Night and Day
Summary: Jade is nighttime, dark, gloomy. Tori is daytime, bright, sunny. Do opposites truly attract? (A complete rewrite)
Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious or any of its plots and characters. This is simply for entertainment purposes. All rights belong to Nickelodeon.
"VEGA!" The small group all jump out of surprise, barely any of them awake for it's before the first period. They turn their heads in unison towards the goth that comes stomping over, her green eyes ablaze in fury, her attention directed to only a sole individual.
"I think you might wanna run," Andre whispers to the Latina, all of them knowing who will take the brunt of the blow before she even arrives.
"Yeah, sounds like a good idea," Tori returns, grabbing her bag from the bottom stair and turning to leave, letting out a cry of shock when her wrist is grabbed by the paler girl. She groans as she's dragged away, looking towards her friends out of desperation knowing better than to verbally ask for help.
'Hey, Jade. Maybe you should-," Robbie attempts, starting to walk over to the two. Jade turns around, letting out a hiss that causes him to shrink back in fear and he quickly retreats back into the small group.
Cat looks over at him as he cowers behind her, fiddling with the end strands of her bright, red hair. "Did you pee your pants/" she asks, her gaze lowering.
"N-no," he stammers in return, knowing well that everyone knows otherwise.
"Then why are your pants wet?" Rex intervenes. The nerd says nothing, heading to his locker and grabbing an extra pair of pants and underwear that he always has readily available and hurrying to the opposite direction of the now trio. Beck, Andre and Cat's gazes follow Robbie until he's gone before turning when they hear the janitor door slam shut.
"Why do we always have these conversations in the janitor's closet?" Tori demands with a groan, sliding down the wall and dropping her back unceremoniously next to her. She doesn't have time to react when Jade grabs her by the collar of her shirt, pulling her up. The goth holds her down against the wall, staring into her brown eyes as her own are bright with anger. "Jade?" tori manages to whimper out, racking through her brain in attempts of trying to figure out what she possibly could have done wrong now.
"Did you sleep with Beck?" Jade asks.
"Huh?"
"Don't play stupid with me, Vega1 Did you or did you not sleep with Beck?!" she demands, holding her tighter. Tori grimaces out of discomfort, just looking up at her, confusion evident on her face at the accusations.
"No, I didn't!" she finally responds when Jade refuses to loosen her grip. "Even if I did, why would you care? You two aren't even together anymore."
Jade stares into her eyes, searching them to see any form of deceit before finally letting go, satisfied when she only sees honesty shining through. Tori lets out a breath that she didn't even realize she was holding, trembling slightly with fear and surprise. "Why would you think I slept with Beck?" she asks after a few moments of awkward silence, fixing her purple blouse.
The goth doesn't respond, rummaging through her black bag and pulling out a letter. "This was in Beck's locker," she says simply, handing the pink paper to the darker girl to which she takes it, reading it over.
"… This is Trina's writing," Tori says, automatically recognizing her sister's cursive, not even bothering to read past the first sentence, already shuddering with the awful attempt at poetry scribbled out.
"I figured," Jade mumbles now, crossing her arms over her chest. "But why is she sending love notes to Beck?" she looks over the girl who shrugs in response, crumpling up the paper and tossing it into a garbage bag set on the floor.
"Why do you care who Beck is with? You said several times that you no longer care about who he dates," Tori says, following the goth quickly as she leaves the closet. "And if you figured that it was Trina, why are you accusing me?"
Tori doesn't receive an answer and the singer grows more annoyed now, still far too tired to be dealing with whatever bullshit was happening. "Hey!" she yells, causing Jade to groan in return.
"Whaaaattttt?!" she drawls out, turning around reluctantly and looking at her, her arms over her chest still.
"I'm not letting you leave until you answer my questions! You've been ignoring me left and right recently and then you suddenly barge in, accuse me of something, and then leave? There's no purpose to it! It's just-! It's exhausting!"
Jade merely rolls her eyes in return, relenting, if only slightly. 'Fine. Ask your questions and I'll decide whether or not I wanna answer them."
'I've already asked them! I asked why you decided to accuse me and why you care whether or not Beck is dating anyone! You've been saying so much recently that you're backtracking on half of it and-."
"It's true that I don't care who Beck is dating," Jade interrupts her. 'But I do when Trina is the one who wants to meddle into this whole thing… But I also accused you because I wanted to believe that you were dating him because… well…" She trails off now.
"Well?" Tori arches an eyebrow, studying the other for an answer, rather surprised that it appears she's shrinking back, even if just barely.
"… At least you'd be good for him," she whispers, letting out a soft breath. "If it had to be between you and Trina, I would prefer you dating him."
"Right, but you almost just murdered me back in the closet because you suspected I was dating him. Who would know what would happen if it was true and now you're saying something different? You're sending very mixed messages."
Jade rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "I just complimented you and gave you your answers. You should be content with that which means you'll leave me alone. That's how that works."
Tori is about to say something in retaliation before she's interrupted by Trina who walks over. "Hey, little sister! I want your opinion about something! What colour lipstick goes with this dress?" She presents the shades of orange and Tori arches an eyebrow.
"I wouldn't pick either colour. I would choose pink or something. But why are you asking me? Who is this for?"
"Well, I'm going on a date tonight with Beck and-."
"Wait, wait, wait," Jade interjects. "Tonight? And he's agreed to do so? He knows that you two are going?"
"Yeah," she replies, nodding. "Why? You look surprised by this."
"That's an understatement to say the least. And he's willingly agreed? While he was sober? Not drunk? Is there evidence of this?"
"Jade, this isn't your place to speak for Beck and while I am just as surprised as you are, you should leave it alone," The younger Vega says.
"She's right, you know," Trina returns, placing a hand on Jade's shoulder. The goth immediately shoves her back, her eyes flashing with a combination of danger, anger, and disgust.
"Don't you ever touch me!" she snaps. "I don't know how many times I've told you or anyone else for that matter but you touch me again and my scissors are going so far up your ass-!"
"Hey! Hey! Enough!" Tori yells, grabbing Jade and pulling her away. "That's enough!"
Jade watches Trina, her eyes narrowing as she rips her arm out of Tori's grip, crossing her arms over her chest. "Whatever. Just get out of my sight. I don't want to see you again," she mumbles before beginning to leave after the older Vega ran off.
The singer stops her, grabbing her arm again. "Wait, wait, wait, hold on. This brings up another question I have."
"What? Is this Jeopardy or something? What's with all the questions/" she huffs, turning around.
"You don't allow a single person to touch you… None that I have noticed at least. Except me and Beck. I understand Beck just fine. He was your boyfriend but… what about me?"
"What about you?"
"Why do you let me touch you?"
"I don't-!" she begins and then stops, her eyes widening out of realization. Her throat seems to constrict now and she becomes quiet, shifting from one foot to another, looking more than uncomfortable with what she just said. She blinks slowly, pulling herself from her thoughts and back into reality, meeting Tori's gaze. The other just stands there, waiting for an answer.
"Well. Are you going to answer me?"
Jade scoffs, pulling her façade back on before shaking her head. "Shut it, Vega," she snaps before throwing her bag onto her shoulder and leaving as the bell rings. Tori watches her, wanting to go after her but deciding it best not to. She turns, leaving the hallway and heading to her first class although her thoughts are muddled with that of Jade and her actions. None of it makes sense and she decides it to be too exhausting to dwell on it anymore. Let Jade be Jade. She always has been.
It's finally lunch and the day is starting to look up for the half-Latina. She heads to her usual table at lunch, her face lighting up when she sees Cat, Andre and Robbie already there. "Hey. Whatcha working on?" she asks Andre who is sitting there with his keyboard on the table.
"A summer song," he returns, eliciting a groan from the approaching goth but the four ignore her.
"But it's the middle of winter," Cat pipes in.
"Yeah, well, maybe I'd like to get in the summer spirit a bit earlier," the musician says with a smile, rubbing his hands together like he does when he's excited. "Also, it doesn't really matter. It's practically always summer here."
"Can't argue with that logic," Tori says with a shrug and a smile.
"What's up?" comes the familiar greeting from behind as Beck walks over, sitting down next to Tori. Yet another groan is emitted from Jade before she stands and leaves the table, the others watching the rather childish exit.
"You and Jade still fighting?" Cat asks innocently.
"Not really fighting. More like giving each other the silent treatment and one of us leaving, usually it being me attempting to leave before she slits my throat with one of her scissors… She's been in a… violent mood recently."
The perky red head looks down at that, grimacing at the description. "Graphic."
'hey, how 'bout y'all stop focusing on your psychotic love life or lack thereof and listen to my song?" Andre interrupts, seemingly more than eager to share what he has written so far with his friends.
"Sure. Let's hear it," Tori agrees.
The musician smiles and turns on the keyboard, adjusting the settings. Before he could get a note in though, Trina walks up from behind, interrupting cheerfully as she wraps her arms around Beck's shoulders. "Are you ready for our little date tonight?" she basically squeals, looking more than excited.
"Never mind then," Andre mutters as he turns off his keyboard, setting it down on the empty seat next to him and beginning to eat, deciding upon another time would have to work.
"Huh? Oh, yeah," Beck returns with a somewhat forced smile and Tori glances over.
"You weren't kidding when you said that you were going on a date with him."
"Why would I?" Trina laughs. "What? You didn't believe me?"
"No, not really," Tori admits. "I mean, you have always been the one to know about a date more than the other person. I thought it was another scheme that Beck didn't realize he was in."
"Well!" Trina huffs. "If you must know, we already agreed on a time and place. Tonight at eight at Karaoke Dokie. We're gonna have a song to sing at 9:30, too! Pick me up at seven, Beck! I'll see you later!" She places a kiss on his cheek before leaving with that.
Beck grimaces once she's out of the scene, wiping his cheek with his hand. "What's with the face? Didn't you agree to go out with her?" Robbie asks.
"I did, yeah. But I suppose it's more pay back than anything and thinking about it, it makes me feel dirty but… I guess it's worth it?" He looks truly uncertain at this point.
"Why?" Tori asks. "I mean, why make yourself miserable just to spite Jade? It doesn't seem like you."
"I don't know," Beck answers. "I feel like I'm still dating Jade in a weird way. I'm still stepping on eggshells around her even though we're technically not a couple. I'm so used to doing things to appease her and it still feels that way. I guess I want some sort of satisfaction of seeing her so displeased when all the time I've been with her, I've tried to do nothing but please her."
Tori nods at his explanation, seeing both sides of the coin. She glances up at Jade who walks over again. "We need to talk," she says sternly, her arms crossed.
"Then talk."
"Alone."
The half-Latina gives a small grimace before standing, wanting to leave without the risk of being dragged off so she just follows Jade inside of the school, finally heading to an empty classroom as opposed to the janitor's closet. "Alright. What's the deal this time around?" she asks as she sits down at a desk with a huff.
"I want you to help me crash the date tonight," Jade says simply. "Trina was stupid enough to tell us where everything is and at what time is what. I can't just go there alone. I need back up."
"Right, and you think that I should just help you whenever it's convenient for you? That's when you become nice to me? Why should I help?"
"Because Sweet Sally Peaches has a heart of gold and wouldn't let someone like Beck date someone as insane as Trina," Jade responds with her accent for Tori.
Tori rolls her eyes, not even answering with her typical, "I don't talk like that." She just seems exasperated, even exhausted at this. Jade seems to take notice before she sighs. "Fine. What do you want out of this?"
"I want an answer to my earlier question," she says with little hesitation. "You know well what I'm talking about, too."
"About the touching thing? Why is it so important to you? Why does it matter so much?"
"Exactly, why does it?" Tori retorts, crossing her arms over her chest as she keeps her gaze locked with Jade who just scoffs, going to walk away. "Fine. I guess you don't want my help then. The answer is no for every favour that you'll ask for from here on out. I'm tired of doing shit for you and getting nothing but shit in return."
Jade groans in exasperation before sitting down, shaking her head. "Fine. Do you really wanna know?"
"That's all I ever want in this life," she responds, her tone half joking before she walks over, standing in front of Jade.
"Fine. There are times when we obviously need to touch, such as times in plays where we're playing husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend. The like. I swear, Sikowitz is insistent on us being together in plays for whatever reason. But… you're not… as bad as other people and I suppose I'm just used to it by now. You don't take no as an answer and you're not scared of me hurting you, which is idiotic on your behalf. Other people? They cower as soon as I yell at them which is the very smart thing to do but you decide not to, for whatever reason that I think needs professional analysis on. Is that enough of a reason?"
Tori nods, looking content now. "It is, yes. I'll help you with Trina tonight although if she gets pissed off, you're going to be taking the fall for all of this."
"I have no problem with that. Trina can't do anything to hurt me and Beck is already pissed off at me… He'll; just get more annoyed but I really don't think that he wants to be there anymore than he lets on."
"No, he doesn't… He's upset about… a lot, to say the very least. He's really doing it only doing it to spite you, to piss you off more, because he really felt as though he was trapped in the relationship, always worrying about getting you upset with anything and everything that he did and now, he's just enjoying it, if anything."
"I thought so," Jade answers. "I wouldn't think him insane enough to go out with her if he didn't have some other ultimate motive."
"I don't think it's a motive. I just think that… it's… something he's doing," Tori returns. "… But if I'm doing this favour for you, I want a favour in return."
The goth bites her tongue, wanting to immediately disregard her but she decides against it, knowing that she needs her help in this. "What's the favour?"
"I want you to spend an entire week being my friend. Really being my friend. No smart ass comments. No hitting me. No trying to get around spending time with me. Just you and me for an entire week. No one else and I don't want you to fake it, either."
"How am I supposed to survive this if I can't fake it?" Jade asks, having a jesting undertone yet most of it was dead serious.
"You know what I mean. I want you to be honest for this entire time. If you don't want to do something, don't do it. Maybe bite your tongue every now and then but…" She watches her before sighing softly, shaking her head. "Never mind… This is a fruitless endeavor. I'll help and… that'll be that. I'll see you tonight." She grabs her bag and goes to leave, obvious that she's defeated.
Jade watches her before groaning inwardly, walking over and grabbing her arm, stopping her from leaving. "… Look. It's only fair if I do this for you, considering you've done a lot for me. But just this one time, Vega, Understood? In return for an answer to a question." She chuckles now. "We've been trading questions like punches in a fight. But why do you care so much about being my friend? I've done nothing but been a bitch to you, as you said earlier. Why can't you find… a better friend? Or just be content with whatever friends you have now?"
"Well, technically, they're your friends, too, so I would like to be friends with you since they are already but… There's so much more to you that I see… I know a lot of people don't see it but I definitely do. You've shown weakness. You've cried in front of me. You've been afraid. You've been so human, Jade. And I know it's such an awful thing for you, to ever admit that you're relatively human, but it fascinates me. How you have such a hard front but the fact is that you are this human… You might want to show the world that you're this stone cold hearted bitch but you're not. What a shocking revelation, I know…" Tori finishes with a soft sigh that escapes past her lips. "I'm not gonna pressure you into hanging out with me… I would prefer it if you did but this is ultimately your choice."
Jade stares at her for a moment, her expressions changing several times. One of confusion. One of thought. One of surprise before she nods. "I accept your proposition, Vega. But this will be the only week you have. Make it count, yeah?"