Knowing Jude

Me, 8.22 pm: You gave me Jude's coat?!

Yes, I stalked Cole on Facebook, added him and once he accepted, I asked for his number, and now I'm texting him. I could have easily asked Jude for his number, but I'm not sure what sort of mood he's in right now and I'm not giving him a chance to ruin my evening.

Cole, 8.22 pm: No I didn't, that's my coat.

I snort.

Me, 8.23 pm: It smells like Jude.

Cole, 8.23 pm: Well, that doesn't sound creepy at all, Jo.

I flush.

Me, 8.24 pm: Stop being a smartass. What if he gets mad? You can't go around giving out his clothes.

That coat looks expensive, and it's designer.

Cole, 8.25 pm: He won't mind.

I remember his cold tone and the way he glared at me back at the office.

Me, 8.26 pm: Is he still mad? He almost snapped my neck back at the office.

Cole, 8.26 pm: He was just mad that he got in trouble.

Me, 8.27 pm: Isn't that what bad boys like, getting in trouble?

Cole, 8.28 pm: You don't know Jude, Jo. ;)

I don't? Yeah, I don't.

Me, 8.29 pm: Yeah, true. Night, you'll get your coat back tomorrow.

Cole, 8.29 pm: Are you going to sleep this early?

Me, 8.29 pm: No, but I'm not going to talk to you all night, am I?

Cole, 8.30 pm: I don't mind ;)

I roll my eyes.

Me, 8.30 pm: Good night, Mr.

Cole, 8.30 pm: Sweet dreams princess.

I laugh and put the phone aside. I pick my pen back up and try to concentrate on my homework, but my eyes keep wandering towards the window and to the outside. The library is well lit and quiet, away from the sounds of Trey and Maria fighting over the TV remote. That always leads to Dad appearing and reminding them who the boss is by switching it to some news channel. That, or to whatever Sam wants to watch.

I chew on the end of my pen, stop immediately when I realise what I'm doing, and look back at my Biology book.

I have a free period tomorrow, before Biology, maybe I can do it then?

Why am I being so lazy?

Because you're always lazy.

My phone pings again, and I grab it in excitement, eager for any sort of distraction. My eyes widen in disbelief as Jude's name appears, showing that he has texted me.

Jude, 8.37 pm: Cole seems to think that I owe you some sort of apology...

Cole? Why would he even...

Ugh.

Me, 8.38 pm: Do you?

I bite my lip as I await his reply. Is this becoming a habit, Jude texting me? Angeline must be turning in her grave.

Jude, 8.39 pm: Sorry for not telling you I wouldn't be available in the evening. Why were you talking to Cole?

Was that an apology or an inquisition? Doesn't he even want to know whether his apology has been accepted or not? Me, 8.40 pm: Noyb.

Jude, 8.40 pm: Oh really.

I roll my eyes and leave it at that. Why does he want to know? I pick up my pen and start writing. My phone lights up. Jude, 8.43 pm: Jo?

I scoff and pick up my phone.

Me, 8.43 pm: Am I not supposed to talk to him or something?

Jude, 8.44 pm: I didn't say that.

Me, 8.44 pm: Ok then leave me alone I have homework to do.

Jude, 8.45 pm: A lot of girls use me to get to him...

My eyes bulge at his last text.

He did not just...

I huff and glare at the words. Is he insinuating that I want to get close to Cole or some shit like that, through him?

I tap on the screen angrily.

Me, 8.46 pm: Fuck you.

To hell and back. What the fuck? Our Math teacher called me, asked me to tutor him! Some students signed up for the tutoring program, but I never did. He has some nerve. He sure does. Does Cole look like my type? Okay, yes, in my dreams, but I'm not foolish enough to think that I can ever be with a guy like that, a hot guy like that. He has it all. He's even nice. Guys like him end up with girls as confident and good looking like them, not blabbering messes like me.

The phone lights up and I look at it, hoping he has withdrawn that stupid sentiment. Too much to hope for, it appears.

Jude, 8.48 pm: It happens.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

Yeah well so? I want to text back and tell him how much of an asshole he is, but I hold back and switch off my phone.

Jude Walker not only ruined my day but my night too.

I hate him.

"Heads up, Sam. Here's our other sister."

It's Saturday, the week from hell is far behind me, and Trey is teasing me about the fact that I'm in a dress. It's a simple black dress, which tightens around my upper body and flares at my waist, stopping at my knees. I have paired it up with my favourite black ankle boots, and I hope I don't look like a confused turtle. I have a feeling it makes me appear even shorter, but oh well...

"You look pretty," Sam's voice gets to my ears, and I turn to look at my small brother in shock. He's not saying that to some girls at school too, is he?

Trey chuckles and high-fives him. "You learn quick, Sammy."

Sam grins as if he is going to receive a trophy for it.

"Liam said that to a girl in their class, and now she doesn't talk to him anymore," Sam continues, and I choke on my own breath. He rolls his eyes. "Stupid girls."

Trey doesn't even burst into his usual laughter, he is looking at Sam as wide-eyed as I am. Liam is eight, right? Yes he is, they have a class between them.

"You look good, dear. You should get more dresses," my mother's voice breaks into the silence.

I correct my expression and look at her. "Thanks but no thanks," I add with a chuckle. My mother is always pushing me to get more dresses, given the one I'm wearing right now is one of my only two, but she should know by now that is never happening.

She shakes her head in amusement and turns to Sam. "I better not come back to a mess in this house, Samuel."

Sam crosses his arms over his chest and gives her a smile. "I promise. Can I make lunch?"

My mother pales. "What? No! Maria will take care of that."

"Oh." He wrinkles his nose. "But I'm sure she'll just order out," he whines.

"As long as you eat, Sam. Do not touch my kitchen, young man."

"But I can cook!" He insists.

Mum sighs and gives me a look. "You're the one who made him think he can actually cook."

"But he can!"

"Are you guys ready to go?" Dad appears on the stairway, looking impeccable in a black suit with a black dress shirt and a dark grey tie. Trey is dressed the same, and Mum is dressed like me, in a black dress too. Sam tugs at Mum's dress. "Mum? Can I?"

"No!" She replies firmly. Then a soft smile appears on her face. "We'll all go out to dinner later, how about that?"

As Sam's face morphs into a mischievous smirk, I hold my groan. They are going to spoil the little imp rotten, I swear.

"Yes, we can leave now," Mum answers Dad, and we file out of the living room.

"Maria, we are gone. Watch over Sam!" Mum calls towards the first floor, then we all leave the house, and Sam closes the door behind us.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Now, here's where we are going.

On Thursday at school, during assembly, the principal announced that Mrs. Rutherford, my English teacher, had lost her husband, who had been ill for a while, and the funeral would be on Saturday. When we dispersed, Simon looked a little guilty for what he had said that day she handed us detention. The news explained why she had been cranky that day and why she had also missed a series of classes. The entire school body was invited, and the entire staff was going. Now, I hadn't planned on going, because I don't like attending funerals. I always end up crying, whether it was someone I was close to or not. I would look at the bereaved, the loved ones who had been left behind, sometimes the children, or parents who had lost a child, and the tears would just rise in my throat unbidden.

But then it happened that my father had known Mr. Rutherford. My mother also knew Mrs. Rutherford not just from school as our teacher, but also from church and apparently they are in some sort of club together.

Maria 'developed' a cold last night, so she was excused and got to stay home with Sam. I'm pretty sure she has separate plans, though.

The previous night, telling us how we would all go, Mum said the Fords had a son our age, who might feel better if kids his age were there. I'm not sure about that, but anyway, her ploy worked, and now Trey and I are getting into Dad's car, heading to the church for the service.

As we get closer to the church I had been in not long ago on a similar occasion, I try not to let the memories get to me. But even as we get there and go through the service, my eyes keep going to the golden coffin and remembering Angeline lying in a similar one, in her favourite dress and a necklace from Jax around her neck. She had looked so peaceful.

I haven't known complete peace ever since she left. She is always there, lurking in the shadows of my mind, sometimes pushing to the forefront until tears fall from my eyes because I miss her so much, and I still can't believe she is gone. You don't get from laughing with someone one day and the next she is gone and have that quite register to your mind.

I sit in a pew with some other kids from school, but none of them people who I actually talk to. Trey has paired up with some of his peers, and my parents are sitting together. Nicki, Jen, and Simon are not here, so I'm stuck feeling like the loner I am.

The service drones on, and finally, it's time for the burial. If I could, I would skip this part. I would if my parents weren't my ride.

We leave, and the convoy heads for the cemetery.

My heart beats faster the closer we get.

I haven't been back here since we laid Angeline to rest. I have been meaning to, but...

I would probably break down.

That's okay, but...

It was as if I'm afraid it would finally hit home that she isn't here, for real. That she's gone, with only a tombstone to announce she was here, that we loved her, and she left us.

When we leave our car, my eyes keep drifting to a certain direction, where I know I should probably head over and get some sort of closure.

Closure?

Do I really want that, though?

I don't want to forget her.

I never want to forget her.

"Jo? Are you okay?" My mother's concerned voice has me blinking and clearing my face of any dark expression.

"Yeah," I Mumble.

She nods, then follows Dad towards the gathering. Trey gives me a look then goes after them.

I take that chance to disappear through the headstones, trying not to think of all the people who have been left behind by all those lying beneath.