After class, Trina and Andy talked while helping put everything away. Stan, after his talk with Andy, had pulled Jade aside. It was time to talk to her about everything, and hopefully prepare her to run the class on her own.
"Jade, I liked how you were towards the end. I know you're used to yelling to get what you want. Thing is, these guys won't respond to that kind of feedback. Gentle, let them know what they're doing wrong, but maybe start telling them what they're doing right? It makes it easier for them to hear." Stan looked to see if she understood him. Jade just nodded and waited for him to continue.
"Now I was talking to a couple of the guys and they were thinking that while it was great how you set the room and all, maybe in the future you could just supervise and let them do it. It give them more of a feeling of being a part of the class. We charge so little, it would also be their buy in to what we're teaching. You know, discipline, control, etc." Jade smirked.
"What'd I do wrong?" she asked. The problem with diplomacy was some people liked to be told straight on. Jade wasn't one of those people, but only because she hated not getting what she felt she'd earned. Given a choice, she'd rather be told bluntly in a way that didn't insult her than given a bunch of double talk. Right now, she just needed to know what she had to change.
"The heavy bag. Jade, I know Adam taught you how to move weight, and you probably had no trouble hanging the bag. But that's half of what the guys were talking about during break. So do your warmups or whatever someplace else, and don't hit or hang the bag. It's hard on their egos." Stan said.
"Okay, let them set up and tear down. Got it. Anything else?" Jade asked, and Stan soon found himself being pulled into critiquing every little flaw in Jade's teaching. Jade would be hurt by some things, and surprised by others, but the girl was determined to know her every mistake. It was to the point where Stan had to back up and think about what he was saying. Jade seemed to like to be hurt. Later, he'd blame her father.
Meanwhile Trina was talking to Andy. "So I was thinking, my cousin is working at this new place, authentic Mexican food. Maybe we could drop by some time while she's working there, and with her employee discount, have ourselves a nice meal." He said.
"Adam, you said you had stuff to tell me about how class went. So shoot." Trina liked the attention, but wasn't getting anywhere in the conversation.
"Damn Trina, you're a hard woman to love. Okay, Girls scary. I mean nothing to lose, kill her first because she don't care and will take you with her scary. It's more than she's strong, or fast, or tough. She has a part that would rather die than fail. Half the guys saw it. It's not that we don't respect it. Just I'm worried that if she loses it, we could have a lot of injured guys." Andy wasn't this serious, ever.
"Okay, how do we deal with that? I mean, from what I've heard, she's trying to do this so she can get back what she lost facing Shelby Marx." Trina said.
"What'd she lose facing that Shelby chick. By the way, that girls the opposite of Jade. She can handle herself, but chicks not looking to die anytime soon." and asked.
"Not our business. Now answer the question. How do we deal with her death wish?" Trina said. This was good information, but was getting frustrating.
"Give her another reason to live, to do this. Something, someone worth coming back for. Let her know she can get back whatever she lost without killing herself." Andy sat down. It felt like he was speaking from some deep, painful experiences. Many of the guys here had lost someone to the gang wars. "Also, she needs to change her attitude. More kung fu movie, less old style theater. You know, how in old style theater everyone pitches in, builds sets, and so on. Jade needs to be like those Kung Fu masters, all in control and chiz. That's why I was telling Stan that Jade needs to be a boss. Bosses have people to do the grunt work, so they can considerate on doing what makes the money so they can be signing the checks. In here, Jade needs to be the boss."
"So that's why you wanted to do the tear down." Trina said. "Wait, where did you hear about old style theater?"
"Did a report on it for my English class. Impressed? I could teach you all kinds of chiz about that stuff. Why don't we go someplace, maybe get something to eat.." Andy was back to flirting.
"Sorry, but I need to set Jade up with someone. Thanks for your help." Trina said.
Shortly after they were done, and Jade was on her way out to the staff parking lot, Trina caught up with her. "Tomorrow, after school, we need to talk. I think I know how to make this go easier for everybody. Be at my place by four."
"Whatever." Jade said. She was still processing what Stan had told her. They'd have one more class before Stan was off with her brother, and Jade needed that class to be great. Stan would tall Adam she was doing better, and maybe Adam would be interested in talking to her again. Jade would talk to Trina, just to find out what the brown belt had to offer.
Trina got home, and immediately looked for Tori. Her sister was sitting on the couch, watching 'celebrities under water'. Trina didn't see the attraction of that show. They put the celebrities in wetsuits to avoid hypothermia, so she didn't even get any beefcake. Still, Tor watched with rapt attention.
Trina looked to see if their parents were home, and to no ones surprise, they were out. Next, she made sure none of the creeps or stalkers who seemed to like to see what Tori was up to were about. Again, she found no one. Now it was time to see just how far she could take her plan.
"Tori, do you have a minute." Trina was trying to be subtle, knowing it would put Tori into a defensive mode. Trina would do better if Tori thought she wanted something.
"Okay?" Tori looked worried. It was time to strike.
"What's your opinion on Jade?" Trina was sure the first response would be denial, or redirection. It was what everyone would do.
"You want to know if I'm interested?" This wasn't what Trina expected. The older girl just nodded and hoped for something she could use. "I've thought about it for the last few days, and I regret to inform you that I think I could be with her." Tori said while looking at the TV.
"Regret?" Trina asked. 'I don't get her. If she's afraid to be with her, I'd have expected more resistance.'
"Yea, I'm interested, and it's ruining my life. I stared at her today, having very unclean thoughts." Tori said. "It's like, knowing she could want me allows me to be open and honest about my feelings."
"And those are?" Trina asked. "No, let me guess. It's like you have a friend who you're good friends with, so you don't allow yourself to be attracted to them. Then one day, they let you know they're interested, and suddenly everything you used to unconsciously ignore is right there. Am I close."
"NO, I was very aware of wanting to kiss her, from when Sikowitz forced us to go on that stupid date forward. But over the same time, I've had naughty thoughts about Beck and his friend Moose." Tori told Trina.
"Okay then, you're going to love this. I need you to date Jade." Trina smiled. 'Best to ignore the coming confusion and focus on what needs doing now.' she thought.
"What? Why?" Tori asked.
"I thought you'd be on board for this. You date Jade, and she's easier on out students. She has something to lose, so she behaves. Who knows, maybe you two will work out. If not, it'll help you with your not dating problem. What do you say?" Trina was pushing for an answer before Tori remembered she could say no.
"I don't know. Jade wasn't nice to Beck, even when they were dating." Tori said.
"You think she'll be nicer to you if you don't date?" Trina asked. "Look at it this way, you get to kiss her."
"I don't know..." Tori wavered. Those lips must be a major turn on if that's all it takes.
"I'm sure Jade will be a little easier for you to handle if you date her. Just give her a try, you never know how good it could be until you try." Trina pushed her advantage.
"Okay, Okay, I'll do it. You want me to ask her out?" Tori said.
"Yep, but lets choose your moment, Okay? Then, I'll give you our training schedule. You can date her around that." Trina smiled. Now, once Jade was convinced to date Tori, she'd have them both where she needed them.
"Wait!" Tori said as Trina was starting to formulate her plans.
"What?!" Trina whined. She didn't need Tori having second thoughts now.
"If I do this, and Jade is smitten, I get to keep her, right?" Tori looked at her sister, giving the brown belt her serious eyes.
"She's not a puppy." Trina tried to play it off. "Look, if you two work out, I'll support you. Emotionally, that is. Financially, you need to sign on with Neutronium and make some cash so you can support me." She gave Tori her best silly smile.
"That's all I ask." Tori said, letting a smile cross her face as she thought about how this could be fun.