-Jude's P.O.V.-
I'm sitting at our usual table outside the lemon, wedged in-between Wyatt and Jen...if they were here, at least. But I was purposely avoiding them; in fact, I was avoiding the whole gang except for one person. Caitlin was on her break and the rest of them were working. They think I'm at home and sick, but I'm not...at least not in the contagious or running a fever way.
I sigh and let my head hit the table with a loud noise. Even Ron the rent-a-cop knows that something's up. He walked straight past me with no remark about how I was loitering or that my eyes should be up-front and center. Life stinks! I think.
I hear familiar voices and I make myself turn into the familiar skater-boy they all know and love.
"Jude!" screams Caitlin, as if she sees one top left in Albatross and Finch that's her size. "I thought you were sick...?" She hesitates before greeting me with her usual hug.
I make up a story. "Ah, it was just a headache. After it went away, I convinced my mom to let me go out." I finish my excuse and there's a brief pause, as if they were all (minus Nikki) staring at me. I wouldn't know because my eyes are closed.
Jonsey answered the question - or one of - on my mind, "Jude? That you?"
"Um, yeah bro, why?"
"Oh, phew. Thought we'd lost you."
I must have looked confused because Jonesy elaborated. "That first sentence you said to us didn't contain the word "Dude," "Dudette," "Bro," or "Brah."
I didn't really know what to respond with, but luckily, I didn't have to. "Well, I'm glad you're here, whether you use skater lingo or not!" Caitlin goes in for the usual hug, and as I squeeze her back, my eyes wander to the Crappy Barn.
"Hey dudes," I slowly say, making sure to use 'skater lingo' so they don't ask too many questions, "where's Nikki?"
Jen, Wyatt, and Jonesy glanced at each other while Caitlin stopped hugging me quickly when she saw Taylor, boyfriend #2 of the week.
"We don't know. Did you see her on the way here?" Jen inquires as the voice of the group.
"No...uh, hey, I go to go dudes. Headache's coming back." I hold my head in mock pain and grab my board, hopping on it once I walk out of the view of the others. I skate fast, passing my home and just heading...there.
-End Jude's P.O.V.-
-Normal P.O.V.-
Jude skate-boarded over to his usual spot where he meditated. He usually only went there when the gang was out-of-town or just too busy with work and, uh, chasing skirts. However, this was an exception. He knew that if anyone he even slightly knew saw him, he'd be screwed. He hadn't even shown Starr this secret spot, not even when they were dating.
The spot was a beautiful place. Trees were lightly scattered around a soft green meadow that dipped down, creating a hill, and a large pond was placed smack dab at the bottom of this hill. The trees that shielded this beautiful lake were not too dense that they would hurt Jude when he went through them, but dense enough that the meadow was secluded.
He loved that pond. Once, he'd even rolled down the hill and into the pond. The water was surprisingly clean, but he hasn't done it since. Often times, however, he'd just come here and throw rocks. and other times, he'd write. Yes, Jude Lizowski wrote. He'd write for hours on end. Poetry, short stories, plays, song lyrics, and love notes.
He had a troubled look on his face. As of lately it felt pointless. Everything felt pointless. He couldn't go home because of his parents that could care less - they gave up after his fifth report card. They didn't abuse him, god no. They just didn't care. He couldn't hang out with his friends - it'd hurt him, plus things were already awkward. He sighed and stared down ant Sally as his tears stained her beaten deck. He'd had this board since he met the gang (excluding Caitlin, of course). She'd been through everything with him, first kisses, first girlfriends, and heartbreak. Is this all life is? Jude thought. I sure as hell hope not.
