Title: nothing serious

Pairing: Beck/Jade; Jade/Boone

Rating: T

Warnings: Language

Author's note: Boone is pronounced Boon, with a long O sound, such as in "boo" –explanation via ChaCha. Sorry I have not updated in a while I was visiting relatives in the country and they no longer have internet so I was unable to post anything until I got back.

"You can't live your life for other people. You've got to do what's right for you, even if it hurts some people you love." -Nicholas Sparks

II

a few days ago

She took a sip from her coffee, eyes drifting to the entrance of her favorite corner café as the boy entered. She watched as he looked over the room—searching for her. He paid no mind to the table of girls, obviously from Northridge, sending him flirtatious looks. When his hazel orbs found her a wide grin broke out across his face. Jade swallowed, setting her mug down. That was not a fluttering in her stomach when she saw him. Simply the threat of nausea to overtake her at the position she'd put herself in. Agreeing to go on a date with a guy she hardly knew and was sure would make it his mission to annoy her to insanity.

"You're late," She informed him, narrowing her eyes at the approaching boy. His grin turned into a sheepish smile.

"Sorry." Boone apologized, taking the empty seat across from her. "My appointment ran a bit late. Sorry for keeping you waiting."

The sincerity in his tone was undeniable. It had been a long time since anyone apologized to her, for anything. Usually she was the one having to do the apologizing. Always under the prompting of Beck. Beck—who she'd been trying to get over.

"It's fine." Jade snapped, picking up her coffee and taking a sip of the warm liquid; agitation definite in her expression. She could not ignore his hot stare as she returned the mug to the decorative costar that had been left for her by her server. Could not deny the way his intense scrutiny of her made her insides tingle.

"Could you not look at me like that." She said with no question in her tone. It had been more of a command.

"Sorry." Boone replied, his eyes losing their intensity as he refocused his attention. That grin returned to his face as he continued, "You're just really sexy when you're mad."

Jade stared silently at him for a moment. She could not believe he just said that. What she also couldn't believe was that that line was actually effecting her. She blamed it on the fact that she was physically attracted to him. Hell, who could deny that he wasn't serious eye-candy? And he was a drummer in a band. That was like hitting the lottery in girl-world.

"Wow, does that line actually work?" She opted for saying, instead of wasting her coffee on him. She plastered an overly sweet smile on her face.

The boy chuckled lightly. "You're going to have to wait until at least the third date before I spill trade secrets."

:}{}{}{}{:

It started with a look. One simple, meaningful look shared between two people, neither of which was him. No, she hadn't looked at him quite like that since their infamous breakup. Jade hadn't so much as smiled at him, that secret smile that had been reserved purely for him.

But in that moment, that look being shared between her and the drummer as he chose to refer to Boone as, he felt inside of him a fiery rage. One that was unexplainable. All consuming. He balled his hands into fists as he watched on, unseen to the two as Boone leaned forward, placing a quick peck on Jade's cheek before sweeping past her and out of the crowded hall of Hollywood Arts.

It was becoming a pattern, he realized, watching as the girl he'd loved for over three years stuffed her Gear of Wars messenger bag, pocketed her favorite pair of scissors and made her way to Sikowitz' morning class. Every morning, for over a week, Beck would stop short of his ex's locker, to find her with the guy she hardly knew anything about. It made his blood boil seeing them together, seemingly so close.

He never thought Jade could move on so fast from their relationship. After all, they had lost their virginities to each other. Didn't that mean anything, to her?

"Uh, Beck?" A voice called out to him, pulling him from his thoughts. Tori—of course it would be her. She always seemed to show up.

He plastered a smile on his face, turning to greet her. "Hey, Tori."

"What are you doing?" She asked, shifting the weight of her satchel, confused expression marring her exotic features.

He looked around, realizing the hall was now empty, leaving them completely alone. "I was…just wondering if…they changed the floor tile of the hall. Yeah, that's it."

Beck averted his gaze to the ground, examining it as if it were the most interesting thing he'd come across.

"New…floor tile?" Tori inquired skeptically, eyes following his. "I—I guess it does look…newer."

"Exactly." He reaffirmed.

"Well, are you coming to class?" She asked, already moving to leave for Sikowitz'. Beck nodded, following after her silently. He did not miss the narrowing of Jade's eyes when the two of them entered the classroom late. Together. He tried to ignore the rush of delight that ran through him. If what he did still affected her so, then that could only mean one thing. She still had feelings for him. And if that was true then he still had a chance. He still had a chance to win Jade back.

:}{}{}{}{:

"So what do you think?" The brunette asked, twirling around a few times to give her friends the full effect of her new dress.

"Quit spinning or I'm going to vomit." Jade bit back from where she sat at the end of the Vega's bed. It was a rare occasion, her stepping foot inside the girl's room without the intention to snoop.

"Yay! Tori looks cute!" Cat exclaimed brightly, reaching a hand out to run along the intricate beading at the hem of the low-cut dress. It was a dark blue thing, clung tightly to her petite frame, and Jade had to admit the girl looked good.

"Good job Vega," the girl interjected standing up, "You actually look half-decent."

Tori stared back at Jade, face contorting into a half-smile. "Aww, I think that is about the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Jade rolled her eyes, hand going to the scissors tucked nicely inside her boot. "Why are you all dressed up again?"

"Because," Tori began, moving to her vanity and applying lip-gloss. "André invited me to his open-mic night—"

"Oh! Like a date?" Cat chimed in enthusiastically, clapping her hands together.

"It's not a date," the brunette scoffed.

"I think the lady doth protest too much," Jade sniggered, crossing her arms over her chest and staring the girl down.

Tori sighed turning on her heel to face the two. "Fine…Yes, it is a date."

"Nice going Vega." Was all Jade offered before distracting herself with the delicate pair of scissors in her hands. This was a turn of events. Vega going out with André? She hadn't seen that coming. After Tori and Beck had shown up to class late, together she had been sure something was going on between them. But…it seemed she was wrong. So, Beck hadn't moved on from her with Tori.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review. They make me smile.