Good Lord. Never take advantage of your cellphones ladies and gentlemen. You don't realize what you have until it's nearly gone. O_0 Long story short, I had some issues with an old cellphone that I use to type from and it ended up getting damaged. While I have an actual working cellphone, I can only use it for calling and texting because it's kind of old and can't handle much. I had just uploaded chapter 9 a day prior to when it happened so it feels good to pick back up. I've been using a physical notebook to keep writing and I've already started in on chapter 11. Got some good stuff coming up for you guys and I really wanted to just say thank you for waiting so long for my return. Please enjoy this much awaited and extremely late chapter! -Mercy Vale


Chapter Ten

Strawberry Short-tempered

(Jade)

I sigh, rubbing my eyes, and look up at Tori

"Feel better?" A hand moves across my face to stroke my cheek and tuck some loose hair behind my ear.

"Not much, but a little, I guess." I shrug, rubbing the back of my neck.

"A little is better than nothing." She's not wrong…but I still feel like such an asshole…

"You're sure we're really okay now?" I ask Tori as she gets up and walks over to her desk, grabbing her brush and a hair tie.

"I want us to have a good long talk about trust before I can see us getting back to where we were, but we're still girlfriends, if that's what you mean." I watch as she hold out the brush and I smile a little bit, getting up to do her hair for her.

"I get it, I need to earn back your trust." I run a hand through my own hair when I'm done and nod. "Fair enough." She shakes her head and turns around, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"No. I need to earn your trust. If this is going to work, I need you to trust me completely, like I trust you."

"I do trust you, Tori…" She gives me a look, frowning.

"Not enough if you thought your father was paying me to be with you." Ouch… She has a point…

"Well, I trust you now." She crosses her arms.

"Not good enough. I want you know I'm being 100% real with you and I know the best way to do that. Now, how do you think we should tell our friends about us?"

"Wait, you really want to tell them? I thought you were nervous about how they'd take it."

"Honestly, that doesn't matter to me anymore. I want to be open about everything. No more secrets. Not with us, and not with our friends. Whether or not they take it well, at least they heard it from us instead of finding out later." I sigh, nodding. She has a good point. None of them would be happy, especially Beck.

"Okay, we'll tell them. Just…let me tell Beck myself. Everyone else, we can tell together." She nods, smiling and patting my arm.

"Of course. Now, do you want to stay for dinner? I was going to order a pizza."

"I shouldn't. I should head home and give us both a little space to think. Plus, I don't want to stay too long and piss off your sister more." Tori waves it off, chuckling.

"Trina will be fine, don't worry."

She gives me a kiss on the cheek and goes to the door, opening it. Trina stumbles in and looks surprised and embarrassed.

"U-um… I-I wasn't listening... I was just...coming to see if Jack was up here. Dad said I should help out with him, you know, walking him and such." I bite back a laugh, looking at her and down at the floor. Tori just looks at her, amused.

"Trina." She points right next to her and Trina looks down, seeing Jack sitting right next to her. Trina turns red and immediately picks him up, groaning under his weight.

"Oh… There he is…" She immediately picks him him up, groaning under his weight. "Let's go for...a walk Jack…" I chuckle and kiss Tori's cheek.

"I'll walk out with Trina. I really should be getting home. I need to have a talk with my moms..." Tori nods, pouting, and I smirk. That pout is going to be the death of me…

"Fine…but only because I like your moms and want to stay on their good sides."

"Trust me, they wouldn't be mad at you." I smile and give Tori a quick hug before following Trina downstairs and outside after she puts Jack's leash on. "Hey. Thank you, for letting me come in and talk to her." She glances over at me as she ties her shoes.

"I didn't do it for you. I did it for her." Definitely getting cold shoulder vibes from her…

"Well… Thanks just the same. I think we're going to be okay now." I reach into my pocket for my keys and drop them almost immediately when I'm shoved back against the door.

"You guys are only 'okay' because Tori forgives too easily. If I had things my way, you wouldn't be allowed within 300 feet of her. You sent her into a panic attack and she didn't take her meds so that only made it worse." My eyes widen and I feel anxious as I stare back at her. Meds? Oh right… She takes those same pills I used to take for my depression… Did I distract her so much that she forgot? "I don't like you, Jade, especially after how you treated my sister. I'm keeping my eye on you, so you better watch yourself." She lets go of my shirt and I smooth it out, not looking at her. Sheesh… She's scarier than my mom…

"I don't plan on hurting her again, but feel free to do whatever you want if it puts your mind at ease." I kneel by Jack and scratch his head, smiling when he licks my hand. "See you around, Mutt." I give Trina a wave and get into my car, heading home. I'm not looking forward to his talk with my mom's… Thankfully, I need to make a quick stop before I go home.

(Tori)

I flop on to my bed and sigh, rubbing my face. That definitely didn't go the way I expected it to. I wanted to stay mad at Jade, but…I could tell she really felt bad for the way she acted. She might be one of the best actresses in school, but I've learned a lot since meeting her, and if I know one thing for certain, it's that it's incredibly difficult for Jade to cry on command. She can sound upset and look upset, but her tears, or lack of, show her true colors. I've only seen Jade cry a few times, and only when she's genuinely sad or hurt, so I know she was being real.

The scary thing to come out of all of this though, is the fact that a small part of me felt good when I saw how upset she was. It was like, seeing her hurting made me feel better because that way, she could feel awful like me, even by just a little bit, and I don't like feeling that way towards her. I just want this to work between us and it's not going to happen if we're fighting with each other constantly, or taking small amounts of joy from the other being hurt. Knowing what caused most of that hurt, her past with her father, just makes me feel like a terrible person for wanting to stay mad… How could a man do those horrible things to his own child? I could never imagine that… My dad has always been loving and caring and Jade really deserved a father like him… Now I get why he made me uncomfortable when we met.

My stomach growls and I sigh, sitting up. No use stressing about this on an empty stomach. I grab my phone and place an order for pizza and cheesy bread. It's just me and Trina for the night since mom and dad are out having a date night, so we don't need too much. I head downstairs and just as I'm reaching the bottle steps, Trina's walking with Jack. He runs up to me the moment he's off his leash and I smile, petting him.

"Hey bud… Sorry I ignored you before. It won't happen again, promise." I kiss his nose and look over at Trina. "Thank you for walking him. I hope he wasn't too much trouble. I know he has a lot of energy."

"He was fine. I've actually missed having a dog around since Maggie passed away." She stops, looking at me with slight panic. "Ahh… Sorry… I didn't mean to bring her up."

"It's okay… I've been thinking about her more actually and I think it's helping." I go over to the couch and sit, with Trina following.

"Is that because of him?" She motions to Jack and I nod, smiling.

"It's mostly him, but it's because of Jade too. She's the first one of my friends who knows what happened now. We talked about it on Friday." Trina frowns, leaning back and crossing her arms.

"You must really like her if you trusted her with that… Did she talk you into getting that?" I look to where she's pointing and see my tattoo.

"No, I decided to do that on my own. The belly button ring was her idea though, and before you freak out, she asked Mom's permission first and I doubt she would have let me actually go through with it if I didn't want to."

"I don't know Tori. I feel like it's something you're going to wind up hating when you two break up, again."

"What do you mean 'when'? We just got back together." I frown, looking at her. She shrugs and grabs the TV remote.

"I'm just saying, she went off on you once, it's bound to happen again. You know her temper better than anyone." I snatch the remote from her, and glare.

"So what, you don't think I made the right decision? Don't you trust my judgement in other people?"

"No, Tori, I don't. Remember Steven?"

"Trina, don't you dare-" I tense up, getting more angry.

"You thought he was great and so cool. So what do you do? You let him take your virginity." I clench my teeth and feel tears burning in my eyes.

"Trina…"

"You were sooooo in love with him. Then you found out he was cheating on you with that iCarly girl." I grab a couch pillow and hit her hard with it.

"Shut up! You have no right to throw that in my face!" She pulls the pillow from me and grabs my arms to stop me from trying to hit her.

"Don't you see the point I'm getting at though?! When you fall for someone, you fall hard for them!" I stop struggling against her and listen to what she says, frowning. "You make decisions that you end up regretting and it only sets you back more." She lets go of me when I'm calmer and rubs her neck, sighing. "I'm just trying to look out for you Tori. It's my job as your big sister." I huff and slump back on the couch.

"I thought your job was to annoy the hell out of me…" She shrugs, smiling a little bit.

"Eh, that's just a part of my job, and my favorite." I chuckle some before stopping and thinking. I sigh and stare down my hands.

"So you…think I should break up with her?"

"No Tori," I look at her, surprised. "I just want you to take things slow and learn more about her. Find out if you really like her, or if this is just a first girl crush situation." I nod.

"Alright…that's fair, I guess, but I need you to do something for me. Be a little nicer to Jade… It'll be easier for me if you two get along, even just a little bit."

"Do I have to? She's so…Jade." I chuckle, standing up when I hear the doorbell.

"I know, and yes, you have to." I open the door and pay the pizza guy, bringing the food in after.

"Fine. If I must." She says it a little over dramatically and it makes me laugh. "I guess that means I should apologize for slapping her."

"Wait, you really did slap her? Seriously?" I set the food on the kitchen table and turn to look at Trina, my arms crossed.

"What? She made you cry so she had to pay for it." I bring her a couple slices of pizza and a soda, setting it on the coffee table.

"Don't hit my girlfriend again," I pause for a moment. "And yes, apologize to her, or I'll tell mom what really happened to her wedding dress." Trina holds up her hands, defensively, before grabbing her food.

"Alright, alright. I'll apologize, okay? Maybe I shouldn't have slapped her, but she really pissed me off."

"Trust me, I know, but thing will work out. I have a better understanding of where all her anger comes from, and I want to help her with it." She stops eating and sighs, smiling.

"You helping Jade West curb her temper? Geez, you do like her." I chuckle, nodding.

"I really do." I just want to make sure that by trying to help, I don't end up making things worse for her…but let's just save that for tomorrow. Right now, I just want to relax. I toss Jack some pepperoni off my pizza and lean back on the couch, ready to enjoy the rest of the night with him and my sister.

-The next morning-

I wake up to a faint ringing and roll over, grabbing for my phone. I yawn and swipe to answer, clearing my throat before giving a half asleep,

"Hello?"

"Did I wake you up? You're still sleeping?" I rub my eyes and pull the blanket back up.

"Mornin' Jade…" I yawn again, getting comfier.

"I'm on my way to pick you up. Make sure you're ready, okay?"

"Be up in a minute…"

"Vega...Vega?…" I let the phone drop from my hand as I fall back to sleep, hearing a faint voice yelling something.

-20 Minutes later-

I feel something yanked off of me and I curl up closer to my pillow, groaning as I try to go back to sleep. Must be Jack getting on the bed again… I shiver and feel around for my blanket, wanting to get warm again.

"Vega! I texted you like, 5 times, get outta bed!"

I feel tugging at my arm and I groan, trying to pull it back.

"Just 5 more minutes…" The tugging continues and I grumble, grabbing my pillow and flailing it around to get whatever it is that has my arm to let go. "It's still early...stop.."

"Tori, it's 7:30! We're going to be late if you don't get up!" My eyes fly open and I sit up suddenly, my forehead connecting with something hard.

"Ow…" I rub my forehead and look up at Jade, who's doing the same. "Jade?"

"Yes. Jade. I'm here, now get up and get dressed. We have to leave in 10 minutes." I look over at the clock and swear under my breath. How did I end up sleeping so late? I jump out of bed and grab some clothes before running into the bathroom. 5 minutes later, I'm showered, dressed, and looking for my shoes. Jade brushes my hair as I put my shoes on, which saves me some time, and soon enough, I'm ready to go.

"Okay, I think I'm all set. Let's go.'

"Good, come on." We head down the steps and get to the door but I stop suddenly, remembering something.

"Oh wait. Hang on." I run back up to my room and hear Jade calling out to me.

"Tori! We're going to be late, hurry up!"

"I just need one more minute! Promise!" I get to my room and hurry over to my dresser, grabbing my makeup bag. I carefully apply some makeup to cover the bruising on my cheek. It looks much better, but it's still noticeable and I'd really rather keep up the appearance that nothing happened to me. Less questions to answer later.

I stand up when I'm done, and just as I'm about to head back down, I take one last look at myself and decide to make a quick wardrobe change. Haven't worn a midriff top in a long time and I kinda want to show off my tattoo and belly ring. I change and run back down, smirking when Jade's still really grumpy and yelling.

"Vega, if you don't hurry up, your ass is walking!"

"Alright, alright! I'm coming. Sheesh." I grab my bag off the couch, and after saying a quick goodbye to my parents and tossing a treat to Jack, we run out to Jade's car. It's really bright out so I figured through my bag and grab my sunglasses, sliding them on. When Jade holds my door open, I don't get in right away and she looks at me, exasperated and groans.

"Now what?!"

"Don't I get a good morning kiss?" I cross my arms.

"Oh, for Pete's sake." She grabs me by the front of my shirt and crushes her lips to mine before pulling away. "Good morning. Now can we go?" I nod, a little dazed from the kiss, and get in the car. Jade gets in too, starts it up, and backs out before speeding off down the road.

"Jesus Christ Vega…" She sighs, looking at me. "You really know how to get the blood pumping in the morning." She takes a sip from a Jet Brew coffee cup before passing it to me.

"Sorry. I guess I overslept when my alarm didn't go off. I'm still tired and a little crabby myself." I take a sip and find that it Hazelnut, with no cream, and lots of sugar. "Ohh… This is really good."

"That's why it's my favorite." She gives me a smirk. "Finish that, it'll help you wake up."

"I can't drink all of it. It's yours." I try handing it back but she refuses.

"Don't worry about it. You can just buy me a new one at lunch." She winks and chuckles before looking back to the road. I immediately blush and focus on the coffee so I'm not just staring at her. "You gonna drink that coffee, or make out with it?" I look up and realize that I must have been staring too intently at the cup. I laugh and shake my head, taking a sip.

"The coffee's good, but I'd rather be making out with you." She steps a little too hard on the brakes and I giggle at the bright red blush spreading across her face. "Okay, okay, no more teasing." She mumbles something under her breath and continues driving.

It doesn't take us too long to get to school and soon enough, Jade's parking in her usual spot. We made it on time and part of me is a little miffed at Jade for rushing me so much. We could have been a few minutes late, then I probably could have had breakfast. I sigh, looking out the window, and see other people getting out of their cars and heading in.

"You ready for this?" I look over to Jade and nod, checking myself over one more time. I can do this. It'll be no different than when I was dating Ryder, or Steven and we'd show up to school together. Well… it'll be a little different actually… This will be the first girlfriend I come to school with and that will be the first thing they notice...

"I'm not sure I'm ready for all the looks and gossiping, but it would only happen eventually, right?"

"Hey," She takes one of my hands and squeezes it. "Don't worry about them. I want you to hold your head up high when you walk in there. Show them that hardcore badass side I know you have." I squeeze her hand to calm my nerves and think. She's right… This is something I wanted to do, not just as a way to show Jade she could trust me, but because I didn't want to hide myself from everyone after being so free and open with Jade over the weekend.. I latch onto the confidence she gave me and give her my best smile, taking a deep breath.

"I'm ready." I start to get out, but stop after remembering something important. "Hang on… People will know about us once soon enough. Shouldn't we wait until you've talked to Beck? I know you wanted to be the one to tell him first." She shakes her head, giving an embarrassed smile.

"Actually, I uh...called him last night. He knows. He took it surprisingly well." Whoa… I didn't think it would go over that well. I guess he just wants to be supportive. That's one friend in the loop then. Just 3 more to go. 4, if you want to count Rex. "So? You sure you're ready to go in?" She looks really excited and her grin is beyond cute. I chuckle and nod, leaning over to give her a hug.

"Yes. I'm ready." We both step out and I grab my bag, slinging it over my shoulder before going to stand by her side. I'm with Jade, who is by far the most badass person in school, while people normally avoid looking at her to dodge her rage, I feel nothing but eyes on us. They can't know yet, so they're probably surprised someone other than Beck or Cat was in her car and doesn't look traumatized.

I adjust my sunglasses and just as I'm about to start walking, she grabs my hand and pulls me back to her, kissing me slowly and much more gently than the first one she gave me this morning. I blush, returning the kiss, then bite my lip and giggle when she pulls away.

"Just making sure they know you're mine." She chuckles and pecks my cheek before pulling me with her. I'm still a little stunned by the kiss, but I manage to follow her steadily, and as we head inside, I hear a few people whispering but I choose to ignore it, whether it's good or bad. I take Jade's advice and hold my head up, giving a confident smile as we walk past them. My heart is racing and my thoughts are a bit erratic, mostly from the kiss, but it's not showing on the outside. We have the attention of every person here and I am liking it more and more. We part and go to our own lockers, but while I'm still getting everything I need, she's already done and right beside me a moment later, leaning on the locker next to mine and texting. It must be Beck because he's on his phone when he walks up to us.

"Morning ladies." He smiles and gives us both a hug. "I gotta say, I don't think Jade and I had nearly this much attention when we first started dating."

"People are still staring at us, aren't they?" I blush, grabbing my last book and putting it in my bag. Jade chuckles and I glance at her, seeing her watching me.

"Oh yeah, but I think they're staring at you. They probably think I brainwashed you or something." She grins, popping a piece of gum in her mouth and offering me one, which I take.

"Wow Jade, you rarely shared your gum with me." Beck gives her a playful nudge to which she responds by smacking his arm.

"That's because you always have your own. Tori never has gum on her."

"Which is why I always have my own gum. Asking you was always out of the question and she has a bad habit of chewing on pencils when she's bored so the gum helps," Beck pauses for a moment, thinking. "And borrowing pencils because she always forgets hers."

"I'm right here you know," I stick my tongue out at them as I close my locker. "Besides, I don't always forget my pencils." Jade raises an eyebrow and looks at me.

"Do you have a pencil, Tori?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. I have a few in my purse," I reach for my purse before coming to the sudden realization that I only have my school bag, not my purse. "And it's at your house… God damn it." Both of them laugh at me, which only makes me pout more, and Beck starts to dig through his backpack. Before he can do anything though, a gold and black pen is held in front of me.

"Here, you can borrow one of my pens." I take it, grateful to have something to use now, and I give Jade a smile.

"Thank you, Jade. I really appreciate this." She just shrugs, but smiles too.

"Just don't bite it. Or else, I'll bite you." I instantly blush and notice a blush creep up her face as she realizes what she said. "I-I mean… Just don't bite it, okay. That's one of my favorites. Seriously, I'll be pissed." I nod and tuck in into my bag.

"I'll be super careful. Thanks Jade." I lean over and kiss her cheek, grinning.

"Yeah, yeah.." She smiles and nudges me with her elbow. I chuckle and adjust my bag, ready to head off to class.

Jade, Beck, and I talk for a bit about classes and our upcoming exams until the bell rings, and after giving Jade a quick kiss, I head to my first class. It's not that I dislike music history, but I'm too distracted to pay attention. I'm trying to concentrate on the teacher, but out of the corner of my eye, I can see the others whispering and looking over at me. It doesn't seem in a malicious manner, but it still makes me a bit anxious, wondering what they're saying… I just need to remember what Jade said earlier, hold my head up and don't worry. They're probably just curious about how we started going out.

I'm able to get through this class and the next with little to no issues. My theory is confirmed when a few people come up to me and all how Jade and I got together. They don't seemed bothered by it, just genuinely interested. One guy even asks if I think this is just a prank by Jade to trick me into letting my guard down, which makes me laugh. If this was some elaborate plan, I like to think I would have figured it out by now. I answer a few questions and thankfully no one asks anything too personal or embarrassing.

When second period is over, I hurry out and head to Sikowitz's class, texting Jade and asking her if she's got anymore gum. She sends an eye rolling emoji and a thumbs up and I grin, sending the tongue sticking out emoji, and I'm about to send a thank you when I bump into someone and drop my phone. I mumble an apology and reach for my phone, but someone else grabs it first,, looking at it.

"So the rumors are true. Perfect student Tori Vega going out with the nightmare queen herself. Who would've thought." Missy Davis, head cheerleader and major pain in my ass… I roll my eyes and grab my phone back.

"Does who I'm seeing bother you, Missy? Because last I checked, it wasn't any of your business. Now excuse me, I'm late for class." She looks offended and scowls at me as I push past her.

"How dare you! You…you freak!" I sigh, shaking my head. Is that really the best she can come up with? She really gives cheerleaders a bad name…

I get to class and spot Jade sitting in her usual seat, with Beck beside her and an empty seat on her opposite side. Before I can sit though, I'm nearly tackled in a hug.

"Tori! You're the best!" I look down at Cat in confusion.

"Uh...thanks, I think?" I look over at Jade who just shrugs. "Why am I the best?"

"Andre and Robbie are both giving me a jumbo bag if bubble because I was right about you and Jade!" She lets go and starts hopping around, excited.

"I'm gonna need more than that… What fo you mean you were right about us?" Andre comes over and sighs, trying to get Cat to relax.

"She swore you and Jade were going to end up together and Robbie and I said we'd give her bibble if you did. We didn't think it would actually happen."

"And now I have a ton of bibble!" Cat keeps bouncing around and bumping into everyone.

"Great. Andre, Robbie, you guys can drop those off at my house." Cat stops bouncing and turns to Jade, pouting.

"Awe, why Jade?" Jade gives her a look and stops filing her nails.

"Do I really have to say it? What did you promise me?" Cat mumbles something, looking away from her. "Can't hear you, speak up."

"No more unsupervised bibble eating…"

"Good girl. I'll keep the bibble at my place and you can have some whenever you come over."

"Fine…" She keeps pouting and goes to sit with Robbie and Andre. I, amused by the whole scene, go and sit beside Jade, who gives me a piece of gum before I even have to ask. I peck her cheek and eat the gum before turning my attention to Sikowitz riding into the room on a scooter. He checks my face, remembering my fall on Friday, and deems me fit to lead the class in the first ABC improv of the day.

I stretch a little as we all head outside for lunch.

"Tired?" Jade pokes my side and I giggle, moving her hand because it tickles.

"Tired, hungry. I didn't get to have breakfast, remember?" I poke her back and she just smirks.

"Hey, you were the one who overslept, not me." She drops her bag by our seats and makes me sit. "I'll get lunch, just wait here." I sit and watch her go over to the food truck. She's in a much better mood today and that makes me really happy… She even reminded me to take my meds before it was even time, which was good because I never keep an alarm on my phone and I forgot my watch at home.

"Is that a tattoo?!" Cat lift the side of my shirt and gawks at the tattoo I'd gotten. The guys all lean over to look and I blush, pushing Cat's hand away. I love my tattoo, but even though it covers my scar, I still feel anxious and exposed...

"Yes, it's new and still sore, so don't touch it please."

"That's so cool! I want a tattoo!" I chuckle and fix my shirt.

"Cat, you don't even like needles, and this is a lot of needles, all at once."

"Oh… I don't want one then." The guys and I laugh, and to make Cat feel better, I send her some of the pictures I took of Jack last night. She goes nuts over them and starts begging me to let her come over and play with him, so I agree after making her promise to be calm and gentle around him. I'm sure she'll be fine with him, especially with me there.

Robbie, who was pretty quiet today, suddenly points behind me.

"Tori, look out!" I turn to look behind me and out of seemingly nowhere, I'm covered in several ice cold strawberry milkshakes.

"What the hell?!" I jump up and look to where the drinks came from. There, in front of me stands Missy and several members of the cheer squad.

"Oh Tori! I'm so sorry! Melissa was so clumsy and bumped all of us. Here, let me help you."

"Help me?! You did this on purpose, you conniving little-"

"Hey!" I stop, looking over at Jade as she walks over, carrying food and two drinks. She sets everything down and gets in front me, facing Missy. "You want to explain to me how my girlfriend is covered those gross food truck milkshakes?" Missy crosses her arms and rolls her eyes.

"I was already telling her that it was an accident. One of my girls tripped and made us drop our drinks on her."

"Th-that's not true…" We all turn towards Robbie and he doesn't actually make eye contact with any of us.

"You keep your mouth shut, nerd." Missy scowls at him and starts to walk away but Jade blocks her.

"Say what you have to say, Robbie." I give him a nod and thank Cat when she hands me a bunch of napkins, cleaning as much of the milkshakes off my clothes as I can.

"It wasn't an accident… I saw them sneak up behind Tori and throw the drinks."

"I knew it. You are so dead!" I start towards Missy but someone beats me to the punch, literally. Jade actually punches her in the face, and before anything else happens, Beck has to grab her to stop her from going any further.

"Jade, relax. You're going to get suspended again." She struggles to get away from Beck and Andre holds my arm to keep me from joining in.

"I'm reporting you to the principal, you psychopath! You're done, West! Do you hear me?!" Missy holds her eye as the other cheerleaders pull her away to go to the nurse. Jade tries harder to get Beck to let go and I pull away from Andre to grab her hand.

"Jade, stop. They're gone, calm down." She stops struggling but looks at me angrily.

"Why should I?! Do you want them to keep messing with you like that?"

"Of course not, but this isn't helping. You're going to get yourself in trouble, especially for hitting her first." She looks in the direction of the other girls and then back at me.

"But-"

"I get it… I wanted to punch her too, but it's not going to help much." Beck lets go of her and she runs a hand through her hair. "Thank you for defending me…" She nods and looks me over, sighing.

"We should get you cleaned up…" She turns around and sees Cat, who's hiding behind Robbie. "Cat, can you give me a hand?" She nods and comes over.

"I'll get some clothes for Tori to change into…" Cat starts going inside and Jade pulls me to follow them both.

Cat leads us to her design class and goes over to a locker with her name on it. She opens it up and looks through a bunch of clothes that are in there before pulling out a pair of jeans with a sequin tiger design down the legs, and a blue tank top with a dolphin stitched onto it.

"Sorry for all the sequins. That's what we were working on last week…" I accept the clothes, grateful, and smile.

"Thanks Cat. I appreciate it, seriously." Jade takes the clothes from me and motions to the door.

"Cat, go back to the guys. I'll walk with her to the locker room, okay?" Cat looks at us and pouts, looking almost ready to cry.

"But what if those girls show up…?"

"We'll be okay, Cat. Don't worry. I'll make sure Jade doesn't beat anyone else up." Jade nudges me with her elbow and I nudge back.

"Are you sure…?" I nod and smile at her.

"I promise."

"Yeah, I won't hit anyone else, Cat." Jade gives her a half hug and Cat seems to feel better.

"Alright. I'll see you two when you're done." Cat locks up her things and Jade leads me to the locker room. Thankfully I keep shampoo, soap, and a towel here for days that I have dance class otherwise I'd have to go home. I find my locker and grab everything I need while Jade stands near the door.

"I'll keep watch. Go take a shower and wash that crap off." I nod and go to the showers, washing every last bit of the sticky drinks out of my hair. At least it's not nacho cheese and soda again...

Just as I'm coming out of the shower, a loud buzz can be heard over the school's intercom.

"Jade West, please report to the main office." Oh boy… She's going to be pissed… I sigh and get dressed, keeping my towel around my shoulders so my top doesn't get wet. Once I'm done, I go back out into the locker room and see Jade still waiting there, looking surprisingly calm.

"Jade? Are you okay…?" She nods and takes my clothes from me, sticking them in a bag and tying it up.

"Oh, I'm fine, but your little friend Missy won't be. Let's go." I follow her, hesitantly, and wonder what must be going through her mind right now. Whatever it is, cannot be good and I can only hope she's not going to blow up on Helen…