One More Chance With Time

6.

One week later.

In other local news, the trial of Ryder Daniels who was accused of murdering Hollywood arts student Tori Vega ended today after he was found guilty. Ryder was found guilty of first degree murder and has been sentenced to life with no possibility of parole. Vega's parents had no comment for the press.

Jade listened to the news from the television as she stared down at the bowl of soup in front of her. She was only half listening to be honest. She hadn't been back to Hollywood arts since Beck had spoken to her.

She didn't look up as she heard the sound of the diner door opening and closing and she didn't look up as she heard footsteps approaching her table. "Go away." She said quietly as she felt someone sit across from her and heard the sound of a chair being pulled up to the table.

"I said go away." She repeated softly.

"We're worried about you Jade." Beck's voice answered carefully. "You haven't been to school in nearly a week and you haven't been home in nearly a week. Jade, you need to talk to someone."

"Feels like only a few hours for me." Jade muttered. "And I don't want to talk to anyone, please Beck, just leave me alone."

Beck looked at her and couldn't help but notice that Jade's hair was messed up and she was wearing the same outfit she had been wearing when she had beaten the hell out of Ryder when she had found Tori's body. Which meant that she must have changed after she had left the school.

"Jade...please. I brought someone here to talk to you. Even though we're not together anymore I'm still your friend and I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm scared for you Jade."

Jade looked up and Beck could see that her make-up was tear stained and her eyes were red and puffy. "I don't care." She whispered. "I just don't care anymore, Beck." She turned and looked over at the person who had pulled up the chair to the side of the table and was slightly surprised to see Cat Valentine looking at her. Jade couldn't help but be a bit surprised at Cat's appearance. Her hair was cut much shorter and her eyes were almost as red and puffy as Jade's.

"I brought Cat to talk to you. I think she can help you with what all those confused feelings you have." Beck said quietly as Cat looked over at Jade and took a deep breath. Beck placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay." He said quietly. "Remember how Tori helped you?"

Cat nodded.

"I think the only way we can help Jade is to try and get her to come to terms with what she's feeling. She needs help Cat. Help only I think you can give her."

What, Beck thinks he knows me? He thinks he knows what I'm feeling? He thinks Cat Valentine of all people can help me? Jade thought bitterly as she turned to look back down at her soup which she noticed was nearly ice cold now.

"Jade, It's only fair that I help you. I know why it never felt right when you were with Beck because I went through the same thing." She said quietly. "When I tried dating guys it never felt right. I...It made me feel uncomfortable." She said softly as she thought back to her previous relationships. "But Tori helped me when I was alone and scared after I told my dad that...that...I...liked girls." She said quietly. "She took me in and got my mom over and helped me talk to her."

Jade looked at Cat with a shocked expression. "You..uh...You like girls?" Jade asked carefully. She didn't want to hurt Cat's feelings but it was kind of a shock to Jade. Cat looked down and nodded slowly. "Y-Yeah. Tori told me that it was okay...that we don't choose who we fall in love with." Cat said softly.

"And why are you telling me this?" Jade asked quietly although she suspected that she already knew what she and Beck were about to say. Cat looked up at her and tried to get the words out. She wanted to try and help Jade but she suspected that this might be difficult for Jade to hear after everything that had happened between Tori and Jade.

Cat tried to move her chair back a bit but Jade grabbed onto her wrist so she couldn't back away. "Go ahead Cat. Enlighten me." She said in the soft dangerous tone she had used on Ryder. Cat's eyes widened in fear as she tried to get away.

"J-Jade, please don't hurt me." She whimpered as Beck tried to pull Jade's hand off of Cat's wrist but Jade's grip was as strong as steel. "TELL ME!" Jade screamed at Cat who using her other hand to try and desperately get out of Jade's grip.

"Stop it Jade!" Beck shouted as Cat continued trying to get away from Jade until finally Jade was face to face with Cat. "TELL ME WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO FEEL!" She screamed over and over as cooks and the few other occupants of the diner stared over at them.

"I think you liked Tori." Cat whispered in utter fear. "A-And I think you can't stop being mad at yourself and everyone around you because you know that on some level you did like her the same way she liked you."

Jade let go of her wrist and stared at her in shock before slamming her fists down on the table. "I...I can't..." She muttered. Although right now all she wanted to do was scream and yell at Cat and Beck, she knew that on some level, Cat had hit the nail right on the head. "I...I...I...don't know."

Beck was staring at the two girls. In his opinion, Cat had gotten it right but Jade was simply staring down at Cat with a look of terror. He was worried about her, the terror in her eyes was something he hadn't seen before. He'd seen anger, despair and fear although he hadn't seen much of the last one but terror was a new one.

"Jade, I know it's a lot to take in but you needed to hear the truth." Beck said gently. "Please, just let us help you. We want to help you."

Jade began sobbing heavily. The tears were running freely down her face and the terror was being replaced by despair and anger and a dawning realization. She whispered something that Beck didn't catch. "Jade, please sit down, just take a minute and take a breath.

Jade whispered whatever she had said over and over again. They couldn't hear most of what she was saying but they kept hearing the word 'Tori' over and over again. She was just standing there repeating herself as she continued sobbing.

"Jade, you need t-," Beck tried to speak but Jade finally seemed to regain her voice for a brief moment as they finally were able to hear what she was whispering

.
"I...I can never be with Tori. She's gone forever." She sobbed hoarsely as her voice began to rise. "I can never be with her. I can never even try! I can't ever apologize for saying the things I said to her!" She cried as she turned around and headed for the door.

"Jade, please sit down." Beck said gently as he reached for her arm, the moment he touched her arm she whirled around and slapped his hand away. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" She screamed hoarsely in his face as she ran out the door and towards her car.

"Jade, stop!" Beck shouted as she turned the keys and the car started as he and Cat ran outside. He could only watch as her car tore out of the parking lot.