Chapter 11: Public Debut
Jade West's kiss had left Tori over the moon, her emotions soaring to new heights. Sleep seemed elusive as she feverishly produced content, her skin raw from the multiple makeup applications she had undertaken. Satisfied after her fifth video, Tori lined up the content for editing on her Mac, still wearing the remnants of her last makeup look.
As she basked in the afterglow of the kiss, Tori's thoughts lingered on Jade's scent of lavender and sandalwood, a fragrance that had permeated the room and left a lasting impression. Yearning for the day she could be enveloped in that scent, Tori's musings were interrupted by the persistent ringing of her phone. Searching for it on the bed where she had taken a moment to absorb the actress's essence, Tori found her phone and answered without checking the caller.
"Helloo!"
"Well, aren't you cheerful," the voice on the other end remarked.
Tori looked at the phone, her brow furrowed. "Cat?"
"Yeah… Nice to finally catch up, bestie," Cat responded. "You told the entire world you were dating Jade West before you told your sisters and me."
"So?" Tori retorted. "Why are you calling me so late?"
"It's nine in the morning your time, dingus," Cat pointed out. "Or have you been up all night..."
"Cat! What is your problem?" Tori interrupted, opening the curtains to reveal a view of Venice Beach.
"My problem is, I was supposed to be your best friend. We told each other everything. And you left me here alone," Cat expressed.
"You have Sam," Tori countered.
"And you have Jade… your dream girl. I would have been the first to know this once upon a time," Cat lamented.
Tori rolled her eyes. "It was none of your business anymore."
"Oh my god," Cat exclaimed. "I said I was sorry for leaving you behind. How long are you going to punish me for that?"
"Until it feels good," Tori asserted. "Thanks for ruining my beautiful morning, but I have to go meet Jade, so… Bye."
"Sam left me," Cat dropped before Tori could hang up.
Tori paused. Once upon a time, she would have consoled her friend, but that was a different time. Tori realized she was only Cat's friend when she needed her. "You'll get over it," she said before hanging up. Determined to shake off the lingering tension, Tori headed for a shower, preparing to apply a more reasonable makeup look than the night sky adorning her features.
Tori decided that she needed to go shopping for her and Jade's first big public event. The Streamies were coming up, and she wanted to surprise her girlfriend with a gorgeous gown. So, she headed towards Beverly Hills. Tori had been able to cash her last few endorsement checks, and she could live off that for a few months, but she really wanted to do this for Jade.
She saw some great gowns. Knowing Jade was super feminine, Tori gravitated towards a stunning black backless dress priced at $800. Tori loved it. She could afford that and decided she'd gift it to Jade, hoping it would make her happy. Maybe Jade would see Tori's efforts and reciprocate the feelings Tori was developing. After all, the kiss they shared felt so real, so passionate. Tori couldn't help but let her mind wander into wishful thinking as she paid for the dress.
Exiting the store with a big box, Tori laid it carefully on the back seat. Adding an envelope with an invitation to the Streamies inside, she envisioned the surprise on Jade's face. She drove back to the apartment, excitement bubbling within her.
Upon arrival, she found Jade facing off with Sinjin, who seemed to be in the midst of a meltdown. Tori had never seen him anything but smiling. Jade was singing the theme song to Genius High, trying to soothe him. Tori placed the box on the kitchen island, and Jade continued her unexpected serenade.
Sinjin, mid-flap, tried to listen while Jade approached him. Wrapping her arms around him, Jade continued to sing softly in his ear.
"In a teen world, a girl so bright,
Yearning to shine in the high school light.
Books in hand, dreams in her eyes,
Genius High, where she'll touch the skies.
She's the spark in a crowded hall,
Genius High, she'll conquer it all.
Oh-oh, young girl with dreams so high,
In Genius High, where she'll touch the sky.
Setting trends, making friends strong,
High school world where she belongs.
Genius High, where dreams take flight,
For the girl who found her light!"
Slowly, Sinjin calmed down, and Jade took the weighted blanket from Burf to wrap around him. Tori couldn't believe Jade's ability to handle situations with unexpected grace. Tori leaned in to whisper to Jade, "What happened?"
Sinjin, still somewhat emotional, blurted out, "You took her from me. She was going to fall in love with me."
Tori was taken aback. She pointed to herself, silently asking if he meant her. "Oh, brother," Tori muttered, hoping Jade felt safe in this environment.
"Buddy, I'll always be your friend. But I told you I liked girls. I wasn't lying to you," Jade reassured him.
Sinjin, still grappling with the revelation, sobbed, "But you went out with Beck… Before he was gay."
"I was his beard, Sinj," Jade smirked. "And he was my merkin."
Sinjin chuckled, and Jade managed to make him laugh. Tori felt a warmth in her chest witnessing the interaction. When Sinjin asked if he could still be Jade's friend, she affirmed, "Always, even if we have to live apart. You can always call me bud."
Sinjin asked Jade directly, "You really like her?" giving Tori a side-eye.
"Dude, have you seen her?" Jade responded, making Tori blush. She patted Sinjin's cheek and let him go.
"You better treat her right," Sinjin said as a parting note and walked away, glancing back at the pair surreptitiously. Jade came closer to Tori, kissing her cheek close to her mouth. SHe needed Sinjin to continue to think this was real. NOt that she minded brushing her lips on Tori so intimately.
"Hey," Jade said, eyeing the box. "What's this?"
Tori smiled. "A gift… Open it."
Jade hesitated, looking at Tori and then at the box before opening it. The first thing she saw was an envelope over tissue paper. As she opened it, she found her plus-one invitation to the Streamies. "I haven't been to an award show in a long time."
"I figured that maybe you might like something new to wear. It's not as expensive and fancy as other things I have seen you wear, but…"
Jade looked down at the box. "I never bought any of that stuff. I can't afford that. Take it back!"
"You can't, but I can," Tori said.
"Today!" Jade shouted. "Tori, I have lived an entire life of luxury on the sweat of my brow, but the people who were supposed to take care of me financially took that money and squandered it, not thinking that, 'Gee, the kid is gonna need this money when she grows up.'"
"I bought this for you," Tori insisted. "You haven't even looked at it."
"I'm sure it's beautiful. I've had a lifetime of beautiful and insubstantial," Jade shot back. "I need someone who is going to think about the future with me."
Tori looked at Sinjin, who was eyeing her, expecting her to do something to calm Jade. Then she turned back to Jade, who seemed genuinely upset. "Fine… how about I go return this… and we go shopping for its replacement together."
Jade stopped, her usual defenses momentarily crumbling. No one had never given her that choice before. Her money was squandered, her safety in doubt. If it weren't for the few incredibly pricey things she owned, she might have been homeless. She looked at Tori and nodded. "Thanks."
Tori nodded back. "Do you want to go now?"
"Yeah, just let me… Um…" Jade didn't say anything more and left. Tori stood there, a bit in a trance. She looked over to Sinjin, who glared at her.
"What just happened?" Tori asked him.
"Her parents spent all of her money, and when they died, she was almost homeless," Sinjin explained. "I thought you were a fan."
Tori had heard Jade was broke, but she thought it was celebrity broke, not real-people broke. And maybe that was it. She hadn't been thinking of Jade as a real person, a real broken person. When Jade reappeared, Tori looked up and smiled at her.
"So, your hooptie or mine?" Tori said.
Jade smiled. "You're lucky my ride was the only thing I couldn't part with. Your car is full of shit. Let's go in my Maserati."
Tori smiled and grabbed the box, following her girlfriend out of the apartment. The day was taking an unexpected turn, but Tori was determined to make it special for Jade.
Jade had chosen well. Tori had kept the dress for herself; it looked good on her, but Jade looked absolutely stunning in her Femme Color Block Tuxedo. The black and white two-tone jacket, the silk blouse open down to her navel, her raven hair pulled back in a low bun, and a stylish white hat completed the look. She had even borrowed a pair of Tori's red bottoms, in black, peeking out under her wide-legged tuxedo pants in white with a black stripe on the sides. The entire ensemble cost only a quarter of the price of Tori's dress, and Jade was much happier this way. Tori couldn't keep her eyes or hands off her; she looked incredibly hot.
Walking the red carpet, it seemed as if Jade had never left the spotlight, and Tori took her cues from her. Aware of Jade's drawing power, Jade intentionally stepped back whenever Tori was near, making it clear that she was in a supporting role. They discovered a favorite pose where Jade stood behind Tori, both looking away from the camera. During one such moment, Tori, exposing her naked back to the photographers, asked Jade, "Do you know if they have food at this thing? I'm starved."
Jade turned to her with a smile, but unconsciously, her hand rested on Tori's ass. Tori reciprocated by placing her hand on Jade's shoulder, creating a pose that hinted at a kiss. Though no actual kiss happened, the genuine smiles captured in the photograph spoke volumes about their closeness. To the disappointment of the photographers, there was no kiss, but genuine smiles adorned their faces as Jade said, "We can just go to McDonald's and come back."
"I'll think about it," Tori replied and then turned as they called her name. The picture, although lacking a kiss, revealed the closeness between them, with both their arms outstretched, attempting to hold on to each other as one of them walked away.
The two women had an amazing time at the event. Tori was thrilled to see tables full of champagne and little finger foods before everyone went into the show. Following the awards ceremony, there was an after-party, and this is where the women felt they would put on a show. They danced together, Tori's solitary Streamy award nestled between their breasts.
"Look at our baby… you know I won this because of you," Tori exclaimed, and Jade laughed at Tori's antics. Tori leaned in for a slow, languid kiss until interrupted by a passing YouTuber. "Oop, get it, girl!" he exclaimed and snapped his fingers.
Jade pulled back, fished the Streamy from between the flesh of her chest, and handed it to Tori. As Tori took her moment, Jade turned as the Streamer conversed with the other YouTuber and sipped her club soda. The world of parties had been a thing of the past since her parents died, and she was grateful for the reprieve. Jade didn't know if she could last much longer re-entering the world of celebrity.
Jade looked around, spotting a few notable celebrities, including some she had worked with as a child. Her eyes met Lena's, and the memories of their complicated history flooded back. Lena was now accompanied by someone new, and Jade couldn't help but roll her eyes at the encounter. She wished for something stronger than club soda to deal with the situation.
Lena, ever confrontational, swaggered over to Jade with a smirk. "You stream now?"
Jade turned, giving Lena a once-over. "Nah, I'm an artist."
"A starving one," Lena laughed. "Your parents really cleaned you out."
Jade shrugged, unfazed. "I'm happy."
Lena came closer, and Jade could smell the alcohol on her breath. "Are you really, or are you still lost in that massive closet of yours?"
Uncomfortable, Jade stood her ground. As Lena came closer, Jade felt a hand at her back and turned to find Tori there, glaring at Lena. Tori said nothing to Lena, simply smiling at Jade. "Baby, I want you to meet Devonte! He's big in the makeup space!"
Jade squeezed Tori in appreciation and then smiled at Devonte. He looked at Lena over Jade's shoulder as he took her hand. "You got cornered by that barracuda. Didn't none of us in the Alphabet mafia believe you were homophobic. She's just a hateful witch."
Jade smiled. "A lying hateful witch," she stated.
Devonte laughed heartily. "Well, girl, I better get back to my boo. Call me tomorrow, and we'll set up a collab!"
Tori smiled. "Can't wait." In her shock, Tori turned to Jade. "He is so huge… he has like beauty lines!"
"You'll get there," Jade said.
"Let's dance. I need to show that bitch she can't mess with you," Tori said, pulling Jade to the dance floor. As soon as they got there, Tori initiated the kiss, as if staking her claim. For once, Jade wasn't uncomfortable with that. The night continued with their dancing, laughter, and the shared joy of newfound success.