XIX. #ThinkBrink. (Part Two)

If things hadn't gotten worse, Jude would have been forced to entertain a donor who was telling her everything but what she needed to hear. She didn't want to know the full details of his childhood and how his dad took him camping. She needed to know what he had to offer and how she'd be able to use that in pursuing him to donate to the school.

So as of now Jude could only nod and smile as he continued with his story and while he did just that she wished that a meteorite could hit the planet specifically where she stood. The truth is, she stopped listening to the moment he told her his name.

It's been approximately twenty minutes since she's gotten whisked off by her mother to talk to...Jonathan? Even that didn't sound right. His name started with a J so that was all the hint she needed.

Taking a sip of her drink which was champagne (that was what her fifth glass? Three from simply having to entertain him), Jude could only nod and hum along as though she was entirely interested in what he had to say. A big part of her wanted to so desperately leave the conversation where it was and go find Jordan hell even Jude but knowing that her mother was watching her like a hawk, she didn't need any more additional problems to face. So dealing with this was the only option.

"...Uh are you okay? You seemed to be zoning out."

Jude blinked back in surprise, glancing at the man who looked at her with a puzzled gaze. Chuckling slightly in embarrassment she takes another sip of her drink before asking, "I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that."

The man merely chuckles, "I asked you what are your current thoughts regarding the economic status of your school."

Jude could only stare at him with a blank expression. Er, I don't pay attention to whether or not this school has money, rang throughout her mind but she passed it with a smile, "...Well."

Her eyes screamed for help. Help that anyone who was passing by would save her from the awkwardness.

Thankfully, before she could give him a rather empty response, a visibly younger man walks up to Jonathan? and pats him on the shoulder playfully, lowering his voice into a whisper he says with a smile, "James, can't you see that you're scaring the poor girl? She's not interested in economics."

James? She was completely off track with his name. In her head he was Jonathan. Mentally letting a sigh of relief, she looks at the mystery guy for a moment before bringing her attention back to James, "Um yeah, my apologies. Economics is not my thing but if you were to meet with me some other time to talk about how you truly feel so I can get an understanding just send all your information to my mother."

Jude was so going to avoid him like the ghost. Ghosting was entirely wrong but in her case it was valid.

James glances at the man and then at Jude who avoids his gaze. Straightening his tie, James clears his throat, "Very well then. See you around Jude."

Before she could say anything, James walked elsewhere, not giving the girl a chance to say anything.

Once James is out of complete sight, the guy walks up to Jude. Jude who only looks at him finishes the remainder of her drink. With her eyes still on him, she places the glass on a waiter's tray. Titling her glass slightly she offers him a polite smile, "Was I that obvious?"

He plays it off with a shrug before laughing, "Just a bit but not too noticeable," Holding up his right hand, he extends it in Jude's direction, "I'm Dominic. Dominic Wright."

Jude hesitates for a moment before taking his hand, " Jude. You look familiar haven't I seen you somewhere?"

"You might've seen me in that one interview where I interviewed A-Train," A verbal wince escaped Dominic's lips as he went back to that day. It was a shit show especially when he questioned on A-Train's supposed drug addiction. He didn't ask it in a way out of spite but it's what the viewers wanted to see specifically his network.

Jude couldn't help but snort loudly but quickly covered it up with a smile, "Yeah, I saw that. It was a shit show." It was around two years ago that A-Train's interview became the talk of social media, mainly because of how much of a mess it was. After all the backlash, A-Train released a video in support of being drug-free which only made those speculate if what was accused true.

As a waiter passes by with a tray of champagne, Jude takes one and hands it over to Dominic. "A toast to shitty interviews that hopefully build character."

Dominic grins as he clinks the glass with hers, "I'll toast to that."

Jude gladly takes a sip of the alcoholic beverage, humming in approval. Her eyes then landed on Jordan who was busy talking to a donor with their parents following alongside their movements.

Jude attempts to wave at them but stops once noticing how Jordan moves their gaze onto Dominic who has no idea what is going on. The smile on Jordan's lips visibly falters as they walk past them with their parents trailing behind them. Eyes narrowed at Dominic, they eyed him one more time before looking back at the donor.

What just happened?

"Who's that guy?" Asks Dominic who notices the sudden change in the way Jordan looks at him. Shoving a hand in his pocket, he awaits Jude's answer.

"That's Jordan." Jude answers before sighing at their attitude. They could've assumed. No, they wouldn't be that shallow to assume something that wasn't there. Drinking the last bits of her drink, she finishes the sentence, "And we're seeing each other."

"Oh? So the pretty lady is taken." Dominic feigns a reign of defeat before following up with a light-hearted chuckle, "I mean who wouldn't want to be with someone like you."

"Please." Jude laughs at his comment, "I'm my own mess of a person. Trust me."

"Aren't we all?"

The pair continued talking for the small moment they had, mainly about little things. Turns out that besides that interview, Dominic was a stockbroker in a company. Good for him. He was sweet. Sweet but being sweet could only go so far.

And like Cinderella, Jude leaves Dominic to himself not before exchanging information (which she'll give to her mom).

With a small smile on her face, Jude walks over to where her mother stood with her many social friends. Excusing herself to them, Jude manages to catch the attention of her mother who was busy talking to a donor. Putting a stop to the conversation, Michelle moves to the side with her daughter.

"What happened with James? He told me that you just bailed on him for some other guy. Speaking of that guy who is it?"

It wasn't even a minute yet and Jude was faced with her mother interrogating her.

Jude faces her mother while holding out a note, "James was boring. And the guy's name is Dominic and he's a stockbroker."

All it took was two seconds for Michelle's face to contort from blank to annoyed, "Well did this Dominic guy say that he'd donate to the school?"

"No, but here." Jude hands her mother his information. She'd already had it memorized so if her mother didn't want it, her keeping it wouldn't be a problem, "That has all the information you need about him."

"Jude please don't tell me you're that obtuse." Michelle scoffs, "You could've had the opportunity of a lifetime with James. He's an alumnus for godsakes and would've helped you reach new heights with the fame that you're getting."

Jude raises a brow at her mother, "Fame? Two people died less than two days ago and all you care about is fame?"

Not amused by her daughter's attitude, Michelle responds, "Well this fame led you into being top three did it not? And you're embarrassing me. I had to apologize to James because of your attitude and you're lucky that I didn't come over there while I had the chance.—"

"Or else you'll do what?" Jude sneers her voice growing louder, "Tell me that I'm a problem? Or how it's my fault that Dad is dead? Well, news flash I'm not the one who injected Compound V in their daughter."

It grows quiet between them as both look at each other with an unreadable expression. Jude has had enough of her mother's attitude towards her and the blaming. It wasn't her fault, she didn't mean for it to happen.

Michelle narrowed her eyes at the teen and swiftly pulled her to the side to avoid any more eyes that were on them, "The best thing I've done was let them inject Compound V in you so my apologies for doing what I thought was best as a mother. Now don't you dare bring your father into this. If only Brink was here.—"

"Yeah, so you could continue screwing him?" Jude wipes the tear that threatens to fall from her eyes. With a bitter laugh she continues, "I found out about you and him late office meetings. Plus the disappearing at events. Y'know the funniest thing he told me was that he was only keeping me at that school as a favor to you. So do me a favor and leave me alone."

Crossing her arms, she waits for her mother to take the hint and go away. And she does. After a moment of staring at each other, Michelle says nothing.

Rolling her eyes, Jude storms away and that is all it takes for the girl's mental state to come crashing down. Wiping away the tears that fell so rapidly down her face, she was so lost in the whirlwind of her mind that she hadn't even noticed that she bumped into Jordan.

Jordan who was pissed off at their parents was on their way to the bar, swiftly moving down the narrow hallway in their female form when Jude bumps into them. Steadying their body so they could stop her, Jordan looked at the girl whose eyes were filled with tears.

Jude looks at Jordan with a slight look of surprise before attempting to compose herself. Stepping back, the teen brings her hands around her almost in a protective manner.

"...Jude are you okay?"

"Perfect! Just got into another argument with my mom no biggie." Jude's voice cracks at the end and it prompts Jordan to swiftly wrap their arms around the crying girl.

"You wanna go outside for a bit?"

"Yes please."