Hi - I'm back. So, I'm officiallygoing through IS withdrawal. It's hard not having it on every Friday to look forward to...fortunately, they're still showing re-runs, at least for now, but I'm relying mainly on everyone's amazing fanfics to get me through. How are you guys all dealing?
Anyway, sorry about my rant--onto the story. The whole last chapter with Georgia was an important one, but we're leaving it temporarily, since now it's up to Georgia to decide what Tommy and Jude's fate is. It will definitely come up in future chapters, but the story goes elsewhere in the meantime...this chapter picks up at the end of the same day. It's more of a transitional chapter - not a filler, because things actually happen, but nothing huge. I actually find that I like writing these low-drama chapters--it's the banter that I love, which I'm sure you've already picked up on.
Okay, enough rambling...here's the next post. Hope you enjoy!
"You're leaving? Like, now?" Jude asked, looking tired from her long day of honesty at the studio. She was relieved to finally be home, wanting to forget the day's events and relax. But as she opened the door to her house, she was immediately thwarted by Sadie, standing amidst a sea of suitcases.
"Yeah. Sorry to be so last minute, Jude, but I have to leave," Sadie said, adding her carry-on to the pile of bags.
"Why? Why now?"
"Because McGill University in Montreal called and said that there was an immediate opening in the journalism program I applied to and they can take me now instead of next semester. If I don't go, they said that they can't guarantee there'll be space in a few months."
"But…but…this seems like it's so…sudden," Jude muttered, closing the front door and putting her stuff down near the door.
"I know, it's really sudden for me too, but they called first thing this morning and told me they could get me a dorm room tomorrow, so Mom and I are flying out there tonight."
Jude heard the sound of her mother's footsteps hurrying down the steps holding a suitcase of her own.
"So…you're both leaving?" Jude asked, staring back and forth between them.
"I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, sweetie, it's just for a night," Victoria said, walking up to Jude and giving her a quick kiss on her head.
"But you? You won't be back tomorrow," Jude said quietly, looking miserably at her sister.
"Jude," Sadie said softly, approaching her sister, "you're going to be fine without me."
"No, I won't," Jude countered softly. She swallowed, feeling tears in her eyes, and took a deep breath. "It just…won't be the same without you."
"I know," Sadie said, pulling her in for a hug. "It won't be the same not being here. But I have to go, Jude. I can't miss this."
Jude felt the tears well up against her sister's shoulder, hugging her closely. She sniffed quietly and pulled back, saying softly, "I just thought you'd have more time—I still have so much to tell you. But I guess…you have to do what you have to do, right? I'm happy for you that got a spot in the program."
"Me too," Sadie said with a grin. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Sades," Jude said, leaning in closer. "What about…you know, Josh?" she asked quietly. Her mom still didn't know the truth about who was dating who.
"Well, he knows I'm leaving and he's going to come visit me. We're going to try to make it work," Sadie said confidently.
"That's good," Jude said with a smile. "He really likes you. He talks to me about you."
"Really? What does he say?" Sadie asked inquisitively.
"He tells me about funny things you say or stories you tell him…he's crazy about you."
Sadie blushed a little and smiled to herself. "Well, he's sweet. I really want things to work out. It might be tough but we'll make it work. I know it."
"I do too," Jude agreed, smiling at her sister's happiness. "And he's a nice change from your last boyfriend…"
"If you mention his name, Jude, you won't be getting a birthday present from me," Sadie instructed sternly. Jude instantly pursed her lips together in silence, to which Sadie laughed.
"Thank you," Sadie said, as Jude smiled and watched her mom rush upstairs to grab her purse. "I'm glad you and Tommy are back on track. You're good together."
"Thanks," Jude said quietly, grinning. "It's been a tough few months."
"But it's almost over," Sadie replied with a smile.
"Yeah," Jude agreed hesitantly. "Although I think our trouble is just beginning…"
Sadie looked at her questioningly, to which Jude just shrugged and added, "It's a long story, but I'm just hoping everything goes smoothly once I turn the big one-eight."
"I do, too, for both of your sakes," Sadie said. "Speaking of which, you're going to have to let me know what happens at the big birthday bash."
"You won't be here?" Jude asked in surprise.
"I don't think so. It's only 2 weeks away, Jude, and I will have just started classes and getting into the swing of things. It might be tough to get away."
Jude silently nodded, looking disappointed. "Okay. There won't be a party anyway. I just want a quiet night."
"Wow, you are getting old," Sadie said with a smile seeing her mom return with all of her stuff.
"Ready?" Victoria asked.
"Yes, let's get going," Sadie replied, turning back towards Jude and giving her a hug. "Take care. And call me if you need anything."
"Of course. You know I can't survive without your pep talks," Jude responded, embracing her sister.
"And stay healthy, Jude. I am not coming back here to visit you in the hospital. Okay?"
"Okay," Jude agreed with a smile. "I will. Let me know how everything goes. And good luck."
"Thanks, I'll talk to you," Sadie said, lifting a duffel bag over her shoulder and picking up two suitcases. Victoria walked over and gave Jude a quick kiss before heading out the door with the rest of Sadie's luggage.
"Have a safe flight!" Jude yelled, watching them walk out the door.
"Bye!" Sadie yelled behind her.
"Bye," Jude said softly. She watched as her sister and mom loaded the car with the luggage, quickly got in, and started driving down the driveway. She waved as she saw her sister's hand waving at her through the window, as the car turned at the end of the driveway and headed down the street and away from her house.
Jude stood by the door for a few moments hearing the sound of the car getting fainter. She hadn't realized how attached she was to her sister. Over the past few months, she and Sadie had really grown closer. Sadie had become Jude's comfort in the absence of Tommy and even with him, she still relied on Sadie for support. She was happy that Sadie was getting the chance to pursue her dreams, but Jude couldn't help but selfishly feel sad to see her leave.
Snapping out of her daze, she heard the ring of her cell phone from her bag. She retreated into her house and rummaged through her bag on the floor to find it. She grinned as she looked at the name on the front.
"Mr. Quincy," she said, opening the phone.
"Miss Harrison," he replied. "How's your night going? Hopefully better than the rest of the day was."
"Oh, it's just dandy, thank you," she responded sarcastically, closing the door and walking over to the couch.
"That was enthusiastic," he said, sensing her tone.
She sighed and fell into the couch, her head on one of the pillows. "Well, my sister just left for college. Totally out of the blue."
"She just left?"
"Yup."
"When?"
"Ummm, about 3.5 minutes ago," Jude replied. "She got early acceptance into this program she applied to but they needed her to start immediately. So off she went."
"Off she went," he repeated vaguely. "That is kind of sudden."
"Yeah. I came home and she was all packed. It was depressing, but she seemed pretty positive about it."
"That's good."
"Yeah, so now, here I am, all by my lonesome."
"Alone?" he asked, with slight hopefulness in his voice. "Why alone?"
"My mom went with her."
"Ahhh…" he replied, his mind working overtime.
"For the night," she added, sensing where the conversation was heading.
"For the night? Interesting," he commented. She could tell he was smiling over the phone.
"Yeah, it's pretty upsetting. I had a pretty trying day and now I'm depressed and alone."
"Awww…poor baby…" he replied with a smirk. "Well, I could provide you with some company if it would make you feel better."
"Company? Oooo…does the company have access to food? Because not only did they leave me depressed and lonely, but hungry too," Jude said with a hopeful grin.
"Now you're really laying on the guilt trip, Harrison," he said. "When can you be ready?"
"Ten minutes?"
"I'll be there."