A/N: I really hope you like where I am taking these characters. this story flows out of me like a babbling brook, so I'm ahead of you by quite a bit. Every time I post and get reviews I am reminded you don't know the best stuff yet. I hope you end up liking this as much as I do.

Chapter 7: Shelter

Tori's life had taken a drastic turn, and she was now faced with the harsh consequences of her impulsive decisions. She spent the entire day in a café, not because she wanted to but because she had run out of her hotel budget. Her abrupt disappearance had cost her some sponsors and followers, and the weight of her actions was beginning to settle in.

Living out of her SUV, Tori faced the reality of her new circumstances. Her family was unaware of her situation, and she had exhausted all her options for temporary housing. Shelters were full, and the local apartments were far beyond her financial reach. Tori knew she needed to find a roommate, even though it meant sharing her space with a stranger. She was determined to make the best of her impulsive move to California, but she couldn't shake the feeling of an impending low, the next wave in her rollercoaster life.

Tori decided to head to the beach just before sunset. She parked her SUV, and there, with the sound of the crashing waves in the background, she recorded a vlog. In the video, she began by sharing the story of her impromptu road trip, starting from the initial incident that had triggered her sudden decision to leave.

Tori, speaking to the camera, began, "Hey, everyone. So, you're probably wondering why I disappeared. Well, it all started with a little incident. You see, I was at this event, and something happened that just made me feel like I needed to get away."

As she recounted the events of that night, she explained, "I was with my friends, and we were celebrating a big victory. But as we were leaving, some people recognized me. It felt like they were staring right through me, and it was just... weird."

She continued to narrate her journey, her voice filled with a mix of introspection and determination. "So, I decided to hit the road, take a break, and clear my head. I've learned a lot along the way, and I'll share that with you in this video. But for now, I just want to say that sometimes, you need to step back to move forward. And that's exactly what I'm doing."

Tori had parked her SUV by the beach, working on editing her video when her phone rang with Cat's call. Tori answered, her voice carrying a tone of frustration.

"Cat, I can't believe you guys ditched me like that," Tori exclaimed.

Cat's voice was apologetic. "Tori, I'm really sorry, but we were getting so annoyed at the club. You just kept stopping to talk to your fans, and it was getting on everyone's nerves."

Tori's anger was evident as she replied, "I was celebrating with them, Cat. They were the whole reason we were out in the first place. We were celebrating my follower count. I was in a good mood, and I wanted to share that with my fans. But instead of supporting me, you all just left me there, alone."

Cat tried to explain, "Tori, you have to understand it was overwhelming. We didn't know when you'd be done, and we needed a break."

Tori's voice quivered with anger and frustration. "You left me alone, Cat. You know how triggering that can be for me. I spiraled into a panicked state, and it's been a nightmare."

As the conversation continued, the initial anger and frustration began to shift toward a more thoughtful exchange between Tori and Cat. They both recognized that there was a miscommunication, and their feelings had been hurt. Tori, in a more subdued tone, opened up to Cat.

"You know, I get it, Cat. Maybe I was a little too caught up in the moment. But, it's just... I felt like I was on cloud nine, celebrating with my fans, and then suddenly, you guys were gone," Tori confessed. "I thought maybe you all preferred the old me, the struggling artist. It's just hard, you know?"

Cat, hearing the vulnerability in Tori's voice, began to understand the depth of her friend's emotions. She realized that she might have underestimated the significance of the fans in Tori's life. "I'm sorry, Tori. I didn't realize how important this was to you. We didn't want to hurt you," Cat admitted. "I guess I didn't get it. I want to be here for you, especially when you're happy."

Cat's voice softened, realizing the gravity of their argument and the pain it had caused. "Tori, I miss you. We all do," she admitted. "And I'm sorry for leaving you like that."

Tori sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. "I miss you too, Cat. I really do," she said, her voice tinged with longing.

Cat then asked the question that had been on her mind, "But why LA, Tori? What made you choose to come here of all places?"

Tori hesitated for a moment, her mind flashing back to the moment she had made the impulsive decision to move to LA. "It's a bit crazy, but someone told me that by moving to LA, I'd be closer to the love of my life," she admitted with a chuckle. "I don't know, something just clicked in my brain, and I thought, 'Yes, this is where I'm supposed to be.'"

Cat was taken aback by the revelation, her curiosity piqued. "The love of your life? Tori, you have to tell me more about this. Who is it?"

Tori grinned, feeling a newfound sense of excitement about her decision. "Her name is Jade West, Cat. It's no secret how much I've talked about her in my videos, how meeting her would be a dream come true. I just have this feeling that being here is going to change everything."

Cat, although surprised, couldn't help but express her concerns. "Tori, moving to LA just for someone you've never even met in person? Isn't that a bit... impulsive?"

Tori's smile wavered, and she nodded, acknowledging the potential risks of her decision. "I know, it sounds crazy, right? But, Cat, there's something about her that makes me believe this is worth it. I can't explain it."

The tension in the conversation escalated as Cat's words hit Tori like a punch to the gut. "You're Fucking crazy," Cat blurted out, not fully realizing the weight of her words.

Tori clenched her jaw, the anger and hurt simmering beneath the surface. She fired back, "You know what, Cat? This is precisely why I didn't tell anyone about this."

Cat quickly realized her mistake and the pain her words had caused her friend. She knew she had crossed a line, and her voice softened. "Tori, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I just worry about you."

Tori's agitation didn't subside, and she struggled to find her usual composure. "Yeah, well, maybe I don't need you to worry about me," she replied, her voice strained.

The weight of the argument hung in the air like a dense fog, settling heavily on both Tori and Cat. Each of them felt the remnants of their heated exchange, a bitter aftertaste of words said in anger.

Tori couldn't find solace in her usual refuge of sleep. Her mind raced with a multitude of thoughts and emotions, leaving her feeling adrift in a sea of turmoil. As she sat hunched over her laptop, her fingers danced across the keyboard, meticulously editing her videos. It was a way for her to channel her frustration and uncertainty, even if only for a brief respite.

Hours slipped away as the night deepened, and Tori found herself locked in a solitary battle against the raw emotions stirred by her conversation with Cat. The café, usually quiet and empty during these late hours, became her haven. Its soft lighting provided a sense of comfort, and the low hum of the air conditioning was soothing background noise.

Tori plugged her devices into the outlets, her laptop's screen casting a soft glow across the table. The café seemed to understand her need for refuge and solace, and she welcomed its familiarity as she continued to work through the night. It was during these quiet, introspective moments that she pondered the monumental decision she had made, both the potential rewards and the looming challenges of moving to Los Angeles.

Tori's hours spent secluded in the café had led her into the depths of introspection. She knew the signs all too well; the subtle descent into the darkness of her own thoughts, the heavy weight that seemed to settle in her chest. She could feel her mood shifting, inching towards the familiar territory of depression.

With this realization, she also remembered that the previous day, she had spent hours in the café without ordering anything. She didn't want to be perceived as a homeless person just loitering, so she decided to order something. Tori approached the counter and, feeling a tad self-conscious, ordered a vanilla macchiato and a cranberry orange scone.

When she finally mustered the courage to make eye contact with the barista behind the counter, she was taken aback. The barista's nametag read "June," but Tori could swear that it was Jade West herself standing before her. Tori couldn't help but ask silently through her gaze, a question hanging in the air. The other barista, a girl named Keisha, noticed Tori's curiosity and simply nodded, confirming what Tori suspected. It appeared that this barista was indeed a fan of Jade's, and the resemblance was uncanny.

Tori's excitement was palpable as she rushed back to her laptop, her heart racing with the unexpected encounter. She couldn't contain her glee and decided to share the moment with her fans on Instagram Live. With an exuberant smile, she began to talk to her followers.

"Guys, oh my God! You won't believe what just happened! I found her, I found the love of my life!" Tori exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy. "It was so random, I was at a café, and there she was, handing me a latte. I mean, seriously, what are the odds? But I don't want to walk up to her while she's working, you know?"

She continued to share her excitement with her fans, narrating the encounter and her overwhelming nervousness. As she spoke, she glanced over at Jade, who was working nearby, trying not to seem too obvious.

At one point, Jade moved closer to the frame while cleaning a table, and Tori couldn't contain her excitement. "Oh my God, she's coming over. What do I do?" she whispered to her followers. But she quickly shifted to obscure Jade from the frame "Oh, she's, uh, she's in the frame. Sorry, Jade, I'm doing a livestream. I just wanted to warn you in case you got recognized."

Jade's patience wore thin as she interrupted the live stream. "Stop filming," she ordered, her tone harsh.

Tori, her heart racing, complied immediately. "Okay, sorry, I'll stop," she replied, turning off the camera. But it was too late. Other customers in the cafe had started filming as well, and someone had recorded the live stream.

Tori felt awful and apologized sincerely to Jade, who was clearly fed up with everything. Jade's rant continued, directed at her manager. She was at a breaking point, her voice rising in anger.

As the manager walked out from behind the counter, Jade took off her apron and flung it at his face. It smacked him with an audible thud, and the cafe fell into stunned silence. The manager was left spluttering in disbelief.

"You... you're fired, Jade!" he shouted.

Jade couldn't care less about the stares and the judgmental whispers from the customers. She felt a rush of frustration and determination as she discarded her apron. Her mind was made up. She was done with the cafe, done with the manager, and done with all of it.

Without hesitation, she stormed out of the cafe, the door slamming shut behind her. Jade's bold exit marked the end of her cafe job and the beginning of an unexpected chapter in her life. As she walked away, the cafe's customers exchanged wide-eyed glances, unsure of what they had just witnessed.

Tori watched in dismay as Jade angrily threw her apron away and walked out of the café, her heart breaking in the process. Tori felt a sense of despair wash over her as she realized that she had lost her chance to connect with Jade. The love of her life had slipped through her fingers, and she was left wondering how she would ever find her again.

The sun was sinking below the horizon as Tori walked along the serene beach. She started another live stream, the sound of the crashing waves forming a soothing backdrop to her contemplative stroll. Tori occasionally read the comments from her fans and answered their questions, her thoughts whirling as she pondered the consequences of the recent events.

Questions flooded in. "What's it like to meet your favorite?" "Do you still want to marry her?" "Was it worth it?" Some comments were discouraging, suggesting that Jade's outburst had ruined her career. Tori sighed in response, "I still want to. She didn't even look mad at me."

Despite the negative comments and the potential fallout from the incident, Tori couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. She genuinely wanted to help Jade, who seemed to be struggling in her own way. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the night began to envelop the beach, Tori bid her audience goodnight and finally headed back to her SUV.

Tori lay down in the back of her vehicle, exhausted from the events of the day and the emotional rollercoaster she had been on.