A/N: so... I chose for myself... this is a massive undertaking on my Jori side. I was supposed to take up Dr. WestGoes Hollywood, but this story which is another massive undertaking hit me over the head and I so hope it Hits you guys like it hit me. This one may not get updated as often as the rest though I will try. it is just a lot. a lot of journalistic research they get a few blind items and things like that. this is a work of full speculation and Metanes. Making sense of the big picture of our favorite stars. of course, because I am not their biographer nor am Item, All of this is speculative but it makes a hell of a juicy story. I am also altering the timeline and some family information because I really hate speculating about real people so I am going to change them a bit. I hope you like it. ~S.K.
Prologue: 10th Anniversary
Rob
Rob and Jade walked into the Mac Murphy studio together. Best friends since their years on Just Tori. Their careers have flourished since then. Robbie was a popular DJ, bringing nostalgic parties to the world over with music beloved by Millenials everywhere. This is the first he sees his Best friend in months and is looking forward to spending the afternoon with her. But every time they come on the Mack Murphy show, the story is the same the questions are the same and he swears if He is asked about a resolution to Just Tori One more time he will scream.
The interview with Jade is always fun though. She dominates the microphone when He just doesn't want to answer the question. Rob is there for a good time and hopefully not a long time.
"Okay… so you know I'm going to ask… " Mack says looking at the besties.
"So Don't," Jade says.
"Oh come on!" Mack says. "Just Tori… are we gonna be doing a real finale?"
Well, at least he didn't ask for a reboot. Thought Mat as he finally spoke. "Boy I sure hope so, the talk always comes back around." the sarcasm was barely concealed in the answer.
Jade the staunchest of supporters in getting this show a real resolution speaks now. "I'll be the one to just say the thing." She paused and looked over at Rob "It's looking better than it has in a while."
"Really?" Mack stated a bit excited.
Rob couldn't help but let out a gasp. That isn't true. It isn't. We talk but it's all bullshit. "It is? Do you know something I don't?"
Jade rolled her eyes and looked at her best friend. "You little bitch" The host and Rob laughed at her reaction. She gets more and more like her teenage character every day. "Don't leave me hanging"
Rob nodded. "We talk about it, you know." He starts and Jade as always continues to dominate the microphone.
"Well, you saw what happened on Twitter," Jade stated. "That was a positive motion."
"No It's big" Mack stated with a nod.
"I mean that's what I'm saying when everyone seems like they are willing and able" Jade inputs.
"Well the conversation started with Cat," Mack stated. "then Ben chimed in, then Victoria chimed, and then you guys then Andre and Trina and…"
"I think the thing is if we can get Cat to do it," Rob stated. "She's the big get, Then I think that we have a-"
Jade interrupted again with her wishful thinking. "I think she really wants to do it."
"-And she does want to do it" Rob agreed.
"I think it's about timing," Jade said trying not to step over Rob's voice again. Aware of what she does. "I think we all-none of us-we all wanna do it"
"And the network wants it too I'm sure," Mac added.
Jade shrugged, "Who knows?" Then she added with a smirk to her best friend. "They don't want us to run around those sets again…"
Mar 29, 2020
Rob stared out of the window, a mixture of frustration and melancholy settling over him like a heavy fog. The pandemic had cast a shadow over the vibrant city below, turning it into a ghost town. He sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair, a tangible reflection of the disarray that seemed to characterize everything lately.
The decision to call Jade felt instinctive, a lifeline in these strange times. He tapped her name on his phone, each ring echoing a sense of anticipation. As Jade picked up, her voice, like a familiar melody, cut through the isolation.
"Hey Robbie," she greeted, and he could almost see the smirk playing on her lips.
"Hey! What's happening?" Rob replied, a faint smile breaking through the clouds of his mood.
"Walking the Furbabies," Jade said, the sound of her surroundings painting a picture of an empty city. "Did you get that email from Ben?"
Rob's mind scrambled to recall the elusive email. "Email?" He asked, putting Jade on speaker and combing through his messages.
"It's the Ten-year reunion of Just Tori," she announced, her words pulling him back to a time that felt both distant and vivid.
"Shoosh yeah, I'm going," Rob declared, sinking back onto his bed. "I was bummed when we had to cancel. I miss everyone's face. Has anyone responded?"
Jade's response painted a scene of a city frozen in time. "Nah, it just went out right before I left my apartment. Shit, it's eerie being out here with everyone inside."
"I know," Rob admitted, glancing at his phone as a text from Andre flashed on the screen. "Hey, Dre said that he will if we will."
Jade's concern seeped through her voice. "It's easy for you guys."
"You're not going to be in the same room as him," Rob reassured, feeling the weight of the situation. "And you get to see all of us."
"Sure, I guess. See if Cat will come," Jade instructed.
"Will you get Vic?" Rob asked, already knowing the answer but seeking confirmation.
"Yeah... I'll call you back," Jade replied, leaving Rob alone with his thoughts.
As he hung up with Jade, Rob turned his attention to convincing Trina and coaxing Cat into the virtual reunion. Each text and call was a thread, weaving together the fabric of a connection that the pandemic had strained but not broken. In the midst of uncertainty, the prospect of a reunion became a beacon, a chance to rekindle the camaraderie that time and circumstance had momentarily eclipsed.
Wade Hiller was the panelist at the convention that Rob was attending. Rob sat with him and they did an interview about Rob's life and his work since Just Tori. and again the question inevitably came. Rob was ready for this. He was going to be as non-committal as he could get.
"My generation grew up watching you guys, we also grew up watching iSam. "iSam" has its reboot going right now. Will there be a Just Tori reboot?"
Rob pursed his lips and appeared thoughtful. "honestly, so we've talked about it." He said and felt maybe he needed to elaborate. "There have been like two or three serious talks about rebooting Just Tori that obviously didn't happen yet. But, with this, I feel the conversation is open again."
Rob finished getting ready, a mix of excitement and anticipation bubbling within him. The Zoom call with his Just Tori friends loomed on the horizon, a virtual reunion that held the promise of connection in a time of isolation. Glancing over his notes on business matters, he took a deep breath, mentally preparing for the discussions ahead.
As the designated time approached, Rob decided to engage with his TikTok audience, a prelude to the upcoming reunion. Going live, he played some music, the rhythms echoing in the room, and fielded questions from his eager viewers. Amidst the banter, he dropped the news about the impending Zoom call, emphasizing the significance of the virtual gathering.
Jade, with her characteristic spontaneity, joined the live, her dogs Freak and Shag stealing the spotlight. They bantered about the unusual circumstances of their planned reunion, acknowledging the pandemic's impact but refusing to let it dampen their spirits. Rob, with a grin, inquired about Victoria's attendance.
"Did Vic say she was coming?" he asked, the anticipation evident in his voice.
"Yeah, she did. I wonder if Ben is sharing with the fans," Jade replied, the conversation unfolding seamlessly on the live.
With a shared commitment to making the reunion special, Rob assured his audience, "We'll record some. We'll make it special for you guys." The promise hung in the air, a pledge to bridge the physical distance with a digital experience.
The live took an unexpected turn as Jade's dogs became mischievous, and she had to step out of the frame to deal with the chaos. When she returned, a flash of frustration crossed her face. "I'll see you later, Rob. Freak got my red bottoms."
Chuckling at the canine antics, Rob bid farewell to Jade as she disconnected, leaving him to continue the live broadcast. The energy in the virtual space was palpable, a mix of excitement for the upcoming reunion and the spontaneity that defined their interactions. As the music played on, Rob's mind was already envisioning the unique moments they would capture during their Zoom gathering, determined to make it a memorable experience for their dedicated fans.
Dawnita, the woman who played Leon's grandma on Just Tori had her own podcast. since the Pandemic began. The cast loved to frequent the show to support her. Rob answered some questions about the future of Just Tori. "If there was a reboot what do you think your character be into?
Rob turned thoughtful. "I mean like the easy answer is I feel like Matty would be a good DJ, playing some retro music… Spice Girls something like that." He said reflecting on things that he was trying to do in his own life. "Um I don't know… they hinted at him being like a good standup comedian. Something like Jeff Dunnham where he is the straight guy and Rex is the crazy one. I think that could be a good direction. One of those two."
"Yes!" Dawnita agreed.
"Oh and um probably married to Ari," Rob added. "With Cat's character. I can see that happening"
"Yeah, you know I think that's a good way to look at it because of what you are doing now." The older woman stated with a nod. "And you could own your own that club or whatever.
"Yeah, He could own uh… Nozu." Rob stated with a fond smirk for his character. "Which was the Karaoke… Oh no, that was the Sushi place." He looked to the side confused trying to think of the name. "What's the… Karaoke Dokie was the karaoke spot. I could see Robbie being the proprietor of Karaoke Dokie…"
"You could be predicting your future…" Dawnita said with a fond smile for the boy she had seen grow. "Were you shocked when Just Tori got canceled?"
Rob sighed and answered thoughtfully, "I wasn't completely shocked, I think we all thought there would be one more season and then we'd be done." He answered, then he shrugged. "We had a really good run, like 60 episodes… is great." He asserted and went on to think about his career. "Then I was like alright you know, listen it was a success. The audience was growing, so I was like.. Alright well… that'll be enough to, you know I'll find something else really quickly. " Then he chuckled. "And then it was a struggle. I got to work on some really cool projects, but I don't know like even at the time, I was just like…even if that was it, I'm so grateful that I got to do this…"
"Amen," Dawn ita stated her husband next to her nodding along.
"It couldn't have been better as an experience for me but as what it was. It was a huge TV show…."
"Yes, it was." The interviewer stated. "We were the last show before the internet changed everything…."
Rob, a sense of anticipation lingering in the air, lifted his laptop and carried it over to his desk. With a swift click, he entered the virtual realm, transported to the Zoom room where familiar faces awaited. Ben and Andre greeted him with a warmth that transcended the digital divide.
"Hey guys! Long time no see!" Rob exclaimed, his grin stretching across the screen.
"Hey, Rob! It's been too long," Ben replied, a nostalgic spark in his eyes.
Andre added, "Yeah, man. Feels good to be catching up again."
As they exchanged pleasantries, Rob settled into his chair, glancing at the empty spaces on the screen reserved for the girls. The virtual reunion was taking shape, a mosaic of friendships spanning time and distance. The anticipation grew as they awaited the entrance of the remaining members of the Just Tori gang.
In the moments of waiting, Rob couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought them to this point. The pandemic, the physical distances, and the challenges had not diminished the bond they shared. The click of keys and the occasional background noises signaled that everyone was finding their way into the digital gathering.
The Zoom room, a virtual nexus of friendships, was about to be infused with the energy and laughter of the entire Just Tori crew. In that shared digital space, they were about to transcend the challenges of the outside world and recreate a semblance of the camaraderie that had defined their lives during the Just Tori days.
Trina
Trina, now immersed in the world of business and motherhood, found herself juggling the demands of her vegan food company and the imminent arrival of her second child. The memories of her "Just Tori" days were distant echoes, drowned out by the constant hum of her subscription box business, especially during the lockdown.
The email from Ben served as an unexpected reminder of a chapter she hadn't revisited in a while. As she opened it, a sigh and a groan escaped her, signifying the mix of reluctance and curiosity that washed over her. Before she could fully process the reunion details, her phone rang, and a smile lit up her face when she saw Jade's name.
"You're coming!" Jade declared, the excitement evident in her voice.
Trina sighed and chuckled simultaneously. "Fine... it would be great to see you all. Is everyone coming?" she asked.
"I've only talked to Rob," Jade replied.
"You! You're the only one everyone talks to," Trina teased.
"Well, you're my second call," Jade retorted. "Where is my little man?"
Trina glanced at the sleeping toddler across the room. "He's napping. It's my quiet time."
"How are you feeling?" Jade inquired, referring to Trina's pregnancy.
"I'm okay... just more tired than the last time if that makes sense," Trina answered.
"Oh, I'm sure," Jade empathized. "Are you, like, engaged yet? I know you wanted that."
Trina took a breath. "No... I mean, I'm not in any hurry. This is really good, you know. But eventually."
"Yeah..." Jade replied quietly.
"Wait..." Trina interrupted. "Did Will ask you?"
Jade laughed. "Yeah... He asked."
Trina squealed with joy. "And?"
"What do you mean 'And'?" Jade countered. "This is going to be a loooong engagement."
Trina did a little dance on her end. "I'm so your maid of honor! I want to come."
"But of course," Jade agreed. "I'm upset that I couldn't fly out to see you guys in person. I just want to squeeze Little Gio again."
"Yeah, this reunion would have been better in person, but Vic and Cat weren't coming to the in-person one. Maybe they will both come through Zoom."
"Maybe..." Jade agreed.
"Are you stalling the call to Vic?" Trina asked.
"I was hoping you would," Jade confessed.
"Why?" Trina questioned. "You are the one of us three that she talked to the most."
"You played her sister."
"Operative word here is played," Trina said. "You slept with her."
"And left her for a grown man as soon as I turned 18," Jade stated and sighed.
"I thought the two of you were good," Trina remarked.
"We are," Jade assured. "It's just awkward."
"Well, maybe you should ask Beck to call her," Trina suggested.
"Shit, you're right!" Jade exclaimed. "See you tonight."
The directive hung in the air, and Trina laughed, hanging up the phone. "Later." The digital reunion, with its layers of nostalgia and evolving dynamics, awaited them all in the evening.
Hours later, with little Gio contentedly in Alan's arms, Trina bounced him gently before passing him over. "Okay, he is fed and bathed. He should be ready to go down for you in a minute. I gotta get ready for this Zoom call," she informed her boyfriend.
"Okay, yeah," Alan responded, cradling the baby. "Hey, have fun with the fam."
Trina's smile spoke volumes about her affection for Alan. He had been her first boyfriend, and she couldn't have chosen a better companion for the past eight years. She quickly changed into an outfit that exuded comfort, mindful of the upcoming Zoom call. There was something about Ben's lingering eyes that had always unsettled her, even though he had never crossed any boundaries. The memories of situations in Just Tori lingered, not just for her but also for Cat and Vic, who might be the least likely to attend. Trina harbored the hope that everyone would show up; she needed to see her Just Tori family whole.
After slipping into a sweatshirt and pulling her hair back into a low bun, Trina settled in front of her screen, ready to join the Zoom call. "Trina!" Rob, Ben, and Andre shouted in unison when they saw her face. She smiled at the familiar voices, noting that only two of the three boys were present. The anticipation for the girls' arrival lingered in the virtual air.
"Hey, guys!" Trina greeted, her voice carrying a mix of excitement and nostalgia. The screen was a mosaic of familiar faces, a digital reunion that promised to bridge the gaps of time and distance. She waited, hopeful, for the rest of the Just Tori family to join and complete the virtual gathering.
Andre
Mack Murphy was friends with the entire cast… except maybe Vic. She hardly ever came on. This time Andre had tried to get her on with him, but it was so hard to coordinate schedules with her.
But Mac loved talking about the old days and the old shows. And when the question inevitably came… it was not a bad one. "When did you know this show got so huge?" Mack asked.
Andre smiled. "There is an experience that me and Vic had in Germany, that shaped my view of what was going on. We were thinking we were going out there to promote the album that was for the show, thinking that it was going to be quiet, and not how it was in the States." He chuckled a bit. "When we went out there. They were acting like we were the Beatles or something. Banging on the Car windows and stuff and jumping on the cars, I mean it was a whole new level of fame and it was just a beautiful experience that I was blessed to have. "
Do you guys still hang out? I know you and Cat worked together, and I see pictures of the two of you plus Rob and Jade once in a while. But do you guys hang out? Like are you guys friends with Victoria?
"The thing is, most of us are pretty bad with our phones except for Cat. She has that thing permanently in her hand." Andre chuckles again… It's just tough, everybody's busy getting it in. It's hard to get that good old cast mate time. But Me and Vic we're going to kick it real soon…."
Andre, enticed by the reunion invitation, had no hesitations about attending. The pandemic had left him navigating the world alone, immersed in work but missing the camaraderie of his friends. Alone was not where he wanted to be.
In his private studio, surrounded by the instruments and beats that fueled his creativity, he lost himself in the rhythm, taking in the comforting embrace of solitude. The familiar scent of bud lingered in the air as he reached for it in the ashtray, finding solace in the quiet moments of creation.
His phone rang, interrupting the musical reverie, and a smile played on his lips when he saw Vic's name on the screen. "Vic!"
"I'm not going," she stated bluntly.
"Why not?" Andre inquired, curious about her sudden decision.
"Beck just called me and told me that Jade said she didn't think I would go if she called," Vic revealed.
"And now that you know she wants you there… do you want to go?" Andre probed.
"No!" Vic asserted. "But what does it look like when the one girl that was friends with ALL of us without animosity doesn't feel like she can talk to me. Am I really wanted there?"
"But she left you for that man, of course, she doesn't feel like she can …" Andre began.
"Whatever, I am over that," Vic ranted.
"Are you though?" Andre questioned, digging a bit deeper.
"Bro…" Vic sighed, unwilling to dive into the complexities of her emotions.
"Is Beck coming?" Andre asked, changing the subject.
"He is going to see if they will allow him to Zoom in from rehab," Vic answered. "He looks good though."
"Good," Andre acknowledged. "I think you should come. It can't be Just Tori without the Tori."
Vic smiled, conceding, "I'll think about it."
The friends bid farewell, and Andre resumed his work, immersing himself in the beats and melodies that defined his creative space. As the hour before the reunion approached, he prepared everything and kept working, engaging in text conversations with Cat, who seemed to be wavering on attending as well.
When he finally logged into the Zoom call, the familiar faces of Ben and Rob greeted him. Trina and Erwin joined shortly after. Andre, ever the joker, couldn't resist a playful comment. "Looks like a real sausage fest," he texted Cat.
"Really? None of the girls are there? Are we taking a stand or something?" Cat responded.
"Trina is here already," Andre informed her.
"Oh shoot, well, I know Jade is coming, and Trina is there, so we have most people."
"Yeah, so come on," Andre encouraged. Cat's face popped up on the screen, joining the virtual reunion. However, she was in a dark room, barely visible.
"Girl, were you in bed?" Andre teased.
"I keep it dark, it's for my head," Cat explained, adding another layer of mystery to the virtual gathering.
Cat
Cat, the superstar known for her multifaceted career, found herself caught between her illustrious present and the shadows of her past on "Just Tori." While she avoided direct discussions about the show, her tweets, brimming with a desire for a "Just Tori" reunion, told a different story. Despite her reluctance to delve into the intricacies of her time on the show, the longing for a reunion and a finale seeped through her social media presence.
In the midst of her monumental career, Cat's tweets echoed the sentiments shared by her fellow cast members. The desire for a reunion, a chance to revisit the shared history, and perhaps provide closure lingered in the digital landscape. Cat, a Twitter enthusiast, made her yearning for a "Just Tori" reunion evident, tweeting and retweeting sentiments that mirrored those of her castmates.
She made a name for herself that far transcended her role as Ari. Despite her reluctance to delve into the past, especially her time on "Just Tori" or "Jeanette and Ari," Cat's life had become monumental.
Throughout the pandemic, Cat, a Twitter enthusiast, expressed her desire for a reunion and a finale, much like her fellow cast members. Her relationship with Vic didn't reach the level of best friends, but Vic remained family, a bond that transcended the complexities of their relationship.
Amid her fame and many romances, Cat's focus during the pandemic shifted inward. She recognized the need to work on herself, facing the demons that lurked beneath the surface.
On the day of the planned reunion, Robbie's call jolted Cat back into the past, a past she had strategically distanced herself from, especially when it came to Ben's house. The memory of the unsettling surveillance room with its invasive monitoring haunted her, making the decision not to set foot in that house again an easy one.
Rob urged her to attend the reunion, but Cat hesitated, the mere thought of encountering Ben triggering her PTSD. When she finally snapped back to the conversation, she asked about Vic's potential attendance.
"I don't know, I had Jade talk to her," Rob replied.
Cat expressed her reservations about Jade being the messenger. "Dude… Worst person. I mean, she doesn't hate Jade, but do you think she's over the whole Will thing?"
"They were teenagers; it isn't like Jade was the love of her life," Rob reasoned.
"Rob… She hasn't dated a girl since," Cat pointed out.
"Neither has Jade," Rob countered.
"Jade hasn't been single since," Cat emphasized. "Be for real. Vic is probably waiting for that old ass man to die of a heart attack. I'm just waiting for Jade to realize she was groomed for Will by Ben."
"Therapy is working for you, huh," Rob remarked.
Cat chuckled, "I'll think about it, okay? These NDA's can't hold forever, and one day I will tell everything."
"That will be riveting," Rob quipped. "I still think we should have made a Just Tori bubble here in New York."
"Ooh, that would have been so fun!" Cat exclaimed. "I'll see you later, Robbie. I am going to go figure out what I'm going to do tonight. Get Vic to come."
"I'll try," Rob promised, and they ended the call.
Afterward, Cat found herself contemplating her conversation with Rob, pulling up the thread with Vic. The two shared a unique bond, both having experienced trauma on the show. Vic, a principled individual, faced friction due to her strong convictions, a trait instilled by her hands-on parents. Cat sighed, acknowledging the complexity of their experiences.
While she waited for her therapy session, she continued texting Andre, her thoughts still lingering on Vic. Eventually, she picked up her phone, reopened the thread with Vic, and sent a single word, initiating a dialogue that could hold the key to their shared understanding.
Cat: Come
Beck
"How do you feel about a Just Tori reboot?" The female interviewer asked. She was a fan back in the day.
"People always want you to disparage what you have done. It was kids show whatever," he said blinking rapidly. The addy he had taken just to sound intelligible made his speech a bit sporadic. "Those were the greatest years of my life. It was like college. I went like all those people are my loved ones. We grew up together, we got to experience LA for the first time together, as much as the on-screen stuff was interesting it was the behind-the-scenes things that I remember the most my friendships with everyone. And ten years… I'm getting old."
The male interviewer nodded and asked, "Does it feel like just yesterday, or like a lifetime ago?"
"It feels like both things, sometimes is like… you know they've torn down the building where we used to shoot at with Victorious, and the premiere of the movie Apocalypse, I watched them tear the building down as I was going into the premiere"
"What a full circle moment." The female interviewer said
"Yeah…"
"My name is Beck, and I am an alcoholic," he began, his voice steady in the circle of the support group. This time, he was committed to working the program, recognizing the necessity of change. "I started drinking when I was maybe 19. I was in a show on TV, a kid show, but all of us were older, you know, in our late teens. There were only four actual kids on our show, not that they stayed that way for long. There was always booze on set, and then we'd go to each other's houses, and there was booze there."
Beck recounted the wild times during the show, the parties, and the blurred lines of relationships. "I don't remember anything about the show I was on. I remember the partying, the sex... it happened everywhere. The background actors were in their twenties, they looked like teens, so there was a lot of 'dating' in the background," he added, using air quotes to emphasize the nature of those relationships.
"The main cast, we were really close... We were a family," he reflected. "But I have kids coming up to me, and some adults now, talking about how much they enjoyed what I did... I never remembered what they meant. If you ask my cast members about certain things on the show, they remember everything. They loved being there. I loved being there, but not because of what I was doing with my work."
"I lost all of it. After I left, it was hard not to drink, so I kept doing it... to the point that I don't know if I can work without this."
"Today is the tenth-anniversary premiere of my show. I was supposed to go to LA, but when the pandemic hit, it was canceled. We're going to get together over Zoom. Just the ten of us. I am so looking forward to it."
After the meeting, Beck walked back to his room, reflecting on the hurdles he faced in maintaining sobriety. Without a phone or personal belongings, he knew using a private computer for the Zoom call was his only option. As he navigated the challenges, the anticipation of the reunion with his former cast members provided a glimmer of hope, a chance for connection and shared memories.
Jade
Jade and Mack Murphy were very close friends. There was a time when she would be on the show weekly. The inevitable question of the reboot is asked and she always answered the same way. An Emphatic yes!
"That's something that I always said I would clear my schedule for," Jade said directly into the microphone. "No matter how much work I'm doing or how inconvenient it would be to get it together, that's something I feel like is really important and we all believe that," She maintains. "I think that would be amazing. I want to do it, I really want to do it. We all want to do it. I can't see why anyone would say no. Everyone's down and if they're not they suck."
"So you you're down?" Mack Murphy joked.
"Mack I swear to god… " Jade said. "I'm so down. I keep speaking out of turn and saying I'm ready to do one tomorrow," I think everybody's down. I think we unanimously had a Twitter thing where somebody, I think it might've even been Ari, she's like 'I want to do this reunion, who else is down?"
She saw the Zoom reunion invitation when it first came in, and a spark of excitement ignited within her. The disappointment of not being able to gather for their anniversary was palpable, but this unexpected opportunity to see each other virtually lifted her spirits. Jade wasted no time; she immediately called Rob, Cat, and Trina to share the news. Calling Vic felt a bit awkward at the moment.
With Freak, her furry companion, cradled in her arms, Jade walked through her expansive New York apartment to find her boyfriend, Will, in the piano room immersed in his music. The creative energy in the room enveloped them as they exchanged greetings and a kiss.
Taking a seat next to him at the piano, Jade casually mentioned, "So I told Trina about the engagement."
"Oh yeah?" Will responded.
"Yeah, she's excited," Jade continued. "She is my maid of honor."
"But of course," he replied, a subtle hint of admiration in his eyes as he looked at his stunning girlfriend. Jade leaned back, catching the glint in his eye.
"Are we writing a love song?" she teased.
"Not necessarily, but um… I could use your help," he admitted.
"With?" Jade inquired.
"Your mouth..." he said, and Jade raised an eyebrow. She placed Freak on the floor and knelt down. This was a routine occurrence in their relationship, something she didn't particularly enjoy. Perhaps it was the smell or the looser skin, but her love for Will prevailed. She had adored him since she was 15, a fact she had candidly shared with Andre, and she had always envisioned marrying him.
Despite her reservations, Will appreciated this aspect of their intimacy. Jade took him into her mouth, a gesture that spoke volumes about the depth of their connection and the willingness to navigate the complexities of their relationship.
ade indulged in an afternoon in bed with Will, a pattern that seemed to emerge whenever she was about to spend time with her friends. It was as if he sought to assert his claim, a possessiveness that occasionally grated on her nerves. Yet, on this occasion, her excitement overshadowed any annoyance.
The text from Rob, "Cat is here," ignited a spark in Jade's eyes. She left the comforting cocoon of her bed and headed to her bedroom, where her Mac awaited. With Shag in her arms to prevent him from causing mischief, she connected to the Zoom call. As her image appeared on the screen, she was met with smiles from Cat, Rob, and Trina.
"Hey!" she greeted enthusiastically.
"We're just waiting for Vic," Andre informed the group.
"Is she coming?" Jade inquired, her anticipation evident.
And then, as if on cue, her screen flickered to reveal Vic's face. "Of course, I am." The reunion was complete, the virtual gathering of friends ready to share the memories and laughter of a decade past.
Tori
"I'm not saying that there haven't been discussions, but I'm just saying who knows?" Vic gushed. "I mean, at this time, I don't think that there are any concrete plans, but you never know what's going to happen in the future." She paused. "I don't want to get anyone's hopes up," she explained. "There's nothing in the works. We all love each other, and it was such a fun time. So who knows?" she added.
Her alerts chimed, diverting her attention to her Google alert. Shocked, she discovered that Ben had been kicked off Viking network for misconduct. "What? That's... really?" She delved into the details for hours, grateful that the decision to meet up with the gang in LA had been canceled. The unexpected turn of events had relieved her of the dilemma of attending, but she felt a responsibility to the fans.
"To be honest with you, I don't really know much about it. I was hearing something about a reboot, but no one had ever really talked to me specifically about it. So I don't really know exactly what's going on."
Sometime in the middle of the day, she received a collect call from Beck in rehab. Excitement filled her voice as she answered, "Hi Beck!" The conversation turned to the Zoom reunion, catching Vic by surprise.
"What Zoom reunion?" she asked.
"Ben sent out an invite this morning," Beck stated.
"Oh, I blocked that motherfucker ages ago," Vic stated. "Just because I can't talk about what he did doesn't mean I have to listen or read his bullshit."
"Well, I guess that answered that question."
"I would love to see you all, though," Beck stated.
"I can't link you. You might have to talk to one of the others. I don't have my phone here."
"It's fine. I doubt he actually wants me there," Vic stated.
"I got to go... I have AA here in a sec."
"Oh, for sure. Good luck, Beck."
"Thanks," he stated.
After the call, Tori wondered who she should call for the link, ultimately dialing Andre.
"I feel like Tori would be like a really successful songwriter and maybe still singing too. But I'd love to see her in kind of like a Julia Michaels vibe. I would love that for her…"
Then she received a single text from Cat: "Come..."
So she logged on, and as she connected, she heard Jade's voice. "Is she coming?"
"Of course I am," Vic said as her image finally appeared. "Hey!" greeted back. Everyone was on the screen, and Vic was excited to be with them.
"I am actually going to press record so that we have something to share with the fans. Hey, look, everybody, it's the cast of Just Tori!" Ben exclaimed.
The group celebrated with each other, and then Ben expressed gratitude to the fans. "The reason we wanted to get together was to say thank you to you, the fans. Thank you for accepting us into your homes, and ten years later, you are still accepting us. So thank you, thank you, thank you."
Ben finished his piece, and Tori knew she had to say some words. "Victoria Vega... say something!" Ben urged.
"We love you!" Cat said.
Vic smiled and said, "Oh my gosh, we love you guys so much, thank you." Being put on the spot, she continued, "Thank you for supporting our show, and after all these years, ten years, it's absolutely insane, and I hope you're staying home and staying safe and staying healthy. Sending you guys all of our love in the world. Thank you."
After that short recording, the reunion continued for an hour on Zoom. The conversation flowed effortlessly as if time had stood still. The cast bantered, reminisced, and even broached the topic of a reboot with Ben, who, despite no longer working for the company, was enthusiastic about the idea.
"I Loved working on Just Tori. "That was one of the greatest times of my life," She gushed. "It's amazing to see that people still watch the show."
"I've gotten together with the cast and we've all hung out and I love them all dearly, and so much. Um, I'd be down to do a little something, I mean I don't know, to be honest, I really don't know what is going on with all of that. Uh, but I love that cast a lot and loved working with them back in the day and would love to hang out with them again….