Odd Morning
Beck was sitting beside Tori in Sikowitz's class. They had just sat through a scene by Jade and another girl from their class.
"Jade that was dreadful, much under your usual level. Are you alright?" In uncharacteristically serious tone their teacher asked.
"Whatever" That was the only word he got out of Jade before she sat back down. Beck, along with most of the class, looked on the strange behavior of their otherwise lively and sarcastic classmate. She has been like that whole week. Instead of her usual energetic if scary self she was just going through the motions. She didn't participate in class unless called, and even then gave the bare minimum. Beck was beginning to worry. He had never seen Jade like that. Still he was hesitant to interfere directly since Jade might misinterpret his intentions. After the third class his curiosity got the better of him and he caught up with Cat in a more private corner on the school halls.
"Cat do you know what is going on with Jade? She hasn't been herself the last several days." He asked the bubbly redhead. She was the one with most contact with Jade from the group during the last two weeks.
"I'm not sure. When I stopped by on Sunday she was listening sad music instead the usual angry one." Beck frowned, that was a bad sign. When Jade was in a funk she just listened to her "angry music" louder. Sad music was reserved for real crises. He had heard her listen to in no more than half a dozen times in the last two and a half years.
"Did she tell you why she was so down?" it wasn't like Jade to wallow in misery. Usually she dealt with misery by inflicting it on others.
"No, she didn't talk much." Cat said while playing with her phone. "But something strange did happen, when I tried to braid her hair she didn't chase me away with scissors as usual." Then she showed him a picture of Jade with braids, which she had obviously taken that day. Beck could hardly believe his eyes. Jade had not only allowed Cat to braid her hair but to take a picture of her in that state! She must really be out of it.
"Was there something else?" Beck asked her after she put away the picture.
"No, I don't think so." Beck's hesitance prevailed and he didn't ask more questions. It still felt very weird to think about Jade as an ex. He cared about her but didn't know how to show it without giving her false hope.
"Thanks Cat." He turned and headed to the Black Box Theatre for his acting practice.
"No problem. I'll see you tonight." Cat called after him and began walking in the opposite direction.
"What? Why?" Beck turned to ask her but she had already turned the corner. He wasn't aware of any plans of the gang to meet tonight. He decided to ask Tori later. Just outside he saw the guy who he had seen hanging out with Jade couple of time in the past few weeks. The guy saw him and headed his way. Beck racked his brain to remember his name, he was sure Jade or Cat had mentioned it. Finally as the guy was about to address him he remembered that the name was Brian.
"Hi, are you Beck? Jade's ex." Beck looked over the guy. He was tall, two-three inches taller than him, a bit lanky, with an attractive face.
"Yes, that's me." Beck replied wondering what Brian could want with him.
"I'm her partner in the play." The taller boy explained, taking Beck's expression of puzzlement for inability to recall who he was.
"Oh yes, Brian was it." Beck answered more engagingly this time.
"Yes, have you seen her? She was supposed to be here an hour ago for rehearsal." Brian asked with concern.
"No, I haven't seen her since our second class, with Sikowitz." Beck was realizing that this was strange. Where could Jade be, it wasn't like her to ditch a play, especially if she had the lead role in it.
"Well thanks anyway." Brian nodded at him and walked of. After the class Beck headed over to the Asphalt Café for lunch. There he bought his lunch and headed to the gang's table. Tori was already waiting him there. She greeted him with a kiss. Forgetting lunch for a moment Beck enjoyed the feeling of her soft lips.
"How was your singing class?" He asked her while digging in his turkey sandwich. He knew that she greatly enjoyed that class, and not only because singing was her favorite thing, but she also liked her status as the star pupil there.
"It was great. And how was your drama class?" She smiled back.
"It was all right." If he had to be honest he thought that while his dramatic performance was good,, he needed more practice with his comedy.
"You don't have anything planned for tonight, right." She asked him suddenly. "My parents are going out and Trina is going to stalk some boy, so you can come by and we can hang together."
"I would love to." The thought of several hours alone with Tori was incredibly tempting. Spending time with her at school was nice but having her all to him would be so much better.
"Then it's a date." She announced excitedly. "Oh, later Cat might drop by. We are supposed to have a sleepover." Tori carelessly added. Beck curiously looked at her.
"I have always wondered what girls do exactly at these sleepovers."
"Well, tonight you might see part of it." She replied looking at him slyly.
A.N. Sorry about the delay