A/N: Erin McKinley, you make me laugh! I love hearing everyone's thoughts, and I'm glad you all like the way I've been portraying the characters in my story. You guys rock! So, without further ado, here is Chapter 3. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Jude slowly walked toward the playground in the park, trying to look like she was just enjoying a leisurely walk. As she neared the jungle gym, she noticed a guy in a hoodie, looking slightly uncomfortable. He could've been uncomfortable because it was 85 degrees Fahrenheit (or 30C for the true Canadians)outside and he was wearing a sweatshirt, but Jude didn't think that explained all of it. Instinctively, she knew this was her blackmailer and walked over to him.

He looked up as she approached. "Good afternoon, my little alcoholic."

Jude looked ready to puke up that double cheeseburger from her lunch. "Look, can we just get this over with?"

A slight smile played at the corner of his mouth, and he offered her his arm as he turned to walk down a path that led through a small woods. She didn't take it, but reluctantly fell into step beside him instead.

Neither spoke for a minute, and Jude had no clue how these things worked so she finally broke the silence. "Look, I don't have the money."

They continued walking for a few more steps until he replied, "Well, then, I guess that's just too bad for you. I hope you enjoy waking up tomorrow to find yourself on the cover of every tabloid known to man."

Jude stopped in her tracks and grabbed the guy's arm, halting his progression as well. "You can't do that."

"On the contrary, I think I can." He shrugged off Jude's hand and kept walking. She stood rooted to the spot, trying to restrain herself from just screaming her head off. It was times like these when she wished she knew some kind of martial arts so she could go kick this guy's ass. Maybe she should try and get in touch with Chuck Norris or Jackie Chan, maybe even Steven Segal.

With a new resolve, Jude quickly raced to catch up with him.

"I told you, I don't have the money. Well, I do, but I can't get it until I turn 18 and that's still several months away. What do you expect me to do?"

Another one of his annoying shrugs. "You're creative; you'll think of something."

"I don't believe this!" Jude muttered under her breath. How did she manage to get herself into these situations?

He didn't appear to have heard her, and they kept walking. "I can get you the money, but not until I turn 18, like I said. Are you willing to wait that long?"

He turned his head to look at her and flashed a big smile. "Nope."

"Ugh!" Jude screeched while she stomped her foot. Why was this guy determined to make her life so miserable? Wasn't it enough of hell already?

Saying she was frustrated was an understatement, but Jude was also determined. They continued their little stroll while Jude frantically searched for a way out of this. As they neared the end of the path, he spoke again, and it seemed as though their meeting was at its end.

"Well, Jude, it--"

"Wait..." she interrupted. A sudden thought occurred to her and she asked, "Hey, what's your name?"

He let out a real laugh now, not just a chuckle. "You don't remember?"

Jude furrowed her brow for a second, but then her anger took over. "If I did, I wouldn't be asking, now would I?"

He smiled at her. She glared at him.
"Brandon." An arrogant glint entered his eyes that Jude knew only too well. "Remember it--you'll probably be screaming it later."

Jude rolled her eyes, knowing there was a fat chance in hell of that ever happening. She was used to those comments from guys, especially one that unoriginal, so it didn't disturb her in the least.

"Ok, Brandon, you know I don't have the money. But I have another offer that you might be interested in..."

"I'm listening."

They made their way over to a bench on the edge of the path, and Jude explained her idea, praying it wouldn't come back to bite her in the ass.

But with her luck, it probably would.