Just a Stage Kiss (EXTENDED)

Chapter 9

POV: Jade

Oh God! What just happened? I kissed Tori Vega! Not just the stupid stage kissing we'd be practicing before, but a full on, tongue-shoved-down-her-throat assault! That wasn't supposed to happen! And to make matters worse, she kissed me back!

My head was spinning. She just had to follow me out of the classroom and hunt me down to where I was wallowing in my own self pity and annoyance. I was meant to be pissed off when she turned up. I was meant to be angry. I was meant to yell at her, tell her to get out of my life and leave me alone forever, but no, that happened.

I stomped through the doors of Hollywood Arts out into the warm sunshine of parking lot, not stopping, not even when I heard Lane call my name, until I was at my car. I threw my bag into the passenger seat and gripped the steering wheel hard in my hands, resting my forehead against the hot leather and closed my eyes for a few moments. I don't know what had gotten into me lately. This project had twisted my mind, made me feel things I didn't want to feel and they all centred around perfect princess Tori Vega. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted the new air freshener in my car, a shade of purple, lilac, and all it did was remind me of Tori and her annoying habit of wearing something purple all the time. I grabbed the useless thing and tore it from the mirror; opening the window just enough so I could throw it out, wishing I could do the same to certain other purple things.

My eyes stung and I wiped at them furiously, because tears were really going to help. I shouldn't be reduced to tears anyway, not over something as irritating and insignificant as Tori Vega. No, I wouldn't cry for her. I wouldn't do anything for her. I needed to get away from here.

I fumbled with my car keys, taking three attempts to jam them into the ignition and three more to get the car started. I was about to slam my foot onto the gas pedal and hightail it out of here, when a streak of vibrate colour flashed passed the window and the next second, Cat hopped up next to me, pushing my bag onto the floor as she took her seat.

"Hi!" She said brightly.

"Out." I stated simply.

"But I just got here!" She pouted.

"Now."

"No."

My head whipped up. Did Cat just say no to me? Innocent little Cat Valentine just said no to me. What was happening? First this absurd story of me enjoying kissing Vega and now Cat talking back at me. What was this, the Twilight zone?

I wasn't sure if I was more angry or impressed by this sudden defiance from the shorter girl, so I settled on fixing her with a glare, hoping to get whatever it is she wanted out of the way. "Spit it out then."

She sighed.

"Running away isn't going to help." Cat said quietly, looking up at me with her big brown eyes, a little lighter than Tori's, a little wider too... wait, why was I comparing her eyes to Vega's!

I shook my head. "Don't know what you're talking about."

"Jade." Cat huffed. She looked frustrated, and determined. This side of Cat was rarely seen by others, most people were just brushing her off as the dizzy little red head that was always skipping around school with a smile plastered across her face. I hardly saw it either, but when I did, I knew she was serious.

"I'm not as stupid as everyone thinks." She muttered.

"Whatever you say. Look Cat-" She held up a finger and I was silenced in an instant.

"I saw the two of you in the Black Box the other day. I saw how you reacted and how she reacted. I saw you two on stage too today. And I noticed that you and Beck aren't as close as you used to be-" I opened my mouth to speak, not wanting to hear any of this, but Cat ploughed on "Listen to me, Jade! I may not know all the details of whatever's going on, but I do know that it's hurting you, no matter how much you try to deny it-"