Disclaimer: The show Victorious, its characters and other associated copyrights are property of someone else and not me.
Shock Value
Chapter 14 – Relax
Note: 2 weeks have passed since the last chapter.
No One's POV
The alarm buzzed Jade out of a sound sleep at 6:30 sharp.
"Saturday, why in the fuck am I up at 6:30 on a fucking Saturday" Jade mumbled as she silenced the alarm.
"Vega" She said a moment later.
As Jade got out of bed, she quickly realized that she felt sick. Her stomach felt queasy and she felt a bit nauseous. She immediately realized the cause. She had eaten some several day old potato salad, the previous night, right before she went to bed.
"Shit must have gone bad. " She quickly thought.
Jade and Tori had been seeing each other for two weeks now. As far as Jade was concerned they were two of the best weeks of her life. Tori was everything she wanted. Beautiful, kind, tender, caring, funny and pretty dam sexy to boot. Though at this point they hadn't done anything else but make out. She and Tori were taking it slow and that was fine. Jade though loving her new lesbian relationship, still needed time to adjust. They had been out just about every other night together.
Jade was planning on asking Tori to be her girlfriend very soon. She knew she was falling for the Latina. She wanted to make it official. She wanted to buy her a little gift and plan the perfect night to ask Tori. She just needed a bit more time to plan and shop. Beck on the other hand, had kept his distance but looked no less unhappy that he did when jade first broke up with him. He would just glare at the pair from a distance. Tori thought that he looked as if he was waiting for the right moment to try to steal Jade back.
Jade's parents were indifferent; both shrugged it off and went about their business. Jade was rather disappointed. She hoped they would care enough to say something. Either for against, but that didn't happen. Jade being an actress and student of film, found it all too anti-climatic.
Today was the day of the semifinals for the Instant Star singing competition and Jade volunteered to take Tori to the event. Jade also wanted to support Tori and cheer her on. She took and pepto bismol to calm her stomach and hopped in the shower.
She felt a bit better once she had showered and put on her make up. Jade dressed and hopped in the car, stopping by the Java barn for a huge helping of the liquid, no morning would be survivable without. Jade needed some coffee this morning especially, as she felt both tired and still a bit sick. A short while later, she was knocking at Tori's door.
Tori opened the door to see Jade standing on her door step. She was plainly dressed, wearing biker boots, faded blue jeans and a Nine Inch Nails T shirt. Tori, on the other hand was wearing a nice looking pair of grey slacks and a white blouse. Her hair and makeup looked perfect.
Jade paused and enjoyed the moment. That moment each day when she first saw Tori. Jade had grown very fond of that moment. Just seeing her smile or her long brown locks, it always made Jade's heart skip a beat. It was a moment that said, "I'm with Tori now and everything will be alright."
"HI Jade." Tori said with her million dollar smile. Just the smile in itself made Jade feel a thousand times better. Jade was then able to make a smile and not have it forced.
Jade leaned in and gave Tori a quick kiss on the cheek, so she wouldn't mess Tori's makeup. "Hey there, ready to go?"
Tori quickly nodded. "Let me grab my music and we'll head out. "
Tori disappeared into the house for a few moments. Jade heard Tori's mom wish her good luck and a moment later, Tori reappeared holding a leather satchel.
"I'm confident Jade, Just as long as there are no trained monkeys on crack, I have to go up against."
Jade merely rolled her eyes and groaned, Tori had just tossed her insult from several weeks' previous back at her. Jade ignored the comment and smiled instead.
They hopped in the car and started to drive. "So Tori, where is this place the semi finals are at?"
Tori pulled a piece of paper out of her bag. "Uh…Embassy hotel, 1060 West Addison Drive. " Jade noticed at this point that Tori looked a bit nervous.
Jade nodded and put her and on Tori's leg. "I know where that is, we'll be there with time to spare? Just sit back and relax, if you go in all tense you won't do as well. Nothing to worry about."
"Sorry Jade, I've had a horrible case of nerves all morning. You can tell?"
"Yeah. The thing is that I used to enjoy seeing you nervous. It's not so fun anymore , stupid feelings getting in the way of my fun." Jade suddenly put on her best angry face and pointed at Tori. "It's all your fault Vega, you totally ruined me. "
Tori suddenly burst out laughing. "I haven't even begun to ruin you. By the time I've finished with you, you'll be actually, wanting to watch "The Notebook".
"Don't you dare!" Hissed Jade.
Tori just laughed.
They arrived at the hotel about 20 minutes later. It was an older hotel and was a pinnacle of luxury when it was built in the 1920's. Now, though slightly run down, it still hadn't lost any of its charm. Jade parked in the lot across the street and they got out of the car. Tori paused for a moment to watch some of the other contestants enter the hotel. Jade quickly noticed a look of fear creep into her happy expression.
Jade could hear just a slight quiver in her voice. "Some of them are so good jade."
Jade took her hand. "But you're better. Come on; let's get you in there so you can blow those fuckers away."
"Thanks Jade."
The lobby was decorated with rich mahogany and Italian marble and looked very elegant. Just inside the entrance was a sign pointing to the right. "Instant Star" Semi Finals are being held in the Empire room. Jade and Tori followed the signs and found themselves at the checkout desk. Jade estimated there were about 50 entrants here today. All of them were between the ages of 17-23. In front the empire room was a table that said "Instant Star registration". A woman in her 30's was manning the table. There was already a line to register.
"So how does it work?" Jade asked as they got in line to check in.
"Well you sing two songs for the judges. One you can pick. The other song they pick in advance, So you have time to learn and practice it."
"What songs are you singing. The song I picked was "Sad, Beautiful, Tragic, by Taylor Swift. The song the judges picked was "To Love somebody" By Janis Joplin."
Jade raised an eyebrow. "Janis. I'd very much like to hear that. "
"It's a tough song, but I think I got it. I've been listening to her sing it live. I got the album of her singing at Woodstock."
Jade cringed slightly. "You should have told me earlier. She was totally stoned off her gourd at Woodstock. She was a little sloppy. It was still a very good performance, but she wasn't at her best. I got a bootleg of her performance at the Texas International pop festival two weeks later. She totally nails it that night. I'll play that for you sometime."
Finally they got to the check in. Tori showed her ID, signed in and was given a number.
"OK Miss Vega. The contestants while they are waiting to be called will be across the hall in the Continental room. When you are called you will be taken to a private room where you will have 15 minutes to warm up. Then you will be escorted to see the judges. The winners will be notified tomorrow. "The woman at the registration table said.
The girls walked across the hall to the waiting area where lots of chairs were set up. Already a number of the contestants were warming up. Jade could hear snatches of song and other warm up exercises.
They sat down and Tori looked at her number. "I'm 14 so I hopefully won't have to wait long. That's the hardest part for me. "
"Just sit and relax Vega" Jade said as she pulled her kindle out of her purse and started to read.
Tori just reviewed her music for a few minutes, but then looked at Jade. "What are you reading?"
For an instant Jade appeared to be annoyed with the interruption, but a smile quickly appeared on her lips. "I'm on this old time horror kick. I'm reading a story called "All Hallows" By Walter De La Mare. A Traveler journeys to a cathedral by the sea. There he find's that it's haunted in a most unusual way."
Tori nodded and went back to her music. Over the next 45 minutes, she kept interrupting Jade with one question or another. After the 10th interruption Jade said. "Tori, turn so you're back faces me please?"
"Why?"
"Just shut up and do it." Jade hissed.
Tori gave Jade a dubious look but complied. A moment later, Tori could feel Jade's hands gently massage her back. "You need to relax. Just sit there, be quiet and let me massage you back."
Jade could feel the tension in Tori's shoulders and back. She gently worked on each of the knots, slowly working them out. Gradually Tori seemed to relax and the tension drained from her body.
"Thanks Jade. I just couldn't relax, I was too nervous. This helps."
Jade smiled. "Good, now keep quiet and let me do my work."
For a good half an hour, Jade worked on Tori's back. Jade only stopped when her fingers began to cramp up. Afterward, Tori took a deep breath, sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. Jade went back to her book while Tori just relaxed.
They waited for about another hour and 20 minutes when Tori finally got called.
"Tori Vega?" Said a woman.
Jade quickly put a hand on Tori's back. "You'll do fine baby." Jade said softly.
As Jade watch Tori grab her things and go, she began to get nervous. Her heart started to beat faster and her palms got sweaty. She so hoped Tori would do well. She wanted to watch Tori perform but was told that she could not. She tried to read again, but wasn't able. Finally she just paced back and forth across the room.
30 nerve wracking minutes later Tori came back into the room. As Tori returned, Jade carefully studied the expression on Tori's face. It was a hopeful one.
"So, How did you do?"
Tori quickly smiled. "I think I did really well. "
Jade felt a great sense of relief and gave Tori a hug. "Come on Vega, Let's go to the mall. I'll buy you some lunch at the food court."
They headed to the mall, where they ate lunch at the food court. They discussed what they were going to do tomorrow. After that they just held hands and walked through the mall. Tori paused at the window of a jewelry story to gaze at some earrings. Though she feigned disinterest, Jade carefully scanned the window for something she could buy Tori as a gift. The Gift she was going to give Tori when she asked her to officially be her girlfriend.
After a few moments she spotted it. It was a gold necklace with a gold music note. Jade thought it was perfect and made a mental note to return on another day to buy it.
"Thanks for being there for me today Jade. I was so nervous. I wouldn't have made it without you." Tori said as they walked away from the jewelry store.
Jade intertwined her fingers with Tori. "You're welcome. I knew you could do it. Come on let's go swimming at my place."
They spent the afternoon in Jades pool, swimming and making out. By evening, Jade was very happy with how the day went. Tori's mom had made a special dinner of Enchiladas, in honor of Tori doing well at the semi finals.
After dinner, Jade cuddled with Tori on the couch while they watched TV. Jade simply couldn't be happier and neither could be Tori.
The night ended with a slow and long goodnight kiss in front of the Vega home, just before Jade left.
"Thanks again Jade. I'm so happy when I'm with you." Tori said as the kiss broke, with a look that made Jade's insides melt.
"You kind of have the same effect on me." Jade said; which was music to Tori's ears.
Jade went home thinking about Tori. When she would ask her to be her girlfriend, and how she'd do it. She had a few ideas which she scratched on a piece of paper before she went to bed.
During her sleep, she had wonderful dreams about Tori. A woman, Jade knew she was falling in love with. There was no doubt in Jade's mind at this point.
She slept into about 9:30 the next morning. She and Tori had plans, but it wasn't until late afternoon. As Jade slid out of bed, she realized she felt sick again. It was that same feeling as the previous morning, but a lot worse. She took three steps from her bed and her stomach betrayed her. She suddenly ran to the bathroom and threw up.
As Jade finished throwing up, she suddenly had a terrible feeling.
"This ain't food poisoning." She muttered as she hurried back to her room.
Back in her room, she quickly went to her desk and grabbed a little calender she had used to track her cycle. As Jade looked though it, she realized her mind had been so on Tori recently, she hadn't' noticed. That terrible feeling suddenly she had got a thousand times worse. Though there was nothing left in her stomach, it suddenly felt like it was full of rocks.
Jade looked over her calendar 3 times, as a sense of panic began to set in. Jade was now certain of what was going on.
"Oh shit, I'm late" Jade gasped in horror.
Things certainly got complicated didn't they. What will Jade do?
The story "All Hallows" by Walter De la Mare is a very good story. I heard a radio adaptation and it is a very spooky and original story.
I'm a fan of Janis Joplin and in my opinion her performance at Woodstock was not her best. She had been drinking and had shot up heroin before the set and it affected her performance. Her performance at the Texas International Pop festival 2 weeks was far better.