A/N: Invader Johnny: Thank you, my friend, you are not the first one to say that. I'll take it as a compliment.
Jade:
I pushed the cd containing the songs Tori wrote for me into my Pearbook as soon as I got home. A soft tune played from my laptop, and the sound of her angelic voice filled my room. I rolled my eyes at some of the cornier lyrics she came out with.
My girl's name is Jade. I'll love her till I'm dead. We're such a match, heaven made. Our lives connected by the strings of fate. The cheesy rap lyrics came through the speakers with Vega's voice during the bridge of the song. Really, Vega? I couldn't help the snort that came from my nose. What an adorable goofball. My goofball.
The second song came on, slower and more emotional this time. You gave me the strength to stick around. Without you I would have drowned.
It feels like I have become the pillar of strength Vega has been holding on to ever since coming back from Yerba. She is so strong, so brave, yet so fragile at the same time. Sometimes, I'm afraid of breaking her when I cuddle with her soft profile to sleep at night. The way she shakes and screams in terror when one of those nightmare occurs just makes me want to hold on tighter to her and never let go. The burning need to protect her and keep her safe just fills my entire being during those times.
Damn, Vega's right. I really am growing soft.
The final song came through the speaker, of Vega singing about our future together. Someday I'll be your wife, and together the knot we'll tie. You know I'm always yours, just like you'll forever be mine.
I can't help the smile forming on my face. After making a copy of all the songs onto a blank disc, I stuffed the new cd into an envelope with a letter of invitation to the school's quarterly kickback for a live performance and a picture of Vega's smiling face, addressing it to Mason Thornesmith of Neutronium Record. Hopefully something would come out of this.
It was already a quarter past four in the afternoon when I returned home from sending out the demo. I pulled out my phone, sending Tori a text, before going for a quick shower. I really loved the songs. Thank you for the wonderful gift.
I checked my phone when I returned from the shower fifteen minutes later. Hmm, strange. There's no reply from Vega who is usually glued to her phone. Maybe she's also in a shower? She does need a slightly longer time to do her daily tasks after all. Deciding to try again, I shoot her another message before getting into some clothes. Nozu or B.F. Wangs? Or Inside Out Burgers? They got your favorite wahoo punch. Your pick.
After getting dressed in a long sleeved black top with laces and short skirt with black pantyhose, I put on some mascara and lip gloss before shrugging on my favorite black leather jacket. I checked my phone again after a few glances at my vanity. Still no response from Vega.
I'm coming over to pick you up now. You'd better be ready when I reach.
It's usually a twenty minute drive to Vega's house, but I reached there in half the time. There has been no response whatsoever from Vega so far, and I'm getting worried. Did she fall down in the shower or something? The total lack of response from her is abnormal and extremely concerning.
The front door was locked shut when I arrived. I rang the doorbell for five minutes, but no one came to answer the door. Vega's phone was turned off when I tried calling her.
What the hell is going on?
I decided to ring Tori's dad to see if he knew where she was, but he was at the station. After ending the call, he rushed home within twenty minutes to unlock the front door. We called out for her while searching every nook and cranny in the house, but it seemed that no one was home.
Something must be wrong. Vega does not play disappearing pranks like this, and there's no way she has forgotten that we're supposed to go out today.
I left Mr Vega to gather the rest of his family and colleagues to help search for Tori, while I jumped into my car, intent on driving around to look for her. I'm not a religious person by any means, but I found myself praying to whatever gods I can think of.
Please, just let Tori be safe. Please let her be found.
No copyright issues for any of the lyrics used above, they're all shitty and crawled out of my lizard brain.