I don't even know...

Chapter 9

The Asphalt Café was buzzing with life. Fairy lights strung above the tables flickered softly in the twilight as groups of students swayed to the DJ's music. Vic leaned against the wall, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Jade was by the punch table, looking annoyed as Beck lingered a little too close for comfort, his voice cutting through the music like nails on a chalkboard.

Vic, in Tori's borrowed skin, felt the tension rising, knowing full well how Beck's possessive streak would play out. He hated Vic—Vic, who had suddenly swooped in and taken Jade's attention away.

" Where's Tori? She said she'd be here tonight," Jade said with a huff, looking around the dance floor.

Andre, standing beside her, shot a glance in Vic's direction, trying to remain casual. "She's around. Probably grabbing something to drink or avoiding this whole scene. You know Tori." His voice was easy, but Vic caught the edge in his tone.

Tori had been avoiding this confrontation long enough. The dance was supposed to be about fun, not… this. She'd already committed to playing the part of Vic tonight. But now, with Jade expecting both sides of her life to show up, everything felt like it was spiraling out of control.

Before Vic could step forward, Beck's voice cut through the crowd again, dripping with that familiar condescension. "Come on, Jade. You can't seriously be with this guy. Vic?" Beck's sneer was evident, his eyes rolling as he crossed his arms. "You're just doing this to piss me off."

Jade squared her shoulders, her eyes darkening with that familiar defiance. *"What I do isn't about you, Beck. And I'm serious about Vic. You don't get to come in here and start calling the shots again."*

Beck stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over at Vic with pure disdain. *"So, that's it? You're ditching me for *this*? What happened to us, Jade?"*

Vic clenched his fists, holding back a wave of anger. Beck didn't know. He thought this was just about Vic. He didn't know about Tori—about the nights Jade had been honest with both of them, or the complicated feelings Vic and Tori had been drowning in for weeks.

"What happened?" Jade's voice was sharp as she turned fully to face Beck. *"You happened. I moved on. I'm with Vic now, and I'm happy. You should try it sometime."*

Beck's face twisted into something darker. "Happy? With him?" He shot Vic a disgusted look, taking a step toward Jade. "You can't be serious. Vic's just some—some joke."

Vic's heart pounded in his chest. Jade's words were a balm, but the knot of anxiety inside him tightened. This wasn't just about Beck. This was about *her*—Tori, hiding in plain sight, pretending to be someone else because she was too scared to face what it would mean to come clean.

"I don't care what you think," Jade shot back, her voice steady. *"This isn't about you."*

Beck scoffed, but before he could say anything more, Jade turned on her heel, facing Vic with fire in her eyes. *"Let's go."*

And then, before Vic could process what was happening, Jade's hands were on his collar, pulling him forward.

Her lips crashed into his.

Vic's mind went blank as Jade kissed him. Every thought, every piece of logic, flew out the window as her lips moved against his. It was different from before—more desperate, more intense, as if she was making a point not just to Beck, but to herself.

Vic—Tori—was frozen for a moment, caught in the push and pull of her emotions. But as Jade deepened the kiss, her hands gripping his jacket like she couldn't stand to let go, Tori found herself kissing back, losing herself in the sensation.

Beck's sharp exhale of disbelief was faint in the background, but neither of them seemed to care. Jade pressed closer, her fingers tangling in Vic's hair, and Tori could feel her heart pounding in her chest—too fast, too loud.

Beck made a noise, something between anger and disgust, before storming off into the night, muttering under his breath.

But Jade didn't stop. She didn't pull away when Beck left. If anything, she kissed Vic harder, more desperately, her lips demanding and forceful, like she was trying to make the world disappear for a while.

The world outside blurred. The music, the lights, the people—they all faded into the background as Jade pulled Vic toward the parking lot, her lips still locked on his.

They reached Vic's car, the metal cool against their backs as they stumbled against it, hands still tangled in each other's clothes. Vic—Tori—knew she should stop. She knew this was going too far, too fast, but the weight of Jade's body pressed against hers drowned out every rational thought.

The kiss deepened, Jade's hands exploring Vic's chest, her breath hot against his skin. "God, I've wanted this for so long," Jade murmured between kisses, her voice low and breathless.

Vic's heart clenched. She wanted this too—she had always wanted Jade—but not like this. Not with this lie hanging between them, weighing down every kiss, every touch.

They tumbled into the backseat, clothes quickly being discarded, the heat between them building with every second. Vic tried to slow down, tried to find a moment to breathe, but Jade was relentless, her need pushing aside everything else.

As they moved together, the weight of what was happening crashed down on Tori like a tidal wave.

This wasn't just a kiss anymore. It wasn't just Jade trying to prove something to Beck. This was more. So much more. And it was all wrong.

After, they lay tangled in the backseat, breath slowing, the windows fogged up, the car silent except for the soft hum of their breathing.

Jade rested her head on Vic's chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his skin. "I knew it would be good with you," she whispered, her voice soft and content. "I always knew."

Vic—Tori—stared up at the ceiling, her mind spinning. Jade's words echoed in her ears, but they didn't feel right. None of this felt right.

Tori's heart twisted painfully as Jade snuggled closer, oblivious to the storm raging inside her. This wasn't how things were supposed to be. She wasn't supposed to be here, in this moment, like this.

Not as Vic.

But the truth was buried so deep now, Tori didn't know if she could ever bring it to the surface without losing everything.

Vic shifted awkwardly in the driver's seat, the weight of what just happened still hanging between them. The cool night air had seeped into the car, and they sat in silence for a moment, clothes back on but a tension crackling in the small space.

Jade leaned back against the seat, eyes closed for a moment, letting out a soft breath. Vic couldn't tell if it was satisfaction or something else. She turned to him, her fingers brushing through her messy hair as she spoke softly.

"We should get some coffee," Vic suggested, forcing casualness into his voice. He hoped it would give him a moment to breathe, to think, to figure out what the hell he was going to do next.

Jade blinked and looked over at him, her expression thoughtful, like she was still processing everything. "I—" She paused, biting her lip. "Actually, I need to check on Tori."

Vic's heart lurched. "T-Tori?" He tried to keep the panic out of his voice.

Jade nodded, her hand resting on the door handle. "Yeah. I just… I feel like I haven't seen her all night. She was supposed to be here." She glanced at her phone, like she half expected a message from Tori. "I think I'm just gonna drive over to her house, make sure everything's okay."

The panic was rising fast now. "Oh, uh, that's a good idea," Vic stammered. *"I'll… catch you later then?"*

Jade gave him a soft smile, leaning in to brush a final kiss against his lips before she slipped out of the car. "Yeah. See you later, Vic."

As soon as Jade's car pulled away, Vic's heart pounded in his chest. *Tori's house.* Jade was headed there—where she thought Tori would be.

Tori hit the gas, speeding down the street as fast as she could without getting pulled over. The plan was simple—get there before Jade, switch back into herself, and act like nothing happened.

But her stomach churned with guilt. The feel of Jade's lips, the way she kissed Vic, the way they… Tori shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside as she raced toward her house.

The lights of Los Angeles blurred past as she sped through the streets, her heart hammering in time with the rush of the engine. She had to make it. She had to.

Tori threw the car into park with a screech, not even taking the time to shut the door as she sprinted toward the house. Her heart raced as she burst through the front door, catching a glimpse of her parents on the couch, their attention fixed on the TV.

"Tori?" her mom called, but Tori was already bounding up the stairs, her thoughts spinning. *What have I done?* The sheer weight of the night pressed on her, and she felt the flush of guilt creeping into her cheeks.

"Just need to shower!" she shouted back, her voice strained as she darted into the bathroom. The moment she caught her reflection in the mirror, panic surged through her. *Vic's* confident, laid-back face was still lingering there, but Tori's heart sank.

Why did I let this happen?

With trembling hands, she scrambled to touch where the amulet had been , now a permanent part of her that she couldn't take off, and sighed.

She quickly stripped off Vic's clothes, tossing them into the hamper, and cranked the shower to the hottest setting. Steam filled the room as she stepped under the scalding water, willing the heat to wash away the night's events. She felt Vic's form begin to fade, her own reflection surfacing amidst the steam.

The water cascaded down, but no amount of scrubbing could erase the memory of what had just happened in the car with Jade—how Jade had kissed her, kissed Vic, desperately, hungrily, until everything blurred into a heat of passion.

Tori buried her face in her hands, feeling tears mingle with the water streaming down her face. *God, what did I do?*

As she stood there, the sound of Jade's car pulling into the driveway sliced through the haze of guilt, sending her heart into a frenzy. Shit. She's here.

Downstairs, Jade walked in, pausing momentarily to exchange pleasantries with Tori's parents.

"Hey, Jade," Tori's dad greeted, giving her a nod as he focused back on the movie. "Tori just ran upstairs. Said something about needing a shower."

"Thanks!" Jade replied, already moving toward the stairs, a flash of concern flickering in her eyes.

Tori dried off quickly, wrapping a towel around herself just as Jade reached the bathroom door. She heard the soft knock and her heart skipped a beat.

"Tori?" Jade's voice was gentle, yet firm. "You okay in there?"

"Yeah! Just finishing up!" Tori called back, her voice slightly higher than usual, betraying the tension she felt.

When Jade didn't respond, Tori hurriedly finished drying off, her heart pounding. She was *still* Tori—still herself—but it felt like an entirely different reality when she stepped into the bedroom. Jade stood just outside the door, waiting.

The moment Tori emerged, she found Jade perched on the edge of her bed, watching her with an intensity that made Tori's stomach twist.

"Hey," Tori said softly, trying to keep her composure.

"Hey," Jade replied, her tone warm yet laced with something unreadable. "You disappeared from the dance pretty quickly. Everything okay?"

Tori swallowed hard. She felt her pulse quicken under Jade's gaze. "Yeah, I just wasn't feeling great."

Jade's brows furrowed, her eyes searching Tori's for any hint of truth. "You've been acting differently tonight," she observed.

Tori's heart raced; she felt exposed. *Does she know? Can she tell?*

"I don't know. Just a lot going on," Tori said, her voice faltering slightly.

Jade nodded slowly, not pressing further, but Tori could feel the weight of unasked questions hanging in the air.

"I was thinking..." Jade started, standing up and closing the distance between them. "You looked like you could use some company. Can I—"

Suddenly, Jade stepped closer, reaching out to tuck a damp strand of hair behind Tori's ear. The familiar warmth of Jade's touch sent shivers down Tori's spine, but it also deepened her guilt. *Jade doesn't know.*

Before she could overthink it, Tori stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Jade, pulling her into a tight embrace. Jade leaned into her, letting out a soft sigh that sent a pang of longing through Tori.

"Can we just hold each other?" Jade asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah," Tori breathed, her heart racing. She held Jade tightly, the warmth of her body anchoring Tori amidst the chaos swirling in her mind. Tori pressed her face into Jade's shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo, allowing herself a moment of solace.

They lay together for what felt like hours, Tori holding Jade close, relishing the warmth of their connection. But deep down, Tori knew this was only a temporary reprieve.

She couldn't keep running from the truth forever. Vic, Jade, the car, the kiss... It was all going to come crashing down.

As they settled into a comfortable embrace on Tori's bed, the weight of the world seemed to momentarily lift. The warmth of Jade's body against hers brought a sense of solace, but beneath the surface, Tori could feel the unresolved tension lingering in the air.

Jade shifted slightly, her fingers tracing small patterns on Tori's arm. After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tori, I need to tell you something."

Tori's heart raced, unsure of what Jade would say. "Okay," she replied cautiously, trying to sound encouraging despite the knot tightening in her stomach.

"I had… um, sex with Vic," Jade admitted, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she avoided Tori's gaze. "I wanted to be honest with you. I promised I would."

The confession hit Tori like a punch to the gut. Guilt washed over her, mingling with the confusion that had settled in her chest. "Oh," was all she could manage, her heart sinking as she tried to process the weight of Jade's words. "Why did you feel like you had to tell me that?"

"I just… I didn't want to hide anything from you," Jade replied, her voice steady but laced with vulnerability. "It felt wrong to keep it from you after everything."

Tori shifted slightly, searching for the right words, but they eluded her. "How was it?" she asked, the question slipping out before she could stop herself. She felt a mix of dread and curiosity, desperate to know but terrified of the answer.

Jade bit her lip, her blush deepening as she hesitated for a moment. "It was good. Better than with Beck," she admitted shyly, finally meeting Tori's eyes.

A startled laugh escaped Tori, surprising even herself. "Better than Beck?" she echoed, a small grin breaking through her worry. "That's a pretty bold claim!"

Jade chuckled softly, the tension between them easing slightly. "I didn't expect it, honestly. It just… happened."

Tori found herself relaxing, the playful banter helping to dispel some of her guilt. "Well, I guess I'm happy for you," she said, her smile genuine now. "It's good that you're enjoying yourself."

Jade's expression shifted, her gaze softening as she leaned in closer. "I really care about you, Tori. I just wanted to be honest, even if it's hard."

Tori felt a warmth spread through her at Jade's words, her heart swelling with affection. "I appreciate that," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I care about you too."

Without thinking, Tori leaned in, their lips brushing together in a tentative kiss. Jade responded immediately, deepening the kiss as she wrapped her arms around Tori's waist, pulling her closer. The kiss felt electric, igniting a spark that had been simmering beneath the surface.

Time seemed to blur as they melted into each other, the world outside fading away. The guilt and confusion that had been haunting Tori slipped away with each caress, replaced by warmth and desire.

As they kissed, Tori's fingers tangled in Jade's hair, holding her close as if afraid to let go. Their bodies pressed together, and Tori felt a sense of belonging wash over her. The make-out session intensified, filled with passion and urgency as they explored each other, forgetting everything else.

Finally, they pulled apart, breathless and slightly dazed. Tori searched Jade's eyes, feeling the heat of the moment linger between them. "I guess we're really doing this, huh?" she said, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah," Jade replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I guess we are."

Tori couldn't help but grin, feeling lighter than she had in days. In that moment, the weight of the world felt a little less heavy, and the connection between them seemed more undeniable than ever.