Hopefully I'll actually like what comes out from the writing of this chapter compared to the last few. I don't know why but the last few don't feel right but from the reviews I get what I needed to come across. Oh well, they did their job.

Hope you enjoy!

:)

Tori's Perspective-

"Cut...cut...cut...CUT!"

I let out a shriek and the boy beside me as we launch ourselves out of the way of the flying cup of coffee. I feel my heart beat rapidly against my chest as I stare at the now mutilated cup as the hot drink dribbles out from the lid. I let out a small groan; I had paid seven bucks for that... "Jade!" I whine, "What did we do?"

"It was what you didn't do," she snaps, hurling herself on the stage, "We've been over this last week Vega! You're supposed to be swaying at your feet around him!" She points at the burly boy, his red-dyed hair gelled to a natural point, green eyes widening with his hands raised. "He's a monster that you're nervous around and not just some gay dude to hang with!"

"But...I do kinda like guys..." he mumbles bashfully, staring forward.

"But right now," she snarls, ripping a discarded puppy mask left on the floor from prior rehearsals, "you're a beast that will murder everything in your way including Vega!" He staggers back once the mask is shoved on his head, making him look like an estranged creature with a teen's body.

"Uh, Jade?" his voice comes out muffled, arms out to balance himself, "Why exactly do I murder everything and then carry Tori off all loving like? Wouldn't there be some chemistry before?"

I can almost see a vein pop in her temple as she sends a seething glare towards him. I roll my eyes, stepping towards her. "I've told you this before, we're practicing these scenes now and then the scenes before since Ryan and Nicole is sick, got it?" she growls, her eyes glancing towards me once I place my hand on her shoulder.

"Jade...do we need a little break? You know, so that I don't have to worry about scalding liquid burning my face off?" Jade shakes her head stubbornly, gesturing us to continue with the scene as she hops down the stage. I turn my gaze over towards Ben - the dude - as he struggles with the mask, attempting to pull it off his head. Seeing that there was no way we could do the scene at the moment, I go back towards the seats, finding Jade distracted anyway. "Jade," I mumble, picking her gaze from the ground, "What's been bothering you?"

"I just want it to be a good quality play," she answers smoothly, pale eyes hardening at me, "That too hard to ask?"

"Hey," I growl, "I'm on your side here, remember? And you did ask me to play the main role...right?" She nods stiffly, her teeth gnawing at the insides of her cheeks. "Look, I know there's a lot of pressure with this but, come on, we have another week and we'll be able to do it with the early releases." We both jerk our attentions behind us as Ben falls to the floor, almost doing a break dance to get the mask off. As he begins to curse profusely, complaining that Jade really shoved it in, I mumble, "Should we check up on him?"

Brushing off my concern, Jade mutters, "I don't know, I just need this to be good and not a fucking shit show." I nod calmly, opening my mouth to speak until I grimace.

"Help! I can't smell anything other than the plastic! It smells like feet!" Ben gags, twisting my head.

"So, could you drop me off? I don't think Trina will pick me up..." I drawl as the boy squirms.

"Yeah...yeah," Jade murmurs distantly, "Maybe we should actually do something otherwise we'll be tried for murder." My head bobs as we launch ourselves towards the stage, our efforts immediately being put into Ben's trouble which - in all honesty - I think put a smirk on Jade's lips. Why am I not surprised?

-(:)-

"Thanks for driving me," I mumble through the comfortable silence, some music playing on the radio as we turn a corner. She nods slowly, her attention still glued to the road as cars stream past. It's - according to the dashboard anyway - almost ten, long past my dinner time. Though that has grown to be a pattern these last few weeks, Jade's antics about her play driving the session over by a few hours. I get it, I really do. It's needing to perfect something that will be preformed in front of a large audience and with a prize hanging over her head like this. Though, I'd really prefer if there wasn't anything thrown at me for not making one body gesture that part of the audience would actually register.

I blink, finding myself in front of my house, Jade sitting at the front wheel. "Do you, uh, want me to walk to the door?"

"Please," I grin, pulling my bag over my shoulder as she climbs out towards the road, going around the hood. We make our way towards the grass, the silence between us bubbling in my gut. This, too, had become a pattern during the past few weeks. Not that we don't talk, sure, but when we do it's normally about whatever we're doing at the moment or joining other conversations. But there are moments after the silence where I ask to see how she is, and it's half answered. Answered, sure, but there's still some things missing.

At this point, though, I'm taking anything I can get.

"Are you stressed about all of this?" I pipe up, setting my bag down against the door before leaning against the wall beside it. She seats herself on the small ledge for our plants, nodding softly. "So..." I begin, my limbs bending down in front of her, "I mean, I've only did one play before but that ended up being...a-"

"Hit on Twitter," she smirks, my eyes rolling.

"Yeah. By the way, how is that new segment doing?" I hiss sarcastically.

"Good actually. I mean I only have the one video but I'll do more," Jade grins, eyeing me with a devilish flashing clouding them. A part of me hoped that she hadn't posted anything else but, well, since the only thing up was utterly humiliating, I'm scared what she'll post later.

Nevertheless I chuckle, my eyes darting between hers. "But could I help?" I ask, "With some of the stress I mean..."

"Do you have any ideas?" she murmurs quietly, gaze still locked on. I nod, leaning forward to brush my lips against hers. Immediately her hands find my neck, pulling me closer feverishly. Another pattern I've noticed is the constant little sessions we have once she's a bit overworked. I grin against it, feeling her tongue slide in smoothly. She lost her hesitance and tentativeness through them, gaining more heat and need with each time.

We shuffle up, almost uncoordinated, before I feel our feet scuff up towards the wall. My back brushes against it, her hands finding my waist quickly. I become very conscious of the doorbell right beside my elbow, shifting us further away. Her lips trail towards my jaw, and then my neck. A breath comes out rushed as she begins to nibble, though my eyes widen suddenly. "Wait-Jade," I gasp, her movements halting.

She brings her gaze towards mine, nose brushing against my own. She leans forward though I push her back, my right hand hiking up my shirt. "Not where she'll see..." I mumble, her eyes trailing to my exposed stomach. A small, relieved grin flashes, her lips connecting with mine. Jade stands on her knees, hands clutching my hip and left arm as she gives peppery kisses along what naval is exposed. I growl as she bites at my hip, beginning to mark the area. I find my grasp on her cheek, caressing it as I feel my stomach flip over in the mist of a warm heat.

Jade pulls away and I don't bother looking down once her lips find mine once again. I feel the circle of heat where she had been just before now, reminding me of the Ring of Fire. Our lips flow slowly after a while before we pull away, grinning at each other like complete fools. She slides out of my grip as we bid each other a good night, a crooked smile still plaguing my lips. I pick up my bag gingerly before striding into my house, my eyes flickering towards the table.

My mom sits there, indulged in her work. I hesitantly bring my steps towards the stairs, not wanting to make too much noise. She doesn't pick her head up, though I doubt she is actually reading the papers in front of her; the pen that she holds in her hand isn't clicking or moving about. With my steps eventually at my room, I shut the door exhaling briefly. I furrow my brows before lifting my shirt, eyeing the dark, heavy bruise now at my hip.

Jade, once again, has marked me and I can't bring myself to be anything more than just happy.

-(:)-

We make our way towards Festus' food truck, our orders in mind - me that awesome sandwich and Jade just a water. However, I glance off to the side, frowning slightly. Beck, uncharacteristically, sits against a pillar, eyes trained to the ground. I shift, glancing at Jade who merely shrugs out of disinterest. Biting the inside of my cheek, holding up the line behind me, I sigh, striding towards him. Jade takes a few steps after me, though not much further.

"Hey," I mumble, picking up his head, "Could I sit with you for a moment?"

"Sure, sure," he shifts to the side, allowing me space. We're quiet for a moment, his dark eyes trained to the ground. With a hand running anxiously through his hair, he mutters, "Was...was I a bad boyfriend?"

I glance at his miserable gaze, guilt plaguing it. I shake my head, mumbling, "No, you weren't. Well, I mean," I exhale quietly, "you shouldn't have cheated but...you know, you were a good one."

"But, but what went wrong?"

"I said yes when you asked me to date you," I groan, "It had nothing to do with you... I just, it became inevitable that we would break up since I had already slept with, uh, Jade..."

He nods slowly, digesting the words. "Have you- have you already slept with her again?"

"No," I mumble.

There comes another silence between us, blanketing the area as people shuffle out of the way, not wanting any part of it. "But I must have done something wrong...I mean with us. I fucked up with Jade, I know, I shouldn't have...I wasn't thinking," he admits tersely, "I just don't understand. I, I don't know."

"Well, I suppose you were a bit pushy with physical stuff," I shrug earning a small nod.

"Jade said the same thing and then we broke it off... I don't know, I feel like we were closer without the sex."

"Maybe, but the physical stuff is a two way street I guess. It'll be different with the couple," I mutter.

"Yeah," he glances over at me, eyes narrowing curiously. "You've changed actually...you're not the same Tori I remember a couple of months ago." I frown at the thought, tilting my head to the side. I mean, perhaps I've changed but it's not really that much, right? I look at him blankly, wanting him to explain and - luckily - he does. "I don't know, it's just that you're not wearing what you used to-" I glance down at the dark purple plaid shirt and black jeans "- you've, I don't know. You just seem different. You remind me a lot of Jade actually."

"Wouldn't be the first time someone's said that," I mumble. I take a moment for all the words to wash over me, nodding slightly. "Maybe you've changed since you've dated Jade too," I counter, "And when you did things didn't work out like they were supposed to... And, maybe Jade changed as well."

Beck lets my own words sink in, muttering after a minute, "I'd actually like to talk to her, you know, about stuff...could I?"

"By all means," I pick myself up, "It would be good anyway." I stride over with a lingering, half smile which is returned before going up to Jade. "He wants to talk to you," I say, Jade sighing briefly. She goes over anyhow, leaving me to quickly order my sandwich and get her water. I walk over to the table, satisfied with getting my lunch before looking over. I end up watching them for a while, my mind wondering if she did the same. Perhaps she did, I don't really know. And once the two do get up as I find half my sandwich already gone without my conscious, I see them smile momentarily, their arms wrapping around each other before they part.

Jade strolls her way towards me with a gentle expression, seating herself beside me. I don't bother asking what they spoke about, but I do hand her the bottle. We grin at each other, Cat, Robbie and Andre joining us with a conversation of their own.

-(:)-

The dim light in the changing room really isn't helping, especially when I have to pull off this irritating dress and put on a casual, summer's wear. My fingers brush over the buttons frantically, the clock on the wall ticking away ever so quickly in my mind. I gasp once I nearly flip over, the dress pulled off my head. "Finally!" I snap, diving towards the couch before shooting a quick glare towards the lights. The janitor really needs to fix them...

Once I heave the pants over my legs and the plaid shirt on my shoulders, I twist around before letting out a shriek. "Jade!" I hurl myself backwards, watching her smirk crease her cheeks, coffee in hand as well as a slight gleam in her eye. "Whe-where you there the whole time?"

"Uh huh," she mumbles.

"You didn't bother helping me?" I hiss, making my way towards the door.

She rolls her eyes, rasping, "You have five more minutes, calm down. And besides, it was too entertaining." I make a false smile, her eyebrow raising as a retort.

"I thought my five minutes was up," I furrow my brows. She shakes her head, stepping leisurely towards the couch.

"There was some problems with the tech equipment and Sinjin...he spilled bird seed all over the keys and some of them are jammed," she scowls.

"He still does that?"

"Apparently," Jade groans, "I don't think he's stopped since Beck's play." I feel my fingers fumble around the hem of my shirt, bringing my gaze down. I heave a short, quiet breath, frowning towards the floor. "What's with the sour face Vega?" Jade asks in a rather bored tone, pale eyes staring blandly at me. Thanks for the support Jade...

"I'm still a bit nervous, that's all..."

"Uh, really?" she stands up, taking a long sip from her coffee, "Because you only have one scene left. And that's it." I nod, knowing that it seems ridiculous, my ears barely picking up the audience's chatter just outside the stage.

"I-I know, I'm just...dunno-"

My eyes pick themselves up as I feel a hand on my shoulder, Jade staring at me softly. "You're doing fine Vega, you're playing the character well actually...which is what I expected since she's naïve, gullible, too nice and-"

"Hey," I gasp hotly as she smirks behind her cup.

"What? It's a perfect description of the two of you."

"Well then," I steps back, folding my arms as I turn around, facing the opposite wall. I almost jump as the empty cup rockets towards the trash can beside me, landing in it perfectly. Her arms wrap around my waist with the script among them, nose nuzzling into the side of my neck.

"Relax Vega, I was kidding," she murmurs, "Well-" I swat her arm, earning a nice, quiet chuckle in my ear. "But no, you're playing the part well, I wouldn't be nervous."

"Thanks," I hum earnestly. We sway slightly, letting the few minutes pass before we hear the end of the "interlude..." The interlude which is towards the end of the play but, oh well. We part once I step out the door, my legs guiding me back to the stage as I get into character. I hear a short crack of thunder - given by Sinjin - my legs hurling myself onto the stage.

"Janice! Janice!" I yell frantically, my eyes searching wildly around the set as I see Nicole, or Janice, come out of the room sluggishly. "Janice! There's- there's a beast about, I swear I saw it, you have to believe-"

"Stop," she groans, clutching her side gingerly. Her hand pushes against my shoulder as I take a step back, my eyes widening at her hip. An arrow protruded from it, a gasp coming from my lips. "I-I believe you," she hisses, collapsing on her knees, "But the hunters are after it... It's your fault."

"My-my fault?" I freeze, my expression morphing into one of concern and offence. "How? I just got here-"

"Exactly! Ever since you came here I've heard all of this stuff about the beast," she whimpers harshly, wincing at the arrow, "And the hunters are now all over this camp, how could you?"

"What, Janice? You're going to die and your last words are blaming me for everyone's death here?" I snarl, careful not to add too much bite to it... I may or may not have learned that the hard way once coffee ended up staining my pants. I, uh, I looked like I shit myself to say the least, adding to Jade's new segment. I nearly chortle at the thought before I scold myself for getting distracted.

"It's your fault! I saved up all of my money for half my life for this place and you come and, and, God, it's your fault!" she snaps, twisting around.

"Quit moving!" I snap, crouching down to attempt to help her. "And-and we don't even know if the monster even killed all those people anyway!"

"What?" she growls, kicking my hand away, "How dare you say that?"

"Not even an hour ago you were telling me there was no beast!" I spit.

"No human would maul people like that," she groans, "No human would...would, Christ."

I widen my eyes, shifting closer to her as Nicole - or Janice, whatever - begins to close her eyes, her movements beginning to lessen. "No, wait, don't, hey!" I shake her shoulders, receiving no answer. I gasp, jumping at the sudden flash of light and thundering, roar of, well...thunder. I scamper to the side, clutching a wheelbarrow as my eyes are fixed on Janice's limp body, the echo of the thunder ringing through me like a scream.

My eyes flash towards the side of the stage, Jade darting towards the back. I grit my teeth, turning around wildly as I hear twigs snap and the mutterings of the other boys in the play. "Go on, get her...she's seen too much...yes I know, the wolf-thing will be our next priority..." I flicker my gaze towards the audience just briefly, internally pleased by the several in the front row leaning at the edge of their seats. Jade knows what she's doing - the dialogue, body language, everything. It's a wonder how she managed to tell herself otherwise.

A shot's bellow flies throughout the room, spooking even myself as I jerk, tumbling over the wheel barrow. As quickly as I could, the boys running along the stage, I tear the parts of the shirt that Cat designed, bloodied make-up already underneath it. I turn as a hand from under the curtain hands me fake blood. I nod my thanks, splattering it all over the hole in my shirt.

Once the several steps flood the scene, I stagger from the wheelbarrow, my legs guiding me in uncoordinated strides. I growl, clutching my chest where the wound - supposedly - made its way beside my heart. I collapse beside Nicole, vaguely recalling the time I had actually tripped over her, nearly face planting into the ground. That was fun...for Jade. I writhe on the ground before my limbs cease their movements, my head laying to the side. I close my eyes, the sound of rain sloshing through my mind as Sinjin whirls away at the effects.

I squint barely, watching as Ben's hairy, wolf-thing feet shuffle towards me with an animalistic bounce from the side of the stage. I feel his arms cup me gingerly, my legs, arms and head falling limp; I am supposed to be dead after all. However, I feel the mask dip down towards me, nuzzling me more carefully than he ever did during practice. The beast carries me off the stage and do the side, disappearing behind the curtains as they are pulled. I blink in the dimmer light, the beast not letting me down.

I smile, shifting her head towards me, shifting the mask half way off before I pressed my lips against hers. I grin, knowing I had assumed right as they melt into mine briefly. "So," I pull the rest off, pale eyes staring down at me with her hair falling to one side, "What happened? Did you break his leg?"

"Actually no, I didn't break his leg," she answers, "One of the others dropped a brick used as a prop on him as he was getting ready and-"

"You mean he actually broke his leg?" I gape in concern.

She shrugs, mumbling, "Sinjin never actually pressed 'play' for the huge thunder." I grimace, looking back at her with some concern as she shrugs, "There's already an ambulance at the back. He looks alright, a bone didn't come out or anything."

"Okay." Well, I feel a little bit better now. "So, are you going to actually get me down or-"

She interrupts me, pressing her lips on my forehead before asking, "Do you want to go out tomorrow? Like, to the pier?"

"I thought you didn't really like it," I grin as she rolls her eyes.

"If there's going to be walking dolphins around then no but...well I just figured since you haven't gone in a while and, uh, yeah." I chuckle as her words die off, nodding with my arms wrapped around her neck. We both pick our heads up once Jade's name is called. A small smirk forms on her lips before she completely lets go of me without a warning, causing me to fall all the way down. I groan, glaring at her as she walks away. She turns, eyebrow raised. "Did that hurt?"

"Uh...yeah, it did actually," I spit.

"Nice."

Okay! So it took me a while to get into the mood to write this but...well, as soon as it started, I went straight through it! Then next will be up not to long...again, I have nothing better to do so might as well improve my writing! But I'll take a nap first. :P

I hope you enjoyed!

:)