A/N: Yes, I don't normally do TO BE CONTINUED but I couldn't cram both halves of this part in the story together.

But not to worry, I wasn't going to make you wait long for the next installment. Pretty much started writing this just hours after publishing the last chapter! And even thought I said the chapters CAN be read out of order if you wish, this batch right now directly link with one another so I will include ""TO BE CONTINUED" whenever that happens from then on. My efforts in making each of these things a standalone one-shot was dashed by my obsession with multi-chapter storytelling.

Old habits die hard.

And thanks for the well wishes! I am feeling better and the chapters are flowing from me now! So I will be updating (hopefully) twice a weke at this rate. I can't help myself hahaha!

SONG:

"Knowing Me, Knowing You" was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson.

"You look excited," Jade remarked. "What's the story, Tori?"

Tori hugged her girlfriend and kissed her cheek.

"Okay, really what happened today?"

"Ashley called," Tori replied. "She says the tour with Raven's Claw is going off in August and they want me to be the opening act. Isn't that nuts?"

The goth raised her eyebrows.

"Well, that is exciting," Jade nodded. "I can only imagine the look on her face when you turned it down."

Tori stood there silently, scratching her forearm.

"You turned them down, right?" Jade asked.

"Uh, no. Actually, I told her I'd think about it."

Jade crossed her arms.

"And what do you think?"

"I'm thinking that I want to go."

"Look, Vega, I know your whole..." she gestured with her hands. "...deal as a people pleaser but you just can't say yes to everything."

Tori took a step back, a little offended by how Jade was acting.

"I'm not just saying yes!" Tori pointed. "I was seriously thinking about it. And frankly I'm leaning towards yes."

"Oh?"

The tan girl hugged herself, trying to not get emotional right now.

"I thought you'd be happy for me," she shakily said. "You seemed interested when Ash mentioned it."

Jade started to pace through the living room.

"Okay, yeah, I thought it sounded cool at the time. But that was just talk. I thought that whole thing was all a pipe dream."

"So, you thought I wouldn't get it?" Tori asked, looking cross. "Like I wasn't good enough?"

The goth stopped and turned around.

"What? No! I never thought that! I just normally don't get excited for shit like that. Empty promises are just that!"

"But it's not empty!" Tori stamped. "It's a real offer. No! It's an opportunity!"

Now Tori was beginning to move around the space, unable to process how wrong-headed Jade is being right now.

"Opportunity?" Jade said, shaking her head. "To be famous?"

"It's not like that! It's everything I ever wanted to do. If a once in a lifetime thing came up for you, I'd have your back!"

Jade put her hands together.

"Okay, MY thing doesn't require me to fuck off to another continent for a whole month! I mean, when would I see you?"

Tori sighed, relaxing her body language.

"Oh, sweetheart, No. I would never do that."

"Good," Jade huffed. "I'm glad that's settled..."

"They said you can come with me!"

The pale girl was stoic, devoid of a readable expression.

"Oh, is that so?"

Tori held her chest.

"What?"

"You were going to leave for a month and then ASSUME that I would drop fucking EVERYTHING? Just like THAT?"

Jade ran her fingers through her hair, getting more heated.

"I don't have a life outside of you, is that it?" she asked aggressively.

"Where is this coming from?" Tori asked, bewildered. "I didn't want to take my mom or dad. I wanted to take YOU! I thought it would be fun."

Jade laughed to herself, which was never a good sign.

"Yup, Tori Vega needs her fuck machine to bring along her trip. How about you pack a vibrator; takes up less space."

Tori shook her head.

"I can't believe you think that is all I see in you."

The Latina looked like she was about to cry.

"What did I ever do to you?"

Jade crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.

"Nothing. You did absolutely fucking NOTHING! I'm just being a bitch!"

"Baby! Don't stand there and act like I didn't factor you in this decision. If they told me I couldn't bring anybody along, I probably would have said no."

"Probably?"

Tori clasped her hands behind her neck and closed her eyes tight.

"Jade, I don't know what crawled up your ass but I'm telling you right now: I'm going."

She then stormed away and opened the front door.

"Where are you going?" Jade demanded.

"I'm heading down to Ripped Cord. Gonna tell them in person that I accept. I also want to get any itinerary worked out. I have traveling plans coming up."

And with that, Tori slammed the door.

Jade kicked the wall and grunted loudly.

Tears streamed from her eyes as she sunk to the floor, punching the hardwood.

"FUCK!"

The rest of July was fairly silent in the dorm. Cat was worried about her best friends. They have quarreled before, but this was a lot.

She did her best to appeal to both of them separately and even offered to be a moderator and get them talking but no dice.

Tori spent these nights on the couch, leaving Jade alone in the bedroom. Not that Jade did much sleeping in there. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling and cursing herself for how everything was falling apart.

She thought helping Tori get her songs out there would be fun but nothing earth-shattering. After all, they were in LA so what was there to worry about? But the fact that Tori was going to be whisked away to other countries made her feel ill. What if Tori really blew up?

What if she found someone else?

Someone more attractive? Or nicer? Or more exciting?

Hollywood Arts wasn't oversaturated with lesbians, so Jade had debated more than once if someone as wonderful as Tori was only with her because of a lack of options. Now when she goes to Europe, Tori will see that there's a big world out there and then find new love in a hot chick from Ireland or France or Spain.

Some of the most beautiful people occupying some of the most beautiful cities in the world. How could Tori resist?

Jade didn't want to lose her, but it was inevitable. How many famous people stay with their high school sweethearts? How many?

She didn't want to lose Tori and she certainly didn't want to see it happen with her own eyes.

Jade genuinely believed that Tori would go across the pond and never return.

The big day was here, and everyone was gathered at LAX to see Tori off with the band and handful of roadies.

Well, almost everyone was there.

Jade was still stubbornly staying home. When Tori left, she did take a last look at Jade. She said that she would like for her to at least come and see her off. But the goth just stayed in her bedroom and Tori sadly left.

(She's only going to leave you anyway. Once she's a big shot, there's no place for you in her exciting new world. Tori will be happy with another girl. Letting her go is just getting it over with. She's a saint for staying with you for this long.)

Beck, Cat, Robbie, Trina and her parents all took turns hugging Tori.

"I can come with," David offered. "If you want."

Tori shook her head no.

"Thanks, dad. But I think I want to be alone. Need some time to think."

She waved at her family and friends and went to find her gate.

After a minute, Tori got a text from mom to let her know when she is boarded, when she takes off, and when she lands. Or just to talk.

Tori wiped a single tear and continued on, dragging her rolling luggage behind.

She found her gate and presented her boarding pass. Then she boarded the plane where the band was getting situated. It was a large commercial jet filled with high rollers and business types. Rather than first class, the whole plane with devoid of coach.

Tori noticed the difference straight away. The seats were bigger and there was generally more space between passengers. She waved at the frontman, Mike Hall.

"There she is!"

"Oh wow!" Tori said, shaking his hand, "It's you! You're here." She leaned over at the rest of the row. "Hey guys!"

"Sup, Tori!" said Jeremy.

"Hey!" smiled Mikaela. "Loved the song!"

"Thanks," said Tori.

She turned around at the tap on her shoulder.

"Tori!" shouted Bob the drummer. "Can't wait to hear your set in Copenhagen!"

Tori really didn't think about it that way. She was only going to do a handful of her songs, but yeah its a set. A small one.

The first leg of their tour was in Scandinavia and they would work through Eastern Europe until ending in the United Kingdom.

"Okay, everyone please stow your carry-ons and be seated," ordered the flight attendant. "Ten minutes until we begin takeoff."

"Oh, whoa, okay" said Tori.

She opened the overhead compartment and shoved her duffel inside and shut the door. Tori double-checked her seat and saw it was right behind the band. She sat down and was pleased she had the window seat.

"Excuse me," said a voice to her left.

Tori turned and a thin bearded man with glasses sat beside her.

"Oh, hi" he smiled. "I'm Ian. I'm the equipment guy and all around gadget freak."

"Tori," she said.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Not a fan of flying either?"

She shook her head.

"No," she sighed, "I was just hoping I would see someone."

The plane's engine started to roar and the aircraft began to move across the tarmac to find adequate room to take off.

"But I guess it's too late."

TO BE CONTINUED...