Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious or Big Time Rush. They belong to Dan Schneider and Scott Fellows respectively.

Author's Note: Here's chapter six! I have chapter seven finished as well and that should be posted once my summer starts. This is really another laid back kind of chapter in a way; everything is kind of chill. You find out why Jade was crying back in chapter three and they start college in chapter eight, which I am currently working on. Enjoy!

The weekend goes by pretty fast and Jo leaves to go back to New York Sunday night. Jade started working at Café LA on Monday and she's actually really good at it. She has to learn how to be a little more cheerful, but other than that she's great. There are car rides to and from work that go by silently, Jade never wanting to talk to Kendall unless she absolutely feels like responding.

At the end of Jade's first week, Kendall offers to take her out to dinner as a celebration of not getting fired within the first week. She hesitates for a moment before agreeing, deciding it's a free meal and she can always act like he's not there. They go home and change and lounge around the apartment for awhile before they leave and make their way to the restaurant.

"Why did you pick a fancy place?" Jade complains as Kendall parks the car.

"I thought it was well-deserved and you said that you didn't care where we went."

"Yeah, but I didn't mean somewhere like this. This makes it seem like we're on a date."

"I can cancel the reservation and we'll go somewhere else."

Jade thinks about it. "Let's just go."

"I've heard this place is great and considering I'm here with you, it should be interesting."

"If it's so great, why didn't you bring Jo here?"

Kendall shrugs and opens the door. "I don't know," he walks around to the passenger side and opens Jade's door. "I guess I didn't think about it."

"Opening the door makes it seem more like a date." she says as she gets out of the car.

Kendall closes the door and locks the car before they begin walking towards the restaurant. "It's the nice thing to do."

"It's just unnecessary."

"Will I have to put up with your cockamamie arguments all night?"

"Probably."

Kendall sighs. "It's gonna be a long night." he holds the door of restaraunt open for Jade as they make their way inside and stand at the podium to wait for the maître d' to seat them.

They get to their table and order drinks and appetizers and fall into a silence.

Jade looks around the restaraunt until her gaze falls on Kendall, who is staring at her. "What?"

"I've been living with you for two weeks now and I just realized that I don't know anything about you."

"You know my name." Jade replies sarcastically.

"Obviously, I meant things that most people wouldn't. The only things I really know about you are that you have a friend named Cat, your parents are divorced, and your favorite color."

"That's enough."

He sighs. "Come on, Jade. You know things about me."

"Your point?"

"If I'm going to be living with you, I would like to know more about you."

"Fine." she groans. "Ask something."

"When's your birthday?"

"July 26."

Kendall frowns. "That was a few days ago."

"I know. That's why I went to my mother's house after work that day."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because birthdays are not important. It's just one more year of getting closer to death."

"I for one love birthdays."

"That doesn't surprise me."

"Well, happy belated birthday."

"Thanks," Jade mumbles.

"Moving on, what's your favorite movie."

Jade's face instantly lights up. "Hands down, without a doubt, The Scissoring."

"The Scissoring? What's that?"

"It's the best movie ever made. I seriously love that movie more than I love life."

"Really? It's that good?"

"Yeah, I'll have to show it to you sometime."

Kendall smiles. "I'd like that. Mind if I ask you a more personal question?"

"I guess not."

"Not that it doesn't seem like you never had, but have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"Yeah," she replies simply. "I dated this guy for two years in high school."

"Why'd you break up?"

"He cheated on me."

"Wow. I'm sorry."

Jade shakes her head. "Don't be. Some things just don't work out."

"Did you know the girl?"

Jade falls into a hysterical laugh. Tears start to fall and her cheeks flush because she can't catch her breath.

"Mind telling me what's so funny?" Kendall asks once Jade calms down.

Jade chuckles a little bit. "He cheated on me with a guy."

"Damn. Didn't see that coming."

"And yeah, I knew the guy."

"Do you still talk to him?"

"Hell no," that's all she manages to get out before the waiter comes and places their drinks and appetizers in front of them.

"Jade, can I ask you something?"

"You were already doing that."

"Right. Do you like me?"

Jade shrugs and takes a sip of her drink. "You're okay."

"Would you consider me a friend?"

"I just started considering you a person, what do you think?"

"I actually think you do."

"Well, I don't,"

"That could change."

"Whatever." they say simultaneously and Jade glares at Kendall.

"What?" he chuckles. "I couldn't resist."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't. You need me, so you don't hate me."

"Speaking of that, I need your help with something."

"With what?"

"I'm taking a lot of music classes this year, would you be willing to teach me how to play the guitar?"

"Yeah, of course. Would you be willing to listen to what I tell you?"

Jade rolls her eyes. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really. Just say when and we can start."

"Cool," Jade responds and glances over to a table. She studies the table for a moment before turning back and playing with her napkin.

Kendall looks over to where she was staring and then back at Jade. "Do you know them?" he asks.

"Kinda."

"Who are they?"

Jade looks at him. "My dad and stepmother."

"Do you talk to them?"

"My dad hates me. I guess you can figure out the answer."

"He hates you?"

"He told me I'm a huge disappointment."

Kendall thinks for a moment before asking, "Was he the reason you were crying the other week? You got a text from him?"

"Yeah," Jade responds, glancing back at the table. "I told him I got into the college I've always wanted to go to and he told me it's unfortunate how I'll never make anything out of myself because being a performer isn't a career."

"Damn."

"He also said that I probably won't graduate because I fail to complete anything or do anything right."

"Shit. He sounds like the world's biggest jackass."

"He is."

"Don't look now, but I think he's coming over here."

Jade frowns. "That's not funny."

"I'm not kidding."

Jade turns her head just as her father appears at the table.

"Jade,"

"Dad."

"I wasn't expecting to see you here."

Jade rolls her eyes. "Am I not good enough to eat at restaurants?"

"Regular restaurants, yes. This one is far too good for you."

"Dick." Jade mumbles.

"And you are?" Mr. West asks Kendall as he looks at him.

"Kendall. Jade's roommate."

"I'm sorry, I know my daughter can make things very difficult. I'm surprised she even managed to find one."

Kendall looks at Jade as she sighs before responding. "Jade's actually great. I like being able to live with her."

"Did she tell you to say that?"

"No, sir. I actually mean it."

Jade looks at Kendall and then at her dad. "Not everyone hates me like you do, Dad."

"I never said I hated you."

"No, but it has always been implied."

Mr. West sighs. "I'll see you around." he says before he makes his way back to his table.

"Great, my appetite has been ruined before dinner was even served."

"He's more than what I expected."

"He's a sorry excuse for a father." she says simply. "You didn't have to say all that, by the way."

"Say what?"

"That you actually like living with me and that you think I'm great."

"I do like living with you. It hasn't been the smoothest transition for either of us, but I've enjoyed it for the most part."

Jade takes a bite out of her food. "Always Mr. Optimist."

"Always Miss Pessimist." he counters.

She smirks. "Whatever."

The rest of their night actually goes by rather well. They small talk and Kendall manages to get a few laughs and smiles out of Jade. He's not sure why, but he feels as if the atmosphere between them has changed. He tries to just tell himself it's because they're having dinner in a romantic restaurant and not that he's actually interested in Jade.

The car ride home is a comfortable silence, not the awkward silence that they usually have. Kendall parks the car in one of the parking spaces and Jade gets out making her way inside the building. Kendall catches up to her, which is easy since Jade's waiting at the elevator.

Jade looks over at him. "Thanks."

"Did I hear wrong? Did you just say thank you?" he jokes.

"Shut up, just be glad I said it."

Kendall chuckles. "You're welcome. I had fun tonight." he tells her as they step into the elevator, an elder couple walking in a little afterwards.

The old woman smiles at them. "What a lovely couple."

Jade and Kendall look at each other and Kendall says, "We're not a couple."

"Really?" her husband asks.

"Really. We're just roommates." Jade responds.

The couple looks at each other and smile before the elevator falls silent. Jade and Kendall get off on their floor and walk to the apartment. It's not too long after their inside that Jade returns to her usual self.

"What the hell was with that look they gave each other?"

Kendall sighs as he locks the door. "Jade, please don't tell me you hate old people."

"No, but when I said we were just roommates, they looked at each other like I was lying."

"I'm sure it was nothing." he tells her and sits on the couch.

"It seems like nothing to you. I know they were thinking something."

"Calm down, West. Just breathe."

"I am breathing!" she yells, but does what he says. "Come on."

Kendall frowns. "Where are we going?"

"To your room. You're gonna teach me how to play the guitar."

"Now?"

"You said 'just say when'." she points out. "I'm saying when and when is now."

"Okay. Just know I can't turn you into the best guitar player overnight."

"It doesn't matter. I learn quickly."

Kendall stands up. "Except when it comes to cooking."

Jade punches him in the arm. "Shut up!"

"I was kidding," he says as he rubs his arm. "You can really pack a punch."

"Don't be such a baby."

"I always thought you also chose me as your roommate because I'm a guy and I could defend you; I see you could do that by yourself."

"I guess, but who really knows?" she responds with a shrug as she walks down the hall to Kendall's room.

Kendall walks in a few seconds later and grabs his guitar. "Nothing too complicated. I'm just going to really teach you how to hold it and where your fingers go and a few other things for now."

"That's fine."

"You're actually going to listen to me?"

"How else am I gonna learn?"

"Point taken. Have a seat and prepare to learn from the master."

He's not sure when it happened, but when Kendall wakes up in the middle of the night, Jade's right next to him. He doesn't even remember falling asleep. The clock on his bedside table reads 3:45am and all he wants to do is close his eyes and go back to sleep. However, with Jade right next to him he finds that it's difficult.

He groans quietly before standing and stretching. He walks over to the bathroom to relieve himself and when he comes back out, Jade's just waking up.

"What time is it?" she asks as she rubs her eyes.

"Almost four." he responds, fighting off a yawn.

She nods and stands. "I'm going back to bed."

"Okay," he says and pulls back the covers on his bed, fully prepared to continue sleeping himself. "Goodnight."

"'Night." she tells him as she makes her way to the door. "And thanks."

"You said that earlier"

Jade shrugs. "Well, I'm saying it again. I hate to admit it, but I actually had fun tonight."

"Technically last night."

"Don't ruin it."

He chuckles. "Not trying to and you're welcome. We should do it again sometime."

"We'll see." is all she says before she closes the door.

"Whatever!" Kendall yells once it closes, laughing when Jade responds by kicking his door.

Later that morning, when it was an acceptable time to get up, Jade decides to actually make breakfast for a change. She decides it's the least she can do on their day off and it's a way of becoming more friendly or something along those lines.

When Kendall walks in the kitchen, he's surprised to say the least. Jade has prepared toast, bacon, eggs, and sausage. It's not the food he's surprised over, it's the fact that Jade cooked.

"I thought you said you didn't like to cook?"

"I did."

"Then what is all this?" he asks as he grabs a piece of bacon.

"Breakfast."

"I know, but you cooked it. The girl who hates cooking."

"Calm down and eat your breakfast."

Kendall looks at the piece of bacon he's holding and sets it back down on the plate. "What'd you do to it?"

"Nothing."

"Jade,"

"I have more important things to do than trying to poison you, Knight."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"Just eat the damn food."

"You eat something first."

Jade sighs and picks up a fork and takes a bite out of the eggs. "See?"

"How do I know it's really safe?"

"Kendall, just eat."

"You called me Kendall." he points out, seemingly surprised.

"That's your name."

"Yeah, I just wasn't sure you knew that I actually had one. You usually call me Blondie or Knight. I haven't heard you say my name since the day we met."

"I say your name. Just not to you." she tells him and sets a plate in front of him. "Now eat."

"Fine," he replies and begins to place food on the plate. "How are you gonna spend the day off?"

"I'm not sure."

"I plan to go to my mom's for a little bit. You're welcome to join, I know she'd love to meet you."

"Do I have to meet her?"

"My mom likes to meet all of mine and Katie's friends."

"I'm not your friend."

Kendall sighs. "Well, whatever you are, she would still like to meet you."

"Why torture me?"

"It's not torture."

"I haven't asked you to meet my mom."

"I met your dad."

"That was just misfortune."

"Jade, just meet her. We don't even have to stay very long."

Jade thinks about it. "We'll stay for an hour."

"Two."

"Half an hour."

"An hour and a half."

"Fine, but no more than that."

"Deal." Kendall says and takes a bite out of his toast. "Then after that you can take me to meet your mom."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll think about it."

"Just so you know, I haven't told my mom about our arguments. As far as she knows, we get along great." Kendall tells Jade as they pull into his mom's driveway.

"Whatever," Jade responds with a shrug. "You're the one who thinks we get along in the first place."

"We do. We just have our moments."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Blondie."

"And none of that."

"None of what?"

"Calling me Blondie. It sounds condescending."

Jade scoffs. "It's your hair color."

"Yes, but the way you say it makes it sound like an insult."

"Can we just get this over with?"

"Sure."

"An hour and a half. Remember that." Jade reminds him as they get out of the car.

"Yeah, I'll remember."

"Your mom went to Minnesota because you're from there, right?" Jade asks as they walk to the door.

Kendall makes a face. "Yeah, I told you I was from there. Don't you remember?"

"I drift in and out when you talk."

"I'm not really surprised." is all he says before he opens the door. "Mom?" he calls out. "Katie?" he tries.

"Are they even home?"

"Yeah, they must be in the backyard. Come on."

They walk out to the backyard where Ms. Knight and Katie are planting some plants.

"There you two are." he says with a smile.

"You didn't tell us you were coming over." Jennifer says and stands up.

"I wanted it to be a surprise." he tells her and gives her a hug before he leans down and kisses the top of Katie's head.

"It's been a while, big brother."

"I know, two weeks seems like forever."

"Kendall..." Jennifer starts, making sure she has Kendall's attention before shifting her gaze to Jade quickly.

"Oh! This is Jade, my roommate. Jade, this is my mom and sister...obviously."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Jade." Jennifer tells her as she extends her hand.

Jade manages a polite smile and shakes her hand. "It's nice to meet you, too."

"I take it from Kendall's phone calls living together is going well?"

Jade looks at Kendall who's begging her with his eyes not to tell about the constant arguing they've been having. "Everything's been great. He's an awesome roommate."

"You're nothing like I was expecting." Katie says as she finally stands up. "I was expecting someone more girly, no offense."

"None taken. Girly isn't really my thing."

"I do like the eyebrow piercing. It's cool."

"Thanks."

Jennifer rubs her hands off on her pants. "Let us go get cleaned up and we can all sit down and talk, okay?"

"That sounds great." Kendall responds.

"Good, we'll be right back." she tells them as she and Katie make their way back into the house.

Jade walks over to the picnic table and sits down. "Any particular reason why you don't want your mom to know that we argue?"

"Because she's going to want to know details and I don't want to have to tell her that I called you a bitch."

"You can always lie."

"I don't like lying to my mom."

"You just had me lie to her and I just met the woman."

Kendall sighs and sits across from Jade. "I know and thank you for not telling her. I owe you."

"You say that a lot."

"I know."

"You're going to owe me a lot by the end of the year."

"Probably, but I don't mind."

Jade rolls her eyes. "Are you always going to be Mr. Goody-Goody?"

"I'm actually a nice person, Jade. You just happen to get under my skin a lot."

Jade smirks. "It's all in a day's work."

"Of course."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go for it."

"What happened to your dad?"

"I wish I knew."

"What do you mean?"

"He walked out on us when I was five."

"Are you serious?"

Kendall nods. "Yeah, I haven't seen or heard from him since."

"That's...wow. I'm sorry."

He shakes his head. "Don't be. Some things are meant to be a certain way."

"Still Mr. Optimist."

Kendall smiles. "Always."

They stay for the exact amount of time they said they would before Kendall tells his mom that they have to get going. He gives Jade the keys to his car and tells her that he'll be out the momentarily. Jade says goodbye to Ms. Knight and Katie before she walks out the door.

"What do you think of her?" he asks once Jade's out of the house.

"I think she's great." Katie says.

"She's very interesting." is what Jennifer manages.

"And by that you mean?"

"Just what I said. She's interesting."

"I'm gonna take that as a good thing."

"Do you like her?" Katie asks.

"In what way?"

"If you have to assume I mean more than one way, maybe I just killed two birds with one stone." Katie smirks.

"I like her as a friend."

"Kendall, it's me. If you like her it's no big deal. Like I said, she's cool."

"Katie, I don't like Jade that way. We're just roommates."

"That's how it starts."

"Katie, tell your brother goodbye and go finish planting those flowers."

Katie sighs. "Fine. Bye, big brother."

Kendall hugs her. "Bye. Try and stay out of trouble."

"Of course." she tells him as he lets her go and she walks back out to the backyard.

"Do you like her?" Jennifer asks.

"Mom!"

"What? I just want to know."

"As a friend and a roommate. I have Jo."

"Okay, just checking." she tells him and kisses his cheek. "Drive safely."

"I will. I'll call you later."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye." he says and walks to the car where Jade is messing with the radio.

"Finally, I've been ready to go for the past hour."

Kendall closes the door. "Don't act like you didn't enjoy yourself."

"I'm not acting."

"Yeah, of course not." he responds and backs out the driveway. "Katie thinks you're cool."

"And what does Mommy Dearest think?"

"All she said was that you're interesting."

"I've learned to take that as an insult."

"I don't think she meant it as one. She just didn't know how else to describe you."

"If you say so."

"What's your mom's address?"

"We're not gonna visit my mom."

"Why not?"

"Because I said so."

"Please." he begs.

"My mom is not anything special."

"That's a little mean."

"It is what it is." she responds nonchalantly.

"How about this: we stay at your mom's for half an hour and then go home and you can ignore me for the rest of the night."

Jade considers it. "Fine, but no talking to me unless you're dying."

"Deal. Now, where does your mom live?"

"Turn right up ahead."

"Which house is it?" Kendall asks Jade as they turn down the road to Ms. West's house.

"It's the big brick one on the left, you can't miss it."

"Is your mom nice?"

"Yeah."

"Really? Then what's your problem?" he asks with a smirk.

"You just think that you're so fucking funny." she replies.

"I do, I do."

"Well, you're not."

"Is that it?" he asks and points to a house.

"Yeah, that's it."

Kendall turns into the driveway and parks the car.

"Anything I should know before we go in?"

"Nope, you should be good." Jade tells him and gets out the car and walks to the door.

"Are you sure?"

"The only thing you really need to know is that she's going to ask a lot of questions."

"I can handle that."

"Half an hour." is all she says and walks into the house. "Mother!"

"Yes?" Ms. West yells from upstairs.

"Come down here and make sure you look decent!"

Ms. West comes walking down the stairs. "What is all the-" she stops once she sees Kendall. "Oh, hello."

"Mother, this is my roommate, Kendall."

"It's nice to meet you, Kendall. I've heard a lot about you."

Kendall smirks at Jade and shakes Ms. West hand. "It's nice to meet you, as well."

"What brings you here?" she asks Jade.

"Blondie was so hell-bent on wanting to meet you, so here we are."

"Well, I'm glad you came." she responds and leads them into the living room.

"We're not staying long." Jade says as she takes a seat.

"That's fine. How long are you staying?"

"Half an hour. So, if you're gonna grill him, grill him now."

"I'm not gonna grill him." Ms. West says and looks at Kendall. "I'm just going to simply find out if what Jade has told me about you is true."

Kendall chuckles. "That's fine."

"Okay, then. Let's get started."

"Your mom is really nice." Kendall tells Jade as they drive home.

"Yeah,"

"Do you like your mom?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know, you just seemed annoyed by her."

"I'm annoyed by most people. That's really not anything new."

Kendall nods. "I guess you're right."

The remainder of the drive is quiet and for once Kendall is okay with that.

"I'm going in my room. Remember not to bother me." Jade says when they enter their apartment.

"Okay," Kendall responds as she disappears down the hall.

He sits on the couch, prepared to aimlessly watch TV when his phone starts ringing, when he looks at it, he sees that Jo's calling him.

"Hey," he says when he answers.

"Hi."

Kendall scrunches up his face. "Are you okay? You sound upset."

"Kendall," Jo sighs. "I need to talk to you."

"Okay?" he responds, but it comes out more like a question.

"Please don't hate me."

Kendall closes his eyes and sighs. "Jo, what is it?"

Jade walks into the living room an hour later and sees Kendall on the couch with his eyes closed.

"Are you sleeping or thinking?" she asks.

"Not now, Jade."

"What's with you?"

"Please, just not now."

Jade walks over to the couch and sits beside him. "Come on, tell me what's wrong."

He opens one of his eyes. "Are you gonna actually listen?"

"Yeah,"

"Jo and I broke up."

"Why? You two seemed fine last weekend."

"She said that she's in a new place and she wants to meet new people."

"She's lying."

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm a girl." she says pointedly. "She said she wants to meet people because within the past week, she's managed to meet someone new that she apparently likes enough to break up with you."

"You think that's true?"

"Hate to break it to you, Knight, but I do."

"Damn," he sighs.

"How long have you two been together?"

"Since freshman year of high school."

"Wow, that's too bad."

"Yeah."

Jade looks at him, actually feeling sympathy for him, and places a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Kendall opens his eyes completely and offers Jade a little smile. "Thank you."

"No problem."