July 19th, 2018
Hope you enjoy!
:)
No One's Perspective-
The doors opened, and he already knew she had another shitty morning. Even so, Andre started off, slamming his locker and trudging towards Tori. "Hey, wait!" he greeted her. She sighed, pausing to look at him. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, shuffling slightly. "Can we talk - now?"
"You said -" she shuffled through her locker, each word jabbed with every shove of a book or binder "- that we'll talk at the party today."
He rolled his eyes. Of course. "Yeah, I know. But there isn't a party today, it's-"
"Well, I guess we aren't talking then."
Andre groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Look, I thought it was Thursday yesterday, okay? But I said we'd talk today, so we're talking today." Tori shook her head before grumbles escaped her lips. "Girl! What is the matter with you? I mean, look, I know you and Jade aren't close or anything, or friends, but you bounce back, right?"
"Never all the way," she mumbled.
"Still! You've been acting more like Jade than Jade for the past week or so."
Her locker shut with an aggressive clack, leaving her stare to pry its way into his. "Yeah? That's gonna happen when you're stuck living with them for a month on an hour's notice, and having to take care of a dog on top of that."
Andre looked to her side. "Where is Rat anyway?" She pointed irritably towards Jade's locker, a strong scowl deepening her glare. Andre chortled at the blond head poking out of the small bag, Jade and Beck masked behind the locker door. He shook his head before realizing the empty space beside him. "Wait! Chica, c'mon!" He jogged to Tori's side as she halted at the end of the hall. At the dark ovals under her eyes, Andre furrowed his brows; "Whoa," he said, "you don't look so good."
"I'm just tired, okay?"
"Like not getting enough sleep tired or Jade tired?" He received a pointed look before she stalked off, not answering. "Both then..." He turned towards Jade's locker, Beck leaning away with a blissful smile.
However - as Andre began to stroll towards his class - it faded quickly. He frowned, asking, "Babe, you alright?"
Jade shook her head, muttering a quick, "Fine." She shifted away from his comforting hold, chewing her lips. Beck felt his stature slump: Perhaps it wasn't good on her end. He scratched the back of his neck, shifting awkwardly. She eyed him over her shoulder. "I said I was fine, okay?"
He winced. "That...doesn't sound like it."
"Well I am." She allowed her grumblings to follow thereafter as she shuffled through her locker. As Rat yipped at a passing student with an odd turkey or baloney smell, Beck felt him dive deeper into his strange detective work. Distracted - that's what she's been. It's not like he didn't notice. It's quite obvious, to be frank. Though, this was the only confirmation he had to bring it to the forefront of his consciousness. And then there was fine; he knew women enough to know that it was a lie. You don't just say I'm fine after making out with your boyfriend against a locker, after all.
Perhaps in his bliss he missed the stillness of her lips.
As Beck continued to watch her, he felt disheartened. Why had he enjoyed it so much? Desperation? Connection? ...Hormones?
He cocked his head to the side, hesitantly asking, "Really? Are you really just 'fine'?" She paused - not a good sign, he knew.
Jade stared into a book she hadn't picked up for three months, Beck staring at her through a small mirror. Her eyes began to sting, Beck whispering quietly, curiously.
"I fucking hate you."
She swallowed, slowly closing her locker. "I'm fine, Beck. Okay? Don't ask me again." When she turned around, he found her expression blank, a mask sealed on. He nodded slowly, letting her pass through the stream of students to her class. The actor only twisted around abruptly when there were quiet steps from behind.
"Oh, hey Cat," he greeted, observing her solemn gaze. The redhead bid him an identical remark, her eyes not trailing away from Jade. "They're both acting funny, huh?"
"Yeah..." she mumbled sadly.
Beck frowned. "Do you know what's up?"
Cat nodded absentmindedly before realizing her mistake. "I- Uh... I'm not supposed to tell." With that, she scurried off, not allowing another question. Beck remained puzzled, and still attempting to understand the mind of a girl. He couldn't really, especially with the bell screaming for class.
. . .
All around them the patio was joyous, giddy and - if anything else - loud. That talkative nature wasn't contagious for Andre, Beck, Cat, Robbie, Tori and Jade. Rat, though, appeared to be amused, barking at any passing students rather excitedly. They all sat silently, eating their food. Jade and Tori stare at their plates, completely opposite of one another. Andre shoveled through his bowl while Robbie pushed his empty plate aside.
Beck and Cat ignored their plates, too occupied with staring at the competing girls. He remained fixed on his mission of understanding the thousand-pieced puzzle scattered before him. Jade distracted and Tori bitchy, ever since they started living together. Right. The dog is happy and gaining some weight - not too much to be fat, but healthy. That's nice. The play is worse-for-wear now, according to Sikowitz. Not nice... Jade isn't kissing him like she had before. Okay. Tori is...bitchy. Yes Beck, you went through that already. Trina is starting to call me every other hour about her. Ye- He grunted, looking down at his phone; another call. Every hour now...great. I see Tori's really ignoring her now.
He sighed, leaning forward before scratching his head.
As Beck remained in his odd slump, mind buzzing frantically, Cat began to stare at Jade's down-casted form. While she could barely see any sign of emotion, Cat shook her head pitifully. Her attention snapped to her side once Tori lifted her head, sending a quick, curt stare.
Keep quiet, remember.
Cat didn't look at Jade, fidgeting with her fingers. I know...
She cleared her throat, playing with her spoon. "So will there be punch at the party?" Cat watched as some life dripped into the occupied table; quickly, she thought of her favorite giraffe. "Purple would like to have some... He hates soda."
"I'm sure there will Red," Andre answered with a kind grin. "Anyway, are you all gonna make it?" Even though he knew the universal answer was yes, two didn't speak.
. . .
Pancakes ignored Rat as he hopped around him, yipping and yapping about his new friend. The huddled critter looked less than amused, only scowling instead of darting away; after all, the rabbit was around the same size as Rat, perhaps bigger. The television still played in the background, Jade slouched on the couch and Tori at the table. She watched the two behind her glasses, brows furrowed. The half-Latina shook her head, going back to her snack.
Her phone buzzed on the table, once again. She sighed, snatching the device. "What do you want? We talked yesterday!"
The phone conversation jerked Jade from her light nap, pale eyes blinking irritably at the television screen. "Well I'm sorry for being worried," Trina retorted.
"No. You're bored. That's what."
"...I have many friends, may I remind you." Tori rolled her eyes before she shoved herself from the table. "Look, we didn't even talk much yesterday anyway. You were too busy walking the dog."
"Uh huh," she grumbled, pacing around the kitchen, "and?"
Trina let out a long groan. "'And' nothing. You're ignoring me, that's what."
"Oh please, like that's new." Tori knew, immediately, that she'd pressed a sore button. However, ignoring the irk at her gut, she found herself not caring.
"Not what I meant," Trina growled, "I mean what I have to say. You've been a huge fucking ass since our talk on Sunday."
"No."
"Uh yes! You blew me off the rest of the day and moped in your bedroom. We were doing fine!"
Tori shuffled out of the kitchen, eyes temporarily back onto the rabbit and dog. "Bye Trina."
"Well, see you tomorrow then."
"Wha-" That had stopped her from ending the call. "What? You can't stalk me Trina!"
"Watch me." Trina remained on the phone, though silence sat between them. "You are going to that party, right?" she asked after a few moments.
Tori grunted, settling back down at the table. "How do you know about that?"
"Andre's girlfriend invited people. You didn't know she was in college?" The half-Latina frowned. "Relax: She was a senior last year. It's not that bad."
"Why are you going?"
"Uh, I've been hammered by study groups and creepy people, so I wanna get hammered with food and dancing." Tori waited; Trina did those things without going to a party. "Also," Trina added, "I need to see what is wrong with you - one way or another."
Tori scoffed. "What if I don't go?"
"Then I'll ask your friends everything. So...like I said, one way or another."
"Why are you going though?" She blinked towards the couch, feeling her stare harden once finding Jade watching, leisurely sipping on her water. Tori went back to the kitchen.
"Because I know you're going to do something fucking stupid, that's why." As Tori started to retort, Trina explained, "Hello? You're known for pulling this type of shit. You get all pissed and focus on one thing, and then let something blow up in somebody's face."
The half-Latina rolled her eyes, leaning against the refrigerator. "Like how, exactly?"
"Oh, I don't know, let me see..." Trina gave an exaggerated huff, flipping through her memories. "There was that kid across the street, Jacob, remember? You got pissed at him for throwing a football at your face and pushed him into the dog's shit pile? Uh...Emily when she came over with our aunt and uncle? Kinda dunked her head into a lemonade pitcher after she got mud all over your new shirt. And-"
"Okay, are you going to name all the things I did when I was five? Really?" Tori shook her head. "You did so much worse!"
"And then there was a fucking year ago when you covered Cat in fountain cheese because she was dating your ex-boyfriend who - guess what - you dumped because he was getting too flirty with a waitress."
"And half of the school! What's your point?"
"What's my point?!" Trina let out a hysterical laugh, her words beginning to become more and more agitated. "I need to have an eye on you! Beck and Andre have been telling me-"
"What?! Have you been asking them? It's none of your business!"
"Really? It's completely my business because I was the first one you started being shitty to! Tori," Trina sounded close to a breaking point, "you are pissed, I get that. You're with Jade for crying out loud. But - I can't believe I'm saying this; you are the problem right now. Jade hasn't done anything to you."
"Like Beck and Andre would know."
Trina whined from the other end, her head surely diving back out of exhaustion. "It won't matter tomorrow, 'cause I'll see it for myself. Just..." She gave a long sigh. "Just don't do anything stupid." The call ended before Tori knew it, leaving her in a relatively quiet house. The television was still playing, though the sound had dropped significantly. As she blinked, Tori furiously wiped her eyes with her sleeve, glaring at the window opposite of her.
She turned from the kitchen, only to be greeted with a violent hiss. The rabbit was curled against the couch, Rat frozen with his head cocked to the side. "Jade, get your damn rabbit from the dog," she snapped.
The thespian turned towards her with a scowl and an arched brow. "Really? A rabbit and a dog, and you think the rabbit is at fault? Get your dog away from Pancakes, how about that?"
Tori gritted her teeth, slowly shaking her head. "God," she scoffed, scooping Rat into her arms before storming up the stairs.
There was a long stretch of silence - besides the annoying television monologue - which had become a common occurrence. There was soft padding at her feet, Jade gentle picking up the rabbit before setting him down beside her. She stroked his long fur, reminding herself of the days when she truly was alone in the house, needing company by her side. Pancakes was there, as he was for many years.
Then why did she feel worse off with another person in the house?
She swallowed the abrupt knot at her throat, looking down at her quiet friend. "Does she really hate me?"
Pancakes didn't answer.
Jade didn't want to accept it.
Dear Guests,
Angry little munchkin: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Apparent little veteran: Awww. Thanks. :D Glad I have people who've watched my writing grow like it has. You know, gotta refine my drama abilities.
So, another shorter chapter, but I like it. Anyway, the next two chapters - I'm challenging myself here - will be up by today/tomorrow when God's telling me to fucking sleep. So, yeah. That, and then another chapter will be up tomorrow, not including those two. So three more chapters(?)!
Hope you enjoyed!
:)