March 16th, 2018

Hope you enjoy!

:)

Good luck, I wish you well,
For all that wishes may be worth...

No One's Perspective-

The radio hummed on some random station that Tori didn't care about, though still worked to. With her mind buzzing and pencil scribbling her name, she gave a reluctant bob of the head, harmonizing with the tunes. She'd figured that with the numerous hours of the day - without any possible interruptions from Trina - her one assignment would be done. Doe eyes lingered over her alarm clock, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. It was 3:47 - still a plethora of time at hand, though not with the constant thoughts bubbling through her skull.

So, what then? I get everybody off her back...and then we're friends again.

It was indeed a great plan, except for the fact that she literally didn't know what to do. Should she bring a spatula to school and pry off anybody who was on Jade's back? Tori shook her head: It was a stupid idea. For one, there were no literal leeches at school. And two...well, Tori couldn't think of a two, but she was sure there was one.

The half-Latina gasped before sprawling on her bed, groaning. All she had on her paper was her name, and the date. Tori furrowed her brows, double checking the scrawled February 30th, 13. All she had on her paper was her name. And, all she had in her life - at the moment, anyway - were problems.

Tori squirmed, her back still a bearing reminder.

Why did her life have to be a mess anyway? She sighed without an answer. Starting tomorrow, she would...fix something - take a step forward. Tori nodded slowly. Now that was a good plan.

But how am I going to do that?

The girl groaned: She was back to square one. Perhaps her friends would know and give her advice. Tori grinned, believing that Cat would be useful. After all, they've known each other for a long while.

Tori paused, listening to her paper rustle against the fan. A long, heavy sigh that mirrored those before was heaved, a reluctant teen reaching for the assignment. "I can do it." she whispered, grabbing her pencil and double checking the time. She wasted twenty minutes.

Even so: "I can do it...yeah."

. . .

"I can't do this."

She didn't mean to say it out loud, but it was whispered nonetheless. Tori looked across the hall, watching as Beck momentarily trailed behind Jade. Once again, she felt a pang of...something irritate her system, the same that had her marching in heels a month ago. He was ignored, however, and left to stalk away - stalk away towards Tori. "Hey," he grumbled, looking over his shoulder. "Jade's still out of it?" Tori nodded, shuffling through her locker.

After sighing, she mumbled, "Well, it'll hopefully be done soon."

"What do you mean?"

You're going to have to fix this you know...

"Uh," she drawled, "we made a deal."

Beck folded his arms, keeping is gaze towards Jade and her locker. Tori shut her locker firmly. "What type of deal?" he asked, detaching his eyes from the scissor-stabbed locker.

You start clearing the air and making sure that people know it's on you, not me...

Tori shrugged, looking towards Jade as she slammed her locker and stomped away. Freshmen paraded her like piranhas, to the point where she didn't even expect the problem being an infestation. Tori felt her stomach twist and churn, bile growing her throat. Did she ignore it, or just not notice? She didn't know what was worse - both were horrible. It was the same thing as comparing a vile dragon in a candy village to a blissful pug wandering without noticing the chasm of snakes just ahead. Then she furrowed her brows; the imagery in her head looked stupid as she continued to stare at Jade's locker.

"Oh," she mumbled simply, "not much. I just have to make it up to her. Give her a nice gift." Yes, a gift. Tori didn't know how to explain telling people off would be a gift, but she'd deal with that later. Oh, I didn't know how to wrap a present or Oh, I didn't want to do something physical were the only two options. Scratch that - only one option. The first seemed to make her look like an idiot, placing a dunce cone on her head.

"Something that's worth all that money?" Beck asked, his mind on the shredded car.

Even though the story he believed was the furthest from the truth, Tori couldn't help the dark blush blooming across her cheeks. "Uh...yeah. Like we can do things, or I can do things for her."

Beck scoffed. "You'd probably have to work for her as a personal slave like you did for Trina."

Tori frowned at his dry laugh. He arched a brow, silently asking her lack of humor - if she'd call it that. "No, that week with Trina was the worst. I'm not doing it with Jade."

"Because she'd be worse?"

Because I still wouldn't talk to her.

"...yeah," she mumbled.

Once the bell shrieked for class, the two disbanded, Beck probably wondering about assignments, and Tori drowning in her own thoughts. She'd have to be put in the spotlight, and that light would be a very, very, very bright one. It could even blind her. As she settled into her desk, she figured that Jade was wicked; of course this would be difficult, it was indeed a punishment. There were no burning of locker decorations, nor stealing a part for a play. Even so, it was one that Tori would have to do herself if she truly wanted a friend.

Friend.

That word - title - seemed to have lost its meaning for the amount of times it had been thought for the past twenty-four hours.

What about...more than?

No, no, no, no - Tori gawked at the idea, nearly sputtering her name when the apparent substitute (who she didn't even see once she walked in) was taking role. She wondered in what land her brain conjured that idea, and why it was even a consideration. Then, the half-Latina deflated: She knew exactly where it came from, even if she wasn't drunk. She sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead. Friend, just friend. That's the goal.

So she'd have to shove herself in the spotlight in order for Jade to be happy.

A small smile ended up twisting her lips. How ironic, usually it was the opposite.

. . .

Tori leaned against her locker, stomach grumbling for food as she remained in a haze. It didn't go unnoticed, especially with two friends at each shoulder. Andre - with his hair tied back - scratched behind his ear before stating, "Well, I don't know Tori. Jade and I've never been that close, so I can't help you."

"But you two have been hanging out some more the past year," the half-Latina replied. "You must know somethings that could help me out - a bit."

Cat giggled, flicking her hair as she scanned through her phone. Andre shrugged. "I mean, I kind of agree with what Beck said. It's going to have to be a lot to pay that off...even if her family is far from poor."

Tori gave an exasperated sigh. Her mind wasn't on how green she'd have to think, nor about any presidents printed on the dollars. "I mean, yeah it's going to take a lot, but that's not what I'm asking."

Andre hitched an eyebrow, blinking towards Cat. She only continued to laugh at her screen, tapping along. He gave a huff. "Then what are you asking? It sounds like 'help me, I need help helping Jade.' Look, just talk to her and figure something out."

If only he knew. Tori groaned, sliding down her locker. "It's not that simple. We aren't exactly on speaking terms." The two - even Cat who was deaf for the past ten minutes - gawped at her, immediately rambling over their questions. The half-Latina waved for the tension to settle. "It's not like that - I mean, it is... But, well, it's just to give us space to think about everything."

"Uh huh. And you need space to think about wrecking her car while drunk, and finding some way to make it up to her? I mean," Andre chuckled, "I guess she was pretty pissed and you two did have a couple of fights."

"It was like a hundred a week," Cat commented. Tori shot her a quick look, not appreciating the only input made was a prod. Perhaps it wasn't a lie, though she still didn't appreciate it. "Jade has always gotten better when she's full. She gets a bit cranky when hungry."

Tori immediately shook her head. "I don't think she's hungry, Cat, people don't normally starve themselves over a car."

"Well, she must be starving over something," Andre muttered pointedly. Tori felt another pang of guilt churn in her gut; there was no reason, she knew, since something could mean anything. A churro. A new pair of scissors. A jacket. A hug - no, last time she tried to hug Jade (which was at least a month ago at a Christmas party where Tori didn't get a wrapped present and wanted something from Jade) she ended up with eggnog in her hair. Tori frowned at the floor; maybe it wasn't Jade who was starving over something, but her. Or, they both were. But then what would they be starving over? Certainly it wasn't a hug, especially since the last one didn't go over so well.

Then there was giggling.

Not Cat's giggling - that was sunshine and rainbows.

The three picked up their heads, turning their attention towards the hall. A bundle of freshmen girls snickered and whispered as Jade strolled passed, heading to her locker with a scowl. "She's too scared. You're right Veronica."

Veronica - all the Veronicas Tori knew were bitches. They giggled again, the same mischievous and crooked ones. Maybe Tori could seize her first chance, right in front of Jade, right now. She swallowed, preparing herself for what could be described as a snake pit. As she strode over, Andre and Cat following hesitantly, Tori etched on a mask of courage. She heard the freshmen this year were rude and annoying; girls were the rude ones and boys the annoying.

"What are you talking about?"

The girls turned, each with unimpressive stares. Tori found their heights unimpressive though. Each came up to her shoulder, give or take an inch. "And why should you care?" There was a pop of blue bubblegum right after.

Tori folded her arms, feeling her fuse light. Girls were more annoying than guys, she decided. Especially these three who watched Cat and Andre mirror their friend; Cat even sported a pout-like scowl. "Quit talking about her. I bet none of it's even true," she murmured quietly.

"Talk about who?" another girl asked, her red hair a darker shade than Cat's. "Her?" Tori nodded once she realized that the freshman was pointing towards Jade.

"Yes. Like I just said, quit it."

There was more whispering before, "Why are you trying to stop it? She's the one who's been harassing you."

"Y-yeah." The third girl with electric green hair had a quiet voice. Tori pictured the three girls with their appropriate animals: toad, pig and mouse. She didn't expect the mouse-girl to speak again.

"And you've been harassing her," Tori shot back.

The toad-girl with the bubble snorted. "So?"

"So, you quit it."

"Yeah!" The half-Latina felt herself falter, looking blankly towards Cat. "What? They've been spreading all the gossip. Their lockers' next to Jade's." The girls only gave mocking smiles.

"We could pop on by to our lockers, then, and get our books..." the pig-girl grinned. She began striding towards the lockers, Jade turning her attention towards the incoming traffic. Slowly, she pulled out her black earbud from one ear. Tori felt a twig snap, and knew her fuse was already gone. She - without processing her hand whipping through the air - snatched the leading girl's wrist. "Wha- Hey, let me go!"

"Leave her alone, then," Tori snapped, her voice relatively even. She was somewhat glad the main hall was clear of other students, their time being spent on lunch.

She let go before the girl wrung her wrist, hissing, "Why? She's a bitch."

"Yeah, to me, because of me." Tori hitched a small smirk before she added, "And why should you care?" The girls froze, grumbling under their breaths before stalking off, each sending a quiet, taunting sneer towards both Jade and Tori.

Andre chuckled, "Well then."

A small ounce of pride swelled within Tori. She gave a quick glanced towards Jade, finding a soft, concentrated stare. The half-Latina took that as her medal. As Jade began to close her locker in thought, steps tapped against the tile. "Oh hey lane!" Cat called cheerfully.

. . .

The white light buzzed above them, deafening over the silence. Tori shifted herself on the couch, the rough wool of a blanket rubbing against her sleeve. She also felt the arm dig into her side, though she'd rather that than brush elbows with Jade. Tori glanced to her side, finding that she sat with her hand against her temple, fingers playing with the loose strings of her black jeans. The half-Latina then eyed the indentations in the middle of the couch, imagining countless of other students sitting, thumbs twiddling.

There was a clearing of a throat, snapping both of the girls' attention to the hanging office chair.

"Do you two know why you're in here, today?" Lane asked quietly, folding his soft hands. The two girls blinked towards each other, Tori feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Another few moments stretched on before he sighed. "No?" He looked around the room, saying, "Well, for one, this is a counselling room, for issues that teenagers face during their time here. So...do you want to guess?"

"Not really," Jade growled from the couch. Tori's lips were pursed, not willing to speak; however, she had to agree.

"Well, you two were causing a little ruckus in the hall, and then Sikowitz mentioned that you two-"

Jade exhaled sharply. "For one, that was Tori in the hall, not me. Two, why does it matter what Sikowitz says? We'll fix it. We don't need anybody else - got it covered."

Lane arched a brow as the half-Latina shifted awkwardly. "Right. For one, he gives me some coffee in the morning sometimes, and Tori was supporting you in the hall. But you two aren't talking, so what do you need to fix?"

Doe eyes shifted towards the thespian who realized her little slip. "We don't need a counselor," Jade grumbled stiffly.

"I'm not saying that you do, Jade, I'm just trying to open a door for you two to not be like this." The stillness of the room grew heavy on Tori's shoulders as she watched the staring match unfold between teacher and student - no surprise came from who was winning.

"There's no point in this. I'd rather be eating lunch than filling your free time," she snapped cynically before abruptly standing up, striding out the door. Lane sighed, leaning back into his chair.

He rubbed his jaw as Tori remained curled in her little turtle's shell, unsure is she should climb out or not. "She's always been an interesting one," the man grumbled slowly. "I've never been able to quite understand, yet not exactly argue with her at the same time."

"Yeah..."

Lane turned his attention towards Tori who started relaxing, the scented candles starting to waft into her adrenaline system, soothing it from its Jade's-not-happy-and-next-to-me mode; it was a special one she didn't know she had until Hollywood Arts came into her life. "So is that the problem? Can you not understand her?"

"I- I made a mistake...which I can't really fix," Tori let out, playing with her hands. "And she isn't wrong this time - funnily enough. People don't seem to think so, though. But, I mean...I am working on it. It's better." She hoped so, anyway. Unless Jade was listening to her right earbud with all of her focus, Tori was definitely a step closer. Not a baby step, but a Green-bean-giant's step.

"Yeah, I've heard the rumors spreading. Teachers are aware of them, too, you know... Not as quickly, but we are." Tori nodded numbly, watching the clock. "Well, seeing as you aren't telling me either, I'll just say this: I doubt it will be easy-"

He isn't wrong, she thought.

"-but, Jade strikes me as a person who's worth it, in the end." The last phrase stuck with her - like some super glue. It was stapled into her mind as Lane continued to watch her expectantly. Perhaps it was a final piece to a puzzle she didn't know how to solve.

The thing is, she didn't quite know how to start the puzzle.

"Tori?"

"Hmm?" she hummed, blinking out of her thoughts.

Lane pointed towards the clock, answering, "It's almost the end of lunch. Maybe you can catch a quick bite before classes, yeah?"

"Oh, yeah, right," she mumbled. Once striding towards the door, she left the room, whisking herself straight to her next class. Tori didn't feel like eating. After all, she felt as if her thoughts had too much on their plate anyway.

Do sincerely apologize for the lack of updating with this. I mean, several months, whoa. Don't have much to say other than other stories and not knowing where to go with it. Okay, I know what I'm going to do on a broad level, but this is a tricky, tricky spot... So...yeah. Anyhow, did it and I hope it does well. Now I have all of the reins...muhahahahahahahahahahha. But, then again...a little birdie told me that the original will be continued. ;)

Hope you enjoyed!

:)

PS- In July, the 1st through the 11th of August, there will be one story that will be finished completely. It'll give more room for me to actually get stuff done, rather than updated and eventually completed. So there's a poll that'll end June 30th to decide which story will be focused on. Vote if you are interested, and there is more information on the profile page. :)