Harmony amidst Chaos | A Jori story

Shattering assumptions

-TORI'S POV-

"Okay, suggestions for birthweek presents for Trina." I say, fingers gliding over the keyboard of my laptop.

I've gathered a few of my friends together at the Asphalt Cafe after school for a brainstorm session on what to give Trina for her birthweek. Yeah birthweek, because one day isn't enough celebration, so she has a whole week.

"Andre, start us off." I say.

"Cheese." He suggests.

My expression must speak volumes, because he quickly retracts the idea, scratching it out in his notebook.

"Let's not do cheese." He murmurs to himself.

"Robbie?" I ask.

"Lotion or various lotions." He suggests.

I can't help but grimace. Why did I think soliciting their suggestions was a good idea?

"Gross. Cat?" I swiftly redirect.

"Well, for my last birthday, I thought my parents were gonna get me a bike. But when I got home from school, my brother was trying to cut off his hair. So my mom started yelling at—"

"Jade." I cut Cat off, otherwise this story would take hours.

"Yeah?" Jade replies in her usual bored tone.

"What should I get Trina?" I ask her.

She lifts her head to look at me. "Talent." She deadpans and I have trouble not rolling my eyes.

Typical..

"Does anyone have a good idea about a present for Trina?" I ask, feeling increasingly desperate.

"You people give me a rash," Jade snaps, grabbing her bag and storming away from the table.

Ever since the night of food scraping detention, Jade's been impossible to be around. Her sharp remarks have been even sharper, and her usual irritation with everything and everyone has reached new heights. It's as if she's carrying around a storm cloud, ready to unleash a downpour of anger at any moment. Trying to interact with her has become like tiptoeing through a minefield, she even gives Beck a harder time than usual.

"Sorry guys, I really have to go too. My grandma keeps calling me because she constantly has problems with her new computer." Robbie says.

"Oh can I come with! I love old people. It's so cute how they shake when they pour their juice." Cat giggles.

Robbie smiles at her.

"Sure Cat."

They both head off, leaving me alone with André.

"How about a song?" André suggests out of the blue.

"A song?" I respond, startled by the sudden proposal.

"Yeah, a song as a present for Trina. You can write it, perform it yourself, you know, do it up real big." He says.

I think about it for a moment and this is actually not a bad idea!

"That's not bad.. That's... I don't know how to write a song!" I whine as the realisation kicks in. I've never written a song.

"I can help you with that." André smirks.

I glance at André.

"Really?"

"Of course Tori, that's what friends are for. Besides, I think I owe you one after the stage fighting chaos." He responds.

I can't help but chuckle. "André we've talked about this, I told you it's okay."

"Please just let me help you, I need a way to properly make it up to you." He tells me.