Sorry for the wait, once again. Writers block is always the problem :) Anyways, please enjoy the story! I have to go, there's a flash flood warning and I'm kind of scared... :( I hope the power doesn't go out.
Tori's POV
I walked into school, looking for Jade. Beck called me last night and wanted me to ask Jade if she did anything to Cat. Why does he care about her? After what she did, everyone agreed that Cat was a psychopath. I sighed and looked around the school. I saw a few dancers practicing their moves by the staircase, someone playing the trumpet, and a few people practicing a scene for acting class. Jade nowhere to be found.
I groaned and said to myself, "Jade is so impossible."
Suddenly, someone bumped into me, spilling some kind of cold drink all over me. It was some girl I think I've seen in Sikowitz's classroom, the shruggers. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry Tori!" she cried, obviously way too upset about this.
"It's fine, I have an extra shirt in my locker," I assured her, trying to calm her down.
"But I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!" she cried again. I walked away, telling her I was fine, but I don't think she was listening.
Quickly, I opened up my locker and got my back-up shirt out of it. It was a simple red shirt that I had never worn before, and I never thought I would need to. I ran to the girl's bathroom and went into a stall.
I took off the shirt covered in lemonade and slipped on the red one. Hey, it's actually kind of comfy. If I'd known that, this wouldn't have been a back-up sitting in the corner of my locker. I opened the door to get out, only to be pushed back in by someone. My heart started to pound. They pinned my arms to the wall and I screamed.
"Oops, wrong girl," someone said. I looked up and saw Jade. She let me go and I looked at her as if she'd gone crazy.
"What's the matter with you? And why did you tackle me like that," I asked, rubbing my sore arm.
She shook her head and said, "Did you know that Cat was 'invited' to sit with us at lunch?"
"No, I didn't. Did Beck invite her?" I asked, now curious.
"Of course he didn't! Cat probably threatened him into it!"
"Cat? Threatening someone?" I asked, giving her a small laugh.
"Cut the crap, Tori. You know what she did, so who knows what else she's capable of," she snapped at me.
Well, I see her point. But the thought of seeing 5 foot 3 inch Cat threatening Beck is a little funny. Whatever the case is, we need to keep Cat away from all of us. "Ok, so what's your point?"
"Don't talk to Cat. Don't let Beck talk to Cat, or André. Even Robbie. And if she does, just let me know, okay?" Jade said, raising her eyebrows at me and waiting for my answer.
"Okay, but don't hurt her. There's no need for anyone to get hurt in this situation," I said. I don't want anything to do with Cat, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to hear that she showed up on her parent's doorstep beaten to death.
"No promises," Jade said, and walked out of the bathroom.
I shook my head and went to pick up my soaked shirt. As I started to wash it in the bathroom sink, I wondered. Is it really necessary to avoid Cat? I mean, I know what Beck said she did, but she hasn't done anything since. I sighed and walked out of the bathroom, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I texted Beck:
Tori: talked 2 jade. she said 2 stay away from cat
I waited a few minutes for his response.
Beck: do u agree with her
...
Tori: no...
Beck: then talk to cat. she's gotten better
Tori: ok but u r coming with me
Beck: thanks :)
Tori: d-:
I smiled and put my phone away. Well maybe talking to Cat isn't a bad idea. I just have to make sure Jade doesn't find out. Then I looked up and saw André. He was getting something out of his locker, most likely a textbook for the next class we had together.
If I was going to talk to Cat today after school, I should tell him not to give me a ride home. He's been driving me home for a month now, since I got tired of my mom driving me. She's always talking to that one officer on the phone. It's creepy.
"Hey André," I greeted, walking up to him.
"Oh, hey Tori, what's up?" he replied, closing his locker and putting a thin textbook in his backpack.
"Just wanted to let you know that I DON'T need a ride a home today," I told him.
Looking a little confused, he said, "Why not, is your mom driving you again?"
"No, I just, have to, um," I said, trying to come up with a lie. "Have to do something afterschool."
"Do what?" he asked.
Gosh, why is he asking so many questions!? "I have to clean Sikowitz's room for extra credit. I did really bad on that one acting scene last week," I replied, kind of nervous. Hopefully he buys it.
"I thought you did a good job," André commented, and I tried my hardest to keep my face from turning red. He isn't buying it!
"Well he didn't think so," I said back. Then, the bell rang. Saved by the bell. "Well, we should get to class now. Come on."
He shrugged and followed by my side. That was close. If he finds out that I'm going to talk to Cat, he could tell Jade. And if Jade finds out, Cat is in serious trouble.
Cat's POV
I skipped school today. I walked out of the house to make my parents think I was going, but I just stayed inside the janitors closet the whole time. Jade scared me a lot, and I didn't want to get hurt. Why is this happening to me? I didn't do anything!
I sat in the corner and started to draw in my binder. I've been getting kind of good at drawing now. Well; it's better than before. I sighed and closed my binder and threw it across the room, screaming in frustration. I hate life! And I hate everything! Wait, why am I acting like this? I smiled to myself and took a bottle out of my bag. I forgot to take my medication for my bipolar condition. I laughed and swallowed my pills, also getting a bottle of water out of my bag too.
Maybe now I'll feel better. I sat back down and thought to myself. Hopefully Jade was lying about everyone coming to beat me up. Tori wouldn't do that to me, right?
Just then, the door burst open, and Tori and Beck were standing there. I screamed and backed up into the corner. "Please don't hurt me!" I cried, covering my face. "I didn't talk to Beck, I swear!"
"Cat, calm down," Beck said, kneeling down. He pulled on Tori's arm and she kneeled down too. "We aren't going to hurt you. We just wanted to talk."
I uncovered my face and looked at Tori. She seemed scared but sad at the same time. "About what," I asked.
Tori grabbed my hand and said, "Look, Cat. I know I haven't been the best friend I should have been to you, but I really want to start over now. Even though you lied about-"
"About coming to... Tori's birthday party," Beck interrupted. Tori gave him a confused look but shrugged.
"I'm sorry and I really want us to be friends."
I couldn't help but smile when she said that. Friends. I haven't had those in a while. "Okay. Can we eat together at lunch?"
"Yes, we can. Tomorrow I'll even buy you a taco for lunch," Tori told me with a grin.
"Yay!" I cheered, and hugged her. "Thank you Tori!"
"No problem," she said, then stood up. Beck stood up too. "But I've got to get to class. I've already been late to one class today, I can't do it again."
She smiled and waved goodbye, then left the room. Beck started to walk to the door. I looked down at the ground and waited for him to leave the room. Time went by, but I didn't hear the door open.
"Come on," Beck said, gesturing to the door. I looked up at him and gave him a curious look. "I want to take you somewhere."
"Don't you have to get to class?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. Was school already out? How long have I been sitting in here? "Is school already over? Oh no, my parents are going to be so mad! I need to go home."
I panicked and got up to go home. "Wait," Beck said, and grabbed my arm lightly. I turned to look at him. "School is still in session. I just wanted to take you somewhere."
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, but shrugged. "Kay kay," I replied, smiling. He smiled back at me and we walked out of Hollywood Arts together.
"Can I look now?"
"Nope."
"How about now?"
"Just wait a few more minutes, Cat. It'll be soon enough."
I tapped my foot on the floor of his car with my hands over my eyes. Beck wanted to surprise me with the place he was taking me. I smiled and thought that it was so sweet. But I was getting a teeny bit impatient. Sighing, I kept my eyes closed and used a hand to touch the window, hoping for a clue. Wow, it was very cold. Cold enough where you could use one of your fingers to write words on the window using your breath. I loved doing that! Wait, you're getting off track, Cat. The window is cold. So somewhere that is cold... Ugh, I can't make a guess!
The radio was playing quietly on volume 2, some song I've never heard of.
Cruising through the city
After hours, with me
I smiled and listened to the rest of the song.
Take me one more time
Take me one more wave
Take me for one last ride
I'm out of my head
Tonight
I usually don't listen to rock that much, but I liked this song. I hummed along to it, tapping my fingers on the window to the beat. Soon the song ended. Another song started playing, and I sighed.
"Are we there?" I asked, my hand still on the cold window.
"Yes, but keep your eyes closed," Beck replied, and I heard his door open. Then he opened my door and grabbed me by my hand and led me outside. My sandals felt like they were stepping on pebbles.
I giggled and said, "It smells like rain."
"You're kind of close."
"Water?" I asked. I started walking some more and the ground felt slightly soft beneath my feet. Then again, I was wearing sandals. That made everything feel soft.
"Getting warmer."
He let go of me and I could hear him walk behind me. "Open your eyes."
I opened them and the sunlight was so bright. At first I just squinted, not being able to see anything. Soon enough my eyes adjusted to the light, and I saw tan sand and the ocean. No one was there except for a few people, which was weird considering it was a popular place. Santa Monica. Venice Beach.
I giggled and ran towards the water. "Beck, I love it!" I cheered, as if he had given me the whole entire ocean as a gift. My feet touched the ice cold water and I loved it. I laughed out loud and pulled Beck towards me. I hugged him while we were both knee deep in the water, our legs practically freezing us to death.
"Thank you so much, Beck," I said. I hugged him tighter and he hugged me back.
"Cat, I'm so sorry," he whispered in my ear. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"What are you sorry for?"
He pulled away from the hug and looked me in the eyes. "For...," he started, but then looked like he was thinking about what he was going to say. "For ignoring you. I want us to be friends, I never meant for it to turn out this way."
I couldn't say anything. I was a little shocked, since I hardly ever hear him apologize to anybody. No, he isn't a bad person who doesn't apologize for his faults, but he normally has nothing to apologize for. I had to wait a few seconds before saying anything else. "It's okay, I forgive you."
He smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back at him. Gosh, he was so good looking. I know, I know, Jade owns him, but it doesn't hurt to think about it, right? While I was still contemplating with my thoughts, Beck had put one hand on my cheek. With his thumb, he pushed my hair gently behind my ear, making the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. I wanted to kiss him so badly. He leaned in slowly, his lips moving closer to mine. I wanted it, just as much as he did. No, I can't do this. I don't care what has happened in the past. Jade is still my friend. I can't do this to her.
Before his lips touched mine, I slightly pushed him away. "I need to get home. It's getting kind of late," I said, turning away. I was trying to hide my tears.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," he muttered, I could hear the dismay in his voice. We both stood in silence for a minute or two, trying to figure out what to do next after this slightly awkward moment. "I should drop you off at your house."
I nodded and followed him to the car. Wow, that was so awkward. He put the keys in the ignition and started it up. I turned to the window and looked outside the whole time. We didn't talk. I couldn't talk. Did he just try to kiss me? And did I reject him, after all this time wanting to be with him? I shook my head and sighed. It's too complicated. If I kissed him, Jade would find out. And I know she would hurt me. What about André and Robbie? Would they hate me too?
When he finally pulled up to my house, I got out of the car and started to run to my house. "Cat, wait," Beck called out, but I kept running. Jade will find out. I can't be with him anymore. Not even as friends.
When I got to my door, I tried to open it. Locked. "Just open!" I yelled, pounding my fist on the door once, then just leaned against it. Of course this would happen to me.
In a few seconds, Beck had caught up to me. "Don't talk to me," I told him, still looking at my door. It hurt to say that, but I had to.
"Why?" he asked, and I heard him take a step closer to me. "Why are you avoiding me?"
I turned around and pushed him away. "Why were you avoiding me!?" I yelled at him, feeling the tears in my eyes. A cold breeze came our way, making me shiver. When he looked down and didn't answer, I sighed and crossed my arms. "I just want to go inside my house, and its locked and I can't find my key. I'm not having the best day, and you're making it worse."
He finally looked up at me. "You don't have to be scared of Jade," he replied. How did he know that? He came closer to me and pulled something out of his pocket. "Here," he said, handing me my house key. "You dropped it on your way over here."
I took it and opened my door up. When I turned around, he was walking away. Frowning, I walked into my house and slowly shut the door. I need a cupcake...