Chapter 25
Bree goes into incredible detail explaining all the cleaning instructions and precautions we need to take with our new piercings, and I do my best to listen. Unfortunately, though, I have two shiny new rocks attached to my head that I can’t stop staring at in the handheld mirror that Bree gave me.
“Don’t worry,” Bree concludes, likely after watching me ogle my reflection. “I’ll give you written instructions with my number in case you have any questions or concerns.”
“That would be fantastic,” Jude says, plucking the handheld mirror from my hands and handing it back to Bree. When I start to pout, Jude takes my hand and smiles. I can’t resist returning the gesture.
We finish at the front, with the couple’s discount taking a significant chunk out of the final cost. I pay the full amount with my card, and Jude pays me their share in cash. Bree gives us written instructions on laminated cards, along with two small bottles of saline spray.
“Thanks for doing this with me,” Jude says once we return to Ripley, checking their reflection in the visor mirror. “It means a lot.”
“Of course!” I reply, using my laminated card as a fan.
“I definitely wouldn’t have done it alone.”
I watch them as they enter The Village into their GPS and put the car in reverse, then train my gaze forward. “Was Nikki busy?” I ask.
Jude hesitates for a moment before answering. “You know, it’s going to sound weird, but I kind of assumed she was without asking. I think I was worried she might have tried to convince me to get more.”
“Ah,” I say, understanding. “Like, instead of just a nostril piercing, why not get a tattoo, too?”
Jude nods. “Yeah, and I know with enough persuasion, I would have done it and probably regretted it.”
I frown. “Really? Is she that aggressive?”
“I wouldn’t say ‘aggressive,’” Jude says, brows knitted. “She’s just… cool and confident, and that makes her pretty persuasive.”
Something about that rubs me the wrong way, but I decide not to dwell on it.
“I just wasn’t ready for too big a step this time,” Jude continues. “One thing at a time, you know?”
“Definitely.”
“Anyway. I knew you would be down for anything, so I figured you were probably the best person to join me on this adventure.”
My chest warms at that, and I smile. “It’s an honor to be that person for you.”
Jude grins, but not enough to reach their eyes. “We probably shouldn’t tell anyone about that whole couples discount thing, though,” they add. “I don’t want people starting rumors about us or whatever.”
I nod. “Oh, yeah, no worries. It’ll be our secret.”
Jude scrunches their nose. “When you say it like that, it sounds like we did something bad.”
I scoff. “I mean…”
Jude’s smile vanishes.
“I only mean that if we’re keeping it a secret and don’t want anyone to know, it doesn’t mean it’s good, right?
” I clarify. “To be clear, I don’t feel like we did anything wrong.
We’re just two people who saw an opportunity to take advantage of a silly discount and ended up saving about fifty bucks on a service.
All we had to do was pretend to be a couple, and we nailed it.
We both know it was fake, so why does it matter? ”
Jude doesn’t answer—their frown actually deepens.
The car is only silent for a few seconds, but it seems like hours.
“Well, since I already ruined the vibe, I guess I should go ahead and ask another uncomfortable question I’ve been putting off.” I roll the laminated aftercare instructions into a tight tube. “Did I do something to piss Nikki off?”
Jude digs their nails into the steering wheel as they consider my question. “It’s not your fault,” they finally mutter.
I think back to our most recent movie night—the first one Nikki attended—and I remember the waves of disdain Nikki radiated the entire time. “That’s not really an answer,” I reply.
They sigh. “Look, Nikki is… She has a history with men—a bad one. The men in her life have been awful to her, so she doesn’t trust them anymore, like at all. So, it’s not you specifically. It’s all men.”
I open my mouth to speak candidly, but I think better of it. “She seemed to like Max and Theo just fine,” I counter gently. “It definitely felt like it was targeted at me.”
Jude’s jaw tightens a few times before they speak again. “Nikki knows that Max and Theo are queer,” they admit. “And I didn’t want to tell her you were ace in case you haven’t told anyone else yet. I wouldn’t want it to slip out or anything. Plus, that’s your news to share, not mine.”
I shake my head. “I appreciate that, but I mean…haven’t you also had some shitty men in your life? You were never cold to me like that.”
“I was definitely wary of you at first,” Jude clarifies. “Remember? That day in the library?”
“Yeah, but we were already friends at that point,” I counter. “It’s not the same.”
“Okay, but… Nikki and I aren’t the same, either.”
I wait for further explanation, but it never comes.
So, that’s it? Nikki universally assumes that all cishet men are evil and never gives them a chance to prove otherwise?
I guess I don’t know her story, so I can’t judge too harshly, but given how close Jude and I have become, I can only assume Nikki’s resentment will make things uncomfortable when we’re all together.
“So,” I say after a few moments. “I’m a guy, Nikki hates guys, so therefore, Nikki hates me, and there’s nothing more to it?”
Jude presses their lips in a tight line. “I think she’s also jealous of all the time you and I spend together.”
There it is. “Nikki is jealous of me?”
“She would never admit to it,” Jude says. “But yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s part of it. I’ve tried to convince her that she has nothing to worry about, but her distrust towards men runs deep.”
“Well, shit,” I conclude, as eloquently as possible. “That sucks.”
Jude sighs. “Yeah. But, hey, maybe she’ll come around.”
And what if she doesn’t? I don’t want to know the answer, so I don’t ask it aloud. Instead, I flash them a smile. “Yeah.”
“If any man can win Nikki over, it’s you.”
“Damn right, it’s me,” I repeat, hoping maybe I can convince myself that there’s a chance. “I’m a goddamn delight.”
Jude laughs, filling the air with melodic joy, and my heart soars with it.
If befriending Nikki brings Jude happiness, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
“Whoa, hello, what are those?”
“Hm?” I glance up from my phone to see Max squinting at my ears. “Oh! I got my ears pierced on Saturday. You like ‘em?”
Max raises a brow. “Interesting. You know, you’re not the first person I’ve talked to that got a piercing this weekend.”
“Hang on, let me see,” Theo calls from the hallway before half-jogging into the kitchen with one backpack strap on. His eyes go wide when he sees my studs. “Dude, what the hell? Since when have you wanted your ears pierced?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Can’t a nineteen-year-old spontaneously decide to go get his ears pierced over the weekend?”
“By yourself?”
“Well, no, I went with Jude. They got their nose pierced.”
“A-ha,” Max says, snapping his fingers. “So, you and Jude went to get piercings together?”
I frown. “Yeah? What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing is inherently wrong with that,” Max replies. “I find it sus though.”
“Why?”
“Y’all ready to head out?” Theo asks after grabbing a soda from the fridge.
“Sure,” Max says, leading the way into the hallway for our early-morning trek to English. “And to answer your question, Oliver, I guess I just find it weird that Jude asked you to join them instead of their girlfriend.”
“Oh, that’s easily explained. Nikki was working.”
“Hm.”
“What? She was! Ask Jude!”
“No, I believe you,” Max replies. “To be clear, I don’t find your behavior sus. Only theirs.”
“Oh.” I frown again, unsure how to respond. I know I shouldn’t get involved in Jude and Max’s business, so I’ll just do what I do best. “But more importantly, do you think I’m pulling off the studs?”
“Yeah, you look cool,” Theo answers with a smile.
“Oh, honey, of course,” Max says with a laugh. “It’s hot as hell.”
My cheeks darken, and I grin. “Well, good. That’s all I needed to hear.”
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Oliver
heyo
are you coming to movie night tonight?
Max said we’re watching Superman
Jude
yes, I’ll be there!
sorry, got caught up at Nikki’s place, but I’m about to leave
Something churns in my stomach as I read the last text. “Caught up at Nikki’s place.” I assume that means they were having sex, which is great for Jude, but it serves as a reminder that Nikki won’t be joining us for yet another movie night.
And if I’m honest, I can’t say I’m disappointed. Nikki still hasn’t warmed up to me, and I certainly won’t miss her presence. I am a little annoyed, though, because I was hoping for another chance to win her over. I worry that if I don’t sway her opinion soon, it might be too late.
Either way, I’m relieved Jude is still coming. I hadn’t heard much from them this weekend, and I have a surprise for them that I hope they’ll enjoy.
Oliver
dope! See you soon! :D
“Whoa, Oliver, I hardly recognized you,” Theo gawks at me from the hallway where he just appeared. “What’s up with your hair?”
I dramatically whip my head side to side, swishing my loose blonde waves in every direction. “You like it? I grew it myself.”
Theo snorts. “You wear your hair up so often that I don’t even think about how long your hair is.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” I say, running my fingers through it to reshape it. “It’s about time, right?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Shit!” Max shouts, freezing in his tracks the moment he lays eyes on me. He squeezes his eyes shut, then claps a hand over his chest. “What the actual fuck, Oliver?”
“Sorry, did I scare you?”
He sighs, opens his eyes, and glares at me. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
I grin and waggle my eyebrows. “I don’t know, is it working?”
Max’s face darkens. “Jesus Christ.”
Celeste appears behind him a moment later and does a double-take when she sees me. “Well, damn,” she mutters. “You clean up good, Oliver.”
“Thank you,” I reply, theatrically tucking a strand behind my ear.
“Might want to tone it down a bit, though,” she warns. “Poor Max is going to combust.”
I frown. “Why?”
Max whimpers. “I just need a minute, it’s fine.”
“I think he thinks you’re too hot,” Theo says with a laugh. “Max can’t handle it.”
I glance back at Max, who is facing the kitchen now. “I can pull my hair back up if it’s too much.”
“He’s fine,” Celeste insists. “It’s mostly for the bit, right, hon’?”
“Sure, sure,” Max says, grabbing a sparkling water from the fridge and turning to face the living room again. “Anyway, are we ready for Superman?”
“Vimlesh said he’ll join late,” Theo answers. “But he said to feel free to start it without him. He saw it in theaters over the summer.”
“Okay, cool,” Max says. “And Jude?”
“Jude is on their way,” Celeste says, barely concealing annoyance. “They were at Nikki’s.”
Max grimaces. “Of course.”
My eyes go wide with realization, but before I can open my mouth—
“Y’all don’t like Nikki either?” Theo asks.
Max shakes his head. “That information does not leave this room.” He looks directly at me. “If Jude finds out, they’d be really upset.”
“But, if we all think Nikki is bad for Jude, shouldn’t we say something?” I ask.
“Not yet,” Celeste replies. “It’s too soon to tell whether it’s even worth mentioning. I don’t think their relationship’s going to last much longer anyway.”
I frown. “Why do you say that?”
“You met her,” Max snaps. “She’s a pretentious misandrist who only sticks around because Jude’s really good in the sack.”
My jaw drops. Theo chokes on his soda.
“Allegedly,” Celeste clarifies. “We don’t know what Jude’s like in the sack. That’s gross.”
I shake my head, trying to clear those thoughts from my mind. “I’m still confused. Why don’t you want to tell Jude this?”
“I’ve tried,” Celeste says. “Jude doesn’t want to hear that right now. I think being with Nikki has been good for their self-esteem.”
That doesn’t sit right with me, but maybe Max and Celeste are right. It’s not my place to say anything. It definitely isn’t worth losing Jude over.
“But enough about that,” Max says. “Oliver, I know you and Jude are close, but it’s important that you don’t try to interfere with Nikki. Jude needs to come to their own conclusions about Nikki, and it’s our job as their friends to simply be there for them no matter what happens.”
I nod. “Yeah, that makes sense.”
“Well, I’m going to get the movie queued up. Does someone want to make popcorn?”
“I will!” Theo volunteers, leaping to his feet. I imagine he’s been looking for a way out of this particular conversation.
Only a few moments later, there’s a knock on the door, and I sprint to the door and swing it open. Jude jolts upon seeing me, then squints. “Oliver?”
I grin. “In the flesh!”
Their eyes widen, and their mouth hangs slightly open as they take in my appearance. “Your hair,” they whisper. “It’s so… wow, your hair is so long.”
I laugh. “I mean, yeah, it’s pretty long. It gets in the way sometimes. But I remembered that when we were at the tattoo shop, you mentioned I should wear it down sometime. And, well, here it is.”
Jude steps forward, their smile slowly growing. “I really like it,” they say. “You should wear it down more often.”
“Now that it’s getting cooler outside, maybe I will.”
Jude’s expression is hard to read, but it seems positive. Their cheeks flush slightly as their eyes continue to scan every inch of my head.
“So, are you coming in, or did you want to chill out here the rest of the night?” I ask.
Jude blinks out of their daze, and their distant expression morphs into embarrassment. “Well, move out of the way so I can come in, weirdo!”