Sep. 1st, 17
Hope you enjoy!
:)
No One's Perspective-
Knuckles turned almost translucent as she held the steering wheel tightly, eyes set ahead. She ignored the soft, gentle squeeze towards her knee, the hand slinking back to its owner. The engine rumbled softly, waiting for the next passenger. "What changed your mind?" he asked curiously, the goth coming with no answer. "I mean, it's great Jade," Beck continued, "just...did something happen between you two last night to not throw her overboard."
"She's paying," the thespian snapped, the Canadian pursing his lips.
"Well...I know, but that's still a big step from yesterday," he mumbled. "Thanks by the way," Beck added, "I'll have to get my truck fixed soon. The tire just went completely kaput."
She turned towards him, sighing. "Was it the older one?"
"Yeah," he nodded, "Had to push it down a street this morning with my dad... Luckily I was going out early this morning otherwise I was going to be late for school."
"Why?"
"Was going to the interview for the job at the sub place down the road from Hollywood Arts," he nodded.
"Oh," Jade breathed, "You not getting it then?"
With a grin the Canadian shook his head. "Actually no. I have a pretty good chance since they said my resume looked good enough and my schedule worked well. That," he sighed, "And I called them and they said I would be able to go back during lunch... Which reminds me, d'you think Tori would let me borrow her car after we get a bite to eat? We still have an hour or so."
"I don't care," Jade mumbled sourly. She didn't react once the back door opened, the other two greeting each other with soft smiles. Nor did she mutter anything as the wheels pulled out, Beck asking the singer if he could borrow her car.
"I guess, yeah," Tori nodded, "For how long?"
"Eh," he rubbed his chin, "I really need it at lunch but could I borrow it until I get my tire replaced? It shouldn't be too long since my dad owns the shop so... Monday?"
"Yeah, that'll work. Trina could drop me off at school," Tori nodded, "And maybe she could pick me up on Sunday." Jade mulled over the two's chat, destination being the only focus in her mind. It was a wonder, honestly, how she had let Tori in on Beck's and Jade's little spot down the street. Not that it was, Cat and Andre had been brought at other points in time. Robbie, and his sleeping schedule, had never been able to make it in time.
Minutes later, she blinked in a mild surprise, not quite realizing how much time had slipped form her grasp. Even so, she had quickly gotten out of the car, enabling her to hold the door for the two as the continued their conversation about the project in Mr. Lance's class. "That doesn't surprise me," Beck chuckled, "I mean, might as well work together if you're already living together."
"Yeah," Tori sighed, smiling briefly at the waitress as she strode towards the small podium.
"Welcome to First Watch, party of three?" she asked politely, Jade nodding. The redhead was new to the restaurant, not yet recognizing the regular. Though, as Jade watched her swiftly collect the menus - her golden name tag named Belle - this wasn't her first job as so. "Alright, there's a table this way," she gestured towards the side, the three thusly following. The two tanned teens grinned at the booth, both immediately taking it while Jade was left with the chair.
She hadn't minded as the cushions along the back were comfortable. "So another will come back for your drinks in a moment," Belle nodded, Jade giving a short acknowledgment.
"Jade?"
"What Vega?"
"I just remembered that Trina has an audition in Los Vegas-" Tori began, Jade arching a brow.
"Who the hell has an audition hosted in Los Vegas?"
The half-Latina shrugged, muttering about how Trina said it was close enough to visit and spend some interesting nights. She didn't go to in depth about it. "Anyway," she continued, Beck looking over the menu, "Could you drop me off and pick me up?"
"Where are your parents?"
"My dad apparently broke his leg while on a call last night and won't make it out of the hospital soon and my mom's on a business trip," came an explanation.
Jade sighed, glancing over the menu herself. "You're a busy bee aren't you?"
"Jade," Tori whined.
"I could take you," Beck offered, earning a soft growl from the goth.
"I can do it..." she mumbled, ignoring the thanks then given from the singer. "But I'm taking you as soon as I can." The half-Latina nodded, turning around once Beck muttered an order she would prefer, seeing as the last time she'd been was quite a while. Jade silently scowled as the two conversed, glances flicking between the two. The conversation didn't strike much interest, though her eyes still followed their voices.
Beck grinned toothily - for some odd reason, the joke wasn't funny. Though, as Jade dully recalled, he had a knack for coming up with the most ridiculous dad-jokes out there. He glanced over constantly, urging Jade to join the conversation though a mere glance told him otherwise. It was her loss, he concluded; though Sikowitz' assignment, he knew, would give plenty of opportunities for them to build their friendship.
Pale eyes, however, lingered along the singer with stern brows resting above. She hadn't realized how long her stare lasted for until dark eyes swept towards her, freezing her in place. Oh how different were they compared to the ones searching for the restroom beside her. As Beck grumbled his excuse, leaving for the restrooms, Jade dropped her gaze down immediately. Heat scorched her cheeks, the fire glinting in those eyes - as opposed to the generous shine in beck's - resting at her gut.
"This seems to be a nice place," Tori hummed quietly, a sickening jolt wrenching Jade's gut.
"Y-yeah, it is..." Jade murmured, narrowing her gaze at the menu. Nothing besides a coffee had intrigued her. Though, Beck's presense was needed at that point.
"This where you go on dates or just to hang out?" her voice was muttered out, though it was sharply planted in the goth's ears. Pale eyes loomed up wearily to hardening, doe eyes, the fire burning sickly. Instead of answering, Jade merely dipped her head down, guilt ebbing at her chest. She was thankful, moments later, when Beck had come with the waitress. He had ordered a breakfast burrito and Tori pancakes, leaving Jade with a measly cup of coffee.
Though, admittedly, she still deserved it.
. . .
She shook her head, her tightening grip resting over her eyes while steps padded about anxiously. Picking her doe eyes from the floor, she stared at the other who had her arms folded, back leaning against the wall. "I told you not to, you do know that right?" her voice came out cracked, wavering as Jade picked her head up. "Why?"
"Why what?" the goth spoke quietly, thumbing over her collar with ease.
"Don't 'why what' me!" the half-Latina hissed weakly, "Why did you do it?"
The floorboards creaked under her steps, Tori mentally grimacing; the janitor hadn't found the proper screws to fix it. "Annabelle," the thespian whispered softly, "I did it because of you, alright?" The half-Latina furrowed her brows, shaking her head. "Look," she continued, "I don't want to be just friends, okay? We don't work that way anymore and we've known that for years. Why the hell do you think we were together? I'm sorry, okay? I wanted to do it for us."
"But Cassy," she breathed, the goth halting in front of her, "I don't know what to say."
"Please," the other murmured, "give me another chance. I won't have you regret it, I promise." Her character nodded, strides coming forward. Her heart began to drum frantically at the back of her skull, the singer trying to shake it away. Her steps halted however, eyes meeting a pale wall. Hands balled, as she shook her head, twisting around to cast her stare down, arms clutching her biceps. A knot formed at the base of Jade's throat, eyes to the ground, ignoring the groans from the seats beside her.
"Cut!" Mr. Mason whined, abruptly standing. "What was that?" he tore both of their gazes from the ground, "What was that?" The girls merely shrugged, not having the urge to allow any words to flow from their mouths. "Jade, quit being a damn robot. You're not built in a laboratory, are you?"
"Might as well be," she spat, crossing her arms as her pale eyes narrowed.
"And you. Both of you were doing better, which is good," the director admitted, "But both of you need to get to it! At the rate we're going, the rest of the cast will be long done before you've even started! Tori, why did you walk away?"
"I don't know..." she mumbled her answer.
Clark sighed. "You girls aren't doing anything extrodinary, okay? You two are just hugging, that's it. No kissing, nothing. It's not difficult, alright, you did it last year perfectly and you can play like you actually like each other now-"
"WE KNOW!" both hurled their frustrations, promptly spooking the man off the stage.
"You tell us that every single time she fucks up!" Jade snarled, gesturing towards the half-Latina.
Tori merely scoffed, "Don't pin this on me! I'm not the only one who fucks up-"
"Tori! I expected that from Jade!" Clark gasped, glancing wearily towards the hippie teacher who became lost in thought, stark, wise eyes glancing between the two. "Anyway...erm...right. We'll work on it tomorrow, seems like you should go and cool off then..." The redhead seated himself comfortably - with his thumping heart but he's sure he doesn't have high blood pressure - stripping off his black fedora. As the double doors slammed forcefully, both of the girls striding towards the main hall, he sighed. "Sikowitz, I think your plan is going to work but I think there's going to be a nuke dropped before hand."
"Perhaps," the teacher acknowledged, Mr. Mason staring back with wide eyes.
Blinking, the director gagged. "Wha- You're supposed to tell me that I'm wrong and that I need to check my blood pressure!"
"You do," Sikowitz commented, his voice even. "They're not acting like they were before though," he added his observation.
"Wha-what do you mean?"
Brushing his beard, Sikowitz wondered whether or not he should trim it before shaking his head. "I don't know... But all doctors should do more research before diving into it," he muttered carefully, standing from his seat.
With his brows furrowed, Clark growled, "And how do you know that?"
"Everyone should," Sikowitz shrugged, adding, "And I have a PhD in psychology and a masters in physics...then a minor in acting but anything goes."
His leather shoes followed the teacher, hands making strange gestures. "You're a doctor? How are you insane?"
"Well," Sikowitz grinned with a small glint in his eye, "I took a trip down a couple of stairs."
"How many?" the man slid his fedora back on his head.
Sikowitz merely shrugged. "Dunno. I lost count after thirty-five." Stunned, the director was left in the middle of the main hall, blinking at the hippie though unfazed by the conversations blowing passed. Shaking his head, he meandered back towards the Black Box Theatre, wondering just how Sikowitz managed to not loose his abilities.
'His mind was lost, perhaps, and his hair...' he thought to himself.
. . .
She crossed her legs before settling down once again, arms folded as eyes were set on the screen. Her brows narrowed as the station was flicked to another, the other teen scowling at each one. "No...no...no..." her voice drawled, pale eyes darting dully as characters switched in and out. Once her thumb halted in its drive to find the proper show, lips pursed as the girl crouched behind the bush, shivering whilst a dark figure stalked behind her, white eyes glowing with large horns at the top of its head.
Jade turned her attention towards the half-Latina, blinking as she shook her head, glasses flashing with the illuminated screen's reflection. "This one's a good one," the goth mumbled simply, setting the remote beside her as Tori whined.
"Jade," she grumbled, "You've picked the last two things."
"And you picked the first one!" Jade growled.
"That was an episode of a show and you chose movies," the singer defended. "Come on, it's my turn to pick. You've chosen the last few..." Tori grimaced, her words loosing their hold in the conversation - more like dispute as she mentally noted - once they had repeated themselves. However, her eyes narrowed through her lenses, the goth doing nothing or even acknowledging anything besides the screen. "Jade," she chided slowly, the weariness of her voice emphasizing her hesitance for another battle.
Pale eyes drew towards the singer, her gaze laced with one without interest. Despite her intended silence - aside from the gurgles from the girl on the screen, crawling along the sidewalk as she clutched her throat - Jade groaned, snapping, "So what? My house..."
"And mine for a month," Tori spat back, smirking smugly as there was no retort given.
"God," Jade huffed, tossing the remote to the couch, "I don't fucking care anymore. You pick whatever then leave first thing Sunday morning."
Rolling her eyes, the half-Latina switched the channel, growling, "Like you'd have to tell me." The thespian scowled, leaning against the wall with her arms folded, eyes still on the screen. "You know you could stay if you're only going to move five feet," Tori arched a brow.
"Like I'd want to watched this shit," she scoffed, turning towards the kitchen while Tori gnawed at the inside of her cheek. Her dark eyes remained on the television, however, flicking between the characters through their long discussion. She, admittedly, lost interest quickly, switching to another network centered around foods. For a few moments, her time was spent quietly observing the chef giving the directions for spreading the dough, the half-Latina not having a clue for what the product was.
Though, that quiet spell of moments drained away rather quickly.
"Vega, the dog wants to go outside," Jade barked from the table, eyes on the distant screen.
Gritting her teeth, Tori turned towards the goth, glancing at Rat. "Why don't you take him out then? He's yours too, you know."
"I don't want to. Go get him," Jade jerked her head towards the glass doors.
The singer scowled hotly, pausing the show before dropping the remote on the couch - much to Jade's calculating pleasure - before halting by the table. "Don't think about touching that remote," Tori ordered, earning an eye-roll.
"'Don't think about touching that remote,'" Jade mocked.
The half-Latina shook her head, scooping up the shivering dog before opening the door, hissing, "You're such a pill."
"Like you're much better," the goth snarled, whipping around to find the door slammed. She sneered quietly, combat boots storming through the door once it had swung open. She watched as Tori groaned, not wanting the newcomer at her heel. Jade's studded brow rose once the half-Latina placed Rat in the largest pot, the blonde sniffing about it. "Why the hell is he in there?" she gestured towards the chosen bathroom, "There's plenty of space out here."
"Well, as you can see," Tori spat, arms out towards the overgrown grass, "I don't know if he'll bolt on me and I can't see him! And besides, who the hell knows what's in there. There could be things that would eat the little guy in one bite."
"Oh please-"
"Don't," Tori growled, her finger prodding Jade's shirt forcefully, "The gardening of this house is atrocious. You could have a dead cat lying in the middle and not know it the grass is so tall!"
"That's not my job," Jade snapped before the other had any chance of commenting.
"Then whose is it?" The singer grinned victoriously once there was no reply, only a silent scowl. "Look, you barely take care of yourself let alone the grass. It's a wonder how you've managed to stay on your feet."
She felt the last straw snap right behind her ears. The small voice, nodding along with the youngest Vega in agreement, was soon washed away. "You try and take care of your shit when your parents aren't even around anymore and your brother is shipped off to a fucking boarding school," she snarled lowly. "How about you try and live by yourself when your parents suddenly leave you at sixteen, your father only calling you once a week at most to check if the house hasn't burned down. You wouldn't last a week and you fucking know it. You, in your goddamned modern house, are pampered by your mom who feeds you dinner and you dad who actually talks to you, not to mention your sister is still-there." A small part of her was impressed by the half-Latina's willingness to stay close to her fuming glare, unfazed. Pointing towards the tree pot, Jade growled, "I have my rabbit to take care of, that is my dog. You, on the other hand, have this rat to-"
The dirt rustled abruptly from the pot, the long grass bristling from the small bullet of wind streaming through. Eyes widened before heads swiveled towards the small dog's open out-house, the dirt settling in front of Jade's frozen gesture. In unison, both snapped their attention towards the corner of the house, a small blonde hind whipping around the corner excitedly.
"Fuck."
"Get the dog!" Jade barked her order.
"Uh huh," the half-Latina nodded furiously. In one motion, both sprinted around the corner, staggering against the gravel path before tearing through the front yard. "RAT!" the singer hollered.
"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!" Jade added.
His patter raced along the street, coal eyes wide and bright with the smaller suns on iron stakes glinting in his eyes. His small, pink tongue hung out of his mouth as he raced down the streets, ears back to the constant orders shouted back at him. His shaggy fur flowed like a cape after him, tail high to the sky as he streaked to beat the wind, finally earning his dreamed medal. Engines roared in his mind alike the old flashing box set he had watched a lifetime ago, then the huge hooved-dogs thundering down the raceway.
Rat would someday become the best racer, best hunter out there. But for now, he must train.
Behind him ran the snorting bull, trampling against the road with heavy boots, white teeth flashing in aggression. She was fast, very fast. But he would beat her as her raven hair flowed behind. Her roars of the engine snipped through his ears, marking her as a proper opponent.
As for the other, long strides tearing through the street with experience - as both had a lot, he concluded - she may be an interesting one. Her strained voice pulsed through his body almost soothingly, though his heart hammered; her screaming neigh would call victory if he spun around to glance at the two. Her rectangular eyes - the second pair she had put on in her room when opening the split block with thin sheets - shone with white, blinking in the lights bearing down at her dancing shadows.
Rat nearly halted once Jade barked towards the other, darting towards the side as Tori sprinted ahead. His muscles were getting weak, he must admit, though with the trampling strides behind him, he must go forth. He would be victorious. However, once hurtling over the brown obstacle (whatever it was, it may have been anything) a crash sent his feet to a stop. He whipped around, the racer spitting a harsh sound, observing her now broken second-eyes.
"We'll get you another pair!" a booming voice spared him, sending his feet plummeting towards the corner as the aggressive racer plowed through. She whirled with adrenaline, the other picking her second eyes up, slipping them in her pouch. Jade slammed her body against a green pillar, quickly opening its entrance. The finish line, he would make it!
His feet tore at the box excitedly, interesting smells hitting his nostrils. His proper prize for his victory.
He would take it.
The blonde bullet crashed into the can with a small yelp, Jade grimacing once Rat had dove in with a sickening squelch, the lid slamming closed. As steps slowed towards the teen, the singer out of breath, she frowned at the soft pattering of paws inside the heavy bin. "So...is...he...in...there?" Tori gasped, earning a nod in reply as she clutched her chest. Kneeling down, Tori lifted the lid whilst Jade fumbled about the bin, scowling wearily at what she was able to hold briefly before going back to her ministrations for the small dog. She shivered, gagging once her fingers brushed over a slimy tissue -from what she concluded - shivering fur just below it. "What?"
"Found the dog," Jade choked, hands wrapping around Rat before gently pulling him out. The dog, in short, immediately repulsed both teens.
"Oh. My. God," Tori blinked in disbelief, ignoring the yellow, green and red paws - substances that looked like they had came from spoiled, TV dinners - and bits of crumbs scattered about his feathery fur. Both sets of eyes rested on the top of Rat's ear, pink tongue hanging out as he stared off with a smug gleam in his eyes; while the left ear was left untouched, the right was clad with a long, moist, yellow, rubber sheath.
"I-I think I touched it..." Jade whimpered softly, the half-Latina dropping her gaze down towards the trashcan, eyes narrowing at the cheap Trojan knock-off package, hands fumbling for her glasses.
As glasses gleamed from the blinking stars, she meekly grinned at the goth. "Well...it's pineapple flavored." Despite the scorching glare set on her side, Tori found herself pleased with the quick comment. "Anyway, you're gonna have to get that off."
"Why not you?" the thespian snarled.
"Well, you already touched it so...might as well-"
"Oh," she mocked. Pale eyes flicked nervously towards the slick rubber, shivering in disgust. Biting the bottom of her lips, Jade shuffled to free her hand before Rat's head abruptly tossed, yellow flying of. She shrieked as Tori joined her, both hurling themselves back whilst it dropped to the street with a horrible plop. Turning towards the craftsman style mansion, Jade bellowed, "FUCK YOU HENDRICKS!"
The yell echoed throughout the curved end, the two girls quickly marching out; Tori hadn't wanted for Mr. Hendricks to come out and as for Jade, she wanted to clean the dog thoroughly. Though, as she grimaced, the breeze cooling her fingers, her hand would be first. "So...we're going to give Rat a bath?" the half-Latina glanced over, pale eyes briefly resting on the cracked lens. She nodded sourly, eyes straight ahead while Tori slid the glasses from her nose. She blinked in the light, putting them in her pocket. Frowning, she glanced over at the small pup with his small pink tongue out, thoughts rolling through. "What if he hates baths?" she muttered said thoughts.
"We'll hope I don't drown him," Jade spat evenly, the singer noting the pure loath - most likely regret - of how much was actually covering the small dog.
There came a small 'yip' as a reply.
. . .
The water sloshed violently against the tub, sputtering out the hot water in its vain effort to please the girls' wishes. "Would you turn that down?" Jade barked over her shoulder as the half-Latina grunted, already attempting to twist the knob.
"I'm trying," she hissed, glancing at the other who was washing her hands thoroughly. Pale skin turned red from her constant scratching, Hendricks and other colorful words flowing from her mouth. "Who lives there anyway?" Tori asked curiously, the faucet water abruptly shut off.
Jade only rolled her eyes, striding over and clutching the faucet with an iron fist, twisting it forcefully. All water was still seconds later. "He was the owner of this really huge magazine in Britain but his wife left him, lost his job and all that shit. The only reason he still lives here is because he's old enough to be retired and he earned enough money from the magazines to have his fat ass stay."
"And now he does..."
"Has a bunch of people from the clubs and traffickers over," Jade scowled, adding, "Lonely bastard. He's the only thing that my dad and I agree on... Absolute asshole."
The half-Latina nodded, glancing over towards the resting dog by the side of the toilet. "Come on Rat," she muttered, hands around his tiny body, "Let's go." He let out a short bark, tail wagging curiously towards the water. Tori gently set him down, the warm pool of water reaching his abdomen. "Think that's too much?"
"Nah," Jade shook her head, folding her arms. "Sit," she ordered, the small dog then resting his hind on the tub floor. "Wherever he came from, he's already had an owner," she muttered, "Didn't you say he was a bit housebroken already?"
"Yeah... I don't think they teach that at the animal shelter," the singer mumbled. Hands graced along Rat's fur, coal eyes closing while he let the tip of his tongue hang in content, emitting a soft, low groan. Tori smirked, continuing with her ministrations while the goth raised a brow from the sink, hands resting on several bottles. "So, about soap-"
"Raspberry, beach stuff, velvet, some Dove, Mane and Tail... Huh, never knew I had all of these," Jade hummed.
"Do you want to smell like raspberry?" Tori turned towards the small dog, ears perking. "Yeah."
"God he's like he's at a salon," the thespian scowled, setting the soap bottle on the ledge of the tub. Turning around, pale eyes loomed along the bathroom. "I'm going to go get a towel," she muttered.
"Alright."
The thespian stalked down the hall, halting in front of the small closet a few doors down from the bathroom. She pulled a small white hand towel, finding it acceptable seeing how small the pooch was. Slinging it over her shoulder, she shut the door before striding back, narrowed eyes at the door opened. Creeping passed the bathroom, Jade peeked inside the old bedroom; the bed was relatively messed, sheets obviously used while the desk had a few of the homework assignments left. Her bag was opened though empty, Jade suspecting that the clothes were in the dresser.
Her fist balled at the thought of looking through that, curiosity almost winning her over. Though she didn't, her heels turning and the teen strode towards the tub. The half-Latina chortled, hands to her mouth as the goth strode over. Rat's feathery locks were scrubbed about, some sort of mane standing tall along his neck and back. "You're kidding Vega," she groaned, promptly spooking the singer. The towel, then, was taken with a sheepish ease, a sly grin crossing Jade's features.
After all, how couldn't she with the small dog-horse in her bath? How couldn't she as her mind weren't on the weakening realities chewing relentlessly at her chest?
Good news: Three day weekend, and I'm getting a lot of shit done; writing a lot and doing homework so yay; this updated and I know what I'm doing with it. Basically, I have a sorta-plan... There will be about 40 chapters (a little more but hey, long story) since this will go over every single day that Tori is at the West manor (including Sundays). Some of the days will be in two parts depending on the situation. The length of the chapters, so far, are alright; they'll probably be longer like this one though. And a goal I have for this story: 100k+ words. Why not?
Bad news: Still going to be a while to update...sorry, gotta get some others out of the way first.
Well, hope you enjoyed!
:)
PS- If you're curious as to what the date on the top means, it's just when I started writing the chapter. That will eventually be there on all of my stories.
PPS- And I'm still pissed that First Watch got rid of the sourdough French toast... That was the only thing I loved there.