Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. You made me smile so much :D The chapter after this is almost done too so I will hopefully be able to update tomorrow.
Disclaimer: I don't own victorious.
Luckily Cat only had to stay at Tori's for a couple of days before her Mother's friend agreed she could stay with her temporarily until they found an apartment. However Jade and Cat still spent many evenings together looking through listings on websites in the search for the perfect place.
Together with Cats money from her parents, Jades savings, and Beck's movie earnings they could actually afford a half decent place and it didn't take long until they found a couple of apartments that they really liked. However the apartment search was being put on hold due to the fact filming for the movie was way behind schedule and Beck was being kept in the UK for an additional three weeks.
Unfortunately the conversation didn't go so well when Beck broke the news to a highly hormonal Jade. She shouted a lot and then proceeded to completely ignore him. After three days she finally cracked and sent him a mass of angry text messages before deciding to "forgive" him. Beck actually offered to come back early but she just accused him of making her feel bad and forbade him from quitting the movie. Beck was at a complete loss at what he was supposed to do because he knew whatever choice he made right now would be the wrong one. Not to mention the other huge thing he was keeping from her.
Jade was using Beck's late return as the perfect excuse to act like a complete bitch to everyone and anyone who came into contact with her. Robbie was literally terrified of her by this point and if Andre came over to the house to visit Tori he would avoid the spare bedroom like it was on fire. Now at 26 weeks pregnant, Jade was reaching the end of the second trimester so the novelty of being constantly kicked in the groin by her baby girl had worn off and the backache was really starting to suck.
Late one Sunday evening, Tori and Andre were cuddled up watching The Breakfast Club in the living room when Jade, having just woken up from a nap, trudged down the stairs and headed straight to the fridge. She frowned as she inspected the lack of food they had at the moment before pulling out a slice of leftover pizza and taking a bite. She moaned deeply as she closed her eyes and leant against the kitchen counter and Tori and Andre shared a concerned look.
'Hey, you have that doctors appointment on Tues-' Tori began to remind her.
'I KNOW!' Jade yelled viciously, slamming the fridge door shut and storming back upstairs. Tori exhaled stressed, it was like treading on eggshells with Jade right now.
'What happened to the sweet, cuddly pregnant Jade who sprinkled sugar on all her food?' Andre asked his eyes wide in shock after Jades outburst. Tori shook her head before wrapping her arms back around his torso and kissing him. The movie ended and they started making out. Andre placed his hands on Tori's waist and she draped around his neck as they fell backwards laying on the sofa continuing to kiss passionately. It was getting more and more intense and Andre's hands slipped under Tori's top as he slowly felt up to her breasts. Tori froze. They'd only been dating for a month and this was just too soon and she was uncomfortable. Unable to hold her cool any longer she broke away.
'Sorry' Tori closed her eyes, sitting up and straightening her clothes.
'Hey, no it's ok, I'm sorry' Andre reassured her.
'I'm just not ready for.. that' Tori mumbled her eyes downcast.
'It's ok' Andre said firmly. Tori sighed, resting her head on his shoulder feeling incredibly embarrassed. They were quiet for a while just holding each other but Andre didn't make any further attempts to touch her. They talked for a while, changing the subject to much lighter topics, school, music, tv shows until they began to feel somewhat normal around each other again.
'You tired Tor?' Andre asked, noticing her yawn sleepily.
'Kinda, what time is it?' Tori stretched her arms sitting up.
'Half 12' Andre replied, checking the time on his pearphone. 'Woah I didn't realise it was that late, I better get going.'
'Wait.. Do you wanna stay over?' Tori offered but felt her cheeks burning up as she revised her offer. 'I mean.. I'll fix up the couch.. It's too late for you to walk home now.' She added, all in one breath.
'That would be great, as long as you're sure you don't mind me crashing.' Andre nodded 'I promise I won't play the piano' Andre added jokingly trying to dissipate the awkwardness. Tori chuckled, before turning to go grab the spare bedding. But before she could leave Andre reached out for her hand and held her back.
'Look Tori.. I really, really like you.. You're gorgeous and I'm the luckiest guy in the world that I get to call you my girlfriend. So don't think I expect anything from you ok? I'm ready when you're ready' Andre said seriously.
Tori was taken aback, unsure how she should reply to that and after a long pause she breathed a heavy 'thanks' before running up the stairs to grab the bedding.
'Jade! Come on we're going to be so late if you don't hurry up!' Tori shouted from the bottom of the stairs. Andre watched from the sofa he'd slept on as Tori shouted her again. Last night when Tori returned with the spare bedding they shared an awkward kiss good night before departing and Tori was worried she'd damaged their relationship by knocking him back. But the next morning, much to Tori's relief things were a lot more normal between them. They cooked pancakes for breakfast and it seemed as though their playful, flirty relationship had returned.
'Whats taking her so long?' Andre asked curiously.
'Just the usual' Tori replied rolling her eyes a little. The past couple of weeks had been a constant battle for the paler girl to find anything to wear as the baby was seemingly having a growth spurt and almost all Jades usual clothes either showed the bump or just simply didn't fit.
Finally the sound of Jades footsteps trudging down the stairs caught Tori's attention and she turned catching sight of what the goth was wearing. She apparently seemed to have given up on any attempt at finding something she liked and had settled for a pair of Beck's grey sweatpants along with one of his baggiest shirts. Opening the fridge door she grabbed some salad and placed it on the chopping board to make for lunch. Tori looked her up and down sympathetically.
'Jade?' Tori cleared her throat.
'What?' Jade snapped back irritatedly
'I bought some leggings the other day which have an elastic waist and they don't really fit me so you could try them if you want?' Tori proceeded cautiously. Jade frowned at the offer, irritated that Tori had noticed so easily. She could have at least pretended not to notice her outfit choice.
'They're black' Tori coaxed, holding up the shopping bag with the leggings in that she'd been intending to return. Jade crossed her arms considering it. She was already fed up of changing which she had done at least seven times that morning
'Give it' Jade eventually agreed. Deciding it would look tragic if she wore her boyfriends clothes to school. Tori collapsed back down on the couch next to her own boyfriend who wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smiled at her encouragingly. He really admired how much she was doing to help Jade especially considering how difficult she was being at the moment.
'How long do you think until it's obvious?' Andre asked quietly.
'Not long' Tori shook her head nervously 'But she's determined to keep it a secret until Beck gets back'
Five minutes later and Jade once again trudged down the stairs, this time wearing the leggings that Tori had suggested. But Tori furrowed her brows. If anything, the leggings only emphasised the baby bump.
'Uhm maybe Beck's clothes were better' Tori cowered, as Jade glared angrily in her direction.
'That's it! I'm just wearing my own clothes and keeping a sweater on all day' Jade started back up the stairs.
'We're going to be so late!' Andre complained.
'Shh, I know but just give her a minute' Tori rubbed his forearm, standing up to finish making the lunch Jade had started.
They were almost 15 minutes late by the time the pregnant girl came back down in one of her black dresses that sucked in at the waist. It barely covered her much larger breasts and the fabric was tight around her abdomen. Tori frowned looking at Andre anxiously as Jade slipped a baggy black sweater over the top of it.
'Jade, don't take this the wrong way but maybe you'd feel more comfortable in maternity clothes' Tori suggested cautiously. The pale girls eye's widened, seemingly horrified at the suggestion.
'Look that can't be comfortable' Tori continued sympathetically.
'So?!' Jade snapped.
'So.. it's not good for you or the baby to walk around in tight, uncomfortable clothing all day. Andre you agree don't you?'
'I.. um.. yeah I'm staying out of it!' Andre put his arms up, not wanting to upset either of the two girls.
'You think I'm fat' Jade said in a sonorous voice.
'Jade, I don't think you're fat. I think you're 26 weeks pregnant and uncomfortable and I think if Beck were here he'd be saying the same thing.' Tori justified her point.
'Well Beck isn't here is he?!' Jade yelled angrily. Tori sighed and just looked at the pale girl concernedly. Somewhere behind that scary, angry glare Tori recognised that same scared look that plagued the goth when she first moved in.
'Can we just go to school?' Jade snapped, stomping towards the door. Tori watched helplessly as Jade stormed out of the house. Andre walked over to the tanned girl and squeezed her hand supportively before they both followed her out.
It didn't seem likely that Jades mood was going to improve any time soon so Tori wasn't surprised that she was met with a glare when Jade arrived at Sikowitz class in final period. Their teacher was late as usual so the students just chatted amongst themselves waiting for him to show up. Jade wasn't really listening as Tori once again told the story of Trina and her too tight pants. However she did tune in on another conversation occurring between two girls who she'd never spoken to in her life.
'Has she gained weight?' One of the girls said quietly to the other. Jade noticed the other girl glancing in her direction and then nodding and giggling.
'Got something to say?' Jade yelled furiously. Cat jumped in shock at the sheer volume of Jades voice and Robbie hid behind a chair. The shruggers looked petrified that they'd been caught gossiping about the mean girl and shook their heads profusely. Luckily for them before Jade had the chance to go completely Jade West on the them Sikowitz bustled into the classroom happily singing an off-key tune about his love of improv.
The class had only been going on for about ten minutes and Cat and Andre were in the middle of performing a scene, when a knock at the door interrupted them.
'Hi Sikowitz, sorry to interrupt but I need to speak to Jade West' Lane said with an earnest look on his face. His eyes circled the room until they landed on the pale brunette who looked up at him irked.
'Why?' Jade asked bluntly.
'I think it's better we discuss this in private' Lane said seriously. Jade glanced at Tori who shrugged having no idea what it was about. Jade frowned and grabbed her bag before following Lane out of the classroom. Lane led her into his office and Jade took a seat on the sofa her eyes locked in on the guidance councillor who was behaving a lot more sombre than usual.
'Ok Jade.. I'm just going to get straight to it. I'm sure you're aware by now that you're failing Math this semester.' Lane said sternly 'And now your Musical Theatre teacher says you haven't handed in your coursework. You're a Music major Jade, you understand how serious this is?'
'I just haven't had time to finish the composition' Jade explained nervously 'I swear its almost done, I just need one more day.'
'And Math?' Lane added.
'I.. I'm working on it' Jade stammered, annoyed that her improv skills were failing her right now. How was she supposed to explain that the only thing she'd been doing after school recently was sleeping of backache.
'I'm afraid because you're failing two subjects we had no choice but to phone your parents' Lane looked nervous 'I spoke to your Father this afternoon. Would you like to explain why you haven't been home for the past three months?'
Jade felt sick as beads of sweat pricked her forehead. She could tell from the look on Lane's face he knew.. He just wanted her to say it so it didn't seem like he'd been prying. Lane must have realised the brunette was going into shock as he poured her a glass of water and handed it to the now ghost white girl in front of him. Neither of them spoke for a while as Jade anxiously sipped on the water. Lane waited until some colour returned to her cheeks before proceeding.
'Where have you been staying?' Lane asked, softer this time.
'Tori's' Jade confessed, her hands wrapped tightly around the glass of water.
'Jade I know you probably don't want to, but if you talk to me we can sort this out, there are ways school can support you with this.' Lane coaxed her gently.
'What exactly did my Dad say to you?' Jade asked knowing whatever it was it can't have been sweet.
'I'd rather you told me what's going on' Lane responded.
'Fine. I'm pregnant.' Jade sighed, watching his reaction closely. Just as she expected, Lane didn't seem surprised. The guidance councillor pulled out a couple of forms and proceeded to just ask her questions, including her due date and doctors name. He assured her she wouldn't have to leave school unless her health required it but she would need to come back in a few weeks for a more detailed discussion with the school nurse.
'Now about your school work' Lane moved on 'We can give you extenuating circumstances on your Musical Theatre coursework, but you're going to have to do extra credit work for Math as it's a core subject. I'll explain the situation to Mrs Cartwright, perhaps she'll be able to give you a flexible deadline.' Lane said writing something on a sticky note.
'What? No? I don't want the whole school to know!' Jade said alarmed.
'Of course not, but I'll need to inform your teachers due to health and safety regulations.' Lane explained as Jade just glared at the ground. She didn't understand why everyone had to know her private business. She had never planned to deal with this.. Beck was supposed to tell school. They'd agreed on that long ago but she guessed this was just one more thing she'd have to do by herself.
'Fine whatever' Jade just shrugged, past caring at this point. The bell rang signalling the end of the day and Jade picked up her bag hastily, anxious to get out of there.
'Jade?' the guidance councillor called her back just as she was about to leave 'Congratulations by the way' he smiled, slightly lightening the overall tone of their conversation.
'Yeah thanks' Jade mumbled in response, as she pulled open the door and escaped the confinements of the office. She power walked down the corridor in the direction of her locker then grabbed the stash of Oreos she'd been keeping there. She needed comfort food. Tori, Andre and Robbie approached just as she bit into a cookie.
'Did you know, if all the Oreos ever manufactured lined up end to end along the equator they would circle the earth 381 times.' Robbie informed the pale girl as they stopped next to her.
'Oh let me see. Wow. I DON'T CARE!' Jade screamed, practically biting the nerdy boys head off. Andre's eyes flailed as he took a couple of steps back and Robbie just squealed fleeing school as fast as he could.
'Jade!' Tori said warningly. She was about to give her a lecture on how she couldn't just treat their friends like that, but suddenly stopped herself as she noticed the pleading look Jade was giving her. She suddenly remembered Jade being been called out of class by Lane and she wondered what had happened that seemed to have only made her mood worse.
'Can we leave?' Jade practically begged.
'Yeah, we can do that.' Tori frowned as Jade folded her arms seeming kind of sad. She quickly kissed her boyfriend goodbye and followed Jade out to the car.
'Do you want to talk about it?' Tori asked after five minutes of silent driving. Jade didn't answer straight away but when she did her answer was clear.
'No.'
What do you think of Tandre? Is Jade's behaviour reasonable/unacceptable/understandable? Idk let me know what you think :) Reviews make me update faster xx