A/N: Okay, so I KNOW this show is Victorious, and it's suppose to be Tori-centric, but for someone who gets so much air time, her character is very dull and shallow. I'm sick of her being the nice girl ALL the time, getting all the solos, being the 'perfect' girl. Nothing happens to her. There's nothing about her character that makes me wonder. She's just that nice pretty girl who has a decent voice. That would be nice for the girl down the street, but on a show it's a little vague. So, I wanted to give her character some substance. I hope I did well :)

It couldn't be true; no, this couldn't be the case. Tori couldn't have been kicked out. She nailed her notes, made sure they synced well with Andre's monotone, and hearing the taping over her audition, they sounded fabulous. So what was it? Was she honestly untalented and irritating? Did her modest confidence in her performing abilities go in vain? She could never know because she vowed to never sing again.

What plunged the already pierced knife in her heart was the fact that she had to stay in Hollywood Arts for the rest of the semester. The principal saw it in her 'best interest' to start fresh so she wouldn't fall behind in her academics. She couldn't just let her leave abruptly without saying goodbye. She couldn't have her leave the school with the pleasant memories she made, rather than have them tainted with the realization of her departure in a few short months. No, because the new principal cared about her 'academics'. Academics, Tori thought bitterly, will be the only thing the tanned teenager will have to focus on in her high school career. Public schools, her parents could no longer afford the private school she previously attended, didn't have a large budget for the arts because, well let's face it- they didn't bring them the big bucks at the end of the year. Hell, the academics didn't either. It was the dumb jocks who knew how to tackle each other, or throw a ball into a net, that gave the cheap school the big checks.

Unfortunately, she couldn't hide in her house for three months. She needed to go to school since her final transcript from Hollywood Arts needed to be transferred to her new school. She had three more months here and she was gone, and oddly she was glad. She loved Hollywood Arts, the classes, Sikowitz, some of the students, and most importantly, her close friends, but the fact that the sand in the hour glass is dwindling to the bottom, it made the departure all the more painful. She rather be forcibly exiled from a place she loved, then stay for a short period of time and feel her passions slowly deteriorate. Irony, surely at its greatest.

She wasn't going to stay around school and suffer, though. The knife of her disappointment and failure surely sufficed for totally breaking her self-esteem and motivation; she didn't need her friends- who will surely dwindle to associates when she leaves Hollywood Arts- trying to cheer her up and fantasize ways of keeping her around.

For a week she ate alone, sat behind everyone and kept to herself. The first couple of days were hard, especially disappointing sensitive Cat when she reluctantly ignored her wave, but as days passed on, it slowly became a familiar pattern of numb solitude. They don't even attempt to speak to her anymore, and a somber sigh of relief fanned her whenever they passed. Tori always got that slight sink to her heart when one of them gave her eye contact, fearing that one of them will say 'hi' and she'd have to live with the pain of ignoring their affection. Luckily for both parties, neither of them gave eye contact when commuting, now. Tori sometimes feign a text message, while Beck or the others pretend they are talking to each other. It's a lie both parties are aware of, but accepted for the best.

Tori and her former friends handle this thick tension by ignoring and suppressing it, but one doesn't. One from the bunch always kept eye contact whenever they bumped into each other. There's always that one bad apple.

Jade.

It doesn't surprise Tori that Jade would be this bold and indifferent about Tori's news. Jade made it her business to tell Tori at least once a day, that she didn't like her or something in that context. It use to offend Tori; the former singer didn't like the thought of someone not liking her- let alone hating her, like Jade did. Now, she could care less. In fact, that's a lie; she did care for Jade's insensitivity. It reminded her that someone here doesn't want around, and Jade was one less person to mourn over when she finally had to leave. It reminded her that she wasn't perfect, hence her terrible performance, apparently, and there was someone who didn't want to see her face. Hell Tori didn't want to see her own face- she rather feel failure than be reminded with its appearance-but she didn't want people, her old friends mostly, to know that.

Within a week or so, the whole school knew that Tori was getting kicked out. It was a well-known secret that students didn't speak of, but Tori wasn't an idiot; she could see the pitied gazes, feel them as well, hear the mumbled gossip as she passed a group of kids. She grew tired of feeling sad and for the failed attempts of people trying to cheer her up. They assume that she's heartbroken by the news- in that case is true- but they are wrong when they try to brainstorm ideas to stay in Hollywood Arts, for her own interest. That's not going to happen; she may not have talent, but she sure had pride. Besides, if there was some miraculous way to get Tori back in, she wouldn't take it solely for the fact that students in her school would think she returned from some sort of bribe, or other outlets that didn't involve her talent. So she'll leave this alone; she rather leave the school being liked by some, then stay and be hated or disgusted by most.

Three more months.

"Look at her, sitting by herself," Robbie pouted, staring at Tori a few lunch tables behind them.

"She's beating herself up," Andre pitched, not having to look at the person Robbie was referring to. That's all they've been talking about since they found out the news.

"It's so sad," Cat mumbled, big brown eyes batting somberly along with a quivering pout.

"We should go over there, no matter what she does. She can't just shut us out like that." The determination in Beck's voice sparked a pit of jealousy and anger within Jade's abdomen. He's never had that passion when referring to her, and she was his girlfriend! His voice was always this flat, practiced sort of suppression as if he had to hold things in just to stomach her existence. Vega got kicked out, Beck wanted to be superhero; she had a legitimate issue, she got an eye roll and a short sigh.

Bastard.

"I agree with Beck," Andre nodded.

"Me too," Robbie added.

"Let's go," Cat finished off.

They all spoke so quickly, bouncing off each other as if they were going to forget their thought had they waited. Just their cooperation for someone who clearly doesn't want their help, irritated her.

"Look, obviously she doesn't want to be bothered," Jade added flatly. This was the first time she expressed her opinion on Vega's termination situation, and her response seemed expected but not appreciated. It's been two weeks since they found out, and she figured the situation isn't as raw and sensitive as before. "So let's just eat our food and forget about it-"

"We have no time for your bitterness, right now," Beck had the nerve to say, furrowing a dark brow and tightening a chiseled jaw. Even after they broke up, he still managed to seep through her skin, slowly pricking at her flesh and blood like a leech.

"I'm bitter, but who's sitting there by herself sulking?" she hissed back at her ex.

"She needs friends," Cat whispered softly in that air-head tone.

"She doesn't need anything!" Jade lay a cold gaze to the pixy ginger, ignoring her yelp of fear. "I am sick and tired of hearing you boneheads blabber about someone who clearly doesn't give a shit about you. I am sorry that Vega got kicked out. I really am." She wasn't lying when she told Tori personally and she's not lying here. She's sorry for the situation; Tori had decent talent that she thought could survive at Hollywood Arts. "But I won't sit here and cry over something I can't change. The principal made up her mind; she's gone and you guys have to accept that."

"I'm going over there," Cat exclaimed in that typical cheerful spunk, leaping from her seat.

"Cat, don't…" Jade's voice faded when the bouncy redhead already skipped to Vega's seat.

As cold as she would like to think of herself, Jade is truly afraid for Cat's feelings. Out of all them she's the weakest, the vehement one that could let insults take psychological toll, the one to burst into tears and smile brightly at the same person within a millisecond. This one could really hurt the artificial redhead because she's expecting the 'Tori' that they've been acquainted with for a year. She's expecting the sad thin girl that could be cheered from Cat's annoying, but sweet and effective consoling. But she won't get that. Jade knew this but what she didn't know was the outcome of this talk.

Tori drastically changed both her appearance and her personality after her termination news. Her usual vibrant colors- which Jade found irritating that she had to wear them all year around- to dark hues and grayscales and charcoal blacks. Had this situation was light-hearted and Tori's designer change stemmed from a personal choice rather than rebellion, then Jade just might try to be friendly with Vega. Now they were fairly alike; dark skirts and lace, openly bitter and sarcastic, and a preference to be in solitude. Who would've thought Jade would like Vega when she'll be gone soon?

The irony is so cynical that is nearly laughable.

Tori sat alone at lunch, focusing on assaulting her salad with her plastic fork. As routine as this whole avoiding thing became to be, it still hurt to see her former friend's pity gaze on her; among other things, like irritation. They look at her as if she had stage four cancer, as if her life no longer held importance and it was over. Well, that's what she initially thought about herself, but that's when she was weak. When she thought her life support was performing, as if she can't breathe without stepping foot in this school. She can't blame their perception, though; just two short weeks ago she was just another naïve, success-driven tool that blinded her from the real world.

Oddly, she felt...free, perceptive even. She now knew her Achilles' heel: performing. Her clingy passion for her former habit left her distracted from things with priority, like school. She was a decent student but then, her goal was 'sing first, study second'. She could imagine if she channeled her strive for success in academics; things that actually matter.

What she didn't imagine was to have a skipping redhead coming her way!

Cat; pure, sweet, pristine Cat that she missed dearly but was not exempt from her avoidance. The girl would just have to accept it and get over it, even though Tori knew that would never happen.

"Hi, Tori!"

Tori had to hand it to Cat; she was damn persistent when it came to her desire to rekindle their friendship. From all of the gang, Cat had been the most active in her misery. She was the one that managed to keep a smile on that glowing face, trying to force Tori into one of her own with her typical mindless remarks. She wasn't like the others, aside from Jade who showed pure indifference, who kept somber scowls, or disappointed smiles. Hers was legitimate. She was an actress, a talented one, after all, and the redhead always seemed to escape all of her problems- because face It, this girl has serious issues!- with a youthful smile and a laugh so soft that Tori thought she could break it just by looking at her. Sometimes Tori wondered if she was legitimately this jovial at all times, or if she plastered it to make her happy, as if she needed to block out some dark tragedy that she doesn't want people to know. Hell, sometimes she wondered if Cat even knew the answer to that question.

"Look Cat, I'm pretty busy here," she mumbled, shoving an extra large leaf of salad in her mouth, not even attempting eye contact.

"No you're by yourself, silly," she giggled, taking a seat beside the former singer. Cat's bare leg brushed against Tori's and though it was slight, the former singer sharply scooted to the left, as if the flesh was hot coal. For the past two weeks, Tori had been alone; if it was in her room or in the back of the class, or theoretically speaking. Like now; Tori was surrounded by chattering, hungry students yet she felt utterly alone. It used to bother her before, Tori used to be quite the charmer of Hollywood Arts, but now the solitude sort of settled in her conscience and slowly into her schedule. So for Cat to unguardedly touch her, the familiar spark of affection surprised her to the point that it hurt.

"Look, leave okay," Tori growled, standing up from the table. "I want to be alone."

"No you don't.." the little girl mumbled with a quivering pout, standing up as well. "You don't want to stay here. Come eat with us…"

Tori didn't realize it until now, but Cat seemed so small. Not in the context of height, though she was diminutive in stature, but how her emotions could crumble with such ease. The bouncy redhead was absentmindedly laughing just a second ago, and now her brown eyes glistened with unshed tears. The girl was seriously messed up and Tori hated to see the ginger in any more turmoil that she put herself in, but she needed to treat Cat like everyone else at this god forsaken school.

"I don't want to eat with you, Cat. Now I'm trying to be nice. Go away." Her words are steady, but that sharpness is unfamiliar to her. She doesn't speak like this, especially with someone as infectious as Cat. But looking at her reminded Tori of the ginger's phenomenal voice, how she could hold a note longer than most people could speak, how she's a wonderful actress, everything Tori was not.

"Yes you do, and I know it, I just know it!" Cat's high screeching was beginning to attract an audience. Low gasps and hisses surrounded the former singer and she didn't want this type of publicity. She could do without any publicity and exposure, but she was the 'dish' and her wish wouldn't happen any time soon. "Tori, you need to snap out of this. You just have to, you better!"

The tears began to trickle down the side of the ginger's eye, swooping past her cheekbones till they rest and settle on the opposite sides of her jawline. "Y-You…why Tori? Why are you doing this?"

Everyone's looking at her for sure, and the heat rushed up the former singer's cheeks. For someone who loved performing a few weeks ago, the thought of hundreds of eyes gazing at her made her feel displaced, and unsettling like wet clothes sticking to her body after getting caught in a storm. Each pair of eyes she caught staring as she scoped her surroundings, felt like sizzling coal to the forehead. She couldn't be here any longer. She had to go.

"Look Cat, I have to-"

"No T-Tori," Cat choked out, angrily jabbing her index finger to the brunette's shoulder.

"Cat- ouch!-"

"No, T-Tori. You can't just…you can't just l-leave like this."

Leave. That word Tori could only associate with her termination from Hollywood Arts. A general word like that sparked a clear, reminder of how pathetic her life was. That word could boil out the numbness she coated her heart with.

"But I am leaving, Cat. And you need to face that. Do both of us a favor and leave me the fuck alone!" She's never screamed at Cat before, hell she's never screamed at anyone before. That was the straw that broke Cat's emotions. A sniffle quickly trailed to a full blown sob as tears flooded her face, and she bolted from her table, brushing past her former friends.

The sinking of her heart proved that Tori had a conscience, but the liberty and freeness of her bitterness showed her alarming change. She didn't want to see Cat cry, but she didn't regret it either. Good; finally people will see her as the horrible person she saw in the mirror. Maybe they will truly ostracize themselves from her.

She could see it happening now, how Beck's brown eyes widened in shock and disgust; Robbie and Andre slowly mirroring the Canadian's expression. She could also hear the groans and gasps of disapproval, but somehow they faded into discordant murmurs when her eyes rolled to Jade's.

Circular seas of ice blue hit her equally cold brown. Just weeks ago, Tori would've scurried away from the glaring gaze, but her eyes stay still and even on the goth's, barely blinking to tear away. Unlike her former friends, Jade only showed one emotion in that steeling stare. She didn't glower at her disapprovingly, or widened her eyes in shock of Tori's 'new' attitude, or dimmed them in pity because of her well-known termination. All she showed was anger, how it should be. No love, no tolerance, just pure hatred. And that's what she needed was for someone to hate her, hate her more than she hated her reflection.

And Jade gave her that.

"Feel better making Cat cry, Vega?" the goth barked flatly, making her way to Tori's empty table.

"Piss off." Her sharp replies spewed like heavy hail and she was still unfamiliar with them to control these belligerent insults. Luckily she didn't feel horrible for this response because it was afflicted to Jade, someone who could handle it, someone who deserved it.

Jade brow furrowed until it lifted in bitter amusement. "Watch your mouth, Vega. You may change some clothes and be all 'angsty' but you're still that pussy little girl that's dying inside, upset that she doesn't have enough talent to be here."

Even after all of this, the numbing of her heart, Jade's splitting daggers for words always made her flinch from its intensity. Big mistake; if she was going to stand her ground, it had to be with everyone including the girl she was afraid of. She knew Jade saw that faint moment of Tori stepping out of character, returning to that pathetic girl she was speaking of, and that boiled rage in her. This is what she wanted, what she deserved, yet she got mad when Jade said a few bad words? Fuck this.

"You got anything else to say?" Tori asked flatly, clenching her jaw as she folded her arms over her chest.

"Yeah," the goth chucked, "yeah I do. You're going to suck it up and face the fact that you're a failure and you're going to apologize to Cat," she scowled, pointing back at the crying redhead who was being consoled by Robbie. "You can't be upset that she has more talent in a strand of that fake hair, than you have in your whole body."

As the words continued to flow past her building wall for blocking emotions, the anger naturally diffused her sadness. Now that she knew what liberty and empowerment felt like, she couldn't retort back to that whiny, girl with a desperate need to be perfect. She may have wanted Jade to punish her, but not relinquish her newfound spirit.

"Shut your mouth, West," Tori growled back, gritting her teeth.

This must be great for Jade, finally able to say what was on her mind with no filter.

"Aww, don't tell me that liddle Tori Vega is upset," she went on in her traditional interpretation of Tori. "Oh, don't fret. You could suck and fuck your way to the top."

She's definitely new to the new Tori, how she responded to pressure and issues, how her anger flared vehemently or no emotion was evident at all. She no longer had that filter to her emotions like everyone else did. She either reacted, or dimmed away in solitude. So she wasn't prepared for Jade's insults, though she wanted it. She wasn't prepared for her own reaction, or the consequences.

She didn't expect her fist to connect with Jade's cheek.

Yeah I wanted some sort of plot for my inevitable smut. But anyway, review and tell me what you think! Should I continue?