Disclaimer: I never will...

A/N: This wasn't a one-shot. I just accidentally clicked 'complete' because I was writing a one-shot and my mind was split between this and that. Sorry, guys. So enjoy. I hope.

By the way, I really appreciate the readers and reviewers who have been with me since the beginning and even the ones who have only been reading since recently. You guys have no idea how much you mean to me.

"So you never told me…was your mom pissed about the garden?"

I roll my eyes. Mom had been all over me about that, after I had taken the blame to protect Jade from any more stress. I had to buy new plants myself and plant them to replace the pale girl's handiwork.

It's been two weeks since that night, and we've been trying to figure out this whole thing between us. Jade hadn't gone to school the first week, since she was shot in the leg and had her arms sliced like a cutting board, so I ended up going to class and getting her homework for her. We haven't had much time to discuss anything even related to what's possibly happening between us, and when we do, we always end up interrupted by someone, usually Trina or one of our friends.

I realize Jade is staring at me. "What?" She smirks and I remember I haven't answered her. "Yeah, Jade, she was pissed off. Thank you for framing me with a miniature controlled brush fire and marking me an arsonist in my mother's eyes. I'm surprised I'm still alive, to be honest." I shake my head sadly, faking tears. "Those poor plants, they never had a chance!"

She playfully punches my shoulder. "Alright, alright, quit being so damn dramatic," she laughs. Her arm wounds its way around my waist and she pulls me to her. I glance down at the limb around me and trace the scars with my index finger. "They don't hurt anymore, you know."

"I should have stopped you," I murmur and she shakes her head, kissing my neck.

"Tori, you did try to stop me. I wouldn't listen to you, so don't blame yourself for any of this." I'm still getting used to the sweet side of Jade, even though it's been a rare sight the past two weeks, and I know she should be blaming me. I should have asked her where she was. Then she wouldn't have been alone. She kisses my neck again. "Let it go," she whispers.

"Jade…where does this leave us?" She frowns. "Are we…"

"I don't know," she states, interrupting me. "Do we have to be anything right now?" She pulls me closer, nibbling on my earlobe. I want so badly to tell her that I want to know before we do anything, but her mouth is really distracting. "Come on, Tori…we'll figure it out later." I finally manage enough control over my brain and shake my head. She sighs, resting her forehead on my shoulder for a moment before completely pulling away. "Do you feel like going somewhere?"

I stare at her. "But your leg…"

"I'll be fine. It's not like I've lost the fucking thing. But your room is becoming really depressing." She smirks. "Come on…I promise we won't go and destroy someone's car." She slides off of my bed and grabs her crutches. "I'll drive."

"I don't think you should…" She shoots me a look and I sigh. "Alright, let's go." She slowly makes her way down the stairs, with me following close behind. "Mom, we're going out for a bit. I'll be home soon."

"Where are you going?" The look on my mom's face lets me know she's still pissed about the whole thing two weeks ago. She doesn't want Jade or me to go out and get into any more trouble, but it's not like I didn't learn my lesson the first time.

"Look, Mom, we're just going to…"

"Cat and Andre texted us and wanted to know if we wanted to hang out. I completely understand if you don't trust us enough to stay out of trouble, especially Tori, but I thought it would be nice to get some fresh air." Jade never ceases to amaze me.

Mom stares at us for a moment, no doubt trying to figure out if Jade's lying to her. I almost expect her to sic Trina on us and make her "chaperone" us and I hope to God that she doesn't. She sighs and waves us off and I open the front door for Jade, following her outside. Once in her car, with her in the driver's seat, I turn to her. "We're not actually…"

She shakes her head. "No, we're not. I texted both Andre and Cat to cover for us, though. I just…I figured we could get out and be alone for a little while. Do you have any problems with that?"

"Not a single one." She smirks and backs out of my driveway, heading for the park. Since it's nine, the park has been closed for an hour, but it doesn't stop Jade from slowly and carefully climbing the fence. "Won't we get in trouble for this, Jade? We promised we wouldn't…"

"Vega, chill. What kind of trouble could we possibly get into at a closed park? We're not doing anything technically illegal, so just relax." I sigh and follow her to the swings. There's something about being around Jade when she's like this that's so…strange. I mean, I'm used to her being this tough person who could care less what's going on in other people's heads. But ever since the attack, she's been acting like she's unsure of that, as if she's afraid of what people think. And it's a change. I sit on the swing next to her and kick myself into motion. "Look, Tori, I don't mean to be a gank about some things, like when you ask what we are. I just…I don't know."

I nod. "I know. I just don't want to be some fun little toy for you. I want to be able to walk through school holding your hand or kissing you at my locker or anywhere in public. I want people to know how I feel about you."

"I know. I want that too. But…I don't know if I'm ready for that. Beck and I only broke up two weeks ago, after being together for two years. If I just randomly show up at school with you…people will think I broke up with him for a girl. Not just a girl…you."

I shrug. "Who gives a fuck what people think about you, Jade?" She stares at me, stunned at my language. "Beck broke up with you, right? That's what you've been telling me. We both know he can get just about any girl he wants, so why can't you be happy too?" I stop the swing and look at her. "You're right, Jade. You are a gank about some things. But you haven't been like that for two weeks. You've actually been a decent person toward me."

"You don't get it, Tori. Everyone knows we hate each other."

"You've been at my house for the past week. Knowing Cat, the whole school found out already. God, Jade, you're making this a bigger deal than it is…"

"It is a big deal!" I sigh and move in front of her, grabbing the chains on her swing and pulling her against me. Before she could protest, my lips were on hers and she automatically responded. Either she's lying about caring what everyone thinks or she really is afraid. She pushed me away. "Vega, I can't."

"You can't…or you won't?"