"Are you gonna talk to me at all?"

Jude looked up from her tray of cold lunch to face Alex's grimace.

"What the hell is going on with you?" the latter added.

"It's nothing, Alex, I-"

"That's what you said the last three times i asked. I want another answer. The real answer." Alex stated, putting emphasis on 'real'.

They almost shrieked in frustration watching the pale girl drop her head back down. Alex had been trying to get Jude to speak since her sudden silence yesterday, their efforts bearing zero results. It was starting to bring worry to Alex, the look of straight despair doesn't suit Jude's features at all as her usually bright eyes look droopy and empty. Like mattified nail polish, Alex would describe.

"Jude-"

"Look, Alex, if I'm bothering you so much you really don't have to stay with me." Jude stays still as her own words startled herself. What an idiot move, she thought.

Alex on the other hand, sees right through Jude's words.

"I know you didn't mean that."

Jude's eyes snapped at Alex, greeted with a smug look on their face.

"I'm just trying to see if you're okay, Jude. You could at least tell me you need some time you know? Instead of, I don't know, snapping at me?" they continued.

"I know. Sorry, Alex. I think I just need more time to process my thoughts."

"That's more like it. Now at least let me have those fries if you're not gonna eat them."

Jude, finally being able to smile genuinely, pushed her tray towards Alex to gladly give them her fries. Her softened expression serves as proof that she's grateful for the support of the person sitting in front of her.

Just as Alex began to munch on the cold bland fries, they noticed a certain figure walk in the cafeteria. Considering themself to be quite the observer, they thought for a moment before coming to the conclusion that this person seemed very unfamiliar. He definitely doesn't go here.

The stranger looked around the cafeteria as if looking for someone. Somehow Alex made eye contact with him, stopping their chewing once realising this strange figure approach their table.

"Jude someone's coming here."

"Hm?" The girl looked behind her, immediately spotting Ked in the midst of the crowd. "What is he doing here?"

"You know him?"

"Yea, he's a friend." Jude said as she exhaled and prepared herself for whatever it is that will happen.

The blonde boy was grinning as he took a seat next to Jude.

"Hey." he greeted, receiving a greet back from Jude.

He immediately noticed Jude's friend eyeing him and he sensed their suspicion. Another thing he noticed, the chunky silver pieces dangling from the person's ears.

"Are your earrings from StudioCult?" Ked said, pointing at the striking pieces.

"What the heck? How did you know?" Alex said as a hand subconsciously felt one of the silver bars.

"Anyone would notice their sick pieces. Looks great on you." Ked complimented, succeding in breaking the awkward suspicion when Alex smiled at him fondly. He turns his attention back to Jude. "So, Jude. Hey."

"Hi, Ked."

"Haven't seen you in a while, huh? How's it been?"

Jude rolls her eyes. "Ked it's been two days."

"That's quite a long time, you know-"

"Why are you here?" Jude stopped him, wanting to cut to the chase.

"Well, my classes ended already. Vinny is busy in the library working on a group assignment if you're wondering. He'll be done soon." he explained.

"Right." Jude said, not recalling Vinny texting her about anything.

Not wanting her mind to think negatively on the situation, she decided to introduce the two strangers to each other. "Anyways, Alex, this is Ked. A friend of a friend."

Ked furrowed his eyebrows at the introduction. "Rude. Aren't I your friend too? But it's great to meet you, Alex. You seem really chill."

"It's because I am. It's great to meet you too." said Alex, receiving a chuckle from the blonde.

"Alright, actually, I came here initially to invite Jude but you can come too. I wanna have a few drinks at my place friday night, Vinny's coming too." Ked proposed.

"Drinks? Are you even legally allowed? Vinny definitely isn't." Jude asked, raising an eyebrow at the idea.

Ked was about to answer, but to his surprise, Alex did it for him. "Oh stop being a party pooper Jude. Let's go. I wanna go."

Ked grinned, pointing a thumb at Alex. "She's cool."

"They." Jude corrected sternly.

"Ah, my bad. They're cool."

"But still, I don't know if it's a good idea. I don't want to be the designated sober friend." Jude crossed her arms. Truly, she was just making excuses to not go. She's not sure how a drunken atmosphere would help her situation right now.

"I'll do it. I know how to hold my alcohol." Alex said, earning an excited smile from Ked and a glare from Jude.

"Please, Jude??" Ked said, grabbing Jude's arm like a kid.

"Yea, Jude, please? It'll be great for you to relax a little." Alex added to Ked's pleading.

Having two people looking at her all gross with puppy eyes, Jude really can't say no.

-

Friday night rolls around. The four had gathered in the middle of Ked's living room where the coffee table used to be placed, now moved to the corner of the room.

Ked had bought a few bottles of drinks. Jude sat there quiet as the others converse about how excited they are.

Jude doesn't consider herself to be a drinker. She doesn't remember the last time she drank, probably that one time she tasted her mom's wine. Fancy, and tasted disgusting. She could only expect the same thing with these unfamiliar bottles.

The fact that everyone else seemed so used to it, even Vinny, who she knew has never touched alcohol in his life, doesn't help her nerves at all.

Ked excitedly handed four glasses to each person. The sound of the bottle cap cracking as he twisted it open made Alex clap their hands in excitement. He carefully poured a small amount of the clear liquid to each glasses before picking his own up.

"Cheers y'all!"

Jude went with the flow and toasted her glass with the others', then warily took the shot.

She winced at the burn in her throat, soon noticing Vinny doing the same thing. On the other hand, Ked and Alex were ecstatic. The latter asked for more already, and the former happily poured them some.

This is gonna be a long night.

-

"Alex?"

The buzzed out person brought a hand up and swayed it around in an attempt to shoo Jude away. Jude clicked her tongue.

"I know how to hide my alcohol.." Jude mocked.

She turned her gaze towards Ked. Just as buzzed. Probably even more than Alex. Vinny sat next to him, knees to his chest and head resting on them.

"Vinny?" Jude called out.

The brunette popped his head up. His face is flushed, hair messy, and eyes droopy.

"Yea?" he replied, sounding tipsy. Jude can't help but giggle.

"You good?"

"I think I need water."

"I'll go get you some."

Jude got up flawlessly, thanks to the fact that she barely had any drinks after that first pour. As expected, Ked and Alex ended up drinking the most. Vinny had some as well, but it was obvious that he was only doing it to comply with his friend.

During the drinking, Jude was drowned in the midst of everyone else's energy and only could glance at Vinny from time to time. She was glad to see that he's having fun, wishing she could've as well.

Just as she found a bottle of water in the fridge, the sound of doors being frantically opened startled her. She quickly made her way back to the living room to see Vinny gone.

"Vinny?" She walked towards an opened door leading to the bathroom, immediately finding the boy crouched and gagging onto the toilet bowl.

"Oh, shit." Jude muttered as she immediately crouched next to the boy and have his back a few rubs.

The boy's stomach rebelled against his intake of alcohol, sending him retching violently as the contents of his stomach exited his body.

Jude comforted him the whole time, continuously rubbing his back while repeating 'it's okay's, and 'let it all out's until Vinny has finally calmed down. She then waited for him to get cleaned up before deciding the boy needed some fresh air and took him to sit outside on the balcony.

"That was so lame of me, holy shit." Vinny said as he found himself sobering up, staring at the night sky.

Jude laughed, "It's okay. What in the world made you think you could drink that much anyways?"

"I don't know but I'm never doing that again." Vinny shuddered at the memory.

Jude smiled, feeling the cool wind blow gently on the two of them.

"Jude?"

"Yes, Vinny?"

Saying his name still sends tingles all over her body.

"This was actually my idea." Vinny admitted, surprising Jude.

"Really? But why?" she questioned.

"I wanted to talk to you but I didn't know how. I actually thought Ked would be the one to talk to you but uh.." he looked inside, at the blonde boy sprawled out on the floor.

Jude giggled at the sight.

"What did you want to talk about?"

Vinny turned to look at Jude in the eyes.

"It was.. that time when I talked to you. In my room."

Jude remembered the exact moment, now getting the same gut wrenching feeling she had at that time.

"What about it?" she tried keeping her voice stable.

Vinny took a breath before answering, "Did I.. Did I do anything wrong?"

Jude shook her head. "No."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

Jude tried denying it, but her own self knew that it was true. She stayed quiet and stared at her hands, not able to find an answer.

"It was really hard for me to tell you about it. I thought I could trust you."

"But you can trust me, Vinny." Jude argued.

"Then why act weird?" Vinny argued back, raising his voice a little.

"I don't know, I was-" Jude closed her eyes, the truth fighting to come out. "I was just, surprised, Vinny. And I was confused about the support I should give you." When she opened her eyes, she was met with Vinny's pained ones.

"Look, I'm sorry I acted the way I did. Like I said, I love you no matter what. Okay?" Jude brought a reassuring hand to Vinny's shoulder.

Vinny hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching Jude's for sincerity. After a silent pause, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Okay."

Jude sighed in relief, reassuring herself that she would be okay with her hidden secret.

"I still don't know, actually, Jude. It's so confusing." Vinny rubbed his face with his hands. "I don't know if I'm.. gay."

A spark of hope ignited in Jude's heart at his last few words. However, wanting to approach the situation with outmost care, she manages to calm herself down.

"I'll be here until you figure it out." Jude smiled.

Vinny smiled appreciatively at his friend. Yet again, she has provided him the comfort he always looked for.

"Now what do we do with them?" Jude laughed and pointed at the two beings still sprawled on the floor.

Vinny laughed along before standing and heading back inside, Jude following right behind him.

"I'll take Alex, they'll sleep on the couch. I'll sleep on the floor." Jude suggested.

"What? You can't sleep on the floor." Vinny disagreed.

Jude shook her head, smiling at the concern. "I'll be fine with a pillow. The rug is comfy and I'd rather you sleep on the bed with Ked."

Vinny couldn't argue to that. So then the two worked together to carry Alex onto the couch, then spent their remaining power in supporting Ked's body and carried him to his bed. Vinny grabbed a few pillows from Ked's bed for Jude before bidding her goodnight.

Jude layed on the fluffy rug, ignoring the slight discomfort. She can't help but smile hopefully at what Vinny had told her in the balcony.

She felt guilty. She acknowledged her selfishness for wishing against Vinny's possible sexuality, feeling evil as she experienced this less kind and gentle part of her. It was the uncomfortable truth, and somehow, it's been the only thing that succeded in comforting her since the past few days.

She closed her eyes, soon falling into a deep slumber.