Yup, another chapter! Go me!

Please review, guys, I wanna know what you think :)

I roll my eyes as I hear loud splashing from the yard, followed by rowdy shouts and laughs. High school never ends, and my housewarming-slash-break-up party is a testament to that. Well, I never really got the usual high school experience complete with drunken cheerleaders and asshole jocks, but I'm exceeding my quota on that right now as half the young Hollywood is tearing my house apart.

Yes, I'm exaggerating, but, to be fair, I didn't expect the party to be this big. Right now, surrounded by a happy and carefree crowd, I can't be any more depressed.

Yes, I'm whining.

"Not your scene, love, is it?" A suave male voice states next to me as I stand in the kitchen to try and get a breather from the overwhelming cheer going on inside and around the house.

"Nope, and if you see your girlfriend, please make sure to tell her she's a dead girl walking," I grumble as I turn around to face Caroline's boyfriend. Klaus smirks at me from behind his whiskey tumbler, baby blue eyes twinkling with amusement.

"The Glenlivet," he lifts the bottle he has in another hand. "21 year old. Absolutely magnificent, smooth, rich flavor, in other words, utter and pure beauty. A bit of a delayed effect, but the taste is perfection. Care for a drink, love?"

"Is that a piece offering? Trying to save Care's life?"

He laughs.

"A piece offering, a housewarming present, a break-up remedy – choose whichever is more suitable for you."

"I see you started on that present early."

"Don't take it the wrong way, but you have poor taste in alcohol, pet, and it just so happened that my gift was the only one I could drink without staining your beautiful carpets with my afternoon lunch."

"Gross," I mutter, though a small smile makes it to my lips.

"So," he expertly pours me a glass, swirling the beautiful amber liquid around as he holds it out for me. "Don't kill Caroline, pretty please?"

"I'll make you a deal. If the taste of this highly praised drink is as rich as your incredible accent, she may live," I state, smirking, as I take the offered shot and take a cautious sip, immediately cringing afterwards.

"You're absolutely hating it, aren't you."

"Yup," I wheeze, placing the glass on the counter. "Probably should've mentioned I'm not one for strong drinks."

"See? Terrible taste in alcohol," Klaus chuckles, gulping his drink without so much as a blink.

"Show off," I raise a challenging eyebrow as I quickly down the rest of the drink. He widely grins and salutes me with his glass.

"Careful, love, it's a strong one."

I shake my head, smiling, as I look at the living room where a small crowd is getting its groove on. Style, bright colors, beautiful people, alcohol, music, and what I really hope to be prescribed painkillers – half the LA would kill to be here.

Why do I want to be anywhere but?

"So what's your story?" I turn to Klaus again, studying him. "Why is such a fine Englishman as yourself feels the need to hide out in the kitchen?"

"Asks the hostess," he retorts, cocking his head to the right. I simply shrug.

"To be fair, the true hostess here is Caroline. I'm basically a guest, and not a participating one at that."

He nods, sipping at his drink while he scrutinizes me. I can't help but feel slightly uneasy under his calculating eyes. Klaus isn't what most would call 'a nice guy'. It's not anything he does, really; he just has this vibe, this mysterious aura around him, something dangerous hiding underneath his handsome exterior. But Caroline means the world to this man, and I'm willing to overlook his slight shadiness as long as he takes care of her.

Plus, his artworks are astonishing, and to paraphrase Miguel de Cervantes, 'where there's talent, there can be no evil'.

"How are things at the gallery?" I continue with a small talk as I pour myself a glass of wine, sighing contentedly when the grape taste washes away the scotch from my mouth.

"Everything is pretty tame," he shrugs. "We're preparing for my exhibition – finally. It looks promising, but nothing extraordinary."

"Are you kidding, your works are amazing!" I say, smiling. "You're one of the best artists LA has to offer, hands down. I'm really glad you decided to go for the exhibition."

"Thank you, Victoria." Here it is, that vibe again. Why does he choose to call me by my full name? Although I have to admit, it does sound amazing with British accent. "Now, may we skip the small avoiding talk and cut straight to the issue, shall we?" At my confused stare, he smiles. "A little bird told me you broke things off with Jadelyn."

I throw a murderous glance around the room, trying to find Caroline so I can target it at her.

"I just wanted to know how you were," he continues. "Break-ups can be rather rough."

"I've been better," I admit, sighing as I realize Caroline can live a little longer since she's nowhere to be seen.

"Well, time heals, love," he notes. "I know you have Caroline, but if you ever need anything, I'm also available for you, Victoria."

"Thank you, Nicklaus," I can't help but use his full name back at him. Two can play at this game.

The blonde man notices and chuckles, shaking his head slightly.

"Now, I realize we're not particularly close, seeing as we've known each other for less than half a year, so I won't pry any details from you. Just want you to know it's going to work out in the end."

"Yeah, you also don't really need to be getting any details from me since your girlfriend spills the beans to you anyway."

"That… couldn't be truer," Klaus agrees, smirking. "I guess I should go warn her about her impending death, then."

With that, he bows graciously and walks away, leaving me slightly bewildered at the whole exchange. It was incredibly nice of him, Weird, but nice nonetheless. Even if he's doing this purely to earn boyfriend points from Caroline, which I'm sure is true.

I rub my temples as another splash and a loud thud vibrate throughout the house. The cleaners will have a lot of work to do tomorrow morning, that's for sure.

I stealthily leave through the front door with no one paying attention, or caring, really. The party is in its full swing, and I need to be as far away from it as possible without invoking Caroline's wrath. It's warm with summer, several stars visible through the pollution as I glance up, walking at a leisured pace. Where do I spend the rest of the evening?

The yard is full with people, but the further small garden with tall trees promises a much sought-after refuge, and that's where I direct my steps, hiding under an oak wood as I light up a cigarette, sighing heavily. This party sucks. Mainly because I can't really enjoy it. I would've been a hell of a lot happier just binge-watching several TV shows in my pajamas, if I'm being honest. Plus, there wouldn't be any of that fake sympathy or hungry, lustful gazes surrounding me.

I blow the smoke out, mentally patting myself on the back for making a wise decision not to drink too much tonight. It would be fair to say that there are at least a dozen of possible one-night-stands in the house, just waiting to pounce, and if I get drunk in this already fucked-up state, I am sure to end up in bed with a stranger. Or several of them. That's something to avoid, both for my own sanity and for publicity reasons.

I shudder, taking another long drag as I look around at people socializing, laughing, drinking all around me while I stand idly by, taking them in. I sincerely hope people took the 'downstairs-only' rule seriously, because I spot several intoxicated couples who would be more than happy to break in my new bed, and that's not happening. If I'm not getting laid in those sheets tonight, no one else is.

"You, stop eating that, ew! You, let go of this girl, she's practically asleep – if she's not in a taxi in five minutes, I'm calling the cops," an irritated Caroline's voice floats through air as she hurriedly makes her way to me, never slowing down as she organizes things on the go. "Hey, Tori," she reaches me, scowling as I demonstratively inhale smoke. "First of all, disgusting, and second of all, you'd want to greet the guys who just showed up at the door."

"Why, the police department is here?" I lazily ask. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the cops did show up. We've been getting kinda loud.

"Does 'Hollywood Arts' sound familiar to you?" She questions instead of replying, and chill runs down my spine as I straighten up. No way.

"Beck?"

She nods, and I close my eyes in defeat. Beck. I haven't heard from him ever since he found out about me and Jade. To say he reacted badly would be an understatement, and I don't blame him for a second. He did love her. He loved me, too – I was his best friend. That's why the betrayal cut so deep, and not only him.

The party just got infinitely worse.

"Alright, let's just get this over with," I mutter, throwing the unfinished cigarette away and storming back to the house, Caroline hot on my heels.

"Wait," I realize something as we enter. "You said 'guys', who else is there with him?"

"Tori."

I freeze for a second, slowly turning around next and coming face to face with a boy I deceived years ago. He's a man now – a handsome one, of course, standing tall, his usual calm smile on his face.

"I haven't seen you for ages," Beck continues, smiling soothingly. "You look amazing. And the house is awesome."

"Yes, you have a lovely home," a guy next to Beck comments, smiling in the same manner as my former friend. I look at him, taking in his gentle dark-green eyes and tall figure, lean but slightly muscular as well. He looks familiar, but I can't quite place him. I don't remember him from school, that's for sure.

"Beck," I breathe, shifting my eyes back to him, not knowing what else to say. It's been so long. I completely forgot everything I used to do in his presence. I don't even remember what his presence feels like. "I… This is so- I'm sorry, I just didn't quite expect to see you," I stumble over my words, still astounded at him standing in front of me after all these years.

"I don't really blame you," he replies calmly. "Do you think we could talk? Somewhere… quieter?" He adds, looking around.

"S-sure, let's go upstairs," I say quickly. "Oh, I'm sorry- I'm Tori," I address Beck's companion awkwardly as he shakes the offered hand in a nice firm grip.

"Stefan," he introduces himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'll go find something to drink, okay?" He says to Beck, squeezing his shoulder as he departs. I raise a surprised eyebrow at that, but say nothing as I berate myself not to jump to conclusions.

"Yeah, I'll, uh, I'll go look for Klaus," Caroline pipes up quickly. "You'll be okay, right?" She whispers to me, and I give her an affirmative grateful nod.

"So…" I start as we enter the study, with Beck coming to sit in one of the soft chairs, looking completely at ease.

"So," he echoes, looking at me. A silence settles over us, uncomfortable one on my part.

"You're probably wondering why I'm here," Beck says after several moments of quietness.

"I guess it has something to do with me and Jade breaking up." I sit in front of him, tense, hugging myself as I shield from him.

"Wait, you broke up?" The surprise is genuine on his face. "I had no idea… When?"

"Two weeks ago or so," I chuckle emotionlessly. "She was cheating on me. Ironic, isn't it?"

"Not really," he replies quietly as he studies me. "Are you okay?"

I look away, conflicted. This is fucked up. I'm the reason his heart got broken years ago, and here he is, concerned for my well-being after the love I took from him left me. Well, technically, I left her, but that's not the point.

"I think so," I breathe out instead, relaxing slightly. "I'll be okay one day. Time heals," I recall Klaus' words.

"Yeah it does. I know that better than anyone," he states, not accusatory, offering me a small sympathetic grin.

I don't know why fate decided to be so generous to me all of a sudden, but I'm not about to question it as I take the chance to tackle one of the demons that haunted me for so long.

"Beck, I'm so, so sorry for everything I've done to you," the words tumble out together with guilty tears as I look at him pleadingly. "I never should've gone behind your back. I just… I loved her so much. I would've done anything to have her in any way I could, and it's terrible. What I did was terrible. I betrayed you, and I'm so sorry," I'm sobbing, and Beck is here to gather me in his embrace as I break down, tears staining his probably expensive button-up.

"Hey, come on now," he whispers soothingly. "Apology wholeheartedly and gladly accepted. Don't cry, okay? You know I'm horrible at handling crying women," he tries to lighten me up, and I giggle through tears.

It seems surreal, and it's entirely too easy. It's too easy to be real, his sudden appearance and acceptance.

"…Beck, why are you here?" I ask quietly, pulling away from him slightly as he heaves a deep sigh.

"Well, truth be told, I kinda thought I'd meet you both. You and Jade. I just… I've been gathering the courage to face you for over a year, and every time I almost called you up, I chickened out. I just was so ashamed of how I reacted back then."

"You have nothing to be ashamed of. I'd probably do the same thing."

"Really? You'd out me to the entire school?" He scoffs. "You and Jade… You both hurt me," he admits, eyes cast down. "But it's not an excuse for what I did. I retaliated blindly and childishly. And I'm really sorry."

"It's fine," I reply, shocked. He came to apologize? Sometimes he's too much, I swear.

"It's not, but if you can forgive me, I'll be able to put that whole mess behind. And… and I'm also sorry I left you guys," he continues sadly. "I missed you, both of you. I was just too much of a coward to face you."

"Well, so was I," we chuckle together. I hug him, wordlessly, breathing in his familiar calming scent. His lips graze the top of my head as he hugs back tightly. God, it's been a while.

"Don't leave us again, okay?" I blurt out suddenly. "I need you. I'm sure she needs you as well."

She needs someone in her life to care about her, I add to myself. That's what worries me the most: Jade being alone, now that I left. Jade and loneliness don't mix well.

"Speaking of whom… Where is she?" He asks curiously. "How did you break up? Sorry, I'm overwhelming, I'll stop."

"No, it's okay," I smile. "If anyone has a right to know about this relationship, it's you. I just got fed up and left her. She's trying to get me back."

"Nice, Tori. You got game," he smirks, laughing at my playful punch next. "So she's not here?"

I open my mouth to answer him, but I'm interrupted by Stefan who throws the door open, looking at us worriedly.

"Tori, there's a situation downstairs," he states, frowning. "You really need to break it up."

"Goddammit," I groan. "Did someone start a drunk fight? Please tell me no one's throwing up."

"Uh… It's not that," the brunette man says quickly. "Just… you're needed there."

My frown mirrors Beck's as we stand up and hurry downstairs. What the hell is happening down there? I hope no one's hurt and there are no cops involved.

But, as I turn the corner and enter the kitchen, I suddenly wish it was my previous fears.

"A word of advice, love," Klaus' cold tone cuts my ears as he addresses Jade who smirks at him mockingly. "If you want Victoria back, stop being such a bloody wanker to her friends." He steps closer to my ex, narrowing his eyes as he ignores Caroline's tugs on his arm. "And if you ever speak to Caroline in this manner, I'll make sure you won't be able to talk for a long time, bint."

"An in other news, Caroline's dating a serial killer," Jade remarks melancholically. "Pleasure to meet you, Nicklaus. Or, and another thing? Threaten me again, and by the time I'm finished with you, you'll be begging me to kill you already."

Klaus smirks, and I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. Judging by Caroline's apprehensive stare, she's not too fond of Jade's smirk, either.

"What's going on?" I question warily, making three heads turn as they whip around simultaneously. "What are you doing here, Jade?"

"Tori," she breathes as she smiles softly, completely tuning out the blonde pair and the world. "Look, I didn't know it was your party. I heard about it from a crew worker, and since I had nothing else to do, I decided to check this out. If I knew it was your… housewarming event, I would've stayed away."

"And you're harassing Care because?..." I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest. Her lingering gaze on my pushed up cleavage makes me reconsider, and I place my hands on my hips instead, her quiet disappointed sigh not escaping my notice.

"It's just a big misunderstanding," Caroline speaks up, chuckling awkwardly. "Klaus isn't really used to our friendly bickering," she throws a warning glance at Jade who raises her hands up in a mock surrender. "We're just gonna… yeah," the blonde drags her boyfriend away from the kitchen as he gives one last lingering glance to my ex. "Okay, baby, what did I tell you about threatening people in public, again/ Do not do it…" Caroline's voice fades away as the pair walks quickly somewhere inside the house.

"That was entertaining," Jade comments. "And yes, I'm fully aware you're here, Beckett, I just choose not to acknowledge your presence," she states as she pours herself a shot of, ironically, Klaus' scotch. "Hm, that's great stuff," she notes, surprised.

"Jade," I say, exasperated. "You can't just ignore Beck."

"Based on my previous experience, she kinda can," Beck reasons.

"Well, what do you want? An apology? I apologized to you once, and ended up being humiliated. Forgive me if I don't want a repeat performance," she forces through her teeth, sipping at her drink.

Here we go again. While I was more than understanding of Beck's, admittedly, dick move, Jade never forgave him for it. And she's not planning on it, either, from what I could see.

"Look, Jade…"

"Nope," she cuts Beck off, looking straight at me. "I'm just gonna leave," she goes on, much softer. "I really didn't know it was your party."

"You don't have to," words leave my mouth before I fully process the idiotic idea. "I mean… You're already here. And you managed to gain one enemy in two minutes. I gotta admit, I'm kinda curious to see how the night goes from here."

"Does that mean I have to talk to him?" She asks, still not looking at Beck. I almost say yes, but he beats me to it:

"No. This isn't the place for that talk anyway, so we'll talk when you're ready," he says softly.

Jade shrugs. She's so damn stubborn sometimes. Well, all the damn time, actually. I can't decide if I hate it or it turns me on. A little bit of both, I guess: I do have a weakness for things I hate.

And fuck, she looks gorgeous, too. Casual, dark, confident – everything about her stirs up this need inside me that I'm unable to control. I've gone two whole weeks without her touch, and I absolutely crave it right now. Even at our worst, we still had each other almost every day, with passion, with hunger. Dirty sex, rough sex, angry sex, jealous sex, teasing sex – you name it, we've done it.

And now she's here, looking good, smelling incredible, and she's irresistible to my yearning body.

"I got us drinks," Stefan speaks up uncomfortably. I forgot he was here when I saw Jade. Which brings me back to the question: who is he, exactly?

"Thanks, baby," Beck says, kissing his cheek, and oh look, my question is answered. Jade's eyes widen almost comically as she finally looks at Beck, gaping.

No way. No freaking… Beck's got a boyfriend. A very cute one at that.

"I'll be around if you need me, Tori," Beck says, oblivious to our surprise – most probably by choice, too. "I'm here for you too, Jade. If you decide to talk," he nods to himself, allowing Stefan to lead him away. I smile at the green-eyed man as they depart, and I'm aware it's mostly fake, to cover up the surprise and shock I'm in.

Beck's got a boyfriend.

"Beck is…" Jade trails off, leaving a sentence dangling in the air as she eyes the pair. "…Did we turn him gay?"

"You can't turn people gay, Jade," I state. "And between you and Caroline, I'm seriously thinking about signing you both up for tolerance classes," I mutter in addition.

She stares at me. Next, we burst out laughing at once, shaking our heads, wiping away tears, grasping at the counter as the coiled tension leaves our guarded bodies.

"Man, what a surprise, huh," Jade speaks after our laughter subsides to rare chuckles. "I mean, Beck? Never saw that one coming."

"Well actually that explains a lot. The way he was so indifferent to female attention every time you guys broke up, and that hair of his, and he didn't really date after we… after he found out about… us," my voice drops to a whisper at the end as I avoid looking at her. I don't want to talk about that, I realize with a start. I'm not ready to rehash our past with her, because if I do, all those questions about whether or not she felt something for me back then will come to the surface, and we're messed up enough as it is.

"…Maybe I should talk to him," she sighs, sipping at her drink. "But he's right, now's not the time. I'll end up interrogating him about his boyfriend, anyway."

"I wouldn't mind some details myself," I half-smile.

"Details? Kinky," she smirks. I blush.

"I didn't mean excessive details, you pervert," all I manage to mumble as I reach for Klaus' break-up remedy – yup, I'm going with that name for now.

"Tori, you hate scotch."

"I don't hate this one," I retort, barely catching myself from sticking my tongue out. Maybe drinking this is a terrible idea, because my expectations considering my alcohol tolerance were obviously unrealistic.

I think I'm just a tiny bit tipsy.

Next words out of my mouth confirm that inkling.

"Can we talk? In private?" What the hell am I doing?! I'm going to jump her bones as soon as we're alone!

"Really? Sure," Jade is all too eager to get a chance to talk to me. Among other things, my hazed mind reminds me.

I'm not tipsy, I'm fucking drunk, and me boldly grabbing Jade's wrist and tugging her upstairs only strengthens that theory. Not a theory, Tori: a fact. Now it's a fact.

Man, I'm drunk.

I giggle as I burst inside my bedroom, fumbling with the door as I lock it, turning to face her next. Why does she have to be so… so Jade?

"Tori… Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she cautiously states as she gives me a once-over.

"It's the best idea," I whisper hungrily. A bit of a delayed effect, my ass. My small partially sober part makes a mental note to kill Klaus for that damn drink as I advance on Jade slowly, my eyes never leaving hers.

"Tell me you didn't miss me," I gasp as I stand in front of her, impossibly close, watching with satisfaction as her breathing turns erratic. "Tell me you don't want this. Tell me you don't crave me."

"…I can't," she rushes out, her trembling hands coming up to rest on my waist. "I can't tell you that. I missed you, of course I fucking missed you."

I missed you, too. You're beautiful, you know that? And I love you.

"Then show me…"

Everything's spinning. I'm kissing her, it's teeth and tongues and fervent moans, she's almost breaking me with how tight she's holding me in her arms. My fingers in her hair, digging in her shoulders, her back, my mouth hot against hers as I gasp and mewl my approval.

"Tori- I'm going crazy," she whispers, and it's feverish, almost angry, her hands squeezing my hips. "You make me insane. I hate it when we're without each other for so long…"

"Uh-huh," I let out as I breathe unevenly, roughly, my stomach in knots, the ache I have for her between my legs becoming intolerable. "Jade, please… I missed you…"

She's looking at me. First she's hesitant, and then there's that familiar fire in her gaze as she attacks me with her lips, making me cry out and beg as she kisses and bites me everywhere she can, my lips, my neck, my shoulders, my arms. This is a mess; I'm going to regret this, and this will be one of my best worst mistakes.

"Jade…"

And then she's gone.

She staggers several steps back from me, panting as she struggles to get herself under control, but I don't give her that chance as I come up to her, drawing her in for a desperate kiss.

"Tori, no," she mumbles pleadingly, pushing at my shoulders and holding me at an arm's length. "You're drunk. You don't want this."

"You've been terribly misinformed," I whisper urgently. "The fact that I'm dripping wet suggests otherwise, Jade…"

She groans. She actually groans, almost as if she's in pain, before shaking her head and stumbling away from me again.

"We can't, Tori," she grasps my hands firmly, pressing them to her chest, against her heart. "Tori, you're drunk," she repeats, slower. "You will hate me and yourself if we allow this to happen, and you know it. And…" she reaches for my face with her hand, tenderly brushing a hair behind my ear. "When we finally make love, it's not going to be a drunken fumbling with a room full of people downstairs," she whispers, searching my eyes. "We're more than that. You're more than that."

She's right. But I'm drunk.

"Fuck this," I growl, pushing her away. "You did point it out. The house is full of people, and as of two weeks ago, I'm officially single," I sneer at the hurt look on her face. "Maybe, all I need is a couple of new friends to stop moping around."

"Tori," she takes hold of my elbow as I turn around to leave. "Don't do this. You know it's not right. Just sleep it off, okay?"

"I don't wanna sleep!" I exclaim angrily. "In case you didn't notice, it's my party, and it's my life, and you see that over there? That's my bed, and I decide who fucks me in it," I hiss, watching with dull satisfaction as she visibly flinches at my words. "Last chance, baby," she closes her eyes briefly as I murmur in her ears, nipping at the skin.

"Tori, stop," she begs quietly right before I plant a sloppy, drunken kiss to her mouth. Oh God, I'm getting worse. What the hell was in that fucking scotch? Probably shouldn't have downed a double shot of it and chased it with a full glass of wine.

"Hey, Tori- oh hell no!"

"Great," I drawl as Jade holds me up. "Caroline the joykill. Or is it killjoy?"

"She needs to go to sleep, love."

"Jade, what the fuck?! She's wasted! I can't even look at you right now, that's how furious I am!"

Why's everything spinning?

"C'mon love, let's get to bed," strong arms catch me as a soothing voice murmurs near my ear. I can't open my eyes, and more importantly, I have absolutely no desire to.

"Don't touch her-"

"Jade, you've done enough! Get out, we'll take it from here."

"Caroline, I wasn't-"

"Leave, Jadelyn, we no longer require your assistance."

"You shut the fuck up, it doesn't concern you. Care, I swear, I wasn't going to do anything, I was trying to talk her out of it-"

"Jade, just leave. Just, leave, okay? We'll deal with that after I make sure she's safe."

"She was safe with me!"

"Better listen to my girl and leave…"

The voices float further and further as I swim around peacefully. Or is it the room swimming in circles?

"Jade…"

The voices stop as I weakly call out her name right before I pass out.