Jude raced through the cool evening night, going as fast as his legs could pedal. He struggled to keep from crying. Callie's words stung hard, and Jude couldn't even figure out why. So he kept pedaling, willing himself to arrive at Connor's as soon as he could manage. He just needed Connor right now. He needed his strong arms, his soothing voice, his soft lips, because truth be told, Jude felt like shit and Connor was the only thing that he knew would make him feel, if not better, at least alright. Arriving at the Stevens' house, Jude hopped off his bike, letting it crash into the grass, and he sprinted inside up to Connor's room, not even bothering to knock or ring the doorbell.
"Jude-" was all Connor managed to get out before Jude collapsed into his arms, burying his head into Connor's chest and dissolving into tears. Feeling Connor holding him, he already started to feel better, relaxing into Connor's embrace.
"Shh, shh Jude. It's alright." Connor cooed, gently rubbing Jude's back.
"I w-worked so h-hard Connor. I tr-tried to make it p-perfect. And she just c-called it 'the surprise party I didn't want' Connor. How did she t-think that w-would make me f-feel. I just-" Jude managed to spit out between heavy sobs wracking his body, the last few words overcome by the tears.
"I'm sure she didn't mean it, Jude. She was probably just overwhelmed. Don't beat yourself up okay?" Connor said quietly, trying to reassure the boy crying in his arms. He hated seeing Jude so upset.
"I just don't know Connor. What if she did mean it?"
"I promise it'll be alright. Why don't we just sleep and you can talk to her in the morning?" Connor asked, gripping Jude tighter and placing a gentle kiss onto his forehead. Jude just nodded. After a while, Jude's body stopping heaving and his breathing slowed, as he feel asleep curled up into Connor. Connor held him tightly and didn't let go until morning.