Robbie hurdled through the hallways racing between students as Beck chased after him. While it was true Beck, was stronger and generally all around more athletic than Robbie. He had never experienced the adrenaline pumping energy boost that was pure fear.
Robbie, on the other hand, lived in almost constant fear, he was running as if his life depended on it. Because, if Beck caught him, it very well might.
Rounding another corner at breakneck speeds, Robbie ducked into an empty classroom moments before Beck passed by, his face drawn into a look of concentrated malice, his feet nearly a blur as he ran down the hallway not even sparing Robbie's hiding place a glance.
Robbie waited only a few seconds after Beck passed, before racing out of the classroom in the opposite direction. He spied the janitors closet he usually used to hide out and after quickly checking for any sign of Beck he quickly ducked inside. Shutting off the light as he pressed himself against the back of the closet and pulling a mop against him for cover, or if the worst happened and Beck found him, as a weapon.
Time passed slowly as Robbie tried to steady his breathing, his heart still hammering away in his chest as he tried vainly to calm himself. He had only manged to slow his heart halfway to it's normal rate when the closet door opened, and a figure moved into the closet too quickly to be seen and shut the door.
Robbie waited quietly not even daring to breathe, gripping the mop tightly as he prepared for his attacker to spot him. He wouldn't go down without a fight. Though, against Beck, he knew the fight would be over quickly.
"Robbie, you in here?" A breathy voice whispered, Robbie paused as he recognized the voice then let out a sigh of relief as he realized it wasn't Beck.
The light flicked on, and Jade West became illuminated by the dim closet bulb. She took in Robbie, holding a mop in a white knuckled grip and smirked.
"Easy there killer, put down the mop" Jade snickered as Robbie realized he still held his improvised weapon and quickly threw it away blushing from the embarrassment of having been caught planning to defend himself with a mop of all things.
"It's you fault I'm even hiding in this stupid closet, what the hell was that for Jade!" Robbie shouted in frustration throwing his hands in the air for emphasis.
"Pay-back" Jade said simply, her smirk widening as Robbie glared at her.
"Pay back for what!" Robbie shouted in disbelief, his entire day had become some sitcom nightmare because of Jade, and she was blaming him for it.
"Because.."Jade stepped in close jabbing Robbie, in the chest with a well manicured finger, her eyebrows drawn together in irritation.
"Nobody touches my ass without my permission and gets away with it" Jade growled to Robbie's growing frustration.
"That!" He shouted, catching Jade off guard with the sudden ferocity in his voice. Robbie was for all intents and purposes a doormat, he let people walk all over him, she couldn't be afraid of him. Still the fire in his eyes as he raged unnerved her and she couldn't help but take a step away from the boy.
"You mean to tell me, that your pissed off ex-boyfriend is busy scouring the hallways, so he can beat me to a bloody pulp, because you're mad I copped a feel! God Jade I'm trying to be nice to you, why are you making it so difficult!" Robbie shouted.
Jade's eyes narrowed at his words the fire of her anger being stoked back to life by his accusations. She wasn't being difficult, he should've known better, the nerve of this nerd grabbing her ass just the way she liked and then smirking about it. It was time to remind Robbie exactly who was in charge here.
"Let's get something straight here, and now puppet boy, you aren't exactly doing this for altruisms sake. The only reason you're here is because you couldn't get Trina on your own, you need me" Jade emphasized with a sneer jabbing Robbie's chest with her finger.
She expected him to flinch, which he did, she expected him to look guilty, which he did, to cower, which he didn't. Robbie sneered down at Jade's hand, then at her.
"You're right Jade, let's get something straight right now." Robbie spoke his voice low. Jade was surprised at the amount, of rage and menace he seemed to be holding back, but she kept it off her face.
" Trina won't give a damn about me the moment you aren't around, we both know that. So ask yourself why I'd put up with this insane plan of yours if I know I won't get the girl" Robbie snarled watching Jades sneer falter.
"You're a loser... you'll take whatever you can get" Jade spoke venomously hoping the acid in her tone would cover how own confusion. She honestly hadn't thought that far ahead. If Robbie had and he had come to that conclusion, why was he still helping her?
Robbie flinched as if she had actually struck him, the raw hurt in his eyes at her words made her pause, she actually felt guilty about it. She felt guilty for hurting Robbie? What the hell was wrong with her, the break-up was making her crazy... well crazier.
"Yeah, I guess I will, after all, I'm dating you aren't I" Robbie sneered, his words cutting through Jade as he roughly brushed past her, and out of the small closet. Leaving Jade standing alone in the dimly lit janitors closet.
Robbie sat alone in the Black Box Theater as he scarfed down the last bits of his lunch. He had spent most of the day dodging his friends, Beck and Trina especially. All the running and hiding had put him seriously on edge not to mention that living in fear was sending his appetite in overdrive.
The loud sounds of his eating and the rustling of papers only barely muffled the dull boom of the thick wooden double doors slamming shut.
"Robbie" A voice called out breaking Robbie's concentration on his food as he scrambled to his feet, his frayed nerves all screaming at him to run and escape as quickly as possible.
"Robbie, Robbie wait I come in peace" Cat cooed as she approached the frazzled boy slowly, holding Rex in front of her with both hands hoping the sight of the puppet would soothe Robbie.
"Stop, stay right there" Robbie demanded, Cat stumbled but halted as instructed, keeping Rex held out in front of her in offering. Robbie's eyes darted from side to side searching for some unseen attacker.
When he found nothing he turned his eyes to Cat, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Are you alone?" Robbie asked nervously, his eyes constantly flitting about the room as if he expected someone to jump out at him at any moment.
"Just me and Rex, Beck is still angry, and the others... I figured I'd bring Rex to you" Cat smiled, the warmth and genuine concern made Robbie feel guilty he could have suspected Cat in the first place. He sighed covering his eyes with his hands. Wondering how his life had become so crazy.
"Robbie, can I move now?" Cat whined. Robbie chuckled as he moved towards Cat taking Rex in one arm he wrapped the other around Cat's shoulders pulling the girl close in a friendly hug.
"Thanks for watching him Cat, I hope he wasn't too much trouble?" Robbie asked as Cat wrapped her arms around his waist hugging him back tightly.
"Spontaneous hug yay! No he wasn't any trouble but he did make my brother cry" Cat frowned at the puppet poking him in the chest with an accusing finger.
"I didn't make him cry, he cried all on his own, I just helped" Rex laughed manically, as Cat shook her head before turning her gaze back to Robbie.
"Are you okay" The sincerity of the question caught Robbie off guard. He studied Cat for a moment in deep thought as he weighed his answer. This was Cat Valentine, sweet, innocent, and all around lovable girl.
No deception, no ulterior motive, no scheme, just a girl worried about his friend.
"No, it's been a crazy few days" Robbie sighed, his shoulders slumping in exhaustion though he couldn't help but feel a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Wanna talk about it?" Cat asked gently, her eyes brimming with concern as Robbie shook his head, smiling gently at the girl before him.
"I wouldn't even know where to begin" Robbie chuckled, as he pulled Rex a bit tighter against himself.
"Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me" Cat bubbled, smiling warmly as she disentangled herself from Robbie and made her way towards the door. Only when she was certain Robbie couldn't see her did she allow a frown to crease her delicate features.
"Thanks Cat" Robbie called out behind her, she spun around giggling and waving then quickly turned and made her way out of the theater, her frown now a full on glare.
Jade West, sat off to herself in the school courtyard, the half empty cup of coffee she had decided to call her lunch had lost it's warmth long ago and now sat untouched at her side as she glared off into space, hoping her reputation would keep anyone from approaching.
A hand landed on her shoulder, breaking her revelry. She sighed expecting to find Vega, or Beck, or even Andre standing behind her eyes full of concern and warmth. The sight of Cat standing there leering down at her wasn't particularly concerning. The dark look on her normally smiling face, however, sent a small shiver down her spine.
Everyone knew Cat could be a bit moody, but she was usually easily appeased, only Jade had seen Cay truly angry. It was always unnerving, but when that anger was focused on her (and judging by the dark look Cat was giving her, Jade assumed correctly that Cat's anger was, in fact, focused on her).
"Would you happen to know where Robbie is, Jade?" Cat nearly spat her name and Jade winced, wondering why Cat seemed so upset with her.
"Not really" Jade shrugged, looking away from Cat's heated gaze, though she could still feel the red-heads eyes on her, burning through her.
"He's hiding in the theater, I would think his girlfriend would be more concerned about him" Cat growled. Jade bristled at the comment, she had looked for the boy, for a while anyway, but when she hadn't found him, she had just assumed he didn't want to be found.
" He'd have found me when he was ready" Jade shrugged dismissively as Cat's eyes narrowed into slits.
Cat stepped close enough for Jade to smell the scent of her shampoo, something light and fruity as Cat bent down, her face even with Jades.
"Robbie is a nice guy Jade, and I won't let anyone use him" Cat's voice was low, barely audible over the general hum of conversation that surrounded them.
"Not even you" Cat sneered in a gesture that reminded Jade far too much of herself.
Without another word, Cat turned and made her way through the throng of students, Jade watching her go.
Wondering just how much Cat knew and just how much more complicated things had become.