Friday came far too quickly. Teaching was becoming easy, almost habitual, and her students seemed to take a sort of pride in being able to keep up with her. The school was also pleased, and after two weeks she decided to shake it up with a quiz. Kevin would probably complain, but he was going to be stuck grading papers all weekend. 'Serves him right for ignoring my advice on his research. Stupid wazbag.' Jade realized the quiz might be her lashing out from the stress of her impending dinner with Tori. (The family, but mostly Tori.). It didn't weigh on her conscience though.
Howard was also nervous, since he was once again having dinner with his in-laws. He may have bonded with Mike, his father-in-law, but that didn't translate into shared interests or being able to spend time with them. Howard apparently liked making conversation, and jokes when he was nervous. Mike and his wife both kept the conversation to a minimum, usually. It made for uncomfortable evenings. This was where Jade decided she had paid her friendship dues, and left the conversation.
"Howard, just to let you know, I've decided to walk away rather then kill you. I hope you come to believe this was the right choice." Jade said before walking out. Her friends, who with the exception of Sheldon, had been listening to Howard describing his problems and just accepted Jades decision to walk away. Years of Sheldon had conditioned them to appreciate her less egotistical approach. Sheldon, who was there and apparently engaged in his own conversation, was upset. He had thought Jade was listening to him explain his beliefs on how to thrive. She had tuned out at 'second PhD'.
She didn't know why she felt so stressed. Still, Jade was nervous, so she did what she always did when she was stressed. She went home and attempted to ruin another heavy bag. After an hour, she was bloody, exhausted, and in need of a shower. She did feel a little better. She had noticed that while her workouts were still intense, she had not bloodied herself from one in over two weeks. That worried her. Her progress in therapy wasn't at the point where she thought her drive for self harm dealt with. She decided to ask on Tuesday.
The shower was barely enough to let her relax. She needed more, so decided to call Raj while getting dressed. They talked about her stress, but Raj was still no expert on this kind of chiz so all she did was vent to him. The venting did help her realize that her interest in Tori was more of an attraction. Jade reacted the way she was used to in there situations, and tried to deny the feelings. Raj did help her stay sane until she was ready to go, and they discussed the equations that broke down the convergence of Astrophysics and Quantum physics, or the lack thereof. Jade was willing to discuss dark mater, super dense objects, and how much of a gravitational pull Sheldon's ego produces. Raj liked talking about that stuff, and discussing physics helped relax her.
Lenard called her to check on how she was doing and let her know that Penny is sorry for whatever. Jade guessed that Penny didn't want to drive away a backdoor into a potential lead roll. If the girl was smart, she'd be cozying up to Sikowitz instead of her. 'Then again, you wouldn't know how many contacts he has in the industry by looking at him.' She decided that after her birthday, if the groupie hadn't totally offended her, she would tell Lenard about the crazy teachers contacts.
Jade had talked to Beck about the summer workshops Sikowitz was running, only to find out that none of them were helping out. Apparently only Meredith, Trina, Burf, and a couple of shruggers were taking it. Not that she blamed them. Paying to be a TA sucked. Still, she was able to find out how the class was doing. Lenard was behind, as most of the students had some acting training before taking this class, but he was still having fun. They were all getting used to Sikowitz's style of teaching, and the no refund policy was the only thing keeping a fair number of students coming back. Meredith was the TA everyone was relying on to help the new students. Unfortunately she was too agreeable so she needed Burf' to play the heavy, the constructive criticism needed to help the students learn. Trina was being her usual self. 'I'll ask her to help out. It would be good for her'.
As she got to the Vega household, she noticed another car and a truck. 'Guests? Now there are guests? I guess I can still work with Trina, but who are these people and why are they here?' Jade was on time, and wondered about what kind of loser would show up early to dinner. She knocked on the door, letting her fears and confusion turn into frustration. Her knuckles shook the door as she started fighting the strange urge to run. Seconds later, the door opened and Bernadette was staring at her.
"Hi, Jade, right?" She said nervously. A second passed and it was obvious that the goth still brought up bullying flashbacks in the microbiologist. "S-So what brings you here?"
"Dinner. I was invited." Jade said as she pushed her way through. Bernadette quickly closed the door and moved to the couch and the relative safety of her husband. Howard looked totally out of place. He was trying to talk to Ms. Rostenkowski. 'Dammit doesn't that woman have a first name?' Poor Howard only really knew her, his wife and his father-in-law, and now Jade. He had met Tori, but she was introduced as a celebrity and he still didn't know how to talk to her. They, Howard and family, formed a small circle, along with Holy, while the men were out back grilling something and talking about who knows what. Tori and Trina were sitting on the ledge of the piano 'Stage', not sure who to talk to. "So you know the Vega's? Why didn't you recognize Tori at the Pizza night?" Jade asked without really looking at Bernadette.
"It's a little embarrassing, but I only babysat them for a while, eight years ago. Once Katty was old enough, I stopped. Oh, yea, they were Katty and Vicky when I knew them. It's been years, so you'll have to forgive my not recognizing them. I mean, I thought Vicky was still doing that slapping thing." Bernadette defended herself. Jade was barely listening.
"Howard, did you get the Stereo fixed?" Jade was just being polite now.
"Yep. I wish I knew you were going to be here, I wouldn't have worried so much. I mean, what do you say to a cop, anyways?" Howard asked.
"Jade. Glad you could make it." David Vega said as he entered the room. Mike Rostenkowski followed. Both men were doing the same balancing act, with a plate of food in one hand an a beer in the other. Jade wasn't sure she'd ever seen David so relaxed. Mike was also smiling as they made their way to the table. "Howard, Bernadette, Jade goes to school with my daughters and has become practically part of the family. Jade, these are Mike, his wife, their daughter Bernadette.."
"I work with Howard. We've met." Jade said with a dark smile. Tori took this moment to walk up to Jade and guide her to the table. They had squeezed nine chairs around an eight person table, putting the high school girls together on one side. Dinner was simple but filling, and again Jade reminded herself that 'Men's idea of cooking was an open fire'. It was a strange comfort, however, the way David was including her in his family. She loved her parents, despite the distance she felt from her own father, but somehow they never quite got it. Her mother always made her feel like she wasn't trying hard enough, while at the same time filling her with the fear of falling to one of the traps hidden in the entrainment industry. Jade felt trapped sometimes, unloved until she proved otherwise. It was stupid. She knew her mother loved her. The woman just sometimes sucked at showing it. It was worse that her parents idea of worthy seemed to be opposites.
"It's funny" Mike says out of nowhere "Howard's friends seem to think this little girl is dangerous." He sounded amused and annoyed at the same time. His wife just looked on and Holly looked mortified.
"Black belt in Krav Maga, she has a reputation of being capable of hurting just about anyone. We've been watching her for a couple of years, but she keeps it just this side of legal." David said with a cool air that shocked Jade. "I give a lot of credit to her Ex, but I suspect she also thinks of violence as the unthinking's way of getting revenge." She almost felt betrayed, but something told her David wasn't like that. This was probably just the police staying on top of school reports and watching a potential threat in an elite school. Since the school's funding was mainly from donations and fee's from the local studios, it was the only performing arts school in the country (that she knew of) that was free. That meant anyone could get in with an audition, and that dangerous people could be doing who knows what there. The police would be heavily involved in protecting that investment. That also explained why the iffy things she and the gang have done off campus were not mentioned. It just left one question.
"Why do YOU know that?" Jade asked.
"My job. In addition to my general duties as a detective, I liaison with local schools for police services. It's one of the reasons I travel so much. I give trainings on the subject, and they can be held anywhere." He said with a smile. "The PhD caught most of us off guard, by the way. Not what you'd expect from a kid on the watch-list."
"Glad I could surprise you." Jade said, feeling shaken but somehow relieved. Other than that he was a cop, even Tori knew nothing of his job. This was revealing a lot about what he did, and he was still so accepting that it felt almost okay.
"Enough talking. Let's eat." Holly said. It looked like she was trying to extract herself from the talk with Howard and Bernadette. Mrs. Rostenkowski still didn't say much, and Jade found herself watching to make sure the woman was breathing.
'If they don't tell me her fist name, I'm giving her one' snaked through Jades head, and she smiled. The meal was pleasant enough, with Trina and Tori able to tell everyone about their latest projects. David showed interest, but it was apperant that while he loved his family he really never understood the whole performing mindset. Trina had applied and been accepted into a campus improve troupe at UCLA. It would be training for now, but she could learn comedy from them. That's what a lot of those groups did anyway. Tori was in the summer musical as well as recording her demo for Mason Thornsmith. She was all but signed, only needing to finish negotiating the contract as well as have all her background materials ready. Tori was already working with Andre to write the music for her first album. Jade suggested that a lawyer should looked over the contract to explain everything to the Vega family. They agreed.
After dinner, Howard found he could amuse Holly, but was uncomfortable around a family where everyone was taller than he was. (Counting Trina in her heals.) Jade did what she could to help, but only until she found a moment to pull the one of the sisters away for a quick conversation. She needed to talk to Trina, and wanted to talk to Tori. 'I want to so much more than talk to her. Bad Jade. Keep it clean.' She managed to pull Trina aside for a quick conversation.
"Look, Trina, I think you're doing a good job of letting your caring side out. You tend to be such a gank to Tori, it's hard to remember you love her, but I know you do look out for her. That's kinda what I want for Beck. Accept your limitations, push for greatness where you have potential, and be there for him. He's so talented and mature, but there's this part of him that's still a little boy. He loves the attention of the pretty girls, he sometimes forgets that his smile can't solve every problem, and he just gets so into himself that he misses that he's really like everyone else. I still love him, and I'm doing this because I don't want him to get hurt." Jade looked Trina in the eye, allowing her intentions to come across without the usual threats. "I was disappointed when he decided not to take Sikowitz's workshop this summer." Jade said before Trina jumped in.
"So was I. He was half the reason I signed up." Trina said. Jade was not surprised by the honesty. Trina was a lousy liar, but most people didn't know because she so rarely tried. Jade had heard the rumors Trina had spread about Beck, but that apparently had backfired. Jade had soggy memories of why she hated Cats brother associated with that night.
"Anyways, Trina, I want you to use the same skills you showed in the tutoring center to help the newer students in the workshop. I have a friend there and he needs the help. Also there's this chick named Penny. She's dating a shorter guy with glasses. Know them?" Jade saw recognition in Trina's face and continued. "Talk to her about her career. She's a walking life lesson on how looks only get you so far. Do that, continue to see a therapist, and we should be ready to set you up around my birthday." Jade smiled. It wasn't about power anymore, it was about seeing Beck happy.
Trina talked a bit about what had happened in the workshop, confirming what Jade had got out of her other sources. Then the older Vega sister went to save her mother from the awkward conversation that came with her fathers friends family. David and Mike got along great, the families not so much. Tori had been stuck with that job, and Trina was determined to save her sister from the mental scarring that was sure to be coming from the uncomfortable conversation. Tori found Jade where Trina had left her, in the back yard looking at the stars.
"There beautiful. You get a good look at them because we're at the top of a hill." Tori said.
"I know too many Astrophysicists. I just think about what makes them work. It takes the mystery out of it. I guess they're still pretty." Jade said. She sounded down.
"Whats wrong?" Tori asked.
"Just stuff" Jade said dismissively. 'I'm can't be attracted to you, I need your family too much. Besides, she wants Beck. Sorry Tori, but Trina's just a better fit.' Jades thoughts stopped there. She knew Tori would have done just as well, and with less work. Unsure of why she hadn't asked Tori, she realized if they started dating, she would lose both her confidants. Jade was feeling guilty and alone.
"Look, Jade, I need to talk to you about something. Beck needs this favor from me, and it's kinda involved." Tori was interrupted by Howard opening the sliding door and calling them. Two girls went inside to see that someone had decided to set up some party games, and they were expected to play. Jade was already feeling more alone than ever as she tried to decline. They would not have it, and teams were being set up for charades.
"Tori and Jade can't be on the same team, they're both actresses." and "Howard and Bernadette can't be on the same team as Jade, to keep the smartest people on different teams." and "Mike and Dave need to be on different teams, so there's no cop gap" the arguments went back and forth. Finally the teams were Howard, Bernadette, Tori and Mike against Holly, David, Trina and Jade. Mrs. Rostenkowski was on one team or another but no one expected her to say much of anything.
Before the torture (in Jades mind) of the game began, Dave turned to Jade and quietly asked "So what did you say?" Jade's confused look prompted him to continue. "When Tori asked you out. I mean, you weren't freaked out, were you? I hope this doesn't change how you feel about us. It's just we didn't know how you'd react or if you'd be interested." Jade looked at him speechless. For several seconds she tried to make her mind work. She was a total blank. "She hasn't asked yet, has she?" David felt embarrassed, and knew he probably made things worse.
"T-Tori?" Jade stuttered. Her heart was racing, and cold fear froze it's way down her spine. 'Beck needs a favor from me, and it's kinda involved.' That recent memory where Tori tried to talk to her mixed in with an older one 'I know what you need, and it's not me.' Becks words echoed in her head. When he asked her to agree to let him set her up, was this what he meant? He never specified gender for her potential dates. Was Tori going to ask her out just because he arranged it?
"Jade? Whats wrong?" Tori asked.
"My bad. I think I let the cat out of the bag." Dave said.
"Whats going on here? Why's Jade freaking out?" Howard asked. Bernadette hid behind her father, whom she felt might delay a berserk Jade a few more seconds then her husband.
"Beck asked you to be nice to me? What was he planning? How long ago did he ask? Last Saturday? Before?" Jade was feeling angry, a comfortable fall back for her, but first time in this house she felt betrayed.
"Jade, it's not like that. Yes, Beck asked me to be nice to you, but that's not the favor he wanted. A-and he didn't ask me to date you, it's just easier to do this if we are." Tori was risking a lot walking up to Jade.
"What? What did he want you to do?" Jade voice was icy.
"That's not important. I-I didn't mean to offend you. You're so hard to read sometimes, and I hoped maybe we could have something. Jade please, just calm down and listen to me." Tori stood just out of touching distance. Everyone else went quiet, watching.
"What. Is. The. Favor?" Jade breathed the words.
"Beck thought you might be gay, so I was supposed to seduce you. You know, see if you were really interested. Jade, I know how much you've been hurt. I didn't mean any harm. I took so long to figure out my feelings. I want to go out with you. I want to date you. God, if you'd let me, I'd fuck your brains out if it would make you love me!" Tori stopped, realizing what she had just said. The room was silent.