A/N: Alright, people liking the first chapter!
For frame of reference, Alice is modeled after Ruby Rose from RWBY, so she has dark hair, fair skin and is on the shorter side.
Mia's look was inspired by the "beta Luz" design for Luz Noceda of The Owl House. Just Google that and you'll see what I mean.
The friends: Jenna, Lauren and Chase were original creations by Teentitan12.
Yes, I'm pretty much limited to updating once a week because 1, work has gotten really nuts and 2, I want the chapters to be longer on average. I'm taking my sweet time with this story because we have a lot of characters and a lot of things that happened past and present.
Now that's out of the way, let's get into it!
"Hold on," Jade said. "Hold. Everything. When did you become the principal?"
Tori shrugged.
"Just this year."
"Good job, Vega," Jade smirked. "Only two kids in detention. Too bad one of them is your kid."
That stung but the Latina held her position. She was in no mood for her shenanigans.
"And it would appear yours is here to count."
Jade scowled.
(Oh, how I missed that scowl.)
"And it's Vega-Larson if you don't mind."
Mia gave a little smile but didn't let her mother see.
"Alice, was it?" asked Tori. "Could you explain what happened?"
The younger one in the room looked spooked. She hated being put on the spot.
"Well, I...was...outside at lunch..."
Mia put her hand on her shoulder, mentally telling her to stop talking.
"Here's what happened. Alice was looking for a place to sit and eat. She saw an empty spot by Savannah Gilmore and her friends."
Mia glanced over to Alice.
Tori knew all about those girls.
"She chose poorly. Long story short, they were mocking her, and Savannah then pushed her down. That's where I came in."
"This is what happened?" asked Jade.
Alice looked over to Mia and nodded.
"Yes, that's the truth."
"I may have...overreacted," Mia added.
"Overreacted?" admonished Tori. "You punched her in the face."
"You did?" Jade asked Mia. "Nice."
"JADE!"
"What?" the former goth shrugged. "What's-her-name put her hands on Alice first!"
Tori massaged her temples.
"This may surprise you, albeit it's been a while since you went here; but 'an eye for an eye' ISN'T SCHOOL POLICY!"
Jade shook her head.
"I can understand Myra..."
"Mia!"
Jade winced. "Sorry, I can understand Mia but why was Alice given detention?"
Mia threw up her hands.
"That's what we were asking!"
"Who gave you detention?" Tori asked.
"Mr. DeBiase," Mia huffed.
"Figures," sighed Tori.
"Who's that?" asked Jade.
Tori folded her arms.
"Just a thorn in my side is all. I'll deal with him. As for you two, detention is over and Alice, I'll make sure this isn't marked on your record since you didn't do anything."
"Thanks, Tori."
Mia put her head on her desk, shaking from trying not to laugh.
Alice was no longer pale but tomato red.
"Oh, I'm sorry! Mrs. Vega!"
A sad look over came her face.
"It's Ms., actually. But thank you, Alice."
Jade walked over to Tori and playfully punched her shoulder mildly.
"You too? Welcome to the club."
"What club?" asked Alice.
Mia lifted her head up and squinted toward the new adult.
"Come on Alice, we should go now."
The small brunette got her bookbag and started walking with Jade.
"Hold up, Jade."
She stopped and turned towards Tori.
"What?" she asked impatiently.
"It's been a long time," Tori said. "It was nice to see you again, despite the situation."
Jade looked antsy.
"It was okay seeing you too."
"You sure you need to leave? I was thinking maybe we could catch up..."
Jade held up her hand.
"Sorry, Tori. But I need to get home. I've been dealing with this new project, and I really need to...focus."
"Oh," she said. "Okay. Maybe some other time."
The mother and daughter then left.
Mia stood up and walked over to her mom.
"That chick was scary," the teen admitted.
"You should have seen her at your age."
Jenna knocked on the open door for the auditorium.
A couple of students were sitting on the stage. One boy with red hair looked up and squinted.
"Who are you?" he shouted, annoyed.
"I'm Jenna Parker," the tall girl said nervously. "I wanted to know if the auditions were still open?"
The redhead stood and shooed the other student away and gestured for Jenna to come forward.
"I'm Geoffrey Olson," he said with authority. "I'm the director of this production."
As the girl got closer, his face looked pained like a total catastrophe was coming into realization for him.
"Who are you auditioning for?" he winced.
"The role of Kelly Wittenberg, the lead."
Geoffrey brandished the script in his left hand.
"Thanks, I'm aware that she is the lead."
"Oh right," Jenna chuckled.
(Just walked in and I feel I already blew it!)
He looked as far down as he could as if he was checking to see Jenna's feet were planted on the ground.
"You're...a tall one," he off-the-cuff stated.
Indeed, from where he was, Geoffrey should be towering over her. But instead, he had just a couple of feet over her. The boy himself appeared to be average height, maybe shorter.
(Great, a sequoia auditioning for Napoleon. This isn't awkward at all.)
He sighed and walked over to one of the empty chairs and grabbed a script that was left on it. Geoffrey turned to a particular page and handed it to Jenna.
"Read this part," he requested.
Jenna cleared her throat and launched into her character's scene.
"Do you know what it's like to come here every day? Knowing that he's never coming back?"
Geoffrey stood still as she continued.
"But I cannot let that make me crumble!"
As if on cue, the tears flowed from Jenna's eyes and her voice got more desperate.
"I won't let that break my spirit! So, I come here to this dock, every...single...damn...day...and wait. I want him back, I wish him back, HE WILL COME BACK TO ME!"
Jenna wiped the tears and as if she couldn't stand any taller, a gravitas came about her.
"And your words are just noise to me, you hear me? NOISE! I don't care what you think! My father WILL return!" She clutched her throat, and her voice shrank to almost a whisper. "He must."
Geoffrey stood there, wide-eyed and glanced over to a handful of stagehands watching from the wings with interest.
"Well shit," he sighed. "That's actually the best reading I've heard all day."
She almost dropped her script.
"Really?"
Jenna bit her lip.
"Does this mean I got the part?"
Geoffrey conferred with his minions once more.
"Take that copy of the script home with you," he said. "Learn it. Come back tomorrow."
(Not a yes, but not a no. I'LL TAKE IT!)
"Thank you!" Jenna said happily and ran off. "I'll be there!"
Her voice echoed throughout the theatre.
Jade and Alice buckled in the car.
She didn't start it right away, rather using the moment to breathe.
Jade glanced over at her only daughter looking despondent.
"Hey, you alright?" she asked.
Alice just quietly nodded.
"I'm sorry your first day didn't go so well. I know you were excited."
The irony of being the aggressor and humiliating Tori on her first day at Hollywood Arts wasn't lost on Jade.
(Karma's a bitch. And Tori's spawn of all people coming to her kid's aid. The universe has a sense of humor, huh?)
"I..." Alice softly began, trying not to cry. "I wasn't expecting anything grand. I just wanted a normal day where everything went smooth."
"Good luck with that," Jade sighed.
Alice looked at her confused.
"What?"
"You're in high school now, sweetheart. I think you know you're on the path of becoming a young woman. Life is not going to be kind a good chunk of the time. But that doesn't mean you quit or shut down."
Alice clutched her bag close to her chest.
"I'm NOT quitting."
"That's my girl," Jade smiled. "And life is also never short on assholes. Some will call you names, some will even get physical. But you need to protect yourself. Mind you, not every occasion is reason to stand and fight. Sometimes its wiser to walk away and ignore them. And when you need it, ask for help. There's me, your teachers, your friends."
"What friends?" Alice mumbled.
"What about Mia?" she asked.
"We're not friends," Alice said. "She literally told me that this morning."
Jade yawned and started the car.
"And yet there she was at lunch having your back. Maybe she changed her mind."
The two didn't say much else on the ride home, Alice looking out the window the whole time.
Lauren was trying some ideas for melodies on her grandmother's piano.
After the passing of her husband, the 71-year-old sought to downgrade and move into a 55+ retirement community to be around friends.
There was a big estate sale, which she used to help situate her moving expenses and put the rest away in the bank. When the question of her vintage upright piano came up, she asked her granddaughter if she wanted it. It was in terrific shape, kept finely tuned all these years, which was a habit since she gave lessons for decades before retiring. Even the oak finish was immaculate.
She knew Lauren had musical aspirations and was instrumental, along with her mother, in cultivating a love of music. Grandma taught Lauren how to play by ear and read sheet music. The three of them always sang songs, at home, at church, long car rides; music was everywhere and anytime was an opportunity to start making your own music.
Lauren's mom said yes, she could have it but it took her three uncles to move the heavy instrument into the home.
Now it had sat in the den ever since, a popular spot for the holidays. Christmas carols hit differently when you perform them yourself.
Whenever Lauren played, she thought of her grandmother and when that tough lady one day sheds this mortal coil, her memory will live on with this piano. Even if she parted with everything, Lauren would never surrender this half ton musical beast.
The contest was coming up and entries had to be submitted before October 12, so she only had weeks to work.
Lauren huffed and laid down on the bench, which was substantial in size.
The humming of her phone vibrating was audible. She had left the little brick on the top of the piano. Looking up, sure enough, the phone danced toward the edge until falling toward her.
OOOOOF!
It struck Lauren right in the belly, like being punched by a tiny person.
"That was smart," she groaned, checking the caller ID.
She blinked when she saw it was Chase calling.
Lauren swiped to answer.
"Hey."
"What's goin on?" came Chase on the other line. "Workin' on yer song?"
She pursed her lips and stared at the piano.
"Uh, why do you ask?" she chuckled.
"I've going crazy these last few days. I wanted to enter that contest but I can't sing this."
"Wait..." Lauren sat up. "You wrote a song already?"
"Yeah, but it needs some work. My biggest problem is that it would sound better sung by someone who can hit those higher notes."
"Oh, I see. Maybe I can help you."
"Could you? I mean we could work together if you wanted, like write the song."
"You play, I sing?" Lauren smirked.
"In a nutshell, yeah."
She thought about her own block that's been pestering her since she heard about this contest. Maybe a partner is what she needs right now.
"Yeah, yeah, we can do that."
"Can we meet after school tomorrow?"
"Okay, sure" she smiled. "Well I better go; have to set the table."
"Right," he said. "My uncle is late so it's fend for myself night. Have to rustle up somethin' to eat."
"See you tomorrow."
"Take care, bye."
"Bye."
Lauren carefully covered the keys, pushed the bench back and wandered to the kitchen.
"Come on!"
"I don't think so!"
"Mom, let me just take the bus home. I promise I'll be there."
Tori whipped around, keys in hand.
"You got detention, young lady!" her mom said. "I spent a half hour on the phone with Savannah Gilmore's parents screaming at me. I had to explain that their daughter started the situation."
"Ask Lauren or Chase!" argued Mia. "They saw the whole thing!"
"I did, Mia. I did. Once I explained there were witnesses, they got really quiet."
"See?"
Tori brushed her hair back and side-hugged her daughter. She only mildly squirmed but allowed it since nobody was watching them.
"Mom..." she groaned.
"I appreciate you sticking up for Alice. But violence isn't the answer, hun. You're smarter than that. You're smarter than all those girls but they know how to push people's buttons. Take it from someone who was there once, you don't want them to see that they get to you."
"I did what I did because I was angry!" Mia huffed. "Because she looked so helpless and sh-and everything-and...I don't know...reminded me of being a freshman and how my first day sucked."
Tori sighed and loosened her grip as they talked together to the parking lot.
"Besides, I can't have you take the bus home. It's the late bus and you won't be back until almost bed. You can't miss dinner. I'm making Auntie Q's extremely cheesy mac and cheese."
"Not hungry," Mia said.
"You'll change your mind when you smell it," Tori teased in a sing-song way.
"No, I won't," Mia mocked through gnashed teeth.
Tori noticed the gold locket dangling on Mia. It hung pretty low.
"You want me to help you adjust the chain?" she offered. "Make it a little shorter?"
Mia shook her head and covered the locket with her hand, as if the mere mention of it put the treasure at risk.
"It's fine."