Hey...

Hope you enjoy.

:)


Tori's Perspective-

That Saturday I had woken up with a splitting head ache. Not a surprise - like, at all - but I groan, recalling everything with it. And so, all Saturday, I remained in my room, scrolling through TheSlap. I was able to catch up on all of the videos everybody has produced outside of our group, most about the November showcase. I was able to find the boys behind me, which I found that they were doing a short, improv skit with the cup and one of them being a dinosaur. It was stupid though it didn't irritate me to say the least.

Sunday went and passed similarly, though I had actually managed to crawl out of my room for more than ten minutes to crash on the couch and sleep there. I wasn't moved from that spot until my dad wanted to watch his favorite show. Of course, I didn't like it myself so I retreated, going back to my bed with an empty stomach. Not the best weekend though it was full of restless dreams, all of which had faded to the back of my mind.

So, here I am now. Just shoveling books and papers in and out of my bag, trading for this evening's set of classes. I feel a bit...off to say the least. I don't react to things as I normally would've I notice. See, there was a baritone saxophone that came around, Andre joining in with a trumpet. I only brushed it off as others clapped along, where as about a month ago I would've been laughing along with Cat. It happens here a lot, actually. Not frequently, no, but enough to know what's going to happen ninety-nine percent of the time. That, and everything as gone by so quickly. Perhaps a little too quickly but just quickly.

I still feel like last week should've been the Halloween jam. Not for it to be nearly a month ago.

I growl once the locker shuts, the blinking words almost screaming in my eyes. In a quick rush of irritation I quickly push the button in the corner, promptly shutting of the lights. They were starting to piss me off anyway. Without a moment to mourn for the loss of light, I shrug my bag over my shoulder, marching my way through the hall. I continuously have to dart and duck under people, making my way towards the Asphalt café for lunch difficult.

A tight, foreboding grimace flashes across my face as a board comes swinging over my head as I land to my knees. God damn props. Glaring over my shoulder, I start back up again, my mind seething in a sudden, boiling rage. It almost shocked me of how quickly it rose. And so I go back into the cycle, each adding another prod to my side like some kid poking a bear with a really long stick.

'Why can't these people move any faster? Or at least make a sensible lane to get out to lunch,' the voice mutters as my eyes quickly swivel around, seeing the swarm of bodies rampage through the halls. Every little noise begins to ring in my ear as every little flash of metal or glitter sends my eyes rapidly blinking. There's just too many things going on at once and I can't seem to have any of it. 'I swear the next person that walks into you,' the whisper in my left ear starts as I stagger back, glaring at the tuba player who walks past, 'are going to get it-'

Almost right on cue I feel a heavy weight crash into me, sending my steps backwards as the figure reaches out for his small stack of books. "Oh my gosh, I'm so-"

I don't even listen, I just let everything that had been piled up during the weekend flood my line of sight. "WHY CAN'T I JUST GET TO CLASS YOU POCO, MALDITO, PUTO DIABLO!" I freeze, my eyes falling on the little, skinny blonde kid I had just snapped at. Well, more than snapped but... "Fuck, shit I'm- I'm sorry, I didn't know what," I scramble around, neatly organizing the books with shaking hands, "I don't know..." My words falter as I stand back up, everybody frozen with eyes wide and staring. Few still move about, trying to see who the hell just called someone - something really bad I might add - in explosive Spanish.

I gulp, my appetite immediately vanishing.

There's a distant, soft cough and a few whispers erupting further down. My eyes glance across the crowd, my heart staggering over a few beats. Oh god...she saw it. And from her expression, it was everything. 'And goddammit she knows Spanish well too,' my thoughts hastily remark, my eyes suddenly burning under the just expressionless gaze. It didn't need to be. I know what's going through her mind. It's just pure, unceasing shock.

Nothing runs through my mind to be approved before I find myself bounding down the hall, students quickly scrambling out of the way to give me room. The room I had wanted only minutes ago and yet, with my heart hammering in my ears, I hate it.

And, within minutes, I'm in the black box theatre. Nobody else is in here, luckily, so I dash towards the corner of the room, leaning against a pillar. While my eyes water, nothing breaks. Nothing comes out as it should, it just remains with me. I can't let go of them it seems. But, at the moment, I just want the tears to fall. Just to fall and relieve me of something...but I haven't actually cried in so long. it feels like that anyway. I just need relief, just for them to give me relief.

Though like I said, they don't.

My head turns towards the double, black doors, a brow stitching across my forehead as I quickly rub my eyes. I have never liked anybody seeing me cry... "Tori? Are you in here? Jade thought you'd be, she sent me to see- Oh there you are!" Cat grins enthusiastically, "You wanna come join our table? Beck and Robbie are waiting for you. Come on, he bought you a sandwich." As she tugs on my arm, dragging me away from the room, I nod slowly. I do like that sandwich...it's a good one.

And so, ignoring everything, I pull a smile over my lips since the voice coos to me that everything is fine. Beck wraps his arm around me as I nibble on the bread, gazing at it sourly as my stomach refuses to consume anything. But, as the little voice on my shoulder says, everything's fine.

-(:)-

His lips are against mine during the commercials once again, his way of letting me take my mind off of the "rumors" - as he put it - about my sporadic moment in the hall. As anybody would tell from a mile away, he hasn't been listening to any gossip. Not that I ever took him as one to listen but, well, perhaps he should at least acknowledge them. They do speak some truth and, most of the time, they always do.

He leans away with a soft smile, tilting his head to the side as his fingers brush against my cheek. "Better?" he asks.

It pains me that he's trying. "Yeah," I answer with a small grin, Beck leaning in for a quick peck on my cheek.

"TORI!" We both startle violently, Beck slipping his hand from the couch in his haste to twist around. However, it doesn't go well as he finds his head on my lap. Within a split second he scrambles from his position, cheeks burning ferociously as he turns around abruptly.

"What is it Trina?" he croaks at her wide eyes.

"What were you two-"

"You scared me!" he points at her, still thoroughly embarrassed. Well, all I have to say is now he's taken my mind briefly off of today's events. I grin a little at his efforts to comb his hair to a neater setting, only making it fluffier.

I turn to my sister, rolling my eyes as he complains about the static. "What is it?"

"When's the trip? I forgot and I need to make this date happen but he's asking in a few days..." she explains, gesturing towards the phone in her hands.

"Uh, it's the week before Christmas," I answer before she relays the message.

She scowls for a moment, her words stuttering from her lips to have the boy on the other side to stay. "No!" she eventually whines, "He just told me that right before Christmas would've been the perfect time!" As she darts back up the stairs, both Beck and I glance at each other, rolling around the couch in a fit of laughter.

"Pure karma right there," he chuckles. I can't help but agree.

-(:)-

Beck- I'm not gonna be at school at all today

Tori- How come?

Beck- My mom slipped in the kitchen this morning so my dad and I are staying with her at the hospital

Tori- I'm sorry

Beck- Thanks. I think she'll be fine, it doesn't look serious but you never know with this sort of stuff

Tori- Yeah.

Beck- Anyway, have a good day. We'll catch up later

Tori- Alright. :)

Beck- :)

I exhale slowly as I lean against my locker, slipping my phone back into my jeans pocket. Unease creeps up my spine; I don't think today will be a good one. I've had that feeling since I woke up and I haven't shaken it off at all...

My hand brings the coffee meant for Beck to my lips, my stomach suddenly glad that he's not here. I mean, after all, it's more coffee for me right? That, and he's not the one who cracked a tailbone so, that's good. Not that his mom did but...well, whatever. I can't do anything about it. As I sip on the drink my eyes wonder around the hall, taking in the later morning atmosphere. Constantly people shoot me quick glances, stepping slightly away from my locker. I used to be in a strange awe about how Jade had gotten everybody to avoid her space. Not something I wanted to necessarily do but it was something that held my attention whenever I found myself bored in class. Well, now I realize it isn't a huge accomplishment. Sure the school has been acting a bit strange around me for a little while though to get it at the same level as her was quick. It was easy and, frankly, a bit too easy.

This school really isn't all that hard to master, I've found. I mean you have the competition during classes with talents but in terms of everything else it goes down to a minimum. With certain things it's just whatever, which has allowed me to have my own space as Jade acquired through intimidation.

I grimace at that though, my mind still not able to wrap around the idea. Though, as my voice puts it, I can have my space if I need it. It's taken over, honestly, and I can't seem to be able to do much about it. It pulses through my system, making every single move that I make fine, even if my deepest consciousness says otherwise. But I can't reprogram it, and I've been doing well with Beck from it anyway...to the expense of everything else.

It's a strange feeling to have your body make it's own actions following something else that isn't a part of your deep psychology. It feels restrictive but, at the same time, freeing almost. I'm able to let out any feeling that I muster through rebellious acts that I wouldn't have done beforehand. There's a certain charm to them I don't want to let go of, even if it had landed me in some situations where I just wanted to bolt...as I did the first time.

The bell shrills in delight of the new day, my eyes only rolling for the first class period. I walk down the halls easily, everybody minding their distance with their gazes to the ground. I don't take too much notice as I step swiftly into the classroom. All eyes momentarily draw towards me, retreating once I glance at them. My eyes quickly dart to the clock on the wall, my breath out in a soft scowl. This day is not going to pass by quickly.

-(:)-

My strides make their way to Festus' truck, my eyes lingering on that damn-fucking-good-sandwich. I swear it will become my life source by the end of senior year. After the girls ahead of me make their quick exchange, I step forward. "What food do you want today?" he asks in a bored tone. I wouldn't honestly blame him, being in that truck all day serving students that can be bitchy, but I sneer anyway. I'm simply not in the mood.

"The same sandwich I always get," I answer rather gruffly, though my tone isn't accusatory as I hoped it wouldn't be.

He merely nods, shuffling through the back for a few moments before handing down the plastic box as I hand him the three dollars. "No tip?"

"I don't have any other cash," I shrug blandly, striding away to the table. A small group of seniors strut their way as I stroll towards Robbie and Rex, who are the only ones at the table. However, as I cross the last few steps to seat myself down, I growl quietly, feeling a force knock the sandwich container out of my hand. It spills everything within it to the ground once it flies open, my sandwich merely becoming a loose pile of ingredients.

My eyes dart up coolly to the shaggy brunette who stares back in an amused expression. "Sorry there babe, didn't expect- hey!" he lets out a forceful whine, "That was three dollars!"

"So was mine," I snarl, stepping towards him with his own - now my own - sandwich in my grasp. "Thanks for lunch," I add mockingly as his hand grips the air, almost wanting for another one to appear. He glances up at me, brilliant green meeting cold brown. His steps guide him back in his retreat, not wanting any more of my company. I quickly lower myself to the seat, diving into the identical sandwich.

"Uh..." Robbie starts, his mouth hanging slightly open with Rex almost falling limp in his hand, wooden mouth dropped.

"What?" I snap, bringing my attention up to Robbie who gives out a short 'peep.'

He clears his throat, tilting his attention to me with concern lacing his furrowed gaze. "You've been acting really weird for the past couple of days..." he draw out hesitantly.

"Dude, no," the puppet intervenes, his head shaking exaggeratedly, "She's been acting strange for several weeks now."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I grumble hotly through my sandwich, eyes widening sternly as Robbie's darts around, looking for someone safe to go.

"Well, I mean...I just was- you're not acting like how you usually would-"

"Cut the chiz," Rex snaps, his hand raising to shut the ventriloquist up. "Man," he turns to me, "You've been acting like Jade-"

"Rex," Robbie yelps as I growl, canines flashing, "You can't say stuff like that."

The puppet chuckles darkly, muttering, "Just did." I abruptly push away from the table, the sandwich skidding towards the two. I ignore their surprised gasps, not glancing back to see whether or not they have sandwich crumbs all over them. From how I hear his bag fall - the one that was beside him - I assume they are, though I find myself not caring. Not giving a single shit even. I push past a few people making my way towards my locker, briefly grunting my 'excuse me's.

Once at my locker, I stare at the mirror within it, watching my reflection carefully. Its arm is frozen on one of the text books, cold eyes glancing un amused right back. All I see in the mirror is a darker being, one that the voice sitting on my left shoulder purrs at. I merely shut the locker door, not bothered to contemplate against it any longer.

-(:)-

The school parking lot crawls away as we roll forward, my eyes focusing on the road ahead. "So, when do you do it again?" Trina mumbles slyly, eyes narrowing at the red light.

I growl heatedly, my neck arching at my irritation. "Not this again! When are you going to drop it?" I spit.

"Well dad hasn't been looking at me in the eyes as of late!" she growls back, the car driving forward. I furrow my brows, my eyes following the intersection as it passes by.

"Trina, you missed the corner-"

"I know."

I dart my gaze to her, watching as her fingers dribble along the steering wheel, eyes focused on the red Honda in front of us. I fold my arms crossly, scoffing before murmuring, "And why did you skip it exactly?" She doesn't answer immediately, her attention going to the next light. It blinks yellow as we come across it, though turning red after the Honda rolls away.

"To talk to my baby sister. So what are you going to do in Oregon?" In all honesty, I didn't exactly know, but I suppose I will in a few days. For starters, probably nothing on the beach since its ridiculously cold compared to here...not to mention rainy. Scratch that, haily...if that's even a word. Well, we may end up walking down the beach as my parents talk to my uncle and aunt while my cousin, Trina and I talk to ourselves. And then there's reading that I may do some. Sleep maybe.

"I dunno," I mumble, my mind still whirling away at what's to come.

She nods slowly, muttering, "So nothing...pleasing?"

"TRINA!" I bark startling her, "What did I say about that? I said I was sorry, quit trying to catch me! I don't do it, alright?"

"Okay, okay! I won't talk to you about it until I catch you..." she breathes, turning the corner. There's no use, she's going to keep at it until she catches me. Sucks to be her though, I'm not doin' it for a long time just to spite her. That, and I haven't had the need to do it either.


Now it's so funny to me how this story started off at first with the Tori we know and love from the show and then has gradually become reduced to this...wasting six dollars on a really good sandwich. XD But seriously (as serious as I can get from writing this sort of thing) I mean, I love writing characters how they are portrayed in the show and using how they would act to my advantage but - hell - these past angsty chapters have been really fun to write, actually.

Hope you enjoyed this one, anyway. Feels a bit choppy and a bit shorter than the others but oh well.

:)