Struggles She Faced, Chances He Took

Digidestend Angel

I do NOT own Victorious


Chapter Eleven

She Looked In The Mirror and Her Eyes Were Clear

After I leave Andre by my locker and telling him not to worry about Cat, because I was going to beat the living hell out of the guy, I walk straight to Cat's locker. She's not there. Where is she? I need to find her. Before I can kick Danny's ass, I need to make sure she's alright. She's my first priority.

I realize that I'm an idiot.

Cat showed all the signs of being in an abusive relationship.

She was shy and scared again.

She wore long sleeves and jeans constantly.

Danny was always crowding her and controlling her.

I remember one day, I saw him grab her arm, and it looked like it hurt. I didn't do anything because it wasn't any of my business. I didn't think he actually hit her.

I feel like it's my fault.

I left her to be hurt by him for a month and a half, which is how long they've been together.

Aren't I her protector?

Cat counts on me to watch over her and to make sure no one lays a hand on her. And I let her down. I made her a promise, and I didn't fulfill it. She's probably disgusted with me, but is too afraid to tell me that.

I'm walking by the bathrooms and I see a girl come out, I just so happen to look in her direction, but behind her before the door swings closed I see Jade and Cat, and Jade's putting make up on Cat's face.

JADE KNEW TOO?

Eff-no.

I slam my fist on the door, making it swing open quickly. Cat jumps in surprise and hides behind Jade in fear. Jade looks shocked at my actions, but shakes it off and glares at me when I lock the door behind me. "Get out, Beck! This is the GIRL'S BATHROOM!"

I shake my head and Cat peeks out from behind Jade, blinking innocently at me and waves shyly, giving me a small smile. I can see the dark bruise under the makeup they had already put on her jaw, by her mouth.

A nightmarish image comes to my head of how hard Danny punched her to give her that deep of a bruise…it makes me sick to my stomach. Wait, I need to focus. I want to make sure Cat's alright, even if I am ticked with her for not confiding in me about the abuse.

"Don't you wave at me like nothing's wrong, Cat." I growl at her, and she immediately loses her smile and looks to her feet. "Leave, Jade."

Jade scowls at me, but gives the make-up to Cat. "Just put a few more coats on it. No one will notice at all." And Jade turns to leave, but I stop her. "What?"

"How long have you known?" I ask her with a serious expression.

Jade sighs and crosses her arms over her chest in annoyance. "The night after she and Danny went on their first date. There? Happy?" And she unlocks the door and leaves.

I lock it again and turn to Cat, who's putting the makeup on and trying not to cry. "He hit you after your first date with him?" I ask her in disbelief.

She doesn't motion to answer me. I can tell she wants to ignore me.

Not happening.

"Cat, you need to talk to me about this." I tell her, walking closer to her, but slowly because I don't want to get her startled. "I thought I was your best friend?"

Her eyes widened and she drops the makeup into the sink in front of her. "You are!" She signs to me in a rush.

"He HIT you!" I yell at her with anger. Surprisingly she doesn't cower in fear, but her shoulders slump. "How could you not tell me that? Do you understand what I'm going to do to him when we're done here?"

"I have an idea." Did I mention Cat could also master the art of "Sarcastic Sign-Language", as well?

"Before I go kick his ass, answer me one question." And she nods. "Why did he hit you last night before you went to Andre's?"

She bites her lip and takes her phone out of her backpack and starts texting a message. I'm guessing there's a reason for that. Maybe she doesn't want to sign everything. Perfectly fine with me. I'm so distracted by my hatred for Danny that I almost can't see straight.

Duh-dum

I take out my phone and slide my finger on the screen to unlock it, and it's a long message.

-Danny was looking at my phone when I stopped at a Taco Bell to pick up something for Andre and me to eat while recording the song. I came back and he was angry and yelling at me about "a guy" and me cheating on him. I asked what he was talking about and he showed me the text messages you and I sent to each other before he picked me up. I tried to tell him that we are just friends and we're really close because of everything we've been through, but every time I'd try to sign something to him, he'd slap my hands away. Finally, I guess he was fed up with me for trying to defend myself, he punched me on my jaw. It bruised almost right away and I didn't have any makeup with me. When Danny dropped me off in front of Andre's and drove off, I was going to walk back home and not let Andre see me like this, but Andre just so happened to be taking out the trash and he saw me. I couldn't hide it so I told him everything. He wasn't happy either. I think he's ashamed of me because I let Danny hit me. Are you ashamed of me too?-

Okay, that last sentence killed me. "Cat, how could you ever think I or Andre would be ashamed of you over something you can't control? No offense, Cat, but you're a tiny girl. Nobody would blame you if you couldn't defend yourself in the first place. I'm your best friend and Andre's practically your big brother, so we are the last people on earth who would judge you about this. But why didn't you tell me the first time he hit you?"

And this time, she signs her answer. "I was scared of him. I did not want him to be mad at me for telling you or anyone. When he hits me, it hurts. I try not to make him mad so he does not hit me again. He gets mad over the smallest things."

Oh my God…she's been terrified of him this whole time? And I didn't see it? It's official. I've failed Cat. I'll never forgive myself for this.

I see her wanting to cry, so I pull her into my arms. "Don't you ever be scared again, Cat." I rub her back as she silently sobs into my shirt. "You need to always tell me when someone hurts you. Promise?"

She releases me a little and holds out her pinky, for one of the famous Pinky Promises. I wrap my pinky around her smaller one and give her a smile.

"You're my best girl, Cat." I whisper to her and then kiss her forehead. "Now, if you excuse me, I need to go have a few not-so-nice words with Danny."

She looks nervous at first, but then sighs. "Don't tell me what happens."


Kaattee (Nah, keep reviewing :) this is one of the best stories I've ever done, so I'm pretty sensitive about it, that's why I reacted that way), Jeremy Shane, 2munchkin2, LuPeters, Elizabeth77, Girlygirl17, iwannabetaller, Hopelesslyinlove13, Songbird341, xScreamingxAngelx (Thank you, your review made me feel better), Pieces Of My Heart, xXxBlueRainbowxXx, and Gleegirl5 (OH MY GOD, that's horrible! Hahaha. Well, his picture is up now, so go see my alien son.): THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED AND THANK YOU FOR THE "CONGRATULATIONS"! YOU ALL ARE THE BOMB!

My son's picture is up, so you guys REALLY should go see my alien-looking son now :) he's my profile picture, so just click on my penname up there.

Please keep reviewing! You make me soooooo happy with how many I get with just one chapter! No flames still…sorry, but I'm still sensitive and too tired.

Keep a look out for chapter 12: She'll Take Her Time, but He Don't Mind

-Digidestend Angel and Nathaniel-