Night and Day
Chapter Eighteen
The room is almost entirely quiet, the only noise that of which belonged to the couple breathing. Tori was half asleep, her head resting upon Jade's chest, her ear over her heart that was beating slowly yet steadily.
Jade, much akin to her girlfriend, wasn't paying much attention to the real world, mindlessly scrolling through The Slap with one hand, her other combing lazily through the Latina's hair. "Tori?" she inquired after some minutes.
"Mmm?"
"When was the last time you updated your page?"
"Right before the accident, why?" She looked over at her page in confusion, wondering why she's bringing it up. "Is something the matter?"
"Your account was deleted for breaking general guidelines… It says that you… posted nudity?"
"What the Hell?" she sat up, even more perplexed as she grabbed her own phone, opening the app to see that, indeed, her account was deleted and she had been banned. Her eyebrows creased out of confusion before she noticed when she had been banned. She took sight of a second message stating that her account had been reported to officiails due to the distribution of child pornographjy for she isn't of consenting age quite yet. "Jade… Text Beck and Cat to see if they saw any new posts from my account recently."
She nodded, immediately doing so. "If you didn't post anything, who could possibly do it? And where would they even get the pictures from?"
"I dunno," Tori shook her head in return. "I've never took a nude photo of myself ever… I didn't allow any of my dates to either because if we parted on bad terms, I didn't want them to have a weapon against me… And I'm still a virgin so none of my dates have ever saw me naked," she explained, finding her sister's contact before texting her. Or at least trying to for she just got a text from Trina.
What the Hell are you doing posting yourself naked on the Slap for?! She demanded.
I didn't post anything since the accident, Trina
Then why is my feed filed with more than ten pictures of you naked with Ryder? I thought you broke up with him after you found out he was using you.
I did that whole song and everything. But what doesn't make sense to me is why he'd wait so long to post things if it was him. I mean, it happened months ago.
And you're absolutely positive you didn't post it.
Of course! Why would I do such a dumb thing?
I dunno… Maybe to try and convince people that you're straight?
Trina, I'm proud to be bi-sexual! And I'm more than happy to display the fact that Jade and I are a happy couple.
Sure, whatever you say. Just know that Dad is going to blow a fuse when he finds out.
And I'll explain the situation. He knows that I'd never do anything like this and he's aware of what occurred. If he really needs to, we can get some detectives involved and figure this out. Because I was also never naked around Ryder either.
Do you think you lost some of your memory due to the accident?
What? No! The doctor said that no part of my brain was injured so how the Hell would my memory disappear? And I'm sure that I'd forget a whole lot more than just this fucker.
Alright, alright. I get it. Now go and get some sleep. I have a feeling that none of us are gonna be sleeping for a while once everyone becomes aware of what's going on.
I can't seem to get a fucking break.
To be fair, you're handling it better than I ever could… Goodnight, I love you.
Tori couldn't help the smile that grew on her lips, chuckling softly, having never once expected Trina to say something along those lines. Jade looked over, wondering what could possibly be so comical as yet another series of unfortunate events appeared to be unraveling in front of them. She reviewed the text, her eyes widening out of surprise. "Damn… Maybe instead of losing brain cells from oxygen deprivation, she gained them," she joked to which Tori playfully smacked her arm in return. "What'd I say?" she laughed. "That was funny and you know it was!" Jade laughed in return, looking down as a text from Beck comes in.
A bunch of people on the Slap are talking about what's been posted but most of them think that the photos are fake or have been posted without Tori's knowledge since Ryder's in the pictures and mostly everyone knows that you and Tori are dating. So regardless of what was actually posted, everyone is supporting her so tell her not to worry about that too much.
I know that you don't like it when I get too close to people I hate with scissors but can you overlook it just this once? Jade waited for a response, knowing that she'll probably do so with or without his permission.
Cut off his dick and shove it up his ass and then down his throat. If you need help holding him down, I can get Andre and Robbie for backup.
Tori glanced at the text that just rolled in. "Seems like you've rubbed off on him," she spoke, rather incredulous that he had said that.
"No, it's just a proper punishment because you know damn well the justice system is absolute shit about dealing with these kidns of things. So it's best to take matters into our own hands."
"Or scissors?" Tori smirked to which the goth nodded in agreement.
"Yes, or scissors."
"Are you gonna give him a five second head start?"
"Maybe… Depending on how I feel and based off of what the others say."
"You actually think they're gonna help?"
"Of course, why wouldn't they?"
"You're acting like this is something that's actually gonna happen," she laughed.
"Ugh, fine. I won't cut his dick off. But he's gonna get jumped one way or another, I'll tell you that much. He has plenty of people pissed off at him and if we're not the ones to do it, other people will take it in their own hands."
Tori nodded, thinking in silence before her lips formed a broad grin as an idea came to mind, Jade taking notice. "Jade, I have an idea…"
"Tell me, I'm all ears," she smiled in return, wondering what Tori came up with.
"So you know how the school has been lacking funds recently?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Well, since Ryder has a lot of people that hate him, why don't we do a little something something where people pay to torture him in various ways?" she suggested to which Jade sat up, intrigued.
"Tell me more," she smiled.
"Obviously, we can't do anything illegal, I don't feel like going to jail anytime soon but perhaps we can have a little event where there are various things we can do to him. Douse him in ice cold water, have him eat disgusting food, wedgies, things of that nature. The ones that give worse reactions cost more. Of course, the people paying are gonna be the ones that are allowed to do whatever they pay for to him."
"Oh my God, Tori, you're a fucking genius!" Jade laughed, pulling her into her arms, pressing a kiss on her lips. "That's so devious! How'd you come up with this?!"
She squealed upon being hugged, immediately melting into her hold. "I was bored in the hospital so I was on my phone a decent amount. I saw a post where this principal let students buy a piece of duct tape for a dollar and stick him on the wall to fundraise. I wanted to do something along those lines but I think it'll be more fun if we do this to someone we all despise," she smiled.
"That sounds great! Truly. Only one small problem."
"Which is?"
"How the Hell are we gonna do this to him if we, you know, don't have him?"
"I think Beck and Andre can help."
"What about Robbie?"
"I guess he'll just have to stand guard and watch to ensure that no one shows up. We'll bring extra underwear and pants if he pisses himself, don't worry about it," she smiled.
"So… when are we gonna plan this?"
"We can start brainstorming tonight and let the others know of what it is we're doing. They can pipe in, too," she grinned. "I think the only problem we'll have is ensuring that it all remains legal."
"Pfffffttttttt. Where's the fun in that?" Jade jested.
"What if… there isn't any?" she laughed to which Jade playfully shoved her.
"Then… count me out."
"Please, you and I both know that you wouldn't give up torturing someone you despise for anything," Tori laughed, going back in her arms.
Why'd you post photoshopped pictures of you and Ryder on the Slap? A text from Robbie came in.
I wasn't the one who posted them. She responded before hesitating. Wait, how'd you know it was photoshopped?
Several reasons. The crop is horrible, the depth of field varies where it shouldn't on the picture, also, whoever photoshopped it decided that blending, colour-balance and white balance weren't necessary. Also also, a decent number of cameras usually don't create a white border around the picture.
"What's he saying?" Jade looked over her shoulder. "What the Hell? Since when did he become a detective?"
"He's a nerd, remember?"
"Yeah but he lacks so much common sense that I forget it half the time."
"… Touché," the Latina laughed, shaking her head. "Do you not like Robbie?" she asked, genuinely curious as she looked at her girlfriend.
"Let's just say… He's a different breed… a really different breed. Bastard's a retard in regards to literal everyday things. He has that puppet that I'm still questioning is real or if we all went full schizo and he can't stick up for anything. A child could hold a pencil to his throat and he'll piss his fucking pants…"
"So… No, you don't like him," Tori concluded.
"I tolerate him… at best."
"No you don't!" Tori laughed.
"Okay, maybe I don't. Fucking sue me!" the goth returned, pressing a kiss to her nose, watching in admiration as she scrunched her nose in return. "You're so cute," she gently whispered.
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Bite me," she huffed, laughing as she's kissed once again.
xxxXxxx
"Are you sure you wanna do this, Tori?" Jade inquired.
Tori remained silent, staring at the pistol and bullets that lay on the table in front of them. "… No," she finally mumbled. "No, I'm not sure. How'd you even get this?"
"Beck knows someone."
"Beck knows everyone," Tori chuckled weakly. "You sure he isn't in a mafia or something?" to which Jade shrugged.
"Couldn't say I'd be surprised if he was. He's intimidating without trying to be. He's a weird combination of looking far too nice while being someone you don't want to fuck with at the same time if you understand what I'm saying."
"I do," Tori nodded. "I do…" She laid down on the couch. "I thought that it'd be easier to go through with killing myself," she admitted. "Preparing the shit is easy, even the suicide letter… And I was so certain that this is what I want… But now… Now I don't know if I can do it."
"What's making you hesitate?" Jade whispered, wanting her to go through all the reasons and fully rethink it all.
"I feel… selfish," she whispered. "As though I don't have the right. I-I was raped yet… it's as though… something is yelling at me. That it's not my time. And the more I think of it, the more I think of people who've been through worse and are still fighting. The people in third world countries… And that isn't to say that I think that my feelings aren't valid because I haven't gone through what they have but.. it's strange… My life is… good…
"But… I'm traumatized and a large part of me feels that I'll never heal fully which is the main reason I wanna end it but… Like rape is traumatizing but so is suicide and if we go through with this, I'll be forcing people to go through what I used death as an escape from and that puts such a guilt on my shoulders because… it'll still be my fault… and I'd be hurting so many who, I know, are willing to help me get through and help with the process, who want nothing more than to see me happy…" She stopped, looking at Jade. "… I don't wanna do this," she concluded. "I think if I try hard enough, I can get through it," she said, sitting up now.
Jade couldn't help but smile widely, grabbing Tori and pulling her into her arms, holding her to her chest. "You understand," she whispered. "Thank God… Tori, dealing with trauma fucking sucks, believe me, I know… The journey is hard, stressful, tiring, and you're gonna wanna give up for the vast majority of the healing process. But you can't because you're not fighting just for yourself but for those who care greatly for you…
"Sophie left because she didn't acknowledge the fact that she had people who loved her, therefore she felt that fighting only for herself wasn't worth it and that she had no one to live for, which is so much worse than having nothing to live for… If you understand what it is I mean by that."
"I do," Tori nodded. No, I do. I get it… I suppose people aren't necessarily things but rather beings if you wanna put more value to them."
"There… DO you want to heal? Truly? I'll be by your side every step of the way."
"You promise?"
"On Sophie's grave," she nodded to which Tori leaned into her more.
"Think Sophie appreciates you making that kind of commitment?"
"I don't think she minds," she responded, stroking the Latina's hair gently.
"You better be sure. I don't want an angry gymnast doing backflips in my room whilst throwing shit at me," she laughed.
"She knew how to do standing backflips," Jade smiled.
"I'm not surprised. She must have been talented for you to speak so highly of her. You rarely compliment people and yet you go on and on about Sophie. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you had a crush on her." Jade didn't respond, avoiding her gaze. Taking this silence into consideration, she looked at the goth who was blushing lightly. "Oh my God, you did!"
"She was how I found out I was bi," she admitted, leaning her head back against the couch, her face turning darker.
"Why didn't you ask?"
"I knew the path she was taking and I didn't want to get even more attached than what I already was for that would have truly killed me."
"But perhaps asking her out-," Tori attempted to reason to which she shook her head.
"Even if Cy came back, or if her father was there… It wouldn't have mattered. Becoming paralyzed and losing that opportunity to get into the Olympics is what killed her."
Tori nodded in understanding. Whilst she hated being paralyzed, she could still sing. If her voice was somehow affected and she was unable to, she might just have found herself int eh same position that Sophie was once in. "That fucking sucks," she mumbled. "For that to just be ripped away… In an instant while spending the majority of your life for a life-changing moment… Life really is cruel."
"Extraordinarily so. I hope that, wherever she is, she's happy… Standing on that beam, never looking back… Having no fear of falling… She spent hours on that beam, just walking back and forth, absorbed in her thoughts… I could tell she was happy there. No matter how shitty the day was, she'd get on that beam and that small, content smile would appear… She'd never smile like that anywhere except there… Her smile was beautiful… Pure… She was selfless and she didn't want much in life… She only had the gymnastics… And the moment she lost it was when the deal was sealed to that suicide…" Jade released a shuddery breath, wiping away a few tears that had managed to escape. "Fucking Hell… I always become a mess talking about her."
"Because you truly loved her," Tori mumbled. "But I love that side of you, the vulnerable side… Because it tells me that you love and trust me enough to let your guard down and reveal the deepest secrets that you hold… I'm glad that I can provide you with that form of security." She smile gently, her voice telling Jade that the words she spoke were true.
"You're the only fucking person," the goth responded, pulling her into her arms, holding her tightly. "I trust you with my life, Tori… With that and so much more. My heart and soul are yours if you'll accept it."
"I'd be a fucking idiot not to," she smiled, resting her cheek on top of the pale girl's head, growing content.
"You'd be sane… No sane person is capable of loving me," Jade sighed to which Tori looked up at her, confused as to where that was coming from. "What?" the paler girl arched an eyebrow at her stare.
"Would you mind telling me where the fuck that came from?" she demanded, pure concern present in her gaze.
"I dunno," she truthfully admitted. "I suppose this whole situation brought back suppressed thoughts and feelings."
"Jade…" Tori pushed herself up. "Jade, what are we?"
"Girlfriends?" she responded, confused at her question.
"Right, so what do girlfriends do?"
"Is this a trick question or something?"
"What do girlfriends do?" the Latina reiterated, looking at her dead int eh eyes.
"I-…" she stopped. "I don't know what answer you're looking for," she admitted.
"Girlfriends love each other… Which means they're there for one another no matter what. They're there for everything. Meaning that they're there to listen and support you, give you advice and guide you on topics that you're uncertain about, about decisions you're not a hundred percent on… They listen without judgement and if you're feeling any type of way, you turn to your girlfriend and let her know so that she can reassure you and give you extra love in the times that you're struggling with no strings attached. Do you understand?"
"Yeah… but I don't wanna burden you."
"Jade, sht the fuck up and listen to what it is I'm saying. Would you want me to suppress my emotions and suffer in silence?"
"No, of course not!"
"Then what the Hell makes you think that I want you to?"
She said nothing, a part of her, well, the entirety of her knowing that she's right. She sighed. "… I'm… not used to it. Beck and I rarely discussed our emotions… I was so closed off that he'd get frustrated and he thought that I didn't care so he simply never discussed his feelings with me…"
"Well, you sure as Hell better get used to it, got it?"
Jade rolled her eyes yet couldn't help the smile that formed. "You're gonna be the fucking death of me, Vega."
"You ain't dead yet," she laughed, sticking her tongue out playfully in return. Jade leaned in, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her flush against her, taking her tongue in her mouth, beginning to suck. This caught Tori completely off guard to say the least but she almost instantly melted in return, moaning lowly as her cheeks turned a bright crimson, her eyes fluttering shut.
Jade pulled away, pressing a kiss to her jaw. "Good girl," she mumbled, her breath hot against her ear to which a whimper escaped the back of the singer's throat. She sighed, curling into Jade. "Fucking tease," Jade mumbled, becoming content.
"I love you…"
"… Love you too…"