86AN:Hello everyone and welcome to this, the last chapter of Freddie Goes To Hollywood! It has been quite a journey to get to this point and I hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. My thanks as always go out to everybody for reading and reviewing the last chapter so a special shout out to Challenge King, pbow and Agent-M for your feedback; it is all, and always, very much appreciated.
A reminder that in this story the students have the option of spending their college lives at Hollywood Arts (which explained why Trina was there when she should have graduated).
"Divertisimo?"
I winced when I read my boyfriend's text message as we dressed following our impromptu 'guest-appearance' on Trina's show; Jade and I had come across it on the Spanish Language Channel after Trina spent weeks bragging about landing a spot on the show and how great the acting was on it. It turned out that it was a children's show and she was dressed as a piece of cheese.
Sikowitz had somehow persuaded us to spend a whole day saying 'yes' to suggestions (en proviso that they weren't illegal, immoral or dangerous) so when we decided to visit my sister at the studio to watch – ok to mock her performance – and were invited to appear, the two of us had no choice but to say yes. I do think my mean friend stole the show when she got sick of being poked by the giant fork one kid was wielding and disarmed him before chasing him around the studio.
"What's the matter?" Jade asked, looking over my shoulder after seeing my wince and hearing me groan a little at the thought that my boy had seen me running around the place similarly attired to my sister.
"Look," I told her, proffering my XT pear phone to her.
"He saw us?" she, herself, was a little horrified at the thought of our embarrassment being exposed to a wider audience.
"It would appear so."
"Well why would he be watching the Spanish Language Channel?"
"He speaks fluent Spanish despite never taking any lessons; he doesn't know how or why but sometimes just has random outbursts of Spanish."
"Sometimes?" Jade raised her eyebrows. "Anything particular that triggers it?" she asked with a teasing smirk.
"Dude, get your mind out of the gutter," I sighed. "For the record – no," I emphasised as she continued to grin at me. Jade just broadened her smile and folded her arms across her chest.
"How long do you think it will take him to bring it up the next time you see him?" she speculated.
"Probably not long," I grumbled. "Hey, I wonder if he mentioned it to Beck."
"Do NOT suggest it, Vega," she threatened, pointing her left index finger at me in a threatening manner; she must be worried, it's a long time since she's called me 'Vega'.
"I doubt I'll have to," I shrugged, "I'm sure Freddie can bring it up in conversation all on his own the next time he sees Beck."
My gothic friend closed her eyes and clamped her mouth shut; it looked like she was steeling herself for something that she didn't want to do. Then she smiled suddenly.
"Will you promise me that you'll ask Freddie to never mention this to Beck?" Clever girl, using Sikowitz's demands to the full…
"Yes, Jade, I will." She relaxed visibly so it was my turn to grin wickedly, "and, some day, if I want a favour from you in return for this, will you do one for me?" I asked sweetly.
"What sort?" she asked suspiciously.
"I don't know yet, nothing huge or illegal or dangerous – like Sikowitz said, but will you do me one favour in return some day?"
"Yes," she agreed in a resigned tone.
"I'll let you know when I'm ready to collect," I gave a huge smile; for the first time in a long while Jade looked worried. I love it.
We freshened up and got changed back into our own things; a very annoyed Trina led us out of the changing rooms, complaining about how we intruded on her show and were getting in her way. Jade just grinned at her and, while I could understand my sister's annoyance, I found it difficult to do otherwise myself.
"I'm sorry Treen," I told her after we'd got home and Jade had left, "I know it was your show and your moment but when we saw it, especially after the way you'd described it as this great show…"
"What did you expect me to say?" she snapped. "I'm on this show dressed like a piece of cheese and chased by mice-children?" She sighed wearily and a few tears began to shimmer in her eyes. "I have a hard enough time getting respect from anybody; so I maybe exaggerated a little to try and get some from people – and now you know the truth, and so does Jade. Well I'm not going to have anybody's respect any longer am I? I'll be back to Trina Vega, butt of everyone's jokes."
I wrapped my arms around my sister; it was rare to see her open up and let herself be vulnerable underneath that brash, over-confident, diva-esque persona that she puts on.
"You went for a part and you got it; lots of stars started out in small roles. Someone will spot you and make you great Trina. Maybe you'll have to stick to comedy – not always kids' stuff but comedy – but hey, the world needs comedic actors; it didn't do guys like Jim Carey any harm."
"I guess you're right." She smiled broadly. "Look out showbiz world, Trina Vega – master comedienne – is going to take you by storm!"
I smiled at her newly-restored self-belief. As annoying as she can be it was good to have the old Trina back again.
We were definitely in the home straight now; our finals were over and done with and graduation was just a few days away. The Prom had been a fun night (even Jade had managed to enjoy it this year), Freddie and I had had a great time, as had most of the others. It was a little sad that so many of us were now preparing to go our separate ways but I guess that's what happens after High School. At least I'd have a core of friends (Beck, Jade, Freddie of course and Cat) with me at UCLA and Trina would still be in Hollywood continuing her college degree at Hollywood Arts. Robbie still seemed unsure as to what the future held for him and André still had the record companies fighting over him, so he wasn't going to go to college but intended to work full-time on his music.
Thinking of record labels brought me to think of my own situation; Freddie and I had gone down Anthony's list and finally found an agent we both trusted (or at any rate the one we distrusted the least) and I had hired him to negotiate my contract with RPX Records. The basic terms had already been agreed upon (I would be at college, write in my free time and over the holidays and look to do an album this summer, a couple of gigs in Southern California, Vegas and anywhere else convenient over a few weekends early in the fall with a view to a full tour, hopefully for my second album, next summer). It would be a pretty intensive workload and could mean that there were weekends where Freddie and I barely saw one another, not to mention the prospect of some long evenings in the recording studios, but we were determined to manage. My guy suggested that we make sure we set aside some "special time" just for us, one evening every week and try to keep Sunday night free as well if I have my concerts on a Saturday, just so that we have some "alone time" to spend together. It sounded like a great plan.
"So how many tickets can you get for your Graduation ceremony?" Freddie asked; his fingers were drawing light, teasing circles on my bare stomach as he held me in his arms, planting soft kisses on my neck every chance he got (I was doing nothing to discourage him).
"Uh, I've asked for four," I told him, "so hopefully mom, dad, you and Trina can all come along; it would be the first time mom and dad have been in the same area at the same time since Spring Break."
"Maybe a chance for them to talk," he said optimistically, firming his hold on me ever so slightly.
"Or maybe they'll have a stand-up shouting match in the middle of the ceremony," I added morbidly.
"They wouldn't embarrass you like that," he reassured me.
"You're right," I conceded, knowing that he was. I hoped that they would be able to put everything else to one side, if only for the afternoon, and at least pretend we were a happy family for the day and the photographs.
"Tori?" he asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence and cuddling; his voice had turned curious so I was intrigued about what he was going to ask.
"Yeah?" I turned my head just far enough to seek out his cheek and kiss it; he responded by inclining his head and we found a way for our lips to meet, trading a few sweet kisses. Finally, reluctantly, he stopped for long enough to ask his question.
"That song you sang on the Chris Burm show – where did the inspiration for it come from?" His tone was still curious as opposed to bearing any hint of accusation.
"Oh," I hadn't really thought about it; it had just kind of evolved in my brain. I explained as much to him and he nodded over my bare shoulder before planting a little kiss on it.
"It was just a surprising topic; I know Carly always had her bad boy fascination, I didn't think that you shared it."
"Has she said anything?" I was curious. "Did she see the show? Do they even get it in Seattle?"
"I've no idea," he admitted, "I haven't asked her. I know that she didn't see the basketball game, though she did –"
"She saw me on the web," I groaned. "I think the whole world has done by now."
"Then they saw a talented, beautiful girl maintain her professionalism throughout a difficult ordeal," he insisted, causing me to smile. "But I'm glad that the other song wasn't about me; I'm not sure I really fit the bad boy mould," he chuckled.
"No you don't, you're my good boy instead."
"And you're a good girl – and I'm going to do my best to make sure that you never get your heart broken," he whispered with cold determination. Cold it may have been but it certainly warmed my heart; I rolled over in his arms, swung my leg over his to straddle him and sought his lips again.
Freddie being Freddie, he could tell that I was a little off the morning of my graduation. "Hey," he said, gently cupping my cheek as his other hand roamed free, just the way I like him to – always drives me crazy, but in a good way – "you should be happy and excited today; you're getting out of High School!"
"I am excited and I am looking forward to college – especially living with you full-time – but it's also the end of an era; I'm going to miss my teachers, some of the kids who aren't going on to college with us, Trina, living at home – there's a lot to miss is all."
"How do you think I feel; I left the state!" he reminded me with a grin. "You meet new people and move on; you'll still have that little group, me, Jade, Beck, Cat – and the others you'll keep in touch with if they really are important to you."
"I guess so," was all I could say.
Fortunately I had been able to get enough tickets for us all and a pleasant surprise started the day as dad arrived at our home; it was the first time he had been here since Spring Break and he expressed his hope that we could all travel together to the school for the ceremony. Mom was happy to agree; she rode in the front next to him with the three of us (me, Freddie and Trina) in the back; both my boyfriend and my sister had blown off college that day to attend. It was an awkwardly silent journey, mom and dad were both painfully quiet in the front of the vehicle and, while Freddie and I talked a little – and Trina added the odd comment here and there – there was, predictably, a lot of tension in the car. Eventually, though, we got to school and I headed off to get my cap and gown while they found a block of seats near the front.
The first person I found was André; he was walking around the Black Box theatre with his nose buried in the notes he'd written for his Valedictorian speech. He was grateful of the distraction provided by talking to me for a little while as the nerves were evident in his voice; you'd think we'd all be used to performing in front of a crowd but I guess an occasion like that still has the capacity to bring out the nerves in people.
Beck and Jade arrived soon after, as did Cat and Robbie; we were able to talk for a while, finally finding out that Robbie was taking Rex on tour this summer and seeing if they could make it as a double act (he still refuses to call himself a ventriloquist). Cat, who it transpired had moved in with her grandmother while I was dealing with all the chizz from my embarrassment on live television, was looking into ways of making a little money during college that didn't involve a part-time job; I have no idea what her plans are and I'm not sure that I want to. Jade rolled her eyes a little at the red-head's plans, doubtless feeling that part of her schedule will involve spending time she really doesn't have on making sure her best friend stays out of too much trouble.
Suddenly Sikowitz stuck his head around the door and announced that they were ready for us; again I found myself unable to believe where the time had gone.
We filed out in a line and took our seats in the reserved area right in front of the stage; I had time to glance over at the audience and, to my disappointment but not my surprise, saw that Trina and Freddie were sat between my parents. I wonder if mom and dad have spoken to one another at all today other than a terse and awkward greeting this morning…
Helen gave her speech; it was a rather rambling one and I zoned out mid-way through, only focussing again as she introduced André to give his own speech; my friend was witty and humorous throughout, entertaining us all no end and then, finally, it was time for us to line up and receive our diplomas. As they went alphabetically I was almost last, though Jade was, of course, behind me.
"Victoria Dawn Vega," Sikowitz announced heralding my turn to cross the stage; I could hear the wild applause of my family and friends and I turned to smile at them after receiving my certificate from Helen. Freddie and Trina waved wildly, Freddie even blew a kiss, as did mom while dad applauded with a proud smile on his face.
"Hey," Freddie called as I left the Black Box theatre having discarded my cap and gown after the obligatory photographs; I was exhausted and just really wanted to go home.
"Hey," I greeted him with a smile, pulling him in for a kiss.
"André said he's throwing a party at his; I assume you want to go?"
I groaned a little, much to his surprise. "It's not that I don't want to," I clarified hurriedly, "but it's been such a long day I was hoping to just have a bubble bath and curl up with a good book or an ever better guy," I complained.
"Well it's up to you," he began.
"But it would upset him – and the others – if I blew off this last get-together, I know."
"We don't have to stay too late, but you probably should make an appearance at least."
"I guess. You want to come with while I look around one last time?"
"Sure, you can give me the grand tour of Hollywood Arts."
It was a bitter-sweet half-hour while we walked, hand-in-hand, around my old school and I said goodbye to all my old classrooms and hang-out haunts (including the rec room where I'd discovered the Great Ping Pong Scam a year and a half or so earlier). I reminisced to Freddie about some of the highs, and not so highs, of my two and a half years at the school and it was with a hint of sadness that we left the building, where Beck and Jade were waiting.
"You done being all mushy?" she half-snarled, to Freddie's amusement and Beck's chagrin.
"Yeah, have you?" I teased right back, causing her to roll her eyes and the boys to laugh. Mom and dad had taken Trina home so we'd be riding to André's with our future housemates.
It was a good night, a last chance to relax with my friends and to celebrate the end of one chapter of our lives and to look forward to the starting of a new one. I think we all felt the trepidation and enormity of what lay ahead of us, preparing to head out into the world, most of us would be leaving home and all that was familiar to us (Freddie tried to convince us that it wasn't all that scary; I'm not sure how many believed him).
I really was feeling exhausted by the whole day; unfortunately we couldn't make our excuses and leave as we were relying on Beck and Jade for a ride home (Trina was filming Divertisimo again tonight) but thankfully they didn't want to stay too late either. Our host was disappointed when we all left, but we promised to keep in touch over the summer and beyond, and there was a chance that we would be working together for RPX once they decided exactly what they wanted me to do.
"What are your plans for the summer?" Jade asked my boy as we piled into Beck's car; she had acquired his keys and sat behind the wheel given her love of driving at night.
"I'll be working pretty much full time for the Pear Store," he informed her. "Saving up cash, though I will be heading back to Seattle to spend a week up there with mom, Carly and Sam later on in the summer. Then, of course, I need to move all my stuff into our new place."
"We're getting the bigger bedroom," Jade stated with finality.
"I guess that's decided then," he told me with a smile.
"You don't mind?" I was a little surprised that he didn't put up an argument.
"So long as I'm with you I don't really care," he said sincerely before smiling and raising his voice a little, "and it means that we get the bigger bathroom if you two have the en suite."
"Hmm, that's a good point," my gothic friend commented thoughtfully.
We arrived at my home and the two of us left, saying our goodbyes to the other couple; Beck had to go to Canada for a bit and Jade and her mom would be going away at the same time, all of which meant we'd likely not see them again before we got the keys to the house and moved in. I was a little surprised, and hopeful, when I saw that dad's car was still in the driveway; we made our way inside and saw the two of them sat on the same couch, Trina on the other one (obviously home after filming her terrible show) and looking happier than she had in a while.
"Hey," I said, looking between my parents.
"Oh hey sweetie," mom greeted me. "Freddie," she acknowledged my boyfriend.
"Mrs Vega; Mister Vega," he nodded respectfully to my dad.
"Is everything ok?" I asked cautiously.
"Getting there," dad said evenly. "Your mom and I talked today; I'm not coming back today but we're going to talk again later in the week. There's obviously a lot to get through but," he turned to his wife of twenty-plus years and smiled, "it's a start."
"That's great news," I enthused, swooping down to hug my dad.
"I think so too," he said quietly.
I stood up and yawned, slightly theatrically but I was tired.
"Hey you can't go to bed yet," complained Trina.
"No, we have to celebrate your graduation," mom cried and bustled off to the kitchen, returning with a bottle of champagne and five glasses on a tray. She poured a generous helping of the bubbly liquid for each of us and we toasted to my success now and in the future; I added a silent toast to them working everything out between them in time.
At last, much, much later than I expected, Freddie and I went to bed; he held me in his arms and kissed me goodnight as I smiled in contentment, looking forward to us moving on to the next stage of our lives together.
AN: And that concludes Freddie Goes To Hollywood; it's been a little over a year in the making (including a long break in the middle while I couldn't think of how to progress it). The story will continue, following the quartet of Freddie, Tori, Beck and Jade as housemates at college – and with the others making the occasional 'guest star' appearance so keep an eye out for it. If you're reading my other main story at the moment, A Place To Call Home which is over in the Victorious section, then I will give a heads-up at the end of a chapter of that once the first chapter of the new story is up.
Thank you for reading, please feel free to add a review; your feedback is always appreciated. On that note I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed this story -Agent-M, pbow, Challenge King, jevin watkins, The Question23, ArtisticAngel6, Subject87, Crovus, huh, LanternFan, BushwellFanNYC, SirRay, Riotstarter1214, Genesis417, Jiska5, Alexneitor890, YeahIParkour, OneHorseShay, Jeremiah Preta DiAngelo and Techygirl - thank you all very much and I hope you all return for the next story about our friends. PD.
