The shrill ring of the phone alarm pierced the quiet of the room, jolting them both awake. Cat groaned, a soft, disoriented sound, her eyes squinting against the harsh light creeping in from the window. She swung her legs round off the coach and pulled her phone out of her bag, the clock showing 7:00 AM before her alarm came off. Jade blinked, stretching her stiff limbs, her body protesting after an uncomfortable night of dozing on the couch. She was a mess—her back aching, her neck sore—and she couldn't remember the last time she had fallen asleep in such an awkward position.
"Cat..." she murmured, rubbing her eyes, her voice still thick with sleep. "You okay?"
Cat only answered with a low hum, stretching herself as she stood. She had barely gotten a few hours of sleep after coming back home so late. Jade saw the familiar look of being so done but also so determined on her face.
"Do you have somewhere to be?," Jade asked, sitting up on the couch, her body protesting the awkward night of sleep.
Cat blinked again and let out a groggy sigh,"It's my single release day." She said lowly, something she, until this moment, had been previously ecstatic about. "I've got a radio interview I think." She opened up her phone, checking her calendar to confirm. "I need to go get ready." She went to go upstairs.
"Hold on-" A thought hit Jade suddenly. "Did you eat before you got home last night?"
Cat winced, her stomach grumbling as if on cue. "No," she admitted. "I don't even know when the last time I had food was."
Jade shook her head, part amused but mostly concerned. "Okay, I'm driving you to McDonald's," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You're not skipping meals today. You're running on empty."
"Alright, alright," she replied, grateful but groggy. "But just so you know, I'm really not in the mood for anything too fancy. Just... something quick."
Jade gave her a pointed look. "It's McDonald's, Cat. We're talking about fast food, not a five-star brunch. Now come on, get ready and I'll drive you on the way."
"I don't know how I'm going to get through today," Cat muttered, as she met Jade downstairs 15 minutes later, both a bit more ready for the day. "The radio interview's at 8:30, and I feel like I'm dying already."
Jade gave her a reassuring smile, her eyes softening. "You've got this. We'll grab something to eat, get you in gear, and then you can take on the world."
The drive to McDonald's was a quiet one, with only the hum of the car radio filling the silence. Jade kept glancing over at Cat, who was slumped against the window, her exhaustion palpable. The morning sun was beginning to shine brighter, casting long shadows across the empty streets. Jade couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy as she watched Cat's tired face reflected in the window, knowing how much pressure she was under.
"What would you like?" Jade asked, breaking the silence as she pulled into the drive-thru lane.
Cat lifted her head slowly, her eyes half-lidded. "Nah, just get me a coffee, and 2 hashbrowns," she replied in a voice that was more of a drawl than a sentence. "And if they have it, a McMuffin."
Jade laughed softly and nodded, placing the order before pulling up to the window. As they sat in the parking lot waiting for the food, Jade couldn't help but steal another glance at Cat, who now had her eyes closed, leaning back in her seat like she was about to fall asleep again.
"You're lucky you're cute," Jade teased, reaching across the seat to gently poke her girlfriend's arm. "Otherwise, I'd leave you here."
Cat cracked an eye open, her tired smile appearing at the corner of her lips. "Lucky for you, I'm adorable, huh?"
"That's definitely one way to put it," Jade grinned, trying to lighten the mood as the food arrived. She handed Cat her coffee and breakfast and then took a moment to look at her. "You've got a full day ahead of you. Want me to come with you to the interview?"
Cat hesitated before nodding. "I don't see why not. You can come. It'll be good to have someone there. You know, not just for moral support, but... because it's you."
Jade smiled softly, her heart lifting just a little bit at the mention of her. "I'm happy to tag along."
As they ate in the car, Jade kept glancing over at Cat, watching her slowly come back to life with each bite. A car pulled into the space next to them and, the sound of radio music blared through the open window. It wasn't just any music—it was her song.
"All I'm tryna say is you're my everything (Baby)
But every time I try to say it, words, they only complicate it
Baby, baby..."
Cat's head whipped to the side, her tired eyes widening as she heard her voice over the speakers. She froze, the coffee cup still in her hand, as she turned to Jade in disbelief. "Is that...?"
Jade was already staring at the other car, eyebrows raised in surprise. "Yep. That's your song."
The car next to them was blasting it, the upbeat rhythm spilling into the air. Cat's heart skipped a beat, and she let out a breathless laugh. She hadn't expected to hear it like this—so casually, from a random car. But there it was. The way the person in the car was just nodding along subconsciously while unwrapping their breakfast.
"That's wild," Jade said, grinning as she watched Cat's reaction.
Cat shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around it all. "I can't... I mean, it feels so weird. Like, hearing it out here... like this. I know it's the second single, but it almost feels weirder this time. Like it proves The Way wasn't just a randomly released thing." She rambled a little. "Is this real, or am I still dreaming?"
Jade rolled her eyes playfully. "Definitely real," she teased. "You're gonna have to get used to it."
Cat just shook her head again, still amazed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think I'll ever get used to this."
"Can we head off now?" Jade asked as she finished the last sip of her coffee. "Or would you like to get out and knock on their window."
"Leave please!" Cat replied quickly, thinking of nothing worse than imposing on the person while they almost definitely didn't realise it was her song they were listening to.