Page 12 of The TV Show Rival

“Alright, alright,” Sue announced, wiping away a stray tear. “Enough with the waterworks! Let’s get this party started. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble you’ve all gotten yourselves into with these decorations.”

Jess winked. “Just wait, Mom. Tonight’s all about you.”

With that, it was time to tackle the magnificent cake. They ushered her towards it, singing a slightly off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate the incredible woman who brought them all together.

Taking a deep breath, Sue closed her eyes and made a silent wish. Then a single puff of air extinguished the candles, and the room erupted in applause.

Still beaming, she leaned over and gave Theo a lingering kiss. Riley and Jess, ever the enthusiastic scene-stealers, chimed in with a groan.

“Ugh, get a room, you two!” they teased in unison. Sue and Theo laughed, the blush creeping up Theo’s neck, a dead giveaway.

The music started pumping, and soon the house was filled with dancing, laughter, and the joy of a family celebrating a very special birthday. As the evening unfolded, stories were shared, games were played, and the cake was devoured with gusto.

“Alright. Let’s move on to the food. We’ve got a feast waiting over there. We figured you’d be famished after your trip,” Jess said.

Mom’s eyes widened. “A feast, you say? Don’t tell me Theo and Riley whipped something up? I’m impressed they didn’t burn down the kitchen.”

“Hey, we know our way around the kitchen,” Theo protested.

“When it comes to boiling water or toasting bread, sure.”

Jess laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s mostly my handiwork. Although, Theo did help with the grilling, and Riley… he was in charge of taste-testing.”

“Theo and Riley helping with the cooking? Now that’s a sight I’d pay to see.”

They laughed.

“Ready?” Jess asked.

Mom let out a hearty laugh. “Of course. Well, as long as it’s not another one of your healthy experiments, I’m game for anything.”

“Relax,” she assured, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “It’s nothing too… radical. Mostly your favorites. You know, the kind that doesn’t involve tofu or kale chips. Tonight, we celebrate with all the deliciousness you deserve. No deprivation allowed.”

Mom snorted. “Oh, that’s a relief. Remember the time you tried to convince me tofu scramble was actually eggs?”

They both burst out laughing, the memory of her early attempts at vegan cooking still a source of amusement (and possibly slight horror) for her mom. Her face as she bravely took a bite of her “experimental” creations was a memory Jess held close.

There was that time she tried to make a vegan shepherd’s pie with lentils that resembled a bowl of brown mush, or the healthy birthday cake that tasted suspiciously like cardboard. Thankfully, her culinary skills have improved significantly since then.

She gestured towards the dining table, laden with an impressive spread of food. “Behold! A feast fit for a queen, or at least a very special birthday girl.”

“Wow, you guys went all out! This looks amazing.”

5

JAMIE

Jamie had gone for stylish but sophisticated in her outfit—a black jumpsuit that loosely highlighted her body.

She finished the look with a spritz of her favorite perfume, the scent lingering in the air like a promise of an unforgettable night.

She was meeting Amy for a date, finally. It felt like forever since they last hung out. With Amy’s recent MIA streak, dating her sometimes felt like dating a ghost; she knew Amy was out there somewhere, but good luck getting ahold of her.

Ugh, don’t even get her started.

Like that time they planned a weekend getaway to that charming cabin in the woods. She spent weeks fantasizing about cozy nights by the fireplace, picking out the perfect outfit, prepping a basket full of gourmet snacks, and even booked a couples massage.

The day of the trip rolled around, and guess who was a no-show at the pick-up point? Yep, Amy. No call, no text, nada. Just her standing there like a lovesick fool with a picnic basket.

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