Chapter 4

Tori

Sunday is usually laid back, consisting of homework and down-time. This weekend however, we have no assignments and I have nothing to do. Finally, I call Cat.

"Hi!" she chirps in an excited falsetto. "OMG! I was just gonna call you! Can you come over? I have big news!"

"Uh, sure Cat," I respond. "Right now?"

"Yeah! And hurry! I don't want my brother to eat it!"

"Eat what?" I ask tiredly.

"Just come!" she chimes.

"OK. I'll be right there."

"Kay kay!"

Cat's "big news" happens to be a necklace that Robbie gave her. He asked her to be his girlfriend. After twenty minutes of talking to Cat I still don't know if she said "yes".

I sigh. "Well, Cat," I say. "Do you want to date him?"

She giggles. "Yes!"

"Did you tell him?" I ask, confused.

"Uh huh," she nods fervently.

Not certain about what she wants from me, I am cautious when I speak again. "Wow, Cat!" I begin halfheartedly. "I'm really happy for you guys." I genuinely am but this whole situation makes me think of Beck and Jade. Cat is so fragile. I don't want Robbie to hurt her.

I almost laugh at this thought as it crosses my mind. Robbie had trouble talking back to his puppet. He'd swallow nails before he willingly hurt Cat.

"Thanks, Tori," she squeals, giggling again.

After another hour or so of chatting, I say "goodbye" to Cat and go to Starbucks. After ordering a coffee, I sit at a table by the large front window that gives a view of the cramped streets. I am sitting there a while before suddenly someone sits across from me. My eyes, which had been staring at the table, rise slowly. Beck sits there, looking at me, as if waiting for something.

"Hi," he says calmly.

"Hi," I return more slowly. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," he smiles softly at me. "I walked in, saw you, and came to say 'hi'. Mind if I sit here?"

"No. It's fine I guess."

"Are you OK?" he asks.

"Me?" I return. "Oh yeah, it's just, Jade came to see me last night and she...she's messed up about this."

He gives me a pained look. "I know," he says. "I talked to her on Friday. I feel bad, you know? I mean, I really thought it was best. We were fighting all the time and she just got so overbearing. But, um... I still love her."

I sigh sadly, almost telling him how Jade still loves him too. After all, nothing would ever be the same if we weren't all friends. Beck made Jade happy. It would be for the best if they could be together. Stopping myself seconds before the words leave my lips, I realize that Jade would hate me for it and I am desperate to hold on to our new...friendship? Anything is better than mean-Jade, the Ice Queen who was melting at last.

"I know," I respond lamely. "I-you... I could sorta tell."

He chuckles, gazing sheepishly into my eyes. "Is it obvious?"

"No, but I knew you the last time you guys broke up too." this answer seems almost to satisfy him. He is silent for a while until we pick up more cheerful conversation.

We get up and leave a half hour later even though Beck hasn't ordered anything. Going our separate ways in the parking lot, we wave to each other. I feel bad for Beck and Jade. Losing someone you loved and trusted can't be easy.

When I reach home, I am surprised to see Jade's car parked in the driveway. Entering the house, I see her sitting on the couch, her expression stricken.

"Jade?" I begin hesitantly. "What-are you alright?"

Her response has the power to knock me off my feet. "I kissed André," she blurts.

"What?" I manage, gripping the threshold.

"You deaf, Vega?" she snaps, more out of distress than anger. "I kissed André."

"I...I heard you," I stutter.

"Tori," she sighs. "I don't know what to do. I mean, Beck and I, we just broke up and I think I still love him but when André and I..." she pauses. "There was heat. Like, sparks. More powerful than anything with Beck."

André and Jade. I can't even comprehend it. When André had a crush on her a few months ago I had freaked, always secretly hoping he could be with me. It had even seemed like I was able to talk him out of it. Especially because Beck is one of his best friends. I guess now that Beck is out of the picture André doesn't care.

No. I refuse to think of him that way. Nobody that sweet and wonderful could ever be such an opportunist. Well then again, people think I`m sweet and wonderful but I just admitted to wanting to deprive my friends of a relationship that will make them happy because I want André for myself. I stare blankly into Jade's eyes, speechless.

Finally, I find my voice. Sort of. "Wow," I flounder lamely. "Do you think you might like him?"

"I don't know!" she says a little too forcefully. "Beck and I broke up three days ago. How am I supposed to know what I want?"

"Well Jade," I say finally. "It's your decision. André is a great guy. Any..." I pause looking for words to describe him. "Any girl would consider herself lucky to date him."

"Really?" she cocks a pierced eyebrow, grinning at me slyly.

I nod.

"Even you, Vega?" she asks.

The question is beyond unexpected. Alarmed, I fumble for an answer. After what seems like a year, Jade's phone rings to break to silence and save me from answering. Her face falls to a scowl as she glances at the caller ID.

"What?" she half-shouts into the phone. "Dad, I don't care about dinner," a pause. "I'm busy. No I'm not with Beck! Don you pay any attention to my life? We broke up. Do I need to spell it out for you?" she slams the phone shut. Expression softening as she takes a breath.

"I'm sorry, Tori," she says genuinely. "My father is all ticked because I'm not home for dinner and didn't call. I'm just so sure he's been pacing the floor for hours." she laughs, obviously seeing humor in what she just said.

I smile and laugh uncomfortably, which only makes her laugh harder.

"Anyway," she continues after a while. "I think that maybe I'll go for it with André. Like you said, he's a great guy and I've always liked him."

"Like or love?" I question skeptically. "Like isn't enough for a relationship to work with."

"I think," she begins hesitantly. "that judging by that kiss," she takes a deep breath and heaves a sigh. "I think we might have a shot."

I nod again, contemplating her words.

"Does that even make sense?" she gushes suddenly. "Until like, two hours ago I was sure that I was still in love with Beck. That because of that, I would never forgive him. Now, I want to go out with André. What's wrong with me Tori?"

"There's nothing wrong with you," I reassure her quickly. "Sometimes people are meant to fall in love with each other but not to be together."


This one took a while. I wasn`t sure where i wanted to go with it. Not much happened but i hope you enjoyed anyway. Chapter five should be up soon. BTW, how do you uys feel about Cabbie?

Reviews are welcome and much appreciated.