Chapter Text
In the three months of Tori's presence at Hollywood Arts things changed quite a lot.
First it started with Trina asking for Jade’s help with a play she was writing. Naturally the student body didn’t know what the two girls were whispering about in the hallways between classes, all they saw was the archenemies being friendly. Of course they knew the latina’s sister and the younger actress were dating (Jade made sure everybody knew that) but in their minds it was impossible that one of the most talented people in the school would be conversing with maybe the most annoying one, who up until that point was nothing more than a bad headache for the black-haired girl.
The second change came when Trina debuted her play (which she starred in) to the school. It was dramatic, shocking, unique and completely mind-blowing. Almost a masterpiece, really. Trina’s acting was on point, not a facial expression out of place. That was the night the students of Hollywood Arts realized just how little they knew about the older Vega and how wrong their assumptions about her were.
After that play, people tried to befriend the newly popular girl in hopes of getting inside “The Circle”, also known as the most talented and most known kids in school like the Vega sisters and their gang. Unluckily for them Trina was well aware of their motives so nobody got very far. There were the likes of Beck Oliver and Ryder Daniels who went to incredible lengths just because they wanted to get close to Jade and Tori. They even tried asking Trina out but then came the third and perhaps the most shocking change. Trina was already in a relationship so all their “hard work” went up in flames. As it turns out seeing someone for who they truly are means falling for them… at least that’s what it meant for André.
When he first found out about Jade and Tori he couldn’t keep the questions at bay. He had to know how it started, how long they were together, what was it with the nicknames and so the three girls sat him down and started from the beginning. It was cathartic sharing the story and reliving memories. André couldn’t believe the bond the girls shared, their whole life was like a book with a magical story written in it. After that he and the older latina still had to practice but more and more often they would seek out the other at school as well. There was always something to talk about, the pace of the song, who the musicians should be, the high notes, the others favourite musicians and inspirations, the way Trina looked extra nice in that dress and how André should sing this song with Trina because he had a lovely voice. When Trina got better after the Showcase he asked her out and the rest as they say is history.
Tori was ecstatic for her sister and friend, she even planned double dates for the two couples. Surprisingly all four of them enjoyed it and that became a staple in their dynamic. André and Jade got closer and they hung out when the Vegas held “sister nights”. The West and Vega families welcomed him with open arms. The students were jealous of the whole group, especially Beck and Ryder.
Beck and Ryder did everything they could think of to break Jade and Tori up. They started rumors about their relationship, about their lives, how they didn’t even know each other before the Showcase. All efforts were wasted as the young couple didn’t even bother to correct them, the people that mattered knew the truth. Not soon enough but eventually the boys abandoned the task of breaking them up and went on to bother others.
Every single performance was addressed to the other. Tori would often be sappy and sing love songs to Jade, serenading her at almost any chance she got. Jade was just as sappy and soft for Tori but just a bit less public about her love for the brunette. She showed it in cute letters which she hid in the latina’s locker or being her cuddly self even in school. This does not mean she occasionally didn’t sing to and for Tori, but her actions were behind the scenes. The last two years of high school were challenging but they made it together, like always.
-O-
Trina chose to skip university and went from audition to audition until she landed a big role that started her whole career with André by her side. André did the “college experience”. He became a producer later on working with the big names in the industry. As for Jade and Tori they never left each other’s side. In their first year of university they were in different rooms but still spent almost every night together. After the first year the pair rented an apartment and officially moved in together.
Jade was just arriving in front of the building Tori had a lecture in, still huffing about being let out late by her professor, when she noticed her girlfriend talking to someone. The boy was much taller than the latina, which made the actress smirk. Tori did not prefer the big high difference in partners (so she was told by the younger girl). He had blonde hair and dark eyes. He was not Tori’s type at all. Safe with the knowledge that he wasn’t a threat she leisurely walked up to the pair.
“-and so I thought we could watch a movie or something? Together? If you’re free tomorrow?” Jade tried to keep her reaction in check but a snort still slipped out. She couldn’t help it, Tori didn’t like movie dates unless it was in a drive-in theater. At the noise, they both looked up but one shot her a glare and the other a blinding smile.
“I’m sorry, Trevor. But I have a date tomorrow.” It was true, they made Fridays their date nights and this week André and Trina would join them.
“Oh. Well… What if, uhm. How about if I- if I give you my number and you text me when the date doesn’t work out, yeah?” By the way his smile and voice was wavering, he didn't get turned down often. Jade was already opening her mouth to laugh off the awkwardness that radiated off of him at that moment when he started writing his number on a piece of paper.
“That won’t be necessary, you ignorant rat carcass. She said no.” The darker-haired girl’s patience was running short and his persistence was bothering her to no end.
“This is a private conversation, you don’t get to butt in it. For the record she hasn’t said no. She said not tomorrow.”
“Okay, then I say no to tomorrow and no to any other night. I’m taken, Trevor. So I don’t want your number, I won’t be messaging you and I certainly am not going on a date with you.” Tori was hangry and tired so she shut it down quickly, or so she thought.
It took an additional 5 minutes to escape.
“You do remember that you said I was being overdramatic last week when that girl was hitting on you, right? So what happened just now?”
“Tori, he was trying to offer up his ‘services’ when your date crashes and burns.”
That was the moment they realized that even if they trust each other they can’t trust others.
-O-
They quickly became quite famous in their respective fields. Tori was nominated left and right for various awards: Best Pop Song, Best Ballad, so on and so forth. Jade was one of the most requested young female screenplay writers Hollywood has ever seen. They were dubbed as the power couple and when the people found out their relationship with Trina Vega and André Harris fans of them went ballistic. In the end one of Tori’s best selling albums was the one featuring the other three, especially Jade.
It was in the middle of a writing session, Tori got the idea. She planned everything out. The lyrics were as easy to write as breathing. She heard the melody in her head, it was going to be perfect.
The proposal was in fact perfect. She recorded the song without her producers, just André could hear it before Jade. The morning she planned the proposal she got up early enough to make coffee and breakfast before the older girl would wake up. They spent the morning cuddling in bed and the afternoon in the pool behind their house.
“Could I show you something, love?” Asked Tori softly while they were enjoying the night sky above them.
“Sure, baby. What is it?” In Jade eyes nothing could ruin this day, it was the best one in months. Being able to relax and be themselves.
Tori started to play the song to Jade, who immediately knew something was up. The lyrics were speaking to her, she could sense that their whole relationship was in the words. The tears only started when she turned to Tori and saw the love of her life holding a beautiful ring in her hands.
The last note rang out between them and still Tori wasn't saying anything. Then with a shaky breath she asked the most important question in her life.
“Jade West, my best friend, my everything, love of my life, will you marry me?”
The answer was an enthusiastic hell yes. And the rest as they say was history. Their whole life really was like a book with a magical story written in it.