sixteen → jade west

jade gets crushed

The sun was setting over Hollywood Arts, casting a warm orange glow over the school. Inside the music room, André was nervously pacing back and forth, glancing at the door every few seconds. He had asked Jade to help him with a song, and he was anxiously waiting for her arrival.

Beck, noticing André's nervousness, approached him. "Hey man, you okay?"

André sighed, "I'm just... nervous about working with Jade. You know how she can be."

Beck chuckled, "Yeah, she can be a handful. But don't worry, she's got a soft spot for you."

Just then, the door burst open, and Jade stormed in, her face red with anger. "Sinjin sat on my new scissors!" she exclaimed, throwing her scissors at the wall. "I swear I'm going to kill him!"

André gulped, his nervousness increasing tenfold. But before he could say anything, Jade turned to him, her expression softening. "Hey André," she said with a small smile. "Ready to work on that song?"

André nodded, trying to hide his relief. "Yeah, let's get started."

As they began working on the song, André found himself getting lost in Jade's voice. She looked and sounded so beautiful when she sang, and he couldn't help but feel his old feelings for her resurface. He tried to push them aside, reminding himself that she was with Beck, but it was hard.

Later that night, André found himself at Tori's house, knocking on her door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see him looking so distraught. "André? What's wrong?"

André sighed, "I need some hot cocoa."

Tori raised an eyebrow but didn't question him. She led him inside and quickly made him a cup of hot cocoa. As they sat on her couch, André poured out his feelings to her, telling her about his crush on Jade and how he was struggling to keep it a secret.

Tori listened patiently, offering words of comfort and advice. "André, it's okay to have feelings. But you need to think about what's best for you and for Jade. She's with Beck, and you need to respect that."

André nodded, taking a deep breath. "I know, I know. It's just... hard."

Tori gave him a sympathetic smile. "I know it is. But you'll get through this. Just take it one day at a time."

André smiled back, feeling a little better. "Thanks, Tori. You're a good friend."

Tori chuckled, "That's what I'm here for. Now, drink your cocoa and try to get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day."

André nodded, taking a sip of his cocoa. He knew he had a long road ahead, but with friends like Tori by his side, he felt like he could face anything.

*

The next day at Hollywood Arts, the sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the school's courtyard. André was sitting on a bench, strumming his guitar, trying to distract himself from the events of the previous night. Tori sat beside him, offering silent support.

Suddenly, the sound of familiar voices reached André's ears. He looked up to see Beck and Jade walking towards them, hand in hand. Jade's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Hey André! I can't wait to hear the song we worked on. Play it for us?"

André's heart raced, and he felt a lump forming in his throat. The memories of the previous night, his confession to Tori, and the emotions he felt for Jade all came rushing back. He fumbled with his guitar, nearly dropping it. "Uh, I- I mean, the song... it's not really... I mean, it's not finished yet," he stammered, avoiding eye contact.

Jade raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "But we finished it yesterday. What's going on, André?"

André felt his face turn a deep shade of red. "I just... I think I need to make some final touches. You know, to get it just right," he said, his voice shaky.

Beck, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "No worries, man. Take your time. We can wait."

But André was already on his feet, his guitar case in hand. "Actually, I'll just email it to you, Jade. That way, you can listen to it whenever you want," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tori, trying to help, chimed in, "Yeah, Jade. It'll be better that way. You can listen to it on repeat if you want."

Jade looked between André and Tori, sensing that something was off. "Okay... if you say so," she replied, still looking puzzled.

André nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Without another word, he turned and hurried away, leaving a trail of confusion in his wake.

Tori sighed, watching him go. "He'll be okay," she said softly to Beck and Jade. "He just needs some time."

Jade nodded, still looking concerned. "I hope so," she murmured. "I really do."

*

The evening sun cast a golden hue over Tori's living room as André sat on the couch, fidgeting with his guitar pick. He had been surprised when Tori invited him over, but he appreciated the distraction.

Suddenly, the door to Tori's room opened, and out stepped... Jade? André blinked in confusion. Tori had styled her hair like Jade's, wore similar dark makeup, and even donned an outfit that Jade would typically wear.

"Hey, loser," Tori sneered, trying to mimic Jade's voice. "What are you doing here, wasting my time?"

André's eyes widened. "Tori? What are you doing?"

Tori rolled her eyes dramatically, continuing her Jade impersonation. "Oh, please. Like you don't know. I'm just here to remind you of what you're so obsessed with. But honestly, I don't get it. Why would anyone like someone as mean and sarcastic as me?"

André swallowed hard, trying to process what was happening. "Tori, this isn't funny."

Tori smirked, getting closer to him. "Oh, come on, André. Don't you want to be with someone who constantly belittles you and treats you like dirt?"

André's heart raced. Even though he knew it was Tori, the resemblance to Jade was uncanny. He found himself getting lost in her eyes, which looked so much like Jade's at that moment. Without thinking, he began to lean in, drawn to her.

Tori's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly stepped back. "Whoa, André! What are you doing?"

André blinked, snapping back to reality. "I... I'm sorry, Tori. I just... You looked so much like her."

Tori sighed, wiping off the makeup. "I was just trying to show you that Jade isn't right for you. But I guess I went about it the wrong way."

André shook his head. "Tori, you don't understand. The Jade you see isn't the Jade I know. She has her moments of vulnerability, moments where she lets her guard down. And that's the Jade I've fallen for."

Tori looked down, realizing her mistake. "I'm sorry, André. I shouldn't have tried to interfere."

André gave her a small smile. "It's okay, Tori. I appreciate you looking out for me. But sometimes, the heart wants what it wants."