The date had moved to it's next venue, Baby golf. Scotty wasn't too worried about winning or losing, the goal was to have a good time. "I actually had to spend a year retraining myself. We are so wired on wins and losses, we tend to forget how to have fun in doing things. I'll admit, I still want to win, but I've seen the people who live for that chiz, and they're only happy if their winning." He told Trina.
"This is a warning, isn't it? Scott, I've lost more than I've won in this life..." Trina started.
"And we miss the point." Scotty said, interrupting her. "Trina, please, I know you've had it rough. The thing is, as much as life seems to be about winning, most of life isn't competition. Think about it. When you win a belt, who loses? You compete for parts, for jobs, for anything where the supply is limited, that's where it matters if you win or lose. I had to learn to let go, enjoy things, or I'd have gone mad. It's impossible to always be number one." He smiled.
"I see. Like... well... I enjoy giving back, and that's not a competition." Trina said.
"Exactly. If we only enjoy winning, then we can't enjoy it when we're doing something we like, like say baby golf, and we're with a better player." Scotty smiled as he explained. "Even in sports, you need to have the concept of personal best. I can compete with myself, always strive to do better. That way, I'm not crushed if I lose."
"But what I'm doing is a lot fiercer. I'm going to be an action star. I need to prove I'm better than the other people competing for those roles." Trina told him.
"I know. But that's part of what I like about you. You aren't the one winning all the roles, hell you hardly get any, and yet you keep trying. If it was me, I'd have to have some success, even if it's just doing better than I'd done in the past. I don't know what keeps you trying." He said. They were playing as they talked, and despite their intent, the conversation was getting heavy. He lined up his shot, barely looking, not the least bit worried about his score. "You know what really frustrates me." He said as his putt went in. It was perfect, avoiding the hazards and rolling into the cup. "I often find I do so much better when I'm not worried about the results."
Trina laughed. It was funny, how often people can get really good as chiz they enjoy but don't care how well they do it. 'I guess it makes practice a lot easier.' She thought. She then thought about how much she'd accomplished, and how hard she worked for everything. When was the last time she enjoyed singing? When was the last time any of her friends enjoyed performing? Trina remembered the dancers who were in it for the love of the dance, practicing all the time, dancing during recess just for the love of the dance. 'If I loved it enough, would I get that good at it? I do love learning to hurt people.'
"Earth to Trina, did I just blow your mind?" Scotty asked. "It's your shot, by the way." Trina stayed in her mind as she set up her shot, and watched as the deranged baby blocked her ball. Mentally she started to berate herself, only to remember that if she did that, the pressure would be even grater on the next shot. Slowly she aimed, and managed to get past the moving baby doll with the foaming mouth, and onto the green. One more shot and she was done with the hole.
"So, why again with the setting Jade up?" He asked.
"She needs someone." Trina replied.
"And why are you doing it?" He clarified.
"Originally, because we needed a black belt to teach at the community center, and Jade was it. Like the only one we could get. Problem was, she's the type who'll die to achieve a goal. For her to calm down enough to teach, she needed something to live for. I found out she was kinda crushing on Tori, and started setting things up. Tori wants her too, so it's all good." Trina explained. She felt like this was already dealt with, but Scotty was pushing the issue.
"And is that still the reason your setting her up?" He smiled, and Trina felt the double meaning in what he said.
"No. Jade's become my friend. More, she's my mentor, the one I trust to help me find figure out what I want to do and help me do it. She's even the one who can tell me that somethings are out of my reach, but others are not just possible, but with hard work I can make it. She's the one who suggested action movies, and she believes in me, at least a little bit." Trina heard herself saying. "I want her to be loved, so she can finally see what out what an incredible person she is. Besides, I may need her to make the movies I star in." Trina smiled.
He laughed as he moved behind her. "Line up your shots, take your time. No one is timing this. Just like life, there are a lot of do-overs in life. Maybe there's only one shot at being a star, or an athlete, and lord knows in police work there are a lot of one shot deals, but in life there are always second chances. So relax, aim, and take your shot." Scotty's arms were around her waist, and as he let go of her hands so she could take her shot, he let them slip into a light hug. After a short while he let go and they moved to the next part of the hole.
"So tell me something about your family, and I'll do the same." He said, changing the subject.
"You know about my father. He's a good cop, but I don't think he really does as well as he wants as a father. He just has trouble being there for us. We don't have the kinds of problems he's good at dealing with. My mother works as a professional housewife." Trina said.
"So she's a stay at home mother?" Scotty asked.
"Nope, a professional housewife. She does a lot of the non-bedroom stuff a wife does for her husband. You know, like running errands. I found out that includes shopping, store returns, dropping off or picking up stuff from places, even gift wrapping and dog walking. She also plans parties, vacations, helps get you ready for a baby or new person living someplace, takes care of people what they're sick, even emotional support when they're trying new things. The one service she doesn't do often is household management, with the exception of waiting for people like cable installation and maintaining stock in the kitchen. There are two income families that hire her." Trina said. "It's so time intensive sometimes, but they pay her so well."
"So she makes a lot of money?' He asked.
"Enough to help keep us in our beautiful home. Then there's Tori. You've met her. Most people like to compare me to her, but holy chiz she's so talented. She was in the lead of the first play she ever auditioned for at Hollywood Arts, after she got in for being my last minute replacement at the big showcase. And I love her, try to look after her, but everyone's always talking about how she's almost sure to make it, so I don't get involved unless I think she needs it." Trina said. "I think, maybe, I'm setting Jade up with her partially to give her someone who'll look after her."
"And there's where it fails. I don't know much about Jade, but either she's a psychopath, which isn't likely since she's trying to look out for you, or she's insecure. She needs someone to look after her. Tori can do that, but will she take the initiative?" Scotty said. "I don't know if you've thought this through, but someone needs to be willing to make the first move, and if they're both looking for the other to act first, then nothing will ever get done."
"Shows what you know. I'm going to make the first move, get them to sit down and talk things out. Once she sees what a great couple they'd make, then Jade will be sure to ask Tori out." Trina said. "It's all but done."
"I want to be there, just in case it doesn't work out the way you think it will. I want to make sure no one gets hurt, since they're both so important to you. That way, if it goes south, it won't be a total disaster. Besides, we both know how much someone like Jade would love it if someone set them up, meddled in their love life." he smiled. "I might bring a few friends, just in case. Who knows, maybe it could be a party. Just invite the Junior ROTC from my old school, so that we have grunts who are willing to lay their lives down for others. After all, Jade's dangerous, and I'm not sure, but I think Tori might be even more so."
"Tori's not a fighter." Trina said.
"No, she's the sweet girl who holds a grudge. That's worse, because with Jade, you can kinda see it coming." Scotty was serious now.
"No, with Jade, you often don't." Trina said. Then she started telling the boy about the first Prome, Steam Boat Susie, and the other times Jade's revenge proved to be more subtle than expected.
Back at the Vega household, Jade was sitting on the couch watching a movie. David Vega had come home just a little while ago, and tried watching what Jade was, only to find that Fearnet had some truly disturbing stuff on. Naturally, Jade loved to watch the most twisted stuff, especially when she needed to take her mind off of things. Besides, Jade's laughter was creeping him out. So now she was alone, with the house's patriarch safely upstairs, both waiting for Trina to get home from her date.
Tori arrived first. "I'm in the house now, and there are no murderers here, so you can go, Andre." She said over her phone. 'Jade's here, so maybe I was premature about the lack of psychopaths.' Shaking her head, Tori walked to the couch to see how the goth was doing.
"Oh, it's you" was Jade's response upon seeing who had arrived. Tori knew better than to play Jade's game tonight. Flush with advice from Andre, she moved directly towards the writer.
Big mistake. While Jade might have found what was on the screen humorous, Tori would probably have nightmares. 'Focus, Tori, she needs to see I can be dominant without dominating her. Be strong.' Tori stayed standing to give her the height advantage, along with the psychological edge that came with it, and addressed Jade. "Waiting up for Trina?"
"Yep. Planning on sitting any time soon?" Jade replied.
"Just checking to see whats up." Tori moved just a bit closer, and Jade paused the movie. "I did want to let you know how much I appreciate what you've done for us."
"It's nothing." Jade said, looking back towards the screen. Tori's reached her hand out, using two fingers to gently turn Jade's head so that the goth was looking her in the eye.
"I mean it. The center, helping her find a nice guy, waiting up for her. I intend to show you just how much I appreciate all of it." Tori saw Jade's eyes glance down, just for a second, and she knew she had the girl. Taking a risk, Tori let go of Jade's chin and used her hand to slide some of Jade's hair back behind her ear. The actress's eyes dropped to Tori's lips as her hands came up, over her chest, almost unconsciously. Tori let go of Jade's hair, and moved her hand away, slowly closing distance, lips getting so close. "I don't make you nervous, do I?" she asked.
"No, I'm fine." the goth replied, licking her lips as she averted her eyes down, again, if only for a second. Their lips were so close every word was felt, hot breath blowing on the others lips. Not that either had anything left to say.
The door opens, and as Trina entered, Tori felt Jade shoot to the far end of the couch. The moment was gone.