A/N: This chapter is really special to me. Actually, I think you will love BOTH this one and the next but DUDE, THIS CHAPTER!

Please drop a review and since we're nearing the end of the story, if you haven't reached out before, please do! I would love to hear from the silent readers. Hopefully you're all having a good time here!

Will take the necessary time before I begin THE SEQUEL! (which now has a working title!) but I will not reveal it until the first chapter drops. Also, I want to leave myself open in case something better comes along. I tell you, juggling these multiple plot threads wasn't easy but I'm glad this fic worked out like it did. I just want to work really hard to make the next one even better!

But for now, let's get into it...

"Okay, sweetheart. Here we are."

Tori gave a forlorn look at Hollywood Arts.

It felt weird dropping off her daughter and then just leaving. It felt wrong.

"If anything happens, and I need to come pick you up early, just call."

Mia chuckled.

"Thanks mom, but I'll be good."

Tori smiled.

"You gonna be alright today?" she asked her mom. "You're not watching bad daytime TV all day, are you?"

"Just for an hour maybe," Tori shrugged. "I've got lunch with Jade later."

Mia opened her door and Tori got out and ran right over to her side to give her a hand. The teenager winced getting out of her seated position since the car sat so low, but she managed to end up on her feet.

"Does it hurt bad?" she asked.

"No," the girl said shaking her head. "Sucks a little less as time flies."

Normally Mia had her bag over her shoulder but instead held it in her left hand to avoid the strain.

"Hey mom?"

"Yeah?"

"I never told you this before but...I'm really happy for...you know...you and Jade."

Tori looked misty-eyed as she hugged her daughter's shoulders.

"Well, thank you for pushing me into that, by the way."

"No prob," shrugged Mia. "See you after school, OK?"

"Sure, babe. Bye."

"Bye," Mia smiled as she turned toward the building.

Mia had expected the hushed tones, the stolen glances from the others upon her return. She could say without hubris nothing of greater significance happened in the last couple of weeks.

She stopped at the sight of her locker because a folded paper was left on the door courtesy of a refrigerator magnet.

It covered up her color poster of Sylvie Guillem in her iconic red outfit, her right leg pointed nearly perfectly upward. Mia admired that level of focus. Even if you never reached that plateau of a master like her, it was important to have that thing to aspire to. That's how we prevent from becoming complacent. Madame Chaudet explained to her class that the idea isn't to be just like your idols. But to have them be an example of them at their best. Sylvie is admired because that was her at her best. Mia understood she needed to be the best Mia.

The Latina removed the paper and opened it up.

Mia smiled as it was a homemade GET-WELL card. Definitely written by Alice because her handwriting was recognizable. But her friends and some others at school all signed the thing. Even a couple of teachers.

She folded the precious card and stuck it in her pocket while she turned her combination.

Upon opening the locker, Mia placed her bag inside and licked her lips, grabbing her creative writing handbook.

But her fingers decided to go on strike right there, causing Mia to drop the book with a thud onto the floor. Now the girl had a real dilemma, what to do when you drop something and your ability to bend has been stunted?

Mia bit her lip and squatted ever so slowly, like she used to when attempting a grand plié. It took longer than normal but she got down just enough to reach for the book when a shiny white shoe came down on it, nearly stepping on her hand.

"The hell...?"

The girl looked up and sure enough, there was a rather smug-looking Savannah Gilmore with her mindless terriers always yipping behind her.

"Oh, wow! Look who's back!"

(The last few days have been a lot. I just want a normal day. Why won't this cunt give me a normal day?)

Savannah gave Mia the shittiest of shit-eating grins as she returned to her proper vertical position.

"What do you want this time, Savannah?" grumbled Mia.

"Nothing, just wondering what happened with you. I mean you DID disappear after your major public freakout!"

The four girls started cackling at Mia's expense.

Old Mia would have been all over this one and she still harbored the greatest disdain for her. But the last few days have been so draining and all she wanted was an average day at Hollywood Arts, a bit of normalcy. She didn't think it was too much to ask.

"I heard they found her under a bridge!" piped up Ashley.

"I heard the pound picked her up and released her when nobody came for her!" grinned Patricia.

The main blonde narrowed her eyes and leaned in.

"Gross! Whatever they pulled you out of must have been..."

"SAVANNAH!"

The platinum blonde froze dead in her tracks.

"Oh, hey Ryan!" she said in her fake peppy voice, doing a complete 180. "What are you doing here?"

The boy marched over to the girls and got between her and Mia.

"Never mind what I'm doing," he pointed. "What are you doing, Savannah?"

He looked over to Mia, who was just as surprised at his sudden appearance.

"Relax, babe!" Savannah chuckled trying to smooth things over. "Mia and I were just having a little fun, weren't we?"

"Save it!" he shot back to her. "I fucking saw you!"

Mia's eyes were wide.

(Never heard Ryan really curse before. It's kinda hot.)

Savannah had this dawning expression like nobody used that tone with her before. If it were any of the "less than" as she put it, they would get an earful. But this was Ryan, in her eyes the biggest get in terms of popularity. And right now, he was far from pleased with her.

"I can't believe you! How can you be so callous?" he asked. "Mia was attacked! It's a miracle she made it out alive!"

Ryan's dressing down of Savannah Gilmore was attracting quite the crowd but he could care less.

"I know you two never got along," Ryan said. "I understand that. But this is low. What if she had died? Then what?"

Savannah had no answer and at this point, her entourage stepped a few paces back from their leader.

"You could have just said nothing, done nothing. But no! You just had to walk up and insult Mia to her face!"

"Ryan...can we just...?"

"NO!"

That reply echoed down the corridor.

"You know what, Savannah? I'm not an idiot. I've heard talk about how you're not very nice. But I took a chance because I don't rely on rumors. I thought maybe you were just a little immature, needed some growth. But now I see you were hiding something way worse. I can't have someone in my life who hates more than she loves. Someone who sees their fellow classmate hurt and injured, and their first instinct is cruelty?! This friendship, or whatever, it's done. We're done!"

She reached out to him.

"But Ryan..."

The tall boy just turned away from her, disgusted with her conduct.

Savannah took a moment to take in the onlookers who saw her ass get handed to her. With that verbal indictment, a message was sent in that school to all of the Savannah Gilmore's out there. And that is their hateful bullshit will not be tolerated.

The valley girl took off, no doubt feeling the power she had leaving her. Her confused friends kind of dispersed.

Ryan closed his eyes and took a deep breath before focusing on his unwitting audience.

"Come on, guys!" he sighed. "Don't you all have classes?"

They then went about their business. Ryan had a way with the student body, and he used that energy responsibly.

"Hey."

Mia locked eyes with him.

"Are you okay?"

His face was filled with concern, no doubt reacting viscerally to the cuts and bruises on her face that were slowly healing.

Ryan looked down and quickly noticed the book, bending down and coming back up with it.

"Is...is this yours?" he asked.

Mia blushed, her knees locked in place.

"Uh...uh-huh," she nodded.

"I heard you were also injured, is that true?"

"J-J-Just my r-r-ribs, but it's not big d-d-deal."

A look of determination overcame his face and he gestured to her locker.

"Was there anything else you needed, Mia?"

"Um...I...uh, just this for now," she said, pointing to the book.

Ryan gently put his hand on her shoulder.

"You sure you can make it?" he asked. "How about I help you with your stuff."

Mia thought she was going to die from the heat.

"No, no, you don't have to..."

"It's really no trouble..." he offered with a sad smile.

"Oh...um...okay...I guess since we're going to the same class."

Mia closed her locked and started walking with Ryan.

"This is really sweet of you, but it was only a book."

"But you might need more later," Ryan said. "I can meet you after class, or just at your locker if you'd like, and I can help you today with your things."

The teen girl's fists tugged at the bottom of her shirt, unable to deal with what was happening right now.

"I don't want you to be late to the rest of your classes, though."

Ryan smirked and shrugged.

"They'll understand."

Mia was thankful there was no microphone inside her head because she was screaming right now.

Tori returned home, tossing her keys onto the coffee table.

She was caught off guard when her cell suddenly rang. She fished it out quickly, expecting her daughter or Jade but was pleasantly surprised it was Dr. Ivy.

"What's up, doc?" she asked.

"Ho-ho-ho, never heard that one before..." groaned Ivy.

"Sorry I haven't called in a while," Tori confessed. "This week's been..."

"No apologies, Tori. I understand. Caught a glimpse of Mia and she looked like she had been through a rough time."

Tori sat down and sighed.

"I have to admit, I was so scared!"

"Hey, it's okay. The important thing is she's surrounded by those who care about her now."

The mom rubbed her eyes.

"I think she's starting to get the point...that we are all here for her."

"Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a hardship for us to realize what matters most."

"How have you been?" Tori asked.

She could hear them stretching on the other line.

"I'm fine, though I do miss my patients. Both of them."

"Well, I think Mia might be up for going back starting next week but...you know...I'm no longer..."

"I may work for the school but my time is my own. Maybe we can meet for an hour. Virtual if its more convenient."

Tori shook her head.

"Look, Ivy, you're probably busy and..."

"Tori..." they said in an slow, almost parental voice.

"What?"

"I think considering the loss of your job and what you went through with Mia justifies a little you-time."

Tori stared at the ceiling while rubbing her leg.

"Alright, you win! How about lunch, like before?"

"Tuesdays and Thursdays still work for you?" they asked.

"Sounds perfect."

"You wouldn't want to kick it off with today, being it's Thursday?"

Tori stood up and began walking into the kitchen.

"Actually, I can't today. Already have a lunch date, since Mia was back and my day was...well...open."

Ivy cleared their throat and shuffled through some papers.

"Oh, really? I lunch date you say? With whom, may I ask?"

"Remember that woman I told you about, Jade?"

"Uh-huh?"

Tori just covered her mouth as she giggled to herself.

"I think Mia wasn't the only one who got the point. I'm proud of you, Tori."

"Thanks."

Later at lunch, Mia appeared and immediately saw her friends.

"OH! OVER HERE!"

Alice's excited voice could cut through a crowd.

Mia winced out of embarrassment and made her way to the table.

Lauren and Jenna moved over, leaving space for her to slide in.

The girl took a breath and as graceful as she could lowered herself into the seat.

"Are you okay?" asked Jenna.

Mia nodded.

"It's tough at times but so far lunch was the easiest for me to sit down."

"But you are okay all things considered?" asked Chase.

"Really, guys. I'm gonna be okay."

Lauren put her hand on Mia's with a smile.

"Oh, she's better than okay," grinned Alice with a long-winded sip of her shake. "Don't think I haven't seen you gallivanting around the school grounds with a gentleman caller!"

The collective "oooh's" around the table were torturing the Latina.

"Would you guys stop it!" she protested. "Ryan was just being nice."

"Oh, Mia?"

The tan girl stiffened and slowly turned to see the boy in question, standing awkwardly behind her.

"Good news, I got a text back from my boss and he said I could swap Saturday for Sunday, so I can make it for your party. I mean...if you want me to come?"

"OF COURSE!" she blurted out but quickly shrunk in her posture. "I mean..." she cleared her throat. "I mean...sure, you know."

He smiled.

"Awesome! Well, I'll see you later."

Once he walked away, Mia lowered her tomato red face into her hands.

"OF COURSE, MY DEAR!" sang Jenna and Alice in unison.

"Shut. Up." came a muffled reply.

Jade parked at the Zinqué in West Hollywood, a trendy but casual establishment that she grew to like. They had everything from salads to smoothies, as well as delicious items for morning and afternoon. It was an ideal brunch spot for many of the locals.

Whenever Jade wanted to break up the monotony of coffee shops and her home office, she would come here to unwind and maybe get a little inspiration. She would usually bring her laptop with her if a story idea struck her, or on a good day she could churn out a whole ass chapter in one sitting. But today, Jade left her computer at home because her focus was going to be Tori and their first real lunch date.

But being the author she was, Jade did have a simple steno pad and a ballpoint pen in her bag. You never know when the Muses was going to drop you some nuggets.

"Hey!"

The writer looked up and smiled at her gorgeous girlfriend.

"Good, you found the place."

Tori pulled up a chair and sat across from Jade.

"I honestly never heard of this place. How did you find it?" she asked.

Jade shrugged.

"Well, it's been long enough since I left, I could only remember the same old haunts from school. Nozu, etc. So, and don't laugh, I went to one of those websites that are curated for tourists."

Tori tilted her head and put her hand on Jade's.

"There's no shame in that," she told her. "Today's tourist is a little savvier than the old jerk with a camera."

"Afternoon, ladies!"

The couple turned to their server, who presented them with menus.

"I'm Trevor, I will be serving you today. Would you like to start with anything? I could interest you in our wine list..."

"That's alright," Jade smirked, waving her hand nicely.

"Yeah, no drinks this time," confirmed Tori. "Could I get a..." she skimmed the menu with her finger. "Oh! A London Fog, please."

Jade studied the coffees and teas.

"And I will take...how is the baklava latte?" she asked Trevor.

"It's my favorite, and I'm not kidding!" he replied. "I can't start my shift without one."

The former goth nodded.

"Then I'll be adventurous and try that."

"Do you need time on what to order?" the server asked.

"Yeah, a little bit," nodded Tori.

"Okay, then. I'll have those out for you both in a few."

"Thanks," said Jade.

"What the heck is a baklava latte anyway?" asked Tori when Trevor left.

"According to Google," Jade said, scrolling her phone. "It is an espresso with honey, praline syrup and cinnamon to evoke the celebrated dessert. Sounds cool."

Jade then folded her hands.

"Now, what pray tell, is a London Fog?"

"Um...it's Earl Grey with steamed milk. I've heard of it before, and I've been meaning to try it."

They looked at each other in silence for a second.

"Maybe I should have gone first," Tori chuckled.

Jade smiled back and put her phone down.

"So, Mia's back in school today, huh?"

Tori scratched her head.

"Yeah, I was a little nervous but..."

"Hey, it will be alright," Jade assured her.

A gurgling sound cut through the conversation and Tori looked away embarrassed.

"I think there are more pressing matters," Jade added. "Now order some food, you!"

"I'm a little wary about what to eat these days...and, I don't know..."

Jade looked at Tori concerned.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at you!" Tori said. "You're just as much a knockout as you were in high school."

Tori sat back and sighed.

"I mean for a while it didn't matter because I didn't have anyone but now...back to dating again and..."

A small tear escaped Tori's eye.

"I feel like I didn't...you know...take care of myself and..."

"WHOA-WHOA-WHOA-WHOA, Stop right there!"

Jade now had both of Tori's hands, but she was refusing to face her.

"I know what you're going to say," Tori huffed. "You're going to say I'm beautiful no matter what."

"Damn right!" Jade sternly stated.

"Come on, Jade. You're just saying that because..."

"Because I have eyes, you dummy!"

Tori was perplexed by that.

"Huh?"

"You might think you're not also a knockout, but from where I'm sitting, nothing could be further from the truth!"

Jade pulled Tori's hand to her face and kissed it.

"Please don't say those things about yourself, Tori. You're fucking gorgeous. Yeah, I punished myself to get back to my fighting weight after Alice but you...holy shit...were the years kind to you! You are more beautiful now than you were back then. In fact, if you looked the way you look now, I might've come out of the closet sooner."

Tori blushed and stared at the table.

"Stop it," she grinned.

"I could go on all day, Tori! You think I got curves, you got cuuuurves."

The sudden presence of their server, Trevor, derailed that declaration. Jade imagined being him hitting her with a stick that read "Horny Jail."

"Your...uh...drinks, ladies. Do you need..." he swallowed. "More time?"

"Y-Y-Y-Yeah..." replied Tori.

"Bless you!"

And the man ran off.

"That was awkward," Jade muttered. "See, Tori? This is what you do to me. You're so sexy I forgot there was coffee!"

Tori chuckled and blew on her steaming tea.

Jade looked at her girlfriend with adoration.

(Damn, I love that woman!)

After having their hearts broken in different ways, Tori and Jade both quietly understood that this relationship was amazing that it even happened. And they learned to never take anything for granted; to love your partner like there might not be a tomorrow. Don't ever "tell them later" or save your display of affection or respect for another time. The past is the past and nobody knows how many tomorrows there are.

So, Jade and Tori were determined to savor their love for as many Nows as they were given.

"Ryan?"

He looked over and Rob ran over to him.

"Hey," the boy smiled back. "What's up?"

"I understand you were late to class a couple of times today."

Ryan huffed.

"I told the teachers what happened; that I'm helping Mia out."

"That's the reason?" Rob asked.

"Of course!" Ryan replied. "I couldn't let her carry her stuff all over school by herself."

Rob looked at the teen and smiled.

"Well, I'll be sure to have those points taken off since you are helping another student."

"Thanks," he sighed.

Rob began to walk away when he turned back to Ryan.

"One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"In the spirit of being helpful, could you please help your mother with the grocery shopping this afternoon?"

Ryan grinned, leaning in his direction.

"Got it, Dad."

A/N: You didn't misread that; the boy's full name is Ryan Shapiro, Rob and Kate's son. Surprise!

I always saw Ryan as Beck 2.0 - just this handsome, popular guy who is very laid back, but he doesn't use his popularity for evil and that's why we like him.

Also, that note Alice taped to Mia's locker - I think that was equal parts love for her friend and her own frustration with decorating lockers.