Ties of a Friendship
Chapter 8
It was Saturday the weekend finally came around it's was time for Connor to meet up with his friends to watch a movie. The day was perfect he woke up early to do his chores make sure that his mother didn't have any reason to let him go. He leans out of his bed yawning from the restful sleep he's been getting. He walks over to his window spreading the curtains letting the sunshine in his dark room. The sun peered in through the pre teen's room showing his bed was mess. Connor decided he had to do chores first then text everyone about the movies he couldn't wait it was exciting to have some fun with his friends. To Connor it was liberation and freedom what more could anyone want?
The sun rose over the Foster's home greeting the day as it usual does. Jude was up just like the sun was the first to rise he loved being up when sun woke up. The sun rose like a child greeting everyone it's ray of light touch it gave Jude a sense of joy to have these moments of the solitude to himself. He loved his brothers and sisters, but everyone needs alone time every once in awhile and Jude was no exception.
Jude took to his desk he decided he would write something he loved writing it was something to give his thoughts a voice. He remembers happy times with the Fosters his new family he still was a little guilty about Callie and him being half-siblings. He wrote something about the beauty of the sun he loved to give himself some kind of challenge when he writes this time he wanted to write three pages last time he got to two. He dreamed of a happy life and that life came true with the Fosters and he loved it he couldn't believe how his luck had change over the past couple of days he blushed to himself trying to contain his happiness.
Jude soon finished the work he was working on and decided to take a shower soon the family would be awoke he didn't want to be last at getting a shower in usually on some school days he would wake up late missing his chance because Brandon would usually monitor the bathroom time for each sibling just until Moms get a bigger water heater at least.
Jude closed his notebook properly putting the notebook back in his place. Jude finally gotten conformable at the Fosters where he could have his belongings placed in a neatly order, but the only thing he hates is sharing the room with Jesus and not that he doesn't love Jesus or sharing a room, it's just to Jude he loved to be more organize then Jesus is he keeps his side of the room at neat as possible, but everyone else complain about Jesus' junk all over the room and Jude could understand why, but he wished Jesus would do better to clean his side of the room up a little bit more especially when companies over.
Jude shrugged grabbing fresh pair of underwear, t-shirt, and socks he slowly closes the dresser he didn't want to disrupt Jesus especially when it's a weekend Jesus loves to sleep in it's a wonder he practices almost every day and gets home barely before curfew.
As the day moved about Jude finished his shower once he was dried and cloth he headed to his room where Jesus was still sleeping. Jude laughed to himself as he entered the room he could see Jesus changing positions on his bed again. It was weird to and funny to see Jesus moving back forth trying to find the right place or way to set his head or body to sleep in his bed. Jude slowly grabs his wallet keys and cellphone before quickly sneaking out of the room trying not to disturb his brother's slumber.
Callie slowly walks out the room yawning scratching her bed hair that was tied up to keep out her face. "Morning Jude!" She said greeting her baby brother. He turns to her with a finger over his mouth signaling her to be quiet. She quickly covers her mouth snickering slowly tip toeing over to Jude as he slowly closes the door of his room.
"Oh…Jesus still sleeping, I gotcha ya," She whispered to him as she hugs Jude. She turns around towards the bathroom as he follows her to the bathroom as well. They both grab their toothbrushes and begins to brush their teeth, "I see you dressed up early have any plans for today?"
Jude nods yes as he spits out the paste from his mouth into the sink, "Yeah…I'm going to the movies with Connor, Maddie, and Chelsea!" Callie signals with a really look.
"Really, that's great…" She smiles spitting out the rest of the paste before rinsing her mouth out with mouthwash, "I'm glad you guys are over whatever happened between you two!"
"Me too!" Jude smiles back he finish rinsing his mouth out leaving the bathroom to his sister.
He walks downstairs walking into the kitchen when he saw Stef who dressed in her police officer uniform drinking coffee. He was caught off guard that she was up early let alone wearing her uniform knowing she is usually off on the weekends. She turns to face Jude when she heard him.
"Morning love I see you're up early as well?" She replied taking a sip from her white coffee mug with world's number #1 cop on the mug she received from Lena as special present.
He nods smiling, "Morning, I am, but you're in your uniform why?" He asked his mom she placed her coffee mug on the table as he walks over to her, "I mean I thought you were off on the weekends?"
"I am I decided to take an extra shift is all nothing to worry about love," Stef responded to him rustling her hand into his hair as he giggles. She walks over to refrigerator opening the door, "You hungry bud? You wants some eggs or bacon something like that?"
"Bacon would be nice!" He replied sitting down at the table as Stef grab a pack of bacon.
"So have you decided on what movie you wanted to see with your friends?" Stef asked grabbing a fry pan from the cabinet. She walks places the fry pan on the top of the stove heating it up before placing bacon in it.
"No not yet I haven't called them yet I just hope it's not a scary movie!" Jude responded as she places 4 strips of bacon in the fry pan. She smiles turning to him laughing at the fact that Jude doesn't like scary movies.
"Why is that love?" she asked him.
Jude shrugs for a second before answering he thought that she might laugh at him because he's 14 and he still hate being scared, "…Well you know the monsters and suspense sometimes is scary you know what I mean it's just like don't go into the house and they still do and then it's always dark!"
"Oh sweetheart it's not real," Stef giggled as Jude blushes, "It's just for entertainment. Think of it like conquering your fear you know what you're scared of if you face it the power it has over you is gone just think of scary movies like that!"
"I know, but still I hate them!" Jude responded as Stef finishes cooking the bacon placing it on a plate before presenting it to Jude.
Stef takes a seat next to him, "You're just like Momma!" She tells him grabbing a strip of bacon for herself. Catching Jude's attention by what she said, "Yes your Momma is a scary cat as well I remember on one of our dates I took her to the movies, I didn't know she was scared of scary movies so when I grabbed the tickets and we sat down and watch the movie…"
"What happened?" Jude asked Stef she takes another sip of coffee before continuing her story.
"…So one part came up and she nearly peed she squeezed my hand so tight I thought she was going to break it I told her it wasn't real, but she didn't care she was too frighten to calm down!" Stef remembered laughing at her date with Lena.
"See I told you!"
"Yeah, but all it did was made me fall in love with her even more because she felt safe with me being there and maybe you can do the same when you go to the movies," Stef placing the plate in the sink she took a couple of more sips from her coffee before rinsing it out.
Jude took in what Stef was telling him about the movies he thought maybe it wasn't as bad as he made it to be. Stef looked at the clock knowing it was time for her to leave she walks over to Jude kissing him on the forehead, "Remember bud it's just a movie I promise you have nothing to be afraid of okay? Love you I'll see you for dinner tonight." Jude nods giving her a goodbye as she heads out of the door leaving Jude and family.
Jude smiles to himself after having a conversation with his mom. Stef was right it was just a movie what could go wrong? Jude sat back enjoying his breakfast that Stef rushed up for them he thought about hanging out with friends just like he feared they wanted to see a scary movie and he did not.
"Come on guys! I got the tickets!" Connor shouted getting the attention of his friends waving over for them to come over. Jude quickly followed as Chelsea beat Maddie and Jude to Connor pulling him by his arm holding on to him. Connor gives a polite uncomfortable chuckle at the tipsy red haired it was obvious to both Maddie and Jude they laughed confusing Chelsea, but she shrugged it off she didn't care all she thought about was being near Connor.
"What tickets you got for us Connor?" Maddie asked him. Connor stood there giving some kind of suspense as to what movie the friends will see today. He charmed out a smiled and pulled out the tickets revealing it to the group.
"I got us tickets to see As Above, So Below!" Connor tells them the girls were excited, but Jude secretly wasn't he hated scary movies and it looks like he would have to go and watch the movie with his friends, "Isn't that awesome right Jude?!"
Jude pulled it together to quickly answers, "Yeah that's cool I can't wait to see it!" Jude lied through his teeth, but he didn't want to be a party pooper, he assumed that Connor forgot that he told him that he hated scary movies, but he decided it's just mind over matter it's not real at all.
"Oh cool I wanted to see this movie for some time!" Maddie was excited to see the scary horror film set in Paris, "I heard it takes place underground in Paris in the catacombs something like that…but any way it's pretty cool were going to see this movie!"
Chelsea wasn't sold on the idea of the movie, "Well I'm all for scary movies, but sometimes the plot sucks so bad that the movie not all that scary!"
The girls talk about their opinion of the movie while Connor follows behind them listening to their conversation. Jude slowly walks behind them trying to pretend like he cared about the movie that there were going to see. Connor turns around to get Jude's attention he notices Jude silently walking behind them not enjoying himself.
"Hey girls!" Connor gathered both girls attention until they turned to him, "Hey why don't you guys pick out our seats while me and Jude get the popcorn and snacks?!"
The girls smiles thinking it was a nice suggestion that the boys paid for their ticket to the movies and now snacks, "That's so sweet of you two!" Maddie said, "We'll go and fine some stellar seats for the movie hurry up and get the snacks before the movie starts!"
"Okay we will!" Connor tells them as the girls run into the theater entrance, "Come on Jude let's go and get the popcorn and snacks!" Jude nods following his best friend to snack bar. Connor had a head start he waited for Jude to arrive at the snack bar, "Well finally Jude it took you forever to show up!"
"Ha-ha very funny!" Jude tells him, "What kind of snacks are we getting for the girls?"
"Well I don't know," Connor told him Jude, puzzling his young naive friend. Jude wondered why was they there if Connor didn't know what to get the girls, "Why don't you pick and be careful girls are very picky…"
"Connor really you volunteered and you don't know?!" Jude scolding his friend, "Um well they love popcorn why don't we get that large tub of popcorn?"
"And what else?"
Jude didn't know he really doesn't eat snacks at ayoull that much, even while Connor was over his house Connor was the one eating the snacks which Jude didn't mind really, "Well Connor you're the one who eat all the snacks when we hang out so you tell me!"
"Wait I don't eat all of the snacks!" Connor rebuffed, but he knows Jude telling the truth about him eating most of the snacks as Jude give him that yeah right look he couldn't lie at the fact, "Okay fine you win! Get them some candy, I see some skittles and fruit snacks I'm quite sure they'll love that!"
"Okay then," Jude tells him as he turns to the concessionist placing their order while they wait for some fresh popcorn to be popped.
"Hey Jude…" Connor took a serious tone with his friend as Jude turns to him giving him his full attention, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah…I'm fine why would you asked that?" Jude asked Connor.
"Come on Jude stop lying to me what's going on?" Connor pushed the question until he got an answer from Jude.
"Well I don't like scary movies remember, but it's okay you forgot," Jude replied as the words flushed back Connor's memories his face turned like a ghost showing that he truly forgot that Jude said he didn't want to go to a scary movie.
"Oh crap I completely forgot that you told me about that!" Connor replied rustling his hands through his hair, "How can I make this up to you?"
Jude gathered the snacks and popcorn before replying to Connor, "Well we can go to the movies and I'll pick the movie next time!"
Connor smiles rustling his hand in Jude's hair messing it up as Jude pulls away from Connor laughing, "Deal then!" Connor grabs some drinks as he follows Jude to the movies to enjoy their time hanging out.
"Jude! Jude!" Jude snaps out of daydreaming he turns to see Callie calling out to him, "Daydreaming about today's events?" She asked him walking over to grab a glass of water from the sink.
"Oh yeah daydreaming…" Jude forgot he was daydreaming about hanging out with his friends going to see a scary movie.
"So what was it about?" Callie asked taking a sip from her glass leaning against the kitchen countertop giving her full attention to Jude.
"Oh it was nothing much I was talking to Mom about how I was scared to go and see a scary movie I know most teenagers love scary movies, but I really don't like it! I was wondering what it would be like if I got to the movie theater and they all wanted to go and see a scary movie should I go or not or should I suggest another movie," He explained to Callie who nodded she understood what Jude was going through.
"I understand, but it's a new experience baby try and go with it okay don't knock it just because it's a scary movie remember it's not real," Callie tells him as Jude smiles her words gave him some kind of encouragement, "Good do you know what time you guys are going? It's almost 11 you might want to call and see where everyone at."
"Oh yeah I better text them!" Jude quickly pulls out his cellphone to text his friends he decides to text Chelsea first to get a respond.
Jude: Hey Chelsea its Jude do know what time we're meeting up at the movies?
After a minute of waiting Chelsea finally replied back to Jude's text. He picks up his phone and looks at the text message she sent him.
Chelsea: Hey Jude! No I don't know what time we're meeting up actually did you ask Maddie or Connor?!
Jude: No I'll text Connor you text Maddie so we can see when we have to meet up.
Chelsea: All right I'm already on it!
Jude search through his contacts for Connor's name and begins typing a message to his friend.
Jude: Hey Connor! Do know what time we're meeting up to go to the movies?!
He hit sends and waits for his friend to reply back. He places his phone on the kitchen table as Brandon comes down the stairs, "Hey everyone."
"Hey," Callie and Jude both said in unison greeting the talented pianist.
"Jude Moms told me you're going to the movies," Brandon said to his younger brother grabbing the milk out of the refrigerator, "You're still going to the movies right because I have to take you if so?"
"Yeah I'm asking what time they want to meet up," Jude tells him while he's pouring the milk in a glass he walks over to where Callie is standing.
"Okay that's fine," Brandon replied turning to Callie as she looks away from Brandon Jude tries not to pay attention to the awkwardness between them, "So um Callie you're still going to therapy? I mean I can drop you off before dropping Jude off at the movies."
"Oh yeah sure that's fine the sooner I go the quicker I can leave," Callie tells him quickly drinking the rest of the water in her glass.
"Okay…then um Jude have you've heard back yet?" Brandon changes the subject to focus on Jude.
"Not yet…"
"Okay well I'm going upstairs and finish getting ready tell me when you're ready?" Brandon tells him as he places his glass in the sink and quickly runs up the stairs.
Jude looks at Callie as she awkwardly looks away Jude had no idea what was going on between Brandon and Callie he was so busy dealing with his own issues that he had no time he hope Callie won't try anything crazy like last time. Jude's phone buzzed he picks it up it was a text message from Connor he quickly answers the message.
Connor: Sorry Jude had to do some chores I'm almost done I think we should meet up around 12ish if that's cool with you?
Jude: That's fine I just wanted to know because Brandon bringing me to the movie theater I just needed to know what time.
Connor: Alright I'll see you there!
Jude places his phone on the kitchen counter top and smiles from the excitement of hanging out with his friends at the movies. Callie walks over to her little brother she sits next to him before saying something to him.
"Did you get the okay from Connor?" She asked him.
"Yeah he told me he'll meet up at around 12ish," He tells his sister, "I should text Maddie and Chelsea to tell them what time we're all meeting up before I forget!" Jude picks up his phone and text Maddie and Chelsea telling them that Connor wants to meet up around 12. Once Jude sent the text he sat his phone back down as Callie laughs at her little brother, "What why are you laughing me?"
"Nothing Jude," She said sarcastically before taking another sip from her glass. Jude wasn't buying it giving Callie a look, "What?"
"Don't what mean you have something on your mind say it," Jude told his sister she sighed smiling at him.
"Okay Jude, I was just observing you is all I think it's cute you're going out with your friends and kind of excited about what time and how long it's kind of exciting to see you get all nervous about it," Callie explained to her little brother.
"Yeah…I just don't want to mess up you know what I mean?" Jude tells his sister. Callie understood this, her little brother is having his first hang out day with a group of friends. She knows Connor and Jude hang out, but this time is different than before he's going be in a social group interaction. She can see the nervousness peaking from Jude's face he tries to pretend he's not, but she knows his completely terrified. While talking to his sister Jude's phone buzz from both Maddie and Chelsea telling him it was okay and they'll him around 12 today.
"Awesome they agreed to meet up at 12 that great!" Jude tells Callie she rusts through his hair as a sign of congratulations, "I better go and tell Brandon what's up so we can leave soon!" Jude gets up from the seat at the kitchen top and walks towards the stairs to tell Brandon the news.
Connor places his phone on his bedroom dresser before heading out of his room. He rustles through his hair as he head downstairs he notices that his mom his gone early he hoped that she would come back before he meet up his friends. Connor walks into the kitchen where a note was left by his mother. He picks up the note and opens it to read what his mother left.
"Morning sweetheart, I had to run for an errand I'll be back
before you know it. Don't forget to do your
chores before I get home I should be home around 12ish love you honey."
Connor sighed throwing the note away in the trash can, before he threw away the note he thought about playing basketball with the paper note in a crushed ball. He dribbles around the kitchen before he finally takes a shot as his paper ball goes in the trash can he jumps up in excitement as if he won the winning shot. "And the crowd goes while!" He cheered himself on roaring as if the crowd was in his kitchen. He finally starts his chores he goes upstairs and head to the bathroom he had to clean both the guest bathroom and his mom's bathroom he hated cleaning his mom bathroom the thought of it made him shiver. He grabs the cleaning supplies he needed and begin scrubbing the bathroom after scrubbing the toilet and tub he wipes down the bathroom counter and mirror before he heads to his mom's bathroom he dreaded the fact because sometimes his mom is in a rush that she leaves all her products and make up laying around.
"My god mom this is crazy!" Connor thought to himself as he walks into his mother's bathroom it was a mess with the products she uses even hair extensions were left in the sink Connor sighed as he picked her hair extensions up and clean out her sink before placing everything in the correct order he cleans the toilet until its spotless and then the tub. Once he finished his cleaning up the bathroom he finishes the rest of his chores he tackles his room not that it was filthy, but he let a little bit of clothes pile up so he cleans up his room make sure his bed was made before he head down to the living room where he wipes down the living room full of dust that culminated over time once he finishes he makes his way to the family room then the dining room. Once he finishes he hears the door of the house open he walks over to the entrance he sees his mom which he greets her with a lovely smile. "Hi mom!" Connor greeted his mom giving her a hug she responds back with a hug and a smile.
"Hey Connor…" She replied as Connor gives her a suspicious look.
"What is it mom?" Connor asked her she tries to throw on her mom charm, but Connor wasn't buying it.
"Well I have to work today…and um well….you can't go to the movies," She explains to him.
"Wait why not mom? I already told my friends I'll be there!" Connor questioned his mom he couldn't figure out why her going to work is a reason why he couldn't go and hang out with his friends.
"I'm so sorry honey, but you have to stay and take care of your father he just got out of hospital and he needs to be watched," She explained to him as he slowly back away from her, "I know honey, but you have to stay here and help your father."
"I can't believe you would do that to me!" Connor tells his mom, "I mean why out of all things mom?! Where is he?"
"He's in the car," She tells her son, "Just try to bear with him okay?"
He follows his mom out to the car and helps gather his dad from the car. Connor was still upset that his mother pulled a fast one on him. His mom opens the door as Connor helps his father out of the car passenger seat. "Hey dad…" Connor coldly greeted his father.
"Hello Connor," Adam greeted his son putting one arm over Connor's shoulder, "How have you've been?"
"Fine dad," He tells him as his mother opens house door to let her son and ex-husband enter. Connor places his father down on the couch making sure he as conformable as possible.
Connor walks over to the kitchen where his mother was she had fixed her a drink of water. She finishes the glass of water as Connor stands by kitchen countertop, "I know what you're going to say, but I have to work and he needed to be watch and I totally would if I wasn't called into work…I promise I'll make it up to you okay honey?"
"Yeah I know, but now I'm stuck taking care of dad when I could be with my friends," Connor forgives his mom he totally understands, but it sucks that he have to miss out on hanging with his friends for being stuck with his dad, "Just hurry back home please!"
She hugs her son kissing him on the top of her forehead, "I promise I'll be back as soon as I get off of work."
"Alright mom," Connor replied as his mother rushes out of the door.
This is he part Connor's regret being alone with his father with his father being unstable and unpredictable anything could happen while his mom was gone. To make matter worst he was missing the movies with his friends.
Jude finally arrived at the movie theaters thanks to Brandon. They pulled up to the parking lot he gives a smile and Brandon reminds him to call when the movie was over so he could pick him up on time after Callie's therapist session. "Alright I promise I'll call when our movie is over and don't forget me either!"
"We could never forget you Jude," Callie tells him, "Now go and have fun! And stop worrying so much you'll be fine!"
Jude walks up to the movie theater entrance where Maddie and Chelsea were waiting for him.
"Hey Jude you made it!" Maddie exclaimed hugging Jude then Chelsea.
"Glad to be here!" Jude replied greeting both girls, "Have you've seen Connor yet?"
"Not yet," Chelsea tells him she was more excited than anyone to see Connor, "But you did say he was coming though right?"
"Um…yeah I texted him he said he was coming as soon as he finish his chores," Jude reassured her, "I'm sure he's on his way now we should just be patience is all."
"Yeah let's go inside to wait for him," Maddie suggested.
"I'll wait for him outside that way he knows we're waiting for him," Jude volunteer to wait for Connor as the girls goes inside of the theater to wait.
Jude took a seat outside of the movie theater to wait for his best friend. While waiting he pulls out his phone to see where Connor was he didn't receive any texts or missed calls he begins to worry so he calls Connor, but all he got was his voice mail so he texted him and waited. Maddie called Jude to asked him if he seen Connor yet he told her not yet.
"Jude?" A voice shouted at him he looks around to see who was it, "Jude I thought it was you!" It was Trey walking towards him wearing the movie theater uniform.
"Hey Trey how have you've been?" Jude asked him.
"Nothing much school and work as you can tell," Trey tells him pointing out his uniform which wasn't what Trey would've worn, but it part of his job, "I see you're here to watch a movie must be waiting for friends am I right?"
"Yeah I got some friends inside waiting for me and Connor…he just hasn't showed up yet is all," Jude answered.
"That's good I'm glad you made up with your friend Connor how is everything?"
"It's going fine, I think his dad hasn't been around a lot so it gives us a lot of time to hang out with problems or anything."
"That's good to hear you want to come inside I'm quite sure Connor on his way you know traffic sometimes I was almost late coming to work with the bus and all."
Jude looked down at his phone still no word from Connor, but he hoped that Connor would make it in time, but he accepted Trey's invited and walked into the movie theater with him hoping that Connor would make it to see the movie.