Judd Birch and me

Is that...Judd?

Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap.

Ive slept past my alarm. Frantically running around my room I throw on some clothes and race down stairs.
My Dads sitting at the table, reading his newspaper, its so close to his face he is basically eating it. He needs glasses, but he refuses.

"Slept through your alarm?" He asks playfully, peering over the top of the paper to wink at me.
"Yes" I say through a mouth full of toast. I look down at my watch, if I go now, I can still make the school bus. I swing my bag over my shoulder.
"Gotta go Dad loveyoubye!" I manage to say as I burst through the door and run down the steps...

WHAM.
I Slam into what feels like a wall. I was too busy looking at the time that I...
"Watch it, Nerd."

Oh crap. Judd.
I forgot all about it.
"Youre late" he says. I look at him shocked.
"Sorry" confused, I continue "wait, how do you know where I live?"
"Followed you home from school." He say grabbing my arm and leading me to his car.
"What? When?"
He stops and turns to face me. His green eyes staring into mine. Suddenly i dont care how he knows, just kinda glad he is here. His eyes sparkle. I become hyper aware of his hand on my arm. My heart rate sky rockets. His face is inches from mine.
He smirks.
"When your were too busy valuing your education to hang out with me." He says playfully, but his voice send shivers down my spine. Im too entranced to reply. He lets go of my arm as we have reached his car.

Its a worn out, green, four wheel drive. Covered with stickers. And torn up on the inside. I expect nothing less. I get in and observe the scratch marks.
"These from your pet racoons?" I ask with a smirk.
"Theyre not pets. Theyre a battalion. Theyre for my gay ass brother."
"What does your brother want with a battalion of racoons?!" I laugh.
He doesnt answer but his eyes sparkle with mischief as he looks at me.
Judd slams on the gas and we take off down the street.
Fast.
"Whoa what the fuck, Judd? Whats the hurry?"
"Whats wrong? You scared wuss?" He teases me.
"Im not"
This is actually kind of rad. Judd is blaring some music from the bands ive seen on the posters in his room. I roll down the window and poke my head out. Judds going really fast, the wind on my face feels amazing. Its kind of exhilarating.
"Woooo!" I scream like its not 8:30 on a Monday morning and im on my way to school.
I duck back into the car laughing and look over at Judd. Hes looking right back at me. Smiling. We lock eyes for what feels like an eternity before a look of embarrassment flickers across his face and he turns back to the road. His usual scowl ensues.
"Dont look at me like that. Im trying to drive"
"Like what?" I ask.
"I dont know, like you like me or something."
And then something strange happens. Judds cheeks begin to turn red. At first, I thought he was burning up but then I realised. He's blushing.
"Are you blushing?!"
"No!? Shut up dick face." But his smirk gives him away. I run out of time to elaborate as we scream into the school parking lot. Judd turns off the car, but neither of us move.
We sit there in silence looking into the school yard, but its comfortable enough.
"Come on, Nerd" he says quietly, his deep, husky voice gives me goosebumps "I know you dont want to be late."
He grabs our back packs and we leave the car. I expect Judd to leave now as he always does. But when I turn around, he is still there. His black tatted back pack slung over one shoulder as he walks beside me through the hallway. He seems uncomfortable but confident, ignoring the looks from others, who I presume have never seen Judd walk into school with anyone before let alone a girl. I feel the eyes on me though, staring in disbelief. Judds had enough. He flicks me behind the ear.
"See you round" he says, before sauntering off to his class. Scowling at people in the hall way.

"Oh My God."

Oh shit. Leah.
I turn around to see her staring at me. Shocked.

"HE was the boy?!" She grabs my arm pulling me to her locker so she can speak privately.
"The boy you slept with was Judd?!" She whispers to me loudly. She sounds shocked and confused but not necessarily upset. I told Leah on Saturday that a boy came around whilst she was out and helped me babysit. She squeezed out of me that i had also slept with him, but i didnt tell her who the boy was. She didnt mind because she loved the mystery and said that she would find out herself. Plus, she had her own stories to tell from the night before she promptly forgot all about my stuff.

"Yes Leah it was Judd. Im so sorry."
She looks at me shocked. She stays silent. And it kills me. Leah is my favourite my person at this school. If I lose her, im screwed.
"Oh My God" she squeals, somewhat quietly. Confusingly now she seems excited.
"Youre not mad?" I ask cautiously.
"Oh please, youre not the only one of my friends who has tried to tame Judds demon heart. But youre the only one whose suceeded! What on earth did you do to the poor boy?!" She laughs and relief pours over me. I laugh with her. I tell her everything, well almost everything. Shes still his sister. She chats excitedly to me all the way to class.

"Just be warned," she says to me as we part ways for class "Judds been known to break hearts. I wouldnt want you to get hurt."

I turn back and look down the hallway as she leaves. Judds at the end, leaning up against the lockers with his misfit friends. Theyre talking to him but he is not listening. He looks back at me and my stomach erupts in butterflies.

I hope this isnt a mistake.