Jade always has a way of getting what she wants and no one really denies anything from her. Who would I be to start? I had tried to resist her, honestly I did, but the second she started placing sweet kisses along my neck, I caved. I wasn't prepared for that type of an assault. I could've taken yelling, silence, and even hitting, but kissing caught me completely off guard.
My hands instinctively go into their position, burying themselves in her long dark tresses and combing out the rare imperfections. This is wrong. She was just sitting with Beck, her boyfriend, minutes ago with her body fully pressed up against his. He's waiting for her right now and I can hear him looking for her but Jade, she knows me inside and out by now. She knows how to make me give up and give in. The second her teeth touch my skin, I melt with a quiet sigh.
I'd been trying to keep my distance from Jade after that Saturday. I couldn't explain my actions if she asked so I just avoided the whole thing all together. I had officially assimilated into my new school and I didn't want to ruin my good luck streak by coming off as a freak to the most popular girl in school. I knew what power she held over the grape vine and I wanted to stay on the sweet side.
"Are you going to audition for The Wood?" I overheard Beck asking Jade. I took a seat next to them putting my coffee on the table as I checked my bag to see if I had my math homework. As I got more relaxed in my environment, my schoolwork had been put on the backburners. I tried to keep in check with all of my assignments but one or two got lost on the way.
"It sounds so stupid." I looked up in disbelief hearing Jade's voice. If anything, I thought she would be the most excited for a chance to be on TV.
"I think it sounds fun-"
"I don't care what you think." I winced a bit at her sharpness and tried to shrug it off. Jade sat quietly as she sipped her coffee as Beck and I discussed the idea. I hoped that it was the usual snarky Jade rather, not a new breed of pissed off Jade.
"Two sugars." The goth demanded. It was only then did I realize that she was drinking my coffee. Beck made no effort to remove his arm from her shoulder. "Well?" She asked sternly. Was she honestly telling me? I didn't want to start the day off on the wrong foot so I sauntered off toward the GrubTruck to grab sugar to appease Her Highness.
"Here." I tossed the small packets on the table in front of Jade, but she was already putting the cap on as Beck was getting out of his seat.
"No, thanks. I'm good." She handed me the cup and got up. "See you at auditions."
I was a bit bewildered, trying to wrap my head around what had just happened but just grumbled to myself and decided to put the sugar in since I already went through the trouble to get it. I grimaced when I took the cap off and saw bubbles floating at the top mixed in what I could only assume was saliva. "GROSS!" I called out after Jade.
Jade and I didn't see much of each other once the cameras for the new reality show were rolling. We were all pretty much busy doing our own thing and she didn't want to be seen around me. Understandable. But although I completely understood, it didn't mean that I wasn't disappointed or hurt.
"Alright, let's view this." Andre settled on my couch with Beck opposite of him, waiting for the show to start. The advanced screening of the pilot episode is sitting in my DVD player, waiting for its audience. I look around for Jade and I'm surprised when she calls out from upstairs.
"Wait, when did you get here?" I asked, confused. I didn't see her earlier when Beck arrived. I was stunned that I didn't realize that she here the whole time. "Where have you been?" I continued after she answers my question so nonchalantly.
I usually don't let anyone into my room; I enjoy my friends and closeness but I need my own personal space. I'm usually a very private person. I started to get flustered at the little smirk and bite Jade sent my way. If I didn't know any better, I would've found it oddly seductive. Good thing I knew better. Honestly, I don't know what she could've found there but the thought alone made me feel uneasy. What was also strange was that no one else found her behavior unusual. I did my best to let it slide. She must go through everyone's rooms in her free time. Probably looking for ways to take people down in case of an emergency by means of blackmail.
I took my usual seat next to Jade by force of habit. It was a bit tight on space since Beck was there as well but I didn't even have time to process it before her hip bumped me to straight on to the floor. I almost snapped back at her but restrained. I was not in the mood for her attitude.
Before it even started, I should've known that The Wood would focus on Hollywood Arts' power couple. Beck and Jade, or as the lower people on the social food chain liked to call them: "Bade." The two of them separately are unbeatable but when you put them together, it's unthinkable. They're untouchable. I could only hope that the crew didn't catch on to Beck's weekend extramarital activities. I started to get nervous when they talk about Beck and his unfaithfulness and Jade did a great job at acting like she had no idea. I couldn't believe that he wasn't more careful about this.
'Kill me' was all I could think over and over when a forged phone conversation played on the screen. 'Oh dear merciful God, strike me down now' I silently prayed. I knew by the time this was over, Jade would gladly answer my prayers. Her attention was pulled more and more as the seconds dragged on and she leaned closer to the screen. It was pure torture. The producers had warped my phone call with my aunt and a phone call Beck had made and in an instant erased all the progress Jade and I had been making.
I shake my head furiously, denying the existence. I couldn't even look at her and words wouldn't form in my throat. I knew I was done for. Even though I was innocent, I knew I was going to get it. In less than a minute after the clip ended, the furniture was over turned and she was on my back. Andre and Beck did their best to get her off of me but she got in a few good pulls at my hair and punches at my ribs before I was free from her wrath. Exhausted, Beck and I tried our best to explain but she wasn't having any of it. Luckily, the staff was more than willing to admit the truth about the fabrication.
After the small reenactment for the cameras, I was glad Jade and I had already mastered the art of stage fighting. The two of us finally found ourselves alone, settling into our usual spots back at my house once the shots were taken care off. Finally, I got the chance to relax.
"See, I told you this could be fun." I smile as I throw my feet up on the table and cross them at the ankle. The last couple of hours were all water under the bridge. Without the constant hassle of the cameras and our friends, this moment was a welcome break from the show, getting back to real reality for a second.
"Whatever." She pushed me playfully. It was a welcome change when she didn't force herself to hide her smile anymore.
We had both forgotten about the hits that Jade had gotten in earlier and at the nudge on my side but I was quickly reminded. A few quiet seconds passed as the pain subsided and I heard her speak up again.
"You know how sensitive that topic is for me." I could only nod. I did know. I was pretty sure I knew better than anyone else. "I was furious that you went behind my back after all that has happened and I reacted, okay?"
"Okay." I answered. I was going to protest that nothing happened, but she already knew that. Rubbing it in her face wouldn't have done either of us any good.
"It's just, you know how I feel about all this crap and the fact that you would go behind my back-"
"I didn't. I wouldn't." I cut her off. I know she was just trying to explain herself but I needed to make my stand clear. I was on her side. I wouldn't hurt her like that. I wasn't him. I actually cared about her feelings.
"Good. You know, I'd kill you if you actually did, right?" She laughed and nudged me again. I tried to get out a good chuckle too, but I was cut short at the light tap. Her face drops the playfulness. "It's not that bad. Man up, Vega."
I nervously tried to brush it off as she did, but even the small movements were a bit more strained than I thought it would be.
"Show me."
I looked at her wide-eyed. "No, no. You're right. It's totally fine!" I stood up and stretched my back. I hid a grimace and smiled down at her.
Jade rolled her eyes and I figured she had dropped it but she flicked her finger against my sore spot and I fell back on the couch.
"Owwie!" I cried and fell onto the couch. I instantly curled up into the fetal position.
"Quit being such a baby and show me." She insisted and wouldn't let up.
I had no time to realize what she was doing before she started to lift up my shirt. "Stop it!" I whimpered and pushed her away.
"You just-" Her voice was firm, "Stay still!"
With the sharp demand, she grabbed my wrist tightly and yanked my shirt half up. "Look it's fine!" I see her face fall a bit when she got a closer look.
Only a couple of hours had passed but there was a bruise already forming in the aftermath.
"Yeah, sure. Fine for a sadist like you." I narrowed my eyes and tried to pull the fabric back down. It's not that I'm uncomfortable with my body but it was still a weird position to be in, especially with Jade.
"Wow, this is worse than I thought." Her fingers traced the outline of the bruise and I shivered unconsciously. She ignored my protests and mindlessly pushed up the band of my bra as well, trying to see where the bruise extended. I had to bite my lip to hide my uneasiness. I forcefully pushed down my shirt and quickly moved away. Her touch was awkward and I wanted it to stop. Mixing pain with pleasure was a strange little sensation that I wasn't used to.
Things seemed to change from that point on. We would talk more at school, nothing friendly mind you, but it was nice not to be ignored anymore. We were actually having a bit of fun with the show, but filming was cut short though due to the competitive nature of one Jade West. One thing about Jade that is no secret to anyone is that she hates to be upstaged. When Beck and Andre put on a show at school, she was quick on her toes to think of a way to one up them. Though it would eventually get me into a lot of trouble over our high school career, it was nice to finally be on Jade's team for once.
Jade's kisses are needy but still manage to stay chaste. I pull her closer and one of my hands moves down to her waist. I keep one hand tangled in her hair, giving a small tug every so often. I've learned from experience that it'll keep her right where I want her. It keeps her completely distracted.
I start to lose myself, too. My senses are overwhelmed and my fingers slip under her shirt and graze her hip. I push up into her, pulling away to get air as I reverse our positions. I hold her up against the door and I nip at her lip. My hands crave her skin as badly as my lips craved hers. Just as I'm about to have my right hand join my left to explore her stomach, she pushes away sharply.
"We have to stop." She keeps her arm extended out in front of her, warning me not to come any closer.
"What?" I ask incredulously through heavy breathing. "Wait, what?" My voice gets firm and demanding. I lick my lips and take a moment to calm myself. No matter how hard I try, I can't wrap my head around this. "You're the one that brought me here." I exclaim a bit accusatory.
"Yeah, well, I made a mistake." I can feel my temper starting to rise. Enough of this wishy-washy bullshit, she was never really well attuned to my feelings or the destruction that her actions often bring. She turns to the door, "Let it go."
"No." I grab her wrist firmly with one hand and the other gets a grip on her chin. I turn her face so she's forced to facing me. I don't like to show my temper show but Jade always knew how to push me. "What? Are scared that I'm too close? That I know what's really on the inside?"
I know I should stop but enough is enough. "All your insecurities? That you're just afraid?" My eyes bore into hers, making sure she keeps my gaze. For a moment, I see fear shoot across her expression that quickly turns into anger.
"Get over yourself, Vega. It was fun while it lasted but it's over now." I know her words were meant to hurt me and they do their damage. I feel my face tightening up and I swallow hard. Jade moves out of my grasp that I no longer have the will to hold.
"I know you, Jade. I know you inside and out. I know what you're like, I know when you lie, and I know you're worth it. I'm not going to leave you when you're having a bad day. I won't use you. Just stop running already." I know she's uncomfortable when she starts to shift on her boots. She knows what I'm going to say next and I know she's going to try to get away before the words leave my lips.
The door closes and she leaves me in room, alone. "I love you."
A/N: Uhh… So, there aren't too many people reading this, but those of you who are, is it okay if I change the rating? Or would you rather it stay T-rated? Let me know because sometime in the near-ish future I'm thinking of adding it to the story. You know, the smut-ness.
Also, I wanted to say thanks to ScottyBgood and Invader Johnny for the support over the chapters. You guys rock!