Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious

Chapter 9: Fix You/Second Chance (By: Coldplay/Shinedown)

Garfield P.O.V

"Okay time to get the fuck up; I'm not going to let you waste away on that filthy floor." I grumble to the lifeless, human heap I find lying on Jade's bed room floor.

"Go….Away…." She seethes, not even bothering to pick her head up. The girl is a fucking mess. I've known her the entirety of her life and I've never seen her this messed up. I crouch beside her and wrap my arms around her fragile frame. She's cold and shaky in my arms and I'm afraid to hold her too tight; what if I break her.

"I'm not going anywhere Jade." The girl turns her body and accepts my embrace. Every wall she's ever had up falls and Jade crumples within my grasp. I can't help but feel sad for her. I know she hates sympathy but I've never encountered another person her age that has been through so much. Death, divorce, depression, rape, isolation, and death again; she never gets a break. Yet she bares it all on her own even though she's been shattered into a million tiny pieces time and time again.

Without conscious thought I begin to rock her back and forth. She cries and I stay put holding her until her sobs turn to shallow whimpers. She raises her head and I get a good look at her face; she looks like she's been through hell. Her normally beautiful, vibrant, expressive sea green irises are now tainted with unsightly, off-putting red rings. Her cheeks bare the tracks of her tears and her normally porcelain skin has now turned a blotchy pink.

"Why are you here?" She sniffles. "I told you to leave." Her aggression puts a smile on my face. Even when she's at her lowest she still finds the strength to be a total pain in the ass. Just serves to remind me that this is still the ice queen Jade West.

"You're all I have Jade; I'm not going to let you wilt away in a cold, empty house." I state running a hand through her thick, matted, raven locks. My words are completely true and I know she knows that too. Jade is the only person left that I actually give a damn about. I've been disowned and forgotten but I still have Jade to keep me grounded; I want the best for the girl. "Jade you can't stay locked up in this house and push your friends away." I warn.

"How did you even know I was here? I could have been in Canada by now." She questions, wiping her nose in the same matter as a five year old.

"Well first of all you would never go to Canada because you hate Canada." I start, unable to help the knowing smirk that graces my lips. "But Tori was the one to tell me where you were." I conclude in a soft voice.

"Why?" Jade barely squeaks out. Her expression drops and I seen the gloominess spread across her features at the mention of her girlfriend.

"She cares. I firmly believe she cares about you more than anything else."

"Then why did she leave!" Jade snaps at me with venom, but I know that her words are all empty. She's empty. She squirms to get out of my grip but I hold her steadfast in my built arms.

"She left because you scared her!" I roar back, upset with her temper even in this situation. "She left because you acted like she dirt and she wasn't sure if you were reverting back to your old self, the old Jade." She stares up at me like I've grown another head. "She wants you to love her…To be her Jade." I add to further explain Tori's reasoning. Jade refuses to make a statement and remains silent, so I continue. "The only reason she didn't bust in here like I did was because she thought you needed some aspect of physical space. And if you even answered your fucking phone or the door you would have known she's been reaching out to you like every three hours. She's a very devoted lover Jade, exactly what you need, but you just put her through agony. You can only push someone away for so long before they give up."

Jade looks up at me and her previously bone dry eyes are now quenched with tears that are threatening to spill over.

"I...But she…It's only been…" She sputters.

"Spit it out woman!"

"I..think I…l-love her." She struggles to get out.

"I know-"I begin but she interrupts me.

"But I didn't eve-" She starts in a harsh tone.

"Hey shut your face and listen to me." She complies with my request, down casting her eyes. "I know you love her because even though you're crying your soul out about your destructive family, you can't seem to get her off your mind."

"How would you know?" Jade inquires with curiosity rather than anger.

"I just do…I was a love struck teenager once." I state, offering her a smile and rubbing her back like her father would have. Silence remains and I allow Jade to wallow in her thoughts for some time. Unexpectedly Jade speaks up.

"How about we watch a good horror movie?" Hope has replaced some of her sadness.

"Anything you want kiddo, but perhaps we should get you cleaned up first. Mascara smears are not sexy."

Switch P.O.V

Tori P.O.V

"Tori are you even listening to me?" Andre questioned, irritation lacing his voice.

"Umm…" I stuttered, earning me a dirty look from my best friend. "No." I admit, dropping my head in defeat.

"Listen I know you're going through…something, but that doesn't mean you have to push your friends away. You're acting like Jade, and you guy aren't even friends."

"I'm not shutting out anyone; I'm just concerned about Jade. Excuse me for being worried about my girlfriend!" I blaze, fury rushing through my veins. Andre falls speechless and looked at me with wide, brown eyes. Silence ensues between us until Andre erupts in hysterical laughter.

"Omigod Tori, so glad you got you humor back." He struggles to get out through his roaring hysterics.

I can't help but be infuriated at my best friend. I can't believe he fucking thinks I'm joking. Is it so ludicrous to believe Jade and I could ever be together? Ugh…who am I kidding it's fucking crazy but she makes me happy and that's all that matters.

"Are. You. Done?" I seethe through clenched teeth, as his laughter slows to quiet chuckles.

"Yea…I think…I'm done." He breathes between chuckles.

"Good because I wasn't fucking kidding."

"Ooh Tori said a bad word." Cat squeals as she arrives at the lunch table.

"Wait, what?" Andre booms bewildered.

"Andre, keep your voice down." I scold, not wanting the school to know about my current status and personal life.

"What's going on?" Cat questions completely oblivious to the obvious tension in the air.

"Tori was just telling me about her…girlfriend." He says with a gulp. I can tell that he's struggling with this whole situation. I know for a fact that Andre's not homophobic or anything, but he is slightly hurt because I didn't tell him. In all honest, I have no problem with who I am, but I don't exactly want to go around explaining my sexuality and relationship to everyone in Hollywood Arts. Plus I'm a person, I have no labels.

"Tori is Jade's girlfriend! Yay!" Cat cheers, not knowing the severity of what she just stated.

"Cat!" I cry. How could she have known? Jade didn't tell anyone and I haven't…Until now. "How did you even know that?" I bark demanding an answer from that small redhead.

"I could tell by the way you look at each other." She smiles. "Plus Jade's teasing has been a lot lighter. She always has a smile when you're around." Cat explains sounding oddly insightful.

"Are you actually dating her?" Andre asks somberly.

"Yes, I am dating Jade West." I state proudly and with a smile gracing my features.

"Well I can't say I saw this coming or that I will ever understand it, but I'm happy for you and Jade." Andre states with acceptance. "But damn that takes the two hottest girls in Hollywood Arts off the market; worse of all their dating each other." Andre adds sounding slightly frustrated but over all happy.

"Hey I'm hot!" Cat chirps.

"Cat you're dating that guy from UCLA; you aren't on the market." I pipe in.

"Oh that's right." Cat giggles.

"Anyway, what's got you so worried about her? Jade misses weeks of school all the time." Andre points out.

"I know but some stuff happened." I hold my hand up to silence Andre as soon as he opens his mouth. "I can't say what-"He nods. "But we haven't talked for days and I can tell she's not in good shape." Last time I saw Jade was at the funeral for her father. I had never seen Jade so vulnerable; it was so odd. She accepted all the sympathy she was given by her father's comrades and was very open about her distress, which was so unexpected.

"Did you try to talk to her?"

"Of course I did! Even when she answered me it wasn't her. I decided to send someone to se-" I'm interrupted by my phone blaring out the chorus to 'Teenage Dream'. I mumble a quick sorry and grab my phone out of my pocket.

Garfield- The gem is safe and sound. She's sorry too. Come by after school or whenever. Thanks for being concerned and calling me today, she was in pretty bad shape this morning. 1:32 Tuesday, January 9th.

Stuffing my phone back into my pocket after a quick reply, I rise from my seat at the table.

"Where are you going?" Andre asks, as I start to walk away.

"I have things to do." I call over my shoulder.

"You mean people to do!" He calls a=back trying his hardest to embarrass me.

"Maybe!" I yell as I turn around to savor his stunned expression. After I've had my fill I flirtatiously wave goodbye and get in my car.

Switch P.O.V

Garfield P.O.V

"Jade are you sure about this? I mean you would be signing your life away; everything could be gone in an instant, your future, your talents, your friends, your girlfriend! This is all you've ever said you wanted." I plead.

"I know it seems like a glamorous life is all I've ever wanted but I want something more than that…more honorable, to make my family…my father proud. Plus the paperwork has already been signed, no backing out now."

"Jade you know your mind may be clouded by grief." I plead once more.

"It has been a week and a half, I'm not grieving anymore. If anything the angst has proved to clear my mind." She explains in a cool, calculated tone. "I just want to make someone proud and this is the best way, my father was always right. I want to belong to a bigger cause."

"Okay, it's your life." I say bowing out of this fight. "But don't forget the life you had here." I caution, not knowing what else to say. Hey, I'm only 23 I have no idea how to act like a damn parent.

"I won't, I could never forget. Tonight will be my last night here and I would like to spend it with Tori so…"

"I can take a hint, I'll be out of your hair after you give me a hug."

She gladly falls into my arms and the both of us hold on for dear life.

"Thank you." She says out of the blue.

"For?"

"Everything! You were always there but you don't let me wallow in my self-pity. I love you Gar."

"I love you too kiddo. Now-" I gently push her away from my body. "Stop crying it's not like I died, I'll be here as long as you need me. Here, so you remember me, or something." I grab the dog tags (My father's) that adorn my neck and rip them free. Sliding them into her pale had I give her one last kiss on the forehead and leave the house.

A/N- So this is the chapter. I don't really know if it's good or not but I guess I'll find out from you guys. Tell me if you find any errors or confusing bits and I'll be sure to correct them. Reviews are always appreciated as well. Until next time-

JKJOKER