Chapter One

I sat on my front porch sharpening a stick with my brand new switchblade. Startled by a rock hitting the dingy porch column beside me, I swore and looked up to see Beckett Oliver, or "Switch" which he was nicknamed for his talent with a blade. With him was Jade West, the scariest chick around, spinning a pair of scissors on her index finger.

"Hey, Vega," Switch greeted. "Whatcha doing?"

"Sharpening," I stated simply.

"Where's your family? They back yet?"

"I don't think they're coming back, Switch. It's been two months."

"Figures," Jade smirked, pulling out a small leather tote bag. "Look what I got." My jaw practically dropped at the sight of cash in her hand. A whole wad of it there was.

"Where the hell did you get that kind of money?" I asked, completely dumfounded.

"Mugged some ugly bastard over on 7th."

"Damn, Jade," I said shaking my head. "You're gonna get yourself in the slammer again, you know that?"

"Oh, please, Vega. You're too big of a wuss to go farther than shoplifting and pickpocketing," she pointed out. She was right. There's no way I could bring myself to break the law by mugging someone or holding some gas station up. Even though my parents weren't around to punish me if I got caught, I just couldn't.

"Whatever," I held my hands up defensively and went back to my work.

"You seen 'Dre around lately?" Switch asked. "I need to talk to him."

"He was hanging out here yesterday along with Cat."

"Is Cat at her place?" Jade cut in, and I nodded promptly. "Well, Imma go get her. God knows her mother's screamin' at her 'bout this time."

"Good luck if she's crying," Switch commented, gaining a nod from the raven-haired girl as she turned on her heel to leave. He laid his eyes back on me. "So how are things? You know, living on your own and all."

"I'm fine," I answered. "They always got in the way, anyways. It's kinda nice living by myself."

"Yeah, I get that, but come on," he said, slowly sitting down on the steps beside me. "It can't be easy all alone. I mean, you're a gir-"

"Oh, would you stop it, Switch?" I interrupted. "So what if I'm a girl? Jade is too, and she's always walking on the edge."

"Jade's different, Tor. She's been through a lot more."

"Well, I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

"I know you can," he admitted. "Sometimes I worry about you, though."

"Just me, huh?" I raised an eyebrow.

"No. I worry about everyone at one point or another. I'm the oldest in our group; I gotta make sure everyone's okay, taken care of," Switch explained softly.

"I know," I sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. I just…"

"You're a good kid, Vega," he said, not letting me finish the sentence I didn't even know how to finish. "I know you can take care of yourself mighty fine. Just stay out of trouble. Don't want you ending up like Jade."

"Jade's alright."

"Yeah, she finds her way around, but she's unpredictable... could end up in a cell at anytime. And I don't wanna see you in one. Understood?"

"Yes, Dad," I joked, earning a chuckle from my close friend. He was a good guy. Yeah, he had trouble when he was around my age. But he was an adult now, twenty years old, and he held down a job fixing roofs and such. He kept all of us in line, 'cause he was the oldest. Without him, I don't know where any of us would've been.

A/N: I've been thinking about this idea for quite some time now. It's a little out there, but I just couldn't keep myself from at least giving this a shot. There won't be any romantic ships; instead, the characters will be like a family, just like in The Outsiders. If you haven't read that book, I highly recommend it. You'll be able to enjoy this story more if you have. So, yeah. Please review.

Also, I don't think there are any fans of Victorious who don't know what tonight is. I'm gonna cry for sure. I just wish there could be an episode to wrap it all up. Unfortunately, thanks to Nickelodeon, we won't get that. But I guess all good things have to come to an end, even if the end comes too early.

So a big thanks to Dan Schneider, Victoria Justice, Leon Thomas III, Avan Jogia, Elizabeth Gillies, Ariana Grande, Matt Bennett, Daniella Monet, Mikey Reid, and all the rest of the amazing cast, crew, and writers of this amazing show. It really is a legacy that won't be forgotten by the fans and me. I never thought I could fall in love with a sitcom, but I did, and now I have to say goodbye to it. Here's to three years of laughter, smiles, and great times. Victorious was victorious in making me happy. :)