Monsters & Demons
Rated M
Genre: Drama & Adventure
Summary:
When Tori arrived at Hollywood Arts, she knew that things wouldn't be the same. Little did she know that she and her friends would find themselves wound into more than teenage drama. Jade thought all she had to worry about was her status being threatened. Does Trina finally have a true friend? A trio of newcomers shows up, bringing along more than the gang bargained for. Homework and plays don't sound so bad anymore.
A/N:
Chapter 9: That Fated Date
"A Date?!"
The duo of Jade and Liam expressed their outrage to their acting teacher. Sikowitz, after ensuring that his other students were safely at the hotel, opted to drop off the two former friends at the club himself for their midterm assignment. In truth, they were two of his best students but there were some things that they needed to sort out and there was no way he was going to deal with their shenanigans for the upcoming semester.
"That's right! If I recalled, Jade did this exercise along with Ms. Vega before!"
"Don't remind me..." she huffed, blowing a lost lock of hair out of her face.
"Anyway, you two are going to this jazz club and you're going to learn to settle your differences. As friends and actors, you have to dig into each other's minds so that you can rebuild chemistry moving forward."
"More like digging through a pig's trough," Liam grumbled, earning a vicious glare for his trouble.
"I'd rather dig through Sinjin's armpit hair."
"It's either this or you'll have to forfeit your roles and take counseling with Lane, indefinitely."
Jade and Liam both paled at the idea of spending their valuable time with the lotion-obsessed guidance counselor. Every once in a while, Lane was tolerable but constantly? Neither would wish that on the other. So, with a collective, albeit hesitant, agreement, they remained silent.
"Fine/Whatever..." they relented, despite their discomfort.
Sikowitz nodded and hopped in his pickup truck, leaving the pair to enter the venue. If it helped, the atmosphere seemed to fit them as its natural dark and mellow environment appealed to their inner selves. Plus, if one were to forget the minor tension, the company wasn't so bad. They took a seat at an open table while a young woman sang a gentle soul song whilst backed up by the local band.
The atmosphere was rather peaceful, a far cry from what Jade was used to. Meanwhile, she noticed that Liam took to their environment like a fish to water. Gone was his inhibition as he bobbed his head to the beat. It was comforting but, it was apparent that wasn't enough to ease the enmity that remained around them.
Rather, there was something that they both wanted to talk about but, neither could gather up the courage to say what was on their minds.
"Awkward, huh?"
"Is it that obvious?" Jade rolled her eyes.
"Mock me if you want to, but we both know that something is eating away at us both. If we'd just talk..."
"Maybe I don't want to talk about it...?!" she hissed, making sure that no passersby would overhear. "I just want to get this over with."
"Right... Okay then. I'm going to the bathroom then."
She waved him off dismissively. At least now she had the chance to think about what was happening. She was on a date with a guy that wasn't her boyfriend, courtesy of Mr. Sikowitz. If that wasn't enough, she had another issue that continued to plague her very soul.
Jade was secretly relishing this.
The feeling of being in such an intimate place with someone who knew her as well as she knew herself: Indescribable. Sure, it was a public venue, but all that mattered to her was that she was capable of being around Liam without the air of contempt that they'd prefer to believe was there. In truth, she had no ill will toward the boy.
That's right.
Jade was into Liam and it scared her to admit that within herself.
The idea of her being on a date was practically a dream yet, she knew that she was betraying Beck by entertaining such a notion. On top of that, after what she did, there was no way that Liam could feel the same way about her now. She'd not only betrayed him, but Jade had done it in the most heinous way... Twice.
It was all too much for her process which is why she isolated herself for all of that time; the true reason.
Why did I things so complicated?...
Her brain might've overtaken her had it not been for hearing the vibrating in her jacket pocket. She pulled out the device, seeing the picture of none other than Liam appear on the screen.
Meet me on the balcony...
Wondering what he could be up to, she obliged.
Jade scooted past the various teens and young adults until she found the stairs that led to the upstairs area. The music and aura persisted, luring her to whatever her friend(?) was planning. In truth, she wasn't sure if this was set up like the one she did to him but, her heart persuaded her to keep going.
What if he's playing me?
It's got to be a trap!
Turn around, Jade!
No good can come from this!
Her mind just kept screaming at her but, she ignored it; she owed him that much. When she arrived at her destination, she could see the vineyard-like setting that where a few other couples were sitting and enjoying the vocalist who started singing another song by the same artist. He was leaning against the railing, staring at the scenery of the city as it illustrated the peaceful night.
It's not that I don't want you here (yeah, yeah)
It's something about the way you stare into my eyes
I know that I don't make things clear (no)
I fall for you every time I try to resist you
The way he looked out at the area, he looked so handsome and calm, a complete contrast to the awkwardness he wore just minutes before. His emerald eyes were so focused and full of light as a light grin rested on his lips. His Olive green shirt hugged his body just right, serving as another reason she couldn't stop staring at him.
We can get away
Palm trees, beach views
Ordinary day
All I wanna hear is inner visions on replay
And sit right next to you, you
I try not to show how I feel about you
Thinking we should wait, but we don't really want to
I just wanna get away
And sit right next to you, you
Jade 'cursed' the singer for reciting her most sacred thoughts, hoping that her companion wasn't the wiser. The ebb and flow of the music meshed with her soul, making the goth's emotions all the stronger with each passing word.
"It's been a while since I've seen something so amazing." his smile only grew larger. "I never knew this city could be so beautiful."
Even Jade found herself giggling a little at his purity, cutting her gaze every so often. Thankfully, her long hair shielded her features from view.
"It is a complex city..."
"Reminds me of someone I know," he turned his stare to her.
The stability in his voice made Jade want to melt, yet, she still held back, simply blushing while keeping her eyes on the lively city. But, one thing was evident in this simple action. Thankfully, they were in one of the far corners of the balcony area so they were afforded privacy.
I don't wanna kiss you
Yeah, I just wanna feel you
Feel you
I want you around
Every fiber of her being screamed at Jade to just open her mouth. All that came from the internal debate was light chewing of her lip as she tugged on her jacket sleeve. What could she possibly say that wouldn't come off as a reminder of the humiliation she'd caused the boy?
An apology?
He's heard it all before...
A confession?
He'll think I'm mocking him... I just know it
Every idea of what she could possibly say was swiftly shot down with prejudice until a single thought remained. In her eyes, it wasn't much but it could break this tension that gripped her like an anaconda.
"Do you remember when I first spent the night at your house?" she slowly rubbed up and down her left arm.
Now it was Liam's turn to wonder. He shook his head with fondness.
"How could I forget? My sister grounded me for a month after finding us in the same bed," he snickered. "Although, it was worth it to have you welcomed in the house after that."
"No, Liam... I mean, that was fun too!" she joined in his light humor.
"Then what do you mean?"
"I was referring to the reason I snuck in your window that night. Do you remember?"
Another pause.
Liam inhaled the cool air, savoring the sting for a moment before releasing the chilly breath.
"Yep. Your dad never was my greatest fan... He threatened to strip you of your trust fund if you didn't end our friendship," He leaned against the railing, the crisp air kissing his face. "Imagine my surprise when, instead of you telling me it was over, you told your old man to shove that money up his ass!"
When he laughed at the memory, Jade could feel much of the uneasiness begin to melt away. A delicate situation like this required some consistent chiseling rather than a full-on assault. Fortunately, she felt it was safe to come a bit closer and was elated to see him enjoying himself. Even more, she was beginning to enjoy herself as well.
"I have to be honest, I was shocked when you told him off when he came to pick me up the next day. The fire in your eyes and the resolve you showed? I almost didn't recognize you" Her voice drifted with the wind. She gazed at him once more, studying even the slightest move. "You not only stood up to him but, you impressed him enough to leave well enough alone."
"And thus, we solidified a beautiful friendship." his sly smirk didn't go unnoticed by the raven-haired girl. Letting out a soft giggle, Jade saw what appeared to be Liam transitioning back into his old self. "I'd say it was worth every ounce of fear I had, even to this day."
To this day?!
Bewilderment was the point that made Jade finally turn to the boy. What she met was the young man gazing back at her with a light that she hadn't realized she'd missed all of this time. She couldn't fathom how anyone could ever look at her with such purity and yet, Jade was witnessing it.
"You... you still consider me a friend?" she whispered.
"I'd like to think so..." he rubbed the back of his neck, withering softly.
"But... I-!"
"You did something completely cruel, disgusting, and uncalled for..." he stated, taking note of the shame behind her averted eyes. "But... I can see that you've been suffering as well. Don't think I haven't noticed your isolation. We know each other better than that."
"You sure seemed happy with me gone."
"We go to a performing arts school, remember? Plus, I'm good at hiding my true feelings."
True feelings... she lamented.
"You're right." she smiled bitterly. "I was selfish and stupid and... and..."
Rather than finishing, Jade rushed to her friend and wrapped her arms around his torso. His heartbeat thumped in her ear, but she didn't mind as she clutched at him as if loosening her grip would make him float away. The little girl had her best friend back, but there was a condition that she had to fulfill if things were going to be truly different.
I have to tell him...
Her breathing became more rapid and shallow while his thumb stroked her back. He didn't like that she was torturing herself and he wasn't going to let her do it anymore. As the song began to conclude, he just rocked her side to side while she willingly followed his movements.
"Jade. I forgive you," his voice was so tender and loving.
He lifted her chin softly, allowing her to meet his gaze. Jade's smile couldn't have grown any larger as her soul leaped for joy, until she noticed the markings on his neck, a physical testament of her sins. The happiness morphed into guilt once more, a chain of her inability to speak up when needed.
"Wait..."
"What's wrong, now?"
"I... I need to tell you something," she slowly pulled away, against her more pleasing wishes. "It's about that night when I screwed you up so bad."
"I already forgive you, Jade!"
"I know..." she grunted, clenching her fists. "But, I need to do this, or else I won't be able to forgive myself. Please, just let me get this off my chest."
He watched as Jade began to shift on the balls of her feet.
The lack of eye contact.
The sudden rosy tint of pink on her cheeks.
If these were indicators of what he suspected, then maybe he needed to pay attention more often.
"The floor's yours."
With his compliance, Jade took a deep breath, lowly chanting to herself before finally gathering her courage.
"I... I like you, Liam!"
"Really?" he blinked in sincere shock at the sudden confession.
"Yeah. I don't know when it started, but I can say that it's been brewing for a long time. I know that I can be a gank at times, but I never wanted to hurt you, especially in the ways that I've managed to do. I never found the right time to tell you. Between us going to different schools and dating Beck, it never felt like the right time to say anything."
Liam remained silent but nodded his head in compassion.
"When I told you I was dating Beck, you were so upbeat and supportive. I thought you would jump on him like you did my dad but you didn't seem to have an opinion and I began to just accept that maybe we were just fated to be friends... Just friends. While many would find what you did as something admirable, I was pissed off."
"Why...?" Liam suddenly flinched at the harshness in her tone. Jade responded to this by taking another round of breaths before resuming.
"Because... Because some part of me wanted you. I wanted to cross that line with you but I was afraid of ruining our friendship. While I know you were just being your usual kind-hearted self, I wanted that fire to come out. So, I stayed with Beck; and I got complacent with his laid-back attitude. But, he wasn't you... I thought we had a shot after you got into Hollywood Arts, but I blew that when I took him back, like an idiot. I know it sounds pathetic and selfish, but it's the truth, Liam. I let my pettiness and jealousy get the better of me and I..."
"Alright, I get it..."
"But..."
"I just want you to answer me two things, okay?"
"Okay."
"First, you're saying that you kept taking Beck back just to make me jealous?"
"Well, I DID usually come to your place after each breakup." Liam facepalmed, just hard enough to get a giggle out of the goth. While it was evident that he was beating himself up for the past, he wouldn't give in to the sulking just yet. "Are you done kicking your own ass now?"
"Yeah. Now, two: What makes me so different from Beck? We're both laidback and quiet types if I'm not mistaken."
Thinking that he stumped Jade, she simply smirked and poked a digit into his chest.
"I've seen the ferocious tiger come out of you before. It's like a darker part of you that comes out when you're around me, for better or for worse. I don't know what it is that's in that heart of yours, but I knew I liked it ever since we first met, and, to this day, I haven't seen it unleashed with anyone else."
"Translation?"
"I wanted to have that all to myself, only on a deeper level."
Having so much thrust upon him, Liam wandered over to a nearby chair, Jade following close behind. The music had shifted to a more upbeat song, but it was perfect for keeping the jovial mood. Jade's confession was definitely a bombshell. How could he ever hope to compete with such a reveal? He quietly studied her face in search of any signs of a lie, but there was none to be found.
She's telling the truth...
"You know how to make an impact!"
"That's what you love about me, dummy." she wagged her brows teasingly.
"More than you know, Jade."
"Excuse me?" her gentle scowl reemerged. "Just what are you saying?"
"I'm saying..." he leaned in and kissed Jade's forehead before erupting with a chuckle. "I'm sorry for waiting this long to tell you that I've liked you too! For a long time now."
"You sneaky son of a...!"
"Serves you right, dragon!" he stuck his tongue out.
"Careful with that; you might lose that thing if you're not careful."
The two exchanged another laugh before Liam's phone buzzed. Checking it, Lucille's face popped up with a text about picking them up to which he replied. Jade looked at her device to find that it was after 11 pm; It'd been two hours since they first arrived. Disappointment soon settled in as they reluctantly stood up.
"Where did the time go?"
"It flew by with all your jabbering," she elbowed him in the stomach.
"Guess we should get going, huh?"
Liam felt a tug on his wrist, drawing him into an unexpected kiss on his injured neck. He couldn't help but shudder as Jade snickered at his dumbfounded state. He eventually shook off the enticing effects with a frown. Jade read him well and assured him that it was nothing nefarious. A simple I'm sorry for the injury, but there was a gleam in her eyes that told him that there was more to this than she would let on.
"Do you think Lucille will give me a ride?"
"Home?" he deadpanned.
"Your place, Tiger!" she sashayed back into the club, leaving Liam to shake his head. "We have a lot to discuss."
Trina sat on the edge of a bed, Travis' bed with a foggy mind and a heavy heart.
Behind her, the bed's owner slumbered peacefully after a night of passion. After leaving the challenge, a chance encounter turned into an offer to spend the night. One thing led to another and the two wound up in bed together. Confessions and pleas blended with incoherent moans as they shared their first time with the other, a symbol... no, a promise of their bond forever.
Trina's vow to trust.
Travis' oath to protect.
Such vulnerability was sacred, precious enough to withstand the tests of time, and yet...
Trina found herself questioning such a promise as she stared at her phone.
Several missed calls and texts filled her notifications, each one more vicious than the last. Some were from the head honcho themselves while others came from the contacts of her services. Either way, they did nothing but make her queasy as she fought back tears. However, there was one voicemail that shattered any confidence she had remaining.
Some new contacts are lining up at school tomorrow. Don't disappoint or else your little boyfriend may have an accident! Yes, I know about him... I've known about you two since the showcase. Either way, it's not important, just as long as you do what you're told and keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, you'll be responsible for a travesty, just like Jade...
Trina hung up, no longer able to stomach the message.
Without a second thought, fear and determination began to clash as she grabbed her clothes from the scattered pile they made earlier. Even in her rush, Trina couldn't resist the urge to glance over the resting boy. Travis was the picture of peace, traces of a broken grin exposed by the streetlight peeking in. But, she couldn't afford to get distracted, for his sake.
She knew he would protect her if she just revealed his involvement. He didn't hesitate to rescue her from the trio of boys that accosted her at the showcase. He could've been hurt and yet, he still stuck his neck out for her without hesitation. Why would anything be different now? Surely he could take on Beck with minimum effort, right?
But, that would be selfish of her to keep dragging him into her problems. She also knew that the person who called would just retaliate and possibly wind up doing much worse to Travis. She treasured him too much to put him through that kind of hell.
It took a few more minutes of redressing but Trina was ready to put her plan into action.
One final kiss, her lips grazing his own, would be the only token of apology for what she was about to do. She wasn't going to give in to that life anymore, that was a promise that she made before they did the deed. However, her heart couldn't stand the idea of Travis being hurt, even if he could fend for himself.
Shutting the door behind her, she steeled her gaze and prepared for what she felt she had to do. There was nothing she could do here anymore... Remembering the path taken earlier in the night, she easily made her way back home, checking every now and then for signs of danger along the way. Half an hour later, she had successfully arrived at her home without detection.
Slipping through the back door, Trina tip-toed past her parents who were knocked out on the couch with the main menu of some movie playing on the TV. Thankfully her room was practically around the corner. She then began packing a couple of suitcases with the bare necessities.
Her plan was simple enough. She was going to run away to somewhere far away. It was her only option now. She tried standing strong but it only served to make things worse for her. With two suitcases full of clothes and important items, Trina had only one last thing to do before enacting her plan.
Looking down at her nightstand, she opened the top drawer and ripped out of few sheets of paper from her old diary.
She began writing on them as swiftly as possible while trying to keep them legible enough to be read. She didn't waste a lot of time and finished her letters and folded them and wrote down who they were intended for. After stuffing them in a safe place, she crept out the window and without delay, ran into the night in search of a new beginning.
Tears stung her eyes but she didn't let that stop her.
Fear gripped her heart yet she pressed onward.
Doubt and guilt slithered around her mind but she wouldn't be deterred.
Only love caused her to slow down... It felt like a massive weight had fallen on top of her, grounding her into the pavement. She looked back but for a moment knowing that her actions would come off as more of a betrayal than anything.
It would have to be a necessary sacrifice.
She wanted nothing more than to turn back around and rest in Travis' arms again. Unfortunately, she knew that wouldn't be a reality without some form of backlash from her past. The only thing she knew to be efficient was to leave far far away; a place where the past could no longer haunt her. A place where she could start over...
The short internal debate ended and Trina Vega walked on into the night in search of her own peace.
"You're doing the right thing..." she mentally chanted as she disappeared just as dawn began to arrive.
Trina continued to chant this to herself, not allowing herself to falter in her mission. Tears once more stung her eyes as she imagined just how Travis might respond once he found out. Would he understand? He'd probably be angry. Whatever his reaction, Trina had no time to worry as she managed to hail a taxi. She handed the driver a wad of money and gave him directions.
With more ground covered, Trina watched the approaching dawn with a pseudo-peace.
I'm sorry Travis... she yawned quietly. I love you too much to put you through this.
