Tori had a headache. Trina did have a nice voice, somewhat soft, but definitely something she could use in any career that wasn't just a singer. However, for now, Trina had to be taught each song individually. They also contacted the school about a vocal coach, and Trina would be seeing him twice a week during study hall. Unfortunately for Tori, it seemed that Trina's singing was getting worse. Until she learned the song, it started bad and got worse and better, with Tori having to carefully talk her through each verse. Last night she worked with her sister for a couple of hours before bed, and barely got one song done. To Tori, who was so in tune with music, it was like torture.

Making matters worse, Tori was trying to figure out what kind of date she'd go on with Jade. Trina had suggested letting Jade come up with the details. The goth could picture all kinds of things in her head, and knew how to use words to pain pictures. But last night the black belt had admitted she didn't do romance very well. Romance or "other girly stuff." Tori wanted their first date to be the kind of memory that would be shared with their grandchildren. Jade would probably be happy with Nozu and karaoke. 'And we've done that.' Tori told herself.

Tori walked into school along side her sister, who'd insisted on practicing her singing the whole trip to school. She'd lost some of what she'd learned, and was likely to until she developed the ability to hear the different tones in her music. Tori responded to her need for aspirin, breaking out the emergency bottle she kept in her locker.

"Whats up, chika." It wasn't a question, but a greeting. Andre was the only one at school who called her that, and he almost always used it as their special greeting.

"Trina's relearning how to sing, and I have to help her." Tori replied. 'You asked, you get a response.' An evil grin spread across her face. "Why don't you come by tonight after eight? Jade will be by, after her class, and we can go through the music we've written for her play?"

"We're turning it in tomorrow, is their time for us to change anything she doesn't like?" The musician asked. Tori knew the real reasons he didn't want to come over. As much as he'd helped her with Jade, he was still scared of the girl.

"You're right. You have bro duties to attend to." Tori said. "Beck's dating Hope, and he may need a wing-man for tonight."

"Yea, I'm probably helping Beck with Hope." Andre said. "Wait, Hope who? I don't remember a Hope in our class?"

"You know, Hope Quincy." Tori said. She watched her friends face contort, and stifled a laugh. "Or you could come over and help me and Jade. If you do, I'll get some snuggle time with her, and you get the good vibes that come from helping a friend."

"Okay, I can do that." He said. "So, how'd you find out about Hope?"

Trina was talking to Scotty. "So apparently I can sing, but until I deal with this problem, it'll be off key."

"I could help." He replied. "I'll come over, and we can go over each song until we get it right."

"Okay, how about tomorrow." Trina smiled, warm and affectionate. "I'll make us something to eat, maybe we'll go out first, and you can help me sing."

"Trina, I really like you, so I'll let you know now, just because we stay in, it's still a date." Scotty told his girlfriend. "We can go out, have a picnic, whatever you like, but if we stay in and watch movies, we're still spending time together. A date is a chance to spend time together, get to know more about each other. And I couldn't think of anything I'd rather be doing than helping you improve your singing voice."

"That's so sweet." Trina smiled.

"Sickeningly so." Jade said. Trina and Scotty jumped.

"Don't sneak up on people." Trina said, her voice shaky.

"Especially not cops." Scotty added.

"Trina, I know love makes us blind, but you need to be more aware of your surroundings." Jade said, slipping into lecture mode. "Also, if you push your shoulders back any more, your bra may give out. Just saving you from an expense you don't need. I mean, the boys already smitten, and your chest's plenty big." Jade watched her student turning red. 'My jobs done here.' She thought as she looked around the entry hall and saw Tori. Seconds later, she was next to her girlfriend.

"Jade, Hi." Tori said, following it up with a kiss.

"Hi." Andre added.

"Andre, hows life?" Jade started to smile. "I noticed Beck hanging out with a new girl."

"Hope. I know." He said.

"Tori, I wanted to tell him." Jade mock scolded her girlfriend.

"You coming over after class tonight?" The Latina asked.

"I don't know, I have some homework I need to get done." Jade replied. Andre took the opportunity to slip away.

"Please." Tori turned on the puppy dog eyes. "I just want to spend some time with you. I even got Andre to agree to help Trina with her singing, so we can cuddle."

Jade held her ground for several minuted, but in the end gave in to her girlfriends request. "Okay, I'll try to get my homework done before class. But don't expect too much. I go all out when I teach."

Tori didn't say anything, she just threw her arms around Jade and gave her a big kiss. After, Tori started walking away, putting extra sway in her hips. She turned around to look at Jade as she walked, and said "See you tonight." Then Tori was facing away again, disappearing towards her first class.

"Jade, just a piece of advice." Trina's voice cut in. "You've already won her, so don't put so much strain on your bra."

"Funny." Jade turned to look her student in the eye. "But you should have circled to come at me from behind. The noise of the school would have covered your moments. By approaching from my flank, I was able to catch the movement. You don't want me to see you.." Jade then turned and walked to her first destination of the day, the coffee kiosk.

During Study Hall, Jade was sitting with Beck in one of the music rooms, finishing their homework. Or that's what they were supposed to be doing. Jade was taking advantage of one of the few people who knew her enough for her to let her guard down, and letting him know of one of her concerns.

"Did you read this?" The room absorbed sound, but the actor was certain her voice was still being heard clearly reverberating down the halls.

"Yes, I read it, and I think it's a good piece. Gradstein's bound to give you a good grade." He braced for whatever burst of anger would find it's way out next. He knew, this had very little to do with the story.

"But it's so, I don't know, wrong." The writer says. "Tori said that the female lead is vulnerable. She tells the male something about herself, shows vulnerability, and that helps win him over."

"So?" Beck knew the part he'd be playing, and was ready.

"So, she lies to him. She's not vulnerable. She's never vulnerable. Maybe she convinces him she is, but in the end, she's just playing him so she can kill the others." Jade ranted.

"Then why save him?" Beck asked.

"She loves him." Jade shot back.

"Then she can be vulnerable." Beck ran his hand through his hair, finding his thoughts. "Jade, you don't have to tell people everything about yourself to open up, but you do need to take risks in relationships. You will, eventually, need to be willing to be vulnerable with Tori. Show her your softer side. Let her see you when you want to cry, or when you feel like your family isn't ready to accept you as you are. Jade, it's those moments that show them, Tori and the character, that you trust them."

"I was vulnerable with you, and we didn't last." her voice broke slightly.

"Yea, but we're still friends. Also, you were never deliberately vulnerable." He smiled. "Jade, you have to be willing to share with Tori, and not just when your world is falling apart. Sometimes, if you don't make it a competition, the best thing you can do when someone else is hurting is share your own experiences. Let them know you've hurt too."

"And why aren't we together anymore?" Jade asked.

"Two reasons." He said. "One, you pushed me away over the whole Shelby Marx situation." Beck moved his fingers so now two were up. "And Two, the whole lesbian thing. Don't get me wrong, it's hot and all, but the you plus Tori thing doesn't really have room for me. It's fine though, I think we make better friends anyways."

"And your dating Hope." Jade added.

"And I'm dating...How'd you know that?" He asked.

"Really? You think I wasn't able to see you seeking her into school yesterday?" Jade said. "And it didn't take long to find out she was Shawn Quincy's daughter, but I don't think that was important to you." Jade shifted, stairing her Ex in the eyes. "Honestly Beck, do you only date Ganks?" She knew the look his face was showing, like he was trying to think of how to break something to her. "Yes, I'm including me. I know I can be difficult." She almost shrugged the last part off, except for the hurt hidden under her words.

"Yes, I do." He replied. "I like the struggle. Maybe she'll push me away, but it'll be fun until she does. And maybe I'll be able to help her change. Not too much, I still want her opinionated, with a big mouth and the tendency to fight back. Just, you know, less of a grunch."

"Good luck with that." Jade sneered.

"Actually, I like the way you changed." He smiled, then his smile faded. "Of course, most of your growth was because you were into Tori. Our fighting may have kept you.."

"You think?" Jade said, but she was smiling. "If she's into you, then she'll change. I'll just be there to make sure you're not picking fights just to pick fights." Jade gave him a hug. "Unless you need to pick fights."

"A hug and a joke? What have you done with the real Jade?" he smiled.

"She's here. She's the one who's okay with hugging her closest friends." Jade sighed. "I guess I owe Cat a hug."

"You've come a long way." Beck said, getting serious suddenly. "I guess it's time someone told you something. It's kinda big. You ready?"

"One moment." Jade smiled, taking the second to breath. "Okay, go ahead."

"Your family, as screwed up as they can be sometimes, love you."

:}

I noticed that when I try to get to an event, but just fill in a little on the way, sometimes it takes chapters. I'm just saying, I will get to the next class at the community center. I just have, you know, something more important to deal with next chapter. I'll see if any of you can guess what it is.