"Why are you talking to me?" Robbie asked the following Monday at school. I figured out that Robbie liked to sit outside near the flagpole during lunch and study hall. No wonder why I never saw him in the hallways.

You're probably wondering why he was asking me such a rude question. Well, I told my family we were sort of friends, meaning I didn't know if we really were. I just hung out with him because I just did. That was the second wrong move.

"Hello, grumpy. Rude much?" I said to him.

"No, I mean it. I'm not being rude, I'm just wondering," he said after Algebra.

"Because I just want to." I started to walk away.

"Why?" he walked behind me. For a tall guy, he was struggling to keep up with me.

"Do you have questions for everything?"

"A true student isn't afraid to ask questions." Smart ass.

"That's cool."

"So why are you talking to me?"

God this kid was persistent. I stopped walking for him to catch up to me.

"I'm new here. I don't have any friends. And you're the only person who didn't talk about me going to an Arts school or being related to Tori. Is it that bad to appreciate something about someone else?"

I started walking again. Then he caught up to me.

"B-but you're you. I'm me."

"And? So?" I waited for his explanation.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you? We're not really in the same social circle," he shared.

"So you're saying we can't be friends?" I questioned.

"No I didn't say that."

"So are we friends?"

"Uh, ok," he hesitated.

"Good," I smirked.

And that was the start of our friendship.

This was how it was for the rest of the semester. Robbie ended up tutoring me in math, so we'd meet before any exam and study until we both understood completely. I taught Robbie how to be less socially awkward. Trina even talked to him for a day or two. Trina accepted the fact that I befriended Robbie, though I really don't know why I needed her approval. Nor did I want it. But she somehow seemed like someone I needed to have her blessing to be friends with him. Probably because she knew him more than I did and was probably looking out for me. I do remember Tori telling me that Trina may be an annoyingly peppy cheerleader, but she really was sweet.

Some days, Trina would even talk to me like she's trying to set me up with Robbie.

"You know, he really likes girls who don't use him for his smarts," she told me one day in Biology.

"I don't use him for his smarts, Trina. If that's what you're implying."

"No, I know. I'm just saying. It's a turn-on for him then," she tipped her goggles and gave me a knowing look.

"Trina, I'm not interested in Robbie that way, chill," I 'surendered' my hands.

"So you like to play hard to get, huh? I should take note of that the next time I talk to him," she smirked.

"You talk to him about me?" I was surprised.

"Not just you. About relationships and everything. That poor boy. He's a nerd, but he's got a lot of potential."

"Why do you care? Leave him alone."

"Oh trust me, Cat. I'm not going to steal him from you. He's just a kid that's been in my class since the third grade. He's come a long way."

"What do you mean?"

"If you met him like two years ago, he wouldn't even be talking to you, let alone let you have his notes or anything. I guess in time everyone does mature."

It wasn't until finals when my parents met Robbie. That sounded like a couples thing but I swear it wasn't. Mom and dad went to the courthouse to file their divorce settlements. That day, we were supposed to sleep at dad's but Tori borrowed mom's car so he would just pick us up there. Tori was in the living room while Robbie and I were in the kitchen when our parents came home.

"All I'm saying is that you're barely home. There's no purpose for you to keep the truck. Tori and Cat are usually here on the weekdays. You get them on the weekends. They need to go places more when they're here," She hung her jacket in the foyer.

"Wouldn't that mean I should get the truck since they'll be with me on the weekends? They're teenagers. They need to go out," he shut the door.

"It's all about fun and games with you isn't it?" she raised her arms.

"Are you kidding me, Jade? We're going to talk about this again?" he crossed his arms.

"Beck, look. Whether Tori decides to go to UCLA or any other school, Cat will still be here and she's going to need a car. She'll be with me more."

"What makes you think she'll be here more? I live closer to HA than you."

"Which is why she can walk when she goes to your place and drive when she's here."

They were fighting over our third car. They each had one and had a third one in case Tori needed to drive. If they got the truck for her in the first place, shouldn't Tori decide for it? Those fools.

"Do they always fight like this?" Robbie whispered to me.

"This is a good day," I told him. He winced.

"Uh, guys," Tori interrupted our parents once they reached the living room.

"Hey Tori," dad said. "Where's your sister? You girls ready to go?"

"You came a bit early and Cat's kind of studying."

I showed up in the living room standing in the hallway with Robbie right behind me.

"Oh," our parents were startled.

"Uh this is my friend, Robbie Shapiro. Robbie, this is my mom, Jade, and my dad, Beck."

"It's nice to meet you folks," he nodded.

"Robbie, why don't you stay for dinner?" Mom immediately turned to her pleasant mode.

"Can dad stay too?" Tori asked.

"Sure," mom forced.

"Are you sure?" he asked her.

"Yeah, well you're here already and I'm assuming nobody's eaten yet."

After about 20 minutes, Robbie and I cleared the dinner table and joined my family for dinner. Tori asked Andre to come over, claiming she didn't want to be a fifth wheel. I told her that she was the only one in a relationship because need I reminded her Robbie and I were just friends and our parents were each other's least favorite person in the world at the moment.

"So, Robbie. What's your specialty at Sherwood?" Dad asked.

"Uh any tech stuff. I'm part of the A/V club. I did some computer engineering and graphics internships last summer. I actually applied for another magnet school in Malibu. They specialize in Technology."

"Whoa, really?" I said. "I didn't know you were planning on transferring."

"Well I was on the waitlist since 7th grade. I keep moving up every year so I'm hoping this will be the real thing."

"That's awesome," I smiled.

"I thought you two were friends?" mom said. "How much do you two know about each other?" Our parents laughed. Well, at least they got along sometimes. Sadly I just had to be the victim of their amusement.

"We only just met a few months ago, chill. And I do know Robbie," I defended.

"Oh yeah, what do you know about him?" Tori asked.

"I know that he's really smart in math and that he puts way too much mayo in his sandwiches."

"And Robbie? Do you know anything about Cat?" dad asked.

"Other than the fact that she likes to act before thinking?" he said.

"Hey!" I feigned hurt.

"That's so true!" my parents agreed.

"Ohhh," Andre commented.

"I'm joking. Kind of," Robbie chuckled. "Cat likes to speak her mind and doodle a lot. I don't mind though, her drawings are pretty cool," he told me.

"That's because Cat's from an Art's school, remember?" Tori reminded him.

"Yeah, but art school or not, she's a natural," he said.

"Well honey I hope you're also learning while you doodle," mom said. Typical mom comment.

After dinner, Robbie and I took a break from our studying and dad let me use his car to get some JetBrew for everyone. Robbie tagged along to help me bring home everyone's orders.

"Your parents seem pretty civil towards each other. It's hard to imagine they fight more than they did earlier tonight."

"That's because you and Andre are here. Whenever Andre's over they don't even talk about being separated."

"Are you and Tori ok with the current situation?"

"We don't really have a choice now do we?"

"There's always a choice, Cat."

Our orders were called and once we got them, we walked back to the car.

"I guess it's just something Tori and I are used to. It's been a year since they've been fighting. It's kind of a numb feeling nowadays."

"That must be tough though. Watching them fight all the time."

"And what about your parents? Don't they fight?"

"Sometimes. Not much. There really isn't anything to fight about."

"Well your parents are normal. Mine aren't. They fell out of love."

"What is love anyways?" he posed.

"You're asking the wrong person, Robbie," I laughed.

I started the car and we drove off.

"What do you mean? Haven't you had a boyfriend before?" he was somewhat surprised.

"And what makes you think I have? Do you think I'm some gank or something?" I quipped an eyebrow.

"N-no of course not," Robbie was hesitant. I laughed. Man it was so easy to scare this guy.

"I'm not a gank. I know what guys are saying and they do approach me. But please. I don't have time for that. I need to focus on my future."

"I think that's very mature of you, Cat. I respect you for that," he sincerely replied.

"Thanks, Robbie. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Oh my God, you're such a girl," I rolled my eyes. "Stop dancing around the subject. Have you been in a relationship before?"

"Cat," he laughed. "It's me. Of course not."

"What do you mean? Why would I assume that about you?"

"Look at me? And look at you. You're gorgeous."

"You think I'm pretty," I playfully batted my eyelashes.

"I-I-I-I…"

"Oh my God Robbie I'm pulling your leg. God you are just so socially awkward. It's kind of cute," I told him. "But don't think that looks has everything to do with it."

"You're just saying that."

"I'm being serious. Not every girl goes for the looks. It's about the personality too you know? At least for me it is."

"Well there aren't that many people out there like you. But I'm ok. Like you said, I'm focusing on my future first."

"I'll drink to that!"

Robbie took out two hot chocolate cups and handed one over to me. We tipped cups and drank our warm beverages.

Once school was out, Robbie and I hung out almost everyday.

A lot of my HA friends and I made use of this summer since school was temporarily closed until September. Usually we'd have summer camp or sessions for our programs, so this time we actually relaxed. Most of my friends went on vacation to other places and the few still here, well I knew I'd see them in the fall and I just wanted to hangout with Robbie for a change.

"So, you survived a semester at Sherwood. What do you think?" Robbie asked me one day when we were eating fries and homemade milkshakes in my backyard.

"It wasn't so bad. I really missed my design classes though. But I guess it was a nice break."

"And what about the people?" he wiggled his eyebrows.

"They're alright," I joked.

"Hurtful!" he grabbed his heart.

"You know what I mean, Robbie. I mean once you finally looked past your insecurities-"

"Insecurities?"

"Yes, insecurities. Like I said. Once you looked past that, I came in and probably made your life the most interesting it's ever been. Admit it."

"I won't deny it that's for sure. What with the crazy things we did this year. I didn't even know there was a way up to the rooftop."

"We had events in the Asphalt Café of my school. There was a rooftop stage. Life's better up there you know? I mean don't you agree the rooftop was pretty awesome."

"Yeah until it started to rain," he said.

"A little water never hurt anyone," I countered.

"And what about the time we ditched study hall?"

"What about it?"

"We almost got caught!" he cried.

"Almost being the keyword," I pointed out.

"Oh, Cat. You really bring out the risky side of me," he chuckled.

"That's the risky side of you? Oh Lord I need to work on you. You need to take chances. Act on instinct. Life's more fun that way!"

Before we could continue our conversation, Tori came outside talking furiously on the phone with her boyfriend.

"But Andre, you don't understand. I mean you know what priorities mean, right? You didn't ask me first so I already made plans. You can't get mad at me because of that… And what am I supposed to do? Cancel on my counselor and Principal Smith? Andre he's the principal!"

"Hey Tor, can't you talk inside?" I asked my sister.

"No, mom and dad are arguing." Tori turned back to her phone.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, Andre Harris!" Tori said before pacing around the yard.

"Wow, I didn't know your sister and Andre fought. They're like the perfect couple," Robbie pointed out.

"Every couple fights, Robbie. It's inevitable. That's why relationships don't last."

"And how would you know Ms. I've Never Had a Boyfriend?" he raised an eyebrow.

"I just do, Mr. I'm In The Same Boat," I smirked. "See." I gestured for him to look inside our house. We turned our heads towards the door and saw my parents visibly arguing about God knows what. Probably about another settlement. Lately they've been claiming the stupidest things and had even stupider arguments about them.

"Jade, can't you compromise with me just this once?!"

"No, why should I?"

"Because you never let me decide for myself. Even when we were together. God you're so bossy!"

"Well I'm sorry I can't be Mr. Cool like you, oh great Beck! Someone had to be the responsible person in the relationship!"

And that's usually how the arguments went.

"It's getting pretty uncomfortable here and my instinct is telling me we should leave," Robbie suggested.

"See. Told you listening to your first instinct is awesome. I totally agree. Let's go to the bake shop and buy some cupcakes!"

"Sure, Cat," Robbie chuckled. "Let's go."

That was my favorite thing about having Robbie around. When people fought, I was able to escape for a few hours on end with him and didn't have to bear with these ridiculous arguments.

A/N: Would you look at that, I found time to update today. Well not really, I'm waiting for someone. Guess where I am! I'm in Northridge! Well, not really, near there, but still... Oh those Northridge girls lol

I love making Victorious references.

Thanks for the love you guys. This is a pretty light story, but it is personal on my end so we'll see about that in the coming chapters. This was unexpected. I wasn't planning to even publish it but I just did. Also, I forgot to mention a few more authors that you should check out: Sweeney7760 and irishgirl.

I purposely made Jade and Beck the parents. I had a character left over and made Tori Cat's sister. It could have been either Andre or Tori but I figured Cat needed a sister more than a brother. But it all flows together just trust me.

Oh and by the way, for those of you taking finals right now, good luck!