I made my way nervously through the rapidly-emptying school corridors to the janitor's closet. It was the day after my talk with Cat, and I was starting to feel a little more relaxed about the… incident, though there was still a bit of awkwardness, especially between me and Jade. I knew there was one more apology I needed to make. I'd texted Jade to meet me at the janitor's closet after school, which required me to once again forfeit my ride home with Trina. Well, if one good thing had come of this mess, it was that at least I was getting plenty of exercise walking home all the time.

I saw Jade standing in front of the closet, looking impatient and pissed-off. I had half-expected her not to show, but she had. Once again I wasn't sure whether I was relieved or disappointed. I'd chosen after-school because there would be less people around to hear if things turned bad and we ended up yelling at each other. But now I belatedly realised that there would also be no one around to help me if Jade got violent. I considered turning around and leaving, but I'd put this off long enough. And then she saw me, and the decision was taken out of my hands.

"What do you want, Vega?" She sounded just as annoyed as ever. Would I always have this effect on her?

"Not out here," I said, guiding her into the closet and closing the door behind us. "We need to talk."

She stood there with her arms crossed, looking at me expectantly. "So talk."

I took a deep breath, and hoped I didn't choke on the words. "I just wanted to… apologise." She quirked an eyebrow at me in surprise. At least, I hoped it was surprise and not contempt. I continued: "I'm sorry I thought the worst of you before. It was silly and mean of me to think that you would use what happened that night against me. And when I didn't understand the situation, instead of suspecting you, I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. And I didn't, and that makes me a bad friend. So.. I'm sorry. And I hope that we can get past whatever awkwardness there is between us, and try to be friends again. Well, sorta friends… Well, whatever it was that we were…" She just stared at me, expressionless. "Jade, come on!" I begged. "I talked to Cat, and I fixed things with her. And I know now that Saturday night was her idea. I'm trying to fix things with you as well. I don't know what else I can do!" She continued to regard me coolly. I gave her my best puppy-dog eyes - I'd seen Cat have occasional success against Jade with her own version of the puppy-dog face, so I thought I could at least give it a try.

After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, Jade seemed to relax a little. "Your apology has been acknowledged; acceptance is pending. Just don't expect us to hug it out!"

I let out a sigh of relief. It was probably the best I was going to get from Jade. I'll take it. "Thank you. And I'm prepared to forego my hug, just this once." I grinned at her cheekily. She did her best to glare back at me, but the coldness of just a few moments ago had left her gaze, replaced with a kind of mildly annoyed and resigned tolerance that I often saw her directing towards Cat. I considered that a minor victory, against what could have been a catastrophic defeat.

"But if you ever make Cat cry again, there'll be consequences!" And welcome back , Fierce Jade. Had to get the last word in. Or threat, as the case may be. I just rolled my eyes.

Without another word, Jade strode past me, snatched open the door, and headed back out into the corridor.

A second later, I awkwardly chased after her. "Umm, Jade? I don't suppose you could give me a lift home? Trina's already left."