Before I get on with the chapter I just want to say...

THANK YOU!

Oh, I still don't own them.

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Chapter 17

Jade's POV

"Hey" Beck runs his fingers up my arm trying to get my attention. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I grab my bikini top and stuff it in the bag with our towels.

"Talk to me." He says sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Putting the bag down, I climb into his lap and lay my head against his shoulder. "I'm just thinking about Tori" I sigh as I play with the buttons on his shirt.

"She'll do fine on the test." I roll my eyes.

"Of course she will, it's Tori."

"Then what is it? The beach?"

"Yeah, that's part of it. Kind of."

"Tori is a strong girl and we'll leave if it gets to be too much for her. Now tell me what's really wrong."

"Nothing."

Beck slides his hand up my back and into my hair. "Tell me Jade." He says softly as he starts to massage the back of my head.

"She's been moving away from me every time I get near her." I watch him blink and I feel my cheeks warm slightly.

"That's what's been bugging you?" He shakes his head and smirks. I hit his arm and start to get up. "I'm sorry." he tightens his arms to stop me. "Do you think it might be because you've been pushing her?"

"I have not."

"After lunch the other day."

"That was once."

"The morning I was running late?" I cross my arms and look past him. "Babe, Jade." His thumbs play the skin above my pants. "I'm not trying to embarrass you."

"I'm not embarrassed."

"Then look at me." He hooks his thumb under my chin and turns my face. Leaving it there until he catches my eye. "You've got to give her time. When she's ready, she'll let you know."

The door opens and Tori comes in beaming. "Who passed her test? This girl right here!" She makes her way over doing a happy dance.

"Of course you did. We still have a bit of time before we leave, anyone up for a movie?"

"Not The Scissoring again." I glare at Tori and make my way over to the stack of movies.

"The Crow?" Beck suggests.

"Never seen it."

"What?" Beck and I look at her like she's crazy. She shrugged as I grab the movie and pop it in to the DVD player.

Sighing I can't help but enjoy how happy I feel with Beck at my back, one hand causally cupping my breast, his other laying across the back of the couch. Tori's head rests near my stomach as she sits on the floor.

Ignoring the movie, I look down at the brunette and I wish I could take away her pain and fear. I run my hand through her hair and watch it fall against her tanned shoulder. Only with us does she feel safe enough to shed the layers and walk around in only a cami or tank.

Beck kisses me neck and I lay my head back on his shoulder, giving him better access. I moan as he tugs on my nipple and I turn slightly to kiss him. Pulling back I turn to see Tori has turned her head to watch us. A small smile sits on her face and I can't help but notice the look in her eyes. Sadness and something I can't identify. I trace the side of her face with my finger before running it over her lips.

Beck is back to working my neck and I can't stop the hitch in my throat as he finds one of my sweet spots. Tori has turned around completely, one hand rests above my knee. Gently squeezing with every sound I make.

My eyes are barely open as I watch Beck raise my shirt with his other hand, giving Tori a better view. Tori licks her lips and lets out a heavy sigh.

We stay there like that for a few minutes; with Beck playing me and Tori watching. I wish I could pull Tori up and kiss her but I know how she'd react. The same way she has every other time I try to kiss her, she'd pull away.

Closing my eyes I can't help raising my hips up, searching for something, anything to help release the pressure that is building.

Tori shifts closer and Beck lowers my bra bearing me to her. I've never been so happy to wear a strapless bra. I feel Tori's hand slowly move up, teasingly light touches move over my stomach slowly getting closer to my chest.

**KNOCK KNOCK**

Tori's POV

I vaguely notice Jade's eyes open but I can't stop staring at Beck. Jade's boob cupped in my hand and his eyes haven't left mine. Catching Jade's hand move out out of the corner of my eye, my eyes finally tear away from him and I look down at her flushed form. Watch as her hand slips into her shorts.

"Please," she whispers as I hear the knock again. I turn my head towards the door. Feeling Jade's free hand in my hair, she gently turns me back. Using her grip to bring me closer. I gently circle her nipple. Bringing my mouth closer I hear a different more rapid knock.

"Damn it!" Jade unwinds her hand from my hair and I sit back. She quickly sits up fixing her shirt. I hear the knock again and make a dash for the bathroom.

I quickly close the door and slid down the wall running my hands through my hair. 'Did I really just do that? I can't believe…' I shake my head and stand up. 'God, her skin is soft' "Shut up Tori." Turning on the water I splash my face. 'Slut' "Shut up!" I slam my hand down punching the counter. I lean closer to the mirror and stare at myself, "You're wrong." 'God I'm going crazy' I shake my head again and crack the door open.

"Yeah, we stopped by Tori's but she wasn't there. Guess she's not going to make it." I hear Andre say. I sigh, knowing I can't hide forever. I open the door and step out. "Oh, hey!" Andre nods.

"Hey," I make my way to an open spot on the floor and sit down.

"Wow Tori, this is the first time I've seen you without a jacket in a while." I pull my legs up to my chest and I watch as Robbie lifts Rex's hand up slapping himself.

"Yeah, well, who wears a jacket to the beach?" I force out a little laugh, truthfully it's in Beck's parent's house mixed in with Jade's clothes, being washed.

"Hey, aren't those yours?" Looking to where Cat is pointing I spy a pair of fuzzy pajama pants peeking out from under Beck's bed.

"Umm.."

"They are." we all look at Jade. "I stole them"

"Why?" I ask only half way paying attention. We had been doing so well at keeping my stuff hidden in case someone showed up unannounced.

"To cut them." Jade shrugs. I pull the white pants close and hug them to me.

"Why? They're so cute! With little rainbows." Cat smiles at me.

"I hate rainbows. And fuzzy pants." Jade glares and I can't stop from smiling at her hatred for my sleepwear. I own ten pair of fuzzy pants and wear them as much as possible.

"Hey, aren't we supposed to be going to the beach?" Beck speaks up.

The others agree and quickly stand. "Come on Tori! My mom surprised me with a sand castle kit this morning. We can make sandcastles!" Cat reaches down and pulls me up before dragging me out the door.

"Cat, why couldn't Jade or someone else ride with us?" Cat pulled me into her car before locking it. Refusing to let Jade or anyone else in.

"Because they need to be in the other car, silly." Cat taps my arm before turning on the radio.

"But why?"

"Oh! I love this song!" Cat turns up the radio and starts singing along.

Giving up for now I sit back and close my eyes. It's not long before I'm replaying earlier events. 'I can't believe I did that.' Crossing my arms, I slouch down in my seat. 'What kind of person does that? And with someone else girlfriend! Not that we were sneaking behind his back but still! Thank God everyone else showed up! If they hadn't...' I shake my head. I can't lose Beck and Jade. I barely make it through the day with them. I don't think I can make it without them.

Looking out the window I notice how dark it has gotten, "Cat, did anyone check the weather?"

"What's to check? It's not raining." Shaking my head I take out my cell and text Beck, who along with Jade caught a ride with Andre and Robbie. A few minutes later my phone buzzes.

Robbie just checked his pear pad. 70% chance of rain.

I sigh and read it out loud to Cat.

"That means there is a thirty percent chance it won't!" Car replies. Looking at the sky I keep quiet. My phone buzzes again and I look down.

What did Cat want to talk about?

This time it was Jade. She can't be happy being stuck in the car with the guys.

I don't know. She just keeps going on about sand castles.

Well ask her. I swear if I was stuck in here for no reason…

Why didn't you and Beck take your car? Looking around I see we're almost to the beach.

"Well, we might get to build something after all."

"I told you."

I look down at my phone wondering why I haven't got an answer.

Jade?

Waste of gas.

Oh I look up at the sound of rain hitting the windshield.

"Aww" Cat follows Andre onto the road leading to the beach. Pulling into the parking lot,

I look over to the other car and shrug.

We're going to wait a bit to see if it stops or at least lightens up.

I text back a quick okay and tell Cat.

"I know you're with Beck and Jade."

"What?" I watch the rain, refusing to look at her, "I'm with you. They're with Andre and Robbie."

"That's not what I mean."

"Cat, I don't-"

"It's okay. You don't need to lie."

"What makes you think?" I can't even finish the question. This can't be happening. We've been so careful. Hadn't we? What else does she know?

"Tori?" Cat puts her hand on my arm and I jump. "You've been staying over at Beck's haven't you? Getting rides in with them. And Jade isn't as mean to you as she used to be. Same as when I was with them."

"What? You're dating them?" I manage to get out.

"Not anymore. It was a while ago." I see Cat pick at the steering wheel out of the corner of my eye. "Things were getting really bad with my brother and I turned to Jade. Nothing really happened with Beck though. Just Jade."

I can't listen to this anymore. Looking around I wish I was anywhere other than stuck in a car. I spy the pier and take a deep breath.

"Look, I don't know what you think you know but I'm not with them" I quickly open the door and run towards the pier, ignoring Cat's cries for me to come back and to get out of the rain.

I stopped when I reached the edge of the pier and looked at the ocean, hoping it would swallow me up so I didn't have to deal with the pain.

Jades POV

"Thought you would have checked the weather before we left." Beck said as he shot a look at Robbie.

"What the hell?" I watch as Tori shoots out of Cat's car and runs towards the beach. I grab Beck's arm and pull him out into the rain. "Vega, Vega! Dammit!" I slip and Beck grabs my arm, catching me before I fall. "Tori! Where did she go?" I see Beck point towards the boardwalk and we pick up speed trying to get to what little shelter it'll provide us.

Pausing when we get under the shelter, I push my hair back out of my face. Tori is standing watching the water slap into her legs. A strong wave hits her and she stumbles back a step before catching her balance. Beck pulls her out of the water despite her struggling. We make our way back from the water to where the sand is raised and it is a little dryer.

"Leave me alone!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" We speak at the same time.

"You could have drowned." Beck gestures to the water. Tori drops down onto the sand wrapping her arms around her knees. "You should have let me." She says at the same time I say "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Spill Vega."

"Nothing to spill."

"Right, you just decided to run through the rain and almost drown yourself for no reason."

"Yep."

"Fine, leave her. Come on Beck."

"Jade…" Beck says as he looks between the two of us.

"No, Beck. If Tori wants to sit here and pout for no reason, we should let her."

"I'm sure there is room in Cat's car."

"Excuse me?"

Tori stands up and glares at me. "I said I'm sure Cat has room in her car."

"I'm sure she does." Crossing my arms I narrow my eyes at her. 'What on Earth could Cat have said?' Taking a step closer I try and catch her eye. "Tori," my voice drops a little, "Are you jealous?"

"Didn't know there was anything to be jealous of." She said with a shrug.

"There isn't. What did Cat say to you?"

"Doesn't matter."

"I think it does." Beck adds.

"Shut up Beck." Both of us snap. We pause and glance at each other as Beck throws his hands up in sign of surrender.

"I think I know what she said." Walking closer I smirk as she takes a step back.

"Newsflash Vega. I'm not a virgin. I never pretended to be."

"You slept with her?"

I pause confused. "That's not what she told you?" Tori crosses her arms and looks down. "Not exactly."

"Then what's got your panties in a twist?"

"I thought…" Tori sighs. "I thought we had something, but it turns out you just have a thing for the charity cases."

"Wait, so you're mad at me for helping my friends? Unbelievable! Do you expect me to leave them to their own devices?"

"So you sleep with all your friends, is that it?"

"It is about sex then."

"No, it's not."

"Then what's your damage?"

"I just want to know when you're going to drop me like you did her. I refuse to be thought of as a charity case and pity screw."

"I didn't drop her. And I don't think of you as a charity case and a pity fuck is the last thing you'll ever be. "

"Then why aren't you together anymore?"

"We were never together, not like we are." I gesture to the three of us.

"But she said-" Taking Beck's hand, I grab Tori's and walk us back as far as possible. I'm getting cold so I know Tori has got to be freezing. Sitting down I pull her with me, never letting go of her hand. Beck slides down beside me. "She knew we were together because you're acting the same way you did with her.

"I might have led her on a bit"

"More than a bit." I shoot a look at Beck 'Shut up, you are SO not helping.'

"Cat said things got bad with her brother and she stayed with you."

"She did. It wasn't safe for her in her house. Things got out of control really fast, one minute things were fine and the next Cat was looking for a place to crash." Tori nods and I wish I could see inside her head. We sit quietly for a minute and I let her catch her thoughts. Looking around I notice the rain is starting to lighten.

"You slept with her?"

"Yes, I slept with her," I see Tori flinch, "Once."

A few minutes later, "Have you ever taken her to the beach house?"

"No. The thing with Cat, she needed someone to take care of her. Her parents weren't doing it so I stepped up. Should I have slept with her? Probably not. But it happened."

"And us?"

"You can take care of yourself...for the most part."

"Jade."

"What? Do you really need me to tell you I like you?"

"Yes." She says with a slight whine.

Letting out a dramatic sigh I say "You're not so bad." Beck taps my side as she gives me a little glare. "Fine, I like you. Happy?" I'm rewarded with a grin from Tori and a kiss on the top of my head from Beck.

"For the record, I like you too." Beck smiles.

"You've liked her from day one." He shrugs in agreement and I glare at our feet.

"I'm cold."

"Should have stayed in the car." Beck hands her his shirt and she covers her legs.

"So.."

"So," I mimic.

"The rain stopped."

"So it has."

"We should get back before someone comes looking for us." Beck stands holding a hand out to each of us. Wrapping his arm around Tori, he leads us back to the parking lot.

Thank you again Cissa for helping me out with that scene and everyone for taking the time to read my story!

Monday is my first day back to work. So heads up if it takes me an extra day or two to get this out.