Summary: Jade knows Beck better than anyone; it makes her the perfect advice giver for Tori.


1. The Idea

Jade knows Beck better than anyone; it makes her the perfect advice giver for Tori.

Lately they've been having some, how should she put it, drifts in their relationship, sometimes Tori is too busy recording for her album, sometimes Beck is too busy at movie shoots, they're just too occupied sometimes.

Beck's birthday is coming up soon, and Tori has no idea what to get him, for all those years of on and off, and on and off relationships, she was never good at it, often she had to go to her 'friend' for help.

Well, Jade still isn't exactly her friend, even if they graduated from Hollywood Arts 7 years ago, old habits die hard. She had grown taller, tanner, and sassier, with wilder streaks in her hair. She's known in the biz for her quadruplet threat, singing, and acting, play writing, and being a diva. People knows her as the woman who appeared out of nowhere with her sudden fame, but people who kept in touch with her, Tori, Beck, Cat, Robbie, Andre and Trina, knew how much Jade had worked.

Cat changed too, from the perky red head who says weird things daily, to the world famous fashion designer. She still can't make sense all the time for her life, but it's her style. She gains a tan too, but fell short with growing taller, and now is the shorty of the group, which goes with her childish attitude and sunshine personality.

Robbie finally grow out of his awkward years, but quickly grew into another, as the geek with the puppet for the first few month at Ha-Ha Hut, the comedy club he started to work in. But Rex made him big, although he has nicer puppet friends now, Robbie never forget his root, an annoying puppet that got ripped up so many times (by Jade and Tori, mostly Jade) and gave everyone a hell of a headache.

Trina grew considerably nicer, and slightly more talented, only slightly. Being the only one not in the performing biz, you can imagine her disappointment, and stress. She manages to snag a sweet job as a movie agent (not for Beck, if that's what you're thinking). That girl can really argue. Tori outgrew her sister by at least 3 inches, so now Trina is next to last place on the height meter, right above Cat.

Andre is a world class musician, what else is new? He has millions of CD sold across the globe every day, and definitely the wealthiest of the gang. He writes truly amazing songs that are not always about teenage love, but about the humanity and all that, made it catchy and danceable too. He lives in Florida now, and is seen the least of all of her friends (The rest of them still lives in Cali). He grew tall, like a sky scraper, yet still brings warmth into conversations.

Beck, probably the least changed of all the friends, which is not bad considering he was pretty gorgeous to begin with. Same olive skin, dark luxurious hair, and warm brown eyes. He acted in too many movies too count, and still kept grounded, the same old Beck. Tori loves that he had not turned snobby on his friends, especially her, since she has seen how much acting killed people, like Jade a few months ago.

Tori, now a triple threat, singing, dancing and acting. The first of them to gain fame, and she was proud. Starting after the killer song at the Platinum Music Award (thanks Jade), she took over the music industry by storm. Interviews, rehearsals, and autographs by day, concert and backstage parties at night, with song writing and acting in some movies between. She's the busiest too, which is why she and Beck (her boyfriend, can you believe it?) have a little bit of issue right now.

They haven't exactly been on a date for at least three month, usually just coffee in the morning, texting and video calls at night. Beck's job takes him across the world to do different shoots, while Tori stays in L.A. more than half of the year finishing her next album, and star in small budget movies (her way of helping the less famous).

That's why she is sitting at Aspalt Café, disguised as an old grandma, meeting with a cowgirl who was her mortal enemy,

"You wanted to see me?" Jade asked. The cowgirl had been her thing since the sleepover at Sikowitz, at least when it comes to disguises.

"I need help finding a birthday present for Beck." Tori admitted.

"You are never going to get better at that, are you?" Jade laughed.

Tori smiled, because too much laughter is not good for Jade right now. She's been through a lot in the last year, stress of too many plays at once, and demanding directors. She had went through a lot in the past months, trying to get herself back together after over booking.

"I guess not." Tori smiled.

"He's just getting back from New Zealand next Monday right?" Jade asked.

"Tuesday, 4:00pm landing if it goes well." Tori replied, she was his girlfriend after all, she should know about this stuff better than Jade, who is more of a best friend.

"Great, so take him out for all your favorite stuff. After the last few months of going everywhere, every spare minutes with you is going to be a present." Jade said.

She was right, of course she was right, no one knew Beck like Jade, and even though they are never going to date again (thanks to a rather unfortunate incident in high school), Jade is still the best Beck translator Tori could ever have.

"You're right, bowling and ice-cream, then dinner at Nozu!" Tori exclaimed.

Nozu actually managed to stay open all these years, except Ms. Lee had let her daughter Daisy took over most of it, and apparently, Daisy doesn't hold grudges, because every time the gang/part of the group comes, she wore a happy smile on her face and greeted them.

Tori personally thinks it's because Daisy got her first big 'break' at Jade's play, even though she didn't act until day 2.

"You've got it!" Jade smiled.

"TORI VEGA! JADE WEST!" A million voices suddenly shouted, Tori and Jade turned to find bunch of currently Hollywood Arts students coming for lunch.

"Shit, it shouldn't be lunch until noon!" Jade yelled.

"Well, it's apparently changed." Tori grumbled. The two picked up their bags and quickly made a getaway.

"Remind me never to eat here on school days again." Jade said grumpily, but Tori was giddy with glee, the puzzle of Beck's Birthday was solved.

"Thanks Jade."

"What are friends for?"


2. The Birthday

Five days later, Beck's plane touched down in Hollywood (on time, can you believe that?). They went out for bowling, ice-cream, and all that stuff they loved to do, together. They took a walk on Sunset Boulevard, and walk along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Things were looking up for those two.

"I know I haven't been around for a while." Beck sighed.

"It's fine; we're here now, aren't we?" Tori smiled.

Beck hesitated, and Tori was worried, was he going to do what she thought he was going to do?

"That's not good enough."

The air suddenly got tense, as the Tori intensely stared at her boyfriend (not for long) and Beck avoiding her eyes at all cost.

"What happened in New Zealand?" Tori demanded.

"Nothing, it just got me thinking how if I'm around, you're not, and vice versa." Beck explained.

"We have some time; I'm mean, look at us now!" Tori practically screamed, but remember who and where she was.

"That's not enough; this is our first real date in months!"

Tori knew that very well, she just hoped Beck didn't. It was true, but does that mean they have to break up?

"We have to break up." Beck said finally.

Her heart broke in a million pieces, just like it did at least ten times before, except this was much worst. Before it was just about silly things, like broken cups or disagreement about music, things Tori and/or Beck can mend in a few days, but this time, it's a lot worst, they actually don't have the time to be with each other, and it's tearing them apart.

Finally, she couldn't hold it in anymore, she let the first tear ran down her cheek.

"I'm sorry." Beck said, attempting to wipe away the tear, but Tori's hand pushed him away.

"You're not. If you were sorry, you would have never done this, you would have un-done it or something. It's over, Beck Oliver, we're over." Tori screamed, she felt like she was yelling at herself more than to Beck.

They awkwardly drove home, with Tori sobbing once in a while and Beck trying to apologize, but it was no use.

"Goodbye Beck." Tori said as soon as she arrived at her house.

She didn't even give him the chance to say it back. Tori slammed the door on Beck and collapsed right on the floor.

"Oh my goodness, what do we have here Vega?" She heard her friend say.

Tori looked up to find Jade (did she forget to mention they rent the house together?)

"A broken-hearted girl." Tori said, feeling as big as a mouse.

"I'm going to kill Oliver tomorrow. He is so dramatic about break-ups, I would know." Jade sighed.

She would, Tori had heard about most of their infamous 'it's over's, and she had saw a couple of them live and in person, he can do them real dramatic, quirks about being an actor, she guessed.

"Yeah." Tori said.

"Hey, what's going on?" Cat said (she's a roommate too, part of their plan to stop Jade from over-booking again).

"Break-up problem."

"Ouch."

Cat had grown up a bit, still the childish one, but she makes some more sense now.

"One time, my brother broke a girl's arm, she sued our family and we had to sell his remote controlled shark to pay it off." Cat said.

Ok, so maybe she still doesn't make as much sense as an average 25 year old, but still.

"That's nice Cat." Tori smiled a little, Cat has a way of cheering them up, as used when Jade or Tori broke up with someone (mostly Beck on Tori's part) over the last decade.

"Want to know what will make you feel better?" Jade smirked.

"Uh-oh, a Jade plan." Tori said warningly.

"I don't like Jade plans." Cat said, she sounded like six years old.

"Come on, my plans are awesome, and you know it."

They had to follow along, as part of rebuilding Jade's self-esteem; they've made a pact to be as agreeable to her as possible.

"Karaoke. You should be good at this Vega, being a pop star and all." Jade said, plugging in their favorite track into the computer.

"Yeah, I guess." Tori said, she wasn't sure if Karaoke was the right way to get over a break-up, but it was better than her plan to burn every single thing Beck had ever given to her for the past decade (it was a lot).

"What song?" Cat asked as she took a microphone and hand it to Tori.

"You'll like it." Jade said slyly, "Trust me."

Five similar chords rang out from the speaker that brought a smile to her face.

You had it all

The day you told me, you told me you want me

Jade sang those sweet words and handed a microphone to Cat. Tori smiled, she absolutely loved this trio Karaoke days.

I had it all

But let you fool me, fool me completely

Cat's high soprano voice was still good in spite of giving up professional singing for fashion design a few years ago, Tori knew that her red-head friend could make it in the big time, but she guessed fashion was more important to her. She handed the microphone back to Jade as she sang the next four lines.

Yeah, I was so stupid

To give you all my attention

'Cause the way you played me

Exposed you true intention

Jade gestured to Tori and mouthed 'your turn. She shook her microphone slightly and lightly sang those words.

'Cause one day

I'll have you beggin' on your knees for me

Her voice was clearer now, and she put more force in to it.

'Cause one day

I'll have you crawling like a centipede

Having the most attitude of the group, Jade smiled as she did the little part after.

You mess with me

And mess with her

So I'll make sure you get what you deserve

Not true, thought Tori, Beck never cheated on me. But this is about forgetting him, not criticizing the song for not matching with her exact situation, it's about break-up, that's pretty much close enough. Tori and Cat joined in on the next part

Yeah one day

I'll have you beggin' on your knees for me.

Cat took the microphone for the second verse. Tori is amazed by the soulful high pitch Cat was able to sing, even after years on being on the chart, Tori still can't make that kind of high notes, she's for known for her deep sound and heartfelt lyrics.

So watch your back

'Cause you don't know when or where I'm gonna get you

I've set the trap

And when I'm done you will know what I've been through

Obviously, the next part in Jade's plan was going to be revenge, both Tori and Cat understood that by the evil smile on her face when Cat sang those line, whatever floats her boat she guess.

So oh,

Do you feel like a man now?

And I bet you're nervous

'Cause this song makes you freak out

Jade and Cat looked at Tori expectantly, she knew exactly what they meant. After every bad break-up Tori, Jade or Cat ever had (no matter the boy), it was tradition to sing a break-up song, followed by the broken-hearted girl singing the bridge. Fine with Tori, because for every show, Beggin' On Your Knee is always a fan favorite, mainly because she practiced so hard to get the bridge perfect, the stadium is always near silence as she sang it.

I know I'm being bitter

But I'm gonna drag you under

'Cause you don't, don't deserve happily ever after

What you did to me

After you told me you never felt that way

It was only just a game…

'Cause one day

All of the girl joined in at the last chorus, usually by this time, the broke-up girl would be smiling, but this time, Tori's smile felt fake and empty, as if the break-up didn't actually happen yet.

'Cause one day

I'll have you beggin' on your knees for me

'Cause one day

I'll have you crawling like a centipede

You mess with me

And Mess with her

So I'll make sure you get what you deserve

'Cause one day

I'll have you beggin' on your knees for me…

"Feel better Vega?" Jade asked as the song finishes with its last chords.

"That's Jade." Tori yawned, "I'm going to turn in early, k?"

They nodded as Tori head upstairs to her room. She opened the door only to find Beck and she's picture on the her nightstand, it was taken at graduation of Hollywood Arts, back then they were so happy together, even if Tori would be leaving to go to Las Vegas the next day (first stop on her 'Make it in America' tour, she stayed at Hollywood Arts even after she got a recording contract, just because he was there).

Back before all this mess happened.

Tori looked over the girl in the frame and examined her carefully, dark brown hair, smiling brown eyes, and a dark navy blue graduation gown and cap, she looked as happy as she is, as Tori was, she remembering the vow she made that day to try be true to herself, to try and live a normal life as everybody else.

The problem was, she doesn't know the definition or normal anymore.


3. The Gala

"Look at that, Beck Oliver is attending the Young Stars Gala with his rumored new girlfriend, Ellie Noire." Cat squealed.

Tori groaned into the pillow, she had heard all these rumors about Beck and his new belle Ellie, the co-star in his new movie, Lights. She's been trying to forget about this for oh so long, but it took one mention at Teen Star Weekly for her to almost completely loose it.

"Cat!" Jade hissed, causing the red-head to shrink.

"Just saying."

"We're invited too, if you want to go Vega." Jade said, "I'm bringing Andre, he's coming home for this event."

Even though Andre lives in Florida now, he and Jade still kept on good terms, not exactly dating, not exactly not, just friendly for now.

"Great. I'm dateless and dress-less, and you want me to go to the Young Stars Gala, which is tomorrow night!" Tori mumbled into her pillow.

"Exactly."

Tomorrow night arrived earlier than Tori anticipated. Soon enough she was drowned with make-up by Jade (Cat is a fashion expert, but kind of hopeless with mascara), and tossed on a million dresses by Cat. Finally they chose a simple natural look, with a teal dress that fans out from the bust.

Jade dressed in her usual dark clothes, with heavy eyeliners and dramatic red lipsticks. She wasn't known as the drama queen of LA for no reason. Tonight's dress is a short, dark purple number with a black sparkly belt and matching boots.

Despite Jade's heavy make-up, Cat stole the show tonight. Which is fine by both of the others because they couldn't care less about being seen, Tori for the obvious, and Jade because she is still in a fragile state. Cat's light pink eye shadow and rosy lip-gloss made her look girly and innocent, which is her signature look. She wore a huge pink prom dress that looks more appropriate for a ball rather than a gala, but Cat didn't care.

"We look gorgeous." Cat squealed, pulling Tori and Jade to the limo.

"Yeah, wonderful." Tori said sarcastically, she would rather be at home watching romantic comedies (while yelling 'he doesn't love you, WHY? WHY?')

"Come on, Cat thinks we look gorgeous, and she is absolutely right." Jade smiled.

The Young Stars Gala took place in a big banquet hall. A red carpet leads into the entrance, and loads of celebrities and pushing each other out of the way, desperate to get a picture into some magazine or newspaper. But Tori, Cat, and Jade were used to this, being multi-millionaire pop star, actress, and fashion designer. They strutted down with confidence and grace, not caring if the camera is snapping away at them at all, which of course, made the photographers more interested.

"Look over here, Tori!" "Looking great, Cat!" "Is that a new purse, Jade?" voices shouted from all direction, Tori felt sick for the first time from being in spotlight.

"You might not want to look now." Jade grimaced.

Of course, Tori had to look, she turned to find Beck and his new girlfriend Ellie walking down, headed towards them.

"Why." Tori groaned.

"Ms. Vega, what a surprise to see you here." Ellie smiled. Tori had to smile back, being a boyfriend snatcher aside, Ellie is really nice, and blonde, and pretty, no one had a reason to hate her, except Tori.

"Nice to finally meet you, Ms. Noire." Tori shook her hand. She swiftly turned away and walked inside.

Inside, the real stuff begins, suddenly; the cameras were not from cheap teen magazine, but from big name gossip shows and mega-corporation newspapers. Buffet tables filled up the side, and all the more famous of all the Young Stars are all gathered in a huge room.

"Hey, Tori!" She heard a voice say, and automatically gain a headache.

"Hey, you." She smiled.

"Save me a dance, okay?" Beck replied, he winked and walked off.

Tori blinked, did he actually mean it? Does he still like her, maybe just a litter? Or is this just for the camera.

Only one way to find out.

"Jade?" Tori called, "Did anyone see Jade West?"

"Over there, by the corner." Some guy called out.

"Thanks."

Tori found Jade talking quietly with Andre in the corner, she honestly did not care what does two are talking about, this is urgent.

"Hey Andre. How's it going? Good? Great! Nice to see you come back from Florida. Did you grow even taller? How's the new album working out? Nice talking to you. Bye!" Tori pushed him out of the way, and promptly said, "Beck asked me to save him a dance."

"First of all, the album is working out fine; he told me all about it." Jade said calmly, "And second of all, WHAT?"

"He asked me to save him a dance. I think it's all for the camera, being polite with his ex, but I want your opinion."

Tori watched as Jade sipped a bit of her fizzing purple drink (whatever it is, she did not want to know) with a questioning look on her face for what seemed like an hour, and then Jade finally spoke.

"He wasn't acting for the camera; he never acts outside of work. He really still likes you." Her smile is genuine now, she is really over Beck. Tori is really grateful for her friend.

"What should I do?" Tori said nervously. She wasn't prepared for this, some awkward silence and straining conversation, yes, a dance, hell no!

Jade grunted, like a 'do-I-have-to-tell-you-what-to-do-all-the-time?' she simply pushed Tori on to the dance floor.

That night, Tori did dance with her ex, and she did not feel awkwardness, only regret. But she'll remember that it was Beck, not her, who asked the other to dance, which means that there is a bit of hope.

A bit of hope is all Tori needs.


4. The Anniversary

Fall turns into winter, winter turns into almost spring, since it's still just March, although in Los Angeles, there is really not much change in the climate. The weather gets warmer, but Tori's heart grows stronger, she may finally be over him.

After a smash winter tour around Europe, as well as the release date for her new album coming up, Beck isn't on her mind as often as last year. On New Year's Eve, her resolution was to focus on her career, and her friends, rather than her past. She toasted to a fresh start.

"The anniversary is coming up soon." Cat, Jade, even Trina would remind her ever so often. Trina's taking a break in her career for a while, just to visit Tori. She is grateful that her sister is finally good at something in her life other than being sour.

"So?"

"So, it's pretty important, being the 10th on. You got there in sophomore year, 7 years after graduation, it's the tin anniversary!" Trina said excitedly.

"That's only for weddings." Tori told her sister.

But even though it is only the 10th anniversary, Tori did come a long way, from a regular, average to good student in Sherwood, to a well-known and optimistic artist-in-training in Hollywood Arts, to super stardom at the age of 25 (almost 26, she is getting old).

"Whatever."

Tori was walking down sunset boulevard, when she remembered the importance of this place for her and Beck, or rather, the infamous place for its heartbreak, she remember the pain she felt, and was glad she was over it, for the most part.

"Hey."

Speaking of the devil.

"Hey!" She tried to be perky, she really did, but it didn't come out right.

"You ok?"

"I'm fine."

"I got you a present, for your anniversary."

Tori swallow, even though he had broken her heart countless times, he is still really sweet, and no one in their right mind would judge him otherwise.

"Thanks." She took the box and was about to put it in her purse, so she can cry over it later.

"Aren't you going to open it?

Of course, she had to open it, now that he has requested, no matter what she does, she can never say no to him.

"Of course."

She opened the velvet lined box gingerly, it was a piece of jewelry, of course, and she just hopes it wasn't tin.

"Alphabet." She whispered.

Inside the box, was a golden necklace with charms that spelt ABC, each dotted with diamonds. It wasn't the cost that made her cry; it was the meaning behind the letters.

"You remembered." She cried.

"I never forgot."

Her first day at Hollywood Art, the first time he had meet her, kissed her, and made her fall for him, the first day for the rest of her life that she couldn't stop.

"That's so sweet." She whispered. "Thank you, Beck."

"You're welcome." He replied.

She noticed that he didn't say, 'no problem', or 'don't mention it', maybe it's just her being paranoid, but she like to think that it was a problem, and that she should mention it, maybe it's because, like the fact that she wasn't over him, he wasn't over her.

She jumped up and hugged him, because he was way taller than she was now, and before she knows it, she's kissing him too.

"I'm sorry." She said as she pulled away.

Tori ran away from him that night, with the velvet box in her hand and tears in her eyes. She can't believe what she did, they weren't together anymore.

But a little voice inside her told her that they will be, very soon.


5. The Advice

Tori had to stop asking Jade for advice.

Don't get her wrong, Jade is great at giving them, she really knows Beck as well, but it was time that, if Tori really wanted him back, she ought to fight her own battles.

"Hey." She said to the energetic red-head and the solemn brunette.

"Hey yourself, Vega." Jade replied, not looking up from her magazine.

"I saw Beck today." She announced.

Of course, that always gets a response.

"Details, sister! I want to know everything!" Cat squealed. She pulled Tori down beside her on the pink couch (Cat's choice).

"He gave me this." Tori stated simply, she held out the box plainly, that Cat thought that she had turned into a robot.

"Let me see that." Jade said, she grabbed the box and jerked it open, her expression soften as she saw the golden jewelry inside.

"No way." She said.

Cat took the box away from Jade and gasped at its content.

"It's a sign, he wants you back!" Cat yelled.

"I know."

"It calls for full time sleepover mode; ask us anything, we'll give a hundred percent great advice." Cat said.

"I think I can figure this out on my own." Tori stated, she tried to be gentle, but she still upset Cat, just a little.

"Alright then."

She climbed upstairs to her room, her safe heaven, and locked herself in; she'll need time to figure this one.

Beck broke up with her, because they were too busy, does he want her back now because he wasn't? That would be a crappy excuse. Or maybe he just wanted to use her to make another starlet jealous, but he is too sweet for that.

Questions, but no answers. Tori is getting more frustrated by the minute.

Suddenly, her phone rand and startled her to jump up, she grabbed it and hit answer before she knew who it was.

"Hey."

"Hey, you."

"Are you free tomorrow for coffee?

Tori smiled to herself, maybe this is the answer to all her questions.

"Are you asking me out on a date, Mr. Oliver?" Tori teased.

"It would seem so." He replied, with the same tone.

"Well, I may be available." Tori paused, knowing that she is driving him crazy.

"Maybe?"

"Pick me up at 7am." And with that she hangs up.

She fingers the necklace he gave her, and allows herself, for the first time in months, to think about the break-up openheartedly. She also finds herself, for the first time in months, to smile.


So here's the deal.

I have 2 ideas for the next chapter(s).

1. Inner Thoughts of Cat Valentine: They say a true Genius often appears insane, and that couldn't be more true in the case of Cat Valentine

Basically Cat's thoughts in her head, how she wants to give good advice to others, but they often comes out wrong, insane, and Cat-ish. Her inner thoughts are going to be really different from what we see on the show, which is going to be fun for me to write. It will include some real moments from VicTORIous, but some parts I make up too

2. Uptown, Downtown: Penelope has a choice to make, and it ain't a pretty one (Base on the play in Tori the Zombie)

It's based on the play from Tori the Zombie, about a girl name Penny (full name Penelope) who has to make a choice to marry for wealth to a rich hotel heir, or marry for love to a common peasant. For this story I need a name for Robbie's Character, Beck's Character, and Jade's Character, who is going to be like a frenemy of Penny, as well as any OCs you guys come up with . This one will probably be 2 parts.

So there you have it, vote by reviewing, and by Friday May 31, 2012, I'll see which story to write. Also please post ideas for Robbie/Beck/Jade's character's name, or any OCs if you guys want to read Uptown, Downtown. Don't worry, I'll probably end up writing both stories, but I just want to see which one to write first.

If I end up using your names/OCs, I'll include a shoutout for you in the next chapter.

Thanks and Review :)