New chapter and, yeah. I really don't have anything to say other than I'm starting a Mythology course for about a month! It's two hours Monday through Thursday so it's not bad... And it's interesting (may give me ideas for Jori ;D). But you don't need to know that...

Hopefully you enjoy.

:)


Tori's Perspective-

"-and so he then said that I wasn't able to buy the shoes since I already bought a pair before just a different shade of purple-"

'Oh my God Trina, I really don't care,' my thoughts hammers groggily. The window's surface is cool against my forehead, eyelids heavy while my chest rises and falls slowly.

"-Right? So now I have to ask my friend Crissy if she'll buy me the shoes. I mean, I'll pay her back immediately, but I really want those shoes... Does that makes sense?"

"Sure," I muffle lowly, my eyes peeking out the window. And, of course, we're not even out of the neighborhood. I growl quietly once she continues, my head already throbbing. Perhaps I shouldn't have stayed up till eleven last night but, whatever. Too late now.

The sudden silence doesn't even grab my attention before I hear Trina's sigh cut through it. "So, did you have a good time last night?"

"Yeah actually," I nod honestly, "Nice food and the conversations were good too." My eyes blink together tightly before I open them again, the sun diving right for them.

"At least this one will work well," she hums before turning the corner.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," she sighs, "The last two were dicks and then there was...what was his name again?"

My brows furrow before I suggest, "Daniel?"

"Yeah," she nods. I grin slightly to myself as the car's conversations have taken a turn for the better. It seems as though all conversations do when they are about relationships and, oddly, she's not- wait.

"Trina?"

"What?"

"Are you jealous?" I ask quietly; better ask now I suppose.

"Eh," she merely shrugs.

"Eh?"

"Eh..."

"Uh, why not?"

"Well, I don't really want to be in the situation you're in. Besides," she turns with soft grin, "I'm almost hoping that he'll come out and reveal how fun your night was with him."

Immediately I freeze, staring at my sister like she grew two heads. "Uh, what? Trina, I don't think it was him..."

"Do you want it to be him?"

"I-" my eyes narrow in thought, "I guess. Maybe it would explain why he came to date me so abruptly but...I still. I guess."

"Are you going to tell him?" Trina asks. I shake my head in return, giving a short breath.

"What if he's not? It would just be awkward and- yeah, not gonna."

"Well, you could try. Anyway, about the makeup for the party tonight. I was going to wear purple but I may go with the blue...that would look nice with my new mascara right? And what about those new heels to..."

'Oh my god, not this again...'

-(:)-

The hall is a bit more relaxed today, which is a rare, but nice thing. I shuffle through my books before I lean against my locker, closing my eyes briefly. I hear steps make their way towards me before I feel soft lips against my own. "Hey Beck," I grin.

"Hi," he asnwers, smiling as well once I open my eyes. "You tired?"

"A bit, but the conversation in the car helped put me to sleep."

The Canadian smirks, "Oh so it was that type of car ride."

"Uh huh," I hum, my eyes momentarily darting towards the other side of the hall. Jade removes herself from her locker, striding down the hall beside her set of lockers to first period. My eyes then dart towards the clock just as the bell rings, startling both of us.

"Well, see you at Sikowitz then," Beck grins, striding towards his own class as I nearly follow.

'Wait, that's right, Mr. Lupin isn't here...so I'll have to go to- oh God,' I process, my gaze following where her steps ghosted the hall, 'I have to go to Mr. Flitwick.' Hesitantly I follow where Jade had gone, my memory working properly - though I would prefer that I was wrong and Mr. Lupin is here. Since we ran out of substitutes, as all but one or two had quit due to the peculiarities of the school and students I expect, our class was broken up into sections and I'm with-

"Why hello! Part of Lupin's?"

"Yep," I answer nervously, keeping my gaze to the shorter man.

"Well sit in one of the seats over there," he gestures, "He didn't give me anything for you to work on so I expect he did give it to you, am I correct?"

My gaze follows his hand as I nod, recalling the short packet. My chest constricts, however, as I seat myself, my gaze lingering on the set of pale eyes glaring right at me. Why exactly did we have to sit a few seats away from each other, I don't know. And the way that he has his room set up, a few rows of desks facing each other, makes it a lot more difficult to ignore the prickling sensation down my spine.

After a while, once some of my other classmates sprinkle in and sit beside me, I find a manageable pace to work on my packet. With Mr. Flitwick's quick instructions for the story they would write today dealing with some sort of type of grammar - I don't know, something like that, it honestly seemed to be just garble - the class was quiet aside from the scratching of pencils against paper, the vents blowing and the tapping of a few pencils.

I glance up as Jade sighs, slightly frustrated as her gaze dips down, pencil tapping anxiously against the desk. The teacher waddles from his desk, which I didn't know people could do, and crosses over towards her. I hadn't realized how short he was until I realized the desks height is literally three quarters of his height. I kind of feel bad.

"You having a slow day Jade?" he asks softly. She merely nods before he continues, "You want to quickly get a drink of water to kind of clear it? I know you've been having trouble at home lately." Slowly she stands. As I had expected, since Jade is fairly tall - well, taller than me anyway - she absolutely towers over the man. Jade gingerly shuffles past a bigger looking dude, a senior I think, as she makes her way towards the door.

Once again I feel my pencil scratch against the surface of the paper, my gaze occasionally flicking towards the door. After roughly five minutes, maybe three, she comes back in and begins to shuffle through the row. The senior sways as his arm leans to the side, his head with closed eyes moving. 'I suppose this class does get a lot of sleepers,' crosses my mind before I see Jade stagger, just barely catching herself on her own desk with a huge bang.

I frown as that shouldn't have made that noise. However, as I hear multiple gasps and slight whimpering, I turn my attention to the senior who's holding his nose, blood pouring from his finger. "Oh, shit- I didn't mean to-"

"I- ow...god," he stands, eyes flicking to Mr. Flitwick.

"Class dismissed, Jade? Would you take him to the nurse?" he turns to her, who nods as an answer. As the two hurry towards the door, bag over her shoulder as his in his hands, the rest of the class moves. Those in Lupin's like I am stay, looking around curiously.

A blonde girl gazes over towards us before explaining, "If anything happens to one of the students we cancel class; it distracts us from the writing. Well, most of us, not Jade. I think she writes better in situations that aren't quiet..."

I frown slightly, taking into consideration of what she had said and what Mr. Flitwick had said before with Jade's situation. Shaking my head, I dismiss the idea. Who could tell from someone's writing if they're having something going on?

'Uh, anybody Tori. It's not that hard,' a voice grouches.

Shaking my head, I allow the thoughts to leave while I pack my supplies.

-(:)-

I seat myself in a chair, cringing as it was ridiculously cold. I briefly gaze up, seeing as it was right under a vent which was not on at the moment. I could move, I suppose, but it's fine for now...I guess. My body twists around and finds the clock on the wall, which showed that it was still a few minutes until class starts. Well, a bit more than a few, but that would sound better in my head. Then there's the five or so minutes when class actually starts, or when Sikowitz crawls out of the window or through the door. In order to pass the time, I figure I could just search through my phone. Immediately, I see that there are a couple of messages on theslap to me. Curiously, I open them up, my cheeks reddening once I read them.

CoolgurlLoveXOXO- How did that bitch respond when you started dating Beck?

My eyebrow raises immediately, biting my bottom lip once I kind of see her point. After all, Jade did kinda kick a chair out of my way before I went to sit on it. Nevertheless, I shake my head.

Tori - Uh...if you're referring to Jade, it's fine. We're fine, alright?

I scroll down further, my eyebrows stitching into a fine line.

Slut69_&_96- Can I join you two in bed? ;)

My cheeks burned furiously as I raised my eyebrow at the comment, especially the username. 'What the fu-hell is this comment? And why...' I quickly growl to myself before tapping against the screen hurriedly; luckily autocorrect isn't being stupid today.

Tori- No! Why would we? I'm not even into- who are you? O_O

My chest heaves as I let out a soft breath, the screen falling back down towards my bag. Who would even? And why would that- I kind of feel bad for Jade now to be honest... I mean, TheSlap should be a good site to say whatever you want but, wow. Perhaps I'm expecting worse but that isn't the worst thing I've seen. I mean, words like bit- or that isn't really a surprise. I mean, she can be a gank but, I just wonder how many of these I'll get.

"Like I actually want to know," I mumble below my breath, my eyes quickly darting towards the window expectantly, then to the wall behind me. Another heave escapes me as I turn around having only a few minutes pass.

'I'm almost hoping that he'll come out and reveal how fun your night was with him...' My mind allows Trina's words to echo about my skull, coaxing me back to the thought. I mean, it could be anyone...even him. Now, there is that one dude with the tuba who keeps making comments but then there's that other one...to say the least, I don't really see any flare with them I suppose. I guess Beck wouldn't be one I would oppose to having, uh...that with. 'Well, no,' my thoughts gather, my eyes momentarily flicking back to the phone, 'I don't really want to...yet...but I'd like to know who first...'

Nodding to myself I settle back into the seat, shutting my eyes briefly. If I could just know who it was with a blink of an eye I wouldn't be in such a mess right now. Though, I do seem like I'm always in a mess at this school, one way or another. Oh well...Hollywood Arts is, uh, special. I mean, where else would you have a teacher who- "Hey Sikowitz, you're early," I mumble, watching as he struggled through the window.

"Why hello - good Gandhi - Toro!" he grunts, his weight forcing himself out of the window before flopping to the floor in a big heap. Grumbling quietly, he sits crissed-crossed, hands folded as he looks up towards me. "So are you. Why exactly?"

"My class was let out late because Jade accidentally tripped over a student and now there's a broken nose."

"Jade's?"

"No," I shake my head, "One of the seniors I think...or he's a really big junior." The balding man nods quietly. "So why are you early?"

"Someone stole my bagels and it turned out they had a pistol so I ran," he shrugged.

With widened eyes I gasp, covering my mouth before I ask, "Who?"

"My Uncle Chris," he sighs, "He's visiting from Jamaica." Our brows both furrow as our attention turns to the door, quick steps echoing through the halls. The wooden door swings right open as the flash of black passes the window. Jade steps through with uneven breaths, though they're now calming, with her pale eyes shifted between the two of us. My chest constricts as I raise just slightly, my hand grasping the chair; her right - no, left - eye was surrounded by a dark bruise. "Uh," Sikowitz starts, flabbergasted, "Jade? Are you-"

"Fine, I'm fine," she snapped in a rush, seating herself on one of the chairs. My gaze falls towards her pant leg, dirt coating the black. "The fucking senior-"

'I knew it...'

"Went and threw a punch after I had apologized...damn asshole, I don't do it much." Her tone was laced with annoyance and severe irritation. I wouldn't be surprised if anybody needed to let anything out after that, after all, the class was cancelled because of her.

"Language Jade. This is still a school," Sikowitz mutters, though he seems to immediately brush the words off before shuffling around the back of the stage.

I open my mouth to say more, however her cold stare finds mine and immediately drowns my words before they are even said. I'm not sure whether or not I prefer this stare or the one from the beginning- when I met her I mean. Before it was just a fiery inferno and now it's just...cold and dead. Like she's lost something she's seen in me as a, well not friend but, as a person I suppose. The bell rings just as others begin to shuffle in, Beck catching my eye. He passes Jade who dips her gaze to the floor, Andre seating himself beside her. He nudges her shoulder before he begins to whisper. She nods softly, earning a small pat on her shoulder before turning.

My brows furrow as Beck sighs. "So today is a bit weird?"

"Yeah," I mumble, "So you've heard?"

"It's all over the school. The senior's suspended for a few months but I don't know about Jade."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa...what? She only tripped over his chair and he smashed his nose in the desk. Why would he get suspended?"

"Oh, I didn't hear that part. Was that why your class ended early?" his dark eyes flickers to my own, his hands shuffling for his phone.

I nod briefly, answering with, "By an half an hour, yeah."

"Well, okay," he drops his voice, "That makes sense, actually. His nose was already bleeding-"

"What?" I hissed curiously, my gaze dropping to TheSlap illuminating on his screen.

"Just watch this..."

I took the phone to see the screen better while his eyes lingered, still wanting to watch the video. I pressed play and took a deep breath. The recording was a bit shaky, though I could distinctly see Jade and the senior by the water fountains not far from the main hall.

"I told you I was sorry, I didn't mean to trip-"

"Whatever bitch! You just jacked my date!"

"I didn't jack anybody's date you dumbass!" she growled back, the annoyance and impatience that had been brewing for days flickering in her pale eyes. The senior made to swing at her before she darted to the side. "What the hell is-"

His fist collided right to her eye before she launched herself forward. He immediately was rammed into the lockers as a hard blow made its way towards his stomach. He grunted before staggering away, twisting around to throw another. However, Jade was quicker on her feet, even if his fists meant harder hits. She swerved quickly before snatching his forearm and swung mercilessly towards the locker. The camera shook slightly as the voice behind it gasped as the senior growled in a sudden pain. "My god you whore! You just dislocated my shoulder."

She merely sneered in retort before jogging to the camera with thunderous anger in her eyes. Jade growled before she swung at the camera, the view spiraling to the other lockers as steps pounded against the floor, crossing the main hall towards Sikowitz' room.

"That wasn't too long ago!" I mutter, my eyes widening. Beck nods softly, taking back the phone.

"Yeah. Well, yeah."

"Alright class!" Sikowitz raises his voice. "Huh, that didn't feel right. Hey everybody! Hi students of Hollywood Ar- Nope. It's not gonna happen today, anyway let's start the-" The door swings open, and Principal Helen steps through with a soft, grim expression plastered across her face.

"Jade West," she orders, her eyes glancing around before landing on the black eye. With a finger, she gestures her over, whispering, "Come over here." The room remains silent as she shuffles out of the room, her shoulder bare of her bag. Now that I think of it, she didn't come to class with it on.

'Perhaps she was expecting this,' my thoughts conclude, echoing through my skull as Sikowitz attempts to get the class' attention back.

-(:)-

I groan tiredly, though despite my yawn I reach for my laptop. My phone buzzes softly in my pocket, halting my moevments. Frowning, I pull it out, looking at the messages.

Andre:-You hear Jade's suspended for three weeks?

Tori- What?

Well, I suppose it's not that surprising. The response to me soon comes.

Andre- Yeah. In school suspension though, but not as bad as the senior or the camera man

Tori- What do you mean?

Andre- Jade told me.

Andre- The senior's expelled and the camera man is suspended for a month. He got out of school tho

Tori- Why expelled?

Andre- Well they apparently got the camera boy to fess up and they told the senior told him to wait there

Andre- They were planning it

My eyes widen, hands shaking just slightly.

Tori- Uh... Why?

Andre- Jade suspects that the dudes wanted to get back at her for something she did during freshman year and never got the chance with Beck around

Andre- She showed them though XD

Andre- Anyway, just wanted to let you know. Good night :3

Tori- Good night :3

I shake my head softly, settling in my bed. 'Well, Jade's business is her business I guess... It's a lot more interesting than mine.' I continue in my quest to get my laptop, hoping to find some videos to help get me tired. Pulling it to my lap, I quickly scroll through . My eyes linger over the relationship icon with Beck before checking on his page. My lips curl into a soft smile at the comment from last night, which did include the huge line for the restroom. Flicking through the friend's list, I click on Andre's link which brought me to his page. With an eyebrow raised, I open the newest video posted.

"Hey everybody! Just bored here so I figured I could take comments for a song to write. Let's see," he checked his phone, his face contorting to a grimace. "Uh, for Jayjay990x, no I'm not going to write about a dead pigeon you found on the road."

I chuckle at the comment, my eyes momentarily checking the time. 'Only eight-forty, I have time,' my thoughts roll before I look back at the center of the screen.

"Huh, sheep in wool pajamas. That's not, oh wait, you put more," Andre shifted in his seat, "Okay, so for M00nJ m69-" he gave a suspicious look at the camera, "We'll do that one. That's kinda cool...better than a bunch of food anyways."

My head spins around at the vibration beside me, my phone illuminating into the dark room. I snatch it from the sheets, bringing the white light from the ceiling to my eyes. I grin calmly before looking at the reply.

Beck- hello. u wanna study some tomorrow at the library after school?

Tori- Sure.

Beck- alrighty then. see you tomorrow morning :D

Tori- :D

Setting the device aside, I dive back into the screen which had continued to play the video to its entirety. I stroll through multiple pages, watching as Robbie ate some organic, worm cookies. I cringed throughout it, quickly diving into Cat's video which, well, was refreshing after the ventriloquist. Heaving a soft sigh, I find myself on Jade's page. My brows furrow, my head tilting to the side; no new videos. I clicked on a separate link to uploads - since there are times when the videos don't appear on the main page - and the last upload was of her petting her bunny, Mr. Black Luck.

'Today's Wednesday...' my thoughts drag on, recalling her schedule. There should have been a new one out today and yet...nothing. My eyes dart to the far corner of the screen to a line of text that I rarely check. In bolded letters it reads, 'Last Activity: Monday.'

Scratching just under my ear, my eyes narrow. 'Activity' on theslap would include videos, chats, skype calls - hell - even just visiting your page is an activity. My eyes flicker towards my phone before my hand reaches out, halting gingerly. 'Perhaps she's just working on that big writing assignment in her class,' my thoughts suggest, guiding my fingers back towards the screen before shutting off the laptop. Setting the computer to the side of the bed I don't use, I slink further in my sheets. Within a couple of moments, my mind pushes Jade from it, allowing me to sleep soundlessly until the alarm will scream in the morning.


Okay, so...dear lord. I looked at the A/N in the beginning and...tomorrow is my last day for my Mythology course. XD

Well, you can see what I've been doing. Anyway, uh, yeah. So, that said, updates are going to come out more regularly for the rest of the summer (I'll explain the situation for the fall later) after a few days once my course is done since I'm going on a family vacation down a couple hours a way in Tucson until Monday. After that, updates will probably come with any story about twice a week (maybe). That's my goal anyway. If updates don't come regularly, relax and just check up with my profile page since I do reports that explain my current situation. Also, do know I am never going to leave a story uncompleted unless I die (I'm not kidding).

Well, that aside, hope you enjoyed!

:)

PS- Sorry for the late update (I was a few days late, right?...I'm kidding, I know) but hopefully I made it up for the bit of drama in this chapter. It was going to be a lot more boring with nothing much goin' on but, well, I had to use Jade to make it interesting. XD Now, I'm happy to say I'll have a month and a few weeks off for writing, and hopefully the twenty or so essays the past few weeks have improved my writing... Well, we'll see by the next one! :D