A/N: ScottyBGood – Good point, probably need to rewrite the previous chapter at some point. But until then…


I tried to scream for help, but all I could manage was a few wheezes, before my vision went dark.

Then I felt something dragging me on the floor, followed by a sharp sting in my thigh, before a dizzying migraine took over. Warm arms enveloped my sides as I tried to will my eyes open, with the soothing voice of what seemed like an angel whispering in my ear.

"Don't fight it, Tori. Shh, don't fight it."

At that moment, I thought I had died and went to heaven, and some pretty angel with green eyes and black hair was easing my soul as my body became plant food.

But fortunately, things didn't go in that direction.

The next few snapshots of hazy memories were of Jade looking frantic as she fumbled with her phone, then her holding my hand as I was in a moving siren van, before I woke up to hear Jade screaming at someone.

"It was a terrible idea, Oliver! And it's your fault for even suggesting it in the first place!"

Beck's here? But there was no response, just a short pause, before Jade continued speaking, slightly calmer, although her voice raised again towards the end.

"Yeah, she's ok, I think. The doctor told me so. Look, don't try to shirk your responsibility. You have a hand in this too. If anything happens to her, you're also culpable."

So I was right! This was a conspiracy between Beck and Jade after all! But, to be fair, Jade did warn me not to go into the bush daisies room, and I ignored her orders.

It was totally my fault.

"Of course you are to blame! You told me to stop fighting it and give it a shot, let her in for once. So I listened to you. Look at what happened! I didn't even get to show her my room! Now thanks to your stupid idea, she'll probably hate me even more!"

Aww, Jade wanted to show me her room? That's so… sweet of her. Better not let her know I thought of her that way, or she'll murder me for real.

But I don't hate her. At all. I'll probably need to let her know that.

"Miss, we need you to keep your voice down. The patients need to rest."

The silhouette of Jade appeared through the slightly ajar door, and I quickly closed my eyes, trying to breathe as evenly as possible to appear asleep.

"I'll talk to you later, Beck. I'm getting shushed by the stupid nurse. Maybe you should try calling Trina, there's a good chance she'd pick up. I can't get through to anyone in her family."

I then felt a hand stroking my face, as a soft sigh came from beside me. She must have felt the air from my lungs coming out in a shudder, since I failed to calm my hammering heart.

The soothing touch stopped, and I fought hard to stop a whimper at the loss of contact. "Stop pretending, Vega. I know you're awake."

She knew. Defeated, I opened my eyes, expecting to see an enraged Jade. But to my surprise, she looked a mess. Her eyes were rimmed red, and she wore a genuinely concerned expression on her face.

Jade leaned in, arms crossed. "You are such an idiot, Tori. You know that right? What did I tell you about that door?"

I winced. "Sorry. You warned me to stay away, and I didn't listen. Why do you have so many bush daisies anyway?"

Jade shot me an incredulous look. "You almost died, and the first thing you ask me is this?" She shook her head before continuing, "Those are my favorite flowers. Where did you think I got so many of them to 'gift' you that day? The florists near the school don't sell them."

She carried on as I was debating myself silently whether I should tell Jade that I heard a lot of her conversation with Beck. "I don't want you dying in my house, Vega. As much as I love to take in the fumes of the freshly deceased, I would like my house to remain wraith-free."

"Why, I never pegged you as one to be afraid of ghosts. I thought you love haunted places, as the Queen of Horror."

"I never said that I am scared, Vega. I just don't want your wandering soul floating around, scaring Bunny." Her voice dropped to a whisper, and I had to strain to hear her next words. "That, and I don't want you dead."

Seeing Jade roll her eyes made me realized that my jaw must have dropped open once again. "You don't want me dead?"

"Of course not! Why would I want the person who is annoying stuck in my head all day to die on me?!"

The shock on my face must have alerted Jade that she said something off. She quickly changed the topic, "Speaking of which, where are your mom and dad, Vega? Or your sister? I can't seem to get through to anyone on your house phone."

I shrugged. "Typical. Mom must have gone out shopping or something, and dad is probably at work. As for Trina, you should know, out stalking another poor guy."

"Seems your parents are not much better than mine, Vega. By the way, you owe me six hundred bucks for the epipen I used on you."


A day later, Jade drove me back home to an empty house. I guess I was never really bothered about the loneliness until now, where I found myself missing her eye rolls and snippy comebacks whenever I blurt out something dumb.

On a whim, I whipped out my phone to text Jade, who finally unblocked my number from her phone.

Hey Jade! It's me, Tori! It's ten bucks per weekend inclusive of a horror movie, right? Can we start today? I know it's a Sunday, so there's like half a weekend left. Can this count as me repaying you five dollars? Please?

Her reply was immediate.

Fine, since you begged. Just so you know, it'll cost you two dollars per hug. I'll be there in twenty. And you're ordering pizza.

Crap, I'm screwed. I don't think I could ever finish paying Jade West on these terms.

But hey, it might not be such a bad thing after all, finally being elevated to the status of being her amiga…