Chapter 10

Jades POV

I remember coming home from Beck's house to my parents. They were yelling about something and the next thing I know my side is killing me and I'm looking up at Tori's face. At first I thought I was hallucinating because I mean come on why the hell would Tori Vega be in my house? She didn't even know where I lived. I still don't really understand why Tori actually took me from there, but I'm so glad she did.

I remember waking up calling for Tori and seeing Beck's shocked, confused, and hurt look. At first I thought it was because she was the last person I saw, but after I thought about it I realized what it was. She was in my house with my abusive parents and I didn't know if she was hurt or where she was and I was worried. I know it's a shock but I've never hated Tori, I've actually always liked her. She's confident, funny, nice, and she's never afraid to get in my face. I wouldn't ever hit her but I'm sure if I did she'd actually fight back. I was never friendly with her because well, look at my parents. They're supposed to love me and they obviously don't give a shit whether I died in their living room. If my own parents didn't care how was I supposed to trust anyone else? It's obvious I don't even trust Beck, which makes me feel like shit.

I have treated Tori better though. Ever since I woke up in that hospital I realized she might not break my trust in her. I also realized that no matter how hard I tried to keep her out she worked her way in. I tried not to care about her and I still care!

I never expected Tori would actually have me stay with her. Not that I'm not grateful I was dreading going back to that "house", but I don't deserve it. I didn't even deserve her coming in and saving me like she did.

I know she's worried about me, but I can also see she has something on her mind. Yeah, she told me she's in love with someone in a relationship, but she didn't give me anymore than that. I think there is more to it so I keep trying to do as much as I can by myself so she doesn't worry so much. I want to help her but part of me is afraid she won't tell me the rest because it's Beck while the other part argues because she's not all over him twenty four seven and she's always tried to help us stay together.

That's why when I wanted a something to eat I didn't call for her like she'd been making me. Instead I grabbed the crutches (that she hadn't let me use yet) and made my way down the stairs. I had to lean against the railing but I made it down easy enough. Then I realized I had no idea where anything was, except for the cereal on top of the fridge.

I did manage to make a bowl to sit down at the table with it, albeit I did drop the box. As I was eating I couldn't help but assume Tori would be proud that I actually did something alone. It meant I was getting better.

Heavy footsteps on the floor made me jump and look up at the stairs. Tori came down them at a run and looked at me. She sighed in relief, "Jade, what are you doing down here?"

Wait, she's not happy I can do things on my own? "I-I was hungry and-"

"I told you to tell me if you were hungry or anything else. You shouldn't be up."

Frowning I said, "But Tori, I'm feeling better. I can't walk without my crutches but you don't need to keep doing the arm-over-the-shoulder thing."

"What if you fell down the stairs or tripped and injured your leg more?" She walked over and sat across from me.

"I didn't though. I'm fine and-"

"I went in there to check on you and you weren't there. I thought your parents had somehow found a way to get you." She ran her hands through her hair and left them there. Her voice was filled with worry.

"I…Tori I didn't mean to worry you. I-I just wanted to show you I could start doing things on my own." I frowned, looking at my half empty cereal bowl.

"Why are you trying so hard to do things on your own? Are you that eager to get out of here?" I heard the hurt in her voice and started to feel horrible.

"I-what? Tori, no I-"

"I mean I know you would probably rather stay with Cat or Beck but I just," Tori sighed dropping her arms to the table and sighing before glancing at me before looking back down and continuing. "I know I kind of forced you to stay here, but I just wanted to make sure you were safe. I know that's supposed to be your boyfriend's job but since I saw you so broken and bleeding on the floor I've been really protective of you. I know that's weird and all and I'm sorry I didn't really give you another option but-"

Realizing she was rambling trying to explain her actions I touched her arm lightly and she looked up at me, "Tori, calm down. It isn't that I want to leave. I can tell that you're still upset about that guy your in love with and I wanted to take some of the worry off your shoulders by doing some things myself so you don't have to worry about me all the time. Ever since I woke up at the hospital I realized that I care about you and that you're a really great friend. Hell whenever I had a problem before I would always run to you for help. In all honesty I would have preferred to stay with you rather than Cat or Beck."

Tori's mouth hung open slightly, "You would have preferred here over Beck and Cat's?"

"I-well yeah. I know it's weird coming from me and I'm sorry but I can't explain it."

"I overreacted. I just worry about you."

"I know you worry, but you have your own things you have to worry about. I can at least take care of myself more."

She shook her head, "No. I don't have any other problems. I'm working on a song to help get my emotions out."

"You know if you need to talk…""I know. So, why cereal?"I felt my face heat up, "Well, I realized I had no idea where anything was."

She smiled, "I guess if you're going to be doing things for yourself I should tell you where some things are."

"I won't be doing any big time cooking or anything. Just quick and easy."

She nodded, then looked at me, "Speaking of Beck…how are you doing?"

"I…I don't know. This break has made me realize that I still care about him but I don't know if I still love him."

"Well he's coming over in two days. You can talk about it with him then. Do you want me to leave again?"

"No. After last time maybe it'll be better off if you're here. Maybe you can just stay in your room and if you hear us you can come in again?"

Tori nodded, "Yeah. I can do that.""Thanks."

The two days flew by and before I knew it Beck was ringing the doorbell. I was sure I had my feelings straightened out but I was still nervous.

Beck walked in my room and rubbed the back of his head, "Hey."

"Hey."

Tori peeked her head around the corner, "I'll be in my room."

Beck sat at the end of the bed and I turned off the T.V.

"How have you been?""Can we skip the awkward part?" I asked.

"Has the break helped you?"

I nodded slowly, "Yeah. I think it has.""And?""You first.""I still care about you but I'm not sure that we're right for each other anymore.""I feel exactly the same."

"Really? I expected you to yell at me or something." Beck said, a playful look in his eye."Well it's tempting. Let's just try being friends. Maybe we're better off that way." I said.

Beck nodded, "Yeah. Just…do me a favor."

"What?"

"If you start dating Tori don't hurt her or anything okay? She really cares about you and you shouldn't take that for granted and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. If I date Tori? What are you talking about?"

"What you don't know?" Beck frowned.

"Know what? What's going on?"

"You don't see the way she looks at you? The way she reacts when I'm around you?"

"She doesn't look at me any different than she looks at you." I said.

"You really don't see it?" Beck looked at me like I was an idiot.

"There's nothing to see Beck. We're just friends. She told me she's in love with a guy."

"Did she actually say a guy?"

"Um, well, no. She said she loved 'someone' she wasn't specific."

He raised an eyebrow at me and I just shook my head. "Tori isn't into girls. She's not into me either."