Author's note: I'm so sorry this chapter is so long. I couldn't figure out where to cut it. Hopefully it doesn't bore or discourage you! Maybe you could even take a lunch break halfway and come back to it?

{~~~~~JADE~~~~~}

It's happening again. I'm having a bad day here at Hollywood Arts. This time it's not Vega's fault, although I'll figure out a way to pin the blame on her later. I just broke up with Beck yesterday. We'd been going out for forever and just like that, I lose my temper and my boyfriend. Then he has the nerve to show up with Alyssa Vaughn today.

I couldn't deal, so I ran to the girls' bathroom.

I should be crying. I kinda want to cry. Normal girls would be crying right now. But I'm Jade West. I hardly ever cry and I'm not exactly normal.

"Um, hey Jade?"

Whoa, it's like déjà vu or something. My eyes shift, and there she is, Vega. I fix my face into a scowl at the sight of her. "What do you want?" I ask harshly; because I already know what she wants. She wants to see if I'm okay and I'd rather shove my pinky down the garbage disposal than endure the pity fest.

"I was uh…I was wondering if you could help me with something."

I turn then and give her my attention, eyebrows raised inquiringly. How selfish of her. I came in her after seeing my boyfriend, my ex-boyfriend, ride to school with Alyssa Vaughn. Alyssa fuckin' Vaughn! I'm having a moment, and she wants to know if I can help her with something.

Okay, honestly I'm relieved, even impressed (there goes that word again), that she she's not asking me if I'm okay; but at the same time, why the fuck would I help her with anything?

She takes a deep breath, gathering with it as much courage as she can before she continues. "Can we pretend to date?"

My jaw drops.

"For just tonight. That's it, I swear!" She rushes.

I close my mouth with an audible snap and look down at myself.

Skirt? Check.

Boobs? Double check.

Vagina. Invisible to everyone, but it's most definitely there. So, check.

Definitely a girl today.

I look back up at Vega, hoping she'll catch on without me having to say it out loud.

She doesn't.

"My ex, Danny, is dating some girl that goes here, and I kinda ran into him yesterday, and I kinda told him I was dating too, and he kinda invited me and my date on a double date tonight, and I kinda said yes so now I need a date." She continues quickly as if I'm not staring at her like she's completely lost her fuckin' mind. It's like she was so damn determined for me to hear her out in hopes that her explanation will make me understand what she's asking of me better.

It doesn't.

"So…will you do it?" she pleads desperately, lower lip jutted out in a pathetic pout.

"So you kiss Cat one time and now you're bi?" I taunt her.

It's a mistake. I should have told her no, rolled my eyes, and left her standing here all by herself. Instead, I've encouraged her to keep talking. Never something I should purposely do unless it's to benefit myself…which this won't.

"No! I'm straight," Vega blushes as she continues on with her explanation. "I was just, well, Danny said that lesbians are only lesbians because their ex-boyfriends didn't do "it" right, so I figured if I brought a girl to the double date…" She trails off, not needing to elaborate 'cause I'm not dumb. I get it. If her ex thinks that girls only run to their same sex because their boyfriends sucked in bed, then he'll be in for a major blow to his ego when Vega shows up with a girl. Especially because he was her first and only. He'll think he was so bad she doesn't ever want to try it with another guy. Like he single handedly turned her gay because of how inadequate he was.

It's actually a pretty genius plan. Subtle, but relatively evil. Lots of psychological damage to be done, which is the best kind of damage there is. That kind of damage always leaves the kind of scarring that doesn't heal. I can't believe Vega thought this up. And though I'm impressed, I'm also still me.

"Find someone else." I say nonchalantly.

"But you're the best actress I know, please Jade?"

Hm, begging and an ego stroke. There aren't too many things that I love, but I do so love to be begged and to have my ego stroked.

It's too bad for Vega that I dislike her even more.

"Get Cat to do it." I roll my eyes and push past her.

She whirls around and grabs my arm. Chick just never learns.

I snatch my arm away from her and nearly remind her not to ever touch me when she interrupts. "Cat?! Jade, please… I'll give you all my allowance, including my lunch money, for a whole month."

I snort.

"Two months," she pleads.

"No way-wait, you mean to tell me, you'll be starving for two months?" I also love bringing a little suffering into Vega's life. Even the small things, like the idea of her going hungry, give me the tingles. And when I think about it, helping Vega can probably help me out too. Maybe Beck thinks the same way Danny Boy does. Maybe if he sees me with Vega…. "Fine, I'll do it."

"You...you will? Thank"-

"Wait, there're conditions." I hold a hand up, stopping her from all the stuttering gratitude she was going to assault my ears with.

She goes quiet immediately; eyes focused on my face, giving me all her attention and nodding her head as if she's already agreed to my terms. That's how desperate she is.

"We have to date way longer than one night,"-

Her mouth falls open. "Whoa, way longer? Why way longer? How long is way longer? " she interrupts, clearly heading towards bugged out mode. God, I hate a bugged out Vega.

"A couple months or so, I guess." I shrug nonchalantly, my attempt to calm her down. Maybe if she's sees it's no big deal to me, she'll believe it's no big deal.

"Months?!"

Well, that didn't work.

"Why!?" She freaks even more.

"I can't have Beck thinking you're just a rebound," I snap impatiently, though I do realize her getting freaked out is completely understandable. Come to think of it, I'd be a little creeped out if she wasn't wazzing out. I mean, it's months…pretending to be a couple…with Vega.

God, now I'm having second thoughts.

But I don't change my mind or take it back. This is the best plan. I can feel it. Beck's got to think I've fallen, really fallen, for someone else. He's got to feel like he's lost me forever; that I'll never take him back because I'm no longer interested in what he has to offer.

And that's when I'll take him back, because then, he'll be too afraid to ever let me go again.

"Beck?"

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by Vega's irritating voice. So, I snap at her. "Yeah, Beck, my ex. Remember him?"

Her eyes widen and I can practically see the light bulb click on. "Oh, I get it! You want to make him jealous so that he can realize he doesn't want you to be with anyone else but him and that he doesn't want anyone else but you, right? You're trying to get back together with him!" She beams.

"Very good, Vega." I roll my eyes. Why'd she have to romanticize it like that?

"And um, I'll be helping you do that by pretending to date you for um. …." she gulps. "For that long?"

"Is that a problem?" I scowl.

"No," she smiles widely. "I can do it."

Weirdo.

"Good. You'll give me three months' worth of allowance," I continue as if she never interrupted me in the first place. "I get to dump you in front of everyone, and you can't tell anyone we're just pretending. If I'm gonna play your girlfriend, I'm gonna be your girlfriend, got it." I negotiate.

She nods her head excitedly.

"And I mean no one." I threaten.

She doesn't hesitate to concede. She screams "Yes!" before jumping up and down and clapping like a monkey.

I stare at her. What's her deal? I just ripped her off. I had to, because I'm me. But that doesn't mean she had to agree to my terms so quickly. I mean, she has to date me way longer than she originally wanted, and give me more money, and Iget to humiliate her once it's over and done with. It's not a fair deal for her at all.

"Pinky swear." She grins, holding up her finger expectantly.

"Whyyy-uh?!" I whine. "What's with you and pinky swearing?"

She shrugs, keeping her pinky up for me to take.

I glare at her stupid pinky.

"It's the most solemn vow a person can make. More binding than a legal contract even." She explains.

"Huh?"

"Pinky swearing is the purest promise a person can make." She continues cheerfully. "Don't you remember when you were a kid? If you pinky promised to do something you had to do it no matter what because you were too young to break promises, or search for loop holes, or"-

"Whatever!" I exclaim and link my pinky with hers. God, was she ever gonna stop?

Then she launches herself at me; wrapping her skinny arms around my neck and hugging me tight. Like, real tight. Her boobs are squished against mine, and the same thing is happening down below. She's practically dry humping me.

Push her off, Jade!

I try to. I move my hands down to her hips and get ready to, but then I hear a loud gasp and suddenly there's someone else with their arms around us. "Me too, me too!" She squeals excitedly and I know right away that the "she" is Cat. Someone I can't exactly kill for hugging me. She is my best friend after all.

But I can push her.

So I do. "Get off of me," I grunt as I shove both ladies so hard they fall down and bump heads like two out of the three stooges.

"Ow!" They cry together.

Cat's landed on top of Vega and the image is more than disturbing because Cat's dress is so short I can see her underwear. You'd think she'd wear boy shorts or even regular shorts under there. But no, she's wearing bright yellow undies with a blue eye on each cheek. Fuckin' SpongeBob.

I shake my head and leave them there in the bathroom.

{~~~O~~~}

As soon as we arrive at Nozu's, I notice one thing immediately. It's crowded as hell, which means it'll take forever to get a damn server.

"That's Danny," Vega whispers nervously as she points out a dark haired guy sitting in one of the booth seats…near the restrooms.

Tacky.

"Smile." I whisper back. "You're happy because you're with me. You don't care about him anymore."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her take a deep breath and follow my instructions. She's puts a surprisingly genuine looking smile on her face before starting toward the pissy-booth and her ex.

Danny spots Vega quickly and waves her over while trying his best not to gawk at her.

I won't lie. Vega does look nice tonight. She didn't overdo it by wearing a short, tight fitting, dress that just screams 'I'm desperately trying to get my ex to realize what he lost.' No, she's wearing tight blue jeans, brown boots, a beige top, a white jacket and a few feathers in her ears. Sexy/casual…or something.

I, however, didn't dress for the occasion. I'm still wearing what I wore to school today. Black skirt over fishnet tights, black boots, and a really form fitting, cleavage revealing, black top.

And I still look damn good if I do say so myself.

"Hi Danny," Vega says cheerfully once we're standing in front of him.

"Hey Tori." He practically orgasms out before pulling her into a hug; a hug that I can see she doesn't want to be a part of.

I decide right then and there that I don't like him.

I liked him before. I mean, what's not to like? He cheated on Vega; which broke her heart, and then he shattered it into a billion pieces when he dumped her. Pimpin' right? But I really can't stand the sight of him. Don't ask me why cause I don't know why. I'll chalk it up to the great instincts I have when it comes to people.

And my instincts tell me Danny's a wazzbag.

"Okay, that's enough." I pull on Vega's arm so hard both she and her wazzbag of an ex nearly fall into me; but Wazzbag rights himself at the last minute.

It's too bad. I would've loved to break his fall…and other various parts of his body.

Wazzbag sits down, motioning for Vega to do the same. He barely spares me a glance as he does so.

"So, where's your girlfriend?" Vega asks as she scoots over so I can slide in next to her.

"She's in the bathroom. She'll be out in a second." He smiles. "Hey, I thought you were gonna bring a date, Tori. What happened?" he croons almost as if he's sad.

He's not though. I can tell, and he sucks at pretending to be; either that or he's not trying very hard to hide it because he wants Vega to be uncomfortable.

I suspect it's the latter and I don't like that at all. That's my thing. If anyone is going to fuck with Vega, it's gonna be me. I'm her tormentor. She's my victim; mine. He needs to find his own damn punching bag.

"I am her date, Jade." I speak up, offering my hand to him. He doesn't take it at first. He's too busy choking on his own stupidity. I raise an eyebrow at him, daring him not to accept my offered hand. Slowly he puts his hand in mine before giving it a weak pump.

Pathetic.

I squeeze his hand, hard, and smile the whole time he squirms silently in pain. He's got to prove he's a man now that his ex is dating a girl. And men don't cry out when girls hold their hands too tight.

"Jade, you promised to be nice," Vega hisses beside me.

I promised her no such thing, but that's not the point. She's just acting; throwing out a line to get a bit of dialogue going. She's doing much better with this than I thought she would. Actually, she's doing excellent at this if I'm being honest with myself. It makes me feel as if I need to step up my game.

I let go of Wazzbag's hand and he gives it a small shake. I half expect him to tell me that I've got a "strong grip," but he doesn't. It's too bad because I had the perfect rebuttal for him sitting on the tip of my tongue.

"Jade…"

I cringe at the sound of Vega's voice before looking at her. I shouldn't have done that. Vega's supposed to be my date. I can't make it obvious that I don't like her. How is it that I'm the one acting like the amateur? I know better than this. I am better than this. So, as an attempt to cover up my mistake, I throw out a quick line.

"I'm not gonna apologize." I scoff, making it seem as if that was the reason behind the dirty look I'd just given her.

She shakes her head and sighs dramatically. "You never do."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I scowl at her.

Despite the fact that Vega's supposed to be "chastising" me, she gives me one of her biggest grins before rolling her eyes playfully. "You sounded just like Cat."

My scowl deepens. She's absolutely right, and it's a devastating thought. God help me if any of Cat's other "quirks" rub off on me.

"I'm back!" I'm gonna assume the girl who's just announced her presence like anyone was actually missing her is Wazzbag's girlfriend.

"This is my girlfriend, Melissa Belle." Danny introduces her.

I don't pay her any attention until she says, "They know, I have fourth period with them."

That's when I look up at her and note that she's a pretty redhead that I actually do recognize. I'd forgotten her name until now, but I do however remember that she dropped her books in front of me and I had to help her out when I was Tori.

"So you're Danny's girlfriend." Vega smiles politely and gives Melissa a little wave. I on the other hand don't smile or wave back at her. It was mighty arrogant of her to assume I knew who she was. I don't like people who think so highly of themselves.

"So Melissa, you share a class with Tori and her girlfriend?" Danny asks. He's trying to be casual as he lets the g-word roll off his tongue, but it's more than obvious he's questioning me and Vega's "relationship;" subtly asking the redhead for confirmation.

Fucker.

"Girlfriend?" Melissa frowns at Vega. And with good reason. She's only ever seen me and Vega argue.

"She's not my girlfriend." I speak up before Vega can mess this up. "We just fu"-

"Jade!" She interrupts…after elbowing me in the rib.

I'm gonna kill her.

"Do that again, Vega…" I threaten.

She rolls her eyes so hard she goes cross-eyed for a second.

"So, how long have you two known each other again?" Redhead questions.

"Oh, I didn't meet her until after I started Hollywood Arts." Vega answers cause I sure as hell wasn't going to. The way Redhead worded that question …it just sounds like a trap.

"But I thought you told me you just started there Monday?" Wazzbag questions Vega suspiciously.

"I did." Vega's got a huge frown on her face, like she's so confused as to why he's taken that tone with her.

"You sure do move fast," he mumbles.

Redhead elbows him, but it's not nearly enough. I have the sudden urge to go across the table and rip his lungs out of his chest.

And I have no idea why.

Sure, he practically called my date a slut, but my date is Vega. I don't like her anyway.

"It's just that you guys act like you've known each other much longer." Redhead cuts in with the most accusatory smile I've ever seen. She's up to something. There's a point she's trying to make.

And here it comes.

"So how long have you two been"-

"Fucking?" I interrupt her. "Since Monday."

"Jade!" Vega's eyes have gone wide and her whole face has just turned chili pepper red.

I don't apologize. I said what I meant, and I meant what I said. I know that it's a lie, but the objective was to shock Redhead so bad that she goes speechless 'cause I'm tired of answering the nosey bitch's questions.

It doesn't work.

"Wait, I thought you just broke up with Beck yesterday." Redhead accuses.

"I did."

"So…"

I don't answer. I know she's bright enough to figure out what I was insinuating.

"So you guys were together while you and Beck were together?" Redhead states bluntly, laying it all on the table. I can either tell her she's got it right and get labeled as a cheater, or I can come clean and tell her that me and Vega have never been intimate.

"I already told you, we're not together. We just fuck sometimes," is my answer.

"Jade!"

"Vega!" I mock her.

She glares at me, her jaw working from side to side. She's good and pissed.

I stare back at her, an innocent smile on my face.

"So how come you call her by her last name?" Wazzbag asks.

"Because I hate Tori. It's whiney and annoying." I answer impatiently through clenched teeth. I just want to punch him in the gut. Like his girlfriend, his tone had been very accusatory. What is it with him? No, what is it with them? What do I gotta do to convince them that me and Vega are a thing? Fuck her in front of them?

"But it's my name!" Vega pouts back at me, pulling me back into the current conversation.

"So's Vega. It's not that good of a name either but I like it a thousand times more than…that other one." I shudder, as if thinking about her first name can give me nightmares. And it kinda does. I'm forever scarred by all that stuff Tori made me do Tuesday. I mean, I had to pick up the brats from school yesterday because of Tori.

"Now, do you two got any more stupid questions." I snap at Wazzbag and Redhead.

"Be nice…" Vega warns.

"I can't. I don't like stupid questions… or people."

"You said you'd try." Vega improvs. "You said you'd be nice to him."

"I did try." I follow easily.

"You call that trying?" she scoffs. "You could at least smile at him. You haven't smiled at him once. How is that trying?"

It's not.

"Well, I don't like him, babe." I shrug nonchalantly.

"Jade!" Vega makes a face, like she's shocked by my lack of manners.

"What?" I give her a look that suggests she shouldn't be shocked at all. Then I turn away from her and face Wazzbag. "I don't like you," I tell him straight up.

He gaps at me, and I stare him down with as much hatred as I can muster up, which takes absolutely no effort on my part.

He gulps, loudly.

Punk.

"If I would've known you were going to be like this, I would've come by myself," she crosses her arms over her chest.

"No, you wouldn't have." I rebuttal immediately, going into jealous girlfriend mode.

"And why not?"

"Because I wouldn't have let you."

"Let me? You wouldn't have let me? What do you care anyway? You're not my girlfriend, remember?"

Damn she's good.

But I can do better.

"Fine." I shrug.

"Fine what?"

"You're my girlfriend."

"Really?" She grins at me, getting all excited. I swear she's about to hug me, but I stop her.

"Really, so get your wallet ready cause you're paying for my food." I tell her.

"What? Why?"

"That's what happens when a couple goes on a date. One pays. And since you want to be my girlfriend so bad, then you should pay."

She shakes her head. "No, you should pay."

"Why?"

"The boyfriend pays, and you're like the dude."

I arch an eyebrow at her. "How the hell do you figure that?"

"Because when we…" She pauses there, giving Redhead and Wazzbag a quick glance before leaning in to whisper in my ear. "Because you're always on top."

I frown back at her. What's the point of saying a juicy line like that if no one's gonna hear it?

The answer comes to me immediately. There is no point. She wants me to mention it. If Vega were to say that out loud, she would've broken character since she's been so conservative and I've been the blunt and vulgar one.

And here's some more vulgar. "Just because I'm always on top doesn't make me the dude. I bet Danny lets his girl ride all the time." I wink at Wazzbag.

Vega gasps beside me but I ignore her in favor of Wazzbag and Redhead. I thought Vega was red; they're practically purple compared to her.

I smile brilliantly; finally they've shut the hell up.

"Besides, I don't like to be on the bottom." I continue, smiling even wider as the couple across from us try to compose themselves.

"Is there anything you do like?" Vega scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest and fixing me with a rather intimidating glare. Well, it doesn't scare me. In fact, I kinda like that look on her. It's like there's a fire dancing about those brown irises of hers.

And I love to play with fire. Literally and figuratively.

I lean in close to her, but I make sure I speak loud enough for Wazzbag and Redhead to hear. "I like your boobs." I tell her as grab her hands, manually unfolding her arms and exposing her previously hidden chest.

She gasps and I realize my mistake immediately. Vega's still an amateur; so, before she can say anything stupid and blow our cover I shut her up the best way I know how at the moment. I lean in even closer to her and press my lips to hers.

I expect her to pull away, so I do a little preventive action and firmly cup both cheeks in my hands so that she can't. Not that it's necessary. Vega catches on rather quickly. There's a slight stiffening of her spine at first, but she doesn't pull away from me. In fact, not even a second later she's leaning in closer and kissing me back. Both her hands go to my waist and she tugs on me, trying to pull me even closer.

Whoa daddy.

Vega's not half bad at this.

I start to pull back after that disturbing thought, but she doesn't seem to want to let go.

"Wait, one more." She whispers.

"You're a greedy little thing aren't you?" I tease. She nods her head and puckers her lips at me.

I consider her for a second before giving her a smirk. "Beg me," I say.

She rolls her eyes and tries to kiss me anyway, but a move my head out of reach.

"Please" she relents.

I kiss her forehead.

She shakes her head at me and tries to catch my lips with hers.

I dodge her and kiss her cheek.

"Jade," she whines exasperatedly, and I grin at her before pecking the tip of her nose.

She sighs and goes utterly still. I don't get what's going on until she starts staring at my lips.

That's when it dawns on me. She's being a good girl. She's waiting for me to come to her this time.

I grab her chin and lean in, my lips hovering over hers. Still she doesn't move a muscle.

Good girl.

I'm about to reward her with a kiss when I'm interrupted by a cough so fake and exaggeratedly deep that I know it's coming from Wazzbag. Someone's trying to sound like a man.

I ignore him, attempting to kiss Vega anyway, but she jumps and pulls back with a gasp; like she's forgotten we're not alone Then she straightens up and gives Wazzbag her attention.

I get pissed off. Not the acting kind, the real kind. She's supposed to be dating me. Just because her ex wants some attention she's willing to stop kissing me to give it to him?

It's irrational for me to get so pissed. I know it is. I mean, I really don't like Vega, but that's not the point! If a guy…or a girl is dating me, then he (or she) is dating me. I come first… whether we're pretending or not.

"Hey," I grab Vega's chin and tug on her until she's facing me again. "Don't you know how this works? I told you what I like. Do you see anything that you like?"

She stares at me for a few seconds, this funny look passing over her face. I'm not so sure what it means but she needs to stop it. She needs to focus. We've got a scene to finish.

"Babe?" I call softly before snapping my fingers in front of her face to get her attention. Vega blinks quickly, seemingly coming out of a trance of sorts. Her cheeks go scarlet and she begins to bite her bottom lip…seductively.

Unconsciously, I find myself mirroring her actions but I stop as soon as I realize it.

I'm straight. I don't like girls that way; and I'm pretty sure I hate Vega with about five passions, but day-umn! That's a good look on her. What the hell was she thinking about anyway? It had to be dirty.

I smile mischievously as I gently let my fingers fall away from Vega's chin. My index lingers a little and I decide not to let it break contact with her skin. I move it downward slowly, barely touching her as I graze the underside of her chin, moving down over her throat, down towards her collar bone, and further down still until my fingertip is resting lightly on the swell of that piece of anatomy of hers that I claimed to like.

"Well, you gonna tell me what you like or not?" I ask, encouraging her to come up with something. And she better make it fast…and good; although there's no way she can top my "boob" response…not unless she's brave.

But Vega is brave, to a certain degree. I've forgotten about that until now. She's just placed her hand firmly on my thigh, high up on my thigh. Then she gives my lap a brief but suggestive glance.

I raise an eyebrow and give her a little smirk. She's kissed me and made a few suggestive comments so far on this double date, but that was bold as hell.

I lean in close to her. "Say it," I dare, adding a natural husk to my voice. We're probably gonna kiss again after her answer and I have to look like not only do I know it's coming, but I want it to happen.

She leans in close too, her cheek pressed against my cheek, her lips near my ear. She's on the outside, facing Danny, so he'll be able to read her lips if she whispers too low for him to hear. But she doesn't whisper. She speaks loud and clear. Wazzbag and Redhead can easily hear every word. "You know what I like," she practically purrs against my ear.

"Shit!" I shudder. Literally and visibly. If it had been my choice, I wouldn't have reacted at all. But my body just did it without my permission.

What the chiz was that?

Another deep cough from Wazzbag and I remember where I am.

"I gotta use the bathroom. Wanna come?" I announce so fast it was barely English.

Wazzbag chokes on his spit, and only after that do I realize the unintentional innuendo I'd made. I don't make the slightest effort to take it back or convince him that I didn't mean it like that. Why? Because now I got an idea.

"Okay." Vega agrees, getting up and beginning to follow me. "Excuse us, guys."

The server finally freakin' arrives but I keep pulling Vega towards the bathroom. They can wait.

"Wait, what about your food, aren't you going to order?" Wazzbag ask gesturing toward the server, but anybody with half a brain can see that he's desperately trying to keep me and Vega from going to the bathroom together.

I glare at him and begin to reach toward my waist, but Vega grabs my hand to stop me. She knows that's where my scissors are tonight, tucked into the waist of my skirt. Honestly, she really didn't have to stop me. I wasn't gonna use them on him. I was just gonna scare him a bit for being a cock blocking little bitch.

"Just order for me. You know what I like, Danny."

I turn away from Wazzbag and aim my glare at my "girlfriend." "Vega..."

She smiles innocently. "He knows what I like when it comes to food, Jade. Now come on. I gotta wazz."

I glower at Wazzbag then at Redhead. If she'd take three seconds to mind her own damn business, she would've realized her boyfriend had been eye-fucking my girlfriend since we got here.

"Come on!" Vega exclaims while grabbing my hand and pulling me into the bathroom.

I let her drag me away; but I also make sure to keep giving Wazzbag the death glare the whole time.

As soon as the bathroom door's shut behind us, Vega starts talking. "Oh my gosh did you see his fa-ow!"

I slam her against the door midsentence and lock it.

"What the chiz was that for?!"

I don't answer. I just run my fingers roughly through her hair, messing up her neat curls.

"Hay, Jade!" She pushes me.

I push her back. Hard. She ends up right where I had her before. Up against the door with my fingers jammed in her hair. "You need to look mussed up." I explain to the idiot.

"What? Why do I need to look mussed up?" She's confused, but she's stopped trying to get away. She just stands there and wines as I pull and yank on her hair.

Vega would be no fun in bed. Not if she can't handle a little hair pulling.

"What do you think they think we're doing in here?" I avert my eyes, not wanting to actually look at her as I explain the obvious. And then there is the fact that I'd just inadvertently imagined what she would be like in bed.

"Oh."

Thank God she doesn't say anything more.

I work on her for a little while longer, pulling and tugging on her clothes to make it look like I'd gotten in there.

Once her clothes are thoroughly disheveled, I take a deep breath and do it. And by "it," I mean I sink my teeth into her bottom lip.

It's not a kiss. I just need to swell her lips up a bit before going back out there to Wazzbag and Redhead.

Vega yelps and grabs onto my waist. I'm pretty sure it's just for support, just so she can have something to hold onto while she's hurting, but it feels too intimate for me. I brush her hands away and switch, taking her top lip in between my teeth.

She cries out again. Louder this time, and again she braces her hands against my waist; but she doesn't try to push me away.

This time I don't slap her hands away. For being such a compliant big girl about all this, I let her hold onto me. It's the least I can do.

Great, now I'm going soft.

I pull back once I feel as though her lips should be good and swollen and inspect them. I turn her head this way and that as I scrutinize them, adding a little nip here and there until I'm satisfied. I try to look as methodical as a doctor checking a kid's heart with his stethoscope as I'm doing it because I can feel Vega watching me. Well, she's not consistently watching me. She mostly has her eyes squeezed shut; but every once in a while she cracks one of 'em for just a tiny peek.

It's making me uncomfortable. The way she's just standing there, letting me do this to her. It's…weird. It's like she trusts me or something.

"Okay, done." I announce once I'm satisfied with the way she looks.

And Vega looks as if she's been thoroughly fucked if I do say so myself.

I smile at my handiwork, before walking over to the sink and hopping up on the counter.

Vega comes toward me and checks herself out in the mirror. Her eyes widen, which makes me smirk. "I look like…I look like…"-

"Like Mama took care of business." I point to myself and wink at her. My god, where the hell did that come from?

Thankfully, she doesn't seem to dwell on my words. She just nods and keeps looking at herself in the mirror. She touches her hair, her clothes, and then she touches her lips. That makes her wince. I can't even call her a baby for that one. They're so swollen they almost look like she's had a mild allergic reaction to something.

"Wait, what about you?" she asks suddenly.

"What about me what?"

"Don't you need to look mussed up too?"

I roll my eyes and pull out my scissors. "No."

"Why not?"

"Cause I'm me and you're you." I shrug nonchalantly as I begin to snip at the ends of my green extensions.

"Are you saying I'm not aggressive?"

I snort. "No, princess, I"-

"I can be aggressive too!" she interrupts.

"I'm sure you can, baby." I patronize as I reach over and pat her head. I'm not even talking to her as if she's a child. I'm talking to her like she's one of those dumb little lapdogs with the microscopic brains.

Then she growls, like a slightly bigger dog, before lunging at me.

My eyes go wide and I drop my scissors. I'm in shock. That's the only reason why she's able to grab me by the waist, yank me off the sink, and then back me up until my lower back crashes against the hard granite surface.

Shit! That hurt like a bitch. And just like that, I'm no longer in shock. I'm ready to kill; but before I can do anything to hurt her, she bites me. Right on my neck, barely an inch above my shoulder.

"Vega!" I squeal. Like a fucking girl. I can't believe she's biting me…again. And there's a very small part of me that likes it. It has nothing to do with Vega. I've always liked being bitten. It hurts, but in this weirdly intense good way.

I bite my lip to keep from moaning and go completely still when Vega grabs a hold of my waist with both hands. She pulls me closer, anchoring me so that she's got better access to my flesh.

I'd push her off, but she's got a good grip on my neck. If I shove her away from me, she'll take a chunk of me with her. Now that would not feel good. I'm not that much of a freak.

Then her hands start to roam, much like the way mine did over her body while I was making her look like she'd really been getting it on in the bathroom. At first, I nearly smack them away so that I can do it myself, but I change my mind. I don't want to seem as though I'm panicking.

That's not me. So I exhale impatiently as if I'm bored and lean back a little, bracing my hands against the sink behind me for support. This is me.

She tugs my shirt up a bit, untucking it from my skirt. Her fingers gently caress the newly exposed skin and that coupled with the constant assault on my neck alone is enough to make me wet.

Control, Jade. Get it together. I inwardly scold myself.

I close my eyes and think about something else. I think about how this isn't supposed to feel good; mainly because I don't like her and she doesn't like me. She's just bruising me so that she can make her ex jealous, and I'm gonna use her the same way.

She runs her hands through my hair, just as roughly as I did hers and she does a little more tugging on my clothes before popping her head off my neck and announcing that she's done.

"Already?" I frown.

She frowns back.

Did I just say that? Blank face Jade. Don't react.

I turn around quickly and pretend to inspect myself in the mirror. Good thing about that move is… I don't have to pretend too long before I'm actually inspecting myself in the mirror.

"So, how's it look?" Vega asks. I can hear the pride in her voice and I just know she's smiling widely. I wanna wipe that satisfied look off her face. I mean, she deserves to wear it because I look just as well fucked as she does, but I like for my Vegas to be unhappy.

"You need to do this part again," I tell her in a bored voice, as I point to my neck.

"What? What's wrong with it?"

"It needs to be darker, Vega. If you're gonna mark me you need to make sure people can see it from a mile away. Otherwise what's the point?" I explain as if she's an idiot, when the truth is, she did just fine.

"Fine!" she relents. "Turn around."

I turn around, and as nonchalantly as I can I expose my neck to her. She doesn't even hesitate. She places both hands on my shoulder and goes for it.

I have to bite my lip to keep from screaming because unfortunately for me, Vega takes direction a little too well. She's biting me so much harder than before and it doesn't feel good at all, not like it did before.

After a few more seconds, my eyes begin to water. God, when is she gonna stop? This really, really, hurts and I've got too much damn pride to tell her to take it easy, to be a little gentler, or to just fucking stop altogether. So, I grab onto her waist and squeeze really hard. I gotta hold onto something.

Vega pulls back and looks into my face. "You okay?"

Ugh, spare me the concerned doe eyes please. "I'm fine. I can handle it." I grunt, letting her know to get back to work.

She hesitates, and I raise my eyebrows. "Come on!" I urge her.

I regret it immediately. I could've told her that what she's done so far is enough; that we we're done. But no, I just have to be the badass.

She rolls her eyes at me and dips her head back into the curve of my neck. I tense up, bracing myself for the pain that's sure to come. I don't mean to. It just happens.

She sighs and lifts her head up. "We can stop, Jade. I think it's dark enough."

Her words are laced with pity and it pisses me off even more. I don't want Vega doing any favors for me. "I said, it's fine!" I hiss.

"It's not fine. It hurts. I can tell."

"You're biting me. Of course it hurts!"

"Well, I don't want to hurt you."

"Well, I want you to!" I yell back, which is a total lie; but there's a look in her eyes like she knows I didn't mean it. She cocks her head to the side; like she's studying me and I immediately narrow my eyes in suspicion.

What the hell is she up to?

"Okay, fine I'll do it; but only if we can do it my way."

I'm tempted to tell her no deal, but think better of it. Agreeing with her will be the fastest way to get this over and done with.

"Fine."

She holds up both her pinkies and I think I'm gonna be sick. A double pinky promise? Who fucking does that?

Fuckin Vega. That's who.

I sigh deeply and link both of my little fingers with hers, but not before telling her how incredibly stupid this is. She ignores me and brings my hands up, wrapping them around her neck. Then she lets her hands fall to my waist.

When her lips touch my neck, I make a conscious effort not to flinch. I don't want Vega to have another wazzfit over hurting me again.

But she doesn't bite me. She kisses my bruised neck instead.

"What are you doing?" I jerk back.

"My way, you promised."

"Yeah but that was before I knew you were gonna"-

"My. Way. Jade." She cuts me off.

You did pinky promise.

I roll my eyes and give Vega my neck. Fucking Tori's back.

"I'm sorry for hurting you." Vega whispers before kissing the bruise again.

"It's fine, just do it." I tell her. My voice is harsh, but I actually feel so much better for some reason.

She presses her teeth against my skin but still doesn't bite, applying just a little bit of pressure before kissing me.

My eyes flutter shut and I find myself relaxing a bit.

Suddenly there's a slight pinching sensation, and I know she's nipped me. I jump, but more from surprise than pain.

Then she starts the kissing again until I've relaxed. When she nips me this time, I'm ready for it. I don't jump, flinch, or wince. I welcome it… because I want it.

Bad.

She kisses me twice more and begins to rub my back before using her teeth the way she did before, the way that hurt. And it still hurts, but not in a bad way. I remember those kisses and I concentrate on her hands gently rubbing my back, and it's not bad at all.

"What about now?" she asks a minute later.

My eyes snap open. Jeez did that really just happen?!

What. The. Fuck.

I turn away from her and look in the mirror. Ouch! That's one loud ass hicky, but I'm careful with my facial expressions. I make sure the surprise doesn't register at all.

"Better." I say calmly before taking her hand in mine. "Come on, let's go."

I hold her hand all the way until we're sitting in front of Wazzbag and Redhead. Damn, our food's not here; which means more idle chitchat.

I can feel Wazzbag staring at us, but I ignore him, making a big show of trying to hide my hicky with my hair and fixing my clothes.

Vega should've let me threaten him with my scissors when I… I frown and abruptly go still. My scissors! I left my scissors in the bathroom.

Everyone looks at me, but only Vega speaks. "Jade, what's wrong?"

"Uh, babe, I think I left my underwear in the bathroom," I make up. Hey, I wasn't gonna say scissors, and everybody already thinks me and Vega did the do. It's the best I could come up with on the spot and I'm really proud of it. I casually addressed our sexual tryst in the bathroom and made it seem like a normal affair.

Wazzbag chokes.

Redhead chokes.

Vega chuckles. I'm actually really surprised she didn't choke too.

"You're just now noticing you don't have them on?" she asks me.

"Shut up. I'll be right back."

She tugs on my wrist, hard, and I fall back into my seat next to her. What the hell?

"You didn't leave them," she explains.

"What?"

"I got em." She winks.

Wazzbag and his girlfriend aren't just blatantly staring anymore; their jaws are flapping as well. I nearly yell at them but they get saved when our server sets down platters of sushi in front of our faces.

"Thank you." Vega tells the server.

Then she looks at me and raises her eyebrows.

She wants me to thank the server as well. "Thanks," I mumble. And for some reason it makes Vega smile.

I scowl back at her.

She kisses my lips.

"Don't be such a grouch. It's your own fault you forgot your panties."

I scowl even more. I hate that word and she knows it. But more than that, I'm left wondering if she's actually pretending to have my underwear just to play along and drive Wazzbag crazy, or does know that I'm talking about my scissors?

I can only think of one way to find out.

"Lemme see." I command, making my voice go low and sensual. I still have a part to play.

"How about…you feel instead." She raises an eyebrow at me, and instantly I feel as though I've been challenged.

Jade West doesn't back down from any challenges. Although I should back down from this one. If I dig around in Vega's pants and my scissors aren't in there….

With much more confidence than I feel, I put my hand on Vega's waist. Wazzbag and Redhead can't see that I'm not really doing anything sexual to her. They can only see that I'm looking down at Vega's pants and that my hands are probably moving around down there.

I smile when I feel the handle. She was talking about my scissors.

"Find what you were looking for?" she smirks.

"Yeah, now let's go back to the bathroom so you can give 'em back."

"Later." She winks just before stuffing her face with raw fish.

Wazzbag chokes again.