BECK
Beck woke up and remembered that it was graduation day before he even opened his eyes. He was so excited to get it over with and move on with his life. He wasn't sure what he was doing with his life yet. Yeah, I waited until graduation day to decide that I don't know what I want to do yet. But I'm sure I'll figure something out.
Jade had gotten a part that she was excited about. Though Beck had not heard from Jade since he went by to clear things up with her about Tori and him. He hoped that all was still well with her, but didn't dare reach out to her. Things were going so well with Tori lately. He even thought that she might be falling for him. Geez, that just sounds so cheesy. But I just want to know that she feels the same way that I do. She has to.
Beck got dressed in a daze. He was headed for the graduation ceremony and had already been texting with his girlfriend. He would be picking Tori up on the way.
Beck walked into Tori's room and she was still getting dressed.
"Hey! I missed you!" Tori said from her closet. She was facing the back of the closet and still not wearing a shirt. As Tori lifted her arms above her head to reach for a top, Beck watched as her back muscles lifted the strap of her bra away from her back. He bit his lip.
"Did you now?" The was the sound of a smirk his voice. I missed you, too, all night.Tori giggled and turned around. "Yeess. Diiid you miss me?"
"I've only been gone about five hours." Beck had stayed late with her last night until she fell asleep. "And you were asleep when I left. How could you even know you missed me?" Beck laughed out loud.
He loved how boyish he felt around her. He was always saying cheesy things while still trying to hold back the cheesy. He wanted to tell her he loved her constantly. Everything that she did reminded him that he was in love with her. But he refrained as often as possible. She still had not said it back and he didn't want to push her or make her feel uncomfortable by it.
"Well... I did." She said as she tugged her top over her head. She was ready to go now. Hair falling around her shoulders in perfect curls, makeup done, shoes already on. She must have been making up her mind about the top. She grabbed a dress bag from the closet, threw it over her shoulder and said, "Let's go."
They were all finally there. Beck, Andre, Cat, Robbie, and Tori, all lining up to walk across the stage and accept their diploma. Beck was getting hyped up and excited to walk, he looked at Tori and opened his mouth to tell her how beautiful she looked when he saw her. Jade.
Her hair had been curled and had her usually vivid streak in the side. Today it was blue. Her skin was glowing and she looked happy. Beck could not remember the last time he had looked at Jade and thought she was beautiful. But today... today he remembered why he had fallen in love with her in the first place.
"You are so pretty." Beck looked at Jade and suddenly felt nervous."So?" Jade said. She would never admit it, but she was blushing. "What are you gonna do about it?"Beck had kissed Jade for the first time in their freshman year at Hollywood Arts. At the time, he felt like he was way in over his head, but she seemed to listen to him, and only him. And as much as he hated himself for it, he loved how he felt like he was in control. It was only now that he realized that he had grown out of that. He loved how out of control Tori made him feel. Tori. Beck snapped his attention back to his current girlfriend.
As long as he'd spent with Jade, as much chemistry as they'd had, he had never felt this way about her. Every time he looked at Tori, he wanted her. He wanted her body, he wanted her approval, he wanted her love. Beck desperately wanted her love. The way that she looked at him, like he was broken and needed fixing, it made him feel wanted and he needed her.
As they were lining up for graduation, a few people had wedged themselves between them. The area was becoming crowded and just then Beck saw Andre bump Tori on the shoulder and nudge his eyes in the direction of Jade. Tori turned her head to look and, as if they were in slow motion, Beck watched as the color drained from Tori's face and she snapped her head in his direction. Beck looked directly at her. Beck mouthed 'I love you' in her direction, pretending he hadn't seen Jade or the recent interaction between Andre and her.
Tori's eyed snapped back in Jade's direction and Beck realized that she was afraid. Afraid that seeing Jade may stir up feelings, may make him change his mind about the relationship. There were so many feelings to read in Tori's face that he still had no interest in looking back in Jade's direction. He studied Tori's face as she watched the motions around her and began to look nauseated. He was just about to push his way through the people in between them to make sure she was okay, when he felt someone lay their hand flat on his back. His stomach did a flip and he swallowed before he turned his head.
"Hi, Beck." Jade had made her way through the crowd so quickly and now she was standing right next to him, touching him. He suddenly felt nervous and looked in Tori's direction. She was staring with a blank look on her face.
"Hey." Beck stepped forward so that Jade's hand dropped and no longer touched him. "How are you? I'm glad you made it."
"I told you I was coming." She smiled. "You look great." Beck's whole body tensed at the unwanted attention.
"Jade... I told you--"
"Relax, dude. It was a compliment to a friend." Jade smiled again. "Now let's get this over with."
Beck did relax and looked back at Tori again. He caught another glimpse of her unreadable expression before she turned to walk to the back of the line.
The students began lining up alphabetically and soon the ceremony was starting. Beck watched as Jade made her way to stand just behind Tori. Jade smiled a half-hearted smile and Tori gave her a small wave before turning back to the front. It was better than what he had expected. He turned to face the front.
Soon the ceremony was over, they'd thrown their caps and the students were roaming around looking for family and friends, snapping photos, and clearing out.
Beck finally found Tori in the crowd among her sister Trina, Mom, and Dad. He ran up behind her hugged her from behind, picked her up and swung her around in circle. She giggled uncontrollably and when he set her down she whirled around and kissed him. Again, the color drained from her face.
"Congratulations?" Beck was confused. Tori subtly pointed behind him and he turned his head to see Jade. He realized that she had just seen the encounter and turned back to Tori.
"It's fine, Tori. She's our friend." Jade took a few short, slow strides toward them and reached for Tori.
Beck watched as Jade took Tori into and unexpected hug. Jade doesn't hug. He was confused and bewildered at what he was witnessing.
Jade pulled away and put a hand on each of Tori's shoulders. "Congrats, grad. I'm proud of you, and you." She turned to Beck. She took Beck into the same hug around the shoulders. He half-expected it to feel awkward, but it didn't and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Congratulations, Jade. We made it." They released each other and the same sheepish smile crossed her face.
"Treat her right." Jade looked back at Tori and smiled. "Love him like I should have." At that, everyone became silent and Jade walked away without looking back and waving over her shoulder.
It took a couple of seconds for the air to clear and then Beck let a relieved laugh. "We did it!" He took Tori in for another embrace. The statement was double-sided. They had finally graduated and they had finally moved past everything with Jade.
There was an undeniable wave of relief between them both and Tori threw her arms around Beck's neck full of excitement once more. She pulled away and kissed him quickly. "I love you!" Tori almost shouted at him. She was out of breath.
Beck couldn't believe what he'd heard. Did she hear it? Does she know what she said?
"Oh my god..." Was all he could manage for a few seconds. "I love you so much, Tor." They were embracing again and Beck felt a familiar prickle in his eyes and tickle on his cheek as a tear fell.
I'm such a fucking sap, lately.
