this chapter is set within the following episodes: jade gets crushed (2x10), andre's horrible girl (3x04), the blonde squad (3x13), cell block (4x05), star spangled tori (4x12)

disclaimer: victorious its characters belong to its respective owner.


ii. of photographs and matching necklaces

as seen through robbie shapiro


Robbie Shapiro was often left out of the picture. He was the onlooker; a wallflower; an outsider who stood from afar. The awkward teenage boy who wasn't as close to Jade as Cat was, nor as close to Beck as Andre was. But he was there long enough to know that there was more.

He owed it to the couple, because even though they didn't notice, even if it were unintentional, there were numerous times when they had supported him in the simplest ways. He owed it to them, to see beyond their relationship because they were his friends. He was there long enough to know there was always more to them than the caricature of themselves that was built by people's expectation of them.

Robbie Shapiro's first encounter with Jade West could be summarized by a general impression of fear. His hands felt clammy, he felt lightheaded, and he was so sure that a little bit of pee came out of him the moment she met his eyes. Nevertheless, unlike everyone else in the school, she didn't give him an odd look for carrying a puppet around. Instead, despite the fact that their lockers were beside each other, she doesn't spare him any attention as if he never existed— Jade West's typical demeanor back in their first week in Hollywood Arts.

He never exactly got a chance to talk to Jade West, until Cat Valentine trotted along to converse with her friend. It was a surprise to him when he found out the sweet girl, was oddly enough, Jade West's best friend. They were inseparable despite their contrasting personalities; despite how the redhead was the type to fantasize about living in magical sugar castles while the goth was the type that resembled the Wicked Witch of the West, the common archetype of villains. Sometimes, he never really understood their dynamic.

The bundle of red hair never failed to acknowledge his presence whenever she ran over to her blue-eyed friend. She would greet Robbie with a smile as she waited for her friend to gather her things from her locker. With the kindness and attention Cat often sent his way, it was easy for Robbie Shapiro to find himself developing an infatuation for the maiden. And it was perhaps what led to his long-term crush on the synthetic redhead.

"Hi!" the petite maiden would so often greet him, as she waited for Jade West to collect her stuff from her locker impaled by scissors.

"H-Hi" Robbie stammers, cursing his awkwardness as he returns a crooked smile. His heart palpitates and his stomach feels heavy. He's overwhelmingly anxious, not only by the glare Jade sent his way, but also from the fact that he was talking to a girl he likes.

Rex always makes him feel better. It was a coping mechanism. Rex Powers may have been crass and rude, but it made Robbie look better because the boy was not anything like the made-up personality of the puppet. And while everyone else is too busy taking their anger out on Rex, they forget about quirky boy who was behind him. No one noticed the remaining part of his self-esteem was hidden away in Rex Powers or the way he depicted the remnants of his masculinity.

Though, whenever Rex spoke up, things doesn't always turn out the way he expected. "Why you talking to this loser?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cat gasped, offended by the puppet, believing that she was who he referred to as loser.

"N-No. He doesn't mean you" Robbie stammers as he tries to clear up the misunderstanding.

But the way the boy acts as if the puppet is a separate entity only aggravates Jade. Almost as if she were protecting the girl from a weirdo who was going to hurt the her friend, the girl turns her heel, to grab her petite redhead by the wrist as she announces, "Cat! We're leaving."

"Kay kay!" the redhead chirps happily, and waves at him, as if she wasn't upset just a few seconds ago, "Bye Robbie!"

Robbie Shapiro befriends the golden boy, Beck Oliver, three months after their first day in school. Although, they rarely talked to each other, he knew more than enough to be able to tell that not only was Beck a good-looking popular somebody, but he was also a promising actor that was easily one of the top students of the class. He was the stereotypical cool guy. The type of person who wouldn't be seen chummy friends with socially awkward nerds who hid behind puppets.

Nevertheless, Beck manages to prove him wrong when he willingly chooses to pair up with Robbie Shapiro despite everybody else who dying to be his partner for their drama assignment. It was the second time he reminds himself not to judge anyone by their looks. Exhibit A being Jade West who was Cat Valentine's best friend. Exhibit B being Beck Oliver who wanted to befriend the odd one out with no other ulterior motive.

Now, Robbie had always believed he wasn't anything special. Sure, he could somewhat sing, he liked working on theater tech and he could act somehow but compared to others who had a good edge on what they were doing, his numerous talents never made up for his shortcomings. He knew there were better options, like other members of the class, who were vying to be chosen by Beck Oliver. But despite what he thought of himself, Beck Oliver chose him. Not because he'd be a pushover who would do the work, but because he thought it would be great to know the guy. And for someone who believes that he was just a lame nobody, Robbie was no doubt thrilled to even be chosen by someone as cool as Beck.

So, when, the boy invites him to eat lunch with his group of friends, he most definitely does not say no.

"Hey guys," Beck walks over to their table at the Asphalt Cafe, with his new friend in tow, "This is Robbie Shapiro we're working on a project together"

"Oh! I know Robbie. His locker's next to Jade's." Cat informs them, cheerfully before greeting the boy, "Hi!"

"The name's Andre Harris" the other person introduces himself, looking up from the keyboard he was playing with, "So, you're into drama like the rest of them?"

"Uh. I-I'm still trying to choose which I like most. But, so far I'm enjoying all our classes" Robbie answers, sheepishly, "But yeah, I like acting and songwriting, I guess? I play guitar too"

"Cool. I just learned this year" Beck says, before taking the space empty space between his two friends, "Andre here can play almost anything. He can make songs in his sleep"

"Jadey's into songwriting too!" Cat buts into their conversation, as if they were showcasing their best friends. But speaking of Jade—

"Oh yeah. Where is Jade?" Beck asks, trying to sound as casual as possible as he wonders why it was just Cat and Andre eating on the table. He assumes she's probably elsewhere still trying to avoid his attempts to win her over but before Cat manages to answer his question, Robbie interrupts them.

"J-Jade sits here with you?" the boy holds Rex close to him, as if it was his only source of assurance.

"My boy here pissed his pants just by talking to the witch" the puppet says, taking the opportunity to make fun of his owner.

"Rex!" Robbie admonishes him as if it was some embarrassing secret.

"It's aight. Everyone's terrified of her" Andre surprisingly, agrees before turning to Beck with a smug grin "I told you, you're batshit crazy to have a crush on her, man"

"Dude!" It was Beck's turn to admonish his friend, as if Andre might as well shout it out to the world.

"It's not really a secret" Cat smiles innocently, "Jadey probably knows—"

"Cat." the boy looks at her with wide eyes, "Does she know?"

Instead of an answer, the redhead replies with a fit of giggles to which Andre choruses with a laugh. And then, Robbie thinks, it wouldn't be so bad being near Jade West if he had these people around him.

Robbie's first impression of Beck and Jade's relationship was confusion. Because who in the world is sane enough to even date someone as terrifying as her? And how in the world was Beck not afraid, unlike everyone else?

Hell, despite being locker neighbors and despite being in her group of friends, Robbie's fear of Jade never waned. It was later in their freshman year, that despite being happy for Beck, who was slowly winning the girl over, he still couldn't pinpoint the part of Jade West that attracted both Beck Oliver and Cat Valentine towards her.

The longer Robbie grew to know Jade, the more his fear of her seemed to increase. He couldn't see beyond her cruel words and terrifying persona, but nevertheless a small (extremely tiny) part of him knows that there was more to her about it. That she was still human like everyone else was. Afterall, how can the two kindest people he knows be so attached to the girl, if it weren't for anything special? He'd like to assume that Beck, if not Cat, was probably a good judge of character.

It was during one of his few most terrifying encounters with Jade, that he sees more to their relationship than he ever did.

Robbie Shapiro, with all his weirdness and awkwardness, was an easy target to be bullied. And the fact that he carried around a puppet who often did more damage than good, only seemed to aggravate his situation.

The boy who picked on him violently forced the latter's back towards the cold metal, Rex dangling from his free hand. As if it were a stroke of luck, Jade West, who happened to be walking towards her own locker, easily interferes by swiping the puppet from the ruffian.

She scowls, "get out of my way."

And as if the boy saw a ghost, he pales and let go of Shapiro, forgetting the reason he was furious with the puppet and his owner. Everyone was afraid of the azure-eyed girl, after all. Everyone with the exception of Beck Oliver, but essentially still majority of the student body. Thus, it was inevitable to make a run for it at the sight of her, which worked in Robbie's favor for once in his life.

Jade West wasn't big on heroism. Rather, Robbie believes, she only did that because they were truly in the way. The manner in which she threw his puppet at him, seemed to confirm his beliefs. And if it weren't enough, the next words she said, may have possibly weakened his knees (and not the good way).

"Get rid of that thing if it brings you more trouble than its worth" she glares at him before opening the door of her locker, as if the sight of him only fueled her irritation.

Thankfully, Beck Oliver, who was standing near the girl, was known for his ability to pacify her. And knowing him, Robbie was assured that his friend wouldn't let her do anything physically harm anyone.

"Jade," his voice wasn't reprimanding, but nevertheless it was clearly a warning, "Be nice."

"I just saved his ass" she rolls her eyes back at him before slamming her locker shut.

"I know," he rubs circles on her back, before she walks away, to head towards their next class.

Before running up to her, Beck turns to Robbie, who was still frozen in place, repeating the words Jade told him. She had a point. Rex was no doubt a coping mechanism, but he wasn't the best companion. He knew she had a point. She said it with good intentions, despite how crude it may have sounded. But even so, Beck takes it upon himself to apologize, because he'd rather not have anyone think bad of the girl he loved, especially during the rare moments she actually expressed kindness.

"Sorry for her" Beck manages to snap Robbie out of his thoughts, "Jade's just easy to misunderstand. Trust me."

Without waiting for a response, he walks towards his almost-girlfriend who was waiting impatiently by the staircase, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as if to tame her anger.

And from that, Robbie Shapiro realizes that understanding Jade was a gift, and there was less than a handful who had it. Most especially, compared to everyone else, Beck was the one who had the honor of knowing her most. And right then Robbie couldn't help but wish for Beck to end up with Jade, not because they had feelings for each other or anything, but because he would definitely be doing the world a favor by saving everyone else from the Wicked Witch's rage.


The first time Robbie Shapiro was convinced that Beck Oliver and Jade West were truly suited for one another, was later that year when they were officially dating. Despite the push-and-pull and their constant bickering, he manages to notice the small things, albeit a lot less than both Andre and Cat do. Robbie was dense at times, and it took more than the simplest signs to let him see.

But he does notice the concrete signs, the physical objects.

He knows about the picture of the couple inside Jade's locker. He also knows about Beck's plaid shirts that she evidently often borrowed. And he most definitely knows about the matching necklace that recently hung around their necks that day.

"What is that?" Robbie wonders out loud that one time they were lounging around his locker, Jade leaning against Beck as he put his arm around her. The couple recently gone through their first split, but in less than 24 hours they were already back together, wrapped in each other's arms.

Cat and Andre turn their heads toward them, averting their attention to what he was referring to. Jade, as private as ever, slams her locker shut without batting an eye, "None of your business."

"This?" Beck asks, looking at the pendant hanging on his chest, " I found it in my toolbox"

"As a couple's necklace?" Robbie furrows his eyebrows, wondering why in the world would they wear around things that are more likely to be considered junk than a sentimental gift. They definitely had enough money to at least buy an actual one from a store at the mall.

Although, by this point in time, he should have already been able to tell that Beck and Jade never did conventional. So, maybe it does make sense that she isn't into diamond necklaces or expensive jewelry like other girls. And clearly, Beck wouldn't bother wasting money on something his girlfriend wouldn't even like. Maybe it was like them to find sentimental value in the simple things.

Thus, the blue-eyed girl repeats her words clearly before casually walking away, "It's none of your damnbusiness."

Beck rolls his eyes fondly, running after his girlfriend instead of giving them an answer. He was used to the girl's habit of leaving in the middle of a conversation, but nevertheless, like always, he still follows.

Once the couple was out of sight, Cat Valentine giggles out of the blue. Her soft laughter immediately catches Robbie's attention, and even Andre turns his head to look at her. They knew it was none of their business; that their friend's love life definitely had nothing to do with them, but even so, the redhead tells them.

"It's a peace offering after their breakup" Cat provides the answer Beck deprived them of, "And also a reminder."

"A reminder for what?" Robbie's queries, unable to see what a simple bolt can possibly remind anyone of.

"Jade's always crazy jealous so Beck says it's to remind her and to show everyone else that he is hers and she is his. Kinda like that thing we put on doggies, but this is for humans and they match. They should sell those! Pet necklaces" the redhead rambles, the topic morphing to another one of her random ideas.

Andre couldn't help but laugh out loud, after hearing his friend's explanation and discovering how sappy he could be. "Dang, he's so whipped."

"He is?" Robbie finds himself wondering how in the world are necklaces considered a form of affection, because for all he knows material objects were not exactly the most definite symbol of love. Though his friends do prove him wrong.

"He's heads over heels for her" the other boy explains, "Beck would never say all that sappy chiz for any other girl. I know there's more to that. There's probably some explanation for why it had to be washers, but let's leave that between them"

Though, from that Robbie does realize, the golden bolt hanging on a string was truly a well-suited metaphor for them. Because no matter how many times they fight and split apart, they build their relationship back up. Because Beck and Jade were more than their break ups. They fix things and makes things work out. They get lost but they eventually find their way back to each other.


The first time Robbie Shapiro realizes that Jade West does as much for Beck Oliver like the boy does for her,was during their sophomore year. He used to think that the long-haired boy so often lets the girl walk over him, but there really is more to what they knew.

"Hey, you're back," was the greeting Jade musters as she takes the coffee from her boyfriend's hands.

Robbie overhears them as he walks towards his own locker. He was about to greet the couple, but seeing as they were in a conversation, he decides to wait instead of receiving Jade's murderous aura for interrupting their reunion.

"That I am" Beck smiles at her, handing her the usual cup of coffee to make up for his absence during the last couple of days.

"So, you ready for the test today?"

"Yeah, thanks for the notes, babe"

"Just the notes?" she quirks an eyebrow as if to express how much of an ungrateful ass he was.

"And for being an amazing girlfriend and taking care of me the whole time" he adds, leaning down to give her a kiss.

"Ugh, don't spread your cooties" she teases when they pull away for air, "You might have leftover germs"

"Do not."

"Do too" she counters despite giving him another chaste kiss, just as she finishes getting her stuff from her locker. She bids him goodbye as she heads towards first period, "I'll see you in class."

Robbie, simply stood in front of his own locker, wondering what they were talking about. He couldn't help but recall a certain detail of their conversation. Beck was sick? Jade took care of Beck? Was the Wicked Witch actually able to nurse a sick person?

Puzzled, he couldn't help but turn to his friend who was left standing in front of his girlfriend's locker. Before Beck even greets him, Robbie immediately blurts out "Jade took care of you? She's capable of caring for another human being?"

"Oh yeah. I had the flu. She came over to watch me and help me catch up on what I missed" Beck fills him in, as if it were normal for Jade to express even the tiniest amount of kindness.

"Wow" was all the other boy could say, but Rex manages a snide remark. "What possessed the gank?"

Beck furrows his eyebrows at the comment, and Robbie chastised as if he had no control over his puppet.

"Rex!"

And right then, Robbie realizes that there were so much more that everyone else apparently never saw of couple. That despite all the public displays of affection and their make out sessions in the hallways, they never really showed the depth of their relationship. And for once he thinks that Beck and Jade actually suit each other, and it wasn't just because they balanced each other out.


The first time Robbie Shapiro concludes that Beck and Jade's relationship was more than a high school fling, was when he manages to catch sight of Beck and Cat together. The redhead continues to hop beside him in her Jupiter Boots. And the aspiring actor was holding up his camera in front of the girl, right as he caught sight of Robbie.

"Oh hey, dude!" Beck greets him, as the four-eyed boy makes his way to them, "Wanna help me out? Tori's been cramming for her test and Andre's been acting pretty weird lately."

"What about Jade?" Robbie asks, seeing as his girlfriend was normally the first person, he would ask help from, more often to make sure that a fight wouldn't ensue.

"It's supposed to be a surprise" Cat tells him as if it were obvious. "Beck says we can't tell her yet"

"Yeah, I'll tell her later" he shrugs, before explaining, "Besides she's busy working on that song with Andre"

"Is it about her birthday? Doesn't Jade hate surprises?" Robbie was even more skeptical. Jade did hate a lot of things, and he didn't want to get in trouble.

"No, silly!" the redhead keeps bouncing, "Beck needs help for his photography class."

"Oh, you mean with the camera? What model do you use?" the boy with glasses does his best to offer his assistance.

"Nah, I just need help choosing a picture for my portfolio" Beck runs a hand through his hair as he presses a certain button on the camera. "The general theme is something precious. It's dived into categories: an item, a place and a person. I've got the first two covered. I just need the last one."

"He took a lot of pictures of Jadey" Cat chirps excitedly, as the said boy holds up the camera in front of them.

"Oh, how 'bout this?" Beck asks as he stops at a particular photo.

It was a sight of Jade that not everyone had the privilege of seeing. The raven-haired girl futilely attempting to cover the shot with her hand as she tries to enjoy the cup of coffee in her hand. It was a photo taken in the coffee shop during one of the couple's early coffee runs. It managed to capture the essence of the moment despite how candid it was. But it wasn't the most surprising thing—

"Woah, you managed to take a picture of her smiling!" Cat gasps, "Jadey always scowls in front of the camera. One time my brother tried to take a picture of her laughing, and she threw a book at him."

Even Robbie found himself noting, "She looks so happy."

And not the mischief kind of happy she was typically in, but an actual honest to good I'm-having-a-good-day-despite-the-fact-that-I-hate-the-sun-and-everything-under-it kind of happy. It wasn't the normal happy that the cheerfully sweet girls like Cat or Tori normally were, but it was the kind of happy that Jade West reserved for Beck Oliver. Something people rarely (if not never) saw of her.

"Well, she's with Beck. Of course, she is!" Cat Valentine says it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Beck continues to press on the other buttons, browsing through the photographs, "She scowls a lot but I have a few others where I caught her smiling too."

And Robbie looks at him instead of the screen, noticing the way his friend's eyes seem to brighten at the sight of the girl.

"What do you think, Robbie?" Beck manages to interrupt his thoughts, but instead of giving him an answer, all the other boy could muster was a comment on his friend's relationship.

"Wow. You really love her." Robbie let's out a breath, as if it was such an unfamiliar concept, "Like love her love her. Like more than like love her."

Beck Oliver finds himself incredibly weirded out by the sudden revelation his friend seemed to have. But he honestly didn't have anything else to say, after all, hadn't it been obvious enough when he started going out with her?

"Why else would I date her?"

The topic immediately shifts when the redhead, who took the camera from his hand, squeals as she shows them the favorite of the bunch, "Ohhh! I like this one from the beach where the sun shines on her face! She looks like she could be a mermaid!"

It was a shot of Jade pulling Beck's hand, snow white skin linked with a contrasting olive tan arm. Her blue eyes seem to match the color of the sea. It crinkles as she smiles, full of mischief, completely capturing the essence of Jade. The sun only seemed to make the composition look even better than it already did.

And right then, Beck averts his attention to Cat, before hearing what Robbie has to say. He couldn't help but agree with his girlfriend's best friend, but there were a couple more to show "Yeah, that's my favorite too, but there's this other one—"

It was at that moment that Robbie was convinced that Beck and Jade wasn't just your stereotypical high school sweethearts. He could tell from the look in the boy's eyes, and the few captured moments that seemed to depict the girl's feelings, that they definitely had something else. Although Robbie couldn't pinpoint what it was, he was convinced that his friends were different— that the couple was made to last.


Robbie Shapiro had since then thought that Beck and Jade were the ultimate couple. In the first place, he didn't necessarily have the best example. He never remembered a time when his parents got along and usually, he believed it was his fault. His father never hides his disappointment with him and his mother, although extremely caring, was definitely exhausted with the shit he'd often put her through. It appeared that he was the cause of their impasse, and from then on, his self-esteem depended on a puppet that often brought him down instead of helping him out. With the state of his home, sometimes he'd wonder if love even existed.

But there were Beck and Jade. He saw how they fixed things after the fights. Despite how dysfunctional their relationship seemed, they made it work out.

And for him, even the longest lasting couples he knew, didn't have that feat. His parents got worse after every single fight, to the point in which his mother threatened to leave. If it weren't for his begging—him promising he'll be a better son— she'd have probably left a long time ago. His grandparents weren't any different, he hated how critical they were of not only him but also each other. It often made him wonder why they stuck together in the first place.

But Beck and Jade were different. They fought and then made up.

But then, one day, they didn't.

Everyone knows it wasn't caused by that stupid gameshow that Sinjin hosted. Perhaps it was what rocked the boat and what caused the storm, but it wasn't just that. They could never tell what exactly caused it but ever since then their group of friends felt like they were walking on thin ice. The couple raised their voices at each other, and it just reminded him of his home—his parents—that at some point in time, Robbie couldn't help the tears that formed in his eyes.

He cried. (On multiple occasions, honestly).

He hated seeing his friends like this. Instead of feeling secure around them, he feels his stomach churn and his palms turn cold.

And then all of a sudden —after their futile attempt of having a break from Beck and Jade, in which they played cards in the Vega household trying to find peace from the constant arguments— it ends like a clean cut of a knife.

It ends after a count to ten. And suddenly there was deafening silence. Silence that never came with Jade around.

Robbie wants to cry again, but he doesn't. It wasn't his problem.

Beck offers to resume their card game, finding something to distract himself with. Andre agrees with him, refusing to bring up the situation. Tori looks back at the door but takes a seat anyway. Trina clings onto Beck, as if he hadn't just gone through a breakup. Cat volunteers to shuffle the cards, as if it weren't her best friend that walked out the door.

No one breaches the topic, as if they were all in a state of denial. But everything falls apart as quickly as Jade counted.

Cat Valentine was the start of it all. She let out a soft sob, as if the carefree façade she put on had broken the longer they sat in silence. It was weird really. In the first place, she was an outsider. It was her best friend's break up, the very same person who she didn't run after.

No one left to check up on Jade.

And the redhead was no different, but when Tori envelops her into a hug and when Robbie put a hand on her back comfortingly, she tells them that she did want to go. She tells them that even though she did want to, she couldn't. Because Jade never showed anyone her weakness, and if she did go, the blue-eyed girl would wear the mask she always did; she would keep acting tough despite the fact that all she wanted to do was mourn the three-year relationship that ended in a mere ten seconds. Cat doesn't want to deprive her of her emotional release, so she stayed. Although, she does call Beck out on his actions because it was the least, she could do.

And once the sweet girl is upset, everyone's naturally put in a bad mood; because who would dare make someone as sweet as Cat, cry?

Robbie gets it. He, himself, always wanted to feel loved back, (by anyone, really). But seeing how quick and easy it was for his friend's relationship to end, he couldn't help but wonder to wonder if love even really exists. Because all he's seen is hurt and pain, and never any happy endings.

The boy can never tell who was to blame for the breakup. While at first, he would say that it was probably Jade's fault for even giving out the ultimatum (and for all the moments she instigated the fights), in the end, he could never make sense of Beck's side. Robbie wonders if everything Beck said about Jade being more to what everyone knew was truly just a lie. Robbie wonders if Jade was really as insufferable as she was made out to be.

Then again, here he was, a few weeks after the breakup, clearly miserable (a lot more in comparison to his ex-girlfriend).

In fact, to be more specific, here he was waiting in Robbie's living room, as he suggested they hang out earlier that day, considering that Tori has plans with Andre to attend his horrible girlfriend's birthday party. Cat, on the other hand, was looking after her mom's boss' dog, and Jade was doing who knows what (no one else really got to talk to her after that). The breakup caused their group of friends to momentarily split, like a couple of children who were caught in the middle of their divorced parents.

Beck and Jade hadn't sat in the same table ever since that night, and the tension was still high. Robbie honestly fears it'd last that way forever.

And now, while Beck was lounging in Robbie's couch, believing that his friend was still in the bathroom, the said friend catches a glimpse of what he was doing on his phone: scrolling through a certain someone's Slap page, his eyes lingering on her photos longer than it should have.

And considering Robbie Shapiro and his lack of tact, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Are you stalking Jade's Slap page?"

"What?— Psh, no." Beck jolts up, denying almost immediately, "I just saw it in my feed that's all."

As if he were caught redhanded, the Canadian boy locks his phone and turns to Robbie, trying to cover up the clear-as-day truth that he was not over his ex-girlfriend. But nevertheless, his friend could tell from the frustration in his face as he clearly read her status proudly announcing her plans for the night— a date she was going to be in.

It was the very moment that Robbie Shapiro realizes that the oh-so-popular and good-looking Beck Oliver, wasn't as perfect as he seemed to be. After all, if he was going to sulk about his ex then why couldn't he just win her back? He had the gift to get any girl he wanted, for god's sake. Hell, if he was going to regret it, why didn't he just open the damn door? How hard was it to do so in a count to ten?

He could barely understand. Because unlike Beck, Robbie never really had a girl he could call his girlfriend, nor did he ever catch any girl's attention to the point that they actually liked him. Not to mention, the girl he's been pinning on for years was so damn out of his league that she never even considered him a candidate. He was always just there, just waiting for a certain redhead's relationships to end, ready to comfort her in a heartbeat.

So, how hard was it to win over a girl who loved you back, as compared to what he's been through?

"If you still love her, why don't you just, you know— get her back?" he couldn't help but ask, because how complicated could it be?

"It's not that simple."

He speaks as if he just proved what everybody else had to say about their relationship. That they only knew how to destroy each other— that BeckandJade was the embodiment of dysfunctional. But that was the problem. They never really brought up the fact that the impact of people's words was the catalyst to their downfall. That the moment they listened, the destruction had begun. Because, what everyone else failed to emphasize was how BeckandJade often fixed things, it was how they worked; a constant cycle of repairing and improving, until one day, they finally noticed how everyone else believed in otherwise.

After all, people don't like messy. People don't like different. People don't repair what was broken, when they could throw things away—find something new. People didn't understand Beck and Jade.

But Robbie knew him long enough to be able to tell that Beck was deceiving himself. He let their words get to him until he fell deaf on her words. He heard what they had to say and all of a sudden, he stopped listening to her instead.

"Sure it is." It was simple. They just gave excuses to make it seem a lot more complicated than it should be.

"I don't think you're one to talk," Beck gives him a look as if Robbie didn't know anything about what he was talking about, "Besides, the breakup was mutual. She instigated it, I made a choice."

Bullshit.

"Then, find a different girl. You're Beck. Girls throw themselves at you! You probably have a ton of options," Robbie suggests, trying to suggest a temporary fix to his friend's problems, "If Jade is so difficult then choose an easier one."

"It's not that simple, Rob. You know that." The other boy runs a hand through his soft raven locks, reinstating his point, "It's hard to give up on a girl you've pinned on for years. There's just no one who can easily compare to that."

Okay, that he could find himself relating to.

But dammit. Beck had the chance to be loved, and to have everything else he didn't. He got the girl he loved. She loved him back. They spent years together through thick and thin. How did he even manage to complain about that?

Robbie never had that. And damn was he envious.

"But, we're different. I-I never had the chance, Beck. You did. You had her. So why would you let her go?" he couldn't help but ask.

Beck averts the topic, clearly uncomfortable. This was not how he expected to spend his Saturday evening. "I really don't want to talk about this. Let's just do something else, yeah?"

Robbie realizes that, despite being fearless, Beck Oliver was just as much a coward as everyone else was. He realizes that although his friend could possibly get any girl out there, he couldn't even keep the one person he truly cared about. He realizes that their pride led so much to their downfall.

And from that he definitely knows.

No matter how good of an actor Beck Oliver was, Robbie could tell that he was most definitely not fine. After all, despite how perfect Beck seemed, even he had his flaws too.


At some point in time, during the whole three blondes fiasco, Robbie finally sees a glimpse of what was beyond Jade West.He realized that the girl was a good friend beneath her sarcastic comments and rude comebacks. And you were damn lucky if you brought out that side of her.

She may not be anything like Tori Vega who often told you what you wanted to hear, but she never failed to tell you what you needed to hear— even if it would come across as the cold hard truth. Jade West was brutally honest, but sometimes it was just what people needed someone to be.

Robbie thinks that it was no wonder Cat Valentine had her for a best friend. Because while everyone else was afraid of upsetting the maiden, Jade always managed to protect her all the while refraining from feeding on the redhead's naivety. Jade didn't hide what Cat needed to know— what she was supposed to know that people never even told her because they often thought that she was just another airhead.

It was also the partial reason, why he came to Jade West to give him advice on the song he wrote for Cat, instead of going to Tori, who was definitely much easier to get along with, or Andre, who was the most musically inclined in their group of friends. Jade happened to be the best option, really. She was the closest to Cat. She was talented; the girl had a gift for writing amazing songs. She easily says what she likes from what she doesn't (having been the only one who appreciated his song about broken glass.)

Nevertheless, she was still the most terrifying human being that Robbie Shapiro had ever asked help from.

Thus, when the girl with icy blue eyes, takes the seat beside him during the premier of Beck's short film, he noticeably flinches. A part of him curses Andre and Tori who were seated behind them for not taking the seat beside him when it was still empty. After all, he knows he messed up, and Jade was definitely not happy.

"So, you didn't sing her that song?" were the first words she said, as they waited for the movie to be played. Robbie immediately averts his attention from his long-term crush and the redhead's new boy toy, to turn to the girl beside him.

He had been planning to serenade the redhead, and everything was all sorted out. Although, he may have forgotten to factor in how fate had always gone against him. Because Cat Valentine was clearly taken to her new boyfriend, who couldn't even appreciate how she was amazing enough to be herself and not just some blonde with blue eyes. A boy who was not him, who was lucky as cheese to even have the chance to be with her.

She was happy. And clearly, he didn't want to be the to ruin that.

"How could I?" Robbie defends himself from Jade's clear condescending tone, "You've seen her with him. She likes him so much she won't even say the truth"

"You mean that pre-turd with the blonde fetish? Oh yeah, sure she does" her voice was laced with sarcasm, as she admonishes his actions "She was just gullible enough to fall for Vega's stupid fantasy about being some blue-eyed blonde bimbo. It won't get through her thick skull unless you tell her."

She doesn't understand, Robbie thinks to himself.

What does she know?

Jade was always full of courage. In fact, she was the one intimidating everybody else. She was the embodiment of fear. She never let anyone bring her down. She was headstrong and nothing ever got in her way. It was the part of her he couldn't help but admire. The trait of hers, he never got to have.

"But you never know that! I've liked her for so long and she won't even listen to what I have to say. Instead, she went for that unappreciative jerk and I just—"

"Look." Jade cuts him off, in tone colder than he expected. "I don't like you. I'm honestly not even rooting for you. But I won't let you get away with wasting my time, after groveling for my advice on your dumb song, just because you're too much of a wuss to actually go through with it. "

"Why the fuck would you even help her put that dumb wig on?" she adds, taking a glance at her friend, who was desperate enough to keep playing as a blonde in front of her most recent boyfriend.

"I can't help it. I'm the wig master!" he argues, giving the same pathetic excuse when Tori scolded him about letting Cat continue her farce.

Jade doesn't look him in the eye, but her voice was stern enough to deliver the message she wanted. "Just grow a pair and just do it, because someday you're going to regret the fact you didn't take a chance"

And at this, Robbie wonders how she could even say something like that.

Was it based on experience?

Did Jade actually have regrets for being too scared to do something?

And before he even thinks his words through, he asks her, "Do you regret breaking up with Beck?"

She didn't agree, but the fact that she didn't deny it was enough to be able to tell the truth.

"Do you want to regret asking that question?", the comeback was almost immediate, he wasn't foolish enough not to take her words seriously.

"S-sorry," he stammers as he felt a chill in his spine, and he rambles to alleviate the situation, "I just— I honestly wanted you guys to work out."

"Please don't kill me" the poor boy whimpers, hoping his honesty wouldn't lead to his downfall. He eyes Jade's boots with caution, hoping she won't whip out her hidden scissors and stab him.

Instead, he hears her say it softly, looking in front as Beck speaks in front, signaling the start of the program.

"I did too."

"Then—"

"Robbie" Jade interrupts. Her tone was absolute. "Shut up"

He immediately zips his mouth, knowing that she wouldn't hesitate to kill him had he continued. But somehow, learning that even Jade West had her own worries and problems she couldn't overcome, gave him a little bit of the courage he needed. He learns that even his friends had their own fears; that even Beck and Jade were too coward to fix their own shortcomings.

And from that sad truth, he finds hope in himself, because he knows he's not the only one who felt that way. A part of him even wishes that the couple would finally overcome their own fears, or whatever it was that got in the way of their relationship.

"Okay!" He tells the girl beside him, knowing she may not even hear him over the sound of the film. Still, he continues to whisper with his newfound determination, "Okay. I'll man up a-and just sing it when I get the chance. Because it's a waste of effort otherwise and you're right. I-I don't want to regret it. I'll do it for Cat because she deserves to know that someone appreciates her for who she is."

Jade does hear it.

"Good" she says simply, and although, her attention was focused on her ex-boyfriend's project, she doesn't fail to warn the boy beside her, "But, if you do anything to make her upset, I will seriously hurt you."

Robbie knows she meant it, but for once he doesn't fear Jade's threat. Because if Cat Valentine gave him the chance, he swears to himself that he'll definitely treasure her.


Despite always being the last one to know, ironically, Robbie Shapiro was the first one to see the signs that Beck and Jade were getting together. Or at least, that was what he thought, considering that Cat could never really keep a secret, Tori would have probably made a big deal out of it, and Andre would have at least drop hints here and there.

At first, he didn't really think much about it. In the first place, if it weren't for their bet with Sikowitz, in which they were to refrain from using any sort of modern technology, he probably wouldn't have noticed the signs in the first place.

For one, he caught Beck dropping Jade off at the Jet Brew cafe near school, but he figured the girl may have just needed a ride to school. Then again, he should have questioned it considering the fact that later in their bet, the boys were against the girls. And there was no way in hell that Beck and Jade would back out from a chance to go against each other.

And then there was the constant interaction. How despite the fact that they weren't verbally communicating, it was as if they could talk to each other with just their eyes. The underhanded smirks and the way they looked at each other clearly said a lot.

Then, finally, the biggest sign that made everything clear as day, was when he catches them together later that week when the bet was over. It was one of those moments when the halls were almost cleared of people, most students were probably still in class. If the teacher of his last period hadn't dismissed them early, Robbie wouldn't have even seen them together. The couple both had their free period unlike the rest of the gang, which was probably the reason why none of their friends even suspected that they were spending the time together.

It was easy to go unnoticed with the lack of people in the hallway. Hell, no one would have seen them, considering that the door of Jade's locker did a good job covering them up. Nevertheless, coming from the other side of the hall, walking towards his own locker, Robbie catches sight of them. And right when he was about to greet them, he catches Beck lean down, giving Jade a quick kiss from behind the locker door. And right then, like a deer in the headlights, Robbie stops in his tracks.

The last time he checked Beck and Jade were broken up.

And amidst his confusion, he manages to overhear their conversation, thankful that he hadn't been noticed, because Jade West would have likely gone through any means to silence him. So, instead of greeting them like he initially planned, Robbie hides at the nearest turn.

Their kiss was sweet and chaste in contrast to their usual heated make-out sessions that used to happen in the past. And although he would definitely be called a weirdo for noticing that small bit, Robbie couldn't help but wonder if they were back together or just mere friends with benefits, considering the history between us.

His question was easily answered, apparently.

"I thought we're taking things slow?" Jade was the first one to pull away, looking up at her ex-boyfriend as if to remind him that they weren't supposed to be seen together. At least not while they were up at each other's faces.

"Sorry, babe. Force of habit" Beck says, as if it came upon him naturally— as if they hadn't spent months apart and being together had always been so natural. Then again, they were always all over each other when they were still dating.

"If anyone finds out, I swear I'll stab you with my bluntest pair of scissors," Her threat causes him to distance himself away from her, far enough for anyone not to assume they're back together.

"I got you coffee" Beck holds the cup in front of her, as if it were a peace offering.

"Bribery won't always save your ass, Oliver," she doesn't fail to get to the point, "What do you want?"

"Can't a guy just get his girlfriend some coffee?"

"Last time, I checked I'm not your girlfriend."

"Yet" he smiles slyly, though she doesn't deny it.

Instead, she replies with an eyeroll. "So, what's up?"

"You coming over tonight?"

"No. I have to go to this thing with Cat and Vega"

"Do they suspect anything?" the boys asks.

"'Course not." Jade returns the question, "Do the guys know?"

"No." Beck assures her, "We're still working things out, and you know what happens when other people get involved in our relationship"

"Yeah. But you're not exactly convincing when you pull stunts like making out in the hallway" the girl quirks an eyebrow, and Beck raises his hands as if he were surrendering.

With that, Robbie decides to keep their secret safe, not only because he was afraid of the consequences, but also because he honestly wishes that they manage to work things out. He knows it's only a matter of time before they do.

And eventually, they do.


Robbie was well aware that Beck and Jade were a good couple, at least that's what he had long believed in. But apart from that, even when they didn't come as package, individually they were amazing in their own way. In fact, he'd like to believe that they were stronger than ever, now that they were back together. After all, the old Jade West would have gone batshit crazy just from hearing that Beck was coming to watch Tori's show with Andre instead of spending time with her. Surprisingly, she didn't make a big deal out of it.

In fact, she was the one who suggested that they go ahead and support Tori's redo, while she and Robbie take care of their little issue with a certain redhead. Because hearing about the Cat's living circumstances in the school's attic was not something they were exactly fond of knowing. After all, if there was something that Robbie and Jade had in common, it would definitely be the fact that they cared a great deal for Cat Valentine.

Robbie realizes how the couple matured in the span of months they spent away from each other when Beck calls Jade during their drive on the way to Cat's grandmother's place.

"Hey, babe. Tori's performance just ended, you won't believe what just happened" Beck greets, as soon as Cat holds the phone up for the girl.

"Yeah. Tell me about it later. I'm driving," she replies rather limitedly, concentrating on the road.

"Oh. What happened? Are you still up for dinner?"

"Can't," the girl answers, surprisingly calm despite how they had to cancel their date, "We worked things out with Cat. I'm picking up her things up to help her move to her grandma's house."

"It's just you girls?" the boy asks, as if he was doubting their ability to finish a move in mere hours.

"Yeah," Jade answers, "And Robbie, but I doubt you could count him"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Robbie buts into their conversation, in the same offended manner Cat usually reacted in.

"Andre and I can help with the heavy lifting" Beck disregards Robbie's remark, offering to help them out "Oh, Tori says she'll come with too since she's carpooling with us."

"Ugh. Bring dinner instead of Vega."

Beck chuckles but nonetheless agrees, "She's still coming but what do you want to eat?"

"Cat?" Jade turns to the girl in the passenger seat momentarily.

The redhead brightens up, "Cupcakes!"

"That can't be counted as a meal."

"But—" Cat pouts, ready to whine before she was cut off.

"Get us some sushi from Nozu" Jade answers anyway, as if she was a mother forbiding her child from snacks that would potentially ruin one's apetite.

It was Robbie's turn to complain, "Aw, Again?"

"Shut up," Jade snaps, glaring from the mirror, before averting her attention to her boyfriend, "And buy me coffee."

Cat continues to pout as she plays with the ends of her artificial red hair. And with one look at her, Jade rolls her eyes and gives in, "And a box of red velvet cupcakes from the bakery across Jet Brew."

"Yay!" Cat squeals finally satisfied.

"Will do" Beck answers from the other line, "Love you."

"Love you too" Jade answers in less than a second, before the call ends.

And just from their last exchange of words, unbeknownst to the couple, everyone's eyes widen. Robbie and Cat from Jade's car and Andre and Tori from the other. It was the first time they ever heard Jade say it herself and the first time they heard Beck say it without his girlfriend's prompting. Because although she showed it and implied it, Jade West was never really the type to say it out loud, and from what they all remembered, she wasn't exactly the type to say it so often either.

That's why, it was at that moment that everyone else knew, or at least they finally had concrete proof. This was different from the other aftermaths of their breakups. They changed. It actually seemed like their relationship was stronger than ever, and this time their friends could definitely tell, they were in it for the long run.


Robbie Shapiro had already predicted that they would have a happy ending, ever since they were just aspiring kids in high school, nearly more than a decade ago. Although he had his doubts, he still stood by his belief that Beck and Jade was one of the best couples he knew and that they were the type to last. The type to prove that those sappy chick-flicks and romcoms actually existed beyond the camera.

He could tell from the way Beck's eyes turn glassy as he watches the love of his life and his soon-to-be-bride, walk down the aisle towards him.

Jade was dressed in a tricolored gown, the first few layers were a shade of black, fading to a blue that complimented her eyes and white beneath the thin layers of color. It was just like her, from the headdress that pinned her raven locks into a half updo, made up of crafted metal butterflies, and from the fact that she would never settle for a basic white wedding gown (because she wouldn't settle for boring and conventional).

She looked ethereal, and both Robbie and Andre who were Beck's groomsmen could tell that their friend was pushing everything he had in him not to cry at the sight of the girl.

And when Jade's blue orbs meet Beck's chocolate brown eyes, Robbie catches sight of her smile. The smile of the girl who he saw in his friend's candid photographs all those years back.

The smile of Jade West reserved for Beck Oliver.

And it was one of those other moments when Robbie Shapiro finds himself, having another realization. He remembers how his young self used to think that Beck suited Jade for because he balanced her out. Because he held her back as if she were an embodiment of evil set out to make people's lives miserable. As if he was nothing but her keeper.

But now, he thinks that Beck does suit Jade, though evidently for more than one reason.

She deserved someone who could give her the same strength she gave to others. She deserved a guy who was a good as he was, who could handle her, who knew what she needed, who understood her. She deserved a guy who thought of her like she was his whole world. She deserved a guy who loved her.

Because even if he wasn't always part of the picture, Robbie Shapiro had known them long enough to tell that Jade West deserved a guy who could make her smile the way Beck Oliver did.