Robbie POV
A/N: I do not own the song "Make it Shine".
"Students, I leave with you with the phrase "Carpe Diem." But don't just seize today, seize everyday for as long as you do, everyday will feel like it is like you never left HA because as I've always seen in the halls and in every classroom, bright young students seizing the opportunity to shine. Next here is a girl who never fails to shine, Tori Vega, your student speaker."
"Thank you Principal Dubois. And thank you my friends for choosing me as your student speaker. But why speak, when I can sing it to you.
You don't have to be afraid
To put your dream in action
You're never gonna fade
You'll be the main attraction
Not a fantasy
Just remember me
When it turns out right
'Cause you know that if your live
In your imagination
Tomorrow you'll be
Everybody's fascination
In my victory
Just remember me
When I make it shine
Watch out world because this class is jam packed with amazingly talented kids. Congratulations guys, we made it!"
After diplomas are handed out…. "I am proud to present the Hollywood Arts High School Class of 2012! Congratulations Graduates!"
After taking what seemed like a million photos with friends and family, Tori's parents threw her a graduation bbq and our families and Sikowitz were invited. We had a great time with the parents, Sikowitz played a video of "The Gang's greatest moments" at HA, including in-class exercises, musical performances, and scenes from plays we did. All leading up to the individual videos of us expressing our feelings, which we recorded last night. It really was great. We all talked about how we love each other and how we love HA and Sikowitz's class especially. It was a nice video and Sikowitz was kind enough to make a copy for each of us as graduation gifts.
We weren't planning on going to any of the crazy graduation parties our other classmates invited us to, but we did plan on ditching our parents. The gang drove over to the shores and set up a pit for a bonfire. While the girls were dancing and making videos for their social sites, the guys and I set up the fire and music.
"So Rob, when are you gonna ask Cat out?" Andre asked
"Soon"
"Come on man, you said that last week. Really though. When? We can help if you'd like" Beck offered.
"Alright, well on Wednesday night, Cat and I are going on a date. Her mom will be out of town for a week so she wants to spend time with her before she leaves. So I figured I'd ask her then."
"Yes, finally! Where are you going?" Andre said
"Actually, that's what I could use your help with. Where should I take her?"
"Why not the park? Have a picnic there." Beck suggested.
"Not a bad idea, thanks guys"
"No problem," Beck said
"Just make sure you finally ask her to be your girlfriend, bro," Andre added.
The girls came back and we sat at the fire pit. Jade suggested we have a circle time. Great. Oh well, got nothing else to do at 1 in the morning.
"Let's make it simple. Three questions and we'll all have an answer."
"Who gets to pick the questions?" I asked
"Let's use that app you used one time for our faces, Rob. Whoever it lands on can ask the question. Just three times though." Jade explained.
I got my app out and the first face it landed on was Andre.
"Alright, what do you really want to do with your lives? Like for me, I wanna be a music producer."
"I wanna be a pop star. I know it may be tough to get my name out there but I'm not giving up." Tori said.
"I wanna be an actor." Beck simply stated. We all laughed because his was obvious. We all know he WILL be a famous actor in the near future.
"Ever since Robbie and I got the final production, I've taken a liking to directing as well as acting. Either one would definitely make me happy." Rose said.
"Same here. I want to act and/or direct plays," Jade said.
"Honestly, I don't know what exactly I want to do the most, act or direct, but I do want to write." I said.
"Look at us, big dreams, but I know we're all going to accomplish them" Tori said. That really boosted our spirits.
Next face was Beck. "This might be a shocker but we have to be honest. Say our dreams come to its fullest extent, even granting us relocation. Where do you want to live? For me, it's not just because you guys are here, but Hollywood is where I want to live if I want to flourish as an actor."
"New York" Cat said. The others were surprised, aside from me since we talked about it a while back.
"Probably here or Santa Barbara to produce music" Andre said
"Here" Tori said
"Anywhere really, with what I want to do" I said.
"If I'm acting, here or New York. If I'm directing, Canada" Jade said. Everyone had to really think about each other's answers but it made sense with our career choices. Beck snapped us back and we chose the last face.
Jade's turn. She looked at Beck then stood up. "This isn't really a question, but a statement. Beck proposed to me on prom night." Talk about surprise! I did NOT see that coming… Well I did, in the future, but not like now.
"Oh my God Jade, we're so happy for you guys!" Tori and Cat screamed.
"Yeah bro, congratulations!" Andre and I added.
"Thanks guys, Jade has been dying to tell you guys but I told her to wait until the right time."
"Anyone else got something to say?" Jade said looking over at my direction.
"Well, it'd be too obvious to ask Cat out so that's not my announcement…" Cat looked crushed, "but wait, don't frown. What I do want to say is that one day, I'm going to marry you, Cat Valentine." Cat suddenly cheered up and kissed me on the cheek.
"Then hurry up and ask me out already!" Everyone laughed.
"Hey Tori, Andre. Why don't the both of you just hook up so we can be a cliché couples group?" Jade said.
"Because in all honesty, we're best friends. And we've tried that before remember? It's like I was on a date with my brother," Tori said
"Yeah, no worries guys, we aren't uncomfortable with any of this. We'll find our happy ever after too, rest assured," Andre said
For the rest of the night we sat at the lifeguard tower with a boombox, hot chocolate and twizzlers and enjoyed the sound of the waves. We all stayed up to watch the sunrise and then made our ways home.
Wednesday finally came. Cat and her mother were going to spend the day together which gave me plenty of time to prepare a meal for our picnic. Andre and Beck helped me make the food and offered to set up the blanket and picnic basket at the park before we got there. I seriously have the best friends ever. 5pm rolled around and Cat invited me to have a snack with her mom before she left. I got dressed for tonight, thinking I would just take Cat out after her mom left since I would already be there, and made my way to the Valentine's.
"Robbie, sweetie, thanks for joining us last minute. I know you two have a date tonight. Cat could not stop talking about it."
"That's because I haven't seen Robbie in 2 days, mama. I miss him"
"Cat, you won't get to see your mom for a week, so it's all good really."
"Yeah, listen to Robbie. I just wanna be with my baby every second until I leave. Is that so much to ask?" her mom said playfully.
"I had a lot of fun mama. Love you." Cat replied. Sometimes I envy their mother-daughter relationship. I don't have a bad relationship with my parents; we're like Cat's. It's just, even with her mom working long hours as a single parent, my parents are simply busier so I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. And when I do, they're tired from work. But I do love them.
"So Mrs. Valentine, Where are you headed?" I asked
"I'm driving to Cat's aunt's tonight because I've got a plane to catch in the morning from Santa Barbara to Chicago to set up the new homes over there. But I've got a meeting tonight at the office before I head out. Lot's of schools are getting out so there will be traffic everywhere for people going to parties or going on road trips. I just want to get the drive over with."
"I hear ya. Don't forget to check out the Sears tower. Great view."
"That's at the top of my list, Thanks Robbie," her mother said to me.
"Now I want to make this clear. I trust you kids, so don't do anything stupid ok? I don't care if you spend the night at Robbie's or he stays here."
"Hehe yes mama we promise."
"That's my baby. Robbie, Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Uh yes ma'am" I said. I looked over at Cat who just smiled at me. I had nothing to worry about. I hope.
"You know I had to say that just to be 'responsible mom', right?" I nodded at her. "Really though, I know I have nothing to worry about. Just wanted to know, are you going to ask her out tonight?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Maybe not to Cat, but call it a mother's instinct, or the fact that you dressed extra nice. I'm just glad. You make her happy. I know her father and I didn't work out and that affected her in some way. But I stayed here because I knew you would make an impact in her life. And I was right. You're making an impact in both our lives. I love to see my baby happy."
"I'm in love with your daughter Mrs. Valentine, I can promise you that. And I'll always take care of her. I want to marry her one day."
"And when that day comes, I'll be the most proud of you both. But you can call me mama anytime, alright dear?"
"Yes ma'am. I mean, mama?"
"Haha might take some getting used to." With that, she gave me a hug and Cat and I helped her with her bags.
It was almost 7, perfect timing. We walked to the park since it was only a block away from Cat's. When we got there everything was set. She was really impressed and even more surprised by the food the guys and I prepared. Deli style sandwiches and cupcakes for dessert. We ate, talked, and went on the swings.
Her phone rang in the middle of our swinging so we stopped. "Hello? Hi Mom! Ooh really? But it's like 8:30. Thanks for letting me know. Have a great time and a safe trip. Love you mama! Bye. *click* Sorry that was my mom. She was supposed to call me when she gets to my aunts but she's stuck in traffic."
"Oh man, brutal. So, did you have fun with your mom?"
"So much. I'm going to miss her this week. I know I don't really see her everyday, but just knowing we were in the same house made it better."
"You're mom is awesome. She told me to start calling her mom if I wanted."
"Hehe well whatever you want. I mean, we are getting married one day."
"That we are." I said as I gave her a kiss. It was only supposed to be a peck but we got a little carried away and started to make out. After about a minute she pulled away.
We sat at the swings and just looked up at the stars, picking out constellations. We did this for about a half hour.
"I can't wait for that road trip of ours. What about you?"
"Me either. I get to be on the road with my favorite girl." I smiled. She smiled. I knew this was the perfect time. "Hey Cat?"
"Yes?" She said. Then her phone rang. "Sorry, it's Tori calling. Hold on. Hey girl, wha-"
"CAT! Thank God you answered! My mom just called me. I'm on my way to the hospital with Jade. Get to the hospital quick. Your mom got into an accident."
Cat just sat there, frozen. I waved my hand. "Hey, sweetie, are you ok?"
"Take me to the hospital. My mom's been in an accident. Take me please, Robbie."
I held her. "Oh Kitty-Cat, come here. It's ok. Let's go."
15 minutes later at the E.R.
"Robbie, Cat, over here!" Tori said as she saw us coming in. Everyone, including our parents came. Our families really cared for one another. Especially at this time, I'm sure Cat needed all the support she can get. Tori's mom came from the E.R. on the verge of tears. Cat ran up to her and embraced her like there was no tomorrow.
"Don't tell I'm too late, Mrs. Vega. Please don't tell me that."
"I'm sorry sweetie there's nothing we can do. She lost a lot of blood and is losing air fast. She can go any minute."
"Don't say that," Cat said in between sobs. Everyone silently mourned.
I went over to her "Mrs. Vega, can Cat see her mom?"
"Of course, Cat you should stay with her. Come on." Mrs. Vega was leading Cat down a corridor until Cat turned around and grabbed my hand, wanting me to come.
We got into the room where they were trying to operate, blood almost everywhere. But as gory as it looked, her mother's failing body was in the middle of it all.
"Mama. Don't leave me. Please. I'll be a good girl. I promise. Mama." Cat sobbed.
I stood beside her and her mother's breaths were slowly diminishing. She was able to talk to us, most likely for only a minute tops.
"Cat, baby. I love you so much. You know that."
"Yes, mama."
"Be a good girl ok?"
"Yes, mama."
She turned to me.
"Robbie, remember what we talked about."
I couldn't speak. I just nodded.
She took all the energy she could to speak one more time.
"Are you happy?" She asked Cat (obviously directed towards the relationship and not the situation).
"Yeah, I am."
"Good."
And with that, her chest fell for the last time.
A/N: When my friend's mom passed, she told me this is what her mom said to her and her fiancée. I wasn't at the hospital but I sure as heck cried when she told me those were her last words.