Beyond Blue Eyes

06: Jade

I did not think that my anxiety about the graduation project would come back like this. It's almost as bad as it was when I first found out about it when I started going to Hollywood Arts. Still, Vega's hug is helping me feel a little better. "Babygirl, I'll help you with your project, okay?" She asks me, and the new nickname she uses for me brings a small smile to my face. "Thank you, Vicki. I really appreciate it," I say. "Aww, I like that nickname. It's cute," she says, and my smile widens. "You know, it really relieved a lot of my anxiety when you offered to help me with my project," I say. "I'm glad I could help you with it," she says, and we continue our day.

Just before lunch, I tell Vega that I want to tell the rest of the gang that we're a couple. "I'm not sure... they still don't know that I'm a lesbian, apart from Beck," she says. "Relax, Vega. They accepted my bisexuality when I told them. It'll be fine, I promise," I say encouragingly. "I still don't know..." she says. "Look, the only one who might have some kind of issue with it is probably going to be Rex. You know how he is," I reply, and she giggles behind her hand. I smile and take her hand in mine, and we go to our usual table. "Hey, do you want to go to Nozu for dinner with me?" I ask her while we're still alone. "Are you asking me out on a date, Jade West?" She asks me, raising her eyebrows. "Yes I am, Tori Vega. So, what do you say? You in?" I ask her. "Of course I am. How could I say no to you, pretty face?" She asks, and I blush. "I love you so much, Vicki," I say, gently stroking her cheek with my hand. "OMG, so cute!!" I hear a familiar voice squeal nearby. "Cat, where'd you come from?" I ask, extremely flustered. "I came from class, just like you guys," she says. "Okay," Vega says. "So, like, are you guys a thing now?!" Cat asks curiously. "You know what they say -" I start, but Tori jabs her elbow into my side. "Don't even think about finishing that thought," she says to me in a low voice. "Yes Cat, we are," she tells Cat. "I knew you guys had a thing for each other!" She exclaims. "No you didn't, Cat," I say. "You're right, I didn't," she says. The others join us shortly after Cat, and Vega and I decide to tell them before Cat blurts it out unintentionally. "Guys, Ve - Tori - and I have something to tell you guys," I say, and they lean forward slightly. "Jade and I are dating," Vega says, and everyone congratulates us, and no one brings up the topic of my girlfriend's sexuality at first.

"Tori, I didn't know you were bisexual too," Rex says, and I immediately become tense. "Actually, I'm not bisexual, I'm a lesbian," Tori says. "Say what now?" Rex asks with wide eyes, "What does that even mean?" "It means that I like girls, not guys," she explains to him. "I think I get it now," he says when he notices that I'm glaring at him. "You're nuts, Rex," I let slip by accident, and the whole table bursts out laughing, even Rex. "I take that as a compliment," he says through his laughter. "Good for you," I reply simply. "No wonder you've been so much better lately," André says. "It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows, I'll tell you that right now," I say. "Yeah, I know. It must've been a pretty hard week last week," he says, and I nod in response. "Speaking of, I never got the chance to ask, how are you doing today, Tori?" Beck asks. "I'm a little sore, but otherwise I'm fantastic," she replies, smiling over at me. I return her smile, and we all start eating our lunch.

After classes are over for the day, I help Tori put her stuff back in her locker before I put my own stuff in my locker. I return to her, and we walk out to my car hand-in-hand. I ask her if she wants to hang out at my place or hers, and she says that she wants to hang out at my house, since she's never been there before. I let her know that I have to stop to pick my brother up from school, and she says that she's interested in meeting him. "Well, suit yourself. He's a bit of a handful sometimes," I say as we arrive at his school. "You mean like you used to be?" Tori asks. "Pretty much, yeah," I reply, just as I see him coming over to the car. He opens the door on Tori's side, and his expression darkens. "What happened to me getting to sit up front?" He asks in a frustrated tone. "Well, I'm giving Tori a ride to school and back every day for a bit because she just had surgery last week. Get used to it," I say in mild annoyance. He sighs and sits down behind me instead.

"Okay, for the record, I think your brother is worse than you were, babygirl," Tori says when we get to my room. "It's really not surprising when you consider that he had me for one of his role models," I say as I get out the outline for my short film. "You have a point there," she says softly. "Okay, so far, I've got some of the characters done, and I've started to work on the plot," I say as I explain the elements of the short film to Tori. With that, we start working on expanding on what I've already written.

"Jeez, Vega! You'd think we were going out on the red carpet or something, not going to Nozu on a date," I say while Tori's still getting ready for our date. "I want it to be special for both of us, babygirl," she replies, and I sigh as I realize that my outfit of choice isn't really all that memorable or special. I start going through my wardrobe, looking for a more special outfit to wear for our date. I eventually decide on a sparkly dark purple fit-and-flair dress that I've never actually worn before. I also decide to put a black flower pin in my hair, as well as a pretty necklace that I've had for a while. I sling my purse over my shoulder and tell Tori that I'll wait for her in the car. Then, I briefly take my purse off of my shoulder so I can put my coat on, then put it back over my shoulder and walk out to my car.

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Personally, I'm really enjoying writing this story. I hope you're enjoying reading it just as much, if not more. Bye for now!