Chapter Twenty-four

Friends, Frights, and Movie Night

It's been a few days since everything that happened at Missy's father's place, and we're still sorting things out. Rachel is back at work, but with me feeling much better, it's nice to have the house just to ourselves.

The morning is all about relaxing and taking it easy. By lunchtime, I decide to make grilled cheese sandwiches. It's simple, but it always hits the spot. Just as I'm finishing up, Jake bounds into the kitchen, with Jack trotting behind him, hoping for a bit of attention.

"Is that grilled cheese?" Jake asks, bouncing on his toes as I get the plates ready.

"Only the finest," I say with a smile, handing him a plate. "Enjoy, kiddo."

Jake grins, sliding into his seat. "Thanks, Tori! You make the best food."

Jade smirks, settling down beside him. "Don't get too used to it, brat. Tori's not your personal chef."

Jake just giggles and sticks his tongue out at her. "You're just jealous."

Jade laughs, reaching over to nudge him. "Careful, punk. I might just eat your sandwich myself."

Missy chuckles as she brings iced tea for us and grape juice for Jake. "She's got a point, Jake. I'd guard that plate if I were you."

I bring plates over for Jade and Missy before grabbing my own and sitting down. It's nice watching them laugh and tease each other as we eat.

Since all the trouble with Missy's dad, she's moved into Jade's old room at her mom's house to be closer to us. She was genuinely surprised when Rachel offered, and even more surprised when my parents threw her a 'moving-out party' before she left. She'd thought they were just being polite by letting her stay with us, but they truly enjoyed having her around. Mom even made her promise to come over for dinner twice a week.

Everyone's really come together to support her through the issues with her parents. Jade's mom even covered the rest of Missy's school tuition for the year so she wouldn't have to drop out. Rachel bribed us with cookies and sweets to keep it a secret from Missy, but we wouldn't have told her anyway; we don't want her leaving Hollywood Arts. Jade, of course, could barely resist Rachel's chocolate chip cookies. I might have to get that recipe for myself.

"Tori, can I have another grilled cheese?" Jake holds up his empty plate, his eyes hopeful. He knows I can't say no to him.

"Sure thing, bud. Hang on." I smile, taking his plate and getting up to make him another. Jack, who's been circling around Jake's chair in case a crumb drops, finally sits next to him with his eyes fixed on me, probably hoping he'll get a bite too. I make a half sandwich, no butter, lightly toasted on the stove, and with a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure no one's watching, I slip it to Jack, who devours it in seconds.

Once Jake's grilled cheese is ready, I turn to see Jade watching me with a smirk.

"What are you up to, Vega?"

"Nothing, just making a sandwich for Jakey." I grin, winking as I hand Jake his sandwich. We try to keep Jake from feeding Jack at the table, but sometimes I can't help spoiling him.

"Uh-huh." She smirks, finishing off her sandwich except for the crusts. As she goes to put her plate in the sink, I catch her in the corner of my eye, quietly slipping the crusts to Jack. I giggle, and she raises an eyebrow, playing it cool, while Jake stays oblivious.

With Jake focused on his grilled cheese, Jade and I share a conspiratorial grin as Jack sits contentedly at our feet, happy with his secret snacks. It's moments like this—these little stolen glances and shared secrets—that feel like our own language.

Jade leans in, lowering her voice. "We're dead if he catches us giving him scraps when he's not supposed to."

"Definitely." I chuckle, keeping my eyes on Jake to make sure he's not listening. "Jack's probably going to need a diet if we keep spoiling him like this."

She laughs quietly, glancing at Jack, who's already wagging his tail, waiting for round two of snacks. "I guess we're both a little guilty."

"Only a little," I whisper back, flashing her a grin. "Besides, we deserve a little fun, right?"

As Jake finishes up, I gather the plates, and Jade joins me at the sink. Jack follows us, sniffing around hopefully for a stray crumb. Jade reaches down and gives him a gentle scratch behind his ears.

"You know, he's really grown on me," she murmurs, almost to herself.

I smile, watching her with Jack. "Yeah, he has that effect."

She glances up, catching me looking at her, and for a moment, we just stand there, sharing a quiet understanding. With Jake, Missy, and Jack, we've managed to build something that feels like our own little family.

Jake interrupts, bringing Missy's and his plates over, then hugs me quickly. "Thanks, Tori!" He gives Jade a hug too before dragging Missy into the living room to play the new Mario game on the Switch. He's been all about it lately, and Missy's the only one with the patience for platformers. I get frustrated easily, and the bright colors give Jade a headache. I already torture her enough when I make her watch Steven Universe with me.

Jade and I finish drying the dishes, but as we're putting them away, her phone rings. She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and picks it up, leaning against the counter. She sounds a bit confused, but the conversation stays pleasant enough. I take the opportunity to sit for a moment to rest; I still get worn out a little faster than usual.

"Alright, I'll see you soon," Jade says before hanging up. She glances at me, looking almost nervous. I take her hand and pull her down to sit beside me.

"Everything okay?" I ask, watching her closely. She sets her phone down, resting her head in her hand.

"Yeah, just… my ex, Alex. Remember her? She wants to come by."

My eyes widen, and I can't help squeezing her hand a little tighter before trying to play it off. "She, uh… she does? Why?"

Jade looks away, fighting a smile. "Jealous, Vega?"

I shake my head quickly, crossing my arms in a huff. "Why would I be jealous? She knows you're mine."

Jade chuckles, leaning in to kiss me, but I pull away, still pretending to pout. "You didn't answer my question, though. Why does she want to come over?"

With a mischievous grin, she cups my face and pulls me in for a quick kiss as I squirm in her hands. "For your information, she wants to bring you something."

I pause, taken aback. "Something for me?"

Jade nods, clearly amused by my surprise. "Yeah, apparently she found some old stuff she thought you'd like."

I raise an eyebrow. "Stuff I'd like? How would she even know what I'd like?"

"Well," Jade says with a shrug, "you are my girlfriend, and we did date for a while. She probably remembers some of the things I like and figured you might, too."

I narrow my eyes, still a little skeptical but curious enough not to push it. "Alright, but don't expect me to be super friendly."

Jade laughs, nudging me playfully. "You? Unfriendly? No way. Just don't scare her off with your super intimidating pout."

I roll my eyes, but deep down, I'm a little anxious. I trust Jade completely, but exes are… complicated. Still, if Jade's okay with it, I can manage.

About an hour later, there's a knock on the door. Jade and I exchange a glance before I get up to answer it, reminding myself to stay cool. I open the door to find Alex, tall and athletic-looking, with a friendly smile on her face and a small bag in her hand.

"Hey, Tori, right?" she says, offering her hand.

I take it, forcing a polite smile. "Yep, that's me."

Jade comes over, giving Alex a bored, casual wave. "Hey, Alex. Thanks for stopping by."

Alex nods, looking between us. "No problem. I was clearing out some things and thought Tori might like this." She hands me the bag, which feels oddly light. "There's something in there for you too, Jay." I fight the urge to roll my eyes at her using what must be an old pet name for Jade and instead, turn my attention back to the bag.

Curious, I open it, pulling out a couple of well-worn books and a small, framed photograph. The books are classic poetry collections—stuff I'd mentioned liking once or twice but never really expected anyone to remember. And the photo… It's one of Jade, standing and looking excited to have met Katy Perry.

I glance over at Jade, who's scratching the back of her neck, looking a little embarrassed. "I thought I'd lost this…"

Alex shrugs, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "It was one of my favorites. Thought it might be nice for you to have it back."

I look back at the photo, unable to hide a small smile at seeing a new side of Jade. I carefully place everything back in the bag and give Alex an appreciative nod. "Thank you. This is… really thoughtful."

Just then, Jake rushes in from the living room, followed closely by Missy. "Who's at the door?" he asks, eyes wide with curiosity. Missy follows, a warm smile lighting up her face when she spots Alex.

"Oh, hey! You must be Alex," she says, sounding casual but a bit softer than usual.

Alex turns to her with a friendly smile. "That's me! And you are..?"

"Michelle, but everyone calls me Missy," Missy says, extending her hand for a quick shake. "Jade's told me a lot about you."

"Has she now?" Alex replies, a hint of surprise in her tone, shaking Missy's hand.

Missy nods, her gaze lingering a second too long before looking away. "Don't worry, it's been all good things. You should hang out with us sometime."

Alex gives Missy a thoughtful look and then glances at Jade and me. "Yeah… that'd be cool." Missy smiles and glances down at her hands, looking a bit shy.

Just then, Jake, usually a little quiet around new people, tugs at Missy's sleeve. "Missy, can we play now?"

Missy brightens, her usual energy returning. "Oh, right. Sorry, buddy. Let's go. It was really nice to meet you, Alex."

Alex nods, returning her smile. "You too."

Missy heads off with Jake, casting a quick glance back at Alex, who raises a hand in a small wave. Missy waves back before she and Jake disappear into the living room. Alex turns back to Jade and me, a slight flush on her cheeks as she runs a hand through her hair.

"I'd better head home. Family night tonight, and my folks will kill me if I skip, but it was good to see you, Jade. Nice meeting you too, Tori. Oh, and there's a little surprise for you both in one of the books," she says with a grin. "Figured you might be able to use them since the timing's bad for me."

After some quick thank-yous and goodbyes, I close the door behind her. Jade, holding the old photo with a faint smile, looks at me.

"Well?" she asks, passing it back to me.

"She's nice," I say, touched by the gesture. "But just so you know, I'm keeping this photo."

Jade grumbles but can't hide her smirk. "That picture was never supposed to see daylight again. Mom got those tickets the minute she found out I liked Katy Perry. That was two years ago."

I lean into her, holding the photo up between us. "I think you look cute." She rolls her eyes, waving it off.

"The second you fall asleep, that picture is disappearing."

I laugh, setting it down on the table by the door, and turn to the poetry books. I flip through one and notice something tucked between the pages.

Inside, we find two tickets to a concert for a band called Sleep Token. Jade's eyes go wide, and she grabs the tickets, looking thrilled.

"No way! I didn't know they were coming here!" She hugs me tightly, kissing me with so much excitement it leaves me breathless. "We are definitely going to this!"

Jade's excitement is contagious, and I find myself smiling just as wide. I've never seen her light up like this over anything before, and it makes me feel a rush of happiness to see her so genuinely thrilled.

"When is it?" I ask, peeking at the tickets.

"Next Saturday," Jade says, her eyes practically sparkling. "We're clearing our schedules for this. I'm not letting anything get in the way."

"Not even a migraine?" I tease, raising an eyebrow.

She laughs, pulling me close again. "Not even that. I'll power through anything for this."

As we stay here, comfortable in the embrace, Missy and Jake are still in the living room, deep into a Mario game. Missy keeps coaching Jake on how to jump at the right times, and every so often, Jake lets out a triumphant cheer as he beats a level with her help. It's nice, this feeling of all of us just… being here together.

Jade holds the tickets, carefully placing them back in the book like they're something precious to her. Then she turns to me, her smile softening. "Thanks for being cool with Alex coming by. I know it was kind of out of nowhere."

I nod, taking her hand and squeezing it. "I trust you. And she really was thoughtful with these. Honestly, I'm glad you two were able to stay friends." I pause, trying to think of the right words. "It's nice to see you happy, Jade."

She squeezes my hand, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "You make me happy, Vega."

We go into the living room and sit on the love seat, cuddling in comfortable silence and just enjoying the moment, when suddenly Missy's voice cuts through. "Oh no, Jake, that's the wrong button!"

Jake's laugh fills the room, and we look over to see him bouncing on the couch, still holding the controller. He's not quite following Missy's advice, but he's having a great time regardless.

Jade chuckles and leans back against me. "Maybe all of us could go out and do something together. The whole gang, including Missy and Alex. Cat would be happy to see her again."

I tilt my head, considering it. "Missy seems to like her already, and Alex was nice. Might be fun." I laugh, watching Missy and Jake as they dive back into the game. Right now, everything feels easy, like the four of us are exactly where we're supposed to be. And with the concert next weekend, I already know we're in for some more good memories.

(A Few Days Later)

The week leading up to the concert feels like it flies by, probably because Jade keeps us on a steady stream of excitement and Sleep Token's music playing in the background every chance she gets. She's practically counting down the hours on Saturday morning, checking and rechecking the tickets, trying on outfits, and filling the air with her restless energy. I find myself getting excited, too, caught up in how much this means to her.

When Missy shows up that evening to babysit Jake, she gives us a playful, approving once-over. "Look at you two. Definitely ready to rock," she teases, grinning at our outfits. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she casually adds, "Hey, so, uh… I was thinking maybe next weekend, Alex could come over for movie night? If that's cool with you two."

Jade just raises an eyebrow, but I chuckle, shrugging. "Sure, Missy. Alex seemed cool. The more, the merrier, right?"

Missy's cheeks turn a little pink, but neither of us think much of it. "Right! Thanks!" She beams and goes back to setting up a board game with Jake, not quite able to keep the pleased smile off her face as we head out the door.

The concert venue is buzzing with energy by the time Jade and I get there. The line to get in winds around the building, but Jade is practically bouncing on her heels, gripping our tickets like they're golden. As we finally get closer to the entrance, she squeezes my hand tighter.

"Can you believe this is happening?" she says, her voice tinged with excitement. "We're actually going to see Sleep Token live!"

I laugh, caught up in her enthusiasm. "I can't wait to see what all the hype is about. You've been talking about this nonstop since you got the tickets."

We're herded into the venue, and as we step inside, the whole place feels electric. The stage looms ahead, dimly lit with shifting, ambient lights that match the hum of anticipation filling the room. The crowd presses around us, and Jade drags me closer to the front, threading us through groups of people until we're only a few rows back from the stage.

"You think this is close enough?" I tease, leaning into her so she can hear me over the buzz.

"Definitely not," she replies with a grin, standing on her toes to look around. "But we'll make it work."

As the lights go down, the crowd hushes, a wave of silence that somehow heightens the tension. Then, almost like a heartbeat, the deep, pulsing intro of "The Night Does Not Belong To God" starts, vibrating through the room. The crowd erupts, and Jade's face lights up, her eyes wide and sparkling as she looks toward the stage, almost like she's in a trance.

The band steps out, cloaked in shadows and mystery, and the vocalist's haunting, soulful voice fills the space, captivating everyone. Jade closes her eyes, swaying to the beat, completely lost in the music. I can't help but watch her, mesmerized by how alive she looks, how deeply she's connecting with this sound that's raw and intense, but beautiful.

The song builds, the drums and guitars layering over the vocals, and I feel myself getting swept up in it too. I'm not sure I expected this—it's heavy and dark, yet there's something almost hypnotic about it, something that makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger.

When the song ends, Jade turns to me, eyes bright. "Pretty amazing, right?" she yells over the cheering crowd.

"Yeah," I shout back, grinning. "I get why you're obsessed now!"

The next song, "Ascension," is just as haunting, the vocals soaring through the room like a siren call. I feel a shiver run down my spine as the melody dips and weaves, creating a dark, dreamlike atmosphere. I reach out for Jade's hand, and she squeezes it, pulling me closer. We're pressed together in the crowd, swaying as the music flows around us, wrapping us in a world of sound that feels almost like an escape.

Then they start "Take Me Back to Eden," and the crowd roars again. The song has this steady, powerful beat that's impossible to resist, and the lyrics hit in a way that feels oddly personal. I find myself mouthing along to the chorus, even though I barely know the words, completely caught up in the vibe.

Jade's eyes are closed, and she's mouthing the words too, her lips moving in sync with the vocalist's voice. She looks so serene, so happy, that I can't look away. This is her world, the place where she's most herself, and I feel like I'm seeing a part of her I didn't know existed. Watching her, I feel this swell of warmth, this realization of just how much I love seeing her this alive, this free.

At one point, Jade glances at me, noticing me staring. She grins, leaning in close to yell, "See? I told you this was life-changing!"

I laugh, nodding. "You were right! This is incredible."

The set continues, each song blending seamlessly into the next, the intensity rising and falling in waves. By the time they reach their final song, "Euclid," the crowd is chanting along, and the energy in the room is almost overwhelming. The vocals are raw, emotional, and Jade and I are both caught up in it, swaying together, her arm around my waist as she rests her head on my shoulder for a moment. I'm lost in the song when I realize that it holds parts of "The Night Does Not Belong To God." Were they telling me a story through their songs? I feel a rush in my chest a decide that I'll have to listen to all of their songs again to fully enjoy them the way they deserve.

When the concert finally ends, and the band leaves the stage, the crowd erupts in applause and cheers. Jade's face is flushed, and she's breathing hard, her eyes shining with exhilaration.

As we walk out of the venue, she's recounting every single moment, laughing as she talks about her favorite parts of the concert, from the guitar solos to the drumbeats that made her feel like her heart was pounding in sync with the music. I nod along, just as eager to relive every detail with her.

"So? Was it worth it?" she asks, raising an eyebrow as we head toward the exit.

"Absolutely," I say, smiling. "I get it now, Jade. This was incredible."

She grins, practically glowing. "I knew you'd love it."

As we reach the door, she pauses, pulling me close and pressing a quick kiss to my lips, her smile softening. "Thanks for being here with me. I know it's not really your thing, but… it means a lot."

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling a little breathless from the kiss. "Are you kidding? Seeing you this happy? This is totally my thing."

As we step out of the venue and into the cool night air, we're both still buzzing, like the music is echoing in our veins. The parking lot is mostly empty now, the final few concertgoers heading to their cars. Jade's hand is wrapped firmly in mine as we make our way toward the car, her excitement still radiating off her in waves.

Jade takes the keys and hops into the driver's seat, practically glowing. "You ready for the post-concert playlist?" she asks with a grin, her eyes flashing in the dim light as she turns on the car.

"Why not? I feel like I need to hear everything they've ever made now," I admit, buckling my seat-belt as she scrolls through her phone for the right song. The opening chords of "Alkaline" fill the car, and I lean back, letting the sound wash over me. Jade taps the steering wheel to the beat, her voice low as she hums along, clearly still riding the high of the show.

"Tonight was… incredible," I say, glancing over at her as she pulls out of the parking lot. "I'd heard of the band, and listened a bit when you'd play their songs,but it didn't hit me until tonight just how awesome they are I had no idea what I was missing."

Jade glances over, her expression softening. "You don't know how happy it makes me to hear that, Tori. I wanted you to see why I love it so much."

As we drive through the quiet streets, Jade takes my hand again, and I can tell she's lost in the memory of the concert, replaying every moment. Occasionally, she'll glance over with a grin and share some little detail that I hadn't noticed, like the way the lead singer's voice changed during certain lyrics or the moment during "Ascension" when the lights hit the audience just right. I realize that half of what I love about the night is seeing her so completely happy, so alive.

We stop at a red light, and she catches me staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing. Just… I love seeing you like this."

She laughs, brushing it off, but I can tell she's pleased. "Guess you'll have to come with me to every concert then, huh?"

"Deal," I say, smiling as the light turns green and we continue down the road. The rest of the drive is filled with music, both of us humming along, reliving every beat of the concert until we finally pull into the driveway.

Inside, the house is dark, but Missy's left a small lamp on for us in the living room. She's curled up on the couch, her head tilted back against the cushions, and her phone loosely held in her hand. She perks up as soon as we walk in, sitting up with a sleepy but excited grin.

"You're back!" she says, brightening. "So… how was it? From the look on your faces, I'm guessing it was amazing?"

"It was beyond amazing," I say, still feeling a little breathless as I recount the concert, sharing every vivid detail. Jade jumps in, talking about how the band played her favorite songs and how the crowd was totally in sync with the music. Missy listens with a mix of fascination and amusement, her eyes flicking between us as if she's trying to absorb every detail.

When I finally pause, catching my breath, Missy grins. "Sounds like a night to remember. Maybe I'll ask Alex more about them," she says casually, a small, shy smile creeping onto her face.

"Definitely do that," Jade replies. "She's probably been listening to them longer than me."

We chat a little longer, filling her in on every moment we loved, and as the night winds down, we thank her for watching Jake, and she heads out, giving us one last smile before disappearing down the front steps. We take a peek in on Jake and see him fast asleep, holding onto a big stuffed bear that Jade's mom bought him. Jade fixes his blanket around him.

Once in our room, Jade changes into comfy clothes, still humming a bit of "Take Me Back to Eden" under her breath, looking thoroughly pleased with the night. I change as well and take out my contacts. I come over to the bed and Jade glances at me with a smirk. "Ready to do that again next time they're touring here?"

I laugh, nodding. "You know it." We share a quiet kiss as she pulls me down onto the bed with her.

(Later the Following Week)

The morning light streams through the curtains as I roll over, blinking away the last remnants of sleep. Jade is already up, rummaging through her dresser, tossing her clothes around in her usual search for something that "fits her mood" for the day.

I stretch, still half-awake, and yawn. "Morning," I mumble, squinting against the brightness.

Jade glances over, raising an eyebrow. "Finally, you're up." She tosses me one of my shirts. "We've got to hustle if we're getting both ourselves and Jake ready on time."

Just as she says that, we hear a groggy voice from the hallway. "Tori? Jade?" Jake shuffles in, his hair sticking up in all directions, his eyes still half-closed. He looks up at us, rubbing his eyes.

Jade grins and ruffles his hair. "Good morning, little man. Ready to tackle another day?"

Jake scrunches his nose. "It's too early."

"Yeah, tell me about it," I agree, sitting up and grabbing my own clothes. "But hey, you'll get pancakes out of it if you get a move on."

Jake's eyes light up a bit. "With chocolate chips?"

I nod, laughing. "If you're dressed in five minutes, I'll even throw in whipped cream."

He bolts out of the room at that, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Jade shakes her head, smirking as she pulls on her jeans.

"Bribery really is the most effective parenting tool," she says.

"Right?" I laugh, grabbing my own clothes and quickly getting dressed. "Anything to get him moving."

Ten minutes later, I'm in the kitchen flipping pancakes while Jade hurries to pack Jake's lunch. She drops a juice box and some crackers into a lunch bag, glancing over her shoulder at me.

"He likes his peanut butter sandwich with the crusts cut off," she reminds me.

"I know, I know," I say, smiling. "You act like I haven't done this a million times by now."

She shrugs. "Just making sure. Jake's a bit picky about his food."

Right on cue, Jake comes bounding into the kitchen, dressed in school clothes but with his shirt half-tucked and one sock drooping around his ankle. Jade rolls her eyes, kneeling down to fix his shirt.

"Hold still," she mutters, straightening his collar and smoothing his hair down.

Jake huffs but stands still as she fusses over him, his eyes glued to the stack of pancakes on the counter. "Are they ready yet?"

"Almost, buddy," I say, plating the first couple of pancakes and drizzling a little syrup on them. "Go grab your backpack and come back in two minutes. The pancakes will be on the table by then."

Jake runs off again, and Jade and I exchange a quick smile. These mornings have become our routine, the three of us getting ready in a whirlwind of pancakes, lunch bags, and backpacks.

As I pour the next batch of batter into the pan, Jade leans over, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for making mornings so easy."

"Wouldn't miss it," I say, smiling at her.

Jake comes back, backpack slung over one shoulder and a big grin on his face as he sits at the table, eagerly watching the pancakes. "Thanks, Tori!" he says, digging into his plate as soon as I set it in front of him.

"You're welcome," I reply, grinning as I down with a plate for myself and Jade

Jade joins us, grabbing a piece of pancake off Jake's plate and laughing as he protests. "Hey, I helped make these; I deserve a taste," she teases, and he just rolls his eyes, though he's smiling.

After we finish breakfast, we grab our bags and head out, making sure Jake has everything he needs for the day. As we walk him to the bus stop, he's chatting away about his plans for the day, excitement in his voice. Jade and I exchange a quick look, feeling a quiet pride in this little morning routine we've built.

As the bus pulls up, Jake gives us a wave before climbing aboard, his face pressed against the window as he watches us until the bus disappears around the corner. Jade slips her hand into mine as we turn to head to the car and pick up Missy so we can get to school ourselves.

The school day starts like any other, with the usual sounds of lockers slamming and classmates filling the halls. Jade and I walk in together, our arms occasionally brushing as we make our way through the throng of students. We head to our lockers, and I grab my books, glancing around for any sign of Missy. She's usually here early, but I don't see her yet. Instead, I spot Cat, who waves excitedly and skips over to us.

"Hey, guys! Are you as excited as I am for auditions next week?" Cat asks, practically bouncing.

Jade chuckles, leaning against her locker with a smirk. "Of course, Cat. You're gonna steal the show again, huh?"

"Oh, totally," Cat beams. "But I need to pick a monologue tonight. Maybe from Romeo and Juliet?"

Just then, Andre and Robbie walk up, deep in conversation about something that sounds suspiciously like their band.

"Yo, Tori! Jade! You two joining me for that music gig tonight?" Andre asks, casually leaning against the lockers.

"We're actually doing a movie night," I reply.

Missy appears next, looking a little flustered as she jogs up to our group. "Hey! Sorry, I got stuck in traffic… human traffic," she jokes, catching her breath.

We're all laughing when the first bell rings, signaling the start of the day. Cat, Beck, and Robbie wave as they head off to their classes, each of them already chattering about plans for the weekend.

In history class, I sit beside Jade and Missy, who seems unusually distracted, her notebook mostly blank as the teacher drones on about ancient civilizations. I lean over and whisper, "You okay?"

Missy blinks, looking at me as though snapping out of a daze. "Oh, yeah! Just… thinking."

Jade raises an eyebrow, glancing over. "Thinking? About the movie night?"

Missy nods, but she seems distant, and I let it slide, assuming she's just tired. The class ends quickly, and we all shuffle out, heading to English.

At lunch, we find our usual table in the cafeteria. Jade and I take our seats with Missy, and soon enough, Cat, Robbie, and Andre show up, filling out the rest of the table.

"Guess what?" Cat says, grinning widely. "My audition's all planned out. I'm doing Juliet's monologue from Act 3!"

"You're gonna nail it, baby girl." Andre says. "I'd show up but my grandma has bridge with her friends on Wednesday and I drive her."

"I would if I could." Robbie chimes in. "I promised to help Sinjin build his new telescope. His mom just gave him access to the roof again."

Jade smirks. "Busy guys, huh? Don't worry, Cat. Tori, Missy, and I'll be cheering you on."

Throughout lunch, Missy keeps glancing at her phone every now and then, a hint of nerves in her eyes. She catches me looking and quickly tucks it away, her cheeks tinged pink. I exchange a glance with Jade, but neither of us says anything, letting the moment pass.

The rest of the day passes by in a blur of classes, with everyone chatting about their weekend plans. As the final bell rings, we gather our things from our lockers. Cat, Beck, Andre, and Robbie head off together, waving goodbye.

As we walk out of the school building and head toward the parking lot, I notice Missy still seems a little off, even as she tries to keep up with Jade and me.

Once we're all in the car, I glance over at Missy, whose gaze is fixed on her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Missy, is everything okay?" I ask gently. "You've seemed kind of… distracted today."

Missy looks up, hesitating before she speaks. "I don't know. It's just… this whole movie night thing. I mean, it's exciting, but…." She trails off, sighing softly.

Jade shoots her a curious look from the driver's seat. "But what? It's not like you to get this worked up over a movie night."

Missy bites her lip, glancing out the window as we pull out of the parking lot. "It's not about the movie. It's… I guess I'm just a little nervous about Alex coming over. I mean, she doesn't know about me being pregnant. What if I feel sick or get a craving and she finds out? I don't want her to find out and think… I don't know, that I'm irresponsible or something."

"Oh, Missy." I reach over and give her a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder. "Alex is your friend; she's not going to judge you for that."

"Yeah," Jade adds as she turns onto the main road. "Plus, she already knows you're pregnant. We talked about it a little while back when we reconnected."

Missy's eyes widen. "She… she knows?"

Jade nods. "Yep. And she thinks you're pretty awesome, actually. She really admires how you've been handling everything on your own and how hard you're working to stay on top of everything." Jade gives her a quick glance, a soft smile on her face. "Honestly, she thinks you're amazing."

Missy's shoulders relax, and a small, relieved smile replaces her worried expression. "I… I didn't know that. I was so afraid of being judged or pitied, but it's really nice to hear she already knows and still wants to be around."

I smile at her, feeling a rush of relief myself. "See? You don't have to worry about it. Tonight's just about having fun and relaxing with friends."

Missy nods, a new sense of ease settling over her. "Thanks, guys. I think I needed to hear that."

We make a pit stop at the store, grabbing a nice variety of snacks and things for dinner before heading home. Jade immediately starts arranging the snacks on the coffee table while I set up the couch cushions just right for our movie night.

Just then, Jade's phone buzzes, and she checks it quickly. "It's time to pick up Jake from the bus," she says, glancing at me.

"Alright, let's go get him," I reply, grabbing a few more snacks to place on the table.

Jade heads out, and I can hear her chatting with Jake as they walk up. "Hey, punk. You excited to hang out with Mom and Rachel tonight?"

"Yeah! We're gonna watch movies just like you." Jake replies, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

"You'll be watching fun stuff with them while we'll be watching scary movies here," she explains as I hold open the door Jake runs upstairs to change out of his school clothes and Jade goes through his backpack, taking everything out and only leaving his homework. "Jake," She shouts from the bottom step. "Bring me your pajamas and whatever clothes you want to wear tomorrow."

"Okay!" he shouts back, coming down with a change of clothes and a set of pajamas.

After getting him ready, we sit with him so he can have his after school snack and talk to him about his day. Jade tries really hard to show him just how much he's cared for and cared about, and it shows. He's almost always so happy and when he does still get the occasional nightmare, Jade is by his side just as fast as she's been by mine. Jade combs his wild hair and ties his shoes before giving him a once over

"You ready to go?" she asks, grabbing his jacket from the coat rack.

"Yeah!" he shouts, his excitement contagious.

"Alright, come on," she says, helping him put his jacket on. The three of us go outside and Jake gives me a hug before Jade lifts him up into the car. She gets him buckled in and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before getting in herself and driving off. I wave goodbye as they leave, Jake's little hand waving back through the window, his face beaming.

Once they're gone, I head back inside, where the living room is starting to feel like a perfect movie night setting. I grab my favorite blankets to curl up with and drape them over the couch before checking the time. It's nearly 5:30 now, so Alex should be here within the hour. I peek over at Missy and see her looking herself over in the mirror. I chuckle and head into the kitchen to grab my phone. Can't have a movie night without some pizza.

After setting up the snacks, I pull out my phone and place a quick order for pizza – two large, since I know we'll go through it with everyone here tonight. Jade still isn't back yet, but I'm expecting her any minute, and I want everything set when she walks in. Missy plops down onto the couch, her legs tucked under her as she glances around at the setup, nodding in approval.

"So, Alex will be here soon, right?" I ask, sliding my phone into my pocket after the pizza order is confirmed.

Missy nods, a little smile on her face. "Yeah, she texted she's on her way. Should be here any minute."

The doorbell rings not two minutes later, and I jump up to answer it. When I open the door, Alex stands there with a friendly grin, holding a bag with what looks like a few extra snacks inside.

"Hope I'm not too early," she says, stepping inside as I gesture her in.

"Perfect timing! We were just getting everything ready," I say, closing the door behind her. She steps into the living room, where Missy waves from the couch, her face lighting up a bit when she sees her.

"Oh, hey! You made it," Missy says, her voice warm.

"Couldn't miss it," Alex replies, setting down the bag of snacks she brought and helping herself to the seat next to Missy. "I even brought some extra stuff – hope that's okay."

"Perfect," Missy says, shooting her a grateful look.

Just then, the front door opens, and Jade steps back inside. She hangs her keys on the hook by the door, smiling when she sees Alex is already here.

"Hey, you guys ready?" Jade asks, dropping onto the couch and grabbing a bag of popcorn.

"Pizza's on its way, so I'd say we're pretty much all set," I say, joining everyone in the living room.

The four of us settle in, making small talk as we wait for the pizza and deciding on our lineup of movies. Alex and Missy discuss horror favorites while Jade throws in her only favorite, "The Scissoring", and before long, the pizza arrives, bringing with it the unmistakable scent of melted cheese and garlic.

"Alright, who's ready to eat and be terrified?" I ask, setting the pizza boxes on the coffee table. Everyone dives in, and with the food, snacks, and movies lined up, the night feels complete.

With the lights dimmed and everyone settled, we hit play on our first movie.

Anyone else listen to Sleep Token? They're a favorite of mine! Anyway, enjoy! -Mercy