Chapter 5

Tommy got back to his apartment just as Kwest was waking up. "Hey man. How are the girls doing this morning?"

"Much better." Tommy said with a smile thinking about Jude. He sat on the coach continuing to grin.

"Ok, what's up with you man? You walk in here all smiles, yet you look like you haven't slept at all. I mean, I know Sadie passed out pretty quick, but you look way to happy to have taken care of a sick girl all night."

"It wasn't a big deal. I mean I'm just happy she's ok. I don't know Kwest, something about her. I was more than happy to care for her. It's something about that girl, I feel like I'd do anything for her."

"Wow, slow down man. You just met her yesterday, you barely know her beyond what Sadie has said. Besides she's a freshman."

"Like that matters man. I don't know. There's something there. We're going to dinner Sunday, so I guess we'll just have to see what happens." Tommy gave another smile and nod to Kwest and then went to crash into bed.

--

Jude walked into her dorm later that afternoon to find Whitney still passed out. She smiled to herself at the familiar scene and took a shower before she started her work.

--

Sunday evening rolled around and Jude was dressed in regular jeans and her converse. She was wearing one of her vintage rock t-shirts and her hair was down and naturally wavy. She was sitting at her desk finishing up some reading as she waited for Tommy to arrive. They had talked earlier in the morning and he was gonna swing by her dorm and pick her up before they went out for a casual dinner. Jude was brought out of her book by a knock at the door. "It's opened." Jude yelled as she placed a pen in her book and closed it.

Tommy slowly opened the door to see Jude sitting at her desk. He smiled and then another girl came pushing into the room behind him. Jude stood up to great Tommy just as Whitney noticed he was in the room. "Hi. I don't think I know you." Whitney said while looking at Tommy as if he was a piece of meat.

Jude rolled her eyes and mouthed 'sorry' to Tommy as she grabbed her coat and introduced the two. "Tommy this is my roommate Whitney. Whitney this is Tommy."

Tommy smiled politely as Whitney walked up to him and put her hand on his arm. "It's nice to meet you Tommy. Why don't you sit down and we can get to know each other a little better."

Tommy had to suppress a laugh at this girl's attempt seduce him. But being a gentleman he said, "Maybe some other time." Taking a step away from Whitney her turned to Jude and asked if she was ready to go. She was and they left leaving a shocked a rejected Whitney alone in the dorm.

The pair walked from the dorm down to a small pizza place a couple blocks off campus. They sat down and decided to share a cheese pizza. The table was silent at first but after they got to talking it seemed like they talked about everything and anything. Jude talked about the stresses at home since her father moved out a year ago and the demands her mom had been putting on her to do well in school. Tommy told Jude about his family and the pressure his father was putting on him to go into the family business since his older brother was just finishing up his masters in business and they both would be graduating in the spring. He told her how he was unsure about it and he was thinking he'd like to maybe do something in entertainment, not necessarily be in the spotlight but somehow behind the scenes. They talked and talked for hours and before they knew it the owner of the restaurant was closing up. Jude paid the after much protestation from Tommy and they left.

Tommy thanked Jude for dinner but not wanting to end the night yet he asked if she wanted to go get some ice cream. She nodded and off they went. They walked together in comfortable silence, smiling up at each other every few minutes. Just as they were about to reach their destination someone called out their names. Both Jude and Tommy turned around to see Sadie and some of her friends. She excused herself from the group and walked up to her sister and friend.

"Hey what are you guys doing here, and together?" Sadie asked her voice getting a little whimsical towards the end.

"We were on our way to get some ice cream." Tommy responded first.

"Yeah, I took Tommy for dinner. It was the best way I could think to pay him back for taking care of me the other night." Jude said feeling a little self-conscious of being caught by her sister on their kind of date.

"Oh, that's sweet of you sis. God for a second there I thought you were on a date. That would have been weird, huh?" Sadie laughed not paying attention to the uncomfortable looks on Jude and Tommy's faces. "Well I'm gonna get back to the girls. Jude I'll call you tomorrow. Tommy, see you soon? You make sure my little sister gets back to the dorm safe alright, there's a bunch of weird people out there." With that Sadie hugged the pair and left with her friends.

"Maybe ice creams not such a good idea." Tommy said, not sure of how Jude felt about the little encounter with her sister. He hoped she wouldn't want to end the night but he could tell the whole feel of the evening had changed.

"Yeah, I should probably get you back. Classes tomorrow and everything." Tommy replied. They walked back to Jude's dorm no longer in a comfortable silence.

Once they got to Jude's building Tommy stopped.

"Thanks again for dinner Jude. It was a lot of fun."

"Yeah it was. We should do it again sometime." Jude said looking to her feet, "I mean as friends ya know?"

At the word friends Tommy's face slightly fell. "Ya. Ya that would be great. Good night girl." He said leaning in to give her a hug. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and their faces lingered close to each other a second longer than friends would. Jude said goodnight and went into her building.

Tommy watched her till he could no longer see her through the windows in the door. He turned to leave feeling completely confused. He knew he liked this girl but it was obvious she wasn't ready for anything. He made up his mind that he would be her friend and give her time she needed, hoping that she would come around.