Ties of a Friendship

Chapter 2

Everything was going crazy inside of Jude's mind, he rushes out of the book without thinking of nothing else, but to get to Connor, what could've happen to him? What about his dad? Too many questions and not enough of answers Jude thought to his self, running now the block towards Connor's father house it felt like forever that he would never get there instead of getting close he feels like he's being pulled away he wanted to help Connor, but he worries that he won't get there in time.

It was just a few minutes ago that Connor called Jude asking for help and then the call goes dead. "Dammit Connor what the hell happened?!" Jude thought to his self he pulls his phone out of his pocket and calls Connor again, but the call buzz with static as if the phone was broken, "Oh my God please be okay Connor!" Jude continues to make his way to Connor's father house at last he reaches the front of the house Jude huffs and puff trying to pull himself together and walks up to the front porch he hesitate before opening the door, "Is this a mistake should I be here?" Jude thought, but then he remembers what Trey was trying to tell him that he should try, but he still couldn't, but for now nothing mattered all that matter is that Connor needs him. He opens the door and walks in the house he was dark and quiet too quiet after Connor called him he would except to see Connor waiting for him.

"Connor are you here?" Jude called out as his voice seemed to echo throughout the house to no answer, "Connor I'm here where are you?" Jude sees Connor's backpack on the floor nothing out of the ordinary the house was fine and intact, but what about the upstairs.

Jude wasn't for sure if he should go upstairs or not, but where else could Connor be of course he was upstairs, but once again fear creeps into Jude's mind and he wondered should he be there or not, "My God what in the world is going here? Never mind that Connor is upstairs and he needs me!" Jude shakes himself off and runs upstairs he looks into Connor's room and doesn't see him he walks out and notices Connor's father room door that must be where Connor is he slowly walks in the room. Jude was nervous he never been in Connor's father room and after what Connor told him about his dad not wanting to be friends he wondered if Connor's father would think to see him in his room he overhears tears and sobs he goes over to the bathroom and he sees Connor on his knees holding his father's head and tilting back and forth.

"Connor…" Jude quietly calls out to him as Connor turns to him trying to wipe the tears away from his eyes.

"Ju…Jude you're…dad," Connor could barely explain choking over his words trying to tell Jude, "He's not responding!"

Jude walks over and kneels next to Connor and his father he checks Connor's father he feels hot air coming from Connor's father nose indicating that he's alive, "We have to call for help did you call the ambulance?"

"Yeah…they'll be here soon…" Connor tells him, "I'm sorry…for freaking out Jud…Jude…" Connor wipes his tears and slowly breaths, "Thank you for coming Jude…"

"No problem…" Jude said placing his hand on Connor's left shoulder, "I was kinda nervous you had me scared when you panicked, but…I'm here for you Connor…"

Before Jude could finish his thought Connor rushed in for a hug at first Jude was caught off guard by everything but then he realized Connor is emotional at the time and he gives him back the hug in that moment nothing mattered it was just Jude being there for his friend and that's all that needed to happen.

"It's okay Connor…it's okay just let it go," Jude told Connor it was weird to see Connor so broken usually Connor was the strong one, but now Jude is trying to be there for Connor it was so painful to see his best friend like this what could he do?

Within seconds the paramedics had arrived on the scene and Connor and Jude moved out of the way to give the paramedics space to check on Connor's father Jude was reassuring Connor that everything was alright as the bring in the carry on gurney to place Connor's father on the stretcher Connor watches as they pick his father up and carry him out of the restroom.

"Connor it's going to be ok…" Jude tells Connor who in complete shock.

"No…no it's not Jude nothing is ever going to be right," Connor told him one of paramedics stands next to Connor and Jude.

"Son…" The paramedic talks to both Jude and Connor, "Your father had an overdose he'll be fine, but he's going to be out for a while."

"Thank you sir…" Jude answers for Connor who was too devastated over finding his father in the bathroom, "Is there a…way we can go to the hospital with him?"

"Yeah we'll contact your folks when we get there," The paramedic said leaving Connor and Jude to themselves while he and the other paramedics prep Connor's father to transport them to the hospital. Jude and Connor was left in Connor's father room to themselves Jude felt like he needed to leave as if he was scared to be alone with Connor.

"Jude…let's go," Connor said to as Jude nods and they both leave his' father room they go downstairs to see the paramedics loading his father in the ambulance.

They follow without saying anything and climb in the ambulance the drive to the hospital was unbearable for both Jude and Connor neither one say anything to each other nor look at each other all they did was watch the paramedics keeping Connor's father stable they finally arrived as they rush Connor's father inside Connor and Jude went to the waiting room.

A nurse aid arrived asking Jude for his contact to call his family and the same for Connor as well to call his mother. Time moved on and both Connor and Jude waited around the waiting room still not a word for either one of them. Finally Connor's mother arrived she sees his son and Jude and hugs Connor.

"Oh honey are you okay?" She asked him Connor says nothing as he begins to cry she embraces him, "I know honey it's going to be ok he's going to fine." Connor nods she turns to Jude and pats him on the leg, "Thank you for being here Jude…it means the world to us."

A doctor comes out and ask Connor's mom to follow him while they discuss Adam's condition. Jude gets up from his seat he looks around for a vending machine. He thought everything that happened was this the right call to stand by Connor after everything that happen to him, but being there for his best friend is important than whatever drama is going on with him and Connor making sure his father is okay is the most important thing at this time.

Jude finds the vending machine in an isolating part of hospital he pulls out a dollar and puts in the machine he looks for one of his favorite snacks he finds it was a bag of potato chips Lays Honey Barbecue he presses the button and the machine pushes the chips down Jude pulls the chips out of the vending machine he turns around to see Connor standing there.

"Connor…?" Jude was caught off guard by Connor standing there all quiet, "…what is it?"

Connor looks down trying to find a way to say something to Jude, "…Thank you Jude, really I mean it!"

"I know Connor, I just want to make sure your father's okay," Jude replied opening his bag of potato chips.

"What about us?" Connor asked him.

Jude didn't think that would come out of Connor's mouth and not at a time like this not when his father is in the hospital not now and why now Jude wondered.

"Connor what do you mean I'm here now aren't I?" Jude answered trying to walk away from the situation.

"No, you're not here Jude!" Connor tells him Jude looked at him in confusion, "You're here because you thinks it right, but tell me really why Jude? Where did you go?"

It's true what Connor was saying to Jude things hasn't been the same between Connor and Jude for some time, but he knew Connor was right he wasn't there at least not in his mind.

"Connor this is not the time for that, nor the place for this!" Jude tells him, "Now I'm here because you called me and as hard as this is for you it's hard on me so I suggest you get over it!"

"Jude…that's not what I meant it's just…that…" Connor tries to explain himself, "No you won't walk from not today!" Connor grabs Jude by his wrist as Jude tries to pull himself away, "Listen to me Jude we'll have to talk about this sooner or later and whatever it is we need to solve it!"

"I need time Connor! I can't just be ok with this entire situation and you shouldn't either!" Jude tells him as Connor loosens his grip Jude jerks away going back to the waiting room leaving Connor in the hallway by his self.

Soon Lena and Stef arrived to see Jude sitting down in the waiting room, they run down the hallway towards Jude he looks up to see them and they hug him as if Jude was in danger or if anything happen to him.

"Jude honey…you okay?" Lena said hugging him giving him kisses.

"Yeah I'm ok…" Jude softly replied.

"Bud…thank goodness you're okay both you and Connor," Stef said rubbing Jude's head she looks around to see where Connor was, but she couldn't find him, "Jude where's Connor?"

"He's over by the vending machine…I think seeing his father took a toll on him," Jude replied as Stef gets up looking for Connor.

Stef arrived at the vending machine to see Connor perched on the side of the vending machine looks like he was in deep thought she kneels over to Connor, "Hey bud you good?"

"Yeah…" Connor replies.

"I'm glad everything is going alright with your father," Stef told him, "If you need anything don't hesitate to ask okay?" Stef rubs his knee giving him a smile.

"You mind if you can just sit here with me?" Connor asked her she smiles and sit next to him.

Connor leans into Stef's shoulders she places her head on his and rubs his back telling him it'll be okay. Inside of Connor's mind he knew it wasn't he felt like his whole life was turned upside first best friend Jude and now his father what else could go wrong in his life.

Connor's mother thanks the doctor and shakes his hand she sees Lena and Jude she walks over to them as Lena gets up to greet them.

"Thank you for staying," Connor's mother told Lena as they hug.

"No problem Jude and Connor are friends and I don't want anything to get in their way," Lena tells her.

"Me either…" Connor's mom replied, "I mean I know it's hard for the two boys Adam can be demanding, but I just wanted you to know that I don't agree with Adam's opinion, Jude is a sweet kid."

"Some people are just like that it can't be help I just don't want him coming in between Jude and Connor's friendship they deserve to have their friendship and their choice not any of us," She told Connor's mom.

"I know it's just so hard to deal with Adam, but I promise I will talk to Adam about this my son happiness is more important than anything else!" She replied.

"Thank you that means so much to us," Lena told her.

A few minutes later Stef and Connor return from the vending machine and Lena hugs Connor he hugs her back as she smiles letting him know that they'll always be here for him. It was time for the Fosters to leave Connor walks Jude out of the hospital as Lena and Stef walks ahead of the two boys.

"I'll see at school tomorrow," Jude told him.

"Yeah I'll see there…" Connor said looking away from Jude.

"You don't have to say anything Connor, it is what it is nothing left to say," Jude tells him walking away leaving Connor to watch Jude walk away from him again.

Jude climbs into the car Stef cranks the car up putting in Reserve pulling out of the hospital parking lot Jude looks out of the window at Connor who was still standing there Stef pulls the car in Drive and they drive away as Jude turns away Connor continues to look on until he couldn't see the Fosters anymore.

Connor turns away and walks back into the hospital his mother gets up from the chair and hugs, "You can see your dad now if you want to," She tells him, "But if it's too much for you we can wait."

"No I'll go and see him," Connor replied. His mother rubbed the side of his face pressing her thumb on his bruise on the left side of his face, "It's okay mom he's still my father and I love him."

Connor enters the room where his father was and closed the door behind him. His father turns to see his son Connor walks over to his father who looks like hell of course an overdose can do that to you.

"Connor…it's good to see you," His father told him.

"It's good to see you as well dad," Connor replied, "Though I wish it was under the best of circumstances."

"Yeah…I hear ya son, I didn't want you to see me like this," Adam explain to him.

"You mean vulnerable, in pain, or OD?" Connor asked.

"It's not as simple as you think Connor!"

Connor turns away from him heading towards the door, "How is it not dad you OD for what like your life is hard?"

"You're talking about Jude of course, I told you before and I'll tell you again you will not hang out with that boy! You will not disobey me!" Adam told Connor.

"Oh because you think he's gay and you think that if I hang out with him I'll be gay?! Listen dad Jude isn't gay and if he was what is the problem with it?!" Connor questioned his father.

"You're my son and you will do what you're told now that's the end of this conversation!" Adam said to Connor.

Connor grips his fist in angry in his mind he wanted to punch his father to let him know what he's doing isn't okay why was his father was so against him and Jude being friends, "Whatever dad conversation is over!" Connor walks out of the room leaving Adam to himself.

Adams looks away looking to his left he begins to sob trying to catch his composer. Connor leaves the room where his father was his mother notices her son was clearly he was upset.

"Connor don't let your father get to you," His mother told him.

"I won't mom he made it clear his opinions and now I have to make a decision!" Connor told his mom.

"You know you've been through a lot let's go home and need some sleep," She tells her son as they leave the hospital together.

At the Fosters home Stef just pulled in the drive thru the ride was mostly quiet Jude gets out of the car along with Stef and Lena he stands at the door waiting for Stef or Lena to open the door. Lena gets to the door first and opens it as Jude walks in he see Jesus playing the X-Box One playing the latest MLB 2015.

"Hey everyone?!" Jesus tells everyone when he notices Jude and his Moms enter the house, "Moms and Jude are home!" He pauses his game and greets Jude and his Moms, "Hey Jude you okay bro?"

"Yeah I'm okay…" Jude softly tells him. Everyone else walks down the stairs to greet them as Callie runs towards Jude embracing him in her arms never wanting to let go of him.

"Oh…Jude I'm so glad you're okay," She said kissing her brother on his head tearing up, "I'm sorry about Connor…"

"It's okay…Callie," Jude tells his sister she finally loosens her embrace giving Jude enough to air to breathe.

"Judicorn, glad everything is alright you had us scared when Moms told us you were at hospital I thought something happened to you, I'm glad you're safe," Mariana told him.

"Alright, alright everyone give him space Jude's been through a lot!" Stef reminded them, "Everyone get wash up for dinner we'll talk about this later."

Everyone scattered getting ready for dinner Jude goes upstairs to his shared room with Jesus he opens the door and goes to his bed sighing laying down for a bit trying to clear his head. Connor was too fresh on his mind and then it intensifies the secret that there keeping from their families he needed to forget about everything if only Jude could.

With dinner being prepared Callie and Lena decided to go see Jude. He nodded off for a bit Callie sits next to Jude and pats him on the back while Lena kneels down on side of the bed giving Jude enough space to see the both of them.

"Hey bud I know it's hard…" Lena begins, "I mean no one should see what you and Connor saw, but if you want to talk about it we're here to listen to you okay?"

"Yeah Jude I know you and Connor's friendship been rocky, but it was a good thing you were there for him, his dad will come around give it time," Callie reminded him.

Jude said nothing he didn't know what to say? What to think? What to do? What could he do he can't make Connor's father change his mind. Jude did wonder could Connor's father be right about him?

"Okay Jude come on and wash up for dinner," Lena said kissing him on his forehead brushing his hair before leaving him and Callie to themselves.

"Jude remember what I said before don't shut the people out that's close to you okay? Whatever going on in your world you don't have to fight alone…there's always people that can help you remember that!" Callie told him she hugs him, "I love you bud…"

Callie gets up and walks out of the room, Jude knew she was right he pulls out his cellphone he looks for a number and he calls it…the phone rings and it picks up.

"…Yeah we need to talk," Jude said to the caller, "Tomorrow after school," Jude hangs up the phone. "I hope this will help I have to get some control of this life…" Jude gets up from his bed and places his phone on his dresser.

He walks downstairs and see his family, Jesus and Mariana arguing over who gets to sit where Brandon and Stef placing some of the food on the table Lena sitting down laughing with Callie and then Jude remembers that even with everything going on in life the time that he was at home he was at peace with his family where he was safe where he would always be safe and with that…Jude remember that's all he needed right now his family…