Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1 : Pilot

Hollywood Art High School, a high school for performing art located in the sunset boulevard has a Hollywood hills view over the school courtyard. For a performing art high school, HA is pretty known as the school for wannabes even though the school has a handful of successful alumni in their rapport. 

Tori, long brunette hair, brown eyes, and a half Latina, had never been a performer and was content attending a regular public high school until her older sister Trina, whom attending the said performing art high school wasn't able to perform at the Big Showcase - an annual show in which students will perform their best talent in front of a talent scout and producers- had failed to perform and Tori performed in Trina's place and got invited to attend the school by the principal. 

That was a year and a half year ago. 

Tori has grew to become the performer that she is, having her own group of close friends and she feels happy, never been she had this kinda friendship. She met Andre first through Trina and he's been her best bro ever since, they write music together and Tori always had Andre's back and vice versa, they're a good team. Then there's her other friends Cat, Robbie, Beck and Jade, the latter being dragged by Beck since he was her boyfriend and Jade kinda doesn't like to be left out on things so, she tag along where her boyfriend would go and kinda Tori's frenemies, Jade hates it that she likes Tori. 

Andre Haris the African-american music genius, he can piratically creates music in his sleep, like literally, he will wake up and will have the buzz of ideas about a tune or lyrics. 

Cat, the petite bubbly -dyed- red headed girl, she's a sensitive, funny and a hell of a singer and actress with many hidden talents. She's the group's youngest sister with how constantly Beck or Andre need to look out for her and keep her out of trouble. She's not a rebel, no, she's just... Cat Valentine.

Tori's experience meeting the group was quite interesting, she called Cat a bipolar Cat while Robbie is a creepy boy with a puppet, it was kinda creepy, when she was first walking into the school main hallway and greeted by Cat when Robbie Shapiro, skinny, tall, nerdy, very Jewish looking with an Afro hair walked in holding a puppet named Rex in his hands whom refused to be called a puppet and proceed to flirt with her, not Robbie, but the puppet. 

How she met Beck was an awkward story one followed by Jade calling dibs on her "boyfriend", Tori accidentally pour coffee on Beck's shirt, tall, skinny, gorgeous fully hair, tan skin, with kind eyes Beck, whom just smile coolly at Tori and said it was fine but Tori just starting to rub the coffee out of his white shirt with her sleeve.

She thought she was having a moment there with Beck when they looked at each other eyes but that moment was broken when a very accusing voice of Jade chimed in "Dude, what are you doing rubbing my boyfriend?!" A questioning and irritated look painted on the pale beauty's face, sky yet piercing blue eyes staring intently at Tori before she signed with her hand and said "Step away from him."

Beck just turned around to the goth looking girl with a calm manner, trying to calm her. "Babe, chill. Nothing happen." And Jade with that cute pout looked up at Beck trying to be upset with him for letting Tori touched him but can't when he kissed her softly, she still upset with Tori about it though, Proved by her pouring an iced coffee down her hair at an improve class. 

 A start of a very beautiful friendship indeed.

A lot has happened after that day, Jade broke up with Beck, Andre had a crush on Jade - a momentary lapse in judgement, not because Jade is horrible to have a crush on, just at that time, Jade is still in a relationship with Beck, and Tori helped him get over his crush on Jade - Robbie trying to ask Cat to date him but failed, ping pong scheme and yeah, they're a close nit group of friends, and Tori would not change a thing. 

Well, except one thing. 

The music blazing through the Asphalt Café -where most of the students eating their lunch- and as usual Tori and the gang sitting in their table, just below a stage where students can perform their jam in the school courtyard and chatting about everything that came to their mind, the latest gossip, fashion until the new play that once again directed by the one and only, their favorite drama teacher, Sikowitz.

Tori, not really paying attentions of what being discuss at the table, her focus is elsewhere, with hand on her cheek, other hand playing with her food aimlessly, looking across from her seat. 

Jade. 

Her mind echoes the name.

When Tori thought she was having a moment with Beck with their "Meet cute", that moment broken by those blue eyes, I mean, Tori likes Beck sure, he's kind, wise, mature, calm, pretty much screamed a good guy, but Jade, she's fiery, she masked her goodness with her tough exterior and walls high for her defenses, but the feeling Tori has is like, those eyes, the raven haired girl's eyes are locking her in the second brown met blues. -sounded cliche -

She would lost herself in those mesmerizing blue eyes, the ever very cute pout –although everyone else is seeing it as a scowl – that Jade throw once in a while when she's upset about something or when she doesn't get her way on something.

The half Latina can't help it but to like the blue eyes beauty more, even with all the mean things the goth girl did to her, because in one rare moment, Jade will do nice things to her, that would make her heart shutter and put a smile on her face. She falls for Jade West, yes, the Jade West.

The very feeling that she hides from everyone.

Tori Vega has been trying to befriend the actress, but everything she did or about to do seem hopeless because the pale beauty would just brushed her off and ignore her or hate her guts more than she ever did before.

The soon to be actress-director-playwright hate her, or as she like to say it, strongly dislike the brunette the minute the girl rubbed coffee off of her ex-boyfriend who was her current boyfriend at the time.

She tried to make Jade at least to like her as a person if not a friend but that plan was a foiled one, because the pale beauty is still hates her. -at least that's what Tori thought -

But this year, this particular year, Tori Vega needs Jade to somehow to be civil with her, this final year of high school, she wanted to be different, she wants to make the best of it, even though she knows that her heart, her love would never be reciprocate by the raven haired beauty. Dramatic much? Yeah she knows that too, but she has a feeling that this year, is going to be interesting ride for her.

"Please… please, please … PLEASE… Robbie." The childish voice of Cat –the red velvet haired girl- Valentine can be heard, begging for the puppet master to agree on taking her to the baby golf game with her while the boy keep saying 'No' to her.

From across the table the singer who is still in her daze while looking 'subtly' at her crush brought back to reality by the riot the two of her friends made.

"Okay, fine, Cat, I'll take you to the baby golf game." The Jewish boy said in defeat earning an 'ha' by his puppet Rex, it's still amuse Tori somehow, because the boy manage to be so shy yet so blunt at the same time by saying what he's really thinking through Rex, his meaner alter ego.

"Yay, thank you, Robbie." The petite red head squeal in happiness, jumping up and down in her seat before resuming eating her sandwich.

Tori smiled at Cat's antics, the said girl is smart but yet still so innocent, she would easily lights up at the word 'Candy' or 'Bibble' or any other sweet treats, but she can be the wisest person on occasion.

She, like Tori, also a transfer student, except she got there just one semester before Tori, but the girl could blended in fast despite how everyone would say she's a ditz, she's a genius at everything that scream art.

The singer chuckles, she's so bubbly and cheery, but that aura is like 180 degree mirroring on what the person next to her looks like. The raven haired girl sit there and have her permanent scowl on like usual, stabbing carelessly at the poor salad she called lunch.

She's in a bad mood.

The perk of being a subtle observant is that, she knows how Jade mood work, or how her body language is trying to tell how she really feel, like, Tori knows about the different between scowls Jade has, her 'I'm pissed, don't talk to me' scowl, or her 'I'm bored, go away' scowl and even down to her smirk, the 'I'm happy about something' smirk and her so called 'evil' smirk, that usually painted on her face whenever she plan on doing bad, bad thing to someone.

That little things she noticed about the pale beauty that even Beck failed to noticed, and right now, the actress is pissed about something because she's not even bother tried to insult the singer today, not even throw a glare at her, the said girl just looking at her salad as if it would burn if she keep staring at it.

"Jade, you're going to murder that poor salad of yours, if you keep stabbing at it." Tori finally said, everyone on the table seems not to pay attention to her or her comment, they used to it by now because there will be the inevitable bickering after one of them started to say something.

"Stay out of it, Tori." The pale beauty said without even a glance at the brunette "My day is bad enough. I don't need you to add your sweet sally peaches speech into It." She said bitterness in her voice.

"Well!" Tori said in mocked hurt on her voice, which is a bad idea, because it set Jade off even more.

"You know what, I'm done here anyway, and I can't take to hear any of your 'perky' little self, talking about rainbow and sunshine." Jade said get up bringing her salad with her and tossed it into the garbage can, leaving the flabbergasted Latina and the table full with confused teenagers.

"Does anyone know what set her off today?" Tori asked innocently while everyone just shrugs their shoulders not really have an answer.

The rest of the table going back to their recent activity, which is eating and gossiping while Tori left thinking about what made Jade so pissed, she know it's really not her place to dive her nose into it, but Jade is her friend, well, kind of friend, but still friend, so its normal to concern about friend, right, right.

She's in her little world, she doesn't even notice that now the rest of the table talking about the new music teacher, or how Andre's voice is so dreamy while talking about her.

"I know, that's what I'm thinking the first time she walked into the class, man, she's so, mesmerizing, and beautiful, and gorgeous." He said.

"Yeah, but she has funny hair color, though." Cat chimed in. "I asked her about dying her hair in aqua color, but she said it's her natural hair color, that's not possible, right, I mean, if her hair is natural color, than mine can be, but it's not." She said confused at the end, looking at her own dyed 'red velvet' color hair, she made her funny expression when she got confused and it's really cute.

"Well, it's odd, but somehow suits her." Andre chimed in again. "She's so elegant and her eyes is so captivating, don't get me started at how she smiles, man, she's even more beautiful when she's smile. But wait until you hear her play that violin of hers, it's … it's …. Man, I think … I think I might just fall in love with her." The boy said with dreamy eyes, earning a "gross Andre, she's our teacher." from Cat but giggles anyway while Robbie looks at him silly and Beck nods at him understandingly.

The singer though, she doesn't give a single feedback, since she still thinks about Jade's little foul mood earlier, Andre noticed the lacked of participation and nudged his best friend side to get her attention.

"What." Tori said with her 'I wasn't listening to you' tone, she doesn't even try to cover it, makes Andre rolls his eyes.

"I was talking about the new music teacher. Where'd you go just now?" He asked concern because he noticed that Tori have been spacing out a lot, lately.

"Oh, yea, Miss Kaiou Michiru, she's very talented and so … Japanese." She said quickly, wanting to get Andre out of her hair and not questioning about what she was thinking about because the boy can sense she was thinking about something from miles away.

Andre nods in agreement, he's too captivating about the topic to pay attention, and that answer alone is enough for him, for now, to not questioning Tori any further and leaves the singer alone back to resume 'eating' her lunch.

(- - Sha - -)

Buzz … buzz…

Tori felt her phone buzz in her pocket and she slowly gets it while she kept an eye to the teacher in case he looked her way, she doesn't want to get detention, not today, not ever, but especially today. Why, because, she and her father are going to the circuit. Yes. The circuit, as in race, motorsport, she loves everything about it, it was her secret guilty pleasure no one knows about, just her family and Andre.

It's begun when her father take her to one of the local race when she was in elementary school, well, she and her sister, at that time her mother has to go to an emergency work stuff and her father supposed to watch the race by himself but instead he has to babysit, doesn't want to waste her ticket, he just brought his little pups along. Trina fell asleep just after one lap, she didn't know how she manage to fell asleep with such a crowded place but she was enchanted by it, the way the engine sound, the way the riders moved to balance the bikes with every turn they take, she just can imagine the wind flow pass their face as they ride, even though she knows that they have the helmet on.

So, that is why Tori wants to ride one as well, she's been begging her father to build one with her, from scratch, her own costume motor bike, her father kind of happy that his child have the same taste like him, but again, he doesn't want her baby girl to ended up in a dirt somewhere after she fall of her bike, so he promise her, he will build the bike but she need to earn all the part by herself, and so, she's been saving up money from babysitting, her allowance, she even took a summer job, and been buying parts every now and then.

But she knew that her dad is just bluffing, so she take precaution, and been build her dream bike in Andre's friend's garage, just to be safe so her father doesn't have the control to messed up with her bike. Clever moved.

"Dad said he can't make it 'till just in time for the race to begin, you need to get there on your own. Love –T"

"Well, I'll be damn." She thought, she need to find a ride then because there's no buss heading where she need to be after school hour, and she's too poor to take a cab after spend all her money on buying parts for her bike.

"Can you give me a ride then, T?" Tori asked her sister, she knew right away that it's a futile effort but she need at least try, right.

"Can't do, baby sis, I already got a plan. Take care. –T"

She guessed right, and now she really is fucked. She kept on thinking of ways how she can get to the circuit on time, because, damn it, one of her idol is on the race, granted it's not international race but national, but still, he is the best racer America ever had, and he even not from America originally.

She bumps her head on the table again and again while still thinking. Andre is out of the question, he have to be home to take care of her grandmother, Beck, well, no, even though that's bigger chance for her for Beck to say yes, but her pride is so high that she doesn't want anybody to know her secret of liking Motorsport just yet. But, again, she kinda needs it, well, she always can say that her dad needs the ticket and she happens to have it and need to take it there. Yes, that's brilliant.

The bell rang and it's the end of the lesson for the day and unfortunately Beck is not on her class, so she needs to make a run for it if she wanted to catch the Canadian boy. She was about to dashed out of the door but her feet nailed to the floor when she saw Jade, she still has her scowl on and she's still pissed. Right, Jade.

She's so busy thinking about the race that she forget about the pale beauty who seems in distress, she felt conflicted, made a move and talk to her or run for the door to catch up with Beck and ask for a ride.

She grips the strip of her bag as the heels of her feet move back and forth, until she finally takes one final deep breath before she began to walk toward the girl.

Well, this better be worth it.

(- - Sha - -)

Couple of second pass before Tori brace herself and with hesitate steps she's making to follows the blue eyed girl, thinking that it would be better to talk to the girl in somewhere with more space. Just in case, since Jade is usually or most of the time, a ticking time bomb. Though she didn't afraid she was just taking precaution, she still wants to graduate and still have all of her limbs attach to her body. But before she could even manages to get five feet to follow the raven haired beauty, her phone buzzing inside her pocket. She looked into the disappearing figure and sighed, she pick up the phone but still manage to get her feet moving to try and locate the said girl.

"Dad." The singer said to the phone.

"Hey kiddo, I know I promise that I'll see you there. But there's been new case that's been assign to me, it's a pretty big case." Detective Vega explained almost in one breath.

Tori didn't seem to surprise though because she was used to her dad rescheduling their plan and she understand that. Her dad was helping and keeping people save and she respected that. She just wish that her dad would have more time for her and still helping people at the same time, but it's impossible so she was just need to make every little time she has with her dad and cherish them.

"It's okay papi, we'll make time next time… Big case huh, can I know what about?" She asked knowing the said detective would never share it with her.

"You know I can't tell you princess. It's confidential." The singer could make out the gentle smiles that form in her father's face while saying it. "But I'll buy you your favorite ice cream and we'll eat it together when I'm home."

"Orrr, maybe you can just give me the money to buy a new part for my bike?"

David chuckles, her daughter try that many time already but the answer always the same. "Nice try kiddo, but you're on your own on that."

"Darn. Well, at least I'm tryin'."

"Okay kiddo, I have to go now."

"Okay dad, be save and stay alert. Te quiero papito."

"I will, and I love you too princess."

The singer hangs up and stops on her track. She tried to make up which way Jade was going, there's two ways Jade could went to, the one into the gym and the one to the asphalt café. She knows then where Jade could be heading as she tighten her hold on the strap of her bag on her shoulder and walk toward the said direction.

(- - Sha - -)

The sun is not too bright at this time of day, just beginning to set and shine bright orange in the sky and the wind is quite chilling. Tori look up at the little stage put above the asphalt café and smile before she climb the stairs and up to the stage she usually performed with Andre every now and then. She stopped by the body lying on the floor of it and looks down; just staring at the person without any comment as the person lying there was closing her eyes, well Tori guess she does close her eyes since it was covered by shades.

"You're blocking my sun." The thespian girl deadpan without moving.

The singer scoffed. "You hate being in the Sun." The sun kissed girl moved to sit beside the raven haired beauty.

"Ugh. Why must you put sour taste into my already bad mood?" It's not a question, more of a statement. "What do you want?"

"Nothing." The girl shrugged.

"Well, if it nothing I'm sure you can find your way home."

It's almost dark and very few students are still around, if it not just hanging out, they're finishing some project for their class and it's actually pretty quiet up here. Just the sound of the wind and cars which is calming for the half-Latina though she doesn't know why exactly Jade choose this place to whatever she's doing here.

"Jade."

"Vega."

"Why are you in such a sour mood?" She asked as look ahead at the Hollywood sign at the hills.

"None of your business." The young playwright said in dismissed tone.

"Of course it is!" She said it without realizing how it sounded until it came out, she sounded like a possessive girlfriend and she widen her eyes at that. She choose the 'pinning from a far and help the blue eyed girl when needed' path for a reason, and she doesn't want that choice to change at any time soon. But the look Jade gave her made her sober up and she know she need to fix her momentary slipped up.

"I-I mean, you're my friend."

"I'm not your friend." She deadpanned.

"Well, to me, you're my friend."

"Good for you."

Well, at least the raven haired girl hasn't kicked her yet. It always is a good sign if Jade just gave a snarky remark … in away. Tori just need to be more delicate in approaching the subject because the blue eyed girl just too proud to ask for help, especially from her.

"What's bothering you Jade, tell me?"

"Why are you so nosey?" The girl in question just shrugged her shoulders with smiles on her face that made the pale beauty to roll her eyes. "Fine. The school declined my play again. They said it was too graphic and gruesome." She said with plain tone.

"What's the play about?"

"It's about a clown and a parachute …. That doesn't open." She said with ease and with a glint of her eyes and the smirk Tori know was meant to creep people out, and it might just work because she felt little creped out by it.

"What's it called?" The raven haired girl reached out into her bag and pulled out a little poster and gave it to the singer. "Clowns don't bounce." She read it out loud.

"They don't."

"You have very weird and active imagination."

"It's called creativity and art. We are going to school for creative young mind." Jade takes off her shades and looked at the girl. "Now that you know, why don't you just go to your merry little way and leave me alone."

Brown eyes looked into the poster once again before making up her mind. "What if I say … I could help you sets up performance for it at least for one performance. Do I still need to leave?"

The play-write to be look at the singer with unreadable expression but the singer know that the raven haired girl curious about what she said, enough to say her next line. "See I knew you'd keep me around … I mean, want to hear what I have to say now…." She grinned.

The pale beauty raised her eye brow amused. "Don't get cocky on me now, Vega. I was just curious and as much as I want this, I'm not that desperate to willingly accept your gloating face!" She brushed her tongue to her lower lips. "Besides, what's in it to you?"

"What?" The girl asked little bit confused.

"Oh come on, everybody has their agenda." She said raising her eye brows in question.

Tori perplex at the girl's statement. "And you think I have one?" She pointed at herself. "No. Jade, I have no agenda whatsoever; I just wanted to help you. That's all, nothing else I promise."

Blue eyes looked into brown eyes, studying it carefully. She wanted to make sure that the girl is serious with what she just said. "Just like that?" The raven haired beauty asked. "You just want to help me, nothing else, and you don't want anything in return?" The snow kissed girl question more and got one sharp and determined nod from the half-Latina. "I don't believe you." She said before she moved to turn to the opposite direction.

The brunette rolled her eyes. Off course Jade would not be easy to convince to do anything even though that something would benefit her the most. "I want to help you put a performance for your play and you thought I have different agenda about it?"

"Normal people would want something in return."

"But I'm not normal people, Jade. I'm me, the goody two shoes who likes to help people."

"So I'm just people to you?"

"What?! No! You're Jade west."

"Exactly, I'm Jade West, and I don't take unless I give back."

"You are a very weird and confusing, you know that?"

"No. I just hate to owe people something that can hold me back." The blue eyed girl said with finality. "If you want to help me, than you must have something you want in return."

"What if I tell you that I just want to help you because we're friends?"

"I'm not your friend."

"Really? Even after everything that we went through."

"Especially, after everything's that we went through."

"Oi you gave me a headache." The singer said.

The raven haired beauty just smirk at the girl's frustrated tone. "Come on, you must have a price Vega."

The brunette sighed. She thinks about what Jade said and she was kind of right because now, all she could think was how nice it is to go on a date with the girl. Get a grip Tori. No matter how much she wanted to say that was her price, but she still has pride and respect for the girl. "Fine. How about you teach me how to play piano in return?"

"That's it?"

"That's it, that's my price Jade. Take it or leave it." She challenged.

The girl considered it for a moment before she nodded in agreement. "Okay deal and you'll help me set up a performance for my play."

"That's the plan."

They finally reached an agreement and shook on it. Now all Tori need to do just come up with a plan on how she's going to do just that. Surely she needed some generous donator to put it all together. It's not that hard.

Right.

"So how much do you think it'll cost?"

(- - Sha - -)

There are two sets of faint grunts coming from the Vega garage company with occasional 'Hya'. The two Vega girls were doing some exercise together, they sparring up like they usually do since their dad made them take the defense class, karate and little taekwondo. David Vega insisted on his girls to know some defense moves to defend them in case something happen and there's nobody to help.

Trina was throwing some kicks and punch while Tori keep dodging them; she seemed to be doing it on auto pilot and the older brunette notice it. She threw one shallow punch and quickly retracted it before Tori manage to catch it and swept her feet instead, sending the singer to the ground with a loud thumped.

"Ow!" She said looking up to her older sister.

"What? It's not my fault that I beat your ass. You've been distracted all morning." The older brunette said whilst she grab one bottle of water for herself and one more for her little sister.

"At least try and be little gentler about it. My ass hurt." She pouted.

"You'll live." Trina said easily and handed the bottle of water to the girl. "Besides, you need your ass to hurt since your mind seems to be elsewhere and remember your opponent would never give you little break or slowing down just because you had a bad day. You need to focus so your ass does not get beaten." She said in a reminding tone as she gulped down the water.

The pop singer just pouted and plays with the cup of the bottle. Her pride little bit hurt by Trina, usually she's the one having to threw the older brunette down her ass but since she was 'occupied' about finding a way to come up with the money for the play made her lost focus and Trina easily beat her.

"What's wrong with you today?" Trina asked. "You seemed distracted, I usually the one who get distracted. If I think about it, you've been that way for these pass days."

"I just … There's just a lot on my mind right now."

"Is it about dad missing the race and you had to watch it by yourself?"

"No, it's not it. And I didn't go to the race either."

Trina frowned at the statement. "You didn't go to the race? You … really?" The girl asked amused. There's nothing that can make the Half-Latina miss any race except there was a life threating matter. 'This should be good'. The girl thought. "What's so important that made you missed the race?"

"I-I …" The girl hesitate whether she should tell her big sister or not, since she can be a drama queen and also a big gossip at the same time and she doesn't want her to tell the whole school and having Jade kill her or worse torture her before she finally kill her. She shudder at the thought and looked at her big sister. Trina has her moment though; she can be mature and helpful at times. But still, she doesn't sure if she can tell Trina.

"Just spill it Tori. I know you want to tell me, because I know that look. You have something that you desperately need to talk to someone about. I know I don't always helpful with your problem but at least I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to."

There it is. The big sister side of her that's rarely comes out. Tori needed that line for her final nudge to talk. "I … Jade was upset and I went to asked her what's wrong and I ended up promising to help her put a performance to for her new play that got decline by the school." Tori manage to say it in one breath.

"Wow … why?"

"Why?"

"Yeah, why would you want to help Jade? I mean, you're not helping me with my one woman show back then, why would you help Jade now?"

She looked at her sister with disbelieve. "Trina!"

"Okay, sorry." She said innocently and proceeds to back to the problem at hand. "Why the school won't let her put on her play?"

"Because they said the play was too graphic and gruesome, and also it might scared some people for life." She finished in a low voice. She's been thinking some alternate way to raise the money, but she also been debating about getting the money from her pocket but she hasn't made up her mind about it yet.

"Okay … Moving on. So have you come up with the plan on how to put the performance together yet? Because surely it needs money, and last time I check. You're broke."

She looked at her sister. "I've been thinking about using my engine money…"

"Tori, no! You've been saving up that money for as long as I can remember to buy your new engine for your bike."

"I know, but just some of it and I'll be able to get it back in no time. I'll help out in Jorge's garage and I'll get some more money from testing new bikes out in the track too. It'll be no problem." She convinced her sister.

Jorge is Andre's mechanic friend who help the Half-Latina build her motorbike, he also been teaching Tori about machine and how to fixing bikes and cars. Jorge's garage was the best shop in town that he would sometimes swamp and need little help in fixing stuff, so Tori has been worked there in the weekend and sometimes after school.

Her parents have no problem with her working, they know that she needed the money and it's also to build up her independent and responsible self. When you want something, you work for it.

"I still don't get why you're willing to go through all of that just so you can help Jade …. And not me." Trina said shaking her head while Tori just rolled her eyes. Leave it for the older brunette to be supportive in one minute and back to make everything about her in the next. "Well. I guess you have everything figure out. I just hope Jade knows how much you sacrifice just to make her happy." She looked at her sister knowingly. "I hope she's worth it, Tori."

"I-I …"

(- - Sha - -)

"Toreee!"

"What … what!" She looked at her crazy but awesome drama teacher and then she realize that everyone in the room also looking at her. She quickly threw a glance and swept the room and landed at the other side of the room. A pair of sky blue eyes looked at the scene with amuse smirk on her face that's not escape from the tan kissed skin girl, the pale beauty notice the glance too and raise her eyebrow at her.

"Why are you sleeping in my class? Am I boring you?"

The girl sober up when she heard Sikowitz asking her, she quickly responded. "No! No!" She quickly said. "I'm sorry Sikowitz, I barely sleep last night. I guess I'm little bit tired…" She said smiling; hopping the teacher would kindly forgive her.

"Oooo, seemed somebody have a long night last night!"

"Yes somebody is…" Tori said.

"Well, now you're not. Get on the stage. Cat and Andre too, you'll do a scene where you …" He pointed at Tori. "Will be a grandma and you two …" He pointed at Andre and Cat. "Couple of passersby tries to help the grandma to cross the road. Action!"

She looked at Jade's direction once again and saw the girl smile at her, well more like at how ridiculous she looked right now but it's still the cutest smile she ever seen on Jade West.

She's so worth it.

(- - Sha - -)

Saturday and Tori is working at Jorge's garage, wearing her mechanic jumpsuit outfit with the half top undone and leaving her in just her white tank top which is dirty by grease and oil. She's working on a bike when Jorge called her. She quickly finishing up before went to the little office.

"You called me?" She asked the Latina guy.

"Yes, I just want to tell you that your engine is in stock and ready to be send."

The singer hasn't told the guy about her money situation yet, she hasn't had the chance but now it seemed the best time. "About that. Jorge, I couldn't afford the engine yet, I have some emergency that I need to use the money. I won't be able to pay you back for at least couple of months…?"

The guy just smile at the singer. "Tori. Don't worry, I got it covered. You can pay me back when you got the money."

"Really?" The girl looked hopeful. She would finally able to build her bike, the engine was the last piece of the bike, and she's been waiting for it.

"Yes really."

"But still, I can't do that to you Jorge."

"I already said its okay Tori, you're like familia now, and family helps each other, no?" The Latina said with finality but the singer's face still seemed uncertain. "Okay, there's couple of bikes from one of my friends garage that ready to be tested on the track. What if I said that I set you up so that you can be the one to test it out to get extra money out of it?"

Her eyes lit up. "Like for the race kind of bike?!" The man nodded. "Oh my god. You'd do that? But I'm like amateur, surely they want professional rider to test their bikes out. And I'm a no body."

Tori has been tested one or two bike sure but it was Jorge's bikes and it's for customer not for the race. She wasn't sure if she could do it, riding was something she loves and what she's been dreaming of doing.

"You are more than capable for a test ride, and they wanted it to be unfamiliar face. They said that this bike is their new invention and needed to be a close test. So I recommended you. You're good, fast and perfect for the job. I already sent them your personal detail and they liked you right away."

"I-I don't know what to say." The girl was speechless, this is it. This is the opportunity to test how it feels to race bikes on the track.

"How about yes?"

"Yes!"

"Yes?"

"Yes. Jorge, I'll do it. Thank you Jorge!" The girls get up to hug the man with glee.

(- - Sha - -)

"You looked chirpy. Why you look chirpy?" The sky blue eyed girl asked the singer when the said girl sit across from the lunch table, their other friends not yet there so the pale beauty can asked the girl and not get question eyes from her friends, since the two still hasn't really been friend, just civilize to each other.

"Why Jade, I don't know that you care about my mood." The girl teased, she knew best not to provoke the sleeping beast but she just wanted to say that since she's in really good mood.

"I don't. It's just irritating me to see you so happy." She looked at the brunette with annoyed looked.

"You know, maybe you said that you don't care, but I convinced otherwise." The pale girl glared at her. "Stare all you one Jade, but you need to know that this girl." She pointed at herself. "Got the money to help you puts a performance for your play." She smiles smugly.

There's a surprise look on Jade's face but it disappear as soon as it appear replace by an amused look. "Really? And you make sure that no crazy lady this time to ruin my play?"

"Oh, you hurt me." She said pretend to be hurt with putting her hands above her heart in a mocking gesture. "No Jade, you can relax about that."

"Good." The girl said while playing with her salad.

Brown orbs looked at the pale beauty for a moment. "Is there something you wanna say to me, Jade?"

Sky blue eyes looked up to brown ones and the singer has to take one sharp breathe at how mesmerizing Jade's eyes are. Like she's look through her soul. But that moment quickly snapped when the girl said. "Don't screw things up." And Tori just rolled her eyes.

"You're welcome." The girl simply said.

Their friends finally join them for lunch and they fell to their usual pattern. Chatting with each other and eating. Maybe this time Jade will be her friend and actually admitting it. She said it before and she'd say it again.

She's so worth it.

(- - Sha - -)

Chapter Text

"May I present you … The stage," Tori said in a dramatic presenting voice as she open the double door to the theater. Tori managed to find a nice size theater for Jade's play and booked it. It's not small yet not big either, it was a decent size of theater -what she can get for a last-minute booking- and that was already a little over budget for Tori.

Seeing the smile on Jade's cute face was worth the extra money, it gives Tori a warm feeling seeing how happy she made the raven-haired girl. 

"Not bad Vega." The pale beauty said trying to downplay her excitement as she walks up to the stage and pictured her design, glints in her eyes. "I can get Sinjin to help with the prop and decoration, and Robbie will help with stage tech, Cat with costume, and Andre with the music." She trails off.

Never in her young life, has Tori seen someone this passionate about something. Admittedly she has seen many passionate people in her school alone, but at this moment, Jade radiates an extra passion for her craft, blue eyes looking around the theater with fire as she keeps on her list of what to do and adding more scribbles to her note, the little smile painted on her face as she writes down things, it's mesmerizing, cute, and sexy. yes Tori put cute and sexy in the same sentence. 

Tori was so lost in her own thought that she almost missed the quick compliment Jade gives her. "You did good Vega." She voiced out, she's still on the stage, notepad in her hands as she scribbles out her ideas for the stage.

"Of course, well, yes, Jade," Tori said after she manage to get her bearing back. Dang nerves, she needs to keep it together.

Jade turns around and look at the half-Latina, putting her notepad aside as she narrowing her eyes at the girl. 

Feeling uncomfortable that Jade looking at her as if she was studying her, Tori standing up from her seat. "Looks like you have all figured it out about the play." She cringes internally at her lame attempt of, well, deflecting the awkward situations. 

"I do," Jad said after a moment of pause and walks down the stage stopping in front of a nervous Tori. She looks at the brunette as if she contemplating something before she takes a deep breath and says. "Thank you … Tori."

If Tori's smile wasn't big enough before, it surely looks even bigger now. The raven-haired beauty always reluctant to acknowledge the half Latina's effort, but now that the girl was standing there and thanking her and also calling her by her first name. Tori feels like she's going to burse with happiness.

Yeah, it is totally worth it!

"You're welcome Jade." The brunette said coolly. "Now give Tori a squeeze..." Tori jokes with her 'sweet sally peaches voice' as she open her arms wide open making Jade scoffs and rolling her eyes at her. 

"Okay, we're done here." She exclaimed, as she headed for the door ignoring the playful pouts from Tori. 

She almost at the door when Jade paused and turns around, almost making Tori bumps into her as she ask. "Who's paying for this?"

Surprise at the sudden questions Tori quickly said. "It's anonymous." The pale beauty looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "They … wanted it to be anonymous…?" Jade crossed her hands on her chest, waiting for more explanation from the singer. "They Uhm, they likes art, and after I gave them your script. They read them and loved it, they think that you're great and wanted to help put up a performance to your play."

The goth swipe her tongue on the front of her front teeth, behind her lips, and raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow, and Tori gulps.

"They want it to be anonymous." There, Tori's last bit of strength, she hopes she can keep it together. Be strong Tori.

"Vega?" The singer hummed in confirmation. "The last time you help me with the 'well wishes' the lady wanted her awful talentless daughter to sing in my play." The play-wright recalled.

"And I assure you that this time; there will be no talentless daughter to ruin your play. This donator is legit, they just don't like to be recognized. That's all."

Silent but intense is what Tori describe of Jade right now, arms crossed, eyebrow raised, and calm but intimidating stare in place. "I promise you, Jade." The stare won't waver and Tori know that Jade was not convinced enough. "I'll make sure that your play runs smoothly." Still don't budge and the singer sighed. "Okay, what if … I'll help you, I'll help you with your play and prove you wrong by making sure that your play will go without a hitch."

The director contemplates the offers for a minute before she turns around to leave with a trail of, "I will need you to put up flyers, help with stage tech, costume..."

Shaking her head in amusement Tori follows the girl out of the theatre. 

(- - Sha - -)

Tori slumped into her bed with a thumped; she just finished showering after her long shift at Jorge's garage. It's Saturday night and she's ready to call it the night because she's so tired, she's been working extra hours to earn the money for her bike. She has to because even if Jorge said that it's okay and she can pay him back when she got the money, she still didn't like to owe people. Jorge was nice enough to give her the job and build her bike in his garage.

The brunette was about to fall asleep when there was a knock on the door and her father's head appears. "Hey, kiddo." He said and stepped into the room fully.

"Hey, dad." She said sitting up as the detective sat on the bed beside her.

"How are you doing kid, we haven't got the chance to catch up these past weeks."

"Yeah you're busy with the case and I'm busy with work."

David laughed. "You're a teenager. You're supposed to be busy doing homework and school stuff.... dating."

"I date sometimes... also you're the one who said that, if I wanted to build my own bike, I have to earn it myself." She said smiling when her father raised her eyebrow.

"Well, yeah. But not overwork it, you need to enjoy your teenage life as well."

"I am enjoying my teenage life daddy." The girl said. "So where's mom, shouldn't you two go on a date or something? It's Saturday night and you hadn't had an off time on Saturday night."

"She's off with Trina to do some last-minute shopping, said there's an emergency retail something sale…?"

The singer laughed. "You mean fashion emergency."

"That's what I said." David smile. "And I thought I'm just going to hang with my little princess and catch up."

"Dad, it's hang-out, not hang."

"I can't keep up with you kids these days." Tori giggled at her father's antics. 

They're catching up on hows their weeks have gone and Tori tells how she's helping Jade with her play and how she's so excited about the play, Jade writes raw stories and deep, and yeah sometimes can be outright gruesome and sick. But still, Tori loves to read any story Jade writes. 

There's this glint that she has while Tori telling her dad about Jade, Tori may have a voice like an angel with that raspy and low tone the can get to, but concealing her admirations about someone, is certainly not one of her talents, and David catches it. 

"So this Jade, when are you going to officially introduce her to us?" David nudged the brunette with a knowing look.

"What do you mean officially introduce her to you?" The singer looked at her father. "You met her before with my other friends."

"Yea, but you're dating so …"

"We're not dating, god dad. We barely even called ourselves friends." David gave her a pointed look. "We're kind of friends. It's complicated."

"Sure honey."

"So anything interesting about your new case?" The girl asked changing the subject away from the sky blue-eyed girl.

David smiled at his little girl, kissed the top of her head, and say good night to her. Leaving Tori with a bit of pout on her face as a teasing form for her father. "Good night Papi." She said softly.

(- - Sha - -)

In just a couple of weeks, Jade's Clown don't Bounce play is coming along great, they get everything mostly ready for the opening night, the stage is almost ready, and she has the props from Cat's brother, this time, it's genuine fake blood. Don't ask. 

Tori's weeks were hectic, she juggles between school, the play, and her job on a weekly basis, and Trina always looked at Tori with her annoying pointed look that says you're stupid for doing it, every time she comes home looking exhausted and collapsed on the red long couch on the living room with a groan. Still, despite her exhausting day, Tori felt accomplished.

The singer was putting up flyers around the school when she spotted Jade and Beck having a discussion. She normally didn't like to eavesdrop but she was curious and besides it was not eavesdropping if she is standing close enough and 'accidentally' hears them. So she moves a little closer to where they are but still far enough for them not to notice her and pretends to put the flyer up to the wall.

"Oh my god, how many times did I tell you. If you wanted to date somebody just date them. I have no problem with it, we broke up months ago remember?" The raven-haired beauty said to the fluffy-haired boy.

"I know. I just wanted to make sure that you're really okay with it. I don't want you to find out from other people."

"Get over yourself, Oliver. I don't care." Jade snapped, she really doesn't care about Beck's dating life, she's so done being played by him, he's the sort of guy that is good to be friends with, but really sucks as a boyfriend, he made her jealous and purposedly played with how Jade dislike Beck being okay to be flirted on by girls. If she doesn't know better, Beck telling her, he's dating someone is just to get a rise out of her, and she's so done with it. With him.

"So I can go out with Meredith then?"

"Meredith!" Jade's eyes widen at that and Tori cringed a little hearing the horror in her voice. Taking a deep breath, she can't let him get to her. "Go date whoever you want, Oliver. As I said, I don't. Care." She said stomping her foot and walking away from Beck.

Leaving a stunt Beck Oliver behind. His bait fails.

Tori is positive that Beck was trying to somehow, get Jade back, in a, twisted reversed psychology kinda way. Jade likes what she can't have, or what Tori thinks is what Beck assumes of how Jade works. 

The singer saw Jade coming her way and she quickly busied herself and glued the flyer to the wall as the goth walked past her as if she doesn't see Tori there. 

A breeze of relief. Then...

"I know you were listening Vega." She said but not stopping and keep going, the singer swallow a lump in her throat.

"Dang it." She just hopes that the sky blue-eyed girl won't kill her for 'listening' to her and Beck's conversation.

(- - Sha - -)

Brown eyes darted from the cables she was holding to the pale beauty standing ten feet away from her, holding papers in hand and a pen in the other. She's wearing these big black-framed glasses and chewing on the pen adorably looking down at the list of things on the paper. They're at the theatre right now, with people running around to set props and light for the stage. Jade was checking all the list that was done and double-checking if she was missing something while sometimes she yelled at Sinjin to fix something.

The singer swallows a thick lump in her throat at the sight, she has yet to talk to the girl. All she did all day was steal glances or give her a small awkward smile when all the raven-haired girl did was looked at her with a straight face. They haven't had the chance to talk about Tori's 'accidentally hearing' the conversation between the raven-haired girl and the Canadian boy two days ago, Jade acting like there's nothing happening and that made Tori oddly feel relief and conflicted at the same time.

She still has no idea if the girl was okay that she was listening to a private conversation and knowing Jade, she hates it when people prying into her business.

But alas, the sky blue-eyed girl said nothing about it, and come to think of it. Tori couldn't recall the last time they have a civil conversation just the two of them. It was always between the girl shouting an order for her to do something in front of Robbie or asking something about technical stuff when she was talking to Cat, it's like the girl was avoiding her.

She shouldn't have a concern about it right, if Jade doesn't confront you about something it's a good sign. But still, she can't help but think about it.

"You know, you could just go and talk to her," Cat said out of nowhere and startled the tan-skinned girl.

"Jeez, Cat you're scaring me." She said and the red-headed girl just smiled at her. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"Please, you've been staring at Jade all day. Why don't you just walk up there and talk to her."

"I can't, I think she's mad at me."

"Jade is always angry at something, you just need to confront her and talk. You'll be surprised at the outcome."

Before she could say anything the red velvet-haired girl was gone leaving Tori with her thought, should she go there and talk to the girl or not. She chose not and continues with what she was doing.

The singer finishes up with her part and just as she gets all the tools back into the box Andre comes up to her. "Hey… Can we talk?"

"Hey, Andre, what's up?"

"Nothing…" The boy was playing with her hands, clapping them into one another. Something Tori notice when the boy was nervous about something. "It's uh… I don't know how to say this …"

"Just spit it out." The girl said, nudging the boy on his arm.

"Jorge said you've been pulling extra shifts lately."

"Yeah, I take an extra shift now and then, I needed the money," Tori said slightly whispering as she looked at the boy before she's resuming to put the tools into the box.

"What for, Tori, you told me you already have enough to cover the cost. You've been more tired than usual, you fell asleep in Sikowitzs's class. You never fell asleep in his class."

The singer stopped what she was doing and looked at the boy. "Andre, what is this about?"

"You tell me."

"What?" She asked confused by his words.

"Tori … Look, I'm saying this because you're my best friend and I need to tell you in hoping that you will open your eyes." The boy move closer and hold the girl by her shoulders as he looked into the girl's eyes and said. "You've been exhausting yourself and it's not good for your health."

The half-Latina girl smiled and gently put the boy's hands down from her shoulders. "Andre, I'm fine. I guess I just need some extra money, that's why I've been taking extra shifts."

"I just worried about you … you know."

"I know, but you don't have to be."

"I can't help it, you're my best friend. I'll always worry."

"Thank you, Andre." They hugged for a moment before pulling apart. "How about we go out later, it's been a while since we do that."

"Yea, that sounds good. I can hang."

"Andre people don't say hang."

"Says you, I say hang." He shrugged his shoulder before they broke into laughter. "You can't pull a papa Vega on me Tor. You can't."

Tori missed this, laughing with Andre, she missed her best friend. He was right though, they haven't been hanging out lately and that was her fault. She was so caught up with work and helping Jade. But she was going to change that, she will make time to hang out with her best friend.

(- - Sha - -)

Morning air is good to clear one's mind and that's why Tori likes to go running in the morning before she goes to school. Every day she ran through the wood to the park closes to her house, sometimes she watched the sun rise from up the hill. She wanted to stay fit, as a future racer she needs to prepare her body to be able to ride 22 laps in a row without having a backache, she also keep up with her fitness routine as well as her self-defense class. Usually she does sparring with Trina, since the older half-Latina was a pretty decent opponent to sparring with.

Though, since her work at Jorge's garage is pretty packed up these past week since racing season was almost in, every rookie racer lined up to get their bike fixed up before the race begin. They usually compete at small races and the like since they haven't get notice by a sponsor yet. The singer wanted to participate on this year's competition, it would be her first ever motor race and her bike was nearly done. She's so excited about it, and she will needs her dad's permission first to be able to compete.

She run passed through the wood track and planning on taking short break at the park when she saw a figure by the water fountain and decided to approach them since she kinda needed some water to keep hydrated too.

"I never pegged you for a jogging type a girl, more like a … gym kinda girl." The brunette said as the girl in question just finished drinking from the said water fountain.

"Well, I never pegged you for … anything actually, but yet. Here you are, staining a perfectly beautiful morning." The girl smiled smartly.

"Ouch Jade. I thought we were friends since I'm helping you with the play and all."

"We're not friends. We have an agreement, you helped me and I'll help you with your nonexistent piano skill." The pale beauty said as she put her hands on her hips.

"Are you mad at me?" The brunette blurted it out; it was out before she even had the chance to process what she said.

"Excuse me?"

"Like a few days ago. When you have the talk with back and I accidentally heard you"

"Accidentally?" The sky-blue-eyed girl raised her brow.

"Okay fine. Maybe not-so-coincidentally heard you two talking. I'm sorry, are you mad?"

Piercing blue eyes looking at her contemplating, she runs her tongue to the front of her teeth and simply said. "No."

Surprise look on Tori's face when she heard the raven-haired said it. "You're not mad?"

"No Vega, what Beck and I talked about was nothing that everyone doesn't already know. We're done and that's it." She said, there was a little hint of sadness that quickly disappeared.

"You're not mad…." That was all that the soon-to-be racer manage to catch.

"Wipe that grin please, you're making me sick." The pale beauty then proceeds to walk away and leave the still grinning teenager. Though unknowing from the singer, there's a little tug on the playwright's lips forming a tiny, little smile as she walked away.

Maybe this year is going to be different after all.

(- - Sha - -)

The sound of metal clanking together can be heard through the busy garage but Tori seemed to draw in her own world and doesn't mind what was going on outside of her own space. She was so focused on getting some knots free and tightening the other. It was a busy day in Jorge's garage and it was just midday Tori has been working on three different motors and right now she was laying down under the hood of a car, trying to look at what's the problem with the car. The garage was packed and all hands are full and the singer kind of forgot about what today was. That is until she heard Antonio calling her.

"Tori. Yo." The boy said kicking the singer's sin gently.

"Yeah?" The girl answered but didn't move from under the hood.

"Your phone has been ringing."

"My phone?" The half-Latina finally slid over from under the car and looked up to Antonio who was holding her phone, in fact, ringing. "Thanks, Antonio." The half-Latina said to the Latina boy when he handed her the phone. "Hello." The singer said into the phone once she hit the accept button.

"Where the hell, are you?!"

The girl quickly pulled the phone away from her ear once she heard the screaming voice she knows too well and also to see the caller ID. "Jade? Why are your phone numbers blocked?"

"The curtain is about to be up in six hours and you're not yet here. Where. Are. You?!" The girl ignored Tori's question, she sounded a little anxious though.

Right. The play. Tori mentally punched herself in the face for forgetting that.

Throughout the week Jade has been a little more anxious than usual, this wasn't the first play she directed but surely it felt like it. She's been turned even more perfectionist –if that even the word for it- every little thing was wrong in her eyes, she made Sinjin redo all the decoration of the stage just because she was feeling a little off about the setting. Robbie got yelled at –and possibly pissed himself- when he set the light at the wrong angle, and Tori was –oddly enough- the only one that hasn't been yelled at, until now.

The brunette looked at the clock hanging on the wall. "It's 1 P.M, Jade. I'll be there two hours before the play starts okay." 

"Where are you?" She asked again.

"I-I uh… At work." She panicked, lying is not really her strong suit.

"You... since when do you work?" a beat. "Nevermind. I need. You."

Tori look at where Antonio still standing, apparently, listening to the conversation at hand. "I just need to finish one thing before I go to the theatre."

"Tell me where you are, I'll pick you up."

Fork. Change of tactic. "Jade, take a deep breath okay. Everything will be fine, your play is going to be great and I'll be there way before the curtain is up."

"Don't tell me what to do." The girl warned. "I need you here now, Vega."

She was beginning to think if this behavior of Jade might have anything to do with the local newspaper guy that is going to attend the play to watch and write a review about it.

"Jade-"

Antonio cut in as he saw the struggle. "I'll cover for you, you go." 

"Are you sure?" The boy nodded. "Thank you," Tori said as she back to the phone just in time to hear Jade's rants.

"If you're not here in ten minutes, I'm going to find you and use my scissors and …"

"I'll be right there." The half-Latina said quickly before Jade could make any future attempt to finish her threat.

Lord helps me. The singer prayed.

Tori sighed as she hang up the phone. It all started one day when they have a dress rehearsal and one of Robbie's nerd friend's dads -Ronnie- was a journalist for one of the known newspapers in LA. Ronnie liked the play and showed part of the play he recorded to his dad, intrigue he asked to talk to the director and writer, which happen to be Jade. That he liked to write a review on her play. That's when Jade changes into a more perfectionist, everything seemed to be wrong when it is just as fine as before the dress rehearsal.

The actress becomes obsess with little detail and suddenly nothing is good anymore. Tori, who had to put up with Jade's mood swings constantly before, has to deal with more of that. She was not complaining though, but it was nice if she could get a little bit of free time just to herself.

"Antonio ..." Tori said sweetly. "I just need to check a couple more things with this car.. I'll owe you one." She said hopefully.

The Latina boy chuckles. "Of course." He said in a thick Mexican accent. "And you don't even owe me anything."

"Thank you! you're the best Antonio."

"No worries Tor. Just go to your girl." The boy grins cheekily.

"Who?"

"The girl on the phone earlier, the one you always mention about."

Tori gaped at the boy's exclaim. Did she really talk about Jade that much?. It's no secret that Tori likes girls as much as the next boy did. 

"She's not my girl." Yet. She couldn't help to add the last part on her mind, she really does hope the raven-haired beauty to be her girl ... someday if not soon.

With one last gleeful smile to the Latina boy, she dashed out to the changing room to change into her clothes quickly. Just when she was about to leave the shop, Jorge yelled her name. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"Oh, uhm. I'm needed at the theater."

"Oh, is it the girl?"

The racer to be shot her eyebrow up. Did she really talk about the Jade that much?!

"Take the bike, it'll get you there faster." The boss said tossing the key to the brunette who caught it with a surprised expression.

"I ... uh ... I..."

"Go on, go. Don't make her wait too long."

Recovering from the surprising state she answered. "Right. Thank you, Jorge." With that, she quickly went for the bike. Grabbing her 'racer' gear along the way.

The half-Latina zipped up her leather biker's jacket, putting on some gloves before she mounted the bike and put on a helmet. Always safety first. When she put all the gears she put the key to the ignition and bring the engine to life. Hearing the engine roar is music to her ear and it put a smile on her face. She could feel it. The adrenaline is starting to kick in.

The bike was not hers but it was one of Jorge's costume bikes that needed to be tested. She just finished it three days ago with Antonio and Jorge himself, it has yet to be tested. She guesses now is the right time as any. Once she's done getting the engine to warm up, she then put it on gear and races out of the garage.

(- - Sha - -)

Tori doesn't remember the last time she felt this free. Sure she does this test ride from time to time and every time would feel like just the first time for her. Usually, though, she does test rides at the circuit. where people timed her and watch closely on the monitor to check on the graphic state of the machine while she circled around the track.

This time though, she felt freer, high, and just ... her and the wind. It sounded cliche but everything just felt right and she could feel her heart soar at the feeling of the wind brushing against her skin.

Some people would say that only a true racer would ride more carefully on the highway than on the circuit. Because they know how to move while racing and predict other's racer move but not when they're out on the open road. Well, some of them might be true, but for Tori. It's just a load of bullshit. You can't expect a ricer to tame their instinct and left it on the track and just be different people. A racer is a racer whenever and wherever they are, it's just a matter of self-respect and restraint while you're on the road. A good rider knows when to pull on the gas and when to pull on the break. It's not just dodge and race.

Tori pried herself to be a decent rider and always consider the other fellow drivers and riders. She learns early to know the importance of knowing how the riders or drivers move. It's important to pay attention to the little detail like a slight move to the side of the car in front of her. She will easily calculate which path to take and when is the right time to ride passed a car or several cars on the road. Yes. Other people learn how to read body language, Tori. She read people style's in driving. She enjoys the air for a little while before she races through the sea of cars on LA road to the theater.

(- - Sha - -)

She manage to arrive at the theater ten minutes later. Parking the bike just behind a big pillar on the corner of the parking lot, she quickly takes off her gear. She doesn't want anybody to see her or her bike, she's still very much cautious about this side of her. She wanted to keep it a secret for a little bit longer, people might be okay with the fact that she race a motorbike but for the moment, she wanted to keep that little fact to herself and a couple of trusted friends and family members only. The racer quickly goes inside the building, brushing her disheveled hair as she goes.

She was about to open the double doors to the theater when she heard Jade's voice. The brunette quietly open the door and close it as she walked inside. Everything is in place, the props and all. Tori could see that everybody was at the center of the stage, gathering. Jade with her back to the door didn't notice Tori's arrival, she was busy giving a speech to her crew and actors.

"You work hard for this play and I thank you for that." The sky blue-eyed girl said. Jade, behind the hard personality, always appreciates talents and hard work. Though it rarely showed, she will say it when it matters the most, like right now. "We only have one performance. But you all didn't use that as a reason for slacking off. You all focus and really dedicated all your energy to this play. For that, I thank you. This will be nothing without you helping me. There will be no play with just me. This play is as much your as it is mine. We work hard for it."

"Yeah!" One of the crew shouted in agreement.

Tori almost chuckles at the enthusiasm but remind silent. Not wanting to interrupt the moment. She takes a seat at one of the seats and continues to watch them. She admire the pale beauty more and more every time, Jade always amused her. Right now, with the speech, she's giving to her crew. The half-Latina know for sure that the actress was not just beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside.

"I'm not gonna sugar coat this news. A review will be written for this play and it will be in the LA newspaper tomorrow, well, a little section of it but still. Our name and school name will be out there, whether is it good or bad. It's up to us. So look, alive people. If all of you doing a good job up until today. Now, now I need you to do a great job!" There's another cheer.

They gather into a circle and have their hands out on top of each other before they all break away and shouted. "Break a leg!"

(- - Sha - -)

"Well, it seemed that you don't need me here," Tori said still sitting on one of the seats in the audience.

The actress turn to face the voice and found the brunette sitting on one of the seats then crossed her arms. "I just want to make sure that you're not going to mess something up so I need you here to keep an eye on you." The girl quickly said in a boring tone. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Ouch. You wound me." The girl smiled playfully whilst the goth just rolled her eyes. 

The raven-haired beauty made her way down from the stage and approach the half-Latina. "The tickets sold out. I can pay this, investor, back with interest."

"No, no. Jade, they don't want any. Every profit you make is solemnly yours. They just wanted to help you, nothing business just purely out of generosity." She cringes at that, she's not generous. She just wanted to make the goth happy, it was selfish, not generous.

The girl narrowed her eyes at the rider-to-be. "Fine. I guess I also need to start paying back to you with the piano lesson."

"The curtains won't be up in five hours. Just focus on that."

"You know I don't like to owe people."

"Sure." The half-Latina smile. "So, do you like me now?"

"I ... Tolerate you more now, I guess."

"What? Come on, I moved up from 'strongly dislike' to 'tolerable'?" The raven-haired girl raised her eyebrow and the brunette sighed. "I guess it better than nothing, and we're moving toward friendship now at least?"

Their bantering was always somehow tense and hurtful -At Jade's part - at the beginning of their acquaintanceship and bitter too -Also at Jade's part- but now it just becomes somewhat playful and doesn't have as much venom as it used to when the girls threw something snarky. They know they are just being their stubborn self.

"Eager much. You need to work hard to earn the title of friendship from me." The Director smirked.

"Then that's just what I will do. Now, I better go backstage and check on things so you won't blame me later if something goes wrong." The raider to be winked at her as she walk passed the sky-blue-eyed girl. "Which they won't." Tori backtracked.

There's this feeling on Jade's stomach that stir deep into her lung and made her slightly breathless at the innocent comment that the half-Latina threw at her. It sounded more like a promise to her than anything else and it made her heart flutter, and she hate that feeling. Now ... now her hopes are up and she hates it, it meant that someone can easily hurt her.

The raven-haired beauty looked at the retreating form of the brunette, she made a promise. Realizing it or not the singer had made her a promise to fight for their friendship, and she like to see how she would do that. Because surely she won't make it easy for the brunette.

"Let's see if you're going stay this time."

(- - Sha - -)

"Everyone, places."

......

And the curtain is up.

(- - Sha - -)

Chapter Text

A month passed since the play and it went smoothly without any mishap or a Mrs. Lee incident -the one where her daughter was hooked on a strap and hanging from the stage's ceiling, but never "performed"- Tori shuddered at the thought, that Mrs. Lee is still holding grudges with both she and Jade. In their defense, it was so Jade's father could see the play the way Jade wrote it. Anyway, the Clowns don't bounce Play was oddly enjoyed by people that Jade was able to extend the play for three extra days which also delight her. 

Jade's delight was not stopping there, on Monday after the play ended, a good review was printed on the back section of the LA newspaper, and a smile was painted on the playwright's face while she cut the section of the review to be put on her notebook. It made Tori's little heart smile too. 

That day, Jade approached Tori before they went home and simply said. "Your piano lesson starts today, Vega." and Jade has been teaching her since then, three times a week, after school or in the evening when Tori needs to work at Jorge's after school. After a blissful month with Jade, the half-Latina feels like they're getting closer and becoming friends, despite how Jade kept mocking her with every mistake she made, but it was in a professional capacity with no malice behind her tone. 

Tori can confidently say. Jade is coming around. 

Becoming her friend. 

Between school, work, and piano lesson, Tori still find the time to work on her bike and it coming along well. Music might be one of her love, but her motorbike is her dream, and soon, she will be able to race with it. Andre has been hanging with her more in the garage and helping Tori out, he kept his word to hang out more with the singer, although he still has his grandma to look after, school work, and his music. They make it work. 

Today, she can check on her bike after the lesson, she's so excited.

The singer is waiting for Jade by her locker to go home and start her lesson when her phone buzzes. It's Jade. "Vega. I can't teach you today. Will make up for it this Saturday." 

The singer quickly replies. "-thumbs up emoji-:{) everything ok?" She sent the text.

"Yup. Dad wants to hang out." It was more words than Tori expected, way back then, Jade would typically reply with, a "peachy" with a sarcastic tone Tori imagine Jade would say. But this reply just makes her happy.

Tori : ":{) Have fun." 

Jade: "Kill me now. I'm bored."

Tori: "You wanted this you know, getting your dad's attention." 

Jade: "It was better when I wasn't his favorite child."

Tori: "Stop being a crabby nancy... nancy-:{P "

Jade: "Walter."

Jade: "Why am I still talking to you"

Tori: "Because you like me now."

......

Tori: "Nancy?"

The singer sighed, trying to rein in her smiles at the fact that Jade called her Walter, she almost forgot about that play, the play that took them on a "Play-Date" mandated by Sikowitz because they just couldn't get along long enough for them to act like a lovey-dovey married couple. It was the closest thing to a date with Jade that Tori could get. 

She reminds herself. They're just friends. 

Looked down at her phone at the time. No lesson with Jade means she can go to the garage and work on her bike, Jorge said her bike will just need a little bit more tinkering and it will be ready.

(- - Sha - -)

Garry Wilde tapped on Det. David Vega's desk to draw his attention to him, the detective quickly put his computer into sleep mode before paying his full attention to his partner. "Garry." He said cooly. 

"I have a lead on the case, check this out." He said giving him papers for him to read. "The shipping company RTR used for shipping in their engine and motorbike, they change it six months ago." 

The detective opens the file. "Global Imperial shipping company." 

"It was Seaborne Freight and Logistic Inc," Garry stated, excitement in his voice when he get some lead on a case.

"Any reason they change the shipping company?" 

"Source said Global Imperial is hipper," Garry said and David raised his eyebrow. 

"Hip?"

"You know, better service and they got a better price. Shut up." 

"I didn't say anything... Hip." He teased.

"You're full of shit Vega." 

The detective laughs it out before going back about the case. "We need more information about Global Imperial, if they are better than the last shipment company, some statement here doesn't make sense." 

"They have some questioning shipment coming."

"You can say shady, you know."

"What is this, a school, Vega I get enough crap from my smartass daughter as is." 

"Seems like you need it." 

"Shut up." 

David chuckled. "We will need some warrant to dig deeper into Global Imperial, but it will put us and the case in the spotlight. Captain wants us to gather the evidence before we make a move."

"How about that whistleblower you told me about?"

"He's getting cold feet."

"What the hell."

"I'm working on it, he has the book and every piece of information about the shady dealing but he won't give it up when he found out about the risk."

"Not all people are willing to risk their lives for doing the right thing." Garry tapped David on his shoulder as he moves to go. "We'll find the proof. We just need to dig deeper."

"Yea, we do." The detective agreed as he look over the files again and tried to look for something to lead them on the case. a faraway look on his face. A whistleblower gave Detective Vega information about black-market arms being smuggled into and out of the country, the same way costume engines are being shipped in. His captain asked him to build a case before they bust the operations. This might be the biggest case he ever gets in his career and his source has cold feet.

(- - Sha - -)

Tori crunched down tinkering with her motorbike with Andre and Antonio assisting her. Jerry is the lead engineer and he will check in on the bike before it gets taken out for a test ride. "I hear that AAMO poaching a new racer, do you know?" Tori asked.

"Ashcroft Aether Motorcycle, AMMO." Antonio provided the information when Andre have his blank face about the name Tori thrown.

Andre gives a 'what the chiz' look while Antonio, or Tony, smiles at him while Tori keep on rambling. She's excited about the bike and she rambles. "It's Haruka." She said like Andre is supposed to know the name.

Nothing. Not a sliver of recognition from the singer-songwriter.

"Tenou Haruka. Dude. I told you about him before." Tori looked at Andre not believing her friend. "State champion two years in a row, a raising star, he was on the Japan Yamada race team for his junior race, which where he started his racing career, then the Europe PHxtreme Race team, before joining RTR for the new season, but then AMMO have their eyes for him to join their team, and he will be on the superbike race this season." 

"So, the dude is with AMMO now?" The singer-songwriter tried to connect the dots after Tori's brief presentation from the Wikipedia page she probably memorized.

Tori sighed for her uneducated friend about this thing. "Still with RTR but a source said he has been spotted having lunch with an AMMO agent."

"He only been with RTR for three months I bet the rumor is fake," Tony commented. 

"You don't know that." The half-Latina said, a little bit defensive. "AMMO is certainly a better team than RTR. I don't understand why he joined them in the first place."

"Guess he's not that good if I barely know he exists." Andre chimed in.

"I mean, you only saw him race that one time." Tony provides more input.

"A-, excuse me. Haruka is flawless the one time I saw him race. He's what I want to be when I am able to race competitively." Her voice is hopeful with a hint of determination.

Tony and Andre are looking at each other before Tony shrugs. "I'm surprised you're not going for The Doctor."

"No, he's better, he is The Wind. I mean, I was idolizing Rossi or Lorenzo before for sure." Both Tori and Antonio finished with the last piece for the bike and they stopped to look at the bike. "Do you think she's ready?" The excitement in Tori's voice and then she forgot what she was rambling about. Drinking in the sight in front of her.

The bike is jet black -well more like shiny doff black-, Tori wanted it to be black for some reason with the frame colored orange in the middle.

"We need Jerry to finalize it, and make sure everything is good, but yes, it is finished." The mechanic said, smiling at Tori. The young racer-to-be squeals and hugs, Andre. 

(- - Sha - -)

Tori wear the biggest smile to school on Friday. They finished the bike on Wednesday and Jerry gave her baby a full digital test and body checked on Thursday, and she is ready for a test drive soon. It was exhilarating, her moment is almost there. Granted, she still needs her parent's approval and will hear a safety speech from her dad more than what her mother will tell her. But her moment is close, she can taste it. 

Jorge has a short circuit to test out motorbikes he build for the company he has a contract with before they do some further tests Jorge is done building the bike, and he gives Tori permission to test her bike there. 

Shaking out her excitement, Tori pulled out some books for the day from her locker before closing it. Just as she closed her locker door, she was surprised by Jade's scowled face that turn into a smirk when the brunette jumped in surprised.

"Jade!" She cried out, hands on her chest. "You Scared me."

"That's the intention." She deadpan.

"You enjoyed my misery."

"Of course." The blue-eyed girl said with a hint of a smile on her face that quickly fade. "I just wanted to tell you that today I can't tutor you, again. I ... have a thing with my dad." She said in a bored tone.

"So you scared half the chiz out of me, just to say that? Can't you text me or something?" The racer-to-be asked and get a quirked eyebrow in return. "You're one messed up girl," Tori said in a light tone.

"Thank you." Was the response she gets as the girl walked away from her.

The half-Latina shakes her head it was typical Jade and part of why she likes the girl. She walked to her first class of the day which was her R&B class with Andre, the boy was already seated on his usual chair when she walked up to him and take the sit beside him. Smiled her face.

"What's up with you? All smiley and stuff."

Tori just smile wider at the boy. "It's really a good morning." She said vaguely, she can't wait to see how Andre react at the news. Andre was there when they finished the bike, but he doesn't know that her bike will be ready for a test drive soon.

She can't wait for school to be over.

(- - Sha - -)

Jade sits behind a blank canvas, a palette in one hand and a brush in the other. She supposed to draw something that excites her, her deepest desire and she draws a blank. Words, she can find it within herself to write the darkest thought she ever has, a deep desire, and even some things she loathes. Drawing it is another thing entirely. 

She raised her hand. "What is your deepest desire, Ms. Kaiou?" She throws the question before she even had a chance to stop it. Kaiou Michiru the new classical music teacher as well as the substitute for the art class, so far, she's doing better than the actual art teacher, and Jade has a high standard. 

"The assignment is about you." She answers with a polite and understanding smile, slowly approaching the thespian. "Your drives, your desire." She said softly as she reach out her hands for Jade to give her the brush and the palette, she started to draw something as soon as Jade gave her the thing.

"It can be a thing that symbolizes your dream and desire." A beat, a small smile tugged on her gentle and beautiful face. "Or someone that has always been there for you, cheering you on." Michiru gives a side glance before she keeps going. "Something that makes you feel seen, cherished and loved. Something that will keep you going to do a wonderful thing and just be you." She gives one last stroke and looks at her handy work. "Or someone that will always believe in you."

Jade was trying to hide her surprise at how good it was.

The painting.

It was the most simple and yet has a deeper meaning into it. The painting of a person with a gentle expression, showing how free this person in the painting is, wrapped in a blue silk fabric around the person's feminine yet masculine body that dances with the wind, it made Jade drawn into the painting. It's beautiful.

"Thank you," Michiru said. Jade had a horrified look that says 'shit, I said that out loud.' while the substitute art teacher just chuckled. "Now, find that feeling and transfer it here." She said to a new blank canvas in front of Jade, she doesn't even realize the woman swapped it. 

Something that makes her feel something like what her teacher had shown her.

Jade ended up choosing to stop thinking and just start outlining and working on her assignment. 

By the end of the day, she finished a painting of an eye, one canvas big, giant eye, brown eyes with a silhouette of a person on the pupil and Jade finally can call it a day. Without wanting to decipher it.

'Or someone that will always believe in you.' Echoes in the back of her mind. 

Chapter Text

The last bell of the day rings, followed by a bunch of students either going to their extra classes or clubs or pouring out of the school to go home. Tori clasped the strap of her bag and adjusted it on her shoulder; she was waiting for Andre to catch up with her to go to Jorge’s together for her big reveal. 

She saw her friends and waved to them; Beck driving by with a bunch of girls ‘asking’ to be driven by him like always, Cat riding her bike, whilst Robbie shyly walked by her. She didn’t see Jade though… shame, she kinda wished to catch her before she goes home.

A loud exhaust sound from a Kawasaki Ninja can be heard from a short distance away, drawing Tori’s attention to their direction and watching the rider park it close to the school entrance.

The half-Latina tries not to look like she’s staring at him, or rather the bike. It was a Kawasaki Ninja H2 - the hottest engine on the market right now. Well, the street-legal version of H2R. Which is still faster than any other street-legal motorsport, with a top speed running at 200 MPH. Tori tried hard not to just sprint over and fangirl over the bike. 

No. She has her own that she will ride - her street-legal and also track build motorbike - well, test ride, when Andre finally shows up and drives her there, anyway. 

‘Don’t get your pants in a pretzel.’ She thought to herself. ‘Deep breath, Tori.’

“The full moon jam is in two weeks, which usually marks the half-semester and we perform our musical class assignment. While the big showcase is the performance at the end of our semester, where agents and recruiters come in to see and recruit two of our most talented.” 

Andre’s voice can be heard closing in behind Tori. The girl turned around and rolled her eyes when she realized why Andre was taking his sweet time - Ms. Kaiou is with him, politely listening to him ‘mansplain’ what the principal most likely already went through with the music teacher.

“Thank you for the explanation, Mr. Harris, very helpful. Well, have a nice day to you.” The music teacher bid him goodbye with a polite smile and a slight bow.

Tori smiled respectfully and as Ms. Kaiou walked past her, the singer slapped Andre slightly on his arm. “You realize, all of the information you told her, she already knows right?” 

Grinning, he nodded. “I was making sure she really knew it.”

“Gross, Andre, just gross.” The brunette said. “Let’s go before you blurt out that you’re in love with her.” She stopped walking and faced the singer-songwriter for a second. “Or maybe you just need to write a song and sing it at the full moon jam  - that way, you can get over your little crush and move on.” She smiled teasingly at him, recalling how Andre sang Jade a song in front of the school, masking it as their weekly jam just to get over his crush on the girl.

“Shut up... Maybe you need to sing a song for Jade, seeing how you have a crush on her too.”

“I do not!” She gasped out.

“You’re a terrible liar, Tori,” Andre called her out, but then the mood became more serious when Andre tapped on the girl’s shoulder. “I’m not upset if you have feelings for Jade, I’m over with my crush on her.”

“Thanks, buddy, that means a lot coming from you. But I’m still going to give you shit about Ms. Kaiou.”

Andre laughed and playfully shoved Tori. “You’re a terrible friend.”

“I’m an excellent friend, take that back you weasel.” 

Both teenagers looked at the parking lot and saw that their music teacher was standing by the hot-looking motorcycle and an equally hot-looking person (even though he was still wearing his helmet, he still looked hot). 

“Looks like you need to sing a song to get over your crush after all… Sorry, dude.” 

(- -sha- -)

“Michiru.” A deep, calm, silvery voice called out as they opened the visor and gave the music teacher a helmet.

“A motorcycle? Mou , Haruka.” The sea goddess exclaimed, rolling her eyes at her partner.

“Dakara, nani?” So, what? Dark blue eyes looked at her gently. “I want to feel the wind today.” The taller blonde shrugged.

Michiru climbed on the motorcycle after she put on the helmet and sighed. “We’re supposed to be laying low,” She reminded them as she held onto them tightly and Haruka felt at home.

“So, the Ferrari is okay?” They smirked knowing Michiru was rolling her eyes at them.

“Why don’t you drive a Prius?”

“Ara! Why do you hate me?”

She chuckled. “Just drive a car next time, I don’t want the students to have too many questions seeing me riding a motorcycle.”

Haruka starts the engine. “Hai-hai.” They answered. “Iki-masho.” Let’s go. The engine roared and they drove off.

(- -sha- -)

Jerry finished putting the final touches on Tori’s motorbike, which was now ready to be tested. So when she arrived with Andre, she basically ran to the garage to see her baby with the singer-songwriter trailing behind with equal excitement. 

“Can I take her out now?” Tori asked Jerry with a hint of a plea. 

Jerry looked one last time on his chart to check before answering. “Yup, she’s ready, I’m going to help you set everything up.” 

"Holly chiz! Tori, this bike is just gorgeous."

"I know, right. It turned out better than I thought."

"Can I try it?" He asked while running his hand through the bike's body.

The soon to be racer slapped his hand away. “Paw’s off, dude.” Andre put his hands up in a surrender gesture. “Just hoping that Daddy will let me race soon.”

"Ah, well, I’m sure Papa Vega will allow his favorite child to race.” The singer-songwriter squeezed Tori's shoulder lightly. "Alright. As much as I’d like to stay and fangirl over this bike…” Both he and Tori paused at the word ‘fangirl’, but shrugged it off. “I have to go now, my grandma needs some more butter." He said before he gave the racer-to-be a hug goodbye.

"Tori, I need to talk to you for a second." Jorge called out just when she was about to head out to the locker room to change into her overall work gear.

"Okay." She said, backtracking into the Latino's office in the back of the shop.

Jorge had two offices; one was by the main work area and the other, which was for clients and meetings, was secluded in the back room, a little ways from the main work area, so that he could have privacy when he needed to.

The duo fell into step together, heading toward the office while the man explained. "So, remember when I mentioned to you about the test riding job for my friend’s company?" The rider-to-be nodded. "Good. Because he's here. He saw the footage of your test ride here and he wanted to meet you."

Tori looked ecstatic at this. She could feel her blood pumping about this meeting and Jorge chuckles at how obvious her excitement is. "I know you're pumped about this, but... try and keep it cool?"  

"Is it that obvious?"

Jorge nodded, before he opened the door, showing a man sitting on a sofa - tall, white, dark hair and wearing a very expensive suit. Typing away on his cellphone, the stranger looked up at the sound of the door opening. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Arthur," Jorge said, as he took a seat across from his friend, with Tori in tow.

"Mr. West?" Tori exclaimed, after looking at the man. Yup. It was definitely Jade's dad. I'm so screwed .

"You." The blue eyed man said, also surprised.

Jorge looked at the two curiously. "You two know each other?"

"Kind of."

"She went to school with my daughter. So, you’re the ‘best test rider’ Jorge was talking about?"

(- -Sha- -)

She had been hiding in the girl's bathroom for the past fifteen minutes, after she explored the garage - kind of. She gave up after seeing the oil, cars and the obvious, obnoxious noises and just opted to go to the bathroom, which was slightly cleaner - thank God, for that - trying to pass the time, when she got the call from the redheaded actress, but as soon as she heard the cheerful greeting of "Hi-hi" she was absolutely regretting answering the phone.

"And then , Robbie said that we're going to go to baby golf, when he actually brought me to his grandma's - she was so mean to me!"

"Cat...Cat... CAT!"

"Whatty?"

"I've been trying to hide in the bathroom - the BATHROOM, Cat! - to avoid a boring meeting that my dad had with this potential new rider or whatever. So, I don't need to hear about your sad, little story about not being able to go to a baby golf game."

"That's mean, Jade." The red head began to sob, but before the blue eyed girl had the chance to speak, the other girl had already hung up.

"Great." The raven haired girl muttered, annoyed.

She was actually a little happy when her dad decided to make more time to bond with his daughter after watching her play. Maybe there was a chance for Jade to make it in the industry after all? And he was willing to put aside his ego to learn more about how he could support Jade and her dreams, in return for her learning about his work. So they could reach the point of understanding one another. 

But, damn , she went to every meeting she was able to go to, but it's just not her cup-of-tea. She knows that, her dad knows that, but he just liked to take her with him to work and besides - irritating Jade was just a bonus.

(- -Sha- -)

The silence dragged on within the office; the rider-to-be and the blue eyed man just looked at each other in an awkward quietness. Jorge watched both of them as if they were playing a game of chicken and waited to see who would cave first. The Latino wasn’t sure what they were trying to prove to each other, but he was sure Arthur West was having fun watching the girl squirm in her seat. They went on like that for a couple more minutes, before Jorge couldn't take it anymore and broke the silence.

"So, Arthur," He started (he and Mr. West were close friends and occasionally did business together, so he was comfortable enough to call him by his given name), "Coffee?" He suggested.

"Sure. Two sugars." He replied, shortly. Now, Tori knew where Jade got her coffee habit from .

"Okay." The Latino turned to the girl. "Tori, could you-"

"Water is fine, thank you, Jorge." Tori cut off Jorge before he could finish his sentence.

"Be right back then."

After the door clicked shut and Jorge was no longer in the room, Tori spoke up. "Please, don't tell Jade about this, Mr. West, I didn't want anyone to know and especially, Jade. Knowing her, she would use it against me." Tori rushed out.

Arthur West leaned back into the sofa as he crossed his arms, his eyes trained on the girl in front of him. "That all depends on how good you are. I need a fast rider, who’s smart and knows what they’re doing." He leaned forward. "Is that you?" He queried.

Honestly, Tori felt intimidated right now. But this was her chance to get to the next chapter of her dream, so she swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes." She stated, confidently.

(- -Sha- -)

"I like that kid (but don't tell her that)." Arthur told Jorge. He has dismissed Tori shortly before, with the promise of doing a test ride sometime the next week. "She can be really pushy and determined."

"Yeah, that's Tori for you," the Latino agreed.

Meanwhile, just as Tori stepped out from the office, she went straight to the locker room to change into her work clothes. As she passed by the girls bathroom, she missed seeing a bored-looking goth girl hurry out the door, as they headed in different directions; said ‘goth girl’, heading towards the office.

"Are you done yet?" The blue eyed girl impatiently asked her father, as she burst into the office. She knew Jorge well enough to come in and out of his office, as and when she pleased. "Uncle J, please, tell me you're done?"

"Jade." Her father drawled (despite how they’ve tried to mend their relationship, there's just some habits that can't be broken).

"Dad." She replied, simply.

Jorge smiled, before gently saying, "We're done here, Jade."

"Thank you, Jorge. I'll call you with the details later."

"Yeah, of course! She's going to be a great addition to your team."

"I hope so."

(- -Sha- -)

Chapter Text

Two days after the meeting (and a lot of anxious waiting on Tori's part), Mr. West called Jorge about the details. He wanted Tori to go to his company, the R.T.R. Corp. garage to test out one of the newest bikes the following Saturday.

That was three days before and now Tori stood in one of the largest companies to sponsor any motorbike for famous racers. It was like a dream and she couldn't stop grinning like a child, high on sugar. She followed Jorge to meet with Mr. West after waiting fifteen minutes, where they were then escorted onto the track and finally met with Arthur West.

"Good to finally see you here." Mr. West stated.

"This place is huge!" Tori chimed in and the men just laughed at her antics.

"Okay, let's get to business. Tori, Jorge said that you're good, but I need to know just how good you are. So, today, I want to see your skills." He told the racer-to-be, who was looking at him with rapt attention.

The blue-eyed man smirked at the brunette, before he sidestepped and revealed the bike behind him. "I want you to ride this and whilst you do, we'll be timing you and overseeing your progress through some monitors.” He finished.

"Whoa...holy shiz balls!" Was all Tori managed to breathe out as she saw the bike.

Jorge chuckled at her reaction. "Take a breather, Tor," He said, patting the girl's back.

After she composed herself, the Latina changed into her racing suit and helmet, ready to ride around the circuit.

She mounted the bike and as the pit crew took off the paddock stand, Tori willed the engine to life - she almost cried at the roar, it was the most beautiful sound. The Latina took a deep breath and took position on the bike, testing the gas a couple of times, before she put it in gear and shot off.

"How’s it feel, Tori?" Jorge enquired through the intercom, as the young girl passed the half-way mark.

"Feels great!" Came the reply.

"Ok, I want you to take one slow lap, then go as fast  as you can."

"Okay." It takes a lot for Tori to hold back the urge to just speed up after the first lap, because she knows not to take a test bike up to its full capacity unless someone gives the okay - after all, it is still a test bike. She did a couple more slow laps until Jorge told her to speed up.

The brunette shot off like a rocket, as she changed gear and pulled back on the gas. She has done dozens of test rides with Jorge but somehow this one is ten times better, the feeling of the wind, the rushing of adrenaline and the smell of the tire burning on the asphalt.

"Gear change is smooth, gas is excellent and brake I notice is a bit stiff.”

"Everything is recorded, so you can go back to the pit now," Jorge said through the intercom, before he looked at Mr. West, who had his infamous expression, which could mean he was either impressed or disappointed.

"Copy Bossman.” The rider agreed as she sped up through her last lap to the pit.

"She's alright." The blue eyed man said, which made Jorge smile, knowing that the man liked the young Latina.

Tori was readying herself to ride up to the pit after the last turn, she slowed down by gently stepping on the brake. However, the girl lost her balance and so while she was on the ninety-degree turn, her head bumped the asphalt pretty hard, before she slid across the road, with the bike, until she hit the sand, as both she and the bike finally came to a stop.

"Tori!" Jorge exclaimed through the intercom, as he rushed toward the scene with Mr. West following close behind.

"Ugh…" The rider grunted as she tried to get up, but was held down by the on-site paramedic.

"You need to lie down." They told her, as they carefully opened the helmet she was wearing.

The brunette was holding her head. "I'm fine, just a little fall."

"Miss. Please, hold still while we check you." One of the paramedics requested as they continued to check her over.

The mechanic was running as fast as he could, crunching close to the rider. "Tori! Kid are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Jorge. It's not my first time trying to ‘ scrape ’ by." The Latina joked, grinning at her boss.

The older man sighed in relief, while Arthur rolled his eyes at the cheesiness of Tori’s words.  

"I'm okay." The girl insisted as the paramedic checked on her, running a light over her eyes and instructing her to follow the lights.

"Let the paramedics do their job." Arthur stated firmly.

"No visible injury, pupil reaction is good, need further assessment for concussion." The paramedic informed them.

"No need for hospital." Tori reaffirmed, her tone and expression showed a bit of wariness.

“Miss Vega, I would like to remind you that my company will take care of its employees, and we like to take precautions.” Arthur nodded to the paramedic to drive the racer to a hospital nearby the circuit.

The girl panicked. A hospital would mean that they needed to call her parents and that means she could get into trouble.

(- -Sha- -)

Holly Vega marched into the hospital first, with David and Trina in tow. Tori was still getting checked over by a doctor, so they were asked to take a seat in the waiting room. That's when David saw Mr. West, sitting on one of the chairs with a phone in hand. He approached the businessman, stopping in front of him.

"David!" Jorge, who was sitting beside Mr. West, acknowledged the detective.

"Why are you here?" David demanded of Mr. West, while giving a tight lipped smile to Jorge.

"You two know each other?" Asked the mechanic.

"We share a mutual interest." Tori’s father replied mysteriously, while Arthur West barely looked up from his phone.

Blue eyes peered up after finishing his rapid typing. "I’m here on behalf of the company. Tori fell during a test ride for one of our newest motorbikes."

"Wait - your company? YOUR company? I never signed any permission papers for Tori to do any test rides with your company."

"David." Jorge quickly intervened. "Technically, Tori is still my employee and you already signed the permission papers for her to work with me. The company Arthur works at is one of our clients, which means she can do a test ride on my behalf. And also, if everything goes okay, Tori will be officially hired by R.T.R. Corp."

"Thank you, for enlightening me, Jorge. Mr. West? Can I talk to you? In private."

"Sure."

"I don't want Tori working for R.T.R." Said the Detective as soon as they were alone.

"And I'm not planning to hire her. This weekend was just to show me how well she can handle the bikes. I was doing it as a favour for Jorge. Vega, I know the risk and I don't want my kid to get too close, either." The businessman retorted. "Though, it's a shame to waste such a skill. She's good."

"Seriously?!" David stage whispered. "You should have called me the moment you knew who she was."

"Sorry, but it's true. She's talented and besides, I was as shocked as you are, when I realised the rider Jorge had been talking about was your kid, Vega."

"I don't want her to get involved." The detective's face saddened at the possibility.

"And she won't. This is as important to me, as it is to you. Raising suspicion was not what I had in mind." Mr. West stated. "So, you better cover your tracks, before you blow our cover."

"Please - I'm a decorative detective, I know what I’m doing."

Blue eyes looked intensely at the detective. They have an odd relationship, since Mr. West trusted the other man to look into something at his company and so far, they have been able to communicate on the ‘downlow’, but they have that kind of familiarity, too. "Sure, you do." Arthur smirked as he walked away.

Just as David was about to retort, the doctor called to inform them Tori was okay and was free to go, as soon as the results from her CT Scan and blood work showed a slight concussion that was not alarming. After another couple of hours, Tori was discharged, with the order to rest and take at least a couple of days off from school.

(- -Sha- -)

The morning after Tori - as per her mother and the doctor’s order - stays at home due to the headache she has, she’s been kept a good portion of the night because her mother was concerned if the young racer went to bed she would not wake up. While Tori rolled her eyes, the doctor gave her the all clear. 

The door to her room creaked open, the half Latina can hear it but she stays still. She doesn't pay any mind about who it is, she just wants the headache to go away.

“Tori, get up and eat your food, and take the pills after.” Brute tones from her older sister can be heard. 

The younger girl groaned in protest. “I don’t wanna.” 

"Suck it up, baby sis." Trina coaxed, helping the reluctant teenager up and fluffing the pillow for her to lean on. "Eat."

If their mother was the one up here, she would have just put the tray down and left. That's why Trina is here instead of their mother. "You know, for a tough ‘racer' to be’ you’re a whiner, aren’t you supposed to be badass and shit." She sarcastically quipped.

"Trina, if I want a lecture, I'll ask mom," Tori replied, as she swallowed the last bite of sandwich. Trina didn't say anything. Instead, she gave Tori her medicine and made sure the younger girl was comfortable under the blanket before leaving for school.

(- -Sha- -)

Blue eyes stared at the inside of her locker before glancing across the hall. The occupant of one particular locker has yet to come. This person was usually already standing there taking out books and chatting with the other dorks.

Not that she would notice, but they were often loud and Jade couldn't help but look.

But this morning, there's no one standing in front of said locker. She's not worried. No, she's just... curious. Maybe, the person is running late, because a particular older sibling is being annoying?

"Jadey!" A cheerful voice pulled the blue-eyed girl out of her trance, causing her to look for the source of the sound.

"Don't call me that." She demanded bitterly, but the red-headed girl just smiled at her.

"Tori is sick today."

The goth raised her eyebrow. "Must I care?" She asked with an annoyed tone.

"No..." The girl trailed off. "Just, you know..." She poked the raven-head’s tummy, which the other girl quickly swatted away. "Letting you know why Tori is not by her locker."

"Why?"

"Because you keep staring at the locker like Tori will show up or something."

"I was not!" She defended.

The petite girl squeaked at Jade. "Okay! Please don't yell."

The goth girl sighed, about to apologise when the bell rang.

"Oh, yay! Class." Cat exclaimed, happily running toward her first class of the day.

Jade gaped at the girl's antics, before shrugging it off and headed to her class too, but not before she gave a last, quick glance at one 'Make it shine' locker. "Nope. I don't care." She told herself, as she kept on walking.

(- -Sha- -)

The room was dark, with all the drapes still drawn, the only light coming from a couple of rays escaping from the gap between the curtains. The slumbering figure was oblivious to the person entering the room. Carefully, so as not to disturb the sleeping brunette, the person sits on the edge of the bed and watches the slow, steady rhythm of the slumbering girl’s chest falling and rising.

It sounded creepy, crazy and also stalker-ish, because she just sits there watching someone sleeping, while they dream away, completely unaware of the other person’s presence. She couldn't help but come here, though, just make sure the dork really was okay. 

After Cat had said that she was sick, she tried to ignore the ditsy redhead’s words for the remainder of the day and just focus on her classes, but she couldn't. So, here she was, inside the youngest Vega's room, creeping around like some pathetic stalker watching her sleep. She had shocked herself with her actions, but there was just something about the brunette that made her do things completely out of character.

Oh damn, oh damn, oh damn

I'm so perplexed  With just one breath, I'm locked in

Oh damn, oh damn, oh damn

I'm so perplexed  On that, it's almost shocking

Jade sighed. Why am I here again? The sleeping Latina whimpers softly as she dozes, reminding the goth girl that she was only there because she was curious - not worried, just curious - about how sick the dorky singer was. The actress put the back of her hand to the brunette's forehead, which showed her just how much of a light sleeper the half-Latina was as she began to stir.

"Mom, I already ate the soup and took the pills. I just want to sleep..." Tori whined.

"I'm not your mom, Vega." The raven haired girl deadpanned.

"Wha-" The rider said as she pulled off her eye mask and saw the other girl sitting on the edge of her bed. "Jade?"

The actress gave the brunette a 'duh' look. "What are you doing here? In my… room?" Tori asked.

"To see how much pain you are in, so I can watch." Jade managed to give a sweet, sarcastic smile, which earned an amused look from Tori. "Cat told me you're sick." The girl said matter of factly. "But you look okay to me."

The Latina huffed and slumped back to her pillow. "I have a headache, Jade. I can barely lift my head, let alone sit up. Heck, even talking to you feels like a chore." She said, as one arm covered her eyes, shielding it from the little amount of light that came in the room. 

"Now, what do you want? If you really do just want to watch me lie in pain, would you kindly leave, now that you've seen my misery? Because I would like to go back to sleep."

Jade eyed her with a bored look. "You hit your head somewhere, Vega?" The black haired girl asked the brunette.

Tori tried to sit up and lean against the headboard at the question. "How'd you know I hit my head?" The rider-to-be asked, feeling anxious that Jade might know something.

"The meds on your bedside are for a concussion." The goth girl answered, crossing her legs. She looked at Tori with a sweet smile that said 'I know what you're trying to hide’, causing Tori to try and swallow the sudden lump in her throat.

"I fell from - Trina and I were sparring. Our dad made us take self-defence and while we were sparring, I got distracted. Trina took that chance to attack and caught me off guard, making me fall and hit my head. Hard." Tori tried to explain and despite the slight slip she almost made, she thought she might just get away with the truth.

The blue-eyed girl narrowed her eyes and still managed to have a scowl on her face, which Tori thinks is cute. The brunette smiled at the thought, but quickly shook it away when the actress chimed in. "I really am bored now; seeing as you're not in as much pain as I hoped you would be."

"It's always a pleasure to entertain you, Jade."

The blue-eyed girl shot one brow up before putting on her usual scowl. "Sure, Vega. I'm gonna go."

"Wait, Jade." The brunette called, stopping the other girl. "Thank you for visiting me. It means that somehow, deep down, in your dark twisted heart... you actually do care for me," The girl finished softly.

The pale girl scoffed at the comment. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." She spoke as she left the room.

Tori sighed as her head hit the pillow again. "Why do you have to make everything so hard, Jade?" She asked no one.

‘Cause space was just a word made up by someone who's afraid to get close, 

Ooh, Oh, so close,

(- -Sha- -)

Tuesday morning Tori decided to go to school and said that she was feeling better, and her dad makes sure that she's telling the truth. "The minute you feel like it's too much, you either call Trina or me and we'll come get you."

The brunette rolled her eyes. "I'm fine Papito, I feel much better this morning."

"Come on, Tor! We need to hurry up." Trina ran downstairs, with her bag in one hand and a bunch of books in the other.

"Don’t run down the stairs, Trina." Her dad scolded.

"What are those books for?" The younger brunette asked.

"I'm not ten, dad." The older girl huffed at her father, before looking at Tori. "These are the books I need to take back to the library. Now, come on!"

"Bye, dad," Tori said as she kissed her father's cheek.

"Bye, girls." The detective replied before leaving to continue with his morning.

(- -Sha- -)

At the school, piercing blue eyes roamed through her locker for the books she would need for that day, while she focused on the voices coming from the side of the hallway where a certain brunette's locker was. She glanced over and saw a bunch of nerds surrounding the girl. Well, she considers Andre, Beck, Robbie and even Cat nerds. Because they're friends with the half-Latina girl and everyone loves ‘Goodie-Two-Shoes, Vega’. Makes me sick to my stomach . 

Jade decided that she had everything she needed for the day before slamming her locker shut with force and marching with a purpose towards Tori's locker. Halfway to the half-Latina's locker she came to a stop as she heard the singer giggling at a lame joke Andre had told her. Tori saw Jade heading over, and her smile brightened at the sight. "Hey, Jade."

The goth raised one eyebrow up with her usual bored expression, before she spoke with an equally bored tone, "Don't talk to me, Vega." Then she walked away without a second glance at the group. Though just for a second, Beck could have sworn he saw something resembling a smile; just a tug on the corner of Jade's mouth.

"She's in a mood," Tori grumbled.

"She's always in a mood," Beck agreed. "Don't worry about it." The Canadian boy continued as he ruffled Tori's hair.

"Jade's happy that you feel better, she was eyeing your locker the other day," Cat said innocently and got a hopeful look in return from the Latina.

"Really?"

"Oh, but she doesn't want anybody to know, so don't tell." The red-headed girl smiled as she batted her eyelashes while putting her index finger in front of her lips in a hush motion, her sweet dimple making an appearance. The bell rang and everybody went their own way for classes, the brunette leaving with glee in her eyes, knowing that somehow, deep down, the raven haired beauty cared about her.

(- -Sha- -)

Just because lunch hour has passed, doesn’t mean Hollywood Art ever loses its hectic atmosphere, with students always trying to do last minute projects or just simply practising for school play auditions. 

Tori remembered stepping into the main hallway on her first day, when she had to double check her surroundings because the school was just so marvellous, holding so many different talents within its walls. She was in awe back then, but now, it was just another day.. 

The racer sighed as she put her book for the final class of the day into her bag. She still hadn't heard anything from Mr. West or Jorge about the possibility of her employment at the former’s company, so she was anxious and awkward, and doesn't know who to talk to since she can't tell anyone, ever. The girl shook all her worries away for now and quietly closed her locker door.

"God. Why do you have to be so loud? it was so peaceful yesterday when you weren't here." Quipped Jade from behind. She was walking past the singer's locker, when the actress saw her. Tori jumped a little at the sudden voice and just rolled her eyes when she realised who made the snarky remark. As much as I like Jade, I’m just not in the mood to put up a fight with her right now.

"Jade..." She breathed out with a defeated tone.

The raven-headed girl gave the brunette a once over and saw the dejected look before curiously saying. "What's up with you? No. Wait." She snapped her fingers. "I don't care."

Tori sighed. "I'm leaving." She stated, while making to move.

"So, that's it? You’re not even going to make a smartass comment? You're ruining all my fun, Vega." The goth teased with a sarcastic smile planted on her face.

"Not today, Jade." The singer spoke tiredly and started to walk away.

Jade rolled her eyes and blew out a breath, almost as if she was contemplating something, before she grabbed Tori's arm. "Wait." She gave in as she pulled something out of her bag. "Here." The actress quickly thrust a notebook into the singer's hand earning a raised eyebrow from her. "Don't get smart. I don't care about you, I just care about my reputation. You hang out with me and my friends, so you need to keep up. So, take these notes and make sure you study to catch up. I don't want any slackers in our group." She said finally.

"Thanks, Jade."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't flatter yourself." The raven-head finished as she walked away.

Tori looked at the notes in her hand and smiled - at least, this day isn’t as gloomy as she thought it was going to be. Any sort of attention from the blue-green eyed girl is enough to make her day better.

buzz ...

She takes out her pearphone to look at the text from an unknown number. "I'll be in the music room after school. It's time for me to finish tutoring you on your piano skills. Do not be late."

Tori smiled a little bigger this time; only Jade can make something sound demanding with a caring undertone. Her mood has improved just by interacting with Jade. The girl always surprised Tori with her non-caring attitude, while honestly, she was just looking out for her in Jade's own messed up way.

( - - Sha - - )

Jade has been keeping her promise to teach her piano and Tori started to get better at it, since Jade is a really good teacher, though she still gave her snarky remarks here and there ( but it's Jade, so what else was new? ). Tori liked to think that they were getting closer as Jade acted more civil towards her and the thought of the other girl finally warming up to her kind of excited her - maybe, there's hope after all. Or so she thought.

The gang met up a little late for lunch as they didn't have the same classes that day, so she arrived at their usual table at the asphalt cafe just after Jade, who is already seated and seems to be in the process of murdering her salad by stabbing it over and over. "Jade?" She asked cautiously, while sitting down and setting her lunch on the table.

"What?" The goth girl snapped, still staring daggers at her poor salad while half-pouting, half-scowling, but Tori chose to believe it was a pout, because Jade is just so cute. "Can it, Vega, I'm not in the mood."

"You're always ‘not in the mood’... when are you in the mood?" She retorted in an amused tone that made Jade look up at her with a death glare. "Okay, what's wrong?" Tori asked in as natural a tone as possible, as she didn't want to poke the other girl even more while in this kind of mood.

The actress looked at the singer before sighing. "Why do you always do that?" She asked bitterly.

"Do what?"

"Ask me what's wrong." The goth replied in a slightly raised tone, but just a tad.

"You're my friend and I care about you." Tori told her nonchalantly.

"It's like you see past..."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just... stop doing it, it annoys me." She finally finished, getting up and grabbed her uneaten salad.

"Jade..." She called out. "I thought we were friends."

"We're not." She tossed over her shoulder as she threw her lunch into the garbage can and Tori just sighed in disappointment at Jade's push and pull attitude. Here she thought that they were making progress the other day and today it's like they were back to the start.

It's like every time she managed to tear down Jade's walls, they keep building back up and tougher to break again each time after that, making Tori work twice as hard. It's like she was pushing her away with purpose, daring her to give up. But it's not going to work. Tori Vega does not know the word backing down. No. She's going to keep knocking that freaking wall down and someday, maybe soon, Jade will finally keep it down for her and let her in.

(- -Sha- -)

Chapter Text

Grocery shopping was not always her favourite thing to do with family, as she preferred to do it alone. The Vega family had a strange tradition on any Saturday that the four of them didn't have anywhere else to be - they went shopping together. Mr. Vega liked to say something along the lines of - "We can make family time different; we shop together and reminisce about when you two were still little kids." He spoke the words in an exceedingly, hopeful tone, causing the Vega sisters to sigh and go along with it, while secretly appreciating their parents even more. They were very grateful to be blessed by such loving parents.

So that’s what Tori was doing in the grocery store, slowly pushing her own cart through the aisles, while listening to some pop song that played throughout the store. She wandered off away from her family, so she could have time to herself. The young Latina was getting another headache and lately, they were getting worse. When Trina was continuously talking about her date the other day, Tori felt like her head was going to burst just by listening to the other girl’s incessant rambling. Because the rider was lost in her own thoughts, she was jolted out of her reverie when her cart collided with another.

"Hey, watch it!" A frustrated voice chimed in. "Vega?"

"Jade?" The Latina’s eyes widened as she looked past her ‘friend’ and saw her own father standing just behind the goth girl’s shoulder. "Oh- uh- what are you doing here?" She asked cautiously, while she backed into the safety of one of the aisles, trying to avoid her dad.

"What's with you?" Jade commented amusedly. "I don't peg you to be weird- Well, I do but, I thought ‘Rainbow Princess’ prides herself on having manners. I don't think it's very polite to ignore a classmate and ask such a stupid question," the actress continued, smirking. Tori felt weird about it. Just the other day, Jade was being clipped with her, but now she was teasing her? And what's with the rainbow comment ?? Tori hoped the other girl wasn’t calling out her surreptitiously for being a lesbian. The goth girl continued, “you're always so cheerful, it's sickening. But lately you're being mopey, which is even more sickening."

"Oh," is all Tori managed to get out. "It's not- I-I ... uh."

"Tori? There you are."

"DAD!" She squeaked loudly, making Jade raise one perfectly shaped eyebrow in amusement.

"Who's your friend?" Detective Vega asked in a slightly teasing way.

"You know Jade," Tori told her father, as he came up from behind the other girl.

"Mr. V." The actress politely greeted.

"Ah, the girl with the southern accent." Tori’s dad remembered when the gang ambushed his and Holly’s anniversary back when Tori was having a sleepover at her drama teacher’s house. "The one that kept laughing while Debra Winger's character was dying." He said seriously.

"It was hilarious!"

"It was a sad, romantic movie." He replied in the same frustrated tone that he used that night, while Jade has her usual meh-face.

"You just see the scene as it was. Try looking at it from a different perspective and you’ll find it funny too." The goth girl told him confidently. Tori facepalmed, while Detective Vega had a doubtful look. "You don't believe me."

"No, he doesn't and we are so late for dinner. Dad, we better get going." Tori said, exasperated.

"Hold on a minute there, kiddo.” David held up a ‘one moment’ finger at his daughter, before continuing talking to Jade. "I’ll prove you wrong." The Vega man challenges her.

"What are you saying, Mr. V?"

"No, no. He isn't saying anything. There’s no point to be made, only dinner. Mom and Trina are waiting, Dad, we better go. Trina just text me saying they’re already in the parking lot." Tori rushed, desperately.

"Come to dinner, then after we’ll watch the movie. I’ll prove to you that it was a sad scene."

"Sure.” The raven-headed girl agreed, nonchalantly. “I'll still laugh, though." She deadpanned.

"She can't come to dinner, she's too busy, Dad." But the young Latina’s cries fell on deaf ears, as the two had already gone to check out, leaving a very frustrated Tori Vega behind. "Curse you Betty-Sue Golden-Heart."

(- -Sha- -)

Trina and Holly Vega were surprised when David told them that Jade was going to join them for dinner. The older Vega sister gave Tori a pointed look, which was returned with a frustrated one. "I didn't invite her, it was Dad’s idea." Trina was about to retort, but the younger girl cut her off. "Not another meet the parents' joke, please..." Trina just held up her hands in mocking surrender.

Dinner was set and the five of them ate while Jade surprisingly held up conversation with almost everyone. Tori was sulking. This was what she wanted right, for Jade to get close and spend time with her family? Yet, she had this nagging feeling in her stomach that this would end up in disaster somehow, since Jade is like  a bipolar Cat, with her never-ending mood swings.

After dinner, Mr. Vega and Jade settled in front of the TV to re-watch the movie while Tori sulked on the piano bench by the stairs. Trina was just about to head upstairs, but stopped. "Is it just me or is Jade acting like your fantasy girlfriend-turned-real? Cos, you know, usually, in the cliche scenario, she'd be watching some sports game, but in reality, she’s just watching some sad, old, romantic movie with dad and laughing at the death scene, while dad has this horrified look on his face."

"It's just you." Came the short reply.

"What’s with you, sis? You like the girl and she's bonding with dad, but you look like a dog just took a whiz in your favourite mug."

"Trina, just yesterday she was snapping at me and practically asked me to stop caring. Now, she suddenly shows up and makes nice with Dad. Something’s off."

"Maybe she figured out you have a crush on her and that you're the anonymous donor for her play and wanted to play nice."

"Keep it down, will you!" Tori whisper-shouted.

The two continued to have their hushed discussion, while Mr. Vega was still trying to grasp what was funny about the movie. "This is just pointless. It's still sad, how can you laugh at that?"

"Because, it is. Look, Mr. V, don't overthink it. Relax your mind and watch it one more time." It takes several more rewinds and while Jade carries on laughing, David is still frowning, but when he finally did as Jade said, he started to crack up and laugh hard.

"See."

"Okay, that was hilarious. Holly, come here and watch this! It’s so funny." The detective called. "Oh, Jade, I'm so glad you're friends with Tori, even though you have a pretty weird sense of humour (which I should worry about, but somehow I’m not)."

"I had a pretty messed up childhood." The girl shrugged.

"And you'll make a pretty decent girlfriend, too." David glances at her trying to catch Jade's expression. He's a detective for a reason and he has mad interrogation skills.

"I have my moments."

"So, are you dating my daughter?" The detective asked, going for the kill, which Tori overheard, causing her to freak out.

"What?" Jade asked at the same time Tori screamed - "No, dad! NO! We're just friends. Barely acquaintances, even. Classmates!" Tori stuttered, David has a -sorry my bad- face while Jade just looks amused.

"You know what, it's getting late and I'm getting a headache, so Jade should probably be going," Tori said, ushering Jade out of the door.

"Bye, Mr. V." The actress threw a lazy goodbye as she walked away.

"Bye, Jade. We should do this again sometime. Also, you can just call me David." The detective told the goth girl as she left.

"Sure thing, Mr. V." Jade smirked at the man, making him chuckle.

"Bye, Jade," Tori gently commented as they reached the door, making the other girl stop and face her.

"Look. I didn't mean to interrupt your evening, but it was fun and thank you for dinner. Your dad is cool as shit." Tori looked at her plainly and she sighed. "Vega, I ... wantoapologize." She rushed out.

"What?"

Jade rolled her eyes and blew out a breath before repeating herself. "I want to apologise for the other day. It wasn't cool of me to snap at you. Sure, I can barely stand you, but yesterday you were just trying to be nice and I was an ass to you."

The singer's eyes softened and her heart smiled at the confession. "Aww, Jade..." Tori trailed as she made a wiggling move with her arms signalling Jade to come and hug her, which made the raven-haired girl roll her eyes, but none-the-less, she moved into the embrace, anyway. "Apology accepted." The singer said, rubbing a gentle circle on the goth girl's back. The hug lasted a little longer than a normal hug would and when they withdrew, it left a tingling feeling behind for both girls. Which, for Jade, she just shrugged it off as nothing.

"So your dad thinks we're dating?" Jade exclaimed as she turned to walk away and Tori's eyes widened. "Relax, no need to get your panties in a pretzel. I can keep your secret." Then winked at the Latina. Jade was winking at her!

"It's not a secret, I just... I haven't had the chance to tell everyone yet." Tori explained. "I'm not hiding it or anything, it just never came up. And Jade? About what my dad said-"

"I'm flattered, actually." The other girl cuts Tori off before she can ramble. "I know I'd make a kickass girlfriend, but... You can't handle me, little Vega."

Tori tried to play it cool as she watched the actress get into her car, before calling out - "Hey, can't blame a girl for trying’!" With that, Jade just waved as she sped off.

(- -Sha- -)

Tori wasn’t lying when she said she had a headache, so the next day, Trina suggested going to the hospital after school as she needed a check-up, anyway. After making sure she didn’t have any major brain damage, Tori’s doctor said her headaches were probably because of stress and prescribed her something for it, before sending her on her way. 

While waiting outside the hospital for Trini to pick her up, the racer checked her phone and sighed. It'd been several days, but she still hadn’t heard anything from either Mr. West or Jorge. On top of that, her dad had been keeping a close eye on her since the accident and she was getting really tired of it. Tori was about to call Trini to ask what the hell was taking so long, when she saw Mr. West walking nearby. "Mr. West!" She called.

"Tori." The man commented in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I just had a checkup, everything’s still looking good. I'm good as new, nothing loose on this old wagon." She pointed to her head and cringed at her own choice of words. Hopefully, the blue-green eyed man would forgive her rambling. 

"I'm waiting for my sister to come pick me up, but I think she forgot so I’ll probably need to take the bus home." She was still trying to recover from her ramble. "What are you doing here, sir?"

"One of my test riders slipped and fell, but they weren’t as lucky as you, though." He spoke grimly. "You say you don't have a ride? I can take you home." He said quickly changing the subject.

"Oh, no, I don't want to bother you, sir. You must be really busy."

"Nonsense. I'm done for the day and we’re going in the same direction, anyway."

Tori sat in the passenger seat, feeling the awkward silence between them screaming.  The singer decided to look out the window and hummed under her breath to pass the time. The ride wasn’t uncomfortable, but she just didn't know what to say to Jade's dad. The man was too focused on the road and didn’t even spare a glance in her direction. Tori was grateful the radio provided a good distraction as background noise.

This was the first time Tori had been in such close proximity with Arthur West and she had no clue what to say. Every conversation starter she thought of didn’t seem appropriate or worth it. Curse her thoughtful brain. A motorbike passed by outside the girl’s window; black as night, with the rider suited to match. He was a little too aggressive on his riding, and she was about to comment on it when she saw a red dot appear on Mr. West's chest. The Latina looked ahead and realised it was coming from another rider who had slowed in front of them. The girl’s eyes widened when she realised what was happening. Acting quickly, she yanked the handbrake with one hand, while using the other to reach over and turn the steering wheel. Simultaneously, Mr. West slammed the brakes and clutch, causing the vehicle to drift and make a sharp ninety-degree turn, before coming to an eventual halt.

"Son of a..." Tori cried out in pain.

"Tori, what the hell?!" The older West roared. Before anything else could be said, one speeding bullet rang out between their faces and the businessman’s eyes widened in shock.

"Mr. West! I need you to crawl into the back seat and stay down. Now!" Tori instinctively ordered and the man did as she said. The singer then quickly moved over to take the wheel and as she stepped on the gas, the harsh sound of the tyres burning against the asphalt was all that could be heard. 

"What the hell? Who are they?!" She tried to swerve to the right when she saw another black motorbike running alongside them. They were on a sleepy road in the middle of nowhere and Tori hated that they were far from the busy traffic. She changed gear and slowed down, looking into the rearview mirror and waited for the right moment to execute the heat-of-the-moment plan she had just thought of. As soon as the two bikes were on either side of the car, she initiated the same stunt that started this impromptu chase - she yanked the handbrake, then slammed on the clutch and brake together, pulling the car into another ninety-degree turn. This caused each end of the vehicle to strike both riders in unison, unseating them and hurling them into the road.

(- -Sha- -)

"Holy shit!” Tori exclaimed, her hands frozen on the wheel of the now unmoving vehicle. “Did that really just happen?" Adrenaline was still buzzing and everything was still a bit of a blur, but  her senses were starting to come back to her. Looking into the back where Arthur West still sat, the brunette asked, "Are you okay?"

The man made a 'one-moment' gesture, before opening the window and immediately throwing up. "Ew, gross," Tori groaned, before continuing. "Sorry about that." Once the businessman had finished and returned to his seat, she began to drive again. After a moment, the girl broke the silence. "Do you know who they are or why they tried to kill you?"

"No." The man replied in a clipped tone.

"Mr. West. No offence, but I call bull. People don't target other people for no reason. We need to call the police."

"No." He refused adamantly.

"Seriously? Need I remind you that we just had a car chase, while being shot at?!"

"No authority, Tori." The man pleaded with her. The girl had never seen that look on his face before and she felt concern for her friend’s father.

Pulling off the road at the next exit, Tori pulled into a small gas station and parked up safely. She was exhausted, dirty and there was this annoying, pinching throb coming from her right shoulder, but she ignored all of it for now, because she wanted an answer. Turning in her seat to face the man, the rider-to-be spoke calmly. "Mr. West. I am tired and in pain, and I don't want to be here any longer than I have to. My dad's going to call me if I'm not home by five. But I also can't leave you here alone since they could come back to finish the job.” She spoke matter-of-factly, before finishing. “So, I’m gonna call bull and ask again… Please. Tell me what’s going on.”

The businessman looked at the young girl in front of him with defeated eyes. "I promised not to get you involved... " He told her softly. 

"Okay, what? Promised who? What are you talking about?” Tori’s mind was going a mile a minute with all kinds of possibilities. Is Jade involved in this too? Did she ask her dad not to tell me? “Please, just tell me, ‘cause in case you haven’t noticed - I'm trying to stay calm as chiz, but I’m actually really freaking out right now." The young Latina quickly rambled. "I mean, after what I just did?! I probably just killed those riders..." She shivered at the thought, then quickly found her bearings and stared straight into piercing blue eyes that reminded her of Jade. "Like it or not Mr. West. I'm already involved." The singer spoke with finality and desperation. It was a vast change from her usual cheery, easy going persona and it almost pained her to lose that.

"This is messed up. You're just a child." Mr. West all but pleaded with her.

"A child who just saved your life." Tori challenged. "We’re past keeping secrets now, Mr. West. I just want to know why they tried to kill you (and me too, by the way). Soon enough, the cops are gonna find those bikers” - that I maybe just killed?! - “and also - do I need to remind you that MY DAD is a cop?"

The man nervously declared, "I'm aware of Detective Vega."

The Latina looked at the older man suspiciously. “You’re aware of my dad?”

“We-” Arthur West sighed. “He- We had an exchange of words at the hospital.” He told her.

“Is that why you haven’t contacted me about the job?” She was going to push more, but she felt that annoying pain again, pressing persistently to the point she could no longer ignore it. “Ow, what-,”

"Are you okay?" Mr. West asked concernedly, looking at the shoulder Tori was holding.

The singer peered down for the first time to see a small hole piercing through the clothing on her shoulder, blood seeping through the gap slowly. "Huh. Apparently... I've been shot." She spoke with a finesse that she couldn’t explain, all the while freaking out internally. Over the course of just a few weeks, she's been in the hospital, helped Jade with her play while getting closer to her - which she was so grateful and happy for - and now she could add saving Jade's dad from hit men and getting shot to that list. It was just too much for a freakin’ teenager. The brunette should freak out or scream or even faint, but instead, she just took a deep breath and held it all in. Mr. West was already freaking out enough for the both of them, it would seem.

"Holy shit." Arthur West said, stunned.

"It's just a graze." The young girl remarked in a blase tone, when she was actually feeling almost dazed at the sight of her own blood covering her shoulder. She tried not to scream bloody murder, ( because it hurt like a bitch now she thought about it ), and put on a brave face, masking the pain like the goddamn, amazing actress that she is. "Probably got hit when they first shot at you."

"’ It's just a graze’? Tori this is the kind of thing that I promised to keep you away from! Just knowing about the case is bad enough, but you're also getting shot because of me." Mr. West despaired and sighed. "All because I offered you a ride. This is my fault. I should've just let you take the bus and this never would have happened."

"You'd also be dead when those riders rained down on you with bullets." Jade's face was the first thing that came into Tori’s mind; she didn't want to see those piercing blue eyes. The pale beauty had only just begun to mend her relationship with her dad.

"It's not your responsibility to keep me safe, Tori. This is my problem, my mess."

"Well, like I said - now, I’m involved." Tori determinedly repeated.

"Is this because of Jade?" The man pressed, catching the young brunette off-guard.

"What?"

"I get that you two are dating and so you feel responsible about keeping me safe, but-"

"We are NOT dating, Mr West. She doesn’t even like me like that." Why do people think that we’re dating?

"But you do. I see the way you look at my daughter, Tori."

Tori sighed. She doesn't want to talk about that right now. She- they have a different matter at hand; a serious one and she needed to get to the bottom of it. "The point is, you gave me a ride and then some crazy people tried to kill you. While I was with you! We NEED to tell my dad."

"Do you really think telling your dad is a good idea?"

"I just deliberately crashed your car into some motorcyclists. While trying to protect you from raining bullets. In the middle of the desert." Tori spoke specifically, feeling like Mr. West should already know these exact things, because he's the adult here, not her. Which is decided to make clear to him. "You're the adult, shouldn’t you know what to do by now?"

The man sighed in defeat. "Scoot over, I’m driving.”

(- -Sha- -)

The car came to a halt in front of a random house in a quiet, suburban area. Arthur West quickly got out of his now beat-up car and went round to the passenger seat to help Tori out. The young Latina was confused as to why the older man had brought her here, when a familiar voice called out her name, surprising her.

"Tori!" Her dad shouted. 

“Dad?” She muttered in confusion, looking between Mr. West and the older Latino. 

David Vega gave them both a once over, before composing himself enough to take Tori from the other man’s arm and help his daughter into the house. He tried not to touch the girl's injured shoulder. "Oh, mi pobre bebé ( my poor baby)... I got you, honey.”  

"What’s going on, dad?”

Ignoring Tori’s question, David continued to walk her inside, causing the young Latina’s thoughts to run amuck. No one would tell her anything and she watched as the grown ups eyed each other and seemed to have a silent argument.

The detective sat her down and quickly found a first aid kit and what seemed to be a surgical sewing kit, before sitting beside her.

“Let me look at your wound, sweetie,” he gently asked, putting a hand on her injured shoulder. 

“It’s just a graze, Dad, it’s not that deep.” 

The older Latino sighed. "I told you to keep Tori away." He finally addressed Arthur West.

"I did." The blue-eyed man defended.

"Dad! It's not his fault. I just happened to be in the wrong place, at the right time."

"What?" He looked at the girl, both confused and horrified.

"I’d be dead right now, if it wasn’t for your daughter, Detective." Arthur West informed the other man. "And I'm very thankful for that."

" Papi. He's Jade's Dad." The girl pleaded with her eyes.

"Oh, mi dulce hija ( my sweet daughter)...” David breathed, as he tenderly hugged his child, minding her injured shoulder. “Do you know how serious this is, Tori? This is exactly the reason why I don’t want you working at R.T.R Corp.”

“What do you mean?” The young Latina looked questioningly at her father - what’s so dangerous about racing that her dad won’t let her work at Jade’s dad’s company?

He bypassed her words and responded by kissing the girl's forehead. "Let's get you patched up.” 

The annoying part about the situation was, neither of the so-called grown ups had given her any real kind of explanation and Tori, for sure, was going to badger her dad for one.

(- - Sha - -)

Around two hours later, the sun had just begun to set behind the safe house. There weren’t many other people there, just Detective Vega, two plain-clothes officers, an Interpol agent and a medic that David had requested attend to Tori's wound. The officers were there to keep watch for anything out of place and they were currently playing basketball in front of the garage to maintain cover, while also stealthily paying attention to the surrounding area. Mr. West's car was safely tucked inside of said garage, hidden from prying eyes.

"How many people attacked you?" David queried, taking Arthur's statement. They were in the living room, both sitting on a sofa across from each other.

"Two that we could see. Two motorcycles followed us, before they started shooting." The businessman began. "I was driving and Tori was in the passenger seat, quietly looking out the window." David raised his brow at this - Tori wasn’t the type to be quiet. "I didn't know what to say to her." The man said in explanation. "Anyway, that's when she noticed the first reckless motorcyclist and was about to point them out to me when she saw the red dot on my suit. She immediately reacted knowing what it was."

"Wrong place, right time" David murmured, recalling what Tori had said earlier.

"She saved my life, Detective."

"I know and that's what worries me. Knowing my daughter, she’s gonna wanna get involved after all this. But I need to keep her out of it." The Detective declared, more serious than ever. The other man nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly; he didn't want Jade to be part of this mess either.

Arthur West had been working at the company for years and had only found out about its ‘shady side’ six months ago. One night, he was checking on some of the custom-made bikes they built for other sponsors and he found some very distinctive differences between the bikes - on paper, all the material and parts were just as the client wanted, but he overheard a couple of his co-workers making deals with an a different, off-site client, to tamper with the bikes as they were being built. Not long after, there was an accident on the circuit. After that, he gathered all the data he could and realised there were even more underhanded tricks at play, than he ever could have imagined - secret arms deals to gangs, foreign militia and anyone they thought could make profit off. Knowing that, the businessman was too afraid to continue looking into things alone, so he discreetly informed the authorities of everything he had already found and once the initial report was made, David Vega was assigned the case. After that, the case was quickly picked up by Interpol who asked Arthur West to help them bring down R.T.R from within. When he realised just how deep he was in this whole mess, he began to get scared for his family, so he tried to back away from being an informant. However, that was clearly an ineffective plan, now seeing as he had just nearly lost his life .

"So what happens now?" Tori asked, as she walked into the room after being patched up ( turns out, the wound was a little deeper than the young Latina assumed and she needed to get stitches ). Both grown-ups looked, stopping their discussion as the singer entered the room.

"Should we bring Jade here too? Because those guys could try to hurt her to get to Mr. West." Tori worried, only just realising that it’s not just Mr. West that’s in danger, but also, Jade probably is too. The thought terrified her. "We really need to get Jade."

"Tori. Jade is fine." David grasped her arm gently before Tori could leave the room.

"My partner is out looking out for her right now." A husky voice chimed in. "Jade's in good hands." A tall blonde informed them, entered the room in a composed manner. "Don't worry, she's safe." The person assured them all.

"Sweet sally peaches! ... Y-you ... are..." Tori stuttered as she took in their full appearance.

"Tenouh Haruka." They said calmly.

"I know. You're The Racer!" Tori shrieked. Seeing the glee in her eyes made her father smile. "I'm a big fan." The brunette had the biggest smile on her face, clearly forgetting about the problem at hand for a moment, before confusion took over and she looked at her father. "Dad, why is Tenouh Haruka here? He races for R.T.R."

" SHE and her partner are with Interpol. It's her cover, Tori. She races for R.T.R. to gather intel."

"SHE?!" Tori exclaims, shocked. This tall, handsome and perfectly sculpted jawline belongs to a WOMAN, when everyone knows them as one of the most talented MALE racers in the country.

The blonde racer chuckled. "I don't like to tell people what I am." Haruka teased.

"I'm sorry! I just- you never confirmed anything and you compete in the men’s league."

"Don't be. People just like to assume and most of the time it's good for our cover."

"Right... but you're still awesome on the track." Tori reaffirmed, sobering slightly from meeting her idol. "Wait - you said your partner is looking out for Jade?"

"Michiru."

"The new music teacher, Kaiou Michiru?"

"Ha-i ( yes) . I was assigned to gather intel within the company, while Michiru was assigned to protect the asset's daughter and watch for anything amiss. I promise you - Jade is safe. We knew they’d be making a move against Arthur soon, because we finally have a case built against them and they know that Arthur is our prime witness against them, so we were already preparing to bring Jade here tonight."

"What are we going to do until then?" Tori pushes insistently.

"WE are going to do our job and YOU already know too much." The agent firmly enlightened the young singer, putting her hand on Tori's good shoulder. "Tori, I know you’re worried and believe you should be involved now, but this? It’s not your job or even your responsibility."

"But-"

"You know," Haruka moved closer to whisper. "You don't need to risk your life just to impress a girl." She teased, before moving back. "You just need to be yourself. From what Michiru said about you, I think, you already got it in the bag, kid." The Racer finished and gently touched Tori's head, before she moved to sit down and smirked while watching as the Latina blushed at thewords. Did she? Got it?

"I'm not trying to-"

"Tori." David stepped in. "Agent Tenouh is right. You need to go back home and go back to your daily life. This isn't your fight, honey."

"Dad!" She tried to protest.

The Detective took Tori out of the room to speak privately. "Please, Mija. You can't get anymore mixed up in this. I already broke protocol just by having you here. But now, it's time for you to go home and forget about today. I don't want you risking your life to save other people. That's my job." The Detective concluded, making it clear that it wasn’t up for further discussion. The teenager just looked at her father in defeat, disappointment written all over her face. 

She wanted to help keep Jade safe. She wanted to stay embroiled in all of this. "I know you’re scared for Jade and you wanted to protect her by helping to protect her dad. But, like I said - this isn't your fight. All you can do is be there for Jade and do what you normally do. Just be a teenager." The half-Latina took note of her dad’s pleading and although she planned to do right by him, she was also already plotting her own private mission to assist them

.

(- - Sha - -)

Chapter Text

The young Latina came home with her arm in a sling to support her newly injured shoulder, her mind occupied from the event that occurred a few hours ago and the equally occupied mind of David Vega, in tow. Father and daughter walked up to the house wearing the same expression, but each with different priorities in mind. 

Tori, with her persistent nature, had continued to try and find a way to join the case until the Detective locked her out of the room, so the ‘grown-ups’ could plan and discuss strategy options alone. However, the singer kept on pushing once she overheard them mention leaving Jade out of protection - it’s such bullshit; come on, Mr. West! (Sorry, Arthur) How are you okay with this? 

“Tori...” The older Latino tried to call out, but the young girl determinedly ignored him as she walked steadfast into the house. Tori then proceeded to ignore her mother too, who had worriedly started asking what happened to her shoulder upon seeing the sling. 

David sighed as he came in, closing the door behind him before looking at his wife, who gave him a ‘what the fuck happened’ look. “It’s my fault. She busted her shoulder and she’s pissed at me.” He explained vaguely. “It’s not serious, though, it’ll be good as new in a few days.” Holly didn’t say anything and just kept staring at him. “A week, tops.” 

“Girls, dinner!” Mrs. Vega called out instead of answering or making an effort to talk to her husband and David knew right then that he would be sleeping on the couch for the rest of the week.

(- - sha - -)

Trina was just about to go downstairs when she saw her sister heading into her room. “What happened to your shoulder?” The older Latina queried, spying the younger girl’s sling, as she followed the singer inside. 

Tori sighed; her shoulder throbbed and she was stressing over something that was out of her reach. The girl slid down to the floor leaning her back against the bed. “I was shot.” The rider answered simply to her sister, not having the energy to lie or bullshit anymore. 

“What the- What do you mean, ‘you were SHOT ’?!” Trina whisper-shouted. “How do you always get into crazy shit...? Tori - tell me WHAT. THE HELL. HAPPENED.”

Tori just looked deep in thought. Come to think of it, if Trina hadn’t bailed on her like always, she wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place, caught between wanting to help, while also keeping Jade safe. If Trina had shown up, the younger sister would probably be happily oblivious to it all and only focus on being there for Jade when the news broke about Arthur’s ‘accident’, she wouldn’t be having a moral debate about how to go about pushing her father for permission to join the assignment as a teenage civilian. 

No, Tori - you don’t wish for someone to die, just so you can have a clear conscience. She shook those thoughts away before looking up to her sister and telling her everything that had happened. She didn’t know why, but the singer felt like she needed someone’s support and understanding. 

Maybe, just maybe, Trina might be able to help her solve this dilemma and be part of her team. Right? Superheroes need a team. 

Is this what it is? Superheroing? Or maybe Tori was just tired and wanted someone to tell her it was okay to let go and let the adult handle this. But, Trina’s response surprised her after she told her what happened. 

“Dinner’s ready. I need to eat first before we brainstorm ideas to deal with this. Come on, baby sis,” she nonchalantly quipped, like it was just another tuesday for her. 

“ We ?”

“Move your ass!” The older girl yelled from halfway down the stairs.

(- - sha - -)

The next morning, Tori was still contemplating her next course of action; Trina had inserted herself into Tori’s little ‘team’, but neither of them had been able to come up with a solid plan on what to do. But one thing she knows for sure is, they ( she ) needed to keep an eye on Jade to try and keep her safe as possible. The singer sighed, looking at Jade’s locker across the hall - either, the goth girl wasn’t here yet or she was lurking somewhere she thought she wouldn’t be found. 

Tori’s mind was brought back when Andre’s voice jerked her back to the present. “You okay, chica?” 

“Yeah...” the brunette replied, distractedly. “You seen Jade yet?”

“Nah, I just got here myself. Hey, what happened to your shoulder?” The musician pointed to the sling.

“Yes - what happened, Vega?” Came an eerily calm, yet curious voice from behind Tori. 

Tori jumped back as she turned to face the second voice. “JADE! What the chiz?! You scared the shit out of me,” the Latina exclaimed, seeing that Jade had appeared round the corner directly behind her, almost out of nowhere. The actress just smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Where the hell did you come from?”

“None of your business.” Was the short reply, before the actress pointed to her injured shoulder. “Speak.” she commanded (Jade had a habit of expecting that everyone would be scared into answering her demands).

Tori smiled cheekily, half-taunting Jade. “None. Of. Your. Business.” She spoke slowly, before walking past Jade with a smirk of her own, leaving the raven-head gaping in surprise. Andre just shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the duo’s exchange and wandered away.

The actress took a second to catched up to what just happened before she stomped her foot. “You-” Fisting her hands, she exhaled. “VEGA!” she yelled as she marched with purpose in Tori’s direction. No one- NO ONE, talks to me like that!

(- - sha - -)

Even though they shared some classes, Tori somehow managed to avoid Jade for the better part of the day - the actress can’t know what she’s up to. The singer asked Cat and Andre to keep the goth girl distracted, but she knew how persistent Jade could be once she had her mind set on something or when she was curious about something. 

The racer looked around before heading into the music class; she had time in between class to make a quick visit. “I didn’t think you would be here.” Tori stood by the door addressing the undercover agent stiffly.

Michiru, for her part, only gave the teenager a polite smile (Haruka had briefed her on what happened the day prior). “Why? I still have a job to do, Ms. Vega.” The green haired agent told the girl calmly. 

“Are you really keeping an eye…on…things?” Tori tried to be subtle looking for discreet words to be asked. “You changed your plans and I know my help wasn’t needed - or wanted. But, I’m still…I care.” 

Michiru looked at the girl in front of her, the agent seemed to be contemplating something and the singer just stood there waiting, hoping it would be something to ease her worries - maybe, with her standing right here, the older woman will clue her in. Her last attempt to be included into the team. 

“Michiru-san.” Tori addressed, respectfully. “I am just as capable-”

“You’re jeopardising the case.” The music teacher cut Tori off before she could finish her pitch. “Did you really think just because you were there and able to help one time, we’d automatically give you access?”

“N-no, but-”

“If it was anyone else, you would not be fighting this hard to be involved.” Michiru pressed, still looking at Tori whose eyes were bugging out in surprise. The singer felt at loss at the jab. She’s cold.

“No, wait-”

“Am I wrong in making that assessment?” Michiru asked with a neutral tone. 

Tori, for the life of her, didn’t expect to be interrogated like that before she was able to give the agent her raw, honest, yet passionate speech about the whole thing. The singer felt seen and not in a good way…Michiru sliced her open with just a few words and Tori was at a loss. 

“Tori, there’s a reason that we don’t want you to get involved. We’re trained for this and you’re too clouded by your emotions to be a part of this. The word Agent in my job title, doesn’t mean I get to choose what case I want .”

Checkmate.

“Maybe, I am too subjective with ‘ the asset’ . Maybe, my feelings are all over the place. But I do think that because of said feelings, I can help.” Tori finally found her voice and was able to argue back.  Not a checkmate, though . “Look, I’m not looking to be an agent, Michiru-san. I just want to help keep her safe.”

“If you want to keep her safe, stay away from the case and just be with her.” Finality could easily be heard in the agent’s words and before the young racer could even try to argue again, students started pouring into the room, so instead, she pushed her way through the throng and out of the class, feeling defeated. 

The young racer left the classroom with a sigh - well, that didn’t work. She quickly shot a text to her sister telling the other girl as much, then wandered off to her own class.

(- - sha - -)

By the end of the day, Tori was still in a slump; she couldn’t ride her motorbike until her arm had healed, nor could she work in the garage. The singer walked up the mini stage above the asphalt cafe to sit and mulling over things. Michiru had a point - my main focus is Jade. To keep her safe. 

The Latina doesn’t need to get stressed over a crime case the police are handling, she just needs to be there for Jade. Yes, she can do that. Tori doesn’t know who she’s convincing at this point. 

Agent Michiru was right. Be there for Jade. That’s it. She replied to that sentence over and over again hoping that it would be enough.

“This is such a cliche...” a familiar voice ripped Tori from her own thoughts. “You being here, sulking.” 

The singer looked up to see Jade’s hand on the strap of her messenger bag, eyebrow raised. “You know you do it too. I’ve had to chase you here before.”

The actress shrugged her shoulders and took a seat beside the singer, looking at the other girl with a soft expression. Almost gentle. “What’s on your mind?”

Tori was caught off guard with the question. It was completely out of character for Jade to be actively seeking her out and asking such a question - not that she minded, of course. The racer-to-be sighed and looked away, contemplating her next words. “Jade...” The Latina turned to face the goth and in that moment something changed - Tori didn’t know what, maybe, it was the way the sun lit up Jade’s face, making it look soft and gentle or maybe, it was the fact that the actress is here, showing some kind of concern for her. Whatever it was, sitting side by side so close to each other made it easy to just angle herself toward the actress and start to lean in.

The Latina moved slowly, leaving enough time for the goth to stop her - but she didn’t, so, Tori took the final step and closed the gap between them. Their lips met and the singer swore that her heart pumped just a bit faster and she could hear the thump. Thump. Thump. Of every beat in her ear. 

The kiss was tame. It was literally just her lips on Jade’s, but it still made her head spin like crazy. It lasted several seconds before the actress gently pushed the other girl away. “Tori.” She managed to say. 

The girl opened her eyes upon hearing her name softly spoken by the pale beauty. Looking into sky blue eyes, Tori slowly began sobering up from the dream-like state she had been left in. “I-uh. I’m sorry, Jade-”

“As nice as it is to feel your lips on mine, Vega.... Did you mean to kiss me or are you just trying to distract me from finding out what happened to you?”

Still a bit in daze, Tori barely managed to squeak out - “Huh?”

“I’m not going to repeat myself.” The actress deadpanned, while lightly resting her hand on Tori’s injured shoulder. 

Realising the heaviness of the question, Tori moved back a bit. Police rule numero uno, is to keep the investigation completely covert - not even other police were privy to the details unless they were part of the official team. Tori wasn’t even supposed to know, technically.

But she can tell Jade the basics of what happened - right? Like, with homicide cases, people are told that someone was murdered, but not the details of it - a bit of a morbid example, but still. The singer thinks it over and arranges her words carefully before she opens her mouth to explain. “Something happened yesterday and it’s connected to a case my dad is working on. I can’t tell you much, because it’s all hush-hush, but something happened and I was shot,” She confessed. 

Tori studied how Jade’s expression changed in a short amount of time - first, she seemed amused after the kiss, a bit of blush could be seen, but now, it quickly changed from confused, surprised, stunned, and finally, she looks worried for a brief second, before masking it to appear both curious.

“Did someone need to remove a bullet?” 

“Uhm… No, it was just a graze,” Tori felt like she was in some kind of twilight zone right now with the goth girl acting so nonchalant - Jade would’ve blown a fuse in the past if something like that happened. The raven-head’s behaviour made her confused, like she was also trying to distract Tori into forgetting about their kiss.

“Why did you need to hide the fact that you got shot? It's kinda badass,” the actress states, even more out of character, yet also throwing a question that Tori can’t really answer.

Because it had something to do with your dad. “So, you’re saying that you don’t mind me kissing you?” She tries to deflect the question. Come on, Jade, don’t make me lie!

“Tori.”

“It’s not important, Jade. I was just in the crossfire, nothing heroic happened.” The Latina didn’t know who she was trying to convince, her or Jade, because last she checked, she just happened to be in the wrong place, at the right time.

Tori thought she had heard Jade murmur something but she wasn’t sure. Instead the actress asked, “Can you still play piano with that busted shoulder of yours?”

“Yes?” The racer-to-be answered, a bit uncertain - surely she still can? It’s only a graze, so a light piano lesson wouldn’t hurt. Probably. 

The blue-eyed girl contemplated Tori’s answer for a moment, before nodding to herself. “Good enough. Let’s go to the music room, I need to finish tutoring you, since I cancelled on you a few times.” Jade finished with her usual bored tone, before leaving and expecting Tori to follow.

(- - sha - -)

Two pairs of eyes watched the duo walking back to the school from the parking lot. They waited for a bit, making sure the surrounding area was clear from any danger. “They’ll be fine,” Haruka said. “No sign of them anywhere.”

“I would like to keep an eye on them,” The teacher exclaimed. “We agreed to keep Jade out of this, so we should make sure she’s safe.”

Haruka looked at their partner with a gentle and soft expression. “The kid got to you, didn’t she?” They tease. 

“She’s Arthur’s weakness. They can use her to stop him from testifying.” Michiru’s reasons, her face serious, yet calm. 

The tall blonde sighed, more out of habit than exaggeration or frustration. “Alright, well, looks like we’ll be here awhile, then.” Haruka looked at Michiru; in all the years they’ve known her, they’ve never seen her this bothered by something. “‘Hey. Maybe, we can have a mini date while we wait?” They chimed in softly, half-joking, continuing with the teasing manner they always seem to have. 

“Haruka.” The green-haired woman warned. 

“Iie ( No) . We should make this a proper date. Let’s get some ice cream, this heat  is making me crave ice cream.” They smiled; Michuru was always so serious, so Haruka needed to remind their partner to let loose more often than. “They’re going to be here for a while, so I’ll have Mamoru keep an eye on the security cameras for any foreign movement.”

Contemplating things for a moment, Michuru looked at Haruka. They made a fair point - stake outs are almost always boring, so surely, an ice cream wouldn’t hurt? ”Fine.” She smiled, seeing how just agreeing to have ice cream could light up Haruka’s eyes. “But we’ll come back at the first sign of danger.”

Nodding eagerly, Haruka said, “Yakusoku ( Promise).” 

“Iki-masho ( Let’s go).” Michiru held onto Haruka’s arm as they made their way to the ice cream place across from Hollywood Art. 

(- - sha - -)

Tori was still puzzled at how Jade could so easily move on from their kiss like nothing had happened. I mean… of course, part of her was glad the raven-haired girl didn’t make a big deal out of it, but there was also a small part of that wanted the actress to make it a big deal. Does this mean Jade doesn’t like me…?  

“Vega, pay attention.” Jade gave her a pointed stare, like she knew that Tori’s was on something other than the lesson.

“Sorry. Yes. Focusing.” The singer cleared her throat. She tried to focus on Jade but kept drawing her eyes to the raven-head’s lips, still not sure whether to be bummed out by Jade’s reaction to the kiss (she was still reeling from the euphoric feeling of knowing she had finally kissed the other girl). 

As the singer’s attention finally drew back to reality, a melodic tune started to play - Jade was playing the song she sang for the platinum music award auditions. It was fitting that, for whatever reason, Tori found herself focusing more on Jade’s face, rather than her playing, as soon as she heard the actress start singing.

Chapter Text

For the past few months Jade had been enjoying her life. Her dad had finally started building a relationship with her and she also found being single more enjoyable than she thought it’d be, because she found she has a lot to do and more free time to hone in on her craft. So, she went to school, spent time with her dad and sometimes even her mother when she felt like socializing.

Then there was Tori - the formerly low-confident Vega, waltzed in ready to be her hero. The girl tried so hard to get on Jade’s good side, which made the raven-haired girl roll her eyes. 

As the days went by, Jade started to feel like Tori was chipping away at her wall. She found herself not minding the singer's nosiness or the way she kept showing up to be there for Jade. Maybe, just maybe, the actress wouldn’t mind calling Tori a friend. 

But then she kissed Jade.

Before that, the actress never thought of Tori as more than just a nosy classmate, who secretly had a crush on Beck. Rolling her eyes, Jade lay on her bed holding a pair of her scissors; it helped calm her chaotic mind and process her thoughts.

But she had kissed Jade. The actress had a split second panicking and different thoughts running through her mind, but in that moment she concluded that Tori was just trying to distract her from answering her question. Now though, after sorting out things, she felt warm, like the kiss meant a lot more to the other girl than she claimed. 

The actress groaned, frustrated with the situation. It’s not supposed to be this complicated . But then comes Tori-Fucking-Vega making things a lot more confusing than it needs to be.

(- -sha - -)

“Tori!” 

The younger Latina stopped by her bedroom door and turned towards the voice, finding Trina outside the room. Appearing unbothered, Tori answers with a shoulder shrug, “What?”

“Don’t ‘ what’ me.” Trina quipped. “Where have you been?”

“I've been in school, Jade was giving me piano lessons,” she answers matter-of-factly.

“Jade gave you…” The older latina sighed. “Tori. Focus. We have to make a plan. Don’t get distracted by your girlfriend, this is serious.”

“My- Trina! Firstly - she’s not my girlfriend. Secondly - why are you more excited about this than I am? Besides, I already told you that dad and the agents handled everything.”

“Why are you giving up so easily?” Trina pushed.

“Trina, butt out.” The singer closed the door in her sister's face, causing the older girl to huff and grumble while walking away.

Safe in her own room, Tori threw her bag somewhere on the floor before dramatically throwing herself to the bed.

This can’t be it.  

Sitting idly by and trying to ignore the big threat was not something Tori enjoyed. She trusted her dad, but also felt like she could do something more . Yet, she told Trina to butt out.  

Rubbing her injured shoulder, the racer-to-be mulled over how everyone kept telling to do the same thing, the same thing she told her sister not five minutes ago - that she's just a teenager and police business is none of her concern. 

Maybe, her help isn't needed in Arthur’s case, but she could definitely help with Jade’s safety, seeing that the police's priority was Arthur.

The singer quietly contemplated her next move before sighing out loud. “Fuck it.” She ran out of her room and knocked loudly on another.

“Let's make a plan.” Tori stated, while marching into her sister’s room. Trina just rolled her eyes, with a smile playing on the corner of her lips. 

(- -sha - -)

The actress took her books out of her locker for her classes, before turning to look across the hall. Tori was there with her sister, talking in hush voices, looking secretive. 

Narrowing her eyes she quickly closed her locker and marched over to them. “Vega.”

Both siblings turned, looking wide-eyed, clearly caught out on something. Interesting.

“Jade! Hi! Hello! Good morning.” Tori rushed, like she'd been caught red-handed, while the older Vega just scoffed and groaned. 

“See you, losers. Trina out.” She announced,  before giving Tori a look that Jade deduced as “We’ll talk more later.”

“That's not like you, having a longer-than-necessary conversation with your sister. Well, unless she needs you to do something for her."

“Why do you suddenly care, Jade?” 

The schmuck . “What? Don't be ridiculous, it's just weird, that’s all.” Damn. Why does this girl make her lose all her wits?

“Careful, Jade - you're starting to sound like you give a shit about me.”

“Listen, you little… Just because we had a bit of a moment yesterday, doesn’t mean that you can act like you know me.” Harsh , but damn it, Tori is making her put up her defenses again. Clearing her throat. “Meet me in the music room later after school. It's time for me to wrap up your lessons.”

There are quick changes in Tori’s expression before it settles into something that Jade can’t really read, maybe it was defeat or maybe it was just acceptance of whatever it is Jade doesn't know. 

The raven-haired girl was about to leave in her usual dramatic exit, when she heard a soft - “I can't…” halting her from moving further. 

“You can’t?”

“No. I can't.” Tori said, trying to look innocent with an unbothered expression, which just irritated Jade more.

“Vega, I only have one last session with you, after which, I can finally say that I paid you back for good.” 

“I never expect anything in return for helping you out Jade, that's just what friends do. I don’t know how you do it, but that’s how I treat my friends.” Tori replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. “You probably don't even care, but I need to get my shoulder checked today by the doctor who will, hopefully, let me stop wearing the sling. But if it means that much to you, consider this as your debt having been paid.” 

Tori left with slumped shoulders, leaving Jade standing there speechless. She heard the defeated tone in the other girl’s voice and it didn't sit right with her. It kind of made her feel like Vega was just giving up on her.

Everyone eventually gives up.  

Wasn’t that what she wanted, though? Pushing everyone’s buttons and seeing who will stick around, because what’s the point of opening up to people who will eventually leave, anyway. 

Jade squared her shoulders, trying to keep up her façade, because no - Vega’s defeated tone will not bother her, this is what she wanted. She keeps mentally repeating those words and carries on with her day.

(- -sha - -)

“Garry, can you give me an update on the surveillance?” Detective Vega asked his partner. After the first attempt on Arthur’s life, they decided to let Arthur carry on with his day-to-day life and just keep an eye on him. 

They thought that it would be suspicious to keep Arthur in a safe house and just disappear from the world, so, with Haruka being undercover as the star rider in RTR corp, they can keep a close eye on Arthur and investigate from within and Haruka can also keep the businessman safe from any inside threats.

“There’s nothing I can find. They're very discreet and clever at covering their tracks. The only solid lead is from the asset.” Garry updated him. Although they worked together on the case, David still kept Arthur’s identity close to his chest, so only the two Interpol agents knew about him. 

“Keep watching. I know they'll squirm and slip up soon.”

“I know that you choose to not share the asset…”

“No, I still will not share his identity. I trust you Garry, I just don’t trust that someone isn't listening in or that they don't already have a mole sniffing around somewhere. The less people know about this, the less chance it will come out.” David said with finality in his voice, Garry nodding in compliance. 

Detective Vega left his partner to update the other agents about his findings, or lack thereof. “ We need to shake things up so they slip up .” The detective texted. He was using an encrypted phone that Haruka gave him, claiming that his phone wasn't safe to exchange information. 

He waited for a few minutes before getting a reply. “ Will do .” Detective Vega just hoped that the agents would find something that he couldn't.

(- -sha - -)

The whole day Jade couldn’t focus. She was fixated on figuring out Tori, but seems like their other friends didn't know about what the singer was up to either, since none of them said anything, even after she threatened violence. Not even Cat spilled any secrets.

Eyeing the Latina from her seat, she contemplated her next move, not even paying attention to what Sikowitz was saying, until finally, the last bell of the day rang. She waited until the class dispersed before walking up to Tori.

"We're not friends. We don't hang out. I just barely tolerate you, because I need to teach you how to play piano." It was just her and Tori left in the room, standing by the little stage at the front of the class. The actress held on the strap of her messenger bag tightly.

The singer was baffled, she just kept quiet looking confused. “Jade-.”

“I don’t like the feeling of you, or anyone for that matter, having something over me - like a debt I owe.”

“I already told you, you have nothing to pay for. I would like to think that you know me better than this image you have of me only being out to get you.”

“Why?”

“Oh, sweet Mary… you ARE my friend, Jade. I would do the same for Andre or Beck, or Cat… I'd need to rethink helping Robbie though, he creeps me out most of the time, but I would still consider it, at least.” Tori lightly jokes, while still being serious about the matter. 

The actress takes several steps and stops just a mere inch away from Tori's personal space, though the singer didn't budge and held her ground. Blue eyes locked onto brown, like she was trying to see into her soul, and Tori actually shivered at that. "Why are you so hell-bent on trying to befriend me, Vega?" She challenged slowly, in a low and curious tone, like she was desperately trying to understand the songstress. "I've been mean to you, almost never give you the time of day, and I repeatedly tell you that I don't like you. Yet, you still want me to be your friend." Jade breathed softly, as she still looked into soft, brown eyes that seemed to bare all the other girl's secrets. So open, yet so fierce.

“Why won’t you let me?” Tori challenged back, somehow leaning in closer to the little space left between them. “You know, Jade, you are the most dramatic, insufferable, yet wonderfully brave person. You don’t give a chiz what people might think if you say what's on your mind, you're just honest, anyway." Jade takes a shaky breath, barely visible to Tori, but still noticeable. The Latina pushed on. 

“For someone who keeps insisting they don’t like me, you checked on me while I was sick and you helped when you saw me in the slightest distress. Heck, maybe some of those times you also scared the chiz out of me for fun. But I do see you, Jade. You show care in a different way that most people can't see. You push people away, keep them at arm's length and yet, you still care.” Tori finished, getting lost in the bluest-ocean eyes.

The actress doesn't know why or how, she just reacted. Maybe, it was the way Tori had said it or maybe it was because their faces were so close, just a breath away or maybe it was because of the intensity of the situation. Maybe all of the above. But Jade  gently grabbed Tori's face in her hands and kissed her, then and there. The singer was surprised at first, but quickly melted into the kiss. It was rushed, like they needed to be closer, to feel each other or in Jade's case, she wanted to literally feel the words Tori had said (she doesn't know if that even makes sense anymore). Jade just wanted to shut Tori up so badly, because the half-Latina was saying all the right things and she was both enchanted and furious at the same time, at how honest and raw the other girl was.

(- -sha - -)