Hey y'all! Soooo sorry for updating so late and taking so long in writing. I have been very occupied with graduation and other stuff. But no worries, I can definitely regularly upload now. Hope you all continue to follow this story and leave me comments and reviews! I wanna know what you guys think of the progression of the story!=)

Chapter 5 - I cannot believe I just did that

TORI's POV

I can feel my heart pound against my chest. Nothing's going on between Beck and I but seeing Jade in Beck's front door literally sent shivers up my spine. I have nothing to be guilty about but I find myself having no reason to give Jade. I'm sure she's gonna ask what I'm doing in her boyfriend's dimly lighted trailer and in his arms. Beck broke my train of thought when he stood up so calmly.

"What are you doing here?" he asked Jade who seemed to be burning holes on my forehead with her death stare. How can Beck be so calm right now?

"The better question is, what is SHE doing here?" She pointed a finger at me as she turned towards Beck.

"We we're hanging out. She had a rough day so Andre and I are keeping her company."

"Rough day? How rough? Cause I can make it rougher." Jade heads towards me. Oh man, I'm so dead. Beck grabbed her arm before she even got to where I was sitting.

"You are not gonna do anything to Tori. She has had enough hurt to last her a lifetime."

"Why are you defending her?!" Jade yelled and cause Andre to stir.

"Whas going on? I thought I was with Keeko. Oh." He looked at Jade and it him. He stood up.

"Well, hey Jade! What brings you here? Wanna hang with us?"

"Does it look like I wanna hang? God, Harris! You are just so stupid sometimes!"

"You don't have to go monster...wait...I forgot, that basically sums up your personality."

"Listen, Jade. I know what you're thinking but it's not what it looks like. I was just-" I tried to explain when she cut me off with a comment I thought was too mean even for Jade.

"I don't want to hear it, slut!" My mouth fell open. Anger boiled up to my head. Andre's and Beck's eyes bugged out as they turned to look at her. I walked up to Jade, stared her straight in the eyes and landed a solid blow to her face. She fell over, put a hand on the spot where I just hit her and looked at me. Yeah, she probably didn't expect me to punch her square in the face.

"Surprised? Yeah, I've had it with you. I put up with all your bitchiness this long cause I know it makes you feel a bit better about your sorry self but you know what? I'm not putting up with you anymore. I may be a lot of things but one thing I'm not is a slut. I don't even know what possessed his mind to even put up with you let alone stay with you. I feel sorry for Beck. He's the one who has to date a psychopath insecure demented teenager like you. Count this as a warning. Cause the next time, I'm not going to hold back."

I grab my bag and head for the door. I didn't even turn to look at Beck and Andre's faces. Beck is my best friend but I've had it with his girlfriend. Why does he even stay with her? Is he a masochist? I trudged down the street angrily. I keep walking. No one's coming after me. They're too shocked that Tori the goody goody girl punched her bully. I wasn't going to take that from Jade. I was too shocked with Ryder to do anything about it but Jade's comment just blew my top off. I've been walking for a while now. My mind was in auto pilot that I didn't even realize that I'm in my front yard until I subconsciously reached for my keys. I turn the key simultaneously with the knob. I slammed the door shut and ran for my bedroom. Without knowing, warm tears started flowing down my cheeks. I cannot believe all of this happened to me in one day. I'm aching all over and I don't know how to make it better. I let the tears flow freely. I gotta release this somehow. My face was blotched when my phone rang. I looked at it and saw Ryder's face on the screen. I immediately rejected the call and turned my phone off. I looked around my room looking for something else to do. Mom is on a trip with her sister. Dad was out of town for a conference about drug trafficking and Trina was at a pre-admission college go-see. I'm all alone for the next two days.

I pick up my phone, shove it in my jacket pocket and headed for the door. I wish I had Dad's car. Trina brought it to her go-see and now I have no ride. I grab my keys from the garage cabinet, put my helmet on and got on my purple scooter that I won from a singing contest at the mall. I could go anywhere for all I care. I ended up on top of the hill a little ways away from my house. Someone put up a bench and a picnic table up here long ago and ever since then this became a spot for couples or for emotional kids like me. The view is amazing, it's fairly quiet and peaceful, there's a sturdy tree house and no one will hear you even if you screamed. I yank my helmet off and take a seat on top of the table. Usually, I check if there's any food or condiment left on the surface but this time I didn't care if I sat on mushy bread or got ketchup on my butt. I run what took place through my head. I cannot believe I punched Jade. She deserved it but now I feel guilty for hitting her in front of Beck and Andre. I bet that embarrassed her. She wouldn't be too humiliated if no one else was there when it happened. Beck would probably not talk to me anymore after I hit his girlfriend.

I think about Ryder. I miss him even though I'm still very hurt and honestly, very pissed at him. How could he do that to me? I thought he loved me. He said he loved me. How did it end up like this? I look out over the city lights that were coming on. The sky was hued a warm pink and orange. I stare out the sky until all pinkness of the sky was swallowed by darkness. I must have sat here for quite a while now because all I could see are the city lights and the stars are out. I turn my phone back on and it pinged once then twice then more until it stopped at 12 times. I have 3 text messages and 9 voicemails. I check the messages first. One was from Andre.

Andre: Where u at? Ur house is empty. Worried. Call me.

I'll call him later. Maybe he can come over, make me hot cocoa and keep me company.

Message number 2 was from Ryder.

Ryder: Tori, please pick up. We need to talk, about what happened. Call me.

I'm so not calling him. He didn't even apologise in the messages. He's such an ass.

Message number 3 was from Cat.

Cat: Andre called me looking for you. Idk what's going on but hope ur safe.

I pressed exit and went to voicemail. I put it to my ear and waited for the messages to play.

First 2 were from Ryder with the same message from his text.

One was from mom reminding me that I had to pick up my pills from the pharmacy tomorrow.

One was from Andre telling me to call him or he'll make me kiss Rex when we see each other. I actually laughed at this message. Andre's crazy.

Last five ones were from Beck. He said he was worried and if I don't call him before 7:30 he's going to wait outside my house until I come home. He kept asking me where I was and if I was okay. I listened to the last message and a smile slowly formed on my face.

Tori. This is my fifth message. I know you turned your phone off and you don't want to be found just yet. But, like I said in my previous messages, I will be waiting outside your house if you don't call me by 7:30. I'll be bringing a pint of ice cream and a jar of pickles for you. I know you're on top of your hill right now so I won't come get you but be careful. By the way, I'm with Andre so if you want both of us to come over, we'll both be waiting outside your house. See yah!

Aww. At least I know Beck doesn't hate me. I check my time. It's already 7:45. I jump off the table, put my helmet on and rode down the hill. It took me about 20 minutes to get home. Beck's car was in my driveway but it's empty. Where are they? I pull into the garage and heard footsteps coming from the house. I enter the kitchen and saw Beck and Andre on the couch watching tv. They looked over their shoulder when I turned on the kitchen lights and grabbed a bottle of grape soda from the fridge. I saw the pint of my favorite ice cream and the jar of pickles was sitting in the cupboard right beside the fridge.

"So I'm guessing you found the spare key inside the porch lamp?"

"Yup. Great hiding place. I didn't think that the lamp really opens up." Beck stood up and walked towards the kitchen and stopped across the counter where I was standing. Andre joined us right away. I popped the can open and took a swig of grape soda. I put the can down and found the two boys staring at me. I wipe my mouth on my sleeve.

"What?"

They both broke their stare and cleared their throat. They stopped awkwardly and stared at me again. They're expecting me to break down in tears. I suddenly found the soda can that's sitting on the counter interesting. Except from the faint sound of the tv, silence was the only thing we can hear. I swipe my hair away from my face and winced when I touched the forgotten swollen bruise on my cheek. Tears started forming around the rims of my eyes. I put the cold can on the bruise before I start crying. Beck broke the silence with his footsteps coming closer. He pulled me in a tight hug. I was doing my best to stop the tears from falling but they silently spilled over the rims of my eyes and I just stared at the can that's still in my hand. Tear drops fell on my soda can and some on Beck's sleeves. He pushed me away gently and lifted my chin up so that I was looking up directly at him. He wiped my tears with the pad of his thumbs and gently touched my bruise.

"I'm so sorry for what happened, Beck. I didn't mean to put you in the middle of this. I was just-"

"Shhhh. It's okay."

"You're not mad at me for punching your girlfriend?"

"Not at all. I'm actually very proud of you for finally standing up to her."

"I didn't think I would but with everything that happened today, I wasn't going to take any crap from anyone else."

Beck smiled at me which made me look down. Andre cleared his throat.

"Okaaaay! Uh...I'm still here you know to comfort you, too."

I pulled away from Beck and walked over to Andre's outstretched arms.

"Thanks, Andre."

"No thanks necessary, baby. But you swung on Jade pretty good. I wish I could've gotten it on video. That would have cheered me up any day." Andre laughed and pulled back. I laughed at the thought too. I wanted to ask what happened after I left but I didn't want to think about this anymore. Beck and I sat beside each other on the couch while Andre made us my favorite hot chocolate. Beck put an arm around my shoulders and I leaned my head against it. Jade isn't going to come barging in my house at least I think so. Andre handed us our mugs filled with hot choco and he took the seat right on my other side and moved closer to me. I shifted my head on his shoulder and he leaned his head down on mine. Beck turned the volume of the tv back on and we just sat there until the credits of 50 First Dates rolled up the screen. Andre stood up.

"Well, I would love to stay and hang with you guys but I gotta head out. I'm working on a song for my music class on Monday and I barely have a decent tune. You okay if go ahead?"

"Sure. Thanks for keeping me company."

"No problem. You up for recording tomorrow?"

"For what?"

"You're singing the song with me."

"Sure." I smiled at Andre.

"Alright. I'll pick you up at 2 tomorrow."

"Okay. See yah, Andre." I stood up and Andre pulled me n for a tight hug.

"Later, man." They did this fist bump guys do.

"Later." Andre grabbed his jacket and headed out my front door.

"We're alone." Beck looked around my house.

"Yes, we are." Why am I feeling awkward around Beck? I've never felt awkward around Beck. He sat back down and pulled my hand so that I would sit right in front of me. We were facing each other just like how Ryder and I sat when we had our first date and I made spicy tuna balls for him.

Beck was quiet. He was just staring at me. He gently touched my bruise again and his touch felt nice-warm and so gentle that it made me close my eyes. I opened my eyes again and found Beck leaning towards me. Oh my god. Beck is about to kiss me. Should I stop it? I close my eyes trying to convince myself that this is wrong. Beck can't kiss me. He has Jade. I can feel Beck's breath right in front of my lips. Just at about the slightest touch of his lips on mine, his phone rang. I felt him pull away and heard him release a big are-you-serious kind of sigh. I open my eyes, my heart still beating frantically, and Beck answered his phone. I couldn't hear what he was saying or who he was talking to. All I could hear was the loud beating of my heart. We were about to kiss. Thank God it didn't happen. I don't want Beck to cheat on Jade with me.

Beck stood up which made me stand up too.

"I'm so sorry. I have to go." He looked worried and pissed at the same time.

"Uh...sure. Is everything okay?"

"Jade called. She's crying hysterically. She said she really needs me right now. I couldn't understand what she was saying. All I got was she's at the hospital."

"Is she okay? Is she hurt?" I can't believe I'm getting worried about the girl I punched a few hours ago.

"It doesn't seem like she's the one hurt. But I'll go over there and make sure. Will you be okay on your own here?"

"Of course. Text me whatever when you find out what's going on and if there's anything I can do to help." Beck chuckled and touched the side of my face.

"You're awesome, Tori. You're actually willing to help the girl who called you a slut a few hours ago."

"She's still your girlfriend, Beck. And you're my best friend so that makes her my friend. Well, sort of."

Beck chuckled again. He grabbed his jacket, leaned forward and planted a sweet soft kiss on my bruised cheek. He lingered for a few seconds.

"Good night, Tori."

With that, Beck was out the door and I was left frozen in the middle of my living room. The only thought in my mind was why can't he be mine?

Author's Note:

Well, I thought I should make up for all the weeks that I didn't update so here's an extra long chapter for you guys! Here are a few questions to keep you on the edges of your seats.

What happened to Jade? Why is she in the hospital? Is Tori ever going to tell Beck how she feels?

Does Beck feel the same way? What will become of Ryder? Will the movie push through? Will Jade let it push through?

The next chapters will morph into the movie audition Tori has to do with Beck and will answer the questions running through those excited brains of yours so stay tuned!