Disclaimer: I wish I did. Sorta.
A/N: Alright, so I meant to have this done sooner but sometimes writer's block happens. So I'm sorry. And this chapter is kinda...I don't know. You might end up hating someone. Like, a lot.
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Enjoy
Chapter 20
"Did you guys make up?"
"Leave us alone."
Trina frowns and holds up her hands in defense, as if I had raised my hand to her or something. Yeah, like she would worry about me hitting her after she gave me a black eye. Is she serious? Even though I should hit her back since it was a false accusation. I lean back against the couch and cross my arms, trying to avoid eye contact with Tori. "You know, Dad's going to be pissed about your bedroom door, Tori…" Vega shoots her sister a glare. "You know what? Act like children. I'm just trying to get you two to realize that you need to be together and this bullshit with Andre means nothing, if you both care about each other. And don't say you don't because I know you do. So cry a river and build a bridge and get over it. Or whatever."
We stare at our laps while she stomps upstairs, her shoes pounding against each step. God, does she know she's annoying? But she has a point. Even though she doesn't know half of the reason Tori and I are being like this, we're acting like kids about it. It's not like we're having a fight or anything, we're just not resolving anything like we should be.
I glance at the girl beside me and frown. As much as I want to pull her close to me and hold her, to tell her that everything's going to be alright, even though I'm not sure it will be…I can't. We're both hurting each other by doing and not doing, and it's taking its toll. I open my mouth to speak, but she beats me to it. "Do you want to break up?"
And it's the second time she's asked me, although last time was because we were fighting and we weren't really going to break up. But now…It has to be done. "I think we have to," I mutter and I hate my voice, I hate those five words right now. I turn my head to look at her and she nods slowly. I don't want this to happen, but there's nothing else we can do. I stand and pull her to her feet, kissing her one last time because there's nothing left to do. I'm not going to leave without that final kiss and she knows it. Before we both give in and do something that would make this even harder, I pull away from her and leave without looking back.
BREAK
I pick at the salad in front of me with a fork. I've barely eaten this week, or last week, and I'm tired of Beck's lectures about how eating is important and I'm going to blow away in the wind if I don't eat. But I don't care. And speaking of the devil…Beck sits next to me at the table and grabs the fork out of my hand with one hand, cupping my chin with the other and turning my face to his. "I know you love her, Jade, but it's been two weeks. You and I are friends again…just go back to being friends with her."
I shake my head. "It isn't that simple, Beck. This isn't you and me." It pains me that I was with him for three years and our break-up was nothing like this. Yeah, I got mad at him and went and set Vega's garden on fire, but that was because he broke up with me. And technically Tori broke up with me, but it wasn't the same. When she did…it was because we knew we had to.
He sighs and releases my chin. "You need to talk to her. At least try, Jade."
"Look, it's best for both of us if we just stay away from each other. It's safer right now." It's safer if Andre knows we're apart. Maybe he'll finally leave Tori alone and I can deal with the gang on my own. After all, I'm the reason they've threatened her. I have to be the one to finish this. I hear raised voices coming from the other end of the Asphalt Café and ignore them.
Until I hear hers.
My head snaps up and I look for her, where she's arguing with Andre. Shit. This can't be good. Beck's hand grabs my shoulder, holding me down, and I glare at him. "I'll stop it. Just sit here and finish your lunch." As much as I hate to, I obey, grabbing my fork. I pretend to eat my salad, spitting it out as soon as he leaves me alone, and grab my backpack, following him. The voices get louder and I can hear Trina getting into it as well.
"Damn it, Andre, she has a right to date whoever the fuck she wants to!" Trina snaps.
"Stay out of it, Trina! This isn't any of your damn business!" Tori shouts. She turns back to Andre. "You need to leave me alone, Andre. If you really must know, Jade and I broke up. We're not getting back together. So you know what? You win. Just leave me…and her…the fuck alone."
Andre's fist connects with Tori's jaw before anyone can stop him, and I fight myself from running in and killing him. Beck grabs his best friend's arm while Trina helps Tori sit up, both girls in shock. "Back off, Beck, this isn't any of your business."
"I think it is if you're going around hitting girls, Andre. What's your problem with her anyway? She broke up with Jade, like you wanted her to." I watch as Tori staggers to her feet and grabs Andre's other arm, punching him hard in the face. And damn, I have never seen Tori that pissed off. "Tori, why'd you do that?" Beck asks, trying to hold Andre back. Andre shoves him to the side and I'm rooted where I stand as Andre tackles Tori, clearly not caring that she's a girl as he punches her in the side of the head. Beck groans and grabs Andre's shoulders, yanking him away from Tori. "Come on, man. You can be so stupid sometimes." Beck drags Andre away and I wait until they're completely gone to come out from where I was hiding.
Trina's examining her sister's face when I reach them, and the younger Vega sister stares at me, blinking. How fucking hard did Andre hit her? "What in the hell were you thinking, Vega?" I growl, kneeling beside the two of them and reaching out, touching her jaw. She winces and I frown, trying to keep my emotions in check. "Trina, go ahead and go back to class or whatever. I'll take Tori to the nurse." Trina doesn't even argue, leaving us alone in the hallway.
"Jade…why are you here?" Tori asks quietly, as if talking hurts.
I shake my head and wrap her arm around my neck, pulling her with me as I stand. After dating her and being in close proximity, I'm used to her weight as she leans against me. I try not to pay attention to the contact between us, in fear that I'll kiss her or never let go, as I walk with her to the infirmary. Passing the nurse and ignoring her questions, I help Tori sit on the closest bed. When I'm sure she's at least somewhat comfortable and won't fall asleep or pass out or anything, I finally address the nurse. "She was in a fight, but I don't know how badly she was hurt. I know her jaw hurts and probably the side of her face." The nurse nods and I kneel in front of Tori where she sits on the bed. "I'm going back to class. Do you think you'll be okay here?" She nods slowly, wincing, and I kiss her forehead before leaving for class.
I'd hate to leave her there, especially when I don't know if he really hurt her, but it's not good for either of us. Besides, I have some business to deal with.