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Chapter 14 - The Best in You (Beggin' on your Knees)
Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you. ~ Unknown
At the beginning, Jade was trying to help. She had heard rumors of Ryder's infidelities and general jackass-edness. Unlike Tori, Jade had social links to all parts of Hollywood Arts; she knew a lot more than most people realized. But her warning had fallen on deaf ears and she'd been accused of simply not wanting Tori to be happy; so she let it go. The other girl could learn for herself. Jade had learned plenty in life on her own; and it was a painful way to go about things.
Tori didn't listen to her and began a relationship with Ryder. And then it blew up in her face; just as Jade told her it would. And yet, Jade was the one who had been chastised in front of all of their friends. She sat on the steps on the Vega house and fought a pout; she wouldn't give Beck the satisfaction. He was going to pay for giving her a time out. She wasn't five years old. And boy, would she prove that to him.
After the song writing began, Jade was forgiven her previous comments and welcomed into the song writing process. Andre took care of the music, but Jade came up with most of the lyrics. She funneled most of her anger at Beck's "time out" into fantastically lyrical words for Andre's amazing song. And of course, Tori would get all the credit. But after seeing her expression after realizing what Ryder had done, Jade thought she might deserve it this time. At least a little.
As they left Tori's house after midnight, the air between them crackled with tension. It was Beck who first tried to alleviate it. "Those lyrics are amazing," he said. "You did a great job."
"I know," she answered tersely.
"I shouldn't have given you a time out," he said.
"You are right about that," Jade responded angrily. "How dare you? And in front of other people?"
"You were acting like a child – and you were being mean to Tori. You knew she was ready to cry and you just kept pushing. What was I supposed to do?"
"I am not your constant responsibility," Jade informed him. "I am perfectly capable of taking responsibility for the things I choose to say; they have no bearing on you. Everyone still thinks you're nice and considerate Beck while I'm just the bitch they can't understand why he keeps around."
"That is not how people see you," he said in protest. She shot him a look of derision that would have withered anyone else, but Beck stayed strong. "And if you would stop seeing yourself that way, maybe you would stop saying things that you regret later."
"I don't regret saying anything" Jade assured him. "And you haven't apologized."
"I am sorry," Beck said, pulling into his driveway behind his RV. He put the car into park and used both hands to pull her into his lap and then kissed her deeply. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I only want to protect you from saying something that you would regret later. And no matter how much you argue – I know that pretty brain of yours never stops thinking and rethinking – so I know you regret." Jade didn't answer, but she settled into his embrace; it was the most acceptance of his apology as she was going to offer. Sliding his arms under her knees and back, he carried her into the RV.
"I am sorry," Jade said softly that night, after she was in her pajamas and curled into his arms under the covers.
"You are?" Beck asked, somewhat surprised that she would admit it.
"I'm sorry Tori didn't listen to me in the first place," Jade responded. Beck sighed and chuckled before dropping a kiss at the top of her head and pulling her closer. She was tough; but that was one of the many reasons he loved her.
What They Are (Tori Gets Stuck/ Prom Wrecker)
The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are. ~ Stephen R. Covey
Jade had been alone for three days when Tori received the lead in Steamboat Suzie. That role was the only thing that was keeping her mind away from the empty space beside her - the one normally occupied by her large, kind, and extremely handsome boyfriend. Three days of a world Jade hated more than normal. She was tired of losing roles to Tori. Before the talented brunette had come along, Jade had been considered a shoe-in for whatever role she wanted; she was an extremely talented actress and singer. Tori had changed the perception that Jade could do no wrong. And Jade was tired of it. More simply, Jade was tired.
Since Beck had gone with his parents to Canada, she'd gone into frozen mode. It happened whenever Beck left town and was one of the reasons he tried to stay close by or at least take her along when he did leave. The last time he'd left town – she'd unintentionally lost five pounds. So this time, he made her promise she wouldn't forget to eat. So she didn't. She'd eaten lunch each day. Mostly, it was to get Cat and Tori - who were far too nosy for their own good - to leave her alone. Although Cat might not have noticed on her own, Beck was texting her every day and questioning her about his girlfriend. Jade wouldn't have answered a text that said "what did you eat for lunch?" But Cat didn't think a thing about answering a text reading "what did Jade eat for lunch?" And her response of nothing would have caused Beck to call and lecture Jade. So, on each of those days, Jade forced down a salad or a sandwich or a burrito, trying not to gag on the sandpaper feeling she experienced in her throat.
Breakfasts and dinners - well, that was why God invented coffee. And she needed coffee far more than even normal. Because sleep had evaded her since Beck's departure. Never in a million years would she admit that she needed to hear his voice or feel his presence to fall asleep, but it was the truth. She had gotten to the point of sleeping with him at least four nights a week; more when she could get away with it. When she didn't sleep over – he always called nightly and his was the last voice she heard. Unfortunately, reception on his grandparents' farm in Canada was spotty at best, so she would only hear from him a few times while he was gone. Her first thought was to stay in his RV while he was gone, so at least she'd have his scent and atmosphere surrounding her during the sleepless hours. Her common sense kicked in and she realized that her father - and the neighbors - would probably be suspicious.
Instead, she headed home after school, threw herself into her bedroom, and told her stepmother and father- if they approached – to leave her alone. She told herself that was the way she wanted it. She spent the evenings reading through books and plays that bore the signs of much use and love.
If she was more vicious than usual, she had her reasons. It was not her job to explain to people that things were bad right now; it should just be an unspoken understanding. But it wasn't. She'd lost the Steamboat Suzie lead. It hurt more than usual because Beck wasn't there to support her, to reassure her. It was difficult to remember that there was a time when constant affirmation was not necessary for her survival. Beck had spoiled her; softened her. Her agony over Beck's absence made her angry at herself; she was fiercely independent - she shouldn't need him. But she did, so she reacted in the only way she knew - lashed out at those around her - namely Tori. She was pretty ashamed of herself for purposely 'misplacing' Tori's first pint of blood. Not that those words would ever leave her lips. Not that she would have done anything differently if given the opportunity.
She video chatted with Beck during her free period the day she'd lost the lead, hidden in an instrument locker that was rarely used. He was in town with his grandfather, so he had reception and he listened to her intently. He sympathized with her about the lead for Steamboat Suzie going to Tori. Although Tori was talented and his friend, he had admitted that she was getting a large portion of the leads - leaving little for others, including Jade. But after he told her that he understood, he clearly warned her not to take any vengeful action. To which, Jade growled and logged off the chat. Beck texted, warning her again, and telling her he loved her.
She fought the urge to throw her phone across the room and instead packed up her things and headed home for another afternoon of wallowing in solitude. She supposed she could have found solace in Cat; but she didn't feel up to the job of worrying about her best friend. Cat was slipping more and more away from the reality that everyone else lived in; and Jade didn't know what to do about it. It was easier to avoid the topic altogether – which meant avoiding alone time with the redhead. Cat didn't notice; she had Tori to fill her best-friend quota.
"Is Jade being nastier than usual?" Tori asked Andre, after the other girl stormed from the lunch table. It was a week after the play and they were busy planning the last minute details for Prome .
"She doesn't like it when Beck leaves," Andre replied simply. "I'm surprised she's been this cool."
"This is cool? You call trying to sabotage my lead in the play cool? Trying to ruin Prome?"
"Last year, when Beck went to Canada for his aunt's funeral - he was only gone for a week. Jade tried to stuff a kid from the lower school into his cello case because the song he was playing annoyed her. That was after she made Cat cry a few dozen times and ripped off all of Rex's appendages. I'd say she's doing great this time."
"Why won't she just leave my Prome alone? Does she have to make everyone miserable?"
"You did sort of get her performance cancelled," Andre pointed out. He hated to mention it, but it was a little crass of Tori to completely forget that Jade had a reason to be upset. Of course she took it too far, but that was what Jade did - it was completely to be expected.
"It was one performance - and she can reschedule. It was the only day we could have Prome."
"Well, hopefully she'll get over it," Andre answered, glancing toward the direction Jade had exited.
"Do you think she'll try to ruin things tonight?" Tori asked.
"I'm not thinking along the lines of 'will she,'" Andre admitted. "I'm thinking about 'how will she?'" Tori groaned and threw a piece of her bread at him. He caught it gracefully and ate it, causing her to smile.
Despite Jade's best efforts, Prome was not ruined. At least not for anyone beyond Trina, who was devastated that she didn't receive her ill-gotten crown. Jade quickly used a knee to the groin to get away from the creepy, smelly Doug-the-Diaper-Guy. When she'd hired him, she didn't imagine she'd be alone with him. At all. After incapacitating him momentarily, she jogged in her heels to her car and climbed in. Her phone was blinking with a new message; Beck was home.
She stormed into the door of his RV and threw herself into his confused embrace. She'd neglected to tell him that her performance had been cancelled. She'd left out any mention of Tori's stupid Prome. So, the teal dress was a surprise. The tears that began falling were a complete shock.
It took most of an hour to coax out of her what had happened – and roughly what percentage of events were her fault. Between fits of sobs, Beck convinced her to change out of the teal dress and into a pair of pajamas. It took him another half an hour to calm her and lull her into sleep. Once he was certain she was out for the night, he drove to Tori's house.
Tori answered the door almost immediately and Beck could hear Trina's voice from somewhere in the house, saying "you'll get it!" Tori was in her pajamas, her hair damp and curly from the rain that had hit earlier in the evening. She smiled and invited him in and Beck felt a pang of nausea – he hated confrontation.
"I'm glad you're back," Tori told him, perching on one of the sofas, "Jade has been a nightmare. She always behaves better when you're around."
"I wanted to talk to you about that," Beck said, sitting on the other sofa, facing her. "I think what you did – cancelling Jade's performance – was pretty uncool. She's really upset."
"She ruined prome!" Tori said, stunned that Beck was taking Jade's side. What she'd done was horrible.
"She had her performance planned for tonight – how would you feel if you'd planned your prom for three months and then she got it cancelled for a performance she came up with in three days?" Tori looked at him oddly; why was he defending Jade? She'd been mean and vindictive.
"And I'm really upset about you letting Doug the Diaper Guy run off with her – and for calling her a freak demon in front of the entire school. Not cool, Tori."
"She is constantly making fun of me and trying to do mean things – but I'm the one getting yelled at?" Tori asked. "I know she's your girlfriend – but you have to see that she doesn't treat people right – and she can't always get her way."
"There is a lot about Jade that you don't know," Beck told her solemnly. "But trust me when I tell you that she rarely gets her way. And she does have a right to be upset about the Prom – you got her performance cancelled – and she worked hard on that."
"Did you just come over here to yell at me?"
"No," Beck said. "I just want you to know that things aren't always as they seem. And Jade really isn't a bad person. But she hasn't had an easy life – and if you push her – she's going to push back harder."
"So you want me to apologize to her?"
"She will be apologizing to you for trying to ruin Prom – and for the blood thing. That was just wrong. But I think you should consider what you might apologize for. Because you're both at fault here." After Beck left, Tori was stunned; Beck had never chastised her before; she didn't like it.
Jade never knew of the conversation. She was still sleeping that night when he crawled under the covers. So, she was somewhat surprised two days later when Tori approached her and apologized.
"I'm sorry I got your performance cancelled. I'm sure it would have been – terrifying," Tori said uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry for misplacing your blood. Thanks for not calling the cops about that." There was a pause and Jade looked at the ground, then back at Tori. "And I guess I'm sorry I tried to ruin your prom."
"Prome," Tori said, emphasizing the last sound of the word.
"Oh, shut up," Jade said, rolling her eyes at Tori before walking away.
"Well," Tori huffed, watching Jade leave.
I hope you liked it – Share your thoughts. Did you have a favorite part? The next chapter will contain "The Worst Couple." It was difficult – but I think it worked out pretty well.