Postgrad Partners

4 Years to the Day

"Yeah, exactly..." Tori nodded, looking down at their joined hands, "But leaving Neutronium wasn't the only thing I meant about that."

Jade followed her eyes down to their hands and felt Tori's thumb run across the top of her hand. "Tori...just spit it out. Don't leave me guess—"

"Okay, Nichijou! Who's ready for some music tonight?!" the DJ running the music onstage boomed over the speakers to the applause of all the restaurant's patrons. Slightly frustrated that their talk was interrupted, Jade gritted her teeth and tried to put it aside for what she knew was coming up.

"Our first song tonight is an original from a Nichijou newcomer, but loved all the way from Los Angeles, California! Give it up for Cat Valentine~"

The applause grew louder as Cat took the two microphones from their stands onstage and spoke into one, "And let's also give a big hand to my sweet girlfriend, who's singing with me, Tara Mendoza!" Hearing the audience follow suit with even more cheers and applause, she handed the other mic to Tara, who took it with a clear blush on her face as they stepped up together and cued the DJ to start the music. The two of them looked down as a soft, pop-synth beat filled the room. After a quick glance in Tori and Jade's direction, Cat and Tara's expressions immersed into the music as the former raised her microphone to sing the first verse:

Thought I'd end up with Sean
But he wasn't a match
Wrote some songs about Ricky
Now I listen and laugh
Even almost got married
And for Pete, I'm so thankful
Wish I could say "thank you" to Malcolm
'Cause she was an angel

Hearing some names that didn't ring any bells in her mind, Jade leaned over and asked Tori over the music, "Who are all these guys she's singing about?"

Tori simply smirked and answered, "Old exes, but she changed the names for obvious reasons!"

"Okay, but I don't think Malcolm's a girl's name..."

"No, it's not...maybe it was a flub, but I guess there's one 'ex' Cat can't let slide~" Tori shrugged and pointed to the stage to tell Jade to keep watching.

On stage, Cat stepped forward, wearing the same "performance persona" that they had seen years ago when she sang her first original song, and she broke into a charming dance to the rhythm of the refrain leading to the chorus.

I've loved and I've lost
But that's not what I see
So, look what I got
Look at what you taught me
And for that, I say

Thank you, next (next)
Thank you, next (next)
Thank you, next (next)
I'm so (I'm so) grateful for my ex

Thank you, next
Thank you, next
Thank you, next
I'm so...

The second verse drew right after as Tara stepped forward to take over, with her vocals catching the audience by just as much surprise as Cat's had.

Spent more time with my friends
I ain't worried 'bout nothin'
Plus, I met someone else
We're havin' better discussions
I know they say I move on too fast
But this one's gon' last
'Cause her name is Ari
And I'm so good with that~