AN: So this is gonna sporadically change from seeing it from Judes' POV and Tommy's POV. Why? Because I can. Umm…some background info. This is basically alternate universe with Tommy and Jude never really telling each other how they feel. Sixteenth birthday kiss happened and so did When I Come Around kiss, but Tommy never left. Let's say Jude is 21 making Tommy 28? Yeah, that sounds right. Sorry for the shortness of this chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

It was not supposed to happen, really, it was not. It was all the same routine – dinner at Tommy's house, maybe a movie or some television and then just hanging out and chatting; catching up on stuff that had nothing to do with G Major or just simply talking to each other about nothing at all. Simple things that friends did, it was something they did all the time and it had become routine, something that she had grown comfortable with.

Comfort for Jude, however, was no longer enough. She was tired of pretending to feel one way when her heart was clearly telling her something else. But somehow, it had happened and there was nothing that could be done. It happened so easily and quickly and how she had not noticed it before – as it was in front of her the whole time – was beyond her.

She had fallen in love with him. Her best friend, her producer, her " older brother." Yeah, right, her brother. The term "brother-sister" relationship was thrown out the window almost as quickly as last weeks leftovers left in the fridge too long. The question was, would he feel the same way?

——-

She watched him from the island in the kitchen as he started making their dinner. Tonight they're at her house.

"Hey Jude…" he said in a singsong voice. What do you feel like tonight?"

Rolling her eyes in response she said, "Funny. Really funny."

"What?" he shrugged in reply.

"Shut up and make me pancakes."

Half an hour later, they had managed to burn ten pancakes and get most of the batter on the floor and counter. Goofing off was always more fun that just cooking anyway.

"Tommy, I think we made a mess."

"Ha, ya think?"

Almost all nights spent together were like this. Innocent fun that never really turned out to be anything more and nights ended with just a hint of uncertainty between them. Neither ever wanted the night to end but promises of future get-togethers kept them going. It was a welcomed friendship between them, one without intention where they could just be themselves.

"How about you clean up the mess and I clean up the plate?"

"Jude, there are only pancakes on the plate."

"Exactly. I'll clean the plate by eating the pancakes while I watch you clean. Deal?" she said as she eyed the stack in front of her.

"I don't think so…"

Before she could say anything else he had taken a handful of batter and smeared it all over her face.

"That's it Quincy, you're so gonna get it!"

They ran around the house throwing batter at each other and getting it everywhere else in the process. She managed to tackle him onto the couch and continued to cover his hair and face in pancake batter.

"My hair!"

"Hahaha, Quincy, you are too easy."

Silliness quickly faded and seriousness replaced it. The realization of how close they were got to them and silence fell.

It was too easy. 'Don't do it, Jude,' she thought to herself. 'Don't make a fool of yourself again.' But she did it anyway; she kissed him.

Timid and unsure at first, it quickly grew to a deeper and more passionate kiss. However, as quickly as it started, it was finished. He was the one who pulled away first, and he was the one who chose to leave.

Tommy quickly stood up and was halfway to the door before Jude could reach him. "Tommy, wait!" she yelled as the realization of what she had done washed over her. Panic started to set in.

"I'll call you tomorrow."

And with that, he was gone and she was left alone, confused as ever.