3 3

gnome garden

     I keep checking my phone.

     Where is he? I told him to arrive at six, but it's already three minutes after six. What if he's lost? Did he take another intersection? What if he's kidnapped?

     I let out a frustrating sigh. It was his idea to meet my parents, after all, since he made a good point that I've met his. Even though I've warned him thousands of times that my father is a bit odd. I cringe.

     The gnome garden is proof.

     I'm about to call him when his familiar BMW rolls in.

    "Jude!" I let out as he exits the car, walking up to me like my very own modern James Dean. "Where were you?!"

     He's not even listening to me. His eyes widen as he takes a long look at my front porch. Particularly at the amount of gnomes. "Trey wasn't fucking joking," he says, whistling.

     I hit him. "Hello?!"

    "Relax, sweetheart." Jude chuckles, taking that hand and bringing me to him. He kisses my forehead, and I instantly melt. "I was buying a gift for your parents. You look gorgeous, by the way."

     I blink. "T-thank you. Wait — a gift? I didn't tell you to do that."

    "It was my idea."

    "Well, what'd you get them?"

     He grins and walks past me to the front door.

    "Jude!" Mom greets, opening the door and closing it behind us. "So nice to finally meet you!" She pulls him into a tight hug. He lets out an oof! as he crouches down to meet her height.

     Don't forget to smile, I mouth behind her shoulder.

     Jude imitates a very over-exaggerated one to my mom that makes me want to slap my forehead.

    "The pleasure's mine, ma'am."

    "Hi Addie's boyfriend!" Penny squeals, waving at him.

     Jude chuckles. "You must be the legendary Penelope," he squats down, so my little sister is taller than him.

     Penny gasps. "You told him about me?" she whispers to me in awe, tugging my dress.

    "Yeap," I grin, popping the p.

     Jude returns her enthusiastic high-five and Penny giggles out of giddiness. Damn. He's good with kids. I want to see him with more kids. Preferably mine.

    "This must be the special boy that has my little girl smiling to herself," Dad appears from the foyer.

     Jude straightens up and manages a sheepish smile. "I hope that's me, sir. It's nice to meet you." He lets out a polite hand.

    "Oh, come here!" Dad takes that hand and pulls him into a hug as well. Maybe tighter than Mom's. And slightly longer. When he pulls away, though, Jude's face is white.

     I frown. "Are you — "

    "Dinner's served!" Dad pushes me until I stumble. "Off we go!"

***

    "So," Mom starts, munching on a bite as she cuts off her steak. "Addie says you play track, Jude?"

    "Yes, ma'am. Have been since I was twelve."

     Twelve? I look at him for a while — he's sitting right beside me — realising it's yet another thing I didn't know about him. I know he feels my stare, but he doesn't turn to acknowledge it.

    "Wow! That's impressive," she beams across from him. "Have you had any interest in trying out different things, new areas?"

     Jude chuckles. "Sorry to disappoint, but no, that's not my sort of thing. I tried, but I failed. Not like your daughter here," he nods at me, and I blush at the sudden shift of spotlight. His eyes glint with — not amusement. He's dead serious. "With all her medals and trophies in all departments possible. I've never met anyone as daring."

    He must've glanced at them in the living room. "Jude," I hiss, but I'm secretly flattered. Butterflies erupt in my stomach.

     Dad gives me a thumbs-up. "Sounds like my little girl."

     I smile at him like thanks dad. "He's lying, though, guys," I bring up. "Jude is involved in that play I was telling you about. So he's branching out of his two-dimensional athlete persona."

    "Oh!" Mom grins. "What role are you playing?"

     I bite off my laugh while Jude scratches his head. "Uh," he pauses. "Bottom."

    "I turn his head into a donkey," I explain.

    "That's very romantic, dear."

    "Is that how you two met, then?" Dad gestures to the both of us. "During the play?"

    "No," I say nonchalantly, not even thinking twice about my words, "we met in detention."

     He whips his head. "What?"

     Uh oh. "I mean, I got there myself — Jude didn't put me there or anything — " I'm literally making it worse.

    "Actually, Mr. Hale," Jude clears his throat. "I have a gift for you."

     Dad raises a suspicious eyebrow as my boyfriend fumbles for something inside the bag. Right. The gift that he said he was looking for. Nice saviour. We're all frowning, though. Because what could it —

     A gnome.

     Jude reveals a full-fledged gnome, with the pointy hat and coat and all, and places it on the dining table like it belongs there.

     Oh my freakin' God.

     Penny drops her spoon.

    "I..." Dad is utterly speechless. He touches it delicately, admiring its work. "This is beautiful." He stares at Jude, still shocked, but there's something else in his eye. Acceptance, hopefully? "You are a wonderful human being, son."

    "Thank you, Mr. Hale."

***

     After I help Mom with the dishes, I leave my parents in the kitchen and follow Jude, who's found himself back in the living room.

     Penny's already retired upstairs. She was getting sleepy; it was Jude who noticed first, though. I think he earned extra points just for that. Other than the gnome, obviously.

     (I'm still in shock.)

     Right now, he has his back to me, facing the shelf of trophies and certificates Dad has hanged around every corner of the room. A Mathletes competition, skateboarding race, a frame of me as a flyer in the cheerleading squad; spelling bee contest, a random frame of me winning the Annual Chess Tournament and a candid in the marching band. The list goes on and on.

    "It's nothing," I start.

     Jude turns to me, baffled. "Are you kidding me? Addie, this is amazing." He spreads his arms out and that makes me feel even more embarrassed. It really is a lot. "And your parents support you — to do what you want to do. That's the best thing a kid could ask for."

     I frown when his tone gets quieter. And maybe even a little sad. "You didn't tell me you did track for so long." I give him a bear hug from behind, interlocking my hands together just in front of his chest.

     He holds my arms in response. "It doesn't matter."

    "Of course it does."

     Jude only sighs. "I love track," he breathes. "Now. But back then, it was my parents who always wanted me to do it. They basically shoved it down my throat like there was no other option. It gets pressuring." He shrugs. "And sometimes I think, what if I found something else that was better? It just gets to me sometimes."

     My chest aches. I don't like it when he's hurt. Then something registers to me. "Shoot," I hiss. "The thing I said back in the kitchen. About your two-dimensional — shoot, I didn't really mean — "

     He chuckles. "It's fine." But I can tell it's not entirely.

    I bite my lip. "Well, anyway, you can love track and try new things at the same time. You have all the time in the world."

    "I'm graduating in less than two months, Addie."

     And immediately that ache turns into a knife struck deep in my heart.

    "Oh," I say quietly, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Right. I, uh, forgot about that. Have you got accepted into any colleges yet?"

    "Yeah."

     That said knife is twisting around. "And you're set on one?"

    "No," he finally says, not looking at me. "Not yet."

     Great. Because we're not ready to have that conversation yet.

     I still hate that we're talking about this. It reminds me we're on different paths. He's got everything planned — a track scholarship, probably, and a place in college. I still have a year after this. We might not be together after —

     Stop, Addie!

    "At least you're good at one thing," I end up saying, changing the subject so I don't have the urge to suddenly scream. "You have one goal, and it's clear and precise. Me?" I shake my head. "I'm the most indecisive person known to man. Sure, I'm good at all these things, but I'm never really good enough to a point that it becomes my thing, you know? They just mostly come and go. And while I like exploring myself like this..." I sigh. "It'd feel good to have some stability for once. Now I'm just around the place and it's a mess."

     Damn. I did not know where that came from. Maybe it has been bottling up inside me for the past year. Even Jude is shocked at what I have to say, and turns around slowly, enveloping me in his arms instead.

    "Hey." He lifts my chin up. "You'll find it. You'll find your... thing. You can't find it by force; it has to come to you naturally. One day, you're going to try out a new challenge, or club or extracurricular... and you'll have that spark." He pecks my nose. "I have no doubt on it, a hundred percent."

    "And if I don't?"

    "Then I guess you're going on Guinness World Records for being the most talented and untalented person at the same time."

     I hit Jude's shoulder, rougher than usual, and he cackles. The picture of him laughing stays paused, ingrained, in my mind.

     I don't know what I'll do when he goes. 

     Ugh. I hate dating seniors.

A/N: Wanted to remind you guys who Addie Hale is at heart — a girl who cherishes her family most and collects a helluva medals.