in less than a second. It made Tori forget how to breathe.
"Well, instead of walking in and pretending I didn't hear a thing, I would try and worm out a confession from you then proceed to kiss you senseless, effectively erasing the fact I was listening in at all," Jade explained honestly. Tori blushed just thinking of the situation.
"It would have worked too if your face is any indicator," Jade mumbled, a sultry tone Tori almost groaned at. She nodded in agreement.
"Jade?" Tori whispered, her voice practically giving out.
"Yeah?" she replied, her lips now centimeters away from Tori's.
"Y-you wanna have dinner with me or something?" she stuttered, having a hard time thinking with Jade so close.
"Are you asking me out?" Jade responded, teasing what she really wanted to hear from her.
"Yeah, I'm asking you out on a date. I want you to be my-" she tried to confirm but Jade silenced her with another kiss. Her tongue slipped into Tori's mouth this time, making her moan. When they finally parted Jade nodded.
"Sure, I'll pick you up around six," she replied. Tori smiled and reached out to hold Jade's hand. Jade smiled back and squeezed her hand softly.
"Thanks for making me your only exception," Tori told her sincerely. Jade blushed slightly, caught off guard, but she recovered quickly.
"I'm glad you are," she responded. Tori's arms snaked around her middle and pulled her into a hug she accepted without a fight for once. Her own arms held her close. They pulled away and Jade tugged her over to their bags.
"Come on. We have time to be all sappy later. I have to get home and at least finish some work," Jade stated, her bored tone back in place. Tori nodded, scooping up her bag while Jade grabbed her own. They left the room hand in hand and stopped before they entered the main hall. They could hear Andre whispering with Cat. Tori and Jade exchanged a look, knowing why their friends had stuck around.
"Are all my friends no good dirty spies?" Jade questioned in a low whisper. Tori held a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
"Let's not keep them waiting, girlfriend," Jade told her playfully with a smirk. She leaned in to peck Tori on the lips and then shot her a suggestive look over her shoulder as she sauntered away. Tori watched her go, eyes wide, and jaw slack. She could definitely get used to this. She closed her mouth and placed one of her bright smiles on her face before following Jade around the corner. Both Andre and Cat immediately fell quiet. Cat brought up a random topic which happened to be something about her brother.
"What are you two still doing here?" Jade questioned, stopping to shoot them her usual glare. Tori walked up too, keeping distance between her and Jade. It was hard, especially after their confessions, but she managed. Jade didn't even acknowledge her; already back in their previous roles like it never changed.
"I told Tori to meet up with me after school. Remember Tori?" Andre said, his expression and voice begging her to go along with it. He couldn't let Jade know he was up to anything lest he get stabbed with a pair of very well taken care of scissors. Tori let him squirm a little before nodding.
"So, why are you here, Cat?" Jade questioned, turning to level her intimidating stare on her. The redhead looked at a loss for what to say but soon brightened.
"Andre asked if I wanted to come along," she answered. Andre nodded quickly.
"Ok, sure, but if you two are trying to interfere with my private life again I'll make sure you regret it," Jade warned them.
"They have the freedom to stick around after school as much as the next person," Tori told her, sticking up for Andre and Cat like any other day. Personally, she would have agreed with Jade. She received a glare; cold and unmerciful. She almost believed it.
"No one asked you, Vega," Jade spat. She adjusted the strap of her bag and then marched toward the door. Tori frowned at her retreating back and then turned to her relieved friends.
"She's being her usual ganky self," she noted with just the right hint of irritation.
"Tori, what happened with you and Jade?" Cat piped up, unable to hold in the question any longer.
"What do you mean? I walked into the studio looking for Andre, and instead, Jade was there. She got all bent out of shape that she was interrupted again and stormed out. I was lucky she didn't beat me up," Tori replied, giving Andre a look that clearly told him it was his fault. He scratched the back of his neck nervously.
"Sorry Tori, I was just…never mind. She won't come around will she?" he asked sadly.
"Look you guys, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but seriously, it's ok. I can live with it. Besides, we all know Jade hates me," she told them, playing up her sadness perfectly.
"She doesn't hate you Tori! She-" Cat bubbly spoke up in her excitement to correct the youngest Vega, but Andre shushed her. Tori put on a suspicious expression, proud her acting was getting better. She only wished Jade was there to see it.
"She probably just dislikes you. I mean, hate is such a strong word," Andre mended quickly. He laughed nervously, briefly shooting Cat a scolding look. She sadly looked away.
"Yeah, I guess so. Well, if you don't need me then I'll be heading home. I have a lot of things to do," Tori told Andre.
"Go ahead and head home Tori," Andre told her. She nodded and bid them goodbye. She waved one last time and then pushed open the door. It was then she realized Trina would have to be dragged back to school. She groaned and pulled out her phone, making the call, when a car honked. She looked up to see Jade leaning against her car with her trademark smirk and nice pair of shades on. She held her keys in her hand, having pressed the button that would unlock the vehicle. Tori stared, saying nothing when Trina finally picked up. She demanded an answer but Tori just hung up and jogged over to Jade.
"You waited for me," she pointed out, touched. Jade shrugged nonchalantly.
"I was going to leave you here but I figured Trina would make things difficult for you so I stuck around," she explained. Tori hugged her and she groaned dramatically.
"Ok, ok, get in so we can go," Jade complained. Tori happily pecked her on the cheek and then did as she was told. Jade slid in the car and started it up, finding something to listen to before she pulled out. Tori sung along with the songs until they reached her house. Jade stopped the car in the Vega's driveway and turned down the music.
"So, I'll see you later?" she said calmly, eyeing her new girlfriend over her shades. She smiled at the word that described what Tori was to her now.
"Yeah, I'll be ready," Tori replied reassuringly.
"Good. You better be, because I'm not going to wait for you," Jade told her sternly. Tori laughed and reached over to pluck off the shades that did nothing but compliment Jade's face. Tori gazed into the clear eyes that stared at her, studiously unashamed.
"I look forward to it," she responded, leaning in. Jade's right hand gripped Tori's chin as she leaned in the rest of the way. This time the kiss turned a little heated but ended softly. Jade's left hand took back her shades from Tori while she was distracted and replaced them on her nose the moment she pulled away. Her thumb caressed Tori's cheek before she dropped her hand on Tori's thigh.
"See you Tori," she said softly. Tori bit her lip, loving the way her first name rolled off Jade's tongue. It was just as carefully said as the song she had heard Jade sing not too long ago.
"Bye Jade," she replied, shyly tucking a stray lock of dyed hair behind Jade's ear. She grabbed her bag and turned away to grab the handle on the door. She popped it open and stepped out, shutting the door. She rounded the front of the car and was almost at the front door when Jade called to her. She had been busy checking Tori out when she decided she needed to do one more thing before seeing her later that night.
"Vega!" she yelled, making Tori turn around. Jade crooked a beckoning finger at her and Tori walked back to lean down in the window.
"What-" she began to ask but Jade cut her off with a kiss that almost immediately involved her forceful tongue. Tori was left panting after Jade pulled away.
"One for the road," she explained, tilting her head down to wink at Tori over her shades. Tori took a couple steps back as the car roared to life. It rolled down the driveway and then disappeared down the street. Tori watched, still dazed. All she could think about at the moment was how Jade was so hot in all ways imaginable. Now she really couldn't wait for tonight when she would see her again. Tori ran a hand through her hair and wondered how things suddenly turned around. She walked back to her house and went inside. Trina descended on her quickly, demanding to know why Tori hung up on her and then moving on to ask how she even got home. Tori gave the answer she usually reserved for when things went wrong. It was amazing that this time it was for everything that went right.
"Jade," she answered, a little breathlessly. She hoped Trina didn't hear the affection laced in her tone. She couldn't help it. Trina frowned and then shrugged, accepting the answer. Tori climbed the stairs up to her room and flung herself across her bed happily. She would have to thank Andre and Cat for showing Jade and her what they felt for each other. Of course, as soon as Jade was ready. Tori was in no rush. Right now she looked forward to going out and having fun with Jade. Then, she would look forward to every day after that, because Jade West liked her back.
