Jade had just finally finished moving in – much to my damn annoyance up until that point – and tonight was her first night in this new home with Tori. Tori's mom wanted Jade in the guest room, which Tori and Trina had repainted in shades of green, black, and purple. She had not budged for even a second, no matter how jade had argued. She didn't seem as easily intimidated as teens were, which Jade was a little unnerved by.
The hollywood witch had moved all her dressers into it and gotten a new bed, not that it had been any effort to get them. Her family was wealthy, dismissive, neglectful, and honestly had almost seemed eager to be rid of her with an agreement to continue paying for her tuition. A sort of rent agreement – to hush anyone with a nosey face – so she could live under the Vega's roof. Tori's mother quickly laid down a few ground rules, however, as she had already begun treating Jade like she would any new boy in Tori's life. Andre is probably the only one who get easily get away with sharing a bed with her. All that boy would do is make music and snore, without permission.
1. No sex and no arguing. They really couldn't fight her on that because they weren't planning on doing nor had done anything sexually just yet. They had slept in the same bed before, but never slept together. As long as they abided by that rule, her mother wouldn't bother them about it. Not that I ever could even try. Woman picked up perfume from five days ago under four others. No way I could hide any of THOSE smells from her.
2. Curfew of 11:00 o'clock, with school being the only exception. Jade had never had a curfew before, but she never really went out too late. Despite what people might say. Creeps.
3. Jade must address both of Tori's parents as Mom and Dad from now on. This was the only real issue. Jade had never reaaaally had a mom and dad. Her parents had raised her, but calling it that felt sour in her mouth. Tolerate. Tolerated me for sixteen years would be more accurate. By the time she started the first grade way back in elementary school, she was lucky to see them two or three times a month. They were always traveling, and she had learned how to fend for herself. Thank shit for microwaves and internet guides.
Money was never a problem. All she ever had to do was use the cards they left here. They never ran out, nor did her parents say anything once about it. Soo she really only ever called her parents by their first names in the little time she saw them. If they even bothered to notice I was there for the four seconds they would pop in just to grab something they forgot. Like one of their designer glasses, but not their spawn. Nah. That can stay. However, she would at least show enough respect to these people – who were letting me live with my little popstar – to call them what they wished. They were a real couple and functionally engaged in all but law, despite not planning to go any further until after they graduated.
Aaaanyways, although this was her new room, this was not where Jade would sleep. Slept alone for too damn long... She would be sleeping in Tori's room with her, for the foreseeable future. Tori's parents had only said no sex. Don't remember anywhere in those rules that said I couldn't death grip her to sleep. Not that I would abide by that if it was. Jade still couldn't get over how warm Tori was. She knew it could have just been the moment, but Tori had been seriously hot. She found out from Tori's mom that Tori had an above-average temperature; she was naturally warmer than most people. This seemed odd because Jade had a lower than normal temperature; she was naturally colder than most people. The health issues I've got from that shit. Need to grab more spf lotion later.
...
It was still mid-day on a Sunday, so Tori and Jade were just cuddling on the couch watching a movie of Jade's choice. Saw IV was one of her favorites, but she needed to take Tori's needs into consideration, as Tori was easily frightened. Jade had picked a less scary horror movie. It was called Gremlins – all time classic cult horror – an old classic that was part horror, part comedy. Tori really seemed to enjoy it. I thought ahe would never stop asking for one if the little fuzzy bastards. Jade enjoyed when Tori got scared and held her tighter. Just as they were getting to the end, Trina walked in.
"Well, don't you two look cozy. Whatcha watching?" Trina stared at the screen. It took her about two seconds to register the movie and jump onto the couch. "I've never seen this before. I've heard of it but never seen it. Why were they so cute and now so ugly? Where'd they come from? How many are there? Wh-" She met Jade's eyes, and they came to a quiet understanding. Keel talking and I am going to feed you all your nail polish right through your nose. Jade wanted silence and to be with Tori. Trina got up, moved to the chair, and didn't say another word. Good. At least she's still scared of me. Jade let herself have a slightly smug grin at that, pulling her girl in a little closer.
Jade didn't think Tori even noticed because her eyes never left the screen, and she was still holding Jade tightly. They were still in their pajamas, Tori in sweatpants and a tank top, Jade in a t-shirt and panties. Tori didn't mind Jade's choice of pajamas, but Trina didn't like it. This was going to be Jade's first night of many living there, so Trina would get used to it. Or else. Jade was only wearing her pajamas because Tori had still had hers on when Jade arrived that morning, so Jade had quickly changed back into hers. Why not get good and comfortable? It was my house too now.
The play had gone great two weeks ago, and the casting director had been particularly interested in Andre and Jade. Finally. Someone with actual sense. Jade wasn't surprised when he approached them afterwards, asking if they would like to negotiate some sort of deal. They were both excited until he mentioned they would have to move away to Florida. Screw that. Way too much sunshine. Already need an umbrella somedays. Jade quickly said no thanks, and Andre said he still wanted to finish school there before moving into a career far away. The guy told them he would be in touch in case they changed their minds. Since it wasn't a really big movie deal he had been talking about, neither of them reconsidered.
There will be more chances. Ya. Definitely. Better be... As Jade came out of her thoughts, she noticed Tori had gotten up while she had been thinking and had put in a new movie. "This is one I think you'll like. I'll try not to leave any nail marks on your arm, as long as you don't let me go. Promise." Oh no, what is she...
Tori started the movie. It was Saw V. Jade had gotten so stuck on Saw IV that she never got around to watching the rest. As they sat there, Jade could tell it was really freaking Tori out. When the pendulum scene got close to the gory part, Tori was holding onto her very tightly with tears in her eyes. Jade stopped the movie. No. We aren't... no. No, you don't. Cry. Not cause of me. Not. Not anymore. Shit. Shitshitshit!
"Baby, baby look at me." She cupped Tori's cheek softly, pulling her with a slightly firm grip on her chin with a hooked thumb to look up. Her cheeks splashed red at the action, drying a few but not all of her hanging tears. "Hey. We don't have to watch this."
"But.. b-but..." Her lip quivered slightly. Ughhh you can't do that in front of meeee!
"No buts." The hollywood witch whispered softly, kissing her head as Jade placed her finger to Tori's lip. She calmed down slowly at that. "I can enjoy people pull apart playtime on my own just fine." She joked as her hand ran through those soft, chocolatey strands. Jade smiled a little at the softness, even this early in the day. "Now, no more tears. Got it? That's an order, Vega." She said more sternly, encroaching on the old biting tone but with the edge softened to a firm, affectionate level.
"Y-yes, West." Tori answered softly, blushing warmly as Jade corrected her.
"That is Miss West, when no one's watching." Flashing a little wink as she patted Tori on the hip, pushing her off the couch and toward the tv. "Now, put on something you wanna watch. Really want to watch. Got it?"
"Yes, Miss West." She teased with a smirk as she knelt down with far too much of a view for Jade to be ready for, removed Saw V from the player, and slid in the something into the dvd player Jade couldn't quite see. Oh no... She groaned inside.
Jade was still growing accustomed to feeling genuine empathy for someone, without the ensuing urge to punch all her problems away. Tori was fragile, and Jade was far too used to rigid for her delicate nature. I'll be damned if I don't make this work anyway. She was trying to be a little less... well, sledge-hammery, but letting Tori even attempt that was probably a step too far as is. Gotta find a way to make it up to her later.
Jade didn't feel like she needed to control Tori like she had with Beck. Maybe that was because she never really liked Beck. He was just there for show and to make it look like she could feel emotions other than anger, at least until she met Tori, then she really did feel something for someone other than anger. A pretty little doll for her to parade around and play pretend. ...kinda tired of playing pretend.
Jade had given up her scissor habit because she had used the scissors to help cool her anger. Her hands itched somedays, missing her coping mechanism a little bit more than she had admitted outloud. Tori replaced her scissors, cooling her anger just by being near her. Come to think of it, Jade had heard Beck had left Hollywood Arts altogether after the big reveal and that he had left town. Oh well, guess he just couldn't accept losing me to someone, much less a girl... maybe. He had always been against the whole same-sex thing. That was one of the reasons Jade had stayed near him; he could help her hide her true feelings for other girls. He fed her hate and lies that never made her forget, but they had helped her try and pretend otherwise. There was no small amount of guilt in her willful actions in the past on such hate, even hate as a mask for her own queerness.
Before Tori, Jade hadn't felt love, but she had felt attraction. No clue what that would even be called. Maybe I am just a witch haha! Or a demon... Even before Tori, she had never been attracted to men, but Tori had ruined it for all of them permanently.
For the past week, Tori had refused to shut up all weekend about some new student coming to the Arts. She said he was an aspiring tabletop story writer, hoping to work for someplace called the Black Library or something. Sounds kinda spooky, but just what I need. Another headache trying to nudge in on my terf. At least this one sounds like a total nerd. You can bully those easily.
Jade had seen the rough drafts and public stories Tori was talking about. He had some talent, but he was nothing special. S. Moscow. Sounds russian. The stories had been a lot of fanfic, but there was a couple original works with clear vampire elements. Jade was going to read them all lver the next week to see what the big deal was. Shouldn't be too hard. I bet it's a bunch of short little half thought through bullshit. However, from what Tori told her, a lot of it had romance but also a lot of fighting. She mentioned that one even gave her some Twilight vibes, which was one of her current book fascinations. I had to fall for that kinda girl, didn't I? She wouldn't say anything else beyond that. Tight lipped for once. Wonder why. She usually can't stop spilling deets.
Jade returned to reality when she felt warm lips press against her cheek. She looked over to see Tori cuddling back up with her and press play on the remote. The movie Tori had picked didn't surprise her; it was that stupid sponge movie. Oh shit this one is a musical, UGHHHH. Jade would sit through it like she loved it, though, as long as Tori was happy and near her. Jade guessed real love made a lot less sense than acting in love, which was what she was used to doing. Doesn't make me cry inside like my shit does for her. Just gonna need to listen to so much screaming to detox. Easy. Should have a playlist on my phone.
Tori just sat there cuddled up to her 'Sweet Tootsiepop'. That was her pet name for Jade. Jade in turn called her her little 'Popstar'. Woman practically glows every time she smiles. Jade would also make Tori call her by her pet name when she said goodbye on the phone. Tori was allowed the same privilege, forcing Jade to say it to her. Clever girl.
They just sat there all day watching movies with the occasional interruption from Trina. Trina would be quickly silenced or scared off by the hollywood witch's daggerspray of a glade; Tori liked that. Whenever Jade visited before, she would scare off or at least shut Trina up. Now that Jade lived there, things would be finally be nice and quiet. Hopefully.
Jade stretched slightly, thinking about how everyone had already started treating her like a part of the family. Including all the ribbing from the parents. They wanted to get everything they had held in for the two years they had known each other out, so they kind of sped a lot of things up. Jade sweat internally a little. This had been really quick, but... They had hidden their feelings for two years, so deciding to just skip the awkward bullshit was just Jade's speed. Tori suggested Jade move in. She knew my parents wouldn't give a shit, and I know she's plotting something with my closet. Her dad wasn't too happy to have someone with a possible record in his house, but her mom was for it, and after Tori convinced him Jade hadn't committed any crimes – That Tori knew, or had been convicted of. Yet. – he quickly warmed up to the idea.
Tori seemed to have lost track of time in the cold gentleness of Jade's arms. Their polar opposite temperature conditions made body contact between them, even if only through clothes, very enjoyable. Which also meant it seemed to almost sedate the little songbird. Tori would heat Jade up, and Jade would cool her down. It also cleared up why Jade didn't sweat very easily for her love. Her body didn't need to cool down as fast before reaching a critical temperature, so it didn't sweat as often. Tori's body did quite the opposite; she sweated too easily. Gonna need to crank the AC in my car even more than before now.
...
As they sat there cuddling, Tori knew this would be enough for the time being. As long as she could hold Jade in her arms, she was happy. Totes need these in my life forever. Jade's cold skin brushing against hers. Her smooth, chilly lips on hers. They were the perfect match. Polar opposites. Optimist and pessimist. Kinda like a cannon! Super pretty when it goes off, but, don't look down the barrel when it does. That's kinda weird. Maybe I shouldn't say that one. Oh, but what if it makes Jade laugh, or groan?? Waaaait... A little playful smile came across her. Ideaaaassss!
It was already pretty late, 10 p.m. Trina had already gone to sleep. Tori's mom and dad would be unconscious by now. This was their chance to go to Tori's room undisturbed. Unfortunately, they were both tired from moving Jade's last few things into Tori's house that morning, so they didn't have the energy to even make out. They just crawled into bed and lay there together. Jade took Tori in her strong, cold but gentle arms under the comforter and whispered to her, "I love you, Tori Vega. My Little popstar." Tori answered, "I love you too, Jadelyn West. My tootsiepop." She giggled at the slight throb in Jade's forehead at her own chosen nickname. I HAVE to find more ways to do that with cuteness. Asap!
...
The next morning, Jade felt strangely good. She hadn't felt so good after sleeping in... ever. Didn't even have more than two nightmares. That's new. Usually I'm counting them by the dozens. She opened her eyes to see Tori had gotten up already. Tori had never been an early riser before; now she seemed to be getting up earlier and earlier, like she was trying to impress Jade. Jade looked at the clock; it was 6:30. She got an idea.They still had an hour and a half before the school doors opened and another half hour before first period. Jade didn't feel tired or groggy; she felt warm. So very warm.
"Hey, babe. You wanna stop anywhere before we get into school?" Tori started to look back, midway through brushing her hair as Jade wrapped her arms around the smaller girl. The hollywood witch had grown quite used to just how soft she was compared to her when they got this close. She practically had no muscle, where Jade hid it most of the time, but she was rather fit. Like obsidian against Pele's hair. "Jade..." She whispered lightly, her small hands laying over the goth's firmer forearms.
She only wore one of Tori's graphic tank tops and a pair of panties, exposing her pale and toned skin. Tori's was so much darker by comparison, like warm cocoa freshly filled with cream. Makes me want some peppermint mocha coffee. She planted a soft kiss on the smaller girl's neck. She smiled a little at how she shivered, all that warm sunshine turning to cute little quivers all of a sudden. "What's wrong?" Jade whispered softly, delighting just a bit too much in how her hot breath made the girl in her arms shake so sweetly. Too sweetly. Like warm milk chocolate as she planted another kiss. No, she is definitely more like mocha. Just right.
Tori's breathing caught as her hands lightly clung to Jade's wrists, seeming to loosen and retighten each time the witchy woman kissed her. Jade couldn't help it. The way all that glow and flash melted with just a little bit of touch. Not too hard, but definitely not too soft. Damnit, now she has me quoting fairytales. What is this girl doing to me?
Tori slowly leaned back, letting her face fall into the crook of Jade's neck as the witch's kisses slowly rained across her collar bone. Her one hand rose to hold Jade by the hair, only with a delicate touch. The other ran its thumb lightly along the stronger girl's wrist, just relishing by all accounts in the soft romantic moment. The radio played a song that had Jade slowly rocking their hips, swaying side to side.
"Baby, pull me closer..."
"In the backseat of your rover..." Tori followed up, both sung in barely melodic breathy voices to the rhythm of the radio.
They were likely going to be a little late to school, but Jade didn't care. This moment is more important. Her. She thought with an intent she never knew she had. She spent her morning, slowly making sure that no one would doubt who was Jade West's girl, ever again. She may have even left a bite or two. She couldn't tell who had enjoyed that more. Her, or Tori.
...
"Shit." Jade grumbled as she ran with Tori out to the car, haphazard clothes thrown on with no time for make up and even less to give a shit.
"Here baby!" Tori said as she slid in beside her, rocking Jade's own Breakibg Benjamin T-shirt and a pair of too snug capri jeans.
"Hm?" She blushed a bit, wishing she had brushed her hair instead of tossing it in a quick low ponytail to hide it as Tori reached over and did her lipstick. She was shockingly good despite their high speed, putting the black velvet texture across her lips with fine skill. Fuck that was kinda hot.
Jade had started considering her behavior to others, too. She had always been a bitch, but it was a defense mechanism, and she didn't need to be defensive. Well. Okay. A little still, but just now all the time. Maybe around 89% defensive. Ween myself off. She was still a bit cold on the inside and cruel, she accepted that, but she would definitely ease up on people. Especially Robbie; he was a dork, but he meant well enough. But if he ever touches Cat...
Jade still planned to put that doll through a shredder one day and blame it on a squirrel. Knowing Robbie, he would be too choked up over the loss of Rex to see any lie in that story. Or too afraid to ask further.
She picked up the link off Tori to that friend of hers website between classes to read when Tori wasn't able to swap their classes around, likely settling into a dark corner of the school for her free period while Tori was stuck in P.E. She really liked these dorky stories. Might as well see what she's reading. She would probably look for a spot near the gym to read on her phone.
"We are gonna be so laaaate!" Tori whined, patting the front of Jade's dashboard a little like a tantrumlike. Shit that is way too cute.
Jade put her foot nearly to the floor in response. It felt less like a choice and more like an instinct. As if the tremble of Tori's voice made her body jerk to satisfy her current irritant, no matter how small. Her thumb ran over the ring on her finger, smiling quietly at the feeling of its metal promise.
"Do.. do you think we are gonna be ok?" Tori asked, her delicate fingera resting over Jade's on the steering wheel. Her eyes landed on the matching gleam of Tori's ring. This was their first day back to school since Jade had fully moved in. Their friends all knew, but they had spent so much time with the move that they had been a little zombie-like at school. Today was probably the first time Jade woke up not feeling like her muscles hated her more than usual.
Jade placed her hand woth Tori's right onto her babe's knee, rubbing it softly with her thumb. She didn't feel like she had to say anything. She felt like Tori understood her without words. Somedays, Jade really needed that, and it was starting to feel like one of those days.
...
Jade pulled into a parking space, already thoroughly grumpy by the state of traffic on the way over, and they both got out the car. Tori had a bounce tonher that almost made her look lighter than air in Jade's eyes while her own heavy footed boot made her suddenly get why Beck always grabbed her the way he did. Kinda feels good.
Immediately, Jade heard people whispering as they saw them walk up to the main building, Tori nearly glueed to Jade's arm while the Hollywood Witch just quietly sipped her mocha frap. Tori had skipped out on a drink, but she munched on an entire dozen donuts in the way here without somehow getting a crumb on Jade's floor. We sure she isn't the witch? How does she stay so small when she eats like that? Wait... does she always eat like that?
Her thoughts drifted back btiefly to the whispers, if only to make sure she knew what they were saying wasn't anything too foul. It wasn't that anything they said would change a thing; anyone who tried to break them up would be BROKEN. Jade felt the thought hit her like a fireball, and she relished more than a little in that genuine possessive feeling. As if she was listening to Jade's thoughts, Tori smiled even wider and put her head on Jade's shoulder, sending the whispers into full-blown conversations.
"That settles it, they are together," one girl said.
"Pay up, chump, I told ya it was Tori," Jade heard a boy say to another.
"It's about time," a small group said. Jade guessed some people saw this coming, and even seemed a bit happy for them. That made her smirk just a little. Damn right. She is mine now, and don't any of you forget it. So far, not a single negative comment. They got to their lockers, which were now next to each other. They grabbed their stuff for first period, placing photoes of each other in their lockers, and shut them. Tori's was Jade driving, shades on and arm out the window, looking like a rockstar. Jade's was Tori mid snore in bed, hair looking like a tangled mess. That I may or may not have caused.
"Everyone, he's here!" some girl yelled out, likely one of the gossips that stayed tuned to every little goings on. When she said that, a good chunk of students turned around. Jade expected the nerds and the shutins, the techies and the stage crew people to look, but she hadn't expected a good chunk of the manlier guys and even the gossips to look, more interest in their eye than just the hottest tea in school.
They just kind of strolled along. Tori was a fan, but she was also his friend. So odds are she was just following Jade's lead so she could chat later alone. The chatter she got suggested a lot of folks knew his stories, and they sounded pretty dark compared to what Tori had described.
Jade lead Tori toward their first class, choosing to ignore the small growing crowd behind them. Talk about short attention spans. Took all of a second to forget about us. Tori had mentioned that only his agent had seen this guy before. He was a bit of a hermit, but Tori had met him ages ago way back in kindergarten, and they had stayed in touch over the years. If he tries some childhood crush shit... She had also heard he wasn't stuck up like most young teen writers she had met, but you heard that a lot about people. It's just a front.
They headed directly for Sikowitz's classroom, thoroughly uncaring for whatever toilet bowl level goss was surely dotting the student body like a fleeting song. Every day, new bullshit to make sound so. So very fun. Jade was definitely grateful to be free ot the headaches the rumor mill could dredge out of her so easily on amy other day, and ironically, the class was a nice distraction from the small knot of anxiety that had been building up in her belly. She didn't really care too much what happened to herself. But if one of them comes at Tori for being gay...
...
Sikowitz looked pleased to see them; he was wearing his usual bathrobe slipper combo. His hair was a mess. And he still wondered why he couldn't get a date.
"Yeah, we're here ya old lune. Now. How long do we have to wait until the rest of the school stops drooling over that guy and gets back? The damn noise is giving me a migraine." Jade spoke out a bit more aggressively than she meant. She really didn't have the patience today. She just wanted to see how the students reacted to them and get on with the day. Something to shut up this knot of nerves in her gut around someone, anyone, hurting her girl just cause she was her girl. It had always been like she wanted to be the only one allowed to piss Vega off before. Now? She was the only one allowed to even go near her without the hollywood witch threatening to take a limb or two.
"Wellllll you know how they get with a fresh piece of hot goss." He tapped his fingers in a wiggly motion that made Jade scrunch her nose slightly. "Now. Focus!"