A/N: It's been a month. I know. Computers are NOT my friend. That has been my biggest problem cause the story (once I got back into it) kind of did its own thing. But I couldn't upload it cause my laptop wasn't connecting to the internet (at my house, at school, or Starbucks! Damn thing!). And then I was a dork and thought my desktop was acting funny when it was just me being a loser. I am getting my laptop fixed, so I this works out.
Anyway…
I had a spiel written about two different things (how the chapter came out differently than I anticipated AND that I didn't want to force this chapter or story), but I didn't want to include it because you're probably not that happy with me. Sorry!
This chapter is dedicated to InStrFan cause she is probably the reason why this damn chapter even worked out as well as it did. So THANK YOU!
…Oh and if you've been counting…what's the next chapter?
Chapter 20. That's right.
It'll be here before you know it (unless you guys kill me because of the preview…). :D
THANKS:
JommyIS4ever: LOL. No one needs sleep. Sleep is for losers. :D Thank you! LOL. I hope you like where this is heading once you've read this chapter. She's young and thinks it is. LOL. It's not confusing. I understood is perfectly. Is that scary? LOL. Thank you so much for loving this!
hales03: I'm so thankful you love this. And I promise, the next update will be loads faster. They are.
kikiofberlin: I understand. It happens. Thank you! LOL. I DID send the last chapter to you, right? My mind says yes, but it's been a month so I could be wrong. I hope you like this chapter. Thank you!
Jessie's girl15: LOL. I'm posting now…even though it's not ASAP. Sorry.
alexzrules: Probably not. But he didn't help himself out either.
madisonko: Thank you! I hope you love this chapter too!
scrubslover: Of course not. LOL. I love jealous Tommy. Now you don't have to wait.
bbybty9: Maybe. It's not as dramatic as I had planned, but that's okay.
Pip'235: LOL. That reminds me of 'Bed in A Bag,' but that's much better. YAY! LOL. I liked that part too. I'm sorry I made you guys wait so long. LOL. I'm posting now and I love your wackiness.
brandnewx3: Awww…thanks. I'm glad you liked it. LOL. Good to know. He's not that creepy. He's just arrogant. Me too. I hope you like this chapter.
raylo94: YAY! Exactly. LOL. He'll be around for a little bit longer. I'm sorry it took so long!
mandy1485: Thank you! I'm posting now.
LittleZurawski: Yay, I'm glad you thought it was awesome. Me either! LOL.
101ISFAN: LOL. I'm sorry! I hope this chapter answers some things you've been wondering.
linsey: LOL. Yes, he is.
CrystalAngel4#: HI! Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. Here is the next one. Sorry it took so long.
umagoshh: Nope. She did. But…you know. LOL. Hmmm…that's interesting…I'm posting now.
chocolateelephantz: Thanks! I know. I hate it too.
miss massacre: Yes, I have posted it on there. And Jude? Maybe…I'm posting now!
brandnewx3: LOL. Yeah, I meant then. But obviously, my computers didn't think that that date was great. So here it is.
bbybty9: Um, cause you love me? :D Okay, maybe just the story? I'm just taking guesses here. I hope you like this.
lindsay44: Awww…thanks! LOL. Wow, thanks! I'm glad you think that. Here's the new chapter.
Disclaimer: Don't own Crown Royal. Don't own MAC. Don't own anything else.
THANKS MUCHO!!
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Chapter 19
"Keeping Up Appearances (Part 2)"
She twirled the straps to her purse around her hand for the tenth time in a matter of minutes. She was waiting.
For Jonathan.
She had asked him to get her a soda.
And from where she was standing, she could see him gabbing with some blonde.
Boys, she thought.
She pushed herself off of the table she was leaning on and smoothed down her shirt. She had better things to do than wait for Jonathan. If and when he was ready to talk to her again, he could find her.
She weaved through groups, throwing excuse me's in to the air as she passed. Within a minute she found herself on the other side of the large hall the event was held in. In one corner, a stage had been built and a new band was starting to play. The guitar riffs floated into the air and as Jude found a vacant table, she found herself bobbing her head to the beat.
It was the only thing that could take her mind of one thing.
Or person.
Tom.
Where is he? She thought.
She watched as a brunette passed in front of her.
Her mind went from Tom to another person in a split second. She looked around her, every brunette turning into the one person she didn't want to think about.
The one person who had everything she wanted.
To an extent.
Angie.
The brunette in front of her raised her glass and took a large sip, the light reflecting off of the diamond on her ring finger.
Jude sighed.
It wasn't her.
Unless Tom and Angie had got hitched on the way over.
Jude laughed sardonically. Her thoughts were beginning to freak her out.
Cause Tom wouldn't have done that, right?
He turned around, holding the glasses tighter in his hands. When he looked at the table they had inhabited together, he found it empty.
Where did she go? He thought.
He strained his neck, glancing around, trying to find her.
But nothing. Nothing but the sound of the band playing and the people talking loudly.
He decided to trek ahead, thinking he'd pass her along the way.
When he made it to the middle of the hall, he saw a familiar jacket. He knew it was odd to have noticed it after only seeing it once, but it stood out.
Or rather, he stood out.
A beautiful brunette next to his side, Jonathan found Tom and Angie standing beside one of the larger bars in the hall. Acting very friendly.
He smirked widely, thinking he ought to make his presence known. He knew Tom would be upset if he missed Jude.
Right.
Jonathan walked behind Tom, one couple between them. From out of nowhere, a semi-intoxicated man ran into Jonathan and his drinks went flying.
All over Tom and his precious jacket.
A loud audible gasp came from behind Tom and Angie's free hand covered her mouth in seconds, trying to lessen the laugh that was beginning to bubble inside.
He had been standing next to the bar, talking to a few people when he felt a large push behind him, a body knocking into him. He was thrown against the bar, liquid suddenly showering him.
He heard Angie gasp and knew she was seconds away from laughing, but he didn't care. He turned around slowly, his anger already beginning to rise. Whoever it was-
What the fuck?
She stood beside Tommy, who looked ready to commit murder on some innocent kid. But when the sides of the kid's mouth started to upturn into a slight smirk, she knew he wasn't as innocent as she had originally thought.
Trying to lessen the chance of a scene being created, Angie pulled some napkins off of the bar and began to wipe Tommy's jacket. Tommy stood watching the kid, seething.
No one said anything.
But she knew something had to be done before any punches were thrown.
"Babe, give me your jacket."
Tommy didn't reply. The kid crossed his arms against his chest, waiting.
She sighed heavily as she continued to wipe the soda off of the worn leather. She was not in the mood for Tommy to turn into that guy.
She stopped wiping his jacket and placed the wet napkins on the bar next to her drink. Then she raised her hand and smacked him on the back of the head.
"Fuck!" Tom cried. "What the hell was that for?"
Tom turned around and glared at Angie, but she remained unfazed, rolling her eyes.
Jonathan chuckled lightly and Tom shot a glare at him. Jonathan only shrugged.
Angie sighed and smacked Tommy's arm. He turned around and glared at her again. She shook her head. "Give me your jacket, Tommy. The soda's going to get it sticky and I really don't want to hear any bitching later."
Tom clenched his jaw knowingly. He would bitch about it. It was his favorite jacket, who could blame him? "Plus," she began. "If you guys do end up killing each other, I'd like to have it. It's soft," she said, smirking.
Tom's eyes softened. He was overreacting about the jacket.
But it wasn't just that.
It was the fact that Jonathan was standing in front of him.
A kid he had only seen once before, but his feelings had never changed. He still wanted to hurt him. For being too friendly to Jude. For asking all the questions he should have.
But why was he even there?
The G-Major showcase was an invitation only event. And Jonathan was an unlikely candidate for an invite.
As he thought about Jonathan, he also thought about Jude. His girlfriend. The one he left a message for, trying to apologize for the jackass he had been. The one who never bothered to call him back.
And why would she? He was out having fun with Angie…his ex-something.
Which she now knew, making Tom feel even guiltier because she never called back.
A new thought struck him as Tom decided it was best to let Angie have his jacket. But just to clean it. That was it.
Maybe Jonathan had talked to Jude before coming? Maybe he knew what she was doing? How she was feeling?
As Tommy pulled his arm out of the last sleeve, he handed the jacket to Angie. She bit her bottom lip.
"What?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just a little disappointed."
Tom closed his eyes tightly. He knew he shouldn't have acted the way he had. If Jude was with him, she surely wouldn't be proud of his behavior. But she wasn't.
Because of him.
And their situation.
He opened them and sighed. "Look Ang. I'm sorry about blowing up at that kid. It's just-"
"No, it's not that," she said, continuing to shake her head. "It's the fact that I really wanted to see you get your ass kicked. But now I can't cause the kid's gone."
Tom gawked at Angie who began to smirk, but then her words registered even further.
He was gone?
Tom turned around fast and in the space that Jonathan had occupied was another couple dancing to the band playing on stage.
Tom blew out a low breath.
Great. Now I have to go find him, he thought.
He turned around and smiled. Angie smiled back, grabbing a few more napkins and started to wipe down his jacket again.
He wrapped his arm around Angie, pulling her towards him. She melded against his body. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You're such a bitch sometimes."
She looked up at him, her face mere centimeters from his. "I know. But that's why you love me."
"True," he said, shrugging. She laughed and elbowed him in the side.
He squeezed her shoulder and the pair stood next to the bar, watching a new band take the stage.
He excused himself from the group he had been talking to and walked up to her table, never bothering to introduce himself.
She wouldn't be happy to see him, that he already knew.
He had watched her walk in with a tall young man, who looked a lot like Tommy, albeit in a different fashion.
He also knew that Tommy and Angie were there as well. And if he didn't buffer the situation somehow, he knew drama would only ensue from there.
And he wasn't in the mood.
"Jack seems to be making eyes at you." The lead singer of the new band that had taken the stage winked in Jude's direction.
The second she heard his voice, she cringed. She knew he was wrong; it was meant for the shrieking blondes a few people in front of her.
Without turning her head, she said, "I wouldn't associate with anyone that calls you their friend."
He chuckled loudly and shook his head. "You're dating Tommy, aren't you?"
A smirk formed on her face even though she wished it hadn't. "Touché."
Kwest rounded the table and stood next to Jude, thinking that if she didn't want him around, she would have already left. Or found some way to injure him. Whatever suited her. "Look, I didn't come here to-"
She turned her head, glaring. "To talk shit about me? I bet."
He sighed heavily, reminding himself he had to take it slow. "Kwest, just stop. You think you're trying to be the best friend. I get it. But you're messing this up for us. You have to stop."
He shook his head violently. He knew that she understood what he was trying to do, but she didn't know why. And that was the most important. "I can't."
"Why not?" she asked. She really wished he would leave them alone. She didn't need another person against their relationship. A relationship she couldn't even say existed. Didn't he know how hard that was?
"I'm doing this for you. You don't know Tom like you think you do," he said.
And she rolled her eyes. He had said that already. "Kwest-"
"Jude. Please. Just listen to me," he said, looking her in the eyes.
When she didn't say anything, he took that as his cue to finish what he had started. "When Angie and Tom were together, it was great. For awhile. Then he changed. And-"
"And there's stuff I don't know about him?"she said, mockingly.
"Exactly," he said firmly. "He became someone else. Angie doesn't even know everything he did. And it was like he had no control over it. It overtook him or something," he said lowly.
She looked away, clenching her jaw. He stared at her for a few seconds, truly believing that he had gotten to her. She turned her head and faced him, sighing heavily. "Then what should I do?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.
He smiled. "Be safe. Take things slow. And I'd ditch the kid, it'll only make things worse," he said, picking up his glass and taking a sip.
"Oh really?" Jude asked, her voice betraying Kwest's confidence. She still didn't completely believe him. Or maybe she did, but she certainly didn't sound like she trusted him.
Kwest brought his cup back down, having had a couple more sips. "Yeah, cause you don't want to know about Break Up #15," he said, shaking his head.
At first, Jude wanted to laugh, but the thought was short-lived as she saw the seriousness in his eyes. "Kwest, that's not funny."
Kwest gripped his glass tighter and stood up straight. "Why do you think I'm not laughing, Jude. This is serious. He's serious," he said, looking Jude in the eyes. She felt a shiver run down her spine. He turned around quickly, never saying good bye, not that she expected it.
Within seconds, Kwest was submerged in a sea of people and all Jude was left with was her thoughts.
She leaned on her elbows, watching one of her closest friends talk to a young blonde. The conversation seemed rather casual, despite the looks they gave each other. They didn't seem to be getting along.
Or rather the girl just didn't like Kwest.
"I think Kwest just got rejected," she commented watching Kwest back away from the girl. He shrugged and then disappeared into the sea of guests. The blonde fidgeted with her hands and then spent the next few seconds looking around before walking away from the table she had once inhabited to the pair of doors to her left. She knew they led outside to the garden terrace that she had seen when they first arrived at the hall.
Tommy turned his head toward her and frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"He was talking to some girl and she totally brushed him off. Or maybe he brushed her off since he walked away from her," she said, shrugging. She twirled her stirrer in her drink a few times, watching the cherry spin around in the liquid.
"Well, he shouldn't be playing around to begin with. He's got a girlfriend," Tommy responded. The ice in his glass clinked as he took a long sip.
Her eyes widened and she sucked in a tight breath as she could vaguely feel the direction the conversation was heading in. She didn't want to go there.
It only made her think of all the mistakes she had made. And the person Tommy had become.
"Um, right," she said. She stopped stirring her drink and turned around, leaning against the bar behind them.
"Tommy, I think we need to talk."
She had pushed the heavy door open, willing the cool air to hit her and knock some sense into her.
And the air did hit her.
But it only left her feeling cold.
She rubbed her arms as she hugged her body to keep warm. Her mind was racing and her breathing was getting faster and shorter.
Trying to clear her head, she looked up into the night sky; a perfect shade of black, sparkles for stars.
Her feet were leading her now as her brain couldn't form coherent sentences let alone direct her body.
Not after a conversation like that.
What was she going to do?
Honestly?
How was she supposed to believe Kwest? But then she knew she had no reason not to. Just because she didn't agree with his tactics didn't mean he wasn't being truthful.
I'm doing this for you. You don't know Tom like you think you do.
What don't I know? she thought. I don't know a lot of things. I don't know anything about their relationship, but what Tom's told me.
He wouldn't lie to me, right?
That was the question of the day.
Was he lying? Was he not telling her everything she needed to know?
"Talk about what?" he asked, picking up his newly refilled drink. She gazed up at him, sighing at his ignorance.
"I think you know." He looked at her eyes and knew. At least he thought he knew.
His face softened. He didn't want to get into this. Not now. "Ang, you know we can't-"
"Why not?" she asked. She slammed her drink down on the bar, the cherry flying into the air and back into the cup again. "I've been here for months and we've never talked about us."
His eyes grew wide and he almost spit out his drink. But Crown Royal was too good to waste. He swallowed hard, gasping for breath. She was asking about their past. Not their future. That was a new one. His grip on his drink tightened. "What's there to talk about? You cheated on me. You killed our kid. What more is there to talk about?" he said, pointing at her with his free hand.
She rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air. "It's all my fault, isn't it?" she asked, placing her hand on her chest.
"Ang-" he started, rolling his eyes.
"Lil' Tommy Q never did anything wrong, right? It was always our fault."
His eyes narrowed and from the corner of his vision he could see some of the guests around them, trying not to stare. He lowered his voice, furrowing his brow. "Our?"
She cocked her head to the side, along with one of her eyebrows. "Me. Cece."
His mouth turned into a grim line. He clenched his jaw. He slammed his drink down on the bar, not caring about causing a scene. The lime that was swirling in the golden liquid jumped up into the air and fell onto the bar. And then he pointed at her. "Don't bring my mother into this. She has nothing to do with this."
The bartender glanced at the pair in front of him, mentally reminding himself to cut them off.
Angie saw the bartender glance at them, but she didn't care either. Tommy was pissing her off. And one way or another, she was finally going to get her point across.
Her face turned to disgust. He never understood what he had done. It was always her fault. Always Angie. Never Tommy. And she was sick of it. "Doesn't she? Everything that happened with her is the reason you are like this." He rolled his eyes. She laughed angrily. "Don't lie, Tommy. Don't forget who you're talking to."
He clenched his jaw and looked away. A woman standing next to them glanced at him. He smiled, trying to lessen the scene that they were beginning to create. She seductively smiled back. Even in the midst of a fight, Tommy had the power to make any woman weak in the knees. If only it worked on Angie. "I'm trying really hard to forget right now."
She scoffed, shaking her head. "Figures."
Angie glanced in the direction of Tommy's vision. Once the blonde showed up in her view, she rolled her eyes. She closed the space between them and got into his face.
Seeing Angie from the corner of his eye, he looked directly at her.
"Look, I don't know what you want me to say, Ang. I really don't. You want me to apologize for something I didn't do? Then fine."
She shook her head violently, knowing what he was doing. The moment was surreal. It was like déjà vu. She could see the same fight all over again in her head. And it always ended the same way.
It was never good for her.
"I'm sorry," he said, getting into her face.
"Tommy, don't. Don't say it if you don't mean it. Don't say it if you don't believe it. I'm tired-" she spat with the same fervor. Their faces were so close; she could feel his breath on her.
"You're tired? I'm tired of all your bullshit," he said.
She had had enough.
"Fuck you, Tommy."
Instantly, his eyes changed. Though the lighting was bright, his eyes had darkened tremendously, no longer showing the happiness he had been feeling at one time. His eyes pierced hers and she almost shuddered.
Almost.
"What, Tommy? You gonna hit me?" she asked, her breath rushed against his face and he could smell the alcohol.
Instinctively, he placed his hand on her arm and held on tight. He pulled her close to him. She slightly stumbled even though the distance was minimal.
They stood there, almost nose to nose, breathing down upon each other. Angie was not about to give up. She knew exactly how far she had pushed him. And she didn't care. He was just one step from being pushed over the edge. "I dare you."
She had done it. He was so-
She knew she had sent him over the edge. She gazed up at him, his eyes darker than she had ever seen them in the few months she had been back. But she was going to hold her own. She wasn't afraid of him. No matter how hard he was holding on to her arm.
He thrust his face next to her ear and said lowly, "What did you say?"
She didn't have time to answer.
"Tommy, let go of her."
She haphazardly shut and locked the stall door before collapsing on the porcelain bowl behind her.
She bent over and placed her head in her hands. She exhaled a long breath. She could almost feel the tears starting to spring at the corners of her eyes.
She was tired.
Tired of everything.
Of the relationship she couldn't say existed. Of the boyfriend who may or may not be hiding things from her. Of the boyfriend's ex-fiancé who seemed to be more fun than her. Of the boyfriend's best friend who wanted to destroy their relationship to help her.
Most of all, she was tired of caring.
It was February and she had less than four months of school before she had go out into the real world and face all the drama on her own.
For the first time in a really long time, she wanted nothing.
Nothing but her bed and a day where she didn't have to worry about other people so much. Maybe even some music thrown in.
But as she heard the restroom door open and the clacking of heels against the granite floor, she knew that day wouldn't be coming in the near future.
The pair froze, their bodies rigid at the sound of their intruder. Tom's eyes washed over, no longer as stormy as they had once been.
He let go of Angie's arm and turned around, slow enough to see her cradle her arm in her hand. He smirked widely.
"Ah, King Kwest saves the day. Again."
Kwest shook his head and raised one eyebrow. "Like I always do."
Tom rolled his eyes. It was always the same. He was the bad guy. Poor Angie. Whatever.
Angie opened her mouth, ready to speak, but Kwest raised his hand, stopping her.
"Look, I don't care if you two kill each other." Angie bit her bottom lip and looked away.
"Just don't do it here. I've worked hard to be a part of G-Major –" Kwest started. "Not that both of you would care – and I don't need you two causing a scene with the people I work with."
Tom clenched his jaw tightly, picking up his drink and taking a long sip. Kwest shook his head as he gripped his drink tighter.
"So if you have plans on furthering this thing – take it outside," he said, pointing to the exit. He walked past Angie.
Angie nodded in his direction, thankful that he had stopped what they had started. Even if it was for personal reasons. "Oh," he said, turning around. "Don't call me if someone ends up in the hospital," he finished, glancing at Tom. Tom picked up his glass and finished it off, not wanting to look at his best friend.
Angie furrowed her brow, unable to comprehend Kwest's last statement. Kwest turned around and walked away, again disappearing in the sea of guests.
"What was that about?" she asked, glancing at Tom who feigned interest in his leather jacket pocket.
He shrugged, never looking up and said, "Nothing."
Angie shook her head. "When I get back from the bathroom, I think we should leave."
Tom nodded fervently. "Finally," he said, looking up. "Something we can agree on."
Her head sunk lower as the door shut again. Finally. Peace and quiet.
Her tears flowed freely as Jude restrained them when she had company. Now, they ran down her cheeks, messing up her make-up.
She could almost feel her eyeliner running down her face. She hiccupped slightly and rubbed her nose.
Oh yeah. She felt great. And she could bet she looked just like she felt.
She ran her finger under her eye, wiping her tears away. When she looked at her hand, sure enough there was a large black stain on it.
She blew out a deep breath.
This was not how it was suppose to happen. She was supposed to be strong. She wasn't supposed to care. She loved Tom.
Why couldn't that be enough?
Why couldn't he just-
Her breath caught in her throat as she heard new heels against the granite. She let out a silent breath.
She heard the water run and a soft voice repeating, "Tommy, Tommy, Tommy."
Her ears perked. Tommy?
As in Tom Quincy?
Suddenly, Jude hiccupped and the water shut off immediately. Jude covered her mouth, her eyes wide. She wasn't eavesdropping. She just paid attention. And it wasn't as if the woman was talking about something profound anyway. Tommy was a popular name.
Right?
Angie took her hand of the faucet. She pulled down her sleeve, covering up the soon-to-be bruise she knew she was going to get and turned around. She was gonna have to bring out her make-up again. She bent down and looked underneath the stall doors that were in front of her.
Someone was there with her. She knew it.
Not that she really minded, but she swore she was alone when she came to the restroom.
Apparently she had been wrong.
Well, that wouldn't be the first time.
At the end of the long row of stalls, a door opened and a young blonde came out, her make-up displaced all over her face.
Angie frowned. She had been crying.
The girl walked up to the sink, clearly avoiding eye contact with her. She looked up at the mirror and slightly gasped.
Angie smirked. She had been there too.
She knew she always underestimated the way she looked after she had had it out with Tommy. It was always worse once she looked in the mirror.
Angie opened her purse and fished around for a few seconds. Triumphantly she pulled out a trial-size of make-up remover.
She placed it on the sink and slid it towards the girl. The young blonde had resorted to turning on the water and using paper towels to clear up her make-up.
Angie knew that was a no-no. Too harsh for your skin.
"Here," she said. The blonde finally turned toward her. She glanced at the bottle and smiled.
"Thanks," she said in a hoarse voice, taking it.
Jude looked at the woman for the first time. The girl was gorgeous.
"I'm Angie," the woman said. Jude's heart stopped. It really was her. And all the times that she had imagined what Angie looked like had never done her justice. She was even more beautiful in person.
Jude swallowed hard. She held out her hand and said, "I'm Jude."
Angie's brow furrowed, as she shook Jude's hand, realizing for the first time who might be in front of her. "Like the Beatles song?"
Jude nodded. "Yep."
"Cute."
"Uh huh," Jude said as she opened the bottle of make-up remover.
"Oh, "Angie said. She reached back into her purse and pulled out a small plastic bag. "Cotton balls."
Jude took a cotton ball and doused it before ridding her face of all of her make-up. When she glanced back at the mirror after tossing the cotton ball away, she grimaced.
Plain and simple: she looked like shit.
Her hair was fine, still perfectly wavy. But her face?
Her eyes were swollen from all her crying. Her nose was red and runny. And her cheeks were dry and void of all color.
"Before you reapply, put this on." Angie handed her another bottle. Jude looked at her curiously.
"What are you, the make-up fairy?" she asked. Angie smiled and shook her head.
"Nope, I wanted to be a make-up artist at one point, so I keep this stuff with me." Jude nodded.
"I see. What was before the make-up artist?" Jude asked as she slathered her face with MAC primer.
"Singer. It's what I've always wanted to do. But you know…" Angie said, shrugging. "Things happen." Jude looked at her from the corner of her eye.
Oh she knew. She knew all too well.
Angie jumped on the sink counter and watched as Jude reapplied her make-up. She sat for a few seconds, swinging her legs back and forth and wondering if she could just work up the courage to ask what was on her mind.
Angie cleared her throat. It was now or never. "I know this gonna sound weird-"
"But?" Jude said, pulling out her eyeliner.
"But do you go to Carson Hill High School?"
Jude stopped midair, her hand above her eye and turned her face. She needed to play the part. "Yeah. How do you know?"
"Mr. Torres, I teach there, you know," Angie said casually. She had been right. It was Jude. The Jude everyone held in such high musical esteem. Angie, though she would never admit it, was jealous of her. Of the person she got to be.
She had wanted that life since she was a little girl. And she had had a brief taste of it. Then it was gone.
All because of Tommy Quincy.
The bastard.
"Oh. He gave me the tickets to come," Jude responded. "And I've never seen you."
"I teach juniors and I'm think you're a senior."
"Oh," Jude said in realization. "Yep. Thank God."
Angie shook her head and laughed. "Which means you have Mr. Torres."
Jude nodded and resumed applying her eyeliner. "Yeah, he's my government teacher."
"And you know Mr. Quincy too, right?"
Jude abruptly stopped midline on her right eye. Way to go, Jude. Give yourself away, she thought. She nodded and then picked up where she left off. "Yeah," Jude breathed.
Angie cocked her head to the side. "You two not getting along?"
"Eh, it's nothing," Jude responded as she put her eyeliner away. She didn't want to look Angie in the eyes. There was no way she'd be able to lie as she was a horrible liar to begin with.
"Yeah."
"You know Mr. Quincy?" Jude asked as she applied a small amount of blush. She smacked the brush and pink particles flew into the air.
Angie looked up at the ceiling and blew out a low breath. "You could say that."
Jude smirked. Finally. She knew she would never have been able to seek out Angie on her own and ask about Tommy. It would be too obvious. But now? She had the opportunity of a lifetime. And she was going to take it.
"Spill," Jude said. She put away her blush and brush and leaned against the sink, looking at Angie.
Angie sat for a second, thinking about the right thing to say. What was she suppose to tell a student of Tommy's? That the teacher she thought she knew was not that guy? How was she supposed to define what they had? She took a deep breath and decided to be as honest as possible. "Mr. Quincy and I…used to-"
"Date?" Jude finished eagerly. She had the hunger to know. What would Angie say about their relationship? Would she lie or tell the truth? What was the truth?
Angie nodded, still looking up at the ceiling. "Something like that."
"You two make a good couple," Jude offered. It wasn't that far of a stretch she knew. They looked great together.
"Physically maybe, but-" Angie started.
"But?" Jude said. Her breath caught in her throat. Maybe this was it. Maybe she was finally going to get the truth.
A truth she desperately wanted to know.
Angie finally tore her eyes from the vaulted ceiling and looked Jude in the eyes. Jude's heart stopped. "But you don't know him like I do," Angie breathed, her eyes sad.
Jude's throat tightened. So that was not the answer she had been looking for, but it confirmed the fact that Kwest was right. She didn't know Tommy like she thought she did. You have no idea how right you are, she thought. "Right," she said as confidently as possible.
Angie nodded and said nothing. She couldn't say anything. She hadn't spilled anything worthy of school gossip, but she knew from the look on Jude's face that she understood. Sort of.
And that was enough.
Jude capped her lip gloss and threw it into her bag. She was done. "Well, I better get going. My friend is probably wondering where I am."
Angie jumped off the sink counter. "Oh yeah, me too."
Jude grabbed her purse and took one last look in the mirror. On the outside, she looked fine. And that's all anyone needed to know. Until she got home. "Oh Jude?"
Jude glanced over her shoulder. "Yeah?"
Angie turned toward her, but looked at the floor. Then she picked up her head and said, "Could you not saying anything about us to-"
"Promise," Jude said, smiling.
And she meant it.
Angie nodded. "Thanks." She turned back towards the sink and put the primer and cotton balls back in her purse.
"No problem," Jude said, before opening the door and walking back into the hall.
Angie closed her purse and picked it up. She smiled in the mirror for a second. The smile faded and she laughed sardonically. She was better than that.
Much better.
Tommy Quincy was not going to make her cry. No.
Angie continued to stare at the mirror and slowly a smile formed on her face. It was her trademark. The seductive smirk she was known for.
She still had some fight in her.
And no one was going to get in her way.
She saw him at the bar, chatting up another blonde.
She shook her head.
She pushed her way through a group of people, sauntering up to his back. She ran her fingers over his shoulder and he jumped.
"Did I scare you?" she whispered, teasing.
He glanced over his shoulder and smirked, pulling her hand off of him. He pulled her towards him and placed her in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist.
He rested his head on her shoulder, looking at the blonde in front of him. "Jane, this is Jude."
The blonde ran her finger around the rim of her glass and glanced at the young girl in front of her. She cocked her head to side. "Aww, that's cute."
Jude rolled her eyes.
Jonathan glanced up and laughed. His laughs vibrated through Jude's shoulder, sending a chill down her spine, so she shook him off. Jonathan stood up, letting go of Jude. She used her hand to stop Jane before she started to talk. "Look, I hate to break up any fantasies you were thinking about…but we've got to go."
Jonathan shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "We don't have to go anywhere."
Jude looked up at Jonathan and smirked. She really wanted to go home. A twinkle formed in her eye. "Babe, you forgot to take your medicine."
Jonathan gazed at her and raised one eyebrow. He could see it in her eyes. He didn't want to play any game she was starting. "Jude-"
Jude turned and looked at Jane. "He's got a bad case of the Crabs," she whispered.
Jonathan closed his eyes and shook his head. Jane glanced at Jonathan and then back at Jude. She leaned in slightly.
Her face turned confused. "How many are in a case?" she whispered.
Jude instantly bit her bottom lip, trying to suppress the laughter that was building up. She turned her head and leaned up to him, her eyes at his chin. "You only do dumb blondes?" she breathed.
He angrily rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw. Jude smiled.
Jude grabbed Jonathan's arm and turned to walk away. She called from over her shoulder, "Bye Jane."
Jonathan pulled as Jude dragged him away from the bar. She tightened her grip on his arm. "Jude, could you-"
Jude continued to walk while she looked over her shoulder. "I want to leave. I'm sorry. Can we just – Fuck!" Jude cried. She bounced off of something hard, crashed to the floor, her hands high in the air.
Jonathan instinctively bent down and took Jude's hands, picking her up. He was more worried about her than who she had run into. As he pulled her up, he whispered, "Well, if that's what you wanted to do, we should have left earlier."
A smirk formed on Jude's face as she stood up slowly. Her eye caught the person she had run into and the smirk was gone instantly.
Jonathan smiled, but when the smirk vanished, he knew something was wrong. He furrowed his brow and pulled her closer. "Jude."
She didn't answer and continued to stare over his shoulder.
Jonathan rolled his eyes as he heard "Jude."
Couldn't stay away, he thought. Jonathan turned around, letting go of Jude's hands.
"Mr. Quincy," he said. Tom's jaw tightened. He could see Jude's eyes from behind Jonathan's shoulder.
She was not happy.
Maybe because he ran into her accidently. Maybe because Angie was standing next to him. Maybe because she was shocked to see him when they hadn't resolved their phone call.
He didn't know.
But he had a feeling he was about to find out.
Jude walked around Jonathan and cleared her throat. "Hi," she said. Her eyes darted to the side of Tom.
She silently sighed.
She could see him watching her from the corner of her eye. She knew he was being protective but it was annoying.
And as much as she wanted to be strong, she couldn't leave without saying goodbye.
Kwest nodded towards the door, but she shook him off. He silently shook his head too and went back to nursing his drink.
As she turned back toward Tom, another person caught her eye. Angie was standing right in front of her.
Jude clenched her jaw.
The one thing she didn't want to see was right in front of her.
Angie's eyes softened and Jude sighed.
It was then that Jude remembered her promise.
She wasn't going to say anything.
Angie had been startled when Tommy glanced at Jude as she stood behind the same young man whose drinks landed on Tommy. She watched as Jude looked away, shaking her head.
When Jude turned back, she froze. What was she suppose to say?
Hey Jude, Tommy and I are still hanging out…even though we can't get over our past?
Yeah, cause that was going to go over well.
It was as if she felt guilty for befriending Jude only to look as if she had been lying all along. But was she?
"It's nice see you again, Mr. Quincy."
Tom's eyes were glued to Jonathan. He had forgotten all about his earlier notion of finding him to ask him about Jude.
Now, Jude was actually in front of him.
With that punk ass kid.
The one he wanted to rip from limb to limb for touching his girl.
Tom reached out suddenly. Jonathan eyed him wearily, but held out his hand nonetheless. Tom shook Jonathan's hand, albeit a little tight, but he didn't say a word. He only nodded.
The two couples were silent for what felt like hours. The party went on without them, the guests getting drunker and louder by the second.
"I'm Angie," Angie said suddenly. Jude glanced at her and smiled innocently.
She pointed to herself and said, "Jude." Then she pointed to the person next to her. "Jonathan."
Jonathan smiled widely. Angie only smirked. She now had a name to match to a face. A face she desperately wanted to thank for his earlier actions.
"Tommy has such bad manners. He gets that from his-" Angie started, smiling. She was trying to make pleasant conversation, hoping it would make-up for the eventful night she had had.
"Ang, I think-" Tom interrupted, wrapping his arm around Angie's shoulders, bringing her closer to him. He was trying to shut her up.
She turned rigid against his body, but played it off as nothing.
He didn't need anyone knowing anything. Especially Jude.
And if he had been paying attention to her, he would have noticed his one little action had caused her eyes to darken, her form to turn stiff, and her jaw to clench.
But someone else had.
Angie watched Jude as she should in front of her, her entire appearance different.
She tried to pinpoint the moment things had changed as the four of them stood in silence…again.
Her eyes widened.
It was then that it couldn't have been any clearer for her.
Everything pieced together. Tommy and Jude.
They were together. Or at the very least, there were feelings.
And Angie could bet her life that they were mutual.
She didn't know why she hadn't noticed it earlier, when they were in the restroom. But now, there was o denying it.
She could see it.
It was all in their eyes.
A weird feeling came over her. Something she had never felt before.
Despite the newly acquired information, she wasn't angry or jealous. Though she knew she would have been if she had known earlier.
But now, she felt calm.
An almost closure.
Though she didn't want to admit it, she had lost her man five months prior.
And it was at that thought that she knew she had grown up. A scary idea, one that had frightened her years ago, but now – with all the other additions to her life – she was comforted by it.
She was an older, more mature Angie.
And it was then that she knew she didn't want Tommy back.
Jude already had him.
A/N: Preview:
Chapter 20
"First Loves"
One Word: TEACHINGS. :D