Disclaimer: VicTORiOUS is Dan Schneider's, and I take no claim on it. And Pokemon is owned by Satoshi Tajiri!

A/N: I don't usually do anything song-fic related, but it just felt so right for this chapter.

On another note completely, I am the emotional type. So I was touched to tears(no joke, pathetic as that is) when I came on to see I had reviews already and people added the story to their alerts. Thank you so much. Thank you also to people who just read it. And this A/N is too long, so I'll stop now.

Chapter 2: Make it Shine

As I guzzled down as much water as I could, I pondered things. Unsurprisingly.

I had just finished my minor part of the Big Showcase. It had been a little more tiring than I had expected. Now, only two performances were left before we'd all be going home for the night. Home sounded good, but only for the food. My brother said he would cook me something special tonight. Maybe I could convince him to get me some candy. Or better yet, he could make me some candy! He was actually well-versed in the ways of chocolate. He never wants to tell me why, but I think it has something to do with one of his ex-girlfriends. Probably the one who always somehow reminded me of a Pikachu. I wonder why the tips of Pikachu's ears are black? Don't get me wrong, I think they are cute, it just never made sense to me.

Then again, a lot of things just never made sense to me. Jade was probably at the top of that list. Or maybe I was. Either made sense for being the thing I made the least sense out of. Jade is so insensitive, and I am oversensitive. Liking her wasn't sensible. I've decided I like that word. Sense.

Speaking of sense, nothing has happened yet. Nothing that could justify that foreboding sense I had about today. It was getting late, and I doubted this thing would start slash happen at home. The premonition was nothing more than excitement, I suppose. I don't like supposing that, though. There was still hope, and I was going to hold to that until the end.

I walked to the backstage area, where most of the other performers were.

I wasn't sure what I noticed first: Jade, or that Trina—Vegas, was it?—girl panicking with a very bloated tongue.

Lane—the guidance councilor—asked Trina where to find her family, then left in a rush. Huh. Maybe a hornet stung Trina's tongue? That would probably hurt more than a canker sore. If it really was a hornet, then he or she was likely just scared. Poor thing. I wonder if Trina tried to sing to it?

My thoughts were steered away from serenading bees when Jade began to move in the corner of my eye. She left the stage area, and I automatically chased after her. As I emerged from backstage into the audience, Jade was already settling in the seat next to Beck, her head on his shoulder. My pace slowed drastically, and I stared at them for what seemed like an eternity. Jade's vindictive gaze came upon me for a moment. I became frightened and sad and weak under the influence of the eyes of death.

What is it that I see in those eyes? Maybe I saw the Jade I knew before she knew I liked her. That Jade wasn't so bad to be around. This Jade no longer liked having me around.

Disheartened, I decided to just go home already. Right as I made that decision, a voice joined the piano music of the last performance of the night.

Here I am

Once again

I froze, then whirled around to see the owner of that velvety voice. She definitely was not Trina, as I expected.

Feelin' lost

But now and then

I breathe it in

To let it go

She made a quick gesture towards André, and the tempo began to increase.

And you don't know where you are now

Or what it would come to

If only somebody could hear

There was something about her. Something that drew me in. Maybe as much as Jade drew me to her. Perhaps even more.

When you figure out how,

You're lost in the moment

You disappear

Right, I could just be lost in the moment. This was a girl I had never even seen before, after all...

You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action

You're never gonna fade, you'll be the main attraction

Not a fantasy

Are you sure this isn't a fantasy? It wouldn't be the first time my mind got carried away.

Just remember me

When it turns out right

'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination

Tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination

Somehow, it almost seems like these words were written for me. At the very least, I certainly live in my imagination. Not that anyone liked that about me.

In my victory,

Just remember me

When I make it shine

You're already victorious. Over what, I'm not sure, but you are. That's how I feel about it. You're already shining.

You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action

You're never gonna fade, you'll be the main attraction

Not a fantasy

Just remember me

When it turns out right

Even if nothing at all turns out right, I promise, I'll remember you.

'Cause you know that if you live in your imagination

I do.

Tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination

You will.

In my victory,

You've won.

Just remember me

I swear.

When I make it shine

Who are you?

Even after the curtains were drawn, I stared, stunned, where the brunette muse last stood. For once, it seemed my racing mind came to a complete stop. Too much of a stop, even.

And abruptly, the stage was revealed again.

André grabbed everyone's attention. I was the exception, my eyes trained once more on that girl.

"... doesn't know if she's good enough to go to school here. What do you people think?" I realized what André was saying with a jolt. She didn't attend Hollywood Arts after all. This was her chance in.

The audience roared in support, much to my relief. Which confused me, but I was too focused to think about it now. Instead, I strained my ears to hear if the girl said anything.

"... Ok!" She exclaimed, overjoyed.

This was it, then.

She was it.

Something made me look to Jade again. She didn't look pleased, to say the least. Beck seemed interested, and she pulled his attention away from the girl and into a kiss.

I felt the familiar pang in my heart at the sight. Turning my head from them, my eye caught on the girl yet again. It helped. It didn't fix anything, but her smile acted as a balm to cool the burning.

Things certainly are going to change from here on out.

'''''

On the fourth ring, André finally answered his phone. "Little Red?"

I didn't miss a beat, "Hey, André! Your song was fantastic in the Big Showcase tonight!"

You could almost feel his smile through the phone, "Thanks a lot. Did you see what I saw during all that?"

"Do you mean that girl?" I nearly hesitated before I said anything. One of the cases in which thinking so quickly is an advantage.

André laughed, "Yeah, I do! She's my new friend—and weird as it is, she's Trina's little sister."

"Trina Vegas?" I sounded even bubblier than usual.

There was a brief silence, and André chuckled. "Vegas? I think you mean Vega. And yeah, that's her sister: Tori."

Tori. Tori. Tori. "Tori?" I said her name simply to feel the word on my tongue. As I thought, I liked the sensation. It reminded me of how it felt to say Jade's name. Subconsciously, I twirled my hair around and sighed.

"Cat! Hey, you there?" Oh. Whoops. Is there a way to learn how to focus when people talk to you?

"Sorry, André! I'm here." Something floated down in front of my face. "Oh my god! A baby spider!"

A moment's pause. "Why do you sound excited about a spider?"

Of course, this triggered one of my outbursts. "What's that supposed to mean?" Before he replied, I composed myself again. As much as I was ever composed, at least. "You have the weird bee thing, so I can like spiders." He sighed. "You know, this one time, I was at a restaurant with my uncle and uncle—and the waitress lady was surprisingly rude to us! She looked afraid when she made eye contact with me, and when I told her my order, she squeaked at me. Which was kind of cool, actually. You don't get squeaked at everyday!" I stopped, smiling.

"Uh, Cat? What was the point of that story?" He sounded amused.

"Oh, right! So, while we were eating dessert, a big spider came down from the ceiling onto the table! My uncles were really startled by it, and they complained to the waitress. But I thought it was friendly of the spider to come down to stay with us. And that's all."

His voice sounded uncomfortable when he responded, "Uh, okay then." Pause. "So, did you just call to say I was awesome?"

To be honest, I hadn't thought about it. Those had just been the words that had come from my mouth. "Yes! Bye André!" I hung up. He's probably used to that by now, though.

She was Tori, then. "Tori... Vega..." I tested it again.

"Cat! Hey, I finished the chocolates, let's eat!" He really made the chocolates! I love my brother.

"Yay! I'll be right there!" For the time being, I'll focus on the food. Maybe I'll understand more of what's going on if I get the chance to meet her soon. I hope I get that chance.

'''''
''''

Thanks for reading~ Next chapter things will get started for real, I apologize if this chapter was a bit drag-ish.