A/N: I don't think I've ever had so much hate thrown at me ever. Well, maybe not ever. But not in a looooong time. I LOVED IT! I know…you guys hate Kwest cause he was an ass about doing the right thing and being a best friend…and because he's messing up Jommy. I know. But he's not going away. Just like Angie hasn't, though she hasn't shown her pretty face in a couple chapters. Well, that's gonna change. I changed some things around, but the storyline is still the same, I just made it work for me better. So you'll see her in this chapter and the next one (and the one after that too, I think). And let's just say, when you read the title of the next chapter in the preview…I think you can guess exactly what happens. But how and who finds out is the question. (Don't freeze your screen by scrolling to the bottom of the page all crazy fast now…be patient. LOL.) ;D
I know I had asked you guys for your opinion on songs for a future chapter and I just realized that usually I've dealt with more music in my fics (at least the previous ones I've done there was more than I have planned in this one), so I've decided that I'm not going to stray away from that. I think as of right now, there are at least five chapters that have a song or songs included in it. I think it'll help get my point across and also because that was the one thing (if you haven't noticed) that I wasn't going to take away from them. I had to keep it. It's one of the many things I love about IS (besides Quincy). ;D
Oh yeah, in the thanks…I'vebolded some key questions or comments or thoughts or whatever that you may or may not have had, but that might help make more sense of what was written in the last chapter.
Oh crap. This was the other thing. THANK YOU to everyone who gave me song ideas! If you have any more I'm still looking cause I haven't made any concrete decisions. Although there are about three songs that are concrete, but those might not be in that chapter…but in some other ones. So yeah, send them if you have them andthank you to those that already have!
Oh geez. One more thing. Kwest makes an appearance in here too. I forgot to say that. You'll probably like him even less than you already did. Sorry!
Oh…this is kind of long. I didn't realize that until I was getting ready to post. Sorry!
THANKS:
chocolateelephantz: I like to think Kwest has a bit more umph to him than what they give him on the show…even though he was somewhat of an ass this time around. Sorry. But don't kill Kwest…at least not until I'm done with him, then he's all yours. He did make a mess, but Tom needs to fess up too because he was just flying under the radar with this stuff. LOL. I know…I think almost everyone did. Pathetic? Wow. I like it. AHAHA. If I was Kwest, I'd be hella scared right now. Hell hath no fury like a Jommy fan scorned…obviously. Thanks for saving me the hassle. Thank you! I'm glad you love it! I'll try very hard.
Alessia92: Thank you! I know, but I had to do it. Sorry. Can I be honest about the song? I hate it. No offense…it's just a general dislike for the song overall (I don't know what it is that makes me not like it…I just don't)…BUT the lyrics do work in a way, so I may have to overlook my dislike and look at it from an overall perspective. It could work for me. But thank you for giving me the idea. It has helped me. A lot. Thank you. I think I needed it. I hope you like it!
Pip'235: YAY! LMAO! Seriously…I wouldn't mind that happening. At least not until AFTER I've had my way with him (okay, that sounded really wrong…but I swear I didn't mean it in that kind of context…I meant in the whole story spectrum…yeah). Now you don't have to wait. I think she kind of has to, given where she went and then how they left each other. It's a lot to take in. It made sense. Thanks!
brandnewx3: What is this Geez finally? I didn't take that long…geez. LOL. ;D I'm joking. I'm glad you liked it, but you won't find out exactly what happened for a couple chapters although can I say…whatever did happen is going to happen again. History repeats itself, right? Here's the next chapter! I hope you like it! LOL. I agree…all drama is interesting.
miss massacre: Thank you. Yes, I know he was. LOL. Well, you'll find out pretty early in this chapter what her reaction is. About the tarnished seat…it wasn't a hospital bed…it was a waiting room chair Does that make things clearer or just make your mind make up new scenarios? LOL. ;D I'm positing now! I'm sorry you miss this…I'm trying to go faster, but there are some things that I need to make sure I get right or I'm just going to mess up the rest of the fanfic which I think you can understand, right? Thanks again! I hope you like this!
LittleZurawski: Aww…thanks! Now you don't have to wait. I'm trying to use my time and each chapter wisely so that it all works out, but sometimes I get ahead of myself or I just don't have the motivation to write. But right now, I'm doing okay, so I hope these next new chapters are good and posted in a timely fashion. I'm thankful you are crazy about this story. It makes it so much more fun to write! Thanks!
madisonko: Yay for awesome! Now you don't have to wait! I know. I'm sorry…I think I went a little crazy when it came to Kwest. I originally just had the conversation written and then was just adding thoughts here or there, but then for some reason it felt as if the chapter just didn't have what I was looking for…so I added a bit more to the conversation and I think those are the real pieces that everyone was so mad about. Oops. Sorry. But I still like it. :D Thanks!
hales03: Thank you! I know…I've heard. I'm sorry. I just want to use these chapters to their maximum potential and that takes time, so I am sorry if my posts are erratic and with so much waiting time. I'm very thankful that you love this story cause I do too! Thanks!
BeautyxinxthexBreakdown: Thanks! I think you might be. LOL. Okay, so about your song. I found the lyrics, but I've been desperately trying to find the song itself cause I really really want to listen to it. I've found most of the songs people have given me ideas for and I've listened to them, but I haven't with this one. I don't know what it is, but the lyrics are just a starting point for me…I need the whole thing in order to really make a decision. So, if you know where I can find it…I'd appreciate it if you could tell me (btw, I already looked at their myspace and nothing…but I did listen to Secret and wow…awesome!) Anyway…thanks again! I hope you like this chapter!
HopelessRomantic984: Yes, I know. LOL. Most people haven't liked him. I'm on the fence myself. I see what he's doing and have respect for that, but at the same time…he's probably just as bad as Tom because he's not really fixing anything…he's just making it worse. And Tom isn't trying to fix this either…so…I don't know. Time will tell, I guess. And yes, he is keeping Jommy apart. It is. But (somewhat) in this chapter and (mostly) in the next chapter, they will get to talk. How well that goes, I can't say…you'll have to wait. But I think you can guess. :D I know I told you last chapter that the hospital might be making an appearance. Now, I've made my decision. And the deal with the hospital visits will happen. You'll see it in a future chapter. And as for Tom being ill at one point, I guess you could say that. It really depends on your example of sicknesses. ;D He does, I know. LOL. Jealous Tommy is always plus. Thank you!
shoefreak: LOL. I love it! Thank you for all your suggestions. I love I Won't Disagree by Kate (although her voice just seems to be everywhere on that track…but it's still a good one). And Hoobstank! OMG! Songs are practically perfect. I love them…just not live. LOL. They suck. I saw them and was thoroughly disappointed, but that's why they have CD's. ;D Wish We Were Older? They haven't even gotten to the sex yet! LOL. Although, now that I think about it…I think that happens before the chapter that I need the songs for. Wait, yes it does. Hmmmm….that's a possibility. LOL. Thank you!!! I really appreciate it!
Sixte3n Candl3s: Aww…thanks! It's okay, it's totally understandable. Everyone has a life, I know. Thank you! As for songs,Closer is the shit! LOL. Sorry, but I read the lyrics and then found the song and I about died because it works so effing well…just not in the chapter I was going to use the rest of the song ideas in. But have no fear, I found the ultimate place for it in another chapter and am going to use it there. But I won't tell you how…you'll have to wait. Just know that I greatly appreciate it and that it will help make that chapter even better! THANK YOU! Cascada's song is good too so I'm gonna really have to think about what I use cause there are some that work really well (this being one of them) and then there are some that I love in general, but might not work as well. So I don't know. I'll have to see. But thank you! I think you'll do fine, Six!
bbybty9: Thank you for your song ideas! I really liked "Only Hope." The song in general is beautiful…so we will have to see. I'm sorry you don't like Kwest. He is nice and he only threw out the Angie card because he was trying to look out for them (which is his plan, but he obviously doesn't do it with much tact). He knows what happened between Tom and Angie and he doesn't take it lightly, but he thinks Tom is going about the Jude thing in the wrong way. Jude is different…at least different than Angie. But Tom DID love Angie.
Cra-Z-Praise: Wow. Thanks! LOL. I was too. It meant I was progressing. :D Thanks, I'll try.
Carlz02: LOL! Don't put off your school work! Awww…thanks! I did…kind of. LOL.
alexzrules: LOL. I'd say so. The title comes from the song, "Don't Stand So Close To Me" by The Police. The song itself is about a student-teacher relationship, which is why I used it. It's part motivation, part inspiration, part effing good song. :D But I hadn't thought about it the way you have, which I can see how you would think that. The song will come into play…eventually. She did have an abortion, although I never physically had Tom admit that, but it was implied (in ch. 12, I think). Well, I'm glad someone liked the parts with Kwest. LOL. That's so true! I didn't even think of that song. Thanks! I'll try.
mandy1485: Wow. So many song choices. Thanks! I haven't look through all of them because I was trying to focus on this chapter, but believe me, I will. Yes, I know. And if I tell you, it'll ruin what I'm trying to set up, so I won't, but it's really hard for me to keep my mouth shut sometimes. ;D LOL! I'm sorry you hate him. Yes, he would, but he knows about his past and that's what he's trying to preserve now. Now you don't have to wait. Sorry it took so long. Thank you!
InStrFan: LOL! Thank you! Exactly. She finally realizes the magnitude of the situation. I mean, I think she always knew, but this time she had to deal with it head on. No, it wouldn't. Kwest…yes, I know. He tried too hard, I realize that. Instead of just being upfront, he was a jackass. LOL. He is. That comment bothered me from the moment I wrote it (because for personal reasons, I'd never be an advocate of someone who ever said that). But I needed to keep it in there. Kwest thinks he understands, but in reality he doesn't (at least not to the extent that he thinks he does). This was just his way of making whatever Tom did more of big deal than what Angie did. Which wasn't right by any means. You can hate him, most people do. LOL. He was. How bad…well, I can't say. You'll just have to wait to read that chapter. LOL. I see. Sorry, you'll have to wait. Yeah, way to go, Kwest! ;D LMAO. Yes, her emotions do. LOL! It's my own personal Great Wall (but I guess you could think of it as the Berlin Wall cause at least that one eventually came down, right? ;D). It's okay, you can join all the Kwest haters now. I hope you like this chapter.
raylo94: Thank you! LOL! That would have been pretty cool. Maybe next time. As for your song…I try really hard not to use the same songs in any of the fics that I write. And I've already used that one in another fic I wrote. However, I'm in the process of the re-write for it, so the song will probably just be mentioned. So with that, I don't know if I'll use it. But thank you for your idea, I will definitely take it into consideration!
hotey16: Thank you so much!
bigsis0829: Aww…thanks! I'll try.
Disclaimer:Don't own The Pearson Airport (the international airport in Toronto…I used the shortened name). Or NYU.
A/N: at the bottom. (It's another preview!) :D
R&R or R&L please.
THANKS MUCHO!!
"Friendly Conversations":
He was doing the right thing. He loved her.
He watched the Mustang get smaller and smaller as she drove down his street.
He sighed heavily and walked back into his house, his heart a little heavier.
He's wrong. I'm not that guy, he thought.
He pulled the door closed tightly, sheltering him from the wind and all the horrible things that made their way back into his house, his mind, and his life.
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Chapter 15
"Boys Will Be Boys"
The cab driver tossed their multiple bags in the trunk and the pair hopped in, pulling their jackets closer to their bodies for warmth. The Pearson Airport began to shrink behind them as the driver pulled away from the curb and into the very busy parking lot. They were on their way home.
Jude's parents decided to have a welcome back dinner for them and since they were too busy focusing on that, no one was going to pick them up so Stuart had told them to get a cab.
Some parents, Jude thought.
The sticky vinyl seats beneath the girls' butts were cold and hard, but they never thought about that. They only had one thing on their mind. Well, maybe two.
The entire week had been amazing to say the least. They spent the first half in New York, which meant Christmas in a hotel room. It hadn't beenthat bad. Room service and It's A Wonderful Life. Cheesy, but the hot chocolate had been delicious. Then they were off to Boston. Beantown was not what Jude had expected, but when she pictured college, she did feel at home there. It was comforting to know that she could go somewhere outside her comfort zone and not feel as awkward as she had thought. Plus, she thought she had pretty much nailed her auditions. Not that she would ever vocalize that. Talk about jumping the gun. She didn't want to jinx herself. And neither did Kat, which is why she didn't tell Jude that FIT was going to offer her a spot in their internship program, even if she wasn't accepted there. A semester in London? She was most definitely going.
But despite the amazing week and all the fun they had had, neither girl had been in a very talkative mood. Maybe it was because they were even more nervous and anxious since their futures were now out of their control. Maybe it was because they were both preoccupied with other things. It didn't matter what the reason was. Because once Jude opened her mouth, they hadn't stopped talking. Until the moment they got into the cab.
Jude had worked up the courage over the week to finally tell Kat about Tom. And she picked the plane ride home to tell her.
She had been worried for nothing.
Kat was accepting. A little too accepting for Jude's taste, but she was grateful. She really didn't want to defend her relationship to anyone else. Especially the people that meant the most to her. She was barely getting herself to get over her own insecurities that she didn't anyone else telling her different.
Not when she already had a prime suspect who had voiced enough of his opinion: Kwest.
Eventually it'd have to happen, but if she could be spared the protests and arguments for just a little while then she was going to take it.
Jude looked out the window as the cars and people passed by her in a blur. She didn't want to think about him. She just wished he'd be out of the picture for good or for a while, while all the damage he had inflicted upon her and Tom had settled.
If she only knew how much damage he had actually done. But she didn't. And she wasn't going to. Not for awhile at least.
Kat caught the cab driver stealing looks at the pair from his rearview mirror every few seconds and it was beginning to piss her off. It was then that she decided to give him something to look at. Well, no, not that. Something different.
Kat turned towards Jude and tapped her on the hand. "Hey, I just thought of something."
Jude turned away from the window and looked at Kat. "What?"
"Have you talked to him?" Kat asked, her head cocked to the side.
Jude's eyebrows rose. Him? she thought. "Um, you're gonna have to more specific about him cause I have a lot of men in my life, Kat," Jude responded, smiling cheekily.
Kat rolled her eyes. She knew for a fact that the only men in her life were Stuart and Tom. The rest, SME and Jamie, were boys if you asked her.
"I bet Quincy would be happy to hear that," Kat muttered.
"What did you say?" Jude asked, a smirk forming on her face. She hadn't heard everything Kat had said, but her ears hadn't missed Quincy. Neither could her lips. Or her mind. Or her face. Or any other part of her body for that matter.
"I mean I was talking about the only one that mattered," Kat responded. Nice save, Kat thought to herself.
The smirk on Jude's face fell. She knew damn well who Kat was talking about, but what she had said made all the difference. The only one that mattered. Talk about déjà vu. It was like listening to Karma all over again. But this time, there was no mysterious Quincy to save her from Karma's tirade or the tirade of anyone else, like his best friend. There was only Tom now and he had started all of it on his own. "Well, in that case. No," Jude confessed, looking away at the meter.
The cab driver looked back at them from his mirror and Kat flipped him off. He silently huffed and continued to drive albeit a little faster.
"Why not?" Kat asked. It was just weird. Jude hadn't stopped talking about Tom and now she hadn't even talked to him? What?
Jude rolled her eyes and turned to look at Kat. "Just cause I'm in a relationship with him doesn't mean I have to spend every waking minute talking to him."
It was Kat's turn to roll her eyes. "Well, no I know that. That'd just be too obsessive, but I mean we were gone for a week."
"Yes, I do know my days of the week, Kat."
Kat scoffed and cocked her head to the side. "I mean, a week is a pretty long time not to talk to your boyfriend. Especially when he's Tom Quincy."
Jude's eyes widened. "Have you been checking him out?"
Kat laughed loudly and then looked at Jude. She was not convinced. Kat sighed as her laughter died down. "Calm down, Jealous Jude. No," she said, shaking her head. "I just know people talk. And you have apparently snagged yourself quite a catch."
"Yeah, I know." She did. But that apparently wasn't a good enough reason to forget that he also carried a lot of baggage with him.
"Which brings me back to my point. A week is a long time when you have Quincy on your hands. Why no contact?" she asked, waiting for an answer.
The cab suddenly got very quiet as Kat stared at Jude. Kat's eyebrows rose, silently tell Jude "Well?" Jude looked away for a split second and then muttered, "He doesn't know where I went." Kat's eyes widened. This was not liked her best friend. How could she not tell him? This was her future and maybe even his. "I haven't told him about NYU or Berklee."
"How come?" she asked hesitantly.
Jude was silent for a second, debating with herself whether or not she tell the truth or lie. She decided the truth was better than lying since she had already done enough of that. "Would it be a horrible thing to say that I'm scared?" she asked, looking at Kat from the corner of her eye.
There were few things that Jude was scared of, Kat knew. This was a big deal. She cleared her throat slightly, trying to build the courage to lengthen their conversation. "Scared as in his reaction to the fact that you're moving to another country or scared that you don't know where that puts the two of you in your future?"
"Both," she said, shrugging. "Well, that and he doesn't know about the music," she said lowly, slightly hoping Kat hadn't heard her.
But that would have been too easy.
"What?!" Kat exclaimed, causing the driver, who was still listening to their conversation, to jump slightly.
Jude noticed the driver, but knew that she needed to worry about herself first. "Kat, calm down!"
"Calm down?" Kat cried. She scoffed loudly. "Jude, music is your life. How can he not know about it?"
Jude suddenly looked defeated. Kat's words had hit her hard. She was right, but it wasn't that easy. "I just –" Jude started. She subconsciously shrugged her shoulders and continued as Kat eyed her wearily. "I don't know what he's gonna think, you know." Jude looked away toward the door handle on Kat's side of the cab. "I mean is he gonna judge me and say that its completely and utterly ridiculous to try and make a life in that business. He is a teacher. He went to college and got a normal degree. What if he thinks that's what is best for me?" she explained softly, more to herself than anyone else.
Kat looked at Jude and sighed. She didn't want to be hard on Jude, but she knew if she couldn't tell Tom her life's dream, then they wouldn't work. Because that dream was her future, her life. And if that wasn't what he wanted too, then Jude wasn't what he wanted.
"We both know that's not you." Jude abruptly turned her gaze on her best friend and Kats cheeks turned red. She hadn't meant it like that. Kat cleared her throat again, embarrassed. "I mean, he has to have some respect for the fact that you're going for your dream. He should be supportive. Correction, he HAS to be. Once he sees how passionate you are about it, he'll cave if he thinks otherwise."
Jude looked away from Kat towards the back of the driver's seat in front of her. Would he really be accepting? She didn't know. There was only one way to find out. "You think?" she asked, somewhat reluctant as she turned her eyes back towards her best friend.
Kat calmly shook her head. "I don't think," she said. "I know."
A small smile crept on Jude's face and she nodded silently. Kat was her friend. Her opinion mattered to her and for that fact alone, Jude was able to let go of her fears because she knew there would be someone to catch her if and when she fell.
Even if it wasn't Tom Quincy.
Kat smiled back, thoughts running through her head about her friend's actions, or lack thereof. She sighed slightly, deciding she needed to do what was right and tell Jude exactly how she felt.
"But promise me one thing, Jude," she said, as she placed her hand over Jude's and squeezed it once.
Jude looked down at the pair of hands on the vinyl seat and nodded once.
"What?" she asked as she looked up, back at Kat.
"I know I'm the last person that should be giving you boy advice, but promise me that you won't give up on your dreams because of him." Jude stayed silent, listening to her best friend's advice. Yes, it was true. Kat had no reason to give her boy advice. At least no other reason than being her best friend. And that was enough. Kat continued.
"I know you're strong and everything – and I don't want to be a pessimist – but I don't want you to regret not going to NYU or Berklee because you think he's a sure thing. I don't know him at all, but I haven't seen you this happy since the freshman talent show, so he's obviously doing something right." Jude smiled widely and so did Kat.
"But still. I don't want you to look back with regrets and I don't want you to give up your love because he's Mr. Right cause for all you know, he could be just Mr. Right Now."
Kat squeezed Jude's hand once more and then let go. Jude's hand, once enveloped by warmth was suddenly hit by cold. Jude pulled her hand into her jacket pocket as she thought about what Kat had told her.
She was right. Utterly and irrevocably right.
This was her life. And he had to be accepting of it. She had been accepting of his past and all the baggage that seemed to come with the name Angie.
She hadn't given in right away or been completely accepting, but she was now. Even with Kwest's cryptic warnings.
It didn't matter. Only they mattered.
And that's what she was going to say when she told him about her music. Because if he loved her like he said he did or like she thought he did, everything would be okay.
It had to be.
Because she wasn't going to back down for anyone.
Not even him.
Kat eyed Jude, waiting for her to say something. Anything. The silence was killing her. Jude looked Kat straight in the eyes, almost causing Kat's heart to stop. "I won't Kat, I promise."
And that was one of the truest things she had uttered since Tom Quincy had entered her life almost four months prior.
Kat eyed her best friend suspiciously. She had hoped that's what Jude would say, but kat knew that saying something didn't always make it true and that actions usually spoke louder than words. For now, Jude's word would have to be enough. "For reals?"
Jude shook her head vigorously causing Kat's eyes to widen. "No, for fakes."
Kat rolled her eyes dramatically. "And its jokes like that that aren't going to make me miss you when you're at Berklee."
Jude pulled her hand out of her jacket pocket and slightly pushed Kat, who laughed loudly, causing the cab driver to smile inappropriately. "Shut up! Don't jinx me."
Kat scoffed loudly, looking at Jude. "Come on, Jude. You're practically a shoe-in. I saw that advisor who was practically drooling when he left the audition room after you sang."
Jude shrugged lightly. "I guess my voice causes dogs to salivate. That's not a gift, it's called a conditioned response."
Kat snorted, laughing. "Huh and here I thought you never paid attention in psych, Pavlov."
Jude shook her head slightly. "You underestimate me, Kat."
"Apparently."
Jude rolled her eyes, laughing lightly as silence filled the cab once again. This time it was welcomed.
Or so Jude thought.
"So Quincy?" Kat asked.
"Yep."
"He treats you good, right?" Kat asked.
"Yeah," Jude breathed, wondering what her friend's angle was.
"That was not convincing. Your answer should have been 'Hell yes, Kat. He treats me like a queen and kisses the ground I walk on,'" Kat said dramatically.
Jude scoffed. "Um, Kat. You've known me since I first learned how to write my own name and ride a bike. When have I ever been that girl?"
Kat looked away, feigning deep thought. "True," she said, looking back at Jude. "At least your answer could have been 'Hell yes, Kat. He treats me like the rock goddess I am,'" Kat responded, her dramatic antics flaring once again.
"That," Jude replied, pointing to the air in between the pair.
Kat rolled her eyes. "Yeah, cause that was convincing too."
"Yeah," Jude said, nodding.
"I just want you to be happy," Kat responded seriously. She did. Jude was her best friend and she wanted nothing but the best for her.
"I am."
"Good," Kat commented. "Cause the second you're not-"
"I'll let you know," Jude conceded, smiling widely. She hoped there would never be time when she had to confess that she wasn't happy or that he wasn't treating her right.
"Good," Kat said, nodding once.
Silence entered the cab once more before Kat cleared her throat and Jude looked at her expectantly. Kat smiled sheepishly. She didn't know how to ask what was on her mind this time, but figured it was just better to be up front about it.
"I know this is none of my business but-"
"What?" Jude asked.
"I was just thinking about this since you brought up the fact that he is your teacher and all," Kat mentioned, the smile on her face turning from sheepish to obscene.
"Yes," Jude said, egging Kat on.
"Have you guys had any private lessons?" she breathed.
Their cab driver cleared his throat loudly and the girls simultaneously rolled their eyes. Jude looked at Kat confused.
"I mean has he taught you anything special?" Kat raised her eyebrows up and down suggestively.
Jude sighed and shook her head. "No, I'm still a virgin."
Kat's eyes widened incredibly. "Really?"
"Yes, really," Jude said, nodding. She didn't think it was that big of a deal. But she did find it weird that Kat wasn't turned off by the idea in general. Wasn't that what everyone else was going to think? Sex with her teacher? Well, when you put it that way. Eww. But sex with Tom Quincy? That was a different story. That would make anyone turn the other way, Jude was sure.
"Wow," Kat said, somewhat astonished. That's some amazing willpower, Kat thought. "So you're really just this happy because of him and not because of Lil' Tommy Q?"
Jude's eyes bulged. She threw her hand in front of her, hitting the driver's seat. "Kat! Cab driver!"
Kat's eyebrows furrowed. "Like he understands English," she said, shrugging.
"I heard that!" the cab driver growled, looking at them through the rearview mirror.
Jude bowed her head. "Sorry," she muttered sheepishly. Kat looked out the window. The cab driver immediately slammed on the brakes, causing the girls to whiplash in the backseat. They both looked at him as he yelled,
"Get the hell out of my cab!"
- - - - - -
He pressed the green button on his phone once and put the phone to his ear.
It rang twice and then went to voicemail.
He grunted loudly and tossed his phone to side. It slide across the leather of the couch and fell with a thud.
That's how he felt. An empty pit of nothing. His heart pounded around him creating a grating thud that he could hear every few seconds.
That was not a good sign. He didn't know what was wrong. Why was she ignoring him? Why couldn't she just call him back and let him know that she was okay. It had been a week and nothing.
Just nothing. No blimp on his radar. It was as if she didn't exist. All she was was a phone number and an icon on his phone.
And that small form of contact wasn't even working.
His patience was thinning by the second. 15 calls and no answer. And that was just today. He got her voicemail every time.
There was only one thing left to do.
He had to see her.
- - - - - -
Jude glared at Kat as she pushed the strap on her carry-on bag closer to her neck. Kat shrugged.
"I swear I thought he was going to kill us!" Kat exclaimed, her breath forming clouds in the air. The pair was carrying their luggage to Jude's house since their driver left them on the street after Kat's outburst.
Luckily they were only two blocks from Jude's house.
"Yeah, me too. Thanks Kat," Jude muttered.
Kat turned her head towards Jude and smiled. "You're welcome."
Jude rolled her eyes and shook her head. Sometimes Kat just couldn't keep her mouth shut. It's was one of those things that Jude loved about her best friend. It was also one of those things that she hated. Five more steps and Jude stopped abruptly, staring at the large building in front of her.
She dropped her bags and stood on the sidewalk, just staring. "Home."
"Yeah," Kat responded, standing next to Jude. A slight wind passed by the girls and Jude shivered slightly.
"Let's get inside. I'm freezing my ass off here."
- - - - - -
He placed the phone on the kitchen table for the fifth time that hour. He couldn't do it. He had the number and the phone, but not the ability.
What he was about to do couldn't be undone. It would change everything. Everything.
But he didn't have a choice. He had to.
He had to.
He was protecting everyone.
Especially Jude.
He let out a deep breath and rolled his tight muscled shoulders for a second.
He picked up the phone, thankful that he was home alone as his girlfriend was out for the day.
She didn't know what he was about to do. And he figured the less people that knew the better.
He pressed 'talk' and the dial tone sounded through the empty, silent house. He glanced at the scrap of paper in front of him and dialed the number in a painstakingly slow motion.
It rang once.
Twice.
Three times.
His breath was beginning to shorten as the seconds passed. Was she not home?
Was he resorted to leaving a voice mail? That was the last thing he wanted to do.
He picked up the small piece of paper and held on to it tightly as if it was giving him strength or providing him with the luck that would have her answer her phone.
A fourth ring resounded in his ear.
And then suddenly, mid ring, someone picked up.
A heavy breath sounded on the other line of the phone. He closed his eyes tightly, the paper in his hands beginning to tear into his skin. "Angie?"
"Hello."
- - - - - -
The room began to tilt to the side, her head spinning nauseously in circles. Her heart raced at Nascar speed and her palms were sweaty. But when she looked out into the small group of people around her, they all looked unaffected.
How was it that she was the only one that felt as if the Earth was going to open up and swallow her whole? How did her life get to the point where she wanted to crawl under a rock and die a slow painful death, letting the maggots and cockroaches suck out all the marrow in her bones?
Oh, yeah. It was that moment.
The moment when she had stupidly left her brain in the cab that had brought her home.
The moment when the doorbell rang and she agreed to answer it.
The moment when she pulled back the front door like so many times before, only to see her teacher standing before her, a concerned smile on his face.
She closed her eyes tight, trying very hard not to think about anything that had happened that night.
Not the cab ride home when Kat had asked if she and Tom had done the deed yet.
Not the introduction to her father's work friends and their incredibly hot son.
Not when her father met her at the front door, wondering what had taken her so long, only to see Tom and ask him if he'd like to join them for dinner.
Not when he looked at her innocently and replied yes, leaving her alone at the door for a few seconds, wondering what the hell had just happened.
But she knew.
The Fates had ganged up against her, punishing her for not telling Tom about her secret trip. Letting her know that things would not be okay until she told him the truth.
It was then that she vowed to tell Tom exactly what was going on. Because the craziness surrounding her had been the last straw.
The pain in her head continued to pound its way through her skull, each second more excruciating than the last.
She wanted to hate Tom for accepting their invitation. But she couldn't. Not when he was sitting next to her on the couch, smelling incredibly wonderful. Not when his leather jacket molded to his chest, his muscles seemingly ready to pop out at any second. Not when his laughter resounded through her body, warming it to the core. Not when he gave Jonathan jealous looks when he thought no one was looking.
"Jude?"
Her eyes opened suddenly, several curious looks on the people surrounding her.
"Yeah," she breathed.
Instinctively she felt Tom tense next to her. And she internally grinned widely, even though it had been the last thing on her mind.
It was a response that shouldn't have happened. But it had, there was no denying it.
He had been turned on by her voice. In front of room full of people that knew her.
"Jetlag," Kat commented, eying Jude suspiciously. Jude shrugged and looked away.
Kat shook her head. She knew things were not what they seemed. She was the only one besides the pair that sat beside her that knew about Tom and Jude. Only because they were Tom and Jude.
She had watched Jude throughout dinner. She had almost let out an audible gasp when Stuart had announced their new dinner guest. And then just as quickly, she had to kick Jamie in the shin as he opened his mouth. "Hey, isn't that-" he started. A second later he was silent, his face contorted in pain.
It was all thanks to her stiletto boots.
And as Tom had settled into the comfortable ambiance the group had created for themselves, Kat became grateful that he wasn't there to welcome the introduction to Stuart's work friends. More specifically their son, Jonathan.
Their really really really hot son, Jonathan.
6'2", average build, dark hair, grey eyes, and a mouth to die for.
Add that to the fact that he was intelligent, had a witty sense of humor, and loved music almost as much as Jude did and they had a winner.
But there was one problem.
Tom.
And it was at that moment, when Kat watched Tom eye Jonathan as he asked Jude a question about school that she knew things would have gone completely south if they had been alone, just a casual group of teenagers and one adult.
Tom was the jealous type. And he would have easily kicked Jonathan's ass, if need be, or just for the fun of it.
As she sat on the couch in between her best friends, Kat was extremely grateful for the space between everyone. She didn't want to kick anyone else with her boots.
- - - - - -
"Can I speak to Angie, please?" Kwest realized after the hello that he was not talking to Angie, but a man. A man with a very deep voice.
"Yeah, let me get her." Kwest nodded and then realized the man on the other end couldn't see him.
Just as he started to say something, Kwest stopped. The man on the line had just yelled "BABE!"
He had not been expecting to hear that. But he knew Angie was never a one man kind of a woman, so the idea wasn't all that surprising.
Kwest waited for a few seconds before someone picked up the phone and another line clicked.
"Hello?"
It was Angie. The same Angie. The one who had broken his best friend's heart. Only after –
"Hi."
"Kwest?"
"Yeah, that's me," Kwest answered. His breathing returned to normal and he stopped worrying about what he was doing. It felt right.
And that should have been the first sign that it was wrong. The fact that it was so easy to slip back into good terms with someone like Angie should have been a sign. But Kwest wasn't listening. Not to anything else but Angie's voice.
"Oh my gosh! How are you? Tell me everything!" she exclaimed, her voice excited.
"We might have to save that for another day. There's a reason I'm calling."
Angie quickly sobered. "Is something wrong?"
"No," Kwest admitted. "I was just wondering if you'd like to hang out."
"Oh?" she said. "Um, sure."
"With Tom," Kwest added suddenly. Way to be smooth, Kwest thought.
"Ha. I don't think that's going to happen. You know-" Angie started, trying desperately to push memories back from her past.
"As friends. I got some passes for a G-Major event and I didn't know who to give them to and then Tom's name came up and I heard you were back and-"
"Oh," Angie breathed. It was hard to pass up. She knew she shouldn't, but she wanted to fix things between herself and Tom. Badly. She knew it was a long shot between friends and lovers, but a girl could dream, right? And even if things never worked out between her and Tom, she at least wanted them to be friends. Because she missed having him in her life. He would have made it so much easier when she – No. That was the past. But she wanted him in her future. Some way, somehow. "Okay."
"Really?" Kwest asked. He hadn't expected it to be that easy. But if it was then he wasn't going to fight it.
Angie nodded her head, leaning back in the leather swivel chair she was sitting in. "Yeah." She bit her bottom lip, trying to convince herself she was doing the right thing.
So they had a past and she was trying to create a future. But she had grown up in seven years, she was sure. There were things that had made her grow up, even if she resorted to the past Angie methodology sometimes. It was a fault she hadn't worked through yet.
But she was trying.
"Good. I'll put your names on the list," Kwest responded, triumph running through his veins.
"Cool."
"And don't worry about Tom. I'll tell him."
"Okay," she responded. She tried to relax, but she couldn't. She hung up the phone without saying goodbye and placed it on her desk.
Kwest might have been feeling a winning high, but Angie was sick to her stomach.
She had wanted things to be different. To end differently. To begin differently.
But she had to makes changes to what already was. And she knew the more she tried to put things to the side and wait for the time to let them out, the harder it was going to be. The easier it was going to be to slip up.
And she couldn't afford that.
She would tell him – show him – eventually. But for now, she just wanted things to stay hidden until the right time.
Whenever that would be.
- - - - - -
He sat next to Jude, wondering how he had gone from checking up on her to eating dinner with her family to being ready to kick some punk's ass for the way he kept looking at his girlfriend.
Calm down, Tom, he thought. The kid's like 5, he's not going to do any damage.
Jonathan eyed Jude, wondering what was going through her head. He had the strange feeling that the line her best friend had used about jetlag was a lie. It was something else.
Jude didn't look tired. But she looked stressed as if the world's weight lay on her shoulders. As if she was about to collapse if she didn't open her mouth and spew whatever it was that bugging her out loud.
Then he realized what was keeping her looking so torn.
"Hey Jude."
Jude abruptly looked up at him, a large smile on her face, her eyes bright with the color of a blue crayon.
He smiled back widely. She was gorgeous there was no denying that. If only – if only there wasn't…no, he could work with it. He always had. And no one was the wiser. He was Jonathan after all.
"Yeah," she breathed. Jonathan's eyes averted to the sudden movement to Jude's left. It was her teacher. Joe. Or Tim. Or whatever the hell his name was. It wasn't important.
Jude was the only thing that important.
"How was your week in good ol' New York? My parents told me you-"
Jude cut him off quickly. She could already feel the heat radiating from Tom's penetrating gaze. She was going to get sunburn, she just knew it.
Jude coughed loudly. "Um, good. But I rather not talk about it."
Jonathan's eyebrows furrowed. As did everyone else's. Tom fidgeted uncomfortably at her side and suddenly Jude had the inclination to smack his thigh with her hand to make him stop, but as she raised her hand in midair, she realized she couldn't.
He was her teacher. At least that's what everyone else thought. He was more than that. But first he was her teacher.
She brought her hand back down and clasped it with her other hand, before returning them both to her lap.
"Just nervous. Don't want to jinx-"
"Jude," her father started. "You'll be fine. NYU would be-"
"I know. But I don't want to talk about it," she responded roughly, through clenched teeth.
Tom looked away from the group as realization dawned on him. NYU. College. In New York.
Duh Tom! he thought. She is a senior.
It was at that moment that he felt like he was suffocating. As if the walls were closing in on him. This was her life. Her family. Her friends.
Her future.
And they had never talked about college or what would happen after graduation.
They were both just worried about finally getting together. Getting by day by day. Months didn't matter.
Only tomorrows.
He cleared his throat loudly and instantly he felt seven different gazes on him. He looked at the group and smiled widely.
"I just realized I have a bunch of grading to do. And a pop quiz to make," he lied.
Stuart chuckled lightly as the worry in the group dissipated.
"The life of an educator," Stuart commented.
"Yeah, something like that," Tom stated.
Tom got off the couch, trying very hard not to look at Jude, even though he knew she was wondering what was happening. Why he was leaving.
He didn't have an answer for her.
He only knew he couldn't stay.
Stuart and Tom walked to the front door and Jude waited patiently behind her father. "Make sure you teach my girl something real good," he said, shaking hands with Tom.
Tom stared at Mr. Harrison for a second, thinking he was reading too much into his comment. He was Jude's teacher, but still. Internally Tom shuddered. It was just wrong. All wrong. But then what was he? Right? Right.
He can't know about us? Tom thought. Can he?
"Don't worry. I will," Tom responded, his voice full of the conviction that his mind was lacking at the moment.
Jude stood behind her father, watching Tom as he said goodbye. Her father's statement had shocked her to say the very least. But then she thought that it wasn't supposed to be taken in a sexual way. She shook her head lightly. She had been spending way too much time around Tom that everything was taken in sexual manner.
She was only proven right when Tom opened his mouth. She looked at him, astonished.
That's my dad! she thought. Gross.
Stuart turned around and winked at Jude as he walked back into the living room. Jude outwardly shuddered.
What is it with everyone? she thought.
Tom watched Jude for a second, a smile forming on his face. She was beautiful even when she cringed.
Jude walked around Tom soundlessly, not even acknowledging his presence. Tom eyed Jude curiously. She opened the door and walked outside, awkwardly leaving him in her wake. He took her cue and walked out after her, closing the door behind him.
"Goodbye," she said, her back still turned to him.
He walked around her and shook his head.
"You know I had to, right?"
She nodded her head, never looking at him. She realized the whole situation was weird. Her teacher at her house. But she didn't want him to go.
She abruptly looked up, remembering the conversation they had just left unfinished in the house.
"We'll talk about NYU. I promise," she said.
He nodded once and smiled widely. "I know."
He pulled her into a hug and she rested her head on his chest. She didn't think about who could see them. She'd play it off and lie if she had to. She didn't care at the moment.
The she realized how long it had been since she had talked to him. Since she had seen him. Since she had touched him.
A week.
She vowed to never go that long without him again.
"I got to go," he muttered.
She pulled away, nodding. "I know. Grading and pop quizzes."
"Yeah, that."
She let go of him completely as he started to walk back towards his Viper.
Just as he opened the driver door, she called out from across the street. "You were joking about the pop quiz, right?"
"Goodbye, Jude," he yelled back.
"That's not funny, Quincy!"
But he had already closed the door and started his car, ready to drive away.
She pouted slightly, her arms crossed over her chest. "Meanie," she muttered.
Tom pulled away from the curb and drove down Jude's street.
When she couldn't see his brake lights anymore, Jude headed back inside. A sudden inclination to study floated into her head. Just in case he actually did get around to making a pop quiz.
But Jude shrugged it off. If he did make it and she didn't do well, she figured Mr. Quincy would be open to some persuasion if need be.
She was his girlfriend after all.
A/N:Preview:
Chapter 16
"The Secret's Out"
"Last thing on the agenda. Talent show."
"There will be one person who won't have to audition. She's a shoe-in."
"Who?" Angie asked.
"Jude Harrison."
The only problem was that she now had to make a decision.
5th Avenue or Beantown?
"Shit. I figured you liked it rough, but I don't like bruises," she commented, rubbing her arm.
"Why are you mad? What did I do?" she asked.
"Why are you avoiding the subject?" he asked, glaring at her. He began pacing the length of the room, running his hands though his hair.
"Maybe because I don't know what the fucking subject is?!"
They are all in chronological order, fyi, but they obviously aren't in the same scene.
A/N 2: Why do the Richard Marx songs call to me? For some really weird reason…I want to use one in a chapter, but my mind is telling me no. Cause in all honesty…I don't think that's Jommy style. Yes, they love each other as only they can, but Marx is all about big gesture love and I have a hard time thinking that that is Jommy (unless you wanna go with the whole Tommy found a way to get Jude's catalog from Darius in S3 kind of a thing). This is really bothering me. LOL. ;D