DISCLAIMER: VICTORIOUS, LIKE A BUNNY, IS SOMETHING THAT I WISH WAS MINE BUT ISN'T

"What do we do?" Jade whispers.

"She can't see us ditching. We have to get out. Um…" I see my mom walk over to the counter to order. "Come on. Maybe we can sneak out when she's ordering."

"Okay. Here." Jade puts out her hand and I take it. We bend down and head towards the door swiftly but quietly. When we get to the trashcans, which are about five freaking feet from the door, I hear a voice.

"Cat?"

"Damn… Hey, Mom."

She stomped over to Jade and me. "What do you think you're doing?"

I glanced sideways at Jade, who was standing uncomfortably a bit behind me. "Having smoothies."

"I don't want to hear any of your sass, young lady. You told me you wouldn't break any rules!" We were starting to attract a crowd. I licked my lips.

"Mom, you-"

"I blame you!" She points to Jade.

Now it's Jade's turn to look sideways at me. "Well, it was my idea to-"

"Stay in class, but I thought we should ditch," I finished for her. Jade raised an eyebrow at me.

"Well either way, you…" she jabbed a finger at me. "Are not allowed to see her…" she jabbed a finger at Jade. "Anymore."

"Mom that's not fair! We were just getting something to eat. School's over by now anyway."

"I don't care. Now get in the car, we're going home." I didn't move. "NOW."

As I pass by Jade walking to the door, I breathe "I'll call you" into her ear. I get in the passenger seat of the car and my mom pulls out of the parking lot and onto the road.

"What's gotten into you lately?"

"Lately? This is the first thing I've done like this."

"You know what I mean… it's like ever since you started… dating Jade, you've been acting different."

"Yeah, I have been acting different. I've never been this happy before." I was starting to get mad.

"Well I'm glad she makes you happy but-"

"Then why can't I see her again?"

"It's just…"

"Do you not want me to be happy?"

"Look." Her knuckles were turning white on the steering wheel. "She's a bad influence. What if this is only the beginning?"

"What do you think's gonna happen? I'll start doing drugs and getting drunk? Is that what you think?"

"I'm just trying to protect you."

"Well I'm damn sick of it."

"Where's the Cat I know? The sweet, innocent, flighty girl that everybody loves?"

"Everybody loves… yeah, right. That girl is gone. That girl wasn't real."

"Wasn't real? What do you mean?"

We pull into our driveway. I get out of the car and go into the house and run up to my room, slamming the door behind me. God, what's gotten into her? All protective all of a sudden. I'm almost eighteen, not four. I don't her "protection" anymore.

I pull my PearPhone out of my pocket and dial Jade's number.

"Hey babe, didn't think I'd be hearing from you so soon."

I have to talk in a quiet voice. "Yeah, well my mom still is refusing to let me see you, but screw her. Meet me at Nozu in twenty minutes?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Good. We have some business to finish."

"Business?"

"My mom's coming up. Gotta go. See you in twenty!" And I hang up.

"Hi, Mom."

"Cat, what was that all about?"

"Look, I'm sorry. You're right. I won't see Jade again." Gotta trick her. I really am smarter than most people think.

"Alright. But no more going out tonight."

"But Mom," I whine. "Me and Tori have to finish our project."

"Have her come over here."

"I can't all the stuff's at her house."

She sighs. "Alright, but if I get wind that you did anything besides go to Tori's, I swear, Cat…"

"Okay, I'll be good, I promise. I gotta get ready. Bye." She goes out the door and closes it behind her. I change into a short pink shirt and tank top, touch up on my makeup and hair, then go downstairs and leave.

When I arrive at Nozu, I can see Jade's car already in the parking lot. I pull up next to it and lean out through the passenger window to tap on hers. She smiles at the sight of me and we both get out. I run over to her side and wrap my arms around her neck, as she pulls me close by my waist. I look at her for a second, then smile into a soft kiss.

"So how'd you get past your mom?" she asks after we break apart.

"Told her I was going to do homework at Tori's."

"Sushi is much more fun than work."

"Oh yeah." I looked around. "But I was thinking that maybe instead of eating, we could drive up to Griffith Park or somewhere. You know, go somewhere a bit more… private." I smile and raise my eyebrows suggestively.

"Sounds nice to me. Let's take my car." I go around and get in and we pull onto the road. As we're driving, I move my hand from where it was resting on my knee to Jade's jean-clad thigh. She glances down quickly and smiles. I begin to trace little circles with my nail, and I can tell she can feel it through the denim.

"Let's stop here," I say after a few minutes. We're in a secluded park off the side of the street. Jade pulls over into a parking spot and we get out. "Come on."

I take her hand and we start walking down the trail.

"If only your mom knew…"

"Knew what?"

"How sneaky you are."

I laugh. "There's a lot about me she doesn't know. You wanna sit down for a few minutes?" We had come up to a bench. Nobody else was around.

"Sure." We sit down.

"Oooh, can we play a game?" I ask, clapping at the thought. Sometimes your mask stays on, even when you don't want it.

Jade laughs. "Alright, what do you want to play?"

"Truth or dare!" I said it a bit too quickly. I wonder if she could tell I had planned this out…

"Okay. You go first. Truth or dare?"

I think for a second. "Truth."

"Have you ever... gone to second base?"

"Guy or girl?" I smile.

"Guy."

"Yes. Your turn. Truth or dare?"

Jade looks at me funny. "Dare."

A smile breaks out over my face. "I dare you to make love to me on this bench. Right here, right now."

Hope you guys are liking it! As usual, please review! It really brightens my day to hear from you lovely people :] I would've gone on a bit but this chapter was getting long so yeah... Later haters!

p.s. I don't actually think you're haters but I love that new "Stuff Jade Hates" video. Have you seen it?