The auditorium buzzed with a low hum of voices as people settled into their seats. It was packed with people but I barely noticed. I shifted uncomfortably in mine, glancing at the program for what felt like the tenth time. Trina's big recital was supposed to be the highlight of the evening, but if past performances were any indication, it was going to be... rough. I feel like I was suckered to be here, hooked on it just being an audition or some chiz. But nope. Had to put on a pretty dress and get dolled up.

Still, we were all here- Mom, Dad, and me- ready to support her like we always did. Even if it meant enduring two hours of Trina's overly dramatic singing and questionable choreography.

"Isn't this exciting?" Mom whispered, her eyes shining with pride as she smiled at me.

"Yeah, exciting," I replied, forcing a grin. It wasn't that I didn't care about supporting Trina; it was just... her performances always left me squirming in my seat. I wanted her to be great, I really did, but most of the time, she was just so over the top. Her singing was pitchy, movements clunky, and it was downright hard to watch.

Dad leaned over, catching my expression. "Remember, we're here for moral support," he whispered, his lips curving into a smirk.

I snorted softly, but my humour died when the lights dimmed, signalling the start of the show. I braced myself as the heavy red curtains pulled back, revealing an overly elaborate set that screamed extra, which could only mean one thing: Trina.

She strode out confidently, her glittering, neon outfit catching the spotlight. Her hair was styled in tight curls that bounced with every exaggerated step she took, and of course, she was holding the mic like she was the star of her very own Broadway show.

The music started loud, of course, and Trina launched into a dramatic number, her voice blaring but not exactly in tune. I cringed internally as she attempted to hit a high note that wasn't anywhere close. Mom, however, was beaming, clapping softly along to the beat. Always the supporter, even if said support ventured into delusion. It was… Sweet I guess. I mean it could be worse. I'm not sure how right now and I think my ears are bleeding. Who am I kidding? Nothing is worse than supporting this.

I leaned back in my seat, trying to tune out the more painful parts of the performance. Dad coughed beside me, and I knew it was him trying not to laugh. I nudged him with my elbow, but it was hard not to chuckle when Trina's attempt at choreography involved awkwardly spinning in circles like she was lost on stage.

The second song wasn't any better. Trina belted out lyrics as if her life depended on it, completely unaware of the squirming audience. I couldn't help but admire her confidence, though. No matter how off-pitch or disjointed her dancing was, Trina always gave it her all, and that took guts.

An hour in, I had resigned myself to my fate. The third song, something about following your dreams, was no better than the first two, but at least it signalled the nearing end of the performance. I tried to clap politely after each song, but my hands felt heavier each time.

When Trina took her final bow, the applause was... polite. Mom, of course, stood up for a standing ovation, and Dad followed, looking highly amused. I slowly rose to my feet, clapping a little harder than I felt, if only to avoid the inevitable pouty Trina face if we didn't.

As the curtains closed, Trina disappeared backstage, and the audience slowly began to shuffle out of the auditorium. I glanced at Mom, who was absolutely glowing.

"Wasn't she just wonderful?" she gushed.

I hesitated for a second before offering a nod. "Yeah, she really gave it her all." Which was technically true.

Dad chuckled, patting me on the back heartily. "That's the spirit, kid."

We made our way to the lobby, waiting for Trina to emerge. After a few minutes, she finally came strutting out, still in full costume, her face lit up with excitement. Beaming so brightly at us it almost hurt to look at. Wait, are those gems on her teeth?

"Did you see me?" she squealed, running over to us. "I was amazing, right?"

Mom pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing her much to Trina's dismay. "You were incredible, sweetie. So proud of you!"

Dad gave her a supportive pat on the shoulder. "You did brilliant, kiddo."

When her eyes landed on me, I plastered on a smile. "Yeah, Trina. You were... unforgettable." That part, at least, was true.

She beamed, clearly satisfied with the praise. "I knew you guys would love it. I totally nailed that high note in the second song, right?"

"Uh, sure," I said, dodging that question with a quick glance at my phone.

I had a text from Sam.

Sam: I miss you, Vega. Get your ass back here soon.

There was a winky face at the end of it, which made my stomach flip.

As Mom and Trina chatted away, I made up my mind, breaking up their thrilling conversation. "Hey, I think I'm gonna head back to campus today," I said, sliding my phone into my pocket. The sun was still out and it was just about lunch time, giving me enough time to drive back with some daylight left for myself.

Mom turned to me, her smile fading slightly. "But I thought you were going to stay another night?"

I shrugged, trying to play it casual. "Yeah, but I've got a lot of work to catch up on before tomorrow, and I'd rather get a head start."

"Oh, right," she said, her eyes softening. "Well, I'm glad you came home for the recital. It meant a lot to Trina."

"Yeah, it was fun," I lied, giving Trina a small smile. "You'll have to fill me in on all the post-recital gossip."

Trina beamed. "Don't worry, I will!"

We said our brief goodbyes, and as I walked to the car, I felt a strange blend of emotions. Sure, the recital had been rough, but there was still that sense of pride in seeing my sister do something she loved- even if it made my ears bleed.

The drive back to campus was quiet, the hum of the engine and the rhythmic swish of passing streetlights providing a sense of calm after the assault to my eardrums which was Trina's 'whatever it was'. I sighed, gripping the wheel a little tighter, letting the tension of the night fade away. As much as I loved my family, I was glad to be heading back to the relative peace of my dorm.

I could chill in my bed, do an assignment or two, and binge eat ice cream and watch family guy. I still have my weekend, I will not be blamed for lounging around in my pyjamas.

It's a few hours later when I pull into my parking spot, shaded by a large oak tree.

I glanced down at my phone resting in the cup holder. I hadn't responded to Sam's last message yet. The thought of her made my pulse quicken, a small smile tugging at my lips as I unlocked the screen.

Tori: Hey, just got back to campus. Miss you too.

I typed, fingers flying over the keys.

Hitting send, I settled back into the driver's seat, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

As I stepped out and onto the sidewalk the campus was quiet, most students likely holed up inside preparing for the week ahead. I grabbed my bag and headed to my room, still replaying the text in my mind. Sam had a way of making me feel all fluttery inside, like there was something new and thrilling waiting around the corner whenever we talked.

I remember when she-who-will-not-be-named-right-now, used to make me feel like that. But those moments were very few and far between.

It was a short walk to my dorm building, and I grin as I see my door.

I unlocked it and flicked on the light, Cat and I's dorm room greeted me with its usual cosy clutter. The familiar sight of scattered notebooks, a pile of laundry I swore I'd get to, and a few posters tacked unevenly to the my wall made me feel instantly at ease. Tossing my keys onto the desk, I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto the bed, letting out a long, tired breath.

Just as I was starting to get comfortable, ready to unwind from the long day, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I groaned and reached over, expecting some random notification, but then I saw the name flash across the screen: Cat.

Before I could even think about what it might be, the door burst open, and there she was, Cat Valentine, in all her bubbly, tumultuous energy.

"Tori!" she squealed, rushing in and plopping down on the bed beside me. "I've been looking everywhere for you! We're going out tonight, and you have to come with us!"

I blinked, still trying to process the whirlwind that had just entered. "Going out? With who?"

"With the guys! Beck, André, Robbie! Jade too! Everyone's going! We're going to this cool new place downtown with karaoke and dancing and snacks! It's gonna be so fun!" Cat's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she grabbed my arm, shaking me a little. "Pleeease come, Tori! You've been so busy lately with school and stuff, and you never hang out with us anymore!"

I laughed softly, sitting up a bit. She was kinda right, I'd barely seen any of them since orientation. Other than Jade, whom I shared classes with. I did miss them, that much was true. "I don't know, Cat. I'm pretty wiped from the time with my family. I was kind of planning on just relaxing."

Cat's expression immediately turned into a pout, her bottom lip quivering in that dramatic way she always did when she wasn't getting her way. It reminded me very much of Trina.

"But Tori… it'll be so much fun! You can't stay in and be boring all day!"

I hesitated, glancing over at the pile of homework waiting for me. But then again, maybe I did need a break. It wasn't like I'd had much fun over the weekend, especially after sitting through Trina's recital. Plus, it wasn't every day we all had a chance to get together.

"Alright, alright," I finally caved, rolling my eyes with a smile. "I'll go. But only because you asked nicely."

Cat squealed in delight and threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "Yay! I'm so excited! You won't regret it, I promise!"

I shook my head, laughing as I hugged her back. "You'd better be right, Cat."

She bounced off the bed, already texting the group. "I'll let everyone know! We'll meet at Beck's in an hour. Oh, and wear something cute!" She winked before practically skipping out of the room.

Cute? Sure I can do that.

I stared at the now empty doorway, still processing the sudden change in plans. A quiet day alone had turned into a day out with friends, which is probably going to lead into a night out. I pressed my fingers to my temple, trying to decide if I could handle the excitement.

My phone buzzed again, amidst the chaos I forgot I had texted Sam.

Sam: I'm outside. I couldn't wait until Monday. Wanna hang now?

My heart skipped a beat. I stared at the message for a moment, the excitement and surprise making my stomach flip. Now?

They want to see me, now!?

Without even thinking, I shot up from my bed and quickly checked my reflection in the mirror. Messy hair, slightly tired eyes, but otherwise, I didn't look half bad. I grabbed my jacket and texted back, while also texting Cat back that I couldn't make it. Guilt hit me like a freight train. Cancelling plans never ended well, but I'd been excited practically all weekend, and I did not have the energy to deal with Jade right now. She'd wazz me off like always, with her confusing looks and glances, and half mumbled sentences.

So I tapped a few keys and confirmed.

Tori: Sure, come up.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at my open door. I tilted my head to find Sam standing there, a smirk on her face, her signature leather jacket slung over her shoulders. Her dark hair was messy in that effortlessly cool way, and there was that mischievous glint in her eyes that always made me feel like I was about to embark on some kind of adventure.

"Hey, sunshine," she said, leaning casually against the door frame. "Couldn't wait until Monday, huh?" Her voice was low, teasing.

I laughed, feeling a little flushed under her gaze. "Guess not. So... what's the plan?"

Sam shrugged, stepping inside. "I figured we could grab a coffee or something. Or..." She raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "I've got my bike downstairs. We could go for a ride. Maybe a little surprise along the way. What do you say?"

I blinked, the idea of hopping on the back of Sam's motorcycle sending a thrill of excitement through me. "Now?" I asked, glancing at the clock. It wasn't that late, but it was unexpected.

"Why not?" Sam leaned in closer, her voice dropping. "Unless you're scared."

My pulse quickened, and suddenly, all the exhaustion from the long day at home melted away. I bit my lip, grinning. "Not even a little."

"Good," she said with a wink. "Let's go."

I quickly grabbed my things, throwing on a jacket and stuffing my phone into my pocket. As we walked down the stairs together, the cool night air hit me, making me feel alive. Sam led me to their motorcycle parked just outside the dorm. It was a sleek, black beauty that looked as intimidating as it was exciting.

They handed me a spare helmet, their cheshire grin still firmly in place. I take the helmet and smirk.

"You brought an extra one assuming I'd agree?" they chuckled to herself and slid hers on.

"Well I was right wasn't I? Hop on, sunshine."

I didn't need to be told twice.

I barely had time to second-guess my decision before I found myself sitting behind them, arms wrapped around their waist as we sped through the streets. The city lights blurred past us, the cool breeze whipping through my hair as we zoomed out of the bustling campus area.

Sam didn't tell me where we were going, only that it would be fun. As we rode along the coast, the sky open and bright overhead, I realised I didn't care. The thrill of the ride and the feel of her warm presence in front of me was all I needed. Every little bump and turn sent adrenaline soaring through me and I loved it. There was nothing better than this, and I would have been crazy to refuse.

After a while, we stopped at a small art gallery, its lights glowing warmly against the evening sky. "I thought you might like this," Sam said as they took off their helmet and flashed me that signature wink. "Figured we'd start off slow."

The gallery was small but full of charm, with modern pieces that sparked conversation and abstract paintings that made us both laugh. We wandered around, chatting about everything from art to college life, to how much Sam hated waking up early. It was easy, comfortable, even though the butterflies never quite left my stomach.

After the gallery, we found a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant nearby, tucked away from the busier parts of town. We sat outside on the patio, sharing appetisers and laughing over the ridiculous stories Sam had from their part-time job. They worked bar at one of the clubs near campus. The thought alone made me shudder. But sat wit them, I felt at ease, and for the first time in a while, I wasn't thinking about school or Jade or the disarray of my life.

When dinner was over, Sam leaned back in their chair and stretched, grinning at me. I admit, I watched that little sliver of skin that appeared when their arms stretched out above their head. So freaking hot. "Ready for the last part of our adventure?"

I raised an eyebrow. "There's more?"

"Oh yeah." they stood up, holding out their ring adorned hand. "Come on."

We got back on the motorbike, and this time, we rode further down the coast. The city gave way to quieter roads, and soon, all I could hear was the sound of the ocean in the distance. Sam pulled over at a secluded spot along the beach, where we could see the waves rolling under the moonlight.

"Thought you might like the view," Sam said, their voice softer now, more intimate.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, glancing from the horizon to their features, glowing softly in the setting sun. And at that moment, I couldn't help but think how easy it felt to be here with them. Nothing I'd ever had with anyone had felt this way. So comfortable and at ease. It was different, I liked it but it also terrified me more than I was willing to admit.

We stayed there for a while, sitting on the beach, just talking and watching the waves. Time seemed to slow down, and as the cool night air settled in, I realised how much I didn't want this night to end.

Their hand snaked over the sand to intertwine with my fingers. I took them softly.

Eventually, Sam looked over at me, their eyes glinting mischievously. "So, how about we don't wait until Monday after all?"

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "You're impossible."

But as I looked at them, sitting there with the moonlight casting shadows across her face, I realised maybe impossible wasn't such a bad thing after all.

They;d stripped off their jacket some time ago and was left in baggy black jeans and a band tee that hugged their waist.

We sat in silence for a while, the sound of the ocean filling the gaps between our conversation. The night was peaceful, the moon casting a soft glow over the waves. Sam shifted closer to me on the sand, their arm brushing against mine. I glanced over, feeling my heart pound a little faster.

Their gaze was steady, lips curved into a small, knowing smile. They leaned in slightly, and I felt the warmth of their breath against my skin. My mind raced as their larger hand gently touched my face, their thumb grazing my cheek.

Before I knew it, Sam's lips were on mine, soft, warm, and full of a tenderness that took me by surprise. For a moment, I melted into the kiss, my heart fluttering in my chest as the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of us, the beach, and the quiet waves. It felt nice, it felt right but only for a fleeting second.

Because just as quickly as I kissed them back, something inside me tensed.

Her name name echoed in my mind like a siren, and I couldn't shake it. The memories of what Jade and I shared, complicated and messy as they were, still held a tight grip on me. I thought I'd moved past it, that I could let someone like Sam in. Though now, I wasn't so sure.

I pulled back, breaking the kiss. My breath hitched, and I could see the confusion flicker in Sam's eyes as they watched me carefully.

"Tori?" They asked, their voice soft and questioning.

I blinked, swallowing hard as I tried to find the right words, but they wouldn't come easily. "I'm sorry," I whispered, looking down at the sand, my fingers nervously tracing patterns in it. "I just... I'm not sure if I'm ready for this."

Sam tilted their head, not pulling away completely but giving me space. "It's okay," they said quietly, tone calm and understanding. "You don't have to explain if you're not ready. I just—" Sam paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "I thought maybe..."

"I know," I interrupted gently, forcing myself to meet their gaze. "I want to, Sam. I really do. It's just... complicated."

Sam's lips pressed into a thin line, their eyes searching mine as if trying to piece together what I wasn't saying. "Jade?" They asked after a beat, and the way they said her name felt like they already knew..

I nodded slowly, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "Yeah," I admitted, my voice barely audible. "There's still... a lot I haven't processed with her. And I don't want to mess this up because of that."

Sam sighed softly but didn't look upset. If anything, they looked like they'd understood more than I'd expected. "Tori, it's okay to be confused. I mean, Jade's... Jade. That's not exactly easy to deal with."

I let out a weak laugh at that, grateful for their honesty. "Yeah, tell me about it."

We sat there for a moment, the weight of my admission hanging in the air between us. Sam didn't push or pry, didn't try to make me feel bad for pulling back. They just sat there, their hand still resting lightly on mine, offering me comfort in the quiet.

"I don't want to rush you," they mentioned after a while. "And I'm not looking for anything more than what you're ready to give. I like you, Tori, but I also know that figuring things out takes time."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and guilt at the same time. "Thanks, Sam," I murmured, squeezing their hand gently. "I think I really like you too, I just... I don't know what to do with all of this."

"You don't have to know right now," Sam said, voice steady and reassuring.

I smiled at them, grateful for their patience, even if my heart still felt conflicted. The night hadn't turned out the way I expected, but in a strange way, that was okay. Sam was kind, understanding, and willing to give me the space I needed. And maybe, that was exactly what I want, time to figure out where I stood with everything.

As we sat there on the beach, side by side, I realised that while I wasn't ready to dive headfirst into something new, I wasn't closed off to it either. I just had to take it slow- figure out what I wanted, and more importantly, what I was ready for.

Because even though Jade's memory still lingered in my thoughts, there was something undeniably special about being here with Sam. And maybe, just maybe, that was worth holding onto.

It could be worthwhile if I decided to give it a chance.

The night drew on, and realising we had classes in the morning, we decided to head back.

Sam and I rode back in comfortable silence, the cool night air rushing past us as their motorcycle roared down the coast. I held onto their waist tightly, my mind still swirling with everything that had happened. Despite the tension, there was a strange sense of peace in the moment.

When we pulled up outside my dorm, the bike coming to a slow stop, I glanced up at the sky. The stars were bright, scattered across the night like tiny diamonds. It felt almost surreal how calm everything was compared to the turmoil inside my head.

But then I heard it, a loud, heated voice cutting through the stillness of the night. I looked toward the entrance of the dorm building and immediately recognised them.

Jade and Beck.

They were standing just outside, locked in what was clearly an intense argument. Beck's arms were crossed, his jaw clenched, while Jade paced back and forth, her hands gesturing wildly as she shouted at him.

"You're obsessed with her. It's not healthy, Jade!" Beck's voice was sharp, exasperation clear on his face. His words hit like a punch to the gut.

Jade's face twisted in anger. "I am not obsessed!" she snapped, her eyes flashing dangerously. "You just can't handle that I'm done letting you control everything!"

Beck sighed, shaking his head. "I'm not trying to control you, but I can't keep doing this. You're not being honest with yourself. And I... I can't be with someone who's constantly focused on someone else."

I froze, my heart pounding. Was he talking about me?

Jade took a step closer to him, her voice dropping lower, but still brimming with fury. "You're just jealous."

Beck let out a bitter laugh. "Jealous? No, Jade. I'm done. I've tried, but this... us... it's not working anymore." He ran a hand through his hair and looked away, as if the decision was tearing him apart. "We're done, Jade." His eyes sparkled as he walked off, not looking back.

For a moment, there was complete silence. Jade stood there, staring at his receding back in shock, her forest eyes wide. The anger on her face wavered, replaced by something else, something raw.

But it only lasted a second.

She noticed Sam and me, watching from the distance, amongst others who'd gathered and her expression hardened again. The vulnerability vanished, replaced by a cold fury.

"Great," she spat, turning on her heel. "Just great. Another audience for the freak show." Her eyes lingered on me for a moment, the venom clear. Without another word, she stormed off, her boots stomping against the pavement, disappearing into the night.

I let out a breath I didn't realise I'd been holding. It shuddered through me and I took a moment to steady myself while hopping off behind Sam and handing their helmet back.

"Wow..." Sam muttered, their eyes wide, glancing between me and the spot where Jade had just vanished. "That was... intense."

"Yeah," I whispered, my voice barely audible, my stomach twisted into knots. I turned to Sam, guilt creeping in. "I'm so sorry, Sam. I didn't know... I didn't know this would happen. You don't deserve to get dragged into Jade's mess."

Sam gave me a soft, understanding smile, shaking their head. "Hey, it's okay. You can't control what other people do. And for what it's worth, it's not your fault." They gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "But... if you need to talk to her, I get it. Don't worry about me. I'll see you later, okay?"

I nodded, grateful for their patience, but still feeling torn inside. "Thanks, Sam. I... I'll talk to you soon."

They smiled one more time before slipping their helmet back on and starting their bike. "Take care of yourself. I'll be around when you're ready." With that, they revved the engine and took off, leaving me standing outside my dorm, staring in the direction Jade had gone.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself, then followed after her without questioning the idiocy of my decision.

It didn't take long to catch up. Jade wasn't moving quickly; she was too furious for that. She was pacing on the sidewalk just outside the campus gates, her fists clenched, her chest rising and falling with sharp breaths.

"Jade," I called out softly as I approached.

She didn't turn around. "Not now, Vega," she growled, her voice low.

I hesitated, but I wasn't about to walk away. "Jade, I... I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

She finally turned to face me, her eyes blazing. "You wanna know if I'm okay?" she spat, stepping closer to me. "Why? So you can feel better about yourself? So you can pretend like you didn't just watch my entire relationship fall apart in front of you? Where have you even been all weekend huh? Then you show up with them?"

I flinched at her words, but stood my ground. "No, Jade. I just... I care about you. I'm not trying to make this worse." I refuse to bring up where I'd been, feeling it would set her off more and grit my teeth.

She let out a harsh laugh, shaking her head. "Of course you care. That's what you do, isn't it? Miss Perfect Tori Vega- always so nice, always so... caring." She stepped even closer, her face inches from mine now, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, guess what, Vega? Caring doesn't fix everything. It sure as hell isn't going to fix this."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel the weight of her anger pressing down on me, but beneath it, there was something else. Something softer. Something that made my stomach twist in ways I couldn't fully understand.

"Jade," I said quietly, my voice steady despite the storm swirling around us. "I'm not trying to fix anything. I just... I don't want you to go through this alone."

Her eyes flickered, just for a moment, before she looked away. "I don't need your pity, Tori."

"It's not pity," I insisted. "It's... I don't know what it is, but it's not that."

For a second, it looked like she might say something. Her mouth opened, then closed, and she looked away again, her expression unreadable.

"Just go, Vega," she muttered, her voice hoarse. "Go back to your perfect little life and leave me the fuck alone."

I stood there, frozen, not sure what to say or do. But I didn't move.

Jade turned her back to me, arms crossed tightly over her chest, the tension radiating off her in waves. My heart was pounding, but I wasn't going to just walk away.

Not this time.

"Jade," I said softly, stepping closer. "I'm not going anywhere."

She whipped around, her eyes narrowing into a glare that could cut glass. "What part of 'leave me alone' do you not understand, Vega? You think you're being some kind of hero? Some selfless, perfect person who's here to rescue me? I don't need rescuing."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to stay calm even though her words stung. "I'm not trying to rescue you, Jade. I just... I don't want to watch you hurt yourself like this."

"Hurt myself?" Jade's laugh was sharp, biting. She stepped closer, her face inches from mine now, the intensity of her glare making my pulse quicken. "You think I'm some kind of damsel in distress? Some charity case for you to feel good about helping?"

I shook my head, standing my ground despite the way she towered over me in her boots. "No, Jade. That's not what I'm saying. I just—"

"Just what, Vega?" she snapped, cutting me off. "What do you want from me? You don't even know me."

"I do know you," I insisted, my voice firm but gentle. "Maybe not everything, but I know you're pushing people away because it's easier than letting them in."

For a second, something flared in her eyes. But then it was gone, replaced by the familiar wall of cold per usual. She scoffed, taking a step back. "You don't know anything, Vega."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm even though every instinct was telling me to retreat. I was the little scared gazelle, and Jade? The lion, ready to pounce. "Maybe I don't know everything, but I know what it's like to pretend you're okay when you're not. To act like nothing hurts you when you're falling apart inside."

Jade's jaw tightened, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "You don't know what I'm feeling. You don't know me, Tori."

Tori? I gulped and stepped closer, trying to reach her.

"I know enough to care," I said, my voice soft but steady. "And I'm not going to stop caring just because you want to push me away."

Her eyes flickered again, this time longer, and I saw something I hadn't expected; fear. She turned her head slightly, breaking eye contact, and for the first time that night, her anger seemed to falter.

"Why?" she muttered, her voice barely audible. "Why do you even care?"

"Because..." I hesitated, searching for the right words. "Because I see you, Jade. The real you. Not just the angry, tough girl who pushes people away. I see someone who's hurting, and it doesn't matter how many walls you put up, I'm not going to stop caring."

For a long moment, Jade just stared at me, her expression unreadable. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the way she fought to keep her guard up even as it crumbled around her. Finally, she let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping just a little and she leant against the rough brick wall.

"You're so stupid, Vega," she muttered, though there was no real bite in her voice. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

"Maybe," I said, taking a small step closer. "But I'm still here."

Jade's eyes softened for a split second, before she quickly turned away, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "I don't need your sympathy."

"It's not sympathy," I insisted, moving to stand beside her. "It's just me, being here for you."

She was quiet for a long moment, her gaze fixed on the pavement beneath her feet. "Beck's right, you know," she muttered finally. "I'm... I'm messed up. I don't know how to feel about anything. I don't know what I want."

"You don't have to know right now," I said gently. "Just... let yourself figure it out. You don't have to push everyone away in the meantime."

Jade's eyes flickered toward me, the vulnerability returning. "You're really not going to give up, are you?"

"Nope," I said with a small, reassuring smile.

She sighed, shaking her head slightly. "You're insane."

"Maybe," I teased lightly, hoping to diffuse the tension that had been crackling between us like a live wire. "But so are you."

For the briefest moment, a tiny, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of Jade's lips. It was almost imperceptible, but I caught it. I always did when it came to her. She quickly wiped it away, though, like it had never existed.

"Fine," she muttered, her voice quieter, more resigned than before. "But don't think this means I like you or anything." There was a flicker of her usual biting sarcasm, but it didn't land with its usual force. There was something softer, almost exposed beneath her words.

I laughed softly, the tension in my chest easing just a little. "Wouldn't dream of it."

For the first time that night, there was a moment of calm between us. The kind of quiet that felt heavy, but not uncomfortable. The kind that made it seem like, for once, neither of us had to fill the space with cutting remarks or defensive jabs. The tension had lifted, even if just slightly, and I found myself looking at Jade in a way I hadn't before, or maybe I had, but hadn't let myself realise.

She was still Jade. Complicated, guarded, unpredictable, and maybe a little bit lost. But standing there, with her walls finally starting to show cracks, I could see past the tough exterior. She was hurting. And despite everything, I cared. More than I wanted to admit, more than I probably should.

I shifted on my feet, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. "Come on," I said after a beat of silence that felt almost too long. "Let's get out of here. I'll walk you home."

Jade didn't argue, which was a surprise in itself. No sarcastic retort, no eye roll, no biting comment about not needing me. Instead, she just nodded, turning toward the building where we both lived. We were neighbours, in a way, our dorm rooms only a few doors apart. I'd never thought much of it before, but now, it felt like some strange twist of fate.

We walked in silence, the dimly lit hallway of the building eerily quiet at this late hour. Our footsteps echoed softly against the walls, and though neither of us said anything, the quiet didn't feel uncomfortable. In fact, it felt... easy. Like maybe we didn't need to fill the space with our usual bickering.

As we reached the hallway that branched off to our respective rooms, Jade paused. Her eyes flickered to mine for a brief second before she quickly looked away. "Thanks," she mumbled, shoving her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket. "For not being a complete idiot tonight."

I smiled, though my heart ached a little at how hard it seemed for her to say something nice. "Anytime."

She stood there for a second longer, her body stiff, as if she was debating something internally. I thought she might say more. But then, with a curt nod, she turned away, heading toward her room just down the hall.

"Goodnight, Vega," she called over her shoulder, her voice already slipping back into that stony neutral tone.

"Goodnight, Jade," I replied, watching her disappear into her room.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, wondering what had just happened. Something between us had shifted tonight. It wasn't drastic, and I knew Jade wasn't about to start wearing her heart on her sleeve. But still, for a brief moment, I'd seen through a crack in her walls. And I couldn't help but wonder what it meant for us, neighbours, enemies, friends, or something else entirely.

With a sigh, I turned and headed toward my own room, just a few doors down. As I fumbled for my keys, my heart still beating fast, I realised one thing for certain: Jade West was never going to be easy. But for some reason, I wasn't sure I wanted her to be.

Where would the fun be in that?

Thanks so much for reading up to here :) This was a lot of fun to write. I'm really enjoying my oc Sam, and now that Jade's slowly starting to break down those walls I'll incorporate a tonne more JORI!

To respond to some reviews:

alex02: Tori's mom and dad are still together, no divorce, but we shall have to see what happens :) Thanks for leaving your comment!

Luchsoltrane: Mom is definitely okay, as will her dad be. I don't want to give Tori parental issues when it come to sexuality/gender/identity or anything. As for Trina, well she's only trying to get under her skin right?

NEO: I hope you liked the date between Tori and Sam, if unofficially so!

Invader Johnny : Thanks for your reviews! You give really great insights that make my day!

If you're new here don't forget to fave and follow along, give a review to let me know what you think or offer criticism! Thanks guys. See you next time :)