The Finale. I do not own Victorious. See Author's note at the end.
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(Beep)
Text Message
Tori: Beck U ok? U didn't come back after Cat n Jade left
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(Whistle)
Text Message
Beck: Yeah. I wasn't feeling well. Thanks Tori.
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(Beep)
Text Message
Tori: R u ok?
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(Beep)
Text Message
Tori: U feeling better?
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(Beep)
Text Message
Tori: We're all at my house if you want to come over.
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(Beep)
Text Message
Tori: Beck Call me :(
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(Whistle)
Text Message
Beck: I'm tired Tori. Maybe some other time.
…
It's not like Tori forced her way into her group of friends at Hollywood Arts. Once she transferred to HA her old friends stopped calling, Andre unofficially invited her into his circle and the rest was history. Everyone made her feel welcome. Well, all except for one person of course.
Jade West. She was deep, creepy, rude, and admired by every student at Hollywood Arts. She saw what everyone else did – Jade was a force to be reckoned with
She jumped straight from new girl to legendary all thanks to a tiny stage kiss. Maybe pissing off the most popular girl in school wasn't such a bad thing after all though. With every starring role she received thanks to Sikowitz, every argument she won, and each smile from Beck. Pretty soon, she didn't have to do any of the work. For the most part, everything fell into place for her.
Even though her name was eternally etched onto the shit list of Jade West, something about Jade made it impossible to hate her. After all was said and done Tori concluded that Jade wasn't completely evil, even if they never saw eye to eye.
They were sort of friends and Tori took what she could from their "friendship". Maybe that's why over time Jade became less hostile towards her. This in turn made the fact that the ex-love of Jade's life was slowly leaning in to kiss Tori a problem.
On the one hand, he was Beck: kind, cool, and always there for her. She found herself leaning forward.
Then she recalled another Beck: Single Beck. Wanted by all, he could be too nice for his own good. That resulted in groupies. After accepting a ride from Beck one day, she now realized how justified Jade's jealousy was. Any girl would go crazy. She was certain Jade never had to fight her way out of Beck's car though.
She was popular, Beck wanted her. Groupies or not, why couldn't she?
A broken kite. An ambulance ride. You love me again?
Oh yes. Jade, her kind of friend was why.
Beck argued why they'd work. That was when she realized Single Beck was here, and he was a friend to no one.
Southwest Airlines Flight 372 to New York, New York will be landing shortly. Please turn off all electronic devices.
Jade tugged her headphones from her ear and stuffed them in her pocket. She pulled out a receipt from Nozu, frowning as she recalled her last moments in Hollywood.
Jade stormed into her near empty room, snatching her scissors from her boot. She was about to start on her comforter when she remembered a box of photos in her closet. She reached for a picture of her so called friends posed in front of his RV. She raised her scissors when Cat suddenly stopped her.
"Remember when you and Be-"
Jade's eyes flared.
"Eep! I mean you and everybody got stuck in a big hot metal box at the beach together?"
"Yeah."
"And you all worked together to stay cool while I made pottery with those totally cool guys-"
"Get to the point Cat!"
"They were your friend's then! Or when we started the ping pong team?"
Dropping the picture, Jade pointed her scissors at Cat.
"Okay Cat, fair enough. But do you remember all my cancelled shows? Or how much of a gank everyone thought I was? They treated me like crap and can't figure out why I'm just…over it."
"You really can hold a grudge."
Jade and Cat turned to find Jade's mom listening in.
"Can you blame me? You saw how people treated me mom!"
"Do you ever think they all gave you back what you dished out? You aren't the easiest person to deal with. Not everyone is going to like you or bow down to you your highness. Until then maybe think about dropping your 'me against the world' attitude. Come on, your flight leaves soon."
Jade crumpled the receipt and flicked it to the ground.
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At school Monday Beck asked why he and his friends were getting less starring roles. Sikowitz said everyone deserved a shot. "Speaking of Jade" Sikowitz said.
"Who said anything about Jade?" Beck asked.
"What has my scary former student been up to?"
Sikowitz thought he heard him say ask Cat, she's her only friend.
Cat took the moment to enter speaking animatedly on the phone.
"Hahaha my sparkler fell on my side of the ooshi Nozu. It tasted good dipped in ice cream."
"Are you talking to Jade?" Beck asked sitting beside her.
"Um no, I'm talking to my…brother. What was that? Your turtle learned to roll over! That's great bye!"
"Cat, how's she doing?"
"My brother's turtle? She's great since –"
"Cat don't play dumb. Jade. Is Jade still mad at me?"
"She was never mad."
Beck gave her a look.
"She wasn't! She was just sad you all stopped being her friends."
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Her Slap was deleted. He was reduced to eavesdropping on phone conversations with Cat. He wonders if she didn't outgrow him, but got tired of the act. What does that say about his acting skills? He has a delayed reaction to Sikowitz calling him up on stage. What's the point, everyone knows he's the best at the school. Look how good of a performance he's always given. Ask Jade, she had a front row seat.
He contemplated talking to her since their blowup at Nozu. He debated whether or not to tell his side of their relationship, the side that died a bit when she left. While his mind mused, his fingers decided he should go for it. He quickly hung up when he realized what he'd done. The crisis was averted until a familiar glare stared back at him from his phone.
"Um hello?" He winced at how unsure his voice sounded.
"Why did you call me?"
"I accidentally called you." Beck could practically hear her eyes rolling.
"I know that. Why?"
"Cat wanted to call you but her phone was dead so she wanted to use mine. But then she changed her mind and I called you on accident when she gave it back." He smacked his head at how dumb that sounded.
Beck hears a shrill bell on the other end and muffled voices. "Uh-huh, yeah I gotta go. Delete my number."
"Wait Jade, so…when we were outside Nozu –"
Click.
He stared at her image on her phone before scrolling to her number. He couldn't bring himself to delete the number. He knew it by heart anyway.
"Jade's coming back?" The small group at the table paused.
Beck looked the least surprised. Her mom did tell him she'd be back around Christmas.
"Well it's not like she'd want to see us." Tori said biting a fry.
"What are you and the Christmas Grunch planning?" Rex asked "Steal all the toys in Hollywood and take them back to her cave?"
Beck thought he saw Cat frown but it was gone in an instant.
She stood. "No we're probably gonna hang at Karaoke – Nozu." She squeaked.
"Which one?" Andre prodded.
"Um neither? Oh I just remembered I have to help Sinjin perm his hair, bye!" Cat took off.
"Man that girl can't lie for chiz." Rex said. The group nodded in agreement. "Jade will probably stay further away from anything Hollywood Arts related than Northridge girls do to good guys. Am I right?" Rex raised his hand for a high five from Robbie.
Beck scoffed and stole a fry from Tori. What would I say to her anyway? Oh yeah you were right I totally was an emotionless jerk – but I was only acting…sort of. Frustrated he threw his fry down, earning glances from his friends.
"I'm full. See you guys in Sikowitz." He said standing.
Andre shook his head watching Beck leave. "Yeah – Beck's still not over her."
The others nodded in agreement. No one mentioned that the feeling was mutual.
...
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(Beep)
Text Message
Cat: Yay! Jade is coming for Christmas break in 2 days!
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(Guitar Riff)
Text Message
Jade: Cat STOP sending me texts about myself!
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(Beep)
Text Message
Cat: But you deleted your slap :(
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(Guitar Riff)
Text Message
Jade: Text me like normal!
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(Beep)
Text Message
Cat: K!
Mood: Christmas – y
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(Guitar Riff)
Text Message
Jade: -_-
...
...
Jade sighed dragging her luggage through the airport. The Christmas music blaring throughout had her ready to hang herself on the tinsel strewn all around. Taking a seat on a bench, she recalled last Christmas where Sikowits started a dumb Secret Santa contest.
"Jade clearly had the best Secret Santa gift."Andre said. Tori elbowed him, reminding him that technically it was a gift from her.
"Don't be an attention hog Tori." Jade gloated.
She grinned remembering how happy Andre was at receiving an A. Her lips held a ghost of a smile at the group hug they shared after the fact. She was brought out of her thoughts from a horn blaring in front of her. Her mother motioned for her to hurry and put her bags in the trunk.
...
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"Jade!" Cat swung her arms around her friend.
After a minute Jade realized Cat had no intention of letting go.
"Cat, I'm gonna dump out all of your flavored hair dye if you don't let go in the next three seconds."
Cat dropped her arms and absently began twirling a lock of hair.
"Mom."
"Hi honey. So what are you two up to while you're here?"
"Do you want to go to Karaoke Dokie? And before you say no Robbie and the others said they would be at Nozu so you don't have to worry about seeing them."
She saw her mom take a breath and remembered her speech the last time she'd left town.
"Let's go." She pulled Cat down the stairs.
"You need to stop acting like that towards your friends Jade." Her mother called after her. "All of them."
The windows rattling as Jade slammed the front door was the only response she received.
...
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Once at Karaoke Dokie Jade chose the most secluded table beside the stage. She was happy with her choice of restaurant. It was usually more Northridge oriented. Her good mood didn't even falter when two blonde guys pulled up seats bedside them.
"Hey" one waved "I'm Ian. This is Zach."
"Hi" Cat answered with her usual enthusiasm whenever boys were involved. "We're Cat and Jade!"
The boys nodded. "Do you two go to Hollywood Arts?"
"Yep we sure do!"
Jade didn't bother correcting her.
The duo smiled at each other. "Told you. You were on The Wood right. Your boyfriend was cheating on you." Ian looked to Jade.
Not in the mood to explain the magic of TV Jade only shrugged and downed her drink.
The teens didn't notice another group of people stealing glances their way from the middle of the room.
Beck was silently grateful the group by chance had chosen the same restaurant. The sentiment wasn't shared among his friends however.
"Jade and Cat are here. Do you guys think we should haul it over to Nozu?" Tori asked.
"Jade looks preoccupied. I think we're good." Andre nodded to the two friends who were being escorted to the dance floor.
Beck watched, frowning, as letterman covered arms wrapped Jade's pale ones around his neck. Her hands tightened around his neck. Beck's hands balled into fists under the table.
"Do you guys think…never mind." All eyes turned to her.
"What?" Beck asked.
Across the room Cat squeaked against Ian's chest. Jade looked over, her eyes following Cat's to see her former 'friends'.
"Whoa, it's your ex and the girl he cheated with."
The glare he received from Jade made him drop his arms and back off.
"He is not my boyfriend. Come on Cat." Jade wanted to avoid another Nozu incident with Beck at all costs.
"Do we think what Tori?" Andre urged.
"Do you guys think sometimes we were a little harsh on Jade? That's why she doesn't want to be around us anymore."
"Speak for yourself. Jade loved her some Rex. If I recall correctly you were the thorn in her evil side."
Tori looked offended.
"True. And in Jade's defense you were the one who got her play cancelled. And you got all the starring roles on top of that." Andre said.
"That wasn't on purpose!" Tori yelled "Plus, she did more bad stuff to me than I did to her. I never did anything to her intentionally. Don't know if I can say the same for her."
"I'm going to politely disagree Tori." Robbie said "If you think about it I'm pretty sure you bested Jade more times than she did you."
"Fine then, lets add it up." Taking out a pen she made a T chart on a napkin. She wrote JADE on one said and US on the other.
"I'm not the only guilty one. Let's add up the mean things we – "
"Don't you mean you?" Andre said.
"We did to Jade" Tori ignored him. "Okay. Desert." Tori scribbled. "That time she left me stranded."
"Put Prome on the US side. Though technically that was you again." Andre snorted.
"You were there. You all were there." Tori scribbled.
"I was in Canada." Beck raised his hand. He thought the whole thing was stupid. He looked up, surprised to find Jade and Cat gone. Looking around it turned to disappointment when he realized they had left completely. Frustrated, he dropped his head on the table, wondering when it had become them vs her.
"Are you out of your dwarf sized mind Cat? Why would you even think I'd want to spend one second with those..those –"
"Our friends" Cat said.
"They don't even like me Cat!"
"I know you think they didn't but they did Jade! What about all the times they helped you out. Remember Well Wishes and when Tori sang at Karaoke Dokie! We were all friends. We just like...disagreed sometimes about stuff."
"I hate to sound like a broken record but Cat's right." Jade turned as her mother popped her head in.
"Were you eavesdropping?!"
"Well seeing as it's my house I like to call it keeping up on current events in my kids' lives. Cat is right though. I think you should try to give them another chance. Clearly they thought you were their friend. And I'm sure Beck –"
"Do not finish that statement." Jade stood. "Fine. I'll go to the stupid party for five freaking minutes. But if one person gives me crap –"
"Then we'll leave." Cat finishes.
"I was gonna go a more violent route but yeah that too." Jade said.
"Leave every pair of scissors you own here young lady." Jade's mom held out her hand.
...
...
Tori, Andre, Beck, and Robbie all lounged around Tori's living room. Balloons and streamers were thrown haphazardly about, no one really making an effort to look neat.
"Okay." Andre stretched a balloon "What's the score at?"
"Jade's at 97 while US is at 98."
The group groaned.
"Okay how about the time she –"
"Will you just give it up already?" Beck rolled off his place on the couch and stood "All it proves is that she gave as good as she got."
Everyone stared.
"He's right." Andre said. "But geez look at this list. No wonder she doesn't want to be around us."
"You guys are right!" Tori fell off the back of the couch. Getting up she ripped the list in half. "I say we all go over and apologize to Jade right now."
This was met with a chorus of yeahs.
Beck grabbed his keys. "I'll drive."
"Yeah!" They all yelled, heading for the door.
Opening it the group was met by at least twenty kids from their school. They greeted the gang while making their way inside.
"Andre where do you want this DJ equipment?" Sinjin asked.
Andre turned to his friends. "I say, we go after the party!"
"Yeah – No!" Beck's lone no rang out.
"We can go now and come back to the party, maybe she'll want to come." He suggested.
Before they could agree to a plan of action a blur of blonde hair descended upon the group. "Oh my god Beck! I cant believeyourhereofcourseiwashopingyoudbeherebuttoactuallyseeyou-"
"Stop hogging him Mandy!" Another girl called out.
"Beck let's dance!"
"I was actually on my way – ok you're strong. Guys..a little help."
Beck's pleas were lost as Andre grabbed equipment from Sinjin and Tori took on her hostess role.
"Guys!" Beck pleaded.
...
...
Two hours into the party, Tori was making her way to the door. "I'm coming!" She yelled at the person behind the door who apparently had a grudge against doorbells.
Swinging the door open, Tori's eyes widened as Cat and Jade stood in front of her.
"Jade! Oh my gosh come in! How long are you back for?"
"A couple of days."
"You're here because of Cat." It wasn't a question.
"Yeah, plus my stupid mom makes me come back every few weeks as part of our deal."
"The deal for you to move to New York?"
"No Tori, the deal for me to become Queen of Mexico."
As Jade turned to leave, Tori grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry."
Jade looked at Tori as if she'd grown a second head. "For what?"
"Cat told us how you felt, why you left. I'm sorry Jade I never meant to hurt you on purpose. Can we start over?"
Jade stared at her hopeful face. Her instincts called for a snarky response to the girl she more or less loathed then tolerated for the past year.
"Honestly Vega, I'm sorry too."
Tori's eyes widened. She put her hand against Jade's forehead as if to check her temperature. "Really?"
"Yeah. You didn't annoy me on purpose, that's just who you are."
"Gee thanks." She said through a tight smile, deciding to take it as a compliment when she saw Jade grin. She held out her arms.
"Give Tori a squeeze."
"Don't push it Vega."
"Okay."
"Yay we're kind-of friends again!" Cat wrapped her arms around them both.
"Give Rex some love too."
"No."
"Okay." Robbie backed away.
"Let's do our Christmas song from last year!" Cat pulled on Jade's hand.
"Yeah Jade come on." Tori urged.
"Fine. Tap my nose again like last year and this truce is off." Jade warned Tori.
"Deal– but you know you liked it!" Tori began to go for her nose playfully. Jade tapped the side of her boot, the same place where her favorite scissors were usually hidden. Usually.
Tori dropped her hand. "Let's sing shall we." she said nervously scrolling through the playlist on her Pearpod.
...
...
He knew it was coming. She was coming.
Beck sat on the counter, entranced along with every other person in attendance at the impromptu performance. You'd think he would've mapped out his big speech. The speech months in the making that he could never quite articulate. What was it that he was gonna say all the times he'd called her, only to hang up before the first ring? Thinking back, all he could get out was "That night at Nozu, what you said..."
"Hi! Aren't you Beck? I'm Amber Lynn from Northridge. I..."
The girl rambled on, unable to tell Beck had mentally karate chopped her head off.
"Oh my god I hope she's not back for good!" He heard behind him.
He turned and frowned at a new group of girls who'd been circling him all night.
"You made him mad!" One girl yelled at another. The group swarmed her and drug her outside. Beck shook his head at the scene.
Across the room, the three girls finished to applause from party-goers.
He walked toward them, a million and one half assed thoughts still begging to become coherent. He notices Andre pull Jade to him and whisper something into her ear. She rolled her eyes and punched him in the arm before hugging him.
He doesn't know what that's about but decides to go in while Jade's in a good mood. He recalled how he used to be the only who could bring that side of Jade out. Hands in his pockets, he goes for a hug. She sees him coming and turns, the phrase 'cold shoulder' coming to mind. He leaned down as Cat pulled him into a hug.
"You guys were great. It was like old times." Cat looked between everyone excited. "Remember Jade!"
Beck saw he was somewhere below Andre on Jade's totem pole. This was reinforced by the fact that Andre was now pulling Jade towards the stairs. Beck groaned and pulled at his hair.
"He's so hot." he heard a girl behind him say.
(upstairs)
"Did I ever tell you that's my favorite song you helped me with?" Andre asked.
"I didn't do anything to it. I just changed the chorus, added a bridge, and upped the tempo."
Andre snorted at her robotic answer. He noted only a musical genius could do what Jade did and treat it like ordering a sandwich.
"Still, it helped me. Thanks Jade. You really are the best sometimes."
"Not all the time?" She asked with an edge to her voice.
"Yeah. When you don't seem like you're gonna commit felony murder at any given moment you're kind of brilliant.
Jade felt like she was in the Twilight Zone. "You brought me up here to thank me for helping you get a good grade a year ago?"
"Yeah. Sorry for not telling you sooner. Thank you. I really appreciate it."
She blinked slowly at him. When she imagined the confrontations she'd get into by going to the party, this was not what she expected. "You're welcome."
...
...
Beck watched the pair descend the stairs and separate. He doesn't dwell on it. Instead he moved toward Jade and grabbed her elbow, pulling her towards the back door.
"Dude, let go of me. Kidnapper! Do you people not see this!" Jade berated the guests.
"Nothing to see here people." Beck managed to pull her out past chatty classmates. Her nails dug into his hand when someone whistled at them as he closed the back door.
"What's your problem? Do you want to finish telling me about myself again?"
"Huh?"
"You always call and hang up like you want to finish telling me off from that night. Or were you gonna tell me you love me and never stopped? You know what, I don't care either way." She made a move to head back inside.
"Wait. I know last time I saw you I said a lot of stuff."
She rolled her eyes. Here we go.
"None of it came out right. Can I try to explain now, before you leave until however long again? Please?"
Jade groaned. "You know I asked myself why you didn't open that door. Why'd u keep playing cards, while I sat alone wondering what was going through your head when you didn't open the door. Then I got over it. Then I got over you."
Beck took a deep breath. "It's just...you always freaked out over everything and I –"
"Because you made me crazy! God forbid someone show emotion Beck. You're an actor and couldn't even fake it. Like I said it's like you were numb to everything around –"
"I had to be!"
Jade's head snapped up at the outburst.
Beck's false sense of calm snapped the moment he felt himself losing the same argument yet again. He had her in front of him and one chance to not blow it. It was now or never.
"People can't see me lose my cool! Do you know what would happen if I got angry and let it show? Everyone would know it's a lie. I'm a lie. Cool Beck with the hair, the guy with no secrets. I worked hard for that reputation. I got so deep into character with him...it's like..." He struggled with how to put it. His need for popularity at the expense of her feelings.
"It's like I got locked in a system where you have to pay something in order to gain something. Yeah I got popular, but I paid with your feelings. It cost me you."
Jade's eyes widened slightly with his admission.
"You were right about me acting. The Beck people see and the person I am don't get along. They're constantly staring each other down, both trying to be front and center. Guess which one wins out? Him. He's a better actor than I could ever be. You think I hated you Jade? I could never. I hate him. He won. He beat you. You left." His voice broke on the last word.
Jade looked at Beck as if she were seeing him for the first time. "So" she coughed not liking how her voice shook "When did he leave? When did scrawny quiet Beck get replaced by...him…you?"
Beck ran a hand through his hair.
"When he...I started envying you. I let what others thought control what I did."
"Is he gone for good? That Beck?"
He slowly shook his head. "No. Not yet. He still has something to do. We still have something to do."
"Jade! There you are." Tori poked her head out the door. "Why are you guys –"
"Leave now!" Jade and Beck said automatically.
Tori ran straight into the backdoor trying to flee the intimate looking moment between the former couple. She backed away holding her nose and pulled the door closed behind her.
Under normal circumstances Beck may have inquired f she was hurt while Jade tried to snap a photo for the Slap. Her interruption was forgotten as quick as it had come.
Beck turned his attention back to Jade and took a step toward her.
"I'm sorry Jade. I'm so sorry for hurting you. I always cared about you. I'm sorry I didn't let you know."
She ran a hand across her cheek, noting a thin streak of mascara covered it.
"Apology accepted."
"No no no you stupid piece of crap!" Jade's car sputtered before cutting off yet again."Gahhh start!"
"Don't die!" Cat yelled from her spot in Jade's front yard.
Jade got out and popped her hood just as a familiar car pulled up to the end of her driveway.
"We caught you in time!" Tori said. She stepped out followed by Andre, Robbie, and Beck.
"Why are you guys here?"
"You always leave without saying goodbye. We finally made it this time." Andre said.
"I'm glad you're here."
The group was all smiles.
"Beck, I'm driving back and my car won't start. Fix it so I can leave."
The four faces fell.
"Well then." Tori said.
"You know you could stay Jade." Her mom appeared at the porch, a cup of coffee in hand.
"Maybe it's a sign for you not to leave! Oh my god it's a miracle!" Cat beamed.
Jade rolled her eyes at both. "No. I want to go back. I can't keep leaving from place to place. I didn't go there for just fun, did you forget that Cat? Now I'm gonna get my car to start so I can get back. Or do you not want to star in my first Broadway play?"
"What's that supposed to mean!"
"Exactly what it sounds like!"
"Why don't we make it a road trip?" Cat suggests. "We can get Beck's RV and drive to New York! Beck, Robbie, Andre and Tori could come too!"
"Or I could just fly."
"I'm all for a road trip to drop Jade off." Andre said.
"So it's agreed?" Tori asked.
"Then it's settled, we're taking Jade to New York." Beck said. He flashed a smile at Jade.
After glancing around at their grinning faces, Jade sat in her driver's seat. Cranking her car on she floored the gas and was met with the sputter of her engine before it gave out.
She looked out the window to find Beck's face inches from her window still grinning. Placing her head on he steering wheel, she cracked the window.
"I'm not sitting in the back of that RV for four days!"
Her friends groaned, followed by a chorus of why nots.
"Because" She stepped out of the driver seat "I remember the last time we got trapped in that submarine." Opening her trunk, she pulled out her suitcase. "I call shotgun."
Her bags fell from her hands as five pairs of arms wrapped around her from behind.
"Do not make me change my mind!"
The group released her.
Beck picked up her bags and carried them to his car as their friends talked about pit stops that they'd like to make. He stole a glance at Jade as she squeezed in the back of his car between Robbie and Tori. She threw Robbie a dirty look until he moved his arm from around her shoulders. Cat slid across their laps as Jade yelled at her to sit up front.
Adjusting the rear view mirror, he catches her smirking as Cat flails all around. Their eyes catch for a moment. He wants to believe the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile in the brief moment. One of those smiles only reserved for him.
The End.
Hello to all of you who have been waiting for months and years for this. If you care to know this actually got deleted a looong time ago along with a bunch of Victorious stories I had written :(. It was really hard to get back into the groove of how I wanted the story to go. I apologize for the wait and hopefully can get Thinking About You completed before the year's up too. I'm sorry if you don't like how it ended but this was pretty much my vision for the story. Thanks for reading as always and BadeForever!