One Month Earlier

There's a bench outside of Hollywood Arts where Jade does most of her brooding. That isn't what she would call it, brooding is Cat's term, but she does like to go there to think. It's fairly out of the way, which at this school means it isn't inside or between the main entrance and the parking lot, so people don't bother her.

Today her brooding has a particular focus: Tori Vega. The girl is seemingly everywhere and Jade can't seem to get away. Jade doesn't always hate Tori. Vega has her redeeming qualities, she is genuinely talented, she's likeable, but the more Jade is forced to deal with her the less that makes up for her one fatal flaw: Beck.

Jade is used to simple. She likes simple. Before Tori came along things between her and Beck were simple. They aren't now. Tori has mixed things up. She's shown Beck what Jade's not and shown Jade how things with Beck should be. Beck opens up to Tori in ways he never has with Jade. Their conversations have always been subdued, short and to the point. Jade's always figured that's just how they were. She doesn't need to discuss the specifics of her life on a regular basis with her boyfriend, she has Cat for that, but the more time Beck spends with Tori the more obvious it is that that's where he wants to be spending all of it. Jade's almost offended he hasn't ended things already.

"Aw, you're brooding again. What is it? Pissed that Sikowitz gave you a B on your monologue?" Cat's cheerful voice interrupts Jade's train of thought.

"Something like that. Sure. How did you find me?"

"Oh I know where you like to spend your angry 'Me' time. So tell me all about it. What problems are we dwelling on today?" the redhead asks as she takes a seat on the bench next to Jade.

"Guess."

"Oh that's no fun, you're way too predictable. Is it Tori or Beck this time?"

Jade shakes her head at Cat's tone, "God I really am pathetic, aren't I?"

Cat just throws an arm around her friend's shoulder, "Oh I wouldn't say that. So enlighten me. Why do you hate Tori Vega so much, and don't spare the details. Make me hate her too."

Jade gives a weak laugh, "If only I had those kinds of reasons. I just hate her for how easily everything comes to her. I practically had to threaten my parents to get them to send me here. God forbid their precious daughter wanted to be an actress. Tori's sister has allergies, she sings one song and is invited here with open arms while her parents practically push her out the door. Tell me it doesn't bother you, how good she is at everything."

"It doesn't. Not really," Cat says with a shrug, "but that isn't the real reason you hate her so much. It can't be. I make good grades. I'm good at things and you don't hate me, do you?"

Jade shakes her head again, "Cat, that's different. We're friends. You do well and I'm excited for you. You work hard for your talent. Tori just shows up out of nowhere and she's good at everything. It's all so effortless, and now she's got everyone just falling all over themselves to please her. Andre and Robbie follow her around like lost puppies. She's Sikowitz's new favorite after one month and Beck…"

Cat nods, "See, I knew you would get there eventually."

Jade is mildly confused, "Get where?"

"To what's really bothering you. You hate her because she's crushing on Beck."

"It's not that. Not really. I could get past her crushing on Beck easily enough. What really bothers me is that I'm pretty sure it's mutual."

Cat takes Jade's hand in her own, "You really think things between Beck and Tori go both ways? I've never been all that good at reading Beck. He's broodier than you are and unlike you he's just as hard to read around me as he is everyone else."

Jade stares quietly at the side of the school building for a moment, "I really think they do. Beck's just… he's different around her than he is with me, or anyone else for that matter. Happier, if I had to find a word for it. It hurts and I know it's only going to get worse. I want to find some way to show him that I'm better than Tori, that he belongs with me… but I'm not sure he does."

Cat squeezes Jade's hand once before covering it with her other one, "Some things just don't work out, Jade."

Jade looks at Cat helplessly, "Is it wrong that I'd rather be miserable together with him than alone while he and Tori are happy?"

Cat gives her a sad smile, "Maybe, maybe not. But it's going to happen eventually. I think you need to end it on your own terms. And Jade? You won't be alone you know. We're not all desperate for Tori's attention."

Jade gives a weak smile in return, "Thanks Cat. I'll keep that in mind."

The lunch bell interrupts Jade's last sentence and Cat immediately jumps to her feet, "Oh my god food!" the redhead exclaims excitedly as she takes off toward the nearby building.

Jade gathers her bag and watches Cat's retreating form as she enters the high school. She laughs softly, "Don't ever change, Cat," she says quietly to herself.