Part One: An Awkward Beginning

[Entry #001: André... and Jade?]

Friday, March 14th

11:27 P.M.

Have you ever truly fallen in love with someone?

Especially when they don't acknowledge your feelings?

Well, I have… and it was anything but fun.

To look into his eyes and know in your heart that it will never happen.

You'll get used to it eventually.

But in order to understand how all of this came to be, you'll have to go back to the beginning of the week.

Oh, I forgot one other thing.

My name is Tori Vega and this is how I lost my best friend.

Monday, March 3rd

3:22 P.M

Sunbeams were shining brightly through the kitchen windows.

It was almost impossible for me to not go out and enjoy the day as it was.

Spring Break had just begun and I was eager to start enjoying it.

The only problem was that I needed to finish this tedious monologue that was due next week, and I was eager to get it done and out of the way.

Sighing heavily, I stared mindlessly at my laptop screen until the words started blending into each other.

Ugh! When will this madness end?!

DING-DONG!

Snapping out of my trance, I got up from the kitchen table and headed to the front door.

Who could this be? Finishing this paper is difficult enough without any distractions.

"What is it? What do you-" I asked, as I opened the door.

It was him.

"'Sup, Tori." smiled André Harris, as he stood there so charmingly.

Damn, what was it about him that just made me go wonky at times?

"H-hey, what brings you here?"

"I had just finished my paper and thought I'd drop by and see how you were doing with yours."

Ugh, he wanted to help me with my monologue? Those two pages of scribble were the last thing on my mind.

"Uh, thanks. I appreciate it."

As I let him into the house, I smelled his fragrance, and let me tell you, he smelled amazing.

Taking a seat at the kitchen table, he began reading the monologue on my laptop.

"So you're doing a piece about admitting your feelings to a crush?"

"Is that bad or something?"

"No, no. It's perfect, actually. I can tell you've placed a lot of emotions into this."

"Yup, straight from the heart."

I don't know why I was leaving subtle hints. It's pointless doing so with most guys.

"So how many pages have you written?" I asked as I walked to the fridge to get us some drinks.

"About four pages. I wrote about the fears and uncertainties of my future and how I should overcome them if I ever want to become a successful musician."

"Wow, that's deep."

"I wouldn't exactly say that." he chuckled modestly, "It was the only thing I could come up with at the time."

"It still sounds fascinating to me," I responded while handing him a can of soda and sitting next to him.

"Thanks."

As he continued reading, André eventually asked something rather interesting.

"So, aside from this paper, how have you been since... the breakup?"

More than a week ago, I had broken up with this guy named Blake.

We'd been together for a couple of months and at first, I thought he was great.

But a couple of days shy of our five-month anniversary, I caught him trying to grope Cat in the school's parking lot.

Needless to say, both of us made sure Blake walked funny after that.

A short time later, I discovered that he also had two other girlfriends at Northridge High.

*Sighs heavily*

What is it with me dating guys who turn out to be absolute assholes?

In the end, I was glad to be done with him and his bullshit.

"At first, it bothered me, but I'm feeling much better now." I replied, resting my head on my hand, "Thanks for asking."

"I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't care." smiled André.

"All the more reason why I can depend on you," I replied, returning his smile.

Being asked about my recent breakup got me a bit curious about André's current relationship.

"So, um... how are you and Kiko?"

He looked surprised that I asked him this, "Oh, Kiko... well, we broke up, too."

Did he just say what I think he said?

"W-w-wait, are you serious?" I questioned him, "How? Why? I thought you two were doing great."

"It happened a couple of days ago. I didn't say anything about it because I've been mostly busy, but it was for the best. Don't get me wrong, Kiko was awesome and everything, but... she clearly wanted to keep things casual between us."

"Oh..."

"I mean, there's nothing wrong with her wanting that, but it's just not for me anymore." André continued, as I listened intently, "Two years ago, maybe. But now, I'm eager for something more... serious."

To be honest, hearing him speak like this made me feel hopeful.

I mean, c'mon! For the first time in months, both of us were single at the same time.

Who knows what could happen at a moment like this?

"I think I get what you mean. You want a relationship where the two of you are the only ones that matter." I started, as I searched for the right words, "You want to know that no matter what, you'll always be number one in their heart."

"See, I knew you would get it." chuckled André, before his smile slowly faded away, "But there's something that I still can't wrap my head around."

"What is it?"

"It's how someone can be that greedy and stupid to pull some shit like that. At least in my situation, Kiko made her intentions clear about wanting to still see other people. But Blake? He was a total ass for what he did to you." André stated as he looked rather bothered.

Worried for my friend, I reached to grab his hands, "Don't get yourself all worked over what Blake did. I love that you care so much, but it's his loss, not mine. So stop worrying, okay?"

Something in my words must have soothed André because his smile gradually returned.

"You're right. You're absolutely right." he started, before thinking for a second, "Perhaps I'm biased when I say this, but Tori... you're truly an amazing girl, and any guy would be lucky to be with you."

André had a knack for knowing what to say… at times. Thankfully, this was one of those moments.

"Find someone who actually appreciates you, regardless of your flaws." he continued, now giving me his undivided attention, "Someone who isn't going to take you for granted."

After a brief moment of reflection, I responded, "Wow, um, I really needed to hear that, especially from you."

"Me? I'm not anything special," he spoke shyly.

As I caressed his hands, I smiled, "You are to me."

"Really?"

"Really."

For just a brief moment, we locked eyes and I swear I'd never felt this way with anyone before.

I've had plenty of tender moments with André in the past, but they never felt quite like this.

*Sighs*

I just wish that it could have lasted a bit longer.

{A musical chime comes from André's phone}

Perfect. Freakin'. Timing.

"One sec." he sighed, letting go of my hands and answering his phone.

Guess who was on the phone… the witch herself.

"It's Jade. This will only take a minute," André said, as he got up to continue his conversation with her out on the patio.

André and Jade, you see, were paired up for this huge drama scene that was due in two weeks. During this past week, the two have become even closer than before.

And by that, I mean so close that you would honestly think that something was going on between them.

But it wasn't, because Jade was too devoted to Beck.

"Okay. I'll see you soon, J." he laughed as he came back into the kitchen.

They even had silly nicknames for each other. Dré and J? Seriously? It was insane!

"So what did Jade want?" I asked, pretending to be interested.

"She wants to meet up at Jet Brew to go over some new lines she wrote."

Of course, she does.

"Oh well, I guess you better get going then," I replied, trying my best to hide my disappointment.

"I promise it'll just take an hour… maybe two," André assured, as I walked him to the front door, "Then I'll be back sooner than you know it."

"Okay... see you then," I replied regretfully as he left.

Because of this project of his, I haven't been able to spend more than a few minutes with him this past week.

It's not that I didn't want him to get a good grade; it's just that I would have preferred to have more time with my best friend.

…

Okay, okay!

That, and I didn't like how much time they spent together.

As I sat back down at the kitchen table, I resumed working on my monologue, but my thoughts kept returning to André and Jade.

*Sighs*

Only time would tell if anything would happen between them, and I was only a bystander.