Disclaimer: Why do you do this to me? Have you no mercy? Don't own it.

Cat

You're excited. You're so excited. You're on Cloud Nine... although you've always wondered what that meant, exactly. What's so special about Cloud Nine? Why is it better than all the other clouds? Maybe, you think, it's just the right height from the sun. Maybe Cloud Ten is too hot and Cloud Eight is too cold, but Cloud Nine is just right. But how would people know? You don't even think people can stand on clouds. You used to think they were cotton candy, and you can stand on cotton candy, but they're not. They're like... they're water, you think, but weird water that isn't water. You're not sure, but you don't think you can stand on them. Why were you excited again?

The bell chimes, stirring you into action so that you basically spring out of your chair. Right! You remember now. You're going to Tori's to practice your duet! You remember how hard you heart was beating as you finished your song, looking at her nervously. You hadn't thought it could beat any harder, but it did when she said you were amazing, that you were fantastic. She'd looked at you with something like awe. No one... no one has ever looked at you that way before, except Jade, but she says that's because she's in awe of your stupidity. You fought to keep some of your enthusiasm inside... you've scared people before.

You know Tori's waiting for you, out near Trina's car, so you hurry as fast as you can, grinning. You falter suddenly, a question sparking in your mind. Why are you so excited? You've done duets before, with Jade, with Beck, and sure, you were excited then, but not nearly so much as you are now. You frown as you rush through the halls. Sometimes you wish you didn't wear such high high heels to school. Tori's your friend, your best friend. Of course you're excited to be doing a duet with her. But there's something else... your stomach shouldn't twist like this when you think of it, when you think of being that close to Tori, singing to her. You can see yourself singing, a smile on your face, Tori enraptured as you twirl around her before grabbing her hands and pulling her close...

Wait. That... that doesn't seem right. That's not what people do is it? It makes you feel kind of queasy and shivery thinking about it. You try to calm yourself down as you spot Tori in the distance, waving at you. You've gotta be normal! Well... you've got to try, anyway.

Trina pushes herself off the side of her car where she's been leaning, rolling her eyes. "About time. Come on."

Tori opens the back door for you, and you feel a smile glow across your face. She looks a little puzzled by it, and you try to pull it back a little. You just felt special... that's all. Like you were a lady, and Tori was treating you like one. You're glad when she sits in the back with you. You think it's so rude when people sit up the front, well... unless they're driving. They don't really have a choice then. You look out the window, watching the scenery of Hollywood flash by. You love living here, everything seems so grand, even when it's not. It's like everything is a movie set... those aren't real trash cans, they're just props, the graffiti put there to give it a 'street' look. You realise that's not the case, but you like to think that way sometimes; that everything's a movie.

Tori touches your hand and you look over. She holds up her phone at you. "I downloaded 'Defying Gravity' on my phone." She grins. "I think I've almost got it." She frowns. "Maybe. Although I could only get that version they did on Glee."

You nod. "That's okay. It's a good starting point, and once we get that we can do the full version! It's more like acting then." You prefer the Wicked version, and not just because you've seen it three times. Singing... you know you're good, you do, and singing back-up? You have no problem doing that, but when you're up there alone... it scares you. You raise your voice, you put everything into it and make yourself vulnerable, and while you don't mind being vulnerable sometimes, doing it in front a crowd... it's easier doing a duet. You can focus on the other person then, and if it's like acting then it's even easier. You're good at pretending – of course you are.

You spend most of the car trip trying not to bubble over with enthusiasm. You know it gets a little grating sometimes, and you can see Trina glaring at you in the rear view mirror, but then you're finally there at Tori's house. Your brow furrows then as you remember yesterday. Was it only yesterday? It doesn't seem right. You start to feel that jumble of emotions again that tied you up yesterday. That made you put your hand on hers. Tori touches your shoulder, concerned, and you wish she'd stop touching you so much. It distracts you, and all you can think about is when she'll touch you next, and how you'd like to touch her. Just casually on the arm, like friends do, and have her turn and smile at you. Like normal people do. Sometimes you wish you were normal, but then you wouldn't be you anymore, you'd be someone else, and you don't want that. You like you... most of the time.

You smile at Tori, trying to push all those emotions down deep. They don't mean anything, they just confuse you and make your breath all short and your cheeks all flushed.

You follow Tori inside, putting your bag on her sofa. She sits down distractedly, searching through her phone. You sit down beside her before you realise you're too close, so you scoot back a little. But now you're too far away, so you move back. She doesn't seem to notice. "I got the karaoke version as well. I'll just follow your lead, okay?" Tori looks up and you nod. Piece of cake.

You listen to the opening notes, counting in your head before beginning. "Something has changed within me," You start, Tori joining in on the next line. And immediately, it's different. You feel like the bottom's dropped out of your stomach, and you falter slightly, Tori looking up at you. You regain yourself but you just feel... odd. Your heart's racing, and your mouth feels all dry. You've always loved Tori's voice, and she's right there, singing to you, so, so close to you. You make your way through the first chorus, that feeling growing stronger, and your breath starts to grow short. Maybe you ate something bad, or maybe you're sick, because you don't feel right at all. You start to feel dizzy, and Tori just seems so close, singing to you, a smile on her face, and you can't seem to tear your eyes away from her face. "...Defying gravity/ Kiss me goodbye..." You swallow hard, and then you're leaning over, this strong urge in you, telling you, demanding that you just... just...

You kiss her, sipping in a short breath before your lips meet, your eyes shut tight. You can't stop yourself, and your heart's about to explode out of your chest. What are you doing? You're... you're kissing Tori, and her lips are soft and warm, and you can't breathe. You pull away, clapping a hand over your mouth and squeaking. What are you doing? You kissed Tori! You stand, stumbling back. You have to get out of here. You... you kissed Tori. You kissed her. Kissed her on the lips.

"C-cat..." Tori says uncertainly, but you can't look at her. You have to get out of here. You can't... you can't...

You rush out... you just have to get away. You wait until you're out of sight of her house before you stop, calling your mom and stumbling over your words, asking her to pick you up. You sit on the kerb while you wait, putting your head into your hands, fingers coiling in your hair. Why did you do that? Why did... you kissed her. Why did you kiss her? Your heart's still racing, adrenaline flooding your veins. You wanted to, you realise. Of course you did, but... you didn't even know. How could you not know? You touch your lips, wondering how they could betray you like that... but you can't forget what it felt like to kiss Tori. It felt right.

A/N: We all know how this goes. This is the part where I ask you to review, and a small percentage of you do. Thank you, small percentage, you're my favourites.

Why should you review? What have I ever done for you? Surely I must know I'm a good writer, how could I not? Just look at my immaculate spelling!

Why should you review? Because you're a filthy thief! That's right, I know about your unhygienic ways. Why do I think I'm talking to you from all the way over the internet?

Okay, so maybe you can't steal something that's freely given. It's a grey area, give me that.

...Okay, so I just want to justify stealing your stereo.

Review, and I might just give one of the speakers back.

...I need the rest for my breakdancing battle. Okay, so I just attack breakdancers with a sword. It's still more fun to do it to music.