Cat hadn't slept at all. She'd spent the entire night sewing, hunched over her desk with pins, fabric, and a scattered assortment of threads and beads. The PR team had been thrilled to learn that she designed and made a lot of her own clothes. They'd lit up at the idea of "an artist who's literally building her own brand"—the synergy of her image was seamless, they'd said, and it made sense that she was the one crafting it.
When she finally finished, dawn had already started to creep through her window, painting her bedroom / workroom in sunlight. She held up the outfit she'd spent hours dreaming up and creating: a cropped, shimmering top in deep plum that caught the light just so, paired with a flared skirt and ankle-high boots she'd customized with patches and tiny charms. It was bold but a little soft around the edges, just like her.
Now, standing at the edge of the stage, Cat felt her heart racing. She peered out at the small crowd gathering in front of the supporting stage of the festival. She'd been filtered in between two other pop acts, with the hopes that their crowds would stick around to hear her too. It wasn't huge—maybe a few hundred people, some standing, some wandering through from other stages—but it felt enormous to her. The lights, her name on the screen behind, the anticipation in the air, the murmur of the crowd… this was the first time all those people from her social media would see her, hear her voice live. She had no idea how Tori had managed to perform at the Platinum Music Awards with so much ease.
Peaking her head around the corner of the stage wall, she could see her friends were all assembled, faces glowing with excitement and support. She saw Jade first, her expression soft and encouraging as she gave Cat a thumbs-up. Andre was grinning wide, clearly excited, while Tori and Beck waved, mouthing, "You got this!" Robbie had his camera held up ready, offering an exaggerate looks of encouragement, which made her laugh even through the nerves.
When the announcer finally called her name, the small crowd clapped, and Cat stepped forward, feeling like she was floating. She caught Jade's eye one more time, saw her nod, and then—there was the microphone, waiting for her.
Cat took a deep breath, steadying herself, and launched into her first song, a soulful, stripped-back cover of an old pop hit. She could feel the tremor in her hands, but the moment the melody started, something in her settled. The nerves, the anticipation—they melted away, leaving her with just the music and the crowd. Her voice filled the space, warm and sweet, carrying over the festival grounds and weaving into the ambient noise of laughter, conversation, and distant music.
As she sang, she felt herself connect to the crowd in a way she hadn't expected. She'd sung this song a hundred times before, but in the moment, with the crowd before her, it was different. Each note seemed to come from somewhere deeper, richer. She let her voice climb with the song, weaving in delicate runs and soft vibrato. She couldn't see anyone clearly through the stage lights, but she could feel them, sense their attention shifting, their interest building.
Her second song was equally a hit, and maybe she was imagining it but it felt like more people were joining the crowd from other stages.
In that crowd, Jade's eyes were fixed on her, a proud smile tugging at her lips as she watched. Andre had his hands in the air, grinning and dancing to the beat, shouting out in support between songs. Tori and Beck were clapping and cheering, and Robbie was frantically waving a tiny "Go, Cat!" sign he'd made from a piece of notebook paper.
As she finished her set with You'll Never Know, the crowd burst into applause, some people cheering, a few shouting her name. She felt a wave of exhilaration wash over her, her heart pounding as she took in the reaction. It wasn't a massive crowd, but it didn't matter. They were here, and they were cheering for her.
She took a quick bow, feeling the buzz of adrenaline and pride coursing through her, and with one last look at the crowd, she stepped off the stage and into the arms of her friends.
Jade was the first to reach her, pulling her into a hug, whispering, "You were amazing." Andre high-fived her, grinning ear to ear. Tori hugged her tight, and even Beck and Robbie joined in, showering her with praise and smiles.
Cat was breathless, laughing with them, still feeling the energy from the crowd. "I can't believe that just happened," she said, shaking her head, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Believe it," Jade said, her hand warm on Cat's shoulder, her gaze steady and proud. "That was all you up there."
Cat grinned, her heart soaring as she looked around at her friends, the festival grounds, and the small crowd that was still talking about her performance, glancing her way with smiles and nods of approval.
She had done it. She'd sung, and people had listened, and it had felt incredible.
After that performance, the group went out for a meal- to celebrate Cat's first signed performance but also just because they could. Any excuse to initiate a hangout was exactly what they wanted in their last summer together in LA.
They made their way to a nearby diner. It wasn't fancy—just a cozy, retro place with checkered floors, red vinyl booths, and a neon sign that hummed softly outside. The scent of sizzling burgers and fries filled the air, and Cat felt her stomach growl. She hadn't eaten all day, the nerves having stolen her appetite, but now she was ravenous.
As they slid into a booth, Jade nudged Cat toward the wall so she could sit beside her. Tori plopped down across from them while Andre and Beck slid in beside her. Robbie grabbed the end chair and immediately began scanning the menu.
"You were so amazing, Cat!" Tori said, for seemingly the 100th time.
"Yeah," Beck chimed in, nodding. "You owned that stage, like you've been doing it for years."
Cat glanced around the table, their words warming her like the diner's soft lighting. "Thanks, you guys. I was so nervous, but… it actually felt kinda good up there."
"Kinda good?" Jade raised an eyebrow. "Cat, you were practically glowing up there."
Cat's face turned bright red. "Stop it," she mumbled, burying her face in her hands.
Jade laughed, draping an arm casually over the back of the booth behind Cat. "What? I'm just telling the truth."
Robbie finally looked up from his menu. "Okay, but can we talk about the crowd? Did anyone else notice how people were coming from the other stages to watch her? I mean, that's next-level stuff!"
"Right?" Tori said, grinning. "By the time she started her second song, there were way more people there than when it started."
Cat blinked, surprised. "Wait, really? I couldn't see anything past the lights…"
"Oh, yeah," Andre confirmed, nodding enthusiastically. "You were pulling them in. It was like a magnetic thing or something. People couldn't help but stop and listen."
The waitress arrived then, a cheerful older woman with a notepad and a warm smile. "What can I get y'all tonight?"
The group quickly rattled off their orders—burgers, fries, milkshakes, and in Robbie's case, a towering stack of pancakes. As the waitress walked away, Beck leaned back in his seat, stretching his arms.
"So, what's next for you, Cat?" he asked. "I mean, you're basically a pop star now." He teased. "What's the game plan?"
Cat bit her lip, glancing at Jade before answering. "I don't know… I guess the label's got a whole schedule planned out for me. More performances, studio time, building my social media."
"Sounds intense," Tori said. "But honestly? You're gonna kill it."
"Thanks," Cat said softly, smiling. "I just… I hope I can keep up with it all. Today was a lot, but it's just the start, right?"
Jade gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You've got this. And if it ever feels like too much, you've got us here remember."
Cat looked around at her friends, her chest filling with gratitude. "I'm so lucky to have you guys," she said.
"And don't you forget it," Robbie said, raising his glass of water like a toast. "To Cat, the future queen of pop!"
The others laughed but joined in, raising their glasses and cheering her new stage name.
The food arrived not long after, and the table quickly filled with the sound of clinking plates, laughter, and conversation. They teased Robbie about his pancake tower, debated whether fries were better dipped in ketchup or milkshakes, and just chatted about annoying things their parents had done this week.
As the night carried on and the group's laughter echoed through the diner, Jade found herself growing quieter. She watched as Cat lit up with every compliment her friends threw her way, her face flushed with excitement and pride. Cat was glowing—really glowing—and while Jade was proud, a different feeling started to flood over her.
Jade wasn't one for sentimentality, and she'd never admit to being the kind of person who worried about the future, but tonight she couldn't help it. This was the beginning of something huge for Cat, and Jade could feel it. She could see it in the way people had stopped to listen during the performance, in the way the PR team had gushed about her, in the way Cat's phone kept buzzing with new notifications even as she ignored it to enjoy dinner with her friends.
Things were going to change.
Jade poked at the fries on her plate, letting the voices of her friends fade into the background for a moment. It wasn't that she wasn't happy for Cat—she was - she really was. Cat had worked hard, and she deserved every bit of this success. But with the label, the social media followers, the performances… there was a world forming around Cat that was about to change everything they planned.
New York would be off the cards for sure, she made a mental note to tell her Dad to stop looking for a flat for them. If they need to they could just rent. But, then what about college at all? Cat could drop it but Jade couldn't. She'd been thinking about NYFA for years. They had the same course on their LA campus, she guessed she could transfer? Cat hadn't even decided she wouldn't go to New York yet- so maybe she was just thinking too much too early but-
"Earth to Jade?"
Jade blinked and looked up to find Tori waving a fry in front of her face. "You good? You've been staring at your plate for like, five minutes."
"I'm fine," Jade said, brushing it off with a wave of her hand.
"Sure you are," Andre said, raising an eyebrow. "You've been quiet. That's never a good thing with you."
"I said I'm fine," Jade snapped, but the usual bite in her tone wasn't there.
Cat leaned into her side, nudging her gently. "Hey, you okay?" she asked softly, her big, worried eyes fixed on Jade's.
Jade hesitated, the feeling in her stomach shifting. She didn't want to ruin the night for Cat or make her think she wasn't supportive. So, she forced a small smile and nodded. "Yeah. Just tired. It's been a long day."
Cat studied her for a moment, then nodded, accepting the answer but squeezing Jade's hand under the table. "Okay. Let me know if you want to go home, though, okay?"
Jade nodded, and Cat turned her attention back to the group, who had now started an animated debate about the best milkshake flavour.
As the conversation flowed around her, Jade found herself watching Cat again. She watched the way her eyes lit up when she laughed, the way her hands moved as she told a story, the way she effortlessly drew people in. This was what the label had seen in her, what the world was about to see.
Jade wasn't scared of being left behind—not really. But she was scared of losing this. These moments, the easy laughter, the way Cat leaned on her without a second thought. The music industry wasn't known for being kind, and she knew how fame could twist and change people.
She didn't want that to happen to Cat.
"Alright, I think I'm officially stuffed," Beck announced, leaning back in his seat.
"Same," Andre agreed, stifling a yawn. "I should probably call it a night anyway, I've got work tomorrow. At Radius." He couldn't help but drop that in there, he was absolutely loving the fact he worked at a record label now.
The group began gathering their things, sliding out of the booth one by one. Jade followed, her mind still swirling, but when Cat turned to her, flashing her a bright, sleepy smile, Jade pushed her worries down.
As they walked out into the cool night air, Cat laced her fingers with Jade's, swinging their hands gently between them. "I'll drive?" she asked quietly, leaning into Jade's side.
"If you'd like," Jade said, pulling the keys out of her purse, her voice steady despite the unease in her chest.
"Love you Babe." Cat replied, pushing herself up onto her tiptoes to give her girlfriend a breif kiss.
"Love you too."