Chapter One
"I brought Stick-Its." Jude declared, placing a tray of saucy chicken stabbed with thin skewers on the food court table. His friends cautiously picked them up and carefully took a bite. "Lemon Ginger Chick-It Stick-Its."
"Wow, Jude, this is really good." Jen said, taking another bite and licking stray sauce off her finger.
"Thank you, Dudette" Jude sat down, kicking his feet up on their regular table, right next to the Big Squeeze.
"When did you make these?" Wyatt asked, finishing his off.
"Last night. Had nothing better to do." Jude admitted. His friends looked a bit sheepish. Jonesy and Nikki had gone to a movie, although if you called it a date, they might hit you. Caitlin and Jen were double-dating with some guys from the soccer team, and Wyatt was still hung up over Serena.
"Sorry, man." Jonesy said, slinging his arm over Nikki.
"No big, dude." Jude bit into his own Stick-It. Truth be told, he was starting to feel pretty lame. His friends went out all the time. Jonesy and Wyatt told stories about getting up this girls shirt, and that girls shorts, and he even overheard the girls talking about their own steamy makeout sessions. He had never even kissed a girl. I mean, a peck here and there, a game of spin the bottle or two, but no REAL kiss. As totally lame as it sounded, he wanted more than some hookup. He wanted something real. A totally awesome Betty he could chill with, watch movies, and hold hands as they skated across the park, not just someone to remove his virgin lip status.
"Woah, the Jones-meister's gotta motor. New job starts in ten minutes." Jonesy stood, pulling Jude out of his thoughts.
"Where are you at this week?" Caitlin asked from behind the lemon.
"Jinx Comics." Jonesy answered.
"Seriously? The comic book store?" Wyatt laughed.
"They don't just sell comics, they sell some sweet gear too. Like the zombie survival kit. Or the freeze dried ice cream." Jonesy defended, starting to walk away.
"I'll come with you, dude. I think I can treat myself to a new comic." Jude got up and they walked across the mall to the brightly lit store.
"Welcome to Jinx Comics, we herd it, you nerd it." The girl at the counter didn't even look up from the comic book in her lap. She was perched on the desk, one bare foot dangling down.
"Hi, Rose. Here for my first day." At this, the girl looked up. She had shoulder length brown hair, streaked with blonde and tied back. She wore thick tortoiseshell glasses over her hazel eyes that seemed larger than life. Her small rosebud mouth offset her alabaster skin. She was petite, clad in a black Avengers tank top and denim shorts. A pair of beat-up, doodled-on vans sat on the floor beside an army green knapsack. All in all, she looked somewhere between an adorable anime character, and a badass comic book heroine, a combination that was striking and sexy. She hopped off the counter, showing her hourglass frame as her tank top clung to her ribcage. Jude was struck speechless.
"Hey, Jonesy. Got your name tag right here." She handed over a name tag that he pinned it on and she showed him how to clock in, then told him to watch the counter. "And who are you?"
Jude had no voice. His jaw was hanging agape. He had never felt like this before, not when looking at any other hot girl. He was melting into the glittering pools of brown and green sparkling inside those huge eyes, the smile playing on her perfect little mouth. Jude wanted to see that smile every day for the rest of his life. She was still looking at him and waved her hand in front of his face. "You OK?"
"Hey." He finally mustered.
"Hey." She laughed. "Can I help you with anything?"
"Uh, sure, I mean, yeah." Jude mumbled.
"We just got a big box from Marvel, hot of the presses." He let her steer him towards a large cardboad box, which contained several smaller boxes. He saw that she had been in the middle of an Amazing Spiderman book.
"So, you're a Spiderman chick?" He managed to ask.
"Oh yeah. Although I don't know how I feel about the movie coming out. I'm more of an original animated series kind of girl." At this Jude's eyes lit up.
"Me too! I have like every one on tape!"
"I'm jealous!" They kept on chattering until Jonesy came over.
"I hate to interrupt the lovebirds," He began, making them blush, "But there's a customer and I have no idea how to help them." Rose stood and walked over to the customer, who was looking for a specific Suicide Squad comic. Jonesy elbowed Jude in the ribs. "So, man, you found yourself a hottie."
"Yeah, dude. I think I did." Jude replied, not taking his eyes off Rose.
"So? What are you waiting for? Ask her out!" Jonesy encouraged him.
"I dunno, bro. What if she doesn't like me?"
"What's not to like?" Jonesy clapped his friend on the shoulder and shoved him towards Rose. "Now go get 'em, tiger!" He walked over to Rose, shaking with nerves. She sent her customer off with a smile and turned to Jude.
"Hey, Jude. Did you need something?"
"Yes, I-" He panicked. "I, um, was wondering-" he grabbed the comic book off the counter she had been reading, "-If I could buy this."
"Of coarse you can. I wish I would've finished it first though, it's a good one." She typed the price into her register. "$3.18." Jude paid, mentally kicking himself for wussing out. Luckily Jonesy came to the rescue.
"Hey Rose, why don't you join me and Jude here for a movie tonight? We're renting Zombie Sleepover 2." They had made no such plans, but Jude wasn't about to complain.
"Uh, sure. I'll bring the popcorn." Rose reluctantly replied.
"Great. I'll give you the details later, I'm going on my break, see you soon." Jonesy said all in one breath, walking away, dragging Jude by the arm.
"See you later, Rose!" He managed to say, just before they turned a corner. "Dude, I knew there was a reason you're my best friend! I totally owe you one!"
"I know. And you'll owe me another when my aunt's cat dies and my whole family goes to give her support in this difficult time of need."
"Huh?"
"I'll bail so you can have some alone time with Rose!"
"Ohhhhhh! Thanks, bro!" He left Jonesy to go rent the flick for tonight. Halfway to the video store he froze, falling off his skateboard. He would be alone with Rose tonight. He had never even been on a date, never mind having a girl over to his house, much less his room! What was he supposed to do? "Caitlin." He whispered. "Caitlin will know what to do."
