Chapter 6-Bearer of Bad News

The next few weeks carried on in a similar pattern. With nothing to do, Jade look to light housework and watching movies on Cat's TV while Cat was at school. Nothing more was said about Cat's out of the blue feelings for the Goth girl, but Jade knew that it wouldn't disappear anytime soon.

One afternoon, Jade was watching one of her least disliked Disney movies 'Sleeping Beauty' when her phone began to play the theme song to The Scissoring, signalling she had an incoming call. Jade reached for her phone and was met by a remorseful principle on the receiving end. But it wasn't good news. The principle had reviewed the circumstances to the fight and the outcome to Fiona's health, and it was decided Jade would no longer attend Hollywood Arts. With a lurch in the pit of her stomach, she ended the call, too infuriated and guttered to even remotely follow what he was saying.

Jade took to the guest bed, pulling one of the pillows up to her chest and stared blankly at the wall in front of her. Although Jade hated quite a lot things, she never imagined in her wildest dreams not attending HA. It was her dream to write and direct her own plays. How could she do this without her high school certificate?

As Jade processed the news, school had ended and Cat was walking home, having no car of her own for transportation. She stopped at a pedestrian crossing and crossed her arms, her mind elsewhere other than the road. Rumours were continuing to spread around the school and even Cat had difficulty controlling herself once they started to whisper about her longest friend. The whole situation made her want to cry. But she couldn't. Instead she held her chin up high and kept her head down at school.

The little green man flashed, signalling it was safe for Cat to cross. She began the walk home, still thinking about how she could help Jade, the girl she was falling for. Cat shook her head. Get yourself together Cat. She's straight. You can never be with her. She told herself sternly as she stared down at her feet, kicking a few rocks aside as she went. It wasn't until she was almost home when something made her look up. There was a man, probably in his mid-forties, talking on his phone.

"…I know the situation princess. Yes I know. But no one is suspicious. They all think you did receive those injuries. Yes Fiona. I realise it's important to keep it up. I still have to finalise a few things with the lawyer. I'll see you at home. Bye." The man hung up the phone and Cat's eyes widened as she took note of his face. He looked like Fiona.

Cat gasped, instinctively holding her hand up to her mouth, hoping he wouldn't turn around. The red head slipped into a neighbour's garden as Fiona's father continued his brisk pace down the walkway. Cat let out a deep sigh, not realising she had been holding her breath. As soon as he was far enough away, Cat made a mad dash out of the garden and down the few blocks where her house was located. Flinging open the front door, the red head ran up her stairs and down the hall to the guest room in search of Jade. Cat braced herself in the doorway, holding firmly to the door as she caught her breath. She stopped suddenly, realising that Jade hadn't even responded.

"Jade?"

Cat slowly made her way into the room and sat cautiously on the side of the bed. She took her hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze before finally Jade turned her attention towards her. "Are you okay?" Cat whispered softly, her chest aching at the sight of her friend like this. Jade took a deep breath as she gazed down at their hands. "The principle rang. I've been expelled." Her voice quivered on the last syllable but she held it together. She wasn't one to cry.

Cat climbed into bed beside her, resting her head lightly against Jade's. "Don't be sad Jadey. You have me. It'll work out." At the sound of Cat's pet name for the Goth, she managed a small smile. She always loved the nickname, but had always shooed away any use of it in front of others. Now, it didn't matter so much. There was no one around to hear it and truth be told, Cat was the only person she had left.

Cat soon fell asleep, but Jade did not. Thoughts swirled around in the black abyss she called a mind. After hours of shifting from side to side, Jade finally gave up and left Cat to get some sleep. She wandered downstairs and raised an eyebrow, listening to Mrs. Valentine whistling away in the kitchen. Once Jade appeared, Mrs. Valentine's smile grew as she stacked the last of the dishes into the dishwasher.

"How are you settling in Jade?" She asked sweetly, flinging the tea towel over her shoulder as she turned to face her. Jade gave her a smile as she leaned against the kitchen counter. They hadn't talked much since she arrived, but in the years Jade and Cat had been friends they had grown close. "It's great. Thanks Mrs. V. And thank you for taking me in. I don't know what I would have done without either of you."

Mrs. Valentine gave her arm an affectionate pat as she turned back around to switch on the dishwasher. Once she was done she hung up the tea towel and went over to the living room, taking a seat on the white leather couch. Jade followed suit, wanting to talk things out with an adult. She wasn't sure how much Cat had told her already, so she chose her words carefully.

"Cat's always been so kind to me…you both have." She told her, speaking slowly as she crossed her ankles in front of her. Jade swore she saw a flash of recognition, but it soon disappeared.

"She's always liked the quiet, withdrawn ones. She likes to feel like she can help." Something crossed between them as Jade met her eyes. Something caring? Recognition like she suspected? She wasn't sure. The moment ended and Jade went back to staring at her lap. Deciding to change the subject, she decided to discuss something more vital.

"Cat caught Fiona's father speaking on the phone. She said he admitted that her injuries were a hoax and mentioned something about a lawyer." Jade informed her, switching her legs to cross them instead. Mrs. Valentine froze, realising just as Jade and Cat had about this new information.

"She wants to take it to court." Mrs. Valentine guessed rather than questioned.

"I don't know what to do." Jade let out a sigh, relieved to be able to talk it through with someone.

"I will help you in any way I can Jade. But legal matters aren't my specialty. I can, however, contact a lawyer. But in the meantime, we should wait for an official letter to arrive." Mrs. Valentine gently took her hand much like Cat would and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We will fight this."

Jade couldn't help but be touched by her devotion. Devotion that a mother would show her daughter. "Thank you." She thanked her solemnly, relaying some of what she was feeling; touched. Once she dropped her hand, the dark haired girl stood up from the couch and with her head slightly bent down, she headed back upstairs, finally feeling as though she could get some well needed sleep.

AN: And there's chapter 6 :) I wanted to make Mrs. Valentine and Jade have a close relationship because Jade needs at least one adult in her court, right? Anyway, I hope that chapter is okay, as I said in the author's note, I'm a little rusty. Thanks for reading guys :)