Hi everyone

I've been out of it for a while, and this is why. Well, this story and schoolwork, which is literally trying to kill me.

Anyway, this story has been bugging me, and I just had to write it. And once I'd started, it just kept coming.

Well, I hope you like the first chapter.

Enjoy!

Title: Make Me Believe

Summary: 'God, I love you,' I whispered in her ear before I fully realized what I had just said. She stiffened in my arms for a moment, before whispering, 'I love you too.'

And maybe what they had was wrong. . . But how could something so wrong feel so right?

Jandré/Tandré/Bori/Bade/Cabbie/André & OC

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Victorious. Sadly

Chapter one – Demo

Tori laughed softly as André nearly gagged on his buffalo nuggets when their names were called through the Café.

'Tori Vega and André Harris ?' The mechanic voice repeated when no response was given to its first call. Tori jumped up in one fluent move – her curls jumping up and down with her – and raised her hand. 'We're over here.'

André grabbed her hand and pulled her back down into her seat. 'Tori, what the hell are you doing?' She smiled mischievously and patted his arm. 'Well, you haven't done any performing since you and Sherry broke up, so I signed us up for open mic tonight. Come on, it'll be fun.' André groaned, but before he could protest, Tori shook her head. 'André, performing makes you happy.'

He bit his lip. 'Tori, come on. We were going to take it easy tonight. You know, You . . . You gotta save your voice too.' Tori rolled her eyes. 'André, stop denying you want to sing.' She pouted at him, rubbing his hand. 'Please? One song, André. Just one. That's all I'm asking.' She knew he was going to cave any second and continued her pout just a little bit longer. He sighed, and Tori couldn't suppress a grin. The sigh announced her victory.

'What song?' He finally asked.

Tori jumped up and down, clapping her hands excitedly. André thought she looked suspiciously much like Cat for a moment. 'You're The Reason. You play the piano and I sing.' She jumped up and ran for the stage. André felt a smile break through his grim façade – her enthusiasm was contagious. He did love singing with her, and it always brightened his day.

Tori thought he was upset because he'd broken up with Sherry, but he didn't have the heart to tell her it was still because of his crush on Jade. It just wouldn't go away – the song had helped, but it wasn't gone. He figured that the only way he'd ever get over Jade was to find another girl to fall in love with.

Tori smiled at him from the stage, and he felt his mood lighten slightly. Tori's smile worked him the same way her enthusiasm did. It never worked him the way Jade's rare smiles did, and though he knew it was wrong, he really couldn't help himself. Tori did make him feel happy though – in a really good friendship kind of way.

He shook his head, snapping out of his doom thinking, and got up, following her to the tiny stage. He eyed the old piano warily and sighed. 'I don't know if I can get a decent tune out of that old thing,' he complained.

Tori rolled her eyes. Again.

'Are you doubting your mad piano skills?' She questioned. He sat down on the bench and smiled. For real this time. 'No. Of course not. I am doubting if the ancient thing can keep up with my mad skills.'

Tori laughed and reached out to pat his arm. 'You'll manage.'

She turned around and took the mic from the man standing next to her, sent a smile at André and turned to the crowd. 'Hi everyone!' She called, drawing all attention to her, 'I am Tori Vega and this here,' she gestured to André, 'is André Harris, and we are going to sing an original song he –' André coughed loudly, and Tori rolled her eyes, '–we wrote ourselves. It's called 'You're The Reason'.'

Knowing this was most likely his cue, André proceeded her words with the first few notes. He took a deep breath and felt all tension in his body melt away. Now, it was just him, the ancient piano and Tori. Her encouraging smile made him feel somehow more confident, and he played through the bridge without even thinking. And then Tori started singing.

She leaned on the piano, smiling at André, singing slow and yet confident. They hadn't performed the song like this before, but somehow, they both knew it was perfect. She moved away from the piano, twirling and strutting about the tiny stage, pouring her heart into the song.

And that was why André loved singing with her – she made his songs sounds ten times better. He went into the next verse with gusto, silently counting the seconds before softly singing along with Tori. She smiled at him, and his mood lifted further as they played through the chorus.

The crowd ooh'ed and aah'ed at Tori's impeccable voice, and André had to admit that even on this old piano, he sounded pretty damn good. Tori walked up behind him, dragging her finger over his shoulders, leaving goosebumps under his shirt. She left a trail of strawberry scent behind, and André grinned slightly, playing slightly faster now.

He felt himself drift away, as he usually did when he was singing and making music, being only aware from the keys under his skilled fingers, and Tori's voice drifting to him from his right.

He morphed the song through a bridge, slowly playing the last notes to the song as Tori ended the song with a long, low note.

The crowd burst into enthusiastic applause, and Tori engulfed André in a bear hug. 'So,' she began, 'feeling better?' He smiled and nodded. 'Yeah. Thanks for making me do this.' She grinned. 'You're welcome.'

They broke apart, both slightly dazed by the amount of applause they got, and returned to their table, where they were promptly offered free drinks on the house. Tori raised her glass at André and grinned. 'We should do this more often.' He laughed and raised his own glass. 'To music then.' She smirked and joined his toast. 'To music.'

They sat in silence for a moment, sipping their drinks.

Suddenly Tori noticed a tall, handsome man approach them. She thought he looked slightly familiar, but she couldn't place his face. She was sure she'd seen him before.

'Hey . . . André?'

'Yeah, Tor?'

'Why does that dude look so familiar?' André glanced over his shoulder and felt his mouth fall open. He turned back to Tori, excitement in his eyes. 'Tori, don't you remember? He's that guy from the New York record label. We saw him on TV last week!' Tori's mouth proceeded to pop open as well and she bit her lip. 'Do you think he liked our song?'

André glanced over his shoulder again. 'We'll find out in a minute – he's coming here.'

'Hi there,' the man started, and Tori had a really hard time containing her enthusiasm. 'I heard your song just a moment ago, and . . . Well, it was really good. Did you really write it yourself?' André smiled. 'Yeah, we did. But we sold it.'

He nodded and shook his head. 'That is a shame. But that is not why I came here. My name is Preston Buick, I work with Deeds Records.' Tori gasped softly, and André couldn't help but grin. 'I see a bright future for the both of you. I would like to offer you the opportunity to record a professional demo with us.' 'WHAT?' Tori shrieked, unable to contain herself any longer, and André gagged on his drink.

Buick grinned. 'Yes, I know it is sudden. Please take the time to think about it. I'll just give you my card,' he dug up a card from his pocket and handed it to an astonished André, 'call me for more details.'

With those words, he walked away, leaving Tori and André stunned in their seats.

ANDRÉ'S POV – Two days later

I leaned back into the cushions of Tori's red couch and grinned at her as she paced through the room. 'But mom,' she began again, 'this is a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity for me! I can't just say no!' Tori's parents were in Santa Barbara again, and Tori was desperately attempting to make them agree to our New York thing.

We'd called Buick the next day, asking exactly what he had meant with 'Bright future for the both of you' and 'record a professional demo'. I could hardly believe this was happening. Sure, I'd dreamed all my life of recording a demo with a huge record company, but that didn't mean I was believing it all that easily.

Anyway, Buick had offered us a week in a five-star-hotel in New York, penthouse suite or something, and we got to record a two-song demo in their studio, with professional . . . Everything.

My mom had already said she was okay with it, which left just Tori's parents. Who were, of course, giving her a hard time. Tori had been on the phone, trying to convince her mother for the past hour.

'Mom, please. André'll be with me, I won't do anything stupid, and Trina can take care of herself for one week. Please?'

I smirked. I can't deny I was worried; without Tori, I wasn't allowed to go either. But I knew that, if anyone could get Tori's parents convinced, it would be Tori. She really was a very good beggar.

Tori's eyes met mine, and I tried to lose myself in her eyes. But it didn't work. I don't know why it wouldn't. Tori was pretty, sweet, crazy talented and everything I wanted in a girl. She just wasn't the girl I wanted. And I hated it.

Why couldn't I have fallen for Tori? It would've been so much easier to fall hopelessly in love with my best friend. But no, I had to go the hard way and fall in love with Beck's girl.

Dang it.

I shook off my thoughts and returned my attention to Tori. A smile was slowly forming on her lips, and I felt like a huge burden fell from my chest. She'd won. We could go to New York.

A strange and yet familiar feeling of exhilaration took hold of me, and I jumped up, ready to engulf Tori in a great hug as soon as she hung up the phone. 'Thanks mom,' she exclaimed, pushing me back an arm's length, her hand pushing heavily on my chest. 'Yeah, I promise we won't do anything stupid . . . Yeah . . . No, I'll tell him to behave. . . Yeah, thanks mom!' And finally, she hung up the phone.

'Tori!' I yelled, trying to get close enough to hug her. 'André!' She yelled back. 'We're going to New York !' As Tori squealed in excitement, she threw her arms around me and began jumping up and down. I hugged her back and laughed out loud – dreams, apparently, did come true. We were going to New York to record two songs for a professional demo with a major record company!

'Wait, wait, wait!' I yelled, 'We've got to call that Buick guy and tell him we can go!' Tori leaned back and grinned, 'Oh, yeah. Right. Call him!' I pulled my phone out, moved back a few paces, out of Tori's all too exited reach, and dialed the number.

'Preston Buick.'

'Hi, Buick, André Harris here.'

'Ah, yes, André. Have you word of you parents?'

I smiled and Tori tugged at my sleeve, her ear pressed to the hand that was holding on to my phone. 'Yeah. They're cool with it, so we can both go.'

I could almost hear his smile through the phone. 'That is awesome news, André. I can arrange your flight to be scheduled for next Monday then. Your tickets will be ready at the counter. Be there at ten AM.'

I frowned. 'Why do I have the feeling you have already arranged all this?'

'Because I did. You were never going to pass up an opportunity like this. I'll see you in New York. I'll have a man pick you up at the airport there. You can leave from LAX.'

And before I could say more, he hung up.

'So?' Tori tugged at my sleeve. 'Are we going?' I smiled.

'We're going.'

TORI'S POV

I opened my closet, rummaging through the pile of shirts, wondering what I should bring. I mean, New York weather was supposed to be a lot colder than LA, right?

'Aren't you so excited?' I grinned over my shoulder to André, who had presently taken up residence on my bed. He laughed. 'Of course I am. But you're like hyper active. You almost remind me of Cat.' I frowned and turned to him. 'I do not. I'm just really psyched. I thought you would be too.'

He rolled his eyes. 'Tor, I am. You're just overreacting. It's not that big a deal.' I groaned and walked over to my bed, nudging at his leg. 'It is a big deal. I mean, have you even thought about what we're going to sing yet? We only get two songs, so we have to pick our best two, and we have to think ab–' And then, he kissed me. For no apparent reason.

I was stunned. I forgot how to move. How to breathe. Why was he kissing me? What the hell was he doing?

Before I contemplated the meaning of this, he'd leaned back, staring at me. And I stared at him. I didn't get it. 'André? What the hell?' He shook his head. 'Tori, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I don't even know why . . . I don't like you. . . Not like that . . . It's just –' And then I understood.

'André, can I ask you something?' He bit his lip and nodded. 'Is it Jade? Is that why you kissed me? You're trying to get over her.' He frowned and tried very hard to hide his surprise. I knew it.

'How?' He whispered. 'That's the only reason you'd actually kiss me. To see if we would feel the spark.' I knew I was spot on. And I felt so bad for him. He was seriously messed up about it. He felt horrible about liking Jade before – if now, he was willing to kiss me to get over her, he was in deep.

Slowly, I pulled him closer for a hug. 'Forget about it. The kiss,' I whispered, knowing that's what he needed to hear, 'Maybe the distance, being in New York, will do us all some good. You can get over Jade and I –' I stopped, but André seemed to know what I was going to say. 'And you can get over Beck.'

I leaned back. 'How?'

'I'm your best friend Tori. How did you know about Jade?' I nodded. 'Okay. Fair enough.' He smiled. 'I'm sorry for kissing you.' I grinned. 'I'm sorry I wasn't the girl you wanted to kiss.'

He let go of my arms and gestured at the closet. 'Maybe we should get back to packing.' I sighed and nodded. 'I really don't know what to bring. Like, just jeans and stuff, or really fancy stuff?' André grinned. 'Tori, just jeans'll be fine.'

I groaned, got up and pulled my jeans from my closet.

'Just jeans it is.'

TORI'S POV – One day later

Beck's eyes were open wide in surprise. 'That's so cool, Tori. Really, I'm happy for you.' My heart beating madly, I tried to act casual. 'Thanks, Beck.' He grinned. 'Come give me a squeeze, Vega.' I laughed, but didn't pass up the opportunity to wrap my arms around Beck.

As he pulled me close, the usual butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach, tingles running over my skin where his brushed past mine. 'Hey Tori,' he whispered, not even considering leaning back from the hug.

'Yeah Beck?'

'I'll miss you.' Though his confession made me dizzy because I forgot how to breathe, I tried to pretend it didn't affect me.

'Please. I'll be gone for a week. And, you'll have Jade to keep you company.' At the mention of his girlfriend, Beck stiffened slightly and then pulled away from the hug.

'Yeah. Jade. Right. Well, good luck in New York, Tori.'

Slightly thrown off by his sudden coolness, I frowned, but took a step back. 'Yeah. Thanks, Beck.'

As I watched him walk away, I felt my heart break into a million pieces. I guess that's what André feels like when he has to look at Jade. Shrugging off the feeling, I turned around and headed for my locker. By the looks of it, this would be a long Friday.

The rest of the day passed in some sort of a haze, during which people kept congratulating me and André. Cat and Robbie were overly enthusiastic about it, Jade wished André good luck – completely made his day –, Trina was mad at us for not telling her about New York and Beck faked being happy all the time.

Sikowitz told us he was proud of us and that we should kick some New York butt while there.

And then, finally, it was three PM.

Once at home, I returned to packing, noting that I was feeling more and more off.

I sat down on my bed and buried my face in the shirt I was clutching. How could one cool comment from Beck just dampen my amazing mood? One stinking comment? I was dizzy.

And nauseated.

I shook my head. Enough doom thinking. I'm just nervous. That's all.

'Hey, Tori?' André's voice drifted from behind me. 'Hey! You finish packing already?' He smiled and sat down in the chair by my desk. 'Yeah. Didn't bring that much. So . . . Have you thought about which songs we can do?'

I bit my lip and sat down on the bed. 'Well, I think we should do 365 Days and You're The Reason. You know, they really show your talent as a music writer and a singer and . . . Well, 365 Days is a really personal song, as is You're The Reason.'

André frowned. 'Really? I kinda thought Make It Shine and Tell Me That You Love Me would be better – you know, they really show of your talent as a singer and my awesomeness at composing and making music.' I shook my head. 'But this is really important. There has to be so much feelings behind the songs. They're always better when they are sung for a reason.'

André grinned. 'Okay, chill down. We've got time to decide. Two more days of discussing this non-stop.' I smiled. 'Yeah. I guess. Thanks for staying over anyways. I hate being alone.'

He smiled. 'No prob, Tor. That's what friends are for, right?'

ANDRÉ'S POV – Monday

Tori had been bouncing up and down in excitement ever since we called the cab to take us to LAX – but then again, she had been extremely bouncy and happy ever since we got the green light to go from our parents.

She sighed and turned to me. 'We still haven't decided which songs to sing.' I bit my lip. True – we couldn't agree on it. 'Okay, let's try this. I pick a song and you pick one – then we'll see if we can match those two onto one demo.' She wrinkled her nose in annoyance but nodded. 'Okay. I want to sing . . .' she hesitated for a moment, and I took the opportunity to think over my own options. Tell Me That You Love Me had been my first choice, but Tori was right, maybe a slow love song wasn't going to be enough to impress the record label dudes.

'Okay,' she said, snapping me out of my thoughts, 'I think I'll go for Song 2 U.' I nodded and smiled. 'Then I'll pick Make It Shine. Those two are our strongest songs . And I know everyone will love it.' She beamed and glanced out of the window. 'We're almost there.'

I detected a slight hint of nervousness in her voice. 'Tori.' She turned to look at me. 'It'll be fine. We'll be fine, okay ?' She drew a shaky breath. 'I'm just feeling really weird. I bet it's just nerves though.' I reached for her arm and rubbed my hand over her arm soothingly. 'Are you sure you're okay?' She bit her lip. 'Yeah. It's just something Beck said.' I groaned. 'When is he going to stop using you?' Tori shook her head. 'André, he's not using me. We're just really good friends, and he loves Jade, and I can live with that.' I shook my head. 'No, you can't.'

Her eyes met mine. 'Neither can you.'

And at that moment, the driver informed us we were there and that we owed him fifty bucks. I rolled my eyes and handed him the money while Tori got out and got our bags from the trunk.

I got out, took my bag from Tori and took a deep breath. 'Ready?' I asked Tori, looking at the entrance door of the airport. Tori smirked. 'No. But we'll have to, or we'll miss our flight.'

I grinned and followed her inside, both of us startling when we found all of our friends standing right there, screaming, 'SURPRISE!' at the top of their voices. Only then did I see they were holding a large banner reading, 'Kick some New York ass, Superstars!'

I laughed and engulfed Cat in a tight hug. I glanced to my side, seeing Beck wrap his arms around Tori, whispering something in her ear. Jade, luckily for them, had all her attention turned to me. 'Kick ass in New York, Harris,' she whispered in my ear as she hugged me. My skin tingled when she touched me, and I tried to act normal as I hugged her back.

'Don't worry about that, Jade.' She let go and hurried to her boyfriend, who was talking to Robbie and Tori. Beck turned to me. 'André,' he began, his smile growing, and I could feel my own smile grow bigger as I took his outstretched hand, hugging him in a very manly way, 'Beck.' 'Kick ass over there,' he said, and then in a lower voice, so only I could hear, 'Look after Tori.'

I bit my lip and grinned as I leaned back. 'I will,' I replied, knowing he'd know what I meant.

Tori smiled and checked her watch. 'You guys, this was really sweet, but we've got to go, we've got a plane to catch.' I nodded and picked up my bag again, following Tori, looking back one more time at my friends before our trip to New York would begin.

Little did I know how much one trip could change my life.

I know I love this story, and I hope the first chapter made you guys excited to see what else'll happen here xD

Let me know what you think!

Leave a review and make me the happiest girl in the world!

VERY SPECIAL SHOUTOUT:

A gigantic thank you to JustSmileBFF, who's been helping me out with the story ever since I got the idea.

Thank you so much, you're the best!

X Annaelle