Chapter 8: Viral

Jade's anger and frustration from the recent events manifested in her intense workout session at the gym the following day. She moved from one exercise to another, trying to release the pent-up emotions that were threatening to consume her. Her carefully constructed isolation was beginning to unravel, and the unexpected attention from fans and onlookers left her feeling overwhelmed and unprepared.

As Jade pounded the heavy bag with controlled fury, someone in the gym decided to record her. She had had enough. With a sudden, fierce determination, she threw down her gloves and approached the person with the camera, her eyes flashing with anger and frustration. She couldn't bear the intrusiveness of the public eye any longer, and she was about to make her displeasure known.

Jade confronted the person with the camera, her voice laced with irritation. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You think it's perfectly fine to film me without asking?"

The entitled individual, fueled by their arrogance, retorted defensively, "Hey, you're a celebrity, right? That means you're fair game for the public, isn't it?"

Jade's annoyance grew as she countered, "Being a celebrity doesn't mean I'm public property. It means I have a career and a life outside of your entertainment."

The entitled fan shrugged, oblivious to Jade's frustration. "Well, other celebs let fans film them. They even pose for selfies."

Jade's patience wore thin as she snapped, "I'm not those other celebrities, and I don't owe you anything. Delete that damn video."

The fan, still defiant, lowered their camera but muttered, "You're making a big deal out of nothing."

Jade, thoroughly fed up, shot back, "I'm making a big deal out of my personal boundaries. It's called respect, something you clearly lack. So, delete it."

The fan offered a half-hearted apology but was far from understanding. "Alright, fine, I won't do it again."

With that, Jade resumed her workout, knowing that some people would never grasp the importance of respecting her privacy and her right to live a life beyond the spotlight.

Jade's frustration had reached its peak. She needed a job, but her limited education and lack of a degree were significant hurdles. As she entered the gym's locker room, her mind raced with worries about her uncertain future. She was well aware that her previous job had been difficult to secure, and now she was faced with the daunting task of finding new employment.

While inside the locker room, she couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two teenage girls who were engrossed in watching a video on their phone. Their excited chatter revolved around an influencer's dream of meeting Jade, which intrigued her.

The first girl, Emily, said, "I can't believe she actually got to meet Jade West! I'm so jealous."

Her friend, Lily, nodded in agreement. "I know, right? Jade's like a superstar. This Tori girl is so lucky."

Jade's curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to inquire further. She approached the girls and asked about the channel they were watching. They eagerly shared the information, "It's Make Me Up a Stori with an I."

One of the girls, Emily, nudged her friend, Lily, excitedly. "Lily, this is so cool! She's right here. Can we take a selfie with you, Jade?"

Jade, touched by their polite request, agreed and posed with them in the gym's lobby, offering a moment of genuine connection with her young fans.

Jade's restlessness led her to a laptop, and she began to explore Tori's videos. She traced Tori's fascination with her, starting from the day she had first seen her at the café. The intensity of Tori's admiration for her struck a chord. However, it was in Tori's latest video that Jade found something unexpected – vulnerability.

Tori: "Oh my god guys! I found her. I found the love of my life! It was meant to be. This is super random but I was eating at a café, and there she was, handing me a Latte. I am not about to walk up on her while she is working, guys! But yeah. Oh my god, my heart… What should I say to her? Like, I'm so nervous. She, like, gave me change, and I couldn't even say thank you. I was so tongue-tied."

Tori's confession about longing for a connection with Jade resonated deeply.

Tori: "I just wanted to help her. I want to talk. I know she lives around here. And I just keep thinking she may come back to the same beach. "

As Jade pondered her own circumstances, her restlessness led her to Venice Beach, a place where she often sought solace. The evening sun cast long shadows across the sand as she strolled along the shore. It was then that she noticed a figure perched on the hood of an SUV, gazing at the horizon.

"You wanted to talk?" Jade's voice pierced the silence, causing Tori to startle out of her meditation. Nervously, Tori slid off the car's hood. A series of questions followed, with Jade inquiring about Tori's unusual living arrangements. which she noticed the bed in the back.

Then she asked Tori what she wanted. "But What if we help each other?"

"What do you mean?"

"I have a platform, and it's only growing. But it is kind of stalling out because… I moved here."

"To meet me?" Jade inquired.

"Yeah…Kind of, it was mainly because I wanted to move to the next level, and you being here was a bonus. In my case, getting to date you would be a dream come true. That would drive all kinds of growth to my channel."

Jade nodded. "And what's in it for me?" her question hung in the air like a delicate balance between skepticism and curiosity.

Tori, her voice quivering with earnestness, responded to Jade's doubts. "I know you're straight... but Like I don't think you really hate gay people. I know it in my heart that you didn't mean what you said. You didn't apologize, but..."

Jade contemplated Tori's words. It was a moment of vulnerability, an opportunity to see herself through another's eyes. She wasn't accustomed to such sincerity, and it left her feeling a strange mix of discomfort and curiosity.

"You think you can get me uncanceled?" Jade finally asked, her voice tinged with both doubt and a glimmer of hope.

Jade looked around the SUV. " You got somewhere to sleep tonight?" Jade asked tori. When she shook her head Jade said. "Come on, I'm parked in the north lot. Follow me."

Tori hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she considered the implications of her proposal. Then, with uncertainty in her voice, she posed her final question. "Does that mean you will do it?"

Jade's reply remained uncertain. "I don't know Tori. I don't do people. But I can't leave you out here like this."

Tori followed her home.

Jade returned home, and she had warned Sinjin in a text message about Tori coming over. Sinjin was neurodivergent and needed to know when someone would be in his space. Upon her arrival, Jade informed Sinjin about Tori's stay.

"Hey, Sinjin," Jade said, "Tori's coming over to stay the night. She'll be sleeping on the couch in the living room."

Sinjin looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Is she your girlfriend?"

Jade hesitated for a moment, tempted to say yes but ultimately decided to clarify. "No, she's not. We're just friends, Sinjin."

Sinjin nodded. "Alright, that's cool. She can sleep on the couch."

Tori's nervousness was palpable as she entered Jade's home, unsure of what to expect from staying with someone she had just met. Sinjin's unexpected question only added to her unease. "Are you queer like..."

"Sinjin!" Jade interjected quickly, realizing the potential consequences of his question.

Tori, misinterpreting Jade's interruption, chuckled nervously. "It's okay, Jade. Yeah, I'm fully a Lesbian."

Sinjin's meaningful look hinted at something more, leaving Jade to respond with a roll of her eyes.

Jade decided to fetch some towels and blankets, offering Tori a moment to settle in while the two got to know each other better. The tension in the air slowly eased, giving way to a sense of camaraderie and a newfound connection.