I have to thank, aorus_of_the_sea for not only the timeline for this. I did use a bit of the dialogue for this episode to save myself some time because I am lazy. the stuff that was on the episodes like the fight between beck and Jade, and another part I can't remember. but a lot of the words are hers. and the structure of a lot of the chapter is hers because I have been seriously dealing with a migraine for the past 5 days that just won't quit. There aren't a lot of peripheral characters in this one, we didn't explore the outsiders, there is going to be more outside stuff next chapter as we look at WI-FI in the Sky. enjoy ~S.K.

Jade Dumps Beck

Beck sat alone on the asphalt. It was a great afternoon. Girls were gliding around on skates, dancers were dancing. It was a good day. Never mind that he had had a good night with Alyssa after Jade had thrown a rock at his head. It was a great excuse to turn off his phone and just get lost in some other girl.

So he was satisfied and knew he was just the hottest thing. He didn't need Jade's validation. Not today. "Hey Beck!" Andre said, strutting happily to his friend.

Beck put down the monologue he was studying and took off his sunglasses as his friend sat next to him. "Hey Andre," he stated.

"Congrats, you got a free bottle of water," Andre said, handing him a bottle.

"No thanks," he said. "Single-use plastic is really bad for the environment."

"Well, the vending machine gave me two… so."

"Can you imagine what is in those mountain streams?" Beck stated.

"What do you mean?" Andre asked.

"Mountain streams are full of fish," Beck stated.

"So?" Andre said, taking a big swig of water.

"Fish pee," Beck stated, and Andre quirked a brow as he drank his water. "You're drinking fish pee." Andre swallowed but looked at the bottle like he had been betrayed by it.

"Hey guys?" they heard, as Tori came rushing to the table, her phone in hand. "Dude, look who's at the top of the Buzz Finger page."

She held the phone up to Beck. Beck looked at her phone and furrowed his brows. "Oh… poor Jay Leno," he stated.

Taken aback, Tori pulled the phone back and scrolled to the right story. "No… under that," she held the phone out to him again.

He looked at it. It was a picture of himself with Alyssa Vaughan. "Oh…" then he laughed as if it was not a big deal. Because it couldn't be a big deal. Because if Jade thought it was a big deal, his control over her was going to be gone.

"Oh? That's you and Alyssa Vaughan together!" Tori said, staring at him.

"No way!" Andre said, reaching for the phone. "That's Beck and Alyssa Vaughan together."

"Why are you guys so impressed?" Beck said, putting his cool guy façade on.

"Because Alyssa Vaughan is famous!" Tori exclaimed.

"And hot!" Andre exclaimed.

"My God… she's hot!" Tori agreed with her best friend. "And her father's a billionaire!"

"And hot!" Andre said again, and Tori looked at Andre like he had lost his mind. "I didn't mean her father's… I drink fish pee," he offered as an explanation.

She turned back to Beck. "Explain this?"

He started with the normal explanation. "She was in my yoga class, some paparazzi showed up and took that pic. But, we're just friends."

Tori quirked a brow. "Uh-huh…" she said skeptically. "And how did Jade react when she found out you were 'friends' with Alyssa Vaughan?"

Andre put up air quotes when Tori said the word "friends."

Beck shrugged. "Jade was cool with it…" When he noted his friends' disbelieving looks, he added, "She threw a rock at my head."

"Dude, be careful… Jade is not one to be messed with," Tori said and was interrupted by an avalanche of flyers. She picked it up and looked at it and noted it was her sister's flier.

Here goes nothing, Trina thought as she climbed to the top balcony of the Asphalt Café. She had two guys and two boxes full of orange flyers for her one-woman show. As she had them toss the flyers from the balcony, she grabbed the mic and announced, "Attention! Attention, everyone."

She turned to the boys. "Stop while I talk," she commanded, then faced the crowd below. "As you all know, I'm Trina Vega…" She paused, hoping for some acknowledgment from the crowd. "Now, if you look at the flyers that just landed on you, starting this Friday night, I will be performing in a one-woman show called Trina!"

She paused again. For once, she would love to get the applause her sisters received. She sighed internally and continued to fake it until she made it. "With an exclamation point."

"Hey! Shut up!" one kid yelled up at her. Trina frowned, her confidence beginning to falter.

"It's a play that I wrote myself that will not only touch your heart but blow your mind." She turned to the guy to her right, reached into the box for a flyer, but knocked it over, and the box fell off the balcony to the scene below, nearly hitting a kid on the head. She quickly backed away. "Okay… bye!" she said and ran down the steps and into the school. She was so embarrassed. It was hard to act like she wasn't. But she had to go on. Her play was ready for the world, and nothing was going to stop her now.

Jade finally found Beck between classes. The hallways buzzed with whispers about him and Alyssa Vaughan. Jade felt like she was drowning in a sea of rumors, needing Beck to throw her a lifeline. He needed to explain, to clarify, and he needed to do it now.

They argued, words flying like daggers. Beck, exasperated, turned to walk away, thinking he had already said enough. He liked it when she chased him, but Jade was beginning to see through his games. She had just one more point to make.

"Hey, we're not done talking about this!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the corridor as they descended the stairs from the upper west wing of the main building.

"I am," Beck said coolly, not even turning around as he sauntered to his locker.

"Well, I'm not," Jade insisted, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.

Beck turned around to face her, his expression a mask of indifference. "Listen," he sighed. "Alyssa Vaughan is just a friend."

"A 'friend' who has already sent you six text messages today," Jade shot back, her eyes burning with unshed tears. Beck's phone chimed with another message. "Seven," she corrected, her voice dripping with bitterness.

"You don't know that's her," Beck retorted, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"Is it?" Jade demanded, her heart pounding in her chest.

Beck glanced at the text, his face betraying a flicker of guilt. "What's your favorite tropical fruit?"

"The mango," Jade spat. "And I don't like your new little relationship with Alyssa Vaughan."

"It's a text message," Beck said, holding up his phone as if that could explain everything.

"And what does it say?" Jade continued, her voice icy. "Maybe," she mimicked Alyssa's high-pitched, sugary tone, "'Hi, Beck, my daddy just got richer, and I got prettier. Let's make out!'"

Beck slammed his locker shut and turned to face Jade. "Okay, let me see if I understand you."

"Let's see if you do," Jade replied, her eyes narrowing.

"Because you and I date," he started slowly, "I can't be friends with other girls?"

"You can be friends with ugly girls," Jade snapped. "But not girls who are gorgeous socialites who text you a hundred times a day!"

"Y'know, you—" Beck began, but his attention shifted over Jade's shoulder. His eyes lit up. "Tori." Jade scowled. Of all the people who could have stumbled upon their argument… "Tori," Beck called again. The Latina paused, looking between the couple, clearly torn. "Can you come here?"

"What?" Tori asked reluctantly, moving toward them. Jade turned to face her, arms crossed, glaring.

Beck clasped his hands together and took a deep breath. "If you were my girlfriend—"

Jade let out an indignant laugh. "Great way to start the question."

Beck ignored her. "Would you be all freaked out that I'm just friends with Alyssa Vaughan?"

"Who cares what she thinks?" Jade gestured dismissively at Tori.

"Honestly," Tori shrugged, "I wouldn't love it."

"I care," Jade sidled up next to Tori, a smug smile on her lips, "what she thinks."

Beck wasn't impressed. "How can you say that?" he demanded. "You don't even—"

"Y'know, I really don't wanna be in the middle of this…" Tori tried to retreat, but Jade's hand flew out, grasping her by the elbow.

"No," Jade insisted, turning Tori back around. "You stay right here," she ordered.

"You don't think a girlfriend should just trust her boyfriend?" Beck challenged Tori.

"No, I—I do," Tori stammered.

"Get out of here, Tori," Jade cut in coldly.

"I'd love to," Tori said quickly, trying to escape again.

"Stay," Beck commanded, his voice firm. Tori groaned but turned back around.

"Alright, you know what?"

"Tell me what," Beck said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"No, no," Tori said, sensing where this was heading. "Don't tell him what."

Jade ignored her. "We're. Done."

"Jade," Tori said softly, but Jade didn't even glance her way.

"So, you're breaking up with me," Beck stated, his voice low. His eyebrows raised in surprise, but his eyes showed no sign of sadness. Jade wanted to see him shattered, devastated, but he was unreadable. It made her blood boil.

"No, no, no, no, no, she's not," Tori tried to interject, clearly uncomfortable.

"Yeah," Jade nodded, her voice filled with finality. "I am." She stormed off, her footsteps echoing loudly down the hallway.

"You're being ridiculous," Beck called after her.

"What do you care?" Jade turned around, her voice filled with pain. "I'm not your girlfriend anymore!"

As soon as she turned the corner, Trina's nasally voice pierced the air. "Come see my one-woman show, Friday night!" An offensively bright orange flyer was thrust at Jade. She snatched it, balled it up, and grabbed Trina by the shirtfront, stuffing the paper into her cleavage. "It starts at 8:00 sharp!" Trina continued to yell after her.

Jade rolled her eyes and flipped her off over her shoulder, her heart pounding as she stalked off, feeling both liberated and utterly lost.

Andre met Robbie in a classroom between classes. Robbie had asked him to come over, and Andre wondered what Robbie might want. "What's up, Fro?" Andre said, walking in.

Robbie ran a hand through his hair and laughed nervously. "Yeah, hey, I have a favor to ask."

"What's up?" Andre asked, taking a seat in one of the chairs.

"You know how I used to write for the school newspaper?" Robbie began.

"Yeah, I thought they stopped printing it," Andre replied, settling in.

"Yeah, they moved it online," Robbie continued.

"Right, The Slap," Andre nodded.

"Yeah, well, I write reviews for The Slap," Robbie said. "And there are so many plays opening up in the school, I can't do them all. I was wondering, since you write so well, if you could—"

"I'm not writing a review for Trina's show," Andre cut in, his tone final.

"But what if her play is awful?" Robbie asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

"What if?" Andre said, pausing to look at his friend. "Man, you know her play is going to suck ass."

"I know, but if I write a bad review, that girl is going to kill me," Robbie said, anxiety clear on his face.

"Oh, so you want me to write a bad review for the sister of my girlfriend and my best friend so I can get killed?" Andre asked incredulously. "No thank you."

"She'll have a harder time killing you. You're firm and developed, and I'm still working on the last chapter of puberty," Robbie said, pleadingly.

"I thought the play was Friday," Andre stated.

"It is, but I'm seeing her last dress rehearsal, and I don't want to be the only one in the audience," Robbie explained.

"Look, man, don't panic yet… maybe Trina's play won't be so bad," Andre tried to reassure him.

But the play was bad. It was so bad it was laughable. Robbie struggled to keep his laughter in check, but the over-the-top dramatics were unbearable. He couldn't write this review. Not as it stood. "Oh my god, what do I do?" Robbie muttered to himself as he rushed out of the theater the moment the lights went down. He didn't want to face Trina. Not at all.

He bolted down the hallway, his mind racing. How was he going to handle this? He had to write the review, but how could he do it without facing the wrath of Trina Vega? His steps echoed in the empty corridor as he made a beeline for the exit, hoping to escape before anyone noticed his hasty retreat.

At lunch, Jade sat alone. None of the gang had come out for lunch yet, and Beck sure as hell was staying away from her. She took over an empty table, glaring at Sinjin and an accomplice when they attempted to sit down to join her.

"No." Her voice was cold, sharp, and bitter.

They immediately scrambled away.

She poked at her salad disinterestedly. Nothing seemed to want to go down easily, least of all the bitter truth that Jade had just cut out the best thing going in her life.

She was broken out of her downward spiraling thoughts when Tori softly greeted her, "Hey." She looked up to see Andre settling in the seat across from her too.

"Hey, Jade," he nodded uncertainly. From his furtive glances toward Tori, Jade knew he had been dragged unwillingly into this.

"You look a little like a lady who could use some lunch buddies," Tori was explaining brightly. This was what she had expected—Vega being sunshine and rainbows. And for once she was tempted to let her be. But she didn't know if Vega liked girls like that.

She scoffed. "Please," she grunted before going back to poking at her salad. It looked wholly unappetizing today.

God, what was wrong with her?

"Well," Tori said slowly, carefully, like she was attempting to approach a skittish, cornered animal. "I just thought that you were mad because of—"

"I broke up with Beck, okay?" Jade cut in sharply. "I dumped him."

Tori and Andre exchanged a glance, but Jade dropped her focus to her food. There was a whole burrito she also hadn't touched yet. Why did Festus' lunch tray seem to give her so much food today? Her appetite was unusually small, practically non-existent that day, and—

An engine revved in the parking lot, breaking through Jade's angry mental rant. A stereo blasted some super poppy radio station that made Jade's skin crawl. Jade turned, despite her every instinct telling her not to, especially since all the other students gathered in the Asphalt Cafe seemed way too interested in whatever was going on in the parking lot behind her.

A bright yellow car, some luxury brand that Jade didn't care about, swerved into the parking lot, top down and thumping some low-grade pop melody as the passenger and driver gazed at each other, big smiles painted on their faces.

Jade felt her stomach drop.

"Whoa," she vaguely heard someone say behind her, now that her attention was zeroed in on the bright car.

Alyssa fucking Vaughn laughed as she said something to Beck, who seemed to accept or agree with whatever the celebrity said, a faraway look in his eyes as his lips curled into a boyish grin.

"Is that Alyssa Vaughn?" Tori asked loudly, causing Jade to spin around to glare at the gaping loudmouth. But she noticed it then—Tori was blushing, like there was interest there… in Alyssa fucking Vaughn.

"Yeah? So?" Jade spat, returning her gaze to her pathetic lunch tray, largely untouched.

Tori's mouth moved like a fish out of water for a few seconds, and Jade could practically see the wheels spinning overtime behind those coffee-brown eyes."N-nothing," Tori finally stammered. "She's gross," she added, pulling out one golden stick from a pile on her lunch tray and offering it sheepishly. "French fry?"

Jade picked up her burrito instead.

"Gross?" Andre frowned incredulously. "Look at her! Oh," he practically moaned, just staring past Jade's shoulder. Tori bit her lip as she glanced at Alyssa and quickly down at her own plate, as if she didn't want to get caught looking. "That girl is smokin' hot. I'm serious," the boy murmured dreamily.

Jade whirled back to glare at Andre.

"I should shut up," he muttered to himself, snapping his jaw shut and looking down at his lunch tray.

Tori ran a hand through her hair, exasperated. "Look, he didn't mean to say that," Tori began to defend Andre. What, did Tori expect Jade to whip out her scissors on Andre for stating a fact?

"I don't care," Jade cut across Tori airily but sharply. "If Beck wants to date that," Jade said through clenched teeth and a grimace, "I hope he has tons of fun with it."

"Uh…" Tori's gaze drifted down for a moment.

"What?"

"You're hurting your burrito," Tori nodded to Jade's tray.

Jade glanced down at her clenched hands. The filling had been squeezed out of both ends. She tossed it back into the tray, splattering some of the insides onto both Tori and Andre. Grabbing her bag, she left the table in a huff, not bothering to bring her tray with her.

She stormed into the bathroom stall, sobs wracking her body.

Why was she crying? Why was she falling apart? She was the one that broke up with him… But there he was… already back out there, like she didn't even matter.

That's what the problem was. She should have known she didn't even matter to him. And now she knew she had just made the biggest mistake. She had to get him back. Because when she let Beck go… he had to regret his entire life.

How was she going to do this? She needed to get vulnerable. She had to look broken, for that sadistic son of a bitch to take her back. She was an actress, she could do this. Jade was going to play the long game.

Robbie cowered behind his bowl of cream of mushroom soup, hoping to blend into the cafeteria background. But fate, in the form of ample bosoms and a demanding voice, found him.

"Hello, Robbie," Trina's voice boomed as she loomed over him, her hand landing squarely on his table.

"Ah! Trina!" Robbie nearly catapulted out of his seat in panic.

"Are you avoiding me?" Trina's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"No, I'm just here, uh, enjoying my cream of mushroom soup," Robbie stuttered, trying to sound casual despite the fear radiating off him in waves.

"What did you think of my play, Robbie?" Trina leaned in, her eyes boring into him.

"Um... it was, uh..." Robbie struggled to find the right words.

"Are you gonna write a good review of my play or not?" Trina cut in sharply, her impatience palpable.

"Trina, see..." Robbie attempted to explain, but Trina wasn't having it. With a swift motion, she pushed his head into his soup.

"This is assault!" Robbie sputtered, soup dripping from his hair.

"Listen to me, Rob," Trina leaned closer, her voice low and menacing. "I worked my butt off in that performance, and you're going to write a good review, you feel me?"

"I feel a mushroom in my nose!" Robbie exclaimed, trying to clear his airway as Trina dunked his head back into the soup.

"Write a good review of my show," Trina growled, before storming off, leaving Robbie to lament his soupy fate. "I hate that guy," she muttered to herself as she disappeared into the school corridors.

Jade went to Beck's trailer immediately after school. "I'm sorry," was what she had intended to say. Instead, what came out of her mouth was, "Am I forgiven yet?"

Beck gave Jade a look. She dropped her gaze and shifted from leg to leg, clutching her bag strap tightly. "Can I at least come in?" she asked.

Beck sighed audibly, but Jade knew the creaks and sounds of the trailer well. After all, eleven months of being with Beck was a long time to learn things like that. So she knew that the creak she heard was Beck stepping aside to allow enough space for her to just barely slide past him. She glanced up to find her suspicions to be true.

But Jade should've taken the first slip-ups as a sign that this discussion was not going to go the way she hoped.

At every turn, her words twisted up and tangled over themselves in her mouth, coming out as garbled, ganky barbs.

"You never listen to me, Beck!" Jade spat out, trying to control the tremor in her voice.

"That's because you're always yelling, Jade!" Beck shot back. "I'm tired of fighting with you over everything!"

"I'm tired of you not understanding anything!" Jade shouted, her frustration boiling over. "You act like you're perfect, but you're not!"

"And you think you're so much better?" Beck's eyes were blazing now. "You think you're the only one who's ever right?"

"No! I just... I just want you to see things from my side!" Jade's voice cracked, betraying her.

"I can't keep doing this, Jade," Beck said, his voice quieter but no less intense. "I can't keep fighting like this."

Jade saw the moment Beck was about to yell for her to get out, and she took the initiative to storm out with her dignity still somewhat intact. She needed to feel like she had some kind of upper hand.

But as soon as she was walking away from Beck's trailer, the first tears streaked down her cheeks. She wandered aimlessly, her mind a chaotic swirl of anger, hurt, and confusion.

She sniffed and wiped at her tears, but they were fell faster than her hand could move away. Eventually, she just let them flow, knowing full well how badly her mascara was running. Her breaths came out ragged and punctuated with hiccups. Nothing felt balanced within her, and she hated how short of breath she felt.

She didn't know where her feet were taking her until she found herself on Tori's street.

There was something about Tori that Jade couldn't explain to herself—a strange pull that she couldn't ignore. Maybe it was Tori's unwavering kindness, her warmth, or the way she made Jade feel like she wasn't always on the defensive. Whatever it was, Jade needed it now more than ever.

About halfway to the front door, she slowed to a stop.

Why was she here? What would she even say?

She turned around and began to walk away because she knew she didn't know the answers to those questions. Jade made a long circuit around the block, slowly ambling her way inevitably back toward the house. On her walk, Jade She stopped when neon yellow, pink, and blue caught her eye. It was a Kite and it was tangled in a neighboring bush. She pulled it free and stared at it for a moment, the thin paper and wooden frame trembling slightly in the breeze. It was a flimsy excuse, but it was enough. She needed something—anything—to justify going to Tori's house.

Tori and Trina Vega were in the middle of an intense game of Wii Sports Tennis. The living room was filled with the sounds of the game and their competitive banter. They both needed this break, a way to unwind from the constant pressure of their performances and the drama surrounding them.

"Come on, Trina! You can do better than that!" Tori teased, flicking her wrist to send a virtual tennis ball flying over the net.

Trina lunged forward, nearly toppling over in her excitement. "I'm trying! This stupid game doesn't even work right!" she huffed, barely managing to return the shot.

"Excuses, excuses," Tori laughed, easily hitting the ball back. "You know, if Shelby were here, she'd wipe the floor with both of us."

Trina's face fell for a moment at the mention of Shelby. "Yeah, well, she's not. So you're stuck with me."

Tori softened, sensing the tension. "Hey, it's okay. We can still have fun, right? Besides, I'm glad it's just us. We don't get to hang out like this often."

Trina forced a smile, her competitive spirit momentarily dimmed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just... I miss having someone to really spar with, you know? Shelby always knew how to push me just enough."

Tori nodded, understanding her sister's feelings. "I get it. But we'll make do. Now, come on, let's see if you can actually beat me this time."

Trina's eyes lit up with determination. "You're on, little sis. Prepare to lose!"

They continued their game, the familiar rhythm of virtual tennis easing their minds. For a few minutes, they were just sisters, caught up in the simple joy of playing together.

"Nice shot!" Tori exclaimed as Trina scored a point.

"Thanks! I've been practicing," Trina replied, a proud grin spreading across her face.

"Oh, so that's your secret weapon," Tori teased, trying to keep up with Trina's sudden improvement.

"Yep! And it's working!" Trina declared, focusing intently on the game.

They played on, the tension and stress of their daily lives momentarily forgotten in the fun of the game. The Vega girls had found their way to unwind, and for now, that was enough.

"Here.. Mine!" Tori said at the same time Trina yelled out Mine and she hit Tori on the head with the racket. "Tor! I'm so sorry."

"You did that on purpose!' I did not!

"I don't want to play anymore…"

As Jade jabbed at the doorbell, her nerves frayed and her heart pounding against her ribs. Before she could summon the courage to press it again, the door swung open, revealing Tori's puzzled expression.

"Jade?" Tori's brow furrowed in confusion as she took in the sight before her.

Words eluded Jade, caught in the vice grip of her constricted throat. With a choked sob, she brushed past Tori and strode into the living room.

"And now you're in my house," Tori muttered to herself, her voice a whisper that cut through the tense air.

Jade stood in the center of the room, tears glistening in her eyes, her chest aching with pain. Clutched tightly in her fist was a kite, a symbol of her fractured emotions. As the door clicked shut behind her, she turned to face Tori, who was slowly approaching.

"This kite is broken," Jade stated flatly, her voice betraying the turmoil within. Her lower lip quivered as she fought to maintain composure.

"Okay..." Tori's response was cautious, her confusion evident. "And?"

"I was walking around, and I saw this kite, stuck in a bush, and..." Jade's words tumbled out in a rush, desperation coloring her tone. "It's broken, and someone needs to fix it!"

Tori's brow furrowed deeper as she tried to grasp Jade's meaning. "You want me to fix your kite?" she asked, uncertainty lacing her words.

"Forget about the stupid kite!" Jade exploded, her frustration bubbling over. With a forceful toss, she cast the kite aside. Why were the right words so elusive tonight? Her façade was crumbling, and she needed help, but she didn't know how to ask for it.

"I'm sorry I brought it up?" Tori's response was tentative, her confusion mirrored in her expression.

Finally, Jade's barriers shattered, her emotions bursting forth like a dam breaking. "I want Beck back!" she cried, the raw anguish in her voice piercing the silence of the room.

"But you broke up with Beck," Tori reminded her gently, her tone soft with understanding.

"I know!" Jade's voice cracked with despair, her admission hanging heavy in the air. "It's like when I threw away my potato patch Doll but then, I wanted it back, and it was too late because my mother had given it away to some greedy orphans!" The words spilled out in a torrent, her pain laid bare for all to see as she collapsed onto the edge of the sofa, her tears flowing freely.

"Jade," Tori watched her friend unravel before her, her heart aching at the sight. She prayed it was the end of Jade's torment, but if she wanted Beck back, Tori would do whatever it took to see her smile again. "If you want to get back together with Beck, why don't you just tell him?"

"I did," Jade confessed through her tears, the weight of rejection crushing her spirit. "But he rejected me."

"Um," Tori hesitated, choosing her words with care. "Not to be mean, but... why are you coming to me for help?"

Jade braced herself for Tori's reaction, hoping against hope that her confession wouldn't ignite a firestorm of awkwardness. She waited a beat before responding, her mind scrambling to concoct a plausible explanation. "Because I don't want anyone who's cool to see me like this," she finally offered, her words a feeble attempt to deflect the truth.

"Okay, maybe you should—" Tori started, only to pause abruptly. "Wait, are we fr—we're not even friends!" Her incredulity was palpable, and Jade couldn't help but agree.

"Yeah," Jade conceded, her voice tinged with resignation, "but if you help me, maybe I'll like you." It was a flimsy rationale, but Jade clung to it like a lifeline, grateful for the shield it provided against her innermost desires.

"So, if I help you," Tori mused aloud, taking a seat beside Jade on the half-sofa, "I get a mean friend and a broken kite…"

Another sob escaped Jade's lips, her vulnerability laid bare before Tori. "Please," she pleaded softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just please talk to Beck for me."

Jade West never begged.

But at that moment, she had. And it stung like salt in an open wound.

Reaching behind her, Jade grasped a nearby pillow and buried her face in it, the fabric absorbing her tears as she released a torrent of emotion.

She felt Tori shift uncomfortably beside her, but what she didn't expect was the gentle hand that came to rest on her head, patting her soothingly. At first, Jade stiffened at the unexpected touch, but gradually, she relaxed into it, allowing herself to be comforted by Tori's gesture of kindness.

After a few moments, Tori withdrew her hand, sighing softly. "Okay. Okay, okay, I'll talk to Beck."

"Do it soon," Jade sniffed into the pillow, finally able to draw a shaky breath as she lifted her head. She glanced down at the pillow, her heart sinking at the sight of her mascara-streaked tears staining the fabric. "I got a little makeup on your pillow," she admitted, offering it to Tori for inspection.

Tori studied the stain for a moment before responding, her voice tinged with melancholy. "That's okay. I'll just… ask my grandmother to make me another one." She ran her fingers over the soft fabric, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. "If she ever comes back to life."

Jade's breath caught in her throat, guilt washing over her like a tidal wave. "I-I'll get it dry cleaned. I'll wash it!" she blurted out, suddenly aware of the gravity of her actions.

"Jade, it's fine. I'll take care of it," Tori reassured her, her smile wistful yet genuine.

As Jade watched Tori's tender gesture, her heart swelled with remorse. She had been so consumed by her own troubles that she had failed to notice Tori's grief. "I'm sorry," she whispered, the words heavy with sincerity. "I didn't mean to…" Her voice trailed off, the weight of her apology hanging in the air between them.

Jade felt herself soften, her defenses crumbling in the wake of Tori's warm, compassionate gaze. Kindness radiated from those eyes, devoid of judgment, yet filled with a curiosity that stirred something deep within Jade's soul.

No one had ever looked at her like that, not even Beck. It was as if Tori was peering into the depths of her being, searching for something hidden, something precious. And in that moment, Jade found herself yearning for that connection, holding onto the image of Tori's kindness like a lifeline through her own turmoil and grief.

"Talk to him soon," Jade echoed softly, her voice barely above a whisper, before she hurriedly made her way out the door, a whirlwind of emotions propelling her homeward.

That night, Jade scrubbed her face free of tears and makeup, the weight of the day finally catching up to her. Collapsing into bed, exhaustion washed over her like a tidal wave, dragging her into a deep slumber.

As she drifted off to sleep, Jade couldn't shake the image of Tori's gentle eyes from her mind. In her dreams, they lingered, a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding her through the tumult of her ever-evolving feelings.

Tori stood at the entrance to Beck's house, a jumble of conflicting emotions swirling within her. Loyalty to Jade warred with her own unspoken feelings as she faced the looming presence of Beck's RV. Jade had entrusted her with a task, and despite her inner turmoil, Tori couldn't bring herself to let her friend down.

"Fuck the Bro Code," she muttered to herself, her resolve wavering as she took a few hesitant steps towards the RV. But then she paused, frustration evident in her pacing. "He doesn't deserve her," she whispered, though she knew deep down that Beck was a decent guy. He just didn't seem to appreciate Jade the way Tori believed she deserved.

After a moment of indecision, Tori steeled herself. "I promised Jade," she reminded herself, drawing in a deep breath. With determination, she approached the large front door and knocked.

The door swung open, revealing Beck's mom with a warm smile. "Hi there! You must be Tori. Beck's room is actually in the RV out back. Just ring the doorbell, sweetie."

"Thank you!" Tori forced a smile before turning towards the RV, a sense of dread creeping over her. She walked up the driveway, each step heavy with apprehension. Ringing the doorbell, she waited anxiously, the seconds stretching on like an eternity.

"Who is it?" came a voice from inside, Beck attempting an old woman's tone. Tori couldn't help but smile at her friend's antics. "I know it's you, Beck."

The door swung open, but instead of Beck, an elderly woman stepped out. Tori's smile faltered as she registered the discrepancy. "Thanks, Consuela," Beck said from inside.

"De nada," the woman replied before walking away. Tori couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with the racial undertones of the exchange, but she pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on her mission.

Stepping inside, Tori took in the RV's interior. "So this is where you live?" she remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Is that bad?" Beck's tone was defensive as he settled onto his bed.

"Well, most sixteen-year-old boys I know don't live in an RV parked in their parents' driveway," Tori quipped, taking in the unique surroundings.

"My parents said if I live under their roof, I go by their rules," Beck explained.

"Ah..." Tori said with a smile pointing at the ceiling. "So your roof…"

"My rules."

She nodded, feeling a bit uneasy in the intimate space. She rambled nervously, trying to fill the awkward silence. "So, you're probably wondering why I'm here," she chuckled, attempting to ease the tension. "You're like, 'Hey, Tori's here, what's up with that?'" she affected a deeper voice, as deep as she could make it.

"That's how I talk?" Beck questioned, amusement lacing his tone at Tori's boy voice.

"No, that's my generic boy voice," Tori clarified with a smirk.

"Ah… I like it. Do more," Beck encouraged, taking a bite of his apple.

"Okay…" Tori took a deep breath, preparing to slip back into the character. "Hey man, why don't you get back together with Jade, you know what I'm saying? Yeah."

Beck rolled his eyes, though Tori couldn't see. "I should get back together with Jade?" he repeated skeptically.

"Uh-huh…" Tori nodded, trying to sell her pitch.

"Why?" Beck's tone was flat, lacking any enthusiasm.

"Cause…" Tori struggled to come up with a convincing argument. She couldn't deny the underlying frustration at Beck's apparent indifference towards Jade. "She's... you know... awesome?"

"Guess what?" Beck interrupted, standing up again.

"What?" Tori responded, curious.

"I'm glad Jade and I broke up," Beck declared.

"Why?" Tori pressed, her eyebrows furrowing in disbelief.

"Because I can't remember the last time she did one nice thing for me," Beck stated matter-of-factly.

Tori couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation. What about him? What had he done for Jade lately? "Oh, come on... didn't you just have a birthday? She didn't give you anything for your birthday?" she retorted, trying to defend Jade.

"She got me a can of lemonade," Beck replied seriously.

Tori fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Kay... well, I guess I don't know what else to say. She is really torn up about it, though. We all make mistakes, so just think about it," she urged, though her patience was wearing thin.

"She never even apologized for accusing me of cheating all the time, and everything," Beck countered. "So, fine. Now I am free. I can talk to whatever girl I want, be friends with whomever I want. I don't have to worry."

"Fine…" Tori sighed with a shrug. "Like I said, I tried." She was tired of this conversation, hoping she wouldn't have to deal with it again anytime soon.

Jade cornered Tori at her obnoxious Make It Shine locker the next day.

"How did it go?" she demanded, her tone sharp with impatience.

"Good morning to you too, Jade," Tori replied sarcastically, her annoyance evident.

"Don't sass me, Vega," Jade hissed. "I need answers. Did you talk to Beck?"

Tori shrugged. "I don't know why you even want him back. He was just talking about how you never do anything nice for him. But I don't ever recall him doing anything nice for you either."

"What do you mean?" Jade retorted defensively. "I do lots of nice things for him…"

"He said that you only gave him a can of lemonade for his birthday," Tori revealed.

Jade rolled her eyes. "Because he likes lemonade."

"Yeah, but out of a can?" Tori winced, clearly unimpressed.

Tori had a point, but Jade refused to concede. "He drank it," she countered stubbornly.

"Yeah, but—"

"Do I have a boyfriend? Or don't I?" Jade interrupted, her patience wearing thin with Tori's questioning.

Before Tori could respond, Jade sensed someone approaching from behind. She turned to see the familiar figure and heard the annoyingly breathy voice before he even spoke. "Do you want one—"

"Walk away," Jade hissed, cutting him off abruptly. He bowed his head and retreated obediently.

Tori watched him go with unease, her attention drawn back to Jade and the pressing matter at hand.

Jade resumed her interrogation. "Did he say anything else?"

"No," Tori sighed, shutting her locker and heading to the vending machine for a can of Wahoo Punch.

On the other end of the hallway, Robbie was at his locker when he was cornered by Trina, who wasted no time in asking about her review. Robbie felt a surge of panic. "What's up, Rob?" Andre appeared beside him, noticing his distress.

"Trina keeps pressuring me about the review, and I can't do it," Robbie confessed, feeling overwhelmed.

"Was her show that bad?" Andre inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"It was so bad it was laughable," Robbie declared, his frustration evident.

Andre shrugged nonchalantly. "Say it was the funniest play you've ever seen."

"What?" Robbie looked at his friend, confusion evident on his face.

"Review it as a comedy," Andre clarified.

"Comedy?" Robbie's eyes widened as the idea sank in. "That's brilliant."

Andre shrugged again. "Hey, no charge."

"Thanks, man…" Robbie started, feeling a wave of gratitude.

"No, wait… give me ten bucks," Andre interjected, remembering his newfound commitment to being more business-savvy. With his family refusing to fund his demo recording, every penny counted.

"Absolutely not!" Robbie protested, taken aback by the sudden demand.

Andre squared up, adopting a more serious demeanor. "Twenty."

Feeling intimidated, Robbie reluctantly pulled out his wallet. "Two tens, okay?"

Andre accepted the compromise, nodding in satisfaction. "Deal."

"Help me," Jade whined, desperation lacing her voice.

"I tried!" Tori retorted, frustration evident in her tone. "Maybe you just need to forget about Beck… or just fuck his brains out."

Jade gaped at Tori's words, her shock palpable. How could she? This girl, who knows nothing about anything, how could she so casually suggest such a cruel solution?

Feeling upset and betrayed, Jade grabbed Tori by the wrist and dragged her towards the janitor's closet, her only safe hideaway.

Inside the cramped space, Jade slammed the door shut, threw the lock, and flicked on the lights, casting a harsh glow over the two of them.

"And now we're in a closet," Tori remarked dryly, her annoyance evident.

Jade froze for a moment, her mind racing. Did Tori know? Could she possibly know about Jade's feelings? No, it couldn't be. Tori wasn't Cat. She wasn't someone Jade felt close enough to confide in about such personal matters. Besides, there were more pressing issues to deal with, like Beck. Or the lack thereof.

Turning to face Tori, tears welled up in Jade's eyes for the umpteenth time in two days. "How can Beck not want me back? I'm cool. And hot! I've got it all!"

"Yeah, but guys don't just care about how cool and hot you are," Tori argued, her voice tinged with exasperation.

Jade inwardly cringed at the cliché. That was pretty much the only reason Beck had initially been interested in her. "Well, what else is there?" Jade threw her hands up in frustration. Clearly, that was all that mattered to Beck.

"Like I said before, Beck says you haven't done one nice thing for him in two years," Tori explained.

"That is so not true!" Jade protested, feeling defensive. "We've only been together for eleven months!" But she knew that wasn't the point. "I show him how much I love him all the time. I want him all the time… like ALL the time. I even thought I was pregnant last month, that's how much…"

Tori sighed almost inaudibly, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. The reaction was enough for Jade to bury her face into her hands again. She couldn't bear to see the mix of scolding and pity in Tori's expression. Not for another second.

"Well," Tori's hands slapped against her thighs, the sound echoing in the small space. Jade assumed Tori threw her hands up in exasperation while her head was buried in her hands. "Maybe he'd take you back if you did something nice for him."

"You mean, like, make him fresh lemonade?" Jade attempted to inject some humor into the situation, but her quivering voice and dry sobs made it difficult to convey sarcasm effectively.

Tori rolled her eyes. "If you want Beck back, you're gonna have to think bigger than beverages," she reasoned.

Jade bit back the rising snark, realizing that Tori was actually trying to help. Despite her initial reluctance, Tori was making an effort. Jade knew she should seize this opportunity while Tori's help was freely given. After all, she could just as easily withdraw her support and leave Jade stranded. Though Jade had a sneaking suspicion that wasn't Tori's style.

Suddenly, inspiration struck Jade like lightning. She snapped her fingers and pointed excitedly at Tori. "A dog!"

"Okay, if you're gonna be rude—" Tori started to protest.

"No!" Jade interrupted, trying to will the words to come out correctly this time. "No," she attempted to explain, "Beck's always saying how he wants a dog… a…" She snapped her fingers, trying to recall the breed. "A… a rottenheimer!"

"A Rottweiler?" Tori corrected with a raise of an eyebrow.

"Yes!" Jade exclaimed. "That's what he wants. Okay." With newfound determination, Jade began to pace back and forth in the small closet, suddenly brimming with electric energy. "What's our next move?"

"Just get the boy a dog!" A gruff voice barked from the corner of the closet.

Jade and Tori both stared in disbelief at the man whose head had suddenly appeared underneath a leopard print throw. Jade hadn't anticipated anyone being in here, let alone taking a nap, and certainly not an adult man.

"Go. Go, go out," Tori said, her voice low and wary as she began to move towards the door. "Now. Run."

Jade fumbled at the lock as fast as her trembling fingers would allow. She slid the lock free, wrenched the door open, and tore out of the closet, with Tori hot on her heels.

"A comedy?" Trina screamed as she saw the review on TheSlap, nearly hitting the roof. This was a touching and hard-hitting play. How dare that little trans bitch call her play a comedy?

Trying to calm herself, Trina paced the halls. The bell rang, but her temper remained unhinged. Finally, she made her way towards Robbie's history class. "I'm gonna kill you!" she shouted at the boy.

"Trina, I am teaching a class," the teacher said, stepping aside.

Trina didn't hear her, her focus solely on Robbie. "How dare you call my one-woman show a comedy?"

"I follow my conscience!" Robbie shouted back.

"Trina, get out of this classroom," the teacher demanded.

Trina looked at the older woman, then back at Robbie, pointing accusingly. "I know where you live."

"No, you don't. We moved last year," Robbie stated matter-of-factly. She demanded Robbie's new address, and he reluctantly provided it before she marched out of the room.

"I am so upset!" she shouted as the teacher looked back at Robbie, hoping none of that was a hate crime.

But Robbie's review worked. The theater was packed. In the audience were her sisters, including Shelby, who had come in for the weekend. She sat next to Tori, who seemed to be looking at her watch half the time.

"Figured I was keeping her from more important friends," Trina thought as she started singing Chicago to the audience, who completely ate up the show. And as people laughed, Trina relished in the joy of entertaining her audience.

Tori was the one who found the dog. After sneaking out of the theater from watching her sister's terrible play, she bet Jade she could procure him. Jade couldn't help but admire Tori's relentless determination. As Tori led the dog into the backseat, Jade couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the first time in days.

They parked discreetly down the street from Beck's trailer, plotting to sneak the dog inside as a surprise.

"Okay," Jade whispered, her heart racing with anticipation. "Wait one sec."

Peeking into the dark trailer, Jade spotted a figure in Beck's bed. She retreated quietly, gesturing for Tori to hand over the dog.

"Okay," Tori said, leaning in to wipe the dog's nose with a tissue. "Here you go."

With the leash in hand, Jade cautiously slipped back into the trailer, coaxing the dog to follow her inside.

"Beck?" She called out softly. "Beck, wake up. I've got a surprise for you."

A deep voice responded from the bed, not Beck's. "Huh? Who's there?"

"Mr. Oliver?"

The man grumbled as he turned on a lamp, revealing the unexpected visitor.

The dog began barking wildly, adding to the chaos of the moment.

Jade struggled to calm the dog down, attempting to soothe him while keeping him at bay.

Just then, Tori's voice echoed loudly from outside, interrupting the tense scene. "Beck, if you're here, then who…"

"My dad! He's—" Beck burst into the room, and Mr. Oliver seized the opportunity to make a swift exit.

Beck was taken aback by the commotion, finding Jade struggling to control the dog. It was a chaotic sight, one that left Beck bewildered.

Jade tossed the leash to Tori in a moment of desperation, and Tori barely managed to catch it before the dog could bolt.

The tension in the room dissipated as Jade and Tori exchanged a knowing glance. This unexpected turn of events had brought them closer together, forging an unspoken bond between them.

Mr. Oliver headed into the house, a shake of his head telling them all that he was disappointed.

"My dad already hates you," Beck sighed, running a hand through his hair. Jade almost smiled at the familiarity of the gesture. It was such a tic for him.

"I know."

"He almost got mauled to death by this beast. And he's allergic. Whose dog is it anyway?"

"Tori's," Jade replied immediately.

"Dude!"

"Fine, well, it's kind of yours."

"The dog's a she," Tori interjected unhelpfully. Jade rolled her eyes and shot Tori a glare before refocusing on Beck.

"She belongs to you, Beck. You always talked about how you wanted a… Rottweiler," Jade emphasized the last part through gritted teeth. "I just wanted you to have a dog, because I know you've talked about getting one ever since I met you, and I thought that maybe—"

Beck wordlessly leaned in and kissed her, cutting off her rambling. His lips, warm and perfectly molded to fit hers, pressed against hers, sending a wave of familiarity and comfort through Jade. Her hand found its usual spot on Beck's chest, fingertips resting on his collarbone, while the other snaked around to grip the back of his neck.

When he pulled away, he was smiling, his eyes shimmering warmly in the moonlight.

"You love me again," she stated, dumbfounded.

"Who said I stopped?" Beck replied with a grin.

"Awww," Tori cooed from behind Jade, still holding the dog. Jade turned around slowly to face Tori. "I ruined the moment," Tori acknowledged.

"It's cool," Jade sighed. "I… really do owe you one." They exchanged a small grin.

Jade turned back to Beck, eager to resume their kiss. His familiar figure felt like home under her fingertips as they explored each other's warmth. Their kisses grew more passionate, but Tori's voice interrupted the moment once again.

"Hey, um…" Tori hesitated. "It's getting kind of late, so I was wondering if maybe you could drive me home?"

"It's not that far of a walk," Jade snapped, irritated at the interruption.

"Try not to swallow each other," Tori's bitter snark cut across the night air from a distance. Evidently, Tori had decided to get a head start. Jade hummed and smiled into the kiss.

Beck broke the kiss this time, resting his forehead against Jade's.

"You owe me a lot of kisses," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

"Deal," Jade replied, her heart soaring with happiness.

Tori walked back into the house, still feeling the weight of her encounter with Beck. As she stepped inside, she was startled to see Shelby sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

"I thought you were leaving right after the play," Tori said, her voice betraying her surprise.

Shelby looked up and grinned. "Did you forget that our cousin Teresa's wedding is this weekend? We're all going to New York for the thing."

"Oh shit… um, but Trina's play?" Tori stammered, suddenly remembering the conflicting events.

"It's a two-night run. She flies out tomorrow when she's done," Shelby explained.

Tori sighed in relief, glad that the timing worked out. She thought back to her earlier interaction with Beck and the chaotic day that had followed. She was grateful Jade had helped her take the dog back to the pound after she finished making out with Beck, but the thought only complicated her feelings further.

She hesitated for a moment before deciding to open up to Shelby. "Shelby, can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course," Shelby said, putting her phone down and giving Tori her full attention.

Tori took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and relief at finally voicing her thoughts. "I have a crush on Jade. And it's complicated because she's my friend's girlfriend, and she hates my guts."

Shelby raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Wow, that's a tough one. Does Jade know how you feel?"

"No," Tori admitted. "And I don't think I can tell her. It would just make things even more complicated. But it's so hard seeing her with Beck, especially when I have to help them get back together."

Shelby leaned back, thinking for a moment before offering her advice. "Tori, I think the first thing you need to do is figure out what you really want. If you really want to pursue something with Jade, you need to be honest with her, even if it's scary. If you think it's not worth the risk, then you have to find a way to move on and support your friend."

Tori nodded, appreciating Shelby's straightforwardness. "I guess I'm just scared of ruining everything. What if she hates me even more after I tell her?"

"That's a risk you'll have to take," Shelby said gently. "But sometimes, being honest about your feelings is the only way to truly move forward. And who knows? Maybe Jade will surprise you."

Tori smiled weakly, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Shelby. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime," Shelby replied, giving her a reassuring pat on the back. "Now, let's get ready for this wedding and try to enjoy ourselves. We can deal with all the drama when we get back."

Tori nodded, feeling a bit lighter. She still had a lot to figure out, but at least she wasn't facing it alone.