Harmony amidst Chaos | A Jori story

Opening night

-JADE'S POV-

The halls are buzzing with excitement. Everywhere I turn, someone's talking about the show. Costumes are being rushed into the Black Box, last-minute rehearsals are happening in every corner, and teachers are desperately trying to maintain some kind of order.

It's Friday—THE Friday. The Friday of the musical premiere at school, and the Friday I'm going to try and fix things with Beck. The day I've been obsessing over, stressing about, playing out in my head over and over. All I can think about is what I'm going to say, how I'm going to give him the camera, and whether he'll even care. My mind is spinning, and the noise in the halls feels like it's closing in, growing louder by the second.

I feel a warm hand pull me to the side and hear a soft voice. "Hey, are you okay? You're looking a bit pale."

The brown eyes staring back at me belong to Vega, her expression slightly worried.

I blink, trying to focus. "Yeah, I'm fine." I snap. My chest feels tight, the stress is pressing down on me from all sides, and the noise in the hallway is making my head pound. The last thing I need is someone hovering over me.

She frowns, clearly not buying it. "You sure? You seem... off."

I roll my eyes. "I'm always off, Vega. Thought you'd know that by now. Stop hovering."

She looks at me, her eyes narrowing like she can see right through me. "You're thinking about Beck, aren't you?"

I clench my fists, the mention of his name like a spark to gasoline. "Of course I'm thinking about Beck! What else would I be thinking about right now, it was you stupid idea to do this today!" My voice comes out harsher than I meant, but I can't stop it. Everything feels like it's closing in, and her seeing right through me isn't helping.

Vega's expression softens despite my outburst, which somehow just pisses me off more. "I'm just trying to help, Jade."

"Help? Really?" I snap, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. "Feels more like you're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. I don't need your help. Why don't you focus on your own issues, instead of playing therapist? We're not even friends, so why bother."

Her face falls. She stares at me, brows furrowed, looking completely blindsided, like she genuinely doesn't understand what she did wrong.

Her eyes lock on mine, searching for something—an apology, a hint that I didn't mean what I said. But I'm not gonna give her that. My chest tightens as we stand there, trapped in this uncomfortable silence. I don't want her to leave. At least, I think I don't, cause she's the only one that knows what I'm feeling right now. But I can't bring myself to say it. That would mean I will have to take back what I said. Instead, I just stare back, jaw clenched, my words stuck somewhere I can't reach.

Finally, Vega's shoulders sag, and she takes a small step back. "Fine. I'll leave you alone." Her tone is calm, but there's an edge to it now, one that makes my stomach twist with guilt. I hate that feeling.

Her disappointment is written all over her face. She doesn't push it, though. Just nods—more to herself than to me—and turns away. Her pace is slow, hesitant, like she's waiting for me to say something, anything to stop her. But I don't, I watch her walk through the double doors of the Black Box.

For fuck's sake, Jade, was that really necessary? I internally facepalm myself.

Before I can fully process what just happened, André walks by. He doesn't say a word, but the look he gives me says it all—disappointment, maybe even a little disgust. He has overheard us, that's clear, but he doesn't stick around. Just shakes his head and hurries after Vega, his pace quickening like he can't get away from me fast enough.