Find Jude Monologue
Find Jude.
Believe me, it was really easy. I called him, he answered at the first ring, and he told me not to worry because he was on the way.
Hell. Who am I kidding? Of course that's not what happened. Since Lauren had ended that call, a hundred scenarios kept playing in my head.
Like, I would call him. He would answer.
Him: Who is this?
Me: It's Julia.
Him: Who's Julia?
Okay. Try again.
I would call him hesitantly. He would answer.
Him: Who's this?
Me: It's me, Julia.
Him: Let's hook up.
Urrrrrgghhhh.
I honestly wanted to call Jude but Lauren had mentioned that he was not answering his calls. It would be totally useless. I asked Cathy to help me find the missing jerk but she couldn't just leave, not when game was about to start. …show more content…
And so, here I am at one of the restrooms in the campus, staring at my reflection and trying to decide what am I going to do with my whole life.
Ramirez is a piece of work, isn't he?
Okay, maybe you're thinking that I'm overreacting of something that had happened almost a year ago, but no, this is not overreacting. Aside from the fact that I grew up with an old-fashioned and conservative family, this country we are in is not liberated. What he did is real big deal. Furthermore, he didn't even apologize and try to close the gap between us. If he's okay with that set-up, then so am I.
Still, it didn't answer my one-million-peso jackpot question. Where on earth is that guy? Truthfully, he could be anywhere at the moment. Why do we badly need him in the first place? Is he some sort of lucky charm or something? His presence is more like an evil spirit to me.
I'm distracted to see my contorted face at the mirror.
Two words. Ug ly.
I stick my tongue out.
Jaysus, I'm going insane.
I get my phone and hurriedly scan through my contacts. There it is. JUDAS. With a spur-of-the-moment courage, I dial the number.
Screw this. It's not like he's going to answer, anyway. At least I'd be able to tell Lauren that I did try to—
He answers at the first ring.
I am not joking this time.
Brain freeze.
"Hey, it's Julia." The words are out smoothly but my mind is in haywire.
"I know." I hear him say, his voice neutral as always. "What's up, Jules?"
Hearing that nickname again is all it takes for an unwelcome flashback eight months ago to come crashing back to me. Our lab experiments together, the phone call at the lounge, waffles, text and chat conversations, and that unforgettable Christmas day. Mixed emotions, that's what I'm feeling right now. The anger doesn't surprise me, but the sadness surely does.
"Hey, still there?"
I swallow the lump in my throat.
"Yeah. Lauren has been looking for you." I watch myself in the mirror. My face lacks any emotion but I know better. "She's pissed." I positively add.
"Twelve missed calls and eight messages? I figured."
"Right. Where are you, anyway?"
Wow. We really are talking.
"Red velvet cake."
Huh?
"Where on earth is that?"
"No, not you. Sorry. Did you ask where I am? I'm here at Cakes and Pastries. Wait." I hear him talk to someone. Their voices are muffled so I can't make out what they are talking about. After a minute, he's back on the line. "Jules? Actually, can you come here? I need your help."
Whoah.
"I'm not sure about that." I reply, scowling.
"It's part of the plan, okay? I'll wait for you here."
He ends the call.
***
I am pissed for three specific reasons.
First, I can't believe Jude just told me to come to Cakes and Pastries without telling me why. Okay, maybe he did mention he needs my help, so? I would never help him, not even when he's dying. And who does he think he is bossing me around? The nerve of that guy.
Second, it's already 9:45. I just missed Jason's game. I'd been looking forward to it I admit. I never saw him play before. I want to know if all that prince of tennis crap he's been bragging is real or not.
Third, what did Jude mean with "It's part of the plan"?
What exactly is part of the plan? I can't really remember anything that has to do with red velvet cakes. Perhaps for the celebration of today's winners? But how can he possibly know that the freaks are going to win? Is he some sort of god? A time traveler?
Fourth, I am hungry to death. I wasn't able to have breakfast earlier because I was in a hurry. Well actually, I don't eat breakfast. I'm one of those people—not the busy, professional type but the lazy ones. I just wish I had eaten something this morning though. The talk about red velvet cakes doesn't help either. I'm sure Cathy's junk foods would taste heavenly at the moment.
Fifth, why does everyone keeps hanging up the phone on me today? First Lauren, then Jude. God, next please. I can't wait.
Sixth, the traffic at this hour is a masterpiece. A never ending maze of shittyness. Normally, the ride to Cakes and Pastries would only take less than 10 minutes, but it's already 15 minutes and we're still halfway there. I might as well go straight home.
Did I only say three reasons? Well, I'm so sorry. I've got six reasons to be pissed, you see. My brain is not in its perfect shape.
My phone rings. It's Lauren again. I remind myself to end the call first. No matter what it takes.
"Hey, any luck in finding Jude?"
So, he still hasn't call
her?
"Yeah. He's at Cakes and Pastries, can you believe it? I have no idea what he is up to. He said it's part of the plan. Do you know anything about a plan today that involves red velvet cakes?"
There's only an odd silence from the other line. "Lori?" I check my phone, horrified that she hung up on me again.
"Sorry, got distracted with the game. I have no clue about that, too. No one told me."
I relax, blowing out a breath. "I'm on my way there, by the way. I'll see what Jude has to say about that plan, and I'll call you."
Then I hang up.
Ha. Kiss my ass.
***
After a hundred thousand years, I arrive at the place at last. The moment I step inside, Jude's handsome face meets me. He truly is handsome, I have to give him that. He's wearing a bleached and embossed denim fits and aqua blue cotton sweater.
Yum.
"Hey." He stands up from where he's sitting and warmly greets me.
"Hey, yourself." I roam my eyes around, trying to avoid eye contact.
I wish I didn't though.
A wondrous display of red velvet and black forest cakes, double dutch rolls, and rocky road brownies are on full display, smirking and making fun of me.
My stomach grumbles, it's almost painful. I consciously glance at Jude, hoping he didn't hear that.
"So..." my voice cracks.
Dammit.
I clear my throat.
"So, Jude..." I try to check my voice. Okay, human enough. "care to tell me the plan?"
"Well, of course," he begins to say.
What comes out next makes me so lightheaded I think I'm going to pass out. Forget the six reasons why I'm pissed. Forget the sight and smell of cakes on display. Just. Freaking. Forget. Everything.
This is bullshit.
"It's a big surprise for Lauren." He's smiling a little. "It's her birthday today. You know that, don't you?"
Believe me, it was really easy. I called him, he answered at the first ring, and he told me not to worry because he was on the way.
Hell. Who am I kidding? Of course that's not what happened. Since Lauren had ended that call, a hundred scenarios kept playing in my head.
Like, I would call him. He would answer.
Him: Who is this?
Me: It's Julia.
Him: Who's Julia?
Okay. Try again.
I would call him hesitantly. He would answer.
Him: Who's this?
Me: It's me, Julia.
Him: Let's hook up.
Urrrrrgghhhh.
I honestly wanted to call Jude but Lauren had mentioned that he was not answering his calls. It would be totally useless. I asked Cathy to help me find the missing jerk but she couldn't just leave, not when game was about to start. …show more content…
And so, here I am at one of the restrooms in the campus, staring at my reflection and trying to decide what am I going to do with my whole life.
Ramirez is a piece of work, isn't he?
Okay, maybe you're thinking that I'm overreacting of something that had happened almost a year ago, but no, this is not overreacting. Aside from the fact that I grew up with an old-fashioned and conservative family, this country we are in is not liberated. What he did is real big deal. Furthermore, he didn't even apologize and try to close the gap between us. If he's okay with that set-up, then so am I.
Still, it didn't answer my one-million-peso jackpot question. Where on earth is that guy? Truthfully, he could be anywhere at the moment. Why do we badly need him in the first place? Is he some sort of lucky charm or something? His presence is more like an evil spirit to me.
I'm distracted to see my contorted face at the mirror.
Two words. Ug ly.
I stick my tongue out.
Jaysus, I'm going insane.
I get my phone and hurriedly scan through my contacts. There it is. JUDAS. With a spur-of-the-moment courage, I dial the number.
Screw this. It's not like he's going to answer, anyway. At least I'd be able to tell Lauren that I did try to—
He answers at the first ring.
I am not joking this time.
Brain freeze.
"Hey, it's Julia." The words are out smoothly but my mind is in haywire.
"I know." I hear him say, his voice neutral as always. "What's up, Jules?"
Hearing that nickname again is all it takes for an unwelcome flashback eight months ago to come crashing back to me. Our lab experiments together, the phone call at the lounge, waffles, text and chat conversations, and that unforgettable Christmas day. Mixed emotions, that's what I'm feeling right now. The anger doesn't surprise me, but the sadness surely does.
"Hey, still there?"
I swallow the lump in my throat.
"Yeah. Lauren has been looking for you." I watch myself in the mirror. My face lacks any emotion but I know better. "She's pissed." I positively add.
"Twelve missed calls and eight messages? I figured."
"Right. Where are you, anyway?"
Wow. We really are talking.
"Red velvet cake."
Huh?
"Where on earth is that?"
"No, not you. Sorry. Did you ask where I am? I'm here at Cakes and Pastries. Wait." I hear him talk to someone. Their voices are muffled so I can't make out what they are talking about. After a minute, he's back on the line. "Jules? Actually, can you come here? I need your help."
Whoah.
"I'm not sure about that." I reply, scowling.
"It's part of the plan, okay? I'll wait for you here."
He ends the call.
***
I am pissed for three specific reasons.
First, I can't believe Jude just told me to come to Cakes and Pastries without telling me why. Okay, maybe he did mention he needs my help, so? I would never help him, not even when he's dying. And who does he think he is bossing me around? The nerve of that guy.
Second, it's already 9:45. I just missed Jason's game. I'd been looking forward to it I admit. I never saw him play before. I want to know if all that prince of tennis crap he's been bragging is real or not.
Third, what did Jude mean with "It's part of the plan"?
What exactly is part of the plan? I can't really remember anything that has to do with red velvet cakes. Perhaps for the celebration of today's winners? But how can he possibly know that the freaks are going to win? Is he some sort of god? A time traveler?
Fourth, I am hungry to death. I wasn't able to have breakfast earlier because I was in a hurry. Well actually, I don't eat breakfast. I'm one of those people—not the busy, professional type but the lazy ones. I just wish I had eaten something this morning though. The talk about red velvet cakes doesn't help either. I'm sure Cathy's junk foods would taste heavenly at the moment.
Fifth, why does everyone keeps hanging up the phone on me today? First Lauren, then Jude. God, next please. I can't wait.
Sixth, the traffic at this hour is a masterpiece. A never ending maze of shittyness. Normally, the ride to Cakes and Pastries would only take less than 10 minutes, but it's already 15 minutes and we're still halfway there. I might as well go straight home.
Did I only say three reasons? Well, I'm so sorry. I've got six reasons to be pissed, you see. My brain is not in its perfect shape.
My phone rings. It's Lauren again. I remind myself to end the call first. No matter what it takes.
"Hey, any luck in finding Jude?"
So, he still hasn't call
her?
"Yeah. He's at Cakes and Pastries, can you believe it? I have no idea what he is up to. He said it's part of the plan. Do you know anything about a plan today that involves red velvet cakes?"
There's only an odd silence from the other line. "Lori?" I check my phone, horrified that she hung up on me again.
"Sorry, got distracted with the game. I have no clue about that, too. No one told me."
I relax, blowing out a breath. "I'm on my way there, by the way. I'll see what Jude has to say about that plan, and I'll call you."
Then I hang up.
Ha. Kiss my ass.
***
After a hundred thousand years, I arrive at the place at last. The moment I step inside, Jude's handsome face meets me. He truly is handsome, I have to give him that. He's wearing a bleached and embossed denim fits and aqua blue cotton sweater.
Yum.
"Hey." He stands up from where he's sitting and warmly greets me.
"Hey, yourself." I roam my eyes around, trying to avoid eye contact.
I wish I didn't though.
A wondrous display of red velvet and black forest cakes, double dutch rolls, and rocky road brownies are on full display, smirking and making fun of me.
My stomach grumbles, it's almost painful. I consciously glance at Jude, hoping he didn't hear that.
"So..." my voice cracks.
Dammit.
I clear my throat.
"So, Jude..." I try to check my voice. Okay, human enough. "care to tell me the plan?"
"Well, of course," he begins to say.
What comes out next makes me so lightheaded I think I'm going to pass out. Forget the six reasons why I'm pissed. Forget the sight and smell of cakes on display. Just. Freaking. Forget. Everything.
This is bullshit.
"It's a big surprise for Lauren." He's smiling a little. "It's her birthday today. You know that, don't you?"