thirteen → jade west

Chapter 7

Jade watched from a distance as Hayley and Tara flirted with Beck, their giggles and hair flips seemingly catching his attention. A knot of jealousy tightened in her stomach. She couldn't stand the thought of them getting close to Beck.

'Why should they get all the attention?' Jade thought, recalling Hayley and Tara's earlier suggestion that she could be popular. Determined to change the dynamics, Jade decided to adopt a new persona, one that was more confident and tough, like them.

The next day, Jade walked into the prep class with a newfound swagger. She wore her usual jeans and tank top, but her attitude was different. She held her head higher, her steps more deliberate.

"Hey, Jade, you seem different today," Cat commented, eyeing her curiously.

"Just trying something new," Jade replied with a nonchalant shrug, though she felt slightly awkward inside.

Throughout the class, Jade maintained her tough exterior. She answered questions with more assertiveness and even threw in a few sarcastic remarks. It was out of character for her, and she could feel the eyes of her classmates on her, including Beck's.

Beck, who was usually observant, watched Jade's transformation with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. He didn't say anything, but his occasional glances in her direction didn't go unnoticed by Jade.

During a break, Jade leaned against a wall, trying to appear casual and unbothered. Beck walked by, and their eyes met briefly. Jade's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly looked away, trying to seem indifferent.

'Is he buying this?' she wondered, feeling a mix of hope and uncertainty.

As the day went on, Jade's act continued, but it was clear that she was struggling to maintain it. Her natural shyness and sensitivity occasionally peeked through the tough facade, making her feel like she was in a constant battle with herself.

Despite the awkwardness of her attempts, Jade couldn't help but feel a small sense of triumph. Beck's intrigued glances were enough to encourage her to keep up the act, at least for a little while longer.

Beck watched Jade from across the room, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed her new, more assertive demeanor. It was a stark contrast to the Jade he had started to get to know – the one who was more reserved, yet genuine in her interactions.

He leaned against a locker, his arms crossed, as he tried to make sense of this sudden change. 'What's she trying to do?' he thought, his curiosity piqued.

Jade, still maintaining her tough exterior, caught Beck's gaze. She felt a jolt of nervousness but quickly masked it with a smirk. "What?" she asked, her tone feigning indifference.

Beck just shook his head slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nothing, just noticing you seem different today," he replied, his voice calm and nonchalant.

Jade felt a twinge of self-consciousness. 'Does he see right through me?' she wondered, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. "Just trying something new," she said, echoing her earlier words to Cat.

Beck nodded, his expression thoughtful. He didn't press further, but his intrigued look lingered. There was a palpable tension between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the shift in Jade's behavior.

As the day progressed, Beck found himself stealing glances at Jade, trying to decipher the reasons behind her act. He noticed the moments when her natural personality shone through the facade, and those moments intrigued him even more.

Jade, on her part, felt a mix of excitement and apprehension under Beck's watchful eyes. She was playing a part, but part of her wondered what it would be like if she didn't have to.

Their interactions were brief and filled with unspoken questions. Beck's quiet observation and Jade's bold front created a dynamic that was new and uncertain, leaving both of them wondering what lay beneath the surface.

*

In the Hollywood Arts prep class, Jade sat at the piano, her fingers poised over the keys. She began to play "Okay" by Backhouse Mike, the melody flowing smoothly under her touch. It was the song she had chosen for her audition, one that she felt connected to.

As she played, the teacher walked over, listening intently. Something seemed to be missing in the teacher's eyes. "Can you sing?" the teacher asked, interrupting Jade's performance.

Jade stopped playing, taken aback by the question. She gulped, her confidence faltering. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

The teacher nodded encouragingly. "Try singing along. Let's see how it goes."

Jade hesitated, her heart pounding. She had never really sung before, not in front of anyone. But with the teacher's and her classmates' expectant eyes on her, she took a deep breath and started to play again.

This time, as she hit the chorus, Jade began to sing. Her voice was raw, untrained, and laced with uncertainty, but there was an undeniable sincerity in it. She could hold a tune, and as she continued, her performance took on a captivating quality.

Beck and Andre watched, both mesmerized by this new side of Jade. Andre's eyes widened in surprise, a hint of a crush forming as he listened to her voice.

Cat, standing to the side, watched Jade with a soft, supportive smile. She was witnessing her friend discovering a hidden talent, and it filled her with pride.

Jade finished the song, her last note hanging in the air. The room was silent, no one clapping, but the atmosphere was thick with unspoken admiration.

The teacher didn't say anything yet, just giving Jade a thoughtful look. Jade sat there, her hands still on the piano keys, feeling a mix of vulnerability and a strange sense of accomplishment.

As the moment passed, the class resumed, but Jade's performance lingered in everyone's minds. It was a turning point for her, a revelation of a talent she hadn't known she possessed.

The silence in the room was palpable following Jade's unexpected singing debut. She looked up at the teacher, her heart racing, bracing herself for feedback. The teacher's expression was inscrutable, adding to Jade's anxiety.

"Jade, I don't think you should audition with piano," the teacher began, causing a flicker of disappointment to cross Jade's face.

But then, the teacher continued, "I think you should audition with piano and singing."

The words hung in the air, surprising not just Jade but the entire class. Jade's eyes widened, a mix of shock and curiosity evident in her expression. The suggestion was unexpected, and it took her a moment to process it. She remained silent, her mind racing with the possibilities this new idea presented.

From the corner of the room, Beck watched Jade intently. He was visibly impressed by her performance, his eyes reflecting a newfound admiration. The revelation of her singing talent added another layer to his growing interest in her. He found himself more intrigued by Jade, curious about this hidden side of her that was just now coming to light.

Andre, too, was captivated by Jade's performance. He had always appreciated her piano skills, but hearing her sing was a pleasant surprise. A hint of a crush began to form as he saw her in a new light, her raw, untrained voice holding a certain charm that was uniquely Jade.

As the class continued, Jade sat quietly, her thoughts swirling. The idea of singing at her audition was both terrifying and thrilling. It was a leap into the unknown, but it was also a chance to show a side of herself that no one, not even she, had known existed.

The rest of the class seemed to buzz with a newfound energy, but Jade was lost in her own world, contemplating the teacher's suggestion and what it meant for her future at Hollywood Arts. Beck and Andre's reactions lingered in her mind, adding to the mix of emotions she was feeling. It was a moment of vulnerability, but also one of potential and growth.