First and foremost, this is a rewrite of a story I wrote in 2016. It was cringy, but I feel like the concept was good enough to use again in a rewrite. This will loosely follow the layout of my old story, but it will hopefully read a little better. For two, this isn't meant to be romance, so no Jori or Cade in this. It's more meant to focus on what Jade was going through and Tori and Cat helping her out with it. Okay, with that out of the way, I hope you enjoy! And if you're a returning reader, welcome back :)

-Chargedlion

xxx

Nobody in Hollywood Arts expected Tori and Jade to ever be real friends, let alone best friends. But if there's one thing Jade liked doing, it's proving people wrong.

During senior year, they finally put the past behind them and Jade developed a soft spot for Tori despite all of the previous accounts of brutal teasing. They care about each other, and that was about to be put to the test. Jade had a secret, and she was a tough nut to crack. Tori was stubborn, and she wouldn't let Jade go through, whatever it was, alone.

xxx

It was late, and Tori was about to go upstairs to get ready for bed when there was a knock at the door. She raised an eyebrow. Who could possibly be here at this time of night? She hopped back down the stairs and opened the door. "Jade?"

Jade clenched then unclenched her jaw. She trusted Tori, but that didn't make this any less humiliating. She strained out a smile. "Hey. Can I come in?"

Tori stepped to the side and allowed entrance. "Yeah, come in. What are you doing here? It's late, you know."

Jade came in and scoffed. "Oh really, Vega, I hadn't noticed."

Tori softened and edged the door closed. Something was wrong, she just knew it. "Come on, Jade, why are you here? You know you're welcome, but this deserves some sort of explanation. Are you okay?"

"Of course I'm okay, Vega," Jade growled.

"Hey." Tori shook her head and crossed her arms. "I thought you were going to start being honest with me."

Jade sighed and aimlessly looked at the floor. "I-I can't... I just needed an escape so I came here... Please don't kick me out..."

"Jade, I'm not going to kick you out. If you really don't want to, you don't have to talk." Tori nodded at her friend and smiled a little. "Stay as long as you need."

Jade smiled back, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She hated lying to her. But she was Jade West, and she didn't need anyone or anything. Well, except for a place to stay for the night. Oh who was she trying to kid, she also needed a friend who wouldn't ask too many questions.

"Come on, we don't have a guest room, so you can just-"

Jade held her hand up to stop her. "Tor, I'll just sleep on the couch, it's fine."

Tori glared at her. "You look like you haven't slept in a week. Seriously, you look like a raccoon. You need a good sleep, and you can't do that on the couch." Her friend rolled her eyes.

"Wow, Vega, thanks for the compliment, I feel so much better."

Tori grabbed her by the elbow so she would focus. "Jade. For once in your life, stop being so stubborn. You're clearly exhausted, and you came here for a reason."

Jade swallowed hard. She knew Tori cared about her, but she still naturally resisted. It was so easy to. "... Fine. But you better not snore."

"I don't snore!" Tori argued, clearly believing in what she said.

"Yes." Jade smirked slightly. "You do."

Tori huffed, stared at her a few seconds, then gave up. "Come on, let's go, Jade. I'm assuming you didn't bring pajamas with you?"

Jade gestured blankly at the nothingness she held in her hands.

"Right." Tori shrugged. "Well, we're not that different in height, you can just borrow some of mine."

Jade hummed and followed her up the stairs. For once she was tired of arguing. Tori was right, she was exhausted.

Tori glanced over her shoulder, then shook her head lightly. If Jade wasn't even going to fight back, something must be very wrong. But she knew she wouldn't talk to her, at least not now. Maybe she could get her to talk tomorrow. "Take these." Tori handed her friend some spare pajamas from her dresser once she got to it. "Go get changed, then come back here. I'm serious, don't let me catch you sleeping on the couch!"

Jade raised her eyebrows, then left to change.

When she came back, Tori, already dressed, was smoothing out her comforter. Jade's expression softened. She didn't regret coming here.

Her eyes catching something, Tori looked up, then smiled. "Wow, I've never seen you wear so much color before!"

Jade looked down at her pajamas. The only place she could go to get brighter clothes was Cat's house. "Shut up..."

Tori straightened up and walked over to her friend. "Hey, are you sure you're okay?" She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, indicating that she knew there was more than what she was telling her.

"I'm tired, Tori." Jade grinned lazily, but again, it didn't reach her eyes. "Can I just sleep?"

Tori hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, yeah, you can sleep. But first-" Tori opened her arms and Jade immediately knew what would follow. "You gotta give me a hug!"

Jade rolled her eyes but still conceded. The idea of hugging Tori didn't irk her anymore.

Tori squeezed her tightly for a few moments, noting how tense she was. "Whatever it is, Jade, I'm here for you," she whispered before she let her go and offered a small smile.

Jade swallowed hard. She was not about to get emotional, she wouldn't let herself. "I know, Tori... Just, not right..."

"I know, and I won't make you." Tori slowly started to walk backward out of the room. "I'll be back in a second, I'm just going to let my parents know that you're here. You know, so you don't... scare anyone if you run into each other."

Jade smirked. "Your family is still afraid of me?"

Tori playfully smiled over her shoulder. "Well, maybe not in those pajamas."

"Ha ha, so funny. Go, I'll be here." Jade waved her off, then slowly climbed into Tori's bed. She felt safe here, in this house. It was quieter. Well, except when Trina was up. But still.

xxx

Tori entered the room quietly, not sure if Jade had fallen asleep or not. The light was still on, but that clearly didn't matter as she could already see that Jade was out cold. Tori smiled a little, having never really seen Jade look so... not like Jade. She went to the other side of the bed, settled under the covers, and begun staring up at the ceiling. Sure, Jade had shown at her house before unannounced, even before they were friends, but this was different. And it definitely wasn't manipulation, Jade wasn't this good of an actor. Not yet, anyway. Tori sighed softly. Maybe she could get it out of her in the morning.