Alice: New story! Just to say it now, it's not Robbie x Jade romance.

Emily: They are just friends and will remain so throughout the whole thing.

Alice: So a bromance.

Emily: The romances are listed below.

Alice: Enjoy!

Title: The Best Friend

Summary: Robbie wants to date Cat. When he overhears a girl saying an ideal boyfriend would get along with her best friend, Robbie decides to hang out with Tori more. Problem? Tori isn't her best friend. It's Jade, who has become scarier since her breakup with Beck. Surprisingly there's so much more to her than people gave her credit for.

Pairings: Rade friendship. Bade and Cabbie romance. Minor, implied/pre-Tandre.

Takes place right after The Worst Couple.

Prologue

Whispers of Beck and Jade's breakup flooded the halls. The legendary couple finally shattered, just as many suspected they would. Granted, it took much longer than they thought it would. And yes, while they've broken up before, they never changed their relationship status on the Slap. That's how the school knew they were officially done. Girls cheered at Beck's new status, thinking he would finally start dating them. Robbie snorted when he heard the rumors. Of course all the girls assumed Beck broke up with Jade because he could "no longer put up with her". However, they didn't see the misery of the break up like Robbie, Cat, Tori, and Andre did. Trina was there too, but she was far too focused on Beck to care.

The only reason Beck and Jade clouded his mind was due to Cat. Ever since the red headed girl entered his life, he's been head over heels. Not only was she adorable but she was fun and energetic and positive. If Beck and Jade broke up, maybe that meant something? Maybe the world was telling him to go after Cat now before it was too late like it was for them. Nodding to himself, he tried thinking of ways to seriously ask out Cat. He's tried before. Oh, he has. Either she took it as a joke, or she just giggled and said no. Needless to say, it frustrated him.

"You hear about Beck and Jade?" a girl whispered. Robbie nearly groaned but bit his lip to quiet himself. He tried to stifle any outward signs of annoyance and focused on the class. While he always knew the two girls behind him loved to gossip, could they really think of no other topic? He's been hearing and thinking about that all day!

The second girl nodded. "Yeah! It's everywhere. They broke up but no one knows how. Beck refuses to tell us anything, and Jade is way too scary to ask!"

"At least Beck is free," the first girl, Melissa Robbie thinks her name is, stated. "I've been so in love with him for a long time! He's so nice too."

"He is perfect," the second girl, Amy, agreed. "I mean, he's good looking but not a jerk. He's smart but not too much of a nerd. Not to mention, super nice and just amazing. He put up with that witch for so long which just shows he's patient towards a girl even when they make mistakes. I'll bet he'd get along with my best friend too."

"Oh of course!" Melissa nodded in agreement. "I used to have this boyfriend who didn't get along with my best friend. It's, like, bros before hoes! I dumped him."

"Good for you!" The girls continued to giggle away. Robbie, on the other hand, gasped. Of course! That was how he could win over Cat's affections. He's seen the movies where the best friend sets up a boy and girl together. All he had to do was get close to Cat's best friend! Since that best friend was obviously Tori, he didn't have to try all that hard since they already talked and hung out. All Robbie needed to do was spend a bit more time with her, and perhaps Cat would finally say yes to his advances! He beamed, silently thanking the girls in his head.

Zipping past other Hollywood Arts students, Robbie's eyes landed on the empty seat in which Tori normally chose. He plopped down on the chair right next to it and smirked, already thinking of excuses if Tori asked why he was sitting there. Slowly the room started to fill in with Sikowitz naturally being the last one to enter. Tori tilted her head slightly at the sight of Robbie sitting dangerously closer to her chair but thought nothing of it. "Okay!" Sikowitz clasped his hands together, scanning the room only to slightly frown. "Beck!"

The popular boy rolled his head towards the teacher, giving him an attitude filled glare that made Robbie flinch. It had been exactly two weeks since the breakup with Jade, and Beck's appearance and conduct started to subtly change. Of course, only the tight group of friends (Tori, Andre, Robbie, and Cat) noticed. His hair was a bit messier and his clothes started to look slightly sloppier. Along with his new small glares and signs of annoyance, these tiny gestures scared the group of friends. With the public eye, he hasn't changed a bit. "What?" his voice sounded pleasant but there was an underlying message of 'do not talk to me today'.

Needless to say, Robbie didn't blame him.

"Where's Jade?"

Beck scowled, a dark, ominous aura overtaking him. The whole class shuddered at the change, inching away if only subtly. "How should I know?"

"Very true." Sikowitz frowned, disapproval edging away at his expression. "Cat!"

The redheaded girl yelped, jumping up and flinching at being called on so suddenly. "Yes!"

"Where's Jade?"

Robbie frowned, glancing between Sikowitz and Cat. "How should she know?" Robbie accidentally blurted out.

"Because she's my best friend!" Cat beamed proudly, hands on her waist and back standing completely, unnaturally straight. Her whole posture beamed with pride at the notion of her best friend, but Robbie's only diminished with dread as the realization dawned on him. Everyone, excluding Beck, blinked in slight surprise at Cat's declaration. Well, Robbie didn't blame them. The two girls never looked overly comfortable together and talked only when it suited them. Though, there were videos on the slap of their sleepovers, but Jade always made excuses of why she needed to stay at Cat's house.

Maybe he should start paying closer attention to Cat's personal life. Was that why she rejected him so often? Because he thought he knew her when he was truly clueless? Sikowitz grumbled, "Yes, Cat, I know. Now why is one of my favorite students not in my class?"

Cat slumped back in her seat. "She's… at an appointment."

Sikowitz obviously did not believe that but let the topic go after one glance at Beck, who started ripping the seams out of his backpack. "Alright then. Let's do some acting exorcises!"

And, thus, the class continued as though nothing extraordinary just happened. As the teacher babbled on about some new techniques, Robbie remained glued in his seat, staring at the floor with overcoming fear. If Jade was Cat's best friend… did that mean he had to try and befriend her? She would slaughter him! Time and time again she's expressed a complete hatred, or tolerance as she claimed during the breakup, for him. Why did Cat have to befriend her? Was it even worth it? Robbie sighed, throwing his face in his hands in frustration. Yes, it was worth it. Because Cat was the first girl he ever truly liked. Yes, he's suggested he liked Tori but never meant it. For a while, he convinced himself he loved Trina, but that was short lived. So, in order to have Cat love him, he needed to befriend the scariest girl he's ever met, who just went through a breakup that made her angrier.

Really, that was just his luck!

Alice: Did you guys see the Sam & Cat one hour special?

Emily: I was relieved when Cat was jealous because Sam stole Jade and not the other way around.

Alice: I love Cade friendship way too much to have Cam 2.0 take over (seriously, the dynamics between Sam and Cat, Jade and Cat, and Carly and Sam are really alike with minor differences).

Emily: Anyways, this will have a larger focus on the Bade and Rade friendship/romance than it will on Cabbie, so I am sorry about that.

Alice: That doesn't mean there will be no Cabbie. It just won't be as empathized as the other two.

Emily: Well, this is my first Victorious story since 10 Things, so what did you guys think?

Alice: Should I continue?

Emily: Thanks for reading!