It's been a long time since I came around
Been a long time but I'm back in town
This time I'm not leaving without you.
The sky was a filthy shade of grey; musky, dark and difficult to see past. Yet the wind was calm and breezy, warm even. The weather was unexpectedly beautiful, and though the fog in the sky was husky it allowed Victoria to wear a nice floral dress with satin knee highs and a light matching sweater. Her hair was still curly from the night before, too curly, she pinned it down and away from her face. Luckily she didn't have a massive hang over, and as soon as she was dressed she flung her person over her shoulder, draped a blanket over Trina who was sleeping on the couch and left.
The drive to Cat and Jade's was a long silent one, she didn't bother to turn on the radio she was far too lost in her thoughts to care for music at the moment.
She had finally opened up about her pass, and to Jade of all people, she couldn't help the feeling of overwhelming peace. She had carried that burden for so long; it haunted her thoughts, dreams and every move. For such a long time she felt trapped by her pass, forever shamed and blamed and unwanted. With Jade, it didn't feel a thing like that. Tori felt wanted, she felt a need to smile, to live, to be happy about life again. With Jade, she felt warmth, a tenderness that was almost unbearable, it coated her and protected her, made her feel safe and whole, complete almost. Everything was different now. Her life was different. Everything in her life had changed; new town, new people, new loves, new everything. No more hiding, she was sick of hiding, she was sick of being afraid of taking chances, she refused to hold back any longer. She lived differently now. Better than before. She'll make every moment count.
Pulling up the long road she hits the gas before she slows to pull into parking. Grabbing the keys she gets out, throws them into her purse and makes her way up to the house.
As she makes her way up the house she looks around notices there wasn't a speck of what had occurred the night before behind. Not a thing out of place… no burned wood on the side or a single plastic red cup in sight. The front porch and the land around was spotless. Cautiously Tori made her up the front steps to the door. Looking around carefully once again she knocks. Her soft knock goes unanswered; deciding against knocking harder Tori takes hold of the knob before turning it and walking inside. "Hello?" she says out loud, looking around the crystal clear house. The walls, halls, floors, everything was spotless. Her mouth dropped as her mind went off, it must have taken the girls all morning to clean the mess that the party must have left. Stepping forward she makes her way into the living room, looking over the sofa, book filled walls and large entertainment center. Tori's arms slump, suddenly she feels awful for leaving so soon last night, she should have stayed behind to help clean up a bit. Moving she walks over to the piano that was placed on the far right of the living room. It's stunning. Not a speck of dust on the mahogany surface. Reaching over she touches the smooth surface with just the tip of her fingers, delicately she moves her hand down over the keys before her fingers press down on several of the keys, the burst of music makes her smile before she pulls back her hand. Quickly she turns around and comes face to face with someone new. She jumps, her hands flashing towards her chest as she moves back and bumps into the piano.
Brown eyes meet brown eyes and everything in the world shifts. Tori's mouth twitches as she stares deeply into brown orbs. She can feel her heart begin to glow as heat spreads across her skin like a wildfire. She could feel her blood gush in her veins, as if it was boiling and a virus had snuck its way through her system. She felt as though she was sinking into oblivion, falling and drowning in an ocean of never ending bliss. As if her very spirit was leaving her body and meeting his in a joyous embrace. Finally home at last. Finally complete.
Forcing herself to look away her eyes land on the floor, "Who? Um…" Tori stammers as she looks back up at him.
"Hello. I'm Beck, Jade's brother. You must be Tori." He says.
And as if he had snapped his fingers in front of her face she nodded. "Yeah…." Silence fell upon them and Tori felt as though every word was stuck in her throat. She couldn't speak; at least, if she tried she knew she'd fail.
"I'm sorry where are my manners? Forgive me I just got in last night, would you like something to drink while waiting. Jade had a bit of a rough night; she should be down any moment."
Tori shook her head, "No thank you. I'm so sorry, uh, I knew Jade had a brother but I guess I just never expected to meet you. Tori Vega." She says holding out her hand to for him to shake. Smoothly he takes her hand in his, electricity slicing through her body as he brings up her hand to his lips and kisses it.
Her lips quiver as he lets go of her hand, "Nice to meet you Miss Vega." He smiles. Tori smiles in return.
"And that's my cue to go," he says still staring at her as Jade makes her way into the room, looking away from him she looks to Jade who has a rattled look on her face. "Morning Jade." Tori says.
"Morning." Jade says, looking over to Beck.
Beck smiles rather sinisterly as he turns to Jade, "Morning baby sister. Sleep well?"
"Wonderfully." Jade says; her mouth stern in a sneer.
"Great." Beck says before turning back to Tori, "Hope I'll be seeing more of you Miss Vega." And with that said he winks at her and then was off.
Tori's eyes followed him until he was out of sight.
When they left it was as if there was a drastic change in the air, the fog had lessened and yet though the weather was still warm she felt an icy aroma around Jade. Jade drove her car with heavy eyes on the road. Cat sat in the backseat, her feet up and her hands on her phone texting rapidly. Looking over at Jade she reached her arm over and held her hand. Instantly Jade relaxed, flexing her hand and entwining their fingers, a small smile creeping on her thin pink lips.
(x)
They had gone into town where they all spent a great deal eating breakfast before spending time shopping. They had all went to the local stores and lastly stepped into Tiffany & Co. Holding onto Cat's hand they wondered in. Tori was struck by how fancy and pretty the store was, she couldn't be able to afford the dust bunnies underneath the rugs here.
Every piece of jewelry in the place sparkled from each case. The walls were the color pearl which complimented the glossy black marble floor. There was a chandelier that hung in the middle of the large room that made her eyes hurt because she was sure it held real diamonds. She was in complete awe.
"Wow." Tori sighed.
Cat squeezed her hand, "It's like a dream isn't it?"
Tori nodded and looked at her, "Yeah."
Letting go of Cat's hand she wondered about. Going up to a small rack of scarves she pulled one out and wrapped it around her neck, checking herself out on a nearby mirror. It was beautiful, the scarf was navy blue with a key design, and it looked great around her neck. It was worth a good sixty-five bucks. Sadly she couldn't afford it.
Pulling it from around her neck she tossed it back into the rack. Walking around she found Jade staring surprisingly at locket, yet this one was silver with a heart encrusted in the middle of it. "It's beautiful." Tori said, looking from the necklace to Jade. Jade sighed and looked over to Tori, a faint smile pressing her lips, "Yeah, I think so."
"Are you okay?" Tori asked.
Jade nodded and shrugged, "I'm fine, just thinking."
Tori smiled and took her hand once again, "I'm going to head off into the book store down the block. Do you want to come?" Tori asked.
Jade shook her head, "Go ahead, I have something I got to take care of myself. We'll meet up again at The Mize, it's two blocks away you can't miss it."
"Mm'k." Tori hummed before squeezing Jade's hand and leaving.
(x)
The Barnes & Noble down the block was a large one, which not only had a Starbucks inside but also a second floor. Though she was lucky, the book she wanted on Jane Austen was on the first floor, in the Author's Bio section. She found it and pulled it out. Flipping it over she looked at the price; only twenty bucks, she was good to go.
Stepping around the aisle she wondered off into the Historical Romances section where she found a number Pride & Prejudice copies among Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights. She laughed as she saw the misplaced Twilight book stuffed in with the rest. Her fingers graced the tops of all the books lingering from book to book before pulling out the Twilight book. She stuffed the bio book underneath her arm before she opened the Twilight book. Shaking her head she flipped through the pages. The bio underneath her arm fell out, annoyed Tori shut the book and turned to pick it up. As she turned she came face to face yet again with none other than Beck. She gasped. "Oh crap!" What the hell. The Twilight book fell from her hands as she flung her hands on her chest, inwardly she laughs. We have to stop meeting like this.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you." Beck said as he reached down to pick up the Twilight book, Tori kneeled down as well to pick the bio she dropped. "No, it's fine. What are you doing here?"
And as they stood Beck gazed down amused at the Twilight book in his hands, "I uh… had something I needed to pick up here." His eyebrows popped as he turned the book over and scanned the summary, "Into vampire romances are you?"
Tori shook her head, her face burning, "Not exactly. That wasn't meant to be here." She said as her finger pointed to the other books.
"Ah." Beck nodded as he shoved the Twilight book into a different book-case.
Pulling his hair back he looks over to the bio in Tori's hand. "Jane Austen?"
"Yeah, we're reading Pride and Prejudice in English class so I thought I'd read up more on Jane." Tori said looking down at the book; she found it hard to stare him straight in the eyes, "Are you? Uh… are you going to study here?" Tori asked.
"Is that your way of asking me if I'm going to enroll at Greywood High?" he asked, a smug smile pressing his lips. Tori smiled, "Yeah I guess it is."
Beck nodded, taking a step closer. "Yes. I've already enrolled."
"Where were you all this time? I mean, I thought Jade only had Cat and well I heard about your dad's job, so…"
"I was with a friend in London. I'm a photographer so I was checking out the sights. I had a personal tutor so I didn't miss any work."
"Wow London, sounds exciting." Tori said, "And well since you're here…" picking out a copy of Pride and Prejudice she handed him the book. He took the book and laughed, rather in spite, "I have read this book far too much, and to be honest, I'm not at all enthralled by the romance of it. I'd prefer it Elizabeth would have stayed single, or if Darcy wasn't such a stubborn ass. A man must be willing to fight for what he wants, if he doesn't, he deserves what he gets, which is nothing in the end."
"And what do you think is more of an enthralling romance novel?" Tori asked. Beck looked at her, his eyes lost in hers as he looked over the books in the section they were in. "Well for one, it certainly wouldn't be that Twilight book you had." He said nodding his head back to where he placed it. Tori laughed, "Ah, right here." He said as he stepped forward and pulled out Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. Opening up the book he flipped the pages, "You see Mr. Darcy didn't have a way a words when it came to Elizabeth, most of the time he was breathless around her or bewitched as he claimed. But Mr. Rochester knew exactly what to say to Jane, to the point of almost damning her."
Stepping closer to Tori he turned her around so that her back pressed up against his chest and his arms and the book he held were around her waist. Bringing his lips up to her ear he began to read. "I have for the first time found what I can truly love–I have found you." Tori took in a deep sharp shaken breath as the words he read filled her heart and her head. "You are my sympathy–my better self–my good angel–I am bound to you with a strong attachment." He takes a beat and Tori can feel her skin begin to crawl and her heart begin to beat rather uncomfortably against her chest. "I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you–and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one." He finished. Snapping the book shut he took a step back and away from Tori. She felt the absence of his warmth and body, and for a brief second, a flicker in time, she missed his proximity.
Catching her breath Tori gazed up at him, "That was beautiful." She said, looking down from his intense gaze to the floor, "I should go. Don't want to keep the girls waiting for me too long."
"I'll be seeing you." He said as she walked away. Turning around he watched as she left, she could feel his eyes on her. Tori smiled deciding to look back at him one more time, looking over her shoulder swiftly she looked back but it was too late. He was gone.
(x)
The walk to The Mize was a fast one. Once she got there she found herself thinking about Beck. He had a vibe about him, one that she couldn't place her finger on no matter how hard she thought about it. As soon as she walked through the doors of The Mize she forced herself to forget it. She's bound to see him around soon enough. Looking around the place she spotted Cat and Jade at a table with a basket of bread in the middle. Walking over she smiled and waved, Cat was the first to notice her. "Hey Tori! Finally you made it."
"Sorry I didn't mean to take so long." Tori said as she took a seat.
"It's okay, though Cat here was going crazy from hunger."
"Yay now we can order. This place has the best jumbo chili fries." Cat smiled as she took the menu and looked over it.
"Did you find the book you wanted?" Jade asked.
"Uh huh," Tori said as she took out the book from her bag, "I also ran into your brother."
Jade's frosty eyes landed on her, Tori felt odd now that she brought up her brother. "Really… and how did that go? What'd you talk about?"
"Nothing much, I learned he's not a fan of Pride and Prejudice and that he was studying in London. That's really cool, why didn't you go with him?"
"Because my brother and I aren't that close."
"Oh. I'm sorry, I'm being noisy."
"No no no… you're fine! So what do you want to eat?" and with that said the topic of Beck dropped and everything went on.
And as the time swept pass them the stag opened for anyone willing to give a performance. Everyone in the audience snapped their fingers as the last person on stage existed, it was some Asian dude who covered Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer." acoustic style. He did wonderfully. Jade looked back at Tori, "Do you want to play?" Jade asked.
Tori took a quick sip of her iced pink lemonade before answering, "I can't. I'd choke if I went up there."
"Jade go on up there, you'd kill that stage." Cat encouraged. Tori stared at her and beamed, "You sing? Oh now you have to get up there! I want to hear you."
Jade bit her bottom lip and nodded, "Alright. Fine." Taking a sip of her water she stood up and went to the stage, taking the guitar from Tony- the stage manager. Pulling up a stool she sat in the middle of the stage where she fixed the microphone and adjusted the guitar on her lap. She looked out into the crowd and Tori couldn't take her eyes off of her. It was like Jade belonged on a stage. Her presence deserved nothing less than the crowds attention.
"This ones for you Vega!" Jade said as she winked her. And soon enough she was stringing the guitar, her fingers like magic on the chords. The song strung out from each pluck of her fingers, Tori knew instantly what song she was going to sing. You And I by Lady Gaga.
"It's been a long time since I came around. Been a long time but I'm back in town. This time I'm not leaving without you - You taste like whiskey when you kiss me, oh I'd give anything again to be your baby doll, this time I'm not leaving without you." Jade's voice was smooth like silk, strong like iron and captured Tori as if she were a siren on stage. Tori was wrapped around her voice and sinking as every word she sang pulled her under. She was goddess and Tori was graced by hearing her sing. Jade was electric, and Tori was completely hypnotized.
Way too soon the song ended and Tori was in as much awe as the rest of the crowd. Snapping her fingers her eyes never left her as Jade bowed before leaving stage. "You were amazing." Tori said standing up and hugging her.
"Thank you." Jade said.
"Fantastic darling, really, so much better than when you sing in the shower." Cat said winking before standing and hugging her.
"We should go." Jade said, taking Cat's hand. "C'mon Vega!"
(x)
They all decided to end the day by watching a movie at Tori's house. Though Cat had to stop home first and pack some things for both her and Jade, leaving them waiting in the car. Noticeably Beck's motorcycle wasn't in.
"This was a really good day. I haven't had a day like this in a long time." Tori said smiling, leaning back against her seat and breathing in deeply. Reaching over and taking her hand Jade pulled her closer and Tori leaned her head over Jade's shoulder. "Thank you."
"It's just the beginning Vega. Life only gets better," Jade said, "speaking of getting better... I got something for you." Jade said. Sitting up right Tori watched as Jade pulled out a Tiffany & Co. bag from her purse. Tori's eyes widened. Tori reached into the bag and pulled out the silk scarf she was looking at early in the store. "How did you know?"
"I saw you staring at it. Thought it'd make a nice gift." Jade shrugged.
Tori's eyes sparkled with glee, "Jade I love it but I can-"
"Yes you can!" Jade interrupted as she took the scarf and pulled it around Tori's neck. "Consider it a start to a new happy life."
Tori reached up and stroked her scarf, "Thank you. Its wonderful."
(-)
Tori turned on the couch, her eyes were droopy and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't stay awake. She was sure both Jade and Cat were knocked out as well on the floor. The Notebook was just finishing and she couldn't find it within her to stay awake. Swiftly her eyes fluttered closed.
Tori opened her eyes, she wasn't on the couch in her house anymore but was in Jade's room. Except it wasn't Jade's room at all, it was different, the walls, floors and even her bed. It had a sting of vintage glamour. Old and familiar somehow. Turning on the bed she came face to face with Jade who was lying beside her. Her eyes were sad and blue. She was wearing a 18th century dress, long, brown and beautiful. And when Tori looked down at herself she found out she was wearing an old dress too.
"Victoria, can I ask you a question?" Jade whispered.
"You can ask me anything you want to, Jadelyn." Victoria encouraged.
"Will we be friends forever?" Jadelyn asked.
"Forever?" Victoria scrunched her eyes, "Yes. Forever with you would be grand... if only we could live forever."
"We could, if you'd want, we could live forever."
"And how would we take care of ourselves?" Victoria asked.
"I'd take care of you. We don't need anyone, just you and I could go away. I'd take care of you."
"Sounds wonderful, sounds wonderful..." Victoria mused, reaching over she pulled the locket from within the confides of Jadelyn's dress. "You know why I gave you this necklace Jade?"
"Because we're best friends of course."
"Not only that. Because, even in the afterlife, when we're dead and gone, and our corpses have molded within the earth, our spirits will live on. And in the afterlife, we shall meet again, and we'll be together forever. Forever doesn't always mean on earth. My mama always says this life passes us by quickly. Forever could mean after we're dead too." Victoria said.
Jadelyn closed her eyes and cried. "Yes Victoria, even in death, I will be with you."
Review lovelies.