A/N: Two this time around, because I think there is about four chapters left. Enjoy ~S.K.
Step 8: Have Fun
Tori stepped into Trina's house, shaking off the cold snow that clung to her coat. She was met with the warmth of family and the cozy atmosphere of the living room. As she scanned the room, her eyes landed on Kaycie, sprawled on the couch, looking a bit bored.
"Hey there, Kaycie," Tori greeted with a smile. "Feeling a bit restless?"
Kaycie sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I was hoping for something fun to do."
Tori pondered for a moment, her eyes catching a glimpse of the snow outside. An idea sparked in her mind. "How about a snowman-building contest? What do you say we have some winter fun?"
Kaycie's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? That sounds awesome!"
Tori turned to Trina, Lola, and Jade, who were engaged in conversation nearby. "What do you all think? A little snowman competition to liven things up?"
Trina grinned, always ready for some family fun. "Sounds like a great idea! Lola, Jade, what do you say?"
Lola and Jade exchanged amused glances, both nodding in agreement. "I'm in," Jade said, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"Let's do it!" Lola added enthusiastically.
With unanimous approval, Tori and the rest of the group bundled up once more.
The snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky, painting the town in a serene white blanket. Trina, Lola, and Tori were bursting with excitement, planning a snowman-building contest with Jade and Kaycie. They bundled up, heading out into the snow-filled wonderland, each woman bringing her enthusiasm to the impromptu competition.
Trina, acting as the neutral judge, oversaw the festivities. "Alright, everyone! Get ready for the ultimate snowman challenge! Twenty minutes to create the best snowman!"
Kaycie and Lola, the younger duo, joined forces while Tori and Jade formed their own team. Laughter filled the air as they began sculpting their masterpieces. Tori and Jade worked in tandem, rolling snowballs and meticulously arranging them, exchanging playful banter as they built.
"Let's give it some style!" Jade suggested, shaping the snowman's nose. Tori nodded, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "How about a smile that says, 'I'm the coolest snowman in town'?"
Their laughter echoed as they worked, but despite their efforts, their snow creation struggled to hold its form. Just as Trina declared the younger team the victors, the snowman made by Tori and Jade collapsed into a lopsided pile of snow.
Kaycie and Lola cheered in triumph. "We did it!" Kaycie exclaimed, hugging her cousin. Tori grinned and, not one to be deterred, playfully scooped up a handful of snow, launching the first snowball in a spontaneous battle. Soon, snowballs were flying in all directions, laughter echoing through the wintry landscape.
"Take cover!" Jade yelled, ducking behind a snow mound, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Tori laughed heartily, feeling the exhilaration of the playful chaos. "No mercy!" she called back, joining in the delightful chaos that had turned their snowman competition into a boisterous snowball fight. The outing, initially intended for a snowman contest, had transformed into a joyous spectacle of camaraderie and fun.
As the group retreated indoors, the warmth of Trina's house providing a welcome escape from the cold, Jade found herself pulled away by a ringing phone. Excusing herself from the laughter and chatter, she answered the call from her agent, Margot.
"Jade, darling, you won't believe the news! The label loved your work with Tori. They're offering a full-time contract, and the numbers are fantastic," Margot exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.
However, the thrill quickly turned into a moral dilemma for Jade when Margot informed her of a rival label's tempting offer. They were willing to double her current deal if she abandoned Tori's ship and jumped aboard theirs.
Jade, fiercely loyal, rejected the proposition outright. "No way, Margot. I won't ditch Tori. I've got a contract, and I'm sticking to it. Besides, I asked you before about the Valentine Gallery. Any updates on that?"
Margot hesitated for a moment before responding, "They're not budging on the gallery, Jade. It's a tough sell. But this label deal could set you up for life. Think about it."
As this conversation unfolded, Trina, walking with her hot cocoa in hand, overheard snippets of the discussion. Intrigued, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She knew Cat Valentine, a connection that might just help Jade get what she truly wanted.
Picking up her phone, Trina dialed Cat's number. The familiar voice on the other end greeted her, and Trina wasted no time in cashing in a favor. After all, she was determined to pave the way for Jade's artistic dreams, even if it meant nudging her sister toward a certain someone who could bring a little unexpected love into her life.
Trina and Jade found a quiet moment in the evening, the rest of the household slowly dispersing to their own corners of the house. In the midst of this tranquility, Trina approached Jade, a curiosity lighting up her eyes as she leaned in to inquire about her romantic life.
Jade, often guarded about personal matters, opened up a bit. "I was in a civil partnership for years. But, well, she left me for someone younger." There was a trace of lingering hurt in her voice, though she tried to mask it with a nonchalant tone. "I've been pretty focused on my photography gigs since then. Haven't really had the time to date."
Trina listened intently, nodding sympathetically at Jade's revelation. Then, a mischievous smile played on Trina's lips as she leaned in closer. "What about Tori? Do you like her?"
Jade's response was a casual shrug, paired with a smirk. "Yeah, but she's straight," she said Sarcasm driping from her tone, as if that fact was the ultimate obstacle. She'd been with straight girls before.
Trina couldn't help but chuckle softly at Jade's response. "Good night, Jade," she said, patting her shoulder as she walked away, leaving the photographer to contemplate the complexity of her feelings for someone she believed to be unattainable.