Trina Vega and Beck Oliver had become the new talk of Hollywood Arts. Ever since the encounter at school and Beck's "date" with her the two have become clearly inseparable.

For Beck, the relationship was a breath of fresh air. He was now dating a beautiful, sexy girl who lived to please him. Trina was bright and cheery, and so totally different from the dark and demanding Jade West.

For Trina, her entire attitude had now changed. Her life was complete. She could accept the fact that maybe she was not the greatest singer or actor now, because she had Beck, and being with him made her feel wanted and needed, and more importantly, loved. She no longer had to try to convince everyone that she was beautiful, either; Beck took great care to let her know that he felt that way every time he saw her.

She loved the little signals that Beck would give her, the way his eyes would light up when he saw her. He was also quick to hold her hand or give her a peck on the cheek, sometimes for no reason at all, in short, the two of them behaved like typical high school kids in love.

The ripple effect is a common principle that everyone understands. The idea is that a small pebble dropped into water sends out ripples to far reaching corners of the world.

Trina dating Beck was having the same effect.

Suddenly Trina was a joy to have around the house, her parents were amazed at how helpful she was and Tori was thrilled that her big sister now acted almost human. The best thing was that Tori and Beck's relationship had not changed at all; they were still great friends and could be together in the same room and work on shows and class projects with no awkwardness.

Not sharing in the overall happiness, of course, was one Jade West. As bright as Trina was glowing these days, Jade was making up for it in overwhelming darkness. Jade was always lurking on the sidelines now, trying her best to minimize contact with her peers. She would sit alone at lunch, scaring away Sinjin or anyone else who tried to sit with her. She was usually the last one in class, sitting in a corner and offering little participation.

Tori tried to maintain some sort of relation with Jade, going out of her way to try to sit with her at lunch and even dragging over Andre or Robbie for company, but that soon became very tiresome and soon Jade was alone again.

The only time Jade seemed to show any interest in anything is when Beck would walk by. When he did, she would quickly look up at him and then look away trying not to get caught. If Beck were alone, he would sometime acknowledge her presence with a nod and a "Jade". Jade's response, if any was usually a "whatever" or some other rude comment.

Cat seems to be the only person that Jade can stand now and she is trying to help her friend.

Cat: Hi Jade, mind if I sit and have lunch with you?

Jade: Sure, go ahead, it's not like the table is full or anything.

Cat: Jade you don't have to be so mean, it's me Cat remember?

Jade: Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind.

Cat: What's wrong?

Jade: Well you may have noticed that I don't have a boyfriend anymore.

Cat: I know, but at least you and Beck aren't fighting as much as you used to.

Jade: Thanks Cat, that helped a lot.

Cat: You're welcome?

Jade: Cat as much as Beck and I used to fight, there were a lot of times when it was kind of nice to have him around, like when I needed coffee, a ride, and certain other things.

Cat: Ooh, my brother had a girlfriend once and he gave her other things.

Jade: You brother told you about that?

Cat: Not really, I found out when I met her at the drug store. She was getting a prescription filled. My brother had to get one too.

Jade: Those aren't the other things I meant, Cat.

Cat: Good because my brother was grumpy for two weeks after that. And his girlfriend dumped him.

Jade: Cat there other things couples do besides share things that need prescriptions.

Cat: Oh.

Jade: That is not the worst thing though. You know I am taking advanced playwriting?

Cat: I know, you love that course, and you are so good at it.

Jade: Thanks. Well for my final project I have to write a play and have it put on at school. One third of my grade depends on it.

Cat: So, what's the problem?

Jade: I wrote a play, a really good play but I need 6 characters, 3 boys and 3 girls to play the parts.

Cat: Ooh, can I be in your play?

Jade: Ok that only leaves me 5 people short.

Cat: Wait, Tori, Trina, Beck, Robbie and Andre. That is 5, you are all set!

Jade: The only problem is we are not exactly on speaking terms these days.

Cat: No, you are not on speaking terms. Tori and Andre have tried to be nice to you and have lunch with you, but you turned them away. The others would still be friends with you too, if you let them.

Jade: Even Beck and Trina?

Cat: Jade, Beck would still be your friend if you let him. So you are not dating anymore, things happen, but you had been together a long time and there is no way he would not still be nice to you if you gave him a chance.

Jade: What about Trina?

Cat: Trina may be a little harder, but if you can show her that you want to be friends, and you are not trying to steal Beck back, you might have a chance.

Jade: You really think they would help me?

Cat: I am sure they would. Do you remember when you were being mean to Tori, and you pretended that she hit you in stage fighting class and got her into trouble? She didn't tell on you, and took the punishment, and do you remember why?

Jade: She said that we all have to go to school here and if we are constantly fighting none of us will enjoy it.

Cat: Tori is still the same now as she was then. The others may surprise you too.

Jade: So, what do I do first?

Cat: Tomorrow, come and sit with us at lunch, it will be like old times.

Jade: Then what?

Cat: Well, you could apologize for being, you know, you these last few weeks. Then tell them about the play and ask them to be in it.

Jade: Ok, I will see you tomorrow.

The next day Jade made an effort.

Her first victim was Andre Harris. Jade was standing by her locker when Andre walked by on his way to his.

Jade: Good morning, Andre

Andre jerked his head around and almost walked into the wall.

Andre: Um, hi Jade, how's it going?

Jade smiled as she walked past him: Lovely day….

Andre: (very confused) Yeah, yeah it sure is….

Tori Vega was standing in front of her open locker choosing the books and note pads she would need for the morning. Having made her selection the closed the door; she stared straight into the smiling face of Jade West.

Jade: Hi there Tori

Tori: Jade, um hello

Jade: Care to walk to class together?

Tori: (looks around frantically for witnesses, just in case) Sure, ok

The two managed to make it to their first class.

Jade opened the door and let Tori go in first.

Jade: After you

Tori walked in, but turned slightly so she could keep an eye on Jade. Once she was safely inside she turned forward again to find a seat. Jade sat down next to her.

Jade was nice to everyone in every class that morning; she even managed to refrain from commenting on some of Sikowitz' antics during his classes. Finally lunch time was approaching and Cat met up with Jade.

Cat: Are you ready?

Jade: I think so; I have been trying to be different all day.

Cat: I know, I have heard, but now comes the big test.

Andre, Beck Trina Tori and Robbie were already seated at a table when Cat and Jade approached.

Cat nudged Jade:

Jade: Do you guys mind if Cat and I join you?

Everyone at the table looked at each other in surprise, and then looked back at Jade.

Tori: Sure you guys, have a seat.

Cat: Jade has something that she wants to tell you!

Tori: What is it Jade?

Jade: Listen, guys, I may have been a bit difficult, the last few weeks (eyebrows shoot up around the table), or maybe a little longer. I just wanted to say that I am sorry, and I was wondering if we all could be fr…fr.. oh you know that other "F" word that has more than 4 letters!

Tori: Jade are you trying to say that you want to be friends with all of us?

Jade puts her head down and very quietly says Yes.

There is a stunned silence around the table. People are looking at each other, almost not sure whether to believe it or not.

No one is saying or doing anything, finally Jade stands up and turns as if she is about to leave.

Jade: I knew this was a bad idea.

Cat: Wait Jade.

Cat spreads her feet apart and puts her hands on her hips. She is actually looking angry, if that is possible for Cat.

Cat: Come on you guys! Do you know how hard it was for Jade to apologize to you and then to ask you to be her friend? It was very hard, this is Jade we are talking about, and yet she did it. You always claim to be nice and kind, but someone is reaching out to you and you are ignoring her. Now come on!

There was some more embarrassed silence, then suddenly Robbie began clapping, then Andre, then Tori finally even Beck and Trina.

Cat: (Curtsying) Thank you, thank you!

Jade: Ok, what is going on here!

Beck: Well, we don't know about you, but we think that Cat just gave a masterful performance as a friend trying to get another friend accepted, and we were just applauding the effort.

Jade: So wait, you knew all about this then?

Beck: Cat told us last night; including the part about you needing us to put on your play for your project.

Jade: Cat, I can't believe you set me up like this!

Beck: Don't blame Cat. She told us what was happening with you and we kind of talked her into it.

Jade: So you guys know everything, and you still want to help me, why?

Beck: Because I have really missed you.

Jade: But wait, you are dating Trina now, and you guys look so happy. Isn't Trina going to be hurt if we get back together?

Beck: Trina, you want to handle this one?

Trina: Jade, these last few weeks with Beck have been the happiest in my life.

Jade: Well, then why…..

Trina: Jade being with Beck has done wonders for my self esteem. I am not worried now about being the best actress or singer, I know what I can and can't do and I am happy with that. I won't tell you that dating Beck wasn't great; I think you know he is really a special guy. (She gets close and whispers to Jade) And I can't think of anyone better to be my first.

Jade: But I still don't understand, then why…

Trina: Jade, Beck and I had a great time, but I could tell that he was not over you, and after a week or so he started knowing it too. We were trying to make the best of it, but were really trying to find a way to fix everything and make it right. Then Cat came and talked to us about your problem, and the solution was apparent...

Jade: But if Beck and I get back together, that leaves you with no one.

Trina: Wow, you really have changed; the old Jade West would never have worried about something like that! But don't worry; remember my original plan about spreading the rumor that Beck and I were dating just to get guys interested in me?

Jade nodded yes.

Trina: Well you should see the line-up of hot guys that want to date me now that they know Beck and I were dating; my calendar is booked until next year!

Jade to Beck: So, what do we do now?

Trina: Well if you don't mind a suggestion, have him throw you up against a wall, tear off your clothes and make love to you, it worked for me!

Tori: Trina!

Trina: What?

Tori: Time to go home and throw some ice water on you.

Trina: Sorry, no time, my first post-Beck date is tonight!

Beck to Jade: My RV has a nice wall in it.

Jade: and I think I still have a change of clothes over there if I need it.

Beck: You will.

Trina ran off to her date and Beck and Jade ran off to his RV.

Cat: Robbie can you come over tonight and help me with my computer project?

Robbie: Sure Cat. Why don't we pick up a pizza on the way?

Cat: Yay, pizza!

Robbie and Cat run off together to work on Cat's computer assignment.

Tori: Wait, what just happened here?

Andre: Well, let's recap, Beck and Trina broke up, but Trina is happy because she has dates lined up until next year, plus her attitude is so much better. Beck and Jade have gotten back together because they realized deep down that they really love each other and can't bear to be apart; and finally Robbie and Cat have paired off to work on Cat's computer project, alone at her house, with pizza, even though Cat is not taking any computer courses.

Tori: Well that seems like a pretty good day's work.

Andre: Yeahhh, not quite.

Tori: What is missing?

Andre: We still have the studly musician/songwriter and the beautiful actress singer and dancer.

Tori: Well, Trina is going out on her date, my parents are out tonight and I have a lot of schoolwork that does not need to be done and I can use help with.

Andre: That may work, I have a sudden desire for pizza too, and to help a friend not do homework tonight.

Tori: Pizza sounds good, why don't we get one and you can come over.

Andre: But after we finish the pizza what are we going to do?

Tori: There is a nice wall in my parent's house….

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