A/N: last little bit before I move on to the next story in my story dump

Chapter 3

Tori observed Jade as she stood by the bar conversing with another woman, who tried so hard to gain her attention while they both waited for their drinks. Jade always had a way with people that Tori didn't. Anyone who met Jade just wanted to be around her, even when she was a gank, including Tori. There was this raw magnetism she possessed that was far more mature than her age. Tori had been hooked from day one. And tonight was no different.

Jade exchanged a few words of conversation with the woman by the bar, looking over at Tori as she mouthed words that Tori couldn't quite read out. Judging from the girl's disappointed and angered look to her, it must have been something against Tori.

"Sorry," the goth smiled, placing down two beer mugs on their table. One for her, one for Tori, before taking a seat. "You know how it is at bars. Someone is always trying to make a move on you."

"Yes," Tori chuckled, her eyes moving over to the girl throwing death glares at her all the way from the bar. "You always did have a way... Whatever you'd said to her; she certainly hates me."

Jade looked over to the woman at the bar, taking a good drink from her beer, allowing it to caress her taste buds before turning her attention back to the brunette sitting before her.

"No one hates you, Tori." Jade smiled, her eyes locking into brown ones. "It's impossible."

The corners of Tori's lips tilted into a tiny smile, her cheeks a slide pink, which made her turn her head to the side, trying her best to hide it. How was it that Jade could affect her this much? How- when she was now engaged to Beck- her best friend? How was it that she could still get lost in those blue eyes of hers?

Tori blinked herself out of that Jaded trance, knew her mind was cloudy and She's had one too many drinks, but here she was, downing the rest of her beer to hide her blush from the raven-haired girl.

"I must admit, I'm glad Beck passed out," Jade said, placing her beer mug down on the table.

"Because?" Tori's brow furrowed, unable to help a chuckle from escaping her.

"It's felt like years since you and I have had a moment like this."

"Like what?" Tori asked.

"Just you and I… just us girls," Jade smiled that sexy smirk that drove Tori wild. "I remember when we were in school and would inevitably be paired to work together because we were electric together."

"Yes," Tori laughed along with Jade, nodding her head. "I remember. Chemistry was off the charts."

Jade's heart fluttered, listening to Tori's laugh. It was the richest sound she could ever hear. It made her smile.

"It's so great hearing you laugh because of me." The goth admitted.

Tori chuckled, hiding yet another blush from creeping up on her, which she hid by attempting to take another drink from her beer mug, but she had finished it. She was definitely intoxicated. At least, she was thankful they had eaten. "I think this will be my last drink for tonight." Tori slightly nudged her beer mug away.

"What- am I boring you?" Asked Jade, a slight smirk stretching on her lips.

"No!" Tori shook her head. "No, not at all. You are never boring, Jade." She chuckled, "It's just… I think we've had too much to drink and, you're here… With me…" Her voice trailed off.

It was then, Tori realized she'd bitten off more than she could chew with Jade tonight. What was she doing? This wasn't right. She shouldn't be here. Not when she still felt this strongly for Jade.

"And?" Jade pressed on. And Tori couldn't be sure, but she could almost swear there was a hopeful glint in her eye.

It was then that both women completely forgot what they were about to discuss, as they recognized the song that used to be hers and Jade's favorite to sing together this past year. Why did it have to be playing tonight? Was life just that cruel?

"You and me, we used to be together, everyday- together- always…" Jade's voice sung in a low hum.

Tori's eyes widened, looking at several turning heads and prying eyes that looked their way. "What are you doing, Jade?" She whispered, her cheeks pink.

"It looks as though you're letting go, and if it's true then I don't want to knoooooow…" Jade smirked, allowing the music to take over.

"Jade," Tori spoke through an embarrassed giggle.

The goth let out a laugh, clearly a little intoxicated. "Come on! You can't tell me you have forgotten our song. Have you?"

Brown eyes looked over to the same woman sitting by the bar, giving her a dirty look.

"What is it?" Jade looked over her shoulder.

"It's your girlfriend," Tori teased. "I bet she is wondering what the hell is someone like me doing with someone as hot as you."

Jade released another laugh, looking over her shoulder at the woman. "Excuse me!" She called out to her, gaining her attention.

Tori's eyes grew wide. "Jade," she whispered over to her.

"Yeah, could you stop glancing this way, please? You are making my girlfriend really uncomfortable. Thank you." She waved, seeing the stranger look away with an embarrassed look to her.

Tori shook her head, chuckling to herself and covering her face up with her hand. "You are such a gank," she murmured.

Jade's lips stretched out into a smile, her eyes trained on Tori. "There's the Tori I've missed." She said, "The Tori who wasn't afraid to laugh, challenge me, or say things how they were when we were in school. Don't think I don't know you've been avoiding me ever since Beck and I got back together."

The brunette shifted in her seat. "Avoiding you? No," she shook her head. "I just respect Beck and his relationships. I know how he can be."

"How's that?" Jade leaned back against her chair, taking another drink from her beer mug.

"You should know, better than me, Jade," Tori breathed, hearing another laugh escape the goth.

Jade took another gulp out of her beer mug.

I'm surprised you got back together in the first place, he's pretty chill, and you're not. I thought the sweetheart status would fade when we graduated. Then he could go off to college and be the fuckboy he always wanted to be."

Jade couldn't help but spill some of her beer at this information about her fiancé, wiping her mouth with a napkin that was handed to her by Tori.

"I'm sorry," Tori laughed. "But it's the truth."

"Oh, God, I know." Jade laughed, wiping away at her nose and lips again. She couldn't help but get lost in Tori's own smile. "I'll tell you, Tori, I…" She paused.

"What?"

The severe girl chuckled, "I sure did miss that smile of yours." She nodded at the brunette's questionable look.

"This smile?" Tori asked, actually shocked that anyone would notice her smile.

"Yes- that smile." Jade smiled. "I loved that smile, I would look forward to it every day."

What was going on? Was she flirting? Tori couldn't understand it, but right now she didn't very much care. Not when her heart was fluttering and her most intimate area was flooding her underwear.

"Okay…" Tori had to know. "Explain something to me."

"Mhm," Jade hummed.

"Because I don't understand."

"Mhm."

"Are you criticizing me or flirting with me?" The brunette asked, her brow arched.

"I would never criticize you, Tor." Jade smiled a lazy smile.

"Right." Tori's laugh was loud and long. Jade smirked and leaned back. "I mean, you're Jade."

"What does that mean?" Jade released a light laugh.

"You're… Jade." Tori shook her head, chuckling to herself and her own stupid crush that she clearly still felt. "I mean, you're you. You are beautiful, and tough, scary, charming , and… your eyes are just…" Her voice trailed off, slurring, "Mesmerizing," she murmured, locking her line of vision into Jade's.

Jade's brow raised up. "Mesmerizing?"

"Yeah," Tori breathed, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much. "You really didn't know , did you?"

"About what?"

Before Tori could contain herself, or even realize what a big mistake she was making right now, she blurted out- "That I had this major crush on you during high school."

Jade's grin came to an abrupt halt, instantly turning into a frown. A frown that Tori was quick to notice and know that she had fucked up.

"I'm sorry, I-" Tori shook her head, mentally cursing at herself. "We should go."

"Tori-"

"Just- just ignore what I said," the brunette nodded, standing up from her chair and quickly exiting out of the restaurant.

Jade was quick to follow right behind her, quickly fishing for her wallet and leaving the money spread out on the table.

Once outside, it didn't go unsaid that their moment turned into pure awkwardness. Tori completely avoided looking at Jade, while the goth guided them to her car. They had both grown so quiet with one another, you could cut the silence with a knife.

Jade held open the door for the brunette, waiting for her to step inside before heading to the driver's side.

Tori found the lights and cars racing by them on their ride home far more interesting than looking over at Jade. She couldn't believe she just blurted that out to her. Why? Why now? Why not six fucking months ago when she could have gained the courage too before Beck swooped in and took her back? Why? Why? Why? WHY?

"Jade-"

"-Tor"

Both spoke at the same time, apologizing to one another for speaking over the other.

"Go ahead," Jade nudged.

"No," Tori shook her head. "You first."

"Um…" Jade paused, wanting to put her words carefully. But the truth of the matter was, there was no being careful anymore. Not after this six-month confession.

And to save them both from further awkward silence, Tori decided to break it. "You knew I had a crush on you… Didn't you?"

Jade's eyes looked out the window before looking back at the brunette. "I do now."

"Oh, God," she muttered, hiding her face within the palm of her hand and pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Asked Jade, concentrating on the road not making any eye contact with Tori.

"Are you kidding me, Jade?" Tori scoffed, "I didn't want to die. I sent all the signals, without outright saying. I wasn't subtle. Every time you wanted to come over, I was there. I figured you knew."

"Well, I figured you knew!" Jade blurted out.

"What?"

"Come on, Tori," Jade scoffed, shaking her head.

"What? You were so mean to me!" Tori demanded.

Jade stopped at a red light. "Alright, I had a crush on you!" Jade's blue eyes could burn holes right through Tori's brown ones right now with the way she wasn't even blinking. "I… Have a crush on you."

There was a moment of silence.

Jade has a crush on Me, too? Tori thought as she blinked at this newfound information until she dared to look back at Jade. "Why didn't you ever tell me?" She asked.

Jade swallowed the lump inside her throat, her eyes never leaving the beautiful woman sitting beside her.

"Tori…" She breathed out, not breaking eye contact.

The next thing Tori felt and took her completely by surprise was the feel of Jade's luscious lips pressed against hers, right at the red light in LA traffic. It was no longer a wish, it was no daydream, no someday, or maybe. it was real and it was happening. Jade was kissing her!

Tori couldn't help but feel her own lips melt right into Jade's, her hands grabbing hold of long, raven locks, feeling as Jade's fingers tangled themselves within her own hair, returning every bit of that kiss as she was giving right now. Both women were a grunting mess, hands exploring the sides of their faces, the softness of their hair, and the curves of their bodies right inside this car. Horns blaring around them finally alerted the goth and she proceeded to Tori's neighborhood.

both women were breathless and with their lips swollen from their heavy make-out session.

"I'm sorry," Tori breathed, sitting back against her side of the passenger seat.

"I'm sorry, too, I'm sorry." Jade blinked, driving up that hill. "I can't," she breathed, "I- I can't do this."

"I can't either," Tori shook her head. "Beck-"

"Right- Beck…" Jade's voice trailed off as she parked in Tori's driveway, her eyes finding a pool of brown ones once again.

"Right," Tori murmured, leaning forward again and capturing the goth's lips in a passionate kiss that sent both women into a pool of ecstasy. Both their hands not wasting any more time exploring one another inside Jade's car.