Chapter 10

Tori's cell rang, causing them to part, breaking their kiss.

"Sorry," she smiled shyly, fishing for her phone inside her purse. Her eyes were wide as Beck's name flashed on the caller ID. "It's Beck," she whispered, answering on the third ring. "Beck?" Her eyes moved over to Jade's.

Suddenly she felt horrible over their display of affection.

"Tor, I'm so sorry. I got out of the cab and took another one home. The traffic was not advancing. I hope you aren't mad at me." She pouted, holding her arm out for another cab.

"No, of course, I'm not mad at you, Beck." Her eyes turned back to Jade's, who never stopped staring at her. "So you're heading home?"

"Yeah, I'll just have to trust your judgment on the guy singing tonight. Was he good?" She asked, hopping into the taxi and giving the man her home address.

"Yeah," Tori nodded. "He was. I'd say you'll like him."

"Oh, good!" Beck beamed. "Hey, do me a favor, okay? See if you can get a hold of Jade for me, I tried calling her but her cell must be off because I keep getting a voicemail- anyway, if you talk to her, just tell her-"

"That you're on your way home?" Tori finished her sentence.

Beck smiled, "Exactly. See, this is why you are my best friend."

There was a sting in Tori's heart at those words, but her eyes couldn't stop glancing over at Jade.

"I will try to get a hold of Jade for you. Don't worry."

"Great, thank you. I gotta go, but thank you for showing up. Big kiss." She smacked her lips against the phone, ending the call.

"She's not coming, traffic. Looks like she took another cab home." Tori explained to Jade.

"Do you want a ride home?" Jade offered the corners of her lips tilting into a smile.

How could Tori refuse? At her nod, she walked with Jade over to her Gray sedan, watching her as she held open the passenger door for her to climb right in.

"Thank you," Tori climbed into the passenger seat, watching as Jade went around, climbing into the driver's side.

The ride home was fairly quiet. Tori was thankful her House wasn't too far. Trina went with her parents to Santa Barbara to see their family. If traffic was bad, she was glad to have the excuse that it would take Jade a long time to get home if she were on her way.

Neither of them talked about the shared kiss, probably because deep down, after talking to Beck, they both felt so conflicted about it.

"Thank you very much for the ride." Said Tori, her eyes turning to Jade.

"You're welcome." Jade smiled, her eyes locking with the Latina. She wanted to reach over and kiss her again, but she was afraid that would be pushing her luck.

Tori pushed open the car door, shutting it in place once she stepped out. She glanced at Jade one last time before heading inside her House. Her phone beeped and she saw a text from Jade and she smiled.

Jade: I just wanted to let you know that that kiss we shared tonight was everything I always hoped it would be. I know it must be wrong, but I can't stop thinking about it or you. So, I hope you do come to Laguna this weekend."

A smile stretched across her lips as the taste of their kiss still lingered on her lips. Never in a million years would she have thought that Jade felt something for her, too. Had someone told her that she would be making out with her in the middle of the street while she was engaged to her best friend, she would have never believed it.

But What now?

"I can't believe you dragged me back here," Andre glared behind his sunglasses at Tori as they exited Beck's Jeep as they pulled up to the beach house.

"Alright!" Danielle tossed a Volleyball up in the air, catching it soon after. "Hey, who's up to throw the ball around for a bit?"

"I'm game!" Trina raised her hand.

"Us, too!" Beck smirked, looking over at Jade, who glared. "Andre, Tor?"

Andre looked over at Trina, who was already eyeing him, excited for him to join in on the game. "I think I'm gonna sit this one out. But, you guys go ahead."

"Oh come on, Andre, just one game." Trina pleaded.

"No, really- I have some writing to catch up on." He smiled.

"Well, alright, but we are all going out tonight for some drinks and dancing!" Beck reminded him.

"Can't wait," Andre put on his best smile. What was he doing here? Why did he even agree to put himself through this torture? Because he loved Tori, she was his best friend and he cared about her well-being. Even if that meant having to deal with seeing the pain in her eyes every time she saw Beck cling all over Jade.

"Tor, you're joining us, aren't you?" Danielle asked.

Tori's eyes moved over to Jade, who looked at her expectantly. "Sure."

"Alright, let's all get the net up!" The dark-skinned girl. Tori looked at the athletic body, and yeah Danielle was an attractive Human being. But why was she even pretending to like her at all?

She looked over at Jade who was standing on the other side of the rectangle Beck had drawn just looking at her dark nails. She was not into this. And Ever since she sweat in Beck's RV that one time, she had avoided situations like this. Tori was surprised that she was participating.

Beck and Dani walked into the house together to look for the net. Which gave Tori a chance to get closer to Jade. As she did so, she pulled the cover-up she had been wearing to reveal the bikini underneath. Jade's eyes landed directly on her abs. Blue eyes trailed up to brown ones and she smiled. "Damn Tori."

"You like?" Tori asked.

Jade looked around, and seeing that Beck and Dani were not back and Andre and Trina were having an awkward conversation she walked out a bit behind a bush and Pulled Tori in there with her Kissing her and pressing her against the wall. Jade pressed her against the wall so hard that Tori was able to lift her feet off the ground and wrapped her legs around Jade's hips. They kissed until they heard Dani's voice go "Whoo!"

"Where are Tori and Jade?" Beck asked. The two women were breathing hard behind a bush, Tori reached out and pulled a leaf out of Jade's hair.

Jade stepped back and rushed over to an open space on the sand.

Tori sighed and walked the long way around to the back catching the volleyball on the way back. "Are we ready?" she said in that exaggerated way she does.

Jade cringed and moved out of Beck's arms because he had immediately wrapped his arms around her when she had arrived. Beck got in position, along with Dani on Tori's side of the net. It was an even team if Andre would join, but Andre plopped down on one of the beach chairs, his pages resting on his lap as his hand began to scribble down music notes onto the page. Trina sat next to him humming the notes she did see. And she was engrossed in talking to the man.

As the ball was served, Jade lobbed it back. Tori complained that the teams were unfair and Beck agreed to switch partners. Jade smirked and sauntered over to Tori's side. Beck and Dani were so competitive. While Tori and Jade were just glad to be side by side. "I got it!" They both shouted and bumped into each other. Jade laughed as she fell atop Tori then she tickled her, playfully.

"Go Tor!" Trina shouted, encouraging the Latina to Flip Jade down to the dirt, which she did.

Tori laughed as both their bodies pressed in the sand, feeling Jade roll her over so that she was placed on top. Their eyes met and smiles matched.

Andre viewed the flirtatious spectacle from over his sunglasses, his brow lifted.

"Tori, you're up!" Daniel tossed the ball toward the tanned girl, as Tori ran away, trying to get away from Jade as she began to chase her.

Jade's laughter matched Tori's, her arms wrapped around the darker girl's body as she tackled her to the ground.

"Go, Jade!" Beck whooped, her fist pumping in the air, running over to her and claiming her lips in a kiss as she got back at Tori.

Tori's smile turned into a frown, looking away from the kiss.

"Lunch is ready!" Beck shouted, taking the bowl of salad outside with everyone else.

Tori's eyes fell on Jade who entered the kitchen.

"Hi," Jade smiled.

"Hi," Tori smiled.

Jade looked over her shoulder at Beck, who shut the door as he joined everyone outside before looking back at Tori. "You look really nice today."

Tori couldn't help but allow her smile to grow. "Thank you. You look good, too."

"You know, Tor… I was thinking-" Her voice came to an abrupt halt, her eyes turning to Andre who entered the kitchen.

Tori turned to look at Andre as he stood in between them, wondering why they had gone quiet.

Both Jade and Tori turned in the opposite direction of each other, leaving a wandering Andre all alone, waving at them, completely clueless about their awkward silence.

Once outside, enjoying a plate of spaghetti and a salad, Andre took a seat next to Trina, his body jolting up from the table, which caused everyone to stare at him in question.

"Are you alright?" Tori's brow furrowed, looking over at her friend.

"Yeah, just-" Andre cleared his throat, glaring at Trina who smirked after her hand had moved up his leg. "Let me just sit here next to you- that's fine." He smiled at Tori, moving to her other side and away from Trina.

"So, where will we be going tonight for a little dancing, a little drinking?" Dani asked, a grin stretching across her lips.

"Mm!" Beck perked up, placing down his beer. "Jade and I know this perfect spot! Right, Babe?" he smiled over at Jade before turning his attention back to Dani. "It's this outdoor bar, with live music and all you can drink. You'll love it."

"Nice!" Dani said, excited for tonight.

Tori's eyes gazed down at her hand, feeling and seeing the tip of Jade's fingers softly caress hers. A flirtatious action that Andre took quick notice of as he took a sip of his beer. Especially, when Tori's own fingers welcomed the goth's touch.

"Tor, do you dance?" Dani asked the Latina, who was slurping up a noodle, chewing it down slowly before answering.

"Um… yeah," Tori took a sip of her wine, wiping away at her mouth.

"Oh, Tori is the best dancer." Beck said, smirking. "She's a musician, she has great rhythm… for a white girl.

"Beck, come on," Jade looked at her fiance. "She's fantastic, you're just mad you aren't as good."

Andre cleared his throat, bringing his fork of spaghetti near his mouth. "Well, maybe Jade here won't mind letting Tori teach her a step or two. I'm sure Tori would love that." He turned to the Latina, who eyed him with wide crazy eyes. "Wouldn't you?"

Tori gawked at Andre, who calmly shoved the spaghetti into his mouth.

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Beck beamed. "Lets torture Jade by having her frienemy teach her to dance."

Jade looked over at a blushing Tori, a tiny smile tugging at the corner of her lip. "You think you can help a white girl out?"

Suddenly Jade's cell rang, causing her to fish her phone out of her back pocket and glance at the name on the caller ID: Mom.

"Excuse me just a minute," Jade stood up from the table, walking away inside the house, away from prying ears. "Mom- what's wrong? Is everything alright with grandmother?"

"Hi, my darling. Yes, everything is fine. How are things? How's Beck?"

Jade's mother absolutely loved the idea of her daughter marrying Beck. He was the right type of partner for her. A male one. with the pressure Jade had on her shoulders with her grandmother wanting to see her marry before her demise due to Alzheimers getting worse and worse, Jade felt she had been pushed into this wedding idea even more. She loved Beck, and she was happy with him before, but ever since her and Tori bared their feelings and shared that kiss… Had sex. She had been doing a lot of thinking about which direction she has wanted to take with her life. She had nothing against marriage, she just always felt she was pushed toward it too soon, and frankly… Ever since her and Tori confessed their feelings to one another, she had been thinking of the best way to break it off with Beck and tell her mother that there would be no wedding.

"Beck's fine, he's happy, you know, with all the wedding stuff."

Joanne smiled, standing outside the room of a nursing home. "That's wonderful to hear, sweetheart. I know your grandmother has dreamed of this day since before she became sick. She was absolutely delighted when I told her about her having her dress ready and that you had already chosen the music."

Jade frowned. "Mom…" Her voice was soft, her body sitting on one of the kitchen chairs, near the breakfast table. "What if… I changed my mind?"

"What do you mean?" Her brow furrowed, growing concerned. "About the wedding?"

"Well…" Jade nodded. "Yeah," she breathed. "N- not just that, but… Of everything."

"Jade, those are just wedding jitters, sweetheart." Joanne smiled. "You can't let them get you down. You are doing the right thing. Remember, now, it's your grandmother's dream."

Her grandmother's dream. That's all her mother kept reminding her of, which made her push toward taking Becks asking for her hand in the first place.

"You'll see, once you are standing before all your loved ones, your friends, marrying the man of your dreams. Everything will be much better."

"Right," Jade murmured, let down that this wasn't the right moment nor the way to tell her.

"I have to go, darling, your grandmother needs me, but I will give her a kiss from your part."

"Tell her I love her," Jade smiled a sad smile.

"Of course, bye now."

"Bye, mom." She hung up, releasing a heavy sigh while she ran a free hand through her hair in frustration.

"Is everything okay with your grandmother?" Jade's eyes looked up, surprised to find Tori standing before her.

She nodded, "Yeah. Well," she sighed, standing to her feet. "As best as they can be, you know. Sometimes good, sometimes bad."

"Yeah," Tori nodded. She remembered meeting Jade's grandmother once during their brief concilliation. The woman always liked her. And she knew how much Jade loved her. She would bent over backwards for her grandmother, do anything to make her last moments happy. "I'm sorry, Jade." She wanted so badly to be able to hug her. But she knew that if she did, she would want to kiss her. And that was dangerous here.

"I'm the one who's sorry," Jade said softly. "I'm sorry we haven't had a minute to ourselves. I've really been wanting to talk to you."

"Yeah, I've been wanting to talk with you, too." She sighed.

"Tor, I…" Jade breathed, her eyes sparkling as they locked onto brown ones.

"What?" Tori asked.

"I…" The goth smiled, "I'm in-"

"There you two are!" Beck smiled, interrupting their moment, walking up to the two gawking women, who took a step back from one another. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Tori's brow furrowed. "Why?"

Beck shrugged, "I don't know. You two seem so secretive." She chuckled, looking over at Jade. "Who as on the phone, Babe?"

"Uh, my mom. She was just giving me a heads up on my grandmother and she sais hi." She smiled.

"Aw," Beck smiled, linking his arm onto Jade's, and kissed her cheek. "Say hi to her for me. We should call her together sometime."

"Yeah," Jade nodded, her eyes landed on Tori, who smiled at her.

"Well, I," Tori walked toward the door of the backyard. "I better finish up my lunch. Andre will murder me for leaving him alone with Trina," she chuckled, her eyes landing on Jade again before heading outside.

"Was everything okay?" Beck asked her again.

"Yeah," Jade smiled, nodding. "It's fine. She was just asking me about my grandmother."

Beck smiled, placing a kiss against the goth's lips. "Shall we go finish our lunch?"

"Let's." Jade walked out with Beck arm in arm.

"We're back!" Beck announced.