Jude Adams Foster had been adopted by Stef and Lena when he was 12 years old. He and his sister, Callie, had previously been in 6 pretty bad foster homes before they were shown love and support by these strong women they had been given to. Stef and Lena spared no effort to show that they were welcome. Though Jude was adopted early on, there had been trouble getting Callie. Eventually, though, everything worked out and they became the happy family they were meant to become. Jude was now 16 and approaching his junior year in high school, while Callie, and all of his other foster siblings had made their way off to college.
Jude's siblings had always been outgoing and blunt, Callie more than the others, but he never found the need to be like that. Jude found it easier to simply fly under the radar. He made a point not to draw too much attention to himself, especially when it came to school. He excelled academically, but never flaunted it. He didn't dress or talk in a way that would have people go off and talk about him, and he made sure that he did not create a reputation for himself.
In all of his time at Anchor Beach, he truly only had made one real friend. Jude didn't mind that his friend pool was rather shallow, because that's what made his true friend so special. Her name was Taylor. Taylor met Jude in the 7th grade when they were paired together for a science project. Ever since then they had been inseparable. Jude found Taylor to be a positive energy in his life. She was always there when he needed to talk, and she was never judgmental. They balanced each other out, and that was the way Jude liked it.
In their freshman year, Jude and Taylor decided to go out for the tennis team. As it turns out, both were quite good, and made varsity. Jude loved playing, but it also didn't hurt that tennis was not one of the most showcased sports at school. Going into this year, Jude and Taylor were Co-Captains of the team, and they were making it their goal to win the NCAA High School State Championships.
*JUDES POV*
Hearing the blaring of my alarm clock on my nightstand, I got up to face yet another first day of a year I wasn't really looking forward to. The red numbers flashed 6:00 am, and I lingered in the comfort of my bed only for a few seconds as to make sure I didn't stray from my schedule. Ever since I started at Anchor Beach, I decided that I wanted to maintain a schedule of sorts. Every morning I wake up at 6, shower until 6:30, eat breakfast, and make sure I am out the door by 7:00 with classes starting at 7:25.
Now I know that the whole premise of having that detailed of a schedule sounds a bit eccentric, but it just made a lot of sense to me to try and have control over something in my life. It's just nice knowing that I can rely on something to be constant and stable after having more than half my life be the complete opposite. The foster system was rough. Was I going to get beaten today? How about Callie? Is Callie going to come back after running away this time? That life led too much stress and anxiety into my life. Having a set schedule for myself really helped me feel like I could for once have peace of mind.
I pulled into my parking spot at 7:10, giving me fifteen minutes to get to my locker and be early to class. I walked over to the locker area, and I put in my combo and began piling my books into their metal prison.
"Morning, Judicorn." a familiar voice chirps.
"Oh no. Not you too!" I groaned.
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger, Jude! Mariana just wanted to make sure you didn't forget about her on your first day of school!"
"Well, I don't think that's even possible. Just make sure you never use that nickname with me again, Taylor, or I'll be forced to kill you!" I respond sporting my most serious and James Bond-like face, only to crack and let out a few laughs
"Haha yeah, ok, good one Jude!" Taylor squeaks, trying her hardest to stifle her giggles.
"So really though. How about we meet at the usual spot during lunch, I made some drills for practice that I want to run by you?"
"For sure! By the way, what's your first period class? I have statistics."
"Same! Now I know for sure we'll have all the projects in the bag!"
After glancing at my watch, I look up and say, "Well, I'm gonna go ahead and get on to class, see you there!"
"Right," she sighs, "wouldn't want to get in the way of your schedule." She says all too sarcastically, not forgetting to use her patented air quotes when referring to "schedule".
As she's walking away, the five minute bell sounds. Shutting my locker I look at my schedule for my first period class' room number. Ok, AP Statistics… room 437…. that would be *OUCH*
After fumbling back into my locker, I look to see what had caused the pain that was now shooting through my skull. As I look up, I feel the wincing grimace of pain on my face go away. In front of me is a student that I have never seen before. Standing about 3 inches taller than me, wearing a blue plaid flannel, having sandy blonde hair, is a boy with the most intriguing hazel eyes I have ever seen. Even with his hands clutching his head, and his squinted eyes, there was just something about him that caught me off guard.
"Oh, I…I'm really sorry!" I stutter out.
"No, don't be silly…I should have been watching where I was going." he replies, still cringing from the collision.
I stood there in silence for what seemed like a while, assessing whether or not he had gotten hurt, but also sneaking another glance at his eyes.
"Well I better get going. It was nice to meet you—" I extend my hand hoping to get his name.
"Connor. Connor Stevens." He accepts my hand, and flashes a smile that sends shivers down my spine.
"Hi, I'm Jude." I smile back, both of us still shaking hands.
"Well, sorry again about running into you. It was nice to meet you, Jude." The corners of his mouth morphing into a soft smile as he walks away.
"Yeah, you too." I whisper to myself, knowing he can't hear me. I find myself staring off into the length of the empty hallway when the two minute warning bell rings.
SHIT. I'M GONNA BE LATE. I think to myself. Sprinting, I make my way to my first period class.
After class, I'm still dazed by the events with Connor, and of course, Taylor notices something is up. After making her way through walls of kids, she catches up to me.
"Dude, what happened? You've never been late to a class!" she tries to whisper, but it's more like a hushed shouting.
"I just ran into some kid, and I got thrown off schedule. The worst part was being called out by the teacher and having to get a tardy! I have never felt so many eyes on me at once." I exhaled.
"You mean you're not upset about being thrown off your mighty schedule?!" Taylor questions using her mocking voice I'm just SO fond of.
"Nah, not really." I shrug off her question and glance at the ground as we continue walking, letting my subconscious wonder to my early morning encounter.
My mind revisits each detail as my feet glide over the glossy checkered tile. My thoughts settle on the deep hazel eyes that seemed to have some kind of hold on me, and I find a half smile creep its way onto my lips.
Finally it was 7th period. Tennis was a class I could finally rely on.
"Ok guys. I hope everyone has had a good first day of school, but it is time to get back into the swing of things!" I shouted through my cupped hands.
"Jude is right. So first thing's first. I have a new conditioning drill written up, so we'll get that out of the way, then Jude and I have assigned everyone to practice matches. Let's get pumped!"
I was glad to be working with Taylor. Even though it wasn't so stressful now, I know it'll get there, so it will be a great help having us work together this year.
After conditioning, we started our practice matches, and I was playing a kid named Scott. Scott wasn't a bad athlete, but he thought way more of himself than he had reason to.
"I am going to beat you today, Jude. It is high time I did!" he smirked.
"Haha ok, Scott. But it's not like it matters, it's just practice!" I quipped.
The match was going just as I imagined it would, though I didn't voice it to Scott. I was up 5-2 and 30-0 about to serve when I saw someone talking to the coach. Grasping the yellow fuzzy ball, I flicked my wrist and let it drop onto the court then bounced it with my racquet. I strained my eyes through the metal fence to see who it was. You've got to be kidding me. Why is he here?! My mind was screaming. It's one thing to run into him in the hallway, but the tennis courts? There is absolutely no way he is on the tennis team. That is way too coincidental for my liking. I turned around and strutted to the service line. Just shake it off Jude. You're here to play tennis, not focus on this guy, Connor…though he did have beautiful eyes..those deep hazel ey…JUDE SNAP OUT OF IT!
I shook my head and wiped off the trickling beads of sweat with my blue Nike sweatband. I bounced the ball twice on the service line, just like I always did, and brought it up to the face of my racquet. Taking a deep breath, I tossed the ball in the air and bent my knees. Recoiling off the court, I lunged myself up and out and swung through the ball. Ace. The ball bounced right off the tip of the T, and Scott didn't budge an inch. From across the net, I could see him clench his jaw and wiggle his nose in angst whilst moving over to the ad side. I swiped the extra ball out my pocket in one swift motion and bounced it on the line its usual two time. Going through my service motion, I hit the ball wide into the service box, Scott's racquet barely making contact. I sprinted from my position on the baseline and stopped a few feet back from the net letting the arching ball above me bounce. I shifted my feet and shoulders, preparing to hit a winning overhead when I saw him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Connor reclining against the bleachers, arms crossed. Just that split second away from the ball and I was screwed. I return my focus to the ball to see that I can no longer hit a good overhead. Contorting my body in a way that is not even close to proper form, I swing at the ball hoping it will go over the net some way. The ball leaves my racquet and hits the tape covering the net. My eyes squeeze close together as I hope that it rolls over to bounce on Scott's side of the court. It does, and I raise up my arms to signify I was sorry about the way the shot ended up. Having won the set, and the practice match, I discard my racquet in its bag and start making my way towards the locker room when a hand clutches onto my shoulder from behind.
"Hey Jude, nice forehand. Maybe you can give me some pointers sometime." Connor smirks, a little hint of laughter coming from his mouth. Wait…did he just wink at me? No…not likely.
I stand there, not exactly sure what has just happened, but my mind is drowning in thoughts as I stare at Connor walking away. Who really was this Connor Stevens, and why did he make me feel this way?