"Okay. First thing's first. This may sound obvious, and crazy, but you just go up to the lucky lady and ask."
Jude stared at Jonesy awkwardly.
"What are you, dude? Crazy?"
"No, trust me. This is the best way. If she says yes, you'll have a girlfriend. If not, you'll have closure."
Jude still stared at Jonesy as if he were psyco.
"In an odd way, I understand you. But, dude, doesn't that seem a little upfront? 'Cause I don't think she can handle upfront info well, 'specially the kind that involves her."
"It doesn't matter. She might consider it later."
"Sweet."
Jude stared in front of them. They were at the Squeeze already. Jude ordered a new product Caitlin made up, the Citrocino Latte. Jude spat it out. That's, like, totally something Wyatt would drink, he thought.
He was on his way to the Penalty Box. Jude's chill-o-meter was in the negative numbers. He was freaking out so much that he reminded himself of Nikki when she drank too much coffee. He ran past the Underground, banged into the Khaki Barn's window, and then played a game of tag with Ron the Rent-A-Cop, if you know what I mean. (Luckily Ron was delayed as he had to chase down a kid who brought his pet mouse into the mall. "There will be no snake food in my mall," Ron mumbled to himself.)
Then Jude was there. In front of the Penalty Box. Staring Coach Halder in the face.
Wow, Jude thought. Is that the guy who I made run around naked when I was the swami?
Wow, Coach Halder thought. Is that the swami who made me run around naked?
