Jade's POV:

I'm not gonna lie, it was nice being Beck's friend. I liked it. Not that I would admit that to anyone, except maybe possibly Beck himself, but still.

After that night at the karaoke place I felt like a new person. It was all new to me having that kind of connection with people, a boy nonetheless. I wasn't used to willingly want to open up to people. It felt oddly refreshing.

Of course that feeling didn't last very long, since when I got home I was met with the stern, silent gaze of my father just inside the front door.

"You've been out". Eyes inquiring, head slightly tilted to the side.

"Um yes, I met up with a few classmates. Discussed a project for school". It was a lie and we both knew it. I nervously rubbed my hands together awaiting his response. Would it be anger? Silent disappointment? Threats?

"Don't make a habit of it" He looked at me grimly for a few seconds before swiftly turning around to walk up the stairs.

I was caught a bit off-guard by his disinterest. Where was the lecture on how a West should properly behave? Why was there no punishment or even follow-up questions? I didn't know how to handle this, was more used to dealing with his normal strictness, to dodge angry yelling or sit through long lectures on how my different behaviors or interests were gonna ruin my life, make me a disgrace to the family. But this was new.

Over the weekend I decided that it probably wasn't the best idea to keep talking to Beck after all. My father kept acting strange and disinterested, barely even talking to me, which freaked me out more than anything. This sudden change in behavior could mean anything. Were we moving again? Did I do anything so wrong that this was his way of punishing me, making me wait for it? Ever since the incident 5 years ago he had been strictly controlling my life, steering it into a direction where I would end up 'successful', it was just that way our relationship worked. We never talked about it, had not even once brought up the giant elephant in the room but I could count on him to always want to discuss my life and my future. It worked okay that way, I was used to it. And now I couldn't even count on the stability of my dad's controlling behavior. It was confusing to say the least.

Come Monday I'd decided it was better to be safe than sorry, easier to just leave it as "that one night" and keep going about my business as usual at school. It was just one night off, one night to actually be a teenager before going back to normal. To focus on my grades and getting into the right college.

But Beck just wouldn't have it. I don't know why he kept trying, why he was so adamant on us continuing what we started that night at Karaoke Dokie. I tried really hard to brush him off, to not pay attention to him and treat him like any of the other stupid people at this school that got in my way. There was something inside me that wouldn't have it that way though, that made sure all of my actions were just half-hearted. Secretly I even wished for him to keep trying, to see if he would actually go through the trouble. I did doubt it.

And then Beck, sweet Beck, with the cinnamon eyes brought me coffee and insisted on how much he wanted to be my friend and I just couldn't. The sincerity in his face was too much and I just couldn't help but to let my armor down a bit and say to hell with it.

And yeah, it was nice being his friend. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed glaring at the pretty girls with their shocked faces when they saw me and Beck walking down the halls together. I enjoyed having him for company when I poured myself over my books for my AP classes in free periods. I enjoyed teasing him about his weird obsession with his hair. It was nice.

I was being cautious though, making sure I was performing well in my classes, never going out at nights or weekends, really only spending time with my new friend at school. Just to be safe.

My dad kept acting strange, far from himself. he was being distant, not really seeming to focus on me when i talked to him, eyes far off. being in a different world. He also started travelling more, being away for the most part of the week at times. I barely even saw him and when i did it was like I wasn't even there. I felt uncertain and confused but started getting used to my new freedom, having more time for myself. it was actually like having a big weight lifted off my shoulders, all of a sudden i could do things my way.

"So how's it going in the art school? Are you keeping up your AP classes?"

We were having dinner, first time in a week since he'd been away on business. For the first time in a long time it felt like he actually looked at me, was interested in my life like before. I didn't know how to feel about that. On one hand I was missing the stability of knowing what to expect with him but on the other my new freedom had felt really good. I'd even re-signed up for piano class just because I'd really wanted to.

"It's going well. I'm keeping up with the straight A's"

He hummed a bit as confirmance, looking pleased.

"Good. Keep it that way. You better not let that art school ruin your chances of Harvard. And I don't want to see you in any of those plays they keep e-mailing me about. That's a waste of time "

"Yes sir" I nodded my head, shoveling another forkful of pasta in my mouth, chewing silently before mustering up the courage to ask. "Dad, are we gonna be moving again?" I knew he didn't like me asking questions but I just needed to know, especially since he'd been acting so strange lately.

"Jade, you'll speak when spoken to. I don't have to tell you that". His voice was stern and I instinctivally bowed my head, mumbling an apology. Then he sighed defeatedly. "To answer your question though, no, we're gonna be staying here for now. Business isn't going as well as before. So I don't want you destroying your future by getting caught up in the circus behaviors of that school, you're gonna keep up your studies there."

I nodded silently trying to hide my obvious joy. We were staying in LA! I was staying at Hollywood Arts!

The next day at school I felt like I was radiating with this newfound happiness, could barely even be bothered to keep up with my normal glaring at stupid people or yelling at Sinjin when he got too close and creepy. Beck noticed, I could tell, but didn't acknowledge it, which I was happy about. He simply just gave me an easy smile, bumped his shoulder with mine while walking me to AP history. Before leaving to go to his next class he turned around with his head slightly tilted and asked if we could meet up after school in the black-box theater.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." I tried to keep my voice level but couldn't help but give him a little smile.

"Great! See ya!" He raised his hand in a greeting before walking off.

When I walked into the black box after my last class my mood was slightly dampened. All of the people in my classes had been super obnoxious and stupid, never shutting up about their stupid gossip, a significant amount of it concerning the relationship between a certain Beck Oliver and myself. It didn't even help glaring at them when the teacher wasn't looking, it just shut them up momentarily.

"Hello? Beck?" I called out, not seeing him.

"Over here!" He was over in the corner, having assembled some kind of big pile of cushions, smiling goofily. "We're making a video!" What?

"Um yeah. Not doing that"

"C'mon Jade, it will be fun! I thought we could make a Slap video, giving helpful advice to the community." Not knowing how to say no to his pleading puppy-dog eyes I just sighed and sat down on a cushion across from the camera.

"Fine" I rolled my eyes at his happy smile. "But only because they desperately need it. How some of these people are still alive is beyond me". And also they wouldn't be for much longer if this stupid gossiping kept going on.

He sat down next to me, a little closer than normal, so I could feel his warmth radiating on me. "Ready?" I nodded defeatedly and he turned the camera on.

"Hi, I'm Beck."

"And as everyone already knows, I'm Jade"

"I've been getting a lot of questions sent to my Slap profile and now we're here to help you guys with solving your problems"

"Well I'm only here because Beck forced me"

He looked at me increduously. "Well that's just not true"

"Oh yeah and also because Beck's advice probably sucks. He thinks every problem can be solved by getting a new product for your hair. I couldn't leave you with that because I care oh so much about your issues."

"She's just kidding"

"I'm really not"

Beep. I heard the sound of Beck turning the camera off and felt his eyes on me.

"What?"

"What was that all about?" Eyes twinkling slightly, corners of his mouth turned up in an amused grin. "Why all the hate on my hair?"

"It's just that I don't get why we should do this and why even care about these people in the first place. And also what is up with all your hair care products anyway?" I reached out and touched his hair teasingly, flicking it over his shoulder. It was very soft I noted, slightly impressed.

"It's just for fun you know. Advice doesn't even have to be helpful" He bumped his shoulder against mine playfully.

"Okay fine. Whatever. Let's do it"

He turned the camera on again.

"Soo first question!" He scrolled through his phone, showing me one, signaling for me to read it.

"Hey Beck and Jade, I'm wondering what to do about this guy I like..." I started reading but quickly got bored. "I'm not doing this one".

"What do you mean? come on, read it!"

"I told you, I'm not doing this one. Pick another one"

He rolled his eyes affectionately. "Okay we'll do another one. Also I'll just say in passing to the previous one - just tell him, go for it!" He hurriedly says the last part, letting me scroll through his inbox to find a different question. Bingo!

"Oh Beck here's one for you! 'Hi Beck and Jade, I just wanted to ask for advice on how to get my hair to look more like Beck's'" I smirked at his excited look, giving him a little nudge with my elbow. "See I told you that was his favourite advice to give"

I could tell he wanted to argue but couldn't help himself but to launch into a long monologue on how the key was a good conditioner. I simply watched him amused.

All in all, things were going pretty well.