a chapter in between episodes. enjoy. ~S.K.
Exhibition
The warm aroma of pot pie filled the cozy kitchen as David walked in, greeted by the sight of his wife, Holly, bustling around the stove. He couldn't help but smile at the sight, feeling a surge of gratitude for the loving home they had built together.
"Hey, I'm home early," David announced, setting down his bag with a thud.
Holly turned around, her face breaking into a delighted smile. "David! What a wonderful surprise," she exclaimed, crossing the kitchen to give him a warm hug. "Dinner will be ready soon. I made pot pie, your favorite."
David returned the hug, pressing a kiss to Holly's cheek. "You're the best," he said sincerely, feeling a sense of peace wash over him as he held his wife close.
The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air as their daughters, Tori, Trina, and Shelby, came bounding into the kitchen, their faces bright with excitement.
"Tori, darling, how was your play?" Holly asked, her eyes sparkling with pride as she dished out servings of pot pie onto plates.
"It was amazing, Mom!" Tori exclaimed, her eyes shining. "The audience loved it, and Sofia Michelle said I did a great job."
Holly beamed, placing a plate in front of Tori. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart," she said, ruffling Tori's hair affectionately.
Trina piped up next, excitement evident in her voice. "And guess what? I've been working on a one-woman show, and it's almost ready. The school gave me space for it, and I was wondering if you all would come to see it."
"Of course we will, Trina," David said, giving her an encouraging smile. "We wouldn't miss it for the world."
Tori nodded enthusiastically, though she couldn't suppress a hint of skepticism. Trina's theatrical ambitions had always been a source of amusement for her, but she knew how much it meant to her sister.
Shelby chimed in with her own news, her eyes sparkling with determination. "And I've decided to take Carly up on her challenge for an exhibition. We could do it for charity or something."
The family nodded in agreement, impressed by Shelby's initiative. "That's a fantastic idea, Shelby," Holly said, her heart swelling with pride for her daughter.
As they settled around the table, passing dishes of pot pie and sharing stories of their day, David couldn't help but feel grateful for the love and unity that filled their home. Despite the challenges they faced, they were a family, and that was all that mattered.
As Tori's phone buzzed with a text, she glanced over at Shelby with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Shelby, want to catch a movie with us tonight? Andre, Cat, and Robbie are coming too," she suggested eagerly.
Shelby's eyes lit up with excitement. "Absolutely! That sounds like fun," she exclaimed, already mentally planning their evening out.
With a nod of agreement, the twins quickly excused themselves from the table, leaving Holly and David to exchange a knowing look. They both turned their gaze towards Trina, who was left sitting at the now-empty table.
"Well, looks like it's your turn to wash the dishes," David said with a playful grin, nudging Holly gently as they both rose from their seats.
Holly chuckled softly, linking her arm with David's as they made their way towards their bedroom. "You got off easy this time," she teased, a twinkle in her eye.
Trina watched them go with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. With a heavy sigh, she turned her attention back to the uncleared table, rolling up her sleeves and beginning the task of cleaning up.
As she scrubbed at the dishes, Trina couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. It seemed like she was always the one left behind to clean up after everyone else. But she pushed aside her feelings, determined to finish the chore quickly so she could retreat to her room and escape into her own thoughts.
Shelby drummed her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel as they waited for Cat to join them in the car. Tori and Robbie sat in the backseat, exchanging curious glances as they watched Cat hugging a guy on her porch.
"Who's that?" Tori asked, her curiosity piqued.
Shelby shrugged, her brow furrowing with concern. "I'm not sure. I've never seen him before."
Robbie's expression darkened as he observed the embrace. "Looks like she's got herself a boyfriend," he muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Tori shot him a sympathetic look, reaching out to pat his shoulder gently. "I'm sorry, Robbie," she said softly. "I know how much you liked her."
Robbie nodded, his gaze fixed on Cat as she finally broke away from the guy and headed toward the car. "Yeah, well... I guess I never had a chance, huh?" he said with a resigned sigh.
As Cat climbed into the car, Shelby offered her a warm smile, trying to mask her concern. "Hey, Cat. Everything okay?"
Cat nodded, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Yeah, everything's great! Sorry for keeping you guys waiting," she said cheerfully.
Shelby exchanged a knowing look with Tori and Robbie, silently communicating their shared confusion about Cat's mysterious new companion. But for now, they decided to push aside their concerns and focus on enjoying their time together.
Tori glanced over at Robbie, noticing the sadness in his eyes as they sat together in the theater. She knew something was bothering him, and she couldn't ignore it any longer.
"Hey, Robbie," she said softly, leaning in closer to him. "Are you okay?"
Robbie forced a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, though his voice lacked conviction.
Tori shook her head, not buying his attempt to brush off his feelings. "No, you're not," she said gently. "I can tell something's bothering you. Is it... is it about Cat?"
Robbie's shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I really like her, you know?"
Tori nodded sympathetically, reaching out to squeeze his hand in a gesture of support. "I know, Robbie," she said softly. "But sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to."
Robbie looked up at her, his eyes pleading for reassurance. "Do you think it's because I'm trans?" he asked quietly. "Maybe she's not into guys like me."
Tori's heart ached for her friend, knowing the struggles he faced as a trans man navigating the complexities of love and relationships. "I don't think that's it, Robbie," she said firmly, trying to offer him some comfort. "You're an amazing person, and anyone would be lucky to have you."
Robbie managed a small smile at her words, but there was still a hint of sadness lingering in his eyes. "Thanks, Tori," he said quietly.
Tori returned his smile, squeezing his hand once more. "Of course, Robbie," she said. "And hey, maybe someday you'll find someone who sees you for the incredible person you are."
Robbie's smile grew a little wider at her words, but there was a hint of resignation in his expression. "Yeah, maybe," he said softly.
Suddenly, Robbie took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "Tori, I... I really like you," he confessed, his voice trembling slightly. "Would you... would you want to go out with me sometime?"
Tori's heart skipped a beat at his unexpected confession, but she knew she had to be honest with him. "Robbie, you're a wonderful friend," she said gently. "But I'm not the one for you."
Robbie's expression fell, but he nodded understandingly. "Yeah, I figured," he said, though there was a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Tori reached out to give his hand one final squeeze, offering him a reassuring smile. "But I'll always be here for you, Robbie," she said sincerely. "No matter what."
The theater was shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from the flickering light of the movie screen. Shelby and Andre sat side by side, their shoulders almost touching, but the weight of their impending conversation creating a palpable distance between them.
Shelby took a deep breath, her heart heavy with the words she knew she needed to say. "Andre," she began softly, her voice barely above a whisper in the quiet theater. "I need to talk to you about something."
Andre turned to her, concern etched on his features in the dim light. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"It's about my CFC circuit," Shelby explained, her gaze dropping to her hands in her lap. "I have to go back on tour soon, and I don't know when I'll be back."
Andre's brow furrowed in confusion. "But I thought... I mean, we just started dating," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Shelby nodded sadly, her heart aching at the thought of leaving Andre behind. "I know, and I really like you," she admitted, reaching out to gently grasp his hand. "But I don't want to hold you back. You should be able to date other people while I'm gone."
Andre's expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Shelby, I don't want to date anyone else," he said earnestly. "I want to be with you."
Shelby's heart skipped a beat at his words, a surge of warmth flooding her chest. "Andre, I want to be with you too," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't want to keep you waiting for me, not knowing when I'll be back."
They fell into a hushed silence, the weight of their conversation hanging heavy in the air between them. Shelby leaned in closer to Andre, seeking solace in the comfort of his presence.
"I don't want to say goodbye," Andre whispered, his voice barely audible over the soft murmur of the movie playing in the background.
"Me neither," Shelby murmured, her breath catching in her throat as she leaned in to press her lips against his. They kissed tenderly, savoring the fleeting moments they had left together.
When the movie finally came to an end, they reluctantly pulled away from each other, their hearts heavy with the impending separation. With one final kiss, they parted ways, Shelby driving her sister and their friends back home in a somber silence, the weight of their unspoken goodbye hanging heavy in the air.
In the soft glow of the bedside lamp, Holly lay curled up against David's chest, her heart heavy with guilt as they basked in the aftermath of their lovemaking. But just as she allowed herself to momentarily forget her indiscretions, her phone vibrated on the nightstand, shattering the fragile peace between them.
David's gaze flickered to her phone, his brows furrowing in curiosity. "Who's texting you at this hour?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of suspicion.
Holly's heart skipped a beat as she reached for her phone, her guilt rising like a tide within her. "Oh, it's probably just... work stuff," she stammered, her voice tinged with unease as she quickly glanced at the screen.
But before she could even read the message, David's hand intercepted hers, his eyes narrowing as he took in the name on the screen. "Gary?" he questioned, his voice low and controlled, but tinged with a hint of betrayal.
Holly's breath caught in her throat as she met David's gaze, her guilt written plainly across her features. "He's just... looking for you," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper as she attempted to maintain the facade of innocence.
David's expression softened, his features clouded with concern as he reached for his own phone, his fingers flying across the screen as he checked his messages. His relief was palpable as he saw the missed texts from Gary, but the seed of doubt had already been planted.
Holly felt the weight of her deception pressing down on her, her guilt threatening to consume her as she searched for a way to salvage the fragile trust between them. With trembling fingers, she quickly went back into her phone, her heart pounding in her chest as she changed Gary's name to that of a random woman.
David's gaze lingered on her, his eyes searching her face for answers as he reached out to gently cup her cheek. "Holly, is everything okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Holly's throat tightened with emotion as she met his gaze, the weight of her guilt threatening to overwhelm her. "I'm sorry, David," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion as she reached out to grasp his hand. "I... I made a mistake, and I don't know how to fix it."
David's expression softened with understanding as he pulled her close, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. "We'll figure it out together," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead as they held each other close, united in their determination to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead.
In the quiet of their bedroom, David wrapped his arms around Holly, his heart heavy with remorse for his recent absence. "I'm so sorry, Holly," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know I haven't been there for you like I should have been."
Holly sighed softly, leaning into his embrace as she listened to his apology. "I know, David," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "But right now, we have more pressing matters to attend to."
Before David could respond, Holly's phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through the stillness of the room. Her heart skipped a beat as she answered the call, her stomach twisting with dread as she heard the news from the hospital in Seattle.
With a sense of urgency, Holly sprang into action, her mind racing as she gathered her things and prepared to leave. David offered to accompany her, but she shook her head, her expression determined.
"No, David," she said firmly, her voice tinged with urgency. "You need to stay here with the girls. I'll handle this."
As Holly descended the stairs, she was met by the sight of her daughters returning home. Their expressions immediately shifted to concern as they took in their mother's demeanor.
"What's wrong, Mom?" Tori asked, her voice filled with worry.
Holly's throat tightened with emotion as she broke the news to her daughters, her heart heavy with worry for her mother's health. "Grandma Marx is in the hospital in Seattle," she explained, her voice shaking slightly. "I need to go be with her."
Shelby's eyes widened with concern as she realized the gravity of the situation. "I'm coming with you," she declared, her voice filled with determination.
Holly hesitated for a moment, torn between wanting to protect her daughter and knowing that she needed to focus on her own mother. But she nodded gratefully, her heart swelling with pride for her daughter's selflessness.
"Thank you, Shelby," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude as they hurried to gather their things and make their way to Seattle, united in their determination to be there for their family in their time of need.
In the sterile atmosphere of the hospital waiting room, Shelby leaned against her mother, finding solace in her comforting presence. As they sat together, Shelby's mother turned to her, curiosity etched in her features.
"Where did this exhibition idea come from, sweetheart?" her mother inquired gently, prompting Shelby to retrieve her phone and show her the clip.
With a solemn expression, Shelby played the video for her mother, the familiar faces of Carly and Sam filling the screen as they bantered back and forth. On the video was Sam and Carly at their web studio and Carly smiled after their last bid and said. "As you know, Sam and I like to show you all what's cool."
"So… now we're going to show ya the baddest, most butt-kickingest girl in the world," Sam said.
"Her name is Shelby Marx"
"And in case you haven't seen her yet, Freddie, roll the clip." Sam finishes their spiel off by moving her arms in a rolling motion.
He showed a clip of Shelby simply manhandling Maya Feckner all over the floor.
When it comes back to them, Carly says. "Okay, Shelby is one seriously tough chick."
"Oh, I don't know Carls, I think you could take her," Sam said jokingly.
Carly chuckles. "Yeah right…" Then she changes her posture to one of daring. "You hear that Shelby Marx? I could kick your butt, anytime, anywhere. Lets go Shelby!"
Same let out a slight giggle "She's just Kidding."
"Totally kidding."
"Carly couldn't beat up my cat," Sam said dismissively.
"And her cat only has three legs." Carly collaborated
"Carly, not a tough girl," Sam added.
"BUt I do wear cute skirts."
As the clip ended, Shelby's mother nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the playful exchange between Carly and Sam. "I see," she murmured, her gaze lingering on the screen. "So, this is where it all started."
Shelby nodded, her thoughts drifting to the events that led to the creation of the video. "Yeah, someone took that clip and twisted it into something else on SplashFace," she explained, her voice tinged with frustration. "But that was just a few weeks ago, before our birthdays."
Her mother listened attentively as Shelby detailed her plans with Rod, her trainer, for the exhibition. With a determined gleam in her eye, Shelby expressed her intention to approach Carly about the challenge.
As they discussed the upcoming exhibition, Shelby's mother reached out, squeezing her hand in a reassuring gesture. "I'm proud of you, Shelby," she said softly, her voice filled with love and pride. "You've come so far, and I know you'll do great."
Shelby smiled gratefully, feeling a surge of warmth at her mother's words. "Thanks, Mom," she whispered, leaning into her embrace. In that moment, surrounded by the steady support of her family, Shelby felt a renewed sense of determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
In the dimly lit yoga studio, Beck leaned in close to Alyssa, his heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. Ignoring any sense of caution, he pressed his lips to hers in a heated kiss, the world around them fading away as they indulged in their forbidden desires.
As they parted, their breaths mingling in the air, Beck's mind raced with the possibilities of what could come next. He clasped Alyssa's hand in his own, his gaze filled with a mixture of longing and apprehension.
With a shared understanding, they made their way out of the studio, the cool air hitting them as they stepped into the bustling streets. But their moment of bliss was short-lived as the harsh glare of camera flashes assaulted their senses.
Beck's heart sank as he realized they had been caught by the paparazzi, his mind frantically searching for a way to salvage the situation. He glanced at Alyssa, panic flickering in his eyes as he struggled to find the right words.
"We need to get out of here," he muttered urgently, his grip on Alyssa's hand tightening as he tried to steer her away from the prying lenses.
But Alyssa simply smiled, her gaze lingering on Beck with an unreadable expression. "It's alright, darling," she murmured, her voice calm despite the chaos surrounding them. "Let them take their pictures."
Beck's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Alyssa's reaction, a sense of relief washing over him at her composed demeanor. But even as he tried to reassure himself, a nagging fear lingered in the back of his mind.
As they made their way through the throng of photographers, Beck couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of his stomach. Who knew what these pictures could mean for him and his already fragile relationship with Jade?
But for now, all he could do was cling to Alyssa's hand and pray that their secret remained just that—a secret.
Jade paced back and forth in her private ensuite, her mind swirling with fear and uncertainty. Each tick of the clock seemed to echo in the silence of the room, heightening her anxiety with every passing second. She glanced at the door, willing Cat to arrive with the test that held the answer to her greatest fear.
Finally, a soft knock sounded at the door, and Cat entered the room, a worried expression etched on her face. Jade wasted no time in snatching the test from her hand, rushing to the bathroom with shaky hands.
As they waited for the result, Cat sat beside Jade, offering silent support as they braced themselves for whatever the outcome may be. Jade's emotions fluctuated wildly, from sheer panic to a quiet determination to face whatever lay ahead.
"If it's positive... what will you do?" Cat asked softly, breaking the tense silence between them.
Jade swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the bathroom door. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But maybe... maybe I'll keep it. My mom kept me, and... and I turned out okay, right?"
Cat reached out, squeezing Jade's hand gently. "Whatever you decide, I'll be here for you," she promised, her voice filled with sincerity. "You're not alone in this, Jade. We'll figure it out together."
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Jade emerged, holding the test in trembling hands. Their eyes met, and without a word, Jade passed the test to Cat, unable to bear the weight of its verdict alone.
Cat's breath caught as she scanned the test, her heart pounding in her chest. Then, a small smile tugged at her lips as she looked up at Jade. "It's negative," she announced softly, relief flooding her features.
Tears welled in Jade's eyes as the weight of the moment lifted from her shoulders. She let out a shaky breath, feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her chest. "Thank God," she whispered, leaning into Cat's comforting embrace.
As the paparazzi's flashbulbs illuminated the dimly lit streets, Beck and Alyssa Vaughan, the billionaire heiress, found themselves in a whirlwind of passion. The adrenaline rush from almost being caught heightened their senses, making their encounter all the more primal and intense.
Their hurried steps echoed through the empty loft as they made their way to the kitchen, seeking refuge from the prying eyes of the world. The safety of Alyssa's loft was a sanctuary, a place where they could indulge in their forbidden desires without fear of being exposed.
Their lips met in a fervent kiss, tongues entwining as they struggled to remove each other's clothing. The frantic energy between them was palpable, fueled by the thrill of the chase and the danger of being caught.
As Beck's hands roamed Alyssa's body, he felt a surge of exhilaration. The added danger of their secret affair made his life feel worth living, and he reveled in the excitement of it all. He pushed her against the kitchen counter, their bodies pressed together as they continued to kiss with a feverish intensity.
Alyssa's moans filled the air as Beck's fingers found their way between her legs, teasing her with gentle strokes. Her breath hitched as he slipped a finger inside her, her body responding to his touch with a desperate need.
With a growl, Beck lifted Alyssa onto the counter, spreading her legs wide as he positioned himself between them. The anticipation was almost unbearable, and as he thrust into her, they both cried out in pleasure.
Their bodies moved in perfect sync, the rhythm of their lovemaking fueled by the adrenaline coursing through their veins. Beck's hands gripped Alyssa's hips, pulling her closer as he drove deeper inside her.
Their passion was raw and uninhibited, a testament to the forbidden nature of their affair. They moved together, lost in the moment, oblivious to the world outside.
As they reached the peak of their pleasure, Beck felt a sense of euphoria wash over him. The danger, the excitement, and the sheer intensity of their encounter left him addicted to this new way of living. He knew that this wouldn't be the last time they would indulge in their secret trysts.
With a final thrust, they both found their release, their bodies trembling with the aftershocks of their passion. As they caught their breath, Beck couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had found a new thrill, a new way to live life on the edge, and he couldn't wait to do it again.
With a smile, Beck pulled away from Alyssa, his heart still racing from their encounter. He knew that he would have to leave soon before the sun rose and the world outside began to stir. But for now, he was content to bask in the afterglow of their secret rendezvous, knowing that this was just the beginning of their illicit affair.
As Cat left, Jade sank onto her bed, her mind still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster of the past hour. Relief washed over her in waves as she processed the negative result of the pregnancy test, but beneath that relief lingered a profound sense of emptiness.
She felt lost, adrift in a sea of nameless disappointment and inexplicable sadness. All she wanted was Beck, his comforting presence to chase away the lingering shadows of fear and uncertainty. But when she reached out to him, he didn't come.
The first call went unanswered, leaving Jade's heart sinking with each subsequent ring. She called again, desperation creeping into her voice, but still, there was no answer. Ten calls later, her phone remained silent, echoing with the absence of the one person she needed most.
Tears welled in Jade's eyes as she curled up on her bed, clutching her phone to her chest. The weight of loneliness pressed down on her, suffocating her with its relentless grip. She cried herself to sleep, the tears mingling with the ache of longing for Beck's comforting embrace.
In her dreams, she reached out for him, but he remained just out of reach, slipping through her fingers like smoke. And when she woke, the emptiness remained, a gaping void in her heart that only Beck could fill.
Daniel drove Cat home after picking her up from Jade's place, the quiet hum of the car filling the space between them. As they reached her driveway, he turned off the engine and turned to her, a curious expression on his face.
"Hey, Cat," he began, his tone gentle yet probing. "I've been wondering... why haven't I ever met your friends?"
Cat shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze flickering away for a moment before she met his eyes. "Um, well, it's not that I don't want you to meet them," she started, her voice hesitant. "It's just... my friends are going through some stuff right now, you know? It's kind of a mess."
Daniel nodded understandingly, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "I get it," he said softly. "Whenever you're ready, I'd love to meet them."
A small smile tugged at Cat's lips as she leaned in closer to him, the warmth of his presence enveloping her. "Thanks, Daniel," she murmured, her heart fluttering with affection.
Their lips met in a tender kiss, the sweet taste of anticipation lingering in the air. But as the intensity grew, Daniel pulled back slightly, his hands gently cupping her cheeks.
"Cat," he whispered, his voice filled with restraint. "I think we should slow down."
Cat sighed inwardly, a pang of disappointment shooting through her. She had hoped for more, yearned for the same passion she saw between Jade and Beck. But she respected Daniel's boundaries, nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right," she said softly, leaning back against her seat. "Thanks for understanding."
As Daniel leaned in to press another kiss to her lips, Cat couldn't help but wish for a love as fiery and all-consuming as Jade's. But for now, she found solace in the quiet comfort of Daniel's affection, grateful for his steady presence in her life.
Tori had been waiting for this moment all week. Her mother was out of town with Shelby, and the house was finally asleep. She had been fantasizing about going to Dolls, the local bar, for quite some time now. It was a place where people went to let loose and indulge in their desires. Tori was no exception. She was feeling particularly horny and knew that she needed to satisfy her cravings.
As she slipped out of the house, her heart raced with excitement and anticipation. The cool night air brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. She walked briskly, her eyes fixed on the neon sign that read 'Dolls' in the distance.
Upon arriving at the bar, Tori was greeted by a bouncer who eyed her suspiciously. She nervously handed over her fake ID, hoping that it would pass the scrutiny. The bouncer squinted at the ID and then back at Tori. 'You look just like that chick Shelby Marks, isn't she like 15 or something?'
Tori swallowed hard and replied, 'Yeah, that's not me. I'm old enough to be here.'
The bouncer hesitated for a moment before finally waving her in. Tori breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped into the dimly lit bar. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, alcohol, and desire. She scanned the room, taking in the sea of writhing bodies and the pulsating music.
Tori spotted a Latina girl with long hair in cornrows, hanging out with a group of friends. Their eyes met, and the girl lifted her beer in a subtle acknowledgment. Tori smiled back, feeling a spark of attraction. However, the girl didn't seem interested in approaching her, so she turned away, scanning the room for other potential partners.
As she sipped her drink, the bartender placed a second one in front of her. 'I didn't order this,' she said, confused.
The Latina girl from earlier appeared beside her, a playful grin on her face. 'It's a gift from me, hey.' She extended her hand. 'I'm Papi.'
Tori shook her hand, feeling a jolt of electricity at the touch. 'Tori.'
Papi leaned in close, her breath warm against Tori's ear. 'Wanna dance, Tori?'
Tori nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. They made their way to the dance floor, where Papi's hands began to explore Tori's body. The music pulsed around them, fueling their passion.
As the night wore on, Papi led Tori to the bathroom, locking the door behind them. They kissed hungrily, their hands roaming over each other's bodies. Papi dropped to her knees, her lips finding their way to Tori's inner thighs. Tori moaned softly, her fingers tangling in Papi's hair as she pleasured her.
After they both found release, Tori and Papi emerged from the bathroom, their faces flushed with satisfaction. They exchanged numbers before parting ways, promising to meet again soon.
Tori slipped out of the bar, her body still tingling with pleasure. She made her way back home, careful to avoid any potential encounters with her real father. As she slipped back into her room, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that she had finally satisfied her cravings.
The elder Cat passed by her daughter's room. She heard a sob and she froze. Jade was crying. She couldn't remember the last time she heard that. So she knocked on the door. "Gigi?"
"What?"" Came the strained voice on the other side of the door.
"Can I come in?" Cat asked.
"No…"
"Gigi…" Cat said and sighed. "I'm coming in."
Jade groaned and opened the door for her mother. "What?"
"Have you been crying?" She asked and Jade went back to bed and dropped in it curling to her side. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing is literally the matter." Jade said. "I just felt like crying."
Cat looked around the room for some clue. And then she spotted it. A box for a pregnancy test in the waste basket. "You're pregnant?" she asked with a gasp.
Jade scrunched her face and looked at her mother. "No… I'm not pregnant."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Took three tests to make sure," Jade answered.
Then Cat was confused. Eyes furrowed. "Why are you crying? Did you want to be pregnant?"
"No!" Jade shouted. "I'm 15 Mom, my god!"
"I'm failing to see the problem here," Cat said.
"I told you that literally nothing was wrong," Jade answered and Cat understood. Tears of Relief.
"You're lucky… That doesn't happen often."
"Whatever," Jade said.
Cat sighed. "Don't whatever me." She shook her head. "Jade, I don't want you having sex this young for this very reason. I think You and Beck should cool it. Sex complicates everything."
"If I don't do it… he won't stay with me," Jade stated.
"Do you like sex jade?" Cat asked furrowing her brows and looking at her daughter. Jade pursed her lips and blushed before taking a pillow and covering her face in serious embarrassment. She answered her mother. "What did you say?"
"I love sex," Jade said pulling the pillow from her face. "I love it and I'm scared I may be addicted to it."
"Ah…" Cat stated now not knowing how to address this. "How long have you been able to hold out?"
"Mom…" Jade said embarrassment taking over her again.
"I'm serious, how long?" She insisted not sure if she was comfortable. She took a deep breath and pretended this was her friend not the child whose body she had nourished inside her own for nine months.
"I don't know… a month… but I cheat," Jade answered.
Cat exhaled. "You mean you masturbate more than you have sex?" Jade covered her face again. And Cat starts to laugh, unable to comprehend that she was talking this candidly with her child.
"Mom…" Jade groaned.
"Baby that's normal. If you were an addict, you wouldn't stop at Beck." Cat answered.
"I don't stop at beck… Not in my head anyway." Jade said.
"What do you mean?" Cat asked.
"Remember I told you I was bi right?" Jade asked. Cat nodded. "Sometimes… I think about this girl…"
Cat giggled a bit again unable to keep that to herself. "MOM!"
"Baby… it's normal I promise…" Cat reassured her daughter. "The only thing I can say is slow down. You don't want to be here again."
Jade nodded and stayed silent for a bit then looked at her mother. "Mom… Thinking about her isn't cheating is it?"
"Not even when you're with him." Her mother said and winked standing. She needed to leave this room. "Do what you have to do to get off."
Jade chuckled and covered her face in embarrassment but this time using only her hands. "Oh my god."
"Good night Jade," Cat said and walked out onto the halfway. She shook herself and frowned. Her daughter was getting more action than she was. "Maybe a trip to New York is in the cards," she mumbled to herself as she walked off to her room
Trina's eyes sparkled with desperation as she approached the enigmatic dancer, Ethan, his lithe body moving with effortless grace. 'Excuse me,' she began, her voice a soft caress, 'I couldn't help but notice your incredible talent. I'm Trina, and I'm putting together a one-woman show. Would you consider choreographing it for me?'
The dancer paused, his piercing gaze meeting hers. 'Thank you, but I'm not interested.'
Trina's heart sank, but her determination refused to waver. 'I'd do anything,' she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. 'I'd even... I'd fuck you.'
A flicker of surprise passed over the dancer's face, his eyes widening slightly. He was surrounded by a group of gay men and women who adored him, but he seemed to be the only heterosexual dancer. A mischievous grin spread across his lips.
'Very well,' he said, his voice low and husky. 'I'll help you.'
Trina's eyes lit up with gratitude. She led him to her dressing room, where she pressed him against the wall. Her lips parted, and she descended upon his manhood, her tongue swirling around the tip. Her skilled mouth brought him to the brink of ecstasy, and he moaned softly.
'Once you've created the choreography,' she breathed into his ear, 'I'll fuck you.'
The dancer swallowed hard, his body trembling with anticipation. He pulled away, his eyes blazing with desire. 'I'll get started right away.'
And with that, he disappeared, leaving Trina alone with her throbbing need and the promise of a night of unbridled passion.
Shelby made it to Bushwell Plaza with her trainer and her sparring partner and headed for the eighth floor. She wondered if this was really the place where they made the iCarly shows and looked around the hallway. She decided to look real tough, so she removed the smile from her face and glared at Rod until he put on a tough expression that looked more amused than scary. She rang the doorbell and she could hear someone, maybe a teenager say, "Coming!" then she was face to face with Carly Shay from iCarly. She was a big fan but she tempered herself saying.
'Carly, Hi, I'm Shelby Marx" Carly looked back at her friends and the three looked a little spooked. Cute. "Carly Shay was nervous because of her. "I saw your video about me?" Shelby continued folding her arms in front of her.
"Oh… You did? Wos." Carly said a bit sheepishly. "That's so cool, because-" and then she did the unexpected and screamed, running away in abject fear. Shelby looked at her companions and then at the inhabitants of the apartments. They hadn't gone in at all. Just standing at the threshold. Maybe tough wasn't the right look for her at the moment. So she dropped her face in confusion especially when she saw the man in his boxers rubbing anti-itch cream on his back with a golf club.
"What the fuck?" she heard Rod mumble.
"Would you like to come in?" The man said. "I'm Spencer Shay, Carly's brother, and that's Freddy and Sam."
"The rest of the iCarly's right," Shelby said entering the apartment and looking around to see if she recognized anything from the show. She didn't.
"I am a huge fan," Sam said.
"Me too.." Freddy said entranced by Shelby "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I saw the video, and I saw what they tried to do with that other video on Splash Face. I was reading the comments and thought that an exhibition fight with Carly could be pretty cool.
"So cool!" Sam said, standing and looking up the stairs.
"I think that is a cool idea. Let me go see if I can find her." Spencer said heading up the stairs.
Then the rest of them stood awkwardly in the living room. Anxious silence permeated the space. "uh…Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.'' Shelby finally said.
"No, no, this is the best Idea ever." Sam insisted and turned to yell up the stairs. "Spencer, will you hurry up and find Carly already!"
Spencer ran down the stairs a bit winded. "I looked under her bed, in every closet, on the fire escape."
Sam glanced over at Shelby who looked ready to scrap the idea. And she was. "Just go find Carly."
"Okay," he said and went back in search of his sibling.
"Hey Shelby, I made you some raisin bread toast," Freddy said awkwardly coming up to Shelby.
"What?" Shelby answered, startled to even be hearing him talk. Her arms folded across her chest. Shelby was too tense to deal with this, read the room buddy.
"Oh, this is pathetic," Sam said on the other side of her.
"Uh… thanks, but raisins kind of creep me out," Shelby said as friendly as she could manage.
"Oh, well, I can get rid of the raisins," Freddie said and began biting them out of the toast. "There you go raisin free," he said after taking the whole thing out of her bread.
"You… also creep me out." Then there was a scream overhead.
"Ooh, I think Spencer found Carly," Sam said and stepped back.
"Let me go!" could be heard from the top of the stairs.
"Just listen to what she has to say," Spencer said, carrying her down the stairs.
"She's going to kick me in the face," Carly screamed.
"No she won't," Spencer said.
You're getting itch cream all over my outfit."Carly said, flailing as her brother fought to keep her balanced and not let her fall. "I'll wash it out, relax!"
He put her down and Shelby took one step towards her and Carly began telling her about how she had been kidding and how she hadn't been the one to post that video."Relax! Shelby is not mad at you." Same said to a panicking Carly.
Shelby rolled her eyes. Finally,
"She's not?" Carly said, looking between her violent friend and the violent champion. She just didn't feel safe at that moment.
"No, I'm not mad at you," Shelby answered.
"Okay… good, whew," Carly said in relief.
"But I do want to fight you," Shelby said, stepping forward. Carly turned to run again. This time Sam caught her and brought her back to the center of the room. Spencer threw a towel at her so she could wipe the anti-itch cream off of her.
"But why would you want to fight me?" She asked a little less frantically, since she didn't seem in any immediate danger..
Shelby turned and looked at her manager "Actually it's my Manager Rod's idea."
"Oh… well thanks a lot Rod," Carlie said glaring at the man.
"We're not talking about a championship fight or anything like that," He said walking towards her amiably. "Just a… one-round exhibition. Like a show"
"A show where Shelby punches and kicks me lots of times?" Carly asks.
"No… see I wouldn't really be trying to hurt you." Shelby says with a chuckle. "Think of it as a… Fun fight."
"Just a fun fight," Spencer said and Shelby questioned why Spencer is being so weird. They explained that he was having side effects of an allergy medication, and then he excused himself to put on some pants.
"That's Juan y trainer." Shelby introduces her other companion.
"Hi," Shelby said.
"So… back to this fight thing?" Carly turned back to Shelby and her manager.
"Right… Look," He stated coming around the couch and sitting on an available surface. "Shelby is the best young female fighter in the world. But we want more people to know about her. And you're famous on the internet." he paused. "Well think about it, Two famous teenage girls. Both beautiful, and both successful fighting it out in the octagon. Now millions of people will tune in to watch that. Which will be great promotion for Shelby, and for iCarly."
"I think that sounds awesome!" Sam stated excitedly.
"I love it!" Freddy collaborated.
""But I won't get hurt right?" Carly said concern etched in her voice.
"And I know I can get this fight booked, on primetime TV." Rod continued.
"Really?" Sam said, standing in awe of the opportunity.
"No way!" Stated Freddy standing as well.
While Carly was glad her friends saw this was an awesome thing to happen, She had but one concern… "But I won't get hurt… right?"
"And the fight will make a bunch of money which we can donate to charity," Shelby said her voice was a little more reassuring than that of the rest of the people trying to railroad into this life(er Face) threatening situation.
"That is a great idea," Rod said.
"Si," Juan adds.
"Perfect!" Sam stated.
"Everybody wins," Freddy concludes.
"But I won't get hurt! Right!" Carly shouts, feeling like one concern is not being listened to. They don't understand that they have nothing if she doesn't agree to this. "Someone say right!"
"No worries. " Rod reassured her.
"Right," Shelby added.
Sam finally explained what was happening to her best friend. "See, a professional fighter knows how to throw punches that look real but don't actually hurt."
"Shelby, show her," Rod said
"Come here, Carly," Shelby said standing.
Carly shook her head. "No…"
Sam pulled her from the couch and pushed her forward. And Shelby stood in front of her and smiled. "Ready?" she asked softly.
"No…" she answered, petrified.
"Yeah, you are," Shelby said in a bit of a pur.
"Lista?" Juan said behind her. And she shifted to her fighting stance. "Vamonos!" Shelby throws a series of punches at the flinching teen girl in front of her and a couple of kicks.
"See nothing to worry about," Shelby said.
Carly took a breath. Rod finally spoke again. "So, will you do it?"
She turned to her guardian. "Spencer, what do you think?"
He sighed. As he was still struggling with his side effects. "Well as long as it's safe, I think it sounds like a good thing for Shelby and for iCarly.
And so the fight was on.
The dancer finished running the choreography through with Trina, and she couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. The routine was challenging yet exhilarating, and she knew it would be a hit with her audience. However, as the dancer awaited her response, Trina felt a pang of apprehension. She had made a promise, and now it was time to deliver.
Taking a moment to consider her options, Trina finally nodded decisively. "Let's get to work," she declared, her voice tinged with determination. "I'll pay."
With that, they dove into the intricate steps and precise movements of the choreography. The dancer patiently guided Trina through each sequence, offering encouragement and correction where needed. Despite the initial nerves, Trina quickly found her rhythm, her body responding eagerly to the challenge before her.
As they worked tirelessly, Trina's confidence grew with each passing minute. She was determined to master the routine, to prove to herself and to others that she was capable of greatness. And with the dancer's expert guidance, she knew she was on the path to success. Together, they pushed through the obstacles and obstacles, fueled by their shared passion for dance and performance. And as the session drew to a close, Trina couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had taken a leap of faith, and it had paid off in ways she never could have imagined.
"Pay up Trina." He said, looking her up and down.
Trina swallowed, this was the very first time she was doing this transactional, and had a moment of thought if this was even worth it. She looked at him and nodded. "Your car or mine?"
Shelby walked into the Beverly Hotel. Grandma Marx and Her mom trailing her. "Hey gram… will you go up there with me?" Shelby said looking at her mom. She was just so happy that her Grandma was out of the hospital for this press conference. Her mother smiled.
"I would love to." her grandmother said and Shelby gingerly guided her with her to the table at the front of the ballroom where the press was gathered. Carly was already there at the table with her friends and Family. She couldn't wait to introduce her old grandma to them. She really thought they could be friends.
She glanced back, and Her mother seemed to be having a Text battle and wondered if she and her dad were okay. They seemed to be arguing a lot lately. When she turned back she saw Sam whispering something to Carly, as the rest of her party sat on their side of the table. "This is going to be so much fun." She murmured to her grandmother.
Her grandmother smiled and patted her on the cheek. "I'm so happy you like what you do baby girl."
"Yeah…" Shelby said and took a seat.
"Hi, I'm Rod Springer," Shelby's manager stated at the microphone. "And I am pleased to welcome all of you here tonight so we can talk a little with our two fighters, Carly Shay, and of course… Shelby Marx."
A round of applause had smiles going all around the table.
"But first, as Shelby's Manager, I'd like to welcome a special guest. Shelby's Grandmother Edith, who just got home from the Hospital yesterday, and is here to support Shelby. Wave to the people Edith." he said, and her grandmother stood with a big smile on her face and waved to the Press.
As Edith sat back down Shelby hugged her grandmother. "Carly why don't you come up here first," Rod said as they hugged.
"Uh… sure…" Carly said standing Sam whispered something to her before she got up to the mic. Carly nodded as though she was being coached. "Hi! I just want to say that I am looking forward to getting into that octagon and… you know… mixing it all up with Shelby." Everyone looked at Carly awkwardly. Sam made a little motion of punching and Carly smiled perking up. "Oh!... and I'm going to give her a pop in the mouth."
Shelby giggled a little, and Sam rolled her eyes in pure embarrassment. The press just looked confused. Carly looked around and frowned. "Questions?"
A black man in the second row got picked and he stood. "Yes, Carly… you've never fought anyone before… what makes you think you can take on a great fighter like Shelby Marx?"
"Oh!" She said and Shelby looked up at her celebrity friend expectantly. "Good question. Um…" Carly looked at Sam. " Well…You call Shelby a great fighter but…. I think she's just a punk." she said
Shelby's jaw dropped in shock. Say What now?
"And not the Cool kind." She finished off. And the press was shooketh
Another man popped up from his seat. "Carly, Are you saying you don't respect Shelby's Punching and Kicking power?"
"Oh… No, I wasn't saying…" Sam cleared her throat and Tori trailed off to look at her best friend. Shelby was confused, she was trying to connect something here but was she missing something?
Then sam stood and pushed Carly aside. "Carly is trying to say that she's not afraid of Shelby Marx because Shelby is not that good a fighter." Shelby was heated. She didn't need this from this… little internet bitch. She watched on angrily as the blonde spoke for the clearly distressed brunette behind her. "She's all hype."
They whispered to each other.
"In fact, Carly predicts that she will knock Shelby Marx on her butt during the first thirty seconds of the fight." Sam continued.
Shelby'd had enough. There was a reason Shelby fought in the ring. Her temper got the better of her and she stood. "Oh does she?" she said confrontationally.
"Well, maybe not the first thirty," Carly said totally afraid of the young woman who was clearly irritated by her best friend's words.
"Sit down Shelby, no one wants to hear you run your mouth," Sam stated.
Shelby immediately saw who the problem was and was ready to square off with the blonde. "Are you kidding me?"
Just then Edith stood. "Don't you talk to my granddaughter like that."
"Sit down old lady," Sam yelled, and Rod just barely was able to hold Shelby back from Lunging at Sam right then and there.
Carly pulled Sam aside and admonished her. But Shelby couldn't hear what she was saying. Her beef was with Sam and that little bitch could take a punch so she was ready to scrap. "Okay if Carly's so tough, let's go right now."
"Bring it," Sam said and Shelby turned to walk around her grandmother. She was going to get that little bitch.
The stage descended into chaos and the next thing she knew, Edith and Carly fell off stage, ending with Carly on top of the recovering Edith who screamed. "Get her off me."
Shelby lept off the stage and pulled Carly by the shirt. "You tackled my grandmother."
"It was an accident," she stated.
Shelby shook her head. "Listen, I was going to take it easy on you… but now you're going down… HARD."
"Hard?" Carly stated scared. Shelby walked away helping her grandmother they needed to get her seen.
The rest of the family came up to sit with Edith. That night after she fell off the stage had exacerbated her condition, and she had a bit of a stroke. Now Shelby was fuming as Tori sat next to her watching the latest episode of iCarly. "I don't know Shelby, I think it was just trash talk to make the whole thing more exciting for your audience."
"Yeah… but look at where we are Tori." Shelby snapped back. "This isn't a fucking joke. It was my fault Grandma was even there in the first place."
"You know, you couldn't have gotten Grandma on that stage if she didn't want to be there," Tori stated. "But you can't actually blame Carly for that fall. You all overreacted to Sam saying things… it wasn't even Carly."
"Hey, girls…" Holly said walking out of her mother's room. "Um… You need to come inside… The stroke was even bigger than we expected, and they don't think she's coming out of it."
"Mom… what are you saying?" Shelby asked.
Holly paused and swallowed her own grief in an attempt to be strong for her. "She … has a DNR signed… and they say if she codes tonight, they can't do anything to help her."
"Oh, Honey," David said and pulled Holly close. She let him hold her, and dissolved in tears. The trio of Teen girls looked at their mother. They had never seen her cry. The three of them moved to wrap themselves around their mother. Making Holly nearly collapse knowing that she may not have a mom at the other end of the night. "Girls… Why don't you guys go ahead and sit with Grandma? I'm gonna be here with Mom a bit."
The girls nodded and turned back to the room each perching in different places. Watching their once vibrant grandmother fade a little. There were no breathing tubes or anything. Especially since she didn't want any rescue measures, and it hit them… if she got worse, she was not going to be around anymore. Shelby was the one kid that had the most contact with her… But Tori had been Edith's favorite. They all knew it. And Tori was beside herself.
Trina was close to the old woman in her own way, but mainly she was the one adult in her life who thought Trina was special. She was the one person in her life who told her she had something neither of her sisters had. And Trina was going to miss her Grandma. They talked weekly on the phone. "Who's going to tell me I should never give up?" Trina said softly and began to cry. The twins had been okay until they saw Trina Cry. and they too dissolved in tears. Shelby held out the longest because she was tough.
They stayed like that for a while when Tori the ray of sunshine started to speak. "Guess what Grandma… I understand what you meant the other day. I feel a little stupid you know. I probably shouldn't tell Mom and Dad until I was ready."
Shelby and Trina looked at Tori in Question.
"Grandma was the first one I told… about… you know" The sisters nodded in understanding then Tori chuckled. "She said… well… If you want to keep having sleepovers with your friends, hold out as long as you can Tori." she laughed. "And I was like… Whaaaat? Then she said. There is nothing more fun than being able to play without having to watch your back."
Shelby gasped. "Grandma!"
Then Trina laughed and laughed then cried. "Shelby you need to kick that little bitche's ass."
"Treen… Carly didn't…" Tori protested
"Not her. Sam has a big mouth." Trina said.
Tori didn't have anything to say to that. Shelby nodded. "Yeah well… she called off the fight. Just as well. I don't want to leave Gran's side."
"That's bullshit," Trina said. "She's scared of you and she should be."
"She said as much, but I know it wasn't her fault. I'd still want to give a good show. I just… my heart ain't in it."
Just then their mother walked into the room. Her face was puffy from crying. Their father followed not far behind and Holly sat at the edge of her mother's bed and reclined just holding her. "Hey girls… let's give them a moment." He said softly.
The three teens nodded and stood following their dad out of the door.
Shelby was cornered as she was going out of the gym the next day for conditioning. Grandma had survived that night and she was in better spirits.. She gave an interview that was featured on Splash Face calling Shelby out. Yeah,' I just can't believe that Carly is backing out of the fight." She was saying to the reporter. "I mean, First she challenges me, then she body slams my grandma. And then she just chicken's out?"
"Pretty lame isn't it." the reporter stated.
"Well yeah," Shelby stated. "Carly is disappointing all my fans, all her iCarly fans, and the fact that I was going to raise money for a good charity."
"To help animals?" He asked. "
"Uh huh… We were going to help good pets find loving homes. But now cause she backed out, The animals lose."
Shelby watched the interview again hoping to draw the brunette out.
100k comments flooded Carly's inox. And several web shows throwing shade later, have Carly crawling back to the Fight.
However, when she did come back, Shelby had just heard the news that her grandmother had indeed coded and she had died. Her mother had told her not to come. And Shelby was angry. Angrier than she had ever been. And was taking out her frustration on her sparring partner, when Carly was speaking to her.
Shelby listened and remembered what her sister had said, what her mother had said, and tried to remind herself it wasn't this girl's fault. "And then we both fell over onto that podium thing."
Shelby paused in her sparring and took a deep breath looking at the girl. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely," Carly said.
Shelby wanted to tell Carly where her grandmother was today. Cold in a morgue. But the girl was so innocent. So she took another deep breath to calm herself. "Finish him," Juan said, and She delivered a series of kicks and punches dropping him to the floor.
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying, I'm really sorry I fell on your grandmother, but it was an accident."
An exhale. "Okay… I believe you… I'm sorry I got all in your face."
"So…The fight…" she asked.
"You still want to do it?" Shelby asked.
"Promise you're not mad at me anymore?" Carly asked.
"I promise."
"And after the fight, my face will look pretty much like this?" Carly asked with a wry smile.
Shelby couldn't help but laugh. This girl reminded her a little of Tori. "Yeah, I'll go easy. No worries… so we're on… Saturday night."
They shook on it and Rod was off to let the press know.
This was why the day after the funeral, while working off some steam, with her sparring partner she was interrupted by her manager. "Hey, Shelby?"
"Huh?" She said turning around and letting this grown man fall to the ground.
"This kid says he has something to talk to you about," Ron said and a short little vested creepazoid stood there with a laptop.
"I most certainly do." He said
With a final roundhouse kick to the head, she said. "Okay, what's so important."
"It's about Carly Shay attacking your grandmother." He stated.
"She didn't really attack her." She said shaking her head really not wanting to think about her grandmother right now. "It was only an accident."
"Was it?" He asked and pointed to his laptop. "Maybe you should see this." he opened the laptop as he spoke. "Now Shelby… this clip is from last week's press conference. I was able to boost the audio so that you can hear what Shelby and Sam are saying."
"Okay…" She said and he rolled the clip. That one point when they were whispering to each other came up and what she heard… made her blood turn cold.
"What should I do?" Carly was asking.
"Push her grandmother down," Sam responded.
'I'll do it." Carly replied and Shelby was floored.
"Unbelievable," Ron said.
"So it wasn't an accident!" Shelby shouted.
"Obviously not…" He said a looked at Shelby to egg her on. "I suppose you're pretty angry."
She nodded. "Uhuh…"
"And I bet you're going to kick and punch Carly extra powerfully."
"Yeah I am."
"And who can blame you?" The little rat fink stated.
Shelby threw down her towel and turned back to her sparring partner. "Let's go…"
"Oh… no…" he said and braced himself for the barrage.
The little demon gloated right out of the gym. Carly was going to die in ithe octagon the next day. That was a promise.
Tori had been away for the week, and she was finally back to school. She seemed a bit subdued, and Jade couldn't keep her eyes off of her. She tried to just put the girl out of her mind. But her hurt brown eyes seemed to wrap itself around her own heart and constrict. She didn't like the feeling.
She didn't like that she wanted to spend this time with her. Especially after she found out that Tori's grandmother had just passed. She knew that nothing anyone could do would make that hurt go away. But she wanted to try. And realized that she was probably the last person Tori would expect to even care.
She told herself that this was good. Because this way Tori wasn't going around mooning over her boyfriend. She had grown tired of the Brunette's constant smiling at her boyfriend. Sure they were friendly gestures and she never crossed the line with Beck… but. AUGH… why was Jade feeling this way?
Jade kept such a vigilant watch on Tori that she was blindsided when the first Slap post tagged her and Beck to a top trending Buzzfinger article:
Hollywood beauty Alyssa Vaughn was spotted with a new beau, a local student at Hollywood Arts.
Beck was pictured riding next to Alyssa Vaughn, laughing easily and freely, unlike the tense expressions he seemed to wear around Jade for the past couple of days.
When Jade confronted Beck about this, he tried to dismiss the implications away and walked off. Jade threw a rock at his general vicinity It sailed just past his head and when he turned to look at his homicidal girlfriend she growled. "Next time I won't miss." She said and walked away opting to blow off some steam walking the rest of the way home.
There she had been wasting a week away worrying about Tori and possible pregnancy, and he was out there gallivanting with the likes of Alyssa like he was her boyfriend!?
In her book. Even if he wasn't sleeping with that girl, he may as well be cheating.
Shelby wawa is in the stadium chomping at the bit to get in the octagon. That Carly chick was going to get it. "Seriously, this clip looks really sus." Tori was telling Shelby for their usual pre-fight chat.
"The lips aren't moving in synch with the words Shelby." Trina reiterated.
"Why would that creepy little kid lie?" she asked, and then she heard the crowd start to scream. "Look, I gotta go. They are on their way to the octagon"
She hung up without waiting for their good luck wishes. She didn't need good luck. She was going to waste Carly. She was a little wimp anyway. The iCarly were walking just ahead of her in their sunshine yellow jackets. But as soon as she walked out. The crowd started chanting her name. Shelby felt at home.
She put on her game face on. Carly her bubbly self waved hello to her. Shelby glared at her and signaled to her that she was going down.
She could see that Sam got the message. Her face changed to one of concern as Carly was confident that their Truce was still on. Shelby punched at her sparring partner's pads, and spotted the icarly's talking to the creepy little kid. And she watched as he taunted them about something. Then the bell rang and the two climbed into the ring.
Shelby stared her down Carly was happy to be there. Shelby punched Carly and Carly called a time-out. She realized Shelby was not playing. They started the fight again, and Carly ducked the next punch and she clung to her leg. This frustrated the chizz out of Shelby. Running out the clock and being the first person to ever last a round with Shelby Marx.
When the round was over, Carly ran out of there as fast as she could. Shelby followed and found the group huddled congratulating the twit. When they saw her they grew quiet and Sam, the one Shelby actually wanted to punch spoke up. "What do you want?"
"To talk to Carly," Shelby stated.
Carly stepped up then. "What happened tonight? You promised you were gonna go easy on me."
"You promised it was an accident when you tackled my grandmother." Shelby retorted.
"It was!" Carly insisted.
"Don't lie," Shelby said the grief evident in her voice. "I saw a video and heard you and Sam planning to do it."
"What video?" Sam stated.
"We never planned it." Carly corroborated.
"Are you dating anyone?" Freddy asked her. It was out of place, flattering and totally inappropriate. And she wanted to say yes. Shelby frowned because she really could use one of Andre's hugs right about now and decided that after this she was going to go home and get one.
Sam elbowed Freddy, and Shelby felt a little vindicated. So now she needed an explanation. "Look all I know is that this creepy little kid played me a video showing you guys at the press conference talking about how you were gonna push my grandmother down."
"What kid?" Sam asked suspiciously.
"I don't know, around our age," she said lifting her hand up to right around her shoulders. "This tall, Roundhead, polite but super creepy"
The three of them looked at each other. "Nevel…" they said in unison and Shelby paused.
"Now I get it," Carly said turning back to Shelby.
"He must have made a fake video," Freddy stated.
"Nub…" Sam said shaking her head.
"Maybe he's still here," Carly said turning toward each other, like the three of them always tended to do. They had this weird energy when the three of them were together, that no one seemed to be able to penetrate and Shelby could feel it. She supposed that's what it must feel like to Trina when she is around her and Tori.
"Right… " Freddy said and ran off with that other weird kid Gibby.
Shelby looked at the two girls. "Nevel's head is kinda round…Carly said uncomfortably because Shelby was just staring them down.
"Like a melon…" Sam agreed.
"Yeah…"
Carly and sam said they were going to prove Nevel had manipulated the video. So they came up with a plan. THey dragged the creep to the octagon. And Freddie stood at the gate of the cage.
"Okay, Freddie, I'm not scared of you." Nevil said folding his arms across his chest.
Freddie shrugged. "That's cool." he walked out of the cage and locked it behind him. And as soon as he did. The light turned on showing Carly.
Nevel turned to look at her. "Hello Nevel." Carly said with narrowed eyes.
He smirked. "I'm not scared of you either."
Carly glared at him and stepped closer. Then another light turned on, and Sam was illuminated. Now he looked a bit concerned. "'Sup Nevel?"
"Okay, you I'm scared of." He admitted.
The two girls walked closer to the creep. "Just admit it," Carly said taking another step closer.
"Admit what?" He asked trying to put on a brave face.
"That you tricked Shelby Marx with some fake video," Sam stated.
"That made it look like I meant to tackle her grandmother." Carly finished.
"Ah… I did no such thing." He stated sarcastically causing Sam to jump at him slightly. He jumped back. "Okay, i tricked Shelby. So?"
Sheby growled at the little fink as the light turned on over her. "Hi Nevel," Shelby said.
"Oh dear…" he said and he practically shit his pants as the most dangerous girl he knew and the CFC champion of the world approached him. And whooped his ass.
"Hey Andre come on Shelby is about to be on," Tori said as she settled on the couch to watch iCarly. Shelby had messaged them that she would be on the next episode. So they were watching it together.
Ande dropped into the seat with a smile sidling up close to Tori. He wished he could give her a hug of comfort. Shelby always told him how good his hugs felt. And when he gave one to Tori after their grandma died, she'd said she felt so much better.
"So you guys may have watched Carly fight Shelby Marks on TV a few nights ago." Sam was saying in the video.
"But now Shelby and I are actually really good friends," Carly stated.
"What? You don't believe that?" Sam said to the camera.
"You think I'm lying?" Carly reiterated.
"Well well… " Sam said with a smirk moving toward her remote.
"We'll just have to prove it." Carly added. "Get out here Shelby!"
Shelby came out and gave Sam and Carly a hug. "No hug for the technical producer?" Freddie asked.
"Awww.. come here Freddie," Shelby said and went over to give him a hug. He sniffed at her hair, and she frowned. "My boyfriend is watching by the way… and he has more muscles than me," she whispered and walked back toward Sam and Carly. Freddie would be leaving her alone now she was sure of it.
"Now how can you be sure Shelby is our new best bud?" Carly stated.
"Well only best buds would do super slow-motion spit takes together," Sam stated.
"With grape juice," Carly added
"While a powerful fan blows our hair back." Shelby continued.
"Let's do it." Carly said and the two other girls agreed. The three got really close and did the spit take. It was a really cute shot and they ended it with random dancing.
"You've gotta come back again," Carly said after they finished.
"Yeah… I mean I'm out here training and my one family member that lived here is gone so… I need all the friends I can get."
"I'm so sorry about your grandma," Carly said again. Shelby shrugged. "Thanks, hey I'm gonna take off. I'm flying to LA for the weekend."
"Okay, Later Shelby."Shelby waved goodbye and headed out the doof. She was glad to have made friends her own age in Seattle.