A/N: The rewritten first chapter! Hope you enjoy!

Tori.

It's hard to believe I am in love with the heartless girl.

I shift in my bed uncomfortably. It is three A.M., and my eyelids refuse to become heavy. My bedroom is unbearably hot, and it's January. Yes, I live in southern California, but still.

Jade West has been occupying my mind since my first day in Hollywood Arts two years ago. Although she has loathed my existence after the "kissing her now ex-boyfriend" incident, I feel like I owe her something. An apology, of course, but something more.

Affection.

And is it immoral that I prayed for their relationship to end and then almost threw a party when it did?

When they tragically split five months ago, Beck was devastated. I pitied him-I might have been incredibly jealous, but he was still a generally great guy. He refused to talk for about two weeks, stopped caring about his appearance altogether, and just stopped caring. I understand; three-nearly four-years in a relationship is an extremely big deal. And with a breakup as emotionally tragic as theirs (they broke up mid-argument), it would be difficult to move on quickly.

And then there was Jade.

To the others, it might as well have not affected her at all. She conveyed no signs of hurt and continued being the cruel human being she usually is.

But I know who lies behind the dark makeup and the terrifying demeanor. Under the facade, she is a scared, fragile, and brokenhearted girl.

I would know. I was the first person she ran to for consolation after the breakup.

Like I did when they first split, I had asked if I wanted to get them back together. I was envious and infuriated with Beck, but I could not bear to see Jade cry anymore. If their reunion would make her (kind of) smile again, then so be it.

She had wiped the tears right off her eyes and said, "No. It's officially over."

And in that moment, I realized I truly loved Jade West.

The memory has been haunting my mind ever since. Her tear-streaked face appears in my dreams constantly. Sometimes I fear sleeping at all; I am tired of abruptly awakening in a sweat, my mind spinning with thoughts of my enemy kissing me.

I roll onto my stomach and gaze out of the window beside my bed. Stars pepper the California sky; one star is significantly brighter, more prominent against the sprinkle of a million stars.

I am reminded of Jade and my heart flutters. Out of all of my friends, out of all of the guys or girls who could capture my heart, Jade possesses some sort of importance over them. Her cold personality clashing with mine, her hidden insecurities, my urge to always be there for her...all of it has deemed her a number one priority in my mind.

Out the millions and billions and trillions of stars, one will always stand out the most. And out of the millions and billions and trillions of people in my life, she will always stand out the most.

XXX

My body now fueled by caffeine, I enter Sikowitz's room.

I first notice the pitch-black hair that belongs to Jade. She is sitting in the very back row, slumped in the plastic chair, arms folded. A bored expression is plastered onto her face as usual.

took the liberty to accompany Jade wherever she went. She does not leave Jade be, always nagging her and asking her if she is okay. To my surprise, Jade does not retaliate; she just responds emotionlessly.

Cat lingering around Jade constantly has upset Robbie. I don't think he notices how Cat stares at her new roommate, Sam.

In the front row are Beck, Robbie, and André. Beck is unkempt, like he always has been lately. His once fluffy hair is now slightly greasy and disheveled, his outfit just a ripped pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and his face hollow. His amber eyes used to swim with life. Now they are dull and channel a broken soul.

Taking another sip of my coffee (it now tastes like liquid metal painfully sliding down my throat), I take a seat beside André. He is my first and longest friend at Hollywood Arts, but even he does not know about my feelings towards Jade. It breaks my heart, shielding my best friend away from my sick fantasies.

The bell rings, and Sikowitz claps his hands together. He begins discussing the importance of "becoming your character," but his voice quickly becomes muffled background noise. However, I cannot block out Jade from my mind that easily. I cannot stop yearning for her approval. I cannot stop.

I think about Jade.

XXX

I enter the Asphalt Café and make a beeline for Festus's truck. I order a burrito and take a seat at my usual table with my friends.

And Jade, of course.

Cat is rambling on and on about Bibble while Robbie is gazing at her affectionately. André is staring at me, his eyes pleading for an escape. Beck and Jade and seated in opposite ends of the circular table, Beck staring not at her, but through her. Jade is evidently ignoring him.

The only spot is between the former couple.

What a fucking coincidence, I think bitterly as I force a smile and seat myself. Jade gives me a quick once-over, snorts, and turns away, completely disregarding my presence.

I am used to the abuse. Over time, the pain of being rejected has numbed; it does not affect me as much as it once did. It does not mean it still hurts.

"So how's it going?" I question cheerfully. Cat silences, and André sighs in relief. Robbie, on the other hand, frowns.

"Great now," André replies, his mood noticeably better.

"Coolio schmoolio," Cat chirps. Robbie flushes red.

Beck shrugs in response. I furrow my eyebrows together worriedly.

I glimpse over at Jade expectantly, awaiting a retort. Instead, she alternates her gaze between me and Beck, an eyebrow raised.

Then: "It was okay-ish until you came along."

André groans and begins berating Jade for her rude answer. Cat launches into a story about Sam and a Fresno doll, and Robbie swoons over the obviously lesbian girl. Beck's gaze diverts to the ground, his jaw tight.

I sigh and unwrap my burrito. The entrancing, Mexican-food scent invades my nostrils, and I take a bite.

I feel a tingling in my head, like somebody is watching me without my knowledge. I glance up; Jade's vibrant blue-green eyes are burning holes in my skull.

Immediately she deviates her gaze, her cheeks tinged a soft pink.

My heart soaring, I bite into my burrito to conceal my broad grin.

A/N: This story is going to be updated every Wednesday! My new Elsanna story (which will be up maybe tomorrow) will be updated every Friday. This excludes this week, though, because I'm writing a ton of other stuff. I hope you enjoyed!