Disclaimer: Still don't own anything. I just borrowed them, and promise to hose them off before I return them.

:}

Jade was walked into the school, feeling better than she'd felt in weeks. The other students at Hollywood Arts seemed to be less annoying than usual, and even Cat was in one of her lucid phases. It felt like the world was on her side. As she walked to her locker, she heard her the sound of breaking glass, letting her know someone had sent her a text. It was Tori letting her know she'd be there soon.

Jade gave Scotty a quick nod, acknowledging the others presence. She then opened her locker to put the books she didn't need in, and to pull out anything she'd need for her morning classes. Jade's weekend had been a good one, thoroughly enjoyed despite a hiccup or two. She was now officially dating Tori, even if she hadn't bothered to announce it. Tori's dad had said they were in a relationship, and no one bothered to counter it, so Jade just accepted it. No one else needed to know. After all, she was still dealing with enough drama about the rest of her life, and it wasn't anyone's business who she was dating anyway.

The news she wanted to share was that her and her brother were close again. She'd spent Sunday morning, while Tori was at church with her family, training with Adam and Stan. She was even helping out, just a little. Stan was stronger than she was, but she was faster. Adam had her doing some light sparring that morning, helping Stan adjust to an opponent who could shift around him and try to finesse into a hold or open his guard for a strike or two. It was exhausting, but Adam made it fun, and she was learning again for the first time in months. She felt her Sunday morning training sessions would help her, Stan, and maybe Trina. After all, Jade was in a good mood, and that could only help her student in the long run.

Beck was moving around carefully, not wanting to draw her attention. Jade sighed. 'The last thing you want to do is try avoid me, it just gets my attention. Anything out of the ordinary gets my attention.' she watched him out of the corner of her eye, and when that became difficult, she pulled some mirrored sunglasses from her bag and pretended to be playing with them as she was waiting for her girl to show up. Careful angling let her see watch ex moving towards his destination. Somewhere near the drink machines, he came face to face with a black girl she didn't recognize. They kissed briefly, and he took her hand and moved her away from the entry hall, down the hall towards some unknown destination. Jade had, by this point, pulled her phone out and used it to take the girls picture under the guise of taking a selfie of herself in the mirrored glasses. It was an excuse.

A short time later, Tori and her sister showed up. Trina made a bee line for Scotty, and they shared a very public display of affection. As much as Trina's personality was improving, she still craved being the center of attention. The kissing was as much a performance as it was her enjoying her boyfriend. Jade just rolled her eyes and moved towards Tori's locker. She saw Crystal Waters in the crowd, watching with anticipation. 'When did this chiz become any of their business?' Jade was getting annoyed.

Tori hugged Jade, giving her a quick peck on her cheek. "Relax. There are some people really involved in my winning your heart, including every girl who'd ever wanted Beck." Tori whispered.

"So they just want to be sure he's free?" Jade asked.

"Most of them. I want to make sure you're mine." Tori said. "Can I have just a little pubic acknowledgment about this? I mean, I don't need anyone in my business, but there are people who helped me who I'd like to tell."

Jade gave a great sigh. Her whole body had moved, and Tori had trouble keeping herself from enjoying the movement. However, Jade liked to think she wasn't one to let something like that bother her. Actually, she was often bent out of shape about anything that might affect her reputation. But today was a good day, and she knew that people didn't care that much about her being gay. "Okay, but I get to hurt the first person who asks if I have a..." Jade was, for the second time in three days, kissed into silence. The crowd was growing, gawking at the display. Tori broke the kiss, blushing just a little bit.

"I know no one is staring!" Jade announced, and the crowed shifted slightly. "I mean, if I were to catch anyone..." The crowed dispersed.

"Jade, do you have to threaten everyone?" Trina asked, as she and Scotty walked over, arms around each others waist.

"I just thought too many people were gawking at you and trophy boy here playing tonsil hockey." Jade said, smirking.

"As long as you weren't doing it for yourself." Scotty said. He then checked his watch. "We should be getting to class."

"Sure." Jade replied. "Trina, I'll be by after school to work on a project. If we both have time, we can work on yours."

"Sure." Trina said.

"So, who do you think is going to win Beck?" Tori asked. Jade didn't immediately answer.

Their first period classes were near each other, so Jade had no problem walking her girlfriend to class. 'Wow, I have a girlfriend. Fudge it, Jade, people will die if you giggle. You'd have to kill them, so keep it together.' Jade mentally scolded herself, making a face. Tori smiled, and Jade realized she hadn't answered Tori's question. She reached for her phone. "He's got a new girl. Think I should let him know we're together so he won't have to hide her?" Jade asked as she showed her girlfriend the picture.

"Hope?" Tori practically screamed. Jade's pierced eyebrow lifted, and the goth's face made it clear she expected an explanation. Fortunatly, they had to get to class, and Tori knew it, so she checked her reaction and spoke quickly. "I'll...I'll explain later, but class now. Jade, I swear I'll tell you. Just class now." Tori practically pushed Jade into the girls classroom, and ran to her own. Jade shrugged, glared around the room once and walked to her seat. She knew she was going to get an explanation soon, and she could be patient until Tori was able to tell her.

'God, what happened to me, when did I get patient for anything other than vengeance?' she thought. Then she focused her attention into her classes, and waited for her morning to pass. She had to improve her grades, even if she was already an A average student, because she was not going to give her family any excuse for not accepting her back into their love. Maybe, if she was lucky, she could convince her father that she was worth loving. 'That would be ….. A miracle.' she didn't have time to ponder that thought. Too much work to do.

By the time lunch rolled around, Jade's curiosity had mostly worked it's way though her walls, and she was ready to find out who Becks new playmate was. The girl was attractive, medium height, expensive cloths. Jade wondered if this was a return of Alyssa Vaughn, or someone like her. The goth wondered who this chick was, and the part of her that was possessive wanted to know who was taking her ex. Of course, now that she was with Tori, that part was letting go, slowly. However, the protective part, the one that worried about her friends, wanted to be sure this girl wasn't going to hurt Beck. The boy had been in a single long term relationship for years. He needed to be protected.

"Her name is Hope Quincy." Tori's voice said, announcing her presence. "She's Shawn Quincy's daughter, used to date Andre. Of course, she broke up with him when he didn't want to be her boy toy any more. She's difficult, demanding, bossy, and sometimes scary. Beck met her the same time I didn't, and didn't like her at all."

"Becks with her why?" Jade asked. Her anger was rising, and Tori could see what was coming.

"He likes difficult girls. Honestly, I don't think he can date a meek girl." Tori said, smirking.

"And what makes you think that?" Jade said, her voice was now almost a growl. She glanced around to see if she could find anything to take her anger out on.

"I don't know, I heard he used to date a very difficult girl. Opinionated, pushy, big mouth and lots of attitude." Tori said. "I think he has a type."

Jade's head snapped back to see Tori smiling. The Latina had sat down next to her, and was snuggling into her with relish. Jade huffed, and let her arm snake around Tori's waist. It was time to accept that she was in a relationship, and had to give a lot of leeway to her girlfriend. 'I used to forgive a lot with Beck, so why not give Tori the same.' Jade smirked, letting her anger partially fade. "So what's your type? I mean, I'm not going to use you for a grade, or to fulfill my fantasy of dating two or more people at once, and lord knows I'm not the type to just use you. I mean, why date you, since that's the milk I've been getting from you for years. So how do I fit you're type."

"I dated bad boys who looked like good boys." The singer smiled. "Since I date bad boys in disguise, I thought I'd choose a different one. You know, A bad boy who happens to be a girl. And yes, they've asked, and I've told them the same thing."

"And what's that?" Jade said. She was more amused now, so her anger didn't quite get into the growl in her voice.

"That we've only been on one date." Tori said. "I mean, what kind of girl do they think I am? I don't expect to know the answer to THAT question until we've been together for a while. At least long enough for me to be sitting on your lap while you're in tights." Tori was smiling now.

"So, this Hope, she's a gank?" Jade asked.

"Yep. Hated her, despite my best efforts. Called sushi shush. I mean, that needed to be shortened? Cum on." Tori was agitated, and Jade was loving it. "Then she was telling Andre what to wear, who he could be friends with, and what he was allowed to like to eat. That was cray cray."

"Didn't work. Not that time." Jade said.

"Okay, so, Jade, how about we go on a date next Friday." Tori said.

"Why wait?" Jade asked.

"We're not waiting, we're just being official. Until then, we can hang out, do couple-y things, but I think we need an official date." The singer said.

"Okay, whatever." Jade knew how important it was, just the semantics, but she didn't want to wait. "You sure we can't get together earlier?"

"No." Tori said. "Apparently, there are rules to this kind of thing. Only weekend dates count, and I want this to count."

"Back away slowly, everyone. Tori, we're going to get you help. Just stay calm, and know we love you." Jade said, shifting slightly so she could give some space to her girlfriend.

"You do?" Tori said, throwing her arms around the goth and proceeding to kiss her mercilessly.

'Okay, I kinda lost that one.' Jade though as she ate her lunch.

:}

Don't think about how this one ended. Just be glad they can have this kind of moment.