Disclaimer: Never.
A/N: This was sort of a weird chapter. I started writing it today in Psych, and yes, the movie they're watching is a real one called "Identity", with John Cusack, and if you haven't seen it, you should. It's really good. I know it's been a while since I updated this one, and I'm working on getting back up to speed, so just bear with me.
Chapter 3
"Are you going to tell anyone?"
"I don't know what else to do."
Beck and I are sitting on the couch in his RV, watching some movie on the small television that his parents wouldn't let him connect to the cable. I would rather be with Andre or Cat right now, but this wasn't something I could tell Cat yet, even if she is my best friend, and Andre was more Vega's puppy than a close friend of mine. Robbie was too weird, so there was no way I'd even consider hanging out with him, not when that creepy puppet of his was only going to hit on me the entire time.
That left Beck. And even though we broke up and I pretty much just came out and told him that Vega and I are a little more than friends, he's being incredibly calm. In fact, he kissed my forehead, said okay, and asked me to hang out and watch a movie because he didn't want me driving anymore with my leg. So here we were, cozied up on the couch and watching some movie involving a guy with multiple personalities that meet up at a motel and think there's a killer out to get them. Seems like my type of movie, right? Yeah, I know.
I sort of do wonder what Vega's doing right now, or has been doing ever since I dropped her off at her house. Beck's arm slips around my shoulders and he looks at me. "Some people might not be okay with you and Tori being together, you know. And I know you'll say you don't care if they do or not, but I know you, Jade. You do care because this isn't normal for you."
I shake my head. "It's not just that, Beck. I spent all this time trying to bring her down in front of people just so she would feel how I feel sometimes, taking a backseat to someone else. I used to want to see that stupid smile of hers knocked off her face. I wanted to do that and more, and now…I don't want that. I don't want anyone else to do it either because I want her to be happy. Do I even make any sense?" He nods. "I sound like some marshmallow or something, saying I care about her feelings, but I do care. And I don't want people to hurt her like I've tried to day after day."
"So why didn't you just tell her that, instead of taking her home and coming here?" That had occurred to me, but she wouldn't have understood. She would have made some comment about me being…soft. I can't have that. I laugh when the truck slams into the old man, pinning him against the wall. Beck shakes his head and sighs. "How can you find that funny? He was saving the kid."
"Yeah, but it didn't do any good. The kid still gets blown up next." I smirk. Hopefully, he takes the hint and drops the subject, but it's Beck. I'm never off the hook easily with him. He doesn't say anything for another few minutes, when the kid is blown up in the car. I laugh again and he rolls his eyes.
"Jade, do you want to be with Tori or not?" I nod. "Then it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks, as long as you care about her. So go back to her house, tell her you want to be with her and decide what to do then. But talk to her about it. Give her a chance to tell you what she wants and come to some compromise or something. She'll understand."
Beck's always been like this. I can never win with him, but he makes a point. And I'll never win this, but with Vega, I think we'll be okay. The two of us sit in silence for the rest of the movie, except my occasional laugh when someone died, and Beck rolls his eyes. At the end, he turns off the movie and turns to me, as if silently asking me what I'm going to do. "I'll think about it," I tell him. "Don't…don't talk to Vega about this."
"Let me drive you home." I nod and he hands me my crutches, helping me out of the RV. I don't live too far from Beck's, so when he drives my car home, I kiss his cheek and watch him walk away in the direction of his place.
The next morning is school. Since I had stayed out at Beck's until one this morning, I'm not in the mood to go to school. Unfortunately Beck isn't letting me skip, even going as far as showing up in my bedroom at seven this morning and dragging me out of bed. His reason was to make sure I go to school and talk to Vega, even though I could do that later. I groan, sitting at the kitchen table once I'm dressed and ready for school, and he sets a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me that he had been cooking while I was getting ready. When I open my mouth to ask for coffee, he places a cup in front of me. He thought of everything, how sweet.
"Beck, you're insane. You know I could talk to her later when we're not at school. And I'm tired."
"Stop complaining, Jade. You're going to school, so quit trying to get me to go away. I know you're tired, but with coffee you'll be less of a gank than usual." Damn him for knowing me so well. I finish breakfast and he smirks, handing me my backpack before taking my dishes to the sink and he produces another coffee, leading me out to my car. Of course, he's not going to let me drive my own car, due to my leg, but I don't mind. With the mood I'm in, I'd probably get us killed on the way to school.
He walks close to me, like we used to, and I scan the hallways for Vega. I stop at my locker and glance around. Cat joins us, going on about something ridiculous that I can't follow, and I notice the Vega sisters finally come into the hall. The younger Vega looks like she hasn't slept for a couple of days, and I wonder if she even did get any sleep last night. The other Vega is going on about something as always, elbowing her sister when Tori isn't paying attention, and I wait until she walks away. Beck catches sight of her and wraps his arm around Cat's shoulder's, leading her away from me.
Vega notices me and hesitantly makes her way across the hall to me. She doesn't know what to do or to say, and neither do I to be honest, but I do want to give her a chance. She leans against the locker next to mine and forces a weak smile. "Look, Jade, about last night, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be telling you to do anything, and I certainly shouldn't be telling you to try to be with me."
"Vega…Tori, listen. I…this is new to me. You're…you and it's different than what I'm used to. It's not normal for me. I'm used to having a boyfriend, not…having feelings for a girl, and it kind of scares me."
"I get it, Jade, I do. It scares me too, but I figured we would deal with everything together, not alone like you seem to be making us do. I just…I want us to try, but I feel like I'm pushing you to…" I cover her mouth with my hand and she nods, knowing I want her to stop rambling. "I'm sorry," she mumbles.
I shrug. "There's nothing to be sorry about. We'll talk at lunch, alright? Meet me in the janitor's closet?" She nods and I pull her in for a hug, ignoring the fact that we're not alone in the hallway and people are watching us. So much for people not being suspicious…Jade West hugging Tori Vega is not a sight people see every day. In fact, I don't think anyone has ever seen me hug Vega, let alone be nice to her. It's just…not normal.
I can see Beck and Cat talking to Andre down the hall, and Beck has a knowing smirk on his face. Sometimes I want to just punch him for being like that, but I have to admit, if it weren't for him, I'd probably be at home, avoiding Vega at all costs.
Damn him.
