Here's chapter 4 of 'From The Darkness To The Light'. To anyone who doesn't like the way I made Jade, I'm sorry. As I've said before, I left my comfort zone to write this story. This will most likely be the only story I write where Jade is so evil to everyone she interacts with, which unfortunately only seems to be Cat.
Disclaimer: I don't own VicTORIous, it's characters, or the plot to this story. VicTORIous and it's characters are property of Nickelodeon, and the plot is courtesy of Raiultima.
Cat POV
After school, I ride home with Jade, who is silent the whole time. Occasionally, she'll glance at me, and turn back to the road when I turn to face her.
"I'm picking you up again tomorrow." She finally says as we pull into the driveway.
"Okay." I say, grabbing my bag and quickly getting out of her car.
"You better not sit by Vega again either, got it?" She asks before I can close the door.
"Yes Jade." I say, cringing slightly at her smirk.
"Good. Now close my door." She says, turning her attention back to the front. When I close the door, she quickly speeds out and heads away.
"Hey sweetie." My mom says when I walk in a few moments after watching Jade drive away.
"Hey mom." I say, heading to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, walking over some random stuff my brother left lying around the house.
"What time are you going over to Tori's on Friday?" She asks, following me.
"I don't know. Maybe right after school." I say, not thinking about how mad Jade would be if that happened.
"Okay. If so, make sure you have your stuff with you when you go to school." She says, giving me a quick hug before she heads out, probably for a late shift at work.
After she leaves, I head up to my room, smiling slightly when the door to my brother's room is open, meaning dad must've taken him to the doctor's again or something. I love my brother, but he scares me sometimes. The only reason I tell everyone the stories about him is a way for me to stay calm. I don't know how it works, but it does.
I close my door behind me and pull out my homework, starting it quickly so I can get it finished without worry when my brother gets back. Halfway though my Algebra homework, my phone rings with 'Naturally' by Selena Gomez, my ringtone for Tori.
"Hello?" I say when I answer my phone, most of my attention still on my homework.
"Hey Cat. What's up?" She asks, sounding slightly nervous.
"Nothing really. Just doing homework." I respond, erasing a problem and redoing it when I notice a mistake.
"Sounds fun." She says sarcastically, making both of us laugh. "Anyway. I called to see what time you were coming over Friday?"
"I don't know. Maybe after school? I can ride with you?" I ask, finishing the problem and starting the next one.
"I don't think that'll work." She says, groaning slightly. "Trina's using my car on Friday because of some stupid reason I don't understand. I have to ride with André that morning, and after school, I'm helping Beck with a short film of his he needed an extra in. I should be home around 6:00, so maybe 6:30?" She asks, nervous again for some reason.
"Sure. I can see if I can borrow my mom's car after school. They're taking my dad's van Friday afternoon to take my brother to the 'special' hospital, and mom usually lets me us her car when they do. So, I should be fine." I say, sounding curious as I finish my Algebra. "Are you okay? You sound nervous or something."
"Huh? No. I'm fine. I need to go. Trina's arguing about something. See you tomorrow Cat." She says quickly, hanging up before I can say 'bye' back.
'That was weird.' I say to myself, starting my design for my costume design class. After finishing the rough outline for a southern belle dress, I put it away and check the time, surprised that it's already 9 at night. 'The dress took longer to design than I thought.' I think as I put everything in my bag and change into my sleep clothes. I set my alarm to wake me up an hour earlier before I go downstairs and grab a quick sandwich for dinner, seeing as how the stove or any other appliance in the kitchen doesn't work because of something my brother did. The fridge is the only thing still working, and hopefully, it'll last.
"Hey honey." My dad says, walking in the front door and dragging my half asleep brother in, laying him down on the couch.
"Hey dad." I say, taking a bite of my sandwich shortly after. "Where did you take Frankie?" I ask, standing in the area between the kitchen and living room.
"Had to get some medication for him before we leave on Friday." He says, walking over to me and giving me a hug. "You getting ready for bed already?" He asks me as we release.
"Yeah. I just finished my homework and I'm a little tired. I set my alarm to wake me up earlier so I can take a shower before school." I tell him.
"That's good. The meds will keep your brother out for a bout twelve hours or so, so don't worry about making too much noise or anything in the morning." My dad says. I like talking to him more than my mom because he doesn't treat my like I'm a little girl. He knows he can say whatever without me being offended.
"Okay. I'm going to bed now. See you tomorrow." I say, giving him a one-armed hug.
"Night Cat." He says, returning the hug before returning to my brother to try to drag him to his room.
Back in my room, I finish my sandwich and lay down, plugging my PearPhone in to make sure it doesn't die on my in the middle of the night.
-The Next Morning-
"Catarina." My mom says when I'm on my way out the door to wait for Jade.
"Yeah?" I ask, stopping at the door.
"Why were you up so early today?" She asks, sitting on one of the chairs in the living room.
"I didn't shower last night so I woke up early to take one." I say, hearing a car pull into the driveway. "See you after school. My ride's here." I say, quickly leaving. 'What is she doing up so early herself?' I ask myself, heading over to Jade's car before she honks the horn. 'She must've gotten back only a few hours ago from her job.'
"Hurry up." Jade says as I get to her car.
"Sorry Jade." I say in a quiet tone, closing the door behind me.
The day goes like it does yesterday. Sikowitz tells us that the project is about getting to know someone on a deeper scale, connecting with that person much more. He says it's to help us as actors, to help us connect with the audience.
After school, Jade drops me off and drives away as soon as I close the door.
The rest of the week is basically the same way. Finally, Friday morning rolls around and I wake up with a smile. I told Jade about the assignment after school the day Sikowitz told us about it when she tried to, again, force me to stay with her this weekend. She doesn't like that Sikowitz refuses to let her be my partner.
"Took you long enough." Jade says when I open the passenger door, glaring at me as I enter the car.
"Sorry. My mom stopped me to let me know when they were leaving." I say, looking away from her.
"Ignore her next time." She says, pulling out of the driveway. "What time are you going to her house?" She asks after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.
"About 6:30." I tell her, playing with a stand on my shirt.
"How are you getting there? You know I won't drive you." She says, growling as she speaks.
"My mom told me I can use her car." I say, finally looking up, but still avoiding looking near Jade.
"Good. Tell Vega that after this assignment is done, you're not hanging out with her. Ever." She says, glaring at me when she says 'ever'.
"Okay." I say quietly, biting the inside of my cheek to prevent from crying.
"Good." She snarls out as we make out way to Hollywood Arts. This time, I leave before her, rushing into the school to get away from her.
"Hey Cat." Tori says when I get to my locker.
"Hey Tori." I say, not looking at her. From the corner of my eye, I see her give me a worried look.
"You okay? You look upset." She says, turning to face me.
"I'm fine. Just worried about my brother." I lie, instantly regretting it because I hate lying, and because the worry on Tori's face grows.
"Is he okay?" She asks, placing her hand gently on my shoulder.
"Yeah. It's just the new medication they put him on makes him almost comatose." I say, not really lying about that part at least.
"I'm sorry." She says, rubbing my shoulder.
"It's okay." I say, putting on a fake smile. "Is anything planned for tonight?" I ask, shifting focus to the project, instead of me.
"Nothing really." She says, shrugging her shoulders after taking her hand off of me, grabbing stuff from her locker. "Trina's gone all weekend, and my parents are taking a short vacation. We'll have the whole house to ourselves all weekend." She says, a glint in her eyes.
"KK." I say, opening my locker and grabbing my books. "Where am I sleeping?" I ask, closing my locker after grabbing everything.
"I guess with me. My bed's a queen, so it's beg enough for the both of us. That and Trina took over the spare room with her clothes she doesn't even wear." She says with a sigh, grabbing the last of her books and closing her locker. "What do you want to have for dinner tonight?" She asks, giving me her full attention.
"I don't know. I was thinking sushi, but we have that every week." I say, hoping she doesn't catch my lie. The only reason I don't want to go out anywhere is because I know Jade will find me.
"Okay. When was the last time we had pizza? The gang is rarely over anymore, so we haven't had to order it in a while. Want that?" She asks, eyes shining with hope.
"Sure. That sounds fine." I say as the bell rings for class to start. "See you later Tori." I say, giving her a quick hug before rushing off to class.
No POV
Throughout the day, Cat rushes to class, avoiding her friends after lunch. The reason? On her way to lunch, Cat was stopped by Jade. Jade, surprisingly, didn't threaten her. All the Goth did was tell Cat that she's picking her up Sunday evening for dinner. At first, Cat thought Jade was calming down, but when she turned to head to the Grub Truck to get a salad for lunch, Jade stops her.
"Tell no one you're having dinner with me Sunday. Don't tell anyone, Vega especially, that you have plans. If anyone asks, your parents insist you stay home to eat with them. Got it?" She asks, her tone low and threatening.
"Got it." The red head says, shaking slightly.
"Good." Jade says in faux gentleness, a smirk at how scared Cat seems.
'I should have known she wasn't actually nice.' Cat thinks to herself, heading to get her lunch.
The rest of the day isn't eventful. In the classes she shares with Jade, Cat would sit beside her, but keeping her gaze elsewhere. In her classes with Tori, Cat noticed that the Latina always sat beside her, even if she would have to get up from her original seat to do so.
"I'm driving you home." Jade says, pulling Cat away from the front of the school, her grip tight on the still bruised arm of Cat.
"Where are we going Sunday?" Cat asks as the pull out of the school parking lot, her gaze on the passenger side mirror.
"You'll find out Sunday. What were you and Vega talking about before class this morning?" She growls out, grip on the steering wheel tightening.
"Just going over final plans for the sleepover." Cat says, willing her heartbeat to calm down. She notices Jade send her glares every few moments, and Cat is freaked out by them.
"See you Sunday. 7:30. Don't make me wait." Jade says as they pull into the Valentine driveway.
"KK. Bye." Cat says, barely having the time to close the door behind her before rushing off.
Cat POV
After doing my homework, I go over my weekend bag and make sure I have everything. After seeing that I do, I text Tori to see if she's ready for me. After checking the time, seeing that I still have an hour, and Tori's text saying that I can stop by whenever, I grab my bag and head out, grabbing my mom's car keys as I go.
The drive to Tori's takes a half hour, fifteen minutes longer than it usually does. One reason is the car was low on gas, so I had to re-fill it. While I was filling the gas, I started thinking about how Tori's been acting recently. It's as if she has a crush on me, but that can't be. Right?
After I finish getting gas, I head back on my way to Tori's, my thoughts about her actions slipping away as I drive. After pulling into the driveway at the Vega house, I grab my bag and head in, locking the car behind me.
"Hey Cat." Tori says with a smile, opening the front door before I even get to the porch.
"Hey." I say, a little surprised as I walk up and hug her.
"Sorry. I was bored and when I heard you pull up, I went to open the door. Come in." She says, backing away and letting me in. "Pizza will be here in about ten minutes or so. What do you want to do?" She asks, sitting on one of the couches.
"Is it okay if I go take a shower? I'm a little sweaty from gym and sticky because of the mugginess outside." I ask, sitting a short distance away.
"Sure. There are no towels in the bathroom. Trina used them for something. I don't know what. But there are clean ones in the laundry room. Go up and I'll grab you a towel." She says with a wide smile, frowning slightly when talking about her sister.
"KK." I say, standing up and grabbing my pajamas from my bag, as well as the shampoo/conditioner I use and body wash.
I head up and close the door behind me, not thinking about locking it since I'm used to no one being around when I shower at home. My parents have their own shower and I don't know about my brother. I don't waste much time stripping off the clothes, turning the shower on in just my bra and boy shorts.
"Here's your towel. Oh my god! Cat! What happened to you!?"
Another cliffhanger, but this one is actually intentional.
Next chapter is Cat and Tori talking. I don't know how long chapters are going to be from this point on, but I will try to make them close to this.
Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Blessed Be.