Note: The chapter actually has very little relation to "The Birthweek Song."
For the first time since Vega had come to Hollywood Arts, the school week had been generally uneventful for Jade. Apparently Vega had been freaking out about something to do with her sister, and a "birthweek." Jade had always known that the other Vega was crazy, but this was ridiculous even for her.
At the moment Jade was lying on the couch in her living room as heavy metal blasted from the stereo. It was one of the many perks of having a father who was constantly away. She could do whatever she wanted and nobody would give a damn. Well, nobody but the neighbors but Jade was sure that even they couldn't complain about the volume of her music with the raging storm outside.
The rain was coming down hard and the wind was howling with rage. A jagged lightning bolt flashed through the sky followed quickly by a loud crack of thunder that made the entire house tremble.
Yet somehow, despite the thunder, bashing drums, and rain pounding away at the walls of her house, Jade managed to hear the sound of her doorbell ringing.
"Who is that?" Jade thought as she glanced at her phone to see that it was getting late. She was tempted to just leave the person out there when another deafening roar of thunder sounded. Reluctantly dragging herself away from the couch, Jade shut off the music and slowly plodded to the door. Her hand tightened around the knob and the door swung open to reveal-
"Cat?" Jade's eyes widened in surprise. The other girl was completely drenched, her arms were wrapped around her body tightly as she shivered, and when she looked up Jade was alarmed to see that her eyes were completely devoid of any emotion. The next thing Jade knew, her arms were winding around Cat's quivering body as the other girl buried her face into the crook of her neck.
Cat was completely silent. There were no words, no tears, no sound, nothing. Her hands were gripping Jade's shirt tightly, like she was the only thing keeping her up. Another loud clap of thunder sounded from the sky above and Cat jumped in surprise, pressing her body even closer to Jade's. With a swing of her foot, Jade slammed the front door shut.
"Cat, what happened?" Cat only shook her head in response as her fingers tightened their grip. Jade could only rub her back in what she hoped was a comforting manner as the rain continued to pound away against the windows. The worst part was that Jade knew exactly what was going on. It wasn't the first time something like this had happened. The only question now was what had triggered it.
Jade maneuvered both of them to the couch as her legs began to ache from standing so long and Cat practically collapsed on top of her. She was still silent and if Jade hadn't known better she probably would have thought the girl was sleeping.
Jade felt Cat's lips brush gently across her neck as she shifted slightly and a shiver ran through her spine. Her body was still frigid from the icy water, but the spot where Cat's lips had met her neck was burning, and a tingling sensation was spreading through her neck. She knew that there was something wrong, that Cat's touch shouldn't have been making her feel like this, but it was.
After what seemed like hours, the tremors finally stopped, and Jade surprised to hear Cat speak up.
"Can we watch Titanic, Jade?" Her voice was soft and barely audible.
"Fine, but we're changing out of these clothes first." Cat lifted her head and shot her a confused look and Jade was immediately aware of the sudden lack of warmth.
"What? Do you really think I'm going to sit around watching a cheesy romance movie in wet clothes? We both smell awful, and I feel gross." In an instant, Cat was giggling and dashing up the stairs into Jade's room. Jade was alarmed to find that she was actually grinning fondly at Cat's actions. Grinning? She shouldn't have been grinning.
When Jade finally reached her room, she shoved open the door and watched Cat scurry around in search of clothes.
"Your pajamas are in the bottom drawer." Jade said as she walked over and grabbed her own pajamas. "Meet me downstairs when you've changed and showered."
"Okay, Jade." Her voice sounded happy once more, but Jade knew that there was still something wrong. Cat had already disappeared into the bathroom however, so Jade reluctantly slipped on her pajamas and headed back out of her room in search of the DVD. She knew that it wouldn't be on the rack of DVD's that stood next to the television, nor would it be in her own room, and that only left one other location.
Jade pushed open the door to the room and a breath of murky air greeted her. When was the last time anybody had been in here? She didn't bother turning on the lights as her eyes surveyed the room through the darkness. Memories were flooding her everywhere she looked, but Jade was quick to put up a barrier against them. She didn't need this, not now. She had Cat to worry about.
Jade's feet moved on their own accord as she briskly crossed the room, her eyes never straying from her destination once. It was sitting on the cabinet, a thin layer of dust coating the top of it. Jade's fingers grasped the plastic cover and she left the room in a flash.
Cat was already curled up on the couch when Jade returned to her living room. Her eyes were dazed and unfocused as she stared at the carpet. She didn't even seem to notice as Jade walked over to the TV and started the movie. She jumped a little as Jade seated herself on the opposite side of the couch and her eyes flickered to the TV; brightening as they saw what was playing.
Cat was relatively quiet for much of the beginning, only giving the occasional giggle. Jade barely noticed what was happening as she focused all her attention on Cat. It wasn't the first time something like this had happened, not by any means, and Jade knew that it could have been almost anything that had caused it.
Cat was a sensitive person; everyone knew that. What they didn't know was what happened to all those hurt feelings once they arose. They thought everything was okay after an offhanded apology, but it wasn't. Cat didn't just forget about those feelings like everybody thought she did, she simply locked them away in a chest somewhere. But that chest that contained all the insults, bad things, and emotions couldn't stay closed forever. Eventually it all became too much and that's when she fell apart.
Jade hadn't always known about this other side of Cat, in fact if it hadn't been for that one accident, Jade never would have found out.
It was a hot summer day before the start freshman year. Jade was lying on her couch as she turned the letter over and over in her hand. She had just received the acceptance letter a few days ago and it was strange just how happy she was feeling at that moment. She was finally going to live her dream.
Her father had of course been furious with her for trying out and choosing to attend this "ridiculous excuse for school." Luckily her step mother had been in the room at the time, and she had convinced her father to let her attend. At least that woman was good for something.
Her cell phone began ringing from the table next to her, and without looking to see who was calling Jade brought the phone to her ear.
"What?"
"I-I don't know what to do. I just got into this amazing school, but my parents don't want me to go and they say I'm just being stupid for throwing my life away, but I really want to go and be an actress and sing and design costumes." There was a small pause. "And my best friend Jade is going too, and she's the only friend I have and I don't want to go to high school without her. Everyone else is so mean to me, but Jade only acts mean to me sometimes and she even apologizes sometimes. I don't want to go to a different high school, but I don't want my parents to hate me."
At that moment Jade was absolutely sure of three things. The person on the other end of the line was definitely Cat, Cat had not meant to call her, and Jade had absolutely no idea what she was supposed to do. Naturally her oh-so brilliant brain came up with:
"Cat?"
"Jade?" Cat let out a terrified squeak before the phone went dead.
"Cat? Damn it," Jade hissed as she threw her phone back on the table. Cat's voice was still ringing in her ears and Jade was startled with just how broken the other girl sounded. She had never heard Cat sound anything but happy. And then there were her actual words.
And my best friend Jade is going too, and she's the only friend I have and I don't want to go to high school without her. I don't want to be alone…
Only friend? That couldn't possibly be true. Nice, outgoing, friendly Cat only had her as a friend? Jade thought back to all the years she had known Cat and all the lunches and classes they had shared together. There had to be one memory of Cat talking to someone; someone who didn't roll their eyes or tease her or tell her to go away, someone who actually cared, but there wasn't. Even Jade did all those things to Cat, but she had always figured that Cat just forgot about it once she'd "apologized."
Jade didn't want to feel bad about what she did. She tried to convince herself that Cat was weak, that she should just learn to grow up; and she almost did. But her skills were still growing and developing and she couldn't lie to herself. She couldn't make herself believe something that was so obviously not true. Even worse, she couldn't make herself believe that she didn't have to do anything about it.
Jade grabbed her phone and house keys and she marched out the door without a second thought. The walk to Cat's house was longer than ever as Jade mulled over what to say.
Cat's garage doors were opened and both the cars were gone, letting Jade know that both her parents were out. Cat had mentioned that her parents were going to visit her brother in college for the weekend. Good, she couldn't stand those people and they didn't exactly like her either.
Jade approached Cat's front door and she rang the doorbell. Unsurprisingly, no one answered.
"Cat, I know you're in there." Jade shouted, and she was met with silence. Remembering something Cat had mentioned earlier, Jade reached down underneath the welcome mat and produced a silver key. Ugh, what kind of idiots actually hid their keys there?
The door swung open as Jade inserted the key and gave the knob an angry twist. She slid the key back under the mat and shut the door behind her. The faint sound of crying was drifting through the house and Jade instantly knew where to go. She marched past the living room, up the stairs, and headed down the hallway, the crying getting progressively louder and louder as she approached the lone room at the end of the hallway.
Without the slightest hesitation Jade pushed open the door to Cat's room and she was met with a visage of bright colors from the flowers that were painted all over the walls to the bright pink furniture that was everywhere. However, Jade barely noticed any of that as her eyes locked on the crying figure in the corner of the room.
Cat didn't even appear to have noticed that she had walked in. She was curled in a small ball, her knees were brought up to her chest and her entire body was shaking as she rocked back and forth. Jade was paralyzed at the doorway as she stared at Cat's figure. What the hell had happened to Cat and who was this person that had replaced her? More importantly, what the hell was she supposed to do about this? She wasn't good with people. All she knew how to do was make them cry and suffer.
Jade already had one foot out the door when a voice that sounded like her mother's spoke in her head.
"You're all she has left Jade. You can't leave her by herself." It seemed that the miniscule part of her known as her "conscience" had decided to rear its annoying head, and although she was finding it difficult to believe, it was true. She was all Cat had at the moment.
"Cat." Jade's mouth had opened of its own accord and she instantly regretted it as Cat squeaked and looked up in surprise. Fear flickered in her eyes as they widened in recognition and she was scrambling backwards, pressing herself further into the wall like she was trying to blend into it.
"J-Jade! I'm sorry I accidentally called you. I was just practicing my acting. I-I didn't really mean what I said. I know you don't really care about me that much. Please don't hate me…" Cat whimpered as her face disappeared between her hands again.
Jade couldn't help but frown at Cat's words. That's why Cat thought she was there? To yell at her? Ugh, she knew this was a bad idea. She should have never come, but it was too late to back out now.
"I don't hate you Cat. Do you really think I'd waste my time talking to you if I hated you?" Cat's fingers parts and Jade saw her brown eyes peeking through.
"You really don't hate me?" Jade nodded stiffly and Cat relaxed slightly.
"Oh." Jade took a step forward.
"Cat, are your parents really not going to let you go to Hollywood Arts?" Jade immediately realized that that was the wrong thing to say as Cat began shaking again.
"My daddy says I have problems and my mommy says that going to Hollywood Arts would make me even more screwed up." And Jade was frozen once again as the familiarity of the words struck her. It sounded exactly like her father. The only difference was that Jade didn't want his love and affection, not anymore. Cat wanted her parents to love her. It was just the way she was; she wanted everybody to like her.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Are you parents really going to be that stupid and not let you go?" Because despite the fact that Cat was annoying, childish, and not the brightest crayon in the box (to put it lightly), she was talented and she deserved to be in that school. It wasn't because Jade actually wanted to go to school with Cat. No, it was definitely not that.
"I told them that, but they won't listen to me, Jade. I'm such a bad daughter. I want to be good and make my parents happy, but I really want to go Jade. I really want to…" Cat burst into tears again, but Jade swore that she had mumbled "be with you."
Jade took a few more steps forward until she was standing directly in front of Cat as tears cascaded down her face. What was she supposed to do now? Give her a reassuring pat on the back? What would her mother have done? The answer to that question came quickly and Jade reluctantly sat down next to Cat. Now what? Her arm shot out quickly as she remembered what she was supposed to do, but she misjudged the distance between her body and the wall and as her hand crashed into the wall, pain exploded in her knuckles. So this is what she got for trying to be nice?
Cat didn't even notice as she snuggled into Jade and sank her face into her shoulder. Jade grimaced at the touch, but she made no move to push Cat away. Now came the hard part. She was actually supposed to say something to make Cat feel better.
Just wonderful.
"I'm sure your parents will let you go and they won't hate you." Liar
"Really?"
"Yeah." Even as Jade was speaking, she waited for the intense feelings of discomfort to hit her, but they never did. Instead, all she felt was intense anger and something else that she couldn't quite place. She must have been imagining things.
"My parents took me to see a therapist. The same one they took to my brother to see. He was really nice and he gave me candy and talked to me about stuff. It was so much fun."
And that's what Jade spent the rest of her day doing. Sitting on the floor in Cat's room as she blabbered on about stories about her parents and her brother and school and unicorns and superheroes and everything she wanted to talk about until the tears finally stopped flowing and her real smile was back.
Jade's shirt was wet, she was going deaf, her mind had stopped functioning because of how ridiculous some of the stuff Cat had talked about was, and her arms were going numb from all the times Cat had grabbed her as she was telling a story. But at the end of the day, when she finally collapsed in bed the only thing Jade could think about was how accomplished she felt.
She never did figure out how Cat had convinced her parents to let her attend Hollywood Arts, or who'd she really meant to call that day. All that really mattered was that something had changed that day. Jade had seen a part of Cat that she had never known before and one that she could actually relate too. It still caught Jade off guard sometimes and she still had trouble remembering how sensitive Cat really was, but she had to be strong and let Cat fall on her when everything else was slipping away.
Of course, things had changed. Cat had other friends now, she was a lot happier now at Hollywood Arts, there was no longer a key hidden under the welcome mat, and her parents were apparently starting to rethink their original outlook on Cat's lifestyle.
And then there were the things that never changed. Cat was still as childish as ever, Jade was still Cat's best friend (she had absolutely no idea why), she was still the place Cat went to for comfort and support, and Jade still had no idea had to stop the pain. She could only stand there and wait for the tears to take away all of Cat's pain.
Jade heard Cat whimper quietly and she turned to look at the screen. The camera was slowly panning off the boat and into the waters and Jade realized what was about to happen. Cat had seen the movie a million times, and she always got upset when watching this part.
"Cat, you know she's not going to die," Jade said. Cat covered her ears and looked down, squeezing her eyes shut tightly.
"Tell me when it's over." Jade focused her attention back to the screen and watched with disgust as Rose attempted to jump off. Ugh, she'd seen the scene way too many times to feel even remotely sad for the girl. She had everything and she was still complaining about her life. Unable to stand the scene any longer, Jade grabbed the remote and quickly fast forwarded to the part when Rose was safely back on the ship.
"Cat, it's over." Cat didn't response and Jade gently nudged the other girl. "Hey, Cat! The scene is over." Cat tentatively lifted her face from her hands and glanced at the TV; her lips curving into a small smile as she continued to watch.
The movie dragged on, and Jade felt herself starting to doze off. Why were these movies always so corny and boring? Cat was watching the movie intently as if it was the first time she'd ever seen it. Finally, as the ship was sinking and the passengers were screaming and Jade was just starting to enjoy the movie, Cat spoke up.
"My parents are gone again." Jade frowned. Cat's parents had an unfortunate habit of "forgetting" to tell Cat when they were going to be away. They needed to get away from her every once and a while, and Jade could understand that. She knew that Cat was difficult to deal with at times and that everyone needed some time away, but what she didn't understand was how they could just leave their own daughter alone without any kind of notice and without even a key for her to get back home.
"Did you walk all the way over here?" Jade asked, remembering her soaking figure standing in the rain.
"No, Robbie's parents drove me over. They stopped a block away because Robbie said something about not wanting to die," Cat replied.
"Shapiro? What were you doing with Shapiro?"
"I was with him at his grandma's house to help with her computer." Cat trailed as off the tears silently began streaming down her face once more.
"What did Shapiro do?" Jade growled as her arm reached out for her keys. She had warned that boy, and Jade wouldn't hesitate to drag him out of his house at 2 in the morning and run him and his grandmother over with her car.
"Robbie didn't do anything. His grandmother yelled at me and told me that I have problems and that I shouldn't date Robbie because he's too good for me."
For some reason that last bit about "dating Robbie" made Jade want to punch something, hard. Cat couldn't possibly like Shapiro. The guy was an ass and he would destroy Cat. Jade didn't have time to pick up the pieces. There was no way Cat could like him.
"I thought old people were supposed to be nice and friendly and give you cookies."
"There's nothing wrong with you Cat. You're-" Jade fumbled for something nice to say, but nothing nice was coming through the cloud of anger that had descended on her mind. "Everyone else is just messed up."
The movie had ended by now and both of them were clearly getting tired. Cat was yawning and Jade could feel her own eyelids growing heavy. Remembering how uncomfortable it had been the last time she had fallen asleep on the couch, Jade stood up and headed to her room.
"Come on, Cat." Jade climbed up the stair slowly and Cat bounded up ahead of her. Even when she was depressed and tired the girl was a bundle of energy. It was ridiculous.
The clock on the side of the bed was flashing "2:46" as Jade finally sunk beneath the warm covers. She felt the mattress shift as Cat slipped in beside her. Cat wasn't babbling herself to sleep like normal. She was lying on her side with her back facing Jade, and Jade could only imagine what was going on in her head.
Jade's eyes were shut and her mind was shutting down, but just before she finally fell asleep she felt the mattress shift again and a second later Cat's body was pressed against her own. Jade's eyes were still closed, but her senses were on full alert as Cat wrapped an arm around her waist and rested her head on her shoulder.
Jade waited patiently for something else to happen, but Cat appeared to be still once more and her breathing was coming in slow and even breaths. Jade was sure that Cat had fallen asleep which is why she nearly jumped when Cat's voice pierced through the dark and into her mind; her words burying themselves deeply into her memory.
"I love you, Jade."
I sincerely apologize for how long it took me to post this. Not only was I suffering from intense writer's block, but I've also had so many tests, quizzes, and homework that my brain is completely fried.
I know the whole thing with Cat's "secret backstory" has been done a billion times, but I want to stress that I do think that Cat really is happy and that I don't think her parents are physically abusive in any way.
Update May 2014 - I honestly have no idea what I was planning to do with the plot with Cat and Jade's "backstory." I was probably way in over my head, so be warned that I don't really follow through with this idea in later chapters.
