Alice: Second to last chapter.
Emily: And the last chapter won't be as long. That one should be up by the end of today. If not, then tomorrow. So this story will be finished very, very soon!
Alice: Crazy, right?
Emily: Well here you are!
Alice: Don't forget to vote on the poll. It will be up two days after the story ends then it will close.
Emily: Enjoy!
Jade's Nightmares
Jade was like the sun. Not in the way that she was bright and happy in personality. Even when she was truly being herself, dark elements still edged around her personality. No, she was like the sun because everything gravitated towards her. It was like that since the beginning, and Tori had been too blind to notice. She was the center of their group, the core that permanently taped everyone together even with differences that would have normally driven them apart. Robbie and Andre most likely didn't even notice. Jade's aura unintentionally made people want to get close to her, to help her.
But tread too close and burn. Beck and Cat were openly hurt in attempting to become her friend—in Beck's case, more than a friend. The absolute need to be around her, however, only increases after the injury. Tori witnessed that first hand. When they first met, she poured coffee on Tori's head. Yet two weeks later, Tori helped Jade win Beck back. After the insults and practical physical assaults, Tori still yearned for her approval to the point of staging her play by enlisting the help of a crazy woman. The list went on and on. With Jade, everything just revolved around her.
And she didn't even realize it.
Tori did not mean to eavesdrop on Beck and Andre. She really didn't. Ever since the Anthony incident, the group tiptoed around Jade, even Cat and Beck. The reason why she practically rushed towards Beck was out of worry for Jade, her newfound friend. While the small insults and bitter comments still existed between the two, there was a new layer of firm friendship. The small arguments ended in tiny smiles and occasionally laughter. But that still did not ease her concern over her.
The spark and confidence in Jade's eyes lessoned over the days, and Cat acted a little more serious than she usually showed. Even Beck started snipping at the girls who tried flirting with him lately.
As it turns out, Beck and Andre weren't talking about Jade but rather his writer's block. He mentioned it at Nozu before, but Beck wasn't there to hear him rant. Apparently, the music was all there and written out, but the lyrics just could not come to him. "I can help out," Beck offered politely. "Coming up with lyrics can't be that hard right?"
"It is!" Andre stressed rather teasingly. "But if you think you can handle it…"
"As long as Jade doesn't sing it," Beck smiled pleasantly and Tori nodded in agreement from her hiding place which was just behind another row of lockers.
Andre visibly paled at the mention. "Dude, I thought I already explained myself to you after you pranked me! I'm in love with someone else now."
"Hey those pranks could have been much worse," Beck smirked. "Remember Sinjin?"
"Yeah," Andre shuddered, but Tori ignored it. She already knew about the strange boy with the crush on Jade. Heck, she didn't even focus on the fact that Beck was opening up to Andre with his darker personality. The words about Andre being in love rang through her head instead. Who was he in love with? Was it Tori? Jade again? No, she doubted that considering the fear that came along with loving her. So who did Andre love? "So you can come to my house and stay the night to help?"
Beck made a face. "With your crazy grandma? No offense man, but I think we'd get no work done with her around. Come to my RV and we can work on it."
"Work on what?" a familiar voice interrupted. Jade stood there with a tiny smirk and hands on her hips, looking firm and confident. Behind her was Cat, who giggled happily at the sight of the two friends. A complete contrast to how the two been the past couple of days. Chances are they worked things out and were now back to normal. Or as normal as their group could be.
"A song," Beck jerked his thumb at Andre. Cat's eyes widened, pointing at Jade from behind the Goth girl's back. Beck subtly shook his head, and Jade appeared to be the only one who didn't notice the gestures. Tori deducted that she must have no clue about Andre's past crush on her. "This guy can't think of any lyrics."
"Oh," Jade smirked. "I'd help you, but Tori said she'd rather do it."
"Tori did?" Beck questioned.
"Oh yeah," Jade snickered. "I've taught her well in the ways of expression."
Cat laughed freely at the comment but Andre and Beck just tilted their heads in confusion. From her hiding spot, Tori flushed. The possessive comment she made the other day was clearly not forgotten. Thank goodness Andre didn't notice! The topic quickly changed back to when Andre would arrive at the RV and whether or not they wanted pizza to eat. All in all, it was rather boring. Finally, Beck and Jade parted from the group to go to class, and Andre commented on finding Robbie and asking about their environmental studies project. Cat lingered there for a bit before grinning. "Tori? You still listening?"
The girl in question fell over absolutely nothing, hitting the floor in shock. Cat rounded the corner and giggled, grabbing her wrist to her stand up. "W-what?" Tori blushed. "I wasn't listening! I was just curious why everyone was grouping around together, so I just… hid."
Cat playfully smirked. "Right. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that Andre was there talking about his songs and emotions."
Tori spluttered turning even redder than before. Cat giggled again. "You like him! I knew it!"
"Since when?" Tori didn't even bother denying it.
"Since Christmas!" Cat gushed happily. Tori blinked in surprise. She didn't even know about her feelings then. "You got him as your secret Santa and spent so much time worrying about what to get him! You really wanted it to be meaningful. Like when I got Jade those scissors. Or when Robbie got me that cotton candy machine. It's all meaningful!"
"I guess," Tori remembered struggling over his gift and being slightly disappointed that it was Jade who came up with the idea in the first place. But his smile had been worth it.
"Jade didn't believe me at first," Cat scoffed, as if everything she said about romance was completely true. "It's time to get him, Tori! He likes you too. I just know it."
"How do I get him?" Tori shyly asked, leaning forward.
"Go and help him with the song," Cat suggested. "He loves music, so you just need to express your feelings through it. Beck won't mind letting you in the RV."
"Okay," the brown haired girl straightened up, smiling at the idea coming to her head. She frowned for a moment. "Wait, if you're so wise on romance, why not just ask Robbie out? You guys have been dancing around your feelings for a while."
Cat squeaked, blushing severely. Her wise, serious look morphed into the one of a dizzy girl, and Tori knew she was doing this on purpose to avoid the subject. "Whatever," Tori smiled. "Thanks Cat!"
"For what?" Cat tilted her head to the side, grinning brightly. Tori rolled her eyes and happily walked off, forming a plan in her mind. If Cat said Andre liked her, it had to be true right? She was the one who figured out Beck liked Jade and actually matched them together. Maybe Cat liked avoiding her own love life but she had a clear wisdom to other peoples. Or maybe she was just wise with people in general. Either way she knew that maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad.
Surprisingly enough, Beck knew about her plan. He waited at his door patiently, smiling and waving at her to come in. He must have figured it out or Cat told him. But his knowing smirk was enough to make Tori blush. He informed her that Andre was not here yet but would be soon and invited her into the RV. Once she stepped inside, her eyes scanned the room for Jade almost manually. Her friend was not there but that didn't shock her too much. Part of her wanted to ask Beck how he knew but decided against it.
That's when Andre walked in. "Hey Beck, so I brought over—Hey Tori," he blinked in confusion, looking at Beck for answers.
Beck nonchalantly shrugged. "I don't sing, so we might as well have someone who can sing here."
"You've been in musicals before," Andre argued, eyes darting between the two.
Beck wrapped his arm around Tori almost affectionately. "She's always overshadowed my voice, so it doesn't matter. Besides I think her voice fits more with the song than mine. Or yours."
"You didn't even hear the song yet!" Andre argued but smiled against his better judgment.
"But Tori always sings your songs," Beck retorted, smiling brightly. "Well I'm going to leave you kids alone. I have to get the piano from my house."
Andre and Tori watched as he made his way towards the door, stopping briefly. He winked at them and exited before he could see their flushed faces. Andre and Tori glanced at each other, and she wondered why it suddenly became so awkward. They've been alone together before and it wasn't like this. Maybe it was due to Beck's wink? Tori coughed. "So Andre…"
"Tori," Andre spoke at the same time. Both awkwardly laughed and paused again, the silence becoming much more comfortable than before. Tori bit her lip and looked around the room. "Cat and Robbie haven't confessed yet," Andre went with, not looking at Tori.
Tori nodded in agreement also avoiding his eyes. "Yeah, they really should."
Their gazes met at the same time and suddenly the meaning behind those words changed. Andre continued, "It's annoying, isn't it? When two people-"
"Who really like each other," Tori cut in.
"Just don't admit it to each other," Andre finished. The pair stepped closer to each other, both in some sort of trance with the words.
"Maybe they're scared of rejection?" Tori shyly put in. "I mean, it takes a while to admit to yourself you like someone let alone the other person. I mean, you could have liked them for a really long time but-"
"But you only just realize it when she decides to run off and ask a gang to help fix your cupcake float? And you're worried to death because she might be in real danger?" Andre put in, staring at her like a hopeful puppy. Tori blushed, memories of that incident coming to her head. They always dubbed it that "horrible night with the cupcake".
Tori smiled brightly. "Or when your friend pranks him for liking his girlfriend? And you realize that you've been jealous of that girl the whole time and don't want anything bad to happen to him because of that prank?"
"Maybe the boy should just ask her out," Andre held out his hand timidly.
Tori took in, their fingers intertwining. "Maybe the girl should just say yes."
Both beamed at each other, leaning towards the other and softly kissing. It was short, sweet, and loving. A knock on the door interrupted their moment. Both pulled back, blushing but smiling happily. Beck opened the door with an electronic piano in his hand. He glanced at their holding hands and smiled back at them, knowing exactly what just transpired. "Well let's get started!"
"Yeah," Tori glanced at Andre, who stared back at her. "Let's get started."
If her mother let her sleepover a teacher's house on a school night, Tori had no doubt her mother wouldn't care if she slept at a boy's house for the night. Andre already passed out, just finishing the lyrics to the song. They decided they would sing it together, and Beck assisted with the wording and meaning behind the lyrics. All in all, it was a very successful day. But when night rolled around, they were all just too exhausted to really go home. Beck was on his bed, dead asleep while Tori lied there in thought.
That's when she heard a soft knock on the door. A meek voice called out, "Beck?"
It was Jade. Tori recognized that voice anywhere. Beck's eyes snapped open and he quickly dashed towards the door and flung it open. Jade stood there in her pajamas and a new bruise on her cheek. Her eyes were red, and Beck slowly reached out, lightly touching the purple skin. If Tori wasn't so concerned, she would have wondered why it was always night when she caught these tiny moments. Instead she stayed still, knowing that this matter was not in her hands but in Beck's and, if she was here, Cat's. "Come in," Beck wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her to the bed.
"I had another nightmare," Jade grumbled, kicking a piece of paper from the ground. Her eyes glazed towards Andre and her lips titled upward. "Andre's here?"
"And Tori." Beck confirmed, pointing in her direction. Tori quickly shut her eyes just in case they noticed she wasn't sleeping. They never did before this though, and Tori would know. She's been pretending to sleep around them a lot. "They finally got together. You and Cat were right."
"Aren't we always?" Jade smirked. Suddenly frowning, Jade reluctantly stared up at Beck. "Mind if I stay here tonight? The nightmares… I don't have them when you're around."
Beck nodded instantly, most likely already knowing what she was going to ask anyway. "Was it your dad or Anthony this time?"
"Neither," Jade shook her head. Her whole body seemed to be trembling. "It was you guys. You didn't want me around anymore, so you guys just left. Robbie, Andre, Cat, Tori… you, none of you wanted me around anymore."
"Jade," Beck kissed her temple. "You know that's not true."
"I woke dad up with my screaming and he got angry," Jade scoffed. "He was never like this until I joined the creative arts school."
"I'm going to take you away from him one day," Beck vowed. "You'll never have to see that guy again."
"Good," Jade whispered. "You and Cat will never leave me. I know that."
"Andre, Robbie, and Tori won't either," Beck reassured. "They love you too."
"Robbie and Andre?" Jade frowned, staring at him with awe. A warmth built up in Tori's chest when Jade didn't add her name in the list. That meant she was reassured that Tori loved her as a friend, right?
"You're their friend too," Beck whispered. "Sometimes I don't think you realize how much you're needed."
Jade hesitantly smiled. "Thanks Beck."
Beck grinned, kissing her on the lips. They passionately made out, wrapping their arms around each other almost desperately. Beck was afraid of her leaving too, Tori remembered. Jade's fear wasn't one-sided. They parted and laid on the bed, Beck's arms wrapped around her. He kissed down her neck before completely relaxing on the pillow. "Say you love me." Jade's demanding voice came through. Though it was still lighthearted and loving.
"Magic word?"
"Please?" Jade smiled, her eyes dropping. Beck yawned with her and both closed their eyes peacefully. But not before Beck mumbled:
"I'll always love you."
Alice: The next chapter will be posted later today or tomorrow.
Emily: Don't forget to vote on the poll! I know this chapter had a lot of Tandre, but the next chapter will be all Bade.
Alice: I know I haven't done Jade's relationship with Andre and Robbie that much but that's because she doesn't really have one with them on the show. Cat and Jade have been interacting since the beginning and so has Jade and Tori. But with Andre, the only true interaction they've really had was in two or three episodes. Jade and Robbie have only had like two as well.
Emily: Someone did complain about that, and I'm just saying that Jade's relationship with Robbie and Andre hasn't been expanded on in the show too much, unlike with Cat, Tori, and Beck. So that's my explanation. But if you look at the poll, one of the options will explore Jade's relationship with Robbie or how it might have been in the show.
Alice: Thanks for reading!