As Cat's second album progressed, things kept moving and changing. It was all little things, but together they built up. Her eyeshadow was bolder now, more dramatic, and her lips carried the weight of a bold red that seemed to command attention. Her wardrobe, once a mix of quirky and edgy pieces, had softened into something more polished—structured dresses, sleek silhouettes, and colours that leaned toward the mainstream. The changes were subtle, gradual, but undeniable, each a small shift reflecting the larger evolution of her life and career. Each day it felt more and more like Caterina was taking over and Cat was being left a little behind- no matter how much the redhead was trying to fight for it. Because of all this, the tension between her and Jade seemed to grow. They'd always had their fair share of small arguments, but now it felt like something heavier was hovering between them.

One night, as they sat together listening to the final mix of one song, "Love Me Harder" playing through their bedroom speakers, filling the room with its sultry, mature tones. Cat was beaming, her excitement palpable, but Jade's expression stayed neutral, her jaw set as she leaned back, arms crossed.

"Don't you love it?" Cat asked, eyes bright, glancing over at Jade.

Jade hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's…well-produced. But are you sure this is you, Cat? These songs…they're so different from what you usually sing about."

Cat blinked, taken aback. "Different in a bad way?"

Jade shifted uncomfortably. "I just mean…I'm used to your songs being…lighter. You're singing about things that—" She paused, clearly struggling. "Things that are more…adult. And I don't know if that's really your style."

Cat's excitement started to fade, replaced by a defensive edge. "Jade, I'm not a child. I'm allowed to grow up and explore new things with my music."

Jade rolled her eyes, exasperated. "I know that, Cat. But these songs—'Love Me Harder'? 'Hands On Me'? I just…don't think it's you. It's like someone else wrote them and pushed you into singing them."

Cat's cheeks flushed with frustration. "Just you dont like it doesn't mean its not my work. Why can't you support that?"

Jade frowned, looking away. "I do support you. I just don't like the idea of you singing about…that kind of stuff, so publicly. It feels wrong."

"It only feels wrong to you because you don't like the idea of me singing about things that might make you uncomfortable," Cat shot back, hurt lacing her voice. "You don't want to see me in that light, but it doesn't mean it's wrong for me to be seen that way."

Jade's eyes flashed. "Maybe I don't want the whole world seeing you like that. Have you thought about that?"

Cat's heart sank as she realised what Jade was saying. "So this isn't about my music. This is about you."

They stared at each other, a thick silence settling over them. Finally, Jade sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. If you're so sure this is what you want, then go for it," she muttered, her voice laced with reluctant acceptance. "I just…don't want to see you lose yourself in this."

Cat felt a pang of guilt, but she held her ground. "I'm not losing anything, Jade. I'm just…evolving."

Jade didn't respond, but Cat could tell this wasn't over. They'd reached a crossroads in how they saw her music, and neither of them seemed ready to compromise. The tension lingered, a new and unfamiliar distance forming between them, as Cat's album inched closer to release. "I'm going to sleep in my bed tonight." Cat decided, getting up and walking out of the room.

As the days passed, Cat couldn't shake the unease Jade's reaction had left behind. Whenever she thought back to their argument, a knot tightened in her chest, conflicting emotions battling within her. She was hurt, frustrated, and, deep down, a little unsure.

Creating this album had been different from the last one—a chance to step into new territory, to show the world she was more than just the cheerful girl-next-door image everyone knew her as. Thats what her team had said at least, that her songs needed that depth. But now, every time she played "Love Me Harder" or "Hands On Me," she couldn't help but hear Jade's voice in her mind, questioning if this was really her.

Cat had poured her heart and soul into these songs, wanting them to reflect all the different parts of herself, even the ones she'd kept hidden. She thought Jade would understand. Of all people, she thought Jade would appreciate her boldness, her willingness to embrace a more mature side. But Jade's response had left her second-guessing everything. It hurt that someone who knew her so deeply—who had supported her through everything—seemed uncomfortable with the part of herself she was trying to show the world.

Lying awake in bed one night, Cat stared up at the ceiling, her mind swirling with questions. Maybe Jade was right, a small, anxious voice whispered inside her. Maybe I'm pushing too hard, trying to be someone I'm not. Maybe these songs will make me lose fans who love the Cat from the first album, the one who sang about lighthearted things.

But then, another voice, stronger and fiercer, argued back. This is who I am, too. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's wrong.

She rolled over, facing the empty space beside her. Jade had stayed out late with some friends from college, and though Cat missed her, she felt a strange sense of relief at the silence. Right now she didn't have to worry about how Jade felt or what she thought of the music. For a moment, it was just her, alone with her own emotions, sorting through the tangled mess in her heart.

A part of her felt guilty for even wanting to embrace this new side. She'd always tried so hard to be the happy, untroubled girl everyone expected. But lately, she felt like that girl was a costume she put on, a persona that didn't quite fit anymore. She wanted to feel free to explore the complexities of love and desire, to show that she wasn't as innocent and one-dimensional as people—including Jade, apparently—thought she was.

But if singing about these things meant creating a distance with Jade…was it worth it?

She buried her face in her pillow, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to come between them. She loved Jade more than she'd ever loved anyone, and the thought of losing her over something as personal—and yet so public—as this album felt unbearable.

Can't she just be proud of me? Cat thought, her heart aching. Can't she just trust that I know who I am?

But at the same time, a part of her understood Jade's concerns. Fame had changed things, and Cat knew it scared Jade to see her becoming more exposed, more vulnerable to public scrutiny. She knew Jade wasn't just worried about the lyrics; she was worried about the world seeing Cat in ways Jade felt protective over.

The complicated mess of it all was overwhelming. She clutched her phone, fighting the urge to call Jade, even though she knew it would only lead to another argument. Eventually, exhausted and unsure of where things stood, Cat fell asleep, feeling more lost than she'd felt in a long time. And as much as she tried to shake it off, the quiet fear gnawed at her: maybe, just maybe, Jade didn't really understand her the way she'd thought.