A pang of guilt shivered through my bones as I left the school in my car,

preparing to drive home. As soon as I flipped my turn signal to exit the parking lot, someone banged on the side of the vehicle. I cracked the passenger window half-way, and saw my Vega standing there.

"Can I have a ride?"

With a smirk, I answered, "oh, I'm sure you could."

"Jade, you know what I meant," Tori complained with a whine.

I'm so good at teasing her. "I know, you big baby. Get in the car, we have much to discuss." Tori followed my command, and instead of driving home, I parked back in my space.

After a few minutes of just sitting there, in complete silence, Tori spoke up. "Jade.. I don't know how I'm gonna tell my parents." I could sense the fear and pain buried in her voice.

"Tor, we don'r have to tell them just yet. I'm just as nervous as you are." The half-Latin softly rested her palm on my knee, as I began to spill everything I've gone through. "When I was six, my mom gave birth to my little brother, Zach. Not long after the midget's first birthday, Dad filed for divorce and moved in with some slutty English stewardess he met on one of his 'business trips'.. My mom was devastated, you know?"

Tori sucked in a breath. "I'm pretty sure my mom is cheating on my dad with his partner, Gary."

I rested my hand on top of Vega's, intertwining our fingers. "Don't take it out on yourself. It's not your fault. If you ever need to talk about it, you come to me, or Cat,

or Andre. We've all been there."

My not-yet-girlfriend has a tear running down her cheek. I gently wipe my thumb on her face, taking the tear with me. "Don't cry.. It'll be okay.." I whispered in a voice I did not fully recognize. Noticing Tori's seatbelt hanging loosely where it's attached at the car, I pulled her into my lap and wrapped my arms around her body. She rested her head onto my shoulder, and I felt her smile.

"I didn't realize you could be so kind," Tori admitted, playing with a lock of my artificially black hair.

"Only for people who truly deserve it; like you." I paused. "..And Cat, and Andre."

Tori's heartbeat synced with mine. "Jadelyn West?"

"Humor me."

"Would you, milady, like to go out with me, forrealzies?"

I actually laughed. "Sure! If you never EVER say forrealzies again. Ever."

Tori kissed my cheek, crawling back to her seat beside me. "...Forrealzies."

"Watch it, Vega." I turned on the car, and we rode off into the sunset.

Okay, so the sun wasn't actually setting yet, but we would have been.

Tori's head sprung up. "Wait, since when do you have a little brother?"

"God, Tori, do you ever listen?" I teased. She looked incredibly hurt. "I'm kidding. Since I was six. Here's the run-down: his name is Zach, he's eleven, he's in the fifth grade, he looks just like me, which bothers the both of us-"

"That is so adorable!" Tori gushes, placing her head in her hands. I cocked an eyebrow, and she shut up.

"He's really into sports. Like, seriously into sports. That's why he's my dad's favorite."

"..Well, what about your mom?"

I snarled. "Don't talk about my mother. Forget it. I don't wanna talk about anything in my life anyway."

Tori nodded her head. "I'm sorry.. Do you mind taking me home? I promised Trina that I would help her make a fancy dinner for her date."

"Did you promise, or did she take your Cuddle-Me-Cathy doll again?"

"...Say that to my butt!"

I felt a laugh bubble over me. "Your.. Butt? No thanks, Tori. That's too kinky, even for me." A blush rose upon Vega's cheeks. I smiled in victory.

"Just take me home, please." So I did.

Then, I took myself home.

I did say I like to punish myself.

I left my car in my empty driveway, as I was planning on going elsewhere as soon as I packed a bag of clothes. Exiting my vehicle, I embraced the L.A. sun, taking slow, easy steps to my doorway. As soon as I entered, I was greeted with AC, the smell of mother's famed Blueberry Bomber muffins, and my stomach growled involuntarily. Mom hasn't made a batch of those muffins since I was twelve. I practically flew to the kitchen. Mom was sitting at our kitchen table, holding a basket of her baked goods. I stopped at the doorway, and she looked into my eyes with her matching blues, except tears lined her face. I've never been a sensitive person, but a demon overtook my soullessness, and ordered me to do something.

So, I hugged her. Tightly. She sobbed into my shirt, and I realized what day it was today; the day Dad left.

"Mom, don't worry about it.. He's an ass. And, uh, his new wife is annoying and ugly," I said, trying to get the woman to cut the waterworks. When she looks back up at me, I see that she is not crying out of sadness; she's angry.

"Oh, so you think this is all about your father, huh? No, Jade. For once, this is about you."

I scoff, sitting down across the table. "What'd I do this time?" She narrows her eyes, sinking into mine. I fidget in my seat, as that's where I got my glare from.

"It's true, isn't it?" she growls.

Crossing my arms to my chest, I shrug my shoulders. "I dunno. Is it?"

Mom leans across the table and grabs my collar, smashing our noses together. "Don't even play that game, Jadelyn. You're gay. You're a lesbian. A dyke. Aren't you? Aren't you!?"

My skin tingles, and I clench my fists. "You know what, Mom? Yes. I am. I am gay. There's the big secret. Another thing? I'm in a relationship. I don't know who told you, but I don't care anymore."

Anger relishes throughout my veins, and I stand, stomping out of the kitchen and up to my room, violently stuffing clothes into my black and red striped duffle bag. I took my hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, and my favorite pair of scissors, putting them into their own compartment. I struggle to zip up the bag, and nearly ripped the damn thing off, but I didn't care. I found my phone and phone charger, taking that, too. I ran down my staircase, calling out, "maybe Dad was right about you, heartless bitch." Slamming my front door to make a point, I entered my car, speeding off in some random direction.

Who cares, though? No way in hell I'm coming back.