Delfiniphobia

by

John O'Connor

Note: Based on a suggestion by another Jori writer (who wished to remain anonymous). Posting the first part as a birthday greeting. Others will follow irregularly.

Part 1

The Bet

Another hot, humid July day in southern California and the gang again headed to the beach. And again Beck towed his Airstream to the Venice Beach parking lot but made sure to park on the edge of the lot with no chance of the door being blocked and anyone being trapped inside.

Even so, those in the Airstream exited as soon as Beck honked his horn. Beck and Andre went into the trailer to get one of the coolers - which has been purposely put there on any trips since that horribly hot afternoon.

Soon, an area near the boardwalk was staked out, blankets and towels were laid out, umbrellas unfurled and everyone was down to their swimwear.

Beck and Andre both wore brightly-colored Speedos. Robbie had more conservative surfer trunks that were just as brightly colored. Cat, naturally, had a bright pink bikini, more conservatively cut than most on the beach. Tori also had a two-piece - a string bikini in bright blue. Jade wore a black one-piece with virtually no back, a low-cut top and also cut high on the hips.

Cat and Robbie got into a duel with super-soakers, both drenching each other. Cat ran back towards their site and Robbie followed with a stream of liquid ammo. Before anyone knew what was happening, Jade was screaming as the cold water hit her squarely in the cleavage before the stream trailed down to her crotch, leaving a noticeably wet path across her suit.

"ROBBIE!" Jade screamed as she jumped up before turning to Cat. Her eyes widened when Cat, with a giggle, shot her. Jade turned to avoid the water and her bare back was hit, causing another squeal of rage and surprise.

Robbie had dropped his gun and began to run through the crowds on the beach. Cat followed him, holding tightly to her gun. Jade, with a howl of rage, pursued them down towards the water. At one point, they raced through the middle of a volley ball game. And, as the pair dodged towards the water, Jade turned to cut the distance, pushing over Andre who had been chatting up a pair of beach bunnies, a blonde and a brunette.

"Jade! Oh man..."

The Goth almost got to Robbie and Cat but they put on a burst of speed and made it into the water. Jade came to a halt right at the water's edge, the wet sand oozing between her toes. She yelled, "This isn't over!"

Beck laughed. He stood and watched Jade pace back and forth along the waterline as Robbie and Cat cowered a few feet out of her reach. "She's right. She'll get them somehow."

"Hey Beck, what is it with Jade and the ocean? I never saw anyone stop right at the edge of the water like that. I mean it's not like Jaws is out there." Tori was sitting up in her beach chair, shading her eyes to watch the action down the beach.

"Remember the dolphin thing?"

"Oh, yeah. She said something about that on Sinjin's game show. So what's up with that?"

"I'm not completely sure. All I know is, back in third grade, she went to the aquarium and fell into the water in the dolphin exhibit. I'm not sure what happened next but it must've been traumatic. She never wanted to talk about it when we were together."

Tori nodded. "I used to think she was a surfer chick until that first time at the beach. I wonder if she can shake it. I think she'd enjoy the ocean if..."

Beck shook his head, "Don't stress on it, Tori. I tried. I don't think anyone can fix that."

Quoting one of her favorite sitcoms, Tori said, "Challenge accepted!"

"What?!"

"I'll do it! I'll fix Jade's fear of dolphins."

"And I'll bet you can't."

"I bet I can," Tori countered.

"Pretty sure of yourself," Beck stated.

"Obviously, it can't be done overnight."

"Okay, I'll give you 'til the Fall Prome."

"That's what? Almost four months? Okay, you're on. What are the stakes?"

Beck looked thoughtful for a couple of seconds. "Well... If I win and you can't get her over her fear, you have to go out with me for a month."

"And if I cure Jade of her fear of dolphins, which I will... Hmmm..." Tori looked thoughtful, her finger tapping her chin before she broke out a wicked grin. "If I can cure her, you have to go to the Prome in drag. And I mean the whole deal - a gown, panties, bra, hose and heels."

"Ummm... I don't know... I mean, that's pretty extreme. How 'bout...?"

"Nope!" Tori interrupted him. "Those are my terms. Take 'em or leave 'em."

Beck thought about it for a few minutes. Tori let him alone to consider the options. She was pretty sure she'd win. And she was giving Beck a pretty daunting dare if she succeeded. The singer began to think of other options to propose. But before she could come up with anything a little less embarrassing like Jade's 'Hammer Time' bet, Beck spoke up.

"I accept!" Beck was well aware of how deep Jade's phobia ran. Feeling sure of himself and of Tori's inability to even get close to Jade, he decided that he was willing to risk it.

If he won, he'd be able to woo Tori and finally get the girl that had preoccupied him for the past few years - even while he and Jade were dating, he found himself fantasizing about the Latina more and more often.

If he lost… He refused to accept that possiblity.

By this point, Cat and Robbie gave up and came on shore. Jade was waiting and immediately pantsed Robbie only find he wore boxers under his surfer shorts. The raven-haired girl turned to Cat who squealed and ran back to Tori and Beck.

As Jade casually came up to them, Tori was sure she heard Jade mutter, "I'll get you my pretty. You and your little...whatever too."

On the way home, Tori sat with Jade and Andre in the trailer while Robbie, still embarrassed, and Cat, still scared, sat in the truck cab with Beck.

"Jade, I know how you could've gotten to Cat and Robbie quicker."

Jade slowly turned her eyes to Tori's, slowly replying, "Yeah?"

"Look, I know you hate dolphins and porpoises but..."

"No Vega."

"But I..."

"No! You're not going to try and fix me. Got it?"

Andre started to laugh, "Yeah, chica, I'd give up. Beck tried..."

"Harris, do not mention that!"

"Okay," he said in a quiet voice. "Okay..."

"All I'm saying is that, if you weren't worried about dolphins, you could've gotten Cat and Robbie earlier. And you could enjoy the water. I'd bet you'd make a great surfer..."

"Vega..."

Tori dropped the subject and instead talked to Andre about a new song he was working on. Jade finally joined in with some suggestions for the chorus that Andre loved.

Andre stayed at Beck's to help clean out the trailer and the coolers, and rob a few beers from the Oliver fridge. Robbie and Cat quickly left before Jade was even out of the trailer. Tori said her goodbyes and started for the street.

"Vega, where are you going?"

"Home."

"It's a couple of miles. You walking?"

"Yeah."

"It's getting dark."

"And?"

"Vega, come back here and get in. I'll drive you. I promise, no trips into Shadow Creek Park and my shovel is at home."

Tori laughed, glad she and Jade had actually started becoming friends. The singer almost skipped back up the drive, "Thanks Jade!"

"Uh-huh. Conditions. No match-making. No singing. No cute anything. No..."

"Yeah, I know the rules."

The first few blocks were quiet. Then Jade said, "What were you and Beck talking about?"

Tori didn't realize that Jade had even noticed them talking with her focus directed on Cat and Robbie. Her brain froze.

Jade felt jealousy building up. There was no reason for it as she and Beck were not a couple any longer. Not after the third breakup. And she didn't see any future scenario where they would be.

But it still irked her that her fears, her jealous fears, during the times they did date were apparently becoming real.

Tori finally came up with an explanation that wasn't too far from the truth. That would help her from blabbering like she usually did when she was anxious.

"We were talking about your fear of the ocean. He said he tried to help you but gave up."

"Yeah... He gave up on a lot of things," Jade replied sadly.

"Listen, Jade, I think I can help you. If you want."

"NO!"

The rest of the drive was silent and Tori got out. In front of her house, Tori leaned into Jade's car and said, "Thanks for the ride, Jade. See ya!"

Jade just grunted and pulled away.

Postscript: 1) Happy Birthday to the mystery requester. Hope this helps you enjoy your day.

2) I don't know exactly how long this will be but I do know where I'm going with the story. I'm also unsure how long it will be before the next part will be posted. As it's half-finished, hopefully it won't be too long. Most chapters will be about this length.