Chapter 9: Unstable Jade
Tori looked horrible the next day at school. Her hair was a tangled bird's nest, her eyes were red and puffy, and her face was pale and make-up-less. She had been crying all night and some this morning; she didn't want to come to school today, but it was either come or stay home and talk about her feelings with her mother. She wasn't ready to talk about Jade with her mom, so coming to school was the best option.
"Tori, you don't look too good," Andre greeted her near the lockers.
"Murr," Tori groaned in response and banged her head against a locker.
"Uh, did something happen with Jade?" he asked.
She moved her head up and down in a nod while keeping her forehead on the locker.
"I'm sorry, Tor. But I tried to warn you just like you had tried to help me. We both know she's a bitch."
Tori turned her head to look at Andre. "It's my fault. I ruined everything, and I don't even know how."
"What happened?"
In a low voice, she told him what happened last night minus the having sex with Jade part. He probably wouldn't approve of that. Even Tori couldn't believe that it had happened. One thing had just led to another, and she was powerless to stop it—no, she wanted it to happen. It would have been the best night of her life…if it hadn't ended the way that it had.
Andre nodded at what she told him. Then, he said, "Don't you think it's a little wonky that Jade would care that Beck likes someone else. I bet she still likes him."
"I thought about that. I mean, I know she still loves him. They were together for two years; it'll take a while for them to get over one another. I just don't want to be a rebound for Jade. I want what we have to be real."
Her friend put a hand on her shoulder. He didn't know what to say, and that was okay with Tori. He couldn't say anything to make her feel better anyway. They just stood in silence. It was nice.
The bell rang. "Let's just go to Sikowitz's," Tori said with a sigh. Part of her wished that Jade wouldn't be there, but another part of her wished for the exact opposite.
They made their way to the classroom and sat in the middle row. Jade wasn't there, but Beck was. He was in the front row, his arm across the back of the chair beside him, where Felicity was sitting. He was turned slightly toward her, and they were laughing. Laughing. Had Tori's failed plan actually worked? She leaned forward a little bit to eavesdrop.
"She really did that?" Felicity asked, incredulous, a laugh in her throat.
"She really did," Beck said with a laugh. "It was unbelievable."
"Wow, that is hard to believe." She giggled like a schoolgirl. Tori found it hard to believe that Felicity could giggle and be so…flirty. What was it with Beck and his ability to crack the shell of a tough persona?
"Well, you two sure are chummy," Andre said, clapping a hand on Beck's shoulder. Beck and Felicity turned to look at the dreadlocked dude and the hot mess that was Tori.
"Hey, bud," Beck said to Andre. "Tori, you're looking like…you got into a fight with Jade. Everything okay?" He kept his face straight, not wanting to reveal that he knew what had happened between the two girls. Everything that had happened.
"I know," Tori said curtly. God, she should've just stayed home with her mom. All these comments on her appearance were not helpful. Just kill me now, she thought.
"I am going to kill you!" That exclamation preceded the raven-haired goth. Everyone in the room turned to stare at her as she stomped in. Her lips were curled up in a snarl, her nostrils were flaring, and her glare could actually kill…phew! Was Tori going to get her wish?
Cat trotted in after her, a sad puppy dog frown on her face. "You broke up. I thought it was okay. Don't hate me, Jade."
Jade hopped up onto the stage to face everyone, but she only had eyes for one person, two actually. "You hooked up with her anyway?!" she screamed at him. "You forgot to mention that little detail when I came over last night."
Tori gasped. Jade's attention shifted to her. "Yeah, that's right, Toro, I went to Beck's RV last night. And we kissed. But it seems like he has eyes for another." She glared at Felicity, who met her stare head on. "You know you're just a rebound. He could never get over me that quickly. Hell! Look at me! I'm gorgeous!" She gestured at her figure. No one could dispute her claim, but her hysterical behavior scared them. Jade always scared them.
"Jade, just stop it," Beck said with a sigh, getting up from his seat. "Yes, I am over you. I didn't hook up with Felicity last night, but I do like her. And I do still love you. Not when you're like this, though," he added when she started to look smug.
Jade's head looked close to exploding, she was so mad. No one in the room made a sound; they were all shocked into silence. Jade crossed her arms over her chest but didn't say anything else. They remained this way until Sikowitz entered the classroom…through the window, coconut in hand.
"Good morning, class," he said. "Miss West, is there a reason you are on my stage?"
"Why yes there is," Jade said in her Tori impersonation voice. "It seems there is a little drama in our acting class."
"Ooh, drama! I like drama!" Sikowitz said. He took a sip from his straw and sat down on his chair, crossing his legs. "Do continue."
"Cat, Andre, Robbie, why don't you join me on the stage." Andre made a face, Robbie gulped, and Cat jumped from her seat, giggling.
"Okay," she said. She got onto the stage with Jade. The boys joined them with less enthusiasm.
"Cat, you be Tori. Robbie, you're Beck, and Andre, you're Felicity." Jade said Felicity's name with a sneer.
"Whoa, whoa," Andre said. "Why do I have to be a girl? Why can't I be Beck?"
"Because you're black, and she's black. So it's closer to reality," Jade said.
"Oh, so why does it have to be about race? If you want to compare similarities, go with hair. Beck has great hair, and mine is just as long and as great as his." To emphasize his point, he ran a hand through his shoulder length dreads.
"Fine!" Jade shouted. "Andre, you're Beck. Robbie, you're Felicity."
Robbie opened his mouth to complain, but Jade shot him a glare. He closed his mouth.
"Alright, now everyone get in character." Jade closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Robbie shook his head and patted down his curly hair. Andre blew raspberries with his mouth and looked bored, and Cat twirled a strand of her bright red hair around her finger, swaying back and forth and looking at the ceiling, in her own little world.
"Tori," Jade said to Cat, "I know that you find me attractive. You don't look so bad yourself. When we kissed in Sikowitz's class, there was a spark. I know you know it, so come here, baby!" Jade opened her arms.
Cat giggled. "Okay!" She embraced Jade, but Jade wanted more than a hug. She held Cat tight by the hips and pulled back a little to plant a big, wet kiss on Cat's lips.
Everyone gasped including Cat. Tori's stomach turned at the sight of her girlfriend kissing another girl. She thought that it had bothered her to find out about Jade and Beck, but seeing this made her realize that that hadn't bother her too much; she'd prefer watching Beck and Jade kiss to watching Jade and Cat kiss. Why was that?
Cat knew that she had to stay in character, so she did what Tori would do. She kissed Jade back. Jade was a little surprised when Cat's tongue slipped into her mouth, but she also remained in character. The girls' kiss deepened, which Cat found herself enjoying more than she had expected. She ended it soon enough.
"Ooh, Jade," Cat said. "I love you so much. Let's be together forever."
"Oh, well, I don't know about all that," Jade said. "I still have feelings for Beck, so I can't be in a relationship right now."
"I see. You're emotionally unstable." Jade glared at Cat at that. "I guess you'll be mad that I set him up with Felicity then."
"You did what?!"
Robbie and Andre took that as their cue to speak up. Robbie grabbed Andre's hand and giggled like a little schoolgirl. Andre shot him an angry look.
"Beck, you're so wonderful," Robbie said in a high-pitched voice. Felicity snorted.
"Yeah, I know," Andre said. "Why don't we head back to my RV?"
"Ooh, Beck, you know I'm not that kind of girl." Robbie twirled a curl of his hair around his finger. "I do like you, though. A lot."
"I like you, too," Andre said in a low voice.
An ugly scowl attached itself to Jade's face, and she stalked over to Robbie and Andre.
"Well, that's too damn bad, Fe-li-ci-ty!" Jade shouted into Robbie's face. Robbie cowered. "Because he is mine!" She turned to Andre, grabbed his face, and planted a sloppy kiss on his lips. Andre's eyes widened. The kiss was wet and rough, and Andre most certainly did not like it.
"No, Jade," Cat said, her voice warbling. "I…I love you." She broke down in fake tears.
Jade stopped her assault on Andre's mouth. "And, scene," she said, looking at Sikowitz. "That's what's been going on. More or less."
Sikowitz had remained in his chair with his legs crossed, a thoughtful look on his face the whole time. Now, he met Jade's eyes. "Jade West, that was the most brilliant act I've ever seen!" He jumped up from his seat. "Write this out for me. A play it'll be, and everyone will have a part in it. Jade, you can be the lead."
"What?!" everyone in the room except Jade and Cat yelled.
Tori's face had gone white, and she was on the verge of vomiting. Jade's "performance" just now, her behavior, it was real. She was really angry with Tori, she was still in love with Beck, and she was certifiably insane. And Tori wanted more than ever to be back with her.
Sikowitz pointed at her. "Tori, you'll play yourself, of course. Have fun with this, guys." The bell rang. "Class dismissed."
