Of Scissors And Scooby Doo

Chapter 32

"Do you think he was right?"

Jade sat down next to me on the garden swing standing in Jade's backyard and hoisted her legs up to rest them in my lap. She raised her eyebrows questioningly, held her cup of coffee almost protectively to her chest. "Beck?" I nodded. "With what?"

"Well, he... he was kinda right with what he said, wasn't he?"

"What are you talking about?"

"He's my friend, Jade. Shouldn't I have at least talked to him before I... before we..."

"Please, Tori. It's not like I broke his heart or made his life meaningless by not getting back together with him. He's just trying to make both of us feel bad, especially you." She shrugged. "He's being the actor he always is. It's a role he plays. Good practice."

Was that really all it was? He did seem pretty upset. I couldn't imagine that he just pretended to be hurt. Who would even do that? No, I really didn't think he was just playing a role. Maybe it was easier for Jade to believe that but... it couldn't be true. "I just feel... bad. I don't think he was just pretending. I actually think he was genuinely hurt." Jade clicked her tongue dismissively. "And... I can't help but think that... Beck was right. That I'm really not a good friend."

Jade stared at me, then sighed and looked away as she took a sip from her coffee. It was silent for a while, my heart sinking more and more with every quiet second that ticked by. Then, Jade's voice reached my ears. "You probably won't believe me now because you're stupid like that," she murmured, still looking out into the garden, "but I'm going to tell you anyway. You're the nicest, most generous, most supportive and sickeningly sweetest girl I know. And that makes you the best friend anyone could ever ask for."

I hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure."

"Well, you could be just saying that because we're dating and you don't wanna hurt me-"

"If you can count on one thing," she started, pausing briefly while her eyes flicked back and forth between mine, "it's that I'm always going to be honest with you."

I smiled into my lap, my fingers gently running over the soft fabric of Jade's pants. "I know that."

Only when I looked up did Jade nod and look away, satisfied with the answer I gave her. We both grew quiet then, just sitting with each other on the garden swing I lightly pushed back and forth with the tips of my shoes. It was after a couple of very quiet minutes, in which I admired all those colorful flowers Jade's mom had planted in her garden, that a soft demand reached my ears. "Tell me you love me." Eyebrows slightly raising, I tore my gaze away from the flower bed not too far away from us and instead looked at the girl next to me. Her head was tilted, so that her cheek gently rested against the backrest of the swing. I met her eyes, so soft and calming, and smiled before I quietly told her what she craved to hear.

"I love you."

The smile shaping her lips was soft but unfortunately, it didn't stay for long, thanks to my stupid phone. I picked it up from beside me and frowned as I looked at the caller I.D.. "It's Cat again. Maybe I should-"

Jade reached over and plucked the phone out of my hand. "No," she said while pushing 'ignore', "Let's just ignore everyone. Just for this weekend. It'll be just us and Monday... Monday we can deal with everyone else."

I thought about it for a moment before I smiled and took my phone out of Jade's hand. "Deal," I said and put it on silent, placing it on the small table in front of us.

"Perfect," she murmured after she handed me her cup to place on the table as well. As soon as I leaned back she took a hold of my shirt and pulled me on top of her.