Disclaimer: I don't own the source material, nor do I make a profit. Since I make nothing, nothing goes to the creator.
:}
Tori was practically floating when she walked into school the next day. Not that everything was perfect, but she did have most of her life going the way she wanted it to. Even that morning, when she chose what to ware, she managed to find the right light scarf that looked good with her outfit, yet in this weather said she was hiding something. With any luck, there would be rumors all over school by lunch.
As she made her way in, Crystal Waters was waiting for the chance to talk to her. "Tori, I need to ask you, whats the best way to approach Beck?"
"Don't make it too easy for him." Tori replied.
"Hard to get." She repeated. "Got it."
"Of course, Jade threw his previous girlfriend into the lake at the park, and just took over, but I'm sure she came across as a challenge." Tori added.
"Lets hope that's not a requirement. Jade would kill me." Crystal said.
"Why don't you let him know you're interested, but not throwing yourself at him?" Tori said.
"So, flirting?" Crystal asked.
"Only less so." Tori replied. "Just enough to let him see that you'd be willing to go out with him, and no more. Think of how forward most of the girls around him are. Be different, but also be noticed."
"Okay, I think I could do that..." The popular girl said.
"Crystal, my goodness, I haven't had the pleasure of your conversation in long time." The voice was familiar. Tori took a moment to identify it, while Crystal turned to tell this girl off. Both realized, at the same time, that it was Jade, using her Tori voice.
"Jade!" Tori said. "Crystal here was just telling me, she doesn't spend nearly enough time around the best actors of our grade. She was wondering, if maybe, she could have lunch with us today."
From across the hall, and around a corner, Robbie stepped out. "NO!" He screamed. He looked upset.
"Parabolic mike." Cat screeched from next to him, smiling as she skipped towards the growing group. "Crystal, of course you can lunch with us. We can talk about unicorns, and rainbows, and Graffias that learn to ride bicycles."
"I-I" The popular girl started. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea." She said to Tori.
"But it is." Cat said, getting closer. "Beck is looking for someone new, but not just anyone can replace Jade. You need to show him you can get along with his friends, and that you're different than his previous girlfriend. Make it clear that he doesn't need another grunch, no offense Jade, and that you're enough of a challenge for him."
Jade almost glared at her small friend, but decided that this was getting weird enough to let it drop. "Tori, I'll see you later. I need to talk to Sikowitz about something." With that, the fighter was off.
Tori, for her part, wasn't too thrilled with the prospect of paying Crystal back for her help. Even as nice as the popular girl was being to her, she was one of the mean girls who ruled every grade and every school in the U.S., and the world for all she knew. Giving her Beck was dangerous, because he'd become a status symbol, kinda like he was the entire time he was with Jade. "Crystal, I'll help, but you need to know, I've been under surveillance for I don't know how long, and Cat will know whatever we plan, so it's best to include her." Tori smiled at the small redhead. "I've got to go, I need to talk to someone before school begins."
"Is it about that hickey you're trying to hide?" Crystal asked. Tori ignored her, and was gone in seconds.
"See you at lunch. Or rather, you'll see me." Cat said, and skipped away.
Crystal was regretting having to associate with that pack of weirdo's. 'At least they won't hurt my reputation.' She thought. 'Jade's cool enough, and because Tori's everyone's friend, hanging around her makes everything okay. Just as long as Beck, and those two, are there, then my rep is golden.'
Robbie fell into step with Tori as they walked. "So?" He asked. When Tori didn't immediately respond, he continued. "You're going to tell Beck, aren't you."
Tori stopped, just for a second, but then moved quickly to catch up with Robbie. "What makes you think..." she tried to cover. Seeing that it wasn't working, Tori huffed. "When did you get to be so observant?"
"Mandatory trainings." He replied. "Cat's been showing us what to look for, how to spot clues that others might miss, you know, detective chiz."
"Seems like a lot just to get her to date you." Tori said. Inside she was thinking 'Cat knows that stuff?'
"I'll do what it takes." He replied. "I just need something, or someone, to distract Sinjin. Sam's not interested, and he's around all the time, so he could muscle in on my Cat time."
"So what?" Tori said. "Sinjin will find someone." Even she didn't believe that, but she was trying to force the narrative.
"You think maybe Crystal would..." He started.
"NO!" Tori cut him off. "I don't care if it's you or Sinjin, she's all about her status, and neither of you would help her."
"I guess you're right." Robbie said. "Hey Beck."
They'd arrived at their usual spot at the Asphalt Cafe, and the Canadian was sitting there, enjoying the sun before they had to go into class. "Tori, Robbie." He said.
"Beck, can I tell you something?" Tori asked her friend.
"Sure, what s up?" He asked. Robbie stood by patiently. Tori gave him a quick look, and he walked a few feet away.
"You know how Crystal Waters helped me flirt with Jade, back when I was trying to get her to like me?" Tori asked.
"No, I didn't know." He replied. "I don't think I'm going to like this, but please go on."
"Well, I kinda have to repay her for her help, and despite her originally telling me that she wouldn't need my help, she's kinda maybe asking me to help her flirt with you." Tori said.
"Okay." The actor said, sounding neutral.
"I know your upset, but I do owe her, and it'll just be a little flirting." Tori continued. "Who knows, you might like the real girl under the persona she puts up."
"Robbie?" Her asked.
"Chrystal is exactly what we said she'd be." He started. "She's insecure, and uses her place in the pecking order to keep herself feeling better than everyone else just because she's popular. And by popular, of course, we mean she's one of the top bullies of the school." Robbie stepped closer as he spoke.
"From our observations, we've seen that she spends as much time planning her day as she does anything else. Her biggest fear plays into her shallowness. She's afraid that she's just her looks. That's probably why she was so afraid of Jade." The nerdy boy paused to make sure everyone was caught up. "So naturally, she probably promised minimal response for helping Tori win Jade's heart, thinking she wouldn't have any major problems winning your affections once the threat of having her face janked up was removed. But you seemed to need more, a deeper connection, and she isn't sure what to do next. Tori's recommendations were good, on the surface, but I doubt her reputation could survive hanging out with some of the people you consider friends."
"Wait, you, he," Tori said, going back and forth for a second. "You were spying for him?"
"Well, Cats rates are reasonable, and with Sam as their muscle, they can handle a variety of cases." Beck said. "Besides, it helps me to know about any girl I might decide to date. I don't want to waste time with someone who's just using me."
"I have to get to class." Tori said. She walked away from Beck and Robbie, the latter of the two was now showing the surveillance photos.
She got to class, and the day started to feel normal again. When she had a class with Crystal, she decided to let the girl know what was going on. "Beck hired some PI to gather information on all the girls he was thinking about. You know, possible dates. Anyways, he had someone look into you, and seems to think you're a bit too self centered."
"I guess, after Jade, he really wanted to go in a different direction." Crystal said. Tori felt hurt by the comment, but let it go. No sense in drawing Crystal into a confrontation when she'd probably suffer from it. Besides, the girl was hurting enough. "So what do I do to convince him I'm not that girl?"
Tori wasn't expecting that question. She'd already shifted her focus back to class, and so took a second to process what had been asked. Thus the answer that came out wasn't filtered. "Date Sinjin." Crystal made a face. "Admit it, that would show you weren't the status obsessed diva people think you are. And he's sweet, in that stalkerish kind of way."
"But THAT would hurt my status, and take me out of the top of the school hierarchy." She said. "There isn't one reason for anyone to date that loser."
"His dad owns a rubber factory, including balloons." Tori replied. "So his family is probably rich."
"I could find him someone." Crystal said, drifting off into her own plans.
By lunch, Tori was grateful to be with her girlfriend again. Of course, she did have a few complaints. "Hardly anyone commented on my hickey." She lamented. "Most of today was focused on other peoples problems. Can't I just have one day where people focus on me?"
"You really want that?" Jade asked. The goth leaned in to glide her lips across Tori's forehead.
"Yes." Tori said, so quiet that if Jade had been any farther away, she'd have missed it.
"Okay." The actress said, matter-of-factly. Jade stood up, and shouted "HAY!"getting the schools attention. "Just so you all know, Tori's MINE. I won't stand for anyone mistreating her. AM I CLEAR?" The whole school was looking, and Jade just looked around to see if anyone would meet her eyes. No one would. Tori sighed as Jade sat down. "Whats wrong?" Jade asked, this time in a whisper.
Tori knew she could just sit there, being embarrassed, or she could do something about it. She stood up on her seat, just like Jade had a moment before. "AS YOU KNOW, JADE IS MINE!" Tori started. "I JUST WANT ALL THE GUYS, AND GIRL, TO STOP THINKING YOU CAN TAKE HER!" Tori paused to take in a deep breath. "SHE'S MINE, SO HANDS OFF!" Tori then sat back down.
"Feel better?" Beck asked.
"Much." Tori replied. "But my throat's gonna hurt for this."
"Treat it the same way you'd treat a sore throat from singing." Andre sugested.
"Thanks." Tori replied.
"Was that really necessary?" Jade asked. She looked angry.
"What?" Tori asked. "You thought?..." She said, smirking. "Jade, I know no one's going to be able to take me away from you. I just needed to mark my Territory."
"I thought..." Jade started.
"You marked yours." Tori cut her off, her voice firm. "For the girl who reminded me how hot she was the first week I was here, you tend to forget. There are about as many out there who want you as those who want me. More if you count the girls. If you get to mark you're territory, then so do I."
"But..." Jade started. Everyone was looking at her, and for the first time in months, ever since the whole nose picking indecent, it was making her uncomfortable. Seeing no way to win, Jade just shrugged. "AND I KNOW NO ONE IS STARING." She shrieked to the air, and by the time she turned around, no one was.
Tori leaned close, whispering in her ear. "Would this be the right time to grab your boob?"
:}
Disclaimer. I have no idea where I'm going. The story has mutinied and taken over.
Also, the end line refers to something in the last chapter.