Strangers

Relationships and Secrets

Judes pov
I woke up and got dressed and headed down stairs for breakfast. Stef, Lena, Mariana, and Jesus were already eating.

M: I can't wait for us to finish this year. Jesus and I will be seniors and Jude is gonna be in high school.

S: my babies are growing up so fast. First, it was Callie and Brandon and now the twins. I wish I could put you in a box and keep you home forever.

L: ok. Enough emotional talk. The car leaves in five.
__________________________________
School

I walk into school to see Connor waiting for me by my locker.

C: Jude I'm so sorry. I didnt mean anything I said before.

J: save it Connor. I already heard everything you needed to say.

C: no Jude, you didn't. I just said that because I didnt want my teammates giving me a hard time about me dating a guy who is book smarts instead of sport smarts.

J: if you really liked me you wouldn't care goodbye Connor.

I shut my locker and walked away. Only two days left of school.

Connor pov
Jude's right. If i really liked him I wouldn't care. So, why do I care so much.

I see Emilia walk into school and I head over to her.

C: hey Emilia.

E: what do you want

I could tell by the way her tone was that Jude told her.

C: look I know you probably already told you but I did something terrible to him.

E: of course he told me I'm his best friend. Anyways I can't really help you because you need to help yourself.

C: but how.

E: that's for you to decide.

Without another word, she got up and left. With a long exsperated sigh, i got up and walked to class.

Jude pov
It was the end of the day. I was the only left at school. I opened my locker and a note fell out.

Dear Jude,
Meet me in the
science room at 3:30.

I glanced down at my phone. It was 3:25. I started to head down the hall until I reached the science room. I walked in and look around until I heard someone locking the behind me. I turn to see Connor.

J: ugh...what do you want I already told you I'm done talking to you.

C: well, I'm not letting you leave until we talk.

J: fine.

C: look I'm sorry okay I didn't mean anything I said I just didn't want my teammates give me a hard time and I know I already said that before but I mean it.

J: you didn't want your teammates giving you a hard time what about the hard time you've given me. That night I confronted you I ran to the park and hid in the woods crying about how I fell for another guy who only wanted me for their own selfish reasons.

C: Jude I'm so sorry. I didn't know you felt that way. I never wanted to hurt you. Your the first real friend I've had who wasnt into sports and who was actually smarter than me.

J: now i feel stupid.

C: no. I'm the one who was stupid. I guess I didnt think of your feelings. I promise I will never hurt you again.

J: I'm sorry too.

C: so, Jude Adams-Foster will you do me the pleasure of being my boyfriend?

J: I don't know. I don't wanna be hurt again.

C: i promise i will never hurt you again.

J: ok. I'll be your boyfriend.

C: I'm so glad you're not mad anymore because i need a tutor.

I rolled my eyes at that comment and smiled. He grabbed my hand and we started our walk to his house.

Lena pov
Where is Jude. He's been so distant lately and now he's no where to be seen. I just hope he doesn't start cutting again. I'm about to call him when he tests me.
J: went over to Connors to study.

L: you should've asked first but have fun.

J: thx. Love you bye.

Connor pov
We arrived at my house and sat out on the porch. We stayed out there for about 30 minutes before I spoke up: I think we should go in and study.

He nodded. I stood up and pulled him up with me. We walked to my room. We sat on my bed and Jude started.

J: how many cells are in your body.

C: i dont know...2

J: are you being serious. There are more than two.

C: this is too hard.

J: stop being such a baby.

C: can we take a break.

J: we just started.

C: I know but I'm tired.

J: if you fail this test its not my fault.

I rolled my eyes and we continued. After about 2 more hours we were done. I leaned in and grabbed jude's arm to kiss him but instead he winced and pulled his arms away.

C: whats wrong.

J: n..n..nothing. I just um have a bruise and it hurts when you touch it.

C: let me see

J: no. I mean its nothing really.

Before he could say anything else i grabbed his arm and pulled his selve up. I was speech for what i saw.

J: I can explain.
C: why. When.
J: i did it a long time ago and only because i felt worthless and i wanted to kill myself.
C: i made you do it didn't I.
J: no. I mean i may have thought about it when i got mad but...
C: jude I know I said I didn't want to hurt you anymore and that also means I don't want you hurting yourself anymore. Don't cut anymore okay?
J: okay but if you leave me or hurt me I can't guarantee it won't happen.
C: trust me i won't leave you.

Jude pov
Connor and I cuddled up on his bed watching Netflix. We heard someone open his door and walk up the stairs.

C: shit. My dad can't see you he doesn't really like the idea of me being gay. Hide.

It was too late. He's dad opened the door and saw us.

A: i thought i told you not to bring home any boys until you admit your not gay.

C: I'll never admit it. Come on I will walk you home.

J: ok. Nice meeting you Mr. Stevens.

Connor pov
I'm Jude home because i didn't want him around my jerky dad.

On the walk home, I swang jude's arm back and forth. I looked over at him and saw worry.

C: hey. Dont worry about my dad. When he was growing up he was taught that being gay was wrong.

J: ok.

It was dark outside. We walked to the park after we left my house. Now we are heading to jude's house.

We see car lights behind us. The next thing i know jude is laying unconscious. Tears start running down my face. I pull my phone out and called 911 and Lena.

I look up at the driver of the car and see the last person i expected: Dad?