Forever Jude

Trey bumps shoulders with Simon the moment we show up to breakfast. That’s how I know they know. They probably figured it out when we left together last night. Still much better than one of them catching me sneaking out of Jude’s room, though. Not that it matters now. Now, we are together. There’s nothing to hide.There’s only four people at the table; Trey, Simon, Sam, and Liam.Simon looks at us and a slow grin takes over his face.The look on his face promises a load of questioning later. I would like to say I don’t look forward to it. But I think I do. I need to shriek. In excitement. And have someone shake me and tell me I’m not dreaming. And then roll a hundred times on the beach and shout to the ocean. Simon is the perfect company for all of that.Right now, I’m biting down on my bottom lip to hold back the eternal smile that has wanted to take over my face for a while now. My cheeks already hurt. Even my head aches. I didn’t know it was possible to get a headache from being

The moment the house comes into view, my breath hitches in my throat. I’m not the only one who looks totally captivated, though. Beside me, Simon curses softly. On my other side, Maria whips out her phone for a photo. Yeah, that must be one amazing shot. I’m sure she is glad she didn’t bail out. She would have regretted it. Because the party is on a private island.Isaac only let us know about that amazing bit like an hour ago. He said like everyone else, he thought the party was going to be at the hotel the band was staying. Only for the manager to reveal at the last minute it’d be offshore.We are not even there yet–the boat is about to dock, though–but this is already the best party I’ve ever been to. Not that I’ve been to many, but yeah. Seriously, what can beat a private island party with your favourite band?From out here in the ocean, we can see the lit-up mansion, a few cottages, the palm trees, the party lights set up outside, and people walking around. By the time we get t

Isaac goes back to his friends after I assure him I’ll be okay. When we part, I go down to the beach. I take a deep breath and then release it once I get far away from the activity. The air is cool and salty. After a few drags, I feel better. I look back towards the mansion, a knot forming in my stomach. Fine, Jude was an ass. But does it have to be like this? I don’t enjoy being mad at him, and I don’t want this night to keep on this way. I’ve waited so long for this to waste the time we have together like this.He looked really contrite and he regretted the words as soon as he said them. He didn’t say sorry only to placate me or to get back on my good side. He really meant it. I know him–it’s all I’ve been doing the past couple of years, getting to know him on a level I never did when hearts were crowding my eyes and dopamine pumping through my veins–and I know he was being sincere.Now I feel horrible for making such a big deal out of this. How can we make this work if every li

A lot more people arrive in the evening. When we sit down for dinner, every spot at the sixteen seater dining table is filled. There are so many and that’s a good thing–no one pays any attention to me beyond the initial introduction. Other than Ron, of course. He has been throwing nasty glares my way all night, as if he’s planning my murder in his head.I’m sitting near one end of the table, with Jude on my right and Janet on my left. Jade and Jared ended up on the other side of the table, with one of their first cousins sitting between them.The aunt sitting at the head of the table right next to Janet is quite conversational. She is the main driver of the conversation, asking about everyone’s family and work. I’m guessing she is in her mid sixties.She has engaged almost all of her nephews and nieces when she finally turns her attention to Jade. “Jade, that’s a beautiful ring you’ve got right there.”Everybody’s attention turns to Jade. Jade looks down at her ring and then smiles a

An hour into the drive, the weather takes a turn for the worse. Coupled with the unfamiliar route, it becomes risky to keep going.When we come to the next town, we stop at the first hotel we find. It also looks like the only hotel around–it’s a very small town.While handing us our keys, the receptionist apologetically informs us that the heating system is out of order. My teeth chatter just hearing that. When Jude and I get to our room, I get rid of my shoes and burrow beneath the duvet right away. I hold my hands towards him. “Come on, give me some warmth.”He chuckles, taking his time to place our bags on the table. “Are you going to sleep in your dress?” he asks as he opens my bag.I nod. “I’m good.” I don’t like the idea of getting from under the duvet and exposing myself to the frigid air in the room. Jude’s hand emerges with a nightdress from my bag and comes to the bed. He reaches for the duvet and pulls it away. “Here.”I sit up begrudgingly and get out of my dress. I put