Disclaimer: Never did, and I probably never will.

A/N: Okay, I know it's been a while since I updated this, and honestly I didn't know how to do this chapter. I haven't even touched it since I updated chapter 1, and then today, it all just came out. This chapter is a little shorter than the first one. But here it is, after like 3 weeks...

Enjoy.

Chapter 2

I hate myself.

I wish I had never said yes to Jade, that I had just stayed in my room and studied for that damn test like I was supposed to. But no, Jade West just had to climb in through my window at one in the morning and tell me we were going to go have fun. Alright, so I knew we were going to do something stupid and criminal, but I can't say no to Jade. There was this one time I tried to…it didn't end well. I just won't even talk about that.

I was surprised when Cat popped up next to me during class change and told me to go to the bathroom, and then she walked over to the cop and started babbling loudly about the difference between a shiv and a shank, which I have no idea how she knew anything about it. Once I was sure the cop was distracted, I went into the bathroom and found Jade. Two and a half months has gone by since I had last spoken to her, but it isn't my fault. My parents are being really strict about what I could do now, since I'm a juvenile delinquent, or so they say. I only made one bad mistake and I'm not going to do it again! Is that so hard to believe?

I leave the bathroom, the ghost of Jade's lips on mine, and find my police escort. As much as I hate this, I'm glad that Jade can't just walk up to me. But it doesn't mean I don't want to be around her. This drives me insane that we can't be, but it isn't my choice. Cat scares the hell out of me, popping up at my side. She glances at the cop. "So, Craig…"

"My name isn't Craig."

"It's not?" I block out their conversation over what the cop's name was, which is Mark, and head to Sikowitz's class. Jade's already there, sitting by herself in the back of the class. Beck, Robbie, and Andre are talking in hushed tones about something, but I ignore them. They've been jerks lately, not talking to Jade or me. If they don't want to talk to us, they can go fuck themselves. Cat moves to sit in the seat next to me, but I shake my head. The redhead frowns, but she knows why. In the next five seconds, she's sitting in the back of the class with Jade, who's shocked that someone is actually sitting next to her.

Just four more months and hopefully…this thing will be off of my ankle.

Sikowitz's lesson for the day is subtext in terms of acting. I wish Jade and I were able to do this one together because then we would be able to talk without anyone knowing what we were really talking about, except maybe Cat. I don't know how she figured it out, but it was a shock when she did, mainly because she doesn't just point out things like that.

Two days ago…

"Tori, come on…You and Jade are perfect for each other. You two are like a fat shake; you're the fluff and Jade's the brain freeze."

I stare at her in confusion. What the hell was she talking about? Better yet, what was a fat shake? "Okay, first of all, Cat, I don't know what you're even talking about. Jade doesn't feel that way about me, and I don't feel that way about her. And second, we're not supposed to be talking about Jade." I glance over my shoulder at Mark, who's watching Jade at her locker. My escort is actually one of my dad's best friends, which is why he's following me around. Dad didn't trust anyone else to watch after me, like I need a babysitter.

Cat rolls her eyes. "If we don't talk about Jade, then what are we supposed to talk about? I hate choosing between you and her, Tori. You're both my friends and I don't like when you're separated."

"Yeah, well, it's not exactly our choice to be apart like this. And if I even try to talk to her, my parents will yank me out of this school before I can even say 'Hi'." Cat nods like she understands and I actually wonder if she does.

"So if you and Jade weren't apart like this, you would talk to her?" I shrug. "Would you tell her that you love her?"

"Cat, I don't…"

She rolls her eyes. "Fine, so you say you don't love her." She walks away and I stare after her in confusion. What the hell just happened? Does she know something I don't, or is she just being the weird Cat she always is? I have a headache.

Mark takes me home after school, much to my displeasure, and I head for the stairs to go up to my room. "Tori, can you stay down here for a moment? Your mother and I want to talk to you." Oh my god, they know about Jade and me in the bathroom. I knew that was a bad idea. I drop my backpack on the couch and sit, staring up at them. "Look, we know we may have overreacted just a little. Mark won't be watching you at school anymore." Wait, what? "You're still in trouble, but we've decided you're not in prison so you shouldn't have to feel like you are. However, you are still forbidden to talk to that West girl."

"I'm not going to break the law again just by talking to her, Dad." He shoots me a stern look and I sigh. "I won't talk to her, I promise." Like hell I'll keep that promise. I need to talk to Jade or I'll go insane, and no one would want to see that. Besides, we made one stupid mistake, and it isn't going to happen again. At least no one was seriously hurt. "Can I go now? Or do you want to incriminate Jade or me some more?"

My dad's jaw is clenched and I can tell that he's ready to yell at me or something, but I don't care. I'm tired of sitting here and being told what I can and can't do. Hell, I might as well go rob a bank or something. That would give them more cause to actually be angry, instead of just because I hit an elderly woman. What would my dad do, if he were in the same position? What would anyone do if someone was pointing a gun at one of their friends?

Wait, hold up. Did I call Jade a friend? When have Jade and I ever been friends, much less anything other than hateful acquaintances? I mean, I know I've always…you know what? Explanations are boring. You figure it out. My mother points toward the stairs and I grab my backpack, taking my leave and head up to my room. I can't stand when they're like this, but honestly I don't care anymore. If they're going to treat me like a criminal, fine. They'll have a criminal on their hands. I'll just give up on everything I do, just to show them how much worse I can be. Don't do it. And I can't, mostly because if I do I'll never be able to talk to Jade again. They'll withdraw me from Hollywood Arts and I'll end up in some stupid school where everyone wants to know the backstory of the girl who hit a woman.

I know I'm either brave or really stupid. And thanks to Jade, I know it's the latter. Ugh, why does she have to ruin my life? It's fucking ridiculous, and I didn't do a damn thing to her or anyone to deserve this. No, I just have a stupid little freaking crush on her and I can't say no to her. Yeah, that's bullshit. It's not a little crush.

I toss my backpack onto my bed and sit on the edge, staring at my hands in my lap. Why do things have to be like this? Why can't I just…Why did Jade have to kiss me in the bathroom? I should have just turned and walked away. Wasn't that what I was supposed to have done? I could have tried to get over Jade, just tried to forget that we were arrested, or that Trina had told her something that I would have gladly taken to the grave and never let Jade or anyone else know what was going on in my head. But no, I just had to…it's ridiculous.

I wish I had my cell phone or something, but my parents took it from me. I doubt Jade's even tried contacting me, knowing that she can't, but if she has…What have they told her? There's a knock on my bedroom door, and I sigh angrily, wanting to be left alone to my thoughts. Opening my door, I'm nearly knocked off my feet by a flash of red. What the hell is Cat doing here?

She hops onto my bed and stares at me, her head tilted to the side like a puppy. My first thought is that she's just over here to be completely random, but I know better. This is about Jade and me, and damn it, I don't want it to be. I wish she would just forget about it and leave me alone. Jade's the last person I even want to be thinking about right now…And I've been thinking about her all this time. I just can't stop.

Cat finally speaks, and I'm not expecting it when she does. The initial shock wears off. "Your dad said I could only stay for about thirty minutes." That's more time than he'd allow anyone else, since I'm not supposed to have anyone over. Is this supposed to be the "less like prison" thing he mentioned? "So did you two talk like you were supposed to?"

"Yeah, we did, but Cat, you can't do things like that. If we had been caught, I could get in even more trouble, and I'd rather see her every day in the halls than not at all." What am I even saying, and why am I explaining this to Cat? "Besides, I think it's just best if all of us forget about everything. Jade and I are never going to happen. She has Beck. And if I talk to her, there's a chance I'll lose her anyway, so we just…Just forget it, Cat. Get over it. Jade's never going to feel the same, and it's best for me to get over it."

"Screw what's best for you. You want her, don't you? You have to fight for her." I seriously need to get used to Cat being so serious. It's definitely a change from her usual random, cute self. "Tori, if everyone did what was best for them, we'd all be miserable. Take Robbie, for example. If he got rid of Rex, he'd be completely different and let's face it, the boy is actually happy, whether he looks and acts like it or not. What about Beck? If he had just followed his parents' rules, he'd still be living under their roof and he'd never be happy, with or without Jade. And Andre…I can't think of anything for him. He's happy enough no matter what goes on. But that's beside the point. What's best for you and Jade is to stay away from each other, and actually doing that is making you both miserable." She takes a breath, and I stare at her in shock. Usually by now, she'd be going on about something her brother did, but she actually made sense without changing the topic.

"Cat, are you taking medicine or something? You're making sense."

She rolls her eyes. "I never take medicine. I just wish you and Jade would quit being so damn stubborn and do what you want to do, not what's best for you. And she's not with Beck anymore. He broke up with her because she was arrested after he told her to stop doing stupid things. She wants to be with you too, she just doesn't know she does."

"And she never will. I appreciate you coming here to lecture me, but I just want to forget about it, Cat. If you talk to Jade…just let her know that I'll get over her and she won't have to worry about anything."

She stands and pouts. "You're making everything so much harder than it has to be, Tori! Why can't you just accept that you're never going to forget or get over her? It doesn't work like that, and we both know it."

I shrug. "Why are you sent hell-bent on getting us together? It doesn't make any sense, Cat. You never show anything as much attention as you are now and it's freaking me out. Just accept that nothing's going to happen and get over it. Move on. I'm already doing that, and I'm sure Jade already has, so just forget it. I'm tired of talking about Jade when I'm not even supposed to be talking about her. Just go away."

And the look on her face is like being shot in the heart. I know I messed up just by telling her to go away, but I couldn't do anything else. I can't say anything else to her because what's said is said and I can't take it back. Even if I were to say I'm sorry…I can't be forgiven. The damage is already done. She sighs. "I get it, Tori. I'm sorry I even…I'll let Jade know." And with that, she leaves, and I can hear her saying goodbye to my parents downstairs before I hear the front door open and close.

My mother pokes her head in my room. "Is everything okay? Cat looked a little upset when she left." I nod and she smiles a little before closing my bedroom door and returning downstairs.

I'm so torn up about hurting Cat like that and all I want to do is apologize, but I think it's just better if I don't talk to her for a while. Things are complicated enough, whether she or Jade are involved or not, and I can't take it anymore. I just need to be away from both of them, but if I tell my parents that, I'll be out of Hollywood Arts and that's definitely not something I want to lose. I can't go back to Sherwood and I can't leave my friends behind. Wait, what friends? The only ones who talk to me anymore are Cat and Jade, and without them, I've got no one.

Fuck it, that's what I'll have to live with now.

Two days later…

Today is Friday. Cat and Jade haven't spoken to me since Wednesday, but Jade's eyes may as well have burned holes in the back of my head yesterday in Sikowitz's class. I haven't seen either of them this morning, and I can't imagine where they would be unless they both are skipping school today. As I grab my books from my locker, I notice a folded up sheet of paper wedged between two books. How anyone got into my locker is a mystery, considering no one knows the combination.

I unfold the note to reveal the handwriting of none other than Jade West. Why she's writing me a note is beyond me, after all that's been said and done. I figure she should hate me at this point, be so disgusted with me that she can't even bear to look at me, but after staring at me all class period yesterday, I doubt that would be the case. Maybe she's just planning something to get me in even more trouble so that I do get kicked out of here. Maybe that would just be easier for everyone, wouldn't it?

Vega, what the hell was that about with Cat? She showed up at my house at three in the morning, crying about you telling her to go away. I know it happened two days ago, but I wasn't sure how to get this note to you without being near you and Cat isn't exactly best for that right now. Are you insane? You can't hurt Cat like that. She did nothing to you, and if anything, you should hate me. I hope you do because then we could get over this and everything can go back to normal.

No, you know what? Fuck it, I'm done. I'm tired of doing what I'm supposed to. I'm tired of not being able to talk to you, and I'm tired of everything talking shit about you just because I made you do something stupid. So there's only two ways to settle this. Either we say fuck your parents and just get back to talking and being friends and possibly get you withdrawn from school because your parents are arrogant jerks that don't want you to talk to me anymore, OR we can just keep ignoring the fact that something needs to be done about this stupid bullshit.

I think I'll let you decide. Figure it out and if nothing changes by Monday, I'll know my answer.

I refold the paper and glance around the hallway, noticing Jade over by her locker. Knowing that I'm not supposed to approach her, I just wave the note a little when she looks in my direction, and she nods once before going back to digging in her locker. She knows I've read it, so now comes the hard part.

I have to think about it.