Chapter 15

"And she said that to you?" Andre's face showed anger as Tori recounted the story of their wonderful weekend together and how it had abruptly ended, leaving her puzzled about Jade's behavior.

Tori had buried herself in work during the week, trying to avoid the nagging questions about what had changed between her and Jade, and why their weekend had taken such a turn. She had seen Beck and, unfortunately, Jade briefly during the week, but Jade had gone out of her way to avoid her.

"I hate to say I told you so, Chica." Andre balanced his tray of food as he joined Tori at a table, catching a glimpse of her disapproving glare. "Come on, Tor, don't give me that look. I hate to say it, but she's being an asshole."

Tori glared back at Andre. "Andre."

"Have you heard from her at all since that Sunday?" He met her gaze, reaching for his drink. "If this were a guy we were talking about, I'd be itching to kick his ass."

Tori smiled, her hand landing on his forearm in appreciation. "You're too sweet."

"Well, either way, that was a jerk move on her part. I mean, letting her family pull her strings as if she were some kind of puppet."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to please your ailing grandmother," Tori argued, taking a bite of her salad.

Andre snorted. "Yeah, at the expense of her own happiness, and in the process, she's dragging your feelings through her pile of crap. Frankly, I'm disappointed in you."

Tori's plastic fork clanked against her tray, her eyes widening. "That's right," he nodded, his eyes filled with frustration. "I've always admired the woman you've been, Tor, but ever since this whole situation with Jade happened..." He shook his head, reaching for his drink and taking a sip.

"What?" Tori asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Well, honestly, you've been making some pretty foolish decisions," Andre responded, his concern for his friend evident.

"I'm sorry," Andre raised his hands in a placating manner. "But ever since Jade told you how she feels, you've become a push-over. That's not the Tori I remember. The Tori I remember wouldn't hesitate to go for what she wanted, damn Beck and anyone else. But now, you're practically allowing Jade and Beck to walk all over you and your feelings."

"I'm sorry," Tori blinked. "Weren't you the one who told me to spend the weekend with her?"

Andre nodded, "Yes, to figure out where things between you and her could progress. But it seems that for Jade, they aren't going any further than this weekend."

"You don't know that," Tori protested.

He gave her a pointed look. "Have you heard from her at all this week?"

She hadn't.

"The defense rests," he stated.

"Well, at least I go for what makes me happy, as wrong as it is that Jade is cheating on Beck because of it, that's true," Tori retorted. "But what have you done, Andre?"

"Me?" His brows furrowed.

"Yeah," she nodded. "When was the last time you took a chance on anything that was presented to you? Trina told me what you said about being gay. She may be a bit much, but she really likes you. And you're too scared to even go for a girl like her."

"Well," Andre's brows shot up in surprise. "For someone who doesn't go for what he wants, I'll have you know that I'm moving to New York this weekend."

"What?" Tori blinked in amazement.

"Yeah," he nodded, taking a sip from his drink. "A music label in New York really likes my sound and wants to work with me."

"Andre!" A smile lit up on the brunette's face. "That's fantastic news! When were you going to tell me?"

"Um, today - now, after you stopped yelling at me," he chuckled.

"I'm really happy for you," Tori said, reaching over to give his hand a supportive squeeze. "I just know you're going to thrive in New York. They're going to love your music."

"Thank you," he smiled. "Hey, you want to give me a killer going-away present?"

At Tori's nod, he continued, "Tell your girlfriend to make a decision about who she wants to be with."

Tori found herself going on a walk afterward. She needed to clear her head after her talk with Andre.

She couldn't believe she would be losing her bestest friend. Not that she wasn't happy for her. She was. She loved Andre dearly and she was the only one Tori truly confided in, more so than Beck. Not even Beck knew her deepest secrets like she did.

Now, who was she to talk to about her problems? It wasn't like Beck would love to listen about her troubled and complicated love life with Jade. The thought alone made her chuckle.

Jade... Once again, Andre was right. Tori knew what she wanted - who she wanted to be with - it was all clear to her. Now, it was Jade's choice, and it angered her that she wasn't making the one she knew she wanted to make.

In just the span of the weekend, Tori came to know Jade even more than they had in high school. And she knew the goth wasn't happy.

"Oh! You almost got it!"

Off in the distance, Tori caught sight of Danielle as she walked up toward the park. A tiny smile stretched out on her lips as she saw her on a skateboard, teaching a kid to ride it. She almost could pass off as a sweet woman.

She waved once Danielle's eyes were on her.

"Hey!" Danielle waved back with a smile to her. "Keep practicing, I'll be back." She told the boy, walking over to Tori who met with her, taking a seat near a fountain where the boy continued to practice under her watchful eye.

"Tor, we missed you last weekend!" She beamed, pulling the brunette in for a hug before joining her to sit.

"Is this your...?" Tori motioned toward the boy skating by.

"Oh, he's my sister's kid." Her eyes followed the kid as he skated on by again, watching him trying to do a kickflip that he had been taught but failed.

"I didn't know you had a sister," Tori's smile grew at this newfound information about her.

"Oh, yeah," she nodded. "We're twins, actually. Yeah, same birthday and everything." Her head turned to her nephew who failed at the same trick again. "Dude, put your weight on your back foot."

Tori watched her, flinching a little at the trick. It always seemed as if he could have a bad fall or injure himself with the board. But she was surprised to see what a good aunt Danielle actually was. She would have never guessed this about her, considering how they met.

"So, I was thinking about you the other day," she turned to Tori.

"Oh, really?" Tori smiled.

"Yeah, I was lying in bed, wondering if I should jerk off or not-"

"Oh- Danielle-" She scrunched her face, her cheeks turning pink while her eyes looked over at two elderly women who gawked in shock, obviously no strangers to the topic of conversation.

"Don't worry," Danielle smiled. "I mean, you're great, Tori… But, you know I'm into Beck, right?"

"Yeah." She blinked, a chuckle escaping her. "And listen, Danielle," she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You really aren't that bad of a person. In your own way, you are… Sweet."

"I know," she nodded, a proud smile on her face. "So, I guess you heard about the new house Jade and Beck are buying?" She turned to her.

"What?" Tori was in shock, to say the least.

"The new house that Jade's mother is gifting her. My dad is their realtor, and he's great friends with Jade's mom, so Beck and her are out looking at the house right now, in Beverly Hills." She was surprised by Tori's shocked expression. "Beck didn't tell you?"

"No. He didn't." Tori grew furious.

Their new home was beautiful. Made entirely of stone, dark wooden floorboards, two floors, and a chimney made entirely of stone. The walls were white, it was not the biggest house in the whole neighborhood, but it's size was substantial compared to what they had now. Beck was absolutely delighted, while Jade, who had been planning to move out of their tiny home on wheels. She wasn't ready to be moving from there. At least not yet. And she couldn't stop thinking about Tori, hating herself for hurting her.

"As you can see, it had a pool and a very spacious backyard." The realtor said, a smile across his lips. "Plenty of room for any kids the future newlyweds are planning to have."

Beck smirked at the idea. He loved kids and could see himself as a father. "This is a wonderful wedding present. I love it!" He beamed, rushing over to Mal and giving her the biggest hug in the world.

"I'm so glad!" Mal's eyes moved over to her daughter. "Jade, dear, you're so quiet. Don't you like it?"

"It's great." Jade forced a smile, her eyes landing on her grandmother who smiled at her with the happiest looking glint in her eye.

Beck and Mal hugged once more, squealing with delight, while Jade frowned as soon as their backs were turned. She moved into another room, pulling out her phone and sending Tori a quick text message. She had texted her before, but it would seem the brunette decided to completely ignore her calls or text messages.

Tori was attending a phone call and didn't immediately notice the messages from Jade.

Can we talk?

"Of course," she said to her caller. After the call, she decided to reply with an angry/all caps text message of her own.

GO TALK TO YOUR NEW HOUSE!

Tori left her phone on her desk and continued with her work, hoping to drown out the emotions stirred by Jade's messages.

That night, Tori felt absolutely miserable and decided to drown herself in a bottle of wine. She was already feeling the effects of it, and that only meant that what the substance was meant to make her forget, it only reminded her about it even more. Andre was right. Jade was being a complete asshole, and it wasn't fair. It wasn't fair when she knew that she loved her. But then again, life has never been fair to her.

She found herself being startled by her ringing phone, almost too scared that it was Jade calling. But it was Beck.

"Hello?" She rolled her eyes as she answered.

"Hey, Tor!" Beck smirked, sitting in bed while painting Jade's toenails, while Jade sat reading a book. "I talked to Danielle today."

"And?" Tori was in no mood.

"And she told me you two saw each other today," Beck teased, while Jade's ears perked up in attention, already turning green with envy.

"Danielle and I just talked, Beck."

"Oh, right, just talked," Beck's smirk grew. "Come on, you can tell me."

"Tell me what?"

"Beck," Jade whispered, shaking her head, not wanting to hear what Tori and Danielle did.

She went ignored as Beck continued on with her conversation. "Tell me… Was she any good?"

Ugh… Tori rolled her eyes just as Jade did.

"Why didn't you tell me about your new house?" Tori blurted out, feeling courageous enough by the amount of alcohol in her system.

While Jade frowned, Beck's ears perked up.

"How did you know about that?" She asked her best friend, her brow furrowed. "Oh, right! Danielle's father!" She smirked, "Wait until I show you the pictures. You are going to love it, Tor. Jade and I certainly did."

"We haven't decided yet," Jade blurted out, her eyes looking at Beck, who gave her a questionable look.

"What are you talking about, Jade? We loved it."

"I have to go, it's late, I have to wake up early tomorrow." Tori jumped in, not wanting to continue with this conversation any longer.

"Alright, but don't forget my party tomorrow. I expect you to be there." Beck reminded her.

"Of course," how could she forget? She was the maid of honor. "And Beck?" It was then, Tori decided to tell a little white lie. "Danielle was Very talented."

Jade's lips formed into a thin line, hearing the call on the other end quickly cut off, while Beck was left with a surprised expression but also the biggest smirk.

"Ha! See, I told you! Didn't I tell you Tori and Danielle would hit it off?" Beck teased Jade, not noticing the forced smile stretching across her lips. "I'm going to go get some ice cream. You want some?"

"No," said Jade, feeling bile rise to her throat.

As soon as Beck raced out of their RV's small living area, Jade literally tossed her book across the room, so hard the pages were heard flapping until a thud sounded off in the compact space.

She had no reason to be jealous now, not when she was a coward and broke Tori's heart after their perfect weekend together. But, here she was, greener than the Hulk herself and wanting to punch Danielle's face in. She couldn't take this anymore. She needed to see Tori.