Playing Yesterday
Beck/Jade
based loosely on Little Numbers
Friday, November 18th
It's Friday, Friday. Gotta get down on Friday.
Go away. I hate that song. It burns my ears.
My singing is great. I'm sure it wouldn't burn your ears.
You probably sound like a dying cow.
I do not! Anyway, it's been a whole week since we talked, and I was wondering if you'd want coffee on Monday again.
Sounds great, actually. I have some boring test that day, and I'd love the caffeine, so...
What's the magic word?
Please?
Actually, the magic word was shampoo, but I'll accept your please because I'm a good guy.
You're a freak, Beck.
More insults! I mean, for all you know, I could be the hottest guy out there!
And I care why?
Would you insult a hot guy?
Yes.
See, this is why I like texting you. You're hilarious.
Wasn't trying to be funny.
Right, but you are anyway.
I'll take that as a compliment.
It was supposed to be one!
All right then. Thanks.
See, you're learning how to be polite already!
Sunday, November 20th
Beck, I need your help.
I knew you'd come around!
No, seriously. I need a name for a fish.
...you got a fish? Should I be scared?
No! Andre got it for me. Said it would help me with my 'anger issues'. I don't know when he became my therapist, but the fish is pretty so I didn't refuse it.
How about Patrick?
For a fish? No!
Alfred!
That sounds like an old man.
Albert.
The heck?
I am trying to help you!
And you're doing a bad job of it. Obviously.
How about Cenwig?
I feel so bad for your future wife. I don't even want to imagine the names you'd give your kids.
I'll have you know that my first boy is going to be named Eugene.
I take pity on this child.
Hey! Eugene is a timeless name.
No, its time ended many, many years ago. Don't you have any normal names up your sleeve?
Algernon? Ursinus? Quintin? Cornelius?
...never mind. I'll go ask someone else.
Eugene Cornelius takes offense to that!
Fine. Algernon and I will go play cards and smoke pipes.
I've named him Harley.
Like Harley Davidson? That's hardly better than Cenwig or Eugene!
It sounds like a motorcycle company instead of an old, senile man.
You don't even know how to drive a motorcycle!
Don't I?
Doubtful.
And you do?
Yeah. I'm a bad guy, Jade, like one of those biker gangs that you see on television.
Just the mental image of you on a motorcycle makes me want to die laughing.
Hey, I can be tough!
Yeah, you keep thinking that, Mr. Cenwig.
Monday, November 21st
I hate Mondays.
Even with my coffee that I precariously chose for you?
First of all, I'm not entirely convinced that you know how to use the word 'precariously'. Second of all, Sikowitz paired me with Vega for some 'important project'.
Oh. She's not so bad, you know.
You're the one who broke up with her! Obviously you know how bad she can be. She's convinced that this project will give us 'bonding time' when really I'd just like to rip off her head.
Actually, she broke up with me.
And she's a pretty nice girl. Maybe if you tried to get to know her...
I WILL NEVER WANT TO GET TO KNOW TORI VEGA.
All right, all right. Calm down, honestly.
Or what?
Or I'll stop texting you.
Fine. Why did Vega break up with you, anyway?
She said she needed her space. It wasn't really working out for either of us, really, and it was too complacent, you know? Boring. It was kind of a relief when we broke up.
Are you friends now?
Kind of. We're on good terms, but now I see her faults, like I said to you before. She tries to come across as perfect but she's not. No one is.
Yeah, least of all Vega.
Venomous.
Completely deserved. You got any enemies?
None to speak of, really. I find people annoying or irritating or whatever, but I don't really hate anyone.
I hate everyone.
Yeah, I kinda got that. Why do you hate everyone? Or is that too personal?
Too personal. But I'll give you a little bit of info anyway. I hate people because people are too oblivious, too nice, too annoying... I could go on and on, actually.
That's sort of a harsh outlook to have on life.
I don't need you to tell me what I can and can't do.
Right, right. Wasn't trying to. I was just voicing my opinion. Really, you need to take a chill pill or something.
Morbid much? Seriously, now you're trying to get me to take drugs. I'm finally clean!
Seriously?
No, but what if I had been?
You're awfully dramatic.
I'm an actress sometimes; it's what I do. Anyway, give me advice on how not to kill Vega.
Picture me in her place.
Beck.
Fine. Just try a little empathy, Jade.
I don't do empathy.
Just try to feel the emotions she's feeling, if just a little bit. Think how you'd feel if someone wanted to kill you because they didn't want to work on a project with you.
Will that actually work?
If you let it.
All right. But if I murder her, you are to be my alibi. Tell the court that I was with you getting coffee or some chiz.
I can't lie to the court!
You can for me.
Anyway, what's a chiz?
I don't know. Andre says it's a German sausage.
Interesting.
Anyway, I'm off to Vega's place. If I don't text you soon, tell the police that I've died of the poisonous gases that are always present wherever Vega is. And if I murder her, you know what to do.
Have fun, Jade, and remember to please attempt empathy.
Oh, and before I go, thanks for the coffee.
Always. It's really no problem. Bye!
Wednesday, November 23rd
Jade, do you mind if I rant to you about something? I just sorta need someone to talk to, and most people in real life suck.
At last, you admit it.
Jade.
Of course, stupid. Go for it.
It's just that... my parents suck, plain and simple. They paid for me to go to this prestigious private school, and they degrade me whenever I don't live up to their horrid expectations. They never compliment me, never approve of or attend any plays that I'm in. It's always 'Beck, your grades are too low. Beck, you can't go to that party.' They always say 'if you live under our roof, you live by our rules.'
Ugh, sorry for dumping all this on you. I'm just fed up.
It's fine. And maybe you should think about moving out.
And how do you suggest that? I haven't got any money!
Do your parents own an RV?
...Jade, you are incredible.
I'm guessing that's a yes?
Beck?
Sorry, I was talking to my parents, and they agreed to rent me the RV.
Do you even have a job?
I'm going to get one.
Hopefully I won't run into you. That sounds mean, but you know...
Not unless you like greasy hamburger joints.
Wait, what is this I'm hearing? Prestigious private school boy Beck Oliver is going to be working at a burger joint, and a greasy one at that?
Yes. Shut up.
I didn't say anything!
You were going to.
True. At least you got the situation with your parents resolved.
It's sad, because sometimes I really don't like them, and they're my parents and I'm supposed to love them, right? I just don't get why they have to be so horrible all the time.
They probably just want the best for you.
True. What about your parents?
It's... hard.
Hard? How so? I don't want to be the only one ranting here, y'know.
I don't really want to talk about it.
Oh. Okay.
Seriously, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I don't want to pressure you into anything.
–
My mom died two years ago.
Oh. I'm so sorry, Jade.
Don't be. I'm absolutely fine, obviously. It just gets hard sometimes, cause Dad doesn't approve of anything I do. I remind him of her a lot. I think it hurts him. He tries to restrain me. I rebel. The cycle repeats.
That's got to be hard. I really am sorry. Look, if you ever want to talk to someone...
Don't. I told you, Beck, I'm fine. And I know you're a sweet guy and all, I can tell, but I really don't need your help, thanks. I'm doing great on my own.
I was just offering. What made you want to tell me?
I guess because I don't know you IRL. It would make it harder to see the false sympathy.
My sympathy was not false sympathy!
Every other normal person's sympathy was false.
I'm not a normal person. You said so yourself.
Yeah. I know. Just don't treat me any differently, okay? I'm still the same old Jade, except now I reveal family secrets on the eighth texting session.
We've known each other for twenty days now. That's pretty big.
Don't expect me to get you a present for the 'month-aversary' or whatever those cheesy freaks call it.
Wasn't counting on it. I might get you a coffee, though.
You don't have to.
I want to.
Thanks. Not just for the coffee, though of course that's nice. Thanks for putting up with me. I know it can't be easy.
Obviously it's not an issue, but you know, it's a two-way street, Jade. You put up with me too.
And it's not an issue for me either. Now that we're done being all teenage-angsty, let's talk about something of importance.
Like what?
Like what the best way to film a death scene in a bathtub that is filled with fake blood is.
The best way is not to film it. Really, that sounds sort of disturbing.
Wimp.
I don't like blood much.
How can you not? It's a wonderful color, actually, and it's so intriguing.
Ugh. That is... that's sick.
Man up.
I am man enough. Eugene is proof of that.
Harley says to man up.
Harley is a fish.
Harley is insulted by that insinuation, and wishes to tell you that you and your fishist self should read up on all the amazing fish in history.
Fishist? You know, Jade, for such a 'tough girl', you're such a big dork sometimes.
Shut up.
It's endearing, actually. I like seeing this side of you.
I like blood. Oh, and graveyards.
Do you like anything that isn't mentally disturbing?
Just because you're a chicken doesn't mean everyone is. I really should've met you before Halloween. Could've set up people to scare you.
You're evil.
You're just now figuring this out?
No, I'm just getting used to it.
Good.
Friday, November 25th
What is that picture?
A llama, obviously. Honestly, learn your animals! This is kindergarten material, you undereducated idiot!
Yes, I know that it's a llama. Why did you send me a photo of a llama?
I thought you might appreciate it. Obviously I thought wrong.
No, I like llamas. ;D
See, now you're speaking reasonably. I was going to get a coat made of llama fur, then I figured out that they'd look all naked like that llama. So basically I am trying to convince you never to by a llama fur coat.
I... wasn't planning on it?
Good. Don't plan on it.
You know, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to figure you out. One second you're declaring your hatred for people, the next you're advocating llama rights.
I like to be unpredictable.
I like your unpredictability.
I hate you.
No, you don't. Don't delude yourself.
I like llamas.
Me too.
Jade?
Yeah?
I'm glad that we're sorta-friends.
Same. Harley says she's glad too.
–
A/N: Oh my gosh, thank you guys for all the reviews! Never in a million years would I have imagined this kind of reaction, and in just two days, so I decided to go ahead and write the next chapter and post it for all of you.
However, while I am thrilled by the review count, I just wanted to address something. Guys, please don't favorite/alert without reviewing. I got 37 alerts, and while I'm glad that you all like it enough to know when it updates, I would really prefer it if you could leave a review as well to let me know what to do better or if I'm doing good already. Even if it's two words, I'd still appreciate that you took the time to review. So please, please honor my wishes?
Thank you all for your lovely reviews! Again, I don't own Victorious or Little Numbers. :)