After picking up her brother from school, Jade drove home, not expecting anything unusual to happen. She had so much work to do, it was insane. Not only she had to do her chores and assignments, but she had to focus on the play as well. Sikowitz had set the date for the premiere to be on the day before the school break began - that was making everybody feel even more stressed than they usually were. Especially, Tori - she had to step into Jade's shoes and be perfect. She knew how much her friend counted on her and she couldn't dare to let her down.

Jade's friends found her to be almost unbearable during the rehearsals - she was such a perfectionist about every single little detail. Her friends were trying to understand her - the play was written about her life and it was no wonder why she would want everything to be just right - however, there were times when she was overdoing it. Nobody had the heart to speak to her, seeing how stressed she was.

At home, at least she could unwind for a little bit before having to begin with her dreaded homework. She was a Senior and it was expected of her to represent her school - how was she going to do it if her head was buried in homework all the time? Other Seniors from the schools nearby were probably planning trips and prom outfits, making memories. And what was Jade going to tell her future children someday? That she had been stuck writing pointless essays? Sure, she could tell them about the play... if everything went by the plan.

Jade couldn't imagine what would happen if her family disapproved of the play. Jack was too young and innocent to understand everything and to fully appreciate the story. If her mother bothered to bring her ass to the play, would she like it? What about her father and his new wife?

The young girl settled her books down in the study and waited for her brother to come so that she could help him with his homework if he needed to. She insisted on working on school assignments in the study area downstairs, claiming her bedroom was too comfortable for her to focus without letting sleep take over her.

She took a sip of her coffee and checked the list of stuff to do she had made at school - not only she had to write a literature analysis but she also had to practice a difficult composition for her piano class. She felt unlucky for being stuck at her father's house for the week. Stupid joint custody. At least her mother had a piano, but her father would never allow her to go and visit her when it was his turn to have her and Jack. Stupid rules.

She hated having to rely on her friends, but in this situation, she had no choice. It would be more suspicious if she told her father that she had to go to school after her classes were over. At least if she went to a friend's house, she could easily make up a lie that she was studying with them (it would be partly true - she needed a piano to practice for class).

Robbie and Beck had no pianos at home, so they were out of the question. Cat was at a doctor's appointment and Andre's grandma was less than hospitable. That left her with no other choice but to go to Tori's house. Every time she went there, she felt strange, almost uncomfortable. Sure, she enjoyed the nights she would play cards with her friends or watching TV with them, alas the feeling how perfect Tori's family came across as bothered her. The family portraits on the walls, picturing the Vega sisters grinning and posing happily always tugged a string attached to Jade's heart. She wished she had the same. She could barely remember the last time she had truly smiled for a family photo. Had she ever done that?

As soon as Jade was done helping her brother with his homework, she texted Tori, announcing that she was coming over in need to use the piano.

"Tell Dad that I am going to a friend's house to study with them," she instructed Jack and gave him a quick hug before leaving, not bothering to wait for Tori's reply.

When she arrived at the residence of the Vega family, she rang the doorbell. As expected, Tori was the one to open it, confusion on her face.

"What are you doing here?", she asked. She was certain that she had not invited anyone from school to visit her that day.

Jade bit the inside of her cheek, holding back from rolling her eyes. Hadn't Tori seen her phone? "I texted you that I was coming over. I need to use the piano."

The Latina sighed and let her guest in, motioning her to the musical instrument, where Jade took a seat on the bench and properly placed her music sheet before letting herself get lost in the world of music.

Tori couldn't move an inch from where she stood, her eyes focused on Jade's fingers that were skipping on the keys as if they were children dancing and twirling around in the fields in the old movies Tori had seen. Jade, glancing from time to time in the sheet of notes, would either slow down at times, either would rush as the melody was changing its intensity and impact. Tori was mesmerized with the uncanny in her eyes ability that Jade possessed - to truly pour her emotions into whatever she was working on.

In the end, however, the piano player was dissatisfied with her performance and let out a grumble, "That was awful."

Tori was stupefied. Was Jade even listening to the words she was saying? "Are you kidding me? Jade, you're one of the best piano players I've heard in my life!"

"I was sloppy and out of tune!", the other girl protested. Jade rarely saw something she made good enough. Parents like her father were messing up with her confidence in moments like these. She always felt like she was never good enough in her performance - indeed that was her motivation to work more and more. Secretly seeking acceptance from her closest - that was who really Jade was. And that was the person everybody was going to see when they watched "Butterflies And Moths".

"In all honesty, I am glad you came over because we really need to talk. I am having a hard time with the portrayal of Emerald," Tori confessed, plopping on the sofa. Jade joined her, after putting away her music sheets in her bag, "Why?", she asked, not understanding Tori.

The Latina shrugged, "Because... I can't seem to connect to her and I know how much everything about the play means to you."

Jade bit the inside of her cheek, nothing appropriate to say coming to her mind. Sarcastic remarks were the last thing her so-called friend wanted to hear.

You've got to work on your people skills! , she remembered Beck telling her the other day. Sadly, he was right. Nobody knew that behind the sarcasm and the meanness was hidden a girl who sometimes struggled with understanding people's feelings. But everybody believed in her - they saw the potential and were going to stand by her as true friends would.

"You're going to do amazing, just dig inside yourself. Whenever you read a part of the script and you notice how Emerald was feeling, try to remember the last time you've felt the same way and try to relive the memories," Jade couldn't believe those words had escaped from her mouth. She felt like a completely different person.

She didn't believe it even when Tori threw her arms around her and embraced her for what seemed an eternity.

#yoorskookstudio #wumo #womensday 

THE SCRIPT [9] - a Victorious Fan Fiction