company. | jori

One: Roller Coaster

Tori

My leg bounces up and down involuntarily so I lean forward to rest on it and try and play it off. Jade had shown up but my nerves I had from being alone weren't settling. I pay attention to the television screen for roughly about fifteen minutes before I felt the itch of somebody staring at me. I glance over at Jade slowly just to see her glaring straight at me with her arms crossed. I reach for the remote and pause the TV.

"What?" I raise an eyebrow and lean back into the couch.

"Must I remind you that you called me? Why am I even here if you just wanted to watch TV alone?" Jade raises her eyebrow that mirrors mine.

I bite my lip slightly as I try to come up with what to say to her. Telling her I just wanted her company sounded so lame, but telling her I'm afraid to be alone sounded worse. It sounds weak, and Jade West capitalizes on my weakness.

"Maybe I just wanted you around." I shrug and she rolls her eyes.

"Bullshit."

"How?" I tilt my head slightly.

"You were crying on the phone, Vega. I only came over because I figured I still owed you one from sophomore year." She leans forward on her hands and puts her elbows on her knees.

I smile slightly at that memory but quickly drop any hint of it in fear Jade might think I was laughing at her. Sophomore year, Jade dumped Beck impulsively despite me trying to stop her. It led to her coming to my house late at night, mascara running down her face, asking for my help to get Beck back. So I helped her because I thought maybe, just maybe, we could've been friends. Yet all I got from her was an "I really do owe you" that I never cashed in.

"Then watching bad reality shows with me can be the way you pay me back." I smile at her even though there's not a hint of amusement on her face.

"I'm not your friend." She reminds me as if for some miraculous reason I could forget despite her tormenting and constant reminders that she doesn't like me.

"I know."

"Well if you're so aware of that, why did you call me?"

"Because you're the only one in town." I reply and her eyes narrow at me.

It was true though. I merely called Jade because she was the only one available. If it was up to me I'd have Andre and Cat over here in an instant. We'd watch bad movies and Cat and I would make up stupid lyrics to whatever Andre would play on the piano, creating really dumb songs. I'd make Andre the hot chocolate he loves so much and when he leaves later that night I'd take Cat upstairs to make a pillow fort we could sleep in. We'd stay up for a few more hours talking about everything until the sun kissed our sky.

All things I could never imagine in a million years Jade West would ever do with anybody. The only person I can think of is Beck. I could possibly imagine her being that relaxed and fun around Beck. Y'know, if the world was ending and she somehow felt like being nice.

Jade's here for comfort, and if I'm relying on her for comfort she must've been my last resort.

"Well I'm not going to sit around and watch shows I hate just to make you feel better." Jade stood up and brushed her skirt off as if it were dirty.