“The cat will catch the little mouse and decide on either instantly killing it or toying with it until it wishes it was dead.”
I walked back to him and looked him straight in the eye demanding what was his problem with me. He responded, “Playing stupid doesn’t look good on you.” He slapped my ass and walked out before I could say anything in return.
I sat there puzzled to what he thinks I did to him. I remember our last night together before everything went to shit.
6 years ago…
This summer was one of the hardest summers living at the Montgomery’s house, but thankfully the last day being alone without Jude. He was off at baseball camp since the beginning of June and it’s been the longest summer of my life. Between the beatings and Mr. Montgomery’s lingering stare, I had enough and was ready for August.
Today was finally the day I’ve been waiting for since he left. Jude is finally coming home and I’ve been wishing for the time to speed up. I decided to spend the morning at the library so Mr. Montgomery couldn’t ruin the day I’ve been waiting for.
The only time I had peace was when I went to the Jefferson Library where I would meet my friend Blaire. She was from one of the founding families of this town, but from the sound of them they weren’t the most pleasant to be around besides Blaire. She was a little on the heavier side and her mother constantly was on her about it. The way she spoke to her and the snide comments left Blaire feeling depressed. We both bonded this summer by using the library to read books to escape our messed up reality. I just wished I could confine to her what was going on back at the Montgomery’s house. After living there for five years, I still couldn’t bring myself to call their house my home. A home to me is a safe place you can always come back to. The Montgomery’s house was the complete opposite.
“So are you going to tell lover boy that you want him?” Blaire peeked up from her novel that I ended up covering in the water that she just made me spit out.
“What! No, no way. We’re just friends and he is pretty much my brother.”
“Don’t play dumb it doesn’t suit you. Anyways you two aren’t related, but two foster kids living in the same house. All you did this summer was read and talk about Jude. You even been rereading the same page since you sat down which tells me how anxious you are about him coming back today .”
“Ok I do, but he doesn’t see me in that kind of way.” I buried my head back in my book. I hated thinking about Jude never seeing me more than a friend. I think if he ever told me I was more like a little sister in return, I would die.
“Well I think he does. He’s always with you in school and I seen him graze his fingers by yours more than on one occasion. It’s like he wants to hold your hand, but doesn’t want to be rejected. Also, add in how he told all the guys at school to stay away from you just confirms my theory.”
“He did what! Why didn’t you ever tell me?” I always assumed since the boys at my school were rich, they would never take a second look at a foster kid.
“SSSHHH! This is a library Miss Bloom.” The librarian said. I whispered back that I was sorry, it was just too hard to keep my cool when I’m this nervous.
Blaire peeked back over her book to whisper, “You always had your eyes on him and him only. I figured it wouldn’t matter if he did because you would say no to anyone asking you out anyways. He really did you a favor with all the jerks we go to school with anyways.”
“True but still if he’s going to make all the boys stay away from me he better like me like me.” I looked at the clock and in about ten minutes he should be home. “I got to go he’ll be home soon.” Blaire waved me off and went back to her book.
I rushed home on my bike with a few minutes to spare. Mrs. Montgomery was all about making sure we look proper going out, so all our clothes were always in style. I changed quick out of my leggings and t-shirt and threw on my new jean shorts and tank top. I was still on the scrawny side, but my boobs grew into another cup size and my hair was now softs waves instead of the frizzy mess it used to be.
I rushed over to the window when I heard Mr. Montgomery pull up to the house. The butterflies in my stomach were flying rampant and I barely could hold it together when I saw Jude step out of the car. Holy shit, I wasn’t the only one who changed over the summer. It’s hard to believe how much older he looks from when he first left. He looked like he was fifteen going on eighteen. His muscles were ripped, he cut his hair into one of those old school gentlemen hair cuts, and even his jawline was more pronounced. I couldn’t stop staring at him and felt the drool make its was down my chin. He started to laugh and wink at me which snapped me out of my embarrassing trance. It took everything in me not to run outside, but with Mr. Montgomery out there with him, I didn’t want to take the chance. I most likely would be sent to his office and I didn’t need that ruining today.
Within a minute he was standing in my room and I couldn’t help myself running and jumping into his arms. After he swung me around, he put me down and the
