The last day of the school semester before Christmas break was supposed to be filled with excitement and joy. Hollywood Arts was decked out in festive decorations—twinkling lights hung from the hallways, paper snowflakes adorned the windows, and a large Christmas tree sat in the main foyer, its ornaments glittering in the early morning light.
But for Jade, it was anything but festive.
December 20th was the anniversary of her mother's death. Elizabeth West had passed away five years ago, and while the pain had dulled with time, the weight of the day always crept back onto Jade's shoulders.
It was impossible to escape the Christmas cheer that seemed to follow her everywhere leading up to it. The holiday season, with its forced happiness and laughter, only made her loss feel more suffocating.
Jade pulled into Cat's driveway, the engine of her car rumbling softly as she waited. The cold air seeped into the vehicle, and Jade turned up the heater, her fingers tapping impatiently on the steering wheel. Her dark mood had already settled in, and she knew it wasn't going anywhere.
Moments later, Cat bounded out of her front door, her red coat zipped up tight and a bright smile on her face, clutching a small gift bag in her hands, specifically non-Christmas wrapped. Even in the gloom, Cat's energy managed to cut through the fog. She opened the passenger door and slid in, the cold following her briefly before she shut it out with a slam.
"Morning!" Cat chirped, her voice filled with its usual bubbly tone. She glanced at Jade, her smile softening slightly as she took in her girlfriend's tense expression. "I brought you something."
Jade turned her head slightly, eyeing the bag Cat was holding. "I didn't ask for anything," she muttered, her tone a little sharp, though it wasn't directed at Cat. Today always made her irritable.
"I know," Cat replied quietly, unbothered by Jade's tone. "But I thought it might cheer you up… at least a little." She handed over the gift bag, watching Jade's reaction carefully.
Jade hesitated for a moment, then sighed, taking the bag. She opened it slowly, pushing aside the tissue paper. Inside were three items—her favourite energy drink, a sleek new storyboard pad, and one of the fancy fountain pens that Jade loved to write with. It was small, but Cat knew exactly what Jade would appreciate.
Jade looked down at the gifts for a moment, her fingers grazing the pen lightly. "You didn't have to get me anything."
"I know," Cat said again, her voice soft and understanding. "But I wanted to. Today's a hard day, and I thought this might help… even if it's just a little."
Jade closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath. The small gesture, the thoughtful little bag of things that she genuinely liked, did help. Just a little. She knew Cat was trying, that she wanted to be there for her in any way she could, even if she couldn't make the day any less awful.
"Thanks, Cat," Jade finally said, her voice lower and softer than before.
Cat smiled gently, her eyes filled with a quiet kind of affection. "You're welcome."
Jade started the car again, and they drove in relative silence, the radio playing soft Christmas music that grated on Jade's nerves. She wanted to rip the decorations off the houses, silence the stupid carol singers, and burn down every Christmas tree she passed.
As they pulled into the school parking lot, Jade's mood hadn't improved much, but Cat's gift gave her something to hold onto—a small reminder that someone cared enough to make the day a little less painful.
Hollywood Arts was buzzing with energy when they arrived. The last day of the semester always had a kind of chaos to it—students hurrying to finish last-minute projects, teachers packing up their classrooms for the break, and the hallways filled with the sound of holiday chatter. Everyone was happy. Everyone was excited.
Jade felt like she was drowning in it.
"Let's just get through today," Jade muttered as they walked through the entrance, Cat close by her side. She wasn't interested in the holiday spirit or the plans for winter break. All she wanted was to make it through the day without snapping at anyone.
Cat slipped her hand into Jade's, giving it a brief gentle squeeze. "We'll get through it together. And when school's over, we can hang out, just the two of us. No Christmas stuff, I promise."
Jade glanced over at her, the tiniest hint of a smile pulling at her lips. "I'll hold you to that."
They navigated through the crowd, making their way toward their lockers. Jade kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone overly enthusiastic about the holiday. The day felt impossibly long, and it had barely begun.
As they reached their lockers, Tori came bounding up to them, wearing a Santa hat and a grin so wide it made Jade want to scream.
"Hey, guys!" Tori greeted them, her voice annoyingly chipper. "Merry almost Christmas! You two excited for break?"
Jade rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt. "Thrilled," she deadpanned.
Tori's smile faltered for a second before she seemed to remember. "Oh, right… sorry, Jade. I, um, forgot what today was." Her tone softened, but the awkwardness lingered.
Cat shot Tori a sympathetic look, hoping to smooth things over. "We're just trying to get through the day. But hey, maybe we can all hang out after school? Something fun, non-holiday related."
Tori nodded quickly, sensing the need to back off. "Yeah, totally. I'll see you guys later." She hurried off, her Christmas spirit dimmed slightly by the encounter.
"Great you've made my day even worse now because I have to see Vega." She snapped at Cat, instantly regretting in. "Sorry." She winced.
"It's okay, you have a meanie pass today." Cat smiled back. "Well, more than normal." She added.
Jade sighed, leaning against her locker. "Everyone's so… fake happy. It's sickening."
"I know," Cat said gently, rubbing Jade's arm. "Just a few more hours, and then we can leave."
Jade glanced at Cat, her expression softening as she saw the genuine care in her eyes. As much as she hated today, having Cat by her side made it bearable.
The hours at school crawled by for Jade, each one feeling like an eternity. Classes were filled with students buzzing about their Christmas plans, laughing, exchanging gifts, and making more plans for the holiday break. Jade kept her head down, tuning out the cheerful noise, her mind elsewhere.
Cat stuck close to her the whole day, offering quiet support. Well, as much as she could. She'd tried to join her in classes but each time the teacher noticed and sent her off to her actual class. She didn't force conversation, didn't try to cheer Jade up with over-the-top gestures like some people might. Cat was just there, which, for Jade, was exactly what she needed.
The final bell of the day couldn't come fast enough. As soon as it rang, Jade was out the door Cat quickly following behind her, who just about remembered to grab Tori on route. The cold December air hit them as they walked across the school parking lot, but Jade didn't mind. The chill seemed to suit her mood perfectly.
Cat caught up to her, gently taking her hand. "Hey, we made it through the day," she said softly, giving Jade a hopeful smile.
Jade squeezed her hand, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "Yeah, we did."
They climbed into Jade's car, the sound of the engine cutting through the quiet. Cat, sensing that Jade still wasn't in the mood for conversation, kept things light as she played with the radio, landing on a station that wasn't Christmas music, thank God. And turned to Tori in the back seat to her a conversation with her.
After a short drive, they arrived at the small coffee shop a few miles away, a place they had visited a few times before. It wasn't overly decorated for Christmas, which was exactly what Jade needed. No bright lights, no jingling bells—just peace.
The three girls found a booth tucked in the back corner, away from the other patrons. Jade immediately slid into the seat by the window, pulling her black coffee close as if it could shield her from the world. Cat and Tori slid in across from her, Cat ordering her usual sugary drink while Tori opted for something warm and spiced.
"So…" Tori began, leaning back in her seat and giving them both an easy smile. "Last day of the semester! Are we relieved, or what?"
Cat bounced slightly in her seat, unable to hide her excitement. "Yes! I'm ready for a break, and so many holiday movies! Plus, we have all that free time to hang out. Maybe even more Karaoke Dokie!"
Jade cringed at the mention of Christmas movies, but the idea of Karaoke Dokie wasn't entirely unwelcome. It had been a surprisingly good time the other night, even with Tori and Andre showing up at the end. Still, she had her defences up, especially today.
She took a sip of her coffee, staying quiet as Tori and Cat talked about their plans. It was easier to sit back and listen, especially when she didn't have much to say. The truth was, this day, the anniversary of her mom's death, weighed on her heavily, and it was impossible to shake. But sitting here, with Cat next to her and Tori across from them, it gave her something else to focus on. Even if she hated to admit it, Tori wasn't the worst company in the world.
After a while, Cat looked over at Jade, noticing the quiet. "Hey, Jade," she said softly, nudging her foot under the table. "You okay?"
Jade blinked and set her coffee down, feeling the weight of both Cat and Tori's gazes on her. "Yeah," she muttered, glancing down at the table. "I'm fine."
Cat wasn't convinced. She leaned closer, her eyes soft and understanding. "You don't have to pretend, you know. It's okay if today's hard."
Jade looked up, meeting Cat's gaze for a moment before glancing at Tori, who was watching with a quiet kind of support. She sighed, leaning back in her seat. "It's just… everything feels wrong today. Everyone's so happy, and I'm just—" She cut herself off, not wanting to sound weak.
Tori, sensing the deeper emotion beneath Jade's tough exterior, leaned forward. "You don't have to feel bad about feeling bad, Jade. It's allowed. Especially today."
Jade exhaled sharply, appreciating Tori's calm approach more than she would ever admit. "It's just so fake, you know? All the Christmas stuff… it makes me sick." She glanced over at Cat, her expression softening just a fraction. "But you already knew that."
"Do you want to go see her?" Cat suggested, knowing they had picked a coffee shop not too far from where she was buried. "Its completely up to you-"
"Yes please." Jade replied, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
As they left the coffee shop, a cold wind swept through the streets, biting at their faces. It was surprisingly cold all of a sudden, especially for LA, it had been bearable just a few hours earlier, but this was just bitter. The sun was just setting, casting an orange glow over the horizon, but the air felt colder as they made their way toward the cemetery. Jade walked with her hands stuffed deep into her coat pockets, her head down as she led the way. Cat stayed close beside her, matching her pace, while Tori trailed just a few steps behind, letting the two have their space but staying with them nonetheless.
Jade didn't say much. Her footsteps were heavy, each step bringing her closer to a place she visited only once a year—the place where her mother, Elizabeth West, was buried. The thought alone made her stomach churn. She didn't visit too often because of this feeling, it always made her so uneasy.
The three walked in silence for a while, the sound of their shoes on the pavement echoing in the stillness of the afternoon. Jade wasn't sure how she felt having both of them there. Part of her wanted to be alone, to not have anyone see her in a vulnerable state. But at the same time, she was grateful that at least Cat was with her. She knew Cat understood more than most.
As they approached the cemetery gates, Jade paused, hesitating for a moment. She took a deep breath, the cold air stinging her lungs, and stepped forward.
But as they walked through the gate and down the gravel path, Jade noticed that Cat had slowed her pace and was now lingering behind.
"Cat?" Jade called, looking over her shoulder. But Cat wasn't right there. She had disappeared around a corner.
"I'll be right back!" Cat's voice rang out from behind a cluster of trees.
Jade frowned, confused. She looked to Tori, who simply shrugged, though her expression was one of quiet knowing.
They waited by the entrance, the stillness of the graveyard settling around them. It wasn't long before Cat reappeared, her face a little red, she'd clearly ran. In her arms was a bouquet of flowers—an assortment of red roses and white lilies, simple but beautiful.
Jade blinked, her heart tightening as she realised what Cat had done. She hadn't asked her to do anything, hadn't even mentioned the idea of bringing flowers. And yet, here Cat was, knowing exactly what Jade would have wanted, even before she did.
Cat approached Jade with a gentle smile, holding the bouquet out toward her. "I thought… maybe we could leave these for her. I didn't want to show up empty-handed."
Jade swallowed hard, feeling the sting of emotion rise in her chest. Her eyes softened, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. But then she met Cat's gaze and nodded, taking the bouquet from her hands. "Thanks, Cat," she whispered. "This… means a lot."
Cat smiled brightly, her eyes glistening with warmth. "I'm glad you like them."
They resumed walking, this time in silence again, the flowers now cradled in Jade's arms. With each step, the gravestone grew nearer, and the air seemed to grow heavier around them. The closer they got, the more Jade felt her chest tighten, but Cat's presence kept her grounded.
Finally, they reached the small plot where Elizabeth was buried. The gravestone was simple, but elegant—just like her mother had been. The name "Elizabeth West" was etched into the stone in neat, delicate lettering, followed by the dates that marked her life. Below that, a short inscription: "Forever in our hearts."
Jade stood still for a moment, staring at the stone as memories of her mother flooded her mind. She could almost hear her mom's voice, see her smile—things that were becoming harder to remember with each passing year.
Cat stood beside her, and Tori stayed a few steps back, giving Jade space while still offering her support.
Jade knelt down slowly, placing the bouquet of flowers at the base of the gravestone. The sight of the blooms against the cold stone sent a wave of sadness through her, but at the same time, a strange sense of peace washed over her.
For a while, the three of them stood there, the silence thick but not uncomfortable. The wind had died down, and the only sound was the soft rustle of leaves in the trees nearby.
"I miss you," Jade whispered, her voice cracking slightly. She let the words hang in the air, unsure if they were meant for her mother or herself.
Cat reached for Jade's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, her own eyes misty but full of warmth. Jade squeezed back, grateful for the quiet strength that Cat offered.
Tori, standing back, watched the two of them with a soft expression. She knew Jade wasn't the type to show her feelings easily, and she respected the moment for what it was—a rare glimpse of the vulnerability that Jade kept locked away.
Jade took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day on her shoulders, but also a sense of release. She was still hurting, but it wasn't quite as sharp as it had been. And she knew, as long as she had Cat—and even Tori—by her side, she wouldn't have to face this day alone.
They stayed there for a while longer, the sun dipping lower behind the trees, casting long shadows over the cemetery. Eventually, Jade let out a slow exhale and stood, brushing her hands against her coat.
"I'm ready," she said quietly, her voice steady.
Cat nodded, still holding onto her hand. "Okay."
Without another word, they turned and walked back down the path, the weight of grief a little lighter, even if just for now.