Tori fiddled with the blue feathers in her hair. "Is it really just the two of us in study hall?"

Jade rolled her eyes, not looking up from her work. "Trust me, I'm not thrilled."

"Look..." Tori hesitated. "I'm sorry. About the other day. We were worried about you... I mean, did your dad get really mad-"

"Is there something you want?" Jade snapped.

Tori took a deep breath. Don't get upset. Fighting won't solve anything. "I tried to talk to my mom. You know, about Gary. I couldn't bring myself to do it."

Jade grunted a reply, softening despite herself. "Don't waste your time with your parents. They'll always disappoint you."

"I'm guessing it didn't go so well with your dad."

"I'm performing at the showcase. Called the festival people to cancel."

"Jade, we'll be there to support you."

"Yeah?" Jade's voice was hoarse. "That festival was going to launch something real for me. I spent months experimenting with different sounds, I built up this setlist with the others... and now those songs I wrote, the rest of the group is gonna perform without me. And I get to perform at this showcase, something soulless written by talentless hacks, and if I'm lucky the song and I will end up in a fucking beauty cream commercial."

"Beauty cream?"

"Neva's sponsoring it."

Oh. "Your dad's cosmetics company," Tori said in understanding.

"He just... he doesn't understand how this industry works! You can be successful and innovate at the same time, if you're smart about it. And I'm smart. He just can't believe I know more about performing arts, even though I go to a performing arts high school! And he's surprised I prefer the weeks I stay with mom. Dick."With that, Jade started packing her bag. "Thanks. But don't bother coming to the showcase."

Tori stared after her as she stalked out the door. At least Jade didn't seem angry with her anymore.

"Do you know how to write a song that can make any voice sound good? Like... a banshee. It could make a banshee sound good."

"You're really writing Trina a song for the showcase?"

"Robbie's helping. Or at least... he's supposed to be. Where the hell is Robbie?"

"Probably hanging out with Cat. He was upset that they haven't spent time together lately and Cat was planning to make it up to him."

"Make it up to him?" Andre replied, shocked.

"Gross, not like that!" Beck paused. "... I think."

"Yeah, I'd rather not think of Little Red in that context, ever."

"What about Robbie?"

Beck and Andre stared at each other for a long moment before each returned to their work in a hurry, bright red.

Meanwhile, Cat was in fact making it up to Robbie: with free froyo, of course.

"Chocolate and marshmallow for me, and banana and pumpkin for you." Cat wrinkled her nose. "I don't know how you eat that."

Robbie ignored her and dove into his frozen yogurt with enthusiasm. "So," he said through a mouth full of yogurt. "Is Jade still acting weird around you?"

"Um, yeah. I don't know. She's acting... guilty. I don't understand it."

"Well, you don't understand a lot of things, honey," Rex pitched in helpfully.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He has a point. Remember when Sikowitz tried to give us the birds and the bees talk and you asked-"

"I was just curious! I understood everything. You know, you could even call me an expert," Cat announced smugly.

Robbie stared at Cat in horror. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd really rather talk about Jade. Unless you want to make out first."

"Don't be gross, Robbie," Cat said in exasperation. "Let's talk about Jade."

The last thing Jade saw before she was knocked to the ground was a blur of red. "Holy hell, Cat!" she yelled, muffled somewhat by the girl now lying on top of her.

"We're hanging out today!" Cat declared shrilly. "I brought Mean Girls, Toy Story 3, caramel popcorn, clothes you'd never wear, and Indian food way too spicy for white girl taste buds!"

"Oh, joy," Jade responded as she gently pushed Cat off and stood.

"Mean Girls or Toy Story 3?"

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Toy Story 3. We've watched Mean Girls like 20 times."

"Yay!" Cat dragged Jade over to the couch and started the movie. As it started, she returned to the couch and scooted as close to Jade as possible, snuggling into her and resting her head on Jade's shoulder until she felt the other girl stiffen. "What's wrong?"

"I hate this movie," Jade replied, irritated. "And do you always have to cuddle me? I'm not your fucking girlfriend."

Cat pulled away quickly, her cheeks burning. "I didn't realize it bothered you so much," she whispered in reproach. "To infinity and beyond!" she called out suddenly, as Buzz Lightyear appeared on screen.

Jade watched Cat, biting her lip. I already want her close again. And shit, she looks hurt. She forced herself to look back at the movie. I'm not supposed to care so much. But just look at her, all perfect even though her hair's frizzy and her shirt's riding up, oh shit- Jade shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Forget Cat, she was the one who needed to see a psychologist.

"Sammmmmm I brought fried chickennn where are you-"

"Did someone say fried chicken?"

Cat laughed and approached Sam to hug her, but instead found the bag snatched out of her hands as Sam prepared to wolf down the food. "So, sweet little Ronny is in bed," Sam announced through a mouthful. "He was as easy to babysit as his mom said he'd be. And-"

Suddenly Cat was looking at something over Sam's shoulder. "Ohmygosh, Sam, is that a boy?" A very confused, rather attractive, and thoroughly unfamiliar man was indeed sitting on the couch.

"Good job, Cat," Sam said sarcastically.

"He's-he's not wearing a shirt!"

"Two out of two, correct."

Cat sputtered. "You can't have a boyfriend here while we're babysitting."

"And you were so close to four out of four! First, not my boyfriend. Second, I was babysitting. You were off with Jade."

"If he's not your boyfriend, why isn't he wearing a shirt?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?" Sam laughed. "Oh, stop acting so horrified. I know someone must have taught you about the birds and the bees."

"Yes," Cat answered defensively. "And I understood everything."

"Right," Sam replied. "Anyway, Brody was just going."

"My name's Brandon!" he protested.

"Ehhh, potato, tomato."

"That's not right, you're supposed to say potato, potah-"

"Weren't you just going?"

Brandon huffed, picking up his shirt as he walked out. "I'll call you!"

"I won't answer!" Sam called as the door shut. And turned to find Cat glaring at her, hands on her hips. "What now?"

"You can't-" Cat began prissily. "You can't have... s-e-x, while there's a kid in the house."

"Relax. We didn't. And damn, Cat, I'm really starting to wonder if you're a v-"

"Wait, you didn't? But you said-"

"Just wanted to see your reaction. Which was priceless, by the way. We just fooled around."

Cat sniffed. "Still not right, with a kid in the house."

"Fine, mother. I won't do it again. Come on, let's go eat that fried chicken."

Wow, I'm kind of iffy about whether Sam was in character during that last scene? If you guys like it I'll keep it but if you don't I'll cut it out. I just wanted to write a jealous Cat, lol.

To be honest, I'm not sure how I want to resolve Jade's problems with her father, or if I want to resolve them at all. The show makes it clear that at least during this stage of their lives, they're not capable of reconciling, and I'm afraid it wouldn't be in character if I have them reconcile. It would be typical of Jade to perform at the festival despite her dad's wishes, but she would probably face major consequences. What do you all think?

Also, please give me feedback on pairings and moments and all that good stuff. 3 Love you all, and please review!