Something is wrong with Jude. He's been quiet for a few days already and I really wonder why. For normal we talk and laugh a lot but whenever I tried to talk to him in the last few days he just gave short answers and walked away. But today after training I will make him talk to me. I just can't see him suffer anymore.
As our coach ends the training Jude almost runs into the cabin. He changes as fast as he can and tries to leave the cabin but I head him off. "I'll take you home today.", I say. I talked to Nico Schulz who does that for normal and he agreed on letting me take Jude home today. The 17-year-old exhales angrily, then agrees and waits for me to get ready.
For the first minutes of the drive we don't talk, then I say: "Jude... Please tell me what's wrong. And don't say that it's nothing. I can see how much you're suffering." He doesn't answer, just fights against his tears but after a few seconds he just can't hold them back anymore and starts sobbing loudly. I can't stop the car right now but it's only two minutes to my apartment and so I drive there. I stop my car and then pull Jude into a tight hug. He digs his fingers in my arms and puts his head against my shoulder where he cries into my hoodie. I stroke over his back and manage to calm him down enough to get out of the car and enter my house. After having taken off his shoes he leans against me again. I lift him up and carry him to the living room where I gently put him down on the sofa. I pull him close to my chest again and stroke over his back and his hair. Then I ask him what's wrong again. He still sobbs as he starts talking. "There... There are those guys... They always wait in front of the house I'm living in and when I come home they call me... You know the word but I don't want to say it. And they threaten me. They say that they will kill my brother and my father and rape my mother. And that they will beat me to death to show every black person that we don't belong here. Jadon, I'm so afraid that they will really do it. The words hurt already but those threats... I'm just so scared and I don't know what to do." I pull him even closer and stay silent for a second. I just don't know what to say. It shocks me that it's still like that. When I moved here I experienced the same but I thought it would've changed. I ruffle through Jude's gorgeous curls and kiss his forehead before saying: "I know exactly what you're feeling. I've experienced the same when I moved here. I'm so sorry that you have to go through it as well. I thought it would've stopped. But please, Jude, don't let them hurt you. They are some stupid cowards that just like seeing people suffer. They would never let the threats come true."
"I know. But I'm still so scared. I don't want to live there anymore. I don't feel safe.", he answers while snuggling up to me even closer. I stroke over his cheek and say: "You don't have to live there anymore if you don't want to. You can move in here. Then you don't have to see them anymore and you aren't alone anymore all day long. And I'd really appreciate it, too." He sobbs loudly and asks: "Really?" which I answer to with a nod. "This house is too big for only one person anyway. And I totally enjoy your company so why not?", I add before kissing his forehead again. Jude now shows me his beautiful smile, then whispers: "That would be so cool. Thank you Jadon." I also smile and kiss his forehead once again. "You don't have to thank me. And now sit up a little, I want to order some pizza for us. And prepare the guest room for you. Or do you want to sleep in my bed?", I say and blush a little. Jude smiles, sits up and answers: "Pizza sounds great. And I'd love to sleep in your bed. Can we cuddle then?" I nod, then ruffle through his hair before ordering our pizza.