Ties of a Friendship

Chapter 12

Monday rolled around and the family just got back from their camping trip. Of course a weekend away was still drama. Jesus broke up with Hayley and the family discovered he had a tattoo on his side with her name. Not to mention Brandon and Jesus snuck out to look for her that back fired. The family discovered that Ana is pregnant and Jesus been keeping it a secret from everyone. Jude was fed up with the way Callie was treating him like he was baby, but resolve it and he thought problems with Connor was too much. Good thing is he was able to a take a weekend away from him to clear his head, but now he has to deal with inviting Trey over to dinner. It was going to complicated and nerve wrecking he didn't know how his family was going to react.

"Sweetheart don't forget about dinner tonight?" Lena reminded him as she grabs her purse heading out the door.

Jude nods and follows behind her as the kids get settle to head to school. Jude felt a little indifferent about the situation, but he had no choice. He wanted the day to over and be the next day, it was weird that focus on him for tonight usually it's all been about his brothers and sisters, but this time tonight was about him.

As the day rolled on Jude went to his locker he really hasn't pay attention much today. He was so far into his head he didn't realize that Connor was standing there behind his locker so when he closed it, he was startled by Connor's present.

"Hey Jude," He says like he normally does with his usually greeting, "How was the camping trip?"

"Oh hey…Connor," Jude fumbled his thoughts around trying to reply to Connor, "It was cool. Peaceful. How was your weekend?"

"You know the usually baseball practice since soccer season is over for the time being."

"Oh that's good always keeping busy…"

"Yeah…so you want to hang out today?" Connor asked him. Jude was thrown off by his question. Connor confused Jude in ways he didn't know how to process it, "I mean if you want to?"

Everything in mind wanted to tell him yes, but he knew he couldn't, "I can't. I have to meet up with Trey and invite him over for dinner tonight. Sorry."

Disappointment crept on Connor's face, but he understood, "Oh okay that's cool. Can I walk with you to meet up with him at least?"

He wasn't so sure, but Jude reluctantly agreed, "Okay sure you can come. I'm quite sure Trey wouldn't mind seeing you again."

"Awesome! Can't wait!"

Jude smiled to himself as they continued on to their class. Connor was chatting about their science homework. Jude knew Connor was wondering if he could help him he doesn't get science as much as Jude does, but it was good trade off because sometimes Connor can help him in math especially when Lena wasn't able to and Stef thought what they were teaching was way advance for her to help him with.

The bell rung for school to be over, everyone gathered in the hallways making their way to lockers, friends, buses, or family members picking them up. Jude was nervous about tonight it was too late to turn around. He met up with Connor at the bench where Connor was waiting for him.

"So you ready?" Connor asked him.

"Yeah, come on," Jude told him as he followed behind his best friend. "I'm so nervous about tonight."

"You're nervous. Jude it's just a dinner. Were you nervous when I came over the first time?" Connor wondered.

Jude remembers that time the first time Connor came over to his house. He was nervous he could've died. When he asked Stef and Lena they told him it was fine if Connor come over. It made Jude happy, but he was nervous cuz he wanted to impress his new friend and he didn't have a stable home. Everything was going through his head what if Connor didn't like him? What if he didn't want to be his friend anymore? Would he have judge Jude about not having a home like he does?

"Yeah…actually I was to be honest. I mean I was lonely foster kid, who wanted a family and I've found it. I wouldn't trade this life for anything."

"I'm glad you were a foster kid…" Connor tells him. Jude shot a look of hurt. What did Connor mean he was glad Jude was a foster kid? "I mean not like that. If you never were a foster kid I would've never met you…and we would've never became friends."

"Oh I understand. Yeah that's something alright!" Jude tells him pushing him on his shoulder.

Once the two boys got to the usual meeting place to meet up with Trey, he was sitting down at his favorite tree drawing as usual. It wasn't hard to find out what he was doing as well. Drawing of course, he seems like his favorite pass time.

"Jude! Hey you brought Connor. Awesome!" Trey greets the boys dusting off the sand that gathered on him, "I'm excited about seeing your family. I hope we're still on for dinner right?"

"Yeah came to get you," Jude nodded, "Connor wanted to see you off. So he asked if he could come."

"Hey dude!"

"Great seeing you again, Connor," Trey tossed his backpack over his shoulder to get ready, "I hope you're not hear to attack me again." Trey laughed at his statement. Jude was unaware of this and Connor was ashamed of his actions he done to Trey when they met.

"Wait what do you mean attack?" Jude asked Connor. Connor pretended not to know, but Jude wanted to know the truth, "What did Trey mean?"

"Oh well I followed you one time and ran into Trey and I sort of attacked him by taking his sketchbook. I thought he was trying to replace me…" Connor explains.

"Oh really…he not replacing you, but he is my friend you should respect me enough for that."

"Yeah just a friend is all. Beside Connor my thing is seeing the both of you as friends that's all," Trey tells him. "So Jude you ready?"

Jude shot a look at Connor, before he walked away following behind Trey. Connor tried to say something, but he felt like it would've made it worst.

"Don't be too hard on Connor again…" Trey laughs, "I mean he was only being a best friend. Hey everyone gets jealous when their best friend makes a new friend and looks like their replacing them."

"Yeah, but I can't believe he attacked you though."

"It's not really a big deal. I don't let those things bother me it's whatever. Beside I learned from experience you have to just live in the moment and not worry about the small things. He's a good person and a good friend."

Finally Jude brought to Trey to his house. Trey was wowed by how beautiful the house was. He tells him that it's just him and his mom and they live in a condo. Once they entered Trey was greeted by Stef who just finished getting out of her police uniform and dress in casual wear.

"Hello I'm Stef Adams-Fosters, one of Jude's mom," Stef greeted him.

"Hello Mrs. Adams-Fosters I'm Trey, an artist. It's a pleasure to meet you and thank you for the invite."

"Oh I like him he's well manner and polite. Just like are Judicorn!" Stef giggles kissing Jude on his cheek. He blushes in embarrassment.

Around the corner Lena came around wiping her hands on a cloth, "Honey dinner is almost ready…oh hello!"

"Hello you must be Lena-Adams Fosters. Jude's other mom. It is a pleasure to meet both of you. What he didn't tell was how gorgeous both his Moms are."

"Oh…a charmer I see. The pleasure is all ours. Jude didn't tell us how well manner you are. Dinner will be a few Jude why don't you take Trey up to your room and get wash up for dinner."

"Thank you very much Mrs. Adams," Trey thanked his hosts and headed up behind Jude to his room.

"He seems nice…" Lena tells Stef. They back to the kitchen to set the table for the family.

"Yeah he's alittle bit older than Jude, but his attentions are good. At least Jude has a new friend a nice change of pace especially with everything that's happened with Connor."

Upstairs Jude showed Trey around he tells him that he shares a room with Jesus so most of everything is his. Trey didn't seem to care he understood about that he thought about just getting to know Jude.

"A PSP I have one too. Is this yours or Jesus?" Trey asked picking up the system. Jude quickly grabs away from Trey. "Hey! What was that for?"

"I'm sorry about that. I got this from Connor..." Jude explains. Jude held the PSP up to his chest tightly protecting the symbol that reminds him of Connor.

"…Symbol of your friendship just like the blue finger nail polish!" Trey stated, "That's was nice of him to give you his PSP. I can see you really care about it."

"Yeah it was the first time he came over he gave me his PSP a token of our friendship. I tried to tell him he doesn't have to give it to me, but he assisted on me having it. Beside my Moms he was the first one to accept me for me."

"It's good to have a friend that accepts you for you. Even your if he's your crush…wouldn't you say?"

Jude blushed to so hard he tried to pretend that Trey was talking nonsense. Maybe it was true Jude have had moments where he was feeling mixed emotions especially when it comes to Connor.

"I have no idea what you're talking about?"

"You don't?" Trey asked sarcastically, "I think you do a boy named Connor. I'm not stupid the way you talk about him please you have to be stupid not see that."

Jude places the PSP back where Trey picked it up. "I don't think it's that simple he's my best friend that's all. I just wish there was no drama between us I mean what else can I do?"

"Well this is a new one too me. I told you before I see that you have a special friendship with Connor. I never had feelings for my best friend, but if I did I wouldn't just sit here and suffer. Unless you want to give him some time because of his father, I just want you not to regret the what if between you and Connor."

A knock on the door caught both boys attention. It was Lena standing in the doorway, "Hey guys dinner's ready come on down." Just as quickly as she said it she headed down stairs and Trey took the bathroom to wash up followed by Jude.

Once the boys finish washing up they headed downstairs where the other Adams-Fosters' kids were waiting all eyes were on Trey trying to get a feeling about him.

"Kids this Jude's friend Trey," Lena tells them, "Trey this is Stef's biological son Brandon and my step son. Adoptive twins Mariana and Jesus. Of course you know Jude and our foster daughter Callie."

"Hello everyone, it is a pleasure to meet all of you."

"Well he's cute…" Mariana giggles.

"Thank you. Mrs. Adams-Fosters I love your well rounded family. This is so beautiful compared to me and my mother." Trey complements the family as a whole.

"Thank you Trey we try," Stef accepted the complement. The family took to the dining room where Lena had a gorgeous meal prepared. Callie sat next Jude while Trey said on his opposite Mariana sat across to face him Lena and Stef sat at the end of table facing each other. Jude was sweating a little bit because he didn't know how his family would react so far his Moms and Mariana loved him a little now just have to wait for his brothers and Callie especially.

As dinner started Callie broke the ice by getting a question, "So Trey, where did you meet my brother?"

"Oh at the book store besides drawing one of my favorite pass time is reading. Yes I also read comics as well, but I always love a good read. It like it takes you to another world and you can enjoy the person story."

"Oh you're artist? B one too!" Stef injected.

Brandon quickly flustered by Stef's comment, "Wait mom I'm musician that kind of artist. Trey is artist that draws completely different."

"Yeah he's classical trained," Jesus threw in.

"Classical trained man that's amazing. I wanted to do music, but Mom couldn't afford it. So I did what most only kids did I expressed myself with drawing storytelling I did a little sports here and there." Trey tells the family his story, "But man playing the piano classical trained man you probably will become a famous pianist!"

"So it's just you and your mother?" Lena asked him taking a sip from her cup.

"Yes, we moved out here about 4 years ago, she wanted a new life for me. It was tough, but I had drawing, and books to keep me busy so it wasn't that bad."

"What school do you go to?" Mariana wondered, "I mean it's not Anchor Beach because we would've seen you or at least Mama would."

"Oh I go to an art school just want to get better at drawing hopefully."

"That's good. See B you should keep going regardless," Stef shot one at him. Brandon tilts his head in shame. She was hoping it would give him the courage to try and play classical music again.

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand like what you're doing with my little brother," Callie told him. Trey wasn't sure what she meant by that, "You're older than him why are you even friends with him?"

"Callie!" Jude was shocked by her outburst.

"I'm just saying…"

"Young lady you watch your tone and apologize to our guest!" Stef exclaimed Lena was also in agreement.

"No it's okay I understand. I'm sorry Callie, but there is nothing I want from your brother. He actually a nice person we simply bonded over books nothing more. I understand you being protected over your brother because of your past believe me I've done my research so I can't blame you for not trusting me. I look at Jude as little brother as well. We discuss books, life, video games that all. He very intellectual he's been giving me some good books to read actually," Trey explains the situation.

"Callie it's okay he's fine calm down please!" Jude asked her. She did and with that she apologized to Trey stating she was way out of line.

"Well that was something…" Lena said wiping her mouth with a napkin, "So Trey any good reads you can recommend?"

"Let's see I was reading The Fault in Our Stars fabulously read, and Unbroken I want to read the Maze Runner series next. I actually go to Jude for some of the good reads actually he tells me about some of the new books it taking time for me to catch up with school in the way."

"Wow avid reader that's something…"

"Oh it's like a hobby of mines per to say."

Jude was kind of relief the night went on without being so awful as he thought. As dinner ended Trey offered to stay to clean up the dishes and table. Lena told him he didn't have to, but assisted and with that he helped Lena clean.

"Thank you for the wonderful dinner Mrs. Adams-Fosters. I really enjoy time getting to know Jude's family."

"You're welcome it's good to see Jude making new friends. I know everything touchy with his best friend Connor lately its good he has another he can hang out with…Jude's a special kid and I want him to be safe."

"I understand completely. I had a best friend one time we aren't close anymore. I can relate to what Jude's going through especially when he's been moved around so many times. I haven't moved around much, but I wasn't a very social person myself and getting bully it can be a lot to deal with it. But it good to have a good solid friend someone stable in your crazy life and I know that's what Connor is for Jude. He told me that he was the first one to accept him out everyone at school so it makes sense."

"Yeah things been complicated with Connor and his father lately. How about you what happened to your best friend?"

"Well my best friend lucky it wasn't his family not that know of…" Trey tells her. He hands her dish as she dries it off, "It was peer pressure. It's something that worries me. Just a general case especially when it comes to friendships."

"Peer pressure I remember those days. You and your best friend must've been close?"

"Yeah we were, but I was getting bullied and the pressure was too much for him. I was in school being called gay, even though I'm not people are cruel and because me and my best friend was close they thought something happened between us and he left my side. But I couldn't blame him I rather take the teasing than him suffering."

Lena felt bad for Trey. He understood what she was going through when she was little as well. It was nice to see that he come out on top and still and smile and joke about something that was clearly hurtful to him.

"You think that might happen to Jude and Connor?"

"I know it will I hope Connor is strong enough to deal with it. I know Jude is, but from what's told about his father Connor might not be. I want Jude to learn from me and hopefully it'll be better. I actually want to talk to Connor and wonder what's up with him."

After Trey finished helping Lena cleans the kitchen Jude escorts him out of the house and he tells his goodbyes to the family.

"Well Jude it wasn't as bad as you thought it was?" Trey teases him elbowing him in his shoulder.

"Yeah…thanks for coming I'm really glad you were able to come. I'm glad my family likes you."

"Yeah pretty good family you got. Now I want to see Connor's family maybe get feeling of what's going with him what do you think?" Trey wondered.

"Maybe…it'll be something interested."

"Things will come for your future with him. The thing is, are you both strong enough to handle the pressure or will you both fall apart?"

Trey didn't give Jude the opportunity to reply he rustling in his hair and gives him a quick smile with that he was gone. Jude wondered about the solution and decided he wanted to fight for his friend regardless of what get in the way it was his resolve he was hoping that Connor would feel the same way too.