Princess Charming

The Casting Call

JADE'S POV

Watching Tori Vega do dumb things and still manage to come out of them shining was kind of her superpower. Despite every ridiculous idea she chased, she always found a way to stay optimistic and rebuild herself like nothing ever knocked her down. Her voice—bright and golden like honey—was somehow comforting, even when it was annoyingly loud.

Jade West never understood how Tori made it look so easy. For years, she'd been cruel to the girl, mocking her ever since freshman year when she spilled coffee on Beck. But now, on an unusually calm afternoon at their usual table, Jade found herself offering small, sarcastic comments while Tori whined about a new store she wanted to visit—but didn't want to go alone.

Senior year was shaping up to be its own special kind of hell.

"Oh, come on. I know it's our last year at Hollywood Arts, but we need to live a little," Tori pouted, resting her arms dramatically on the table.

Andre chuckled as he gently nudged her. "Look, muchacha, we love you—well, maybe not Jade—but we've got serious projects coming up. I promise, Saturday we'll hang out. Deal?"

Jade rolled her eyes. "What makes you think I don't already have plans that don't involve babysitting you guys?"

She flicked a fry at Andre and glanced at Tori. "Vega's a big girl. She can entertain herself."

She stuck her tongue out at the brunette, who gasped in mock offense and grumbled about her being a "gank." Jade enjoyed getting under her skin—not because she wanted to hurt her, but because it was easier than admitting what she really felt.

Jade had fallen for her. Slowly, secretly. Even while she was still dating Beck, despite their messy back-and-forth. He knew she liked girls, but he never asked if she liked Tori.

The worst part? She did. And it wasn't going away.

"How about I be nice—just this once—and take you to that dumb shop?" Jade said with a sigh. "Maybe then you'll shut up long enough for me to regain brain function."

The table fell silent. Robbie looked genuinely concerned. Then, laughter erupted—everyone except Tori, who just blinked at her, clearly unsure if she was joking or serious.

"Great joke, West," Andre laughed. "You barely survive hanging out with Cat. You really volunteering to let Tori drag you around?"

That had been three months ago.

Since then, Jade and Tori had been spending a lot more time together. Their friends had stopped asking questions. They were just... always together. Study partners. Emotional support. Somewhere in between. Tori wore her glasses more often now and stopped trying so hard with makeup or outfits. She looked stunning when she was relaxed—soft in ways Jade didn't know how to handle.

When Jade and Beck finally ended things for good, it was Tori who stayed with her that night. She'd cried until she passed out, only to wake up curled in Tori's arms, fingers running gently through her hair, the faint scent of strawberries on the pillow. The TV was on, volume low. For once, everything felt still. Safe.

"Earth to Jade!" Tori called, giving her a light kick beneath the table.

Jade grunted and jabbed her with a pencil. "What? Homework. Yeah, I'm here."

"I also asked if you're hungry," Tori said with a grin, pulling her laptop closer. "You've been stomach-growling for, like, an hour."

"Fine. Pizza. Pepperoni, extra olives, mushrooms," Jade muttered, shifting to rest her head on Tori's shoulder. "And wings."

"Done. Forty-five minutes," Tori said, placing the order. "And I'm paying. You've covered the last three times. It's getting on my nerves."

She stood up and pulled off her hoodie, revealing a fitted t-shirt underneath. It was casual. Comfortable. Torturous. They'd reached the level of closeness where changing in front of each other wasn't weird—and Jade had to remind herself not to stare, not to give anything away.

It was one of their usual study nights. Robbie had taken Cat out. Beck was probably with the theater club. Andre was likely writing love songs somewhere. These nights—just her and Tori—were quieter, easier. Even their arguments had softened.

"Sikowitz said there's a new assignment coming," Jade said as she sprawled out on Tori's bed. "One of those roleplay things. Fake marriages. Life crises. Fantasy setups."

Tori nodded. "Trina said it's intense. Probably fun, though."

"What if it's something completely insane?"

"Then we go all-in on the weird. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Worse than the 'Say Yes to Everything' week?" Jade snorted. "I still have nightmares about those cheese-worshiping demon kids."

"I hated that," Tori groaned. "I flinch every time I hear the word 'cheddar.'"

"At least this time there's no kissing or violence," Jade said, absently cutting a piece of paper with her scissors. "You survived, Sweet Sally Peaches."

"Barely," Tori replied, flopping back in her chair with a laugh. "I just hope the new assignment isn't... weirdly awkward."

Jade shrugged. "Trina said Sikowitz once paired two rival guys and made them act like a married couple. They had to present what it was like to face real-world judgment."

"Nice," Tori said with a sigh. "Guess we'll just deal with whatever he throws at us."

Jade offered a rare, soft smile. "Whatever it is, Vega, we'll be fine."

TWO WEEKS LATER

She was not fine.

"What?!" Jade snapped, nearly knocking over her chair.

"You and Tori," Sikowitz announced dramatically, "will be paired as a medieval couple! Forbidden love, scandal, historical realism! And no, I will not switch partners!"

He grinned with theatrical flair. "Remember, in those days, two women being together was not only forbidden—it was a crime!"

Across the room, Tori looked like she might spontaneously combust. Her face was flushed, hands wringing nervously in her lap. She gave Jade a small, shaky smile.

"Looks like you're my Princess Charming," she joked, trying to ease the tension. "Get it? Prince Charming, but... we're both girls?"

Jade stared at her in stunned silence.

Yep. She was officially screwed.

Author's Notes

Soooo same story but I came back to rewrite it and of course finish this. Please forgive me for taking years to continue this.