The day passed before Vinny knew it. After his revelation to Jude, he found himself dreading to go to college, knowing he'd inevitably meet Ked. Despite the long moment he spent pondering, he is still uncertain about himself. In a perfect world, he wouldn't need to go through any of this. He wishes to still avoid it and stay ignorant, but doing that creates a void in him, like a part of his own being suddenly becomes an unknown territory. And he doesn't like that.

Jude, on the other hand, is strangled with the pain of her unspoken love. Her almost-confession occupied her thoughts, the imagination of Vinny's reaction if she did follow through with her confession haunts her like a curse.

The road to Vinny's house seemed to stretch miles away. Her hands felt weak and numb as she steered. She tries to control her breathing as she thinks of how she's supposed to act when facing her beloved childhood friend, whom might not be able to ever return her feelings.

The pit in her stomach worsened as she arrived. Watching the brunette approach her, she finds herself praying he wont mention anything about last night.

As Vinny opened the door to the passenger's seat, he was hoping the same thing.

They both mustered up a smile as they greeted each other.

-

"Ked texted me saying he doesn't need a ride." said Vinny, being the first to speak up during the car ride.

Jude, realising she's been dangerously daydreaming the entire time, snapped out of her trance.

"O-oh. Why's that?" she asked.

Vinny shrugged his shoulders as a response.

The rest of the ride was tense. The sky felt grey and gloomy, the air thick and suffocating, and the silence only occupied with engine sounds.

Vinny wondered why Jude is acting the way she is. He stole a few glances at her during the ride, however he can't seem to read her expression. He can't help but think, is she disappointed in him?

The thought of Jude being prejudiced sounds like an unfunny joke. Being the kind and gentle person she is, it was highly unbelievable. Unfortunately, the questioning boy can't seem to think of another reason as to why his friend is acting this way.

-

Vinny doesn't know whether to be sad or relieved to see Ked not attending class. He waited and waited for the tall boy to come and take the seat next to him, but it never happens.

Vinny thought about texting him a few times, but decided against it in fear of being too nosy and he somewhat doesn't want to seem like he cares so much. Though he knows, that would mean lying to himself.

To his surprise, at the end of the day, as if the universe had heard his thoughts, the absent boy sent him a text.

Ked:
Yo ;)

Vinny:
What?

Ked:
Come over.

Vinny:
What??

Ked:
What what?? Stop saying what and come over here.

Vinny sat there silent, eyebrows furrowed in wonder. The invitation was so sudden, and even though he has been secretly missing the scent of the other boy throughout the day, he isn't too prepared to see him just yet. He looked down on his phone again after hearing a ping.

Ked:
I won't do anything weird. If that's what you're worried about.

He was so caught up on Ked's understanding words until a wave of students suddenly pass by his seat, a few bumping his table. He realised the class just ended, signalling the end of the day for Vinny. He stared at the last message again, contemplating whether to agree or not on the invitation.

It didn't take too long for him to make the decision.

Vinny:
Okay. I'm on my way.

Ked:
Sweet!

-

Vinny:
Hey Jude, I won't need a ride back home today.

Alex noticed their seat mate blankly staring at her phone. Since the morning, they have noticed the drastic shift in Jude's personality. They had asked what's wrong, but only to be shrugged off quickly by the mysteriously sorrow girl.

"Jude?"

"Hm?" The girl responded, moving her head slightly, but her gaze never left her phone.

"We're on the next page already."

Alex's concern for their friend doubled seeing her put her phone down, flip a page on her textbook, then picked her phone back up and stared at it again, maintaining a blank expression the androgynous person couldn't read. Alex sighed, not knowing what to do.

Thinking it's best to give their friend some space, they kept quiet until the rest of the class, silently hoping that Jude's troubles would pass by quick. It pains them to see their favourite seat mate like this.

Jude:
Okay.