Love Me Like You Do (Jonnor Stories)

A Shot In The Dark

After a long night of vandalizing a house together, Taylor, Daria, Jude, and Connor were all getting ready to go home. Taylor had tried to kiss Jude when they had gotten separated from Connor and Daria, but he wouldn't let her. He tried apologizing, but she said that she knew he had a crush on Connor. When they met up again, Jude was ready to leave.

"I thought we were gonna-" Connor began, but Jude cut him off.

"We're not," Jude snapped, wishing he never came, especially since Daria was there.

"My dad has tons of booze. Why don't we go break in and steal some? We can all get drunk and make out," Taylor said, looking at Jude and Connor. Jude and Connor looked at each other. Daria simply smiled at the idea, not knowing that she was the only one who didn't understand the situation. After they snuck into Taylor's house, they all tasted the foul liquid that Taylor had found.

"Who's down there?" a voice boomed from upstairs. Jude dropped the glass and it shattered on the floor. They all ran for the door as a gunshot rang out.

Moments later, sirens sounded as an ambulance parked outside. Taylor's dad called all of the parents.

"The boy was shot," the doctor told Lena and Stef. It was as simple as that. They returned to their seats in the waiting room of the hospital. They comforted Jude as he sat there, still trying to comprehend the events of the night before. They had all done something stupid, and it resulted in his friend getting shot. Luckily, it was only in the foot. Connor's dad was furious at Connor for doing such a thing.

"Was it because of that girl, Daria? Is that why you snuck out?" Adam demanded.

"No," Connor said.

"It's not?" Adam asked, not believing his son.

"It's not, okay? I snuck out so I could see Jude, alright?" Connor yelled.

"What does that mean?" Adam asked. Connor paused for a long time.

After their conversation, Adam asked to talk to Lena privately. When she returned to Jude and Stef, she told them what Adam had said.

"He says he doesn't think you should see Connor," she stated.

"What about tomorrow?" Jude asked.

"He... He doesn't want you to see Connor at all. He doesn't think you should be friends anymore," Lena said. Jude looked at her, confused. "Apparently, Connor told him the whole thing was your idea. Sneaking out, drinking, all of it. Is that true?" Jude stared blankly, confused about why his friend would betray him.

When Jude went home, Callie tried to comfort him, but it wasn't of much help.

"I don't think you and Connor should hang out anymore. I think he's a bad influence," Callie said.

"Shut up," Jude demanded.

"Excuse me? No, you do not talk to me like that," she snapped. Jude continued to yell at her, then stormed out of the room after telling her that Adam wouldn't let them be friends any more.

At school, Jude talked to Taylor and told her about what Connor had done. She said that she and her dad would be going to visit him later and that she would talk to him about it. Jude went through the rest of the day, wondering what Connor might say, and as he sat on his bed that afternoon, the anticipation continued to build. Finally, his phone buzzed.

T: Hey
J: How is he?
T: Im fine
T: Its me
J: Connor?
T: Yeah
J: How's yr foot?
T: Hurts like a bitch

Jude smiled. He waited a moment before finally sending the message he really wanted to send.

J: Why did you tell your dad it was my idea to sneak out?
T: What? I didnt
J: Really? R u ok?
T: I told my dad Im gay

Jude sat there, staring at his phone. What now? After a long time, he went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth, but stopped as he noticed something: the blue nail polish. After painting his nails, Jude took a bus to the hospital and told the woman at the counter that he was Connor's cousin and was looking for his room. She told him that it was down the hall, and as he approached the door, Adam walked out. He told Jude to leave.

"I'm here to see my friend, and I'm not leaving until I do," Jude stated plainly.

Adam realized that he couldn't do anything, so he called Lena and demanded that she come and take Jude home or else he would call security. Lena tried to get him to leave, but he wouldn't.

"He's not my friend," Jude finally told her.

"Connor's not your friend?" she asked.

"We kissed... And now, we're like..."

"More than friends?" Lena finished. He also told her about it being only them in the tent.

"He told his dad," Jude said, beginning to cry. Lena held him for a long time, until Adam returned. Lena told him that he would end up being the one shut out if he tried to control Connor as he had been doing so far.

"I don't care that your son is gay. I just don't want mine to be," Adam said finally. A few moments later, Adam realized that if Connor was going to date a boy, it should at least be a boy who cares about him as much as Jude does. Adam opened the door and let Jude inside Connor's room, then left, allowing them to be alone. Jude walked over to the bed and stood there, smiling at Connor, who smiled at him in return. Connor took his hand, then he noticed the nail polish.

"What's this?" he asked.

"War paint," Jude said, smiling. Connor smiled back. Connor moved over, making room for Jude, who laid beside him as they watched television together.

"So... Does this mean you're my..." Jude began.

"Boyfriend. And you're mine," Connor said, grabbing Jude's hand. They laid in silence for a moment. Finally, Connor turned on his side and looked at Jude, who did the same. They were both propped up on their elbows. Their eyes met, and Jude gulped.

"So, you're gonna be on crutches, huh?" Jude asked, trying to break the silence.

"Yeah. It'll probably take a while to get used to," Connor said, a little quieter.

"I'm surprised that your dad finally let me in," Jude said, trying to keep the conversation going.

"I guess this means he's okay with us," Connor said, slightly quieter. He readjusted himself, which resulted in him moving closed to Jude.

"Yeah, I guess so," Jude said.

"People kiss in relationships... So, I guess that if he's okay with us being in a relationship..." Connor trailed off.

"Maybe. Or maybe not," Jude pointed out, becoming slightly nervous.

"But maybe," Connor said, moving closer.

"What about Daria?" Jude blurted out. "Have you already broken up? Or are you going to?"

"Yeah. She came to visit the day after to see how I was doing and I told her I just didn't think it was working out," Connor said.

"Oh," Jude said. "Um... Does your mom know about us?" Jude asked.

"You just won't stop talking, will you?" Connor said, laughing. Jude laughed nervously. Connor stared into Jude's eyes, his smile fading. He placed his left hand on Jude's right arm slightly above the elbow. He leaned forward, closing his eyes, as did Jude. Their lips met for a moment before pulling away slightly, then meeting again. After a few seconds, they pulled away again, looking at each other. They felt a spark when they kissed in the tent. They felt a spark when they kissed in Jude's room. And here, in this hospital, they felt that same spark, burning slightly brighter this time. They both knew how they felt. They had something special. They didn't know what to expect, but they knew that it would be a lot. They knew some stuff would be harder than other stuff, but they knew they would get through it. They knew they would get through it together, and they let each other know that as they smiled and laid back down, Jude hugging onto Connor as he laid on Connor's arm. Jude sighed happily. Of all things that Jude knew, he now knew that everything would be okay.