Chapter 9

There she is! I jump up out of my seat and frantically wave my arms so that she'll see me. My frantic antics work because as soon as I start waving her clear blue eyes find mine. A gentle, benevolent smile plays out on her lips, returning my grin. Heather's not one for major, overplayed, enthusiastic things. Whereas I'd prefer throwing her a giant lightshow of fireworks or writing her a song, she'd just prefer to set up a park picnic for the two of us.

Heather walks over, trying to draw the least amount of attention to herself, as she slyly steps lightly on her two-inch heels. "Hey babe," she says. She gives me a chaste kiss on the lips before waiting for me to sit down so she can sit on my lap.

I look around the table for my friends' collective reaction. André is starring at me quizzically, but not judgmentally. A small smile graces Beck's lips, as if he just bought the last pack of gummy worms in the vending machine. Robbie's mouth was dropped but his eyes had definitely turned a shade darker. Cat was still smiling and humming the "My Little Pony's" theme song. Finally, I turned to the person who I knew would definitely be the worst to face. Jade's cheeks were red, she was about three seconds from breaking through her Styrofoam coffee cup with her hand, and if looks could kill Heather would be dead.

"Um… what's this about?" André asks, awkwardly clearing his throat.

"Wait, he didn't know?" Heather asks curiously. I could tell she was a bit angry with them not knowing about us, but I had my reasons… One of which was Jade.

"I wanted to tell them while we were together," I assure her. I turn to the rest of the gang, "Guys, this is my girlfriend Heather!"

None of the guys answer at first, all still in a state of shock. Cat responded immediately though. "Yay! You two are so cute together," fawns cat. She jumps up and squeezes the two of us in her arms as her bubbly laugh floats into my ear. When Cat finally let's go, now humming a cheesy love song I can't quite remember the name of, I turn to the guys.

"Congratulations guys," says Beck with a polite but clearly just barely tolerating smile. He leans over and gives me a pat on the shoulder, representing an okay-ness with the situation but I notice the sideways glance he gives to the beautiful goth on my right.

Jade doesn't say a word, but begins furiously stabbing her food with the scissors she always keeps in her boot, eating her food off the dangerously, lethal scissors. I decide, for both our safeties, not to comment.

"Yeah, it's all chill here chica," assures André. Robbie nods with enthusiasm but I can tell he's still a bit weirded out and turned on.

We all eat in awkward silence for a while until André awkwardly clears his throat and asks, "So how'd you two meet?"

Both Heather and I open our mouths, ready to speak. The two of us burst out laughing, interrupting each other. I give her a chaste kiss on the lips and wave with my hand, insinuating that she has the floor. "Well, we met a two years ago at our old high school. We became fast friends and started dating. It took Tori a lot but she finally came out of the closet with me and to everyone but then, five months into our out-and-proud relationship my dad's job transferred him and I had to leave."

"Recently though," I cut in, "Northridge boarding offered her a spot at their school!"

"Of course I had to take it, life without my Tori sucked," Heather replied with a shrug. I gave her another kiss, which she instantly deepened.

The only thing that separated us was the cold feeling of ice coffee. Both Heather and I jumped up, drenched. Jade was already standing up with that petty smirk on her face and an empty Starbucks cup. "Feel good coming out with somebody? Your love strong enough?"

Jade's words sting more than the freezing coffee as she refers to my comment about her coming out, and how it's easier when you're with somebody because at least you have each other.

I grab Heather's hand, "Wow Jade. I thought you were changing." I looked down at her with disgust as I pulled Heather into the girl's washroom with me.

#PilotEpisode:Dog!

"Bye Heather," I say with a kiss on her cheek. She still tastes faintly of coffee… it's delicious. It kind of reminds me of Jade.

"Bye Tori, thanks for the extra pair of sweats," she says with a smile.

"Anytime, you look better in them than I do," I reply.

"Can't blame a girl for her natural looks," Heather replies with a sarcastically shallow flip of her hair. We kiss one more time before she leaves.

As soon as she's out of sight my smile turns to a scowl and I march straight over to Jade's locker, where she's carelessly standing.

"You, me, janitor's closet," I say. She follows me willingly into the closet. Memories of make-out sessions overwhelm me, but I quickly remember why I'm here. I'm angry.

"What the fuck was that Jade?" I yell at her.

"My opinion of your girlfriend," Jade replies with her usual snark.

"No, that was you being petty and low and jealous," I respond.

"Jealous?" Jade scoffs. "Of what? I'm over you, same way you seem to be over me." I can hear the cockiness in her voice but her eyes deceive her. The hurt is still too fresh.

"Yeah, because pouring ice coffee over me and my new girlfriend is really showing an uncaring blasé," I reply sarcastically. "This is why we could never be together!"

"Why?" Jade challenges angrily.

"Because you were always lying! You're incapable of owning up to the truth. You won't ever say how you really feel, even with me."

"You want to know how I feel?" Jade responds, caught up in the moment. I motion for her to continue. "I feel like you were the biggest waste I ever spent on somebody." I fear the tears prickle up in my eyes, but I sniffle and refuse to let them fall.

"I loved you Jade and I know you loved me too," I answer strongly. "You're just too scared to admit it."

Jade takes a threatening step towards me. We're only centimeters apart. I want to kiss her. "I. Never. Loved. You."

With that Jade storms out of the janitor's closet. I follow her out, wiping my eyes with the cuff of my sleeve.

Right at that moment the fluffy-haired heartthrob of the school walks by, "Beck!" Jade calls out, insinuating that he better get his butt over to her.

"Hey Jade, what's up?" He asks casually, bringing the straps of his backpack closer to his body.

"Do you wanna go out tonight?"

Beck side-glance's at me and looks unsteadily at Jade. "Um… yeah, we have a lot to talk about." With that Beck walks away, Jade smiles cockily, and I run to the bathroom to cry.

One more chapter guys! I apologize for this one being sort of poorly written. I'm just eager to finish this off with a happy bang :)