Fandom: Victorious
Title Point of View
Chapter 16: Show-Down, Hoedown
Point of View: Cat Valentine
Yawning, Jade shuffles into the foyer of her mother's mansion estate, a property Jade will one day own. Everyone is waiting for us, the producers from BHD and MTV, who are running tonight's unique live stream and broadcast to honor Inshmore and Caitlin's life and legacy on the fifth anniversary of her death.
My brothers, Daniel, Sutton, and Rylee, and nephews with Raelyn; my aunts Katie, Moria, Emer, and Edele; and uncles Shane and Patrick. My grandparents from both sides are also here—Jade's aunts Sloane, Beth-Ann, and Riley. Her uncles Rian and Aiden. Her cousin Amanda, and her kids AJ, CJ, and niece Mazie. Remi and Kayla are also here, along with Tori, Andre, Robbie, Trina, our teachers, and our principal. Along with Jacqui, she's on her phone checking to coordinate the police barrier outside this mansion.
Dragging her backpack to the chair, she drops it with a heavy sigh. "Thank God! Where the hell were you three?" My mother's proclamation, as always, is overdramatic. "I needed space. Drop it." Jade's tone is pertinent, leaving no room for further questions. Her eyes are swollen and dazed, barely able to stay open; every step seems to take an extraordinary effort. Dropping onto the couch, she tries to fight off another yawn.
Rubbing her eyes, thick black mascara runs down her cheeks, bringing out the pallid features of her sunken cheeks.
I stand inside the grand living room by the double pane windows overlooking the entranceway; the view is spectacular; it epitomizes the elegance and sophistication of Beverly Hills. Caitlin's mansion sits on 21,000 square feet overlooking the golden flats.
Thousands of square gray granite stones lined the path on the entranceway. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Trees line the edges of the wall and gates, all in little fences of beautiful flowers. Lush green grass neatly trimmed fill the space of the 350 sq feet front yard.
"All these people are here to celebrate Caitlin's life—crazy man. My mom always said that when they were growing up in Ireland, she and my aunt Cait would dream of being famous one day; who would ever think your life could touch so many people that even five years after you were gone, they would line up at your mansion gates on the anniversary of your death?"
Amanda stands beside me, arms crossed, as she glances at the massive crowds gathered at the front gates. "My mom says there are over five thousand fans outside. The police have set up barricades and closed roads but still, find ways to leak in. You should have seen us trying to get in here. We almost didn't make it. Jade had to call Jacqui to get a police escort once we got to Bedford Drive."
"It is crazy, sort of cool; I suppose knowing someone I love had this massive of an impact on the world in a good way."
"Yeah, you're right, Amanda. It's the inspiration I want to be for my fans.
"Well, from what I hear, Cat. You are well on your way to being such an artist."
"Aw, seriously?" Amanda nods.
"Thanks; I needed to hear that, Amanda." "You're welcome, Cat. So, how is Jade doing today?" she whispers the question into my ear, glancing over her shoulder at Jade.
Waking up hurts. The aching weight of consciousness floods her sore muscles, and she groans. Sleep is something that only comes to Jade easily on the anniversary.
My heart was beating uncomfortably watching her, seeing her hand clutching under her ribs. I can hear her stomach churning. Maybe coffee had been a bad idea. Or four cups of coffee before breakfast. I never know how much coffee it takes to wake her up.
Pain is etched across her face, and I worry, did we overdo it knowing she has pneumonia? "I understand you need space, Jade. I heard about Beck's ill-timed visit. However, you have obligations here today. All of us are gathered here to celebrate your mother. Ryan was here on time. He's fourteen."
"Goody for Ryan. Did his boyfriend cheat on him with his cousin on his birthday, which is also Christmas eve? Oh, no? Well, excuse me for needing space to deal with my baggage. It's not like I have a mother to help me through this drama."
"Oh, God, here we go again, poor pitiful me. Everyone feels sorry for me. I'm Jade West, and my mommy died, and my father hates me. Blah, blah, Blah. We've heard this story before. Boring."
"Shut up, Remi."
"NO! I won't be silenced. I am sick of your winning and self-absorbed pity party. No one feels sorry for you, Jade. You're a bitch! No wonder your mother died. It was the only way to get away from your pathetic ass."
Faster than lightning, Jade is off the couch; exhaustion has gone for the moment. "shut your mouth before I shut it for you."
"You wouldn't dare, Jade."
"Don't bet on it."
"Girls, enough already."
"Shut up, Amanda; you don't get to weigh in on this conversation you left me."
"Don't call me Amanda. I'm your mother, Remi."
"No, you're not; you're just some bitch who donated her eggs to me and couldn't be bothered to raise me."
"That's a lie, and you know it."
"No, all I know is you left my mother and me to start your precious life in New York City with the children you wanted, and we couldn't fit into your plans."
"You chose to stay. Remi. I've asked you every year to come live with me."
"No, you asked me to abandon my mother as your ass did. Sorry but I have better morals than someone like you. I don't leave the people I love."
"Shut up, Remi. You're right. You're incapable of loving at least people, all you love is money and power, just like the bitch who raised you, and it wasn't Amanda. Her kids know how to love, show compassion and be genuine human beings cable of empathy; all you are is sick and jealous."
"I'd rather be sick and jealous than weak and alone."
"I'm not alone, Remi. I have plenty of people who love me right here in this room."
"No, you're the disillusioned one, Jade. Most people in this room couldn't give a rat's ass about you. No one cares about something as worthless as you; face it, Jade, you're old news. They're here for the money, the fame your mother's name brings to them, and the opportunities being here tonight will afford them. If these people care so much about you, why aren't they here every other day of the year? Because those days, the opportunities aren't there."
"I hate you, Remi. Get the hell out of my house."
"It's not your house, Jade. Not yet, anyway. I'm not going anywhere, either. I'm under contract, so I have to be here, and believe me. I hate it as much as I hate your ugly face and her backstabbing ass."
Noah stands beside me at the window, watching this little dance between Remi and Jade. Remi points her thumb at Amanda, who looks crestfallen. Mazie comes to stand beside her aunt, glaring daggers at Remi. AJ and CJ look ready to pounce on her.
There's raw power in the horror and beauty of human pain. The camera is eating their latest fight up. It makes me sick. I'm starting to wonder why my mom agreed to do reality TV.
"Enough. Both of you. Go to your separate corners. Now!" My mom and Edele both demand, shocking each other and all of us. "How about I send her to the darkest corner of hell and save us all the drama." Jade sneers. "You wouldn't have the guts to try anything bitch."
"Jade. No!" I grab her elbows pulling her back. "Don't give into this bitches temptation."
"Who you calling a bitch, hussy?"
"You, Remi. Always you."
"Jade, take a deep breath and relax. "I know this must be hard for you" "I understand why Remi's assaults would make you anxious. I'm here to listen to you; I love you. I got you. Talk to me. Ignore her."
"No One ignores me!"
Remi's scream is followed by the yelling of her name by everyone in the room. Remi charges, grabbing Jade's neck. I snap my head too late to stop her or push Jade out of the way.
Everything happens so fast it's hard to understand what I am seeing. The fight only lasted a few minutes, and when it was done, Remi stood panting amid a broken coffee table and smashed vase; the flowers lay scattered among the blood dripping from Jade's head and face.
Remi's left eye was swollen shut, and her hands streaked with blood, while Jade lay motionless at our feet, groaning.
The grownups move fast. Amanda grabs at Remi's arm but still raging, Remi swings connecting with Amanda's right eye. "That's for leaving me, Mommy dearest. Don't ever think I will forgive you or forget how it feels to have a parent leave you behind like you are a piece of trash. I won't, and I promise you. Karma is a bitch, and we've already seen how big of a bitch I am. So get ready. Yours is coming. Mother."
Shaking to my core, I kneel by Jade. Pressing a blanket to her head. "How bad is she hurt, Cat?" Olivia leans down beside me. "It's not serious. Just a cut, but it's bleeding badly. I need to get her to the bathroom to clean her up."
"I'll help. Head wounds can bleed for a while. Are you sure you don't want an ambulance, Jade?" "Yeah, I'm sure. I don't want the media attention to focus on anything except honoring my mom. Just get her out of my house. Please."
"It's my greatest pleasure," Jacqui answers. "Cat, get her to the bathroom."
"Remi, I warned you earlier. Since you need help to listen or learn. I have no choice but to kick you off the property. Amanda is a detective; threatening a police officer is a felony. Would you like to retract your statement?"
Jacqui grabs Remi's arm pulling her out of the room. Turning around, Remi glares at Amanda. "Drop dead, or I promise you that you wish you would have listened to me. I'll make you live to regret every choice you've ever made. Both of you." She glares at Jade and Amanda; as Jacqui leads her out of the room.
"She's clinically insane," CJ mutters. "How are we even related, Mom?"
"Six words, son, too much tequila and bad choices."