A/N: Surprise, I'm still alive! Sorry I haven't updated in awhile; I've been pretty preoccupied with a couple of other stories I'm working on. But, I DO plan to finish this story. I hate it when authors completely abandon their work. Anyways, I've decided to stop following the show because it was really difficult to watch an episode and write at the same time, mostly because I no longer have the ability to record on my TV. Sorry, enough rambling. Happy Reading
Warning: This chapter does contain a little explicit language, but nothing that warrants a higher rating.
Tori walked into school that day, having taken a few days off to recover from her traumatic experience in Yerba. Her parents were more than understanding, and suggested that Trina should stay home and look after her. She vehemently rejected the offer. She sincerely wished she could forget the time she spent in Yerba. But, thanks to her amazing friends she was able to overcome that obstacle.
Her mind flashed to a certain dark-eyed person in particular, and Tori felt herself overwhelmed with gratitude. If it wasn't for Beck, she would most likely still be sitting in that prison cell, her plans for a future in the music business completely destroyed.
Vowing to somehow repay her friend, the brunette opened her locker and hurriedly got her books for her first class. Luckily, it was only her music class. She had decided to take up guitar, deciding it would be a good accompaniment to her singing.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, and Tori found herself relieved that people seemed to be oblivious to her recent time in prison. Her lawyer had been thorough in making sure the repercussions of her actions did not follow her back to the United States.
When it was time for lunch Tori was disappointed that she had not run into Beck yet. Figuring that she would see him at lunch, Tori turned back to Cat, who was rambling about some new glow in the dark hairspray she bought. The two girls sat down at the table their friends occupied, continuing their conversation.
"But I think he would like it!" Cat argued, blinking her doe eyes at her friend.
"Cat." Tori sighed in exasperation. "You can't spray your hamster with the glow in the dark hairspray! If you-" The girl trailed off when she realized someone was missing from their table.
Tori stared at the empty seat in confusion. "Hey, where's Beck? He usually doesn't miss lunch."
Everyone around her paused awkwardly, and silence reigned over the table. Tori raised an eyebrow at each of her friends in question. Finally, Andre attempted to answer. "He hasn't been in school all week."
"What? Is he okay?" Tori asked worriedly.
"Depends on what you mean by 'okay'." Robbie cut in vaguely, avoiding Tori's question.
Glancing around at the pained expressions on her friend's faces, Tori stood up in alarm. "If someone doesn't tell me what's going on right now-"
"Beck dropped out." Jade hissed, glaring daggers at the other brunette. "All because you had to play damsel in distress."
Tori stared at Jade in disbelief, a feeling of light-headedness overcoming her. "What do you mean?"
"Jade stop-" Andre pleaded.
"No! She needs to know what she's done!" Jade interrupted loudly, before turning her cold eyes back to the other girl. "Remember the little stunt you pulled that landed you in prison? The one that Beck had to call his asshole of a brother to get you out of?"
Tori nodded, unable to speak over the sound of her heart beating quickly in her chest.
"You want to know the only reason his brother agreed to fly out to save you? It was because he and Beck made a deal. If his brother was able to get the charges dropped, Beck agreed to leave Hollywood Arts and return to law school." The dark-haired girl explained scathingly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Tori shook her head, feeling a cold chill settle over her. "No, no. That can't be true." Why would he do that?! Tori felt like screaming. She closed her eyes and prayed that this was all a terrible dream that would end as soon as she opened her eyes.
"Jade's telling the truth." Robbie muttered lowly, confirming Tori's worst fears.
"W-why? Why would he do such a thing?!" Tori murmured quietly, still unable to process that fact that he wasn't attending Hollywood Arts anymore. "Why would he give up his dream to save mine?"
"That's just the type of guy he is." Andre answered truthfully. "He would do anything for his friends."
Tori Vega felt a numbness overcome her as she tuned out the conversation around her. Why hadn't he told her all of this? She knew the answer almost immediately; she wouldn't have let him go through with it. If Beck had shared his plan to get her out, she would have refused to sign the documents his brother gave her. But now, it was too late. Her stupid mistake had led to Beck losing his best chance at achieving his dream. What had she done?
"Tori?" Cat touched her friend's shoulder, jarring the brunette out of her thoughts.
Feeling the sympathetic stares aimed at her, Tori stumbled away from the table in a daze. "I have to get out of here."
Then she was gone.
"Should we go after her?" Robbie asked curiously, too worried to even bother with Rex, who sat lifelessly at his side.
Andre shook his head sadly and went back to his food.
Jade scoffed angrily, shoving her headphones in her ears to block out the pointless chatter around her. Nothing could be done. Tori had finally ruined everything, just as Jade had always expected her too. The bitch always attracted trouble and caused problems. And now, their group was broken because of her. Because of her…
Beck was gone.
Tori slowly sat on the stairs in the entrance to Hollywood Arts, lost in thought. The halls were completely empty since everyone was at lunch. She was grateful for the silence that allowed her to be alone with her thoughts. Suddenly, Tori found herself blinking back guilty tears. Even though she knew she never meant for this to happen, Tori couldn't help but feel responsible.
She wallowed in sadness and guilt for a few minutes before she felt a hot thrill of anger flow through her. Why wasn't anyone doing anything to help? Why were they acting like everything was normal? God, did no one care that Beck was gone?
Standing abruptly, the brunette began pacing the hallway. She had to come up with a plan to help him. After all, he had saved her future; it was only fair that she return the favor.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. As students rushed around her, Tori decided the best course of action would be to talk to Beck first. Maybe she could convince him to return. I mean, surely his family wouldn't object to him returning to Hollywood Arts. She was already out of prison and there was nothing anyone could do about that, so it would be okay for him to come back…right?
Resolutely, Tori Vega strode out of the building intent of finding her friend and bringing him back. It wasn't until he was gone that she realized the gaping hole he left behind in his absence. Nothing was the same anymore, and it was her job to make things right.
Unbeknownst to Tori, a pair of eyes watched her exit scornfully. Jade rolled her eyes at the other girl, but was unable to completely mask her curiosity.
What was she up to?
A/N: Thoughts? What will Tori do next? And was Jade too harsh? Comments and constructive criticism is appreciated!