"Good morning," Beck says, rolling over in bed, "How's your head, babe?"
"Throbbing," I reply, "What time did we get back?"
"About 4," he laughs, "I think Jade crashed on our couch."
"Jade?" I frown, "How did that happen?"
"She got really upset about something," he explains, pushing up onto his elbows, "I think Ryder dumped her, and she had a fight with her dad, and she didn't want to go home. You found her, crying in the corner, and you felt sorry for her, so we brought her back here. We came upstairs and had sex-"
"Obviously," I interject and he smirks.
"-and then we fell asleep," he continues.
"What time is it?" I ask, "Like 10?"
"About 12," he says, "I was gonna make some brunch?"
"Yeah, okay, let's go and make pancakes," I say, jumping out of bed.
"You might wanna get dressed, babe," he laughs, "We've got company, remember?"
"Yeah, okay," I laugh, putting on a crop top and jogging shorts, "Come on, Mister, put some trousers on and we'll go have breakfast with Jade."
He pulls on some pyjama bottoms and throws an arm around my shoulder; we walk downstairs side-by-side and into the kitchen. Jade is still fast asleep on the couch, and as Beck goes to wake her up, I get ingredients out of the fridge. "Wha?" Jade groans, "Where am I?"
"You're at ours," Beck says quietly, "You came back here after Cat's party, you slept on our couch."
"Why?" she asks quietly, "Why didn't I go home?"
"You said you didn't want to," I reply, passing her a bottle of water, "How's your hangover?"
"Bad," she says, "What time is it?"
"12," Beck replies, "Tori, I'm gonna make some pancakes. Jade, do you want some?"
"Please," Jade nods, "So what happened last night?"
"We were just talking about it," I laugh, "I literally can't remember anything either, and I haven't checked my messages yet so I don't know what we got up to."
"Yeah, I should probably check mine," Jade says, reaching for her phone on the table, "Oh shit, I have so many missed calls."
"Beck," I say and he looks round.
"What's up?" he asks seriously, noting my tone of voice, "Has something happened?"
"André and Lisa broke up," I say sadly and his jaw drops.
"No!" he gasps, "I can't believe it, that's awful! Why?"
"I don't know," I frown, scrolling through my news feed.
"I think I do," Jade says, flashing up a text message from André which she shows to us and I groan.
"I thought he ended that," I say, dialling his number.
"Wait, wait, you knew about this?" Jade says, "You knew he was seeing Jane?"
"Yeah, yeah," I say, already on the phone, "Listen; I promise I'll explain later, to both of you, but right now I have to make sure he's okay." The phone rings twice and then André picks up, moaning. "André?" I say quietly, "Baby, you okay?"
"I've done some really dumb shit in my time," he says, "But this has got to take the biscuit."
"I know," I reply, "but don't worry, we can fix it."
"You clearly didn't hear about the fight that went down," he says, laughing ruefully, "Lisa threw all of Cat's best plates at me. I've been in the hospital all morning getting stitches."
"What?" I gasp, "André, hang on, we'll be right there." I put my hand over the mouthpiece and tell them, "André's in hospital. Lisa threw something at him and he needs stitches."
"Come on," Beck says, "Jade, we'll be two minutes; we just need to get changed."
"André?" I say, "We'll be there in 20 minutes – we're bringing Jade with us."
"Sure," he groans, "Yeah, okay, I'll see you in a bit, Tor."
I hang up and turn to Beck, who throws me some underwear and a tank top. I don't bother changing my shorts, instead fumbling in my closet for some sneakers, before flying back downstairs, throwing Beck his car keys and the three of us run outside.
"Explain," Beck says sharply, "How long have you known?"
"Not long," I reply, "You know what he's like, he's driven by his dick. I think he went back to hers after the premiere and they slept together. Since then, he's seen her pretty much every weekend, he's been lying to Lisa for ages."
"Why didn't you say something?" he snaps, "Don't you think I had a right to know?"
"He's my best friend," I say defensively, "What would you have done, Beck? He's always kept my secrets, always, and I had to do the same for him."
"You still should have told me," Beck says angrily.
"And said what exactly?" I ask, "What would you have done?"
"Told him to back off," he replies, "Jane deserves better, and so does Lisa."
"I reckon that's up to Jane actually," I say angrily, "I don't think it's any of your business, Beck."
"That's not the point!" he shouts, and I let out a squeal of frustration, slamming my hand down on the dashboard.
"Of course it is," I reply, "Or do you think that I endorsed his behaviour? Am I no better than him for sleeping with you the night you broke up with Jade? Is that what you're saying?"
"Tori!" Jade gasps, but I wave her off, looking at Beck expectantly.
"Of course not," he replies, "I'm just saying I don't like it."
"It's none of your business," I insist, "If Jane wants to go out with André, that's up to her. I'm not saying what he's done is right, but it's happened now."
"I get that," Beck says, "I was just saying-"
"Well, don't just say," I snap, "I'm not interested right now, I just want to see André. Jade and I are gonna go in, you can go home. I'll see you back there when I'm done."
"Tori," he says quietly, but I shake my head.
"Let's go, Jade," I say, sliding out of the car and walking into the hospital without another word.
"How is he?" Beck asks and I frown, throwing my bag down on the couch.
"He'll live," I reply, "They're keeping him in, but Jade's sitting with him."
"And are you still angry at me?" he asks, sitting down.
"I just don't get why you felt the need to rip my head off," I say, "I know what he did was wrong, but what would you have done in my position?"
"I'm sorry," he says sincerely, "I was just shocked. I expected better from André."
"I know, but you can't hold it against him now," I murmur, "You know him too well to let this ruin your friendship now. I mean, by all means, rip him one for it. God knows I've done the same, many times, but I don't want you upsetting him until he's better."
"You're right," he replies, "I was just stressed out and it was a shock to hear that."
"It's okay," I reply, "Babe, I just need to know that you don't blame me."
"How can you even think that?" he says, taking both my hands, "Victoria, I love you. I'm in love with you. I don't think I've ever loved someone as much as I love you. It was a shock to hear about André, but that doesn't mean I've changed my opinion of you."
"I love you too," I reply, leaning in and kissing him gently, "I'm sorry we fought."
"It's okay, it's my fault," he insists, "So are Jane and André gonna give things a go?"
"I don't know," I frown, "I spoke to Jane about it all and she said that she'd never thought she'd be the other woman, so I guess she really likes him."
"Do you think he could make her happy?" he asks, concerned.
"I think he could try," I reply, "and that's all we can ask of him. Now, I have something else I want to talk to you about."
"Is it Max?" he frowns, "He called twice while you were out but I hung up."
"Yes, it's Max," I agree, "Darling, you can't just block him out – you're going to have to speak to him sooner or later. We're going to see him at all the awards shows, you're going to have to pretend you get on for the press, you could at least try and make things up with him."
"Why should I?" he says childishly, "He totally screwed me over, Tor, I don't trust him."
"He's found you another job," I say, ignoring him, "That's probably why he was calling. I'm gonna call him back, see if I can fix a meeting for you. Apparently he's got a script. He could probably even fix a meeting with the director of whatever project it is."
"I don't want anything from him," he snaps, and I roll my eyes.
"Then you're cutting your nose off to spite your face," I reply sharply, "If you get a bad reputation, you won't work again. Are you really going to do that?"
"Sweethearts on the rocks? Hollywood power couple Tori Vega and Beck Oliver are riding the waves of their success, but it seems all may not be well behind closed doors. After not being pictured together for over a week, they made their first public appearance together on Friday night at a friend's birthday bash. The couple looked happy and seemed to be celebrating the news that they had both been nominated for Golden Globes.
They left the party at 3 o'clock in the morning, accompanied by another girl, whom sources suggest is Jade West, a member of their graduating class. West is also an actress and is rumoured to be the star of James Wan's latest film. The trio returned to Vega and Oliver's home in the Hills, and were not seen again until the next day.
At about half past 12, the trio emerged. They seemed to be in a rush and were next seen outside the hospital; Vega was dressed down and didn't seem to feel the cold in only a pair of shorts, a tank top and sneakers, while Oliver wore a black t-shirt and a pair of tartan pyjama bottoms. Sources suggest that the couple bickered for the entire journey, and when they pulled up outside the hospital, Tori and Jade walked inside without Beck, who drove home. Vega returned home about an hour later and neighbours reported shouting from within their residence. There is currently no information as to the reasons for their disagreement; however, any new information will follow so watch this space."
"Baby?" I shout, hearing the door close downstairs, "Is that you?"
"Yeah!" Beck replies, "Where are you?"
"In our room," I call, and I hear movement on the stairs, "How was the audition?"
"Yeah, good," he says, sticking his head round the door, "I got the part."
"You got the part?!" I squeal, "Oh my God, babe, congratulations!" I jump up and throw my arms round his neck, kissing him deeply. "So what's the part?"
"It's a film based on a young adult series by Kathy Reichs," he begins and I squeal, dropping my hair straighteners.
"What?!" I say, "You're making a movie of Virals? You better not be kidding."
"You know Virals?" he asks, "I haven't read it."
"It's like the best series ever," I gasp, running to my book shelf and pulling out the copy. It's well-read and old and he smiles as he catches it. "So you got the role of Ben?"
"Yeah," he says, "How did you know?"
"Because you're perfect for that part," I reply, "Who's playing Tory?"
"They haven't cast her yet," he explains, "I'm the first one on board."
"Brilliant," I squeal, "Who's the director?"
"Max said you know him actually," he replies, "He's called Jackson Holmes."
"Yes!" I gasp, "Oh my god, everything is coming up roses! I'm gonna give him a call right now, I want in on this film."
"What?" Beck says, "Why?"
"Because this is the best book series I've ever read and I don't want anyone ruining it when they make the film," I explain, "I've read it more times than I can count and I know it inside out. It's funny and believable and amazing and I don't want them to lose any of that when they make it. I want in. I'm gonna call him right now."
"You don't want to audition for Tory?" he laughs, "It only seems right – you've got the same name!"
"I am all wrong for that part," I insist, "I don't want it. Stop distracting me, I need to call Jazz. Oh hang on, when does the shoot start?"
"About three months' time," he replies and I clap my hands.
"That's awesome," I reply, "That gives me time to wrap this movie."
"What about Wicked?" he asks, "Don't you want that?"
"That's not even in pre-production yet," I reply, "Stephen knows he wants to do it, and the plans are all moving forwards, but my audition is not for a couple of months. Wicked is a way off yet, and if this movie has the success it deserves, it will become a five piece. I can do other movies in between and still work on this."
"Slow down, Victoria," Beck says sternly, "You haven't even spoken to Jackson yet."
"Eh, a mere technicality," I shrug, "Have a shower, babe, your hair is a mess. I've got a phone call to make."