Category: Victorious

Fanfiction Author: SpiritedChild, formerly Nosanity1

Pairings: Beck/OC, Tori/Andre, Cat/Robbie, mentions of former Jade/Beck

!Beck lovers will hopefully like this story. Jade lovers, who don't believe she needs to change, will hate it. Mine is a story of redemption. Characters have to be confronted with their mistakes if they're to face and fix them.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: This story covers topics such as sex, mental/physical abuse, hinted sexual abuse, death (no main characters) and dangerous situations that come with camping in an area with a bear population. If any of these topics are upsetting to you, read at your own risk.

Plot: After graduating from Hollywood Arts, everyone agrees, no matter where they are in life, they'll meet up in five years. Tori makes the calls and books the cabin in Angeles National Forest. When everyone shows up, drama unfolds unlike anything they've ever experienced.

Tori and Andre are on the cusp of admitting their feelings for each other, but Andre also has to decide whether he's willing to permanently bury his old crush on Jade.

Cat and Robbie have been dating for a two years, but may be on the verge of a breakup after an incident neither are willing to talk about.

Jade wants to try rekindling her relationship with Beck. Fearing he'll shoot her down, she chooses to bring a date to the trip.

Beck discovers, upon arriving at the cabins, that an old friend is staying nearby. One that, prior to meeting Jade, Beck was interested in, only for her to move without saying goodbye.

Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious (or any of its characters) in any way, shape or form.

Enjoy!

Old Ties

Chapter 1

"You promised." Tori whined through the phone. I didn't have to see her face to know she must be pouting. "We all promised. It's time. I've already booked the cabin."

I sighed. "Who all is coming?"

"Everyone!" She chirped. "I think Everyone. Andre, Cat and Robbie are a definite. I'm pretty sure Jade will agree to come if you do."

Her name made me wince. Jade and I didn't part ways on the best of terms. Our final breakup on graduation night was so explosive, I'm surprised we didn't get thrown out of the party.

"I doubt she wants to see me."

"Oh, come on! It's been years. She's gotta be over it by now. Besides, she mentioned bringing someone."

"A date?" I asked, surprised. Based on the way she acted in school, it's hard to imagine anyone brave enough to step up. But, time changes people. It's hardly fair of me to assume she can't also soften up.

Tori's voice began to sound like she's repressing a giggle. "Something like that. I told her it's fine. The cabin's more than big enough. Everyone can have their own room. Except for Cat and Robbie. I figured they'd share."

"That's right. How long have they been together? Two years?"

"Hey, if you agree to come, I'll let you in on a secret. Robbie told Andre and Andre told me."

I couldn't help but smile. Some things never change. Tori sounds as high energy as she was in school. "Alright...I'll come. What's the secret?"

"Robbie plans to propose to Cat on our last night, during that firework show at the campgrounds."

"Really? Wow." I absently fiddled with my coffee cup, forgetting to drink it altogether. "The first of us to get married."

"First two." Tori sighed wistfully. "It's making me sad. We're all rushing through life and not taking time for each other. That's why this trip is so important. With Andre about to throw himself into a project with RPX Records, Jade signing on for another season of her show and me about to finish my degree, we're running out of time. Cat and Robbie are getting married, you're writing scripts for Mason Thornsmithe..."

"I get it, I get it." I interrupted her before she could really start crying. "It's now or never. I'll come. Are we meeting at the cabin?"

"That's the plan." She perked right up. Giving me the details, she hung up.

Setting my phone aside, I finally returned to my coffee, finding it cold. Giving up on it, I dumped it out and left my apartment, thoughts on something not made in my shitty coffee maker. On the way, my thoughts strayed to Jade.

We broke up for a good reason.

Jade started to have her old outbursts, I started to mentally check out of the relationship, not putting in the effort needed to keep it going. We said a lot of things neither of us meant. Or, maybe we did. It's true that I played with her feelings in the early years, when I had all the maturity of a overly cocky middle schooler. It's also true that Jade's anger issues kept both of us fairly isolated from the people around us. We were both co-dependent and too flippant with each other's feelings. Our whole dynamic was fire and gasoline. Instead of being something good, both of us wound up burned.

I think I stopped wondering 'what if' after the first year. I entered my first adult relationship at twenty, to a co-worker named Sarah. She and I both wrote for the same company for six months. When her internship ended, so did we. There wasn't any angst. Just two lonely people using each other to pass the time. On her end, at least. If we'd been together any longer, I might've felt more. It's not exactly easy to develop a bond when the only time you have together is work and sleep.

After my own internship ended, I was hired on to write independent scripts for Mason Thornsmithe's company. Nothing glamorous. Odds are, all my work will do is collect dust on my boss's desk. But, it gives me a chance to collaborate with the ones who do write the big stories. It's a stepping stone, at least.

When I graduated, I figured I'd jump right into an exciting Hollywood career. I think we all naively did. Andre is really the only one who made it big. His compositions and lyrics have been picked up by several A List singers. His own music is doing well, too. Jade went on to co-host a late night talk show centered around the occult. Tori sang for a while, but never made it far. In the end, she went to school for a teaching degree, so she can teach future Hollywood Arts students. Robbie pretty much became Cat's agent, helping her book singing gigs and further promote herself. She's only gotten more talented. Someday, she might kick off. Either way, Robbie's clearly going to stay by her side.

Tori is right about this being the last chance to meet up for a while. The next time might be at Robbie and Cat's wedding. Andre kept in touch better than I did, so he'll probably be Robbie's best man. I might be a groomsman or just a guest. Either way, I'll be there.

I returned to the present as soon as I entered the coffee shop a block from my apartment. Casey, the pretty barista, smiled invitingly. "Hey, Beck. The usual?"

"Yeah." I handed her my card. "Are there any fresh breakfast sandwiches?"

"One." She added it to my total. "So, what have you been up to? You haven't been in, lately."

"I've been attempting to drink coffee at home." I grimaced. That old coffee maker has been with me since my days living in my dad's RV. "My job pays pittance."

Casey glanced around, making sure her manager was out of earshot. "Tell me about it. It's getting too expensive. I might have to leave California at this rate."

I probably would to, if it wouldn't hurt my career so much. I'm lucky to have found an in at all. Hollywood isn't the swinging door people hope it is. If this gig doesn't work out, I might not ever find work. At least I have a shot of one of my scripts catching the attention of the right people, however small.

Making another minute of small talk, I accepted my order and went to sit in a comfortable armchair in the corner. As well as their exceptional coffee, this place really does have a stellar vibe. I've written a few scripts here, even.

About halfway through my sandwich, my phone buzzed. I picked up without checking the caller I.D. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me." Andre mumbled. "Is this a bad time?"

"Nope. What's wrong? Not thrilled about the trip?"

"Nah, I'm game. I wanna see everyone. Just dealing with something that might break multiple friendships and, considering you might be one of them, I figured I'd better talk to you."

I put my food down on its wrapper. "That sounds ominous...What's up?"

Andre sighed like he was letting all the air out of his lungs. He inhaled sharply. "So, you know I've been thinking about asking Tori out for a while."

"Yeah, I know. Even if she says no, I doubt it'll break the friendship."

"You don't know that. This isn't high school, where everyone made up, even after shit went down."

"Give Tori more credit. She's more like her old self than you think."

"See if your answer changes after I tell you this...Back in school, I developed a little crush on someone else. We worked on a project and things kinda clicked. If I do ask out Tori and she accepts..."

Andre trailed off. I finished for him. "You'll be putting to rest any hope of winding up with this other girl. I get it. Is this other girl important enough to risk ruining things with Tori? I'm pretty sure she likes you back. I think she has since high school."

"It's pretty important..." Andre sighed. "When I first realized how I felt, it freaked me the hell out. It felt like a bucket of cold water, you know? It's different than it is with Tori. With Tori, it's so easy to just be around her. It's comfortable. She's important to me and I don't want to mess with that or the dynamic, even if I do feel something more for her. But, with this other girl..."

"You think it'll be—what—more intense?"

"At first, yeah. Maybe for a while. With her, everything is intense. It's also a hell of a lot less likely to work out. Frankly, the idea of her rejecting me makes me feel a little sick."

"Okay, I gotta know who she is. I can't figure out if your in love with her or scared of her."

Andre gave a slightly unstable laugh. "Oh, man. Please, don't hate me."

It finally clicked who he's talking about. "Wait...Jade?"

"Yeah, man..."

"You got a death wish?"

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."

"Not me." I reassured him. "Jade. She'll chew you up and spit you out."

"But, you're okay with it overall?"

"Of course." I shrugged. "I don't ever plan to think of her that way, again. If you have the guts to go after her, be my guest. Frankly, I'll be impressed."

"You talk like no one would have the guts. You did."

"Not really...Jade kind of found me. It was less her asking me out and more her telling me we're going out." What Tori said came to mind. "But, I should warn you. Apparently, Jade's bringing a date."

Andre grumbled. "Dang it...Is it serious?"

"Tori used the word 'date'. It's probably recent. Up to you if you wanna risk asking her out while she's got someone with her."

"It's awkward enough that it'll potentially happen with you around. I don't wanna compete with someone who's actively seeing her."

"It sounds like you're not sure at all. So, don't jump into anything. Just spend time with both Tori and Jade. Figure it out and make a decision later."

"I guess I have to..."

"Just try your best not to hurt either of them. Especially Tori. She's a little more delicate than Jade."

"A little?" He blurted out and I laughed.

"Okay a lot."

"Hey, thanks for letting me vent. I gotta go. Break's over."

"See you soon." I hung up and returned to my sandwich and coffee. Sending a few work emails through my phone, I made sure my PTO went through and went back to my apartment to pack.

I turned on a Indie station as I drove my GTO out of L.A. The busy streets shifted to back roads, telling me I was truly leaving civilization. There's better places to go for this meet up. Part of me wonders if Tori chose such an isolated place to force us to communicate with each other.

Maybe, it's what we need. We've objectively kept in touch, in the sense all of us talk to somebody. But, it's nothing like it was. I speak to only Tori and Andre, with the occasional call with Robbie, when no one else is available for him to chat with. I used to be so close to all of them. When Tori first suggested this plan, to meet up in five years, I figured it wouldn't be necessary. Clearly, it is.

The asphalt ended when I was five minutes away, giving way to rocky dirt path. Thanking my lucky stars I changed my tires recently, I shut off the radio and focused on the GPS as I approached a fork in the road. Turning left, I pulled up to a small cabin painted a dim green color. I checked the map, again. This can't be it.

Getting out of the car, I walked up the paved stone walk, avoiding clusters of wildflowers growing through cracks. I spotted someone through the screen door, washing dishes in a kitchen. Long, flame red hair fell down their back.

"Cat?" I asked, feeling stupid. I know I haven't seen her in years, but this woman clearly isn't her. She's way too tall to be Cat.

She spun around, setting a soapy plate aside. "No cats here."

She shifted nervously. I backed away. "I'm so sorry. I think my friend gave me the wrong directions. I'm looking for the Cedar House cabin."

She seemed to relax a little. She stepped into the light, giving me a good look of her pretty face, framed by coppery wavy hair. Her mossy green eyes flashed in the light, bringing forward a long buried memory that wouldn't quite surface.

"This is Pine House. Cedar is to the right of the fork." She pointed at a cluster of trees that must divide the cabins.

"Thank you. Sorry, again." I backed towards the porch steps. Before I could reach my car, she called over to me.

"Hey, wait!" She bounded down the steps, coming to a stop in front of me. "Beck?"

"Yeah..." I stared at her, trying to figure out why she looks so familiar. Specifically, her eyes. Then, it clicked. "Petra? Petra Hatter."

My jaw practically dropped as I tried to fathom how I'm running into her after all these years. Since seventh grade. We used to be so close. The beginning of my relationship with Jade was marked by Petra moving away.

She smiled. "It really is you. How long has it been?"

"Ten years, about."

"It can't have been that long." She shook her head.

"How did you recognize me?" I looked down at myself. I'd like to think I've changed a bit since seventh grade.

"I didn't." She admitted. "Something about your voice. And the hair. It looks like you haven't cut it since seventh grade."

I smirked, running my hand through my hair, a bit longer than I kept it in school. "That's pathetic."

"Not at all. It always suited you. How'd you recognize me?" She pulled her blue flannel button up more tightly closed around her as a breeze moved through the clearing. She's just as attractive as I remember. More so.

I blushed, surprising myself. With all the memories of Petra, my old crush on her is somewhere in there. "Your eyes. You and your brother both have the coolest eyes I've ever seen."

Her easy smile began to fade. "Yeah..."

"What's his name? Sam?"

We both looked back to the road as the sound of a car whipped past, pop music blaring from the speakers. I laughed. "That's gotta be one of my friends. Uh, can I stop by? We can catch up while I'm here."

She nodded. Her earlier upbeat attitude seemed to have disappeared. "Of course. I'd love to."

I wanted to ask. Clearly, something I said upset her. But, another car driving up told me I was out of time. Waving, I got back in the car and backed up to the fork. Pulling right, I parked in front of a much larger two story cabin. Tori and Andre were waiting on the porch.

"Beck!" Tori ran down the stairs and tackled me into a hug. "It's about time!"

"You got me lost, Vega." I hugged her back.

"Shoot. I'm sorry. I guess we're the first ones here. Help me get the place ready. Andre, tie something to the right sign of the fork, so everyone knows where to go." She grabbed a few bags from her car and shoved one in my hands. "Toilet paper and hand soap for the bathrooms. There's a half bath on the first floor and a full bath upstairs. I'll put the rest in the kitchen."

Tori ran inside, leaving Andre and I on the porch. I took a moment to examine him. He wears his hair shorter than before and his clothing style is a little more suave. Other than that, he's still the old Andre.

Andre grinned. "She's excited."

"Clearly. This isn't gonna last the whole week." I checked the contents of the bag.

"There's a little supply shop at the campsite. They've got food, necessities, fishing supplies. The works."

We parted ways to see to our individual tasks. By the time Cat and Robbie pulled in, we had the cabin stocked and a fire going in the fireplace, bringing warmth to the late September air. Something about the trees blocking the sun and the nearby bodies of water seems to chill the whole campgrounds.

Cat got to me first. Hopping up, she hugged me. "Hey, red."

"We got lost." She chirped, clearly happy to see us.

"Not your fault. Tori's directions sucked."

Robbie waved awkwardly from beside the car. Other than the phone calls, I'm not sure if he's physically visited any of us. Putting Cat down, I went and gave him a hug. He relaxed immediately.

"Is everyone else here?" Robbie asked.

"Everyone but Jade." I shared a look with Andre as he approached. If he really plans to talk to Jade during this week, more power to him. Frankly, I think he's better matched with Tori. But, it's his decision.

Robbie hugged Andre a little more easily. As we talked, a black SUV pulled in next to my GTO. I frowned. Well...this is it.

"Uh..." Andre mumbled. "Robbie, why don't I show you and Cat to your room."

"Sure!" Robbie smiled at the same time Cat blushed. Perhaps, we were wrong. They aren't living together and Cat's always been so innocent. Either way, Tori will make sure everyone is comfortable.

Everyone else went inside, leaving me to greet Jade alone. I struggled between anxiety and relief. I haven't spoken to her in five years. Not in person or through calls. Not even a text. If I have to have this conversation, I'd rather not have any more witnesses than necessary to what could be another explosive altercation.

The driver's side door opened and Jade stepped out, dolled up in something she would wear to a music event, complete with studded jeans and her nicest combat boots. She locked her eyes on me right away. I expected irritation, malice or, at the very least, indifference. I didn't expect warmth.

"Hey." She gave a brief smile.

"Hey, yourself." I leaned against my car. Through her tinted windows, I could see the shadow of someone in her passenger seat, rooting around in the backseat. "Brought a guest?"

Her passive smile dropped into a grimace as they exited the SUV and walked around. "This is Luke."

Luke appeared to be about our age, with mussed sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. He stood a little under my height of six feet, with a lean, athletic build, like a skateboarder. His aesthetic leaned towards grunge goth with a little scene.

"This the place?" Luke didn't bother to do more than glance at me. In fact, he seemed to be consciously avoiding my gaze. Jade must've told him all about me.

"Guess so." She shrugged, her eyes continually darting towards me, mouth opening and closing, like she wanted to say something. Sighing, she threw a backpack on and took Luke's hand. "We'll talk later. I'm gonna find Tori. These bags weigh a ton."

Jade dragged Luke inside, leaving me outside alone. That was weird.

Andre poked his head out. "Tori wants to know how you feel about eating at the bonfire they have at the campgrounds."

"Sure. Sounds good." I cleared my throat.

Glancing over his shoulder, he went to stand with me by the cars. "So, how did it go? I didn't hear any yelling."

"It was...awkward. But, no yelling."

"Awkward, how?"

"She...smiled?"

"You sure it wasn't a smirk? Like...plotting her revenge?"

"It might've been." I shrugged. "I'd probably deserve it."

"That's not really fair." Andre crossed his arms. "Jade was the one always fighting."

"We both fought." I sighed. "But, I was worse. I spent the first half of the relationship egging her on. It was stupid."

"If we held how we acted in school over our heads, none of us could cope. Just put it in the past...It is in the past, right?"

I clapped Andre on the shoulder, startling him. "Not only is it in the past, you have my blessing. Just don't get your head bit off."

He grimaced. "Not many guys can date a girl for five years and be this casual. I'm a little confused by you."

I checked the door way and windows, making sure we had no eavesdroppers. "It's like...A different dimension. My head just can't connect the time I spent with Jade with who I am, now."

"Since when?"

"Since graduation." I watched a few birds flit through the clearing, agitated over something. Probably our presence too close to their nests. "When we broke up, Jade and I were fighting over whether it was wrong for her to keep something from me."

"What did she keep from you?"

"She blocked a few numbers in my phone. I had no idea. They were all people I thought I'd fallen out of touch with. In truth, she cut them out of my life without even asking me. I was angry, we fought. Everything just came out. How she really thought of me and what I thought of her. It was ugly...It felt like I finally had the answer to a question I'd been asking for five years."

Andre looked somber as he took in my words. "So, you fell out of love?"

"In that moment, I questioned whether I ever loved her. I think...I just hated the idea of being alone." I sighed. "It's why I'm so worried about you asking her out. These kinds of things can be difficult to change. Jealousy, pettiness, prone to arguments. Jade is Jade. She may be a totally different person. But—if she isn't—can you stand to be with her?"

Andre sat on the hood of my car. "Wow..."

"You have all the facts, man. Make your choice." I circled around him and stepped inside the cabin. Walking through the dividing area between the little kitchen and spacious living room, I headed upstairs, to my room.

Shutting the door, I unpacked my bags and situated everything either on or in the dresser. When I returned downstairs, everyone was preparing to head to the bonfire.

Tori hugged Cat. "This is perfect! Everyone's together, again."

"Chill, Vega. I saw you a week ago." Jade rolled her eyes.

"You wouldn't have come if I didn't." Tori pouted before giving Luke an awkward smile. "Don't mind us. Fighting is like a love language for Jade."

"Don't I know it." Luke laughed loudly and Jade hip checked him.

"Okay, let's get going." Tori led the way out of the cabin.

On the way, I fell into step with Tori. She smiled blissfully. "We should make this a tradition. At least once a year. Let's not let it get to five, again."

"That's a good idea."

"I feel so bad." Tori said as we stepped through the trees, bringing Petra's cabin into view. "The girl staying there had to deal with almost every one of us showing up at her door. Did you meet her, too?"

"Actually, yeah. Her name's Petra. She used to go to middle school with me."

"Wow, really? Small world."

"I was friends with both her and her brother. They ended up moving right after Jade and I got together."

"Didn't you keep in touch?"

"No, actually." I grimaced. Petra was one of the numbers Jade had clearly blocked. By the time this came out, it had been so long, I couldn't possibly reach out.

"Well, maybe you can, now." She smiled. "And...maybe you can be friends with everyone after this trip."

I raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

She gestured to Jade, who was thankfully out of earshot. "I know things are tense between you two. I wondered if the two of you might—."

"No." I cut her off, keeping my tone low. "It's not happening."

"Why not?" Tori pouted.

"Look..." We both stopped, letting everyone walk even further ahead. "I've always admired your optimism. It's one of your best traits. But, it's not realistic to expect everything to be how it was in high school."

I could tell I hurt Tori's feelings. As I considered apologizing, she managed a smile. "I get it. I guess we can just spend the week celebrating Cat and Robbie. It's a big occasion for them. Do you think he's really gonna pop the question?"

"Probably." I shrugged. "Robbie's not the shy kid he was in school. He's ditched Rex, which has helped immensely with his mental state. Cat brings out a good side of him. If they actually get engaged this weekend, it'll be awesome. And, if we can't always meet up like this, we'll definitely see each other at the wedding."

Tori seemed to drift off into dreams of weddings. "That's true. I can't wait to help Cat plan it. It's all I can do to not ruin the surprise."

"Hey, come on!" Andre called back to us. Tori and I hurried to catch up.

At the campgrounds, we found a big bonfire burning in the middle of a cluster of tents. Most people were sitting on logs or piled around picnic tables. The rest were walking around, mingling. With alcohol being a drink option, ages of guests ranged from twenty-one to mid fifties. Tables were arranged a few yards away, laden with everything you could possibly cook over a fire, free to take by paying guests.

On our way to an empty table, I spotted Petra sitting on a log with a blonde girl around our age. Looking up at me, she smiled, stopping me in my tracks. It took Tori running into me to get me moving, again.

Tori elbowed me. "Okay, I get it. Jade's off the table because of her."

I fought the urge to shove a pine cone in Tori's mouth. She had to have heard that. "Shush!"

Tori giggled. "Okay, okay. Let's get a plate before the food's all gone."

For the rest of the afternoon, everyone ate and reminisced. After the sun set, we all separated into groups. Robbie with Cat, Andre with Tori and Jade with Luke. I walked around the bonfire. The log Petra had been occupying was empty.

"Hey, you're still here." I turned around to face her.

"Yeah." I tried to keep my tone casual. As Petra stared back at me, I found myself smiling like an idiot. When I first met her in sixth grade, I developed an instant crush on her. As I got to know her and her brother, it developed into a deeper friendship. We spent so much time hanging out, it was surprising to have her drop out of my life. With her in front of me, I can't help but wonder if those feelings are still there.

She gestured towards the lake, just visible through the trees. "Wanna take a walk?"

"Uh, sure." I moved faster than my words, falling into step with her right away. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Jade staring at me.

Walking through the trees, we made our way up to Jackson Lake, the campground's primary swimming and fishing spot. Petra shook the brush off her converse shoes as soon as we were free of it. Passing by a sign warning guests of bears, she stopped just far enough from the water to avoid the subtle tide.

"I wasn't sure about coming here, but I'm glad I did." She murmured. "It's been nice. Running into you is also surprising."

"I know." I tried to keep my eyes on the water, mostly to keep myself from staring at her.

"I was sad me lost touch. I just want you to know." She admitted.

"I'm sorry." I looked down, a little embarrassed that my reason for losing touch was so lame.

"Don't apologize. If I moved without saying goodbye, I'd block me, too."

I instinctively spun towards her. "But, I didn't block you."

She frowned. "You did, Beck. But, it's okay."

"No, my girlfriend...ex girlfriend...did. She blocked several people in my contact list. I didn't know for years. I just figured you wanted to leave everything behind after your move."

Even as understanding lit her eyes, she still looked reserved. "I guess I did."

"I did try reaching out to you. You and Sam, both."

That earlier look returned. "Beck...Same died. It's why I moved."

I stood silent for several seconds, in shock. As it gave way to guilt, I felt tears forming. "I didn't..."

"No one did." She wiped her face. As dark as it is, I couldn't see her crying if I tried. "It happened so fast. Mom pulled me out of school. We had the funeral and moved in with my aunt. The one from Seattle. I think you met her at my thirteenth birthday party."

"I wish I knew, Petra." I stepped forward, trying to get a better look at her by the light of the moon.

She smiled sadly. "Don't beat yourself up. You couldn't have known. If I had tried harder to reach you, I would have invited you to the funeral. It was really rushed. Even if you had been aware, I may still have not had time."

"May I ask...how?" I barely managed to whisper the question. It felt wrong to ask. It's been ten years. I'm no longer someone who deserves that information.

She pulled her flannel against her the way she had earlier today. She seemed to do it for comfort, rather than to guard against the cold. "He was in an accident. His girlfriend's mom was driving. She got a text and looked at it. She crossed into the wrong lane."

She answered the question softly. There was pain in her answer. So much so, I hated myself for asking. "You don't have to tell me all this. I'm sorry."

"I don't want to say anything flippant, like 'it's been ten years', but...It's been ten years. I'm...doing better than I thought I'd be doing, considering the circumstances."

She took a step closer to the water, letting the cold current brush the bottoms of her shoes. I did the same. "For whatever it's worth, I would've shared that burden with you."

She smiled shortly. "You haven't changed."

I paused, going over all the memories I have of her, trying to figure out if she's complimenting or insulting me. "I haven't?"

"You were always trying to play the hero role."

I winced. "I'm not trying to do that."

She sighed and looked down, letting her hair sweep over her shoulder and block her face. "I'm sorry. That was sharp...I think I'm just tired of people treating me like some damsel in distress. Especially people that weren't there for it."

"I swear, Petra, I'm not." I instinctively reached for her hand, only to jerk mine back.

She let out a heavy breath. "Wow...I really am sorry. Greta's right."

"Greta?"

"The girl I was with. She's my best friend. She said..." Petra seemed on the verge of laughing. Judging by the look in her eyes, there was no humor behind it. "...I've been jumping down everyone's throat, lately."

"I can't imagine anyone blames you. You lost someone so close. He was your twin."

She finally met my eye. It lasted only a second. "I think she's mainly talking about my engagement."

"O-oh." I took a careful step back, reassessing the situation. There I was at the bonfire, thinking how good she looks and she's literally getting married.

"Not anymore." She finally laughed, answering my unasked question. She held up her left hand, showing me there wasn't a ring.

"You wanna talk about it?" I asked carefully, worried I'd overstep the way I already had.

She shrugged. "What's to talk about? We barely knew each other for a year, he proposed, I realized I was rushing things, he broke up with me when I gave the ring back."

"That's brutal."

She gave me a dry look. "Would you stick with someone that accepted your proposal, only to reject you the next day?"

"It would hurt. I'm not saying it wouldn't." I grimaced. "But, if I loved someone enough to marry them, I'd care enough to wonder why they're calling it off so suddenly."

"Well, Jason wasn't as understanding as you seem to be." She looked up at the sky and let out an audible sigh. "I am just trauma dumping on you, aren't I?"

"I really don't mind." I managed to catch her eye. "If it makes you feel any better...I broke up with my girlfriend of five years at high school graduation, after finding out she'd blocked people from my life. I'm here with her, now. My whole friend group swore we'd meet up at the five year mark. I'm stuck under the same roof as her for a week."

I got the desired reaction out of her. She laughed. I joined her. The craziness of it all...I continued. "I clearly have to be a little unhinged to agree to what may be a total shit show."

"If you're crazy, so am I. This trip was supposed to be my honeymoon. Jason booked it the night we got engaged."

She kept laughing with me, hands on her knees, clearly struggling to breathe. By the time we got a hold of ourselves, there were several people looking at us from the trees. I snorted. "They probably think we're dying."

She grinned. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For this." She shook her head. "I haven't laughed like that in years...I remember, now."

"Remember?" I subconsciously took a step towards her.

"You were funny." She bit her lip, clearly trying to keep from laughing, again. "You used to do these skits for me whenever I was upset about something. You'd keep at it till I was laughing."

Memories came back of one such occasion. "I reenacted a scene from Who's Line Is It Anyway. Milk came out of your nose. It caused a nosebleed and we weren't allowed to sit together at lunch for two days."

She nodded. "I remember."

"You had a bright red nose for the rest of the day. It was cute."

She bit her lip, again. "Was it?"

"Yeah." Even in the dim light, her eyes flashed.

One of us, I'm not sure who, stepped closer. Before I knew it, I was kissing her. We broke apart immediately, both clearly shocked.

"I'm sorry." She stammered. "I didn't plan to do that."

I took a big step back. "That was me, I think..."

"Greta's gonna kill me. This is supposed to be a girl's trip." She smiled nervously.

"Beck!" We both jumped as Tori called for me from the treeline. Glancing up at her silhouette, I gave Petra an apologetic smile.

"I really am sorry."

She seemed to be in thought as she stared into my eyes. "Don't be...I gotta find Greta. It's getting late."

"Same." I gestured to the trees. "That's my friend, Tori."

"Not the ex." She guessed. "I think her name was Jane."

"Jade." I corrected.

"That's right." She took a few steps up the beach and towards the trees. "Well...I'll see you."

"You still want to?" I ran a hand through my hair, trying to figure out just how embarrassed I should be.

That same contemplative look was still on her face. "Definitely."

Turning around, she hurried away. Heading for Tori, I tried to avoid her overly curious gaze. I'm not sure what all Tori witnessed.

"Was that Petra?" She grinned. "She's really pretty."

"Not now." I ruffled Tori's hair. "Let's get back before everyone starts asking questions."

"Oh? Is there something to ask about?"

I ignored Tori's enthusiastic interrogation all the way back to the bonfire. We found the rest of the group huddled around the fire, clearly cold.

"Let's head back." Andre suggested. "It's freezing."

We all agreed. On our way back, I kept an eye out of Petra, not finding her.