A/N Thanks for the positive response so far, I really appreciate it. I just wanted to say that although it isn't clear yet this story will involve all/most of the other victorious characters, the next chapter will be about Cat and what she's been up to in the past few years
Tori felt alone. She'd felt alone for some time. In her head, she'd always pictured her reunion with Jade being full of tears of Joy, hugs and apologies. She certainly didn't expect that Jade would just walk away and brush her off as if they were strangers.
Tori combed out her hair with her fingers and wiped away her tears. She touched up her makeup and took a deep breath before walking back out to the bar.
It's quieter than before and she manages to get a seat at the bar. Tori orders a diet coke and sips it, taking in her surroundings. She spots Jade again with a guy who she presumes is Derek; he has his arm around her Waist. Jade however looks dazed. Tori hates to admit it but she's almost certain Jade's a drug addict or she's at least that she was on something. It breaks her heart to even think about what she's been doing for the last few years.
As Tori sits slowly sipping on her coke her mind races through all the possible terrible situations that could have led to Jade being like this. She'd always thought of Jade as strong and untouchable; never the type to turn to drugs.
She was taken out of her thoughts by raised voices. It's Derek; he was shouting at Jade and she was half shouting back.
"You stupid slut" Barks Derek.
Jade musters the last of her courage and slaps him; right on the face. Tori finds herself feeling relief; maybe the Jade she knew is in there somewhere.
Jade sees Derek raised his hand; she regretted slapping him instantly. As she flinched, bracing for him to hit her she heard a voice.
"Don't you even think about hitting her!" Tori yelled with confidence.
Derek lowered his hand and let out a low laugh of disbelief. Who the fuck would care about one of his stupid sluts. He eyed Tori, the skinny 5'5" pretty-faced, little actress had her distinctive frown on her face as she tried to look as aggressive as possible. He never noticed the other men in the bar backing her up until one of them hit him square in the jaw.
Tori took her chance to grab Jade's arm and drag her out of the bar. Jade just went with it; she'd always wanted to be 'saved' by one of her friends; in her head, she'd always imagine one of them finding her and being outraged at how she was being treated but always managed to convince herself that it'd never happen; who would care that much about her? She had left them all behind with no explanation after all; they had most likely moved on with their lives, hadn't they?
The cold air hit both girls; neither of which were wearing jackets.
"Jade, do you want to stay at my hotel for the night. You don't have to…. It's just he seemed angry and I don't want him to hurt you.. you know. I'm sure he's normally really nice its just-" Tori rambled nervously
"Yeah.. whatever," Jade managed softly her head was pounding and Tori was being just as irritating if not more so as jade had remembered; she had absolutely no idea what she'd just agreed to all she could hear was her heart pounding in her ears.
"Do you know where I could find a phone to call a cab?" Tori asked.
"Around the corner." Jade murmured holding her head.
Tori linked arms with Jade and they walked slowly round to the payphone. Tori called the cab stopping to ask Jade where they were. Jade tried her hardest not to seem out of it but she could just feel Tori's eyes on her. The cab came and Jade could barely remember the last time she'd been in one. She never listened as Tori gave the name of the hotel she was staying at. The next thing Jade knew Tori was shaking her and telling her that she needed to get up as they were here.
Tori however was shocked at the whole situation and couldn't take her eyes off of Jade; scared that it was all a exhaustion induced hallucination. When they got to her hotel she woke Jade(well kind of) and they headed up to her suite. She guided the dazed Jade to her bed and tucked her in before grabbing a blanket and drifting off to sleep on the couch.