The C Word

Disclaimer: Victorious and its characters are the property of Schneider's Bakery and Nickelodeon. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. No profit is intended or wanted for this story.

Summary: Texting fun. For Jade, anyway.

Note: The first four chapters start with actual mis-texts posted on-line. The fifth chapter's opening is made up as I couldn't find a good example for the situation.

Tori: Are you packing a sweatshirt? Do you think we will need one?

I'm bringing 2. My cameltoe is huge so I'll just cramming as much as I can in there.

(*)_(*)

O

My camo tote! OMG! That is the last straw with autocorrect!

Jade: The straw that broke the cameltoe's back?

Jade was laughing out loud at Vega's text. It was so Vega. And so funny, even that stupid text emoticon. How long did that take for her to make it?

Then she glanced over at her own large, Army surplus tote bag, a standard olive-drab canvas bag. "A camouflage tote? Seriously? Did the Army even make those?"

That comment reminded her of the cameltoe and Jade was laughing loudly again. It was just so stupid and Vega's reaction was so priceless!

A knock on her door wasn't heard so Jade's mom stuck her head in the door. "You okay, baby?"

Managing to calm herself somewhat, Jade nodded. "Just a text from Vega…"

Just her daughter's laughter was enough to make Valerie West begin to chuckle. Until recently, she rarely saw Jade this upbeat. "So, it was funny?"

Jade just handed her mother her PearPhone. Val scrolled through the text and began to chuckle harder. Before long, she fell on the bed next to her daughter, laughing at the text exchange. When one began to calm down, she'd look at her daughter/mother and begin to laugh hard again.

Several minutes later, mother and daughter were wiping their eyes and catching their breath. Val was the first one to speak up.

Sitting up, she offered, "I haven't laughed that hard since I saw Caddyshack in college. My roommate had the VHS tape and some…weed. I had seen the movie before so I knew some of the dialogue. When Rodney Dangerfield showed up, I started to laugh even before he said anything. The scene where Carl was cutting flowers then caddying for the Bishop, I was laughing so hard, I was afraid I'd pass out. I couldn't breathe, it was so funny!"

"Mother! Weed? I'm shocked! Shocked, I say!" Jade was sitting up with her hand over her heart as she spoke in the voice she used to mock Vega.

The West women both giggled at Jade's mock shock. The confession actually came as no surprise to the Goth. She and her mother got along very well. Much better than any of Jade's friends, outside of Beck, knew. Neither had any real secrets from the other.

"So, Tori's going along on the trip?"

"Yeah, I said it was the gang. She's part of the gang."

"This is the Tori Vega you hate worse than yellow ducks with front-opening bras?"

Jade growled, "Hey! You forgot walking on pile carpeting…

"Anyway, I kinda don't hate her anymore."

"Oh? When, pray tell?"

"Mom?"

"Yes, dear?"

"I hate people who say 'pray tell'."

With an indulgent smile, Val said, "Duly noted. I'll add it to the list…" After a few seconds silence, she asked, "So?"

"Oh, yeah, I was talking…

"Anyway, after she tried to get Beck and I together again, then that stupid cell phone bet…"

Val nodded, she remembered the night her daughter came home after breaking up with Beck at the Vega house. They sat and ate ice cream late into the night. The same ice cream Jade claimed to 'hate'. To be honest, she was glad they broke up. Beck was a nice guy but Val knew he wasn't the guy for her girl. But then they got back together again.

Thanks to Tori? I oughta hate this girl. But…

Jade continued, "The 'yes' bet was the real kicker. I went to her house to get out of having to go with Beck to the races. Idiot even had it wrong – said it was drag racing but it was a standard stock car race. Not even NASCAR, the cheap son of a…"

With a calming sigh, Jade went on, "Anyway, I got Vega to agree to help make a pizza…" Jade started to laugh again but this was her dirty trick laugh. Val had to smile anyway. Jade described the giant blob of dough and the rest of the night, causing both women to start laughing again.

"Anyway, we got back from Hollywood-Bronson and hung out. It was…fun. Especially when Trina came home and… Anyway, we're friends now…sort of. And Cat sort of…forced me into letting Tori come along."

"Forced, huh?"

"Quiet…"

Val laughed. "You do like her, don't you?"

"Well, kinda like a sidekick or…"

Gathering her daughter's hands in hers, Vale said, "Jade, sweetie, it's okay if you like her. Jade. I've seen you really happy recently. If that's because of Tori, I think that's great!"

"But, Mom…"

"But what, Buttmunch?"

Jade snickered, "You haven't called me that in years… We haven't done that routine in…"

Val smiled, "And you've always known it was in fun and with love."

Jade nodded. She was stunned to realize that she really missed that. Not that she'd ever admit it to anyone – ever!

"So, be friends with Tori. Let her come over and hang out here. Let yourself open up some. Or a lot."

"But we're such opposites! You know me, I'm dark and sullen and hate just about everything. She's all bright and bubbly, loving everything. It's sickening."

Val barked out a short laugh. "Jade, friends aren't always alike. You know Stella is my best friend. We have been since grade school. But she's such a hard-core conservative and I'm a moderate liberal. We don't let that get in our way.

"You and Tori could be the same. Good, even great, friends aren't always going to agree."

"Guess it's a good thing we agree on politics…" Jade stated.

"This weekend, when you get a chance, spend some time with her. Just you two. You might be surprised to find you have to admit you do like her."

"God, Mom! Now I'm gonna have trouble sleeping tonight!" Valerie nodded with a smile. "Not that! Jeez, Mom! I meant I'll be freaking about Tori Freaking Vega."

Valerie stood in the door, and closed it with a knowing "Uh-huh… So what happened with the giant dough blob?"

"So not the point!"

"Okay, so about you and freakin' Tori Freaking Vega…"

"MOM?!"