New chapter, yo! Enjoy. Trying to make them longer as I go on, but it's hella late so I'm going to bed!

Jade's P.O.V

I decide to check my phone at a red light, hoping the reply isn't a "What the fuck do you want?" But at the same time, that's just not Tori.

"Hey Jade…What's up?"

I can't believe it, she's playing dumb.

The light turns green and I put my phone down and sped ahead, eager to get home and answer the text. I mean, she's taking the nonchalant approach, as if she isn't considered missing as of now. I have to admit, I'm kinda pissed that she chose that approach…but at the same time, it's better than what I thought it would be. I finally pull into my driveway and rush out of my car and into my house, eager to answer her text and gain more information on this whole situation.

I quickly make my way into the basement, to my room, and then onto my bed. What should I say, hell what can I say?

"Oh nothing much Tori, just worrying my ass off about where you are, and wondering if you're okay" I can't fucking say that.

She'll just think I'm weird, and I don't really want that at all. Maybe I should play at her game, but at the same time, maybe I should just come right out with it. Ugh, why does shit have to be so complicated…wait never mind, I know the answer to that question. I should've been nicer, then maybe this wouldn't be so difficult.

"Just got home…where were you today?"

Okay, I think about what I should say if she is to ask me why I care. I think back to the class that brought us together due to its assignments….and crazy teacher, that's it! Sikowitz! That's my excuse, I sigh slightly in relief, but also from frustration. The fact that I have to cover my ass with excuses bothers me, but I just can't let her know how I feel, not yet.

I hit send and flip on the T.V. to some random reality show. Distractions, Distractions, take my away from the hole I am slowly digging myself into. My phone buzzes after awhile, and I quickly unlock it after I see the familiar "Text from Vega" flash across the screen.

"Places, why do you care?

I sigh, Vega, Vega, Vega, you're killing me. Ugh, here come the excuses, hopefully this works. Who am I kidding, this will probably work. As I'm getting ready to text her, a thought in the back of my head slowly starts to make its way to the front. It silently reminds me that, eventually, I'm going to have to tell her the truth. That will probably kill me, rip me to pieces and spread them across the Earth. I'm sure, if she doesn't hate me now, she will then.

"Sikowitz assigned us to another play, we're partners again"

I hit send and shake my head, real convincing Jade. Why can't I just tell her I care, why must I be so dodgy? I already know the answer to that question too, however. I bite my lip as I hear my phone buzz, at least her replies are getting quicker. I pick up my phone and check it, but it isn't Tori, its Cat.

"We need to talk, can I come over?"

Great, just what I need. How the fuck am I supposed to explain this to Cat? Not that she won't understand, but I'm going to have to withhold information from her. Life is so shitty right now, and my feelings are everywhere. I guess I'm going to have to use the excuse I used with Tina, consistency is good after all. I have a weird feeling in my gut as I text her back, a feeling that she already knows how I feel.

"Uh…sure?"

I type this and slowly hit send. I turn my attention to the T.V. while I wait, but I can't seem to actually pay attention. My thoughts are everywhere, and I'm still stuck in my regret. Fuck, all of this could've been prevented if I had just grabbed her and taken her back here. I could've helped her work through her problems, but noooo I just had to take the coward's way out. I walked away from someone who needed help, someone who always helped me no matter what. The worst part is, she never expected anything back, she always helped me, and I never had to give anything back to her. And yet, I should've. I should've returned the favor because it's the right thing to do.

Fuck, I'm such a terrible person, so wrapped up in how afraid of this I am.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by the doorbell. I run upstairs and let Cat in, bringing her right back to my room.

"Hey Cat, what's up?" I ask, trying to act as normal as possible.

"Jade, you need to tell me what the hell is going on lately, why do you care about Tori all of the sudden?" She asks giving me an intense stare as she does.

I bite my lip and sigh. "Cat, you're my best friend, and I'm going to tell you this because you deserve to know" I murmur, and she cocks her head at me.

"Oh god Jade, you didn't kill her did you?" She asks alarmed, I laugh and shake my head.

"No, oh lord no" I can barely get out between breathy laughs. "I care about Tori a lot more than you think…" I can't look her in the eyes as I say this.

Cat stares for a bit, and then it clicks.

"Oh my god Jade….you…do you….are you crushing on her?" Cat pays more attention than she lets on, she also just knows me too well. Still, know me well or not, I'm still curious.

"How the fuck did you figure that out so quickly? I ask in disbelief, Cat laughs when I do.

"Jade, you and I both know I pay more attention than you think, also, I've known you long enough to be able to pick out the signs of a crush" She says matter-o-factly.

"Well shit, apparently, and I guess you already know the answer to that question of yours" I laugh.

"God, I'm so worried though Cat. I mean, my dad said that he saw her asleep in the park, all of her stuff with her" I lie, silently hoping she'll buy it.

"What? Why didn't he grab her or something? Wait….does this mean she ran away!?" Cat is starting to panic, I can tell.

"Yes, she ran away…but no one knows where the hell she went. That's why I talked to Trina earlier, and do you know where Trina suggested she might be?" I ask carefully, Cat's eyes are slowly welling up with tears.

"I dunno….where?" Cat asks, trying to keep it together.

"Seattle, Cat. Here is a good thing, however, I texted her and got a reply" Cat perks up with this new information.

"What did she say?" Cat asks excitedly, and I shake my head and chuckle.

"She is pulling a classic Tori, and playing nonchalant" Cat laughs this time.

"Yeah, that sounds like her, never wanting people to worry" Cat looks down sadly, and then looks me in the eyes. "What did she say, though?" She asks hopefully.

"She asked why I care" I look away, knowing which question is coming next.

"Well I understand why she said it, but what did you tell her?" I make myself look at Cat when I give my excuse.

"I told her that Sikowitz assigned us as partners again" I sigh, preparing myself for tongue lashing.

"Oh Jade, you should've just told her" Cat sighs, and I know she is right.

"I know Cat, I know" I mumble, as my phone goes off again.

New text from Vega.

"Oh boy, here we go" I say sarcastically.