A.N. oh my god I finally updated! Sorry about the wait... I got really busy and I just didn't know how I wanted this story to go. I had like three different ideas has to where to go, but since I'm still in the process of writing my other two stories, I decided I wouldn't drag it out much longer. So here is the long awaited for Chapter 12!

Chapter 12

The rest of vacation passed uneventfully. After the incident, Jude decided to go home for Christmas. She told her sister Sadie about Speed's proposal and about Professor Quincy, although she left out the heated kiss they had shared. Sadie had just smiled at Jude kindly and patted her on the hand and told to do what she wanted, not what she believed she should do, but what her heart wanted her to do. Jude smiled just thinking about the talk they had. Both girls had grown up immensely and they could talk like civilized adults, instead of as bratty siblings.

Jude entered her dorm room and stared at the mess it was in. She had only returned from home a couple days ago and therefore had not had enough time to fully unpack her stuff. Clothes were thrown all about the bedroom, in a completely Jude like fashion. Jude made her way to her bed and collapsed among the pillows, her head overcome with a sense of fear of what the next semester of school would bring. As she was lying down, a glimmer caught her eye. Speed's engagement ring was sitting nicely on her dressing. She had set it there after she had left the radio station, Professor Quincy's words repeating in her head over and over, like a mantra. "That's new. Since when are you engaged?"

A knock sounded at the door and turned sat up just as a familiar face pushed open the door.

"I'm back!" Jude jumped up and attacked the person with a huge hug.

"Oh my God! You have absolutely no idea how much I've missed you Mason!" She finally pulled away, a huge smile on her face.

"I'm thinking it was a lot, cause… wow." He answered, referring to her bear hug. Jude grinned sheepishly.

"What can I say; I really missed my best friend." Mason just grinned as his eye caught sight of the ring.

"What is that!" He shrieked hurrying over to the side table and picking it up. Jude smiled awkwardly as Mason examined the ring like he was a doctor and the ring his patient.

"When did this happen?" He asked, astonished. Jude merely shrugged, at a complete loss of what to say next.

"After you left; before Christmas." Mason nodded.

"And you didn't feel the need to tell me?" Jude shrugged as she walked over to him and snatched the ring out of his hand.

"I hadn't decided." Mason gave her a completely crazed look.

"What's to decide? You and Speed have been together since forever!"

"That doesn't mean that I am ready to settle down. And I know for a fact that he isn't." Mason just shrugged.

"So, are you ready to go back to class and see Professor McDreamy?" Jude smiled softly and looked down at her lap.

"Actually Mase, I'm not going to be taking his class this semester." Mason looked confused for a moment. Jude couldn't face him. Mason knew her better then anyone, and just one look at her face would tell him the truth.

"Why not? Why did you- oh my god!" Jude closed her eyes, preparing herself for the verbal onslaught that Mason would rain down upon her.

"Something happened didn't it?" Jude meekly nodded her head.

"Yeah," She whispered her voice thick with emotion.

"What happened?" He asked sympathetically. Jude shrugged.

"We were spending a lot of time together and one thing led to another and… we kissed. A major one." Mason shrugged.

"You're all broken up because of a kiss?" Jude glared at Mason.

"What? Before you left you did all you could to warn me about him and know you're all it was only a kiss, even though I have a boyfriend/ potential fiancée?"

"Jude, the fact that you didn't immediately say yes when Speed, the guy you've been dating since you started high school and haven't seen in almost six months, proposed to you obviously means that you have some serious feelings for our Professor."

"Mason, that's just it. It's not ethical! He's a Professor! That puts him in a position of power!"

"Yes, but you dropped his class, so technically he's not your Professor anymore." Jude stared at her ceiling. Mason patted her on the leg and stood up from the bed.

"I think you need to think about what it is you want, or to be more precise… who." With said, Mason left the room, leaving Jude to herself.

"You're not the first person to think that Mase." Jude said to herself. She lay against her pillows and stared at Speed's engagement ring. Why didn't she say yes?

Suddenly, Jude sat up and grabbed Speed's ring. She knew what it was she had to do. What she wanted to do.

She grabbed her coat and dashed out to the parking lot and jumped into her car. Speed was on the last leg of his tour, which wasn't to far away from where she was. She knew which club he would be playing at.

She arrived about an hour and a half later to a small club in a small neighboring town in the next county. Jude entered and looked up at the stage to see her boyfriend and his band playing. She smiled. Speed was always destined to be famous.

The set ended about ten minutes later, and Speed came off stage and walked straight to her. He pulled her into a warm embrace and gently kissed her.

"Jude, I'm so happy to see you!" Jude smiled up at him.

"Can we talk?" Speed nodded and took her small hand in his, leading her through the crowded club and out to a back alleyway.

"So what's up?" He asked, smiling. Jude smiled back and motioned for him to sit on the steps beside her.

"I've just been doing some thinking about this." Jude took out the ring from her pocket. Speed nodded, his face growing serious. Jude stared at the gorgeous ring and smiled sadly. She turned to face Speed and kissed him passionately. Speed responded quickly to it. A moment later, Jude pulled away.

"I love you Speed. We've been together for so long, that I don't know who I am without you." Speed looked at her questionably.

"Where is this going?" He asked, voicing his thoughts. Jude placed a hand over his.

"Let me explain." He nodded. Jude continued. "These past six months without you, were hard, but I realized something." Speed looked at her, a look on his face that didn't seem to impressive.

"I realized that I am somebody other than just being your doting girlfriend." Speed nodded, and turned away. Jude placed a hand on his cheek and turned his face to look at her. She smiled at him. She pressed her fingers into the palm of his hand and he felt something small and cool. He glanced down and saw the engagement ring.

"I can't be married, Speed. Not now. In the last few months we've been apart, we've both changed. We're not the same people. I really hope that you can forgive me. I just feel like our lives are moving in two separate directions. Speed could only nod.

"I understand." He said quietly, the ring still in his hand. Jude nodded sadly.

"I don't want to lose you though Speed. I hope that we can remain friends?" Speed nodded again.

"I guess if I can't be with you, then this would be the next best thing." He threw an arm around her small frame. "I don't know what I would do with my life Harrison if you weren't in it." Jude laughed.

"So are we… okay?" Speed looked at her, his eyes pouring into hers.

"Yeah, we're good." Jude nodded.

"Good." She stood up. "I guess I better get back to school." Speed stood up as well.

"Yeah, I've got a show to finish up." They looked at each other for moment.

"So now what do we do?" Speed asked, sticking his hands awkwardly in his pant pockets. Jude shrugged.

"Hug?" Speed laughed.

"I can do that." The two shared a big hug. Jude turned to leave.

"See ya around?" Speed nodded and watched as Jude disappeared through the crowd. Sadly, he looked down at the glittering ring in his grip.

"Yeah… see ya around."