DISCLAIMER: Do you really think I own Victorious? Do I sound like Dan Schneider? If you think I do, you're mistaken.

Jadelyn Delilah West was great at running. She ran from authority, from people who try to tell her what to do. She ran from her "relationship" with her dad. She ran for the thrill of the chase, for the fun of being far away and lost, where no one could stop her or hold her down. She ran for freedom. But now, she has a reason to run. And she feels anything but free.

"Jadelyn West, get down here!" My mom called from downstairs. I dragged myself out of bed and down the winding stairs to the kitchen.

"What?" I asked. Maria West, her brown hair in a bun, make-up plastered on her face, looked at me, her mouth in a firm, tight line.

"Come help your sister prepare breakfast! You think you can laze around in bed all morning as your poor sister slaves away over the stove?" She gestured to Lydia West, who looked up, tossing her long tresses casually over her shoulder, as though she had no idea they were talking about her.

"Oh, really, Mom," Lydia began in her syrupy-sweet voice. "I don't need help. I can handle the cooking, and feeding Daisy, changing her, and getting ready for school." Lydia smiled like the saint that she sure wasn't.

She eyed me; Black hair unbrushed, sleepy eyes, sporting a scowl that could kill. "Although, some help wouldn't hurt. Jade, would you mind feeding and changing Daisy?" She asked innocently.

"Actually, I-" Mom gave me a scowl of her own. I rolled my eyes and opened a cabinet. I grabbed Daisy's favorite baby food, Mashed Avocados, and her favorite pink spoon. As I walked over to the table, Lydia smirked at me. I knew ever since grade school that each smile or smirk Lydia sent my way had a distinct message sprawled across its face. This one was undoubtedly "Haha, I win." I sent back one of my own, and opened the mashed avocados.

"Well, you two be nice. I've got to go to work. Have fun at school today, girls!" Mom called as she walked out the door. Moments later, I heard the car engine start, and pictured Mrs. West stepping into her black convertible, on her way to her hand-modeling studio. I considered running outside, begging to go with her, but I quickly changed my mind. One thing I couldn't stand more than Lydia, or Tori Vega, or ducks... I hate ducks... is little princesses with their nails all manicured, in their brand-name clothing. And that's exactly who my mother works with. I'll take my chances with Lydia.

It was quiet the next couple of minutes. I spooned out some avocados, forced a smile as not to scare the baby, and fed little Daisy West. I eased the spoon up to her mouth, and she happily clamped her mouth around it. She sucked on it for a while, then released it. As I did this, Lydia was making pancakes, eggs and bacon. "I want two pancakes."

"Mhmm..." Lydia nodded nonchalantly. She resumed flipping the perfect, round pancakes. Everything she does is perfect. Why else would Mom think she's an angel? I fumed. I picked up Daisy, brought her to the nursery, which was disgustingly pink, and changed her into the darkest, gloomiest dress she owned. I walked back into the kitchen.

"When's the sitter coming?" I asked as I sat down at the table.

Lydia was making her plate. "She should be here by now. Looks like we're docking her pay." Lydia laughed. When Tori and the guys think I'm evil, I wish they could meet my sister. Compared to her, I'm Heaven in a Handbag. Cat knows that. We've been friends since Preschool. She came over and met Lydia. That's why we usually go to her house.

Lydia sat down with her plate. I stood up, walked over to the stove, and found nothing. "Lydia, where's my food?" I asked, anger creeping into my voice like a friend gone too long.

"Oh, you wanted food, too?" Lydia asked. "Oops! And look at the time! Looks like you'll have to go without. I'm sorry." She made an exaggerated sad face. I would have made her very sorry, but I looked at the clock, and decided she could be sorry later, too.

I ran upstairs, took a right, and stomped into the bathroom. I stomped extra loud, right over Lydia's head. I slammed the door, locked it, threw off my clothes, and jumped in the shower. Moments after I was soaking wet, I realized there was no soap. Figures,I fumed. "LYDIA!" I shouted. "LYDIA, I NEED SOAP!" With no reply, I grabbed my towel, wrapped it around myself, and got a bar of soap from the other bathroom. I had just settled into the shower, enjoying the hot water on my cold-from-the-winter skin, when my phone rang. I grabbed my towel again, sat on the sink, and picked up the phone. It was Cat Valentine. "Hello?" I answered it.

"Hola, chica! Como estas?" Cat's voice rang out. She knew English and Spanish, but preferred the latter.

"Hey, Cat. What do you need?" I asked. And hurry! I want to get back to my shower! It's freezing!

"Well, my brother was playing around with his toy airplane, and my mom told him to stop, but he didn't, so my mom tried to get it from him, but he ran from her and he hit the bookcase, and my mom said, "See? You should have-"

"Can we get to the point, Cat?" I asked wearily.

"Well, my mom took him to the hospital, because he broke his leg, and she left me behind, and Dad took the other car to go to work, and so now I need a ride." Cat took a breath. "Will you drive me?"

"Fine, I'll be at your house in twenty," I sighed.

"But, Jade, we should be leaving in 10 minutes. Did you forget what time it is?"

I looked at the clock. She was right. "Aw, man! Look, just be ready to go when I get there!" I hung up, rinsed the suds out of my hair, and ran to my room. I zipped into clothes, brushed my hair, put on make-up, and rushed to Cat's house. She was waiting outside, sitting on the steps to her big, white house.

"Hey, Jade! Let's go! Do you like my earrings? Robbie got them for me, he said they look great with my eyes! I think so, do you? He's so sweet! We went to Olive Bargain last night, and he bought me a big plate of-" Cat carried on this way the whole ride, but I didn't feel like dealing with her whining if I told her to stop.

We arrived at Hollywood Arts with a minute to spare, and rushed inside. And all I wanted the whole ride there, was to fall asleep...

Kind of a Prologue. Thanks for reading! The next chapter will go into the tragedy that Jade will try to run from. What do you think it will be?