A/N: I'm sorry for the super long wait! I had some trouble with this chapter. Thank you all for the kind reviews, I really appreciate them. I hope you like this chapter!
I slowly open my eyes, and when I can see clearly, I see a sleeping Jade. Our faces are super close. Almost nose-to-nose, actually. My back is against the wall, so Jade's the one who didn't "respect the barrier." As a matter of fact, she's spooning the pile of pillows and blankets that once made up the "barrier." There's a bunch of space on her side, yet she's invading my side. That is just so Jade-like.
Suddenly, Jade moves a bit in her sleep, and her eyes look as if they were about to open. As a reflex I shut my eyes. It would be so creepy, and awkward if Jade were to open her eyes, and see me awake, facing her, in such a close proximity. I can feel her looking my face over, probably to see if I'm asleep.
Then Jade's body shifts, leaving more space between us. I assume her back is facing me now. I tentatively open my eyes, and I'm right.
Now there's a lot of space between us. On the other side of the room, I can make out Sam sprawled like a starfish on her bed, and Cat is fast asleep on the floor. No one is moving to get up, anytime soon. So, I turn to face the wall, and decide to just sleep for a while longer.
The next time I wake up, is because of Cat.
"Tori! Jade! Wake up! I made pancakes!" Cat bounces on the bed. I groan, lifting the covers up over my face. Like all people, I hate being woken up. A few more bounces from Cat, and the beast beside me awakens too.
Instantaneously, Jade has the previously excited redhead in her grasp, they mirror a lion and a gazelle.
"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY NEVER WAKE ME. EVER."
"Ahh! I'm sorry Jade!"
"Jade let the girl go." I roll my eyes. Jade's glare is still focused on Cat. "Jade, come on."
Reluctantly Jade releases Cat, but her glare is still fixed on the terrified girl. Without my consent my hand is on Jade's shoulder. She doesn't push it away. Sam suddenly pops into the room, grabbing all of our attention.
"Well, good morning." Sam says with a smirk directed at Jade. "Don't you look all...sunny." Sam laughs.
Jade glowers at Sam. "You don't want to play games with me, before I've had coffee, blondie."
Sam shrugs. " I do what I want, emo."
Jade's scowl intensifies, and I honestly have to hold back a laugh. I suddenly find it very easily not to laugh, when I realize that this little teasing game, can turn ugly...and that wouldn't be funny.
"You did not just call me that."
I crawl out of bed, just in case, to avoid the crossfire. I get near Cat, just in case it gets ugly, and we got to get out of the room.
"I did. What're you gonna do? Hit me?" Sam patronizes, getting close to Jade. Uh oh. I quickly grab Cat's arm, and I'm about to pull her out of the room, but Jade doesn't get violent.
"Nah, that would be considered animal abuse," Jade says smoothly, inspecting her nails. I have to put a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing.
They stare at each other for a while, with serious expressions. Then all of a sudden they start laughing. "Okay that was a good one," Sam says, approvingly.
"I know." Jade smirks.
"I don't get it…"Cat says, in confusion.
"Anyways, I need coffee now, or my scissors will be coming out very soon."
After an interesting start to the day, we're all at the table with pancakes that Cat made. Cat and Sam are actually eating, Jade is invested in her second cup of coffee, and I'm just poking at the small pieces of pancake I cut up with my knife and fork. My stomach wants food, but I don't really feel like eating.
"So...how did Cat end up in my bed?" Sam asks.
"Someone bit me in their sleep," Jade growls, pointedly.
"Oh, I was probably having one of those dreams." Sam brushes it off like it's no big deal. Jade stares at Sam, confused for about a second, before Cat decides to join the conversation.
"My brother used to say-" Cat is about to get into another story about her psychopath brother, when Jade promptly guides Cat's forkful of pancakes into her mouth.
"There we go. Eat the pancakes." Jade says as she shoves some more pancake bits into Cat's mouth.
The talking subsides, and we all settle into a comfortable silence. I just stare down at my plate, and continue poking at the food, debating on whether I should eat. Eventually, I do so as not to offend Cat, or raise any questions.
"Oh!" Cat says all of a sudden, grabbing my attention. Sam, and Jade just ignore her. "Hey, Tori what time does Trina's graduation party start again?"
I suddenly drop my fork and knife. I totally forgot about that. I have been so caught up in my own despair, that I completely forgot about Trina's graduation party. I invited the gang weeks in advance to celebrate the day. How could I forget? When did I become such a horrible person?
"I'm still shocked she's actually graduating." Jade says, taking a bite of her pancakes. I glare at her from across the table, and she just smirks. I roll my eyes.
"The ceremony ends at six-thirty, so the party will start at seven. By the way what time is it right now?"
"It's one forty-five," Cat answers.
"Shoot! I need to get home and help set up."
Thankfully, Jade agrees to drive me back home without much resistance. Thank God for small miracles. On the way back to Jade's car, I start to hear someone calling my name. I quickly turn my head towards the voice, and then I see Joey with a big smile plastered onto his face, from afar. He's too cute. I grin, and wave back at him.
"I don't get what you see in that one." Jade mentions offhandedly, getting into the driver's seat.
I get into the passenger seat, and buckle up before responding.
"Umm are you blind?! He's gorgeous and really sweet!"
"Exactly."
I raise an eyebrow at that.
"You're usually into the rebellious baddies,"Jade explains. "Like that scumbag Ryder, and that Daniel guy." She puts her keys in the ignition.
"Not anymore. No more rebellious baddies for me." I clarify. "Jade, your seatbelt," I give a pointed look.
Jade rolls her eyes at the last part, putting on her seatbelt. "Good girls must always wear their seatbelts!"
"I don't talk like that!"
When we pull into my driveway I bid Jade goodbye, to which she says "whatever," and once I get inside my house, all hell breaks loose. Everyone is freaking out. Trina is wailing about how crucial it is that she looks good for the ceremony, my mom's trying to get Trina to shut up, and my dad is pacing, trying to keep his cool. Amongst the chaos, I can't help but feel a little glad that everyone's acting the way they did pre-tumor.
"I'm home!" I shout. They immediately all shut up, and hug me tightly in greeting. I'm not used to being hugged by them so much, and it's weirding me out, but I decide it best not to say anything. Then they start firing questions at me, which I answer as calmly as possible.
"Alright. Trina, it's time to go get your hair, and makeup appointment. And you," she points at my dad, with a glare. "You know what to do. Let's go Trina."
Once they're out the front door, I look to my dad in confusion. "What do you have to do?"
"Well...I sort of have to set up for Trina's party."
"You?" I chuckle. "How did you get stuck doing that?" Decorating is definitely not my dad's forte.
"Your mother was stressing about how she should've planned this party out more, and how hard it would be to set everything up. So I may have said something along the lines of 'it shouldn't be that hard.' She got mad, and now she's making me set up."
"Bad move, dad." I shake my head.
"Tell me about it. I don't know the first thing about this stuff!"
"Don't worry. I'll help."
He sighs. "I'd appreciate it."
We start off discussing where things would look best, and by discussing I mean me deciding where things would look best, and my poor non-decorative dad agreeing with everything I've decided. We put up everything in a timely, efficient manner.
"Hmm...I think it looks a little bare still…" I say once we finish putting everything up.
"I have to go pick up all the food, and desserts still. We can grab some more decorations while we're at it."
"Alright sounds good."
It took a while to pick up everything, but once we got back to the house we finished up in record timing. I was impressed with myself.
My dad puts a hand on my shoulder, as we stare at the decorations we put up. "Thanks, Tori. I couldn't have done it without you." He grins, but then it drops at the end of his sentence, at the "without you," part. The crestfallen look on his face, kills me.
"You're welcome." I muster a half-hearted smile. "...I should go get dressed."
"Right. Yeah, me too."
With that I head up to my room, and the huge disaster I'm expecting when I get up there, isn't there. Of course it's still a disaster, but there are a few large trash bags in the room filled with stuff I broke. I guess they started cleaning up the mess while I was gone. I try to not think about how it all happened, and go over to my closet, and pick out a purple dress.
Time goes by in a blur after that. Before I know it, I'm sitting with my parents, and a few other family members, waiting for Trina's name to be called out. The ceremony is so full, that every seat is taken. The graduates stand out in their red caps, and gowns. It feels kind of surreal seeing them, it feels like just yesterday, I was passing by them in the school halls. Now they won't be there anymore...and neither will I.
"Trina Vega." Principal Helen suddenly announces, catching mine and my family's attention. Of course we clap, and cheer for her. As Trina struts in her six-inch heels to receive her diploma, I can't help but feel proud and excited for her.
When the ceremony finishes, it's hell to find Trina. After a long time, my mom finally spots her, chatting with a couple of her friends. As soon as we reach Trina, she's overwhelmed with hugs, and leis, and congratulations. As expected pictures are taken. A lot of them. I can't help but notice that Trina is glowing, and she looks really happy. And I feel happy for her.
Once we get back to the house, and the party starts the doorbell rings. The first guests are here, besides the family members that attended the ceremony. I know exactly who's behind the door, and I start to feel nervous.
I drag my feet over to the door, trying to gather my bearings. Still, I reach the door far too soon for my liking. I take a deep breath, before finally answering the door. Just as I expected the whole gang is here. Andre, Cat, Beck, Jade, and Robbie. Well everyone except Rex, thankfully.
"Heeeyy." I wave, with a forced smile. I open the door wider to let them all in. The guys are all glaring at me. Cat's in her own world, and Jade just has her usual irritated expression.
"Hiiiiiiiii!" Cat exclaims, happily.
As soon as I shut the door, questions are being shot at me left, and right. Although I'm annoyed, I'm also kind of touched by their concern. "GUYS!" I shout over them. They finally shut up. "I'm so sorry for the distance. I've been really sick, and I didn't want any of you to catch it. I'm all better now, though." I lie through my teeth, hoping they buy it. One of them doesn't. Jade meets my eyes, silently telling me that I'm full of crap. I give her a look that says to keep her mouth shut, and in return she rolls her eyes. She clearly got the message.
"We were all worried about you, Chica! You could've answered our calls, and texts." Andre says, pulling me into a hug.
"I know, my head hurt too much to use it. I'm okay now, though. I'm really sorry for worrying you all," I say, genuinely. Everyone else follows suit, hugging me after Andre. Except for Jade. obviously.
"You guys can't even last a few days without Tori? Ridiculous." Jade shakes her head pitifully. I bite my tongue from pointing out that she climbed through my bedroom window to get a hold of me. I just glare at her, and as per usual Beck has an apologetic look on his face.
"So did I miss anything interesting at school?"
"Not really." Beck answers.
"Well Sikowitz did say that he was going to continue his search for the 'queen coconut' over summer break." Robbie shrugs. I raise an eyebrow. Sikowitz never ceases to amaze me.
"One time my brother-" Cat starts, but is quickly interrupted by Jade.
"Look Cat! Stickers." Jade pulls out a page of stickers and shoves them into Cat's hands. Cat smiles brightly, happily accepting them. It's another successful Cat distraction by the hands of Jade West. Props to her.
"Yeah, the last few days were pretty uneventful." Andre adds. "We all missed you at school."
"I didn't." Jade says, without a care.
"Well I didn't miss your ganky attitude either." I throw back at her.
"OH," Jade responds, with that semi-surprised expression. I smirk. Maybe this night will turn out better than I had hoped.
Pretty soon everyone's mingling, including me, and music is playing. Well almost everyone, Jade and Beck are missing. Who knows what they're up to. I politely chat with my family members that showed up. However, eventually I get tired of the adults asking about my own senior year coming up, and graduation. So I decide to step outside, for a much needed breath of fresh air. I soon discover I'm not the only one out there, Trina's there leaning against the wall. I lean up against it, beside her.
"Hey."
"Hey...why aren't you inside enjoying your party?" I ask.
She sighs. "I just...I feel...guilty…"
I didn't even need to ask about what she was talking about. "You shouldn't feel that way."
"I can't help it, Tori. I just...I feel like this is being rubbed in your face. I don't feel like celebrating."
I turn to face her, and look her in the eye. "Please, don't worry about me. Tonight is all about you, and your , this is your night. Enjoy it. I will feel guilty if you don't enjoy yourself today, because you're worrying about me. Forget all about that tonight, and have fun. Please. For me." I give her a small smile. She smiles back, but it doesn't reach her eyes.
"I'll try."
"Good. Now get back in there. I'll be there in a minute." I push her encouragingly, towards the door. When the doors shuts behind her, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
Then someone emerges from the shadows at my side. Of course, it's none other than the person I've somehow been getting stuck with since yesterday. I wonder if she overheard my talk with Trina. I think back to the words we exchanged, and I'm relieved that I wasn't specific about anything.
"Shouldn't you be with Beck or something?"
Jade scoffs. "We're not attached at the hip. I don't need to be around him all the time."
"Right." Jade's usually like a guard dog when it comes to Beck, always making sure girls never get to close to what's hers.
"Tori, what's-" Jade starts, and it sounds like something serious, but then the door opens.
It's Beck. Apparently everyone needs to get some air.
"Hey, Tori. Have you seen Jade-" His eyes land on the goth. I don't know if I imagine it, or not, but it looks like Jade mutters "crap" under her breath at his arrival. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you."
Jade takes a few steps towards him, arms crossed, and an even more prominent scowl on her face.
"Well here I am. What do you want?" She tells him, with a scoff.
"I'm just going to go back ins-" I try to escape, but a sudden cold hand on my arm doesn't let me.
I look back into stern eyes. "Don't get lost. We're not done here."
With my mind focused only on getting away, I nod. Of course the arguing starts, and thankfully I make it inside before the yelling happens.
Before I know it, Jade's back inside, and Beck isn't with her. You would think it would be the other way around, with Beck coming inside, and Jade leaving. I can't even think of what I'm going to say to her, before she's pulling me back outside with her, telling me "You owe me twenty minutes, we're going for a walk."
So she actually is making me repay her the twenty minutes of her life, I apparently stole from her.
"Where's Beck?"
"He left."
"Are you…? Did you guys…"
"No, we didn't break up. Just another fight." Jade sounds annoyed, and dare I say, done with it.
"Are you okay?" I ask, even if the answer is obvious. I don't expect her to answer, and it seems that I'm right for a while, but then she does speak.
"Why are you like this?" Jade says, with accusation in her voice.
Instinctively I feel defensive, but I decide to hear what she has to say. "Like what?"
"There's clearly something going on with you, and you're concerned about whether I'm okay." There's clear irritation in her voice, and confusion.
I don't really know what to say to that, so I go with what I feel is a safe response. "Well are you?"
"Are you?" Jade scoffs, redirecting the question at me.
My Jaw tightens. "I'm fine."
"Right" Jade nods. "Of course you are. Because people that are 'fine' destroy their room, avoid their friends, try out a new bold semi-rebellious persona, and their self-centered sisters are suddenly focused on their feelings, instead of their own for once."
I'm taken aback, and I'm sure it shows on my face. "...How do you know I was the one that destroyed my room? Maybe Trina got angry with me, and messed it all up."
She disregards what I say with two words.
"Your knuckles."
Crap! She noticed the scabs on my knuckles. I should've hid them better! I internally smack myself about a dozen times.
"I got angry," I shrug, trying to play it off like it's not a big deal. Of course my attempt is in vain.
"Wow, I didn't realize!" Her voice, dripping with sarcasm.
I cross my arms defensively, and stop walking. "I don't get why you're so concerned!"
She stops in front of me, and her demeanor softens a bit, catching me off guard."What's going on with you?"
"I'm fine!"
"No you're not!"
"I'm going back." I take off across the street, not paying attention to my surroundings. All that's in my head is the irritation of Jade, acting as if she cares or something.
"Tori! Wait!"
Then everything happens quickly. I see a flash of red coming right at me, from my peripheral vision. At this point I'm sure my life is over. Only, it isn't. I feel myself being yanked back, and then my body smacks into another. Jade's body.
She has an arm around my waist very briefly, before her hands are grabbing me by the shoulders, looking me over, to see if I'm okay. One thing that really sticks out to me, are her eyes, and the panic in them. It's a look I don't remember ever seeing on Jade.
I stay quiet. I'm in shock, and can't bring myself to say anything at the moment. After another second of Jade's inspection of me, she drops her hands from my shoulders, but one of them falls to my wrist, encircling it firmly.
Then she's pulling me along with her across the street. Not a word is spoken between us, as she leads me back to my house. Her hand doesn't release my wrist for all the minutes it takes to get back to my house, right up until we reach my front door. She looks at me as if she expects me to say something, but I don't. It's quiet for a moment, as she looks over my face briefly.
"Get some sleep. The dark circles under your eyes, are almost as dark as my personality," and with that she turns around, and heads towards her car.