If That's What It Is

Chapter Four- Silence

In the four days since Cat had told Jade their fantastic news a lot of thing had happened. The duo decided that they wanted to leave for New York as soon as possible. They were set to leave at noon the next day, Sunday. They had discussed with their teachers and the Hollywood Arts administration their plans, and of course, being a performing arts school, the two friends were granted permission to Go to New York for the remainder of the school year, studying with tutors, and submitting their class work from across the country. It was a stretch, but the administration acknowledged that it was an amazing opportunity for the two students, both of whom had excellent grades anyway, and allowed them some leeway.

Word had gotten around campus that Jade and Cat were going back to Broadway. Many people were excited for the friends, but most were mainly jealous. Beck and Jade refused to speak to speak to one another since their fight earlier in the week. It was only through the grapevine that Beck heard that she was leaving. He was torn between begging his girlfriend to stay and continuing to ignore her. He was still furious with Jade for the things she had said to Tori and still hadn't gotten over it enough to even say three words to her. Jade, on the other hand, was angry for a different reason. She was partially angry with herself. She couldn't believe that she had been in denial for so long about the lengths Beck would go to protect Tori. She was angrier, though, at Beck because he had once again taken Tori side instead of hers And then, on top of that there was the massive hand-shaped bruise on her upper arm from where Beck had grabbed her, and series of smaller ones on her back from being slammed against the lockers so hard.

For the rest of the week since the fight, Beck and Jade had avoided each other like the plague. Beck still had no idea that Jade was leaving for New York in less than twenty-four hours. And, now, as Jade sat, staring at the four airline tickets lined up on her desk, she couldn't help but realize she was going to miss him. It was one a.m., and in exactly eleven hours she would be seated on a plane next to her mother, Cat, and Mrs. Valentine, headed for the Big Apple. She wouldn't be back for months at the very, very least. Was this the end of her and Beck? She hated the anger that bubbled within her at that thought. She was furious at Beck, and Beck was livid at her. But, if it truly was the end of their nearly two and a half year relationship, then that meant that Vega had won.

Jade couldn't have that.

Rolling her eyes at herself, Jade grabbed a hoodie, threw the airline tickets in her purse, and wheeled her suitcase down the stairs, no doubt waking her entire family in the process. Throwing her bag in the backseat of her car, and her purse on the seat beside her, Jade sped out of her driveway and towards Beck's RV.

She drove with the windows down, letting the rough wind pull at her hair mercilessly. With no one on the road, she was able to drive faster than usual, and she took advantage of it, taking out at least a bit of her anger at Beck and Vega out of the open road. She hummed the lyrics to songs from the show during the twenty minute drive, staying focused on her goal, focused on what she wanted more than anything, what she was going to get. She continued her angry thoughts at Beck the whole way. She knew that if she went into his RV with even the slightest bit of doubt in her mind, her resolve would crumble and she would end up questioning whether or not she could handle being away from him for so long. She was going to New York, and nothing Beck could say or do would change her mind. Not that she thought he was going to say anything to her anyway. He was way too pissed off at her for that.

Jade pulled up next to the RV and silently made her way to the door. She considered just going in like she always did but, she had a feeling that doing so would only succeed in setting Beck off even more.

Hesitantly, she knocked on the door. She heard him groan from inside, followed by shuffling noises before he opened the door, dressed only in sweatpants. When he who it was, he didn't smile at her. He didn't hug her or kiss her or even say hello. He just fixed her with a cold stare before moving aside slightly so she could come in. The look on his face worried her a little bit. But, then again, it was probably the same look she was giving him.

Without looking back at her, Beck climbed back into bed, lay down on his side, and closed his eyes. Jade rolled her eyes at his antics. He was acting like a child. Giving up, Jade sat down on the couch across from his bed and watched him pretend to sleep. After a few minutes, he gave up too and opened his eyes to look at her. They held each other's gaze for a moment before he opened his arms, silently inviting her to bed.

Jade wordlessly stood up, removed her sweatshirt, and lay down on her side with her back to his chest. Beck's eyes widened momentarily at the enormous finger-like bruises that covered her arm. He silently wondered where on earth she could have gotten such horrible-looking injuries, before realizing he'd given them to her. Jade winced slightly as he grazed his fingertips softly over the black and blue blemishes that marred her snow-white skin. She relaxed slightly as she felt him gently kiss the bruise, before finally settling in behind her. He wrapped an arm around her middle and softly kissed her temple before shutting his eyes.

Beck was still furious at her, but he knew that her showing up on his doorstep was Jade's way of saying that she would eventually forgive him. The silence that both of them kept was their way of saying nothing was forgiven yet. Eventually, though, it would be.

With that thought in mind Beck drifted back into sleep, the silence encouraging a dreamless sleep.

When he woke up at eight the following morning, Jade was gone, and on the bed in her place was a photograph of her and a brown-haired Cat, both wearing match 13 cast shirts.

I know this chapter was a bit boring. But, I 1) wanted to get a chapter out to you guys because I haven't updated in a while and 2) thought it was important for me to show how Beck and Jade, although still technically together, are as far apart emotionally as they can be. This is the only chapter I have ever written for any of my published stories without dialogue. And, to be honest, I don't know if I really like this chapter. It could be considered a filler chapter, but, it also is meant to show what a particularly rough patch Beck and Jade's relationship is going through.

So, there is going to be very little mention of Bade for a while now. This story is mainly about Jade and Cat, after all. So, just a heads up.

Please let me know what you thought of this chapter. I know it wasn't the best, and it defiantly wasn't very exciting, but it is and will be important to the storyline farther on down the line.

Pretty please review and tell me what you thought?

Merci beaucoup :)

Love, always,

May