The bell rang at the end of third hour on a Friday, signaling lunch time. Tori made her way to the her locker to put some things away and grab money for the Grub Truck, passing by a familiar face near the principal's office. She stopped and backpedaled a bit to get a better look, and it turned out the visitor was someone she knew from Sherwood, the high school she attended before Hollywood Arts. The tall boy stood at the receptionists' desk, leaning on his elbows and listening to whatever she was explaining to him. Tori opened the door and walked in quietly, waiting near the section of chairs until he was done. The receptionist passed him a piece of paper and he signed it with a smile, taking the carbon copy and folding it up to slip into his back pocket. He turned toward the door to leave and spotted Tori waiting for him.

"Hey Ian" Tori said, smiling as he approached her.

"Hey yourself there kid, been a while."

"Yeah, how's Sherwood life?"

"Oh you know, the glamor isn't as shiny as it is here but we do alright."

Tori laughed at the inside joke there, as a lot of people at Sherwood make fun of the artsy types that go to Hollywood Arts since so many of them have smug attitudes towards others. "I bet you're real happy to be here, so why are you?"

"Well as you know we're pretty poor over at Hotel Sherwood and the guests have been complaining there aren't enough TVs."

"Borrowing some A/V equipment then?"

"Buying, actually. You guys are getting new stuff so we're buying your old stuff for cheap."

"Well, better something than nothing I guess."

"True story. Hey, there's a shindig brewing for tonight if you want in. You haven't been around since you left and some of the old group has been asking about you."

"Really? I figured they'd all hate me since I transferred."

"Nah. You're one of us even though you go here now. You know what it's like to be on the other side, as opposed to the kids that start here."

"I guess you're right. Well yeah, if everyone's okay with me showing up I'd love to go. Can I bring anyone with me?"

"Yeah but try to keep it to one person, we're going for low key to keep it off the radar. No use throwing a party if it's only going to end up like Henderson's weekend blowout."

Tori remembered that party well. Lance Henderson had thrown a big weekend long party when his parents went out of town and he told everyone and their brother about it. Problem was, everyone and their brother actually showed up, literally. There was about six hundred people that showed up over the course of the first night, and the party got shut down by the police. A lot of kids got MIP tickets and it was just a general upset for everyone. "Alright, give me your number so I can text you mine."

"Here you go." Ian sent her a message and waited to receive one back, nodding as the text message ringtone played.

"Text me the rest of the details and I'll see you later."

"Right on. Nice to run into you, Tor."

"You too."

Ian took off out the front exit and Tori followed behind, going the opposite direction to grab something to eat. She picked up a slice of pizza and a can of Dr. Pepper, then headed to Sikowitz' room to meet up with the others. Beck and Cat were discussing an old black and white movie, one of Cat's favorite things. Robbie and Rex were arguing over something in hushed voices so Tori wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but Jade stared in their direction with much contempt. Andre listened to music with one earbud in and chewed his sandwich slowly, eyes closed to concentrate on the rhythm. Tori walked in and took a seat next to Cat who smiled wide when saw her, making Tori feel warm on the inside. She hadn't been at Hollywood Arts for very long, but the small group of friends she made really helped her feel welcome and wanted. It was a good feeling.

Tori turned to face Jade who seemed to be just staring at the floor doing nothing. She twirled a thick strand of shiny black hair around her finger and bounced one of her legs at a furious rate.

"Are you okay, Jade?"

"Why yes little lady, I'm fine!" Jade exclaimed, using the sweet southern voice she made Tori so angry with.

"I don't- whatever. What are you doing tonight?"

Jade raised an eyebrow and looked at Tori seriously. "I don't know, but if you're thinking about asking me to make plans with you I suggest you rethink it."

Tori scrunched up her nose and looked away, resolving to not say anything. Jade watched the glow disappear from Tori's eyes and the scowl was replaced with a genuine frown that made Jade feel guilty.

"Alright Vega, what do you want?"

"Nothing Jade, I'm sorry I bothered you."

"Don't be like that. You know I'm a grunch, you just gotta look past it. What did you want to say?"

"I ran into an old friend from Sherwood in the office today, and he said there's a party tonight and he wanted me to go."

"You...party? I can't even imagine that."

"Yes Jade, believe it or not I had friends at my old school, and they actually liked having me around."

"Well anyway what does this have to do with me? Cause if you want me to be your DD..."

"No, I wanted you to come with me."

Jade was genuinely surprised. "Why?"

"I don't know. I guess I thought maybe if we hung out in a different atmosphere we could potentially become friends or something." Tori took a bite of her pizza and looked at the floor while she chewed, wondering what Jade would decide.

"Alright, I'll go. But on one condition."

"What's that?"

"I am not going to babysit you. If you drink too much and get sick you're on your own."

Tori smiled and swallowed her food. "Deal."

The rest of the day went by slowly with the promise of a fun night. School had a funny way of being fast when you didn't want it to and slow when you had something fun planned. Tori watched the minutes tick away at an agonizing rate, hoping that maybe Sikowitz' class and study hall would go by quicker. She packed up her Science book at the sound of the bell and dumped it in her locker, finding her way back to the same chair she sat at during lunch. Jade had taken to sitting next to her recently since she and Beck broke up, mostly because all the other seats were taken. Tori looked up when she strode in nonchalantly, holding a foam cup of coffee and an e-reader that that went black at the touch of a button. She stuck the tablet in her bag and sipped her coffee, staring straight ahead.

"So how are we doing this?" Jade asked, crossing her legs at the knees.

"Ian is going to send me the details and when I get them I'll let you know what time. You can go home after school and kill animals or brainwash children or whatever it is you do on your own time, and when it's time to go I'll come by and get you."

"Sounds like a plan."

Sikowitz entered the room holding his usual coconut, this time with dual blue and green crazy straws. He started the lesson on psychological warfare in cinema; playing with the viewer's mind in different ways. Making them believe things for a long time to find out they aren't true, usually in the most unexpected way. Trying to get people to feel sorry for the villain before they do something horrible. Tori listened as he went on and took down some mental notes, hoping she'd get to use some of this information in the next production. Jade drank her coffee slowly and stared out the window at nothing in particular, not even feigning interest in the lesson. When she got called on to try a skit with Andre and Cat she didn't even hear him, so Tori volunteered saying that Jade didn't feel very good today.

At the sound of the bell Jade grabbed her bag and headed for the door instead of the study hall room, so Tori ran to catch up with her. Her phone beeped on the way and she noticed the text message from Ian. Party's at Emery's place on Ocean Shore, 21336. Starts at 8, I'll be there around 9.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't have any homework or anything so I'm just gonna skip study hall and go take a nap."

"Alright. I got the info and Ian says he'll be there around nine, so we can show up around then."

"Okay, call me at seven to make sure I'm up."

"I'm not your personal assistant Jade, set your alarm clock."

"Some help you are, Vega" Jade sighed, turning to head for the doors before Tori could say anything else. She laughed and shook her head softly as she entered the study hall room, pulling out her notebook to use the time to go over her Science notes.

After school let out Tori headed home to do the same as Jade and catch a little shut eye before the festivities of the night. She slipped into bed around three and planned to get up at seven as well, hoping that the four hours will rest her and not make her overtired instead. The wind whipped thin tree branches at her window for a while, and soft ticking sound combined with the whoosh of the wind through the window acted as a sort of white noise, knocking her out in no time. The sun moved in position over top the city, casting shadows in slightly different directions in her room, and by the time she awoke it was already getting dark. The clock read six fifty, so she took out her phone to send Jade a text even though she said she wouldn't. Jade, get up. -Tori. After the message was sent she got up and went to shower, stripping off in various spots of her floor on the way.

The water was hot and relaxing, helping her wake up and shake the sleep off a bit. Steam poured over the shower curtain and filled the room as a natural sinus cleanser, one that smelled like vanilla bean. The body wash lathered up and rinsed clean, and Tori stepped out, wrapping her hair in a towel before drying herself off. She headed back into her room and stood in front of the closet with the towel only wrapped around her waist, her bare chest sitting perky and taut. A Sherwood party called for casual attire, which ended up being dark blue skinny jeans and a too short t-shirt that stopped about two inches above her waistline, showing off the aesthetic ab lines in her flat stomach. Once she slipped on a matching bra and panty set she finished getting dressed and did her makeup, using some blue eyeshadow to accentuate her outfit and some sparkly pink lipgloss. A final squirt of vanilla perfume finished off the look perfectly, and she headed downstairs to get a base in her stomach.

Mrs. Vega was sitting at the island in the kitchen nibbling on some grapes while Trina sat on the couch in the living room, gabbing away on her cell phone about something Tori was sure she didn't care about. Her mom looked up and smiled softly as Tori entered the room, heading for the fridge to get some water.

"What's all this?" Mrs. Vega asked, taking in the outfit properly.

"What's all what?"

"You look nice. Got plans?"

"Thanks. Yeah, I saw Ian today and he told me there's a party tonight with some of the Sherwood crew and he wanted me to go."

"That's good. You have someone going with you right? I don't want you going to parties alone."

"Yeah I asked Jade to go with me, I'm gonna pick her up on the way."

Trina looked up over the couch. "Why would you invite that insufferable...thing?"

"Because I wanted to. Now mind your own business."

Trina scoffed and laid back on the pillow, returning to her own conversation. Tori made a sandwich, knowing that bread was a good soaker of liquid and a great base to start off with. Mrs. Vega eyed her food choice and smirked, setting her magazine aside.

"So I take it Jade is gonna DD for you guys?"

Tori smiled at her mom, knowing she had her own days of fun. "We might stay the night over there, depending on how the party goes. If that's okay of course."

"I don't know kiddo, I'd be more comfortable if you called me to come get you. I don't really want you drinking but I know I can't stop you if you're going to, and I'd rather you called me to be safe than someone else."

"I know mom, and I love you for caring about me, but it's just Ian and the rest of the group. The party is at Hannah's house, and she has like eight guest rooms, and they all have locks on them."

"I'd still feel better if you came home, but I guess if you're gonna stay out that's a good setup."

"Thanks mom." Tori kissed her mom on the cheek and finished her food, pulling her phone out of her pocket. "I'm gonna call Jade and make sure she's ready."

Tori headed out onto the side patio and made the call. Jade answered after three rings, sounding like she was trying to get dressed and hold the phone at the same time. "You almost ready?"

"Yeah, I just need another fifteen minutes."

"Alright, that's about how long it takes to get to your place from here, and it's gonna be about an hour drive out to the party with Friday night traffic, so I'm leaving now."

"Kay I'll see you when you get here." Jade hung up without waiting for Tori to respond and Tori slid her phone into her pocket, heading back inside to grab her keys.

"Okay mom I'm out of here, I'll send you a text letting you know what we decide."

"I'll be up for a while so don't hesitate if you think it's too late."

"I won't. Love you."

"Love you too. Have fun, drive safe."

Tori pulled into Jade's driveway and sent her a text saying she was there. Jade materialized moments later and got into the passenger side of the silver Infinity Tori had gotten for her sixteenth birthday. Jade was wearing a black Metallica shirt that was faded and looked really comfortable, with dark blue jeans similar to Tori's and pair of brown boots. Tori couldn't help but look her over when she sat down, thinking Jade could be really pretty when she wanted to be.

"You look nice Jade."

"Fantastic. Drive."

Tori rolled her eyes and put the car in reverse, backing out to head towards their destination. Traffic was awful and set them back a ways, making it so they didn't arrive until almost nine thirty. Tori knocked on the door and listened as the music pumped loudly inside, wondering if anyone actually heard her knock. After a minute no one showed up so she opened the door and walked inside, instantly making eye contact with a few people from her old group of friends. They ran up and hugged her greedily, asking a ton of questions all at once, making Tori blush and stumble a little. She smiled and greeted them each individually and explained there would be time for questions later, then asked where the punch bowl was. A small thin girl pointed towards the kitchen and Tori mock punched her jaw, looking back to Jade as a cue to follow her.

The girls walked into what could only be described as the belly of the beast. A group of guys were hooting and hollering loudly while one of them chugged out of a beer bong. When he finished they all shouted and high fived, reminding Tori of frat boys. Ian was holding the funnel for the guy and he immediately dropped it into the sink at the sight of Tori.

"VEGA!" he yelled loudly, rounding the counter to walk over to her.

"Hey Ian" Tori replied, rolling her eyes at his already half drunken stumble. "It's not even ten o'clock yet and you can't even walk straight. Don't tell me you've gotten soft."

Ian looked like someone had punched his mother at that comment, and Jade raised a firm eyebrow. "Now you listen to me you skinny little thing, I will out drink you any day of the week, anywhere, with anything."

"I'm sure you will tough guy. Now get out of my way, I'm thirsty."

The group of guys cheered at Tori's enthusiasm and Jade couldn't help but watch curiously as Tori seemed to take control of the room. She wondered if maybe Tori really was a secret party animal and knew how to work a crowd. Maybe she was a closet drunk, who would know? Tori poured found the container of jungle juice and grabbed two solo cups, filling up one for herself and one for Jade, passing the second one to the wide eyed beauty.

"You alright, Jade? You look kinda out of place or something."

"No, I'm good. I guess I just need to get a few drinks in me." Jade smiled and tipped her cup back, closing her eyes at the pleasurable burn in her throat.

Jade was sure she had more party experience than Tori, there was just no possible way the alternative could work. Being out drank by Tori Vega would put the nail in the coffin for Jade. She would have to quit Hollywood Arts and move out of the state. Hell, out of the country. Change her name, get plastic surgery. There was no way the slender, preppy girly girl could slug more hooch than she. And Jade would prove it. The thought of making it interesting came to the front of her mind, making her think of what she could do to have a good party story involving Tori. Jade scanned the room and heard a clicking noise with another cheer from the room that was adjacent to the kitchen. Jade wandered over to it while Tori was in conversation with the boys to inspect what was going on. Another group of teens were involved in what looked like a high intensity beer pong match.

The table was an official league table with labeled cups and balls. Jade smiled at the legitimacy of the party and they'd only been there for fifteen minutes. The way she'd get Tori was through the game. Jade'd played quite a few beer pong tournaments over her teenage years, and she was confident she could beat her. With that in mind Jade headed back into the kitchen to find her prey back where she was, pouring another cup of the juice. Easy pickings.

"Hey Tori, what do you say to a game of Beer Pong later? One on one."

A sly smile crept over Tori's features and she nodded slowly, contemplating. "Sure, but I only play with stakes."

Jade smiled this time and replied immediately. "My thoughts exactly. But there's no pussy shit allowed at a real party, so you better be ready to put up."

"Why, what did you have in mind?" Tori asked, smiling strongly with curiosity.

Jade thought for a minute and came up with the perfect plan. "Well, let's say whoever wins get to pick someone at the party that the loser has to go into a bedroom with for half an hour. You know what I'm insinuating."

A sound of 'oh's' echoed through the room and Tori's eyes widened for just the smallest fraction of a second, but Jade was staring so intently she caught it. "Okay Jade, you're on." The boys cheered loudly again, probably all hoping they'd be the one to get chosen. Tori shook her head and brought her cup back to her lips, draining it smoothly. She filled up another and Jade watched silently, laughing to herself that it wouldn't even be a challenge.

A few hours later Jade had gone through about seven drinks, spacing them enough that she could have a good time but not be too sloshed for her game. The party eventually died down around one o'clock, with some people electing to head to another party and others just went home, beat from the school week. Nine people remained at the house with Tori and Jade being two of them. When the music turned down to a more reasonable level and someone changed the playlist to a chill/ambient set Jade knew it was time to get the ball rolling. The inebriation mixed with the ambient music would hopefully lull Tori into a stupor and Jade would be able to take her easily.

When Jade rounded the corner into the kitchen Tori giggling with cup at her lips, looking very tipsy and having a hard time standing still. Jade smiled and walked up to her, finishing the rest of her last drink before setting it on the counter.

"Hey Tor, I think it's time for our match."

"R-Really Jade, I figured you woulda forgot about that by now." Tori slurred her words horribly and Jade almost felt bad about taking advantage of the situation. Oh well, it would be her gift to Vega; a free lesson on the dangers of letting yourself go too much at a party.

"Nope, I'm ready. Let's go."

Tori followed behind her and the rest of the party guests came over to watch, including Hannah, the owner of the house. Ian officiated the match, gathering all the materials from where they had fallen off the table or been thrown and left. "Rack 'em!" Tori yelled, laughing at herself. A few of the bystanders cringed slightly at the upcoming slaughter, laughing softly. Jade stood behind her side, tossing a ball up and down in her throwing hand. Tori slugged the rest of yet another cup of juice and set it on the ground behind her, stumbling a bit as she righted herself.

"Okay ladies, you know the rules. No reaching, no swatting. You're both girls so blowing only."

"Okay" they both answered in unison.

"Tori, you're the receiver of the challenge so call it in the air."

"Heads."

"Tails it is. Jade, you shoot first."

Jade smiled and rolled the ball between her fingers.

The first shot banked off the middle and landed in a cup in the back row, making a few people cheer. Tori dropped the ball in the wash cup and drank her target, setting the cup off to the side of the table. Jade shot again and banked another, so Tori repeated the process and tossed both balls back to her. Jade smiled at the look on Tori's face before shooting again, but much to her dismay her shot ricocheted off the side of a cup and fell off the table. Tori's eyes sparkled and she smiled hugely, ready for her turn. She took her first shot and immediately missed, slumping her shoulder and sulking a bit. Jade looked around anxiously, wondering who she would send Tori in a room with, or if she'd actually be able to make her do it. It was a pretty serious bet, but she didn't want to lose face in front of these new people. She took her next shot and drilled the middle cup, so Tori drank and discarded.

The game continued until Tori was down to four cups and Jade still had eight. It was Tori's turn, and when she banked two shots in a row she jumped up and down and clapped her hands. Jade suddenly got nervous, wondering who Tori would potentially send her into a room with. She'd just broken up with Beck not long ago and wasn't into the idea of laying with some stranger, but she made the bet so she'd have to deal with the consequences. Tori sunk another two shots in a row, making the game tied. The cups were all in different places, and when Tori very clearly called a re-rack, Jade stared at her open-mouthed.

"What was that?" Jade asked, swearing the words came out of Tori's mouth like she hadn't had a single drop of alcohol.

Tori swayed a little and called "re-rack, switch it up!" loudly slurring her words a little. Jade figured she just imagined it and re-racked her last four cups in a diamond shape. Tori quickly racked two and then two, making her the winner of the game. Jade couldn't believe that Tori had just sunk eight shots in a row. The rest of the group cheered and clapped, everyone eyeing Jade, wondering if they would get the chance to go upstairs with her. Suddenly Jade felt very panicked and thought about claiming she was too drunk to do anything except go to sleep, or maybe even go home. Tori smiled at her wickedly and walked to her side of the table, stopping just inches from Jade's face.

"Well Tor, who's it gonna be?" Ian asked from behind her back, wondering himself if maybe he'd get a chance with Jade.

"Yeah Tori, who's it gonna be?" Jade echoed, staring into the light brown eyes of the beautiful girl in front of her.

Tori stared back without flinching. "Me."