"Win a Date With Sinjin"

Trina wins a raffle, not realizing the prize is a date with Sinjin. She's not excited about it at first, but he turns out to be charming.

Tori is accompanying Trina to the Black Box Theater for a show, and a raffle hosted by the AV Club. Tori wasn't originally intending to go, but her sister insisted they go together. Trina was very excited to compete for the prize up for grabs based on what a friend of hers won last year. Trina was the first one to buy a raffle ticket, and she hurried up to the front row for a seat, while Tori tried to keep up with her very excitable sister. The Vega sisters were one of the first ones there, so the theater was just starting to fill up by the time they took their seats. Tori was curious about the show, as she is always willing to support her fellow classmates, and Trina kept hold of her ticket, silently praying.

"So what's this big prize supposed to be anyway?" Tori asked.

"When my friend won last year, she got to go to this big fancy place for dinner. She kept bragging about how they had the best food you will ever taste in your life."

"And, you're sure you'll win?' Tori asked. "Looks like everyone is buying a ticket."

Both girls looked over at the long ticket line, now forming at the back of the theater, and then back at the stage. Trina grabbed Tori's shoulders in order to face her directly.

Listen, I heard that story, and said 'I'm not going to let the chance get away from me this time.' I'll win that prize, you watch."

As the theater was finally full, it was time for the show to begin. Sinjin came out to introduce the first performer, and Cat was there to do a short scene with one of their other classmates. It was a short romance scene taking place on a dock, with two lovers who had to part ways for now, but promised to come back and find each other. Then the scene ended with Cat singing a song. Tori applauded for her when she was finished, and the show continued on. There were a few more students doing scenes together, some did comedy scenes, a few more did dramatic scenes, and some sang songs for their talent. Midway through the show, it was time for the part Trina has been waiting for, the raffle. Burf came up to the mic with the bucket to pull out a raffle ticket. Trina excitedly patted Tori's shoulder, while everyone pulled their tickets out awaiting what number would be read.

"Okay everyone, the winning number is 676-9107."

Trina stood holding up her ticket, waving it up at Burf.

"Yes! I won, I won!" Trina shouted, while Tori and everyone else clapped for her.

"The winner will receive a night of fine dining at Maestro's, accompanied by our very own Sinjin Van Cleef."

Trina's eyes widened, and she clenched her fists, as she stood up staring at Tori, not knowing what to do.

"I have to go with Sinjin." She said, whispering to Tori, gritting her teeth.

Even with her sister distressed, Tori couldn't help but laugh a little when Trina got an addition to her prize dinner that she wasn't expecting. She pulled her lips in tight, and looked away, trying to hide it, but it was no use, as she could see Trina scowling at her. Trina had lobbied so hard for this dinner she wanted so badly to win, and now that she has, she's left regretting her victory.

"You go for me!" Trina pleaded with Tori, pushing at her.

"Oh no. This is your prize. You two go and have fun now."

Trina groaned, leaving the theater with no choice, but to spend the evening with Sinjin if she wanted to experience the food her friend bragged so much about.

Back at home, Trina was getting ready for her dinner date wearing a form fitting, black mini dress, with pink flowers on it. She may not be going out with her dream man, but Trina Vega was certainly going to show up at Maestro's looking her best. She'd just got blonde highlights in her hair, and she is now doing her final adjustments. Tori comes in from her room to check in on her process.

"How's it going in here?" Tori asked.

"Hey, can you help me put this necklace on?"

Tori clipped the necklace around Trina's neck while she checked it in the mirror, satisfied with her final look.

"For someone who's not so excited for tonight, you're sure all dressed up." Tori said, looking her sister up and down.

"Yeah, well I figure I might as well make the best of it. Who knows, maybe the food will distract me from being out with a weirdo." Trina huffed.

"Uh, I don't know. He does like to save food he chews up." Tori smirked.

"Ugh, don't remind me."

Tori laughed before the doorbell rang, and she looked at her sister with an excited giggle.

"Your boyfriend's here."

"Shut up." Trina said, rolling her eyes at Tori.

Both girls went to the door to answer, and Sinjin stood there dressed in a brown suit, with a red, paisley shirt underneath, holding a bouquet of flowers. Trina tried her best to remain civil as Sinjin stepped inside, greeting them.

"Evening ladies. My, does the eldest Vega sister look lovely tonight."

"Thank you." Trina said, curtly.

"These are for you." Sinjin said, handing Trina the flowers.

Trina thanked him, while handing the flowers to Tori, who brought them into the kitchen. Trina smoothed out her hair, before moving toward the door.

"Well, I'm ready if you are."

"Shall we." Sinjin said, offering her his arm.

Trina stood there for a moment, before hooking his arm reluctantly, and they made their way to the restaurant. When they arrived, Sinjin kept up being the perfect gentleman, holding the door for Trina, and pulling out her chair. Trina sat at the table with her hands folded under her chin, looking at the menu, and trying to focus on the band playing, and what looked good to eat. Sinjin laid his napkin out on his lap, and placed the silverware out next to his plate while buttering a piece of bread from the basket on the table. Trina would look up at him every now and then, and for now he seemed to be behaving pretty normal. Maybe this evening wouldn't be so bad if he kept this up, and at least Trina would get a good meal out of it.

"I hear the salmon is really good here." Sinjin said.

"It's certainly something to consider." Trina said, keeping her eyes on the menu.

"I like to come here for the appetizers. My favorite are the stuffed mushrooms."

"Good to know." Trina answers.

Sinjin looked up, folding his hands on the table, which was enough to get Trina to look up at him.

"Look, I know you're not too thrilled to be out with me right now, but I'm really happy to be here with you, especially since you look so beautiful, and well, I hope we can have a fun night tonight. I won't tell anyone about this if you don't want me to."

Trina looked at Sinjin, offering a half smile. She doesn't know where it came from, but something about him being willing to be so vulnerable, and be real with her made Trina appreciate him more. She knew his compliment about her appearance came from the heart, and that Sinjin wasn't the type of guy to say what a girl wanted to hear, just to get something more from her. He may have been odd, but he was definitely honest.

"I hope we have a fun night, too." Trina said, and Sinjin smiled.

The waiter came over and the two of them ordered their drinks, and Sinjin ordered his stuffed mushrooms to start them off. They came to the table within minutes, and were enough to hold them over while waiting for their meals to arrive. Sinjin handed Trina her small appetizer plate, and Trina had to admit, she was enjoying his chivalry. Most of the guys she's been out with before, did so because of her looks, and they weren't this nice to her. The two of them took this time to talk and get to know each other better.

"So your dad's a cop, right?" Sinjin asked.

"Yeah, he's a detective."

"What's that like?"

"Not bad, I guess. Sometimes he has to work late, and we don't get to see much of him." Trina told him.

"I know what that's like. My mom has spent the past year in Mexico. I miss her being home."

"What's she there for?"

"She met a guy who said he could get her a great deal on a vacation spot where we could ride donkeys down the mountain, and possibly play with a real mariachi band, but it's been awhile since we've heard from her."

Trina elected not to ask anymore questions about that, and continued to enjoy her food. Their dinner finally arrived, and everything smelled delicious. They both got the salmon, and couldn't wait to dig in. Over dinner, they changed the subject, talking about school.

"So have things changed for you since Tori started at Hollywood Arts?"

"Well people are definitely noticing her, not that I'm not happy for her. She deserves to be here. She's a great singer; better than me." Trina said.

Sinjin stayed silent, while Trina took a bite of food in between.

"It's okay to say it. I know I'm not very good."

"That makes two of us . I'm not very good either." Sinjin said.

"At least you're good at the lighting, and all the other tech stuff. It was probably the best part of my one woman show."

"I don't know. I thought you were really good."

"Even if my singing probably shattered the windows?" Trina jokes.

"You had a lot of passion in your performance. That's a big part of acting that a lot of people at Hollywood Arts don't have. Not that I've seen, anyway."

"You really think so?" Trina said, smiling.

"I do."

The band on stage started to play the song "Someone to Watch Over Me.", and Sinjin looked up at Trina with a hopeful smile, extending his hand out to her.

"Trina, would you like to dance with me?"

She smiled, standing up to meet him.

"I would love to."

Sinjin guided Trina out to the dancefloor, holding out one hand, with the other on her waist, as they swayed back and forth to the song. To her surprise, Sinjin knew his way around a slow dance, and moved around smoothly. Trina smiled at him the whole time, and he even got a laugh out of her when he spun her around. They were able to get lost in the song, and glide along the floor together. When the song finished, Sinjin took a bow before Trina, and the other patrons applauded them. They went back to the table in time to order dessert, with Sinjin ordering coconut custard pie, and Trina got strawberry shortcake. The dessert was excellent, and Trina found herself hardly thinking of the food at all. Of course it was all good, but she's had such a pleasant evening with Sinjin that it didn't weigh heavy on her mind. They continued laughing and having fun through dessert, before paying their bill, and Sinjin took Trina home.

The two of them walked up to the front door of the Vega home, and Sinjin turned to face Trina, who was still smiling.

"Thank you for this. I had a really good time getting to know you tonight." Sinjin said.

"Ya know, I did too. This has been one of the best dates I've been on in a long time."

Sinjin awkwardly swung his arms, not expecting the date to go this well, and not knowing what to say next.

"Well, uh, maybe we could hang out again sometime, if you're up for it?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." Trina said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"Goodnight, Sinjin."

"Goodnight, Trina." he said as he waved.

Trina went inside, and Sinjin went back to his car with a skip in his step. Who knew he could pull off a successful date with one of the most beautiful girls in school, and get through an evening appearing relatively normal. He didn't have to resort to the more peculiar subject matter he would often default to when he got nervous, like talking about bugs or whether he thought aliens had visited earth. He could walk away with his head held high, and with at the very least a good friendship with someone he hadn't been as close with before.