Summary
"Don't call me 'babe' or 'baby' or 'Jay' anymore. You can call me Jade. Or West. I'd prefer the latter."
"Jade. What do you mean...?" No. This wasn't happening. She couldn't be doing this. It was a stupid silly mistake. Just...a stupid mistake that meant nothing. This didn't feel like any of our 'half a day long at most' break ups in the past.
"I mean; congratulations. You're now free to give a good dicking to any girl that crosses your path."
Set During S1E1 'Pilot'. After Beck kisses Tori in the Alphabet Improv Game, Jade doesn't just forgive and forget. Beck's going to have to work for it.
Chapter Summary
Beck and Jade spend some time together. Jade gets revenge on Tori. And of course, there's tiramisu.
Authors Note
Hey look! The second last chapter!
So as I said in my last chapter, I've done an Andre-POV as a lot of people were annoyed at him for being such a douche regarding Jade. But because I felt it didn't fit in this story (it's not first person, inspired by a totally different song, covers more than just this story), I instead decided to do that as a kind of 'Tie-In' one-shot, posted separately - Hope Is Our Four Letter Word. Please do read, and hopefully it will help stop the Andre hate!
And of course, there's Tori-bashing in this chapter. Because I'm a terrible person. My next multi-chapter fic is going to have her NOT be an utter troll. I hope. It'll be my own personal challenge, from me to me.
I didn't really know why Jade had set things up the way she had; well, OK. Maybe I did. She obviously had driven herself to school today, so I wasn't able to give her a lift straight to mine; plus, she needed to get a change of clothes for school tomorrow, since she'd cleared out my RV of her belongings one very long (to me at least; it seemed like every second took an hour to pass) week ago. And the whole dinner thing made sense too; I'd even managed to sweet talk my dad into giving me some extra cash so I could order her favourite take out (a place that did Asian Fusion, meaning she could get two of her favourite things at once; Tofu Pad Thai and Dim Sum) - to be honest, I think my dad was just happy Jade would be around again. He'd taken the break up almost as hard as me, funnily enough. People often assumed my parents wouldn't like Jade, but in reality, my dad was her biggest fan and I was pretty sure he'd happily swap me for her if given the chance.
But what I didn't understand was the Tori thing; why did she not want me to let Tori know she was going to be there? I wasn't going to complain - I was already on paper thin ice with Jade, and any questioning or extra attention to Tori Vega of all people who not only crack that ice, but submerge me in icy cold water I knew I'd never get out of. So instead, I didn't mention it as we ate our dinner and caught each other up on everything that we had missed (neither of us had done much, really. It made me feel a little better that Jade had been just as upset and affected by our break up, despite the fact she had blatantly handling it better than I had) and I made sure to keep a note of the names of the people who had mocked her after my mistake. Needless to say, none of them would be getting any friendly help from me from now on, and the girls wouldn't even get a simple conversation. After we'd finished our meal, we sat together on the floor, and she curled into me, tucking under my arm. I won't deny it; I hadn't felt as at ease as I was right then in the whole week passed. I can't believe I almost messed this up for a stupid, pointless and, admittedly, rather dull and lifeless kiss with some new girl.
However, as 7pm approached and Tori was set to arrive, she stood up and walked over to my closet, pulling out one of my plaid shirts (black and yellow, a favourite of mine and hers), pulling her shirt over her head and kicking out of her jeans, allowing me a flash of her black lace matching bra and thong (part of me wondered if she specifically changed to matching underwear when she'd went home, just for me. I wouldn't put it past her but I sure as hell wasn't going to complain. Black lace against Jade's ivory white skin was one of my favourite views in the world). Seeing her in just my shirt and her underwear did something to me, and I couldn't help myself from grabbing her hips and pulling her against me, leaning down to capture her mouth without saying a word.
When Jade kissed, it wasn't soft and gentle. It was like a volcano, scorching heat, her tongue leaving trails of lava as it swept across my lips, her mouth tasting tangy and spicy from her Pad Thai along with the ever present hint of coffee. She used her teeth to nip and bite. It was possibly the hottest thing ever, especially when she did this thing with her tongue and teeth in unison and never failed to get me worked up.
However, we were interrupted by a loud knock on the door, and Jade pulled away with a smirk.
"Uh, believe me; this is not a complaint in anyway but...why are you just wearing my shirt when you know Tori's coming over?" It was a risk to ask, but I was curious.
She rewarded me with a smirk. "Idiot. Because Vega's coming over. Your little indiscretion with Troll Doll Tori last week got her hopes up. And I want to crush them." She looked at me with raised eyebrows. "You have a problem with it?"
The knocking became more insistent, along with a high pitched voice that was no doubt Tori's, calling for me. "No. No problem at all." I told her, although I did feel bad. If Tori did have a crush on me because of that stupid kiss last week, it was my own fault. But Jade may be (slowly) forgiving me (I had no doubt she'll hang it over my head in every argument for the next year, but just the fact we'll be having arguments made me not really care) but Tori wouldn't be extended the same curtesy. But if you purposefully kissed a girls boyfriend right in front of her, what did Tori expect?
Jade relocated to my bed, sitting with her back against the side of the RV, legs extended but crossed at the ankle, hanging off the edge of the bed - my bed wasn't a twin thankfully, but it wasn't a double - there was just enough room for two people to lay down comfortably, but no extra space. She made herself at home, and it was so good to see her there again; sitting and leafing through a book she'd brought (The Worlds 20 Worst Crimes; True Stories of 20 Serial Killers and their 1000 victims. Not exactly my cup of tea, but my girl wasn't exactly the most normal after all), dressed in only my shirt.
I finally made it to the door, pushing it open and there she was, standing in a totally different outfit from school today (at school she'd worn jeans and a loose shirt with a waistcoat over the top. Now she was in a skirt, knee high boots and an off the shoulder top that was more fitted than she usually wore). Which meant she'd dressed up to come over here. Jade was going to have a field day.
"Hey! I thought I had the wrong RV!" She grinned with a shy giggle, and I moved out of the way to allow her to enter - and allow her to see Jade. I could practically see her face drop when she finally caught a glimpse of her, sitting on my bed like she it was hers (and it was - and would hopefully be again after a week of her absence), dressed in nothing but my shirt, her hair a little messy from our make out (I figured mine would be too, to be honest. Both of us were hair tuggers after all). "Oh...Jade. What are you doing here?"
Jade looked up from her book with an unimpressed look on her face, which slowly turned to a smirk as she looked the too-dressy-for-just-homework outfit Tori had on up and down. "Why wouldn't I be here?"
"We're getting back together!" I couldn't help but blurt out, a proud smile coming to my lips.
"I finally decided to forgive Beck for his...pathetic little transgression." Her words were sharp and I know I should have maybe said something to defend Tori (judging by her wide-eyed look at me, she expected it as well) but call me a coward or a push over, I didn't want to set off a seismic event with Jade once more. She'd given me her rules and I was going to stick with them - and since I wasn't even allowed to hang out with Tori unsupervised, I don't think siding with her against Jade at such a fragile point in our makeup would end well for anyone. Besides; I know Jade well enough to know that this is her practically being tame.
"Oh..um...well, I mean, we were going to do our script writing class together. Shouldn't you be working with Andre?" Tori asked, and I blinked a little; she surely wasn't attempting to get Jade to leave was she? Did she actually think that would work.
"It's just a five page script. I don't see why she can't be here." I shrugged, knowing it would score me brownie points with my thank-god-not-ex girlfriend. "Besides, I get all my creative thoughts from her. Like a muse or something."
Tori looked like she'd swallowed a lemon and Jade looked like the cat who got the cream.
"So...you guys are back together?"
"Well, un-officially right now. We'll be official tomorrow after Improv." Jade smirked, running her tongue along her teeth. "After he apologises. Publicly."
"I'll do it from the raised stage in the Asphalt Cafe if needed." I told her with a grin, and it shocked me that...well, I genuinely would. I wouldn't be happy about it, but I'd do it. Thank God she hadn't suggested it.
"He promised he's got all his gross desire to kiss flat chested troll dolls out of his system." This time it was a bit more vicious, no doubt about it and I couldn't hold back a wince, especially as Tori whipped around to stare at me and I resolutely avoided her gaze. I may not jump in to defend her from Jade, but I sure as hell wasn't adding on to the insults. And Jade knew well enough to leave that alone.
"What is your problem Jade?!" Tori burst out, stamping her foot. "You've done nothing but insult me-"
Jade let out a harsh laugh. "My problem is on your first day at the school, you started rubbing my boyfriend's chest like you were in a badly acted porno. Then on your second you thought it would be a great idea to kiss my said boyfriend. In what world are you innocent Tiny Tits?" Jade snapped back, putting her book down next to her on the bed and standing up. "And now, you dress up in an outfit I'm sure you think makes you look super good and like you're about to go on a hot date. When all you're doing is script writing. Like, it's pathetic Vega." She scoffed.
"You can't talk to me like that!" I never knew Tori's voice to reach that pitch; but she DOES share genetic material with Trina, so it makes sense. "Beck, can you please get her to leave so we can work?"
I shrugged. "She's staying over tonight. I'm not gonna send her away just to come back." For good measure, I pressed a kiss to Jade's cheek, relishing in the feeling of her willingly leaning into me. "Besides, she's my girlfriend. This place is pretty much as much hers as mine." I was rewarded with a small smile from Jade and a twist of Tori's lips.
"Then can we go somewhere else? Like, to the main house?"
"Why? My parents are home and aren't exactly the quietest of people. We can work here. Jade'll just sit on her phone or read or something." I shrug. I feel a little bad for the fact Tori obviously feels awkward and uncomfortable but really, what did she expect? I had made it pretty clear throughout the week that I was still head over heels for Jade and wanted her back. I'd told her point blank the day it happened it hadn't meant anything. And even I can see she put in effort to look good tonight for our study session (and I'm apparently totally blind to subtle signals. Jade has often said I needed neon signs to be flashing before I noticed someone was flirting with me - so the fact even I noticed meant it was the opposite of subtle).
"Yeah. I'm not going to interrupt."
"Jade's also actually the best in our year at script writing. So she can help if we need her too." I offered as well, and it was true. Jade was the best script writer in our year, and probably second or third in the whole school behind a senior or two, who had had two extra years of classes. With Jade, it was just raw talent.
Jade gave a small smirk and a raise of her eyebrows at Tori, as if begging her to continue on with her effort to work away from Jade. However, when none came, she shrugged, pressed a closed mouth kiss to my cheek (I was still evidentially in the dog house and would be for a while. Normally Jade would have parted her lips just a little to make it a bit more sensual and get my blood pumping) and sat back on the bed, picking up her book and paying no attention to Tori.
After Tori finally seemed to realise that Jade wasn't going anywhere, the script writing actually did go pretty quickly. I asked Jade for her opinion once or twice on the stage directions, and to make sure it flowed correctly, but the actual story line (something totally void of romance, thank god. I think that Tori's romantic side may have made Jade vomit and me wrinkle my nose. No doubt it was sugary sweet with flowers and jewellery everywhere) was purely me and Tori - and even Jade would have to admit that Tori did have some good ideas and a good grasp of how to make a story flow well.
At around 9pm, two hours after she had arrived, we had a solid 3 of 5 pages done and we decided to call it quits for the night.
"So um...do you want to maybe meet at the library after school tomorrow? To finish up?" Tori asked as she bit her lip and looked up at me with 'Bambi Eyes'.
However, remembering the new rules (it'd take some getting used to but god damn it I'll manage because I cannot lose her again) I shook my head. "Sorry. I'm hoping Jade'll let me take her out for dinner tomorrow night." I gave her a glance and she raised an eyebrow at me but also gave me a small smile - meaning she would be more than happy to let me take her out. "But you could maybe come over the next day or we could work during study period tomorrow?"
Her face faltered a little and it took all my effort not to suggest that we just finish it tomorrow after school - because I could admit I was a people pleaser. But that side of me; the side of me that tried to make Jade control her comments and temper for the sake of others, the side that allowed constant flirtation with me, the side that didn't want to embarrass Tori that day in improv; that was one of the reasons we broke up.
"Oh Uh...OK. Study period tomorrow works and then we can see if we need more time." Tori nodded half-heartedly, and picked up her bag.
"Is someone coming to pick you up?" I asked, closing the word document we'd been typing up on my PearBook after saving it.
"Oh! Um no...I uh...I thought you'd maybe be able to give me a lift home?" Her eyes lit up a little bit, evidentially seeing a new opportunity to...be alone with me? I guess? But I knew that wasn't going to be happening - not when out of the corner of my eye I can see Jade tensing up, her lips going thin and tight, nostrils flaring slightly.
I couldn't really let her walk home though, at night, could I? Even Jade wouldn't expect me to do that. "Jade? We can go to that dessert place on the way back - get you some tir-"
"Tiramisu!" She exclaimed, leaping to her feet with a bright and brief grin. Without another word, I watched as she opened her bag and pulled on a pair of tiny black shorts (that exposed her long, lean, supple legs that seemed to go on for miles- I quickly cut that thought off. If I didn't, I'd be stuck thinking about her legs for hours) and shoved her feet into a her unlaced converse high tops, not bothering to get any more dressed than that.
"So I suppose you'll be coming too?" Tori forced cheerfulness into her voice, but it was far too obvious to be as subtle as she hoped.
"Of course. Beck knows how to bribe me." She smirked with a wink to me and I couldn't help but stroke my hand down her arm.
"Her kryptonite is Tiramisu. The amount of things I've had her try with the promise of tiramisu afterwards..." I sent her a cheeky grin and took great pride in the fact she flushed, just a little - a red tint across her cheekbones, up to her ears and then down her neck. But I know her, and know she wouldn't object to the hints of what we did in private in front of Tori - she'd probably encourage them to be honest.
"Yeah well, most of it ends up being fun anyway. No need for tiramisu anymore." She leaned in and kissed my cheek, blatantly enjoying Tori's badly hidden scowl. "Anyway. Lets go Tiny Tits. I want tiramisu." She stated and I made sure to face neither of them at the insult. It was mean and I had to tamper down my automatic reaction to scold her. Like I said, maybe I was a coward but I wasn't risking my relationship again for the sake of Tori, who had known exactly what she was doing that day in improv and had helped to majorly contribute to the worst week of my life, yet she didn't seem to care.
Safe to say, the ride to drop Tori off at home was awkward. There was a weird charged energy in the car, with Jade sat next to me and Tori in the back seat, her arms crossed and not looking too happy. Jade however, sat as if utterly bored, her long bare legs propped up on the dash (as she had a tendency to do, no matter how many times I asked her not too. Partly for health and safety, partly because her legs were one of my favourite distractions but it wasn't good to get distracted when driving) flipping through the photos on her phone.
"You'll need to send me photos of us. I deleted all of mine." She told me bluntly, and I couldn't hold back a wince. She really had been wanting to leave me for good. Picking up her stuff, bringing me my stuff, deleting photos...She'd never done that before during our short break ups, although the longest one before had only been one night before she asked for me back. I knew she was serious this time, but even then, I didn't realise quite how serious until now. It wasn't just cutting up photos she'd printed out. But the actual files themselves, gone from her phone and PearBook.
"I'll send the entire album of us when we get back to the RV." I promised, intent on getting everything back to normal - but this time, I'd try harder to work on the stuff Cat had pointed out. I know that Jade didn't see them as part of the reason we broke up, but I don't want to risk her waking up one morning in the future and all of Cat's worries - the flirting, the apologising, trying to change her behaviour, making her ask for me to say 'I love you' - hit her and she leaves me again. I think this past week has highlighted to me (and the others around me, to be honest, because no one could say that I've been 'Fine' this past week, or even just 'normal'; I'd been flipping between getting angry at the smallest thing and then moping and then having bursts of frantic energy in which I made stupid plans to win her back) that I'm not willing to even attempt to be apart from her again.
"You deleted all your photos? Isn't that a bit extreme?" Tori asked from the backseat, genuinely curious.
Jade just shrugged in reply, which for her was a nice response - she could have easily made some scathing comment about the reasoning behind the break up.
We dropped Tori off and headed towards Kaspas Parlor, a diner that only served desserts, specialising in waffles, crepes and sundaes, but they offered other treats too - like the Tiramisu Jade swore was to die for - I opted for a waffle with Nutella spread, bananas and caramel sauce, as I always did.
With the desserts in small boxes, we headed back to the RV, although Jade didn't even pretend to wait till we got there, gleefully digging into the dessert with the plastic spoon provided the second we got into the car. "I haven't had Tiramisu in two weeks." She told me, and I blinked. Jade generally made me swing by Kaspas once a week at least - if I remembered right, the day we broke up, I was meant to be taking her that evening. Meaning...she hadn't even gone on her own.
"It didn't feel right. Going there by myself or with someone else." She murmured, as if reading my mind. "I kind of resigned myself to never have it again." And if that didn't just break my slowly mending heart, I don't know what would have. It seems insignificant to others, but for Jade...who had an seemed to have an invisible exoskeleton that could be compared to the love child of a porcupine and scorpion, admitting that she didn't want to go back to a place we often ended our dates at, even if it was one of her favourite places, and was prepared to never go back again because of me...it made me grip the steering wheel harder.
"I'm going to take you to Kaspa's every single day for the rest of this month." I told her firmly, reaching one hand over to grip her hand, the one holding her spoon - which was dangerous, getting in between her and her favourite dessert. "For the rest of the year even-"
"Don't be stupid. I'd balloon up to be the size of your RV." She wrinkled her nose but her eyes glinted with affection and it made me feel so fucking good.
"Four a week for the rest of this month?"
"Twice. At most." She returned, a small grin flickering on her lips as she pulled her hand free from mine and continued eating. By the time we made it back to the RV, her little takeout box of tiramisu was finished. I knew it would happen - it always did. Which was why I always ordered a full rather than a half waffle at Kaspas. Because you wouldn't think it by looking at her, and she'd murder me for telling anyone; but Jade had a huge sweet tooth. She was the pickiest eater I knew for anything savoury (she wasn't vegetarian, but she didn't like red meat or white fish, rarely ate chicken or turkey and hated pork with a passion. She didn't like anything too fatty or greasy and refused to eat any seafood that looked like it did when it was alive (I'd never forget the shrimp pasta episode at that restaurant we aren't allowed back at). But if it was sugary, the chances were, she'd gleefully eat it.
So I had no doubt that half of my waffle would be eaten by her when we got inside - and I wouldn't have it any other way.