Judd Birch

Motherfucker

Last night was a train wreck.

The house is a complete mess as seen by Netflix's dim "are you still watching?" screen softly illuminating the red solo cups strewn across the living room. And as he comes to his aching senses from the potent, stale smell of liquor, Judd pulls a hand carefully from your hair to push back his own while his bloodshot eyes peel open.

Fuck.

That's the first word both Nick and Judd think of the moment they make eye contact.

The youngest's jaw drops and brows furrow.

"Judd- What? Isn't that? I-" He stutters aimlessly, his brain visibly putting the pieces together, but by the time Nick has finally settled on a singular question, Judd is silently towering over him.

The eldest shoves his brother into the kitchen where he stares the boy dead in the eyes.

"You saw nothing, you heard nothing, you imagined nothing. But most importantly, we did nothing. Got it?"

Nick nods hastily, his eyes wide with fear.

"And who are we not going to tell, under any circumstance?"

"Lea- we- I mean I, won't tell Lea- I-"

Judd clenches his jaw and slaps a hand over Nick's mouth before leaning down to whisper.

"When I tell you to shut up, that means shut your fucking mouth."

Judd turns and walks back into the living room, his brother hurrying upstairs soon after.

It doesn't take a genius to know that telling Lea is a bad idea. Judd, in all fairness, sees this situation as a personal triumph and would love to rub his new friend in Lea's face, but he knows you wouldn't like that. He knows that this shouldn't have happened and it most likely will never happen again, given his luck.

Once the sound of footsteps have disappeared and the atmosphere is calm once again, Judd gives you his full attention. He's never been as angry in his entire life than when he heard what Daniel did to you and his sister. And, while the sentiment of revenge makes sense, his motivation isn't his sister and his sister's best friend- it's his sister and a girl who he can't let go.

Instead of risking waking you by moving back onto the couch, he admires your peacefulness from afar before deciding to start cleaning up.

——————————

You wake to the sound footsteps dropping down the staircase. You squint at the clock nearby before sitting up as if that will help you see.

1:35 pm... I've been out for a while... You think to yourself, rubbing the sleep and hungover pain from your eyes- or at least attempting to do so.

"Finally awake, huh? I thought you were dead." Teases a familiar female voice. Lea, of course.

You exhale and drop your hands, sinking back against the couch as if your body was made of led.

"I sure wish I was..." You sneer at the pain in your temples. "I haven't had a hangover this bad in fucking forever..."

"Here." Lea says as she hands you a glass of water.