Cat sat cross-legged on the plush armchair in her London hotel room, the early morning light spilling in through the tall windows. The city outside was bustling, the hum of traffic faint and distant, but inside her room was deathly quiet. She fiddled with the hem of her oversized sweater, her phone resting in her lap. The lock screen showed the time in LA—2:47 a.m. Jade wouldn't be awake for hours.
Her 19th birthday. It didn't feel like a birthday.
The room was luxurious, as all her accommodations had been recently. She'd thought she'd love this kind of treatment—the five-star hotels, the room service, the endless array of perks—but the novelty had worn off quickly. Now, the sprawling suite only made her feel smaller, lonelier.
Her team had allowed her today off, to explore to city if she wanted, and arranged her a fancy dinner later to celebrate. She knew they meant well, but it wasn't what she wanted. What she wanted was to be back in LA, surrounded by her friends, maybe sitting on the couch at her and Jade's place, eating cupcakes and laughing about something stupid. She wanted Tori's karaoke machine, Andre's jokes, and Jade's sarcastic commentary to balance it all out.
Instead, she was here, staring at the clock and waiting for time zones to align so she could get a little piece of home through her screen.
She picked up her phone and opened the text thread with Jade, scrolling through their messages from last night. They'd not manage to call then- but Cat now wished she'd stayed up a little longer so they could.
Jade: You better call me first thing, birthday girl.
Cat: what if i don't?
Jade: Then I'll fly to London just to yell at you in person.
Cat: is that a threat or a promise?
Cat smiled faintly, her chest tightening. It wasn't the same, texting or FaceTiming. She could almost hear Jade's voice in her head, dripping with that half-teasing, half-serious tone she always used when she pretended to be annoyed.
The minutes ticked by. She put the phone down and leaned her head back against the chair, closing her eyes. Maybe she'd nap until Jade woke up, just to make the time pass faster. But before she could, her phone buzzed softly. She sat up quickly, hope flashing across her face, but it was just a notification from her team.
"Happy birthday, Cat! Big day ! Call us if you need anything."
She sighed, setting the phone down again. Her friends would have sent something silly, something that made her laugh. Her chest ached with the realisation that for all the love and support around her, it wasn't the kind she needed today.
Pulling a blanket around herself, Cat looked out at the gray London sky, whispering under her breath. "Jade, hurry up and wake up."
After another hour of sitting and letting her thoughts loop endlessly, Cat decided she'd had enough of moping. Birthdays were supposed to be fun, weren't they? Even if she couldn't spend it with the people she wanted, that didn't mean she had to waste the day completely.
She slipped out of the chair and headed toward her suitcase, pulling out a pair of oversized sunglasses and a plain black baseball cap. Tugging the hat over her vibrant red hair, she adjusted her hoodie to make sure it swallowed her up just enough to avoid drawing attention. She wasn't in the mood for fans or cameras today—just a little adventure.
After walking downstairs, the hotel concierge hailed her a cab, and she slid into the backseat with a quiet "Camden Market, please." The driver gave her a nod, and they set off through the city.
As the cab wove through London's streets, Cat's mood lifted. British accents were so funny to her, and she was good enough at copying them to have some fun back with him- making up a whole lie of how 'She'd lived in London as a child and was now back to visit her Aunt'. It was fun to be silly sometimes, even if he could've very easily seen through the lie if he'd asked too many more conversational questions. After paying, she said goodbye to him and hoped out into the lively market atmosphere. She loved fashion, and she'd heard Camden Market was an eclectic treasure trove of unique finds. The air was filled with the scent of street food and the hum of chatter. Stalls lined the market area, bursting with handmade jewellery, vintage clothes, and eccentric art. She wandered through the maze of vendors, stopping every so often to run her fingers over fabrics or admire a particularly eye-catching accessory. It was very busy, and she was very grateful for her sunglasses at that moment- not that people would've been looking out for her amidst touristy London, but it only took one person to turn her walk into a 20-minute selfie taking session. She absolutely loved talking to her fans but, sometimes everyone needs some alone time.
Eventually, she stumbled upon a shop of black and reds. The display window was full of spiked chokers, heavy boots, and corset-style dresses. She smiled to herself, thinking of Jade immediately. Inside, the shop was even better—a gothic wonderland of dark velvet, lace, and leather. Cat rifled through racks of clothes, pulling out pieces she knew Jade would adore: a cropped leather jacket with silver hardware, a black dress with dramatic lace sleeves, and a chunky pair of combat boots.
At the counter, she paid for the items, feeling a little rush of satisfaction at the thought of surprising Jade with them. It wasn't the same as having her here, but it was something. "Doesn't seem like your style." The shop assistant commented as she paid, not in a rude way, just general observation.
"They're for my girlfriend." She smiled back, enjoying the fleeting moment of being able to say that out loud. This clerk didn't seem like the type of person who'd list to pop tracks, and the sunglasses seemed to do their job so far so there was no harm. She thanked them and left the store to continue looking for something herself.
Cat wandered through the market a little longer, the weight of the bag swinging at her side. The buzz of the crowd was a distraction, a welcome one, and she found herself drawn to more stalls—rows of vibrant scarves, handcrafted jewelry, and quirky antiques. She let herself get lost in the maze, taking in the colours and sounds, the chatter of shopkeepers mingling with laughter from groups of friends.
It was hard not to imagine Jade walking beside her, making dry comments about some of the more outlandish items or pretending to be unimpressed by something that clearly caught her eye. Cat chuckled to herself at the thought and kept moving.
A food stall caught her attention next, its spicy aroma pulling her in. The vendor, a cheerful older woman, handed her a paper plate box with steaming noodles. Cat stood off to the side to eat, blending into the crowd and letting the hum of the market surround her. For a moment, she felt like just another person enjoying a lazy day, not a pop star trying to carve out a private moment in the chaos of her life.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out, half-expecting another message from her team. Instead, it was a text from Jade.
Jade: Happy birthday, you massive dork. Call me already, I'm awake.
Cat grinned, her heart lifting as she quickly replied.
Cat: out shopping, gimme fifteen minutes and i'm all yours.
Finishing her food, she tossed the paper box into a nearby bin and made her way toward the edge of the market. She hailed a cab and she slid into the back seat, her bag of goodies resting on her lap.
When she got back to the hotel, the room felt less suffocating than before. Cat kicked off her shoes, dropped her bag onto the couch, and flopped down beside it, pulling out her phone to call Jade.
The screen flashed to life, and after a moment, Jade's face appeared, her hair tousled and her expression still half-asleep.
"Finally," Jade teased, propping herself up on one elbow. "I was about to file a missing persons report."
Cat laughed, the sound soft and easy. "I was busy being mysterious and fashionable. You would've been so proud of me—I found this shop you would've loved."
"Oh, yeah?" Jade's brows lifted. "What kind of shop?"
"Gothic and dramatic. Lots of black. Your favourite," Cat teased.
"Did you get me anything?"
Cat smirked, holding the bag up to the camera. "Maybe."
Jade's face lit up, and for a second, Cat could almost believe she was back in LA, laying in bed together.
"You didn't have to," Jade said, though her expression betrayed her excitement.
"Of course I did," Cat replied.
Jade rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're the only person who celebrates their birthday by shopping for other people."
"That's because I'm the best," Cat said lightly, but her smile softened. "I wish you were here, though. It's not the same without you."
"Just get through this trip, and we'll celebrate properly when you're back." Jade promised, her voice quiet but steady.
Cat nodded, holding onto the thought like a lifeline. For now, this was enough—Jade on her screen and the promise of home waiting for her.
That evening, Cat smoothed her hands over the sleek black dress her stylist had chosen for the night, checking her reflection in the hotel room mirror. She never got to make her own outfits anymore- too little time - but this dress did look good, even if it didn't quite feel like her. She'd learned to accept that distinction over the past year. The only piece she added to the look was a simple silver necklace she'd brought today with a jade stone pendant. Wasn't anything expensive but the green shone beautifully in the light.
Her team had gone all out for her birthday dinner. They'd booked a private dining room at an upscale restaurant in Mayfair, promising a night of celebration. Cat had been told to expect a small gathering—her manager, a couple of team members, and some executives from her label who happened to be in the continent. It sounded nice enough, even if her heart still yearned for something simpler.
The car ride to the restaurant was uneventful, the tinted windows shielding her from the outside world. But as they pulled up to the entrance, Cat's stomach sank. A small group of paparazzi had gathered outside, cameras already flashing as they caught sight of her car.
She glanced at her manager, seated beside her. "Did you…?"
He shook his head, his expression tight. "Not us. Someone must've tipped them off."
Cat exhaled slowly, willing herself to stay calm. She wasn't new to this—being photographed was part of her life now—but she'd hoped tonight would be different. Special, even.
The driver opened her door, and the cameras erupted in a flurry of flashes and shouted questions. Cat forced a smile, stepping out gracefully and clutching her small handbag tightly. She moved quickly toward the restaurant, her team forming a protective barrier around her.
Inside, the noise and chaos melted away, replaced by the low hum of soft jazz and the clinking of glasses. The private dining room was elegant, its long table set with fine china and delicate floral arrangements.
Cat smiled politely as she was greeted with hugs and congratulations. The atmosphere was warm, and her team's excitement was genuine, but the earlier encounter had left a sour taste in her mouth. She couldn't help but feel like an outsider at her own celebration.
The evening passed in a blur of toasts and carefully curated dishes. Cat laughed when she was supposed to, nodded at compliments, and graciously accepted the birthday cake they'd brought out with a flourish. It was also slightly amusing being able to legally publicly drink, being over the UK legal age. But underneath it all, she felt restless, her mind wandering to the photos taken from outside - she must've looked awful in them all, she was just trying to get away.
As the night wound down, she excused herself to the bathroom, needing a moment alone. The quiet of the marble-lined space was a relief, and she leaned against the sink, staring at her reflection.
The girl in the mirror looked flawless—perfectly made up, perfectly styled. But the exhaustion in her eyes betrayed her.
She pulled out her phone, unlocking it to see a notification from Jade.
Jade: Still alive? Or have the fancy food people kidnapped you?
Cat chuckled softly, her tension easing. She quickly typed back.
Cat: barely. you'd hate this place. too many forks.
Jade's reply came almost instantly.
Jade: Sounds awful. Come home already.
Cat smiled, slipping her phone back into her clutch. For all the glitz and glamour around her, it was that simple message that meant the most to her.