DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO VICTORIOUS OKAY. NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TOLD YOU. OR DO I? HAHA, I WISH, LIKE MOST OF YOU OUT THERE DO.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ANYONE EVEN BOTHERING TO READ MY STORY. I KNOW I'M NOT A VERY GOOD WRITER, SO IT MEANS A LOT. THANKS PEOPLE.
CHAPTER 5- BAD MOVE
How the fuck can I be crushing on Cat? Like seriously, what are my feelings doing to me?
Oh god I need to talk to someone about this, but then what will they say about it? What if they tell Cat? How will she react?
Shit! How will she react when she finds out her best friend is crushing on her? It could make things really awkward between us and push her away from me. I don't want that, I need her in my life. She's like my sunshine.
Calm down Tori, calm down. I'm panting heavily, my chest going tight. Control, control, I need to regain control.
I get my breathing in order and head into my bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. Okay, now I've admitted I have a crush on her, maybe I'll be able to control it. These feelings will pass. Or at least I hope they will. Do I really mean that though. Uggghhh, Tori enough. Stop thinking about it.
What time is it? 3:27am. Oh joy. Best try and get some sleep before tomorrow.
Surprisingly, despite the 'drama' shall we say in the early hours of this morning, I don't feel too bad. I'm just walking through the school grounds now.
"Good morning Tori. How are you?" Cat skips up behind me and I freeze. I thought I was going to be prepared for this, but clearly I'm not.
"I..I'm...I'm fine. You?" I manage to stutter out. I don't dare look over to her, or else I might end up doing something I regret.
"You sure. You seem a little off?" She lightly touches my shoulder. I'm feel goosebumps at the contact, my heart rate increasing "You know if you ever need anything, I'm here for you like you are for me." She proceeds.
Oh I wish that were the case Cat. When I don't reply, she gives me a quizzical look, but doesn't probe. Then I see Andre approaching us, just what I need to get out of this situation. Oh there is a God.
"Morning girls." Andre waves over to us. "So how are you both this morning?"
"Hiiii." Cat gives Andre a hug.
"Ahh, happy as always Cat." He smiles at her.
"Hehe, yep." She giggles in response.
"How about you Tori?" He asks.
"Hmm, sorry, what? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Actually, I've got somewhere I need to be." I rush out in a panic, turning on my heel, making my way towards the school entrance.
"Wait, Tori..." Andre grabs my arm. "...I was wondering if I could have a quick word."
"Later." He knows something is up, and begrudgingly lets go of my arm.
"Okay, no worries. Catch up with you later." He calls over to me as I head inside the school.
I honestly thought I was ready for when I was going to see her, but evidently I wasn't prepared, not even the slightest.
I struggle through the first part of the morning. Just 1 more class till lunch, Sikowitz's class. And for once I'm dreading it. After our encounter this morning, I haven't seen Cat at all because we have had different classes.
I walk in, and with the other students talking among themselves, I just dump my bag on the floor, take my seat and run my fingers through my hair. Just then I get a familiar whiff of her Cotton Candy scented perfume. Typical Cat.
"Hey Tori. You alright?" She asks as she puts her bag down and sits on the seat next to mine. Not now I'm not.
"Yeah." I keep my eyes trained on the floor. My voice comes out shaky, as if I'm afraid. And truth be told, I'm petrified. What if she finds out and then doesn't even want me as a friend. It'll pass, that's what I have to keep telling myself. It'll pass.
"Okay." She doesn't sound convinced by my answer, but it seems to do for now.
After Sikowitz arrives, we get straight into rehearsing for the play. I seem to have dodged the bullet as he hasn't asked me to do any of my scenes yet.
"And the last scene we're going to rehearse today before lunch is the scene with Tori" I swallow the lump in my throat. Please no... "and Cat, preparing for the camping trip."
Really? I had to speak to soon didn't I. Fuck sake. Oh well, be professional and get on with it. These feelings will pass. They will.
We head up onto the stage, and it's the first time I've looked into her eyes all day. Those beautiful eyes that make time seem to stand still. My mind stops dead in its tracks.
"Okay, from the top. Action!" Sikowitz bellows.
"Okay, let's check we have everything we need." Cat delivers her line.
I can't muster any words whilst looking at her. I open my mouth to say my line, but nothing comes out, the words just catch on my breath.
"Come on Tori, you have the next line." Sikowitz tries to encourage me. I just can't do it.
I look over to him, then back at Cat. Before I know it, I'm grabbing my bag and running out the classroom. I don't know where to, and don't really care, but anywhere is better than where I just was. Andre tries calling after me, but I just ignore him.
I burst into the girls bathroom because I know I can get a little bit of privacy in here. I feel a few tears run down my cheek whilst Andre bangs on the door outside. "C'mon Tori, talk to me. It can't be that bad surely." He continues to pound on the door.
"No!" I shout back.
"Okay fine. If you're not going to come out, I'll just sit here and wait. I'll wait all day if I have to." He actually would as well.
I have been in here for over 20 minutes now. Unfortunately I may have my bag with me, but there's no food in it, so I'm getting rather hungry. I did text Trina, asking her to bring me something to eat, but she's still upset with me about the incident with mom and dad, so the answer was a swift no.
Andre is still outside the door. I know that because he told the rest of our friends to go and get lunch whilst he waited for me.
"I'm getting a numb ass now Tori, so you better hurry up. Whatever's troubling you, me and everyone else can help you with it." He calls out to me.
"I don't want to talk about it." I tell him.
"Okay, so you don't want to talk about it." He states and I can hear him getting up. "Whenever I have a problem, I find it best to get my mind off of it. I do that by doing something I really enjoy because the enjoyment replaces all the worries that are in my mind."
Ugghhh, I can't argue with his logic. I open the door to see him walking away.
"Thanks Andre." I mutter over to him. He turns to look at me.
"Whatever this problem is, don't beat yourself up over it. Look, I meant what I just said, and I think I've got just the cure for you." He says as he makes his way over to me.
"Oh, and what's that?" I ask, wiping away the last of the tears.
"Why don't you come down tomorrow and watch me play in the squash league. Who knows, it might even inspire you to join up." He nudges me. I laugh at him and nod.
"Sounds like a plan." I give him a hug to show my gratitude.
I get home and decide to act on Andre's advice. Do something I enjoy to get it out my mind.
I head upstairs and change into a tank top and some shorts. I grab my squash racquet and a few squash balls and head outside. I spend a good hour just whacking a ball up against the side of the house. The uneven surface and wind provide quite a challenge and it tests your reaction speeds and agility.
My mom comes out to tell me that dinner's ready.
I finish my dinner and give it half hour so as to not make myself sick, and then I head back outside.
I probably spent another good hour and a half out there, not a care in the world. Although I definitely need a shower now, the sweat is running down me like a river.
I have myself a shower, grab some pyjamas, then text Andre.
Thanks for today Andre, grateful to have a friend like you. :)
Not long after I get a reply.
No problem Tori. See you tomorrow.
I go to bed exhausted, but mind at ease.
The next day is a bit easier, and I seem to be coping with this crush better. Everytime I see her still, my heart beats faster and I get butterflies in my stomach. But I just go back to what Andre said, and think of something I enjoy. I've given her the odd smile, but I've been doing my best to avoid any sustained period of time with her. And it seems she's doing the same. Normally she would make an effort to come and talk to me, but she hasn't done so yet. I don't want to push her away completely, but maybe a bit of space is what I need.
I decide it's best if I just head to my locker rather than trying to strike up a conversation with anyone today.
I'm just grabbing my books for the first couple of periods when Andre appears.
"Morning Tori. How you feeling today?" He asks with concern.
"Better but not great, thanks for asking. I think it might take a few days but I'll be fine." I smile at him. Or at least I hope it will only be a few days.
"Ah okay. So, still up for tonight?" He questions, nudging me.
"Most definitely." I reply with enthusiasm. I really can't wait. It will be just the thing to distract my mind.
The rest of the morning goes without a hitch. I'm just putting my stuff into my locker, ready to go and get something for lunch. I spoke to soon again didn't I because here comes Jade, sauntering over with Beck.
"Hey babe, why don't you go and get lunch, I need to have a chat with Tori." She asks all too innocently. Now I'm worried.
"Uhhh... you sure you don't want me to stay?" He suggests, knowing that Jade wanting to talk to me alone could end not very well on my behalf.
"No it's fine, Tori trusts me, don't you Tori?" She gives Beck a peck on the lips before turning to look at me. I gulp, knowing that in Jade's mind there is only one right answer to this question.
"S..Sssurreeee." I say unconvincingly.
"Okay, whatever you girls want." Beck replies before heading off towards the Asphalt Cafe.
"Now, Tori..." Jade starts. "...is your little crush on Cat going to ruin my play? Because I hope for your sake that it doesn't." She grabs a pair of scissors from her boot and brings them towards my face. How the fuck does she know about my crush, I haven't told anyone. It's not that obvious is it? Play it cool Tori.
"What are you on about Jade?" I ask, steadily backing away from her scissors.
"Oh, you know full well what I'm talking about. What was with you running out of class yesterday then if it wasn't that?" She tries to intimidate me.
"None of your business. And for your information, I don't have a crush on Cat. What on God's Earth gave you that idea?" I attempt to persuade her with a firm tone to my voice, but it comes out a little more shakily than I would like. Composure Tori, don't let her intimidate you.
"Well, you keep telling yourself that Vega, but we both know you would just be lying to yourself..." She puts her scissors back in her boot. "...Listen. You probably think I don't care, but Cat is one of my best friends, so I just want what's best for her. She thinks she's done something wrong to upset you. And I don't like seeing her beat herself up over it when it's not her fault. So either you tell her or I will." She gives me an ultimatum, before she goes to walk away.
Jade's right, Cat shouldn't be beating herself up because she's done nothing wrong. If anything, I owe her an apology. Just then, Jade snaps me out of my thoughts as she turns back to look at me.
"Oh Vega. I'll give you until after the weekend. If I come in Monday and nothing's been said, I WILL tell her. I don't do promises often, and when I do I NEVER break them. So you've been warned." That's the last thing she says to me before heading out to join the others at lunch. It's easy to see why so many people are frightened by Jade.
I decide against joining them because it would just makes things uncomfortable. I eat my lunch by myself, with Jade's words going round and round in my head. How the hell could she tell? And she's making me tell her. Why can't I just have a normal life? After my first week here, I agreed with Andre when he told me 'normal's boring', but right now it seems appealing. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a thing about going to Hollywood Arts, if only I didn't have this crush, then I'd be completely satisfied.
The rest of the day was nothing to get excited about. Just the usual school work and what not. I've not long had dinner. Spaghetti Bolognese tonight. Heaven, heaven in food form. I'm just getting ready to go with Andre to his match tonight actually. He's picking me up since I still don't have my drivers license. Go on mock me like everyone else does, I know you really want to.
I sit there and watch Andre warm-up before he starts. It's a big match for him tonight. He's 2nd and he's playing the guy in 1st. If he wins, he'll draw level with him in the league, then it depends on results next week so he tells me.
The match was actually really enthralling. Both Andre and his opponent played well, but in the end Andre's opponent edged it.
"So did you enjoy that?" Andre asks whilst regaining his breath, in the meantime wiping his face with his towel because he is literally bathed in sweat.
"Yeah, it was really enjoyable." I say practically bouncing. "Although, you look knackered."
"Well that was most certainly one of the hardest matches I've played." He states as puts on his jacket.
"It looked it." I say chuckling.
"So?" He raises his eyebrows at me expectantly.
"So what?" I give him a questioning glance.
"You want to join for next season?" He gives me a hopeful look. I had actually made my mind up some time ago, before I came here tonight, and my answer is...
"Yeah, why not." I laugh as he gives me a bone crushing hug. "Easy, easy. I need to be in shape for my first match in 2 weeks haha." I playfully punch him on the arm.
I fill out all the necessary paperwork and hand it to the guy who runs the league. I'm really looking forward to playing regularly now.
Andre takes me home, and that night I replay his match over and over again in my head. I just can't wait to start myself now.
It's Friday lunchtime, and I'm just heading to the grub truck to get lunch when Cat walks up.
"Hey Tori, you got a minute?" She asks, very downbeat. Please don't tell me Jade has already told her.
"Surreeee." I say uneasily. I pay Festus for my lunch and motion Cat over to an empty table.
"Would it be okay if I came over tonight?" Tori say no, you know what this will do to your head. Say no...
"Yeah that's fine Cat. I'll come find you at your locker at the end of the day okay." Mental facepalm. Well done Tori, just what have you gone and got yourself into.
She nods in response before heading inside. I swear if Jade's already told her, I'm going to...Let's be realistic, what am I going to do to Jade. Lay down and let her walk all over me. On second thoughts, don't answer that.
I can't seem to focus much after lunch. That's probably got something to do with the fact that I'm going over every possible scenario of what would happen if Cat were to find out about my crush. Tori, stop over thinking.
The final bell rings, so I go to my locker, chuck my books in because for once, I actually don't have homework over the weekend, apart from learning the lines for the play.
I make my apprehensively towards Cat's locker where I find her waiting, eyes downcast and hands up in her sleeves.
The walk home was very awkward indeed. Neither of us said a word. The atmosphere between us was so fragile, like very thin ice, even though it has no reason to be.
We get back to my house, and surprise surprise no one is home. Oh well, gives me and Cat time to work things out.
"Would you like anything to eat or drink Cat?" I ask trying to break the metaphorical ice I mentioned earlier.
"No thanks. Can we go straight up to your room? I'd like some privacy." She asks me.
"Of course, I'll be right up." I tell her. I grab a couple of soda's from the fridge to take up with me just in case she did want one.
I go in my room, and Cat's sitting on my bed, still looking at the floor like she has been all day, but the light reflecting into my room glistens off her cheek, and that's when I notice that she's crying.
I set the soda's down on my desk and sit down beside her, rubbing her back. She instantly pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry Tori." She sobs into my hair.
"No, I'm sorry Cat. I owe you an apology. Jade told me you've been beating yourself up over what happened in Sikowitz' class the other day. You've got nothing to apologize for, you didn't do anything wrong." I try and comfort her.
She pulls away from me to look me in the eyes. Bad move...
"Then why did you run out of..."
Before she gets the chance to ask, my lips are pressed against hers...
A/N: So there's Chapter 5 for you. I hope it makes for good reading, even if it is a little on the short side. If you happen to spot any grammar or spelling errors that you would like me to address feel free to point them out to me.
Any criticism that would help me to improve my writing is greatly appreciated. I'm always trying to get better. I'm hoping that this story is keeping you interested. I'm still hoping to get a chapter a week, but I can't guarantee that it will happen, but I'll try my best, you have my word on that.
You can review if you would like to, and it means a lot when I do get a review. But if you don't want t review that's fine as well, it's your choice, I'm leaving it up to you as always.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and see you when chapter 6 comes out.