A/N: WE MADE IT, EVERYONE!
The final chapter for VictoriNEXT is upon us.
I am still working on the sequel, and I plan to drop it, hopefully, by spring at the latest. Unless I hit a major breakthrough and have it for you sooner, but until then...I will crank out something to tie everybody over until the next BIG one. I expect PART 2 to take as much of my year as this one did!
This is a good time to offer a one-shot or something really short for me to tackle, just to keep me writing constantly while I hammer out the details on the VictoriNEXT sequel.
This has been quite the journey; I've gone further than I ever had with any story I have written. Definitely in my personal top 3. Very pleased with how this came out. Can't believe this story idea fell into my lap way back in June 2023!? Thanks again, Teentitan12. I can't begin to tell you how much this fic meant for me and what an impact it made on the fans! Thank you.
Thanks again for all the readers who slapped a favorite or a follow for this story (and to me personally) as well as the loving reviews and shout-outs on social media (I see you, SK). Also, if you haven't spoken up yet, that's okay. But if you'd rather message me in private, please do. I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts and possible theories for the next story.
And finally, hope to see every last one of you at the sequel. I will mention VictoriNEXT in the description so you will find it quickly. Don't know if the next one will be as long or longer but it certainly will have as much care and craft as this one did.
PEACE OUT ;-)
Friday, June 6 had finally come and the viral campaign to let everyone know that For The Record was back had succeeded!
People showed up alright. They started lining up around eight in the morning. The patrons stood under the big yellow banner advertising the grand re-opening.
Mia woke up to the strange sight of a multitude down on the sidewalk in front of their building.
Tori was just as surprised by the turnout and quickly put on the coffee while Mia started calling in reinforcements.
Later that morning, a bit earlier than planned but not wanting to make everyone wait, they opened the doors.
When people walked in, they were greeted by an enthusiastic Tori who smiled with delight and welcomed the patrons.
The walls were still adorned with images of music royalty, a combination of concert posters and blown up black and white photos. The centerpiece of the wall decorations was a redux of the store's name into a unique logo designed by Alice. The "FOR" in the name was cleverly hidden in a picture. A figure (F) was shown playing a record (O) and the needle was the 'R' reversed. The were able to patent the new logo and put it out online, but they wouldn't have a full-on sign version that lit up in time for today.
Beside the store's namesake was a framed picture of Sam, the same from upstairs where he was smiling and posing in front of the shop. Above it was a gold-colored placard that read: "Sam Larson, Founder." Below his picture was a vase of fresh flowers.
That touch was Mia's idea. Unlike a cemetery, this felt more fitting for her father. To be surrounded by love and laughter and music.
Speaking of Mia, she settled back into her old role as if she never left. The girl was helping customers find what they were looking for. When she was a tyke, daddy had to assist. But after weeks of going through the inventory front to back, Mia had nearly full knowledge of the stock and only had to check on a few things. Mia had the feeling her dad was still guiding her because he knew how much she liked helping.
Alice was happy to assist behind the counter with Miles and Jade, while Tori and Mia worked the floor.
She had never envisioned that her freshman year was going to be this exciting. The girl boarded that bus on her first day of high school with high hopes but got smacked with a dose of reality. Little did she know the sharp-tongued girl she sat next to, and the school principal would be related and would begin a friendship that she would cherish deeply.
When they first met, Mia was in her own world, a world that she let precious few in. She told Alice in very direct terms that they were students at the same school, nothing more. Little did either of them know that in time they would be as tight as sisters. Alice learned to be more assertive, and Mia got on the right track for her heart to heal. And through Mia, Alice acquired even more friends. While a lot of freshmen were wandering the halls wide-eyed, the short girl lucked out with seasoned upperclassmen that showed her the ropes and encouraged her whenever she needed it.
Alice didn't know what the future would hold, but she wasn't scared because she knew she had such amazing people to be there with her.
Easily the most unexpected turn of events from her and Mia meeting was the reunion of their mothers, whom were friends from way back. Things were a little rocky but these special souls whose marriages ended miserably (one in tragedy, the other in infidelity) allowed a new love to blossom between them and they, too were on a better path than before.
Jade was happy quite often, at least whenever Alice was around, but she'd be lying if she said she hadn't noticed a great change. Now, her mom was happy for seemingly no reason at all. The former goth woke up with a sense of enthusiasm akin to a child at Christmas. Alice still loved her father very much and in time will forgive him for his actions. But seeing her mom's face when Tori was near made her heart sing, especially now that she's old enough to grasp how difficult going through a divorce and moving was.
Mia passed that picture of her father several times throughout the day. While it wasn't hard to do, each and every time had an emotional charge to it. She promised him that she would make him proud. Her and Tori had a long discussion about that the day they were leaving the hospital. She explained to Mia that what she's sure her father wanted more than anything is for his daughter to live her best life and never stop loving those who love her. That would make Sam proud and smile from wherever he is right now. Like Lauren said, we might be completely wrong about what Heaven is exactly. Those we loved the most whom we lost might be both very far away and closer than we think.
It's all a mystery.
The tan girl pondered if she went to a fortune teller a year or so ago, the crystal ball would turn matte black, showing absolutely nothing. Mia didn't think much beyond the day, not in a lust for life sense, but being uncertain about having ANY future at all. Other than a few fleeting moments of happiness, life was this enormous slog to get through and endure until the following day.
Mia was one to blast music whenever there was quiet because she wasn't one to be alone with her thoughts. Her thoughts hated her.
Now, while life still has its struggles, final exams for one, Mia sees more bright things ahead.
When there was a small lull in the crowd of people shortly after lunchtime, Mia checked her phone and saw a text from Ryan.
"What's that?" asked Alice.
Mia quickly covered her screen and blushed.
"N-N-Nothing!" she stammered.
The younger girl leaned over and was able to make out the first two letters of the sender. Mia's hand didn't quite cover up everything.
Alice's grin widened.
"Ryan texted you, mmm?"
"Shut up," Mia said before sprinting away.
Alice was about to chase after her when Becky walked into the shop.
"Oh, hey!"
The blonde girl stiffened at the sight of Alice.
"Uh...hi?"
"You heard about the store?" she asked.
Becky held up a flyer and shrugged.
"Picked this up and thought I'd check it out."
Miles noticed the flyer and nodded smugly that his campaign was effective.
"So, you work here?" Becky asked.
"Not really," Alice shook her head. "Just here to help Mia. This is actually her and her mom's store."
Becky's blue eyes widened.
"Oh, I see. You guys really are close."
Alice nodded.
"She's my ride or die," she said in that endearingly dorky way.
The blonde's face fell from disappointment.
"Glad it worked out, though," Alice added. "Be pretty awkward our parents dating, and we didn't get along."
"Huh?"
She gestured toward the other side of the store. Tori was counting the till and putting larger bills away in a zippered envelope. Meanwhile, Jade was behind her acting really cozy and making the Latina lose her count, forcing her to start over.
"Babe, stop! I need to count these!"
"One, two, fourteen, seventy-six..."
"Jade!" Tori chuckled.
Becky narrowed her eyes.
"Isn't that the school principal?"
Alice nodded.
"Whoa."
Becky recognized Alice's mother from that time in the halls. Even if she didn't, the two were similar.
She studied the freshman's face during this whole exchange. Alice didn't comment that the parents in question were two moms. In her eyes, the stranger thing was one happened to be the administrator of Hollywood Arts. It didn't matter to her that this was a gay relationship. Alice was fine with it. It was a non-issue. In fact, she seemed to find it rather sweet.
This made Becky's heart glad.
Not only were Alice and Mia not an item, they're just good friends, but Alice was not homophobic. Becky suspected she wouldn't be, Alice doesn't have that energy about her that she harbors any hatred. But even well-meaning people can be low key disparaging toward the LGBTQ+ community.
But one uncertainty still hung in the air.
Just because Alice was tolerant, even supportive, she might still be straight.
"Can I help you find anything?"
Becky shook her head no.
"Thanks, but I wanted to look around and...yeah."
Alice shrugged.
"Let me know when you see something you want."
(Of course you'd say that!)
"Okay..." Becky's voice cracked.
As Becky nervously walked away from Alice, Lauren and Chase entered.
"Hey guys!"
"What's going on?" waved Chase.
Lauren was noticeably silent.
"What's wrong?" Alice asked her.
"Nothing," she sighed. "Just got passed over for that commercial."
"WHAT?"
Mia emerged from behind Alice.
"I'm sorry," Alice said.
"What happened?" pressed Mia.
"According to the producers, they didn't like my sound."
They were holding auditions for this car commercial, and they were going to have a throwback ad campaign, complete with an old-fashioned jingle. It was going to be sung by a trio of young women. Despite still being in high school, Lauren placing on the songwriting contest last spring was enough to make them consider her. But after hours of tryouts, they ultimately passed on Lauren and about sixty other girls.
"Those guys were morons!" protested Chase.
"I'm sure it would have been cheesy, but I don't know...would have been fun."
Mia hugged Lauren, who smiled at her best friend.
Chase joined the hug and kissed her head.
"It'll be alright," Alice said. "There will be others."
"Ah, it just feels like I've been having some bad luck lately. There was the contest...the script me and Billy wrote wasn't picked...now this..."
"Hey," Mia smiled. "Things will turn around."
Lauren cleared her throat and really started to take in the ambience of the shop.
"Wow, this place is buzzing."
"They were lined up at the door," Mia mentioned. "Thanks...um...thanks for all of your help, guys."
Her friends nodded happily.
"Hi!" said Tori.
The teens all greeted Mia's mom nicely.
"Where is Jenna and Billy?" she asked.
"They'll be along later," Mia replied.
"Well, since I've got most of you here," Tori began. "I was wondering if any of you were looking to make some money, maybe you could work here part time for the summer?"
The group of youths exchanged glances.
"That could be fun," mused Lauren.
"You mean I could get paid to hang with my friends?" asked Chase cheekily.
"Watch it!" Jade pointed. "Or someone's job will be standing on the sidewalk in a giant chicken suit!"
He held up his hands at the woman before him.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Does that include me?" Alice asked her mom.
"What?" she smirked. "You think I had a reason to keep coming here or something?"
Tori interlaced her fingers with Jade's.
"We're looking to keep it in the family, not just hire some rando off the street. And you guys are like family to us."
Chase genuinely smiled at the sentiment.
"I'm in," he said. "What about you?"
Lauren looked up at him and then at Tori.
"Could be fun," she said. "Besides, I could use something to do."
"Guess it's settled then," nodded Tori.
"Um, excuse me?"
Becky was standing behind them.
"I got her," offered Alice.
She sprinted over to Becky.
"What do you need?"
"I've was looking for this album by Imagine Dragons. But it doesn't look like you have it."
Alice made a face and walked over to the section.
"Let's see, which one was it?"
"Night Visions," Becky replied. "It was their debut and..."
"Shoot!" Alice huffed. "Never mind, we need to order it for you."
"Um...it's okay...you don't have to do all..."
Becky heated up when Alice touched her hand.
"Really, it's no trouble. I can get it ordered really fast."
"Uh...thanks..."
Alice let her go and went over to inform Miles to add that title to the next order from the supplier.
"Okay, it will be about 7-10 business days," she informed her. "Is that okay?"
Becky nodded.
"Sure! And thanks again."
Alice smiled.
"No problem."
The blonde girl was eyeing the door, unable to keep her cool near this girl.
"I gotta go, bye!"
"Um...bye?" Alice waved, confused.
She turned and saw the gang gathered around Mia.
"What's up?" she asked.
Upon closer inspection, the tall girl was frozen stiff, clutching her phone. Her eyes were bugging out.
Chase waved his hand in front of her face and no response.
"What's going on?" he chuckled nervously.
"Wait, I know what this," Lauren said, opening Mia's hand and looking down at the screen.
"What's it say?" asked Alice.
Lauren smirked.
"Nothing, just Ryan asking if she's free tomorrow night."
Only a low whine came from Mia's closed mouth.
"Gimme," Alice said, taking the cell.
She then started typing:
"Sounds cool. What time?" Send.
A few seconds later.
"6 okay? Not too late to get some dinner?"
Alice grinned and eagerly replied:
"Perfect. Meet me at the shop."
"Great! Later."
"See ya."
She then put the phone back in Mia's hand.
"You got a date tomorrow at six o'clock sharp," Alice told her.
Mia collapsed onto the counter and made muffled noises.
"Huh?" asked Chase.
"She's saying thank you," Lauren explained.
Alice folded her arms.
(Love is pretty strange stuff, isn't it?)
A/N: Thought we'd end on a comedic note, as much drama as I like to inject in my stories, I try to remember that Victorious is a comedy. So, I do my best to have those laughs when I can. Hope you all had fun and I cannot wait to go back to these character some day soon!
Still cannot process that we are at the end, 50 chapters and more than 150K words?! DUDE