Haven…
Hey guys, hope all of you are doing well. Sorry for the super late update, my workload has just went from hectic to damn near impossible. Thanks again for all the reviews. Anyway I thought I'd give you guys a little insight into Tori's past too… ENJOY.
Disclaimer: Man, how do I put this simply? Not mine…
Chapter 10
Staring at the furry stuffed audience in front of her, a six year old brunette laced her fingers together pretending to crack her knuckles. "Okay this is my first song. I really hope you like it." Tori studied the favorite keyboard she had gotten for her recent birthday. Gently running her tiny fingers across the keys, she smiled one last time at the audience before she got caught up in the song. She was advanced in her skills for a tender age of six. But with David Vega as her father, it was no wonder. With her small naïve voice echoing off the walls of her room, she was lost in the song. Singing one of her father's collaborations about love, peace and life. She wasn't sure what it meant, only that it made her feel a little sad every time she sang it.
The song gradually came to an end, her eyes sealed and her small frame heaving. Suddenly those big doe eyes opened and she gave her rows of furry stuffed animals a splitting grin. "Thank you, thank you." She bowed and giggled when she witnessed her yellow monkey slowly fall over. "Aw shucks, Mr. Chimp, you don't have to faint. I wasn't that good…"
Taking in a huge breath, she flopped back on the bed, her eyes on the deep impression ceiling. She always felt so happy when she finished a song. Especially when she knew she was getting better at it.
Hearing the music drift from the music room downstairs, she knew her eight year old sister was practicing with their father. Sighing she adjusted her head back to her lifeless audience, that beautifully innocent smile disappearing from her face. Some days, she wished it was her that her father was teaching. Wanting an audience that would actually listen to her and say that's good work Tori. Deciding today was the day, she gathered her keyboard under arm. After a struggle, she managed to open her bedroom door heading down towards the music room. Seeing the big double door closed, she was hesitant at first, just listening to notes flowing through.
When the music finally came to a halt, she gently reached up grasping the brass handle and opened the door. Slipping inside the largest room in their mansion, she hid behind the big black baby piano careful not to touch it and leave smudges. They were not allowed to.
"No, no Trina… Try again!" David Vega growled in frustration."Your last verse is off tune. We have to get it right if you are going to compete next week." He knew his eldest daughter would already wipe the stage with his blood on her side but he would accept nothing but perfection from the Vega name. Especially considering his son showed no interest in music. Trina was his continuing decedent.
Trina looked up at her father with fatigue. "Daddy, I'm tired. Can't we take a little break? My fingers are sore." She whined.
David glared at his daughter before resigning with a heavy sigh. "Fine, take five." Trina's brown eyes lit up as she dashed out of the room. "Just five!" He shouted after her.
Tori shyly stepped out from where she was hiding thinking that perhaps this was her chance. "Daddy?" She called softly staring up into his handsome face.
"Victoria?" David jerked his head towards his youngest whom had the same shade of eyes as his. "What are you doing here?"
"I…Well, um." Tori nervously stammered when her father's heated gaze was on her. Her eyes dropping to the glossy marble floor. "Would you listen to me play?" She shuffled her feet, twitching the keyboard under her arm.
"I'm busy now." He dismissed her, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had to focus on Trina and getting her better for the rehearsal.
"Please daddy, it will only take five minutes." Tori tried to protest but was cut off by his silencing glare.
"Victoria we spoke about this. What did I say?" He father spoke, his voice dangerously calm.
"But –"
"I said I will listen to you when your mother says you are good enough, didn't I? Until then don't waste my time with this stupidness. I am a very busy man." Tori felt her shoulders deflate, tears gathering in her eyes. She stood frozen, hearing the footsteps behind her draw nearer. His hardened brown eyes blatantly overlooking her to his eldest daughter. Trina slowly passed her hopping up onto the stool. "Ah, Trina let's get started. I expect you to get it right this time."
"Yes, daddy…" Trina let out an insufferable sigh stretching out her fingers.
Feeling utterly dejected and invisible Tori turned towards the door, her shoulders slumped almost dragging her instrument. "Victoria…" Her father's strong voice echoed the room.
She whirled her head back, her brown eyes shimmering. "Yes?"
"Close the door behind you." He didn't even spare her a glance as he flipped through the music sheets.
Her eyes slowly fell as she left the confines of the music room, shutting the door behind her. She bit her bottom as the melody from behind the door soaring through desperately wanting to be the one behind the door. The one her father saw…
Scurrying towards the kitchen, she could hear her mother yelling on the phone. Maybe she could get her mother to listen to her and prove she was good enough. She could play as well as Trina, she knew she could. Reaching the granite finished kitchen, she received a warm smile from Agnes, their housekeeper and nanny that seemed to be fixing lunch.
"Still playing, Miss Victoria?" The graying housekeeper asked, nodding at her instrument."Why don't you put that down for a minute, wash up and come eat something for a bit." She smiled, the wrinkles in her aged face becoming more evident. "I imagine even the biggest superstars eat lunch."
Tori giggled, her cheeks tainted crimson. "Agnes, I'm not a superstar…" She pulled herself up onto the high counter stool, setting her keyboard on the seat next to her.
"Not yet, Miss Victoria, not yet…" Agnes grinned at her favorite youngling in the Vega house. "But one day when you are on the TV next to your father. I will tell the whole world I changed that one's smelly diaper, there…"
"Agnes…" Tori buried her face in her hands, her cheeks fully red now.
The older woman let out a deep chuckle. "I'm just teasing you, girl…" Tori lifted her face and grinned sheepishly. She really liked Agnes. She was always nice to her. Giving her extra desert or just telling her stories about her own family. She wished she could have a family like Agnes's. Her children were all grown up now. But they all seemed so funny, getting into trouble and getting caught. Agnes seemed strict considering the punishment she dished out to them. In the Vega house no one got punished. Her parents were too busy to even consider it. "Well partially." The nanny smiled. "I've heard you play and sing. You've definitely got your fathers blood in you, girl."
The little brunette shyly ducked her head. "Thank you." She suddenly jolted when her mother stormed into the kitchen screaming into the device attached to her ear.
"I don't care Andrew! You will do whatever it takes!" Holly Vega yelled, pinching the bridge of her nose, eyes closed. "You think David cares? He doesn't give a damn if it is during the holiday season. Just get it done!" Her eyes opened wide as she stared into the grounds through the kitchen window, listening attentively. "Yes, yes that's exactly right. And I warn you now, Andrew, if you screw up, David will make sure you never work in this industry again!" With that she hung up pulling off her headset running a hand through her thick brunette hair. She began to roll her shoulders in a circular motion trying to get rid of the kinks. She still had a few more calls to make. It wasn't if she could trust that invalid Andrew anyway. Without a backward glance, she spoke. "Agnes, send my lunch up to my office. I still have a lot of work to do."
"Mommy?"
Holly turned not even noticing her daughter was in the room. "What Victoria?" She gave the six year old a detached glance while her mind was spiraling through the tour she had to set up.
"Mommy, would you listen to me play?" She asked, hopefully staring into dark blue eyes.
"No." The older brunette waved her off going through her cellphone contacts.
"Please, mommy please!"
"I said no, Victoria. I'm very busy."Holly drawled in an irritated tone. She selected the one she wanted, dialing and putting her headset back on. "Eric Sanchez's office. Tell him this is Holly Vega." She didn't have to wait long, she mused, when he immediately answered the phone. "I'm not fine Rick. That's why I'm calling." She twirled a piece of hair around her finger listening to the other end. "Yes, so you've heard. Then you understand the predicament. Now, I want to know, what are you going to do about it?"
The little girl jumped off her stool, eyes still locked on her mother who was in the middle of a heated conversation. She gently tugged on her mother's formal skirt. "Please mommy." Holly glared down at the youngest Vega whose doe eyes were full of pleading. "Later then, when you're not busy? Please?"
"Hold on one second Rick."Her mother growled, stifling the mike of her headset with a fisted hand. "How many times must I say no!" She snarled, the tension exploding. "God, don't you listen! I don't want to hear you play! I have no time for this stupid and meaningless venture of yours Victoria. So get out of my sight! I have work to do!"
Tori's lips quivered, stumbling back into one of stool. Her keyboard falling with a large crash as she started running, warm tears streaming down her face. Busting through the back door, she slightly bumped the brunette teenage boy. "Tori?" The fifteen year old stared as youngest sibling race into the grounds as fast as her short legs could manage. He turned his confused gaze to the other women in the kitchen. Stepping inside, Agnes couldn't meet his eyes but her expression edged on solemn. His mother perceived to be disinterested as usual shouting into the mike. Then he saw it, Tori's favorite keyboard discarded on the floor. Dropping his skateboard, he rushed to it. Crouching, he carefully flipped it over letting out a relieved breath. It wasn't broken. He picked it up and set it on the counter, his brown eyes burning through his mother. "What the hell did you do?" He growled grabbing his skateboard dashing back out the door.
On his board, he treaded swiftly through the Vega property, his eyes warily searching for his younger sister. "Tori!" He yelled, startling some of the birds in his trail. "Tori! Come out, please…" He sighed picking up his pace, deciding to head towards the west lands. Just as he was about to spin around, he caught something in the corner of his eye that forced him to come to a complete stop. As his eyes darted to the little shoes sticking out of the bush, he felt the tension in his shoulders relax. Kicking up his board and catching it in his hand, he strolled slowly, the small heartbreaking whimpers becoming more distinct. "Tori!" He shouted once more, noticing she didn't make a move. Clearly she didn't want to be found.
Stepping under the deep shade enforced by the huge oak tree, he stopped just watching her. Listening to the tears that he knew rolled down her innocent face, uncontrollably. She usually wasn't a crier, always trying to find the light in the world. And he would give anything to keep it that way, knowing how neglectful his parents were. He was the lucky one, not inheriting a music bone in his body. Therefore not feeling the need to please his parents or seek out their attention. He was born early in their marriage, putting him in his grandparents' care for the most part while his parents were out there making a name for themselves. Then when they semi retired or weren't getting enough hype Trina was born seven years later. Tori two years after that. They all hardly saw their parents until Trina showed some interest in music. David ate that up, proclaiming to make his name immortal through her. Leaving his other two kids to their own devices.
Michael was old enough to not need, to not want. But Tori… She was just a baby. She couldn't help but need, but want. He wasn't even sure if his parents even loved them. And he would be damned if he cared. Living with his grandparents showed him a lot of love. He would do his best to share it with his siblings, with Tori. She was the only reason he was still here. He considered leaving, even at fifteen. It would be better than living in an empty home where the only thing breathing was contempt. David taking out the sudden slowness in his career out on his children.
He could hear the crying start to slow. "Tori!" He yelled up into the tree, deciding to see if she wanted to be found now. When nothing, he stared at the trunk of the oak tree, considering a different tactic. "Excuse me Mr. Tree, but have you seen my little sister Tori?" He smiled witness the slight perk of her brunette head. He nodded at the tree pretending to listen with a sober face. "She has brunette hair and brown eyes and is about wee tall." He used his hand to gesture her height against his hip. "You have?" His eyes lit up and then grew. "What, she ran away?" He shook his head gently. "Man, I'll miss her so much. I mean, I know I have another sister, Trina. But, she's no fun… Not like my Tori, anyway." He caught the slight tussle in the bushes before continuing. "Tori is the coolest baby sister ever. Seriously, we go to the park together. She sings to me when I'm feeling sick. I love it when she sings or plays me something on her keyboard." He smiled softly at the trunk. "I'm telling you Mr. Tree, no one is prettier, smarter or more talented than my little sister, Tori." He flicked his gaze once more in that direction as he sighed. "I just wish I knew where she was so I could tell her all of these things." He sighed dramatically again, seeing those little shoes shuffle. "But anyway, if you see her, will you tell her that her big brother Michael loves her and misses her so much?" He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his baggy pants. "And will you tell her to please come home?" With his shoulders slumped and a tiny smirk, he turned back towards the house.
Tori hopped out of the bush. "I'm right here, Mikey." She sniffled, wiping her runny nose with her sleeve.
The teenager whirled around at the small voice, dropping his skateboard. "Tori is that you?" Tori nodded slowly, blinking away a tear. He rushed up to her and gathered her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around him burying her face in the crook of his neck. "I was so worried, I thought you ran away."
"Nope, I was just hiding…" She slowly shook her head under his chin, her breathing hitching every few seconds.
He leaned back looking into her teary face, brushing back a sticky piece of brunette hair off her face. "Why?"
"Because…" Tori's bottom lip started trembling.
Michael sighed, sitting down against the trunk of the Oak tree, settling Tori properly in his lap. He tucked her head under his chin as he rubbed soothing circles on her back. "What's wrong kiddo?"
"I don't want to do it anymore…"
"What?"He asked feeling the hot liquid seep into his shirt near his collar.
"Music and singing. I don't want to do it anymore, Mikey."Tori's lips vibrated between her teeth as she tried to hold in her tears.
"What?" Michael gasped severely. "But you are so good at it, Tori…"
"I d-don't like it, anymore."
"Why not?"
"It's stupid and meaneenblis." She grumped.
He tilted her head so that their eyes met. "You mean, stupid and meaningless?"
"Yeah…" She nodded briskly with her lower lip dropped in a heavy pout.
"Who told you that?" His voice was sharp and his brows drawn into a scowl.
"Mommy and daddy…" She said in a small voice.
He let out an exasperated breath, cursing his parents. "Well, they are wrong." He shook his head violently. "You listen to me Victoria Vega. It's not. Your music is beautiful."
She tried to drop her eyes but was held in place. "But they –"
"Don't see what I see. They don't hear what I hear." He shook his head, his eyes piercing through hers. "And that's their loss. One day you will prove you are better than all of them." He laid a soft kiss against her forehead, his lips curling. "You'll see... And I'll be the proudest big brother ever. "
She felt her eyes grow heavy again, tears escaping. "I just want them to listen to me, Mikey. Just once..."
"I know kiddo." He used the sleeve of his shirt to gently wipe them away and cupped her small face so she was looking at him." They will…" He nodded. "You are too good not to be heard. Even if you don't want to become pro like dad, I just know you'll make a difference with your music."
"Really?"
"Oh, yeah… And I'm not the only one who thinks so, either." Michael smiled pressing his lips into soft brunette hair. "You know what Tori, I'll tell you a secret?"
"What Mikey?"The brunette lifted her head, looking into the matching brown eyes expectantly.
"You know that black baby piano in there?"He pointed towards the mansion.
"You mean the one daddy doesn't let us touch? Grandpa's one?"
He grinned. "Yes… That one." She nodded her head vigorously. "Well, I'm not supposed to tell anyone this but…"
"But what Mikey! Tell me! Tell me!" She almost wiggled out of his lap, anxiously.
He chuckled, sticking a tongue in his cheek. "Okaaay… But you can't tell anyone I told you this…"
"I promise." She used her small index finger to line a cross over her heart.
"Well, it's yours…" He leaned in whispering in her ear.
"Mine!" Tori gasped, her eyes growing twice its size.
"Shshsh!"
She smacked a hand over her mouth. "Mine?"She hissed.
Michael nodded with a deep grin. "Yup, grandpa left it to you before he died. I overheard mom say that when you turn 18, it's supposed to be yours."
"Really?"
"Yup." He nodded.
"Why didn't he give it to daddy? Or Trina?"
"Because he believed in you, Tori. Just like I do." The teenager smiled reassuringly. "You love music, Tori. And we never give up the things we love just because other people think it's stupid or have no time for it. Family or not."
"Just like when daddy shouts at you for skateboarding all the time instead of studying?"
Michael chuckled and nuzzled into the now grinning six year old. "Just like that, kiddo. I'm thinking about going pro. What do you think?"
"You're so good, Mikey! They would definitely pick you." Tori cupped his face in tiny hands and nodded with a huge smile, her eyes animated.
"Yeah?"
"Uh huh!"
He gave her a crushing hug and pulled back. "Yeah well, why don't you go grab your coat and we'll head down to the half pipe. I'll show you some new tricks I learnt. And then maybe later before bed, you can play me a song."
"Okay!" Tori excitedly dashed into the house leaving the teenager smiling warmly…
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tori eyes slowly popped open feeling the gentle breathing beside her. She turned her head, a soft smile on her face as she watched her dog sleep. The comfort of her familiar room enveloped her, reminding her where she was today. It was not like the empty one she had in LA. Memories of a past life rather than the past of the one she had today. No, she was born the day she left the Vega Manor into someone she could eventually be proud of. Someone she could rely on because family in truth was a myth to her. Loving parents were but a dream in a young girl's heart. She was a woman now and knew the harsh truth of the world. Her world…
Slowly pulling herself up, she tossed her legs of the side of the bed. Running her hand through her tousled hair, she scanned the room. Her eyes settling on the mahogany dresser of which a few picture frames were dispersed. Rising, she walked to it, picking up the small frame on the left. Her own eyes were reflected back at her but they were smiling. This face however had hard rougher edges surrounded in stubble, and happy sculpted lips. The nose distinct with the slight bend evident from where he broke it at sixteen. Even so, Michael was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. This picture was taken six years ago on his twenty-seventh birthday. The last one he ever had alive. She felt overwhelming sadness consume her, the tear escaping before she could stop it. Swiping at it, she smiled weakly, hugging the picture to her chest. "Happy birthday, Mikey."
Setting it back on the dresser, she put on her slippers and headed downstairs to start her day. Her feet dragging on down the stairs to her special liquid energy elixir. Pouring a generous mug of coffee, she settled in front of her laptop to check her emails before she had to get ready for today's rehearsals. Her music school's first performances were to take place in two days at the Christmas Eve charity event. Both Jade's and her classes were doing really well, she mused.
Jade… Her lips couldn't stop that involuntary twitch, curling slightly whenever her thoughts edged over to the raven haired woman. Though her eyes remained sad. Her conscious proving to be somewhat intact. The conflicting look she wore elucidated how she felt where the Goth was concerned. Something was happening between them and it was as if she was using all the breath in her body to implement restraint. She tried restricting their interaction to the classes they taught together but somehow they found a way to milk the time for all it was worth. As much as she tried not feeling anything, just her mere presence burned through her. Coursed through her like the very blood in her veins. What was worse was it was never just the physical attraction between them. There was a need. A need to heal every wound. A need she couldn't begin to put into words. A need that put them both on very dangerous territory. With that as a reminder, she ripped her thoughts away, resolving them on the activity in front of her.
Scrolling down a few emails from school, she froze in mid-sip at one contact she hadn't seen in over a year. Placing the mug on the counter, she stared wide-eyed at the screen.
Kelly Burton: (no subject) [07:36]
Her fingers twitched on the mouse pad, unsure if she should open the email from her ex-girlfriend or not. She bit her bottom lip, feeling some unusual tension seep into the back of her neck as her mouse arrow hovered over the name. What could she want? They hadn't had any form of contact for over a year. Why now? She couldn't understand what Kelly would have left to say the way things left off between them. Staring at the unopened email, she knew there was only one way to find out. Just as she was about to click, her phone began to ring startling her. She jerked back on her chair almost tumbling over. Regaining her balance, she blew out a breath, standing. "Jesus." She spared one last wary glance as the screen before padding her way into her passage way. Pulling the receiver off the hook she answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey Tori, what color did you say you wanted again?"
Tori grinned, shaking her head. "God, Andre, how many times did I say red and green? How hard is it to forget the Christmas theme?"
"Yeah, yeah, hold on." Andre rolled his eyes looking back at the patron that was assisting him. Covering his cellphone with his palm. "Yeah, she wants the green and red." The teenager nodded, packing the red and green decorations into the box. Andre dropped his hand, the phone back at his ear. "Is the decorations all you wanted?"
"That's all I asked for. But didn't I tell you not to get it at the last minute or you would forget."
"Hey, I didn't forget." He growled into the phone pulling out his wallet.
"No?"
"No…" He insisted, paying the cashier.
"So how much did you bribe the stock boy to let you in this early?" Tori asked with an amused grin.
"Thanks…" Andre smiled at the cashier, switching the phone to his other ear before grabbing the box. "What makes you think I bribed him?"
"Andre?" The brunette drawled in that tone that reminded him very much of his mother.
He sighed reaching his car. "Ten bucks…" Tori just chuckled, shaking her head. "But the point is you are just lucky you have such an awesome best friend like me. Not many friends would almost run out of the house into freezing cold snow without their pants just to do you a favor, you know."
Tori's laughing seized. "Why did you almost run outside without your pants?" She asked with a raised brow.
"Well, I was sleeping and that reminder you set on my phone went off, thank you very much." He grunted, shutting his trunk. "As for my pants, I was at Caryn's house and –"
"Oh god, I really don't need to know anymore…" She interrupted him with a shudder, catching the drift.
He chuckled into the phone slipping into the warmth of his car. "Tori Vega, you're a prude, you know that?"
"I am not." She frowned.
"Of course you are…" He grinned. "Talking about sex with you is like pulling teeth."
"You're making that up…"
"Oh really?" He smirked continuing to tease her. "Because you know that if you weren't a prude, we could easily just go on the concepts of how a man and a woman –well in your case it would be woman on woman –"
"Okay, I'm hanging up now…" She declared in a huff.
"Wait, Tori." He chuckled. "Should I drop these things off at the town hall?"
"Yeah, just give it to Jim."
"Oki doke… Later prude." His laughing was cut off by the dial tone.
"Idiot…" Tori rolled her eyes stepping back into her kitchen. She halted when her eyes swept over her laptop screen recalling where she was before the call interrupted her. Kelly's name in bold, bringing up issues she had made a point of getting rid of. Taking in a deep breath, she walked over to the counter and slammed the screen down. She couldn't deal with her ex just yet. She wasn't even sure she wanted to. Whatever Kelly had to say could wait. Leaving the kitchen, she decided to go up and get ready for today's rehearsal instead…
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jade paced the lounge waiting for her aunt to get ready. She and Cat were signed up with a bunch of other people to help decorate the town hall for the Christmas Eve charity event. She also had to monitor the rehearsal of her class of youngsters that were performing a piece for the event. Looking up at the ceiling in frustration, she groaned. "C'mon Cat, we are going to be late!" She yelled towards the staircase.
"I'm coming, jeez. Just give me five minutes." A voice beamed down from the top floor.
The raven haired rolled her eyes, continuing her movement until her uncle stepped in with two mugs. "In women terms that translate into at least ten minutes." He grinned, handing her the mug that contained the Hot Cocoa.
She took it shaking her head. "Thanks…" She wondered, sipping the warm drink. "How do you get anywhere on time?"
Robbie chuckled, taking a healthy drink of his coffee. "Well, I don't know about other guys, but I have a system in place."
"Yeah? Care to share the secret?"
His brows rose, playfully. "I don't know… I mean, this is only meant to travel among the troubled men forum." She just stared at him with an annoyed expression causing him to laugh. "Okay, okay, I guess you are the exception, since you are troubled with woman issues."
"Yeah, so now tell me."
"Well, when Cat and I have an appointment or have to be somewhere at a certain time the next day, I usually wait for her to go to sleep." He stepped closer to her, his voice barely a whisper. "After which I adjust all her watches at least fifteen minutes faster, including the one on her cellphone."
Jade face straightened, blinking twice. "Jesus… That's brilliant!" She grinned deviously. "Seriously, I should have thought of that."
"Yeah, I'm a genius sometimes." He grinned smugly. "Just don't get caught, though. Otherwise you will find yourself joining another forum by default."
"Which one?"
"How to get off the cold hard couch forum." He uttered gravely getting a chuckle out of the Goth.
"I'll try to remember that…"
"Remember what?" With a jolt, they both whipped around to see the smaller redhead eyeing them suspiciously.
"Er, that Christmas is in three days." Robbie grinned scratching the back of his neck.
"Er yeah, like I could forget anyway, dork…" Jade forcefully rolled her eyes, turning her gaze to the door. "Ready to go?"
Cat gave them a once over with narrowed eyes. "You two are acting weird…"
"And this is different from every other day, how?" The Goth asked her aunt as she ushered her out the door.
"Good point. Let's just get out of here before we are even later…"
"Which we wouldn't be if you didn't change your shirt like three times." Jade muttered under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing…"
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brushing snowflakes off her gloves, Jade pushed open the thick wooden door. The loud creak echoed through the large town hall scattered with over a dozen volunteers already in the swing of things. Taking the box of streamers and other decors from Cat, they both made their way to the center table. Dumping the box on the on the wide metal, trestle table, her gaze wandered the deep colorful setting in contrast to the chestnut finish. Volunteers that were of all ages were assigned to a specific end of the hall attempting to make this into a winter wonderland. All of them faded into the background as she found her empty heart instinctively searching for something else.
"Oh, Cat, dear, I'm so glad you're here."
Both Cat and Jade turned to face the event coordinator who wore a gracious smile. Her hair, half blonde half grey tied back off her middle-aged face. The redhead smiled. "Hi Gladys, how are you?"
"Oh, I'm just wonderful, dear. How is that husband of yours?"
"Robbie is great." She grabbed Jade's arm, tugging her forward. "You remember my niece, Jade?"
The old woman scrutinized the Goth, her smile relatively forced. "Of course, Ella's daughter… My daughter Sarah mentioned you were back at Rosewood High." She turned her attention back to the redhead. "I'm so sorry for your loss. Ella and Wally were such wonderful people. They were always the biggest contributors to this cause."
"Thank you." Cat nodded, her lips drawn in a lean smile, squeezing Jade's arm. "We weren't really sure if we were much in the holiday mood this year. But knowing my sister, she would have wanted us to be a part of this."
"That is a generous way to honor her. She will be missed terribly on stage this year." Gladys sighed sadly. "We just hope the youngster we have will be able to the sort of impact we hope to achieve."
"They will." Jade cut in sharply, her brows drew feeling the need to defend her kids.
Gladys peered up at the Goth, nodding. "Ah, yes, you worked for Victoria Vega. I haven't really been to any of her class performances so I can't really be sure."
"There is nothing to be sure about, Tor –er –Ms. Vega is a brilliant teacher." She felt herself becoming irritated at the older woman's flippant nature.
"Yes, well, we will see…" Gladys nodded primly.
Cat sensing the bit of hostility in her niece stance pulled her down gently. "Are you okay?" She asked, not sure why the Goth was getting upset.
"Fine." She said between gritted teeth, yet her eyes were like daggers.
Gladys began stirring around the box on the trestle. "Oh honey, the spare decorations go behind the stage."
Cat adjusted her attention back to the coordinator. "Oh… Well–"
"I'll take them." Jade volunteered snippily, interrupting her aunt. She picked up the box before any of them can protest and trudged through the rows of neatly set chairs.
Stomping up the steps that led to the secluded stage, she pushed through closed burgundy curtains. Her footsteps came to a complete halt spotting the figure on the 4 foot step ladder.
Elevated, Tori worked diligently on the section she was assigned to. Managing to get the tinsel ropes secured on the set canvas, she dusted her hands trying to remove the annoying glitter pieces that stuck to her skin. Sensing movement in the corner of her eye, her body jerked in that direction and her foot slipped off a rung.
"Oomph." Before Jade knew what was happening, the box in her arms was replaced by a certain brunette. Some content from the spilt box could be heard rolling on the stage floor before flopping still. But neither of them heard anything except the excessive rate of their hearts pounding. Tori's eyes were squeezed tight, her fingernails clawing into the Goth's strong shoulders, her breathing coming out labored. Then as she registered the feel of the capable arms around her, her eyelids lifted slowly to be met with tormenting blue. Her breathing stopped altogether swallowed by those blue eyes so close to hers.
Jade was mesmerized on every inch of the brunette's face, lingering on those soft pink lips. The light weight in her arms stilled. Her gaze drifting back to those big doe eyes full of depth, full of apprehension. Full of desire?
Suddenly both of them flinched at a loud crash coming from the main area of the hall. Both of them brought out of their trance like state. The trepidation in Tori's eyes suddenly overcoming her weakness.
"You okay?" Jade breathed, sensing the sudden change.
Tori nodded slowly feeling the warmth of the Goth's breath tickle the nape of her neck. Her own gaze stunted on the beautiful face in her personal space. "Yes… I –I slipped." She witnessed those full lips quirk slightly, those blue eyes twinkle in amusement.
"I know…" Jade murmured, her small smirk quiet evident. "I happened to catch you."
"Right…" The brunette felt the embarrassing blush caress her cheeks, ducking her head. "Uh, thanks…" Jade continued to smile softly at the brunette. After a while, Tori turned her attention back up to the Goth. "You know you can put me down now, right?"
Jade startled. "Oh shit, right…" Her own face started to burn up in a tinge of red as she gently set the brunette on her feet.
"Thank you." Tori smiled coyly, wafting her attention to the spilt box. Dropping to her knees she began gathering the dispersed contents. "So um, what brings you in so early?"
"Volunteer." Jade also crouched down, helping.
"You too?"
"Yep, Cat and I. My parents were big on this entire charity function, so we thought we could help out." Jade shrugged. "Take our minds off things…"
"I'm sorry." Tori lifted sincere brown eyes to meet Jade's. "I know birthdays and the holidays are the worst…"
"Yeah…" The Goth blew out a jagged breath. Waking up this morning was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. Knowing her mother wouldn't be downstairs with Cat, singing and attempting to bake something edible. That her father wouldn't have to give a blinding smile as he took a bite of the goodies before he spitting it out into the nearest pot plant, when their backs were turned. "How do you get through it?"
"I can't tell you how… All I know is you have to otherwise you hit rock bottom." The brunette smiled sadly. "It does get easier over the years, though… When remembering doesn't hurt as much."
Jade nodded soberly, throwing the last of the streamers in the box before both of them rose. Tori dusted her faded blue jeans at the knees as the Goth deposited the box on the table near the others. Jade began to dust her own clothes when she noticed the red and green sparkly glitter on her onyx sweater near the shoulders. "Aww, man…"
"What?" Tori turned around, her whole demeanor changing when she saw the pout on the raven haired. She let out an amused chuckle when Jade rubbed furiously on the area only spreading the stubborn glitter around. "Oops…" She grinned holding up her glitter covered hands.
The Goth froze, glaring at the brunette. "Oops? Do you know how long it will take to get all of this out?"
"Oh, c'mon, it makes you look so pretty and colorful." The brunette teased, playfully battering her eyelashes.
"You think this is funny?" Jade gave her an amused glare. "You just bedazzled a cult leader." She couldn't help but smirk when Tori giggled at that. "There are heavy penalties against such actions."
"Oh really, mighty cult leader?" Tori rolled her eyes. "Such as?" Jade pursed her lips for a moment, as the cogs in her brain began to turn. Immediately regretting her taunting the brunette could only watch as a wicked smirk played on the Goth's lips. Jade's hands dipping into one of the boxes. "Er…Jade? What are you doing?" She took an involuntary step back as those glitter coated hands drew back out of the box. "No, Jade…" That evil smirk pointed in her direction, she let out a half chuckle. "You wouldn't dare…" She took another step back.
"Wouldn't I?" Jade took at step towards her enjoying the retreating action.
"Jade… Jade, no." Tori pointed a stern finger at the Goth, still moving backs, trying to keep a straight face. At the unrelenting mischievous glint in those blue eyes, she decided to make a dash for it. Only to be caught on her forth stride. "No! Aaaah!" She giggled as she felt fingers get grip on her shirt and arms wrapping around her waist. Jade chuckled as she lifted the brunette easily off the ground in her struggle, smearing the glitter on her hands against the front of Tori's woolen sweater. "Okay! Okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry…" Both of them lost in their bout of laughter when Jade set her back on the floor, her hands unconsciously remaining on the brunette's waist. Tori grinned looking up into smiling blue eyes. "You suck…"
"I told you there were penalties…" The Goth shrugged her shoulders.
Tori shook her head, looking at her sweater and then up at Jade's. She used her fingers to trace patterns with the glitter, before meeting her gaze. Freezing when she realized how close their faces were… How close their lips were… "This was all your fault, you know." She murmured, her breath feeling thick.
"My fault?" Jade's arched a brow, silently enjoying the sensation of Tori's fingers. "How was this, my fault?"
"Well, why is it whenever you're near me, I'm stumbling in one way or the other?"
"Why is it you stumble whenever I'm near you?" The Goth countered, her grip on the brunette's waist growing tighter.
"I just asked that…" Tori stared up into her face searching her gaze.
Jade's eyes looked into hers before trailing down her nose to her mouth noticing the way the poor stage light caressed her skin. "Not the way I meant it…" She whispered.
Tori lips slightly parted to bring in more air as she was having trouble breathing. Her eyes were drawn to Jade's mouth when it opened slightly, the tongue sliding along the inside of her bottom lip. Her gaze flicked back up as the distance between them seemed to disappear more and more.
Just as their lips were about to touch, they both heard distinct footsteps climb up the steps. They sprawled away from each other swiftly as someone pushed through the satin curtains.
"Jade?"
The Goth picked her head up at her at the surprised voice. The same blonde girl from the party appeared to be studying her with green eyes. What was her name, again? Jane? She couldn't think with her heart banging against her chest and the blood rushing to her brain. "Jessica?" She guessed.
The blonde smiled warmly. "You remembered…"
"Uh, yeah…" She shrugged her eyes darting towards the brunette who was tucked in the corner pretending to be going through the boxes. Shit that was close.
"Yeah, look about that night…" Jessica shuffled her feet awkwardly. "I just want to apologize. I didn't mean to freak you out."
Jade drew her attention back to the blonde, knowing it wasn't entirely her fault. "Don't worry about it…"
"Look, I was hoping we could start over?" Jessica smiled, hopefully. "I promise not to be so fast to kiss you again, if you promise not to runaway like that again?" She grinned sheepishly.
Tori pushed passed both of them, giving them a weak smile. "Excuse me ladies, I think I'll go see if they have anymore things to do out there…" Jade watched engrossed as the brunette slid through the curtains feeling a certain pang in her stomach.
"Jade?"
The Goth jerked, her attention back on the blonde. "Yeah?"
"Was that Ms. Vega?"
"Yes…" Jade nodded, her mind and body not getting over what almost happened a few minutes ago.
Jessica nodded, unfazed. "Well, what do you say?"
"What do I say about what?"
"About you and I starting over? Maybe friendship for now?" The blonde smiled holding out a hand.
Jade stared at the hand for a moment before putting her own in it. "Sure…" She absently shook the soft hand, her mind a million miles away…
Okay… looks like Tori and Jade can't seem to get a break huh?
I wonder what state of mind they're in. Find out in the next chapter of Haven…
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P.S: Oh, Oh apparently this fic here won the best AU topaz award. Imagine that! Thanks to everyone who voted. I was pleased Streetlights and Amberpire won best Victorious fanfic. That was deserving, she's amazing!