Beep Beep Beep…6:30am. It was Monday morning. Jade had left about an hour before, she knew Tori wasn't conscience enough last night to know she was even there, and she didn't feel like explaining to her the reason she was there. It was better this way; things didn't have to be complicated by it all.
Tori slowly rolled toward her night stand in attempt to turn off her alarm, she sat up in bed stretching her arms out wide above her head, yawning. She felt well rested, relaxed, and practically energetic. Considering most of her nights consisted of unattainable dreams, and constant restlessness, it was safe to say this was the best night sleep Tori's had in a while. It had been weeks since Tori had actually slept a whole eight hours uninterrupted. She didn't understand why now all of a sudden her body decided to allow her the proper amount of rest, but there's no reason to complain.
She got out of bed and proceeded through her normal morning routine. She showered, got dressed, applied make up, styled her hair, she even ate breakfast, something she hasn't had time to do with her previous lack of sleep. Today was a whole new day. Tori was finished with her routine and then some, and still had 30 minutes to kill. She couldn't help but smile; it was such a refreshing start to her day. For once she isn't already in a bad mood before that day even really started; it was an almost surreal feeling. Today she wouldn't have to fake her happiness; she wouldn't have to fight off sleep in the middle of her classes, she wouldn't have to constantly suppress yawns. Yes today would be a good day, a great day, she thought.
Tori was in such a good mood today, nothing could bring her down. Not even when her sister Trina left for school without her for the 4th time in the past two weeks, did Tori's mood falter. She ended up catching the bus to school, forced to sit among irritating middle schoolers who wouldn't stop asking her stupid questions.
The day had been going great for Tori; things just seemed to be falling into place. She got an A- on the calculus test she took last Friday, she wasn't assigned any new homework in any of her morning classes, it was like the best day ever, or so she thought…
Tori strode to her normal lunch table where her friends were already seated, a spring in her step and lightly humming her current favorite song. She had a huge smile on her face as she settled down between Andre and Cat. "What's your deal Vega?" Jade had sneered from across the table.
Tori's brow furrowed in confusion, "What deal?"
"This.." Jade waved her arm in the air up and down in Tori's direction, "this whole perkiness thing. It's like you amped up the annoying 1000 times today."
Typical Jade West, Tori had gotten used to the constant abuse over the past couple of years, but that's not to say it didn't hurt. Even though she knew it was just words, empty words, Tori couldn't help but feel a little pang of hurt each time Jade cut her down like this. She brushed it off her shoulders, like always, and answered her anyway, "I'm just in a really good mood," although Jades attitude was the first thing to damper it all day, "I had the best night's sleep. It's the first time I've woken up in a while feeling refreshed. I don't know why, but it was a great way to start the day, I guess I've been on a high ever since."
Jade was taken aback from Tori's answer, although she didn't show it. She knew Tori slept like a baby through the night first hand. She knew Tori had unknowingly held her in her arms the whole night, never breaking contact with her from the moment she slid into the bed. If only Tori knew Jade was there, that she had kissed her cheek, and held her close. But why would that make her sleep well? Why did she do those things anyway? And why on Earth did she think it was ok to call Jade, "Jadey Bear"? So many questions flew through Jade's mind in response to Tori's explanation.
Jade hadn't really put much thought into the meaning of Tori's weird approval from the previous night; she was just so relieved she had a place to stay, and a distraction from her thoughts. So what happened again? Jade asked if she could stay over, expecting a million questions as to why, only to receive "anything for you Jadey Bear," a kiss on the cheek, and an all night long cuddle session. It was obvious Tori recognized Jade's voice, and noticed her presence. But that still doesn't explain why she did those things knowing it was Jade she was doing them to, nor does it explain how today, Tori seemed completely oblivious to the fact Jade was even there last night. Something didn't add up, and Jade was racking her brain to figure it out.
"That's stupid. How could a good night's sleep put you in such a good mood?" Jade tried to come up with a more snarky remark, but knowing what happened last night clogged her brain and drained her ability to think clearly.
Tori shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, I just feel well rested and energetic, and that makes me feel good." Jade rolled her eyes at Tori's bubble gum response, "Look why does it even matter to you anyway?" Tori was getting annoyed with Jade's opposition to her feeling good.
"I don't care Vega, I just don't see how someone could be so annoyingly perky for no reason, or should I say such a lame reason. " Jade fired back with a harsh tone, the amount of constant analysis about Tori's reaction last night and her bubbly demeanor today was starting to bug Jade. She couldn't help but get frustrated with it all. Why, that's all she wanted to know, why?
Tori was angry, even though she looked more glum on the outside. Jade was bringing her down, and it frustrated her to no end. Jade just can't let me be happy; she always has to find a way to tear me down. She ignored Jade the rest of lunch, which wasn't too difficult since Jade looked like she had checked out anyway, but every now and then she would see Jade staring at her, analyzing her, before quickly looking away. She didn't get it.
The rest of the day went by slowly, and everything was the opposite from the morning. After her little spat with Jade at lunch, Tori was no longer in a great mood, not even a good mood at that. She got a D on her physics test, she was given a bunch of homework in her English class, and the cherry on top of it all, Trina wouldn't give her a ride home cause she had a "date", more like eavesdropping on a boy's conversation then showing up wherever he and his friends made plans to go to that night.
Tori put her pile of homework and books in her bag before letting out a deep sigh, shutting her locker a little more forcefully than needed. She needed to find a ride home. Everyone she knew who had a car were either stuck at school working on various projects or already long gone. She didn't have the option of waiting around for Andre to finish recording his new song for music class, or for Beck to finish editing his short film for theater. She needed to get home and start on this mound of homework, plus the stack she had been putting off until last minute that was sitting on her desk. Right about when she thought all hope was gone, Tori noticed Jade come out of the girls bathroom, scanning the empty halls of Hollywood Arts before making her way to her locker.
"Jade!" Tori exclaimed relieved the raven haired girl was still here, although she was still annoyed about lunch. "Boy am I happy to see you, I was hoping you—"
"There you go with the perkiness again, look whatever it is you want the answer is no." Jade interjected, not letting Tori finish her request.
"But come on, all I need is a ride home, it's only a few blocks, stupid Trina ran off to stalk another boy. Seriously I'm only asking cause you're the only one still here who has a car." Tori put on her best pouty face, trying to convince Jade to drive her home.
"I agree your sister is stupid, but the answer is still no. Now leave me the hell alone Vega." And with that Jade slammed her locker shut marching out the doors before Tori had the chance to protest any further.
Tori was fuming at this point, she started crying, it wasn't a sad cry, it was a frustrated cry, the kind of tears that fall when you are so physically and mentally drained that it's all your body can do. She kicked a locker hoping to let out some frustration, which proved to only make her foot hurt, making her cry tears of pain. With that she wiped her eyes and shuffled outside to begin her long walk home, mentally cursing Jade the whole way home.