Chapter 4.

She took a deep breath before she reached over to Tori, gently grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to her on the couch, the latina seemed to focus a little and seemed alarmed at first. Jade shook her head, and patted her shoulder, "Just lay your head down and be done with the head bobbing already, Tori." She watched the other girl sleepily concentrate, her face pinched.

"You called me Tori." Her confusion gives way to the desire of her sleepiness, and she rests her head down.

"You're annoying me with the movement, that's all." Jade justifies.

"You've never called me Tori though, why are you being nice to me tonight?" She murmured.

Jade shrugged, laughing to herself slightly- the scene seemed fitting enough, she softly sang as a response. "What can I say except you're welcome."

Tori laughed lightly, pushing at Jade's arm, "Cute, but I'm serious, why?" She looked up slightly to better see the other girl's face as she sighed.

"Let's just say you're not alone, I'm just not quite at your level with it." Jade glanced over at her, watching, waiting to see if it would click, her stomach flipping as she saw the lightbulb go off about what she was talking about.

"Oh, you mean you're-" Tori paused, a little unsure.

"Yeah…" Jade winced, looking away. The word tasting bitter-sweet coming out, which was fitting.

Tori set her head back down, smiling to herself as she nestled back onto Jade's shoulder.

It took her a moment to decide what to say before settling on the basic, "I'd like to hear more about it...you know...one day...when you're, uh, ready?"

Jade inhaled deeply, "I'm working on it, I think. It's why Beck and I broke up, but it's not exactly easy to navigate- especially alone." She leaned her head back on the top of the couch, looking up to the ceiling.

There was a shake on her shoulder as Tori nodded in agreement, "I know, but I made it this far alone, so I know you'll be fine. Plus, now you aren't alone, you have me." She held her head up momentarily to give Jade a big, cheesing grin- exaggerated for comic relief- and then laid it back down.

Jade laughed, rolling her eyes, "Whatever."

It got quiet again for a few minutes.

"So, there's a lot of changes going on," Jade spoke quietly, "but I'm still me, so if you ever mention this I will deny I said it. But…thank you…and I'm sorry...you know, for all the things I've never said those words for."

Tori could feel the rigidness in Jade's body as she had said all of that. "Your secret softy moment is safe with me, West." She said softly.

There were a few moments of quietness while the movie kept playing.

"Nozu's?" Jade blurted.

"What?" Tori blinked in confusion. The tension was building in the body next to her.

"Go to Nozu's with me?" Jade said more clearly.

Tori sat up, turning to face the girl who wouldn't look at her now, "Are you asking me out?" She only got a sideways glance in response. Taking that as a yes, she rested back down on Jade's shoulder, "I mean yeah I will, but why?"

Jade hesitated in answering right away, but cleared her throat and swallowed. "I've been really mean to you for a really long time, so I don't expect it to just be sunshine and roses, that's not me anyway, but-"

"Jade Elizabeth, I swear if all this time has just been one bit game of 'little boy on the playground being mean to his crush', I am going to punch you." The laugh that followed her sentence was proof that it wasn't out of anger. She glanced over to Jade whose face was all scrunched up.

"Nail on the head with that one wasn't I?" Tori grinned as Jade nodded very slowly. "It makes some stuff make sense so, I can't say I'm disappointed."

The goth took a deep breath, rolling her eyes before she spoke, sounding a little sheepish. "It wasn't like that the whole time. I didn't really know what it was at first. I thought it was hatred that just started because of the first day with you and Beck. I clung to that for a long time, but last month he and I got into it, and somehow you got brought up and I don't know who said what but all of a sudden it clicked for us both. He's been so understanding and helpful, but he's a guy and it's just different. So, then I was stuck with this realization, all while knowing there was no chance of it going anywhere. The hatred turned to frustration, so it was easy to keep up the facade with you. But then tonight when you came out, it was like a locked door opened." She licked her lips anxiously before continuing, "I'm still me, Vega. I'm still figuring it out because it's all newly identified. Like, NEW, new. And it's not like you like me, so don't pity me here. I don't want a pity date."

Tori gave her a blank face. "No, I've just stuck around through all of your shit, to eventually convince you to ask me on a date, just so I can accept out of pity. C'mon Jade, I know you're not stupid." The sarcasm was thick with this one.

Jade laughed, her worried expression dissolving quickly.

"I like it when you laugh…when you're genuine. So, yes to the date. I've been aware of my sexuality a lot longer than you. I liked you from the beginning, but I knew there was no chance. I settled for trying to be your friend, but you made that almost impossible, too. Now, I'm getting an opportunity to do something with some /seriously/ repressed feelings, so I promise it's not out of pity." Tori squeezed the arm she was resting against for good measure.

They settled into a comfortable silence, watching the remainder of the movie in their almost cuddling position.

The end credits started to roll, and after a few moments, Jade broke the silence, "You know this doesn't change how I'm going to act towards you around the others, right?"

Tori scoffed, "I knew it would be too much to ask for any kindness."

"Whatever. I can't have people thinking I'm soft, and you know it." Jade poked her side, gaining an abrupt giggle of panic from the other.

"No, ma'am! Ticking is off limits." Tori said breathlessly.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Jade grinned, pausing her attack to glance at the girl who had settled into her side once again. "This was nice, I think I may even want to do it again sometime." Her grin faltered, "Fuck, I've already asked you out twice tonight haven't I? Get a grip, West, jeez." She threw her head back against the couch, free hand smacking against her eyes in embarrassment.

Tori gave the arm she was holding hostage a squeeze, "Go easy on yourself, I know I'm pretty great." She said, her smile dripping into her words.

Jade groans,"I blame you for all of this. I was fine before you showed up."

Tori sits up to look at the girl, almost insulted until she sees the grin plastered on her face.

"God, you're infuriating. You know what, we can talk about this tomorrow." Tori went to stand, but stopped herself. She took her opportunity, and briefly kissed Jade's cheek before standing up.

The blush does not go unnoticed, but Tori reached her hand out to help the girl up without saying a word. She didn't let go as she dragged her towards the stairs, but there was little resistance to the interaction.

Through the patio window, there's a tent flap propped open. Beck had done it to keep an eye on the situation indoors, but he see's them walking up the staircase hand in hand and smiles fondly. "Get your girl, Jade." He mumbles to himself in the night.