6Teen
CH. 7. Here goes nothing.
It was 8pm by the time Jude started making his way home. It was already dark outside, and the night breeze caused a chill to run up his spine. In all honesty, he needed it. His face was still on fire, and his heart was still pounding like he had run a thousand miles. Now I bet you're wondering what got Jude all worked up. Did he escape a mugging? Did he escape being torn apart from a vicious dog? Oh no. You see, just a few hours ago Jude was on his way over to Jonesy 's house, who used to be his ex-friend but is now his boyfriend-
Jude stopped mid-step, "He's my boyfriend? He's my boyfriend. Is he my boyfriend?" He asked himself. "I can't believe it – Jonesy loves me back. God, he makes me feel so confused but he also makes my heart swell..." Jude couldn't hold back the smile that spread across his face as he continued on with his stride home, his mind wandering back to the kiss.
'Fuck you too, life.' Jude thought, standing on the pavement in front of his house. His eyes lingered on the black SUV parked in the drive way as fear and panic rose in the pit of his stomach. 'What are they doing back? They usually work until 10 or later...' As Jude made his way up the narrow path to the front door, all the panic he felt disappeared. His fear, however, doubled. 'How pathetic... you're too scared to enter your own home? That's fucked up. This is fucked up.' Taking a deep breath, Jude shakily lifted his hand to the door handle and slowly opened the door. Peeking a glance inside, Jude felt relief overcome his body when he saw that no one was currently in the hall or the sitting room.
After closing the door behind him, Jude heard voices coming from the kitchen. He debated whether or not it would be a smart idea to let his presence be known. 'I can't just go to my room and act like I wasn't gone for hours. Hell – that might make things worse. What's the worst that can happen?' Taking yet another deep breath, Jude stalked his way over to the kitchen.
'Here goes–' "Where the hell have you been!?" '– nothing.'
Before Jude could even open his mouth to answer, his father had gotten up close and personal. Jude let his gaze crumble and his shoulders hunch as his father stood tall – looming over him.
Joseph Lizowski, aged 46, stood at a staggering 6 foot 2 inches. His short brunette hair, now coated with grey, rested neatly on his head. His beard, also turning grey, was kept tight and professional. His hazel eyes pierced the soul of anyone who had been unfortunate enough anger the beast. He wasn't unfit, either. He regularly took morning jogs, and was keen on keeping a healthy diet. His attire consists of suits, white t-shirts and grey sweatpants. He works for a well-known and extremely successful company. He's the executive manager, so obviously he's stressed out most of the time... right?
Jude's mother, Marie Lizowski, aged 45, stood at 5 foot 6 inches. Her brunette hair came to her shoulders in length, and was as straight as her personality. Her dark blue eyes were cold and she wore a light touch of makeup around them. She had a slender body, considering that she was also keen on health and exercise. Her attire consisted of female suits and in her spare time she wore a dark purple sweatshirt and jeans. She works at a housing agency, and she cares deeply for her job. Guess that's why she puts it before her own child...
Jude kept his eyes on the marble floor. "I asked you a question." His father growled, glaring. "I was at Jonesy's house..." Jude said, meekly. His father scoffed, "Disgusting. First I find out my son is a fag, and now he's fucking some low-life scum." At his father's harsh words, Jude's head shot up and his eyes connected with his fathers. "What!? No! I'm– we're not–!" Jude tried to get a sentence out, but he was interrupted as his father's hand struck him across the face. The sound rung out as everyone was silent. Jude just stood there, his cheek slowly but steadily turning red as the pain kicked in. 'Again. He hit me again.' Jude thought, anger building up inside him. "You shut your mouth, you hear me!? I don't want to hear your excuses! If I say he's a low-life, he fucking is!" his father yelled, not that Jude was paying attention. 'How can he keep doing this? Why does he keep doing this? What did I do? What do I always do?' Jude brought his gaze up and the first thing he saw was his mother. She was just sitting at the kitchen table, watching. She was just watching.
Jude couldn't take it anymore.
"SHUT UP!" Jude screamed, shoving his father back. A thud could be heard as Joseph's back collided with the wall behind him. The look on both his parents' faces were priceless, but at the moment Jude couldn't and didn't care. "Jude–!" His mother began, bringing herself to her feet. Oh no. Jude wasn't going to give them a chance to speak. It was his turn now.
"Just shut up! Why do you both hate me so much? Why have I never been good enough, why is everything I do never been good enough? I've tried so hard countless times to make you proud, but I always fail. I always do something wrong!" Jude yelled, tears now streaming down his cheeks, the pain evident in his voice. "When something doesn't go your way, or if you just have a shitty day at work, it's my fault! I'm to blame!" Jude lets his head fall forward, the tears leaking from his eyes. "I don't want to feel like this – I don't want to feel like my life is just a hassle. I don't want to be scared and depressed all the time." Jude lifted his head, now looking his father straight in the eyes as his voice cracked, "I just want to be loved..."
Joseph and Marie were silent. They stood there, staring at their sobbing son, shock written all over their faces. Marie brought her hands to her mouth, as her own eyes filled with tears. It was the first time Jude had seen his mother upset. His father opened and closed his mouth multiple times, his gaze shifting around the room as if he didn't know what to say. They remained in their positions for a few moments, before Jude shook his head. He turned, exiting the kitchen and the house like a bolt of lightning.
Jude ran. He just ran. He didn't even know where he was going – he let his legs go where they wanted to. His sight was blurred from the tears that seemed to flow like a river and was never ending. He couldn't see a damn thing. Stopping for a moment to wipe his eyes and to catch his breath, Jude looked around at his surroundings. He was in the park. 'I'm... the park...ok, it's uh...' Jude shook his head, trying to gather his thoughts. He placed both his hands on top of his head as he paced forward, taking deep breaths. He closed his eyes, listening to the rustle of the trees. 'Ok... it's okay. You're fine. Just breathe... keep it together... keep cal–'
THUMP
Before Jude could comprehend what happened, he was on his ass. "Ow! What the hell? Watch where you're– ... Jude?" 'That voice... there's no way. It can't be...'
Opening his eyes, Jude came face to face with the one person he hoped he never would – Nikki.
