~Dark Come Soon~
Chapter Two ~ I Will Help You
Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious or any of the characters from the show.
Also to the one commenter, it's not a big deal but just to clarify with you, I am trying to follow the show with most thing but some things, like how many plays there have been and the fact that Jade's mom went to Well Wishes and not her dad are different. Some other things I'm sure won't follow EXACTLY either.
Tori POV
If anyone ever told me I'd be in Jade West's kitchen, hugging her and giving her comfort as she cries, I'd have laughed in their face. Yet here I am. I knew something was up with her when Robbie spilled his water all over her and she didn't even seem to care. I came to her house after school even though she pushed me away in the girl's bathroom earlier. It's weird; normally I'm really offended by Jade's attitude towards me. I've never done anything to deserve it. But I have a big heart, and in my heart I knew that Jade needed someone to reach out to her. I found her in her backyard crying on a tire swing.
I don't know what to say to Jade now that she's opened up to me about her dad. The other things she had talked about seemed so trivial after this. I feel so sad knowing she's in pain. I can't even imagine what I would be like if I lost my father. I just keep hugging her and rubbing her back as she cries into my neck. The craziest part is she's hugging me back, and it's like she's holding on for dear life.
After about 15 minutes she let go and sat back slowly. I got up and walked around her kitchen looking for a napkin. I put my hand on her shoulder and handed her the tissue. She sighed a deep breath and shook her head.
"I can't believe that just happened…" she began. I watched as she wiped her eyes, and then folded her arms and looked away. I could tell she felt awkward now. How do I fix that? I want her to know I'm here for her.
"Why? I'm glad you opened up to me. I'm so sorry about your father Jade. I can't even imagine what it's like to not have him around. If you ever need to talk about it, or about anything, please just give me a call. Do you think you'd like to come back to my house for dinner?" I was secretly afraid that at any moment the usual Jade would come back and scream at me to get the hell out and being too nice would push her over the edge. I couldn't just leave her here though, all sad and alone. One thing I did know about her, from her lunch table comments, is that she didn't have a very good relationship with her mother. Something about "the witch" never being home.
"I can't, I have a lot of laundry to do."
Ouch. Even though it wasn't even rude I felt rejected. It's not like you have to stand and watch it, right? My mom does my laundry but I'm still pretty sure it'd all work out and she could still come. I guess I was really hoping she would accept my invitation and come back to my house with me. I really want to get to know Jade. I want to know why she's so bitter and mean. I don't want to throw this time away. Tomorrow she might go back to the old Jade. I really need to go, though. My mom will be calling me any minute to tell me if I'm not home for dinner, I'm grounded.
"If you're sure." I responded. "I have to get going though, mom freaks out if we don't all eat dinner together." She nodded and gave me a little wave. That was it? After all this? Knowing that this whole thing was already out of the ordinary for Jade, I should just be grateful that she let me in, even if for just a brief moment. As I was getting up to leave, I felt her grab my hand.
"Tori…" She hesitated and looked away as usual. "Thank you for being so nice to me when I don't deserve it."
"You're welcome!" I exclaimed happily. Getting a thank you from Jade West was a big deal.
"Please don't tell anyone about this."
"I wouldn't, Jade, I promised you."
"Thanks," she repeated. "I feel a little better after just spilling my guts. I guess that's why they say keeping it all in is bad for you or whatever."
I could tell she was trying to let me know she was grateful. And I was grateful myself for her allowing me to hear her issues. Even if one of the issues was basically me. I really liked helping people. I get it from my mother. She was a therapist for a few short years before she gave up working to have children. I especially liked helping Jade. I've always wanted to have her as a friend. We both have the same friends and are always stuck together hanging out with them, it would make sense for us to become friends too. But Jade never let that happen, and I guess I found out why tonight. She's been resenting me for taking most of the roles in the school plays. I can't say that I blame her for that. I would feel really miffed about that as well.
"It's no problem at all. I meant what I said. Please call me whenever you need a friend to talk to." I assured her. "I'll see you tomorrow. Feel better Jade."
"Bye Tori."
I was really quiet during dinner. I think my mom knew something was on my mind and didn't hassle me for conversation too much. It also helped that Trina used up most of the time telling everyone every detail of her day.
"What's the matter Tori? You seem down." My father noted. He isn't the type to know when I just needed to be in my own head the way my mom does.
"Nothing… but dad, I want you to know I love you." Hearing Jade's story made me really think about what it'd be like to lose either one of my parents. It would be unbearable. I'll be honest and say that my family is really incredible, even Trina. My parents never fought and are still very much in love. Trina and I only have very few actual fights, and though she is extremely weird and self-centered, she is a good sister to me.
"I love you too. Where'd that come from?" He asked.
"I just wanted to tell you. And mom, I love you and Trina, I love you too." I looked at each one of them. They're all staring at me as if I'm a lunatic and maybe I am but I want to let them know every day from now on. You never know when you won't get the chance to say it again. I don't want to have regrets the way that Jade does.
"We love you too," my mom finally said. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm feeling fine, but may I please be excused? I have a lot of homework."
"You may…" She kept giving me a strange look and continued to watch me as I put my plate in the sink and walked up to my room.
I am trying so hard to focus on my geometry homework but it's just not working out for me. I can't get my mind off Jade and the events of this afternoon. Honestly, I still can't believe she was so open with me. It's no secret that she has disliked me since coming to Hollywood Arts my very first day. At dinner, I was honestly debating whether or not to tell my mom and see if she could give me some advice on how to help Jade, but I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone and I've always thought myself to be as trustworthy as they come. Unless Jade is in danger, I won't tell anyone anything.
I wonder what Jade will be like tomorrow. Will anything be different between us? Will she be nicer to me? After all, it's not that I would ever tell regardless, but Jade has let me see a side of her I'm sure no one else could ever dare to see other than Beck. That has to mean something.
I finally give up on the angles and degrees in front of me and decide I'll do it in my free period. Glad I'll finally have something to do during study hall other than to sit and stare at the clock. I can't wait until next semester when I can fill it with Scene Studies. The class was full by the time I tried to sign up. Lane generously added my name to the class list for next term early, probably because I almost cried but I'm thankful nonetheless.
After I put away all my school work, I headed over to my closet to pick out tomorrow's outfit. It was silly but I wanted to look nice tomorrow. Hoping Jade would treat me differently after what happened today, I'm thinking it will be a smooth, easy going day. I want to be able to enjoy it as much as possible and having a great outfit would help.
I settled on black tight skinny jeans with a dark violet solid tie-front shirt. I laid it out on my desk for the next morning and turned on my laptop. Browsing my friends slap updates for a few minutes before posting my own was a nightly ritual for me.
TORI VEGA:
Feeling pretty good about tomorrow! Wishing it goes as smoothly as I'm hoping.
FEELING: Optimistic
I also couldn't help but notice that Jade hadn't updated hers in over 42 hours. That was unlike her. She must be really out of it.
After brushing my teeth, I climb into bed. Reaching over to plug in my pear phone, I noticed I have a new text message. It's from Jade. Holding my breath because I'm stupidly excited and nervous for what it has to say, I open it up.
Hey, thanks again for earlier… I feel really embarrassed. Tell anyone and I will kill you. Got it?
I smiled to myself; of course Jade can't thank me without adding a threat.
Ofc not. How many times do I have to tell u? Ur secrets safe with me. Not that it was a secret really but u know what I mean. U should know by now that I am very trustworthy. I never told anyone about u coming to me for help with beck remember? Even though that wasn't really a secret either.
Tori, you are babbling through text message.
Sorry! Goodnight Jade.
Night Vega.
I set my phone down on my nightstand and turned off the light. Laying back into my pillow, feeling immediate relaxation, I couldn't help but smile some more. Even though today was somewhat of a long day, all emotional and whatnot, I felt pleased. I really have always wanted a better relationship with Jade and I feel like it's finally starting to happen.
I'm just at the point where I'm almost asleep when I decided to reach over and grab my phone real quick. I send a quick text message to Jade before laying back down and letting sleep take me over.
I will help you be okay, Jade.
Thanks for the comments guys. I hope you like this chapter, it may be a bit boring but I didn't know what to do with Tori until the next few chapters.
I'd also like to point out this is my very first story so I'm really sorry if things don't flow nicely or whatever. Feel free to give me some pointers. :)
