Chapter Song: Sweet Child O' Mine—Sheryl Crow.

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RIVERS AND ROADS

~.~

Chapter Three

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Los Angeles, CA

~Tori~

...

It was early morning, and the wheels on her suitcase roared along the path to her parents' house. Tori pressed the doorbell and a moment later she was seeing her mom's grinning face. pulling her daughter into her arms as she let out something that sounded like a mix between a shriek and a giggle, "you were amazing, baby!"

"Not so loud mom," Tori winced, hugging her back before breaking away to flop limply on the couch. "My head is still booming from the after-party."

"I'll get you some Asprin," Mrs. Vega said, filling a glass with water at the open kitchen unit. "So how was the after-party?"

"Amazing as always." Tori sighed, placing her head down on one of the pillows.

Mrs. Vega frowned, catching on to her daughter's tone. "Really? You don't sound to me like you enjoyed it."

Tori sat up and Mrs. Vega handed her the pills and the water which she immediately swallowed. "I did, it just...brought back a lot of memories."

"Is that my little girl I hear?!" A booming voice exclaimed, making the muscles in Tori's head clench painfully.

"David! Shhh!" Mrs. Vega scolded, gesturing to Tori who was rubbing her temples desperately.

"Ah," David whispered, sitting on Tori's other side and nudging her arm. "Did you party too hard?"

Tori hadn't partied at all actually and only stayed at the after-party for a short time, during which The 1975 were playing inside the venue so she'd had the gardens and the infamous champagne fountain all to herself, and she had sat on the edge helping herself to refills while dwelling on the last time she had been at the PMAs, when everything had been much simpler and she hadn't felt utterly alone. Her headache was probably stress induced.

"Yeah, I guess I did," Tori smiled, rising from her seat and turning to face both of her parents. "I think I'm just gonna go up to my room and take a nap."

"Oh okay, of course. Feel better, honey." Mr. Vega said in sympathy.

"We're proud of you!" Mrs. Vega chimed in.

Tori smiled softly but as she turned around it faded as quickly as it appeared. She climbed the staircase and made a beeline for her bedroom where she threw herself down on her bed with a deep breath of relief. As much as she loved her ultra king sized bed back at her own place, it just couldn't outshine this one even if its springs did squeak every time she turned over.

Of late, Tori had been spending a lot of time at her parent's house, usually only going back to her own and night and then returning first thing in the morning.

During a time when Tori had been at the pinnacle of her career and her house was her pride and joy, she would hold parties almost every Saturday night, taking full advantage of her pop-star life. But many parties later after everyone had gone home and Tori was left to deal with the mess left behind, she'd felt an overwhelming sense of loss.

And it still hadn't left her.

If Tori had known five-years-ago just how much the music industry would impact her life, she wondered if things might've been different. She mourned her old life and wished she could lessen all the pressure building up on her shoulders over the years. She wished she could leave her house without being asked for an autograph, she wished she didn't have to question everything she did for fear that it might end up all over the internet. Most of all though, she wished she could see her friends again.

The last time Tori heard from one of the original H.A crew was around two years ago, it had been Andre announcing the birth of his daughter. Tori remembered going to his place with a bunch of flowers and holding the tiny baby girl in her arms.

Andre's girlfriend Vanessa had made her disdain toward Tori pretty obvious and after that visit, she didn't hear from Andre ever again. He had even gone so far as to block her number. And though Tori still didn't know the reason, she guessed that Vanessa was involved.

...

Tori woke up at two, sprawled out on her bed and covered in sweat from the sun which was baking through her window, at least the headache had gone though. Blinking rapidly, she peeled herself from the bed and turned to face the mirror. She was hungry and as she stared at her reflection in deep thought, Nozu crossed her mind and a low growl from her belly acted as the answer.

Tori took a quick shower to wash away the sweat caused by the current Cali weather, slathering herself in her mom's favorite lavender scented body wash. After drying herself, she took off her shower cap and later replaced it with an old beanie from her dresser, then dressed in a simple tank top and shorts grabbed from her wardrobe.

"But you're staying for dinner right? Your sister's coming too, we're having steak." Mrs. Vega said when Tori turned down her offer of Tacos. She told her she was going out for lunch instead.

"Yeah, sure. I'll see you guys later."

Tori was just about to leave when a familiar name on the news made her turn on her heel and walk back toward where her parents were seated.

"A mental health hospital in southern California is facing an inquiry after one of its patients, Twenty-eight-year-old Christopher Valentine took his own life while working in the kitchens..."

"Christopher Valentine? I think I recognize that name—" Muttered Mr. Vega.

"Yeah, he's Cat's brother..." Confirmed Tori, quietly.

"My God, Of course. She was your friend from school wasn't she?!" Mrs. Vega gaped. "That poor girl."

"She must be devastated," Tori sympathized. Her heart broke for the bubbly little red-headed friend she once knew, how could something so horrible happen to such a kind-hearted person."Anyway, I uh...better get some food in me before I pass out."

The severity of the weather hit Tori in the face right away, and when she got in her car it felt like she'd just entered an oven. The wheel was so blisteringly hot that Tori had no choice but to put on the driving gloves her uncle had given her for her 18th birthday. He'd been right after all, they really did come in handy.

It was a short drive, but her very own oven with wheels made it seem longer so Tori was glad to step into the air-conditioned restaurant. She made her way to the bar and Mrs. Lee smirked knowingly at her, "you."

"Me," Tori nodded and smiled as she sat down on one of the stools. "Can I get a spicy tuna roll and a Wahoo Punch, please?"

"Why?" She sneered, accusingly.

"Uh...because I'm hungry," Tori explained.

"You left my daughter dangling from the ceiling and traumatized her for life."

Tori rolled her eyes, "Oh come on, she should be what...? Sixteen now? I'm sure she's forgotten all about it."

"And then you refused to pay for the food you bought, and after that, your speckled friend smashed up plates..."

But Tori had stopped listening. For her heart had just fluttered at the sight of Andre who she'd spotted at one of the nearby booths, he was wearing sunglasses and a gray t-shirt, and at his side was a stroller.

Tori's eyes flickered to the irritating Mrs. Lee and she reached into her purse to grab a couple of fifty-dollar bills and slam them down on the table, "Here, that should cover the food and the stupid plates and maybe even therapy for your daughter since she's so scarred."

That seemed to shut the woman up.

Tori made a beeline toward Andre, who was resting his head against his hand, Miso Soup untouched. She was desperate to interrogate him over why he'd cut contact with her for so long, but when she saw the little girl's big brown eyes staring up at her from the stroller, her heart felt like it could melt. The baby stopped munching on the rice cake she was holding to give Tori an adorable smile, and just like that, Tori's anger toward Andre just went.

"Andre," Tori called, wondering why he hadn't yet noticed her standing there. He let out a snort as his head began to slip off his hand, and that's when she realized that he was sleeping.

"Andre!"

He jolted awake, looking around rapidly. It took him a while to take in exactly where he was and who was talking to him, but he eventually settled down and regarded Tori in astonishment, "Tori? Is that you?"

"No, I'm her twin sister," she jested, taking a seat opposite him. "Tired?"

Andre sighed and rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses.

Tori frowned, "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine!" He deflected.

"Woah, okay. I was just asking." Tori said defensively, holding her hands up.

"Sorry, Tor. I'm okay, really," he assured her, bringing a spoonful of soup to his mouth before spitting it back into the bowl, she guessed that it had gone cold while he was sleeping.

"How long have you been asleep?" Tori asked, concerned.

"Ah just a few minutes, nothing wrong with a power nap every now and then. Especially when you have a toddler—"

Tori whipped off his sunglasses, gasping when she saw the vivid purple bags beneath his eyes. He snatched them back immediately.

"Andre, you're exhausted!" She exclaimed. "What the hell is going on?!"

The baby started to fuss, Andre reached toward the stroller and sat her on his knee, she hushed her crying at once and studied Tori with curious eyes.

Tori smiled at her affectionately before looking back up at Andre, "sorry, I didn't mean to make her cry."

He shook his head, "It's fine, it wasn't you."

"She's definitely grown up a lot since the last time I saw her," she said, watching the tot play with Andre's fingers as though they were the most interesting things she'd ever seen. "What did you name her?"

"Charlotte, but I call her Charlie for short."

"Charlotte, like your—"

"After my Grandma, yeah. She passed away a couple days after she was born."

Tori's face fell, "I'm so sorry, Andre."

"She was suffering. Her Alzheimer's got to the point where she couldn't even eat for herself, but she's finally at peace now."

Halfway through their conversation, Mrs. Lee came over and served her the Spicy Tuna Roll and the punch she ordered. Tori was almost certain she heard her mutter 'enjoy your food' under her breath as she walking away.

Tori tipped some soy sauce over her meal before picking up her chopsticks and tucking into the sushi.

"I watched you last night on the PMAs. You were amazing, as always." Andre told her, over his daughter's content babbling.

"Thanks," Tori said, after swallowing a mouthful.

Andre stared into his bowl of cold soup as a pregnant pause fell ove them.

"So...how's Vanessa?"

Tori couldn't see it because of his sunglasses but there was a flash of panic in his eyes, "Vanessa, she's uh...she's..." But he just couldn't bring himself to lie to her.

"Andre, tell me what's going on," Tori pressed, concerned.

He looked briefly down at his daughter who was flashing her few teeth at the stranger in front of her.

He sighed, "she walked out on us."

Miami FL

~Jade~

Jade watched him from the park bench as he swung to and fro on the swing, his dark tresses blowing every which way in momentum. Before Jasper was born she would often roll her eyes at obnoxious moms droning on about how beautiful childbirth was and how much you'd love your baby the instant he or she entered the world. But they'd been totally right, from the moment he had taken his first breath, Jade knew she would kill for him.

"Mommy, watch me!" Jasper called from the swing as he walked with the swing in a circle, intertwining the two chains that held the seat to the frame.

"I'm watching," Jade said, her lips tugging upward.

Jasper let go and settled back on the seat, he went whirling around shrieking with amusement.

He was going to be much better off now that she'd managed to sell her script. Now they could finally move out of the small two-bedroom apartment and buy a house with a yard where he could swing all day long if he wanted. But she wouldn't ever have achieved it without her father, as surprising as it seemed.

For years their relationship as father and daughter had been flickering on and off again like a strobe light. He hadn't been happy about the way she lived her life and Jade hadn't been happy with the way he'd lived his and their matching West tempers didn't help things. Martin believed that writing wasn't going to take her anywhere and wanted her to pursue something more practical, and so they lost touch for a while.

But everything changed when her mom had a seizure right in front of her, the result of a pain-killer overdose. Jade was just grateful that her brother had been in Miami with her dad at the time and didn't have to witness it.

It was at this point in her life that everything kicked off and Jade had been left completely alone, her mood was sent spiraling out of control and she would often find herself snapping at people. When she was chosen to perform at the 2012 PMAs, it was the only happiness she'd experienced in a long time. And then it was ripped away from her again after she realized that her temper had taken its toll on her relationship with her boyfriend so much so that he wanted to date Jade's friend.

"I can't do that to a friend." Had been Tori's words. And guilt had hit her like a ton of bricks, whether or not that had anything to do with the hormones rushing through her when she later discovered that she was pregnant, Jade wasn't sure. All she knew was that she was stealing somebody else's happiness because she didn't have any of her own.

The morning after that disastrous after-party during which she'd been so angry with Beck she'd cried herself to sleep, a letter arrived through the door of the empty house. In it, Jade had found a plane ticket for a flight to Miami that very day alongside a heartfelt letter. Martin explained how he'd been reading the reviews for the plays she'd been putting on in the black-box theater every now and then for the public, he'd told her how sorry he was about her mom's relapse, that the only reason he hadn't agreed with her aspirations was because he only wanted the best for her and that Jared (her brother) missed her a lot. Apparently, Martin had been trying to write the letter for a while but was anxious in case she resented him.

Martin explained how he'd been reading the reviews for the plays she'd been putting on for the public in the black-box theater every now and then. He'd told her how sorry he was about her mom's relapse, that the only reason he hadn't agreed with her aspirations was because he only wanted the best for her and that Jared (her brother) missed her a lot. Apparently, Martin had been trying to write the letter for a while but was anxious in case she resented him.

So she'd used the plane ticket and ended up on her dad's doorstep half a day later, an absolute mess, hoping he wouldn't throw her out when she told him about the pregnancy.

He didn't, and when she had asked him why he'd said, "you've lost your mom, but you sure as hell won't loose your brother I too."

Sometimes Jade wondered what would have happened if she'd told Beck that she was having his baby. Things might have turned out very different, but probably for the worst. It was better this way, even though she did really miss him at times, Beck had hurt her a lot and Jade had just wanted an escape. She had been desperate for someone to confide in.

Jasper was the image of him and certain facial expressions he made would just scream Beck's name. The only thing he hadn't inherited from Beck were his eyes, they were the same blue-green color as Jade's.

Fading from her thoughts, Jade noticed that Jasper was beginning to get tired. He made his way to her and sat on her lap, resting the back of his head on her chest, his breathing labored after going down the slide a dozen times.

"I think you're just about ready for a nap." She said against the crown of his head.

She carried him back home, and he dozed off on her shoulder during the short walk back to the apartment. Once inside, Jade placed him down on his race-car shaped bed and removed his boots. She then poured herself some iced black coffee and collapsed on the couch with her laptop, intending to check her emails.

There was one at the very top that caught her eye.

Jade swallowed her mouthful of coffee before clicking on the all-too-familiar pen name.

...

Inbox (1): rock_robster17

3 hours ago

Jade,

I hope you don't mind, after a lot of digging I finally found your email address and I can't even begin to tell you how relieved I am that I did.

I'm not sure if you've heard but Cat's brother passed away recently and she's heartbroken. I've never seen her like this before, she won't eat, she stays up all night and sleeps all day and now she's lost her place in the musical. I'm trying to get everybody from the old gang back in California to try and cheer her up but I'm not having much luck. When we lost touch everyone bought new phones so it's hard to track you guys, I'm trying my best though and I'm determined to make this reunion a reality.

Please come back to Cali for Chris's funeral, I know it'd mean the world to Cat. And if you have any ties to the others, please contact them too as it would really help me out.

Your friend,

Robster.

...

"Nobody ever called you 'Robster'." Jade said absently, her mind running away with thoughts of the bubbly red-headed girl she'd been close to in High School and the love and patience she'd always had for her brother Christopher.

Sorry again about the wait for this chapter, but hey! At least it wasn't a six-month-wait like the last chapter xD

Also, I have to put it out there that I am British and though I try to write my American stories in American lingo and British ones in British lingo, sometimes my little English brain can get confused and will end up writing a British word by accident. I apologize in advance for that.

Also, let me know what you guys think of my new cover art? It took me forever to make it but I think it looks quite nice.

Thank you all for your kind reviews :) I will try to respond to you as much as possible (readers with accounts only) so try to log in before reviewing lovelies.

Ywenn01— Thank you for reading! And I look forward to writing the reunion for you :)

sayyouwontletgo— Thank you for your review! And yeah, it'd be a crime not to give him Beck's beautiful hair genes. I hope you were satisfied with Mrs. West's backstory.

Rose-Aki—Thank you very much! I can't wait to re-unite bade. They're going to have a lot of demons to deal with :)