Hi there. Before I start, I have to say that I am truly blown away by all of your responses! I was really worried about your reactions, especially since I basically made you wait 30 chapters for them to get together...it sounds like most of you were happy with the outcome and you have no idea how excited I am to hear that! Your feedback has been incredibly supportive and amazing. I honestly would never have made it this far into the story without all of your inspiration!
Anyway, here's the next chapter. Since our story is winding down, not too much happens over this next chapter. It's like the buzz from the night before. The next couple of chapters until the end are more for closure of certain storylines that were introduced in previous chapters. So don't expect too much drama, but more wrapping up some loose ends. Hope you enjoy regardless :-)
Tommy and Jude gazed at each other for a few moments, gave each other one final kiss, and separated, watching each other retreat to their respective rooms.
Two hours later, Jude lay in her sleeping bag smiling to herself, reflecting on her night and morning. She replayed their last moments together repeatedly—him telling her that he loved her and she returning the words. She thought over how their secret was going to change everything, how it was going to be lying to everyone around her, but how the lying was going to be totally and completely worthwhile. Her only ounce of sadness was that it had taken them three days stuck in the house to finally get together and now they had to leave.
She heard stirring around her and glanced up as Kat and Jamie were sneaking up from the basement. In her daze, she had failed to notice that they were missing. She made eye contact with them, feigning disappointment with a "tsk, tsk" sound. She stood up and tiptoed her way towards them, leading them into the kitchen to talk.
"So…where are you two coming from?" Jude said, trying to act serious but smiling.
"We…couldn't sleep…so we went downstairs to, umm, play Monopoly," Jamie mumbled, clearly lying.
Jude looked at him skeptically, as Kat cut in. "We were downstairs. You know, to be alone."
"Thank you," Jude said to Kat, rolling her eyes at Jamie's lame excuse.
Kat then looked thoughtful. "Wait a second, miss. Where were you all night? Jamie and I snuck downstairs around 3 and you weren't here." Jude stood there silently grinning, thankfully having already worked out her excuse.
"Come to think of it," Jamie added, "Little Tommy Q wasn't in his sleeping bag either. Hmm..an odd coincidence perhaps?"
"Oh stop," Jude said. "We went upstairs last night so I could play him my song. And we ended up talking for awhile. Like all night."
"Talking?" Kat asked doubtfully.
"Yes, just talking," confirmed Jude. "That's it. Sorry, no good details."
"So no Truth or Dare reenactments?" Jamie asked.
"Nope. I honestly don't think anything's going to happen until I'm 18. And even then, who knows where we'll both be or who we'll be with," Jude responded with a shrug, hoping that this would convince them.
"Well, your whole jealousy approach seemed to be working," Kat offered.
"Yeah, but I think I'm done with that," Jude confessed. "I like Drew, but not like that. And it's not right to lead him on."
"Wow, pretty mature, Harrison," Jamie said. "Looks like someone grew up overnight."
Jude just smiled, considering the irony of his statement. She decided to change subjects.
"So, it looks like we may actually be getting out of here today."
"And on an even better note," Jamie said, approaching the pantry closet, "We can actually toast our Pop Tarts."
"Good thinking!" Jude exclaimed, walking over to pull 3 out of the box.
As they sat at the counter eating their toasted Pop Tarts, Mrs. Harrison and Steven entered from the back door, covered in snow.
"Where were you?" Jude asked.
"Shoveling the driveway," Steven responded, taking off his jacket and helping Jude's mom take off hers.
"There's at least 2 feet of snow out there," Mrs. Harrison added, removing her hat and gloves. "We're going to need some help shoveling if you want to get out of here today."
"No problem," Jude said. "We'll help after breakfast." Jamie and Kat nodded in agreement.
The rest of the group slowly filed in, Sadie first and then Kwest and Tommy. Ryan, Drew, and Kristen entered silently, still being ignored by the rest of the group. Tommy and Jude made eye contact across the room, both smiling, but Jude quickly looked away, slightly paranoid that people would suspect something.
Finishing their Pop Tarts, they got up from their seats to start getting ready to shovel. Passing by Tommy, Jude stopped. Kwest was talking to Sadie and the ignored threesome was eating separately at the kitchen table, so no one was listening. She looked at him and noticed bags under his eyes.
"Rough night?" she asked softly with a smile.
"You could say that," he responded, smiling too. "Why do you not look tired?"
"Because, I don't need sleep," she said jokingly. "I'm just naturally this beautiful."
"Oh really? Well, I don't think you'll get any arguments here," he said quietly. "Where are you off to?"
"I'm going to shovel snow. My mom needs help so I figured I'd be a good daughter. Want to help?"
"Sure," he agreed. "I realized this morning that the Viper has been stuck at G-Major for the last 3 days. It's got to be totally covered in snow."
"Awww, that's kind of depressing. I'm sure it's fine though."
"Yeah, I hope so. I'd hate to think that something happened to it."
"You and that car," Jude said, shaking her head. "I don't know how you survived without it the last few days."
"Well, someone else took my mind off of it," he muttered almost inaudibly.
She grinned at him and then said at normal volume, "I think we're heading out in a few minutes if you want to come. I should go get ready."
He nodded, as they smiled at each other for a few moments and she turned to leave.
As she was getting ready in her room, there was a knock on the door. The door opened and Drew was standing there.
"Drew," she said, surprised by her visitor.
"Hey," he said uncomfortably. "Can we talk for a minute?"
"Sure," she said, zipping up her sweatshirt and sitting on the bed with him.
"So yesterday obviously didn't go like I hoped it would," he started.
Jude nodded. Recognizing that he was about to start a long speech, she decided to cut him off and say what she needed to say.
"Listen, Drew, I know things have been kind of crazy lately, but I think maybe it would be better if we were just friends."
"Friends?" he asked, a little taken aback. "Okay, I mean, that's cool."
"I hope you understand. It's just that a lot has happened over the last few days and—"
"It's okay," he cut in. "I was actually going to suggest that too, I'm just surprised you said it first."
"Really?" Jude asked, surprised.
"Yeah. With everything that was said yesterday, I just think maybe it's better if we don't get involved right now."
"Exactly," she agreed. They both sat there, still surprised and in silence, not sure what to say next. Breaking the awkward moment, Jude leaned in to hug him.
"Thanks for these last few days. It really was fun hanging out with you."
"No problem. I had a good time too," he said. He then got up and retreated towards the door. "So I'll see you around?"
"I'll see you," she responded, watching him turn to leave.
Only one thought went through her mind as she stood alone in her room:
Wow, that was seriously the easiest breakup ever.
Smling to herself and putting on an extra pair of socks, Jude headed downstairs to help shoveling.