AN: So this is my new story, I hope that I make this one last. I will be updating Broken and Bent soon, but it the meantime, this will be my priority. I have good vibes with this story so I hope you all like it. :D

Disclaimer: I don't not own Victorious and I never will.

Warning: This story has strong language. Graphic material such as sexual assault, and smut are also used. You've been warned.

Fight or Flight

I don't know how I really got here. To be honest, I think my family was as shocked as I am now, to think that I actually got into Hollywood Arts. The most prestigious arts school in the country wanted me. ME. Marley Christine Hayes. I guess I'm okay with that. In fact, I know I am.

As I stood in front of the school's main hallway doors, I knew I had to make a good impression. Even though it was my senior year, I still had a lot to work on. I knew I needed to keep up with the projects I was going to be bombarded with. Even though I was a little self-conscious, I had to at least try. If they thought my audition was good, I'd prove to them I could only get better from there. Just then, the bell rang and the hall filled with students. I immediately picked her out of the crowd. Strawberry-colored hair and dimples from her smiling at someone who I suspected was her friend. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Almost instantly, everyone turned to look at me. I'll be honest. I was terrified. I didn't know where to go or what to do, especially with everybody staring at me as if I was a freak. I choked out a soft mumble, that I'm sure sounded like a huff of disapproval. I felt a hand grab mine and I looked down to see her. Again. I was drawn to her. The way her red hair fell on her shoulders. I snapped my attention back to reality when I heard her ask me a question.

"Hiiiii. I'm Cat! Are you new?" she smiled. Her voice was like a soft velvet whistle in my ears. Wow. 'I bet she has a voice on her,' I thought to myself. I nodded at her.

"Y…yeah…" I mutter. I almost threw up. I was so nervous and so excited at the same time. Her hand never released mine, I realized quickly. Oh shit. I'm standing here holding a girl's hand. I was kind of turned on… No. Marley, now was not the time for that. She giggled and my first instinct was to melt. I felt my cheeks turning red. I knew I was blushing and she was witnessing this with a charming smirk on her face. Oh boy. I was in trouble. Soon, some other kids came up to us.

"Cat, what did you do to the poor girl? She looks absolutely terrified," one of them said. I looked up to see the young boy, his long hair falling past his broad shoulders.

"Beccckkk, I didn't do anything. I found her like this. I can't help that I'm just too cute for most people to handle." The girl, Cat, winked at me. Of course, that was all I remember before feeling myself hit the floor. My vision went black and my limbs went numb. Shit. Passing out on my first day was not what I had planned. Oh well.

I felt a hand on my cheek when I regained a little bit of my consciousness. I shifted lightly and opened my eyes to find someone I hadn't met but had seen in the hallway with that group. Heh. I felt really special.

"Hey, glad to see that you're still among the living. My name is Tori Vega. We're in the same class but I was there when you passed out so I decided to stay behind and make sure you were okay. What happened?" the brunette questioned. I started to sit up, but not before the pounding in my temples made itself known.

"I'm new here. My name is Marley Hayes. I hate that we had to meet like this, I thought I was going to be able to contain myself, but I guess my efforts were a little less than efficient. I met her and I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight. I don't even believe in that stuff, though. That's what scared me. I wasn't sure how to process it, I guess…" I rambled. She chuckled and raised her eyebrow.

"Love at first sight, huh? Are you talking about Cat or Jade? 'Cause I like you and all, but if you start hitting on my Jade, I think we might run into a little trouble," Tori stated. I shook my head and glanced at the door.

"Cat. Cat is her name. She's breath-taking." I sighed slightly and gave myself away. "I'm from Alabama. I just moved. I'm all alone, since my parents couldn't come with me, they just bought me an apartment right down the street, so that I would have somewhere to live. I don't know, maybe I just attached myself to the first person I saw, which happened to be her. Even though, I would mind exercising the idea of her in my…. Heh. Sorry, I got ahead of myself. TMI." I held my breath and looked in her direction. I was shocked to see her sitting next to me with a small smirk on her face. "What's that look for?"

"Cat's been talking about you all day." Wait, all day? How long have I been out? "You missed all of your classes because you blacked out. Would you like a ride home? I would feel much better if you didn't walk home in your current condition. I can also give Cat your address. She's been freaked out and super worried about you since this morning." I just nodded while my mouth hung open. She had been worried about me. I knew it was stupid to read too much into it because she was probably just trying to be polite. Although, I hoped that wasn't all that it was. She helped me off of the couch. I had guessed I was moved to the nurse's office. She half-carried me to her car and I immediately fell into the passenger's seat when she opened the door for me.

I was so weak and tired but I decided that falling asleep as soon as I got home wouldn't benefit me at all. I pointed the way to my apartment, making small talk as she drove. She even helped me up the stairs and I felt eternally grateful that this girl was so nice and caring.

"This is my stop," I murmured as we reached my door. She smiled softly and let me unlock the door before opening the door and practically falling face-first on the floor because she had stopped in her tracks. "OOF." I hit my elbows first.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry, I was just shocked. I didn't expect for you to have similar tastes as me. I love this place," Tori breathed. Suddenly, a small, shrill bark made me flinch.

"Pascal! Hi, buddy." I laughed as the little cream-colored yorkie attacked my face with his excessive licking.

"Oh my, Cat is going to love this. She absolutely loves puppies. His name is Pascal?" She looked at me and I could only nod. She looked so excited. "I'd love to stay but I should probably get going. I have a date with Jade in a few hours and I need to get ready. Cat will probably be here soon because I will call her as soon as I leave here. Are you going to be okay?" she asked as she helped me up from the position I was in on the floor. I simply nodded and went to the couch to sit down. Pascal's little, furry body soon found its way to my lap.

"Just tell her to come in, I'll more than likely be in my room." She gave me a sweet smiled and left, and once again, I was alone. I was almost grateful when she left. I wasn't in the mood for visitors. Especially since I had a lot of dirty thoughts in my mind. I figured I had some time to myself but knew I didn't want to start anything without being able to finish. So I decided on a quick shower. I got up off the couch and went to my room. I shed my clothes and went to my bathroom and pulled out a towel before turning on the water and stepping into the warm cascade. I felt safe when I took showers, maybe because I felt like when I was in the shower, I wasn't being threatened by the outside world. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't even hear anyone come in.

I felt hands run down my back and slowly turned around.