AN: OMG! You guys totally rock! I never expected such a great response from all of you! Thank you so, so much! And I know it's been a really long time since I posted anything up here, but I didn't know exactly where to take it. And all of you have said you hate cliffhangers, so I'll try not to put one in until you say, OK? I hope the ending to this chapter isn't a cliffhanger, but I won't know until I write it now, will I?
Special ANs:
Rachel, I know I'm evil. But thanks for reviewing anyway! Lol.
Alwayswright, I know I leave too many cliffhangers. But hey, if it keeps people reading…j/k, I'll try to stop. I think I'm addicted to writing them, but I can promise you that I'll try really, really hard not to put one in at the end of this chapter (or the next few chapters). How's that? And thanks for the ideas, I haven't decided what to do yet. But when I do, you'll be the first to know.
jude-and-tommy-4eva-summer-bay, love your enthusiasm. Lol. Thanks for your review. I'm really happy that you think it's great.
Tanya, I'll post in a bit, but I just wanted to say thanks for always encouraging me. You rock!
Ally, thanks for wishing me a happy birthday. I had a great time. But I won't tell you what it was that I wished for. Dmn, I think I just gave it away. I guess my wish won't come true after all. Lol.
judetomfan101, I know you hate them. That's what most people said, so I'll try not to have a cliffhanger as an ending.
lileigh, I loved your comment about "poor, little innocent Kwest". And the butler being funny too. Although I don't watch Gilmore Girls, so I don't know who Michelle is. But I can guess as to what she would be like.
Chapter 6: Truth or Dare? (Part 2)
Kwest gulped, knowing he was in for it now. He looked down at the ground, avoiding Sadie's and my eyes. "Portia," he said in a half-whisper. Kwest's face grew pale, and I didn't know how to respond to that. "It happened before Tommy and Portia got to know one another, and got married."
Kwest looked over at me, trying to gauge my reaction. I had always seen them together, laughing and talking in hushed whispers when I came over. I always wondered whether Portia was asking Kwest about me, or whether they were just trying to unnerve me. Now I knew why.
"Tommy, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier," Kwest said, thinking I'd throw him out the door.
"It's OK, man. It's all in the past. No girl will ever come between you and me. You're the only one I can count on," I said, trying to cheer Kwest up. I instantly got an elbow in the ribs, and as I rubbed my throbbing sides, I quickly added, "Except Jude, of course."
Speed's eyes bulged as he tried not to laugh at that. Jude feigned being angry, but she did blurt out, "Just for that, you're on the couch tonight."
"Oh really?" I said, also faking surprise. "Too bad, because I was going to make your favorite flavored Pop-Tarts for you."
"You're forgiven," Jude said quickly, as everyone laughed. "On one condition, that is."
"What's that?" I said.
"It's your turn. Truth or dare?" Jude's eyes danced as she awaited my answer.
"Dare, of course." I tried to sound confident, like nothing Jude would make me do would make me feel vulnerable to the public. I was used to anything and everything that the world dished out to me, so nothing Jude came up with would even come close.
"OK, I want you to perform a Boyz Attack song for us. With all the dance moves. Guys, what do you think he should sing?" Jude's smile was wide now, as everyone shouted out a different song.
"Pick up the Pieces" eventually won, since Jude and Sadie both knew I hated that song the most. It had the classic boyband beat, the cheesy dance moves that everyone loved anyway, and with an audience of people who knew every word, every movement, every beat, it was going to be hell.
Jude put the disc in the player, pressed play, and waited until everyone started cheering during the opening notes.
"Ladies and gents, and teenagers," Sadie said, staring at SME as if they were bugs on a windshield, "here's Tommy!" She thrust the microphone at me as Jude pulled me up in front of everyone.
The lyrics started, but I refused to sing. "Can't I switch dares?"
"OK, but then I'll let everyone know you're a giant chicken," Kwest teased. He was happy to not be everyone's target anymore.
"Man, you wouldn't dare," I said, giving Kwest my most menacing glare.
"You're right," Kwest said, hanging his head in shame. "I'm sorry I even said that."
"But I'm not," Speed cut in. "I'd be glad to tell everyone you're a giant chicken."
"Fine. If I'm a giant chicken, you're an even bigger jackss," I shot back. Speed looked shocked for a second, then his eyes narrowed in anger.
"Oh yeah?" Speed got up in my face, as Kwest and the guys tried to pull them apart. He laughed as Wally and Kyle grabbed him a little too forcefully, and he fell on them.
"Dude! Get off me!" Wally said, pushing Speed away.
"HEY! THAT HURT!" Kyle yelled as Speed's elbow hit him right in the stomach hard.
"Always wanted to do that," Speed murmured, as he forgot everyone could hear him.
"Yeah? Well, I've always wanted to do this," Kyle smiled happily as he grabbed Speed and tried to wrestle him to the ground. Wally got in the way, and the three of them were busy trying to bring each other down.
Sadie rolled her eyes, as I glanced at Jude. She was clearly amused, but didn't say anything.
"So, what'll it be? Your current dare, or truth?" Sadie brought everyone's attention back to me. She smiled at me angelically, her arms clasped behind her back.
"Truth," I said. Anything would be better than doing that song again, even for my closest friends, and SME.
"Let me take this one," I heard Sadie whisper to Jude. Jude shook her head. "Sadie, come on! I know more about Tommy than you." They froze as they saw me, then Sadie whispered something to Jude, and she smiled as Jude answered, "OK, your question is better than what I would've come up with."
"So ladies, what's your question?"
"Where's the strangest place you've ever had sex?" Sadie said, looking directly at me without blinking.
I was just about to say, "My bathroom," when Speed had just sipped some Coke, and immediately sprayed it all over Jude.
"EWW!!!!" Jude shrieked, then started chasing Speed with a seat cushion. Speed ran around the room, ducking behind people, pushing people in front of him to block Jude's path, and suddenly the question was forgotten as Jude accidentally hit her sister in the face. She paled, as Sadie looked furious for a second, then Sadie grabbed a cushion, and started chasing her around the room. Then Sadie accidentally hit Kwest, and Kwest missed hitting Sadie and hit me, and I hit Wally, who hit Kyle, who hit Speed, who hit my parents as they were walking in.
"Thomas," My dad said. Even though I was an adult, he could still easily make me feel like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Sorry, Dad, Mom," I said, quickly putting the cushion I'd grabbed back in place. Everyone followed my lead.
"Tommy, Jude, Kwest, everyone, would you like to join us for dinner? The cook will have the meal ready shortly," My mother said.
"Mom, I really don't think that's a good idea," I said as Speed cut in,
"Thanks, Mrs. Martin, dude," Speed said, trying to be polite, but failing miserably. Kyle and Wally nodded solemnly.
Kwest, as usual, was very observant. "Uh, guys, don't you remember that party we'll be having at our house? You know, the one with pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and anything else you want to eat?" He winked at me, then turned his attention back to the guys, who were still debating.
"Dude, come on," Kyle said to Speed, referring to Kwest's impromptu party. "Don't tell me you're going to pass on pizza, burgers, and hot dogs."
"Yeah, and what'll we have here? Probably some finger sandwiches, tea, or some fancy liver," Wally said loudly, shuddering at the thought.
"Eww, you're right," Speed said. "Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Martin dudes. Perhaps another time?"
My mom smiled politely. "Of course, we'll see you out. Tommy, Jude?" My mom signaled to me to follow her, although I knew the way back to the kitchen and the dining room. Everyone left the room, and Sadie and Kwest followed the guys out. They passed Chris and Monique, who were coming downstairs.
"Sadie, leaving so soon?" Monique said, as Chris looked at Kwest enviously. She elbowed her brother hard, but Chris didn't even feel it.
"Yes, but we're on for tomorrow, right?" Sadie winked at Monique.
"Wouldn't miss it for anything. Except maybe some Pop-Tarts," Monique smiled again, as they hugged one another goodbye.
As the door closed behind Sadie and Kwest, I knew Jude must be feeling her world closing in.
"Mom, Dad," I said, as I motioned for Chris, Monique, and Jude to leave us alone for a minute. They disappeared into the dining room without another sound.
"Yes, Thomas?" My dad looked at me seriously.
"At dinner tonight, please don't put Jude on the spot. I don't want to lose her. She's nothing like the other girls I've been with," I said, meaning every word.
"We know, dear. You've never brought home any girl for us to meet. We'll be gentle, we promise," My mom gave me a reassuring glance, then looked pointedly at my dad. "Right, honey?"
"Yes, dear," My dad said automatically. I looked at him closely to see if he meant what he'd said. He did.
We walked into the dining room, where Chris, Monique, and Jude were waiting for us.
AN: No cliffhanger this time, as promised. So, did you like it? Let me know, OK? And keep those ideas coming. I need all the ideas I can get.