A/N: No you're not imagining things. I finally updated! I'm terribly sorry for the long wait.

I appreciate all of you have waited patiently and stuck around.

The Jori-ness will slowly build up, but nevertheless it will happen (;

Now, here you go! I really hope you like it!

Side note:

Bold font = Jade

Just boldTori

It'll come up later towards the end.

Enjoy!

Tori massaged her sore hand before gathering her textbooks and leaving the quickly crowding lecture hall. Sometime she wondered how people could be rude to simply push others out of the way to get a seat. The nerve!She thought glaring at a blonde girl who nearly knocked her books out of her hands as she passed Tori, almost knocking her down. She hadn't even spared the brunette a look as she took the seat that had been Tori's moments before. She quickly left the building, brushing off the blonde girl's impolite shove. She was just glad her day of classes had finally ended.

It had only been a couple of days since she'd broken down at the park. The thought of what had happened at the park still angered the brunette. She didn't understand why she broke down and most importantly in front of Jade. She'd thought she had her emotions in check, but that only served to prove her wrong. Jade wasn't even her friend for crying out loud! Everything she had fought to keep in had simply flowed out of her with the raven haired woman. Why? It took years with Cat to build such a trusted friendship and even now at times she found it difficult to open to her red head best friend.

Her running never ceased, but since the encounter with the raven haired girl Tori had made sure to change both her route and workout time. It meant she had to be out and about an hour earlier before sunset, but it was worth every second. Running, aside from all the school work, helped keep her thoughts in distraction.

Distraction. That seemed to be all Tori wanted these days; a distraction from school, a distraction from work, a distraction from her mother's illness, a distraction from a certain colored eyed girl. Class seemed to pass like a blur. School was almost a month in already and Tori figured she'd be used to such a busy schedule by now. She was taking five courses, worked part time and was helping some on campus organizations.

She felt like she was caring the weight of the world on her shoulders. She'd done everything possible to make sure she wasn't around when the Goth was. She held nothing against the woman, at least she didn't think she did. There would be moments where she would see the red head and the pale woman together and deep down Tori couldn't explain why she felt a sudden tightening in her stomach. It was almost as if she were...jealous. No. That was impossible. It was a silly idea, but then what was she felt in the pit of her stomach every time she saw Jade kiss Cat?

The memory of how the woman had tried to kiss her when she had a girlfriend, a girlfriend who happened to be her best friend, upset Tori. She adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder and huffed away a strand of hair from her face. It was only a couple of classes but the amount of textbooks required for a day made it feel like she was in high school again.

From a distance she noticed the familiar pale woman talking with couple of young ladies. Tori furrowed her brows and began to walk another route to avoid the Goth. Before she could make it far enough Jade spotted her and chased after waving in attempt to stop the brunette's tracks.

Tori continued to walk ignoring the woman and allowing her thoughts list the assignments she had to get done before the deadlines.

"Hey, Vega! Wait up!" Jade breathed finally managing to catch up to Tori.

"Jade I really need to go. I..."

"Were you trying to avoid just then?" Jade asked stepping in front of the woman to prevent her from continuing to walk.

Tori raised a brow. Avoiding was an understatement. Tori was never around when Jade was. "Don't flatter yourself, Jade. I've been busy," she bluntly responded.

Jade crossed her arms. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were cross with me."

"What a shame you don't know better." Tori replied shifting her books to lessen the weight on her fractured hand. Tori had grown frustrated with the restrictions of her right hand. The band was itchy and uncomfortable and she had to wear it for three weeks. That only served to make her day more difficult than necessary. It was times like these she was glad her assignments were typed rather than written.

"Did I do something wrong?" Jade question perplexed by the brunette's response.

"Jade I have a lot of work to do. Can this wait?" Tori sighed meeting the questioning green eyes.

"It'd be possible if you allowed me to see you later. You're never around. Why is that?" Jade pressed with a slight hint of anger in her voice.

Maybe because your mouth is always glued to Cat's. Tori blushed at the sudden thought. Where did that come from? "Go play with your friends. I really need to go." Tori said ignoring the appalling thought she'd just had. She rested the books against her chest, allowing no weight against her uncomfortable hand.

"Play? Tori..." Jade began raising a brow.

Tori growled in annoyance. She'd run out of patience. "Jade, I think we need to get something clear," she spoke harsher than intended.

Jade pursed in her lips in attempt not to smirk. Tori was pretty adorable when she was upset, she thought. "And what exactly is that?" she asked resting her hands down on her hips. She shifted her weight to her right leg and waited for the brunette's answer.

"I'm upset with you, okay? Upset because despite you clearly having a girlfriend you tried to kiss me." Tori snapped. "We may have agreed to be friends for Cat's sake but it doesn't change the fact that you tried to kiss me when you were seeing my best friend. And now you just can't seem to stop flirting with the rest of the student body! I'm sorry if can't help but feel the slightest annoyed by your in appropriate behavior." Her voice raised the slightest as she gestured back to where moments before Jade had been talking to some pupils.

A hurt look crossed the green eyes, immediately emitting guilt in the tanned woman for her sudden snap.

Jade stared at the brunette silently. After a moment a shy smile formed across the rosy lips as she spoke. "I've never tried to kiss someone like that. I mean I know it was wrong, but I've never done that. I am sorry about the way I acted toward you that day, it was uncalled for. I just want you to understand that that's never happened to me." She said blushing.

She blushed. Jade was blushing, Tori thought.

"I would never try to hurt Cat. She's an amazing girl and I really care about her. You have all the right to be upset with me." Jade finished dropping her gaze.

Tori sighed. "Look, Jade I just needed to get that off my chest. I mean I didn't know how to react when you appeared at my apartment the following day." She thought about how she allowed herself the idea of something possibly happening between her the mysterious pale woman from the bookstore. She shoved away the memory, ignoring how stupid she'd felt after. "You just need to know that if you hurt Cat in any way I will hunt you down, and I mean literally, hunt you down if you dare break her heart, am I clear?" Tori said in the most threatening voice she could muster.

Jade blinked. Tori Vega was feisty, she thought before nodding. "Loud and clear, Vega," she smiled. She noticed the brunette's discomfort. "Can I help you with those? You look like you're about to fall back," Jade smirked motioning to the textbooks.

Tori nodded, internally thanking the Goth. Her hand was beginning to burn.

"It'll be off in a couple of weeks." Jade spoke as they began to walk. She'd noticed how uncomfortable she'd been, but decided it was best not to mention it. Jade could tell Tori hated having to be restrained.

Tori nodded and looked at the wrapped hand. She thought about why she was hurt and felt guilty once again for snapping at the Goth. A few days back she had been holding her while she cried and now just moments before Tori had snapped at her for no given reason.

"Sorry," Tori mumbled.

Jade gave her a puzzled look. "For?"

"I didn't mean to snap at you. I..." Brown eyes remained focused on the band hand. "You were just trying to be nice to me. It was uncalled for." Tori scold at herself mentally.

Jade chuckled. "Vega, give yourself a break. I understand. Cat's your best friend and you're just looking out for her. She's lucky to have such a great friend like you, you know."

Tori looked up, praying the growing blush wasn't too obvious when Jade gave her a sincere smile. She felt a tickling in her stomach. Is it lunch time already?She thought. Her stomach felt funny. She was sure she'd eaten enough for breakfast in the morning.

"So, where to Captain?" Jade asked raising the books and pulling the brunette from her thoughts. "These aren't light you know," she claimed pouting her lip.

Tori laughed. "Oh I know." She grinned widely and led Jade to where her car was.

How had that happened? They'd gone from serious to playful in seconds. Tori shook her head in amusement as she watched the Goth shift the books every so often. She looks so cute when she pouts, Tori thought. What? No I mean… Tori growled inwardly annoyed with her random thoughts. What was going on? Maybe it was the heat.

Jade almost lost her balance and let out a small squeak causing Tori to let out a small chuckle. That was too cute, she thought. Okay it's definitely the heat, she rationalized.

...

Cat had been pacing back and forth for nearly fifteen minutes now. She kept her brown eyes glued to the three DVD cases that lay neatly alined on the coffee table. Tori rolled her eyes. As much as she loved her best friend, she sometimes wondered how she managed to have so much patience with the small red head. Usually on Fridays the two women stayed home and watched movies in the days they were lucky enough to have the day off together.

With their different schedules and Cat's new girlfriend it was often hard for the two just to hang out. Tori huffed and crossed and uncrossed her arms in agitation. "Cat..."

"Wait I almost have it!" she grinned. Finally making a decision she reached over and grabbed the DVD in the middle. Tori shook her head in amusement. She wandered if the red head was aware of her habit. She arranged the movies in line when it was her turn to choose and every single time she would decide on the middle movie.

"Not a bad call," Tori smiled. A knock from the door claimed both their attention as Cat played he movie in the DVD player.

Cat glanced over her shoulder looking at the brunette over on the couch and the door. "You gonna get that?" She asked giving her a look that gave her no other option.

Tori sighed playfully. "Fine. Not like I had much of a choice any way." She grumbled before answering the door. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Jade, what're you doing here?"

A smirk grew along the pale features. "Way to greet someone, Vega."

Tori blushed realizing how crude her reaction had been.

"Are you going to let me in?" Jade raised a brow, gesturing to the door Tori was clutching at. She smiled in amusement as the brunette's blush darkened.

"Cat, Jade's here!" Tori announced stepping aside to allow the woman access and closing the front door. She made her way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. She could hear the red head giggling in the other room. Tori couldn't help but wonder what Jade could have said to make her giggle. Was it funny? She wanted to know what was said. She wanted to be in the other room with the raven haired woman. What? She thought. Come on Tori, get yourself together. You're just being silly. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She gave herself another breath and took a big gulp from the water bottle. Okay, she thought and walked back into the other room.

"Tori! We'd thought you'd gotten lost in there," Cat giggled.

Jade sat on one end of the couch with Cat curled up beside her. "Yeah, Vega. We were about to send search party for you," she said with a smirk.

Tori rolled her eyes at their dramatic statement and took a seat on the farthest single couch by the television. She wrapped herself in her hoodie and watched as the movie began playing on the screen. From the corner of her eye she could see the way Cat rested her head against Jade's shoulder. Tori forced her eyes away when Jade leaned her cheek atop of the red head's.

What is wrong with you? Her thoughts hissed. Have you lost your mind? She bit the inside of her cheek, cursing herself. It had to be all the stress. It was causing her to feel things that weren't really there. They weren't there. She sighed. Just relax, Tori. She's your friend. She's your best friend's girlfriend. Tori sat up and stretched her legs out. As she stretched her arms and leaned back she managed to get a glimpse of the couple locking lips.

Tori suddenly stood. She dusted off her sweater and sweats scrunching her brows together in an almost thoughtful manner.

"Where are you going?" Cat asked watching Tori stand. She sat up breaking the embrace with the Goth and looked up at her friend in concern.

Tori skittishly rubbed her neck. "I'm throwing in the white flag. I'm really tired." She said and covering her mouth and feigning a yawn.

"But the movie isn't even half way through," Cat pouted.

Jade raised a silent questionable brow at the brunette.

"I know. I'm sorry. Rain check, I promise." Brown eyes briefly glanced at the raven haired woman. "I'm just really tired, Cat. And I just remembered I have a meeting first thing tomorrow morning."

Cat let out a disappointed sigh. "Okay," she decided leaning back against the couch like a disappointed child.

"I'll make it up to you, promise. We'll go to the movies next Friday night." Tori said giving her friend a promising smile.

Cat quickly lit up and nodded, "Yeah! Kay kay!"

Tori exchanged a good night with both women and went off to her room. Before she closed the door she heard the red head mention something about getting more snacks from down the hall. Tori chuckled. Cat did love to eat.

I'll be going for quite a run tomorrow, she thought glancing over at the time. It was still early. She looked down at her phone when she felt it vibrate. New Text Message it read. Curiously Tori opened the message.

So what's the real reason fun sponge?

Tori's jaw dropped is awe. She read the message at least three times making she she'd read it correctly. Jade?

I don't know what you're talking about, Tori quickly replied. She walked over to her bed and laid back. She felt so exhausted from working on the assignments all day after school. Again her phone vibrated. New Text Message.

Right. Was it me?

Tori scoffed. Not everything is about you, ya know! She replied. A moment passed and Tori felt a wave of disappointment fall over her. Maybe she'd been too harsh.

Usually is {;

Tori laughed and rolled her eyes.

You're so modest.

I try.

Before she could reply another message was received. Are you going to tell me? Or are you going to keep lying?

She's fast, Tori thought. Tori decided to play along with Jade's little game. I had other arrangements. And send.

Of course you did. Jeez, Tori could almost see the Goth roll her eyes.

Tori became irritated with the accusation. And what do you know? She questioned.

I know you're a terrible liar. Tori could practically hear the smirk through the words.

For your information, I do have to meet with my organization tomorrow morning. Tori replied furiously.

Okay and what exactly is 'morning' to you, Vega?

Really? Even in a text she called her that? Tori huffed and replied. She'd hate to admit it, but she was actually amused but the conversation they were having.

You and I have different definitions of early, Jade.

I know. I'm not the nut job running at four in the morning.

Tori blushed. Oh, she knew about her new workout schedule. I prefer the solitude, she bluntly replied.

I get it. I like to walk alone at night. Was the quick response.

Was that supposed to be a secret? Tori stared at the message for a moment. Why did she tell her that? A thought dawned on Tori and she felt herself blush.

How did you get my number?

Tori could have sworn she heard Jade laugh at that. Next time you call someone, make sure you dial the correct extension for private.

Her cheeks were burning furiously. She'd known about the call all along? Oh God this is humiliating, she thought and groaned out loud.

Keep it down in there, Vega! I'm trying to watch a movie!

Tori couldn't help but laugh at the woman's reply. She quickly replied and set her phone on her lamp drawer. Brown eyes were beginning to close when her phone vibrated once more.

Goodnight, Tori. Sweet dreams (:

Tori felt a tingling sensation in her stomach as she read the words. There it was again. What was up with her stomach? She locked her phone and set back down. The only thought in her mind being the last words she read as she fell into a peaceful slumber.

Goodnight, Tori. Sweet dreams.

A/N: I know it took ages for this, I'll do my best not to let so much time pass for the next chapter, promise.

I've started school and I'm working. So I've been pretty booked these last couple of months, but fear not! I have a one shot coming up soon in the next few days (;

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