A bus ride later, Cat was back at home, the grin on her face still unwavering from the moment she'd left the studio. This singing thing was really starting to grow on her the more real it got. Sure, being signed didn't necessarily mean she'd become a singer, or even if they wanted to make an album with her. Her teachers at Hollywood Arts had told them all in detail about how the industry could be- and that often times labels would sign you just so that others couldn't have you, or to just take your songs for other singers. But, it really felt like they wanted her. But maybe it was just naivety.
"Honey I'm hooome!" Cat jokingly called out to Jade as she shut the front door behind her. As she stepped inside, she heard the faint strains of a voice, soft and mellow, drifting from upstairs. Jade rarely seemed to sing anymore, unless she was showing off her voice in a duet or karaoke session; it was nice to catch her singing for herself.
Not wanting to interrupt, Cat tiptoed up the stairs toward Jade's bedroom, her heart skipping a little. In their relationship, Cat was the one always humming tunes, filling the silences with song. But today, it seemed, the roles had flipped. Jade's voice was so powerful and amazing; it was strange that people didn't push her to sing more.
Outside Jade's room, Cat stopped in her tracks, listening. Her voice was rich and textured, effortlessly sliding into the soulful notes of 'Back to Black.' It was an Amy Winehouse classic, but Jade gave it her own twist, the way her voice lingered on each word, intimate and raw. She wasn't singing in a performative way just a, cause she could kinda way.
Through the slight gap in the door, she saw Jade moving around the room, putting away her laundry. She was folding a shirt, her body swaying slightly to the rhythm of the song, completely in her own world. Cat couldn't help but smile—Jade was completely unaware of her quiet audience.
As Jade's voice trailed out, Cat leaned against the doorframe, her heart full, unable to resist the urge to say something. "You know," she said softly, causing Jade to jump and turn, "you should sing more often. You have a beautiful voice."
Jade threw the next t-shirt at Cat as she turned, her eyes wide with surprise. "I didn't know you were home."
"Lucky it was me, you would've royally scared off an intruder with this- hey this is mine!" Cat announced, grabbing the navy top from the ground. "I've been looking for this for like 2 weeks!"
"I did think it was a little tight when I wore it last week." Jade reflected, thinking back. "Made my tits look great though."
"They always look great." Cat replied, a small blush creeping over her face as she fold the t-shirt up in her arms.
"So how was the test session Miss Future Superstar?" Jade teased, sitting on the end of her bed and inviting Cat over too.
Cat laughed, sinking into the couch beside her. "It was good. They wanted to test my voice on a song, and I think it went pretty well. I met this producer called Sam- he was soo nice."
Jade grinned, leaning closer with a glint in her eye. "Aren't we modest? Come on, Cat don't hold out on me. Did you blow their minds or what?"
Cat blushed, shrugging. "I mean, I think they liked it."
"Liked it?" Jade scoffed, swatting her playfully on the arm. "Please. I bet they were ready to throw themselves at your feet by the end of it. And you're acting like, 'Oh, it was nothing.' Own it a little!" Her eyes sparkled, challenging, and Cat couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, fine," she admitted. "I might have blown their minds a little."
Jade gave her an approving nod. "See, now that sounds like Cat I know," she said, crossing her arms with a satisfied grin. Cat shook her head, amused at Jade's relentless confidence in her. But she appreciated it—Jade had a way of bringing out this bolder side of her, a confidence she didn't always feel on her own. "What song was it? Anything I'd know?"
"Well-" Cat sighed, laying back onto the bed as she tried to recount the only part of it all that didn't spark joy, "It's just… the song they had me test on today was supposed to be for Alessia Pinero. You know, that girl on TheSlap? They'd signed her, but she scrapped her contract. So they tested me on it instead."
Jade tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "And why does that make you look like someone stole your puppy?"
Cat bit her lip. "I don't know. It kind of feels like… stealing? Like I'm swooping in and taking something that was meant for her. She was the one who was supposed to sing it, not me."
Jade let out a short laugh, sitting up a little straighter. "Okay, hold up. First of all, you're not stealing anything. She ditched the contract. She didn't want the song, right?"
"Right…"
"Then it's fair game." Jade gave her a knowing look, "Cat, the song didn't belong to her just because she was the first one they thought of. Think about it—if she didn't want it, someone else would have taken it. Why shouldn't it be you?"
Cat shrugged, not totally convinced. "I just… I feel bad for taking her place. I don't know if I'm the right fit for something that was tailored to her."
"Listen," Jade said firmly, grabbing her hand and pulling her back up. "If they didn't think you were right for it, they wouldn't have asked you to sing it. And, maybe it's a good thing Alessia walked away. It means that this song has a chance to be something real with someone who actually wants to sing it."
Cat looked down, processing Jade's words. "I hadn't really thought of it like that."
"Of course not," Jade said with a smirk. "You're too busy thinking about everyone else's feelings. But seriously, Cat—you're the one in the studio. You're not stealing anything. You're claiming something that's up for grabs, and you're going to make it better than anyone else could."
A small smile broke through Cat's uncertainty. "Thanks, Jade. I needed that."
"Anytime," Jade replied, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "That's what girlfriends are for—kicking your butt when you need it. And just wait till I'm the one standing front row at your sold-out concert, telling everyone, 'Yeah, I knew her back when she wasn't sure if she even wanted to be a singer.'"
Cat laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
Jade just raised her eyebrows, that familiar glint in her eye. "And you love it."
Cat leant across, giving Jade a quick peck on the lips before randomly remembering. "Oh right I need to give Andre this guy's number!" She announced, pulling the card from her pocket.
"I'm glad kissing me reminded you of that." Jade shook her head. "Is he asking Andre on a date or something?"
"No, he wants to buy our songs!" Cat replied, patting herself down to look for her phone.
"Wait wait wait- make sure my Dad gets involved before anyone starts buying or signing anything." Jade interjected.
"Why would we-"
"He's runs a law firm Cat, one that specifically has a section for music & media law." She reminded, rolling her eyes at Cat's forgetfulness. They could sometimes have these long and emotionally intelligent conversations, and other times she could forget what colour the sky was- Cat really was a special kind of girl.
"Ooh yeah." Cat replied, nodding intently. "Yeah that sounds like it would be helpful.