Heroes of the Past and Present

Disclaimer: Do not own Victorious, do not own the video game

A/N:

Chapter 42 (Breaking Free)

Shakira blasted on the stereo as Trina sped along the freeway. The top was down on her car, her shades were on, and the wind was whipping through her hair. The sun shined down on her, giving her face a lighter glow. She had light purple mascara, light blush, and her nails were painted a purple color. She was wearing a spaghetti strap shirt with a brown leather jacket over it. She also wore blue denim jeans that hugged her legs and thighs.

It felt like it had been forever before she could feel as free as she did in this moment. Nothing could faze her, nothing could scare her. Absolutely nothing terrified her. "I'm living my life, and nothing more." Her eyes peered over her shades as she saw her exit sign nearing. Her lips curled into an anticipated smirk as her left hand pat the door of her car.

When she arrived to the parking lot for the concert, cars filled the area for blocks. Luckily she was able to find a place close to the door. She blew a bubble with the gum she was chewing and popped it as she pulled into a freshly opened parking lot. Her eyes scanned the front gate, she may have arrived early. With that, she switched the top up and grinned as her vehicle started closing. She rolled the windows up and shut the engine off just enough to let the radio finish off the current song it was on.

As Shakira's song played, she beat her head and started singing along with her Latina idol. When the song finished, she shut off the car completely and stepped out. She reached up with her hands and fluffed her hair out behind her while taking in a deep breath. The fact that she was still here alone was a little discerning for her, but she was strong enough to deal with it. As much as she hated being in such a public place alone, she knew it wouldn't be for long.

"Yeah let's not give Sinjin reason to worry. Daddy and Tori too." She locked the door and shut it. "Hope Sinjin and Courtney are having a good time at the house." She checked her phone, she had a couple text messages.

"Trina, is that you?!" She froze before she could hit the message and turned her eyes towards the side. It was a masculine voice she heard, one she could never forget. It sent chills down her spine, but also filled her with a brisk anger.

"No…not you, you can't control…" She spun around, fixating her glare upon her ex-boyfriend, Michael. "What are you doing here? Dad's got a restraining order on you."

"I know, I know, I was just coming to see Shakira. That's all…" Michael still looked like a sleaze, his hair was greased back now and his face looked like that of a someone who spent every day in the sun. He was a bit more muscular than he had been in the past. She could feel his eyes scanning her, making her extremely uncomfortable.

"Somehow I doubt that. You never liked Shakira…" Did he know she'd be there? "Don't come a step closer. That's your last warning." He chuckled and swept his hand through his slick and shiny hair.

"Sounds like you toughened up since we last spoke. I just want to talk…I actually saw you on the freeway." She frowned and looked to her car, perhaps she needed to reconsider driving top down. Michael put his hands to his chest and took another step closer. Trina's head jolted towards him and her heart began to race as she took a step back. "I was wondering if maybe you'd like to recant that order, maybe give me another chance?"

"Another chance?" She chuckled and leaned against the car. "Right…I've been giving quite a few people second chances, but if there's one person I'm not giving another chance to…It's your dumb redneck hick ass."

"What?" His eyes flared up with rage and he quickly shook his head, chuckling cooly. He flashed a shiny grin, one Trina wished to wipe off his face. She couldn't look at him without feeling disgusted and sick to her stomach. He took another step towards her, close enough she could feel his breath on her. "You don't mean that."

"No, I do. Not only that, I have a very protective boyfriend, demonically protective little sister, a dad that isn't afraid to fire a gun at a boy…" She leaned back over the hood of the car as he leaned forward.

"They don't have to know, right?" Michael put his hand to her arm and her eyes widened. He started to lean forward and she let out a shout to alert those around her.

"I said no!" She slammed her foot onto him, digging her heel into the soft flesh of his foot. His eyes widened and she delivered a swift blow from her knee into his crotch, causing him to stumble backwards and scream out.

"Motherfucker! You bitch!" She moved upright and reached into her purse hanging from her shoulder and pulled out a bottle of pepper spray. Michael's eyes widened as she aimed it to his face. "You wouldn't dare…" Her eyes drifted past him and her lips curled into a smirk when she saw Lindsay moving towards the two of them, her eyes narrow.

"You remember also my dearest friend, right? The way overprotective one?" She wiggled her nose as Michael started to freeze up. "Turn around, asshole." Just as she said that, Lindsay tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around and she smirked.

"Remember me? The crazy one?"

Michael began to shake as he staggered backwards, "Oh shit." He didn't get far, as Lindsay dealt a swift blow to his jaw, causing him to fall onto the ground. Trina narrowed her eyes and slammed her foot on his chest, pinning him down as security guards finally came running.

She was empowered! Never before had she felt such a rush of adrenaline, and she loved it! As Michael was dragged off by the security guards, she turned to Lindsay, who had a wide grin on her face. "I was so waiting for you to call!" Lindsay chimed. She leaned back slightly and raised her eyebrows. "So are you okay? Michael was following you?"

"Yeah but I don't think he's going to screw with me again." Trina shrugged her arms forward and held onto her bright smile. "Doesn't matter, I'm pumped up. I can't wait to go in and meet Shakira. You?"

"Oh god yes!" They grabbed each other's hands and shrieked, bouncing up and down like a couple of young schoolgirls. Lindsay hugged her tight, laughing with glee. "I've missed you so much Trina!"

"I missed you too!" Lindsay gasped and leaned back, patting Trina's arms.

"Did I hear you tell him you had a boyfriend now? Sinjin, right?" She winked and Trina laughed.

"How do you even know that?"

"Girl, I've known you two would get together since day one. You're inseparable! Plus, what man wins tickets for a woman and willingly gives up his so she can take her friend? That's love."

"Oh come on Linds, he's not that into Shakira. Not like us. But yes, we're officially dating now." Lindsay squealed and Trina covered her ears, laughing.

"Details girl, details!"

"Um…it was the middle of the night, I crawled in bed with him and cuddled close. Told him how I felt and we decided to be boyfriend-girlfriend." Lindsay raised an eyebrow and put her hands to her hips. Catching herself, Trina put up a hand and made sure to appease her friend. "Nothing happened, I promise. I just wanted to be with him…and he was asleep. We fell asleep, clothed. Nothing at all happened. He's not that kind of man…"

"Well okay."

"Let's go meet Shakira." They hurried through the gates and were led by the bouncers towards the VIP location where Shakira awaited. Trina felt Lindsay take her hand and squeeze it, she squeezed back and smiled at her. "Thanks for coming, Lindsay."

"Thanks for giving me another chance. I can't apologize enough…"

"It's fine, we both were going through stuff. How is your grandfather holding up these years?"

"He's better than he was a few years ago." It was Lindsay's grandmother that passed away. The woman had a stroke, she was only in her seventies. It was devastating, and Trina wished so much that she could have been there for Lindsay at the time. "Can we not let random shit get in the way again? I couldn't stand losing your friendship."

"Me either. So it's agreed, no matter what, we work things out?"

"Yes."

"Girls?" They turned to the bouncer, who was holding a door open. Trina's heart began racing and Lindsay started to squeal once more. The excitement overwhelmed them, so Trina turned to Lindsay and started taking some deep breaths.

"Okay Lindsay, breathe. We got to breathe."

"Breathe?" Lindsay grinned, tears in her eyes. "Trina we're going to meet Shakira, in person! Can you believe it?! If I didn't know Sinjin was your boyfriend, I'd kiss him!" Trina laughed and nodded rapidly.

"I know, right! That's what I said when he pulled out the tickets!"

"Girl! You're so lucky! I'm glad you decided to bring me along."

"I know." She took a deep, calming breath, and smiled into Lindsay's eyes. "And there's no one else I'd rather share this with, because it is our dream." It was for the longest time, they always wanted to see Shakira at a concert but never dreamed they'd meet her in person. Tears formed in her eyes and Lindsay gasped, moving her hand over her mouth.

"You're going to make me cry."

"I think I'll do enough of that for the both of us." The bouncer cleared his throat and the girls quickly turned towards him, chuckling nervously. "Okay, arms at the side, take deep breaths, and-" Just as they were starting to calm down, Shakira herself stepped out of the door. She was wearing a similar jacket as Trina, only black. She had a blue shirt and a pair of black jeans. Trina's eyes widened, and both girls screamed loudly. "Oh my god I swore I wouldn't freak out!"

"It's okay, we're standing here in front of Shakira!"

"I know…" Shakira laughed and walked towards them, hugging them both.

"I'm happy to meet you two." Shakira pulled away and clasped her hands together. "Always happy to meet fans." Trina tucked her hair behind her ear and sucked in a deep breath.

"I am so sorry for the freak-out. It's just, you don't know how big this is." She put her arm around Lindsay's shoulders and grinned widely. "My best friend and I-" She took pause and glanced to Lindsay, who immediately began glowing from the comment. She chuckled softly and closed her eyes. "We're reconnecting after a few long years, and, well…my boyfriend won the tickets for us." Shakira folded her arms over and nodded, listening intently while smiling at the both of them. "Your music has been an inspiration to us, we literally bonded over your music when we were younger. You've also gotten me through some extremely tough times…"

"Oh?" Shakira rested her arms at her sides and lifted her eyebrows. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Yeah. Especially your songs like Antes De la Seis. That's the song that got me to open up to my boyfriend because…because isn't it about a girl opening herself up to her lover, knowing that she's leaving herself vulnerable and giving him the power to hurt her, but trusting him not to?" Shakira's smile grew and she slowly nodded, which pleased Trina greatly.

"Yes. You know, as a singer, nothing makes me happier than to see my music touching the lives of my fans. Also…" She pointed to the two of them, "bringing friends together."

"Yeah, I mean we know literally all your songs by heart. I can't tell you how much I look up to you. You're my hero, my idol, my inspiration." She bounced a bit in place as Shakira glowed with pride. "You're a strong, independent woman and you inspire me to be the same. I've always had confidence problems because I've had a lot of traumatic experiences, but you're the one that got me through everything…"

"I see." Shakira hummed and tapped her chin. "Are you the girl that dropkicked the guy in the parking lot? Security told me some guy was messing with a girl and she brought him to his knees." Trina grinned and nodded her head.

"That was us. One of my ex boyfriends broke his restraining order and followed me off the freeway. Lindsay actually showed up and decked him."

"So you are a strong, independent woman. Very beautiful too. I believe I didn't catch your name…"

"Trina! I'm Trina Vega, and this is my best friend Lindsay."

"You two have an amazing friendship, I can't possibly imagine why you two would separate?"

"Things got difficult," Lindsay admitted, "We both had some rough times and fought…Not a day goes by that I regret leaving my friend though."

"Every time I thought to take a risk, to move forward, I'd talk myself out of it." Trina bowed her head slightly and Shakira pressed her lips together, humming as her eyebrows rose. "I'd fight my heart, always thought because of the things that happened to me that I was…weak, broken…damaged. It's your songs like Illegal, Sale el Sol, and others that have really helped me get out. I would find the song to match whatever mood I was in, and surprisingly, Illegal was the usual one…but riding along, I think your song, No really describes where I'm at now."

"Why?" Shakira's curled finger moved an inch from her chin, then back to it.

"Because…I'm putting all things behind me. Driving here, I know that song was meant for a man, but…it made me think of those in the past that hurt me, as well as myself. The traumas, the pain, all the crap I had to put up with, and all the talking myself out of doing what I wanted to do. I sang along too, and it gave me strength. Like I was…able to say 'you know what? No, we're not going to do this. You're not going to interfere.' Like…I can move on now."

Shakira started to smile and she reached over, hugging Trina once more. Trina felt her body warm up and she closed her eyes, letting fresh tears of joy run down her cheeks. Lindsay smiled as well, reaching over to rub her back. "I'm glad you're able to do that, Trina. And you know something?" Shakira moved back, looked her in the eyes and held her hands at her shoulders. Trina held her breath and lifted her eyebrows.

"Yes?"

"It takes an incredible amount of strength to do that. To put it all behind you, to say you're going to move on, to be fearless. You keep pushing forward, and you'll be great. Always follow your heart, do what makes you happy. What do you want to do with your life?"

"I'd like to go into law enforcement. Make sure nobody else has to go through all the crap I've been through."

"That sounds like a great goal. I hope you reach it." Shakira folded her arms and curved the corner of her lip up into a small smirk. "Let me see something. You say you know my songs by heart?"

"We do," the girls replied.

"You said Illegal was one that meant the most to you at times. Why?"

"All my exes and my sister's friends, I know I've moved on from it all, but it does sometimes hurt."

"Let it off your chest. I want you two to sing that for me." Lindsay's jaw dropped and Trina did a double take. She couldn't believe Shakira just asked that! "Just a quick little bit, maybe the chorus."

"O-Okay…"

Lindsay squeezed her hand and lowered her voice to a whisper, "You open Trina."

"I will…" Trina closed her eyes, tears formed in her eyes as her heart began to pound. Her forehead scrunched and her eyebrows meshed together as she recalled all the neglect, including that of even her mother. She started out slow, calm, nearly whisper quiet as her words came out like shuddering breaths. "Who would have thought that you could hurt me…the way you've done it. So deliberate, so determined…" She squeezed Lindsay's hand, signaling her, and the girl opened up with a slightly higher tone voice.

"And since you've been gone, I bite my nails for days and hours. And question my own questions on and on."

Trina's heart broke a little as they continued through the song, coming across the verse she knew went out towards Tori and her friends. As well as a few of her boyfriends. Her tears ran along her cheek as she put forth every bit of emotion into the song. Her idol remained speechless, nodding as they sang. "I tried so hard to be attentive to all you wanted. Always supportive, always patient, what did I do wrong? I'm wondering for days and hours, it's clear it isn't here where you belong…"

The chorus, Lindsay and Trina belted out together, making an impressive harmony together. "But you don't even know the meaning of the words 'I'm sorry'! You said you would love me until you die, and as far as I know you're still alive…You don't even know the meaning of the words 'I'm sorry', I'm starting to believe…it should be illegal to deceive…a woman's heart…" Her voice wavered on every word, every syllable brought her voice to points where it sounded as though she could break down and cry. However, singing it was incredibly freeing for her. As they wrapped it up, it felt almost like an entire weight was dropping from her chest.

She opened her eyes and quickly wiped them with her hands. Shakira applauded the girls and wiped away her own tears. "I could literally feel the power of your emotion as you sang. How do you feel?"

"I…" Trina looked to Lindsay with a smile, then back to Shakira. "I feel like I could do anything. Like I'm free, relaxed, calm…"

"I'm glad for you. By the way, can you girls sing Latina?" Trina raised an eyebrow and Lindsay's jaw fell once more. They both could sing Latina music well, Trina was a little better than Lindsay since she was part Latina, but she was the one that taught her friend the language.

"Yes…"

"The song you say 'frees' you, both of you…my song, 'No'. I'm opening with that song. I would like you both to be up there with me as background singers for it." Trina was struck speechless, in awe, and Lindsay staggered backwards. "I was originally planning on offering it to my guests, but after hearing your story, I really am inspired. I know for sure I want you to be up there, sing that song, and free yourself from that past. Tell it goodbye, as you say. What do you say?"

"Y-Yes! Lindsay?" Lindsay was nodding so fast that Trina thought her head would fly off. Trina bounced, clapping her hands together. "Yes! It would be an honor!"

"I'm glad. So, come with me and we'll get you ready?"

"Yes!"

After nearly half an hour of setting up and trying to figure out if this was real, and pinching back and forth with Lindsay, they found themselves side by side on the stage next to Shakira. The lights above them shone onto their faces and they slowly reached over, grabbing one another's hand to keep them from freezing up.

Trina thought for sure it was a dream, but it was impossible, because she never once could have dreamed she'd be on stage with her idol! Not to mention, this was a televised concert as well! She couldn't wait to go home and see the looks on her family's face, and Sinjin too, when they watched the concert.

Shakira moved forward on the stage, looking back at them over her shoulder and giving them a wink. They nodded back to her and she smiled, comforting them both. The woman turned to her audience and lifted her hand. "Hello Los Angeles, I'd like two introduce two very good friends of mine! Best friends, Trina and Lindsay!" She motioned to the two and the audience roared with applause and cheers.

Her nervousness subsided once she looked to Lindsay. This really was her best friend, the one she would do anything and everything with. "I'm glad I called you," Trina whispered. "Let's never take our friendship for granted again, okay?"

"I agree." The two hugged and the audience cried out again their immaculate roar. When they parted, Shakira was once more speaking to her fans.

"Their story inspired me so much, and it is so freeing to know that my music inspired not only their friendship, but their moving forward from all the hardships in their life. That is why I've selected my song No for them to sing with me." Shakira tapped her foot on the floor before circling the girls and stopping behind them, standing with her head in between theirs. "The song may be for refusing a lover, but these girls gave me an interpretation that made sense to me, and hopefully, to you as well…"

The singer then moved around them, back to the front of the stage. Trina felt her eyes go misty and she tightened her grip on Lindsay's hand, earning a tense grip in return. "Refusing the past. The traumas, the hardships. Saying no to that which brings you down, to the fears and the memories. Saying no to that which hurts you. Refusing to allow yourself to be pulled down. Moving forward."

Trina and Lindsay lifted the microphones in their free hands as Shakira did the same. They were to follow her lead, to sing along with her. "Please close your eyes when you hear this song. Listen to the story, I hope it will move you as much."

The music started and Shakira motioned to the girls, indicating they would start before her. Trina closed her eyes and began on time, singing softly and wavering in her tone. Lindsay did the same, and Shakira soon joined them, facing them and singing along.

If this was a dream, Trina never wanted it to end. As she sang the song, she felt the ironclad grip, chains and shackles of her past and her fears drop off from her. Her heart lifted up. She became so into the song that she didn't even realize the tears streaming from her eyes, or the audience singing with them.

This was her moment, her moment with her best friend and her idol. Nothing, nothing could faze her now. She was strong, she was independent, and she was fearless.

When the song ended, Trina opened her eyes and took a deep breath as the crowd cheered once more. Trina and Lindsay shared one last glance at one another, grinned and lifted their hands, clasped together, into the sky. Nothing was going to come between their friendship again.

No. This was it. Finally, she could be happy. No more tears, no more upsets. Just her, her sister, Sinjin, Lindsay, and their friends. That was all that mattered now. Stepping forward into the future. No. She was done being traumatized, afraid, and distrustful of those around her.

From this point on, nothing could ever hold her back.

Release. This is the final chapter, I hope you've enjoyed it. Everything in this chapter is definitely symbolic of something. The reason Michael showed up and Trina was able to push him away, being reunited with Lindsay, singing up on that stage with her idol and best friend. It is all symbolic of not only the end, but of Trina's finally being free from her past and her fears. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, let me know what you thought of the confrontation with Michael, and what you thought of their time with Shakira.

As for the rest, that's the grand finale. Thanks to all who followed the story along, I couldn't have done it without you. Be sure to watch for future tales to come and check out some of my other works if you wish. Without further ado, I give you, The End.