I Will Always Love You

Chapter Twenty-One: Crying Girls

Jade West

I love Beckett Randall Oliver. It might seem a bit premature to say it, but I don't think so, especially since I lost my fucking virginity to the boy—man. The question is whether or not he felt the same way. I mean, I know he does, but I'm worried that if I give him too much time to think about it he's going to start remembering whatever fucking "oath" he gave Tori that said he couldn't date me. What if he honors it and decides to remain loyal to her and ignores the amazing chemistry we have. The only way I could solve this is by finding Tori, convincing her to spill her guts about whatever kind of pact they have, and twist her arm until she lets Beck date me.

I wondered the hallways, hoping that Tori would just magically cross my path. As my luck may have it, she did, but in the most unusual way.

Striding down the hallways, I looked for the brunette with the high cheekbones. "Tori?" I repeatedly called out. No response ever came. However, as I walked past a janitor's closet I heard a not-so-soft crying. Normally I wouldn't bother having to deal with mushy feelings or people crying, but I was desperate to find Tori. If it's not her, which it probably isn't, I can just poke my head in and then close the door and leave that person to their personal moment. If it is Tori than I'll calm her down and manipulate her emotions to my preference.

I put my hand on the handle of the door and as I open it, the crying stops instantaneously. I peek my head in, expecting to see some nerd like Sinjin, but instead I find Tori. Her mascara is running, tears are running down her famously high cheekbones, and her eyes are pure sorrow. It made me feel guilty, knowing I'd be manipulating her emotions at this incredibly weak moment. It seemed almost vile and cruel to think of it at such a vulnerable moment in somebody's life.

"Tori?" I asked curiously, a hint of care shone through my voice and I regretted saying anything at all. A hint of care is all it takes to destroy my bad girl façade. Still, my instincts kicked in and I went to take her in my arms protectively. Despite my better judgment I asked, "What's wrong?" A picture flashed against my eyes, almost like it was a memory. My hair was brown again and I had white highlights in my hair. Tears were running down my face and I was holding a broken, colorful kite in my hands. As I flashed back to reality I felt thoroughly weirded out, but I ignored it.

"It... it's nothing Jade," she replied trying to sound nonchalant. The tears still running down from her eyes begged to differ.

I knew I could've taken the easy path and just said, 'okay' and left, but for some reason I couldn't get myself to just abandon her in her hour of need. The girl was already weeping in my arms, what else did I have to loose? "I know that there's something wrong."

"It's nothing, it's fine. Jade, you can go," said Tori in her every friendly and peppy voice. She wiped away her tears with fisted hands. "Your off the hook, it's okay."

Now I was determined. I had already wasted my time here. I was going to see it though. "No your not." I moved a stray piece of hair from her face and placed it back behind her ears. It seemed to be the movement that broke her, but I don't know why.

The beautiful half-Latina dissolved into another puddle of tears as I pulled that single thread of soft hair back. "I" sob "I just did something" sob. "It had to do it" sob "was the" sob "right thing to do." Sob. "But it still hurts." I nodded in an all-knowing way.

I shhhshed her in the same way you would a hysterical baby as I rubbed her shoulders with my thumbs. "It's okay, what happened?" I asked, making sure to reassure her.

"I... I let go of somebody who I should've let go of long before," she managed to mutter out before going off in another sob. I know it sounded wrong, but my ears perked up in excitement as she said it. I suspected Beck broke up with her. Maybe she finally let him go today. Maybe he could finally be mine.

"Who?" I asked in the most soothing voice I could. I tried to hide my excitement of hearing who it was, but I doubt I did a very good job.

"It doesn't matter," she mumbled. Her tears seemed to be at bay by now and she was recovering. "You and I... we shouldn't be here." She pulled away from my tight grasp but I kept on pulling. I don't know why, but I didn't want to let go of her just yet. "Let go Jade," she mumbled. I didn't like being told what to do, but I knew that I had to lest my actions be questioned. I let go.

"Thank you," she said in appreciation. I nodded a small little gesture but she seemed to understand.

"I'm sure it'll all blow over," I said with a comforting smile... or as comforting as I could.

"I hope so too," she said with a sad but optimistic smile. She walked out of the janitor's closet. I was alone. I don't know why I stayed. Maybe it was to give her some time and space to get away from me. Maybe it was to keep inhaling the sweet scent she smelled like. Maybe it was because I too needed a quiet place to think and wish I could cry.

Eventually I got up from the now abandoned closet and left. As soon as I made it into the hallway a voice I had been so longing to be mine called out, "Jadelyn West." He sounded apologetic.

"What?" I grumbled, knowing that he was just about to come over to me and turn me down again.

In two long strides he appeared in front of me. "I'm sorry." I was about to turn away, to try and hide the tears that would inevitably fall because he had chosen Tori over me, but before I could he took my face in his hands and kissed me. Once again that feeling of comfort burned deep in my core. "I'm sorry it took me so long."