Disclaimer: I tried to sue Schneider for stealing my ideas, but now I'm buried in court fees. So to pay them off, I'm making my own show which will star David Schwimmer and Beck's abs. It's a drama.
I'm kidding.
David Schwimmer said no.
Well, technically, he said, "Get off my porch or I'm calling the cops."
"Jade!"
Jade flew by, black clothes whipping behind her like a witch's cloak in a fairytale. She would not stop, not for Tori at least, who was calling her name and chasing after her, her tiny footsteps drowned out by the vicious stomping of black boots.
It was the first time in a long time that Jade felt this enormous swelling, this feeling. It wasn't happiness, exactly, but she savored it all the same. It was success, one that relied on no outer source, no one else, just her and her own actions. And it was absolutely delicious.
"Jade!" the brunette protested louder, her voice firm. She tried to snatch at Jade's wrist but it merely flew through her fingers like a smoke ring.
"Goddammit Jade! Stop right now and listen to me!" Her voice echoed through the empty halls of Hollywood Arts and caught Jade's ankle, mid-stride. Jade was frozen, right in front of the main staircase. She turned abruptly on her heels and immediately marched back to Tori, and towered over her.
"Ok." She said the world sharply, coldly, as terrifying as she could make it, but to her surprise, Tori didn't budge. Normally, she would be reduced to a quivering puddle at the sound of Jade's voice so close to her, snaking its way down as strands of brown and pink danced on Tori's cheeks. But this time, she was standing just as boldly as Jade, and Jade noted that they were just about the same height.
"What the hell is your problem you psychopath? Why do you have to ruin everything for everyone else? I get it. You're bitter, your life sucks, you hate everything, but why does that mean you have to make everyone just as miserable as you? Stop being such a friggin' baby about everything Jade!" Tori's cheeks were flushed as she scolded Jade. Narrowing her eyes, Jade growled at the skinny brunette.
"Stop being a baby? STOP BEING A BABY? Oh well that just makes it so much easier doesn't it? I just have to stop being a baby. Thanks Tori. I've been incredibly lost without your profound advice," she spat at Tori, trying her best to bring herself to full height. Tori's eyes shifted uncomfortably for a second, as if trying to decide something. After a few moments of silence, Jade sneered and began to walk away.
"I don't love Beck!" Tori blurted out, freezing Jade once more. A mirthless laugh exploded from Jade's chest.
"You have got to be kidding me Vega!" She turned at the final word. "I'm not a fucking idiot. A monkey could understand that transparent script. Your uncontrollable love, your romantic sacrifice. It makes me want to puke. Literally, I want to vomit every time I read it. Here's a hint. Stick to mindlessly singing everyone else's lyrics on stage, because your writing is shit."
Tori stammered, her hands grasping feebly in front of her as if groping for words to stuff into her mouth. She finally sighed instead and looking down and grabbing at her temples, she finally spoke.
"Listen Jade. Please… please. I am begging. Would you please just hear me out? I know you're smart (Jade smirked at the compliment), so if you'll let me talk, uninterrupted, I'll tell you everything, the TRUTH. There really is more to it than you know. Give me five minutes. That's all I ask." Tori finished, imploring Jade with a glossy look in her eyes. They weren't puppy eyes, they weren't the eyes of someone trying to get their way. Jade groaned, as she realized that Tori truly wanted to get something through to her, even though she knew it was going to be some dumb excuse, some comedy of errors, that led to the humiliating script being displayed in front of everyone. But she was feeling powerful, and somehow merciful.
"Fine," Jade groaned again, throwing her head back. "Five minutes. Seriously Vega. I'm timing you." She swung herself over to the steps and sat down. She gestured, annoyed, signaling Tori to get on with it.
"OK…" Tori breathed, twisting her hands together. "Well, there's one thing you have right. I did have a crush on Beck, when I first got here. And that script is about um… moments, I guess, between us." Jade was rolling her eyes.
"But, I kind of lost interest in him after like a week. It helped a little that he had you for a girlfriend, but I also kind of fell for someone else too." She was growing more nervous by the second, twisting her hands, repeatedly, over themselves like some sort of acrobat.
"Who?" Jade piped up, surprised at her own curiosity. She furrowed her brow at her words.
"That's not important," Tori said, shaking her hands, blurring them for a second. "Let's just say, I care a lot about this person. Beck is my friend. I honestly, truly, 100%, don't see him that way." Tori began to notice the anger glowing through Jade. Disbelief was broadcasted within her features. "But-" Tori trailed off.
"But?" Jade said, annoyed.
"Someone does love Beck. Someone you know." Tori's eyes finally met Jade's.
Jade, caught off guard, said nothing. Her eyes widened slightly as she stared right back at Tori.
"Who?" She finally asked after a few moment's silence. She was completely baffled. Her mind could not grasp that anyone else but Tori was in love with her boyfriend. Random, anonymous skanks sure. But Tori had said it was someone she knew. She racked her brain. Again. Once more. She could come up with no one. She had been so focused on protecting her relationship from Tori that she had completely blocked out everyone else. She had forgotten that there were girls (and guys for that matter) everywhere who would kill to just snake their arms around her Beck, her precious gem, and snatch him away in the blink of an eye
Tori sighed.
"It's Cat."
Author's Note: I KNOW right? Honestly, I had no idea this story was going to end up here. But I've had about five beers and it seems like a good idea right now so hey, why not? I've been so inspired to write lately. I'm also on break and they've been playing A Christmas Tori like, daily. These things are all related. Also, I'm starting to sympathize (slightly) with Tori. I know, it's a Christmas miracle. She still bugs me but I think I can probably get on board with her character now.
Uh oh, is Rachel Going to start writing Jori stories?
Probably.
Probably.
Please review, everyone adopts a kitten when you do :) And it also gets me off my lazy butt and inspires me to write.
Update: Seven beers. Five makes me sound like a lightweight. So seven. And like a whole keg. Yeah.