A/N: I don't own Instant Star. I don't own Bitter Pill, Brilliant Dance, and Screaming Infidelities by Dashboard Confessional. Reviews are always welcome.
Episode 26 – La Tortura
Part
1
(seconds following the end of Episode 25)
When Jude
opened her eyes she saw Kwest staring intently at her. "What
happened?" I said groggily. "Well after your whole "I remember
everything" you kind of passed out. Drama queen." he said
teasingly. When Jude started laughing it hurt a lot. "Here I'll
get you some water" Kwest said as he got up and went outside to
talk to one of the nurses. Kwest had to hold the cup and give her a
little at a time because she was so weak. She barely got any of it
down. "Where's Tommy?" she said.
Part 2
"Well minutes before your whole revelation Tommy left" Kwest said. "Why" I said while trying to have a second go at the water. "Jude you died" said Kwest. "Huh?" I said. "I mean you were flat lined, the doctors announced your time of death, the whole deal, and Tommy, well you know, Tommy, he completely lost it and ran out of the room" said Kwest. "And then a few minutes later your body started convulsing and then there was a heart beat on the monitor. Freakiest thing I've ever seen! I mean seriously it was a miracle, right out of a movie!" said Kwest. Jude didn't look amused. "Kwest, please call his cell phone right now" said Jude with a horrible feeling rising from her gut.
Part 3
(On the hospital roof) Tommy threw his cell phone off the roof and watched its descent. He didn't bother trying to wipe the tears anymore. He cried out like a wounded animal and fell on his knees while slamming his fists into the ground until they grew bloody. "I shouldn't have given her the pills! Why did I give them to her! I should have watched her take them. She's gone and it's all my fault" he said dejectedly. "She's gone" he said. The finality of his words shook him to the core. He sat for a few minutes to watch the sun make its way above the horizon. And then he closed his eyes and rifled through his memories of him and Jude. He smiled as he remembered there first meeting, to when she said 'I do', and when she first opened her eyes after being in a coma for 3 long years: "Oh, Tommy it must have been so hard for you. Why didn't you give up? Move on with your life?" I ask. He brushes the tears away and kisses my forehead. "Jude, you're my soul mate. I would have followed you anywhere, whether in this life or the next." I buried my head in his shoulders and held on to him never wanting to let go." He knew there was only one thing left to do. He picked himself off the ground and started making his way to the edge.
Part
4
"Jude it went straight to voicemail. The battery
probably just died or something. I'm sure he'll be here in a few
minutes, probably just went to get coffee" said Kwest. "Kwest if
he thinks I died he's going to try to kill himself." I said.
"Jude do you know how completely insane that sounds. I mean given
that you just tried to kill yourself and everything that's happened
I'm sure you're in a fragile state of mind" he said. With all
the strength I had I put myself in a sitting position and grabbed the
front of his shirt. "Kwest, this is not a joke. I want you to get
to the roof right this second and do whatever it takes to bring him
back to me" I said in a deadly voice.
Part 5
Kwest thought Jude was an intense person, but the Jude he left was terrifying. There was no way he was gonna come back to the room Tommy-less no matter if he thought she had completely lost her mind. He took the stairs 3 at a time and was starting to get a little winded when he burst through the door. "I'm just gonna take a quick peak and then I'm gonna call Tommy and drag him back into her room. Everything's gonna be fine. As he quickly scanned the roof he saw Tommy take a step towards the edge. "Everything is not fine.." he said as he sprinted the distance to Tommy.
Part 6
Tommy's eyes were closed. He spread his arms wide and took a step and felt the air rush out to meet him.
Part
7
After Kwest left Jude alone she couldn't get thoughts
of Tommy off her mind of and the gnawing feeling she felt. She
couldn't help herself from thinking thoughts of Tommy leaving her
forever as she had a flashback of their conversation the last time
she was in the hospital: He brushes the tears away and kisses my
forehead. "Jude, you're my soul mate. I would have followed you
anywhere, whether in this life or the next." Not giving it else
that much thought she ripped the IVs and cords off her arm quickly
and tried not to wince at the pain. She just hoped the nurse on duty
didn't notice that her vitals were no longer blipping on the
machine. She sat up and put her feet towards the ground and instantly
felt a shock from the coldness. She slowly took a peak in the
hallway, saw it was clear, and made a run for it. She had made it to
the elevator and had just pressed roof when she saw a nurse run to
her room as she frantically pressed the close button. "Please don't
let me be to late…" she thought to herself.
Part 8
Kwest knew he would never reach Tommy in time, so he yelled out in desperation if only to distract him for a second. "Tommy, stop Jude is alive!" he yelled out. Tommy's eyes shot open and his foot wavered in the air. When he heard Jude's name he felt a painful jolt to his system and all he could remember was the nurse throwing the sheet over Jude's body and the announcement of the time of death. He couldn't hear the rest of what Kwest said. All could feel was the return of the tightness in his chest knowing that the love of his life was gone and it was all his fault. This time he wouldn't be distracted. All he knew was he would soon be with Jude. He kept his eyes open this time and concentrated on her face as he took another step away from this life.
Part 9
The few seconds Tommy was distracted gave Kwest enough time to get to the edge of the roof and grab Tommy's forearm with both hands and hold on for dear life. Tommy felt something in his shoulder snap and felt pure agony whether it was from his shoulder or not being with Jude; it didn't matter, all he knew was that he was angry and Kwest was there.
Part
10
"You don't know what you're doing man!" said
Kwest as he unsuccessfully tried to pull Tommy. "Let go, Kwest"
Tommy said in a dangerous voice. "I've got nothing left in this
world. Don't take this from me" he said in a strained voice.
"Maybe you should check with Jude before you're so quick to
leave" Kwest said. "Jude's gone, Kwest. There's nothing
that's going to bring her back" he said as the tears started to
fall. He angrily wiped them with his free arm, which caused Kwest's
grip to falter. "Just let go Kwest, it's better this way" he
said.
Part 11
As Jude ran through the doors leading to the roof she saw Kwest on the ground lying dangerously close to the edge. I kneeled down next to Kwest and put out her hand. "Take my hand" she said.
Part 12
Tommy tentatively looked up as he heard her voice. "Jude…" he said. "I said give me your hand Quincy, now!" I said. Kwest and I heaved and grunted as we got Tommy over the edge and safely back on to the roof. The three were lying on the ground breathing hard when Tommy eased his jacket off carefully and draped it over Jude who was only wearing a hospital gown. She crushed him in a hug and he cried out. "Tommy you're hurt" I said as I glanced at his shoulder. I took his good hand and led him through the doors and into the elevator. We never took our eyes off each other as we made our way back down.
Part 13
"Oh don't thank me. It was nothing. Honestly, part of the job. I'm perfectly capable of making my way back down, but thank you for the concern" Kwest muttered to himself. He put his hand on the door handle and pulled, but the door wouldn't budge. "I'm fine. Just don't panic" he said as he started pounding his fist on the door. "Guys? Are you still there?" he said.
Part 14
Tommy ended up needing to have immediate surgery to repair his rotator cuff. The doctors wanted to keep me over night for observation, but I sweet talked him into letting me go home. Cute girls have astonishing powers, what can I say? I was in the waiting room minus the icky hospital gown and in my own clothes reading a magazine when I suddenly remembered something. "Crap!" I said as I threw the magazine on the table and knocked my chair over. I quickly apologized for my outburst and told everyone in the waiting room that I was perfectly fine, but needed to see about a friend. The elevator was taking too damn long so I ran up the stairs two at a time. When I was back on the roof I burst out laughing.
Part 15
"Jude, finally….No…." he said as the door slammed shut behind me. I was laughing so hard tears started falling from my eyes. Kwest remembered why she was laughing and tried his best to cover himself. "Where (ha ha ha) are (ha ha ha) your (ha ha ha) clothes?" I could barely say the words my stomach was hurting so much. "Well, after you and Tommy ditched me and I was heading back downstairs there seemed to be a slight problem with the door" he said calmly. "What was the problem with the door that required membership to a nudist colony?" I said trying to catch my breath. "The problem with the door is that it's locked and we're both stuck here" he said. "Now let me borrow your sweater I'm freezing" he said. "Fine, it'll look so much better on you anyway" I said as I peeled it off my body. "You so owe me another one" I said as I handed it over. "Now about your clothes?" I asked with my head slightly cocked. "It's a long story" he said as he shrugged on the girly sweater. "Well, we've got however long it's gonna take for someone to come up on the roof, so I'm all ears. And let me just say that that color really brings out the color of your eyes" I said as I burst out laughing once more.
Part 16
"So my clothes…" Kwest said tugging on the sweater to cover the rest of his torso, but it was futile so he gave up. "Well, at first I tried yelling to attract some attention, but after 20 minutes my voice was hoarse and no one even looked up. I tried banging on the door for about an hour, but not even a peep downstairs. So I had a genius plan to throw onto the sidewalk pieces of my clothes hoping to attract someone's attention" he said. "So what was your fatal flaw, genius?" I said. "The homeless man that made off with all of my clothes. At least someone's better off" he said with a shrug. "So that was your long story?" I said with a laugh. "What can I say I'm an attention whore" said Kwest with a wink. That set me off once more.
Part 17
"You know, Kwest, you're pretty hot" I said as I admired the view. "Um, thanks" he said while trying his best to cover up his exposed skin and blushing. "Kwest why don't you sit closer to me?" I said. "Oh no, I've been watching animal planet and it's about at this point when the female preying mantis eats her mate and the way you've been acting since your miraculous rise from the dead I'm having flashbacks right now as we speak of you swallowing me whole!" he said as he inched further away from me. "First of all you're the one acting like a crazy person and secondly if you watched animal planet then you should know that by sitting closer together that our combined body heat will keep the two of us warmer. Besides can't a girl admire a something without buying the product? I mean guys do it all the time. And it was just a compliment. Don't let it get to your head. Tommy's is big enough for the both of you" I said. "You would know, of course" he said slyly playing into the double innuendo and making me blush. "You know since your disappearance Tommy's been a monk, so you don't have to worry about that or anything" said Kwest taking the conversation down a serious path. "So is that your white flag. It's just me, you know. Normal Jude. Not return of the evil dead Jude or even preying mantis Jude" I said. "You've never been normal, you know" he said. "So, I've been told" I said with my teeth clattering from the cold. "So seriously, Kwest, come closer. I promise I won't bite. And it's not just for your benefit either. I'm seriously freezing my butte off over here" I said. "Fine, but you come over here" he said crossing his arms against his chest. I reluctantly got up and nearly fell over since both my legs had fallen asleep. "If you can get over here in one piece" he said laughing. I gave him a withering look, but finally made my way over to where he was sitting. I got into a seated position Indian style and leaned my back into his chest and put his arms around me and placed my hands in his and rubbing ours both together to try to generate some warmth. "No funny business Jude. I mean it. Try to restrain yourself from making out with me" he said with a chuckle. I decided not to let the comment go and "accidentally" stuck my elbow out into his rib cage. "Ow" he yelped. "That's the last compliment you're gonna get from me if this is how you're gonna act" I said laughing.
Part 18
One minute Jude was laughing at Kwest and the next minute they were being questioned by a news reporter. "So we got an anonymous tip from a homeless man that we should check out the hospital roof. He says thanks for the clothes. I'm assuming they're yours since you barely have anything on" said the reporter chuckling. Kwest immediately moved Jude directly in front of him. "So do you, sir, have anything you'd like to say to our audience? We're live by the way" she said. "Tommy, first of all this isn't what it looks like and secondly…" Kwest said before being interrupted by the news reporter who was staring intently at Jude. "You look awfully familiar" said the reporter. "Oh my God, you're that girl from the missing poster, which would make Tommy, Tom Quincy from Boyzattack" the reporter said with glee. "So, were you really missing or did you run away with Tom Quincy's best friend? And what are you two doing at the hospital on the roof for that matter? Did Tom Quincy discover you two? Were you in some sort of love pack of death? Is Tom Quincy here in the vicinity?" said the reporter. "No comment" they both said and groaned aloud. Kwest and Jude were saved from any more asinine questions when a hospital staff member opened the door to the roof and motioned them to come with her before Jude angrily slammed the door on the reporters face.
Part 19
"So are you Tommy's nurse?" I asked. "No. just someone that got stuck on that roof once or twice?" she said ruefully. "I'm been meaning to ask someone to get that door fixed. I was just on my lunch break and watching TV and you two looked like you needed some rescuing. I'm a big fan of your music by the way" she said to Jude. "Thanks" said Jude. When the elevator opened she told Jude and Kwest that she had to get back to work and left them to find their way. The two of them got some odd looks as they made their way to the nurse's station. "Hi, is Tom Quincy out of surgery? And if he is what room is he in?" I said. After getting the information Kwest and I headed down the hall as peals of laughter drifted down from where we just left. "So Kwest, you always have this effect on women?" I said teasing.
Part 20
When Kwest and I walked into Tommy's room he had his eyes riveted to the television. He turned off the TV and stared intensely at me and Kwest. After some uncomfortable silence Kwest said "I'll just borrow these" as he grabbed Tommy's clothes and locked himself in the bathroom not before giving me a thumb's up sign. Tommy and I just continued to stare at each other both unsure where to begin. Before long Kwest emerged from the bathroom. "So I'll see you two later" he said before quickly exiting the room. "Jude…" Tommy said. I felt my heart leap down into my stomach and a sense of dread seemed to creep onto my shoulders as I walked over to the bed and sat down. "We need to talk…" he finished.
Part 21
Tommy may have initiated the conversation, but Jude took over as she put her fingers to his lips. "Let me go first" I said. "Don't interrupt Tommy" as he started to object. "Just here me out" I said. I took a deep breath and began my story to that night at blockbuster. During my telling I had to get up a few times for water, but other than that Tommy didn't once interrupt me. His eyebrows were furrowed and at some point he was holding my hand. His eyes turned a dangerous color; however when I discussed the deflowering and my intimate relationship with Eli. I didn't want to hold anything back; secrets were what always almost came close to destroying our relationship. I was hurt when he dropped my hand, but I continued on as my voice faltered. "That night with the pills; I did try to kill myself…when I woke up I remembered everything and now here we are…" I said.
Part 22
My palms started to sweat as Tommy continued to stare at the wall. "Tommy…say something…anything" I pleaded desperately. "I don't think I can do this anymore" he said. "Do what?" I said as my heart began to break. "Us" he said. "How can you even says that? After everything we went through you just want to give up?" I said as tears began to fall. "It's because of everything we've gone through. Don't you get it Jude? Every time we're together there's always something in the way that keeps us apart. "That may be true, but we always find our way back to each other, again" I said. "We're a disaster, Jude. Maybe we're not meant to be together." he said. "Please don't do this, Tommy" I said. "I can't be without you!" I said as I held his hand to my face. "You seemed to have done fine without me" he said as the words hit me like a slap to the face. "So this has everything to do with Eli?" I asked as the anger creeped into my words. "Part of it does. You moved on, Jude, with him. For God's sakes, Jude, you tried to kill yourself because of him" he said bitterly. "What, are you jealous? Don't you get it? I didn't remember anything. I would have never consciously cheated on you. That's more you're style" I said with frustration and anger. "Why do you have to bring up the past?" he said growing agitated. "I apologized for that" he said. "So I forgive you for that and you can't forgive me for Eli?" I said. "Jude, I can forgive you for that if you tell me that you didn't love him" Tommy said. I stared at the ground. "You can't, can you" he said. "If he were still here would you choose him over me?" he said. "I once asked you to choose? Remember, Quincy" I said. "Jude would you choose him over me?" he asked again. "What does it matter if you've already decided we're through?" I said as I walked out the door.
Part 23
"This isn't what was supposed to happen" I said sobbing into my arms as I sat on the curb outside the hospital. I heard steps approach me. "Hey Jude is everything…is definitely not okay" said Kwest as he looked down at my tear streaked face. "Come on Jude let's get you out of here. I know just the place" he said as he carefully took my hand.
Part 24
I found myself sitting in the studio with a guitar in my hand. And so I started playing:
This Bitter Pill (Dashboard Confessional – The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most)
Walking
away.
It's not the same as running.
Is it to you know
that
You've run in this ground.
And you say take this.
This
medicine is
Just what you deserve.
Swallow, choke, and die.
And
this bitter pill
Is leaving you
With such an angry mouth.
One
that's void
Of all discretion
Such an awful
Tearing
sound.
With it's measure only equal
By the power of my
stare
Glaring over you and over
You this feeling of despair
Is
never wearing out.
It's
wearing off
And it's leaving you
With such a heavy heart
And
a head to match.
The bottle is waiting
The cap is twisted
begging to be Used
And so are you
This Brilliant Dance (Dashboard Confessional – The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most)
So
this is odd,
The painful realization
That has all gone
wrong.
And nobody cares at all,
And nobody cares at all.
So
you buried
All your lover's clothes
And burned the letters
lover wrote,
But it doesn't make it any better.
Does it make it
any better?
And the plaster dented from your fist
In the hall
where you had your first Kiss
Reminds you that the memories will
Fade.
So
this is strange,
Our sidestepping has
Come to be a brilliant
dance
Where nobody leads at all,
Where nobody leads at all.
And
the picture frames are facing down
and the ringing from this empty
sound
Is deafening and keeping you from sleep.
And breathing is
a foreign task
and thinking is just too much to ask
And you're
measuring your
Minutes by a clock that's blinking Eights.
This
is incredible.
Starving, insatiable,
yes, this is love for the
first time.
Well you'd like to think
That you were
invincible.
Yeah, well weren't we all once Before
We felt loss
for the first time?
Well this is the last time.
Screaming Infidelities (Dashboard Confessional – The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most)
I'm
missing your bed,
I never sleep
Avoiding the spots
where
we'd have to speak
And this bottle of
beast is taking me
home.
I'm cuddling close
to blankets and sheets
You're not
alone
and you're not discreet.
You make sure I know,
who's
taking you home.
I'm reading your
note over again.
There is
not a word
that I comprehend,
except when you signed it
"I
will love you always
and forever"
As
for now I'm gonna
hear the saddest songs,
and sit alone and
wonder
how you're making out
But as for me I wish that I was
anywhere
With anyone
making out
I'm
missing your laugh,
how did it break?
And when did your
eyes
begin to look fake?
I hope you're as happy
as your
pretending.
I'm missing your bed,
I never sleep.
Avoiding
the spots
where we'd have to sleep.
And this bottle of
Beast
is taking me home.
Your
hair
It's everywhere
Screaming infidelities
Taking it's wear
"Damn girl" Kwest said as I entered the sound booth. "Wanna talk about it?" he said. "Not really" I said as I curled up in the chair hugging my knees to my chin.
Part 25
"If there's anything I can do name it" said Kwest. "Let's go out. I wanna forget about him" I said. "Jude are you sure that's a…" Kwest said. I gave him a look. "Okay, not scary Jude again, please" he said. "Let's go" he said as he grabbed his jacket. Kwest took Jude to a club. Jude let her inhibitions go. It was pretty easy after a few drinks. Jude was commanding the attention of about every guy in the room as she lost herself in the music. Kwest saw several guys get a little too friendly with Jude for his taste. So he plowed through the crowd and brought her back to the table. If she noticed she'd didn't bother saying anything seeing as how she was downing her third straight shot. "Jude you've had enough I'm cutting you off" said Kwest. Jude started pouting. "Look I let you blow off some steam and we're going home" Kwest said. Jude didn't put up much of a fight after she started puking when they got out the back door. Kwest held her hair back. He sighed as he put her sleeping form in the passenger seat. When he brought her back to his place he debated whether or not to call Tommy.
Part 26
"Hey Tommy are you still at the hospital? No? You're home? I think you should stop by at my place. Why? It's Jude" Kwest said.
Part 27
Tommy arrived at Kwests. "What happened? Is Jude, okay? Where is she?" Tommy said as he ran his fingers through his hair. So Kwest told him what happened after he found her sitting on the curb in front of the hospital. "How could you let her get like this?" Tommy said as he stroked Jude's hair. "This is your handy work. Don't try to pin this on me!" said Kwest. "Me?" said Tommy. "Jude didn't tell me anything, but I'm not an idiot. What happened after I left you two?" said Kwest. "I broke it off with Jude." said Tommy. "Man, why the hell would you do that" said Kwest incredulously. "I can't handle it. After everything. I'm just done, man" Tommy said. "If you walk away from her you'll regret it for the rest of your life" said Kwest. When that didn't get a reaction from Tommy Kwest continued. "Tommy we searched for her for months and now that she's right in front of you you're gonna just walk away? Don't be an idiot!" said Kwest loudly rousing Jude from her slumber. Kwest and Tommy took their argument out into the living room. "Is this about Eli?" said Kwest and knew that struck a nerve when he saw his friend's eyes turn a cloudy gray. "Get over it, man. She forgave you when you went off with Sadie and with Portia" Kwest said as he folded his arms across his chest. "That was different. I wasn't in love with either of them" Tommy said. "I asked her if Eli were still alive if she'd choose him over me…" said Tommy. "You're not serious man" said Kwest with disbelief. "That girl would walk through fire for you" said Kwest. "She loves you despite everything" said Kwest. "Take a good look at that girl in there. Go ahead take a look" said Kwest motioning to Tommy. "Tell me you don't love her" said Kwest. Kwest had him in a corner and he knew it, so he did the only thing he could do. He walked out.
Part 28
Kwest felt guilty leaving Jude at his place by himself, but he told himself he wouldn't work late and would go straight home afterwards. He had left a big glass of water and left out 2 aspirins minus the bottle just to be safe. He even put on a fresh pot of coffee. "No working late" he thought to himself as the clock struck 5pm. "Hey Jude I'm…" said Kwest as he carefully peered through the apartment to his door which was slightly ajar. He found Jude sitting on the couch with a pile of empty bottles. Jude got up to greet Kwest and to his embarrassment she was only wearing one of his t-shirts and not much else. Kwest who was trying very hard to avert his eyes caused Jude to burst out into laughter. "I thought you learned about the evils of alcohol last night" said Kwest. "What can I say? I'm a masochist." I said as I opened up a beer can whose foam dripped all over the floor. "Sorry I'll clean that up" I said and leaned over to wipe it up. "Oh my God!" said Kwest covering his eyes. "I couldn't find any boxers? Have you ever heard of I don't know, laundry. You see they have these machines that fill with water and soap then you put the clothes in…" said Jude said. Kwest quickly ran into his room. She heard a bunch of drawers being slammed opened and rummaged through when Kwest finally returned still covering his eyes with one hand and dangling a pair of boxers in the other. "I'm going to hell!" Kwest said. Just then the door slowly opened to reveal a much shocked and angry Tommy. "Correction Tommy's going to kill you and then you're going to hell!" I said with a straight face.
Part
29
Jude couldn't decide whose facial expression was
funnier, Kwest's or Tommy's. Both their eyes were bulging and
while Tommy's face was an angry red, Kwest looked pale with a
slight shade of green. Jude reached out and grabbed the boxers and
put them on. "Anyone care for a beer? No. Whatever, more for me
then. " I said as I started sipping the can on the table. Kwest
gave me a "this isn't helping" look, but I merely shrugged.
Tommy gave an exasperated grumble and walked out the door, again.
Twice in two days.
Part 32
Surprisingly Jude was up before Kwest. As he sleepily made his way to the kitchen and sat down, Jude poured him a cup of coffee, which he quickly downed. "I'm coming to the studio with you, so hurry up and get ready" I said as I tugged him from the chair. "Okay okay I'm going" Kwest said as Jude thrust a towel in his face.
Part 33
Kwest had been in the shower for at least 30 minutes. "God what is he doing in there" Jude said as she tapped her foot impatiently. "I really have to pee" she said as she made the decision right then and there and entered the bathroom.
Part 34
(15 minutes ago) As much as Kwest tried to deny it he was a little too happily thinking about the scene that took place last night as he came home with Jude in nothing, but a t-shirt. "Yup, going to straight to hell" Kwest said as he turned the water from hot to cold.
Part 35
"Jude what the hell are you doing in here? I'm taking a shower for God's sakes!" said Kwest covering himself. "God, I'm not looking and you are taking forever. A girl's gotta pee. Now turn around" I said. I was washing my hands when I noticed the lack of steam on the bathroom mirror. "Were you taking a cold shower?" I said. "Forget it, I don't wanna know" I said as I exited the bathroom.
Part 36
"Oh look here comes the happy couple" Tommy said coldly as Kwest and I entered the studio. "Tommy, look man there's nothing going on with me and Jude, okay" said Kwest desperately. "So that incident in the shower this morning meant nothing to you" Jude said trying to keep a straight face. Tommy looked like he was going to explode. "She's kidding Tommy" said Kwest. "You know what I don't care we're not together anymore I don't need any explanations! I don't care what you do or who you're with a-n-y-m-o-r-e" said Tommy angrily. I couldn't stand the way Tommy was trying to brush this whole thing off when he clearly cared. "Fine, if that's true than you won't mind if I do this" I said as I grabbed Kwest and planted a kiss on him. I smiled triumphantly as I stepped away from a confused and smiling Kwest. That was about the same time when Tommy went berserk and tackled Kwest to the ground. It took several people to pull Tommy off of Kwest. When the commotion was cleared I looked up and made eye contact with Georiga. "So, Jude, I see you're back" she said as she motioned me into her office.
Part 37
"So you and Kwest" she said with an upturned eyebrow. "No, just collateral damage" I said. "I know, I've got a lot of explaining to do; you may want to sit for this" I said as I began my telling. When I finished I noticed E.J. had pulled up a chair and was sitting next to Georgia. "How did you? Georgia you should really instate a policy to make E.J. wear bells or something" I said with a laugh. "You're really back" E.J said as she threw her arms around me in a crushing hug. "Not for long if you don't let go" I said gasping for breath. "Oh sorry" she said as she hugged me again and then apologized again.
Part 38
"Jude, honey, do I need to put you and Tommy on suicide watch? Therapy? Rehab?" said Georgia. "No, I'm fine. Well, I'm not fine, but I'm good" I said as I sank into my chair exhausted with the telling. "Alright, but E.J. and I are gonna keep an eye on you" said Georgia as E.J. vigorously nodded her head. "It's good to be back" I said as I enveloped Georgia and E.J. in a hug. "Damage control, Jude?" said E.J. as she stared out at Tommy and Kwest getting ice packs and bandages from our in-house doctor. "Don't remind me" I groaned as I slowly made my way to the door.
Part 39
Tommy and Kwest were sitting on opposite sides of the room like a bunch of little kids. The doctor had just finished applying a band-aid over Kwest's eyebrow and was making his way over to Kwest. I walked over to Kwest first with a small smile on my face because I could see that the wheels in Tommy's head were turning to determine if my coming over to Kwest was at all significant and I could tell he was seething inside. He was so distracted that he didn't notice the doctor honing in with gauze he had drenched with alcohol until impact and he yelled out loud. I ignored him and continued on my way to Kwest and leaned in close to whisper in his ear as I casually laid my hand on his arm. "I'm sorry I got you in the middle of all this, Kwest. I really am." I said as I gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then I walked out the door without a backwards glance. I was nearly to the entrance when I heard a commotion and saw Tommy walking quickly towards me.
Part 40
"What'd you whisper in Kwest's ear?" Tommy said. I just gave him a look. "You have nothing to say to me?" he said. "Oh I'm sorry I didn't realize that congratulations were in order. Congratulations, Tommy, for beating up your best friend. Stupid me I seemed to have forgot your medal at home." I said and walked away. I was halfway out the door when he pulled me back in and closed the door. "You kissed Kwest" he said. "So what? It's pretty clear in your eyes how we stand and I quote I don't care what you do or who you're with a-n-y-m-o-r-e unquote. Have you suddenly changed your mind?" I said sarcastically. When he couldn't meet my eyes I got even angrier. "So you don't want to be with me, but you don't want me kissing anyone else. What do you want me to do join a convent?" I said. "Jude…" he said with his hands spread. "Save it Tommy" I said and pushed through the double doors with resounding force.