A/N: You guys are the best! Yours reviews for the last chapter made my Saturday.
Big ups to the newest recruits: BADExxxxxFOREVER, Chachee, Ellie425, hssmith79, LuvBadeForever, Ravenstar01, and tmrox14. You guys who follow and (I still don't understand) decide to make my story one of your favorites just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.
And to those who follow me as an author (you know who you are) I hope I don't disappoint now and in the future.
BADE has finally shown its shadow. I hope you all love this chapter. I spent longer on this chapter than any other one so far in this story. I wanted it to be just right because you're all worth it ;-)
"Actors can be a terrible bore on the set, though I enjoy having dinner with them." - David Lean
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Beck and Jade sat at the generous café on the other side of the Cornerstone Bookstore. It was a small table perfect for two next to the railing bisecting the coffee shop area and the book store proper. From this vantage they can see the magazines, graphic novels and a little corner of the bargain shelves.
"I got to be honest," Beck sipped his coffee and set it down. "When you said we were going to get coffee I thought you were kidding."
"I never kid about my coffee," Jade glared at him.
"So how long have you been drinking?"
"Since I was eleven or twelve. Snuck some from my dad when he left for work. I've loved it ever since."
"It's invaluable back home; keeps you warm."
"I just like that it keeps me alert."
"And just what are you up to? A secret job at night or something?"
Jade shook her head. "No, more of a project."
"Is it confidential?" Beck rubbing his hands together eagerly awaiting an answer.
"Well, some think it's stupid."
"People like that don't matter," he said seriously.
"What if I said those people included my parents?" Jade's eyes were downcast.
"Hey," he shook her arm and she lifted her head up. "I didn't mean it like that. It's just if they cared about you, they wouldn't make you think your dreams were stupid. Now what is it?"
"I…want to write and direct…"
"…like movies?"
Jade nodded. "Yeah," dragging out the single word.
"Cool."
"What?"
"That's pretty awesome. Do you know what kind of movies you want to make?"
"Well, I hadn't given it a lot of…sorry, did you say 'cool?' "
"I don't see anything wrong with wanting to be a storyteller. Have you made anything yet?"
"A short film; well it's not really a film but…"
"I would like to see it."
"When?"
"How about my place? I'll barbeque for us and you bring the entertainment."
"Dinner and a movie?" Jade smirked. "Now who's being cliché?"
"What if I told you I lived in a trailer in my parent's driveway?"
Jade widens her eyes. "Now we're talking."
Cat sat behind Jade, brushing her hair. The redhead is grinning like a fool more so than usual.
"I think this is great, Jade."
"You're pulling my hair, Cat."
"Sorry," she giggled. "I'm just so happy for you. Oh my god, we should totally go on a double date."
"Oh yeah, and who are you gonna go with?"
"I was thinking about…" her gaze into nothingness was very familiar to Jade.
"Not the boy with the puppet again."
"I think he's adorable," her face got very serious and her tone defensive.
"Yeah, if you look past that annoying dummy."
"He is pretty mean."
"Just say the word, babe and I'll tie his arms and legs to four different dogs and send them running."
"HA HA HA, Jade you're so dark."
Cat stopped, indicating to Jade that she's done.
"You like him, don't you?"
"He's okay," Jade not wanting to go deeper.
Cat nodded and went to help Jade with her makeup.
Jade got dropped off by Lydia at the Oliver residence.
She walked up the drive and indeed there was an airstream unhitched in front of the house. The modest tailgate barbeque was smoking. The door popped open, surprising Jade.
"Hey," Beck smiled while holding a plate.
"Hey yourself." Jade regards the giant metallic Twinkie parked in the driveway. "You were serious about the trailer."
"Yup, wanna come inside? I'll give you the grand tour."
Beck stepped into the trailer and guided Jade in by the hand. Jade lost her footing on the big step on the way in and she's caught by Beck, or to be more process, his chest. His hands take her arms and helps her to her feet.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"I promise despite that we're very safe in here."
"That a fact?"
"Windows are bulletproof," he smiled knocking the panel.
"Why are they…" Jade began.
"My dad bought this from one of those tax seizure auctions. I found out who originally owned it. Fat Biscuit."
"The rapper? That's nuts."
"When I found that out, the tints and bulletproof glass made more sense."
Jade looked around at the "interior decorating." Charming.
"So," he turned toward Jade. "Did you bring it?"
"Yes," reluctantly fishing the DVD from her purse.
"Sweet. Well, dinner's gonna be a little bit so make yourself at home and TV's over there."
Beck ran out the door to tend to the grill. Jade put her bag down and kneeled down in front of the little 21-in. TV with the DVD player lying next to it. Once she figured out his setup, she queued up her movie so it would be ready.
Jade took a deep breath. "You can do this, Jade."
"How's your burger?" Beck asked.
Jade nodded, chewing. "Good," she answered muffled.
"It come out alright; medium?"
She held up her hand to tell him to stop asking questions.
"So, how about we watch that movie of yours?"
Jade swallowed and looked at him hard. "I told you, it's only a short."
"And I'm just trying to tell you that I was promised entertainment."
"Can't we do something else?"
Beck acts like he's considering it and then says, "No."
Jade lets out an exaggerated groan and starts the DVD player. She went back and sat down, Beck's arm around her.
The film began with an artist painting a room. Though they were still pictures, the narrative progressed with a rhythm that created the illusion of movement. The painter worked on the scene, every time we would fade in and out a new addition was made to the painting. In the final few seconds it is revealed that the painter at work was the masterpiece all along. We zoom out from the artist finished and see the image being hung on the wall of a gallery.
When the film ended, Jade squirmed at Beck's silence. She sunk down until she laid on the floor.
"Where are you going?" he asked, smiling.
"Hiding."
"Why?"
"It wasn't very good," she crossed her arms.
Beck bend down over Jade and there was something about the light and the nervousness she felt at that moment where she really saw how beautiful he was. She felt the urge to do something right then and there but something was hesitating her from crossing that threshold.
"I loved it," his voice soft and sincere. "It was wonderful."
That did it.
Jade clasped her hands around his neck, using him to pull herself up until their lips met. She kissed sweetly and slowly until she could feel him kiss back. They would have different opinions about how long that first kiss lasted but they agreed on one thing…
"Wow," he whispered.
"Whoa," she whispered back.
…it wouldn't be the last.
