A/N: Here it is the gifted chapter in honor of my 100th post. I hope you enjoy this because this is the chapter that began giving this little plot bunny real shape. Can't wait to hear what you think~ S.K.

Chapter 3: Mania

Tori paced her room the next day, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions and decisions. She had slept on the idea of moving across the country, and the more she considered it, the more it seemed like the right choice. The prospect of a fresh start, of finding love, and of living closer to the one who had unwittingly become an inspiration was too enticing to ignore.

Her impulse to call Cat was strong, to share the news of her decision and seek her friend's advice and support. But she was still nursing a bit of anger at Cat for ditching her at the club. The sting of that night hadn't faded, and she couldn't help but feel that perhaps leaving without telling anyone might be a justifiable response.

Tori was no stranger to impulsive decisions, especially when her emotions spiraled into a turbulent state. It was her fight-or-flight response, a coping mechanism she had grappled with over the years. Listening to a fan's suggestion wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it didn't mean she should act without a plan or without saying goodbye to her family and friends.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Without even realizing it, she had started packing her clothes, a task she'd undertake to prepare for a road trip. The idea of four days alone on the open road was both exhilarating and terrifying. As she continued to sort through her belongings, it became clear that she was making a decision that would change the course of her life. Tori was resolved – she was leaving, and she wasn't coming back.

In the midst of her frenzied preparations, Tori worked tirelessly for three days, distancing herself from her friends, including Cat and her sister. She didn't reach out to anyone, and no one reached out to her. Her focus was unwavering, dedicated to the task at hand: making a quiet and unannounced exit.

Tori had crafted a well-thought-out plan for her departure, methodically selling her larger furniture to clear the space and alleviate the emotional burden. Additionally, she held giveaways for her fans during live streams, sharing some of her belongings with those who had supported her throughout her journey. Yet, she kept her intentions concealed from everyone, including her loyal fans, preferring to keep her departure a secret.

To facilitate a smooth transition during her road trip, Tori had recorded content in advance, material she could edit and upload during her brief stops along the way. Her plan was uncomplicated yet liberating: to take in the beauty of the country and embrace the open road without the pressure of deadlines.

Through all this time, Her friends hadn't contacted her. Sure it had only been a week since their outing, but no one called but her mother, to make sure she did something for her. "Mom, I can't I'm super stressed. Someone Is buying some old clothes from me and I have to take it to them. Ask Trina or Shelby."

"Tori I asked you. They have Classes." Her mother said.

"Well, I have real-world problems" Tori stated tired of her mother trying to get her to accept one of her Colleges she had deferred by implying that what she had to do for her was not as important. "Bye Mom," she said and hung up, watching as her bed was being carried out of the house by the buyer.

She looked around her empty apartment and realized she was truly done. So she packed up her SUV with the rest of her belongings and Hopped in to begin her journey.

It was during this journey, as Tori ventured through the boggy landscape of Arkansas, her SUV navigating through challenging terrain while mosquitoes relentlessly battered her windshield, that she received her first phone call. She glanced at the caller ID, and it was Cat. With a sigh, she answered, the frustration from their last encounter still fresh in her mind.

"Hey, Cat," Tori said, her voice tinged with weariness.

"Hey, Tori!" Cat's voice was cheerful and upbeat, seemingly oblivious to any tension. "I haven't heard from you in a while. What's going on?"

Tori took a moment before responding. "I've been... busy," she replied, her words careful.

Cat, seemingly undeterred, continued, "Want to hang with Sam and me tonight?"

Tori hesitated, still harboring her anger. "I appreciate the offer, Cat, but I think I just want to stay in bed for a bit."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. Cat's cheerful demeanor waned, replaced by genuine concern. "Tori, are you okay? You don't sound like yourself."

Tori sighed inwardly, her emotions still a whirlwind. "I'm fine, Cat. Just tired. I need some time to myself."

Cat's voice softened. "Alright, Tori. How about tomorrow? Just you and me?"

Tori appreciated the gesture but couldn't shake off her lingering frustration. "Thanks, Cat. I'll keep that in mind. I'll talk to you later."

With that, she ended the call and continued her journey, her heart carrying a mix of emotions, her mind firmly set on the open road ahead.

The next afternoon, Tori watched in awe as the rodeo show unfolded before her eyes, the sights and sounds of the event a brief respite from the road. Tori took pictures and video. She wanted to post them so bad, this trip was so much fun. She couldn't wait to share them with her fans. But she thought the better it, as the cheering crowd, the daring cowboys, and the graceful yet fierce animals provided a temporary escape from her own turbulent emotions. If she posted. Everyone would know where she was. SHe didn't want to talk to anyone.

During a particularly rough bull ride, her phone rang, pulling her back into the realm of reality. She checked the caller ID and saw that it was her twin sister, Shelby asking for a video call.

Tori's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she contemplated whether she should answer the call. Taking a deep breath, she finally answered the call. "Hey, Shelby, Trina," she said, her voice holding a hint of uncertainty."Oh, You're not home." Shelby said.

"When are you getting here? I need this book for school I totally forgot at your place.

Tori Winced sold that book to a U of M student. She didn't think Shelby needed it anymore. "I'm actually in Panama City for the weekend."

"Fuck!" Shelby said.

"Well, when are you coming back?" Trina asked.

"Did you not hear, I said I'm here for the weekend," Tori stated tersely.

"It's Fucking Monday, Tori," Trina stated sarcastically.

Tori rolled her eyes, ensuring that the only thing her sisters could see was her face and the beautiful blue sky. "I'll come back when I feel like it, Trina. Shelby just borrowed a book." she hung up the phone and shoved it in her pocket. Her sisters had effectively ruined the rodeo for her. So she started to make her way back to her car. She had a thousand miles to cover.

"Oh, Hi Tori… I haven't seen your face for three days. Sorry, I ditched you at the club and you had to fetch a ride all on your own." She murmured angrily as she marched back toward her car. "Only came looking for me because they needed something."

As Tori left the rodeo, the phone call left her in a state of contemplation. She knew that she couldn't keep the truth hidden forever, but for now, she clung to the freedom and anonymity her journey provided, cherishing the few moments of serenity the trip had offered.

In the midst of her cross-country adventure, Tori found herself in the dazzling city of Las Vegas. The bustling streets, the neon lights, and the excitement of the Strip were unlike anything she had experienced during her journey. She couldn't resist the allure of this iconic destination, even though she was eager to reach her final destination in Los Angeles.

As she explored the city, Tori's attention was diverted by a fan who recognized her. The fan approached her with a mixture of awe and excitement, asking for a photograph. Caught in the moment, and believing she was close enough to her destination to relax her anonymity, Tori agreed to the picture.

Little did she know, this fan was no ordinary admirer. Unbeknownst to her It turned out that the person requesting the photo was one of Cat's girlfriend's dance students. The moment was captured, and the image posted through social media, found it's way to Sam's Class. One of the little girls giggled and showed Sam. and the blonde Teacher asked the girl. "When was this posted?"

"I don't know, like Twenty minutes ago?" The young girl stated.

Sam looked up the account found the picture and shared it with her Girlfriend Cat. who in turn shared it with Shelby and Trina. The two sisters Reached out to their parents who had a wellness check done at their youngest daughter's apartment.

The decision to indulge her fan's request soon led to a major derailment to her plans.

After a full week, of taking in the scenic landscape of the United States, from the mesmerizing deserts of the Southwest to the gorgeous Rockies. Each new destination offered her a fresh perspective and an opportunity to savor the freedom she had longed for.

However, the unsettling silence from her friends and family weighed heavily on her mind. Despite the photo that had undoubtedly made its way to the internet, no one had called or sent messages to check on her during her seven-day absence. Tori felt a profound sense of abandonment, a solitude she had sought in part but now seemed to have enveloped her entirely.

In response to this perceived indifference, Tori decided to take matters into her own hands. She turned off her phone, severing the last remaining link to her past and the world she had left behind. With her destination set for Los Angeles, she embraced the anonymity and freedom that her road trip offered.

As the miles passed beneath her wheels, Tori relished the open road and the promise of a new beginning, but she couldn't shake the mix of emotions that continued to swirl within her, leaving her with more questions than answers about her journey and the people she had left behind.

The final leg of Tori's journey brought her to the heart of Los Angeles. As she pulled into the city that held so many of her dreams, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and apprehension. Her road trip, a temporary escape from her life and her worries, was now concluding, and the reality of what lay ahead began to settle in.

It was only when she reached her hotel room, having finally caught up with social media, that she was confronted with a stark and unsettling truth. A series of alarming headlines dominated her feed, sending shockwaves through her body. The headline read, " Social Media Star Tori Vega has Disappeared."

Tori's heart raced as she realized the extent of the situation. Unbeknownst to her, the Florida State Police had been searching for her for the past three days, deeply concerned about her well-being and safety. The mixture of emotions that washed over her was overwhelming – shock, confusion, and a growing sense of unease.

In her quest for freedom, Tori had inadvertently become the center of a media storm, and the consequences of her actions were now beginning to take shape. She sat in her hotel room, grappling with the complex and unexpected turns her journey had taken, her future in Los Angeles a daunting and uncertain prospect.

Tori made a call to the Dade County police, a determined effort to regain control of the narrative that had spiraled out of her hands. She spoke with clarity, making it clear that she was not in any danger, she had just decided to make a spontaneous trip across the country. She calmly explained that her decision to leave Florida had been carefully planned and considered.

To substantiate her claims, Tori provided a paper trail of evidence. She shared receipts from the moving companies she had enlisted to transport her belongings to Los Angeles. She detailed the process of giving away her possessions during her livestreams, demonstrating that her actions were part of a well-thought-out transition into a new phase of her life.

Yet, beneath her composed exterior, Tori couldn't help but feel a growing sense of frustration and anger. She was now faced with the irony of the situation – the very people who had filled her inbox with angry and concerned messages were the same ones who had remained silent during her seven-day absence. It was a stark reminder of the lack of communication and understanding that had led to this chaotic misunderstanding.

Tori found herself facing the onslaught of messages from her sisters and Cat, all expressing various degrees of concern and anger. Her sisters, Shelby and Trina, had grown increasingly frantic with their attempts to reach her. Their texts were filled with emotional outpourings and a mix of worry and irritation, making it clear that they had been deeply affected by her sudden disappearance.

Cat, Tori's once-close friend, had also sent a series of messages, the tone of her words revealing her frustration and anger at Tori's abrupt departure and her silence. It was clear that she had taken Tori's absence personally, and her messages reflected her disappointment.

Shelby: "Tori, where are you? Are you okay? Mom and Dad are freaking out!"

Trina: "This isn't funny, Tori. You can't just disappear like this! Call us!"

Cat: "Tori, seriously, where are you? This is not cool."

Shelby: "We've been calling you non-stop! Answer your phone!"

Trina: "I can't believe you'd do this to us, Tori. We're your family!"

Cat: "You could have at least told me you were leaving, Tori."

Shelby: "I'm calling the police! This isn't a joke anymore!"

Trina: "Tori, you're scaring us. Please, let us know you're okay."

Cat: "We deserve an explanation, Tori."

Shelby: "I found the spare key and went to your apartment and found it Empty. Your landlord said you moved?"

Tori, however, opted for brevity in her responses. She chose not to engage in confrontations or lengthy explanations at that moment. Instead, she sent a concise message in a group text that read, "I'm fine." It was a simple statement, but it carried the weight of reassurance, a declaration of her well-being, and her intention to address the situation on her terms.

With her phone powered off, Tori embraced the temporary solitude and closure that had settled over her. She took a moment to reflect on her journey and the new chapter she was beginning in the bustling, uncertain landscape of Los Angeles. Her decision to leave her past behind and embark on this adventure, while tumultuous, was also a declaration of her independence and pursuit of her dreams, and that sense of purpose filled her with a renewed determination to face whatever lay ahead.

As the exhaustion of her eventful journey caught up with her, Tori finally allowed herself to sleep. The past days had been filled with excitement, anxiety, and the exhilaration of freedom, and now she needed rest. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she slipped into a deep slumber, surrendering to the peaceful oblivion of dreams.

Tori's sleep was uninterrupted, undisturbed by the outside world. The mania that had driven her on this impulsive road trip began to recede. In the comforting embrace of sleep, her mind found respite, and her body began to regain a sense of balance. It was a much-needed rest, a period of calm after the storm, and it allowed her to gather the strength and clarity she would need for the challenges that awaited her in Los Angeles.