People always think that scars are just physical marks on our bodies, but I think of people as scars too. Their actions stay with us and lead us on a different path than what we were on. Sometimes I wish I could just forgive and move on like the doctors have been drilling in my head, but that won’t take away the memories that haunt me.
I arrived at our house and from just looking at the outside, I am amazed how nice it looks. It’s a small house with stone covering the front, a huge porch, and the windows were so clean I could see my reflection. It was more than what I expected, but Stella’s parents were well off and they didn’t want her ending up at a sorority house or the dorms. She was in the dorms last year and the person she shared a room with was the spawn of Satan.
Knox, who is Stella’s brother and someone I occasionally fool around with, offered me a place at his house, but that just sounded like a messy complication. We fooled around here and there in the past year, but we kept that from Stella. I never lied to her, but we knew if she found out she would worry she would have to pick a side when we called it quits. That would never happen since we were both free to hookup with other people. I didn’t believe in romance and neither did he, so it worked out. Stella on the other hand is a hopeless romantic and doesn’t believe in friends with benefits. She thinks if she randomly hooks up with someone, that will be her person for life. I think those fairy tales we would read got to her head.
I took a deep breath and got out of the car to go inside. Stella wasn’t getting here for another few hours. She promised to spend the day with her mom and then was going to drive up here around dinner time. I was happy to get sometime in the house alone, maybe get in a nap since I barely slept, but that was just happy wishes. As soon as I walked in, Thor’s twin was sitting on my couch. Knox was six foot three and two hundred and fifty pounds of muscle. He was the complete opposite of Stella who was five foot and a hundred pounds soaking wet. The only thing they had in common was their blonde wavy hair and their optimistic personalities.
“Please don’t tell me Stella gave you a key.” I dropped my bag near the doorway and made my way towards Knox in the living room, where he was currently shoving a sandwich in his mouth. “Let me guess too, you helped yourself to the fridge.” I shook my head, the way he ate you would think he would be fat, not all cut up.
“For one my parents did so you weren’t walking into an empty house with no one to help you move in. Two, I had to make sure the lunch meat was good. I tried it for you and your health, your welcome.” Knox grabbed me into a bear hug, but someone caught my eye.
“What the fuck!” I screamed, jumping into Knox’s arms.
“God, Maddy you are insatiable. If you want to fuck you got to wait until I finish my sandwich.”
I hit Knox right on the chest and shimmied my way out of his arms. “No you big idiot, who is that sitting in the chair?”
“Oh shit Maddy I am sorry I forgot, this is my new roommate, Jude James. I wanted him to meet you and Stella, who’s coming early by the way.” Knox went back to his food, while me and Jude just stared at each other. My heart was beating wildly in my chest. He looked like the older version of the Jude I knew, but his last name was Tyler not James. It’s possible he changed it, but if he was my Jude, wouldn’t he be excited to see me. I still looked about the same, besides not being stick thin from starvation.
I decided to break the staring contest once I noticed him checking me out. I couldn’t help myself either. He was deviously handsome from his dark brown hair that was messy on the top and short on the sides, lip piercing, and he looked slim, but had that cut muscle look. He was dressed in all black and we both had matching black and white converse. What made me realize it had to be him was the bright blue eyes.
“Jude.” I whispered in complete shock, it felt like seeing a ghost for the first time.
“Yeah, that’s what he just said. Yo man, I am sorry I got to get going, I’ll have to meet your sister another time.” He didn’t look interested in continuing our conversation. It was like I was a stranger to him. I couldn’t stop staring at him, I was so confused. Did he not remember me?
“Alright, I am going to help Maddy christen her room before my little sister gets here.” Knox chuckled and I saw Jude’s knuckles turn white he was squeezing so hard. I guess him knowing his roommate is going to fuck me struck a nerve.
“Have fun.” Jude turned around to go out the door, but stopped when he reached it. Under his breath, I heard him say, “I’ll see you around, little bird.” My heart stopped in my chest, it’s been so long since I heard him call me little bird.
Chapter Four
Jude
I can’t believe it was her.
