Judd Birch and me

Youre Too Much

I check my phone for the billionth time.
Nothing.
I havnt seen or heard from Judd since he dropped me home. I dont know what the heck is going on. Its Friday which means Leahs party is tonight. I dont even know if i want to go anymore.
I get my things and leave for school.

In the hallway Leah is standing by her locker.
"Happy Birthday!!" I say as cheerfully as I can muster. She squeals and gives me a great big hug. Leah launches into her plans for tonight.
"Will you be coming over early to help set up?"
Although the thought of bumping into Judd makes me simultanously excited and physically ill. Leah is my friend so of course im helping her out.
"Yes of course!"
She grabs my hand excitedly.
Were interrupted by the bell and we split our seperate ways to go off to class.
I take one last look down the hallway.
But Judds no where to be seen.

"Where would you like this to go Leah?" I call, carrying a bowl of chips outside. I sit it on the table by the fire pit. Leah walks out the door and sits herself down in a chair adjacent the fire. Guests should be arriving any minute now, but I join her.
"Daniels coming tonight" she says with a sigh. I cant tell if shes excited or annoyed.
She looks at me "you know when a boys bad for you but you cant get enough of him?" She states rhetorically turning to stare into the flames.
Dont I ever. But she hasnt seemed to have made the connection.
"Daniel?" I ask cautiously.
She nods.
"Hes an absolute prick. He gets around annd he put on the pressure."
"Thats not okay" I tell her.
"I know" she says "I would never let him, but i still want him. I just wish he wasnt such a total douche."
I wonder if i should tell Leah about the clearing, but the door bell rings and people start arriving.
"Come on then, birthday girl" I say changing the subject and helping her out of her chair.

The night goes exactly how youd expect. Teenagers are drunk, couples are hooking up and the young ones are playing flirty games. I wander upstairs to go to the bathroom.
"Smooch or share?" Nick asks me excitingly with finger guns as he gathers his friends to play.
"Whats that?" I laugh.
"A fantastic game I just made up!"
I laugh "I think im a bit old to play, but have fun. Dont do anything stupid"
"Thats the whole point of the game!" Jay aka Party Wolf says frustrated snatching the bottle off of Nick and running into his bedroom. The rest follow.

Surprised and yet relieved, I havnt seen Judd.
I walk through the hallway on my way to bathroom, passing a family portrait of Judd, his Mum and his Dad. He looks the same, scowling, but handsome. Judd is fierce and kind of scary but his eyes are so enticing. Not to mention his jawline, sexy as hell. I stand inspecting the portrait when I hear A voice.
"Hey"
I turn around, it's Daniel.
"Oh Hey" I say.
"He is one scary Mother Fucker" Daniels says to me gesturing to the painting and walking towards me. I look at it briefly but quickly double take.
Odd. I swear the painting just moved.
"Oh he is alright when you get to know him" I reply but I freeze because for some reason Daniel has his hand on my shoulder. I turn around to face him twisting so he has to remove his hand.
"Anyway, i have to go to the bathroom." I say politely, walking away.
"Cool, Ill follow."
I stop.
"What?"
"Ill come with you."
"N-No thanks." I say firmly but he has grabbed my hand now
"Let go."
"Oh come on, dont be such a prude. Its normal to do at parties."
"I said No, let go!" I try to pull my arm away but he holds tighter. I struggle "Let g-go!"
My eyes are closed as i try to pull away.
Suddenly

SMACK

Daniel let go of my hand, I open my eyes to see what happened.
Judd.
Judds standing over Daniel whose on the ground. Fist curled. Breathing heavy.
"She said No you fucking prick!" He growls.
Judd punched Daniel square in the face. His nose is bleeding. He looks pissed, but also scared.
Shocked I stand there frozen. Judd turns to me.
"Come on" he growls offering his hand. I take it. He leads me through the house into the garden and out the back. He is furious. Theres no one out here.
Judd lets go of my hand and starts pacing furiously, mumbling to himself. Im incredibly grateful that Judd was there. But im so fucking confused.

"What the hell, Judd? Whats going on?!" Judd stops pacing to look at me. "I mean like," he looks at me confused as i continue talking "you help me the first time we met, then you showed me your secret racoons. And then you kiss me. Then you walk me into school. But then you disappear for days on end!!"
Judd starts walking towards me.
"Then you turn up at my window at midnight and take me to your special place. But you dont kiss me!"
Hes getting closer.
"You dont contact me, you leave me here all confused. You never want to be seen with me. and then you appear out of fucking nowhere and punch Daniel in the fac..."
Judds backed me up against the wall, placed his hands on either side of my face and kissed me.
Hard.
His body is finally pressed up against mine again. His soft lips kiss me hungrily, passionately, as he moves his strong hands down to my waist. He smells delicious. His body warmth is intoxicating. I kiss him back.
He slowly pulls away. Looking me in the eyes before resting his forehead on mine, holding me close.
"Its fucking you." He whispers in his deep, husky voice that instantly melts my heart. "Youre too much," he continues "I want you so bad but im not good for you. I dont want to be seen with you because ill ruin your reputation. People see me with you theyll think youve turned fucking evil or something. But I cant help it. I have to see you. I didnt kiss you because its different this time." He moves back only to push a bit of hair out of my face and behind my ear. He holds me tighter. Looking deeply into my eyes.
"Different?" I whisper.
"Yes, the first time it was because i liked you. I thought you were hot. But in the car I realised I" he pauses "I realised I loved you. Its fucking embarrassing. I know or at least i hoped that you felt the same but what if you didnt? what if you rejecte.."
This time it was my turn to interrupt him with a kiss.

"You interrupted me, asshole." He whispers into my lips, but he is smiling.
"Of course I fucking loved you." I reply "What idiot would go off with Judd birch at midnight to the middle of nowhere!" I whispered loudly, smiling at him.
"You are an idiot," He says "Such a fucking idiot" as he leans in for another kiss.

"Would you look at that sweet heart!"

What the fuck.

Judd whips around instinctively pushing me behind him.
Its his parents. I smile.
"I remember the first time I told you I loved you, a real gentleman I was." Judds Dad continues cheerfully holding his wife as she giggles in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Judd relaxes.
"What the fuck Are you doing here" he says "Fuck off" he continues confidently but with a hint of embarrassment.
"Now now, Judd remember to bring this gorgeous young woman around to dinner some time. Dont hog her all to yourself!" His mother chimes in whilst I giggle.
"Yes, Mom." Judd sighs, defeated.
"Now come on, its time to pay the cuddle tax."
"Mum, No" Judd growls firmly but they dont seem to notice.
"We wont leave until we've marked this special occasion," Mr Birch says cheerfully raising his glass into the air "Judds first girlfriend!" He sighs whimsically.
"Fine!" Judd growls giving his mother a quick hug.
"You two have fun!" She calls whilst they walk away.
Judd puts on his mad face, but i know he is secretly embarrassed.
"Oooh the cuddle tax" I chime, teasing him.
"Shut up!" He says with a smirk.
"Not before you pay the cuddle tax" I tease.
He smiles "Now youre gonna get it"
Before i know it Judds wrapped his strong arms around me. Holding me close, lifting me into the air and playfully tackling me into the soft grass as I giggle. He is sitting on top of me, body pressed against mine pinning me to the ground. He holds my arms above my head with his strong hands. Holding his face close mine. Breathing heavy. His green eyes sparkle into mine, entrancing me. Smiling he whispers in his low voice.

"Remember we met like this, Nerd?"