When the Last Petal Falls

Cat and I were staying another night at the Vega's, and I was wedged in the middle again. Cat was snoring softly beside me, but that wasn't what was keeping me up. I looked to my right, staring at a sleeping Tori.

She had cuddled deep into my side, with one hand on my stomach and looking extremely calm. The story she had confessed about her ex-boyfriend had driven my insane. I had been told by Andre earlier in my Freshman year about Steven cheating on her with some famous web chick.

It had been way too mushy-mushy for me, seeing those two lovebirds together.

I had laughed when Andre told me, only now realizing how evil I had been. They had been dating for three months, so I counted that as a meaningful relationship. Especially around your hundred-day kiss (which in my opinion, was a complete cliché).

She had fallen in love twice and both men had broken her heart, just because they were bored. Ridiculous.

But who was I to care? Tori had been a thorn in my side for way too long.

I shouldn't care about the story she told. I should have grabbed Cat and walked away. The Swing dancing thing was bad enough, so I had every reason in the world to hate her.

But today, I had the decency to care.

She knew exactly what to say to me.

On any normal day, I would have lashed out at her because I despised when she was right. But instead, I embraced her.

I hugged her, and that is something I hate.

I hate being touched. I have boundaries, people. But what had driven me to do that? I wasn't sure.

I reached out and grabbed Tori's hand for reasons unknown. My eyelids closed, my last thoughts were about Tori Vega and what other secrets she hadn't shared.

We all woke up to the sound of Tori's obnoxiously loud Alarm Clock.

As I sat up, I felt something tight on my own hand with a strong grip. Tori and I were still holding hands.

I had to make an emergency trip to Cat's house because we didn't have anything else to wear, we had only planned on staying one night.

I knew Cat loved picking out our clothes, but I was in a rush. I had eaten breakfast slowly this morning and I basically threw on a random outfit and applied mascara and lip-gloss.

After Cat applied the last of her black eyeliner, we went back into my car and headed for school. Tori had gotten a ride from her older sister Trina, and she was spinning the dial on her locker when we walked in.

I bounced over to her, wrapping her in a hug (which made her smile). Cat walked by Tori with absolutely no emotion, sneaking one small smile in our direction.

I turned to Tori, "So?"

"So?" She asked.

"Have you figured out another way for Cat and me to change back?"

"Um, sort of." Tori said, "But, I don't this is a promising idea."

"What could be worse than Swing Danci-Hiiiii!" I chirped.

"Hey Kitty-Cat." Robbie said, patting me on the head, "You don't look very happy."

I stuck my bottom lip out and batted my long eyelashes, "That's 'cause I'm not."

"Jade's still mad at you?" He asked.

"Mm-hmm."

Robbie pulled me closer and slung his arm around my shoulder, "I'm sorry Cat."

I shrugged, "It's okay, Jadey and I will make up."

Robbie shrugged, "But she's pretty good at holding grudges."

"Yeah, but she's my bestie! There's no way we could fight forever."

Robbie shrugged, "I hope so, because you and Ja-"

"There you are!" A low, male voice yelled from the opposite end of the hall.

I gasped, and Robbie stepped front of me. He laid a hand on my shoulder to calm me down, but I swatted it off.

"Beck, what do you want?" Tori asked, scooting closer to me.

"You." He said, and yanked her forward.

I grabbed Tori's arm and yanked her back.

There was a twinkle of annoyance in his eyes, and a bit of shock, "Cat?"

It always surprised people (everyone, really) how strong Cat was. Because she was so small, so sensitive, and so innocent that you could never imagine that happening. But it was true, so luckily that didn't blow our cover.

I considered his milky brown eyes, "Whattie?"

"Why'd you do that?"

I rolled my eyes (which was very un-Cat like) but nobody seemed to notice.

Frustrated, Beck ignored me and turned his attention back to the fearful brunette. She was still by my side, holding on to my wrist tightly.

"So, Tori." He said, leaning in to pull her forward. His hand brushed against her cheekbones (which was her most admired trait) and she flinched at the sudden touch. I yanked her back and stepped forward, shielding Tori protectively.

"Cat, c'mon, move." Beck said.

I shook my head, feeling her whole body shaking from behind me.

Feeling furious now, I stomped angrily in front of him and was about to stomp on his foot when-"

"HEY!"

We all turned around, Cat was stomping over to us. Her...my...green eyes were filled with hatred and anger.

With a flip of her long, brown locks, she stepped in front of the Canadian, and pushed him away from Tori. He had weaseled his way behind me and I didn't even notice.

"You get away from her!" Cat boomed, raising her fist.

"Jade? Why do you care-"

"SHUT UP!"

I knew she wasn't acting by this point. She was furious at Beck, and her breath quickened every second she was looking at him.

"I think you're being ridiculous." He said, completely serious.

"I don't care what you think, Beck!" She shouted, glaring daggers into his eyes, "You get away from Tori right now or else!"

"Or else...what?"

Cat punched him in the face, hard. Beck crashed to the ground, holding his bleeding and possibly broken nose.

"Jade! What the hell?!"

By now everyone was looking at them.

Tori was holding both my shoulders. The shaking had stopped, but she still looked afraid. I looked back at her and offered her a caring expression.

I turned my attention back to Cat, who looked like she was going to explode any second, if she hadn't already.

Beck lifted his head up and turned to Tori, "C'mon Tor, all I wanted to do was ask you out. All I wanted to do was ask you out."

Tori held onto me tighter and I grabbed her shaking hand. She looked at me in surprise, but I managed to give her a tight-lipped smile. She was staring at Beck, too scared to answer.

"C'mon, Tori. C'mon, call this crazy bitch off me. We can head over to Nozu, just you any me."

"Don't talk to her!" Cat shouted.

She walked over to the two of us, and I stepped forward. She grabbed Tori's wrist and dragged her away. Cat was so angry, I could almost see smoke coming out from her ears. I trudged behind them to the ladies' restroom.

It was then that Tori let out a nice, long cry. Cat pulled her into a hug, allowing Tori to rest her head on her shoulder. Tears drip-dropped down her face and onto Cat's shoulder.

I felt awkward in this situation. I was used to causing emotional breakdowns, not soothing them.

"U-um..." I started, "I-I think I'm gonna go..." I pointed to the door and began to walk.

"Wait!" Tori shouted, grabbing hold of my arm.

I turned to her, "What?"

"Just c'mere." Tori said, and pulled me over next to Cat.

She wrapped her arms around my back and pulled me into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry." She said, two tears trickling down onto my shoulder.

My arms hung limply by my side, "Sorry for what?"

"You and Beck have been dating for so long, and I can't imagine how bad you must feel right now. And that it was me he kissed."

I considered her tear-filled brown eyes and frowned, "I guess it did hurt, a little bit." I admitted, "But I don't get why you feel bad. You didn't even kiss him back."

"Why would I? He's your boyfriend. It would be a cruel thing to do, especially around a bitter girl like you." She teased, managing a small smile.

"Do you like him, though?"

"No." She said, "I never have."

"She means like like Tori." Cat said, winking at her.

"I know that." Tori said, "I've never liked him like that. Ever."

"...But that time on the couch, during the Platinum Music Awards?"

Tori sighed, "Yeah. I'm sorry about that, too. I was sad, and I guess I needed the comfort. But as we were about too, I realized something. I didn't like Beck that way, and I didn't want a kiss to make me feel better. I did want someone around to make me feel better, but I didn't want to hurt anybody. Especially you, Jade."

"Really?"

"Really."

I lifted my arms up, hesitating for a second before hugging her in return. Her body tensed up in surprise. She settled a few seconds after and even through the tears, she was smiling as bright as the soon.

"Jade?" Tori asked.

"Never speak of it." I said.

"Um...um..." Cat squeaked.

Tori and I looked at the uncomfortable girl.

"Cat, what is it?"

"I have to pee." She announced.

I rolled my eyes, "Great. It's not like we're in a bathroom or anything, right?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cat shouted.

"Nothing, Cat I was just joking."

"Why don't you just kick me in the face?!" She yelled.

"F-Fine, whatever, I take it back."

"Okay." Cat said, relaxing.

"So," I said, turning my attention beck to Tori; "What was your big idea?"

Tori rolled her eyes, knowing there was no way to wriggle out of this one, "I found some information online. But the first thing I'm going to tell you isn't good news." She opened her mouth, "You know how in Beauty and the Best, when the last petal falls he'll be a Beast forever?"

"Yeah, why?" I asked, not liking where this was going.

"So how long would you say you've been like this?"

"I don't know, maybe like three weeks or so?"

"Alright. Well, if we don't fix this in the next two weeks, you guys will stay like this forever."

"What?!" I shouted.

"Whaa...?" Cat reacted, surprised.

"Yeah. But luckily that wasn't the only thing I found out." She tapped her PearPad and turned it over so we could see the screen.

I looked at the information, a evil smile forming on my face.

Cat's mouth fell open as she stared at the article.

"Cat?" Tori asked, handing the PearPad to her, "You think you could do this?"