Ties of a Friendship
Chapter 4
The day went as normal as anything could be it Jude and Connor went on like nothing nobody noticed anything, but Connor and Jude knew they didn't want it to be as noticeable to people it was fifth period science class Connor and Jude purposely sat away from each other saying quick hi and byes.
Jude was talking a random girl about last night homework she asked him a question and he laughs telling her it was another answer he got.
The class bell rung and the class all shuffled to their seats as the teacher walks in she places her purse and stacks of folders on her desk.
"Good afternoon class I hope you all enjoy your weekend," She said, "Lord knows I did…now class I will pair you all up partnerships of two you will be working on this year Science Fair…and please no volcanoes I'll scream if I see another volcano so try something else…first team…"
The whole class was bummed out that they couldn't do a volcano it is a favorite, but now they all had to come up with real project and experiments.
"Seventh team will be Jude and Connor…"
Jude was shocked after all the dumb luck in the world he was teamed up with Connor for a project and not to mention how were they supposed to do their project outside of school with Connor's dad not wanting them to hang out with each other how can they do a project together.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Jude thought to himself placing his head on his desk, "Of all the dumb luck in the world I'm stuck in a project with Connor just what I need even more drama!"
Connor turns around to see Jude he knew that Jude wouldn't be happy nor his father, but they have a project to do whether they want to work together or not.
"Ok now everyone knows their partners you all can start your project now you have 3 weeks to put something together make me proud."
Everyone scatter going to their partners Jude knew sooner or later Connor and him would have to talk about their project and more importantly they'll have to talk and there so much running Jude could do.
Connor got up from his desk walking back of the classroom where Jude was sitting waiting for him.
"So…" Connor said sitting next to him.
"What?" Jude replied trying not to fight with Connor.
"Our project?" Connor reminded him, "What ideas do you have? You know since we can't do a volcano!"
"Oh yeah…I don't know we'll have to go to the library do some research I'm not going to fail because of you!" Jude told him.
Connor was just a little bit annoyed by Jude trying to be stand offish, but he wouldn't let Jude's attitude ruin their partnership.
"Alright Jude, then let's go to the library so we can come up with a project," Connor told him. Connor raises his hands to get the teacher attention.
"Yes Connor?" The teacher acknowledges him.
"Can me and Jude go to the library to do our research for our project?" Connor asked.
"Sure go right ahead be back before class ends," The teacher told them.
Connor turns to Jude to signal him to get up so they can go to library. Jude sighed knowing that he's going have to get over the fact that he has to work with Connor whether he wanted to or not.
Connor waits for Jude to come out of the classroom he knew Jude purposely was taking his time because they both knew that standing away from each other was almost nearly impossible. The door finally opened and Jude walked out of room.
"Ready?" Connor asked him.
"I guess so as ready as I'll ever be…" Jude replied looking down trying not to look at Connor, he won't to break away from their friendship he knew if he looked at Connor he'll fall back into their old habit of being friends, like everything is was the same, but it wasn't.
Jude was involved with his own thoughts he almost forgot Connor was there even though he was thinking about Connor. Connor places his hand on the top of Jude's brown hair rustling through it snapping Jude out of his funk.
"Come on man, we have a project to do and my dad's not here…" Connor reminded him, "he can't stop us from socializing…look I know you…"
Jude pushes Connor hand off his head and walks away from him. Connor sighs and follows Jude towards the school library. Jude and Connor went their separate ways through the library to look for books of information for their project.
Jude went to the back of the library he pulled out his cell phone and begins texting Connor pretended he didn't notice that Jude was texting someone, but what Connor wondered was it about him?
Meanwhile Connor complicated about what kind of project they could do what could be something to show the class and get a good grade. Something has to come to Connor while Jude do whatever he gotta got frustrated and let Jude be to himself.
Jude meanwhile finished his text and looks for Connor who sitting at a computer. Connor begin to research on a project that he and Jude can do biology, chemistry Jude was better at science than Connor was, but Connor knew Jude's head wasn't into it.
"Have you found anything yet?" Jude asked Connor.
"Eh I'm doing research on the computer you do research from the books when I find something I'll let you know," Connor said to Jude with a cold voice Jude turns away from Connor looking further in the library for something to research.
Five minutes before class was about to end Connor finally found something for Jude and him to work on. Jude walks over to Connor to see what Connor found.
"We're doing our project on friendship its part of the biology," Connor tells him.
"Wait I wanted to do something on plants!" Jude told Connor, but with Connor's face he looked like he doesn't care, "I think doing something on plants would give us something to show, not friendship!"
Connor turns off the computer and grabs his notebook getting up from the seat as Jude talks to him. Connor really didn't care what Jude had to say.
"It wasn't a discussion we're doing a project thesis on friendship you have a problem with that deal with it!" Connor turns to him with threating look, "We have to get to class now let's go!"
Connor walks out of the library leaving Jude in a complete shock at Connor's attitude change, but maybe Jude deserves it he thought after everything no wonder Connor gave up on him. He follows Connor out of the library the walk down the hallway Jude makes sure he isn't close to Connor in Jude's mind Connor was miles apart from him, but at least he knew that he was keeping Connor safe.
Connor and Jude finally arrived back to their classroom as the teacher settled her class down before telling them everything they needed to do with science fair project.
"Alright class now that everyone picked what they needed to do there are a few rules, no using the same thesis as someone else if you all chose the same experiment you all must find a different way to show it off at the science fair and lastly have fun and try not stress out science is all about trial and error keep that in mind," The teacher tells them just as the bell rings the class all scattered for the door.
Connor met Jude outside of class so he can talk to him about their project. Jude walked out of class he was startled by Connor who was waiting for him.
"Jude we should meet for after school to go and get supplies for our project and make a time to meet up to do our project," Connor tells him.
"Well can we do it tomorrow I already made plans later today…um I'll go or something," Jude tells him.
"Whatever I'll see you around," Connor tells him brushing pass him with his shoulder.
Jude watches as Connor walks away dissolving into the crowd he knew Connor was upset, but he truly had made other plans, but of course Connor wouldn't see it as that. Instead he sees it as Jude blowing him off for some lame reason because of problems and Connor's father.
The day went on like any other it was only two more classes as Jude purposely missed lunch he went to the beach to reflect on his choices. The nice breeze from the relaxing beach air calmed Jude gave him a sense of peace. He walks the shore of the beach watching the water tide back and forth like a ballet dancer he imagined a woman coming from the water as if the ocean itself created her she emerges and begins to dance the air breeze was her partner as she dances fluidly as the wind and ocean changes the direction it was a partnership between the ocean and sky to create a beautiful masterpiece.
Jude hears the bell rings he quickly rushes back to school not trying to be late for class. He bumps into Maddie and Chelsea.
"Slow down Jude geez," Chelsea giggled jokingly teasing with Jude.
"Sorry I just didn't want to be late for class," Jude replied, "Forgive me for rushing by." He told the girls they look at him and then each other laughing at Jude for his politeness.
"Hey Jude this weekend me and Chelsea going to movies…you want to come?" Maddie asked Jude. Last time she asked he turned her down, she was hoping this time Jude would finally say yes unlike last time.
Jude was hesitated to answer her he sees Connor who just pulled up to his locker he pretends he doesn't see them. Jude thought to himself anything to avoid Connor and who knows he might actually enjoy his time with the girls then trying to skip toe around with Connor so Connor's dad won't say anything.
"Sure…sure why not it'll be fun," Jude answered Maddie smiled covered her whole face she bounced up and down hugging Jude. Connor slams his locker startling both of girls, but Jude knew why.
"What's Connor's problem?" Chelsea asked in annoyance.
"I don't know," Maddie answered, "Maybe Jude knows…"
Jude was caught off guard trying to pretend like he doesn't know what's going on with Connor either. It's true everyone knows that Jude and Connor are best friends, but that's all people saw and knew if only they knew what happened between the once best friends.
"What?! No I have no idea what's wrong with Connor," Jude lied to the girls. They shrug changing the subject.
"Anyway…Jude what movie did you have an idea for?" Maddie asked him.
"Actually I'm fine with whatever you girls want to watch just hopefully it'll be good!" Jude tells them.
"Almost we'll see on Saturday!" Chelsea said excited about the weekend to hang out and go to the movies, "Come on Maddie we gotta go to class!"
Maddie turns away from Jude waving a goodbye and chases after Chelsea to catch up with her.
The end of a long confusing school day Jude met up with Mariana and Jesus outside next the outside court.
"Judicorn!" Mariana calls out to him as he walks towards his sibling.
"Hey guys how's it going?" Jude answered back.
"It was a slow drama filled day," Jesus told him unaware of the drama with Emma and Hayley Jesus is going through.
"Well I'mma meet up with you guys later at home I have to stay after for a project," Jude tells them.
"Oh ok Jude hanging out with Connor again for your project?" Mariana guessed.
"Sort of something like that…"Jude replied looking down at his feet. Knowing he's lying about meeting up with Connor.
"Okay don't stay too late you know Moms want us home by 7 for dinner," Mariana warns him.
Jude nods back waving goodbye to his brother and sister heading down to the beach. He sees a tall tree that borderline the grassland of the school and shoreline of the beach. He notices someone sitting under the tree from the side he couldn't see the person's face he the person was drawing in their sketch book their blue backpack was next to their knee. Jude walks over to see if the person that was drawing was the same he was suppose to be meeting.
As Jude arrived closer, the boy noticed before Jude said anything.
"Hey Jude," It was who Jude thought it was it was Trey he was waiting for Jude to come to beach where they said they would meet up after Jude text him last night, "It's about time you arrived," Trey said turning sideways looking up at Jude who gave a nervous chuckle.
"Yeah sorry I'm late…" Jude apologized.
"No worries, I was enjoying the beach hey this is a cool school you got here I mean the beach next to school…" Trey smelled the beach air inhaling and then exhaling, "Man it's like a vacation destination spot!"
"Yeah it is," Jude replied sitting down in front of Trey looking at his sketchbook curiosity got Jude's attention, "Nice sketch book I didn't know you draw?"
Trey looks down at his sketchbook, "Oh yeah…thank you I want to become an artist that's what I'm in school for now."
"Wow may I see?" Jude asked Trey smiles handing him his book he looks at the cool characters and creatures Trey came up with he can tell that Trey is into fantasy like comics, he also notices everyday life seems like Trey draw inspiration from everyday. Jude looks at the last page with a drawing of the beach he can tell Trey just started, but what he saw so far was breathtaking.
"…And you go to school for this?" Jude asked handing the sketchbook back to him. Trey gives him a nice nod, "Wow that's really amazing work you have there!"
"Thank you Jude," Trey puts his sketchbook in his backpack, "So I'm here Jude what did you want to talk about did you try and make up with Connor or has it gotten worst?"
Jude almost forgot why he was meeting Trey he remember he wanted more advice from Trey about how to handle the mess he has to deal with between him and Connor.
"Wait let me guess gotten worst, I've taken?" Trey asked Jude he nods in a guilty look crossing his face, "Okay tell me then."
"Well Connor's father is in the hospital and I went to the house where I found Connor holding his father, he's alive his fine it'll recover, but it's hard to avoid Connor now I know I should be there for him, but at the same time being around him is the reason our friendship is messed to make it worst he wants to talk about "something", but I don't want to talk about it…now I'm partners with him and it going to be difficult to work on our project with his father hounding now his neck and all," Jude explain.
"Okay, okay…from what's going on you and Connor aren't talking now," Trey thought to about everything that Jude was telling him, "In your situation I would be pushing him away because I have sense of that I must protect myself, but I must protect him from getting hurt and if that means being a jerk to push him away I'll do it am I right?"
"That is exactly what I was thinking if I push him away he can't get hurt anymore especially by his father!"
"Yes that's what I did with my friend once upon a time," Trey reminded him.
"Really so you understand?" Jude was excited that he wasn't alone with these thoughts and pressure, "So…"
"The thing is Jude, you can't do that Connor obviously wants to be your friend that's not going to stop yeah eventually he might get tired, but one thing I notice is that something happen between you guys whether it's bad or not, and don't worry I won't ask you tell me, but whatever that was is changing your dynamics of your friendship with the pressure of his father it can be a lot to handle."
"So what can I do?"
"Remember what you said his father is in the hospital test the water don't push the people that care about you out of your life trust me I know…"
Jude pondered about that how can Connor get in trouble for hanging out with him if his father is in the hospital?
"Hey, Trey what about your friend?! Why did you push him away?" Jude asked politely wondering about Trey's story. Trey laughs at Jude as Jude face turns sour wondering why Trey was laughing, "Hey don't make fun of me I was just wondering!"
"I'm not its funny for me; you'll experience it soon enough you kinda are basically peer pressure. I was bullied for a long time so really it was hard to make friends, and you know kids are cruel and since he was getting made fun for hanging out with me I decided I should end it he didn't understand why and it hurt him in the long run…" Trey explains to Jude reflecting on his failure, "Trust me you think you're protecting Connor, but you're hurting him in the long run. His father isn't around right now you'll probably have to fight that all your life the same goes for him, but he still wants to be your friend go to him, talk it out, do something, but don't lock him out trust me it won't help."
Trey looks down at his phone he looked at the time, he quickly jumps up dusting the sand off his blue jeans and backpack, "Oh crap I'm late sorry to run off on you again Jude!"
Jude quickly gets up as well dusting the sand off as well, "Oh it's no problem that's for the advice I'll give it a shot!"
"I know you will he's your friend and friends are an extended part of your family. There's a saying I heard I rather walk in darkness together than to walk in the light alone. Connor's dad is the darkness and pushing him away is the light which would you rather go? Think about that Jude see ya later!" Trey tells him running the pass Jude leaving him to ponder on the advice that was given.
Jude leans against the tree looking out at the beach. He wonders about what Trey said about him and Connor maybe pushing him away is wrong, but his father is a problem, but what can he do? What can Connor do? If Connor is willing to try then Jude should try as well even if it means defying Connor's father.
Connor walked to his mother house usually today he would be picked up by his father and headed to his home, but instead he's going to his moms which he was happy about after this weekend he couldn't stand to even look at his own father. Jude and his project was on the front of his mind and it frustrated him the part that Jude wants nothing to do with him again and not to mention a project that they have to figure out how were they going to work if Jude was avoiding him…again. Connor sighed arriving at his mom's home she wasn't home yet she was working late so far Connor it was normal for Connor to be at the house alone. He walks up to the porch of his house he searches for the house keys rustling through his backpack he finally find them. He enter the house key through the house key lock and turns the key opening the door before he could enter his house he notices something. He turns to see Jude huffing and puffing before gathering his composure.
"Jude!" Connor was shocked to see his best friend confusing because of how Jude was acting today he didn't think he would see Jude for a while.
"Con-Conn-Connor," Jude gasps for hair he had ran all the way to Connor's mom house to visit Connor. Jude was clutching his knees trying to keep himself together.
"Jude, my god what are you doing here?!" Connor drops his backpack on the porch to help his friend up he grabs Jude arms and places it around his shoulder he helps Jude up the stairs and into the house Connor pulls Jude's backpack off he rushes Jude to the table in the kitchen he grabs a glass of water and hands it to Jude.
Jude quickly drinks the water by his face expression Connor could tell he was grateful he finally gathers himself to talk to Connor, "I'm sorry to startled you, but I had to come and see you in person."
"About what?!" Connor asked aggressively, "As I remember you didn't want to have anything to do with me or even talked to me! So why now?"
"Connor if you…" Jude tried to explain, but Connor cuts him off.
"No you have nothing to say I mean after everything that happen to me this weekend you cut me off again!" Connor screamed at Jude, "Jude we both have things going on through our lives, but I can't keep doing this!"
Jude knew Connor was right he couldn't keep doing this, but what choice did they have?
"Come on Jude why are you here tell me what you want from me?" Connor asked Jude.
"Dilly Dally Shilly Shally!" Jude replied to Connor confusing him by the silly comment Jude just said to him.
"What in the world Jude?" Connor asked Jude.
"I said Dilly Dally Shilly Shally!"
"What does that mean?"
"It doesn't matter that's not important…Connor I want to walk in the darkest together than to walk in the light alone!" Jude tells a confuse Connor, "Connor I'm sorry about all of this, I won't make any promises that we might have to go through some things but hey you are my best friend and it's worth it."
"Jude, that's all I was trying to get you to understand," Connor calmed down, "Beside we have project to do anyway."
Jude forgot that he was running late for home, "We'll talk about our project tomorrow I promise, but I gotta go I just wanted to try to work on our friendship!"
Jude gathers his things and walks out of Connor's home heading to his until Connor couldn't see him. Connor closes the door he goes to the living room. He picks up the remote control turning the TV on. A few seconds later he hears a bang at the door. Connor gets up and opens the door what happened next shocked Connor behind the door was Adam Stevens he wasn't supposed to be out of the hospital until next week or so, but now he's standing in front of his son.
"Da-Dad, what are you doing here?" Connor asked fearful of his father. Could Adam have saw Jude leave his home? What was Adam thinking in his head?
"You think you could disobey be and I would know looks like I have to teach you a lesson!" Adam said to his son.