Chapter 12
After that first real date, Tommy and Jude became inseparable. While Jude's mom was a little worried about her youngest daughter getting into a serious relationship, she liked Tommy and had been assured by Sadie of how well Tommy treated Jude and how much he cared for her. By the time they had come back from their mid-term break at the beginning of November, Jude was spending every weekend at Tommy's. While their physical relationship had progressed they hadn't had sex, yet they loved the feeling of falling asleep in each others arms.
They had become close emotionally as well. They were each others confidents. Jude had found out while she was home that her parents' divorce had been finalized. Stuart hadn't called anyone in this family and the divorce papers he had sent right before the summer had ended was the only thing they had heard from him. She had called Tommy the night she found out and he did his best to calm her down over the phone. The next morning Tommy surprised Jude and drove the 100 miles that separated their homes and took her out for the day. It was at the end of that day, right before Tommy drove back home that they told each other, "I love you."
--
It was the first week of December and there was snow on the ground. Jude had a big test to study for and was currently at the library. She had planned on working there until closing time and then walking the couple of blocks to Tommy's and getting a good night sleep before her exam.
It was around midnight when Jude left the library. Jude took out her phone to call Tommy.
"Hey, girl," Tommy said into the phone.
"Hey. I just left the library; I'll be over in like 10 minutes."
"Sounds good…" Tommy continued to talk but Jude found herself distracted as an uneasy feeling came over her. "Jude?"
"Um, sorry I got distracted. Tom do you think you could meet me in the lobby."
"Sure." Tommy replied concerned with the way her voice was shaking.
Jude was pretty sure at this point that someone was behind her. "Alright, I'll be there soon."
"Jude—" Tommy was cut off by the click of the phone.
As soon as Jude hung up the phone she started a dead sprint for Tommy's. She was still a couple of blocks away. All of a sudden she was pushed from behind. Everything went dark as her head hit the pavement.
--
After 15 minutes of waiting in the lobby, Tommy was really starting to get worried. He tried her cell but it just rang. Afraid something was wrong Tommy got into his car and drove in the direction of the library. Two blocks from his apartment, Tommy saw Jude. She was laying face down on the sidewalk. Her books and bags were scattered all around her. Tommy sprinted from his car over to her.
He fell to his knees besides her trying to assess the damages but also to afraid to move her. Her left arm was oddly under her body. He slowly rolled her onto her back and into his lap. As he cradled her he saw a gash on her forehead and her right cheek was scraped up. He grabbed his phone and called for an ambulance.