Hollywood Arts was a school exclusively for the super-talented but everyone knew there were a handful of students that got in simply because Mommy and Daddy had a lot of money. And no one complained because it was always those kids that threw the best house parties.

She hadn't even wanted to go, but Cat insisted on dragging her along to this weeks empty. So she put on a black corset and weaved silver streaks through her wavy, ebony hair and tried to make herself look like she was anywhere close to having moved on.

She took her time applying her make-up, ensuring her liquid liner was perfect. She couldn't afford to look anything less than a vampire goddess at this kind of thing - especially lately.

She knew she'd succeeded in perfecting this goal because neither Andre nor Robbie could formulate a coherent sentence the second she joined her friends at the party - with Cat loyally by her side. Beck was notably not with them.

"We didn't think you two were gonna show," Tori told her whilst the others left to go get drinks.

Jade shrugged. It was rare she felt the need to explain her decisions to Tori Vega - even though they were sort of friends now - and showing up here tonight wasn't one of them. Was there a part of her that hoped he would be here? She wouldn't admit that to herself - let alone anyone else.

It was difficult not to notice the amount of looks she was getting though. News of their break-up spread fast around their school and for a while, it felt like all anyone was talking about. It really didn't help with moving on and shit. But they had been Hollywood Arts "It Couple" for the longest time so two months later, it was apparently still noteworthy to see her at a party without him.

"Cocktails!" Cat sang excitedly, reappearing with three plastic cups. She passed one to Jade and one to Tori.

"Are you trying to kill us?!" Tori sniffed the cup, scrunching her nose up in disgust. "Cat, this is straight vodka!"

Jade tilted her head back, pouring the clear liquid down in one large gulp. The alcohol burned as it hit the back of her throat but there was no way she was getting through this sober, so she swallowed before her body had a chance to fight it. She put the empty cup down without as much as a flinch.

"You are not human!" Tori shook her head, giving her that slightly concerned look Jade had become familiar with from her by now.

"And you are an annoying human!" Jade snapped back.

Fast-forward several vodkas later, she was smashed and she realized she was actually having a relatively good time. Cat even managed to get her up and dancing and before she knew it, she and all their friends had their arms around each other, dancing sloppily to the music.

It was weird not having Beck with them - he was a key member of their friendship group after all. But it had been a relief to spend time with her friends without her ex-boyfriend there for once.

"I need another drink," she slurred her words, speaking to no one in particular. She was drunk, she knew that much and her inhibitions were down. But maybe it hadn't hit her how much until then.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Tori disagreed, being the sensible one as always.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Jade mocked her.

"I don't talk like that!!"

"Ladies! Let's not kill each other tonight please." Andre intervened before it could escalate. He put one arm around her and another around Tori, "How's about we do one last shot before we call it a night?"

Andre lead them through the house into the large, modern kitchen. Cat and Robbie followed them in heaps of drunken giggles. But the moment they entered the room, Jade's high came crashing down. So he was here. And he wasn't alone.

The kitchen was crowded but he was right in the center, making out with one of the most popular girls from school. A petite, girly girl with long curly brown hair and the brightest, bluest eyes anyone had ever seen. She was obnoxiously pretty.

"Jade?" It took her a moment to realize Tori was talking to her. She had no idea how long she'd been staring at them for.

And there it was again, that worried look on Vega's face.

Don't react

Don't react

Don't react

Beck hadn't noticed that she or any of their friends had even entered the room. He was too distracted, sucking face with this girl.

"Jadey," Cat spoke softly, reaching out to hug her. She put her palm up, warning the little red-head not to touch her right now.

The boys walked away, sensing this wasn't a moment they all needed to be there for.

She felt sick rising in her throat. It took all her willpower not to spew right then and there. Her jaw tensed as he wrapped his arms around this girls waist and pulled her in closer.

She could never unsee this.

She realized she hadn't actually been breathing just as she made the decision to leave. She swallowed a lungful of warm, sticky air and promptly exited the kitchen.

The music suddenly seemed louder and muffled and her corset too tight. She ran down the hallway, down some stairs, and through the nearest door, into a room which luckily happened to be empty and she slammed it behind her.

"Fuck!" she screamed, letting herself release the pain for a moment.

Her body trembled as she attempted desperately to regain control over her breathing. She knew he'd moved on. So why did this hurt so much?

She slid down the wall onto the floor and held her hand over her heart.

Tori found her like that several minutes later.

"Jade," Tori approached with caution, "Are you alright?"

She didn't respond. She was so angry. She knew she was making a scene and she couldn't tell whether it was her blood alcohol levels or if her heart was splitting in half but she wanted to curl up and die.

"It's okay if you're not. I know you still love him."

Don't cry

Don't cry

Don't cry

Fuck

She woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, in the center of Tori's bed, sandwiched between her two friends. Cat had fallen asleep on one side and Tori on the other, after she'd sobbed - and not the pretty kind - herself to sleep.