One Step Closer

by A Scarlet Rebel

Robbie and Cat were never really good friends in high school. In fact, they barely spoke to each other. But what happens when fate lands the two in the same college, and Cat can't seem to go anywhere without running into him? AU.

One Step Closer

Prologue: Graduation

Cat Valentine took a deep breath, adjusting her cap and gown anxiously and biting her lip. She stared down at her shoes, listening intently as the principal read off the names of her fellow classmates in alphabetical order, and the line of seniors in front of her got shorter and shorter.

It was times like this that she was glad to have a last name that started with the letter "V," and that she had some time to relish her last moments as a high schooler. Then again, the anticipation only made her feel sick to her stomach.

This was it. Her very last day as a student at Northfield High. After this, her new, independent life would begin, and she would no longer be that girl everyone overlooked. Soon, she'd be on her own, living under the bright lights of Los Angeles and making a name for herself.

The mere thought of it was enough to scare her into living with her parents for the rest of her life.

"Nervous?"

She shook herself from her thoughts and turned around to see who had spoken. Her best friend, Jade West, stood behind her, a smirk draped across her face and her arms crossed against her chest.

"Just a little," Cat responded, smiling weakly.

Jade rolled her eyes. "Relax," she said, sounding more like a command than a soothing suggestion. "In just a few more weeks, we'll be moving into our new apartment in LA!" She grinned widely, excitement dancing in her eyes. "Pretty soon this tiny town will be just a memory."

Cat released a sigh and nodded in agreement. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could answer, Jade spun her around. She quickly saw what Jade was trying to show her, noticing that the line of students had gone down tremendously and she was only about seven people away from graduating. She smiled, feeling all of her doubts vanishing and being replaced by excitement and adrenaline.

"Isn't this the part where you say something cheesy and cliche about how this is the beginning of the rest of our lives?" Jade whispered behind her, chuckling under her breath.

Cat turned around quickly and retorted, "How'd you know?"

"Caterina Valentine," the principal's voice rang out through the speakers on both sides of the stage.

With one last grin and a thumbs up from Jade, she turned back around and headed up the steps of the stage.