Ryder makes a return in this chapter, and will be seen a bit more in the sequel. Don't worry, things will end better than they did last time. Jade's dad will be arrested and 'taken care of' in the sequel as well. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and I hope to see you all with the sequel.
Am I the only one who laughed when André said he ate the pie after he took it out of the oven, and like how André finally has a Slap update? I like Trina's hair, and I laughed at Jade 'scratching her nose' and getting attacked by Robbie. Don't tell her. I have no intention of being stabbed by scissors. Tori looked cute with bed head. Sorry, had to say it.
I was worried about Tandre friendship ending, but I'm glad they became friends again at the end.
Chapter 10: Standing Tall
Jade POV
"Yes?" Tori asks, when I don't automatically give an answer.
"Yes. I would like to move in with you."
"Yay!"
Tori POV A Month Later
Things between Jade and me have been going well, since she moved into one of out guest rooms. Our therapy sessions have gone a lot better than expected by everyone, our therapists included. Our relationship has improved greatly as well. We're a lot closer, and we're on our way to what we were before Ryder got involved. André and Beck had and idea that actually seemed to make Jade smile. I was worried at first until I saw the look in her eyes. André said that when we got back together,who as far as he knew we weren't, that we should double date. Her smile grew when I said sure, causing the guys to smile when we looked at each other and blushed. I haven't said anything, but at the time, I was hoping our relationship would grow from that point on. I guess she has as well because of her reaction when the guys asked. That was a week after our therapy started. Here we are, three weeks after they asked, and Jade and I have a bit of a secret.
We've been secretly dating again for the last two weeks. We're not afraid to tell our friends, but we're afraid of how everyone else will react. A lot of people still hate her for hurting me the way she did. They're coming around now that they see Jade and me closer than we were just last month. The only problem is Ryder seems to be getting more annoying. He hasn't done anything yet, but we know he's planning something. I'm just afraid of what he'll do when he decides to act on it.
Speak of the devil. Here he comes.
"Well, well. Miss Tori Vega and Jade West are close again. Who would've thought?"
"What do you want, Ryder? You want to break me and Jade up again so you can try to get with me? You'll fail, just so you know."
"Oh, it's not that. I just wanted to know how she's doing." He says, obvious lack of care.
"Why would you care? And why ask me? I know you couldn't care less about us."
I go to walk away, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.
"Daniels! What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Ah, Jade. How lovely to see you."
"Can it Ryder. Walk away before you get a pair of scissors in the gut."
"I was just chatting with little old Tori."
"Walk away while you can, Daniels." Jade says, pulling the scissors Cat got her for Christmas last year out of her boot. "You've ruined enough lives for now, don't make me ruin yours."
"Okay, okay. I know when to take a hint. Just, be careful girls. You never know what kind of people are around anymore."
Watching him walk away, I can't help but worry at his words. I look over at Jade who has a similar look on her face as I do.
"What the hell was that about?" A male voice says from behind us.
"Oh, hey Beck." Jade says, as we turn around and see the new couple. "Just Ryder being the dumbass he is. What's up guys?"
"Well, we've noticed how close you two have gotten." André says, glancing between us, but focusing more on me than Jade, out of fear of her reaction.
"Yeah, and? Isn't that a good thing?" I ask, trying not to stutter.
"Are you two together again?" Beck asks, jumping right to the point.
"What makes you think that?" Jade says, while André gives his boyfriend a 'what the hell' look.
"Well," Beck starts, looking between André and me for help, only getting a shoulder shrug from us. "Over the last couple of weeks, you two have been holding hands, sitting super close to each other, and other stuff."
"What. Other. Stuff?" Jade asks, slow and dangerous.
"I thought I saw you two kiss last week in the BlackBox Theater." Beck says in a rush.
Jade and I stand in silence, glancing between the guys and each other. I stutter for a few moments, trying to think of an explanation, while Jade stands there still as a statue with her mouth slightly open. The bell rings soon after Beck said he saw us, and Jade and I rush to Sikowitz's class, trying to put distance between us.
"He saw us?" Jade says in a whisper.
"I didn't know. I thought everyone left for lunch."
"We'll talk to him later. You talk to André, and I'll talk to Beck. Maybe you can find out if André knows anything, and I'll just stick with threatening Beck not to say anything to anyone."
"I don't know. It feels weird."
"Relax, Tori." We stop at the door, her holding my hand and pulling me close to her. "We'll be fine. If you want, we'll tell everyone at lunch. Do you want that?"
"Yeah, but not now. A lot of people still hate you, and I'm afraid they'll think you're using me or something."
"We'll be fine. Come on, don't want to be late for Sikowitz. I hear he has a new play."
We walk into his class, and surprisingly, he's already there. We get weird looks because we walked in together, but we don't care.
"Good, you two are here." Sikowitz says, locking eyes with us.
"Yeah, so? Are we needed?" Jade says, a hint of boredom in her voice.
"You are now. I heard something interesting a while ago." Sikowitz says, a smile growing on his face.
"What. Did. You. Hear." Jade says, sending a glare at Beck, who smiles slightly before turning away.
"You and Miss Vega, are a couple agian. Is it true? The coconut visions have shown it for two weeks. And they do not lie."
"Why is our life always so important to everyone?" I ask, looking at everyone in the class who watches us with great focus.
"Well," Sikowitz starts, walking over to us, stopping a few feet away. "When you first arrived at this school, Toro, Jade hated you. And now, you two are inseparable. We are curious, because since the break 7 months ago, you two looked like you were ready to kill each other. Well, maybe not kill."
"Ok, we get it. You all have no lives and when two beautiful girls hang out, all you guys get hard-ons." Jade states, causing me to blush, and every guy but André and Beck to look away.
"Excuse me. Beck and I do not get 'hard-ons' when we see you two together." André says, defending himself and Beck.
"What about when Jade and I first dated? You said it was hot." I say, remembering Andre's reaction when he first heard.
"That was a long time ago. I'm not like that anymore." André defends.
"Whatever. And what if we are? Is that a bad thing?" Everyone flinches when we hear the anger in her voice.
"Jade, calm down." I say, rubbing the small of her back slightly to calm her down.
"I knew it! The visions do not lie!"
We jump at Sikowitz's reaction, no knowing it was coming. "About time, you two. I was thinking I was going to have to put you two into a 'fake' date again."
"Wait wait wait. 'Fake'? Why did you say it like it wasn't?" Jade says, leering at the crazy teacher.
"Like I said. Visions. Improv! Jade, Tori, Beck, André, and Cat. To the stage."
No POV
As the five students get on the stage, a sixth student joins in, unexpectedly, and earning a glare from Jade.
"Mr. Daniels. Why are you here. You're not in this class." Sikowitz states, watching Ryder carefully.
"I transferred over for the day."
"Where are the transfer papers then, Mr. Daniels?"
"Left them in my locker." He states, unconvincingly. "May I join them?"
Sikowitz agrees, but only when he sees Jade give him a nod. He notices the smirk on her face, but ignores it. When Ryder gets on the stage, Sikowitz asks for a scene, place, which he gets from a couple of shruggers. There's some odd nostalgia when it's 'big news at home', which causes Ryder to smile. "Begin." Sikowitz says, when no one moves.
Jade - "Hey honey. How was the tour?" She asks to Tori, who glances at Ryder.
Tori - "It was good. I have some news to share with you."
Ryder - "What's that? Anything, interesting."
Cat - "Tell me tell me tell me tell me!"
Beck and André both look at each other, a look of worry on their face because of Ryder.
Tori - "Yes. The album has been doing well, and they want me to get a bodyguard because of the rowdy fans."
Jade - "I hope they don't stay too close to you." She says, jealousy in her voice at the thought.
Ryder - "That's why I'm here actually. They want me to be your bodyguard, Miss Vega."
Cat - "Maybe Jade and Tori should meet with the guards and pick one they think is suited."
Beck - "I agree. I'm sure she wants to trust her bodyguard without worry, now don't you agree?"
André - "Yeah. Maybe I can. I've been training in self defense for a few years."
Ryder - "No you fucking fags."
"That's it!" Jade ends the game and punches Ryder in the face, sending him off the stage, clutching his jaw.
"What the fuck bitch!?"
"Never say the word again! If you do, my scissors will find a home in your gut, then I'll castrate you with a rusty pair of scissors!"
"Jade, chill out. You don't own a pair of rusty scissors. You know that'll damage them." Tori says, holding Jade's arm.
"That's your concern!? Her scissors!?"
"That's enough! Ryder, I want you out of my class. I will report you to Helen for using that term. You're lucky this is school, or Jade would surely kill you. Now. OUT!"
Ryder runs from the room, while everyone just stares at Sikowitz. No one has ever heard him yell before, and even Jade was a little frightened at it. After a few moments of silence, Jade finally speaks out.
"What was that about?"
"He insulted four of my students. And as I said, I might be your educator, but we are friends."
"Wait, four? What do you mean?" Cat asks, trying to figure out why he said four instead of two.
"The word he said is a derogatory term for the gay community, not just male gays, but females as well. He said that word, and I wasn't letting him get away with it. Jade, I'll see what I can do so you don't get suspended, but you still might. You hit him for the word he used, yes, but since it wasn't aimed you, they might not allow it."
"What do mean, I saw him say it to Jade and Tori, not Beck and I." André says, trying to help.
Jade POV
I was shocked that André would do that. What shocked me even more was the entire class agreeing, even Cat.
"Why are you all defending me? I thought you all would hate me for what did to Tori."
"We did. But we hated you because you wouldn't listen, and treated her like you did when you were dating Beck. She didn't deserve that."
Everyone, including Sikowitz, was frozen when Cat spoke. She didn't sound anything like she usually does. She had more seriousness than I've ever heard from my best friend. Without thinking or caring, I give her the tightest hug I think I ever gave anyone, while whispering in her ear how happy I was that she's my best friend.
I stand there hugging Cat, only to pull away when the door opens and Helen walks in with Ryder.
"Excuse me, students. And Sikowitz. Why did Mr. Daniels arrive in my office a short time ago claiming Jade West hit him, almost dislocating his jaw, for no reason?"
"Helen. He said something that he shouldn't have said. Miss West only defended herself, and the people she cares about, because of what he said."
"And what did he say, Sikowitz?"
"He said the word, and don't kill me Jade, fag. And since four of the students in this school are homosexuals, and he said it as an insult, she acted."
"Did he say it to her?"
"No! I didn't. She just can't control her anger!" Ryder yells, earning an angry look from Helen and Jade.
"Mr. Daniels. I would appreciate it if you didn't yell in my ear."
"Besides, you were looking directly at Jade and I when you said it. Face it. You're jealous because I'm with her, and I'll never look at you again."
"That is not true you little dyke!"
"Mr. Daniels. You are suspended, and consider yourself lucky I'm not kicking you out of school. I don't know or care what happened, because I witnessed you yell it to Miss Vega. Get out, before I kick you out of Hollywood Arts. Do not question me." She says when Ryder goes to open his mouth.
He finally gives in and leaves, which is when Helen turns back to us. "Carry on. And out of curiosity, who did he say it to?"
"Us, principle Helen." Beck says, holding Andre's hand for comfort.
"A lot of girls are not going to be happy that you two are off the market." Helen jokes when she sees the two boys holding hands. "Miss West. You will not get in trouble because I know you were defending your friends. But if it happens again, try not to hit them."
"I make no promises."
"Jade!"
"Chill, Tori. I'm just messing around." Turning back to Helen, I continue. "I promise to try. That really is the best I can do."
"I'll take it." Helen responds, sending a small smile to Tori and I, then another to Beck and André. "Good day students. Sikowitz."
After Helen leaves, Tori turns to Sikowitz. "Why does she always say you're name like that?"
"We have a past. I will not tell you, so leave it at that. Class dismissed, and I recommend you head home, André, Beck, Jade, and Tori. I think you guys have deserved it. I will see you all tomorrow."
Watching Sikowitz leave through the door like a normal person, Tori and I head to our seats and grab our bags. André and Beck following suit.
"I have an idea." I say, catching everyone by surprise by sounding so calm.
"No, Jade. We will not find Ryder and kill him."
"Not that Beck. I'm staying with Tori now, and her dad's a cop. He'll know it was me and I promised him I wouldn't do anything illegal."
"Oh. Then what's your plan?" André adds in, sounding a little upset when he said 'oh'.
"Let's get out of here. Not just us, but Cat and Robbie too." I say, looking at the other two members of our group. "Head to Tori's. Hang out, play poker. Something."
"I thought you promised Tori's dad you wouldn't do anything illegal?" Cat asks, sounding like her usual self.
"It's not illegal. Sikowitz sent us home. He'll agree and say he sent you two as well."
"I don't know, Jadey. I have a bad feeling about this."
"I'll buy you bibble?" I bribe.
"Ooh! Bibble!"
"Let's go then."
The six of us walk out of class and head to our lockers to put our books away. On the way, I notice Cat and Robbie walking awfully close to each other. I don't say anything about it, but smile. Tori notices my smile and looks at where I'm looking, getting a smile of her own at the sight. Without thinking, I grab her hand and hold it tight. She doesn't react at first, but soon holds my hand just as tight.
My smile widens at that. Looks like we're back on track. This truly is a new beginning for us.
This is the end of 'New Beginning', and there will be a sequel. It'll take a while before I post the first chapter. Until then, 'The Morning After' will be where all my focus goes to for now. Until next time. I apologize if the ending is a little rushed.