A/N: Thrilled to hear the warm reception of the first entry. Plenty more to come. I have another one ready to go but I want to spread them out; writing these things in bursts.

Please enjoy and leave a review!

Love ya!

SONG:

"Slipping Through My Fingers" was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

Holly Vega grabbed her fresh cup of Colombian dark roast from the Keurig machine. She reached for the non-dairy creamer in the fridge, like she always does, and anticipated the decent of her daughters.

The muffled bickering of the two sisters traveled through the ceiling down to the kitchen.

"Same as it ever was," she said, shaking her head.

Finally, Trina ran down the stairs and grabbed one of her protein shakes for breakfast and darted out the door without so much as acknowledging her mother.

Holly sighed and waited for Tori to appear.

The younger daughter looked tired, but otherwise bright-eyed.

"Hey mom!"

"Morning, Tori" she said after taking her first sip. "How'd you sleep?"

"Okay I guess," Tori sighed as she looked for a banana or possibly a bagel.

She was looking for something quick so she could eat breakfast on the way to school.

Its been a couple of weeks since Tori had dumped her cheating boyfriend and she hadn't done very much since then. Other than going to school, she hadn't really left the house.

And in spite of that, Tori was something of a ghost to her parents.

David was busy with work these days and with her girls growing faster before her eyes, Holly had been feeling the sting of loneliness. She knew an empty nest was somewhere in the future, but she didn't thing she would be completely by herself most of the time. And so soon.

"You sure you're okay?"

The shakiness in her voice when she asked the question made Tori stop what she was doing.

"Yes, mom."

"Look, how about you let Trina go to school by herself. Don't rush."

"How am I gonna get there?" asked Tori.

"I could take you," Holly offered.

Tori looked bemused by this shift in the usual morning dynamic.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Holly put her mug down on the counter.

"What? Why would you think that?"

The younger Vega still looked confused by this line of questioning.

"Okay," she shrugged. "I'll get my backpack."

Mrs. Vega saw her girl walk away from the kitchen, feeling like this wasn't going to work.

In the silver minivan, Holly drove while Tori rode shotgun. They haven't been together alone in a long time and the lack of conversation was evident of how awkward they both were.

"Is anything bothering you, Tori?" asked Holly.

Tori just looked ahead, as if her neck was frozen in place.

"Tori?"

"What, mom?"

Her tone was sounding like she was annoyed. Holly picked up on it immediately.

"No need to snap, young lady" she huffed. "I was just checking up on you. I'm only your mom. I'm not micromanaging you, am I?"

Tori's posture relaxed and she turned to her mother.

"You're right, sorry."

"It's just that you've been in your room for a long time, only coming out once in a while. And those rare occasions we do cross paths, you're very short with us. With me."

Tori found herself playing with her hair; some nervous tick she developed prior to her preteen years. She did it when she was nervous or mentally cornered.

"What happened to us?" Holly asked. "We used to be so close. You used to talk to me about everything."

"I just have...things on my mind," Tori admitted, though remaining vague.

"Tori, I know I look like your other older sister."

She held the sarcastic face trying to make a joke. But Tori wasn't biting.

"But don't let it throw you. I've been around; I've been a teenage girl too. You can't shock me."

"You really want to know?" asked Tori.

Holly turned to her daughter briefly and kept focus back on the road, making a right.

"Yes, sweetie. I want to know what's wrong."

"Well..."

"Is it about Steven?" Holly pressed.

Tori growled in disgust.

"Ugh, no! I never want to hear that name!"

"Okay, okay, sheesh. Then what is it?"

She then mumbled something barely audible.

"What?" asked Holly.

"I think I like girls okay!"

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. The traffic light turned red and Holly slammed on the brake pedal.

"Oh."

"Oh?" parroted Tori, eyebrow raised. "I think I might be gay or at least bi and all you can say is OH?"

"Listen, Tori, I know he broke your heart but let's not jump to conclusions..."

"Excuse me?"

The light turned green and Holly checked for any last minute pedestrians and resumed driving.

"Did you really just say that?" asked Tori.

Holly's eyes were wide.

"Look...I didn't mean that...you just...didn't mention liking girls before."

Tori threw up her hands.

"I'm sorry! Heteronormativity kind of buried the lead that that was an option! Sorry I wasn't surrounded by movies and TV and books telling me that it was okay to feel this way!"

"Hey, hold on!" Holly said. "If you're suggesting I'm homophobic, you're way off base."

"Then why did you freak out?" asked Tori.

"I didn't freak out! I was...surprised."

Tori closed her eyes and hugged her school bag.

Here comes the silence again.

The last five minutes before they hit Hollywood Arts, Holly knew she had precious little time to repair this rift.

"Tori..."

"Just, don't."

Holly didn't have to look. She could hear it in Tori's voice that she was crying.

She parked the car and Tori was preparing to leave but Holly grabbed her arm.

"Mom, what are you..."

Before she could finish, her mom pulled her in for a big hug.

"Baby, I'm so sorry. I wasn't ready for this conversation. You know I'm terrible with news. Remember when Trina fell flat on her face at the big play and I accidentally tagged everyone on Facebook the video?"

"She was pissed," Tori sniffed.

"But she eventually got over it. I know I'm a mess, Tori. But I'm trying to do better."

"I know mom. I didn't mean to blow up. It's just been a rough few days."

Holly broke the hug and really looked at her daughter. She marveled at just how big she got. Tori had always been a kid with big dreams but was rather timid. This school really made her come out of her shell.

And considering where this morning's conversation went, Holly appreciated the supportive atmosphere even more.

She just hopes that Tori never forgets that her home and family is a part of that support system.

"I am so proud of you!"

Tori found it hard to stop crying at hearing that.

"Thanks, mom."

"And I'm telling you right now I don't give a flying fahrvergnugen who you date. As long as they treasure you and respect you."

"That really means a lot," Tori nodded. "Thanks."

Now smiling that big Tori Vega smile, she grabbed her bag and hopped out of the car and waved back at her mom before running inside the school.

Holly sighed gratefully.

(Thank God. I haven't lost my youngest yet. So what if my daughter's gay? I'll love her no matter what!)

"Just please don't let it be that scary girl."