A/N: This is my birthday Post! I am now closer to 50 than I am to 40. This is insane, and I should probably be embarrassed to be so into this fandom. But is it really even fandom, when all I do is take my original work and change some names around? LOL, whatever I love you guys and If you want to keep reading my stuff I will keep writing for you. We are back to deal with a little more of Jade's world. Grant it I didn't know Jade then as well as I know her now. there is so much to come. I hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 6: Bearded Lady

Amid the pulsing music and dazzling lights of the club, Jade found herself feeling both exposed and on edge. She was there to meet up with her beard, Beck, who was celebrating with his boyfriend, Andre. Beck was the only one who had stood by her side through thick and thin. The arrangement had worked well for both of them. It gave Jade the perfect cover to keep unwanted attention at bay, while Beck could live his life openly with Andre. It was a win-win situation, and Jade had grown used to it.

Jade spotted Beck in the VIP section, and as they greeted each other with a kiss for show, her thoughts raced beneath the surface. She was dressed as closely as she could to her former self but felt far more recognizable than she wanted to be. Despite her carefully constructed facade of indifference, her internal world was in turmoil.

Beck grinned. "Jade, you look amazing as always."

"Hey, Andre," Jade replied warmly, her eyes betraying nothing of the storm inside her.

As she sat down with Beck and Andre, they engaged in casual conversation.

"You know they are talking about a Genious High Reunion," Beck stated.

"No way would you do it?" Jade asked.

"I don't know, everyone is doing that. What about you, Ms. Serious Artist?" Beck asked her.

"Oh, of course I would," she answered. "It's been so long, and I really did love my work. The only acting I do nowadays is when I come out here with you and fool the world that I am still alive."

They laughed, and suddenly Beck's smile faded as Andre leaned closer and said, "Uh… about that…"

"Jade, there's something we need to talk to you about," Beck said nervously, his words echoing like distant thunder in her ears. "Andre and I have decided to come out. It's been a long time coming."

Jade put on a supportive front, though her chest tightened. "Beck, that's... that's incredible. I'm happy for you both."

Inside, Jade was a whirlwind of emotions, struggling to breathe through the mounting anxiety. She had a sinking feeling that her protective cover was about to disappear, and she'd be left exposed to the world. But she couldn't let it show.

She discreetly sipped her drink, trying to calm her racing thoughts, even as her mind spiraled into a panic. She couldn't let the situation jeopardize her protective measures, but she also didn't want to stand in the way of Beck's happiness. Change was inevitable, and she knew she needed to find a new way to protect herself.

The throbbing atmosphere of the club mirrored Jade's internal turmoil, as she grappled with the fear that her carefully constructed world was about to crumble. She was at a crossroads, forced to confront her deepest fears and find a new path forward.

Jade's world was spinning out of control, and she needed a moment to regain her composure. She excused herself from the table, citing the need to use the restroom. The flashing lights and thumping music in the club only intensified her rising panic.

As she rushed into the bathroom, her breath came in rapid, shallow gasps. The overwhelming pressure of the situation bore down on her, making it feel like the walls were closing in. She stumbled into one of the stalls and locked the door, seeking refuge from the outside world.

Inside the confined space, Jade tried to steady her breathing. She fought the scream that threatened to claw its way out of her throat, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to hold herself together. Her hands trembled, and she clutched the edges of the toilet seat for support.

The stall next to her opened, and someone entered, unaware of Jade's silent battle. She pressed herself against the cold, unforgiving wall, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't let anyone see her like this, vulnerable and on the verge of a breakdown.

Jade rocked back and forth, trying to regain control of her racing thoughts. The weight of the impending revelation, the fear of her protective cover being stripped away, was almost too much to bear. She wished she had never come out tonight, that she could retreat to the safety of her solitude.

With sheer determination, she managed to hold in the scream that threatened to escape her lips until the bathroom was empty again. Alone in the dimly lit restroom, she let the pent-up emotions flow. The tears fell freely, and she fought to stifle the sobs that wanted to escape. Her world was unraveling, and all she wanted in that moment was to lie down and escape the suffocating reality.

Jade knew she had to leave the bathroom, even if she wasn't quite ready to face the situation at hand. With no money to get home, she returned to the table, her steps heavy with anxiety. The vibrant lights of the club now felt garish, the music intrusive.

Only Andre remained at the table, his concerned eyes locked onto Jade's troubled expression. He inquired about her well-being, and she simply shook her head, unable to find the words to express the tumult of emotions swirling inside her.

Andre leaned in, his voice hushed with understanding. "I told him he needed to talk to you. But, Jade, there's something you should know. A picture of us kissing got out, and it's going to come out eventually. I wish he had told you in a quieter place."

Jade let out a bitter laugh, her body still trembling. She found some solace in the rhythmic rocking she'd begun, a small comfort to soothe her frayed nerves. "Well, I guess this will help with our 'break-up' cover, won't it?" she muttered to herself, more as a coping mechanism than anything else.

Andre smirked, his eyes filled with sympathy, and he reached out to hold her hand. "Yeah, you look absolutely devastated," he replied with a wry smile.

Desperation crept into Jade's voice as she spoke of wanting to go home but not having the means. She had been hoping for a ride to Echo Park, but it seemed unlikely now. Her friend sighed, understanding her predicament, and promptly sent her a hundred bucks. He pulled her into a warm hug, and for a moment, Jade felt a sense of longing. She'd often thought that she should have chosen Andre as her beard, but life rarely unfolded the way one intended. He was the more sensitive of the two, a thought that tugged at her heart.

"Thanks," Jade whispered, grateful for the lifeline he'd thrown her. She gave him a heartfelt hug and stepped away as Beck returned to the table, bearing a couple of drinks. As she left her safety net behind, her hand lingered on Andre's shoulder, a silent acknowledgment that their shared secret was bound to end someday.

***888***888***888***

Three days later, the news of Jade and Beck's supposed breakup had made its way into the entertainment headlines. Speculations ran rampant, questioning whether Jade could make a resurgence now that her last connection to celebrity status had seemingly dissolved. Some expressed condolences, while others, the more steadfast supporters, emphasized Jade's impressive accolades – an Oscar-nominated actress, a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner. They pointed out that she didn't need a man to validate her talents and relevance in the industry.

Jade couldn't deny that this sudden publicity had put her name back on the lips of the industry, but it was disheartening that it wasn't for her work. The world was more interested in her personal life, and the discomfort of that realization weighed heavily on her.

As Jade went through her daily routine of checking emails and keeping up with the latest news, one particular email caught her attention. It was about the rumored Genius High reunion, and to her surprise, it turned out to be true. However, it wasn't a typical reunion with former students and staff. Instead, it was a reboot with an all-new cast and crew, but they were hoping to bring back some of the original cast for special appearances.

In addition to the reunion news, Jade received an invitation to participate in a fan-based podcast dedicated to Genius High. Being a fan of the show and anything fan-related, she agreed to the invitation and asked them to provide her with their schedule.

While she continued browsing, Jade stumbled upon a news article about a YouTuber who was rumored to be missing, though it turned out not to be the case. The fans were quite upset because the YouTuber hadn't informed anyone about her whereabouts. Jade was about to delve into the article when her alarm rang, signaling that it was time to head to work.

Jade's shift at the café had been a surprisingly pleasant experience. Her initial anxiety over the recent break-up had somewhat subsided as she immersed herself in her work. The customers were cheerful, and the welcoming atmosphere of the café had a calming effect on her. It was as if, for a brief moment, the chaos of her personal life had been set aside.

As the day went by, Jade couldn't help but notice a mysterious girl who had chosen a quiet corner table to herself. The girl was almost completely absorbed in her phone, and her face bore the unmistakable marks of concern and worry. She looked oddly familiar, but the café's frequent visitors often blended into a faceless crowd in Jade's mind.

The hours passed, but the girl showed no intention of leaving her corner. She hadn't approached the counter even once during the day. When Jade's shift finally came to an end, her curiosity was piqued. The girl, who had been there the entire time, left Jade with a lingering sense of intrigue.

As the day came to an end, Jade found herself feeling surprisingly content. It was an unexpected sensation, but it felt good. The bustling café had offered her a sense of normalcy, and in the midst of the crowd, she had felt almost invisible, like just another face in the crowd. For a brief moment, she was able to blend in with everyone else, and the anonymity was comforting. It was a welcome escape from the constant scrutiny of her former celebrity life.

However, as she got closer to her home, she couldn't escape the harsh reality. Someone passing by recognized her and taunted her about the recent break-up, shattering the good day she had experienced. The remainder of her public life and the attention it brought was a stark contrast to the few precious hours of normalcy she had enjoye