A story in which Candace Porter meets Jude Garner in a bedroom during a party, and the two of them begin an instant relationship full of love, trust, heartache and sabotage.
Candace Porter, sixteen-year-old tennis prodigy doesn't know much about Jud...
| W H E N C A N D A C E M E T J U D E | • • • | Jude |
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Jude was tired. Tired and apparently tipsy. She wasn't completely drunk, but she knew if she continued drinking the way she had been all night, in no time she would be. The tall brunette held a red cup made of plastic closer to her chest. She watched as people seemed to be having the time of their lives. And for the first time, she felt as though she was missing out.
But that feeling didn't last for very long. A familiar brunette in a short black dress rounded a corner out of the kitchen, a large bottle of liquor hanging in her hands, the other balled into a fist. She didn't seem very happy, which made Jude feel a little sad. Or perhaps she was just a sad drunk?
Jude couldn't relate—whenever she was drunk, she got quiet, closed off. She'd much rather focus on the beating of her own heart than someone else's words that didn't carry any meaning.
Jude hadn't meant to stare, but she knew she was when Candace unintentionally returned the favor. She didn't go to the party looking to meet anyone special—but it seemed that didn't matter. Because Candace was special, Jude could feel it in her veins and in heart.
Now, Jude didn't know if Candace would ever be special to her, whether that would be romantically or platonically. But she did know that Candace was just special, overall. Their intimate stare showed her that much.
Wanting to take a leap of faith, Jude made her way over to where the other girl had already taken a seat on a vacant sofa. Jude took the space beside her, not leaving much room between the two of them. She wanted to talk to the pretty girl, and she was sure the pretty girl wanted to talk to her, too.
Candace welcomed Jude's presence with an open smile, turning her torso, Jude doing the same, so that the two of them were face-to-face. "Hi." Candace whispered, her face leaning in closely toward Jude's. Jude could smell the alcohol oozing off of the other girl. But she didn't mind, because she was sure she smelled the same way.
"Hey," Jude said back, chuckling softly after realizing that they had already done an introduction and this was just a repetition. "You havin' fun?"
Candace shook her head honestly, eyes flickering from Jude's parted lips, and back to her genuine stare. "No. I hate boys." Her words were spoken softly, and almost disappeared into the echoing music coming a stereo—almost escaping Jude's earshot.
Jude straightened her back, face now only inches away from Candace's. She was thankful for the alcohol coursing through her veins. Because without it, she wasn't sure she would've had the guts to get so close to someone she was so attracted to, so soon. "Mhm, me too. That's why I don't date them."
The other girl tossed her head back, letting out a melodic laugh that sent chills down Jude's clothed back. Candace was beautiful, there was no denying that. So beautiful that Jude couldn't believe the sight before her. "You're funny," Candace says, a little louder than before. "I like funny."
