Chapter 8: Ooh ooh
The small gang walked into the shiny diner. The owner obviously took care of the restaurant and the appearance he was trying to keep. The small diner had rainbow flags, posters of attractive men and women, rainbow salt shakes, hell the waiters wore rainbow tutus over their jeans.
"Holy shit." Taylor exclaimed as they entered. "LGBT friendly is an understatement."
"Told you! Lance has the best place ever!" Josh responded.
A women came up to greet the young adults. "Hello darlings, how many do we have today?" Her voice was very cheery.
"Six, please!" Jude took the opportunity to speak first. For some unknown reason Jude really thought speaking would impress his date. But when he looked at Roy, the other man wasn't even paying attention to him.
What made things worse for Jude is that Roy was eyeing up Josh. Josh wasn't even that attractive, if you put the two of them next to each other, Jude was obviously more attractive. Jude laughed inside his head. Okay he was lying because Josh was very attractive.
"Alright dolls," She grabbed 6 menus and lead them to a table. "Alright dollies, one of the babes will be out to get your order."
"Thanks!" Taylor nearly shouted grabbing Daria's hand bringing her to two seats next to each other. Josh and Maddie sat next to each other across from Daria and Taylor. And Roy rushed to sit next to Josh leaving the seat next to Taylor open. Jude sighed as he sat next to Taylor.
Taylor picked up on Jude's mood because she gave a light tap on his Jude's leg making him look at Taylor. "So what looks good?" Jude looked back at the menu. He didn't even have a chance to open the menu yet.
"If they have pancakes and lots of syrup, I'll survive." Jude decided now that he was going to look at menu even though he had already made his mind up. The waited showed up and started placing silverware.
"Good evening." The waiter was quick as he moved around the table.
Welcome to Lance's Diner, my name is…"
"Connor?" Taylor screeched. Jude flipped his head to see Connor and Connor was just as surprised.
"Oh, uh, hey guys." Connor looked around the table in fear. "Ca-Can I-I get you guys something to-to," Connor made eye contact with Jude. "drink." His voice was barely audible.
"You work here?" Josh said behind a fit of giggles.
"Obviously." Connor spoke confidently again. "What do you guys want to drink?"
"Coke." Roy finally spoke with a smile starting the drink orders. They went around the table until they reached Jude. Jude tried speaking but words wouldn't come out.
"Jude?" Connor asked. "Drink?" Taylor turned and faced Jude seeing that he was bright red.
"Get him a water." Daria spoke up harshly to Connor.
"And we need to talk later." Taylor spoke next shocking Jude.
"Nice tutu." Josh and Maddie giggled, which made Roy giggle, which earned a glare from Daria, shutting everyone up.
"I'll be back." Connor walked away.
"What is he the terminator?" Roy said and laughed, only earning more glares from Daria.
"Oh my god guys." Josh began. "Did you see that tutu?" Maddie giggled in response.
"Josh please." Taylor looked at Jude. "Jude are you okay?" Jude turned to stare at Taylor, her face full of concern. Jude opened his mouth to speak but once again words didn't come out and Jude nodded his head slowly. "O-okay Jude." Taylor grabbed Jude's shoulder and gave a light squeeze. "You'll be fine."
Connor came back with a tray of drinks putting Jude's down last Jude tried to say thank you but he couldn't tell if it was audible. "Alright, what are you sweethearts getting tonight?" Connor spoke so sweetly it was surprising.
"Sweethearts?" Josh cooed.
"Sweethearts minus Josh." Connor spoke sarcastically. "Working here changes my vocabulary."
"It's much more colorful." Taylor interjected.
"Like that tutu." Josh added.
"I don't know if you noticed." Connor raised his arms and did a 360. "This whole place is colorful. Now order something I'm off in fifteen minutes." Connor had a pad of paper in his hand and a pen in the other.
Everyone must have ordered because Connor was staring at Jude again. Jude just stared into those beautiful hazel eyes. Connor licked his lips quickly before speaking.
"Jude, please order something." Connor pleaded with Jude. "I really want to go home tonight." Connor's voice was light.
"I'm pretty sure he wants the pancakes. Right Jude?" Taylor ordered for Jude, and Jude nodded.
"Alright, well I'll put the order in. Oh Jude, we have to start our math homework later." Jude turned and stared at Connor confused. "You got the email right? We have to work together."
'Oh no.' Was the only thought in Jude's mind.
"How about we meet up tomorrow?" Jude didn't say anything. However he did stand up and promptly walked towards the men's restroom.
"Jude?" Taylor caught up to him. "Don't go mute on me again." Taylor took Jude's hand. "Please Jude."
"I can't." Jude spoke. "I keep seeing that, uh, night." Taylor squeezed his hand. "What am I going to do?" Jude ran his free hand in his hair.
"Jude?" Connor had walked into the restroom now. Connor eyed Taylor. "Look I need to explain some things."
"Yeah you do." Taylor spoke for Jude. "Like number one on my list is why you're working at an all LGBT diner acting like nothing is going on. Connor you sleep with a different girl, like, every night."
"That's not even remotely true." Connor responded.
"Oh really?" Taylor said more as a statement than a question. The restroom once again opened and this time Daria was there.
"I need to say something." Daria plainly stated. "You can stay and listen or you can leave. But I just need to say something."
"What is it Daria?" Jude couldn't tell if Connor meant to yell that.
"Wait Daria." Taylor began.
"Let me speak." Daria glared at Taylor, this was the first time Jude remembered seeing that. "Now Jude, I'm sorry about what happened last week. I was the one who dared Connor to kiss you." Jude and Taylor looked at each other then looked back at Daria. "And I know you probably blamed Taylor." Jude shrugged as he looked at Taylor again. "Look, Connor is a good guy but, he's stupid."
"Hey!"
"It's true. Connor feels like shit about it. He has literally not shut up about it. Look, all I was trying to do was make Connor comfortable with himself."
Jude stared at Daria for what felt like an eternity. Then Jude laughed and everyone stared.
"This…This, is a dream." Jude spoke and began walking towards the door. "Nothing but a dream. And once I get home. I'll wake up." Jude lightly pushed pass Daria. "Just need to wake up." Jude said to no one.
"Jude." Taylor sighed.
"No, wait, wait till I wake up."
"Jude you are awake." Connor spoke and Jude turned to glare at him. "I'm seriously am sorry Jude. And I'm really shit at this but, can we start fresh." Jude stared. "Please. Jude."
"No!" Jude yelled scaring all of the others. "I'm going to go home. Look Taylor thanks for inviting me out to meet Roy. But he's a complete asshole." Taylor nodded in agreement. "Also, tonight has really killed my self-esteem. The stuff I barely had any to begin with. And I just want to go back to my dorm and pretend I don't exist."
"Jude wait." Connor went to block Jude but Taylor held him back.
"At least eat with us." Taylor spoke, Jude head the pleading in her voice.
"I'm not hungry."
"Why do you hate yourself so much?" Everyone turned to Connor quickly. "Who hurt you so badly?" Connor moved Taylor out of the way. "You're perfect Jude. I've only known you for a week and I know you're perfect." Jude's mind was screaming. "I'm sorry Jude. I'm so sorry that I hurt you. And I'm so sorry that you feel so hurt."
"I'm going home." Jude threw the door of the restroom open and walked through the vibrant diner finding the exit.
