/TORI/

I let out a low groan, swatting in irritation at the sudden burst of light right on my face. The harsh light doesn't go away so I crack open my eyes blearily, wincing audibly in pain. This was probably some sort of new health craze my sister had started. Burning lights to get the metabolism going in the mornings, like the time she tried out hot yoga and almost set the house on fire.

I grunt and sit up, scratching the back of my head. My eyes landing on the source of the glare. Somehow, I had managed to fall asleep with Jade's scissors on my pillow and now the sun was hitting the blades, directly reflecting the light into my face. Okay, I say "somehow" but it's not really a mystery. I had stayed up late last night and studied those scissors for hours, even going as far to put them underneath my microscope to check for signs of tampering or some form of poison but I found nothing.

She had to be toying with me.

I pick up the scissors, setting them to one side. I make sure to lay them down carefully next to the shirt she'd worn that night. I doubt I would ever fully understand Jade, no matter how much I attempted to build some sort of relationship with her. But the problem was, I wasn't pushing to understand her. I was simply pushing for a small bit of acknowledgement which didn't end in a cutting remark or acidic insult. I wanted her to talk to me about what happened the night in the alley, tell me why she sent the scissors wrapped in a bow. It didn't have to be some heart to heart chat but I wanted to understand so many things and so far, she'd given me absolutely nothing.

My fingers skim over my selection of clothes and I dress quickly, listening to the sounds of my older sister screeching in the shower. I couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly but things had definitely changed between me and Jade. She was holding me at arms length. As if she was afraid of letting me get any closer because I had the actual potential to hurt her, because I had seen a piece of her that she wanted to keep hidden from sight. Darting in for an insult but then backing away. She kept lashing out at me, making her remarks even worse each time because I refused to react in the way she wanted. She was trying to pick a fight with me, wanted me to snap. I knew she was hurting and she hated that I knew it.

Trina dances past with her ear buds crammed into her ears, obnoxiously singing the lyrics to a Kelly Clarkson song. Grimacing, I shrug on my jacket and head downstairs, bracing myself for the day ahead. I quickly shovel in a bowl of cereal before Trina could finish the milk before letting out a sigh, idly swirling my spoon around the bowl as I wait.

"Are you okay, baby? You seem distracted." My mom questions from the other side of the table, her features creased with concern. I give her a reassuring smile and get up to put my bowl in the sink, rinsing it clean.

"Oh yeah. I'm fine, Mom. It's just school stuff. Nothing to worry about."

"Oh okay. If you're sure." She doesn't sound convinced with my answer and to be honest, neither am I.

Trina emerges loudly, still dancing and singing along to her Pearphone. I silently follow her out to the car, resisting the urge to stuff my fingers in my ears and thanking all the Gods we only had a 5 minute drive to endure together. I try and make myself focus on the school day, attempt to shove mundane thoughts into my head to get Jade out. What books do I need? Jade. Will there be any pop quizzes? Jade. What will Festus be serving for lunch?

Jade. Jade. Jade. Jade.

We pull up into the Hollywood Arts parking lot and I practically leap out of the car before Trina's stopped the engine, flustered and wound up with all these thoughts.
Why is she constantly on my mind all of a sudden? Is she playing with me or is she actually trying to say something? I mean are we even considered friends?

I open my locker and start sorting through my books, vowing to myself to stop thinking about her. It was verging on disturbing. She's not thinking about you. She only left the scissors to mess with your head. Jade West still wouldn't give you the time of day so pull yourself together Vega! You've let her know you're there for her. Leave it alone.

But what if...?

What if, nothing. You were a comfort to her. That's all. You haven't suddenly blossomed some beautiful friendship and you're delusional to think so.

I take a deep breath and pull out my theater history book, the entire thing covered all over in black paint from when Jade had borrowed it. Because it's exactly what she does. She takes any form of light or happiness and extinguishes it, she revels in it. That's the only reason why she's paying any sort of attention to you. You're her favorite plaything and you're desperate to believe things are different.

Well they aren't.

My teeth grind together as I follow the stream of students heading into Sikowitz's class, that irritating voice at the back of my mind still taunting me. I make a valiant effort to not even acknowledge Jade, taking my usual seat next to Andre. I watch him turn to give me a questioning look but I continue to stare straight ahead. I was determined to get through today with as much minimal thinking about her as I could.

"Good morning my little experiments!" Sikowitz greets with a grand gesture of his hand once everyone is seated. "Today is a very special day because I am going to teach you all about cold reading."

"Oh!" Cat raises her hand and bubbles out. "Is it where we go into a freezer and read books?"

Sikowitz gives her an amused smile. "No, Cat. Cold reading is when a performer is given a script that he or she hasn't seen before and they have to act out the scene with the script still in their hands."

"Sounds pointless and easy." I hear Jade's snort behind me.

"Oh really? Well Jade if you think it's so "pointless and easy" then why don't you go first?" He indicates towards the stage upfront.

"Alright. Fine." Jade shrugs her shoulders and moves to get up, but he holds up a hand with a mischievous smile.

"Hold it. Hold it, Jade. Not so fast. You're going to need a partner for this particular acting exercise."

Oh no. No, not today. Not now!

All the heads in the classroom automatically turn to me with pointed looks. I groan inwardly, sinking down in my seat wishing I could melt right into the carpet. I should have definitely called in sick today or run away while I still had the chance.

"Ah Tori! Thank you so much for volunteering as Jade's partner. Now I want both of you up on the stage, hurry now!"

A/N: Oh Sikowitz, the original Jori shipper! Now here's where the fun starts ;) Also floored by Liz's most recent instagram pics, I mean really. Not fair. Anyway! Review, Review, Review!