Andre could tell that something was up the second Beck walked into school the next morning. His eyes were dark from lack of sleep, he looked like he had just woken up, and his usual calm demeanor was replaced with a stress-filled one; he was glancing all around, his eyes searching.
"Beck." Andre called to him from his locker. Beck quickly approached his friend.
"I have to tell you something." He said desperately. Andre nodded to show he was listening.
"You know how Jade and I have to perform our one-act play today?" Andre nodded again. "I can't do it." Andre stared at his friend.
"Um, what do you mean you can't do it? Didn't you guys get it done?"
"Yeah we got it done all right."
Andre frowned. "Then why can't you do it?" He knew it couldn't be stage fright; Beck Oliver was one of the most confident actors he knew. If he and Jade had the script ready, he'd be ready to act, so why was he acting so weird?
"I screwed up." Beck said, running his hand through his hair. "Big time."
"On the script?"
"With Jade!" Andre frowned, now he was really lost.
"What happened with Jade?"
"I kissed her." Andre raised his eyebrows at his friend.
"It's about time!" He said with a laugh. Beck stared at his friend.
"It's not funny. She ran out! I ruined everything." Andre rolled his eyes.
"No you didn't. Jade's just not used to people liking her. She'll get over it. She has to; she likes you too." Beck shook his head.
"I doubt that."
"Trust me." Andre assured his friend. "It'll work out."
…
Jade showed up only moments before the bell in a desperate attempt to avoid Beck. She wasn't so lucky though, as he was waiting at her locker like he always was.
"I was beginning to worry you wouldn't show up." He gave her a small smile.
"I was hoping that you wouldn't." Jade shot back. Beck sighed.
"Jade, look, I-"
"No coffee?" Jade interrupted him, eyeing his empty hand. "Not a great start to an apology." Beck stared at her, dumbfounded.
"An apology?" He repeated dumbly.
"Yes Beck, an apology. Maybe you haven't heard of it, but it's what most people do after they screw up." Jade retorted.
"Apologize for what?" Beck asked irritably; was she really going to try to blame this all on him?
"You know what you did."
"What; kiss you? You didn't seem to mind at the moment!" Beck shot back. Jade glared at him.
"Shows how much you know."
"You are just as much to blame for that kiss as I am!" Beck replied, defensively.
"Oh am I?" Jade gritted her teeth. "If you had just helped me with the stupid script changes, none of this would've even happened!" Beck closed his eyes, trying to keep his patience. Andre had been so wrong; there was no way Jade liked him, kissing her had been a mistake.
"You're right." Beck replied slowly. "I never should've kissed you. It was a big mistake." Jade stared at him, slamming her locker harder than necessary. Without a word, she turned and walked to class, leaving Beck staring after her, wondering to himself what had just happened.
…
"Ah, Beck. Nice of you to join us." Sikowitz greeted his latecomer with a grin. "We were just about to head down to the black-box for our one-act plays. Hopefully you're prepared because I think I'll have you and Jade go first." Jade shot Beck a look of utmost anger as the class stood to follow Sikowitz into the theatre.
"Come along class!" Sikowitz called happily. "To the box of blackness!" The class filed into the theatre where Sinjin and his friends were already preparing the special effects needed for each play.
"Go get dressed!" Sikowitz instructed Beck and Jade. "I can't wait to see what you've created!" Jade grabbed her bag roughly, heading for the changing rooms. Beck sighed, picking up his own stuff. This would be fun.
…
"It's your fault if we fail!"
"And how do you figure that?"
"You messed up your lines!"
"Oh yeah, which ones?"
"You should know!"
Andre, Cat, and Robbie made their way to their usual lunch table, their bickering friends following closely behind. Cat, who avoided controversy like the plague, looked like she was going to have a stroke. Andre squeezed her hand reassuringly as they sat down, trying to calm her, but she didn't even seem to notice.
"Maybe if you hadn't made so many script changes-"
"Oh! So it's my fault then!?"
"I didn't say that, I just-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH." Andre glared at the two, sick and tired of hearing them. "Just cut it out already, or you're going to give Cat a heart attack." Beck looked at Cat guiltily, who was being silent for the first time since he'd known her. She stared back at him with big, sad eyes.
"Sorry, Cat." He said softly, looking down at his food. He knew he wasn't acting like himself, but he couldn't help it. Jade knew just how to get to him, but then again, she could probably get to anybody. Andre looked back and forth from Beck to Jade.
"Jade." He barked suddenly. "Come with me." It was so unlike Andre to give commands, that Jade followed him without question. He led her away from the table and crossed his arms.
"What's up with you?" He asked. Jade frowned.
"Nothing." She replied simply. "Beck's the one-"
"I know you aren't fighting because of the play." Andre cut her off. Jade didn't say anything; just stared in silence, waiting for him to elaborate.
"Beck told me about the kiss."
"And?" Jade shot back, not even bothering to deny it. Andre stared at her.
"So what's your problem? You're being a total gank." Jade opened her mouth to protest but Andre didn't give her a chance. "Don't even bother to deny it. He likes you Jade, a lot. You might not believe it but it's true. So just consider laying off him a little. Even if you don't like him back. Just give him a break."
Author's Note: Bade's still not together! Don't hate me! Haha. It'd be too predictable if they got together right after the kiss, and we both know Beck and Jade are anything but predictable. Hope you enjoyed. Check out my new story too! Love you guys.
