Oh my gosh, I seriously have been trying for four days straight to post this update...FINALLY! I promise, I didn't abandon you and thanks to those who reviewed while they waited :) Has anyone else had issues?
Anyway, hi—I'm back from a great trip! It was a perfect getaway but I'm happy to be home. And I have good news-this story has totally been re-energized from a combination of my vacation and posting frustration. Over the last few days, I just kept writing since the site wasn't working. I'm pretty close to finishing it...but never fear, I actually came up with an idea for yet another story, although I'm promising myself not to start posting it until this one is done. But it's seriously so good...I'm full of inspiration now!
So thanks for hanging in there and reviewing the last chapter even though you knew it would be awhile before this post. This chapter has a cliffie at the end, as a warning, as I know how much you all love those cliffies. :) But not to worry, the next chapter will be up by the end of the weekend, as long as the site works. ENJOY!
"Jude, enough arguing. You are not wearing jeans," EJ demanded.
"Sorry, Jude, but I agree," Sadie chimed in on the other end of the phone, as EJ and Jude examined the outfit laid out on Jude's bed.
"Fine, but I am not wearing a gown," Jude retorted to both of them, holding the phone under her ear. It was the night before her birthday and instead of celebrating with her boyfriend, Jude was stuck arguing with her publicist and her sister about the outfit for the following night. As the clock drew closer to midnight, Jude huffed and lay down on her bed, hearing Sadie rattle off some description of a tank top she had seen at a store that would look great on Jude. EJ started rummaging through her closet, throwing clothes all over the room.
"EJ, what are you doing?" Jude exclaimed, seeing her Ramones t-shirt fly through the air to land on her teddy bear in the corner.
"Trying to find something decent for you to wear," EJ replied, stuffing her head further into the closet.
"You won't find anything," Jude mumbled.
"Tell EJ that you should wear the black tank top with the silver sequins," Sadie instructed.
"Ugh, no!" Jude responded. "Sadie, that tank top is way too small. And it trails sequins all over the room. They end up in my bra."
"So? You could use a little shine in there too," Sadie said with a laugh.
"No, Sadie, I am not wearing that top."
"Jude, you are hopeless," EJ replied with a sigh, emerging from the closet with her hair askew. "I couldn't find one decent thing."
"Sorry, wardrobe isn't my thing," Jude said, sitting up on her bed. "Remember the Juno's? I only looked good because of that stylist you hired."
"The stylist…" EJ said, her eyes widened in thought. "Hilary! I'll call Hilary! Jude, you're a genius."
"Thanks," Jude replied flatly, watching EJ scurry out of the room. "Looks like the case is solved, Sadie. EJ has gone for reinforcements."
"Good," Sadie said. "Oh hey, I have to get going, my study group is heading out. I'll definitely call you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks, Sadie," Jude said.
"Night," Sadie replied before Jude shut the phone. She lay back on her bed and gently closed her eyes.
She started to drift off to sleep when suddenly, the 24 Hours ring on her phone chimed, interrupting her dreamy state. She sat up and reached for the phone on her nightstand, smiling at the number on her caller id.
"Jude Harrison – Queen of the Almost-Legal Incorporated, can I help you?"
"Excuse me, Queen of the Almost-Legal Incorporated, but it looks like you better change that title," Tommy said with a smirk. Jude glanced over at the clock on her nightstand and smiled at the time: 12:01am.
"Ooo!" she exclaimed, looking at the clock.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy—"
"Quincy, please don't sing," she pleaded. "I hate that song, you know that."
"Okay, okay," he said with a laugh. "Happy birthday, girl."
"Thank you," she replied with a smile.
"Are you celebrating yet?" he asked.
"Nope, nada. EJ was here raiding my closet, but she left, and my mom is out for the night. So it's just me. Unless you want to come over and celebrate…"
"I would, but I can't," he replied regrettably. "I'm sorry, but I have a crazy day tomorrow and if I'm with you, I doubt I'd get enough sleep."
"Fine, but you're the one missing out," she said disappointedly.
"Don't I know it…" he responded. "I better get going actually. Happy birthday, girl. Love you."
"Love you too," she replied hastily before closing the phone in thought. Why was he being so distant lately? Did he really just choose sleep over sex? Who was this guy and what had he done with her real boyfriend?
As she contemplated his recent aloofness, she finally found herself closing her eyes and falling asleep.
She woke with a startle the next day, as her mom was standing over her bed singing.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear—"
"Mom! Enough!" she cried, throwing the blanket over her head.
"Sorry, honey," Victoria said, creeping over to the side of the bed and pulling back the blanket to give Jude a quick kiss. "Happy birthday."
"Thanks," Jude said with a small smile, her eyes half-closed.
"I have to go to work, but I'll be back later with your gifts," Victoria said, approaching the door.
"Gifts?" Jude asked, eyes wide open and throwing the blanket off of her. "As in, multiple?"
"Maybe," Victoria replied with a smile. "Oh, and EJ called. She's coming over with Hilary around 4:00, so be ready for them by then."
"Okay. Thanks, Mom," Jude replied.
"No problem. Happy birthday, sweetie," she said, before closing the door and leaving Jude to herself. She lay in bed for another few minutes before getting up to shower. Afterwards, she went downstairs to the couch and collapsed, happy to not have to be at work.
Hours later, she was standing with EJ and Hilary, her stylist, adding the final touches to her outfit. She had selected an olive-colored wrap dress—clean and simple. Hilary had brought matching accessories—a purse and dangling bracelets. She looked at her reflection and smiled.
"Hilary, you're truly a genius," Jude said, pulling her stylist in for a quick hug.
"Well, I'm glad you think so," Hilary replied, looking her over one last time before shooting EJ a quick look to indicate they had to leave.
"Umm, Jude, we have to get going, but we'll meet you at the restaurant, right?" EJ asked.
"Uhh, sure. You mean we're not going together?" Jude asked in confusion.
"No, I think Tommy is here to take you over," EJ responded, before hastily exiting her bedroom and leaving Jude all alone.
Her birthday had truly been one of the strangest days she had experienced in a long time. She heard from very few people during the day—her sister didn't call, she hadn't heard a peep from Tommy again. She got an e-card from Jamie and a text message from Kat, but that was it. Did everyone forget or something?
Shrugging off her annoyance, she grabbed her bag and started walking out the door, looking out as she was walking down the steps to see Tommy waiting at the bottom.
"Hi there, birthday girl," he said.
"Hi," she replied with a wide smile, reaching the bottom. He immediately moved his hand that was behind his back out towards her, revealing a single red rose.
"For you," he said with a smile.
"Thank you," she replied, taking it from him. He immediately pulled her in and enveloped her in a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. Pulling back, he started to lean in for a kiss as she backed away.
"My mom—"
"Is gone," he replied quickly. "Already left for the restaurant."
"Oh, that's convenient then," she said with a smile, leaning in and meeting her lips to his. He pulled her in closer and kissed her passionately until they were breathless. They parted lips and stared at each other for a few moments.
"So, before we leave," he started, grabbing her hand and walking over towards the counter, "I need to give you my gift."
"Now?" she questioned, her smile growing wider from anticipation.
"Yep, now," he said, patting the seat for her to sit down. As she did, he sat down on the chair beside her and reached into his pocket producing a small black box. Her eyes instantly lit up at the sight.
"So," he began, taking a deep breath but keeping the box in his hands, "we've had quite the few months here."
"Yes, we have," she agreed. She smiled, antsy to get her hands on the box.
"Anyway, I just wanted to say, before I give this to you, that these last few months together have meant the world to me. And despite the occasional bumps, I can honestly say that everything we went through has been worth it. I love you, Jude," he concluded.
"Thank you, that was really sweet. I love you too," she said, leaning in to give him a soft kiss on the lips.
"So, I guess now is the point where you get your gift?" he asked, teasing her a little.
"Yeah, that's usually what happens when you're holding it in front of me," she replied with a grin.
"Okay, okay…here you go. Happy birthday," he said, handing her the small box.
Her fingers immediately latched on to it, feeling the warmth of the box in her hands. She smiled up at him and gently opened it, revealing its contents.