Disclaimer: I own a twitter. If I could hack twitter, then maybe I could own Victorious, or at least their official twitter. Since I'm not a hacker, I don't own Victorious. *insert sad emoji here*
Cat's POV
"Thanks for coming with me, Tori. It truly means a lot to me." I grin at the half-Latina right next to me.
"Hey, I told you that I will always be with you, right? You can't shake me off of you, now." Tori responds. I giggle and shake my head in reply. She's right. I can't get rid of her, now.
"I'm sorry if I'm going to be a hysterical mess later."
"Cat, don't apologize for that. I'm not half-expecting you to have a blank expression the whole time. Don't hold back."
I give her a kiss on the cheek as thanks. I feel her face burn when my lips touched her cheek. Right now, we're heading to Holy Trinity which is only a couple of blocks from my house. Nona left an hour before us. When I woke up (with Tori's face buried in my back and her arm draped over my waist), the tears started to fall again. There are just too many reminders of my mom in my room alone. The pictures I drew in 2nd grade that depicted me and my mom, the actual family pictures hanging in a frame on my wall, the toys and stuffed animals she bought me when I was a kid, and even Mr. Purple, all of these were too much as I began to sob for who knows how many times now. I feel Tori's body shifting and right then, she jolts up after hearing my choked sobs. She holds me in a tight embrace and I lean into her. I'm in a safe place with Tori. After ten or so minutes of crying, I calmed myself down and cleaned up my face in my bathroom. We went to the kitchen helped ourselves to Nona's quiche. Tori complimented my Nona's cooking, saying that her quiche was quite on par with their family pot pie.
"That's my Nona for you." A smug look forms on my face. She laughs and nods in agreement.
After eating, I dressed up for the wake. I took my black cocktail dress out of my closet and asked Tori to help me put it on. She seemed reluctant at first but after my trademark pout and puppy-dog eyes, she accepted. Her face seemed to burn up when I undressed, even more when she helped me zip up the back of my dress. Heck, I felt flushed too when she saw me only in my underwear. After that awkward moment, we left the house, making sure this time I locked the door, and walked together with our elbows linked to the funeral homes.
We didn't talk while walking to the place. Each other's presence is enjoyable enough, even if the silence is deafening. After ten minutes of strolling in stillness, we arrive at the funeral homes. It was a fairly large lot with numerous small chapels surrounding a garden in the middle. The garden is a lawn with four stone benches surrounding a central fountain. Holy Trinity has a holy atmosphere, indeed. After asking where my mom is, we enter the chapel we were told. The room is painted white, windows surrounding most of the walls. A lot of light passes through the room. It feels like heaven here. After I stopped admiring the tranquility of the area, I start to cry immediately after seeing what was at the front of the chapel. A white casket surrounded by flowers and wreaths is positioned at the end of the red carpet. There are rows of white wooden pews, some of my relatives sitting down and chatting. I don't go to them. Instead, I walk slowly towards the casket, Tori following close behind. When we reached the casket, I feel Tori wrapping her arm around my waist. I lead my head on her shoulder, sniffling out my crying. My mom looks ... peaceful. She was dressed with a white gown. If she was still alive, people would think she just got married. I tried touching her face one last time, but my hand was met with glass. I bury my face in Tori's chest, muffling my cries for my mom. Here goes the waterworks. She embraces me, her hand running down my hair. I'm not talking. Tori's not talking. She's just letting me cry myself out. She sits me down in the nearest pew until I calm myself down.
"I told you I'm going to be a crying mess." I mutter in between sniffles.
"I know. And it's normal, Cat. When my grandma died, I was like this. So, I know how you feel." She explains. I take a deep breath before speaking again.
"Thank you Tori, for just being here right next to me. You could have been with your family right now. But you chose to be with me, a girl with a dead mother, a crazy brother, and an disloyal father. I can't thank you enough. You're the best best friend anyone could have and I love you for that." And I mean it. If it weren't for her, I don't know what could have happened to me. Maybe, I would be depressed like my mom. Maybe, I might do stupid things, things that I will regret.
"Oh uh yeah... I love you too. You're the best too, you know that?" She stutters. I can't help but put on a sheepish grin.
I had to leave Tori at some point. I wanted to talk with uncles and aunts and cousins. I wanted to catch up with their lives. I feel like it's my obligation now to make at least small talk with them because it was usually my mom who would break the ice. I'd ask them what is going on with their lives now and they'd ask me the same. They also gave their sincere condolences. After all, I'm the most affected family member here. I returned to Tori not long after I left but she wasn't at her seat. She isn't even in the chapel at all. I exited the chapel and I immediately found the girl I'm looking for. She's sitting on a bench in the middle of the garden. She's facing away from me so this is a good opportunity. I sneakily make my way to her back until I cover both of her eyes with my hands.
"Guess who?" I whisper in her ear.
"Hmm... Is it Robbie?" She says sarcastically. I let out a soft chuckle.
"It's Cat, silly." I release my hands and sit down next to her.
"I knew that. I was being sarcastic. Cat, can I tell you something? And promise me you won't get mad?" She shifts her eyes to the ground.
"Kay kay" I reply. I hope it's not anything too serious. Like she has to move or something. Because I would go crazy without her. I'm already crazy as it is.
"You said that I shouldn't tell about your mom to anyone, right? You said you weren't ready?" I nod. "Well, I kinda told André about you and your mom. It sort of slipped when he called me just now. He asked me where I was and I accidentally said I'm at Holy Trinity. Then, he asked for an explanation and I told him. Cat, I'm sorry. You said you weren't ready to tell other people about your mom's death but my big mouth just blabbed it to André like it's the newest gossip in town."
"Don't beat yourself up about this. It's okay. I wasn't ready then, but I'm ready now. It's probably better that you called him about my situation rather than me saying 'Hey, Merry Christmas. My mom died so come to her wake at Holy Trinity right now.'. It would be somewhat awkward, right?" I explain.
"Yeah, I guess. So, they are coming here right now. When I say they, I mean everyone. He told me that the whole gang is coming this instant." She says.
"Well, I'm already happy with just you here. Though, I feel more safe with the entire group. I need their support and yours more than ever."
"Oh... Uh... So, you're happy? With just me?" She asks me sheepishly. I answer her question with a quick peck on the cheek. My hand intertwines with hers.
"I'm happy." Suddenly, the silence fills the air. This moment feels so serene, only to be interrupted by the ringing of Tori's cellphone. She answers her phone with her free hand, the other not letting go of mine.
"Hey André ... Oh cool! ... We'll meet you up at the entrance ... Me and Cat, who else? ... Alright, see you." She pockets her phone after the conversation. "That was André. They're already here at the entrance."
"Oh, let's go then." I reluctantly release my hand and make my way to the entrance, Tori linking her elbow with mine. When we reached the gate, we saw the whole group about to enter. They immediately run in our direction. All of them gave me a tight hug one at a time, even Jade. They gave me their condolences and their sympathy, even Jade (I know, I'm surprised a bit, myself). I thank them one by one by giving them a hug of my own, and yes, Jade, too. I love them all so much. All of us go inside the chapel. We all sit down at a pew and we stay still, praying silently over my mom.
"Mom, I won't forget
The fun times we had back then
You'll be in my heart"
Since when did I start reciting haiku?
It's already time. 29th of December. The burial. This would be the last time I would get to see her face ever again.
Over the last three days, I've been repeating the same pattern over and over again. In the day, I would stay in the chapel for hours, looking over my mom. At night, my Nona would take over and I would go home. The gang would come by every now and then but I understand they have their own affairs to attend to. But Tori's with me all the time. She never left me alone for a long period of time. That goes to show how much concern she has for me. She would cheer me up whenever I become emotional, whether at Holy Trinity or at her house. Yes, I slept at her home because I'm afraid I might not even get a chance for a night's sleep since there are too many reminders at my own house about my mom. Good thing her parents and Trina are still out of the house and won't come back until the 2nd of January. To be honest, sleeping with Tori is the best night's sleep I've had in a while. Probably because of the sense of peacefulness she radiates. Or maybe it's something more.
After a prayer service was held for my mother, the casket lid was closed and the casket itself was set in place above the hole to lower it six feet under. All of my close friends are with me right now, as well as other Hollywood Arts people that I know, like Sikowitz and Lane. And of course, Tori is with me by my side. I can't get her off of me now, but I don't mind. I like her being right next to me.
I am once again a sobbing mess. The same goes to my Nona who's being held tightly by my grand right now. My heart tightens every second the casket is lowered inch by inch. We are showering bouquets of flowers on top of the casket. After waiting for an arduous minute, the casket is finally at the bottom and the dirt is slowly being shoveled in the hole.
"May you rest in peace
Many memories treasured
by your dearest Cat."
Again with the haiku...
After the casket is complety buried, I lost control of myself. High-pitched wails erupted from me. I felt a warm embrace enveloping me, and it wasn't my Nona. It was Tori. I bury my face in her chest, hushing my screams for my mom. Her hands rubbing my back soothingly, whispering soothing things in my ear and I go back again to that comfortable place. That place where it's just me and Tori and no one else around us. That one place where me and her can live happily ever after without a care for what everybody else say. Where there is only good and no bad, only ups and no downs. If only I have the courage to face reality. The reality where she's only doing this to me because I need it. Because I'm a hysterical mess right now and I need the support. I'll take it though. It's better than anything else.
After crying myself out the past few days, I'm slowly feeling better. I think I'm starting to move on. I think. As long as a certain Latina is right by my side.
"Cat, you ready to go?" Tori asks.
"I've been waiting for you in the car!" I yell at her from the driver's seat.
Me and Tori are going to the annual Hollywood Arts New Year's Bash. I'm taking us there with my car. Yes, my car. I have a red Toyota Prius c, bought it at a used car lot for an affordable price, and still in mint condition. I don't usually drive it though because I prefer walking if it's a short distance. Tori opens the passenger's door and I stare at her. Tori's wearing a light jacket covering her red top, dark skinny jeans, and a pair of Converse sneakers. Even looking casual, she still manages to look beautiful. On the other hand, I'm wearing a blue dress that stops mid-thigh and white heels. Nothing too fancy, but I was hoping to impress someone. That someone is staring back at me. We both ogle each other for a long time until I suddenly avert my gaze to the steering wheel. She plops down onto the passenger's seat. I take a deep breath and start the car, engine revving nicely. I hit the gas and off we go to the party.
"You look extra cute." She bluntly states. I feel a blush creeping on my face.
"Why the extra? Not that it's bad or anything." I ask curiously.
"Because you're cute whatever time and day it is. Just so happens that today, you went above and beyond." She justifies.
Right in the feels, Tori. Right in the feels. Can my face get anymore redder?
"Well, Tori Vega, you yourself look extra beautiful, if I say so myself." I come back at her. Two can play at that game.
I take a chance and glance at her quickly. Her face is as red as the top she's wearing. Immediately, I reverted my vision back on the road. I avoided looking at her until we reach Hollywood Arts. Why? Because I'm going to stare at her and I will forget that I'm driving and we might crash and burn. However, I'm pretty sure she's staring hard at me. When we arrive at our high school, I park the car near the front of the entrance. We get out of the Prius, and I surprise Tori with a hug. She quickly reciprocates by holding me tightly, laughing in my ear.
"What was that for?" She asks quizzically.
"I just like hugging you." I answer.
She just chuckles and shakes her head. I take her hand and pull her to the Asphalt Café. A ton of students are already here, music blaring through the speaker system. I see our friends mingling at a table and we walk up to them. They greet us with bright smiles, except for Jade who greeted us with her usual smirk. We all talk about random stuff about our lives until one guy decided to bring it up.
"Hey Cat, how are you feeling? Are you still sad about your mom?" Robbie asks me, the whole group going silent.
"Jeez, what kind of question is that, Robbie? Of course she's still sad." Beck defends me.
"Well, I'm sorry for being concerned." Robbie whines.
"No, it's ok. Yeah, I'm still sad. But I'm alright now. I'm moving on, I think. I remember what a certain person told me. My mom wouldn't want to see me all depressed and broken. I should smile for her and she'll smile back at me." I gave that person who told me that advice, Tori, a big smile and she corresponds with a cheeky grin of her own.
"Well, I'm happy for you Lil' Red. Now, enough talking about the past. Let's go dance! The DJ's playing the Cupid Shuffle!" André announces.
All of us head to the dance area and we start shuffling to the Cupid Shuffle. The six of us are on a straight horizontal line, Tori right beside me, as we dance to the beat. I just hope I remember the choreography.
To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right (Ok, right step, right step, right step, right step)
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left (Left step, left step, left step, left step)
Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick (Um... right kick, left kick, right kick, left kick)
Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself (Face the ... left side! I got it!)
And we repeat these steps over and over again until the song ends. We were about to sit back down, delirious from all that dancing. After the Cupid Shuffle, the DJ plays another familiar song, the Cha Cha Slide. André might have shouted 'I love you!' to the DJ but I'm not too sure. The Cha Cha Slide was exhausting, with all that hopping and stepping. We kept on dancing and dancing until it was almost midnight. The DJ was already playing slow songs and we were already tired from dancing non-stop line dances, except for Beck and Jade who were dancing to the romantic song. André's trying to flirt with a girl and Robbie is lying down on a bench, nearly having a heart attack from all that dancing. I'm sitting with Tori, chatting mindlessly until Tori suddenly tugs my arm.
"Hey, wanna go to the roof?" She asks.
"Yeah!" I immediately answer.
Tori takes my hand and leads us back inside the school and to the stairway that goes to the roof. It must be our lucky day. We're the only ones here. I go to the edge of the roof, leaning on the railing. There's a clear view of the Asphalt Café and the music can actually be heard from here. I feel Tori's arms wrap around my waist, her head resting on my shoulder. The music dies down as the students begin to count down.
10! 9! 8!
"Hey Cat?" She mutters in my ear.
7! 6! 5!
"What is it, Tori?"
4! 3! (Yay! They didn't forget the 3!)
Tori turns me around to face her. She moves her hands from my waist to cup my cheeks. Our eyes meet and it's hypnotizing. As I start to realize what she's trying to do, her face inches closer to mine. And yet, I don't mind one bit. I look down at her lips and my eyes flutter.
2! 1!
She gently touches her lips against mine. Oh. My. God. Tell me this isn't happening. Tori Vega is kissing me. Her lips are soft and sweet and I soon find myself kissing her back. This is all surreal. I'm not sure what to do at first. I decided to wrap my arms around her neck, deepening the kiss. Then I feel it. A spark is a complete understatement to what I'm feeling with Tori's lips brushing against mine. This isn't just a spark. This is something big. As the fireworks in the background blast into the New Year's sky, my own fireworks set off in my heart, and they're beautiful fireworks indeed. Today, all my troubles seem so far away. It's like I'm in an all new world with just Tori and me and complete jubilant euphoria. Our lips part and I'm left breathless. I lick my lips, her taste still fresh and sweet. Tori moves closer to whisper something in my ear.
"Happy New Year."
A/N: Finally! Some Cori fluff! I didn't hold back this time. Maybe next chapter's the slutty, I mean, smutty part. I don't know. Next chapter might take a while though. Life's hard when you got Calculus, Physics, and Programming in the same day. Too much math... In any case, you gotta review though.