Disclaimer: I don't own victorious or any of it's characters. I do, however, borrow them. Sarah is from "My babysitters a Vampire," played by Vanessa Morgan. I wanted to use her in something. Look her up. I guess I don't own her either.

:}

Jade groaned as she sat there, feeling like she was being tortured, and not the good kind. "So thats why we have to, once again, deny your request to put on one of your live performances. Miss West, we understand that our reasons may not make sense right now, but you will see that this is for the best. So, if there are no questions, we're done here."

"Let me see if I understand you correctly?" Jade asked, wanting to show them just how crazy their reasoning was. "I'm not allowed to do any of my own work, no original live performances, for the rest of the year, because you limit each student to barely half a dozen of them, and I've had my six?" Jade looked wazzed, glaring at the committee that decided if a play, performance, or whatever, was worth putting on. The same committee that approved Trina's one woman show without bothering to see if it was any good.

"Miss West, if we let you do another live performance, then we'd be breaking the rules." The head of the committee said. "And no one, no matter how talented, is above the rules."

"But you let students break those rules before." Jade protested. "Dale Squires was allowed ten performances in his senior year, and Andre Harris has been offered seven concerts by the school."

"But both of them had shown that their work was far more acceptable to the general audience." One of the women on the committee said. "You work has it's niche following, but most of your submissions are freaky and disturbing. Its why you've stood before this committee more often then any other student in Hollywood Arts history. Hell, we should have limited you to six submissions, instead of the nearly twenty you've offered this year."

"Miss Woodstien, please." Dickers cut her off. He wasn't a part of the committee, but acted as the adviser to it. "Jade is just trying to express herself. I, for one, applaud her creative output. We don't want to hamper her just because we don't agree with her subject matter. However, Jade, they are right. Even if there are open days, the same fairness that required you to get your six live performances says we have to keep those days open in case others need them. I just want you to understand, this isn't the end for you. Not even for this year. You can still get a play approved by one of our faculty producers, have them submit it for use as one of the schools official productions. You'll just have to choose more appropriate subject maters, materials that won't give out faculty nightmares." A shudder seemed to pass through the committee. Dickers continued. "I, personally, would love to see you stretch yourself, try something different. However, the decision of this committee is final, and you'll have to wait until your senior year to submit another live performance idea. Or, if you and your friends can raise the money, you can once again produce one of your plays professionally."

Jade nodded, hating the idea that the vice principal was the most reasonable person in the room. Then, as soon as she was allowed, she stomped her way out of the office and into the school proper. 'Great, now how am I supposed to deal with chiz? I mean, Beck's dating again, cause that Sarah girl from White Chapel, up in Canada, had to show up and throw everything off. She gets Beck, the leads in plays, thank the gods she isn't the singer Cat, Tori or I am. But no, she's the new flavor, a supposed natural, and they want her to have the leads, just because.' Jade's fists were shaking as she walked past Sikowitz's classroom, where Beck was helping his new girl work on her lines for her second leading roll. Jade did all she could not to scream.

Making things worse, as far as Jade was concerned, was that Sarah was sweet girl, willing to work at being friends with all of Beck's gang, including Jade. Standing five three, Sarah had the body of a swimsuit model, with dark skin and brown eyes that Beck found captivating. And she was from Canada. Worse, she didn't move to Los Angeles to pursue acting, but because her dad had changed jobs, and the new position was here. However, she'd been complimented on her acting abilities in her old school, so once here, she tried out, got in, and was now the hot new things. Jade had to work not to cut Sarah's hair off with her scissors. The others, of course, liked Sarah. That meant the shorter girl was around them all the time, invading Jade's space at school, her friends, and her patience. Jade, in turn, found herself the odd woman out.

Jade walked into the main entry hall, intent on going to her locker, where in addition to her books, Jade kept several things to destroy. Jade's focus was on her locker up until she was part way through the hall, as she spotted Tori along the path, speaking to some guy that was somehow familiar, but not so much that it drew more then a cursory glance. Tori was the one that spurred thoughts in jade. 'Vega has her chizzing music, so she's okay with Sarah taking over the acting department. Hell. Sarah isn't even as good an actress as Tori is, or even as she was. But so many of the directors here at school want to try the hot new thing out, see if she can perform better then the known commodities.' Jade mused, remembering how Tori seemed to loose steam, even as her acting improved from raw talent to actual trained ability.

Jade stalked over to her locker, now determined to stop thinking about the new girl. 'Jade, my girl, you just have to accept that your single, Beck's not coming back to you this time, and thats that.' The pale girl told herself. 'The parts will, in time, but not the hot boy.'

"Um, Jade, can I have a moment?" Cat asked. Jade's cold glare almost sent the smaller girl running.

"Whaaat?' Jade moaned.

"Just, Marty wanted you to know that your play can't be your submission for his class, cause the school rejected it. So, your gonna have to do another project, and because it's now late, the best grade you can get is a B.' Cat said, hiding herself behind Jade's locker.

"So, because the school won't let me submit any more plays, he's just told you to tell me that the story I submitted, the very same story he made me work on for a week, is no longer acceptable as a submission to his class? And on top of that, I'm getting a reduced grade for late work, cause they didn't tell me I couldn't submit my play until after the assignment was due?" Jade clarified. She was now ready to tear something apart. "Cat, thanks for telling me..." The small girl had run away while Jade was getting control. "Great, what else could go wrong?" She decided to forgo her usual orgy of destruction, mostly because at this point, she was convinced they'd give her detention, for messing up the hallway. She decided she needed something to go right, and headed out the door.

Jade walked out to the Jet Brew kiosk to get a coffee. "Black, two sugars." She ordered, not even bothering to look at the guy.

"Sorry, but you've been cut off." The man said.

"I've been WHAT?" Jade growled. She began to circle, ready to beat this man down and just take her coffee. But before anything could happen, Derek showed up, almost out of nowhere, with his mace already drawn.

"Sorry, but you threatened a customer last week, so no more coffee for you." The worker said from the safety of the coffee kiosk, the large security guard close by. "Maybe next time you'll learn to be more gracious."

"Miss West, please come with me." Derek ordered as he stepped between her and the barista. He was ready for the fight of his life, but knew his job and didn't back down. Jade, for her part, glared at the security guard, then walked into the school, followed by the guard. Moments later, she was in Lanes office.

"Jade, we don't just go around threatening people." The guidance counselor said, seeming to know what Jade was about to complain about.

"I haven't threatened anyone." Jade snapped. "Not today. But I will, just wait, I will. There's a list, and I intend t make sure…." She cut herself off, trying to get control. 'Don't do it, they'll kick you out, and dad will send you to military school.'

"Derek said you did." Lane said. "The coffee guy. You were ready to hurt him, and we cannot allow that. However, because no charges are going to be filed, you'll get away with just detention this Saturday. That, and no performances for two weeks."

"No one's letting me perform anyways." Jade groaned. "So, this Saturday? Guess I'll be here for a couple of weeks, the way things go." She sighed. She was done being angry. Today had been too much, and she just felt broken. Ready to go home and curl up in bed. "Can I go now?"

"Yes." Mister Alexander said, dismissing her.

Jade walked out of the counselors office, fuming at how she didn't really have anything. Not then. Cat had her life, a whole new life that didn't include any of the others in their group. Robbie and Rex had their on line show, while Beck had Sarah, as well as a lot of people interested in casting him in something or another. Andre was asked to do more live performances, with Tori, to help fill in the open dates due to the so called "chronic lack of submissions." And Tori, she was working on her professional career. 'I'd expected Beck to go for her, as soon as things went the right way. Guess he never got over her saying no.'

Tori, sweet understanding Tori, Jade could see here still there, backed into a corner by the guy she'd been talking to earlier. Thats when things snapped into place, and Jade realized she'd have to do something about this, or her life would get worse. 'Cause if something happens to Tori, you know they'll find a way to blame me.'

Several quick strides carried Jade to the developing situation between Tori and this boy. 'And Derek was so worried about me threatening the coffee guy, he just let this slip by.' The goth realized. The boy was tall, six foot four, with a solid build. It was obvious that Tori wasn't going to be able to force her way past him. If Jade was honest, she wasn't sure she could beat this guy. But she knew what was going to happen if she didn't. She reached the couple in time to hear Tori's latest worried request for him to let her go.

"I really need to go home." Tori said as he carefully directed her towards a classroom. It was a smart move, cause an assault in one of the rooms could be seen an acting exercise, while the doing stuff in the closet was just hiding things.

'She must have already used the whole "My dads a cop" line.' Jade realized. It was later then she thought, and things needed to be headed off now.

"I can give you a ride." The boy said, smiling at Tori in a way that wasn't reassuring. "Just, show me how nice you can be, and I'll even let you date me. You'll see that being one of my girls carries certain benefits."

Jade pushed past them, only to turn on her heels and address the pair. "What are you doing with my girlfriend?" Her words were low, menacing, and coupled with her glare, it was enough to send most of the guys at this school running. But Jade knew this guy wasn't going to budge, not yet. Mostly because she knew that voice, and this guy wasn't someone she'd ever been able to intimidate.

"So, Jadey, this is your friend, huh?" The guy said, showing either a lack of fear, or of common sense.

"Girlfriend." Jade corrected. She really had no idea why she was making trouble right then, but this guy, she wouldn't let him have alone time with her worst enemy, let alone one of her kinda friends.

"What happened to captain hair?" The guy asked. He was still smiling, showing a lack of carting beyond a basic knowledge of, and disdain for, the boy Jade had been dating.

Tori, meanwhile, mouthed the word "Girlfriend." But she kept herself from saying anything, cause Jade was getting her out of a bad situation.

"Beck and I broke up." Jade replied. "We both decided we wanted to see other girls. And you, Kenny, are putting your hand on mine. So if you want to walk out of here, you do it now, before my jealousy gets the better of me, and I do something to my scissors I'll regret."

"You sure you don't want a real man?" Ken asked. "I could show you both a good time, if you wanted. Jade here knows what kind of a dancer I am."

"Four." Jade said. "Don't let me get to one." Her blue eyes refocused on him, saying a lot more then her words could have. A part of her was going, would not be back, until this situation was resolved. What replaced it was a part of her she didn't like.

"Jade, please." Ken said dismissively, standing to his full height.

"Three." Jade counted.

"Like I'm worried about what you might..." He said.

"Two." Jade finished, ready to fight, to die, just to take this guy down. It was a terrifying part of her, one that had led to more victories than she was willing to admit. But that part also didn't care if she never walked again, just as long as her opponent got the worst of it. Ken, as dense as he might have been, could sense the stakes, and wasn't ready to pay that price. It was why he decided to walk away.

"Whatever, dyke." He called back as he walked away, trying for causal, but moving just a hair too fast for that. But whatever else his actions, he departed, and Jade was left to think about what she was ready to do.

"Jerk." Tori said, then looked at her frenimy. "Thanks. I had no idea they let animals like him into Hollywood Arts."

"They didn't." Jade said, almost slumping against the wall. The fight or flight response, the surge of adrenalin that would have carried her through the pain, was going, and with it whatever strength she might have had. "Ken there got in as part of a new initiative. The one that aimed to make Hollywood Arts pay for it's special programs by taking kids from other schools and letting let them take classes for artistic enrichment. You know, they get bussed here for one to two classes per week. Kenny there is here, maybe twice a week, for ballet. Beginning ballet. Football player beginning ballet." She was still slammed by the excess energy leaving her body, but managed to hold on, not shake too much.

"You seem to know an awful lot about him." Tori said. "And he indicated he'd slept with you?"

"Attempted rape doesn't count as sleeping with me." Jade spat. "If I hadn't grabbed my scissors..." Her eyes looked off into the distance. "He's just lucky I didn't have, or leave, any scars. That, and my dad likes him."

"When..." Tori asked.

"Not here." Jade said. Pulling herself up from the wall. "Trina left you?"

"She had a hot date." Tori admitted. "Except for the creep attacking me, I'd say she was justified in leaving me. One of our friends was bound to give me a ride." Tori gave a half smile. "That is, assuming Trina's date lasts. Then again, Trina would just wanna go home and drown her sorrows in pasta."

Jade led the way to her car. While she'd been listening to Tori, her mind was somewhere else. "Stupid move on my part. I mean, honestly, without my scissors, I'd say I had maybe a fifty fifty chance against him." She admitted, not caring it was out loud. Her steps were purposeful, giving the illusion of anger when in fact she needed to concentrate not to stumble. Her body hadn't fully recovered, but she refused to let anyone see how out of it she felt, pushing herself to get to her car.

"He's huge." Tori pointed out.

"And a good fighter." Jade replied. "Thats why I gave him such a high chance. But even if he won, he knew he'd be feeling it afterwords. Difference was, and is, I can get to a place where I don't care if I'm crippled, or worse, as long as he hurts more. If he's not willing to make that commitment, then he knows it's best to walk away. I swear, one of these days, one of us is gonna kill the other."

"I'd miss you." Tori said.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Jade growled.

"I just meant we're friends now." Tori insisted.

"We're not..." Jade caught herself. "Okay, maybe we're friends. I don't know. But thats not..." She looked straight ahead. 'You paid her back for rejecting Beck's advances when you gave her the Platinum Music Awards back. But, you should admit why you rescued her.' Jade took a deep breath. "I didn't want to see you get hurt."

"Who was that guy?" Tori asked again.

"My cousin, Kennith Baxter." Jade admitted. "Senior, football player, and yet he's only taking ballet now, cause the district is offering it for free. His family has money, and yet he's taking the classes now cause there free. However, that means he's at Hollywood Arts twice a week. I've been trying to avoid him."

"And your dad likes him?" Tori asked.

"My dad refused to believe he'd have tried to rape his own cousin." Jade explained. "Back when I was thirteen, and my body had changed into what you saw when you and I first met, he tried to rape me. You see, he's about twenty months older then I am, and had just turned fifteen, when he decided I needed to be shown the ways of man and women. Of course, who better then Ken, who felt I owed it to him, cause of his birthday. I'd already given him a present, but like Sméagol and the one ring, he felt he was owed, and was willing to do whatever to get what he wanted. However, while Bilbo had Sting, I had a pair of scissors. Of course, he beat the living chiz outta me, janked me up real good, like my family hadn't done enough of a job of that, only this time it was physical. Left me a walking bruise, with cracked ribs for my trouble. The good, I was able to avoid the sexual assault, and got to ride in an ambulance. The bad, dad believed him, claimed I was making up storied to protect myself, and cut off what little love he'd been giving me. Also, neither of our physical scars were permanent, so I guess thats a plus."

"And they let that monster into our school?" Tori asked.

"You mean the son of my rich uncle, with all his rich, influential friends? The same uncle who married my aunt, and helped my dad find work every time he gets laid off?" Jade asked. "Yea, Kenny is gonna be protected until he kills someone."

"I just hope he keeps his distance from...Wait, you said you're dad likes him?" Tori asked, suddenly aware of something else.

"My dad's favorite." Jade replied. "And yes, by now, he's probably called my dad and told him I'm dating you. Thats gonna be a fun conversation."

"Is this gonna cause problems with your dad?" Tori wondered. "We can come up with a story, let him know we're not together."

"Nah, dad's a jerk, but he does a lot of business with the gay community." Jade pointed out. "If he reacts to me dating a girl, it'd be to either have me show up at one of his dinners, you know, to seem more open minded, or he'll try to set me up with some sugar mamma in hopes that he won't have to take care of me."

"I wish someone would set me up." Tori moaned, just under her breath.

"Lonely, huh?" Jade asked. In her mind, adding 'Cause apparently my dad knows a lot of older people who like to sprinkle a little sugar.'

"It's hard, cause every guy I date turns out to be a jerk." Tori complained.

They'd arrived at the Vega household, and Tori was unbuckling her seat belt. "Not every guy is a jerk. I mean, not that your gonna date any of them, but look at our friends. Robbie, maybe he's gross, but he's a hell of a lot nicer then some of the jerks you've dated. And Andre, your best friend, he's basically a good guy. Not sure why none of his girlfriends last more then a couple of weeks, or why he's yet to have a real, steady girlfriend..." Jade seemed ready to go on.

"He was dating Hope Quincy." Tori said, interrupting Jade. "They were almost serious. That is, until he realized it wasn't worth putting up with her ganky face for the connection to her father."

"Quincy?" Jade asked. "Wait, was her father Shawn Quincy?"

"Still is." Tori said, smiling. "Come in, I don't want to be alone. Not if Trina's date was a joke. I'll splurge for pizza." She half sang the last line, enticing the goth in like a Siren.

"If there's a pizza in it for me, then yea." Jade put the car in park, turned it off, set the emergency brake, and unfastened her seat belt.

"You put on the emergency brake?" Tori asked.

"It's a good idea when your parked." Jade said as she got out of the car. "And it's technically the parking break, even though it's a good thing to have in an emergency. Just, it'll lock the wheels, and thats not always the best thing when your moving."

"I guess your the licensed driver." Tori took her keys out to unlock the front door. "Doors locked, thats a good sign."

"Just means she wasn't stood up." Jade commented as she walked in and headed towards the couch. "Or she found a sale, and is drowning her sorrows in shoes."

"I'd love to drown my sorrows in shoes." Tori said, smiling. "What? I like shoes. Just not the same ones Trina likes." She looked at Jade for a moment more. "Want something to drink?"

"They cut me off at the Jet Brew kiosk at school." Jade said, feeling down again.

"Why?" Tori asked, walking over to make some coffee.

"I threatened some kid last week, and the guy just decided I wasn't his kind of customer." Jade replied. "Overall, it's been a janked up day. Kenny, he was just the latest thing to go wrong."

"Yea, sorry about him telling your dad, even if your dad won't care." Tori said, smiling sweetly.

"I'm more worried about him trying something with someone I like, like Cat." Jade said. "Hell, even his dad is more open minded about sexuality then Kenny is. I suspect it's just him believing that all girls secretly want him."

"Okay, here's some coffee, black, two sugars." Tori handed Jade a large travel mug steaming with the black elixir.

"Thanks." Jade replied, savoring the taste. It felt like the first thing to go her way that day. Tori sat down next to her, on her left side, risking life to be so close to the pale girl. "It's okay, we're friends, right?" Jade smiled, placing the mug in her right hand and wrapping her left arm around Tori, offering comfort in a side hug.

"Are you sure you wanna be holding me?" Tori asked, suspicious.

"Why wouldn't I want to cuddle with my pretend girlfriend." Jade asked her. "Though thinking about it, won't be long before Kenny figures out we were lying, and tried to do something about it. I'll just have to face that problem when it comes."

Tori placed her head on Jade's shoulder, wrapping her right arm around the girl. She used her foot to drag the remote close enough to grab with her left hand, and turned on the television, looking for something to watch. "Oh look, it's ¡Divertisimo! Thats good for a laugh." Tori smiled.

"Not this episode." Jade said after a single glance.

"Why not?" Tori wondered aloud.

"Look at the way those mouse children are dancing around Trina. You know what happens in the next scene, right?" Jade's voice dripped disgust.

"So you don't wanna see yourself on television?" Tori asked, smiling. But her smile faded. "I get it. Lets find he music channel. I think it's their documentary hour. Find out about satanist teen moms who date midgets."

"Most of them aren't satanists, just confused." Jade commented. "I hate the misinformation."

They sat there for a few minutes, just enjoying each others company. "Tori?" Jade asked, bored with the documentary on teen life.

"What?" Tori asked.

"I just realized, we've been cuddling for the last half hour." The blue eyed girl noted.

"You wanna stop?" Tori asked. "We should probably be doing homework anyways."

"Yea, I have that thing for Marty. He's telling me my work is late, even though I didn't know he wouldn't be taking my play until after I'd handed it in." Jade agreed. "But for the record, I do sometimes like to cuddle." She smiled, a genuine smile, and Tori almost floated to the kitchen table.

They worked on their home work for a few minutes. "So, Vega, I was thinking, maybe the best thing to do is just keep up the act. Let everyone think we're dating. That way, Kenny won't catch me telling a lie, and you'll have my protection."

"And if I meet a cute boy?" Tori asked.

"He'll be a jerk, a user, or equally unavailable." Jade said, smirking.

"Thats just mean." Tori huffed.

"You're gonna have to get used to it if your dating me." Jade sniped.

"But I'm not." Tori said. They worked in quiet for a bit more. "Am I?"

"Are you what?" Jade asked.

"Dating you?" Tori pushed.

"You mean, keeping up appearances, or actually dating?" Jade questioned.

"What were you offering?" Tori questioned.

"What would you like?" Jade asked back. "You know what, this is a loosing proposition. I've had a bad enough day, and frankly, anything you say will make it worse, in one way or another, so why the hell not. Tori, as much as I liked Moose, he wasn't right for me, and I knew that before I played out of gas while driving him to Tinkle Aid. Yes, we petted, but no sex. Just making out. I'm not a slut, just not gonna lose to you or Cat. Not the point. Thing is, I just don't wanna be alone any more, and you're one of the few people I suspect I could be happy with for any length of time."

Jade watched Tori, looking for her reaction. So far, the Latina looked stunned. Jade continued. "Thing is, I'm gonna be a needy, pushy girlfriend, and I need to be with someone who can reel me in when I go too far. Beck was that guy. He really was. Too bad he didn't understand when to reel me in, and when to support me. I know, you'll make me crazy jealous, and part of me likes, no needs, to feel that way. So, knowing that, hot and cool as I am, your getting the losing end of this, you willing to date me?"

Tori didn't speak, instead focusing on her homework. "Tori?"

"Let me think about it, and I'll tell you as soon as I know." Tori replied. "Of course, we've already dated. Hell, I've gotten to second base, if you don't count the kissing." Jade gave a confused look. "Remember the hamburger? I had to do something to help you get into that thing."

"So what? You want me to take you upstairs and ravage you?" Jade asked.

"I'm still thinking about the dating thing, even if that was inappropriate." Tori commented.

"Goodie." Jade groaned.

They worked for another half hour, with both of them making significant progress. "I've got a basic idea for Marty, a film, but I'll need to finish the script, and do the filming. Lucky me, five minutes should suffice. How you doing?" Jade asked.

"I'm almost done." Tori said. Then she dropped her pen and looked up at Jade. "Now, I'm willing to do this, be your girlfriend. Your for real girlfriend. But to do so, I'll need two separate things."

"Whaaat?" Jade whined, not feeling like working that hard to help her friend.

"First, some proof that your really gonna be there for me." The singer stated

"What do you want?" Jade was blunt, direct.

"I don't know." Tori said. "Got any suggestions?"

"Blackmail materials, maybe? A picture of me in a pink dress?" Jade brainstormed.

"Okay, lets do this. You give me a picture of you, topless. Both boobs out." Tori said. "Then we can go straight to condition number two."

"Like send it to you?" Jade asked.

"I was thinking of maybe you posing for me. Maybe soon." Tori suggested, nodding towards the stairs.

Jade started to take her shirt off. "Not here." Tori whisper yelled. "Upstairs, in my room."

Moments later, Jade was sitting there, topless, in Tori's room. "So this is how I die, huh?" She asked while Tori was snapping the picture. "Given the type of day I've had, your dad's gonna come home, see me here, and assume the wrong thing. He shoots me, and I die, the last picture of me is this one."

"Oh relax." Tori said. "Now, the second thing I want is a kiss."

"Kiss?" Jade wondered.

"I need to know that I'm into you." Tori pointed out.

"Hello? Topless here." Jade gestured to her breasts.

"Yea, I have a pair too." Tori dismissed the other girls actions. "I'll know if there's a spark if we kiss."

"Thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Jade complained,

"Then I believe we're done here." Tori humphed. She wanted to turn away from the goth, but first gave her most practiced pout. She wanted that to be the image jade had until they parted, or one of them, the topless one, gave it.

"Okay, lets kiss." Jade gave in. "You know, stage kissing, they tend to mean nothing."

"I know." Tori replied. "No spark. Never a spark. Even Beck, who's a very good kisser, their was no spark. Not that day. There was, kinda, when I realized we might date. Beck when I was..." She stopped. "Um, Jade, Beck and I almost kissed, back when you were the featured act of the Platinum Music Awards."

"I know." Jade admitted. "Someone left their video chat on, and I saw you rejecting him."

"I almost didn't." Tori confessed. "Earlier, my mom caught us almost kissing, and if she hadn't come home right then, we'd have kissed. And we had a spark."

"I guess Sarah took more from you then just a couple of leads, huh?" Jade said, feeling rejected, again. 'Really is the perfect ending to this chissing day.'

"You don't have to kiss me." Tori said. "Bu I'll never know if we have a spark unless you do. And Jade, not saying it'll be easy, cause you're a major pain to deal with. Hell, from what I've seen, your a major pain to be with. But I'm willing, if your willing to take the risk."

"Fine." Jade leaned in, slowly, allowing Tori to back out. But the kiss happened, deepening as they continued. Jade felt how soft Tori's lips were, and Tori felt Jade's strength, her softness, and even her breast, as the girl had yet to put her top, or bra, back on.

There was the sound of the door closing downstairs, and the two broke apart. Jade grabbed her top, and started putting her bra back on. Tori, meanwhile, stepped out to see who it was. Seconds later, she came back. "Just my mom, but she has groceries. I may need to help."

Jade nodded, anxious to get out of there, put the risk she'd just taken behind her, and go back to feeling unloved and rejected by everyone. "Fine, you do that. I mean, your mom, she'll probably like that."

"You good?" Tori asked. Jade made sure her cloths were back on, and nodded. "Come on, I'll walk you out."

Jade followed Tori down to the living room, where Holly was carrying bags of food. "Mom, you remember Jade, right?" Tori asked, watching as her mother nodded before looking back at the car. "Maybe we can help with that?"

"That would be lovely." Holly said, smiling. "And Jade, do you have to go so quickly? I'm making family pot pie for dinner, and we'd love to have you stay."

"I probably should get home." Jade replied. "Something happened at school today, and I'll need to explain it to my parents."

"Speaking of," Tori said, "I already told mom we're now a couple."

"You know, I'd have felt a lot better if you'd have bothered to tell me first." Jade groaned.

"Tori, relax." Holly said. "Jade can come by on Friday, say for dinner. You dad will be here then, and I'm sure he has things he wants to talk to her about. Like maybe her bullying, perhaps."

Jade froze. "Um, yea, maybe I can stay for dinner. Let me check with my parents." She pulled her phone out, making two quick calls. Her dad just wanted confirmation about her dating a girl, and to know what kind of future this girl might have.

"I can find you girls from wealthy families, if your so inclined. Hell, I hear that Mister Quincy's daughter is a switch hitter, maybe you'd like to date someone who has money for a change." Her father had said, but left it at that.

Her mother just wanted her to be happy, and hoped she didn't disgrace the West name. "Jade, I understand being gay isn't the mortal sin it used to be, but I still expect you to act like a lady. I mean, I swear, Kenny tells me the most horrific things about that school you attend,. If it wasn't also one of the better rated schools in the valley, I'd pull you today. Just, I suppose it's better that your dating a girl, but I'll still get you some condoms, cause I don't need a grand child yet."

"Good news, it looks like I can stay for dinner." Jade announced.

"Great." Holly replied. "David is just parking the car, and will be here in moments."

:}

Poor Jade, she just can't seem to get a break today. But, as bad as the day was, I get the feeling she's gonna remember it as one of her best, cause it brought her Tori.

So thoughts? Reviews make my day. Just saying...