Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Well, maybe the drunk, but that's about it.
Note: Ever feel like you just had to post something?
:}
Tori took another deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She knew she hadn't been nervous before, when she decided that this was the way she wanted her life to go. But now, here, waiting to make it happen, she felt her nerves screaming, as shadows of the worst possible outcomes danced just beyond her conscious mind. 'It's time to stop playing, and claim whats mine.' The Latina thought, steeling her nerves. There was only one problem. What she wanted was Jade, the pale goth she'd fallen for years ago, and never could slip from her mind, no mater how much she tried.
'Of course, back then I was just Tori Vega, student at Hollywood Arts." Tori reminded herself. 'Today, I'm Tori Vega, burgeoning television star and pop princess. I even have a song currently charting.' She smirked. 'It's a cover, but hay, if it works, it works. And because of that, I have the success, the money Jade always wanted.'
Tori's smile fell. 'Only Jade's no mans whore. I remember hearing about how she was arrested for attacking that one producer, the one who offered her a roll in his movie if she'd just sleep with him. Of course, it wasn't so much the offer that set her off as him telling her he'd blacklist her for refusing. Jade should just thank her lucky stars that so many other girls stepped forward and accused that man of sexual misconduct, cause it got her off the blacklist. That is, assuming she's off. I mean, she hasn't auditioned since she found out she'd been banned, just working on her degree...'
Tori nervously checked the time. 'Jade's almost finished with her first shift. I kinda wish that girl wouldn't work so much, cause I have plans for her, but I get it, collage is expensive, and if being a server at this place pays the bills, then that's what she's gonna do.' Tori sighed, looking at the establishments sign again. 'But "Puppies"? Really? Could they be any more direct? Yes, it's a "Brestaurant", and the servers are expected to wear a skimpy t-shirt and boy shorts. But "Puppies"?'
Tori shook her head, even as a smile forced it's way across her lips. 'I have no idea how Jade does it? I mean, some of the guys treat the girls who serve there like their personal play things, and Jade's not so much into the touching. I'm just amazed she hasn't been arrested, again.'
Tori realized she'd been stalling, trying to pass the time before things lined up for her to act. Already, she had her plan all worked out, with her disguise in place, and the ring in her pocket. 'Jade will never see this coming.' Tori smirked. "I mean, when we hooked up, she's the one who insisted on a no strings attacked, friends with benefits kind of thing. Me, I couldn't even admit I liked her, let alone I was crushing on her since high school. I get that she needed a release, since all she ever has time for is school, or working. And I get that finding someone is hard, takes time. I know, cause I tired. But Jade, she's what I want, and today I'm getting her.' Her determination lasted all of six seconds, then doubt once again pushed it's way int her head.
'Okay, the plan is simple.' Tori reminded herself, even as she adjusted her wig. "I walk up, ask to speak to her, maybe in my car, maybe someplace neutral. The, once we're alone,. I remind her that she owes me. I mean, I've been a good sport about this whole affair, gentile while she recovered, and I have the right to have fallen for her. Then, I pop the question… and it'll sound like I'm trying to coerce her….' Tori sighed. "But I am. I want her to just marry me, cause that's what people in love do. They get married, have a family. I want to have her baby… and if I tell her, she's just gonna look at herself, and remind me she doesn't have a penis. God, I know. I've been down there enough...' Tori smiled a dirty smile.
Tori let the thought linger, just a few minutes. 'Jade hates being told what to do, and if I try to force her, then I'm taking my life into my hands. No, I need to ask, and somehow convince her that this is a good idea.' Tori frowned. 'I could beg. I've always been a very good beggar, and Jade likes it when I beg. I just get her alone, cause neither of us need the press seeing me on my knees in front of her, and I beg her to be mine... Yea, lets save the self humiliation for later.' Tori realized getting there early was gonna drive her mad. 'I need Jade to finish up, get out here. I need her out of that building. Come on, Jade, your shift should have ended by now, unless they have you working with a group that needs a bit more attention, and you want the tip, so you're working longer.' Tori felt her frustration building. 'Damn you, Jade, why did your parents have to be so… So… Cheap! That's it, her dads fucking cheap. Guy never saved a dime to put his daughter through school, just his sons. God, I'm so sorry, Jade, but the world is full of men who abuse their power. And god, I'm sorry you ran into so many of them.'
Tori smiled as a memory forced it's way into her mind. 'Jade, you always liked how ruthless Mason was. Yet, never once did he try to lay so much as one inappropriate finger on me. No, he was there for me, every day, looking out for me. If he found out that one of the production staff so much as looked at someone the wrong way, well, he HAD a reputation for firing people almost without cause. Yes, he was and is ruthless, Jade, but he never once let any of his talent be abused or misused.'
Tori smile broadened as she reflected on her own history. 'You know, it's kinda funny about Mason, and what he was willing to do to help me sell my music. I mean, he's the one who helped me get on my show, "What have I done." The show that's been on for four seasons, and I've been a main character since I graduated high school, almost four years ago. I mean, who knew that a show about two nerdy, 'below average' looking people who have popular, beautiful kids would be so popular. But it was, and I rode it through two movies, my debut album, and the followup album, and even my recent covers album. They even use my music in the show, sometimes, cause cross promotion rocks.' Tori smiled huge, only to pull herself back, suddenly feeling just a bit self conscious, like she'd been caught bragging.
Taking a big breath, she made that promise she made every so often, almost out of guilt for having made it so young. 'Jade, it doesn't matter if you marry me or not, I'm gonna do whatever I can to help you get your break. You deserve your success too. I'll do what I can, and I can even hide out marriage, just to give you time to do whatever it is you wanna do without the world thinking I helped you get there. Just, for the love of the gods, get out of that stupid building so I can propose…!'
Tori was drawn out of her thoughts by the realization that Jade might just slip out the back door to eat, and stay there. The pale girl was doing two shifts, so might not want to leave. 'Come on, Jade, I need you to need to get the heck outta there. I need my Jade time….'
Thats when she saw Jade walking out of the front door. The blue eyed girl was striding with a purpose, and not just her 'Don't mess with me' walk she'd mastered to keep the creeps away. No, Jade looked pissed.
Tori sighed, again. "Great, just what I need. Jade's all wazzed, and I won't get another chance to talk to her today. Or maybe this week. My schedules been janked up, and lord knows hers has too." Tori opened her door hard, not happy abut what may be her only opportunity that month, and raced to catch up with the angry goth.
Jade had turned the corner to where the employees often park, a slightly dangerous place, since creeps could easily follow, and the owner didn't seem to care about his servers. No security was there, except the occasional cop looking for what might be an easy arrest. Tori reached into her bag as turned the corner, finding Jade face to face with what looked like some drunken customer.
"You're not Lisa, but you have nice tits." The man slurred. "Maybe you can give me a quick fuck, help me deal with this boner I've had all night."
"Walk away before you regret it." Jade warned, even as Tori pulled the taiser out of her bag.
"Bitch, I was just offering some release." The drunk said. "What? You're a whore, right? I'll give you twenty bucks to take a quick fuck, right here, on that car." As luck would have it, he'd pointed at Jade's vehicle.
Jade didn't have any weapons on her, not even her scissors. Toir knew it. The uniform she was asked to wear was too tight to hide her scissors, and in sunny California, wearing a coat wasn't always an option. Besides, her boss liked it when the girls had to walk out in their skimpy uniforms and "fuck me" boots, cause it advertised what was inside. Jade didn't even have her scissors in her bag, because there had been an incident, months ago, and now her boss searched her for weapons.
"Walk away, mister." Toir said. "I have a gun, and I'm very good with it. I don't wanna hurt you, but if you hurt my girl, I will shoot you." The taiser was gun shaped, and from the front, might be mistaken for one, but Tori didn't want to point it at the man. Her father had taught her to well not to point at people unless she was ready to shoot, because guns sometimes just go off. So instead, she held it pointing down, ready for use. She could raise it and shoot in about a second, faster then a sober man could cover the distance between them. 'The wires are maybe ten feet long, so I need to step a bit closer...' Tori thought, as she planned out her next few actions.
"I can take care of this myself." Jade snapped.
"And maybe get arrested again?" Tori asked. "No, sweety, I'm not risking this jerk having the wrong kinds of friends. I'll do this. You know I'm the better choice since my dad's a cop, so I'll be the one to deal with him." Tori shifted just a touch to look at the drunk. "That is, unless you decide to move along. My girlfriend is no whore, and I don't like that you refereed to her like that. Please, just walk away."
"Hay, I was just offering money." The drunk protested. "I'm not the kind to rely on force. That's why Lisa can be such a cunt. But hay, if your both dy… into girls, and not selling, then I'm not gonna make any trouble." The man went from looking intimidating to pathetic. "I'm just trying to get me some loving." He started to cry, and Tori pulled Jade back around the corner and to her car. She not only didn't trust drunks to keep their word, but the whole situation was becoming very uncomfortable. They covered the walk to Tori's car, a short distance, but still far enough for both girls to think about what happened, maybe process how dangerous the whole situation had been, or could have been.
"You okay?" Toir asked, once they were in her car. She found the sound of doors locking, curacy of her drives side controls, comforting. 'Jade's safe...'
"I could have handle it, Vega." Jade sneered.
"What? Were you looking for a fight?' The singer asked.
"Maybe. Why the hell not. I mean, the one I just had with the fucking assistant manager went so well." Jade snapped.
"Okay, what did he say?" Tori asked, feeling less then thrilled. 'So much for getting engaged.'
"He wanted me to switch schedules with his new fuck buddy." Jade replied. "But the new schedule, it would mean dropping my current classes, and getting less tips too. The tips, that's bad enough. But interfering with my schooling...'
"Did he fire you?" Tori asked, showing a great deal of sympathy.
"And risk the lawsuit?" Jade asked back. "Vega, Tori, he wouldn't try without the approval of the manager. And since I'm one of the better workers, the manager won't just get rid of me without a good reason." Jade leaned in, hand by her mouth, like she was sharing some great secret. "For the record, he doesn't think a booty call is a good reason."
"Unless it for him." Tori guessed.
"I could have handled the drunk." Jade repeated.
"Better safe then sorry." Tori said. "And I worked so hard to be here for you. I wanted to surprise you, maybe take you someplace to eat. Have you eaten yet?"
"You know, I'm not in the mood for this crap." Jade huffed. "Yes, I've eaten. They have decent food here. I just wanted some air." Jade shifted to face Tori. "And I should appreciate the effort you made, but I don't. Tori, I don't like surprises. Just text me, let me know when your available, and I'll try to fit you in."
"This isn't about a fucking booty call." Tori groaned.
"No, it's about that stupid ring you've been hiding for the last week." Jade snapped back. "Damn it, Tori, if I didn't love you…."
The signers face brightened. "What?" Jade asked.
"You realize this is the first time you've said you love me." Tori gushed.
"God, really?" Jade asked, looking out the window. "I was, I mean, damn…." Jade turned back to look at Tori. "The reason I'm marrying you is I like the sex, and suspect I'm gonna lose it if I say no. It has absolutely nothing to do with your money or fame, cause I know I can get that from you anyhow. So, if we're gonna go through this charade..."
"But we love each other." Tori protested. "That should be enough, right?"
"Wasn't for me and Beck." Jade growled, showing her rage, mixed with a moment of weakness. After a moment, Jade shrugged, and continued. "Just, I don't wanna drag this out. We meet up one day to sigh the prenup, cause I know there's no way your manager will let us get married without one…."
"Yea, Trina's protective like that." Tori agreed.
"THEN," Jade continued, "We just get the license, and find us a minister, or justice of the peace, and get it done. I don't wanna drag this out."
"What about all the decisions we'll have to make?" Tori asked. "Who's blender to keep? Who moves in with who?"
"You have a house, I have a teensy little apartment, with roommates, who I hate." Jade said, like she was explaining it to a child. "You figure it out. Now I'm not calm, but I still need to get back, cause my next shift starts way to soon." She leaned in to kiss her girl. "Love ya." With that, Jade was out of the car striding back to the restaurant.
"Okay, but I'm gonna want you to stop showing off your goodies." Tori called after Jade.
"Good call." The drunk called out from his place by the corner of the building. "I wouldn't wanna share that either."
:}
So that's where I'm gonna end it. Hope you liked the story. It's not the best, but it's something, and I felt I'd waited far to long, worked on too many dead end stories, to just not have anything. So, enjoy.
Also, review.