Dude and Dudette

Chapter 8

Entering the Penalty Box Caitlin was feeling surprisingly refreshed, her plan was going on without a hitch! Ah, the joys of matchmaking. Soon she spotted Jen uninterestedly helping a customer.

"The nose plug pinches my nose and makes it really hard to breathe when I swim." The nerdy man complained in a nasally voice.

Jen raised an eyebrow, "It's suppose to do that so water doesn't go up your nose." She handed him a case, "Here, why don't you try these goggles first and see if they fit." She turned to Caitlin as the man struggled to stretch the goggles over his head.

"Hey, how'd it go?" Caitlin asked cheerfully.

"Ow! My eye!"

Jen winced as the goggles collided with the nerdy man's face, "Not as smooth as I'd hoped. Wyatt wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of dating you or me."

She brushed off the comment and giggled, "Oh, you're just exaggerating, besides, you don't want Wyatt to be interested, you want Jude!"

"Ok, wait, why do you sound so happy?" Jen's heartbeat raced with hope as she clutched Caitlin's arms, "What happened with Jude?"

Caitlin practically glowed, "Omigosh Jen! Jude is such a sweetie! I mean, who knew, eh?" she showed Jen her forearm, "Look! I've got goose bumps!"

Jen's eyes widened, "Woah, this is big..."

Caitlin nodded, "Are you on break soon?"

She looked around the near empty store, save for one customer rolling on the floor clutching his eye, "I can take one now, lemme get changed first."

As soon as Jen walked out, Caitlin grabbed a hold of her, leaned down and whispered as if she was telling a secret or a juicy bit of gossip... which she kind of was... "Well, we got to talking about Starr- I mean, Nebula, and he was really sweet about it. Even though it's been a while since they broke up and he's had other girlfriends, he still thinks she was special. How adorable is that?"

Jen's felt her brain explode. Like literally. Like, a bomb went off inside her head and now brain goo was oozing out of her ears. Her mouth dropped open but no sound came out. Noticing Jen's blank stare Caitlin panicked and waved her hands frantically in front of her face, "Jen? Are you okay?"

Suddenly her eyes focused and with renewed energy Jen latched onto Caitlin. "Caitlin!" she squeaked, "That's horrible!"

"W-why?" she stuttered while being shook.

"That means Jude still isn't over her! I can't compete with an ex, who was completely perfect for him and who he still has feelings for!"

Realization dawned on Caitlin's face as what her findings meant for Jen, "Oh... right..."

Jen's shoulders slumped in defeat as she placed her hood over her head, "Ugh, I think I'm just gonna go curl up and die." she moaned as she pulled the strings to hide her face.

Caitlin's mind raced as she caught a glimpse of Jude skateboarding from the corner of her eye, "It's not time for a pity party yet!" she grabbed Jen's hand, "Come on!"

"W-wait, where are we going?" Jen wobbled, her hoodie obscuring her sight.

"I'm making it up to you, just play along." She called out to the skater, "Jude!"

Seeing his two friends he slowed his skateboard down to a slow roll, "Sup, dudettes?" he peered inquisitively at Jen, "What's up with Jen?"

"Jude, I need you to do a favor for me..." Caitlin pressed her hands to together and gave her best puppy dog eyes, "Jen's not feeling well, but I gotta go back to the lemon, so you're in charge of making Jen feel better. You can't let go of her hand until she does, ok? Can I count on you for this?"