A/N: I guess some of y'all have a hard time interpreting my commentary, but that's okay. I will try to make it more clear. Hopefully this chapter will clear up possible confusions from the previous. Review and tell me if I did better on this one.

Disclaimer: Do I have to do this every time?

-XXxXX-

Chapter 3

Jade (time jump; six years)

I kicked a pebble lying innocently on the concrete and growled. Beckett and I had broken up for the third time in our three and a half years of high school. The thing is, I don't feel any sadness or depression or whatever girls feel after a breakup. I don't want to sit in front of my television, stuffing ice cream in my mouth while bawling my eyes out. I really don't. That's the problem now, you see?

Beck's still my best friend, but the connection that was there before was gone. I don't think there was that kind of connection to begin with. My blood red Doc Martens drag against the cemetery dirt as I contemplated the emptiness in my chest. Now that I think about it, I have a feeling Beck was just a person to temporarily fill the hole that was there from the start. Guilt seeps through me as I realized that I had used him. No, no, you didn't use him, you contributed to the relationship just as much as he did. I frowned, but didn't argue with my conscious.

I looked up, curious, when the sunlight gradually disappeared from my line of vision. Grey, bloated clouds were presented in front of me. I then flicked my eyes downwards and met a elegantly crafted tombstone.

In memory of

Victoria Dawn Vega

A Daughter, A Friend, A Savior

Feb. 19. 1994 to May. 17. 2005

If you have a chance to save someone, do it.

Vega? As in Trina Vega? Could this person possibly be related to that talentless wonder? I scoffed, who would've thought, a savior of someone is family to Trina. I saw a flash of light out of the corner of my right eye before a rumbling reached my ears. A soft sprinkle of water danced on my skin. Turning back to the tombstone, I took a mental picture before pivoting on my heel and trotting back to my house.

-XXxXX-

I slammed open the granite door, kicking my boots off. I intended to make a mad dash for the bathroom upstairs to prevent as less water falling to the ground as possible, but before I could put my plan in motion, I took a step and crashed into someone. I sloshed my ebony colored hair out of the way to meet my mother.

"Jadelyn, what are you doing, going out without an umbrella?"

I scowled and replied tersely, "Well, mother, I happened to fancy a walk, just to meet the harsh ways of nature."

I saw her eyes roll in annoyance, with a sigh of exasperation and I knew I had won this round, "Just make sure you you clean up the mess. Your father and I will be going on a business trip for two weeks in Amsterdam. There's an envelope on the door of your room with money and instructions." She placed her hand on the doorknob and made to move before adding, "And don't forget to check up on your brother."

I just nodded, not really hearing her, only bits and pieces. When my mom finally exited, I took two steps at a time up the stairwell. I shivered when the biting air hit my skin as I removed my clothing articles.

After taking a steaming shower, I dressed in black pajamas before pulling out my laptop. I put all of my researching abilities to work. I found out that, "Victoria Vega is daughter to David Vega. Mr. Vega is also the father to Katrina Vega… Oh good lord."

The emptiness in me made itself known again as I read that line off the website. I leaned back on my propped up pillow and sighed. Why did I feel this odd need to find out what this Victoria did to save a life and who the person was?

-XXxXX-

The next day at school, I cornered Trina, Jet Brew coffee in hand, and drilled her about the graveyard girl, "Hey talentless Vega, you ever hear of a Victoria Dawn Vega?"

I rose my pierced eyebrow when her face drained of color, "How did you hear of her," she whispered, nose scrunched and eyebrows creased.

Cocking my hip out I returned, "What is it to you? She your sister? Hmm? Don't feel like talking about someone related to you who was probably more talented than you ever will be, huh?" I knew what I said was a bit more harsh than what I usually go for, but I wanted answers.

Trina's face darkened and she moved for a defensive stance, "Shut up, witch. You don't know anything about me."

I was a tad surprised at her hostility but wasn't deterred, "Who the hell is she? Who did she save?"

"Why do you need to know?!" she screamed. At this point, she donned a look of fury. Several students turned heads in curiosity. They were most likely wondering how long Trina had to live. My eyes shifted into icy blue as I glared at them, "Look, Trina, I may not be the kindest to you, but I truly want to know about her. Tell me." I was borderline begging and I hated it.

She still looked pretty steamed, but her face softened into a neutral expression, "I… she was my sister. I'm not too sure what happened. She was in the house the whole day, but she was found in an alley, the one down Sunset. Trina took a shaky breath, "She was battered an… and her face was mauled. It was caked with blood. And when she was taken in for inspection, her back had so many whiplashes." She started to choke up but I urged her to continue.

"It was later discovered that in the same night, the same alley my baby sister was found in, a rapist was there with a brown haired girl. I think they said she was 'bout eleven or twelve. She escaped though, only good thing that came out of that night."

"The police thought that Tori somehow saved that girl, the one who was almost raped. And that she took the blow for the girl," Trina's face etched in confusion, "The weird thing is… they mentioned that girl's name was Jade West, same as you. What a coincidence, huh?"

My eyes widened as realization dawned on me. I suddenly felt like I was unable to breath. I staggered forward and clutched onto one of the lockers. "It can't be. No, no it's not! I'm not the reason someone dead! I'm not responsible!"

Trina's mouth was moving, but I heard nothing. My world was spinning around me. My eyes swam with blurred lines. "I'm not responsible!" I cry out before I lost feeling and crashed to the floor.

-XXxXX-

I woke up feeling dazed and sore. The room I was in was dark but a thin strip of light caught my eyes. I swung my legs over the uncomfortable mattress and made my way cautiously. My fingers groped for a door handle. They hit cold metal and I twisted it slowly. I had my dominant hand raised, ready for any attackers. My eyes squinted at the brightness. I heard a click on the left and snapped my head, paranoia evident. To my relief, it was the school nurse, "How did I get here?"

"Oh, Jade, you're awake. Trina came in with you, mentioned you fainted from shock."

"I don't do fainting," I scowled, "I'm going, now." I stalked out, grabbing my bag I noticed on the chair next to the door.

I wasn't down to continue school, so I got in my prized, black car and drove around to clear my mind. I reviewed what Trina told me and immediately grew nauseated again. Pulling over, I staggered out, gripping the hood. I took a deep breath and out, repeating several times more. I slowly lifted my head and smiled dryly when the same cemetery Victoria was in came into view.

My feet jerked forward and I had to steady myself a couple of times on the tombstones. A few yards ahead, my eyes met the grave of her. I moved accordingly and in the final steps, I collapsed on my knees before her. "I'm so, so sorry that you died for me. You shouldn't have, I don't even deserve to live. What's the point anyways?" I was in agony, my whole body trembled for the girl who sacrificed herself for me. My eyes grew watery and I smiled again, "Thank you, though, for saving me. I won't let it go to waste," I whispered. I shifted my legs so now they were encircled in my arms. Tears were dripping down my face, but I ignored them. I was finished feeling sorry for myself. It is time to make the persona of Jade West real. She was a screenplay writer, a badass who doesn't take crap from anyone. I stood up, saluted Victoria, and said another word of thanks before leaving once more. The feeling of emptiness is just a faint throb now.

-XXxXX-

Tori

I looked down at my Jade walking away from the graveyard, no traces of tears or sadness, and proudly grinned. The Reaper may have taken my life and separated me from Jade, but to me, it was all worth it.

"I love you, Jade. Someday we will be reunited, but until then."