Ties of a Friendship
Chapter 14
Sorry about being late on the update I've been having reading block sorta of. I'mma try to update this story as much as I can and along with the others, but I've been having trouble writing. I promise I'm working on my writing the best I can. The Guest that recently review I was kinda thinking of scrapping all my stories actually, but I decided to continue. This chapter a little short because I have other plans afterwards. But if you guys have any suggestions or whatever let me know and I'll do my best.
Yesterday was crazy for Jude. He tried to put it out of his mind, but it kept coming back to him like it just happened. Connor his best friend just locked pinkies with him while they were on a double date with girls. What did it mean Jude wondered. Connor has been acting strange ever since they begin talking again. He wondered should he ask him. But Jude decided against it he'll let Connor come to him when he was ready, though it didn't make anything easier.
He finally got up from his bed and started his day. Callie apologizes for the way she acted towards Trey and he accepted. She then told him about her night with Robert. Jude finally accepted that Callie might leave the Adams-Fosters, but he still didn't like the idea. She asked was he going to hang out with Connor. It was like she punched him right in the gut. He told her that they were fighting and he didn't want to discuss anything more on the subject.
At school was the thing he dreaded the most. After the arguments even the group date he still wanted to avoid Connor as much as possible. Jude headed to locker when he thought it was safe enough to go and not be seen by Connor. Taylor saw him and she lead against the locker next to him annoyed by something.
"Hey Jude," She managed to say in annoyance.
"Hey Taylor…" Jude replied confused wondering what's got into her, "What's wrong you seem annoyed."
"Well I am actually…"
"By what?"
Taylor didn't say anything she just pointed behind her and there was Connor and Daria walking down the hallway kissing each other and giggling. It just what Jude was avoiding seeing Connor as much as he could and now this.
"Oh of course…" Jude closes his locker as Connor and Daria made their way up to Taylor and Jude who were clearly annoyed with them.
"Hey Jude," Daria greeted him he smiled back. "So what are you two up too?"
"Nothing actually," Taylor replied.
"Cool me and Connor was going to hang out at the pier today. Do you two want to come?" She asked them.
"I wish I got to get home to help Dad with some stuff," Taylor answers without missing a beat. In truth she was glad she had to do work with her cuz if even though Daria was her best friend hanging out with her while she got a boyfriend makes her want to vomit.
Daria turned to Jude waiting for an answer. Jude was not going to be a third wheel or whatever. He quickly glances at Connor. Connor has his usual golden smirk on his face, but he didn't enter the conversation he was holding onto to Daria's waist. Jude didn't want to interrupt his best friend time with his girlfriend. "No thank you," He politely answered, "I got some stuff to do as well this afternoon, but you two go ahead and go and have fun." Connor's face kinda was turned disappointed that his friends weren't coming.
"Okay then that's fine. I guess it's just you and me Connor!" Daria was disappointed she gets to spend some alone time with Connor anyway. "Well we should hang out tomorrow! I know it'll be Thursday but we can go to the movies and maybe hang out after school I'm quite sure are parents wouldn't mind?"
"Sure that's sound fine," Taylor enjoyed the idea to get out on Thursday before she turned to Jude, "Jude you in?"
"Sure. It'll be fun why not?"
They were all in agreement for plans Thursday night. Daria and Connor took their leave leaving Jude and Taylor to themselves.
"Sometimes those two make me sick!" Taylor tells Jude as they headed to their class, "I mean don't get me wrong Daria is my best friend, but sometimes she can just be…"
"…Too much?" Jude finished her thought. "Connor, lately been too much to deal with as well."
Taylor busted out laughing that she and Jude was on the same page. "Right just cuz we're there best friends and their dating doesn't mean they can just throw it in our faces."
Jude laughed he understood what Taylor was saying. He wondered did Connor feel like this when he was dating Maddie, but he didn't really focus on it Taylor was good company for him to forget about his worries. It was good to have someone who understands some of the annoyance he was dealing with especially when it came to Connor.
Lena was outside walking on the beach checking on some of the kids it was almost time for the students to get out school. It was a good excuse for her to walk the beach for a bit as well. The good thing about working next to the beach is the fresh air she gets. She loves the outdoor and she love to encourage kids to be outside instead of being inside. While she was walking she noticed someone drawing next to a tree. She walked over to get a closer look when she recognizes the person.
"Oh my god! Trey is that you?" She asked him.
He turns to look up to see Lena standing over him, "Oh hi Mrs. Adams-Fosters. How are you doing this afternoon?" As he dust himself to greet her.
"I'm doing very well," She replied, "What are you doing here? I mean you don't go to school at Anchor Beach do you?" She joked with him.
"No I do not," He chuckles, "No I come here to draw and I'm meeting Jude up here. We always meet when we can."
"Oh okay, well since your hear you mind if we talk?" Lena asked him.
"Sure Mrs. Adams-Fosters!" Trey knelt down to punch his sketchbook in backpack. Once his sketchbook was in his backpack he slung it over his left shoulder. "I'm not in trouble am I?"
"No not at all I just wanted to talk you," She smiles, "I feel like we didn't get to know you as much and my baby boy has taken a likely to you so it would be nice to know more about his friends." They take a stroll down the coast Lena loves to walk and talk and Trey didn't mind either it was good fun for both of them.
"Oh okay what would like to know Mrs. Adams-Foster?" He replied.
"I would like to know more about you. You seem very charming and smart. I like those qualities in a person. What drives you?"
"Well that's a tough one…Mrs. Adams-Foster," He replied he looks up to the sky trying to find the best words to say, "I would have to say my mother. I love my Mom and that's what drives me. In truth after my Grandma died that's all that's been driving lately."
"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that Trey. I know what it's like to lose a grandmother at young age as well it's tough."
Trey shrugs and smiles, "Oh thank you Mrs. Adams-Foster. I try not to focus on that. I focus on the good times I had with her. Plus being an only child like I am I'm kinda used to it being alone it's just something I've always known. People die and people leave can't focus on something that is human nature."
Lena was taken back how calm Trey was about life. Usually he would have some kind of wall of something she'll have to get through and deal with the backlash, but he talks as if he's been on the Earth before. It truly fascinates her.
"I live life one day at time. The funny thing is there are a few people in this world who are destined to meet and end up in each other's lives." He laughs looking down at the sand they walk across, "I mean think about it Mrs. Adams-Foster you and Mrs. Foster were destined to not only meet, but also find kids who need a good home. I could tell when I saw your family. They needed you guys and it such a wonderful thing. Just like Jude needs Connor and vice versa. Wouldn't you agree?"
Once again astonishment arose from Lena's face. Trey was truly one of kind she thought to herself. "How do you figure these things out?"
"Well I like to gathering information and watch. I guess you can call me a watcher. Not in like some kind of stalking form," He tells her hoping Lena didn't get the wrong idea. "I've just been able to tell this sorta of things is all. Funny thing is I remember when I met Jude I was reading The Fault in Our Stars. It's great book if you ever get a chance to read it. But anyway I saw something special when I asked to sit down at the table to read my book. And I'm sure you did too something more special of course, but special none the less. The key thing for me is to listen I like to make it all about the person I'm talking to whatever they need. That's how I'm able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. I look at people and life as a puzzle sometimes its easy sometimes it's not, but it's still a challenge none the less." Trey sighed his whole face expression changed from a joyful person to a lonely person, "Some of us deserve to be happy…" He said it in a low voice, but Lena heard it.
"Wow you sure have a fascinating way of looking at life. But what did you mean some of us deserve to be happy?" She raises an eyebrow waiting for a response.
"Oh it's just me thinking out loud!" He quickly rebuffs, "I do apologize for that Mrs. Adams-Fosters."
"Trey you have nothing to apologize for you-" Before Lena could finish Jude walks over to them. Tracking behind a set of footprints in the sand from the beach to the school yard at this point the conversation was over and Lena did not want to press for more even though she wanted to.
"Hey Momma! Hey Trey! What's going on?" Jude asked them.
"Nothing sweetheart I was just getting to know your friend a little bit better is all," Lena tells him bend over to kiss him on his cheeks, "You two behave yourselves and I will see you at home honey." Jude smiles and Lena take her leave.
With Lena gone Jude turn to Trey and gives him a suspicions look, "Okay what was that really about?"
"She notices I was drawing and she just wanted to get to know me that's all." He swears it was nothing else for Jude to worry about, "What about you and your group date how was that? Did you guys have fun?"
"I guess so…"
"You guess so? I don't like that answer. Wait let me guess Connor ignored you the whole time am I right to have more make out time with Daria? I told you it's okay, but if you don't tell him that you have feelings for him it'll get worse you need to confront him about it…" Before Trey could get another word Jude stopped him.
"No Connor held my hand at the movie theater!" He blurted it out. Those words that rolled off of Jude's lip completely shocked Trey he had to take a step back.
"Wait Connor? Your Connor?! Held your hand in the movie theater while he was with his girlfriend? Hold up does this have something do with what happen between you two in the tent?"
Jude was ashamed about the incident in the tent and confused as well. Connor seemed to forget about or at least he thought he did. It was crazy Connor first didn't want to have anything to with him, got a girlfriend switch partners and now he held his hand at the movie theater. It made his head hurt.
"You two kissed didn't you?" Trey asked him. Jude tried to lie about it, but Trey already figured it out. "I knew it you two kissed and ever since then it's been weird and awkward between the two of you!"
"Yeah…I didn't mean for it to get out hand like it did it just has!"
Trey places his arm around Jude shoulder, "Come on we're going to get some ice cream and talk more about this. Ice cream does the soul good especially when depressed."
"I can't argue with that logic!" Jude answered back and Trey nodded with a smile as they head to shop for ice cream. "You are paying right?" Trey laughs and lightly pushes Jude as they both bust out laughing.
They finally made to the ice cream shop. Trey of course paid for whatever flavor ice cream Jude wanted Jude picked Chocolate with hot fudge and whip cream on top. Trey stuck with the usual for him it was Vanilla plain. Both boys enjoyed their ice cream and didn't really talk much Trey wanted Jude to enjoy most of his ice cream before they started to talk. After a few spoonful of his ice cream Trey got right down to business.
"…soooo this kiss between you and Connor happened on your class trip correct?" Jude didn't answer he just nodded, "Okay from what you're telling me. Basically after some weeks without talking to Connor you finally talk to him. Which if that's the case he missed you of course and suggested you guys share a tent, but you said no, but still Connor wanted to share a tent with you and you did. Okay so you're in the tent your talking having fun and talking and if I had to guess Connor was telling you how much he missed you and how much he was sorry for not standing up to his Dad and with that he caught you off with a kiss. When he kissed you it was one of those confusing, but sorry for hurting you kiss. He told you that you guys can't tell anyone and he's Dad found out that you and him shared a tent and because you felt like it was your fault you went to your Mom for advice and help. She in turn quit her job to protect you and you felt bad because you and Connor kissed and you told your Moms, but you lied about that fact that there were girls there when in fact it was just you and Connor. Now the tension is getting weird because when your alone with him his this sweet person and seem to have feelings for you , but when he's around others he's act completely different. Am I correct in everything I deduce?"
"Wow just wow you piece together all of that from the little information I gave you that's amazing!" Jude told him.
"Thank you it's what I do. But the question is what are you going to do about Connor?"
"I don't know I don't want to ruin our friendship. Connor's friendship is more important than anything else to me. I rather keep our friendship than telling him how I really feel about him."
"Jude you got to tell him he can't read your mind! Plus you know how many best friends fall in love with each other every day? You're not the first and you're not the last, but trust me from what I seen with Connor he doesn't want to lose your friendship either. So people aren't like that most let peer pressure get to them or others, but Connor defied his father twice to hang out with you. I say that's a real friend if you ask me one that's not so easily replaced."
"It's not so simple…" Jude tells him stuffing a scoop in this mouth, "Connor is my best friend and I don't want anything to change that….even if he's acting weird."
"Yes because holding in your feelings worked so perfect last time. I'm just saying man. Look I don't know if you are or him are whatever you want to call yourselves, but it's no point of making things worst between you by holding in this pin up angry towards him or regret."
"Why are you fighting this?" Jude barked at him. Trey was taken back. He didn't mean to sound rude to his friend. It was a lot to deal with. He didn't know what he was feeling it made him feel ashamed that something even happened between him and Connor and why did it have to happen it made everything even more complicated then it needed to be.
Trey didn't let it faze him he continued to make a case to get Jude to understand his point of view. "I see something special between the two of you. And I would hate for you to end up losing something special with him." Trey finished the last of his ice cream, "I'm just saying, but hey you do what you do. I won't pressure you I'm just saying. Friendships are important even if it's to blossom into more."
"I don't know…I have to think about it. Like I said Connor's friendship is more important to me than anything else and I just don't…"
"Jude you know it's okay," Trey reassured him, "Truly it is. No rush at all I'm just talking I would never want you to be pressured into doing something that you're truly not ready for." It was good that he had someone like Trey to talk to its hard to talk to someone who doesn't get it, "Hey why don't we head to the bookstore? I hear there are some new books out! What do you say?"
"That would be great!"
"Well come on don't just sit there let's get going last one there is a rotting egg!" Trey quickly gets up from his seat tossing his cup in the trash rushing straight out of the door.
"Hey that's not fair!" Jude called out to him, "You had a head start! You're such a cheater!" Jude runs after him almost catching up to his pace, "You suck you know that!"
"Hey all fair, when you're not trying to be a rotting egg like you are Jude!" He chuckles turning back to face Jude. "You're just mad that you keep up!"
"We'll see about that!"
Daria and Connor were on their way to the pier walking and talking about their day. It was nothing out of the ordinary. Daria was just beaming from excitement she was dating Connor one of the popular kids in their grade. Now they're going on a date by themselves, but she could tell that Connor was deep in thought.
"Connor is everything alright?" Daria asked him. He turns to her with huh face, "You've been quiet lately is everything okay?"
"Oh yeah I was just thinking about something," Connor replied with a charming smile. It got to Daria every time and she snuggling up closer into Connor's broad shoulder giggling. Connor smile at the joy she had. He actually liked Daria really, but his heart wasn't into it like he wanted it to be. He was worried about Jude in truth they haven't really been on the same page as of lately and it bothers him. But right now he was with his girlfriend nothing will distract him from that. "Come on shall we head to pier?"
Daria was excited to go and Connor was excited as well. He needed a good distract to keep his mind off of other things. Few minutes later Connor and Daria heard a familiar voice calling out to someone in the distance. The young couple stops to look across the street to see Jude running down the street chasing after Trey.
"Hey wait up! I'm going to get you!" Jude shouted Trey just kept laughing at Jude.
"No you won't! Put good luck with that!"
They were running so fast that neither boys recognize Connor and Daria. Daria gave a confused look because she didn't know who Trey was so it was weird to see Jude with someone other than Connor. Connor figured that must been why Jude didn't want to hang out with them because he was meeting up Trey.
"Who was that with Jude?" Daria asked Connor, "I've never seen him before is that a friend of yours?"
"Yeah that's Trey Jude was with," Connor explained to Daria trying to cover the hurt that clearly visible on his face. "Jude must've made plans…I guess that's why he didn't want to hang out."
"That's okay Connor he probably wanted to hang out with you, but he didn't want to be a third wheel."
"Yeah you right! Come on let's go!" The young couple continued on their way to the pier.
Just like that Trey won he beat Jude to the book store. Both boys were out of breath trying to stop the panting. Jude was bent over hands on his knees trying to hold up himself up. Trey wipes the sweat from the top of his forehead leaning against the store's stone wall.
"See…? I told…I-I told you I would beat you!" Trey teased Jude trying to gather his breath.
"You-y-you cheated that's…all!" Jude retorted.
"Fine a tied…then?" Trey gave Jude a pack on his back. "You're pretty cool Adams-Foster."
"You're pretty cool too!" Trey helps Jude stand up straight as they both were out of breath, but it was fun so neither one cared or had a care in the world.
Once the boys settle, they got their composure and entered the book store for some good old fashion reading time. A favorite of both boys, it was something Jude needed to he need a good distract from the mess he called a friendship with Connor.