"Okay how about this one?" Cat asked strutting around the room.
"Mmm... too flashy."
"Okay and this one?" Cat asked pulling out a different dress from one of her many shopping bags.
"That's cute... but it doesn't say Caterina Valentine." Tori said honestly from her desk.
Cat out the dress down and huffed throwing a pair of socks Tori's way. She dodged it but scowled at her.
"What? You said I have to be honest. I'm nothing but honest." Tori said throwing it back.
"You haven't agreed 100% on anything I've shown you."
"Your welcome. 'Cause this..." she held up an extremely glittery purple strapless dress that was too short. "Is not something you want your dad to see you in."
"You have a point there. I'll save it for another occasion." She plopped on Tori's bed with that dreamy smile of hers. "Whenwe're partying with cute frat boys in a few months. Dancing the night away... and drinking-"
"Have fun drinking alone. You're already a handful, imagine a drunken Cat." Cat giggled.
She caught sight of something blue and gasped rushing to grab it. "Okay now you can't tell me this isn't perfect!" She squealed.
Tori sighed and turned in her chair ready to reject her but swallowed air instead. "Wow that is amazing!"
"Finally!" She rushed to Tori's closet to try it on. Tori shook her head laughing and waited for her, changing the station on the radio. "Voila!" Cat posed at the doorframe with a pout and a leg up.
"Oooo! Look at you! Oh yes, this is definitely the right dress." Tori said giving a thumbs up.
"I love it." She stepped in front of a body length mirror.
"Its so gorgeous."
"Now your turn." Cat said facing her.
"Nah I'm okay. I think I'm just gonna go with a sweater and jeans or something."
"Absolutely not! No best friend of mine is not gonna dress up like that for her graduation. Up and in you go." She pushed her best friend inside her closet and locked the door.
"Cat! Cat let me out!" She banged on the door.
"Not until you try on something hot!" She thought for a second. "Something smoken hot! That makes guys drool!"
Tori sighed on the other side of the door. "Fine!" She huffed and got to looking.
She picked out a blush coloured high waist embroidery mesh cami dress. She smiled feeling the fabric. This dress belonged to her mother. She stripped and put it on, she struggled a bit to get the zipper up in the back.
"Okay I have something! Open up now!" She yelled and Cat obliged.
She gasped seeing her in that dress. Tori smiled rubbing her hands up and down her sides as she walked to the mirror.
"Oh you have to go with this dress. It's about time." She played with Tori's hair as she stood by the mirror.
Cat stopped when she heard a sob come from her. "Oh sweety..." she hugged her.
"I just miss her so much."
"I know. I do too. You look just like her." Cat said after she calmed down. She smiled and gave her a tissue. "Now for the most important part of an outfit-" She grabbed a few boxes. "Shoes!" They giggled.
"I am so proud of you girls." Mr Vega hugged them both tightly.
"Thanks dad."
"Thanks Mr Vega."
"Your mom would be so proud." He said to Tori.
"I just wish she was here." He planted a soft kiss to her hair.
"She is."
He showed her a couple photos and she grabbed his hand making him stop. She looked closer and she could have sworn there was someone behind her when they took a family photo. It was only for a second but she went out to believe it was her mom. Never telling anyone what she saw.
Cat, Tori and Trina were talking in their own circle on one side while their parents were talking on their own.
"Hey guys... check out hottie with his family." Cat pointed to a guy, african American with dreads. "His brother is just as hot." She blurted.
They laughed at her. "I might go for that." Trina said looking his way.
"André Harris' brother?" Tori asked astounded. "Not really the guys you usually go for."
"There's a first time for everything." Trina said and the girls giggled. "He does look older..."
"Yeah well he's a year older than you." Cat said, always knowing everything about everyone.
"Girls... we gotta get home. Cat here hasn't finished packing."
"Dad." She whined. "Mom-"
"Ah-ah. We're meeting each other tomorrow morning again. It was nice seeing you Trina," she hugged.
"You too Mrs and Mr Valentine..." Trina looked behind her shoulder. "Franklen." He didn't answer her.
"He's fine. See you tomorrow sweety."
"Bye!" Tori said.
"Let's get home."
"Yeah I'm already drooling for that family pot pie." Her dad chuckled.
One side was Tori and her family, saying goodbye. On the other was cat and her family.
"Promise to call!" Cat's mother gripped her in a bear tight hug.
"Always. I love you."
"I love you." Her mom repeated.
"Love you dad."
"Love you too kiddo."
"Love you Frankie." Her brother gave her a hug, it was hesitant but she returned it, smiling into his shoulder.
"Make us proud Kitten." He nudged her chin and she giggled as a tear slid from her eye.
That was the only time he spoke since he was released from the 'crazy' hospital, as Cat would call it. She took hold of her bags and walked a few feet away as she waited for her best friend.
"Now remember, no boys. Because-"
"I know. Books before boys because boys bring babies." She recited with a playful eyeroll and her father chuckled.
He brought both of his girls in for a group hug.
"I'm gonna miss you." Trina said.
"I'm not gonna miss you more and hey, you can fly out any time you want and I can too."
"Tori!" She looked back. "Our flight." Cat reminded her.
She gave her dad and sister one last hug before following Cat. David watched his youngest daughter leave the nest, it was hard with Trina but he was so close to Tori. He promised he wouldn't cry but as a memory of Tori saying her first word flooded his mind. He couldn't believe she said 'dadda' first. And now there she was, heading off to college and starting her life. She looked back and waved. He waved and got back in the car with Trina.
Tori and Cat took their seats on the plane. Looking out the window as they took off. Cat entwined their fingers smiling and she smiled back.
"Ready for our next adventure?"
She looked at her with a smirk. "You bet."