Chapter Text

–Connor’s Point Of View–

As a 12-year-old kid in San Diego, California, my life hasn’t exactly been easy.
I’ve always hung out with the guys from my baseball team—the same ones my dad pushed me to be friends with. But everything changed the day I met Jude.

He was new, small, and looked kind of... scared. He didn’t seem like the other kids, and that made me curious. The baseball guys were loud, rude, and always trying to one-up each other. Jude was nothing like them. He looked kind—and a little lost.

He didn’t have a lab partner, so I figured I’d ask him.

I walked over to where he was sitting.
“Hi,” I said, standing beside him. He looked up at me.
“Hi?” There was curiosity in his eyes.
I hesitated. He looked so sweet and quiet.
“Uh—” I met his eyes and smiled. “I’m Connor. Want to be lab partners?”
He smiled back, and something about it made me feel warm.
“Yeah, I’d like that,” he said. His voice was soft and honest.

During class, I learned a lot about Jude. He told me he was new in town because he’d been placed with a new foster family. His sister Callie had rescued him from a bad home. Jude didn’t go into detail, but it was clear he’d been through a lot.

Now, he had three foster siblings—Brandon, and twins Jesus and Mariana. The most surprising part? He had two moms. One of them was our vice principal, Lena. The other, Stef, worked for the police. My dad had always been… particular about people. Discriminatory, if I’m being honest. I didn’t share his views, but I couldn’t exactly tell him that.

Class was fun. Jude was funny and easy to talk to. For the first time in a while, I felt like I could be myself.

After science, it was lunchtime. I sat with the baseball guys, like usual, but then I saw Jude. He was sitting alone, looking... hurt. Without thinking, I stood up to go join him.

One of the guys stepped in front of me.
“Where are you going, Stevens?” he asked, arms crossed.
“To eat with my friend,” I said, frowning.
“Isn’t that Jude kid? Heard he’s a freak.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s a foster kid. And I heard he’s gay.” They laughed.

I didn’t respond. I just walked past them toward Jude.

“Hey,” I said, nudging him gently.
He looked up and smiled. “Oh, hi Connor.” He took a bite of his sandwich—and got sauce on his cheek. I chuckled.
“What’s funny?” he asked, confused.
“You’ve got sauce on your face,” I said, pointing.
“Where?!” he panicked, trying to wipe it off.
“Jude, relax,” I laughed. “Let me get it.” I leaned over and wiped it off with my thumb.

I sat next to him. The baseball guys laughed behind me. For a second, it stung. That pressure to fit in came back like a weight on my chest. But when I looked at Jude—really looked—I felt okay again. His smile was real. His eyes were warm, like he actually saw me. And just like that, the sting faded.

A smile crept onto my face. I didn’t care about their judgment. My new friend, Jude, was amazing. I hadn’t even known him a day, but I felt safer with him than I ever had.

When the bell rang, I walked with Jude to his locker. We didn’t say much, but we didn’t have to. Being around him felt like finally being able to breathe. It wasn’t just about being seen—it was about being understood. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t care what anyone else thought.

–Jude’s Point Of View–

I walked home with Callie after my first day at my new school. I didn’t say much—just listened while she talked. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really paying attention. My mind was somewhere else.

Today was… good. I even made a friend. Connor Stevens. He was the only person who talked to me, and I didn’t mind that at all.

“Jude, are you listening to me?” Callie looked down at me curiously.

I glanced up. “Yeah—” I said, guilt clear on my face.

She raised an eyebrow. “No, you weren’t. Don’t lie to me.” She looked ahead as we kept walking. “What’s on your mind, Judicorn?”

I chuckled at the nickname. “I made a friend today, Cal.” I smiled up at her.

“Oh really? Who?”

“His name’s Connor. He’s really nice. He even sat with me at lunch.”

“That’s great, Jude. I’m happy to see you smile.”

We eventually got home to the Adams Fosters’ house—the one Callie and I are staying at now. I headed to the room I share with my foster brother, Jesus. Callie shares a room with Mariana, his twin. They’ve both been really nice to me.

A few days ago, Callie saved me from our last foster home—with help from Stef, our new foster mom. She’s a police officer, and honestly, she’s really cool. That last house… it wasn’t safe. Callie got sent to juvie for destroying our old foster dad’s car. I try not to think about it too much, but the memories still creep in. The nightmares too. I know I’m safe here. I believe that. But oddly enough, I felt the safest today—sitting next to Connor.

Lena, our other foster mom (and the vice principal at school), called us down for dinner.

“Hey, little man.” Brandon, Stef’s son, gave me a fist bump as I sat down. “How was your first day at Anchor Beach?”

“It was good—great, actually.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” Lena asked, smiling as she passed the salad.

“I made a friend. His name’s Connor. He’s in my science class.”

“That’s lovely, bud,” Stef said warmly.

Mariana leaned forward with a teasing grin. “Has anyone piqued your interest, Jude?”

“You mean, like… a crush?”

“Obviously.”

“Well… no. I don’t think so.”

“Lame,” she muttered, smirking.

After dinner, I went upstairs to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. When I came back into the room, something on my bed caught my eye—a note and a small box.

The note read:
“Dear Jude,
We hope you enjoy staying here with us. When we heard about your new friend, we thought we’d give you this so you can stay in touch with him.
Good night, Jude.
—Lena and Stef.”

I opened the box. Inside was a brand new phone, already set up for me.

I smiled and curled into bed, clutching the blanket close. For once, I fell asleep with a warm feeling in my chest.

The next day I waited anxiously in science class. I couldn’t stop bouncing my knee. I couldn’t wait to see Connor again—and to ask for his number. I spotted him walk into class and waved him over.

He saw me, smiled, and came to sit beside me.

“Hey, Jude,” he said, still smiling as he sat down.

“Hi.” I grinned, my heart beating a little faster. “Connor?”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“My foster moms gave me a phone last night, and I was wondering if I could have your number… so we could talk. Or maybe hang out sometime.” I looked down, cheeks burning.

Connor nudged my foot with his, and I glanced back up.

He had that soft, reassuring smile. “Give me your phone. I’ll put my number in.”

I handed it to him, and watched as he typed in his info—pinning his name to the top of my contacts. He handed it back, and I smiled down at the screen.

We spent the rest of the period talking quietly. I wasn’t even paying attention to the lesson. I could talk to Connor forever and never get bored. He was kind. Easy to be around. A really good friend—from what I could tell so far.

When lunch came, we grabbed our stuff from our lockers and walked outside together. Most people sit across from each other at lunch, but Connor sat right next to me on the bench.

I didn’t mind at all.
In fact…
I liked it.

–Connor’s Point Of View–

As I sat beside Jude during lunch, I caught a glimpse of the guys from the baseball team. They were laughing—at us. Embarrassment washed over me, and I shifted away from Jude without thinking. When I glanced at him, I saw the hurt in his eyes, and guilt hit me like a punch in the chest.

I stared down at the table, unable to meet his gaze.

“Connor—” Jude reached out to touch my shoulder.

I flinched and stood up quickly, avoiding his eyes.
“I have to go. See you later, Jude.”
I hurried off to the library—a quiet place that’s usually empty during lunch.

I grabbed my favorite book, Solitaire by Alice Oseman, and tucked myself away in my usual secluded corner. This wasn’t the first time I’d ditched the baseball guys. Sometimes, I just can’t take their nonsense. I come here instead—to read, draw, or write. Stuff I never really share with anyone.

As I reread my book for probably the twentieth time, Jude’s eyes flashed in my mind. I didn’t mean to hurt him. What if he hates me now?

My thoughts spiraled, pulling me under until I barely noticed the world around me.

“Connor?”

The sound of my name broke through the haze. I flinched, curling in on myself, hiding my head in my knees.

“Hey.”
Footsteps stopped in front of me. “Connor?”

I peeked out and, somehow, wasn’t surprised to see Jude crouched there, concern written all over his face.

“Connor, are you okay?” he asked gently, placing a hand on my back and rubbing slow circles. The warmth of the gesture made tears sting behind my eyes.

I turned to face him, wiping at the tears and trying to force a smile.
“Yeah… yeah, I’m okay. Sorry for worrying you.”

He didn’t say anything, just looked at me with that same kindness that always catches me off guard. A genuine smile slowly spread across my face.

Jude sat down across from me, and the air between us settled into a quiet comfort.

After a moment, I spoke softly.
“I’m sorry, Jude. For running away. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

He nudged his foot against mine, and I glanced up.
“It’s okay, Connor. I wasn’t mad—just worried. I’m glad you’re okay.” He tilted his head with a crooked little smile. “Would you mind telling me what happened?”

I took a deep breath.
“I play for the town’s baseball team. The other guys… they’re not exactly the nicest. They like to pick on me for random stuff. I saw them laughing during lunch and—I just panicked. I felt embarrassed. I didn’t want you to think I was weird or weak, so I left.”

I looked down again, fiddling with the edge of my sleeve.

“I usually come here when I need to get away. I read, write, draw—things I don’t share with people. But when you found me… when you comforted me like that… It made me realize how rare that is. I’m not used to being comforted. It made me feel vulnerable—but not in a bad way.”

I smiled at him.
“Thank you for finding me, Jude. It means a lot. Especially since we’ve only known each other for a day.”

Jude opened his mouth to respond—but just then, the bell rang.

We both panicked, scrambling to our feet and hurrying off to class. My heart was still racing—but this time, not from fear.

In my last class of the day, I stared off into space, my thoughts still lingering in the library. Then, my phone buzzed.

A text from an unknown number.

Hi Connor! Sorry for not getting the chance to say anything before the bell rang. I just wanted to tell you that you can always talk to me :) Thank you for confiding in me and being so nice to me this past day. Would you like to come over someday after school? Oh! It’s Jude btw.

I read the message twice, then smiled down at my phone. Jude’s too sweet. We barely know each other, and yet he treats me like I matter.

I sat there, holding onto that feeling for a while before finally typing back:

I’d like that. I’ll ask my dad when I get home :)